Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act

Bill: 110-hr-327
Sponsor: Rep. Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3]
Introduced: 2007-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Afghanistan
Armed forces abroad
Armed forces reserves
Congressional reporting requirements
Counseling
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee training
Families
Family services
Federal employees
Geriatrics
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Health
Health counseling
Health education
Health information systems
Iraq
Iraq compilation
Labor and Employment
Medical research
Medical screening
Medical tests
Mental depression
Mental health services
Mental illness
Middle East and North Africa
Military occupation
Military operations
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Preventive medicine
Psychotherapy
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
South Asia
Suicide
Telephone
Terrorism
Veterans' medical care
Victims of crimes
Volunteer workers
Women
Women veterans

Summary:
action_date: 2007-01-09
text: 
Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take into consideration the special needs of such veterans and of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide in developing and implementing the comprehensive program outlined in this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs who interact with veterans; (2) screening of veterans who receive medical care at a Department facility for suicide risk factors; (3) referral of at-risk veterans for counseling and treatment; (4) a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility; (5) research for suicide prevention and for mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service; (6) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; and (7) a toll-free hotline.

action_date: 2007-03-20
text: 
Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in developing and implementing the comprehensive program outlined in this Act, should take into consideration the special needs of such veterans and of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who interact with veterans; (2) screening for suicide risk factors veterans who receive medical care at a Department facility; (3) tracking of veterans; (4) referral of at-risk veterans for counseling and treatment; (5) designation of a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility; (6) research on best practices for suicide prevention; (7) mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service; (8) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; (9) a toll-free hotline; (10) outreach and education for veterans and their families; and (11) peer support counseling.
 
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the program.

action_date: 2007-03-21
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 20, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in developing and implementing the comprehensive program outlined in this Act, should take into consideration the special needs of such veterans and of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who interact with veterans; (2) screening for suicide risk factors veterans who receive medical care at a Department facility; (3) tracking of veterans; (4) referral of at-risk veterans for counseling and treatment; (5) designation of a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility; (6) research on best practices for suicide prevention; (7) mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service; (8) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; (9) a toll-free hotline; (10) outreach and education for veterans and their families; and (11) peer support counseling.
 
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the program.

action_date: 2007-09-27
text: 
Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in developing and implementing the comprehensive program outlined in this Act, should take into consideration the special needs of such veterans and of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who interact with veterans; (2) mental health assessments of veterans; (3) designation of a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility; (4) research on best practices for suicide prevention; (5) mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service; (6) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; (7) a toll-free hotline; and (8) outreach and education for veterans and their families.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to develop and carry a peer support counseling program as part of such program. 
 
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the program.

action_date: 2007-11-05
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 27, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in developing and implementing the comprehensive program outlined in this Act, should take into consideration the special needs of such veterans and of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who interact with veterans; (2) mental health assessments of veterans; (3) designation of a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility; (4) research on best practices for suicide prevention; (5) mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service; (6) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; (7) a toll-free hotline; and (8) outreach and education for veterans and their families.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to develop and carry a peer support counseling program as part of such program. 
 
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-11-05
text: Became Public Law No: 110-110.
action_date: 2007-11-05
text: Became Public Law No: 110-110.
action_date: 2007-11-05
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2007-11-05
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2007-10-24
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2007-10-24
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll No. 987).
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll No. 987).
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 327.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Mr. Filner moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
action_date: 2007-09-28
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12315-12316)
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12315-12316)
action_date: 2007-03-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 174). (text: CR H2772-2773)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 174).(text: CR H2772-2773)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2785-2786)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 327.
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2772-2778)
action_date: 2007-03-21
text: Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2007-03-20
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 26.
action_date: 2007-03-20
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-55.
action_date: 2007-03-20
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-55.
action_date: 2007-03-15
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-03-15
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-03-13
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2007-03-13
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2007-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-01-09
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 110-110