Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act

Bill: 110-s-479
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2007-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Administrative procedure
Afghanistan
Armed forces reserves
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Counseling
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Veterans Affairs
Drug abuse
Drug abuse treatment
Employee training
Families
Federal advisory bodies
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Health education
Housing and Community Development
Iraq
Iraq compilation
Labor and Employment
Law
Legislation
Medical research
Mental health services
Middle East and North Africa
Military dependents
Military operations
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Preventive medicine
Psychotherapy
Rural health
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
South Asia
Suicide
Telephone
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2007-02-01
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 veterans suffering from PTSD in developing and implementing the program required under this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans.
 
Requires the program to include: (1) a national mental health campaign to increase mental health awareness in the veteran community; (2) mandatory training on suicide and suicide prevention for appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and contractor personnel; (3) family education and peer support counseling; (4) veterans' health assessments, counseling, and treatment programs; (5) suicide prevention counselors; (6) research on suicide prevention; (7) treatment programs for veterans suffering from substance abuse; (8) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; and (9) a toll-free hotline.

action_date: 2007-07-23
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
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 veterans suffering from PTSD in developing and implementing the program required under this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans.
 
Requires the program to include: (1) a national mental health campaign to increase mental health awareness in the veteran community; (2) mandatory training on suicide and suicide prevention for appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and contractor personnel; (3) family education and peer support counseling; (4) veterans' health assessments, counseling, and treatment programs; (5) suicide prevention counselors; (6) research on suicide prevention; (7) treatment programs for veterans suffering from substance abuse; (8) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; and (9) a toll-free hotline.
 
Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on VA programs and activities to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11097-11101)
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 279.
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka without amendment. With written report No. 110-132.
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka without amendment. With written report No. 110-132.
action_date: 2007-06-27
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-04-25
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 110-89.
action_date: 2007-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1529-1530)
action_date: 2007-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate