To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling for women veterans, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-4635
Sponsor: Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6]
Introduced: 2017-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Mental health
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Women's employment
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-12-13
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the veterans peer counseling program includes a sufficient number of peer counselors for women veterans. 
 
Such counselors may be VA employees and may have expertise in: (1) gender-specific issues and services, (2) VA services and benefits, and (3) employment mentoring. 
 
The VA shall: (1) emphasize facilitating peer-to-peer counseling for women veterans who suffered sexual trauma while in the Armed Forces, have post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from another mental health condition, or are otherwise at risk of becoming homeless; (2) conduct program outreach; and (3) coordinate with community organizations, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, local business organizations, and legal assistance organizations.

action_date: 2018-05-18
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to emphasize appointing peer support counselors for women veterans. The VA shall recruit women peer support counselors with expertise in gender-specific issues and services, VA services and benefits, and employment mentoring. 
 
The VA shall: 
 
 
emphasize peer support counseling for women veterans who suffered sexual trauma while in the Armed Forces, have post-traumatic stress disorder or another mental health condition, are homeless, or are at risk of suicide; 
 
conduct program outreach; 
 
 coordinate with community, business, educational, and state and local government entities; and 
 
 provide peer support counselor training.
 

action_date: 2018-06-13
text: 
(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to emphasize appointing peer support counselors for women veterans. The VA shall recruit women peer support counselors with expertise in gender-specific issues and services, VA services and benefits, and employment mentoring.
 
The VA shall: 
 
 
emphasize peer support counseling for women veterans who suffered sexual trauma while in the Armed Forces, have post-traumatic stress disorder or another mental health condition, are homeless, or are at risk of suicide; 
 
conduct program outreach; 
 
 coordinate with community, business, educational, and state and local government entities; and 
 
 provide peer support counselor training.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-06-14
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H5137)
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H5137)
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4635.
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5137-5138)
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2018-05-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 530.
action_date: 2018-05-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-687.
action_date: 2018-05-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-687.
action_date: 2018-05-08
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2018-05-08
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2018-05-08
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2018-04-17
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2017-12-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-12-13
text: Introduced in House