STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

Bill: 117-hr-6411
Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Introduced: 2022-01-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Census and government statistics
Commemorative events and holidays
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Cultural exchanges and relations
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency communications systems
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Federal-Indian relations
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Home and outpatient care
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Minority employment
Minority health
Neurological disorders
Nursing
Performance measurement
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Specialized courts
Student aid and college costs
Telephone and wireless communication
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2022-01-18
text: 

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

 
This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources. 
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
 
increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
 
expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
 
review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
 
designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
 
update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
 
make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
 
expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
 
offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
 
improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
 
perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.
 
 
Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.

action_date: 2022-06-22
text: 

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

 
This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources. 
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
 
increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
 
expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
 
review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
 
designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
 
update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
 
make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
 
expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
 
offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
 
improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
 
perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.
 
 
Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.

action_date: 2022-06-23
text: 

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

 
This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources. 
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
 
increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
 
expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
 
review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
 
designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
 
update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
 
make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
 
expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
 
offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
 
improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
 
perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.
 
 
Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-07-11
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5845-5851)
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6411.
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5845-5853)
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: Mr. Levin (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 292.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-382.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-382.
action_date: 2022-02-02
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2022-02-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-01-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2022-01-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2022-01-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2022-01-18
text: Introduced in House