VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act

Bill: 117-hr-2724
Sponsor: Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19]
Introduced: 2021-04-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Assault and harassment offenses
Crime victims
Department of Veterans Affairs
Sex offenses
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-21
text: 

VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that each individual who files a claim relating to military sexual trauma is assigned a peer support specialist during the claims process, unless the individual elects to not have such support.
 
Under the bill, a peer support specialist must be trained as a victim advocate and may not be responsible for any part of adjudicating the individual's claim.

action_date: 2022-05-18
text: 
This bill prescribes that a peer support specialist of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must not be responsible for providing assistance to a veteran regarding a claim for compensation for a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced during active service. Such specialists must only provide counseling services, guidance, and support and must not participate in the adjudication of the claim.
 
As part of the forms for claims for compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST, the VA must include an option for a veteran to elect to be referred to a MST trauma coordinator at the VA facility closest to the veteran's residence.
 
Additionally, the VA must (1) ensure that its peer support specialists receive annual training on providing peer support regarding MST, and (2) provide annual training on the processing of claims for compensation for covered mental health conditions based on MST to its MST coordinators and peer specialists. 

action_date: 2022-12-27
text: 
This act prescribes that a peer support specialist of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must not be responsible for providing assistance to a veteran regarding a claim for compensation for a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced during active service. Such specialists must only provide counseling services, guidance, and support and must not participate in the adjudication of the claim.
 
As part of the forms for claims for compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST, the VA must include an option for a veteran to elect to be referred to a MST trauma coordinator at the VA facility closest to the veteran's residence.
 
Additionally, the VA must (1) ensure that its peer support specialists receive annual training on providing peer support regarding MST, and (2) provide annual training on the processing of claims for compensation for covered mental health conditions based on MST to its MST coordinators and peer specialists. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-27
text: Became Public Law No: 117-271.
action_date: 2022-12-27
text: Became Public Law No: 117-271.
action_date: 2022-12-27
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-12-27
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-12-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-12-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7268)
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-05-19
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 0 (Roll no. 224). (text: CR H5109)
action_date: 2022-05-18
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): 420 - 0 (Roll no. 224).
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5168-5169)
action_date: 2022-05-18
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: 2022-05-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2724.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5109-5110)
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
action_date: 2021-10-20
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2021-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-04-21
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 117-271