Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act

Bill: 115-hr-918
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6]
Introduced: 2017-02-07
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses

Conflicts and wars

Congressional oversight

Crime victims

Crimes against women

Government studies and investigations

Health care coverage and access

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Mental health

Military operations and strategy

National Guard and reserves

Sex offenses

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2017-11-08
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-02-07
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish to former members of the Armed Forces: (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services required to treat the member's urgent mental health care needs, including risk of suicide or harming others. </p> <p> A former member of the Armed Forces is an individual who: </p> <ul> <li>served in the active military, naval, or air service, was discharged or released under a condition less than honorable (except a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge), has applied for a character of service determination that has not yet been made, and is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the VA health care system by reason of such discharge or release; or </li> <li>while serving in the Armed Forces, was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area, participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities, or was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment.</li> </ul> <p>The VA may provide such mental health care services at a non-VA facility if: (1) the receipt of mental health care services by an individual in VA facilities would be clinically inadvisable, or (2) VA facilities are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility. </p> <p>The VA shall seek to enter into a contract with an independent nongovernmental entity to study the effect combat service has had on suicide rates and serious mental health issues among veterans.</p>

action_date: 2017-11-06
action_desc: Reported to House with amendment(s)
text: <p><strong>Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act</strong></p> <p> (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish to former members of the Armed Forces: (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services required to treat the member's urgent mental health care needs, including risk of suicide or harming others. </p> <p> A former member of the Armed Forces is an individual who: </p> <ul> <li>served in the active military, naval, or air service, was discharged or released under a condition less than honorable (except a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge), has applied for a character of service determination that has not yet been made, and is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the VA health care system by reason of such discharge or release; or </li> <li>while serving in the Armed Forces, was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area, participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities (including by controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle from a location other than such theater or area), or was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment.</li> </ul> <p>The VA may provide such mental health care services at a non-VA facility if: (1) the receipt of mental health care services by an individual in VA facilities would be clinically inadvisable, or (2) VA facilities are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility. </p> <p> The VA shall: (1) seek to ensure that such mental health care services are furnished in a therapeutically appropriate setting, and (2) provide referral services to assist former members who are not eligible for such VA services in obtaining services from non-VA sources. </p> <p>(Sec. 3) The bill extends through September 30, 2025, the current rates for fees on certain housing loans guaranteed by the VA. </p> <p> (Sec. 4) The VA shall establish a process by which an individual who was discharged from the Armed Forces can seek a VA determination as to whether the discharge was under a condition barring the individual from receiving a VA benefit. If the VA determines that the individual is so barred, the VA shall provide such individual with information regarding his or her ability to address such condition.</p>

action_date: 2017-11-07
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p><strong>Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act</strong></p> <p> (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish to former members of the Armed Forces: (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services required to treat the member's urgent mental health care needs, including risk of suicide or harming others. </p> <p> A former member of the Armed Forces is an individual who: </p> <ul> <li>served in the active military, naval, or air service, was discharged or released under a condition less than honorable (except a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge), has applied for a character of service determination that has not yet been made, and is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the VA health care system by reason of such discharge or release; or </li> <li>while serving in the Armed Forces, was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area, participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities (including by controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle from a location other than such theater or area), or was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment.</li> </ul> <p>The VA may provide such mental health care services at a non-VA facility if: (1) the receipt of mental health care services by an individual in VA facilities would be clinically inadvisable, or (2) VA facilities are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility. </p> <p> The VA shall: (1) seek to ensure that such mental health care services are furnished in a therapeutically appropriate setting, and (2) provide referral services to assist former members who are not eligible for such VA services in obtaining services from non-VA sources. </p> <p>(Sec. 3) The VA shall establish a process by which an individual who was discharged from the Armed Forces can seek a VA determination as to whether the discharge was under a condition barring the individual from receiving a VA benefit. If the VA determines that the individual is so barred, the VA shall provide such individual with information regarding his or her ability to address such condition.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 918 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 7, 2017 Mr. Coffman (for himself, Mr. Kilmer , Miss Rice of New York , Mr. Meehan , Mr. Jones , Mr. Bishop of Georgia , Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania , Ms. Jenkins of Kansas , Mr. King of New York , Mr. Swalwell of California , Mr. Himes , Mr. Bergman , Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire , and Mrs. Radewagen ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish mental health care to certain former members of the Armed Forces who are not otherwise eligible to receive such care, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act . 2. Expansion of initial and urgent mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces (a) In general Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1720H the following new section: 1720I. Provision of initial and urgent mental health care for certain former members not otherwise eligible for care (a) In general The Secretary shall furnish to former members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b)— (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services authorized under this chapter that the Secretary determines are required to treat the urgent mental health care needs of the former member, including risk of suicide or harming others. (b) Former members of the Armed Forces described A former member of the Armed Forces described in this subsection is an individual who meets the following criteria: (1) The individual is a former member of the Armed Forces, including the reserve components, who— (A) served in the active military, naval, or air service, and was discharged or released therefrom under a condition that is not honorable except— (i) dishonorable; or (ii) bad conduct discharge; (B) has applied for a character of service determination and such determination has not been made; and (C) is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the health care system established by section 1705 of this title by reason of such discharge or release not meeting the requirements of section 101(2) of this title. (2) While serving in the Armed Forces— (A) the former member was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area; (B) participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities, including by controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle from a location other than such theater or area; or (C) was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment (as defined in section 1720D(f) of this title). (c) Non-Department care (1) In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary may provide such mental health care services at a non-Department facility if— (A) in the judgment of a mental health professional employed by the Department, the receipt of mental health care services by that individual in facilities of the Department would be clinically inadvisable; or (B) facilities of the Department are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility. (2) The Secretary shall carry out paragraph (1) pursuant to section 1703 of this title or any other provision of law authorizing the Secretary to enter into contracts or agreements to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans at non-Department facilities. (d) Setting and referrals In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) seek to ensure that such mental health care services are furnished in a setting that is therapeutically appropriate, taking into account the circumstances that resulted in the need for such mental health care services; and (2) provide referral services to assist former members who are not eligible for services under this chapter to obtain services from sources outside the Department. (e) Information The Secretary shall provide information on the mental health care services available under this section. Efforts by the Secretary to provide such information— (1) shall include availability of a toll-free telephone number (commonly referred to as an 800 number); (2) shall ensure that information about the mental health care services available under this section— (A) is revised and updated as appropriate; (B) is made available and visibly posted at appropriate facilities of the Department; and (C) is made available through appropriate public information services; and (3) shall include coordination with the Secretary of Defense seeking to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and individuals who are being separated from active military, naval, or air service are provided appropriate information about programs, requirements, and procedures for applying for mental health care services under this section. (f) Annual reports Each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the mental health care services provided pursuant to this section. Each report shall include data for the year covered by the report with respect to each of the following: (1) The number of individuals who received mental health care services under subsection (a), disaggregated by the number of men who received such services and the number of women who received such services. (2) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1720H the following new item: 1720I. Provision of initial and urgent mental health care not otherwise eligible for care. . (c) Study on effect of combat service on suicide rates (1) Study The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall seek to enter into a contract with an independent nongovernmental entity to carry out a study on the effect combat service has had on suicide rates and serious mental health issues among veterans. To the extent practicable, such study shall— (A) compare the rate and method of suicides among veterans who have received mental health care services from the Veterans Health Administration and veterans who have not received such services from the Veterans Health Administration; and (B) compare the rate and method of suicides and the incidence of serious mental health issues among veterans who have served in combat and veterans who have not served in combat. (2) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report containing the study conducted under paragraph (1).

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 918 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish mental health care to certain former members of the Armed Forces who are not otherwise eligible to receive such care, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act . 2. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces (a) In general Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1720H the following new section: 1720I. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces (a) In general The Secretary shall furnish to former members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b)— (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services authorized under this chapter that the Secretary determines are required to treat the mental health care needs of the former member, including risk of suicide or harming others. (b) Former members of the Armed Forces described A former member of the Armed Forces described in this subsection is an individual who meets the following criteria: (1) The individual is a former member of the Armed Forces, including the reserve components, who— (A) served in the active military, naval, or air service, and was discharged or released therefrom under a condition that is not honorable except— (i) dishonorable; or (ii) bad conduct discharge; (B) has applied for a character of service determination and such determination has not been made; and (C) is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the health care system established by section 1705 of this title by reason of such discharge or release not meeting the requirements of section 101(2) of this title. (2) While serving in the Armed Forces— (A) the former member was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area; (B) participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities, including by controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle from a location other than such theater or area; or (C) was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment (as defined in section 1720D(f) of this title). (c) Non-Department care (1) In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary may provide such mental health care services at a non-Department facility if— (A) in the judgment of a mental health professional employed by the Department, the receipt of mental health care services by that individual in facilities of the Department would be clinically inadvisable; or (B) facilities of the Department are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility. (2) The Secretary shall carry out paragraph (1) pursuant to section 1703 of this title or any other provision of law authorizing the Secretary to enter into contracts or agreements to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans at non-Department facilities. (d) Setting and referrals In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) seek to ensure that such mental health care services are furnished in a setting that is therapeutically appropriate, taking into account the circumstances that resulted in the need for such mental health care services; and (2) provide referral services to assist former members who are not eligible for services under this chapter to obtain services from sources outside the Department. (e) Information The Secretary shall provide information on the mental health care services available under this section. Efforts by the Secretary to provide such information— (1) shall include availability of a toll-free telephone number (commonly referred to as an 800 number); (2) shall ensure that information about the mental health care services available under this section— (A) is revised and updated as appropriate; (B) is made available and visibly posted at appropriate facilities of the Department; and (C) is made available to State veteran agencies and through appropriate public information services; and (3) shall include coordination with the Secretary of Defense seeking to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and individuals who are being separated from active military, naval, or air service are provided appropriate information about programs, requirements, and procedures for applying for mental health care services under this section. (f) Annual reports Each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the mental health care services provided pursuant to this section. Each report shall include data for the year covered by the report with respect to each of the following: (1) The number of individuals who received mental health care services under subsection (a), disaggregated by the number of men who received such services and the number of women who received such services. (2) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1720H the following new item: 1720I. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces. . 3. Character of service determinations (a) In general Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5303A the following new section: 5303B. Character of service determinations (a) Determination The Secretary shall establish a process by which an individual who served in the Armed Forces and was discharged or dismissed therefrom may seek a determination from the Secretary with respect to whether such discharge or release was under a condition that bars the right of such individual to a benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary based upon the period of service from which discharged or dismissed. (b) Provision of information If the Secretary determines under subsection (a) that an individual is barred to a benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall provide to such individual information regarding the ability of the individual to address such condition, including pursuant to section 5303 of this title and chapter 79 of title 10. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5303A the following new item: 5303B. Character of service determinations. .

Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2017. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 918 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 8, 2017 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish mental health care to certain former members of the Armed Forces who are not otherwise eligible to receive such care, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act . 2. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces (a) In general Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1720H the following new section: 1720I. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces (a) In general The Secretary shall furnish to former members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b)— (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services authorized under this chapter that the Secretary determines are required to treat the mental health care needs of the former member, including risk of suicide or harming others. (b) Former members of the Armed Forces described A former member of the Armed Forces described in this subsection is an individual who meets the following criteria: (1) The individual is a former member of the Armed Forces, including the reserve components, who— (A) served in the active military, naval, or air service, and was discharged or released therefrom under a condition that is not honorable except— (i) dishonorable; or (ii) bad conduct discharge; (B) has applied for a character of service determination and such determination has not been made; and (C) is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the health care system established by section 1705 of this title by reason of such discharge or release not meeting the requirements of section 101(2) of this title. (2) While serving in the Armed Forces— (A) the former member was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area; (B) participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities, including by controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle from a location other than such theater or area; or (C) was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment (as defined in section 1720D(f) of this title). (c) Non-Department care (1) In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary may provide such mental health care services at a non-Department facility if— (A) in the judgment of a mental health professional employed by the Department, the receipt of mental health care services by that individual in facilities of the Department would be clinically inadvisable; or (B) facilities of the Department are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility. (2) The Secretary shall carry out paragraph (1) pursuant to section 1703 of this title or any other provision of law authorizing the Secretary to enter into contracts or agreements to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans at non-Department facilities. (d) Setting and referrals In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) seek to ensure that such mental health care services are furnished in a setting that is therapeutically appropriate, taking into account the circumstances that resulted in the need for such mental health care services; and (2) provide referral services to assist former members who are not eligible for services under this chapter to obtain services from sources outside the Department. (e) Information The Secretary shall provide information on the mental health care services available under this section. Efforts by the Secretary to provide such information— (1) shall include availability of a toll-free telephone number (commonly referred to as an 800 number); (2) shall ensure that information about the mental health care services available under this section— (A) is revised and updated as appropriate; (B) is made available and visibly posted at appropriate facilities of the Department; and (C) is made available to State veteran agencies and through appropriate public information services; and (3) shall include coordination with the Secretary of Defense seeking to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and individuals who are being separated from active military, naval, or air service are provided appropriate information about programs, requirements, and procedures for applying for mental health care services under this section. (f) Annual reports Each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the mental health care services provided pursuant to this section. Each report shall include data for the year covered by the report with respect to each of the following: (1) The number of individuals who received mental health care services under subsection (a), disaggregated by the number of men who received such services and the number of women who received such services. (2) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1720H the following new item: 1720I. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces. . 3. Character of service determinations (a) In general Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5303A the following new section: 5303B. Character of service determinations (a) Determination The Secretary shall establish a process by which an individual who served in the Armed Forces and was discharged or dismissed therefrom may seek a determination from the Secretary with respect to whether such discharge or release was under a condition that bars the right of such individual to a benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary based upon the period of service from which discharged or dismissed. (b) Provision of information If the Secretary determines under subsection (a) that an individual is barred to a benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall provide to such individual information regarding the ability of the individual to address such condition, including pursuant to section 5303 of this title and chapter 79 of title 10. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5303A the following new item: 5303B. Character of service determinations. .

Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2017. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 287 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 918 [Report No. 115–390] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 7, 2017 Mr. Coffman (for himself, Mr. Kilmer , Miss Rice of New York , Mr. Meehan , Mr. Jones , Mr. Bishop of Georgia , Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania , Ms. Jenkins of Kansas , Mr. King of New York , Mr. Swalwell of California , Mr. Himes , Mr. Bergman , Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire , and Mrs. Radewagen ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs November 6, 2017 Additional sponsors: Ms. Shea-Porter , Mr. Royce of California , Ms. Gabbard , Mr. Courtney , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. Buchanan , Mr. Rutherford , Mr. Loebsack , Mr. Higgins of Louisiana , Mr. Rush , Ms. Moore , Mr. Blumenauer , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Kihuen , Ms. Tsongas , Mr. Soto , Mr. Curbelo of Florida , Mr. O'Rourke , Mr. Messer , Ms. Esty of Connecticut , Mr. Tipton , Mr. Moulton , Mr. DeFazio , Mr. Cohen , Mr. Lawson of Florida , Mr. Young of Iowa , and Ms. Sinema November 6, 2017 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 7, 2017 A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish mental health care to certain former members of the Armed Forces who are not otherwise eligible to receive such care, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act . 2. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces (a) In general Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1720H the following new section: 1720I. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces (a) In general The Secretary shall furnish to former members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b)— (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services authorized under this chapter that the Secretary determines are required to treat the mental health care needs of the former member, including risk of suicide or harming others. (b) Former members of the Armed Forces described A former member of the Armed Forces described in this subsection is an individual who meets the following criteria: (1) The individual is a former member of the Armed Forces, including the reserve components, who— (A) served in the active military, naval, or air service, and was discharged or released therefrom under a condition that is not honorable except— (i) dishonorable; or (ii) bad conduct discharge; (B) has applied for a character of service determination and such determination has not been made; and (C) is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the health care system established by section 1705 of this title by reason of such discharge or release not meeting the requirements of section 101(2) of this title. (2) While serving in the Armed Forces— (A) the former member was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area; (B) participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities, including by controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle from a location other than such theater or area; or (C) was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment (as defined in section 1720D(f) of this title). (c) Non-Department care (1) In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary may provide such mental health care services at a non-Department facility if— (A) in the judgment of a mental health professional employed by the Department, the receipt of mental health care services by that individual in facilities of the Department would be clinically inadvisable; or (B) facilities of the Department are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility. (2) The Secretary shall carry out paragraph (1) pursuant to section 1703 of this title or any other provision of law authorizing the Secretary to enter into contracts or agreements to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans at non-Department facilities. (d) Setting and referrals In furnishing mental health care services to an individual under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) seek to ensure that such mental health care services are furnished in a setting that is therapeutically appropriate, taking into account the circumstances that resulted in the need for such mental health care services; and (2) provide referral services to assist former members who are not eligible for services under this chapter to obtain services from sources outside the Department. (e) Information The Secretary shall provide information on the mental health care services available under this section. Efforts by the Secretary to provide such information— (1) shall include availability of a toll-free telephone number (commonly referred to as an 800 number); (2) shall ensure that information about the mental health care services available under this section— (A) is revised and updated as appropriate; (B) is made available and visibly posted at appropriate facilities of the Department; and (C) is made available to State veteran agencies and through appropriate public information services; and (3) shall include coordination with the Secretary of Defense seeking to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and individuals who are being separated from active military, naval, or air service are provided appropriate information about programs, requirements, and procedures for applying for mental health care services under this section. (f) Annual reports Each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the mental health care services provided pursuant to this section. Each report shall include data for the year covered by the report with respect to each of the following: (1) The number of individuals who received mental health care services under subsection (a), disaggregated by the number of men who received such services and the number of women who received such services. (2) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1720H the following new item: 1720I. Expansion of mental health care for certain former members of the Armed Forces. . 3. Extension of requirement for collection of fees for housing loans guaranteed by secretary ofveterans affairs Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in clause (iii), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 ; and (B) in clause (iv), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 ; (2) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in clause (i), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 ; (3) in subparagraph (C)— (A) in clause (i), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 ; and (4) in subparagraph (D)— (A) in clause (i), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2025 . 4. Character of service determinations (a) In general Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5303A the following new section: 5303B. Character of service determinations (a) Determination The Secretary shall establish a process by which an individual who served in the Armed Forces and was discharged or dismissed therefrom may seek a determination from the Secretary with respect to whether such discharge or release was under a condition that bars the right of such individual to a benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary based upon the period of service from which discharged or dismissed. (b) Provision of information If the Secretary determines under subsection (a) that an individual is barred to a benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall provide to such individual information regarding the ability of the individual to address such condition, including pursuant to section 5303 of this title and chapter 79 of title 10. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5303A the following new item: 5303B. Character of service determinations. .

November 6, 2017 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed