MST Claims Coordination Act

Bill: 117-hr-7335
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2]
Introduced: 2022-03-31
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses

Crime victims

Emergency communications systems

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Government information and archives

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Mental health

Sex offenses

Telephone and wireless communication

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2022-12-27
text: Became Public Law No: 117-303.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-03-31
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>MST Claims Coordination Act</strong></p> <p>This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process for claims related to military sexual trauma (MST).</p> <p>During or immediately after a medical examination, hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or other relevant event, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) must coordinate with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide veterans who elect to receive materials with outreach letters, information on the Veterans Crisis Line, information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider, and other information on available resources relating to MST. Additionally, the VHA and the VBA must provide such materials with the determination the VA provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. </p> <p>In a claim for compensation arising from MST experienced by a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and consents to the notification system, the VBA must automatically notify the VHA before the veteran (1) participates in a medical examination, hearing, or other relevant event; or (2) receives a determination from the VA in connection with the claim for compensation.</p>

action_date: 2022-05-18
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>MST Claims Coordination Act</strong></p> <p>This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process for claims related to military sexual trauma (MST).</p> <p>During or immediately after a medical examination, hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or other relevant event, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) must coordinate with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide veterans who elect to receive materials with outreach letters, information on the Veterans Crisis Line, information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider, and other information on available resources relating to MST. Additionally, the VHA and the VBA must provide such materials with the determination the VA provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. </p> <p>In a claim for compensation arising from MST experienced by a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and consents to the notification system, the VBA must automatically notify the VHA before the veteran (1) participates in a medical examination, hearing, or other relevant event; or (2) receives a determination from the VA in connection with the claim for compensation.</p>

action_date: 2022-12-19
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p><strong>MST Claims Coordination Act</strong></p> <p>This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process for claims related to military sexual trauma (MST).</p> <p>During or immediately after a medical examination, hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or other relevant event, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) must coordinate with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide veterans who elect to receive materials with outreach letters, information on the Veterans Crisis Line, information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider, and other information on available resources relating to MST. Additionally, the VHA and the VBA must provide such materials with the determination the VA provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. </p> <p>In a claim for compensation arising from MST experienced by a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and consents to the notification system, the VBA must automatically notify the VHA before the veteran (1) participates in a medical examination, hearing, or other relevant event; or (2) receives a determination from the VA in connection with the claim for compensation.</p>

action_date: 2022-12-27
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><strong>MST Claims Coordination Act</strong></p> <p>This act modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process for claims related to military sexual trauma (MST).</p> <p>During or immediately after a medical examination, hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or other relevant event, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) must coordinate with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide veterans who elect to receive materials with outreach letters, information on the Veterans Crisis Line, information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider, and other information on available resources relating to MST. Additionally, the VHA and the VBA must provide such materials with the determination the VA provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. </p> <p>In a claim for compensation arising from MST experienced by a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and consents to the notification system, the VBA must automatically notify the VHA before the veteran (1) participates in a medical examination, hearing, or other relevant event; or (2) receives a determination from the VA in connection with the claim for compensation.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7335 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 31, 2022 Mrs. Luria introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To improve coordination between the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to claims for compensation arising from military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the MST Claims Coordination Act . 2. Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration coordination for certain claims arising from military sexual trauma (a) Coordinated provision of materials (1) Required materials During or immediately after each covered event, and together with each covered document, in a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a covered individual, the Under Secretary for Benefits of the Veterans Benefits Administration, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration, shall provide, to the covered individual— (A) outreach letters; (B) information on the Veterans Crisis Line; (C) information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider; and (D) other information on available resources relating to military sexual trauma (including information on military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans Health Administration, mental health providers trained in military sexual trauma issues, and peer support specialists). (2) Format of materials Materials described in paragraph (1) may be provided electronically. (b) Automatic notification system In a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a veteran, if the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and consents to the notification system under this subsection, the Under Secretary for Benefits shall automatically notify the Under Secretary for Health shortly before the veteran— (1) participates in any covered event; or (2) receives any covered document. (c) Implementation deadline The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement this Act not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term compensation has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2) The term covered document means a determination (including a rating determination) that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. (3) The term covered event includes, with respect to a claim for compensation— (A) a medical examination under section 5103A of title 38, United States Code; (B) a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals under section 7107 of such title; and (C) any other event determined relevant by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (4) The term covered individual means a former member of the Armed Forces (as that term is defined in section 1720D of title 38, United States Code) who elects to receive materials under subsection (a). (5) The term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section 1166 of title 38, United States Code. (6) The term Veterans Crisis Line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code.

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7335 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To improve coordination between the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to claims for compensation arising from military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the MST Claims Coordination Act . 2. Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration coordination for certain claims arising from military sexual trauma (a) Coordinated provision of materials (1) Required materials During or immediately after each covered event, and together with each covered document, in a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a covered individual, the Under Secretary for Benefits of the Veterans Benefits Administration, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration, shall provide, to the covered individual— (A) outreach letters; (B) information on the Veterans Crisis Line; (C) information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider; and (D) other information on available resources relating to military sexual trauma (including information on military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans Health Administration, mental health providers trained in military sexual trauma issues, and peer support specialists). (2) Format of materials Materials described in paragraph (1) may be provided electronically. (b) Automatic notification system In a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a veteran, if the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and consents to the notification system under this subsection, the Under Secretary for Benefits shall automatically notify the Under Secretary for Health shortly before the veteran— (1) participates in any covered event; or (2) receives any covered document. (c) Implementation deadline The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement this Act not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term compensation has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2) The term covered document means a determination (including a rating determination) that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. (3) The term covered event includes, with respect to a claim for compensation— (A) a medical examination under section 5103A of title 38, United States Code; (B) a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals under section 7107 of such title; and (C) any other event determined relevant by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (4) The term covered individual means a former member of the Armed Forces (as that term is defined in section 1720D of title 38, United States Code) who elects to receive materials under subsection (a). (5) The term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section 1166 of title 38, United States Code. (6) The term Veterans Crisis Line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code.

Passed the House of Representatives May 18, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7335 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 19 (legislative day, May 17), 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To improve coordination between the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to claims for compensation arising from military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the MST Claims Coordination Act . 2. Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration coordination for certain claims arising from military sexual trauma (a) Coordinated provision of materials (1) Required materials During or immediately after each covered event, and together with each covered document, in a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a covered individual, the Under Secretary for Benefits of the Veterans Benefits Administration, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration, shall provide, to the covered individual— (A) outreach letters; (B) information on the Veterans Crisis Line; (C) information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider; and (D) other information on available resources relating to military sexual trauma (including information on military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans Health Administration, mental health providers trained in military sexual trauma issues, and peer support specialists). (2) Format of materials Materials described in paragraph (1) may be provided electronically. (b) Automatic notification system In a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a veteran, if the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and consents to the notification system under this subsection, the Under Secretary for Benefits shall automatically notify the Under Secretary for Health shortly before the veteran— (1) participates in any covered event; or (2) receives any covered document. (c) Implementation deadline The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement this Act not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term compensation has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2) The term covered document means a determination (including a rating determination) that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. (3) The term covered event includes, with respect to a claim for compensation— (A) a medical examination under section 5103A of title 38, United States Code; (B) a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals under section 7107 of such title; and (C) any other event determined relevant by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (4) The term covered individual means a former member of the Armed Forces (as that term is defined in section 1720D of title 38, United States Code) who elects to receive materials under subsection (a). (5) The term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section 1166 of title 38, United States Code. (6) The term Veterans Crisis Line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code.

Passed the House of Representatives May 18, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I One Hundred Seventeenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-two H. R. 7335 AN ACT To improve coordination between the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to claims for compensation arising from military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the MST Claims Coordination Act . 2. Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration coordination for certain claims arising from military sexual trauma (a) Coordinated provision of materials (1) Required materials During or immediately after each covered event, and together with each covered document, in a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a covered individual, the Under Secretary for Benefits of the Veterans Benefits Administration, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration, shall provide, to the covered individual— (A) outreach letters; (B) information on the Veterans Crisis Line; (C) information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider; and (D) other information on available resources relating to military sexual trauma (including information on military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans Health Administration, mental health providers trained in military sexual trauma issues, and peer support specialists). (2) Format of materials Materials described in paragraph (1) may be provided electronically. (b) Automatic notification system In a claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a veteran, if the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and consents to the notification system under this subsection, the Under Secretary for Benefits shall automatically notify the Under Secretary for Health shortly before the veteran— (1) participates in any covered event; or (2) receives any covered document. (c) Implementation deadline The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement this Act not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term compensation has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2) The term covered document means a determination (including a rating determination) that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. (3) The term covered event includes, with respect to a claim for compensation— (A) a medical examination under section 5103A of title 38, United States Code; (B) a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals under section 7107 of such title; and (C) any other event determined relevant by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (4) The term covered individual means a former member of the Armed Forces (as that term is defined in section 1720D of title 38, United States Code) who elects to receive materials under subsection (a). (5) The term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section 1166 of title 38, United States Code. (6) The term Veterans Crisis Line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.