No Wrong Door for Veterans Act

Bill: 119-hr-1969
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Introduced: 2025-03-10
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health programs administration and funding

Health promotion and preventive care

Mental health

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2025-05-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-03-10
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>No Wrong Door for Veterans Act</strong></p><p>This bill&nbsp;reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which awards grants to eligible entities to provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for veterans and members of the Armed Forces and their families.</p><p>Among other elements, the bill</p><ul><li>adjusts the maximum amount for grants awarded under the program and provides for additional funding per individual who receives suicide prevention services provided or coordinated by a grantee;</li><li>requires the VA to provide briefings about the grant program at least once a year to certain personnel at each VA medical center located within 100 miles from the primary location of a grantee;</li><li>requires baseline mental health screenings for risk provided as suicide prevention services under the program to use a protocol selected by the VA; and</li><li>modifies eligibility requirements for entities seeking grants, including by authorizing applications from health care providers.</li></ul><p>In subsequent applications, grantees who have previously received funds under the program must include evidence that previously awarded funds served a significant number of veterans.</p><p>The bill requires grantees to notify (1) eligible individuals that they may receive emergent suicide care furnished or paid for by the VA, and (2) the VA if eligible individuals request emergent suicide care.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1969 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 22, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To amend and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act . 2. Reauthorization and improvement of Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Duration Section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 ( Public Law 116–171 ; 38 U.S.C. 1720F note) is amended, in subsection (j), by striking the date that is three years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section and inserting September 30, 2026 . (b) Emergent suicide care Such section is further amended— (1) in subsection (m)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3): (3) Emergent suicide care In the case of an eligible individual who receives suicide prevention services provided or coordinated by an eligible entity in receipt of a grant under this section, the eligible entity shall notify— (A) the eligible individual that the individual may be eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code; and (B) the Secretary, if an eligible individual notified under subparagraph (A) elects to receive such emergent suicide care. ; and (C) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking (1) or (2) and inserting (1), (2), or (3) ; and (2) in subsection (n)— (A) by inserting (1) In general.— before When and adjusting the margins accordingly; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Time frame If the Secretary does not provide services under paragraph (1) to an eligible individual during the 72-hour period following a referral under subsection (m), such eligible individual shall be treated as eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code. . (c) Reauthorization Such section is further amended, in subsection (p)— (1) by striking section a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025. and inserting section— ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (1) a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025; and (2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2026. . (d) Requirements for eligible entities Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(3)— (1) by inserting an entity that has continuously provided mental health care or support services in the United States during the two-year period before the date on which the entity applies for a grant under this section and that is after means ; (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking or foundation and inserting , foundation, or health care provider ; and (3) in subparagraph (E), by striking A and inserting a . (e) Technical correction to definitions Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(5), by striking Medical services and inserting The term emergency treatment means medical services . (f) Required use of certain screening protocol Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(11)(A)(ii), by inserting after risk the following: , which in the case of a grant made on or after the date of the enactment of the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act , shall be the Columbia Protocol (also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale) . 3. Inclusion of adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities in medical services furnished to eligible veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in paragraph (6)(F)(i), by inserting (including adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities) after artificial limbs . 4. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting January 30, 2033 .

Passed the House of Representatives May 22 (legislative day May 21), 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1969 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act . 2. Reauthorization and improvement of Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Duration Section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 ( Public Law 116–171 ; 38 U.S.C. 1720F note) is amended, in subsection (j), by striking the date that is three years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section and inserting September 30, 2026 . (b) Emergent suicide care Such section is further amended— (1) in subsection (m)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3): (3) Emergent suicide care In the case of an eligible individual who receives suicide prevention services provided or coordinated by an eligible entity in receipt of a grant under this section, the eligible entity shall notify— (A) the eligible individual that the individual may be eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code; and (B) the Secretary, if an eligible individual notified under subparagraph (A) elects to receive such emergent suicide care. ; and (C) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking (1) or (2) and inserting (1), (2), or (3) ; and (2) in subsection (n)— (A) by inserting (1) In general.— before When and adjusting the margins accordingly; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Time frame If the Secretary does not provide services under paragraph (1) to an eligible individual during the 72-hour period following a referral under subsection (m), such eligible individual shall be treated as eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code. . (c) Reauthorization Such section is further amended, in subsection (p)— (1) by striking section a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025. and inserting section— ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (1) a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025; and (2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2026. . (d) Requirements for eligible entities Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(3)— (1) by inserting an entity that has continuously provided mental health care or support services in the United States during the two-year period before the date on which the entity applies for a grant under this section and that is after means ; (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking or foundation and inserting , foundation, or health care provider ; and (3) in subparagraph (E), by striking A and inserting a . (e) Technical correction to definitions Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(5), by striking Medical services and inserting The term emergency treatment means medical services . (f) Required use of certain screening protocol Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(11)(A)(ii), by inserting after risk the following: , which in the case of a grant made on or after the date of the enactment of the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act , shall be the Columbia Protocol (also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale) . 3. Inclusion of adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities in medical services furnished to eligible veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in paragraph (6)(F)(i), by inserting (including adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities) after artificial limbs . 4. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting January 30, 2033 .

Passed the House of Representatives May 22 (legislative day May 21), 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 76 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1969 [Report No. 119–103] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 10, 2025 Mrs. Miller-Meeks introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs May 19, 2025 Additional sponsor: Mr. Bergman May 19, 2025 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 March 10, 2025 A BILL To amend and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act . 2. Reauthorization and improvement of Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Duration Section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 ( Public Law 116–171 ; 38 U.S.C. 1720F note) is amended, in subsection (j), by striking the date that is three years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section and inserting September 30, 2026 . (b) Emergent suicide care Such section is further amended— (1) in subsection (m)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3): (3) Emergent suicide care In the case of an eligible individual who receives suicide prevention services provided or coordinated by an eligible entity in receipt of a grant under this section, the eligible entity shall notify— (A) the eligible individual that the individual may be eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code; and (B) the Secretary, if an eligible individual notified under subparagraph (A) elects to receive such emergent suicide care. ; and (C) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking (1) or (2) and inserting (1), (2), or (3) ; and (2) in subsection (n)— (A) by inserting (1) In general.— before When and adjusting the margins accordingly; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Time frame If the Secretary does not provide services under paragraph (1) to an eligible individual during the 72-hour period following a referral under subsection (m), such eligible individual shall be treated as eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code. . (c) Reauthorization Such section is further amended, in subsection (p)— (1) by striking section a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025. and inserting section— ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (1) a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025; and (2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2026. . (d) Requirements for eligible entities Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(3)— (1) by inserting an entity that has continuously provided mental health care or support services in the United States during the two-year period before the date on which the entity applies for a grant under this section and that is after means ; (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking or foundation and inserting , foundation, or health care provider ; and (3) in subparagraph (E), by striking A and inserting a . (e) Technical correction to definitions Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(5), by striking Medical services and inserting The term emergency treatment means medical services . (f) Required use of certain screening protocol Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(11)(A)(ii), by inserting after risk the following: , which in the case of a grant made on or after the date of the enactment of the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act , shall be the Columbia Protocol (also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale) . 3. Inclusion of adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities in medical services furnished to eligible veterans by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in paragraph (6)(F)(i), by inserting (including adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities) after artificial limbs . 4. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting January 30, 2033 .

May 19, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1969 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 10, 2025 Mrs. Miller-Meeks introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act . 2. Amendments to and reauthorization of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Reorganization Subsection (b) of section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 ( Public Law 116–171 ; 38 U.S.C. 1720F note) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and inserting the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services . (b) Grant money: amount; use Such section is further amended, in subsection (c)(2)(A), by striking $750,000 per grantee per fiscal year and inserting $500,000 per fiscal year (not more than 5 percent of which may be spent on food and non-alcoholic beverages), plus $10,000 per eligible individual who receives suicide prevention services provided or coordinated by such grantee . (c) Preference in distribution of grants Such section is further amended, in subsection (d)(2), by adding at the end the following: The Secretary shall not give preference to an eligible entity solely because the eligible entity previously received, or applied for, a grant under this section . (d) Reapplication by a previous grantee Such section is further amended, in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Reapplication by previous grantee An application submitted by an eligible entity that previously received grant funds under this section shall include in such application evidence that the eligible entity used such grant funds to serve a significant number of veterans. . (e) Briefing for local VAMCs Such section is further amended, in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) Briefing for local VAMCs Not less than once per calendar quarter, the Secretary shall provide, to the appropriate personnel of each medical center of the Department located not more than 100 miles from the primary location of a grantee, a briefing about the grant program under this section in order to improve coordination between a grantee and such personnel. The Secretary may permit a representative of a grantee to attend such a briefing. . (f) Duration Such section is further amended, in subsection (j), by striking the date that is three years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section and inserting September 30, 2028 . (g) Emergent suicide care Such section is further amended, in subsection (n)— (1) by inserting (1) before When ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) A grantee shall notify— (A) an eligible individual receiving suicide prevention services provided or coordinated by such grantee that such eligible individual may receive emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code; and (B) the Secretary if such eligible individual requests such emergent suicide care. . (h) Reauthorization Such section is further amended, in subsection (p)— (1) by striking a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting an em dash; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (1) for fiscal years 2021 through 2025, a total of $174,000,000; and (2) for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, a total of $157,500,000. . (i) Clarification of eligible entities Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(3)— (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting an entity that has continuously provided mental health care or support services in the United States during the two-year period before the date on which the entity applies for a grant under this section, and that is after means ; and (2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting , or a health care provider after foundation . (j) Technical correction to definitions Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(5), by striking Medical services and inserting The term emergency treatment means medical services . (k) Required use of screening protocol selected by the Secretary (1) In general Such section is further amended, in subsection (q)(11)(A)(ii), by striking screening for risk and inserting screening for risk, using a protocol selected by the Secretary . (2) Rules of construction In addition to the protocol selected pursuant to the amendment made by paragraph (1)— (A) the Secretary may furnish another protocol to a grantee; and (B) a grantee may use another protocol to screen for risk.