Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act
PL 114-2 (H.R.203), enacted 02/12/2015

129 STAT. 30 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
Public Law 114–2 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual 
evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for 
psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention 
for American Veterans Act’’ or the ‘‘Clay Hunt SAV Act’’. 
SEC. 2. EVALUATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SUICIDE 
PREVENTION PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
(a) EVALUATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 1709B. Evaluations of mental health care and suicide 
prevention programs 
‘‘(a) EVALUATIONS.—(1) Not less frequently than once during 
each period specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide 
for the conduct of an evaluation of the mental health care and 
suicide prevention programs carried out under the laws adminis-
tered by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) Each evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) use metrics that are common among and useful for 
practitioners in the field of mental health care and suicide 
prevention; 
‘‘(B) identify the most effective mental health care and 
suicide prevention programs conducted by the Secretary, 
including such programs conducted at a Center of Excellence; 
‘‘(C) identify the cost-effectiveness of each program identi-
fied under subparagraph (B); 
‘‘(D) measure the satisfaction of patients with respect to 
the care provided under each such program; and 
‘‘(E) propose best practices for caring for individuals who 
suffer from mental health disorders or are at risk of suicide, 
including such practices conducted or suggested by other 
departments or agencies of the Federal Government, including 
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administra-
tion of the Department of Health and Human Services. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 1709B. 
Clay Hunt 
Suicide 
Prevention for 
American 
Veterans Act. 
38 USC 101 note. 
Feb. 12, 2015 
[H.R. 203] 
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129 STAT. 31 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
‘‘(3) The periods specified in this paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) The period beginning on the date on which the Sec-
retary awards the contract under paragraph (4) and ending 
on September 30, 2018. 
‘‘(B) Each fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 
2018. 
‘‘(4) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this section, the Secretary shall seek to enter into a contract 
with an independent third party unaffiliated with the Department 
of Veterans Affairs to conduct evaluations under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(5) The independent third party that is awarded the contract 
under paragraph (4) shall submit to the Secretary each evaluation 
conducted under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL SUBMISSION.—Not later than December 1, 2018, 
and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that 
contains the following: 
‘‘(1) The most recent evaluations submitted to the Secretary 
under subsection (a)(5) that the Secretary has not previously 
submitted to such Committees. 
‘‘(2) Any recommendations the Secretary considers appro-
priate.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 1709A the following new item: 
‘‘1709B. Evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs.’’. 
(b) INTERIM REPORTS.—Not later than September 30 of each 
of 2016 and 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination 
with the independent third party awarded a contract by the Sec-
retary pursuant to section 1709B(a)(4) of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), shall submit to the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the mental 
health care and suicide prevention programs carried out under 
the laws administered by the Secretary that includes, with respect 
to each such program, the following: 
(1) A description of the program. 
(2) The number of veterans served by the program. 
(3) The budget of the program. 
(4) The number of full-time equivalent employees assigned 
to the program. 
(5) Whether veterans may repeat participation in the pro-
gram or participate in the program in addition to other similar 
programs. 
(6) Any study results or research published regarding the 
efficacy of the program. 
(7) Any other information the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF INTERNET WEBSITE TO PROVIDE INFORMA-
TION REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Using funds made available to the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs to publish the Internet websites of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall survey the existing 
Internet websites and information resources of the Department 
Survey. 
38 USC 1712A 
note. 
Coordination. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
Deadline. 
Contracts. 
Effective date. 
Time periods. 
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129 STAT. 32 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source 
to provide veterans with information regarding all of the mental 
health care services provided by the Secretary. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The Internet website published under sub-
section (a) shall provide to veterans information regarding all of 
the mental health care services available in the Veteran Integrated 
Service Network that the veteran is seeking such services, 
including, with respect to each medical center, Vet Center (as 
defined in section 1712A of title 38, United States Code), and 
community-based outpatient center in the Veterans Integrated 
Service Network— 
(1) the name and contact information of each social work 
office; 
(2) the name and contact information of each mental health 
clinic; 
(3) a list of appropriate staff; and 
(4) any other information the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
(c) UPDATED INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
the information described in subsection (b) that is published on 
the Internet website under subsection (a) is updated not less than 
once every 90 days. 
(d) OUTREACH.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall 
ensure that the outreach conducted under section 1720F(i) of title 
38, United States Code, includes information regarding the Internet 
website published under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM FOR REPAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LOANS 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
PSYCHIATRISTS 
OF 
VETERANS 
HEALTH 
ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
carry out a pilot program to repay loans of individuals described 
in subsection (b) that— 
(1) were used by such individuals to finance education 
relating to psychiatric medicine, including education leading 
to— 
(A) a degree of doctor of medicine; or 
(B) a degree of doctor of osteopathy; and 
(2) were obtained from any of the following: 
(A) A governmental entity. 
(B) A private financial institution. 
(C) A school. 
(D) Any other authorized entity as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(b) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), an individual 
eligible for participation in the pilot program is an individual 
who— 
(A) either— 
(i) is licensed or eligible for licensure to practice 
psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Adminis-
tration of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or 
(ii) is enrolled in the final year of a residency 
program leading to a specialty qualification in psy-
chiatric medicine that is approved by the Accreditation 
Council for Graduate Medical Education; and 
38 USC 7681 
note. 
Deadline. 
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129 STAT. 33 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
(B) demonstrates a commitment to a long-term career 
as a psychiatrist in the Veterans Health Administration, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
(2) PROHIBITION ON SIMULTANEOUS ELIGIBILITY.—An indi-
vidual who is participating in any other program of the Federal 
Government that repays the educational loans of the individual 
is not eligible to participate in the pilot program. 
(c) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall select not less than 10 
individuals described in subsection (b) to participate in the pilot 
program for each year in which the Secretary carries out the pilot 
program. 
(d) PERIOD OF OBLIGATED SERVICE.—The Secretary shall enter 
into an agreement with each individual selected under subsection 
(c) in which such individual agrees to serve a period of 2 or more 
years of obligated service for the Veterans Health Administration 
in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary. 
(e) LOAN REPAYMENTS.— 
(1) AMOUNTS.—Subject to paragraph (2), a loan repayment 
under this section may consist of payment of the principal, 
interest, and related expenses of a loan obtained by an indi-
vidual who is participating in the pilot program for all edu-
cational expenses (including tuition, fees, books, and laboratory 
expenses) of such individual relating to education described 
in subsection (a)(1). 
(2) LIMIT.—For each year of obligated service that an indi-
vidual who is participating in the pilot program agrees to 
serve under subsection (d), the Secretary may pay not more 
than $30,000 in loan repayment on behalf of such individual. 
(f) BREACH.— 
(1) LIABILITY.—An individual who participates in the pilot 
program and fails to satisfy the period of obligated service 
under subsection (d) shall be liable to the United States, in 
lieu of such obligated service, for the amount that has been 
paid or is payable to or on behalf of the individual under 
the pilot program, reduced by the proportion that the number 
of days served for completion of the period of obligated service 
bears to the total number of days in the period of obligated 
service of such individual. 
(2) REPAYMENT PERIOD.—Any amount of damages that the 
United States is entitled to recover under this subsection shall 
be paid to the United States not later than 1 year after the 
date of the breach of the agreement. 
(g) REPORT.— 
(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
on which the pilot program under subsection (a) commences, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of individuals who participated in 
the pilot program, including the number of new hires. 
(B) The locations in which such individuals were 
employed by the Department, including how many such 
locations were rural or urban locations. 
Contracts. 
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129 STAT. 34 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
(C) An assessment of the quality of the work performed 
by such individuals in the course of such employment, 
including the performance reviews of such individuals. 
(D) The number of psychiatrists the Secretary deter-
mines is needed by the Department in the future. 
(3) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days before the date 
on which the pilot program terminates under subsection (i), 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives an update to the report sub-
mitted under paragraph (1) and any recommendations that 
the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(h) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
to carry out this section, including standards for qualified loans 
and authorized payees and other terms and conditions for the 
making of loan repayments. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The authority to carry out the pilot program 
shall expire on the date that is 3 years after the date on which 
the Secretary commences the pilot program. 
SEC. 5. PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall estab-
lish a pilot program to assist veterans transitioning from serving 
on active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental 
health services. 
(b) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
under subsection (a) at not less than five Veterans Integrated 
Service Networks that have a large population of veterans who— 
(1) served in the reserve components of the Armed Forces; 
or 
(2) are transitioning into communities with an established 
population of veterans after having recently separated from 
the Armed Forces. 
(c) FUNCTIONS.—The pilot program at each Veterans Integrated 
Service Network described in subsection (b) shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A community oriented veteran peer support network, 
carried out in partnership with an appropriate entity with 
experience in peer support programs, that— 
(A) establishes peer support training guidelines; 
(B) develops a network of veteran peer support coun-
selors to meet the demands of the communities in the 
Veterans Integrated Service Network; 
(C) conducts training of veteran peer support coun-
selors; 
(D) with respect to one medical center selected by 
the Secretary in each such Veterans Integrated Service 
Network, has— 
(i) a designated peer support specialist who acts 
as a liaison to the community oriented veteran peer 
network; and 
(ii) a certified mental health professional des-
ignated as the community oriented veteran peer net-
work mentor; and 
(E) is readily available to veterans, including pursuant 
to the Veterans Integrated Service Network cooperating 
38 USC 1712A 
note. 
Determination. 
Assessment. 
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129 STAT. 35 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
and working with State and local governments and appro-
priate entities. 
(2) A community outreach team for each medical center 
selected by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1)(D) that— 
(A) assists veterans transitioning into communities; 
(B) establishes a veteran transition advisory group to 
facilitate outreach activities; 
(C) includes the participation of appropriate community 
organizations, State and local governments, colleges and 
universities, chambers of commerce and other local busi-
ness organizations, and organizations that provide legal 
aid or advice; and 
(D) coordinates with the Veterans Integrated Service 
Network regarding the Veterans Integrated Service Net-
work carrying out an annual mental health summit to 
assess the status of veteran mental health care in the 
community and to develop new or innovative means to 
provide mental health services to veterans. 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) com-
mences, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the pilot 
program. With respect to each Veterans Integrated Service 
Network described in subsection (b), the report shall include— 
(A) a full description of the peer support model imple-
mented under the pilot program, participation data, and 
data pertaining to past and current mental health related 
hospitalizations and fatalities; 
(B) recommendations on implementing peer support 
networks throughout the Department; 
(C) whether the mental health resources made avail-
able under the pilot program for members of the reserve 
components of the Armed Forces is effective; and 
(D) a full description of the activities and effectiveness 
of community outreach coordinating teams under the pilot 
program, including partnerships that have been established 
with appropriate entities. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days before the date 
on which the pilot program terminates under subsection (e), 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives an update to the report sub-
mitted under paragraph (1). 
(e) CONSTRUCTION.—This section may not be construed to 
authorize the Secretary to hire additional employees of the Depart-
ment to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a). 
(f) TERMINATION.—The authority of the Secretary to carry out 
the pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date 
that is 3 years after the date on which the pilot program commences. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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129 STAT. 36 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
SEC. 
6. 
COLLABORATION 
ON 
SUICIDE 
PREVENTION 
EFFORTS 
BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON- 
PROFIT MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) COLLABORATION.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
collaborate with non-profit mental health organizations to prevent 
suicide among veterans as follows: 
(1) To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of suicide 
prevention efforts carried out by the Secretary and non-profit 
mental health organizations. 
(2) To assist non-profit mental health organizations with 
the suicide prevention efforts of such organizations through 
the use of the expertise of employees of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
(3) To jointly carry out suicide prevention efforts. 
(b) EXCHANGE OF RESOURCES.—In carrying out any collabora-
tion under subsection (a), the Secretary and any non-profit mental 
health organization with which the Secretary is collaborating under 
such subsection shall exchange training sessions and best practices 
to help with the suicide prevention efforts of the Department and 
such organization. 
(c) DIRECTOR OF SUICIDE PREVENTION COORDINATION.—The Sec-
retary shall select within the Department a Director of Suicide 
Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with non- 
profit mental health organizations under this section or any other 
provision of law. 
SEC. 7. ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR 
CERTAIN VETERANS OF COMBAT SERVICE DURING CERTAIN 
PERIODS OF HOSTILITIES AND WAR. 
Paragraph (3) of section 1710(e) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) In the case of care for a veteran described in paragraph 
(1)(D), hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care may 
be provided under or by virtue of subsection (a)(2)(F) only during 
the following periods: 
‘‘(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), with respect 
to a veteran described in paragraph (1)(D) who is discharged 
or released from the active military, naval, or air service after 
January 27, 2003, the five-year period beginning on the date 
of such discharge or release. 
‘‘(B) With respect to a veteran described in paragraph 
(1)(D) who is discharged or released from the active military, 
naval, or air service after January 1, 2009, and before January 
1, 2011, but did not enroll to receive such hospital care, medical 
services, or nursing home care pursuant to such paragraph 
during the five-year period described in subparagraph (A), the 
one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. 
‘‘(C) With respect to a veteran described in paragraph 
(1)(D) who is discharged or released from the active military, 
naval, or air service on or before January 27, 2003, and did 
not enroll in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 
of this title on or before such date, the three-year period begin-
ning on January 27, 2008.’’. 
Effective date. 
38 USC 1720F 
note. 
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129 STAT. 37 
PUBLIC LAW 114–2—FEB. 12, 2015 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 203: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–34 (Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015): 
Jan. 12, considered and passed House. 
Feb. 3, considered and passed Senate. 
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2015): 
Feb. 12, Presidential remarks. 
SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON NEW APPROPRIATIONS. 
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this 
Act and such amendments shall be carried out using amounts 
otherwise made available for such purposes. 
Approved February 12, 2015. 
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