[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8247 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.8247
One Hundred Sixteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday,
the third day of January, two thousand and twenty
An Act
To make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals
to services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention
for veterans, and care and services for women veterans, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

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(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans
Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020''
or the ``Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

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Veterans Affairs and designated relatives and friends of
veterans regarding assistance and benefits available to the
veterans.

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TITLE I

-IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES FROM

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1724d9de5a7a688261dc16072af582c6c275989ffb2008f5dbb08ceba77b6244

TITLE II

-SUICIDE PREVENTION

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provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless.

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TITLE III

-IMPROVEMENT OF CARE AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS

from Department of Veterans Affairs.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

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OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DESIGNATED RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF
VETERANS REGARDING ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE
VETERANS.
(a) Pilot Program Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
commence carrying out a pilot program--
(A) to encourage members of the Armed Forces who are
transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian
life, before separating from such service, to designate up to
10 persons to whom information regarding the assistance and
benefits available to the veterans under laws administered by
the Secretary shall be disseminated using the contact
information obtained under paragraph (7); and
(B) provides such persons, within 30 days after the date on
which such persons are designated under subparagraph (A), the
option to elect to receive such information.
(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program
during a period beginning on the date of the commencement of the
pilot program that is not less than two years.
(3) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall disseminate information
described in paragraph (1)(A) under the pilot program no less than
quarterly.
(4) Types of information.--The types of information to be
disseminated under the pilot program to persons who elect to
receive such information shall include information regarding the
following:
(A) Services and benefits offered to veterans and their
family members by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(B) Challenges and stresses that might accompany
transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian
life.
(C) Services available to veterans and their family members
to cope with the experiences and challenges of service in the
Armed Forces and transition from such service to civilian life.
(D) Services available through community partner
organizations to support veterans and their family members.
(E) Services available through Federal, State, and local
government agencies to support veterans and their family
members.
(F) The environmental health registry program, health and
wellness programs, and resources for preventing and managing
diseases and illnesses.
(G) A toll-free telephone number through which such persons
who elect to receive information under the pilot program may
request information regarding the program.
(H) Such other matters as the Secretary, in consultation
with members of the Armed Forces and such persons who elect to
receive information under the pilot program, determines to be
appropriate.
(5) Privacy of information.--In carrying out the pilot program,
the Secretary may not disseminate information under paragraph (4)
in violation of laws and regulations pertaining to the privacy of
members of the Armed Forces, including requirements pursuant to--
(A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
of 1996 (Public Law 104-191).
(6) Notice and modifications.--In carrying out the pilot
program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a veteran--
(A) ensure that such veteran is notified of the ability to
modify designations made by such veteran under paragraph
(1)(A); and
(B) upon the request of a veteran, authorize such veteran
to modify such designations at any time.
(7) Contact information.--In making a designation under the
pilot program, a veteran shall provide necessary contact
information, specifically including an email address, to facilitate
the dissemination of information regarding the assistance and
benefits available to the veteran under laws administered by the
Secretary.
(8) Opt-in and opt-out of pilot program.--
(A) Opt-in by members.--A veteran may participate in the
pilot program only if the veteran voluntarily elects to
participate in the program. A veteran seeking to make such an
election shall make such election in a manner, and by including
such information, as the Secretary shall specify for purposes
of the pilot program.
(B) Opt-in by designated recipients.--A person designated
pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) may receive information under the
pilot program only if the person makes the election described
in paragraph (1)(B).
(C) Opt-out.--In carrying out the pilot program, the
Secretary shall, with respect to a person who has elected to
receive information under such pilot program, cease
disseminating such information to that person upon request of
such person.
(b) Survey and Report on Pilot Program.--
(1) Survey.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the commencement of the pilot program and not less frequently
than once each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot
program, the Secretary shall administer a survey to persons who
ever elected to receive information under the pilot program for
the purpose of receiving feedback regarding the quality of
information disseminated under this section.
(B) Elements.--Each survey conducted under subparagraph (A)
shall include solicitation of the following:
(i) Feedback on the following:
(I) The nature of information disseminated under
the pilot program.
(II) Satisfaction with the pilot program.
(III) The utility of the pilot program.
(IV) Overall pilot program successes and
challenges.
(ii) Recommendations for improving the pilot program.
(iii) Reasons for opting in or out of the pilot
program.
(iv) Such other feedback or matters as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than three years after the date
on which the pilot program commences, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a final report on the pilot
program.
(B) Contents.--The report submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
(i) The results of the survey administered under
paragraph (1).
(ii) The number of participants enrolled in the pilot
program who are veterans.
(iii) The number of persons designated under subsection
(a)(1)(A).
(iv) The number of such persons who opted in or out of
the pilot program under subsection (a)(8).
(v) The average period such persons remained in the
pilot program.
(vi) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability
of making the pilot program permanent.
(vii) Identification of legislative or administrative
action that may be necessary if the pilot program is made
permanent.
(viii) A plan to expand the pilot program if the pilot
program is made permanent.
(ix) If the Secretary finds under clause (vi) that
making the pilot program permanent is not feasible or
advisable, a justification for such finding.

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VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Reports Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period of five
years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a
report on the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
(b) Elements.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include the
following:
(1) With respect to each veteran called or emailed under the
Solid Start program:
(A) The Armed Force in which the veteran served.
(B) Age.
(C) Gender.
(D) Whether the veteran responded to the call or email.
(E) Whether the call or email resulted in a call to the
Veterans Crisis Line established pursuant to section 1720F(h)
of title 38, United States Code.
(F) Whether the call or email resulted in a referral to--
(i) compensation and pension determination;
(ii) enrollment in the patient enrollment system of the
Department; or
(iii) any other program or benefit under the laws
administered by the Secretary.
(2) Any change to the Solid Start program implemented by the
Secretary since the date of the previous such report.
(c) Prohibition on Personally Identifiable Information.--No report
under subsection (a) may contain any personally identifiable
information regarding a veteran.

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SUICIDE CARE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1720J. Emergent suicide care
``(a) Emergent Suicide Care.--Pursuant to this section, the
Secretary shall--
``(1) furnish emergent suicide care to an eligible individual
at a medical facility of the Department;
``(2) pay for emergent suicide care provided to an eligible
individual at a non-Department facility; and
``(3) reimburse an eligible individual for emergent suicide
care provided to the eligible individual at a non-Department
facility.
``(b) Eligibility.--An individual is eligible for emergent suicide
care under subsection (a) if the individual is in an acute suicidal
crisis and is either of the following:
``(1) A veteran (as defined in section 101).
``(2) An individual described in section 1720I(b) of this
title.
``(c) Period of Care.--(1) Emergent suicide care provided under
subsection (a) shall be furnished to an eligible individual--
``(A) through inpatient or crisis residential care, for a
period not to exceed 30 days; or
``(B) if care under subparagraph (A) is unavailable, or if such
care is not clinically appropriate, as outpatient care for a period
not to exceed 90 days.
``(2) If, upon the expiration of a period under paragraph (1), the
Secretary determines that the eligible individual remains in an acute
suicidal crisis, the Secretary may extend such period as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(d) Notification.--An eligible individual who receives emergent
suicide care under subsection (a) at a non-Department facility (or a
person acting on behalf of the individual) shall notify the Secretary
of such care within seven days of admission to such facility.
``(e) Outreach.--During any period when an eligible individual is
receiving emergent suicide care under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall--
``(1) ensure that--
``(A) in the case of an eligible individual whom the
Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek emergent suicide care
at a medical facility of the Department, the Veterans Crisis
Line notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator of such
medical facility;
``(B) in the case of an eligible individual who presents at
a medical facility of the Department in an acute suicidal
crisis without a recommendation by the Veterans Crisis Line,
the Secretary notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator;
``(C) in the case of an eligible individual whom the
Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek treatment at a non-
Department facility, the Veterans Crisis Line notifies the
Suicide Prevention Coordinator and the Office of Community Care
at the medical facility of the Department located nearest to
the eligible individual; and
``(D) in the case of an eligible individual who presents at
a non-Department facility in an acute suicidal crisis without a
recommendation by the Veterans Crisis Line and for whom the
Secretary receives a notification under subsection (d), the
Secretary notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator and the
Office of Community Care at the medical facility of the
Department located nearest to the eligible individual;
``(2) determine the eligibility of the eligible individual for
other programs and benefits under the laws administered by the
Secretary (or shall make such determination as soon as practicable
following the period of such emergent suicide care); and
``(3) make referrals for care following the period of such
emergent suicide care, as the Secretary determines appropriate.
``(f) Prohibition on Charge.--(1) If the Secretary provides
emergent suicide care to an eligible individual under subsection (a),
the Secretary--
``(A) may not charge the eligible individual for any cost of
such emergent suicide care; and
``(B) shall pay for any costs of emergency transportation to a
facility for such emergent suicide care (as such costs are
determined pursuant to section 1725 of this title, to the extent
practicable).
``(2)(A) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), if the
Secretary pays for emergent suicide care provided under subsection (a)
to an eligible individual at a non-Department facility, the Secretary
shall reimburse the facility for the reasonable value of such emergent
suicide care.
``(B)(i) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may
determine the amount to reimburse a non-Department facility in a
similar manner to the manner in which the Secretary determines
reimbursement amounts for that non-Department facility for medical care
and services provided under another provision of this chapter.
``(ii) The requirements of section 1725(c)(3) of this title shall
apply with respect to payments made under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph.
``(3) In the case of an eligible individual who receives emergent
suicide care under this section and who is entitled to emergent suicide
care (or payment for emergent suicide care) under a health-plan
contract, the Secretary may recover the costs of such emergent suicide
care provided under this section, other than for such care for a
service-connected disability.
``(4) In carrying out subsection (d), the Secretary may not charge
an eligible individual for any cost of emergent suicide care provided
under subsection (a) solely by reason of the Secretary not having been
notified of such care pursuant to such subsection.
``(g) Annual Report.--Not less than once each year, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
the House of Representatives a report on emergent suicide care provided
under subsection (a). Each such report shall include, for the year
covered by the report--
``(1) the number of eligible individuals who received emergent
suicide care under subsection (a);
``(2) demographic information regarding eligible individuals
described in paragraph (1);
``(3) the types of care furnished or paid for this section; and
``(4) the total cost of providing care under subsection (a).
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `acute suicidal crisis' means that an individual
was determined to be at imminent risk of self-harm by a trained
crisis responder or health care provider.
``(2) The term `crisis residential care' means crisis
stabilization care provided--
``(A) in a residential setting; and
``(B) in a facility other than a hospital.
``(3) The term `crisis stabilization care' includes, with
respect to an individual in acute suicidal crisis, care that
ensures, to the extent practicable, immediate safety and reduces--
``(A) the severity of distress;
``(B) the need for urgent care; or
``(C) the likelihood that the distress under subparagraph
(A) or need under subparagraph (B) will increase during the
transfer of that individual from a facility at which the
individual has received care for that acute suicidal crisis.
``(4) The term `emergent suicide care' means crisis
stabilization care provided to an eligible individual--
``(A) pursuant to a recommendation of the eligible
individual from the Veterans Crisis Line; or
``(B) who presents at a medical facility in an acute
suicidal crisis.
``(5) The term `health-plan contract' has the meaning given
such term in section 1725 of this title.
``(6) The term `Veterans Crisis Line' means the hotline under
section 1720F(h) of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relation to section
1720I the following new item:
``1720J. Emergent suicide care.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The Secretary shall furnish or pay for
emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a), beginning on the date that is 270
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

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VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish an education program (in this section referred to as the
``education program'') for the education and training of caregivers and
family members of eligible veterans with mental health disorders.
(b) Education Program.--
(1) In general.--Under the education program, the Secretary
shall provide a course of education to caregivers and family
members of eligible veterans on matters relating to coping with
mental health disorders in veterans.
(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the education
program during the four-year period beginning on the date of the
commencement of the education program.
(3) Scope.--
(A) Caregivers.--The Secretary, with respect to the
component of the education program that relates to the
education and training of caregivers, shall--
(i) include such component in the training provided
pursuant to the program of comprehensive assistance for
family caregivers of the Department of Veterans Affairs
established under section 1720G(a) of title 38, United
States Code; and
(ii) make such component available on the Internet
website of the Department that relates to caregiver
training.
(B) Family members.--The Secretary shall carry out the
component of the education program that relates to the
education and training of non-caregiver family members at
facilities of the Department as follows:
(i) Not less than five medical centers of the
Department.
(ii) Not less than five clinics of the Department.
(iii) Not less than five Vet Centers (as defined in
section 1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code).
(C) Solicitation of applications.--In selecting locations
pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall solicit
applications from eligible facilities of the Department that
are interested in carrying out the education program.
(D) Considerations.--In selecting locations pursuant to
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall consider the feasibility
and advisability of selecting locations in the following areas:
(i) Rural areas.
(ii) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active
duty installation.
(iii) Areas in different geographic locations.
(4) Contracts.--
(A) In general.--In carrying out the education program, the
Secretary shall enter into contracts with qualified entities
described in subparagraph (B) to offer the course of education
described in paragraph (5) to family members and caregivers of
eligible veterans and covered veterans.
(B) Qualified entity described.--A qualified entity
described in this subparagraph is a non-profit entity with
experience in mental health education and outreach, including
work with children, teens, and young adults, that--
(i) uses high quality, relevant, and age-appropriate
information in educational programming, materials, and
coursework, including such programming, materials, and
coursework for children, teens, and young adults; and
(ii) works with agencies, departments, nonprofit mental
health organizations, early childhood educators, and mental
health providers to develop educational programming,
materials, and coursework.
(C) Priority.--In entering into contracts under this
paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to qualified
entities that have demonstrated cultural competence in serving
military and veteran populations, and, to the extent
practicable, use internet technology for the delivery of course
content in an effort to expand the availability of support
services, especially in rural areas.
(5) Course of education described.--The course of education
described in this paragraph shall consist of curriculum that
includes the following:
(A) General education on different mental health disorders,
including information to improve understanding of the
experiences of individuals suffering from such disorders.
(B) Techniques for handling crisis situations and
administering mental health first aid to individuals suffering
from a mental health disorder.
(C) Techniques for coping with the stress of living with an
individual suffering from a mental health disorder.
(D) Information on additional services available for family
members and caregivers through the Department or community
organizations and providers related to mental health disorders.
(E) Such other matters as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(c) Surveys.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive
survey of the satisfaction of individuals that have participated in
the course of education described in subsection (b)(5). Such survey
shall include a solicitation of feedback on the following:
(A) The general satisfaction of those individuals with the
education and assistance provided under the education program.
(B) The perceived effectiveness of the education program in
providing education and assistance that is useful for those
individuals.
(C) The applicability of the education program to the
issues faced by those individuals.
(D) Such other matters as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(2) Compilation of information.--The information compiled as a
result of the surveys conducted under paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) disaggregated by facility type at which the education
program was carried out; and
(B) included in the annual reports under subsection (d)(1).
(d) Reports.--
(1) Annual reports.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the commencement of the education program and not later than
September 30 each year thereafter until 2024, 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--
(i) the education program; and
(ii) the feasibility and advisability of expanding the
education program to include the establishment of a peer
support program composed of individuals who complete the
education program (in this section referred to as a ``peer
support program'').
(B) Elements.--Each report submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
(i) The number of individuals that participated in the
course of education described in subsection (b)(5) during
the year preceding the submission of the report.
(ii) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted under
subsection (c) with respect to the individuals described in
clause (i).
(iii) Any plans for expansion of the education program.
(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of
establishing a peer support program.
(v) The interim findings and conclusions of the
Secretary with respect to the success of the education
program and the feasibility and advisability of
establishing a peer support program.
(2) Final report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
completion of the education program, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a final report on the
feasibility and advisability of continuing the education
program.
(B) Elements.--The final report under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
(i) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted under
subsection (c).
(ii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of
continuing the education program without entering into
contracts for the course of education described in
subsection (b)(5).
(iii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability
of expanding the education program.
(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of
establishing a peer support program.
(e) Monitoring of Program.--The Secretary shall select mental
health care providers of the Department to monitor the progress of the
instruction provided under the education program.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran who is
enrolled in the health care system established under section
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The terms ``caregiver'' and ``family member'' have the
meaning given those terms in section 1720G(d) of title 38, United
States Code.

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VETERANS.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 18 months after the date on
which the national emergency declared by the President pursuant to the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with respect to the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) expires, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall establish a task force to be known as the ``Task Force on
Outdoor Recreation for Veterans'' (in this section referred to as the
``Task Force'').
(b) Composition.--The Task Force shall be composed of the following
members or their designees:
(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(2) The Secretary of the Interior.
(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(4) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(5) The Secretary of Defense.
(6) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(7) The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers.
(8) At least two representatives from veterans service
organizations.
(9) Any other member that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
determines to be appropriate.
(c) Chairpersons.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the
Secretary of the Interior shall serve as co-chairpersons of the Task
Force (in this section referred to as the ``Chairpersons'').
(d) Duties.--
(1) Task force.--The duties of the Task Force shall be--
(A) to identify opportunities to formalize coordination
between the Department of Veterans Affairs, public land
agencies, and partner organizations regarding the use of public
lands and other outdoor spaces for facilitating health and
wellness for veterans;
(B) to identify barriers that exist to providing veterans
with opportunities to augment the delivery of services for
health and wellness through the use of outdoor recreation on
public lands and other outdoor spaces; and
(C) to develop recommendations to better facilitate the use
of public lands and other outdoor spaces for promoting wellness
and facilitating the delivery of health care and therapeutic
interventions for veterans.
(2) Consultation.--The Task Force shall carry out the duties
under paragraph (1) in consultation with appropriate veterans
outdoor recreation groups.
(e) Reports.--
(1) Preliminary report.--Not later than one year after the date
on which the Task Force is established, the Chairpersons shall
submit to Congress a report on the preliminary findings of the Task
Force.
(2) Final report.--Not later than one year after the date of
the submission of the preliminary report under paragraph (1), the
Chairpersons shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of
the Task Force, which shall include the recommendations developed
under subsection (d)(1)(C).
(f) Duration.--The Task Force shall terminate on the date that is
one year after the date of the submission of the final report in
subsection (e)(2).
(g) Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Task Force.
(h) Public Lands Defined.--In this section, the term ``public
lands'' means any recreational lands under the jurisdiction of the
Federal Government or a State or local government.

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COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.
(a) Notice.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Under Secretary of Health of the Department of
Veterans Affairs shall seek to contact each covered veteran by mail,
telephone, or email to encourage each covered veteran to receive
medical examinations including the following:
(1) A comprehensive physical examination.
(2) A comprehensive mental health examination.
(3) A comprehensive eye examination if the covered veteran has
not received such an examination in the year immediately preceding
the date of such examination.
(4) A comprehensive audiological examination if the covered
veteran has not received such an examination in the year
immediately preceding the date of such examination.
(b) Examinations.--
(1) Va health care facilities.--If a covered veteran elects to
receive more than one examination described in subsection (a) at a
health care facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
Under Secretary of Health shall seek to furnish all such scheduled
examinations on the same day.
(2) Community care.--Pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) of
section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, a covered veteran may
receive an examination described in subsection (a) from a health
care provider described in subsection (c) of that section.
(c) Transportation.--
(1) Beneficiary travel program.--Pursuant to section 111 of
title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
pay for a rural covered veteran to travel to a health care facility
to receive an examination described in subsection (a).
(2) Shuttle service.--The Under Secretary of Health shall seek
to enter into agreements with non-profit organizations to provide
shuttle service to rural covered veterans for examinations
described in subsection (a).
(d) Report Required.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
submit to Congress a report regarding how many covered veterans
scheduled examinations described in subsection (a) after receiving a
letter, telephone call, or email under that subsection.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered veteran'' means a veteran who--
(A) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the
Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38,
United States Code; and
(B) has not received health care furnished or paid for by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the two years
immediately preceding the date in subsection (a)(1).
(2) The term ``rural covered veteran'' means a covered
veteran--
(A) who lives in an area served by the Office of Rural
Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(B) whom the Under Secretary of Health determines requires
assistance to travel to a health care facility to receive an
examination described in subsection (a).
(3) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

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VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Training.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to
Department police officers an annual training on the prevention of
suicide among the population served by the Department police officers.
(b) Curriculum.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary
shall update any similar training provided before the date of the
enactment of this Act to ensure that the curriculum for the training
addresses, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Effective behavioral science procedures for suicide
prevention and risk mitigation.
(2) Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills, including
through the use of interactive training.
(3) Information about mental health and substance abuse
disorders.
(4) Information about local law enforcement crisis intervention
teams and other resources for veterans experiencing mental health
crises available by the Department of Veterans Affairs, other
elements of the Federal Government, and the community in which the
police officers serve.
(c) Consultation.--The Secretary shall ensure that the annual
training provided to Department police officers at a medical facility
of the Department under subsection (a) is provided in consultation with
law enforcement training accreditation organizations and the mental
health experts at such facility.
(d) Plan on Community Partnerships.--The Secretary shall ensure
that each police force of a facility of the Department develops a plan
to enter into partnerships with--
(1) local community mental health organizations and experts,
local community veterans organizations, and local community
criminal justice organizations and experts; and
(2) local police departments, including by facilitating the
sharing of training resources with crisis intervention teams of the
local police departments.
(e) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a
report on the annual training under subsection (a), including--
(1) a description of the curriculum of such training;
(2) with respect to the year preceding the date of the report--
(A) the number of facilities of the Department that
conducted such training;
(B) the number of Department police officers who received
such training; and
(C) any barriers to ensuring that each Department police
officer receives such training;
(3) any recommendations to address the barriers identified
under paragraph (2)(C); and
(4) the number of facilities of the Department that have
entered into partnerships pursuant to subsection (d).
(f) Department Police Officer Defined.--In this section, the term
``Department police officer'' means an employee of the Department of
Veterans Affairs specified in section 902(a) of title 38, United States
Code.

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THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN VETERANS WHO ARE HOMELESS.
(a) Analysis.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall complete an
analysis of programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs that provide
assistance to women veterans who are homeless or precariously housed to
identify the areas in which such programs are failing to meet the needs
of such women.
(b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a
report on the analysis completed under subsection (a).

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CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on the use by women veterans of
health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Elements.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall include
the following information:
(1) The number of women veterans who reside in each State.
(2) The number of women veterans in each State who are enrolled
in the patient enrollment system of the Department under section
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.
(3) Of the women veterans who are so enrolled, the number who
have received health care under the laws administered by the
Secretary at least one time during the one-year period preceding
the submission of the report.
(4) The number of women veterans who have been seen at each
medical facility of the Department during such year, disaggregated
by facility.
(5) The number of appointments that women veterans have had at
a medical facility of the Department during such year,
disaggregated by--
(A) facility; and
(B) appointments for--
(i) primary care;
(ii) specialty care; and
(iii) mental health care.
(6) For each appointment type specified in paragraph (5)(B),
the number of appointments completed in-person and the number of
appointments completed through the use of telehealth.
(7) If known, an identification of the medical facility of the
Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network with the
largest rate of increase in patient population of women veterans as
measured by the increase in unique women veteran patient use.
(8) If known, an identification of the medical facility of the
Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network with the
largest rate of decrease in patient population of women veterans as
measured by the decrease in unique women veterans patient use.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.

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Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020 — HR. 8247

Other Sections

TITLE I

TITLE II

TITLE III

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