April 10, 2025
Mr. Nunn of Iowa (for himself and Mr. Magaziner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the Transition Assistance Program and Solid Start Program to address mental health issues, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
.
Sec. 2. Addressing mental health issues in the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense and the Solid Start Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs
(a) Transition assistance program of the department of defense
Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (5), by inserting (11),
before and (16)
; and
(2)
by striking paragraph (11) and inserting the following:
(11)
Information concerning mental health, including—
(A)
the availability of mental health services furnished by the Secretary concerned, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or a non-profit entity;
(B)
the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation, or other mental health conditions associated with service in the armed forces;
(C)
the risk of suicide, including signs, symptoms, and risk factors (including adverse childhood experiences, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and relationship strain);
(D)
the availability of treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse;
(E)
the potential effects of the loss of community and support systems experienced by a member separating from the armed forces;
(F)
isolation from family, friends, or society; and
(G)
the potential stressors associated with separation from the armed forces.
(b) Solid start program of the department of veterans affairs
Section 6320(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraphs:
(G)
assisting eligible veterans who elect to enroll in the system of patient enrollment under section 1705(a) of this title;
(H)
educating veterans about mental health and counseling services available through the Veterans Health Administration;
(c) Report
(1) In general
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the information and materials developed pursuant to the amendments made by this Act.
(2) Appropriate congressional committees defined
In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees
means—
(A)
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and
(B)
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives.