February 26, 2026
Mr. Golden of Maine (for himself, Mr. Bergman, Mr. Suozzi, and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 require the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to assess the effectiveness of certain mental health activities of the Departments, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act
.
Sec. 2. Assessments by the Department of Veterans Affairs–Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee of certain mental health activities
(a) Overall inventory, assessment, and report
(1) Inventory and assessment
The Department of Veterans Affairs–Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, shall—
(A)
complete an inventory of the programs and processes of the Departments that facilitate access to mental health services across the transition spectrum; and
(B)
conduct an assessment of the overall effectiveness of such programs and processes in facilitating access to such services.
(2) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Executive Committee shall submit to the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the assessment. The report shall include—
(A)
the inventory under paragraph (1)(A);
(B)
the results of the assessment under paragraph (1)(B), including whether the assessment identified any deficiencies, gaps, or inefficiencies (such as duplicative programs);
(C)
recommendations to address the identified deficiencies, gaps, or inefficiencies, if any, including plans of action, milestones, and metrics; and
(D)
any other information or recommendations that the Joint Executive Committee considers appropriate.
(b) Biennial review of the joint separation health assessment
Section 320(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(7)
Review, at least once every two years, the joint separation health assessment to validate the questions posed by the assessment and to recommend whether any questions should be removed, revised, or added.