June 10, 2026
Mrs. Houchin (for herself and Mr. Mrvan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that a suicide prevention coordinator is available at each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including outside the operating hours of such medical center, as needed, to accommodate a request for suicide prevention planning services, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Outreach Now: Timely Intervention for Mental Health Emergencies Act
or the ON TIME Act
.
Sec. 2. Staffing of Suicide Prevention Coordinators at the Department of Veterans Affairs
(a) Suicide prevention coordinator staffing
Section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(m) Suicide Prevention Coordinator Staffing
The Secretary shall ensure that a suicide prevention coordinator is available at each medical center of the Department, including outside the operating hours of such medical center, as needed, to accommodate a request for suicide prevention planning services.
(b) Limitation on additional positions
Subsection (m) of section 1720F, as added by this section, does not authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire any additional full time equivalent positions.