,,ii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ejei ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #aj1 #bjad,received ,,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 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 to require a pilot program on loan repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the ,veterans ,health ,administration of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,clay ,hunt ,suicide ,prevention for ,american ,veterans ,act or the ,clay ,hunt ,,sav ,act4 #b4 ,evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,evaluations 7#a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall provide for the conduct of an evaluation of the mental health care and suicide prevention programs carried out under the laws administered by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,elements ,each evaluation conducted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 use metrics that are common among and useful for practitioners in the field of mental health care and suicide prevention2 7,b7 identify the most effective mental health care and suicide prevention programs conducted by the ,secretary1 including such programs conducted at a ,center of ,excellence2 7,c7 identify the cost-effectiveness of each program identified under subparagraph 7,b72 7,d7 measure the satisfaction of patients with respect to the care provided under each such program2 and 7,e7 propose best practices for caring for individuals who suffer from mental health disorders or are at risk of suicide1 including such practices conducted or suggested by other departments or agencies of the ,federal ,government1 including the ,substance ,abuse and ,mental ,health ,services ,administration of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#c7 ,third party ,each evaluation conducted under paragraph 7#a7 shall be conducted by an independent third party unaffiliated with the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 ,such third party shall submit to the ,secretary each such evaluation4 7b7 ,annual submission ,not later than ,december #a of each year1 beginning in #bjae1 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 that contains the following3 7#a7 ,the most recent evaluations submitted to the ,secretary under subsection 7a77#c7 that the ,secretary has not previously submitted to such ,committees4 7#b7 ,any recommendations the ,secretary considers appropriate4 #c4 ,publication of ,internet website to provide information regarding mental health care services 7a7 ,in general ,using funds made available to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to publish the ,internet websites of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 the ,secretary shall survey the existing ,internet websites and information resources of the ,department 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 ,secretary4 7b7 ,elements ,the ,internet website published under subsection 7a7 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 services1 including1 with respect to each medical center1 ,vet ,center 7as defined in section #agab;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code71 and community-based outpatient center in the ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network-- 7#a7 the name and contact information of each social work office2 7#b7 the name and contact information of each mental health clinic2 7#c7 a list of appropriate staff2 and 7#d7 any other information the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7c7 ,updated information ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the information described in subsection 7b7 that is published on the ,internet website under subsection 7a7 is updated not less than once every #ij days4 7d7 ,outreach ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that the outreach conducted under section #agbj;,f7i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 includes information regarding the ,internet website published under subsection 7a74 #d4 ,pilot program for repayment of educational loans for certain psychiatrists of ,veterans ,health ,administration 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a pilot program to repay loans of individuals described in subsection 7b7 that-- 7#a7 were used by such individuals to finance education relating to psychiatric medicine1 including education leading to-- 7,a7 a degree of doctor of medicine2 or 7,b7 a degree of doctor of osteopathy2 and 7#b7 were obtained from any of the following3 7,a7 ,a governmental entity4 7,b7 ,a private financial institution4 7,c7 ,a school4 7,d7 ,any other authorized entity as determined by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,eligible individuals 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 an individual eligible for participation in the pilot program is an individual who-- 7,a7 either-- 7i7 is licensed or eligible for licensure to practice psychiatric medicine in the ,veterans ,health ,administration of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 or 7ii7 is enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine that is approved by the ,accreditation ,council for ,graduate ,medical ,education2 and 7,b7 demonstrates a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,prohibition on simultaneous eligibility ,an individual 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 program4 7c7 ,selection ,the ,secretary shall select not less than #aj individuals described in subsection 7b7 to participate in the pilot program for each year in which the ,secretary carries out the pilot program4 7d7 ,period of obligated service ,the ,secretary shall enter into an agreement with each individual selected under subsection 7c7 in which such individual agrees to serve a period of #b or more years of obligated service for the ,veterans ,health ,administration in the field of psychiatric medicine1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7e7 ,loan ,repayments 7#a7 ,amounts ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 a loan repayment under this section may consist of payment of the principal1 interest1 and related expenses of a loan obtained by an individual who is participating in the pilot program for all educational expenses 7including tuition1 fees1 books1 and laboratory expenses7 of such individual relating to education described in subsection 7a77#a74 7#b7 ,limit ,for each year of obligated service that an individual who is participating in the pilot program agrees to serve under subsection 7d71 the ,secretary may pay not more than #cj1jjj in loan repayment on behalf of such individual4 7f7 ,breach 7#a7 ,liability ,an individual who participates in the pilot program and fails to satisfy the period of obligated service under subsection 7d7 shall be liable to the ,united ,states1 in lieu of such obligated service1 for the amount that has been paid or is payable to or on behalf of the individual under the pilot program1 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 individual4 7#b7 ,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 #a year after the date of the breach of the agreement4 7g7 ,report 7#a7 ,initial report ,not later than #b years after the date on which the pilot program under subsection 7a7 commences1 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 program4 7#b7 ,elements ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,the number of individuals who participated in the pilot program1 including the number of new hires4 7,b7 ,the locations in which such individuals were employed by the ,department1 including how many such locations were rural or urban locations4 7,c7 ,an assessment of the quality of the work performed by such individuals in the course of such employment1 including the performance reviews of such individuals4 7,d7 ,the number of psychiatrists the ,secretary determines is needed by the ,department in the future4 7#c7 ,final report ,not later than #ij days before the date on which the pilot program terminates under subsection 7i71 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 submitted under paragraph 7#a7 and any recommendations that the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7h7 ,regulations ,the ,secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section1 including standards for qualified loans and authorized payees and other terms and conditions for the making of loan repayments4 7i7 ,termination ,the authority to carry out the pilot program shall expire on the date that is #c years after the date on which the ,secretary commences the pilot program4 #e4 ,pilot program on community outreach 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a pilot program to assist veterans transitioning from serving on active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services4 7b7 ,locations ,the ,secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection 7a7 at not less than five ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks that have a large population of veterans who-- 7#a7 served in the reserve components of the ,armed ,forces2 or 7#b7 are transitioning into communities with an established population of veterans after having recently separated from the ,armed ,forces4 7c7 ,functions ,the pilot program at each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network described in subsection 7b7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,a community oriented veteran peer support network1 carried out in partnership with an appropriate entity with experience in peer support programs1 that-- 7,a7 establishes peer support training guidelines2 7,b7 develops a network of veteran peer support counselors to meet the demands of the communities in the ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network2 7,c7 conducts training of veteran peer support counselors2 7,d7 with respect to one medical center selected by the ,secretary in each such ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network1 has-- 7i7 a designated peer support specialist who acts as a liaison to the community oriented veteran peer network2 and 7ii7 a certified mental health professional designated as the community oriented veteran peer network mentor2 and 7,e7 is readily available to veterans1 including pursuant to the ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network cooperating and working with ,state and local governments and appropriate entities4 7#b7 ,a community outreach team for each medical center selected by the ,secretary pursuant to paragraph 7#a77;,d7 that-- 7,a7 assists veterans transitioning into communities2 7,b7 establishes a veteran transition advisory group to facilitate outreach activities2 7,c7 includes the participation of appropriate community organizations1 ,state and local governments1 colleges and universities1 chambers of commerce and other local business organizations1 and organizations that provide legal aid or advice2 and 7,d7 coordinates with the ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network regarding the ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 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 veterans4 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,initial report ,not later than #ah months after the date on which the pilot program under subsection 7a7 commences1 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 program4 ,with respect to each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network described in subsection 7b71 the report shall include-- 7,a7 a full description of the peer support model implemented under the pilot program1 participation data1 and data pertaining to past and current mental health related hospitalizations and fatalities2 7,b7 recommendations on implementing peer support networks throughout the ,department2 7,c7 whether the mental health resources made available under the pilot program for members of the reserve components of the ,armed ,forces is effective2 and 7,d7 a full description of the activities and effectiveness of community outreach coordinating teams under the pilot program1 including partnerships that have been established with appropriate entities4 7#b7 ,final report ,not later than #ij days before the date on which the pilot program terminates under subsection 7e71 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 submitted under paragraph 7#a74 7e7 ,construction ,this section may not be construed to authorize the ,secretary to hire additional employees of the ,department to carry out the pilot program under subsection 7a74 7f7 ,termination ,the authority of the ,secretary to carry out the pilot program under subsection 7a7 shall terminate on the date that is #c years after the date on which the pilot program commences4 #f4 ,collaboration on suicide prevention efforts between ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and non-profit mental health organizations 7a7 ,collaboration ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may collaborate with non-profit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans as follows3 7#a7 ,to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts carried out by the ,secretary and non-profit mental health organizations4 7#b7 ,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 ,affairs4 7#c7 ,to jointly carry out suicide prevention efforts4 7b7 ,exchange of resources ,in carrying out any collaboration under subsection 7a71 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 organization4 7c7 ,director of ,suicide ,prevention ,coordination ,the ,secretary 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 law4 #g4 ,additional period of eligibility for health care for certain veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war ,paragraph 7#c7 of section #agaj7;e7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 7#c7 ,in the case of care for a veteran described in paragraph 7#a77;,d71 hospital care1 medical services1 and nursing home care may be provided under or by virtue of subsection 7a77#b77;,f7 only during the following periods3 7,a7 ,except as provided by subparagraph 7,b71 with respect to a veteran described in paragraph 7#a77;,d7 who is discharged or released from the active military1 naval1 or air service after ,january #bg1 #bjjc1 the five-year period beginning on the date of such discharge or release4 7,b7 ,with respect to a veteran described in paragraph 7#a77;,d7 who is discharged or released from the active military1 naval1 or air service after ,january #a1 #bjji1 and before ,january #a1 #bjaa1 but did not enroll to receive such hospital care1 medical services1 or nursing home care pursuant to such paragraph during the five-year period described in subparagraph 7,a71 the one-year period beginning on ,january #a1 #bjae4 7,c7 ,with respect to a veteran described in paragraph 7#a77;,d7 who is discharged or released from the active military1 naval1 or air service on or before ,january #bg1 #bjjc1 and did not enroll in the patient enrollment system under section #agje of this title on or before such date1 the three-year period beginning on ,january #bg1 #bjjh4 4 #h4 ,prohibition on new appropriations ,no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act1 and this ,act and such amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise made available for such purposes4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,december #i1 #bjad4,karen ,l4 ,haas1,clerk