,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dahb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,august #i1 #bjai,ms4 ,waters 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,grijalva1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,mr4 ,david ,scott of ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,cuellar1 and ,ms4 ,gabbard7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to improve the efforts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to prevent suicide by women veterans1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,women ,veterans ,support ,act4 #b4 ,study on suicide by women veterans 7a7 ,study ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall enter into an agreement with an independent entity to conduct a study on suicide by women veterans4 7b7 ,matters included ,the study conducted under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 determine whether experiences with the medical facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs vary by gender and1 if so1 the causes of such variation2 and 7#b7 include recommendations to-- 7,a7 improve preventing women veterans from attempting or committing suicide2 and 7,b7 address any variations described in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate1 and make publicly available1 a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection 7a71 which shall include recommendations to improve the care provided to women veterans by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 #c4 ,outreach by ,center for ,women ,veterans 7a7 ,center for ,women ,veterans ,section #cah of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections3 7g7 ,outreach activities 7#a7 ,the ,center shall carry out outreach activities on a national scale under subsection 7d7 to prevent suicide by women veterans4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall develop metrics to track the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 ,such metrics shall include measures of both performance and effectiveness4 7#c7 7,a7 ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjbj1 and annually thereafter through #bjbd1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committees on ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,house of ,representatives a report on the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 including a description of the metrics developed under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,the report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include the following3 7i7 ,an assessment of the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7ii7 ,an explanation of why the metrics developed under paragraph 7#b7 were chosen4 7iii7 ,an assessment of how accurately those metrics will reflect the goals and objectives specified in such paragraph4 7h7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated for the ,center #b1hjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba4 ,of such amounts1 not less than #ej percent shall be expended on outreach activities conducted by the ,center under subsection 7g74 4 7b7 ,office of ,women's ,health ,services 7#a7 ,outreach ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 acting through the ,office of ,women's ,health ,services1 shall carry out outreach activities on a local and regional scale to prevent suicide by women veterans4 7#b7 ,metrics ,the ,secretary shall develop metrics to track the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 ,such metrics shall include measures of both performance and effectiveness4 7#c7 ,report 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjbj1 and annually thereafter through #bjbd1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committees on ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,house of ,representatives a report on the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 including a description of the metrics developed under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,matters included ,the report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include the following3 7i7 ,an assessment of the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7ii7 ,an explanation of why the metrics developed under paragraph 7#b7 were chosen4 7iii7 ,an assessment of how accurately those metrics will reflect the goals and objectives specified in such paragraph4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for the ,office of ,women's ,health ,services #bg1hjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba4 ,of such amounts1 not less than #ej percent shall be expended on outreach activities conducted by the ,office under paragraph 7#a74 #d4 ,grants for women veterans 7a7 ,program required ,commencing not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a grant program to provide services described in subsection 7f7 to women veterans4 7b7 ,duration of program ,the ,secretary shall carry out the program during the five-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program4 7c7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out the program through the award of grants to eligible organizations for the provision of assistance described in subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,matching funds required ,a grant under this section shall be in an amount that does not exceed #ej percent of the amount required by the organization to provide the services described in subsection 7f74 7d7 ,eligible organizations ,for purposes of this section1 an eligible organization is any nonprofit organization that the ,secretary determines1 in consultation with ,state entities that serve veterans1 is suitable for receipt of a grant under the program4 7e7 ,selection of grant recipients 7#a7 ,applications ,an organization seeking a grant under the program shall submit to the ,secretary an application therefor at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information and assurances as the ,secretary1 in consultation with ,state entities that serve veterans1 may require4 7#b7 ,priority for hubs of services ,in awarding grants under the program1 the ,secretary shall give priority to an organization that provides multiple forms of services described in subsection 7f74 7f7 ,use of grant funds ,each organization receiving a grant under the program shall use the grant to provide to services to women veterans1 including with respect to-- 7#a7 health care services1 including to obtain health insurance coverage2 7#b7 mental health support services2 7#c7 daily living services2 7#d7 income support services2 7#e7 financial counseling services2 7#f7 legal assistance2 7#g7 education supportive services2 7#h7 career advancement services2 7#i7 transportation2 7#aj7 childcare2 and 7#aa7 housing4 7g7 ,annual reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently than once each year thereafter until the termination of the program1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on the program carried out under this section4 7#b7 ,contents ,each report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a list of the organizations that have received grants under the program1 including the geographic location of the organization and the types of services outlined in subsection 7f7 that each organization provides4 7,b7 ,the number of veterans served by each organization4 7,c7 ,an assessment of the effectiveness of the services provided under the program4 7,d7 ,the amount of each grant awarded to each organization under the program4 7,e7 ,such other matters as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7#c7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,in this subsection1 the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 #e4 ,grants for organizations providing mental health wellness services to veterans 7a7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #agbj;,j4 ,financial assistance for mental health supportive services for veterans seeking mental health treatment 7a7 ,plan 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall develop a plan to carry out the financial assistance described in subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate the plan developed under subsection 7a71 including a description of any legislative actions the ,secretary determines necessary to carry out the plan4 7b7 ,distribution of financial assistance 7#a7 ,not later than #ij days after the date by which the ,secretary is required to submit the plan under subsection 7a77#b71 the ,secretary shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities approved under this section to provide or coordinate the provision of mental health supportive services described in subsection 7c7 for a veteran with a mental health condition who is seeking mental health treatment4 7#b7 ,financial assistance under paragraph 7#a7 shall consist of the award of a grant to an approved eligible entity for each veteran described in paragraph 7#a7 for which the approved eligible entity is providing or coordinating the provision of mental health supportive services4 7#c7 7,a7 ,the ,secretary shall award grants under this section to each approved eligible entity that is providing or coordinating the provision of mental health supportive services under this section4 7,b7 ,the ,secretary may establish intervals of payment for the administration of grants under this section and establish a maximum amount to be awarded1 in accordance with the services being provided and the duration of such services4 7#d7 ,in providing financial assistance under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall give preference to entities providing or coordinating the provision of supportive mental health services for veterans with mental health conditions who face barriers in accessing mental health care services from the ,department4 7#e7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that1 to the extent practicable1 financial assistance under this subsection is equitably distributed across geographic regions1 including rural communities and tribal lands4 7#f7 ,each entity receiving financial assistance under this section to provide mental health supportive services to a veteran with a mental health condition shall notify that veteran that such services are being paid for1 in whole or in part1 by the ,department4 7#g7 ,the ,secretary shall require entities receiving financial assistance under this section to submit a report to the ,secretary that describes the services provided or coordinated with such financial assistance4 7c7 ,mental health supportive services ,the mental health supportive services described in this subsection are services provided by an eligible entity or a subcontractor of an eligible entity that address the needs of veterans with mental health conditions1 including-- 7#a7 outreach services2 7#b7 case management services2 7#c7 assistance in obtaining any benefits from the ,department that the veteran may be eligible to receive1 including health care services1 vocational and rehabilitation counseling1 employment and training services1 and educational assistance2 and 7#d7 assistance in obtaining and coordinating the provision of other public benefits provided by any ,federal1 ,state1 or local agency1 or any other eligible entity1 including-- 7,a7 health care services 7including obtaining health insurance72 7,b7 daily living services2 7,c7 personal financial planning services2 7,d7 transportation services2 7,e7 income support services2 7,f7 fiduciary and representative payee services2 7,g7 legal services to assist the veteran with issues that interfere with the ability of the veteran to find and retain meaningful employment1 housing1 or benefits to which the veteran may be entitled2 7,h7 child care services2 7,i7 housing counseling2 and 7,j7 other services necessary for maintaining independent living4 7d7 ,application for financial assistance 7#a7 ,an eligible entity seeking financial assistance under subsection 7b7 shall submit to the ,secretary an application therefor in such form1 in such manner1 and containing such commitments and information as the ,secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,each application submitted by an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a7 shall contain-- 7,a7 a description of the mental health supportive services described in subsection 7c7 proposed to be provided by the eligible entity under this section and the identified needs for those services2 7,b7 a description of the demographic information of the veterans proposed to be provided such services2 7,c7 an estimate of the number of veterans with a mental health condition proposed to be provided such services2 7,d7 evidence of the experience of the eligible entity in providing mental health supportive services to veterans with a mental health condition2 and 7,e7 a description of the managerial capacity of the eligible entity-- 7i7 to coordinate the provision of mental health supportive services with the provision of mental health services by the eligible entity or another organization2 7ii7 to assess continually the needs of veterans with a mental health condition for mental health supportive services2 7iii7 to coordinate the provision of mental health supportive services with the services of the ,department2 and 7iv7 to tailor supportive mental health services to the needs of veterans with a mental health condition4 7#c7 7,a7 ,the ,secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of eligible entities to be provided financial assistance under this section4 7,b7 ,criteria established under subparagraph 7,a7 with respect to an eligible entity shall include the following3 7i7 ,relevant accreditation as may be required by each ,state in which the eligible entity operates4 7ii7 ,experience coordinating care or providing treatment for veterans or members of the ,armed ,forces4 7e7 ,technical assistance 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall provide training and technical assistance to eligible entities provided financial assistance under this section regarding the planning1 development1 and provision of mental health supportive services under this section4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary may provide the training described in paragraph 7#a7 directly or through grants or contracts with appropriate public or nonprofit private entities1 including through grants awarded under section #bjfd of this title4 7f7 ,collection of information ,to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary may collect information from an eligibility entity awarded a grant under this section relating to a mental health condition of a veteran for inclusion in the electronic health record of the ,department for such veteran for the sole purpose of improving care provided to such veteran4 7g7 ,funding ,from amounts appropriated to the ,department for medical services1 there shall be available to carry out subsections 7b71 7c71 and 7d7 the following3 7#a7 #e1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb4 7#b7 #aj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc4 7#c7 #ae1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd4 7h7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term eligible entity means any of the following3 7,a7 ,an incorporated private institution or foundation-- 7i7 no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member1 founder1 contributor1 or individual2 7ii7 that has a governing board that is responsible for the operation of the mental health supportive services provided under this section2 and 7iii7 that is approved by the ,secretary with respect to financial responsibility4 7,b7 ,a for-profit limited partnership1 the sole general partner of which is an organization meeting the requirements of clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,a corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization meeting the requirements of clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7,d7 ,a tribally designated housing entity 7as defined in section #d of the ,native ,american ,housing ,assistance and ,self-,determination ,act of #aiif 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dajc774 7#b7 ,the term veteran with a mental health condition means a veteran who has been diagnosed with1 or who is seeking treatment for1 one or more mental health conditions1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #ag is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #agbj;,i the following new item3 #agbj;,j4 ,financial assistance for mental health supportive services for veterans seeking mental health treatment4 4 7b7 ,study on effectiveness of program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of the program of financial assistance under section #agbj;,j of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a71 in meeting the needs of veterans with a mental health condition1 as that term is defined in that section4 7#b7 ,comparison ,in conducting the study required by paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall compare the results of the program described in that paragraph with other programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs dedicated to the delivery of mental health services to veterans4 7#c7 ,criteria ,in making the comparison required by paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall examine the following3 7,a7 ,the satisfaction of veterans targeted by the programs described in paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,the health status of such veterans4 7,c7 ,the mental wellness of such veterans4 7,d7 ,the degree to which such veterans are encouraged to engage in productive activity by such programs4 7,e7 ,the number of veterans using such programs1 disaggregated by-- 7i7 veterans who have received care from the ,department in the previous two years2 and 7ii7 veterans who have not received care from the ,department in the previous two years4 7,f7 ,the number of women's clinics that have peer support specialists who are women1 including-- 7i7 the location of such clinics2 7ii7 the availability of peer support specialist services at such clinics2 7iii7 the average number of veterans treated by such specialists2 and 7iv7 the average duration of the relationship between a veteran and such specialists4 7,g7 ,the number of veterans who die by suicide while receiving services from an entity in receipt of a grant under the program of financial assistance under section #agbj;,j of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a71 or who die by suicide during the #ahj-;day period after receiving such services4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjba1 and annually thereafter1 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 results of the study required by paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,effective date ,the ,secretary shall begin providing financial assistance under section #agbj;,j of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a71 not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #f4 ,establishment of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #gf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after subchapter ,,viii the following new subchapter3 ,,ix ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program #gfih4 ,requirement for program ,as part of the ,educational ,assistance ,program1 the ,secretary shall carry out a scholarship program under this subchapter4 ,the program shall be known as the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program 7in this subchapter referred to as the ,program74 #gfii4 ,eligibility2 agreement 7a7 ,in general ,an individual is eligible to participate in the ,program1 as determined by the ,readjustment ,counseling ,service of the ,department1 if the individual-- 7#a7 is accepted for enrollment or enrolled 7as described in section #gfjb of this title7 in1 a program of study at an accredited educational institution1 school1 or training program leading to-- 7,a7 a bachelor's1 master's1 or doctoral degree in psychology1 social work1 or marriage and family therapy2 or 7,b7 a master's degree in mental health counseling2 and 7#b7 enters into an agreement with the ,secretary under subsection 7c74 7b7 ,priority ,in selecting individuals to participate in the ,program1 the ,secretary shall give priority to the following individuals3 7#a7 ,an individual who agrees to be employed by a ,vet ,center located in a community that is-- 7,a7 designated as a medically underserved population under section #ccj7;b77#c7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;b7b77#c772 and 7,b7 in a state with a per capita population of veterans of more than five percent according to the ,national ,center for ,veterans ,analysis and ,statistics and the ,bureau of the ,census4 7#b7 ,an individual who is a veteran4 7c7 ,agreement ,an agreement between the ,secretary and a participant in the ,program shall 7in addition to the requirements set forth in section #gfjd of this title7 include the following3 7#a7 ,an agreement by the ,secretary to provide the participant with a scholarship under the ,program for a specified number of school years during which the participant pursues a program of study described in subsection 7a77#a7 that meets the requirements set forth in section #gfjb7;a7 of this title4 7#b7 ,an agreement by the participant to serve as a full-time employee of the ,department at a ,vet ,center for a three-year period during the six-year period following the completion by the participant of such program of study 7in this subchapter referred to as the period of obligated service74 7d7 ,vet ,center defined ,in this section1 the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of this title4 #gfii;,a4 ,obligated service 7a7 ,in general ,each participant in the ,program shall provide service as a full-time employee of the ,department at a ,vet ,center 7as defined in section #gfii7;c7 of this title7 for the period of obligated service set forth in the agreement of the participant entered into under section #gfjd of this title4 7b7 ,determination of service commencement date 7#a7 ,not later than #fj days before the service commencement date of a participant1 the ,secretary shall notify the participant of that service commencement date4 7#b7 ,the date specified in paragraph 7#a7 with respect to a participant is the date for the beginning of the period of obligated service of the participant4 #gfii;,b4 ,breach of agreement3 liability 7a7 ,liquidated damages 7#a7 ,a participant in the ,program 7other than a participant described in subsection 7b77 who fails to accept payment1 or instructs the educational institution in which the participant is enrolled not to accept payment1 in whole or in part1 of a scholarship under the agreement entered into under section #gfjd of this title shall be liable to the ,united ,states for liquidated damages in the amount of #a1ejj4 7#b7 ,liability under paragraph 7#a7 is in addition to any period of obligated service or other obligation or liability under such agreement4 7b7 ,liability during program of study 7#a7 ,except as provided in subsection 7d71 a participant in the ,program shall be liable to the ,united ,states for the amount which has been paid to or on behalf of the participant under the agreement if any of the following occurs3 7,a7 ,the participant fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the educational institution in which the participant is enrolled 7as determined by the educational institution under regulations prescribed by the ,secretary74 7,b7 ,the participant is dismissed from such educational institution for disciplinary reasons4 7,c7 ,the participant voluntarily terminates the program of study in such educational institution before the completion of such program of study4 7#b7 ,liability under this subsection is in lieu of any service obligation arising under the agreement4 7c7 ,liability during period of obligated service 7#a7 ,except as provided in subsection 7d71 if a participant in the ,program does not complete the period of obligated service of the participant1 the ,united ,states shall be entitled to recover from the participant an amount determined in accordance with the following formula3 ,a #c7ts_/t74 7#b7 ,in the formula in paragraph 7#a73 7,a7 ,a is the amount the ,united ,states is entitled to recover4 7,b7 is the sum of-- 7i7 the amounts paid under this subchapter to or on behalf of the participant2 and 7ii7 the interest on such amounts which would be payable if at the time the amounts were paid they were loans bearing interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate1 as determined by the ,treasurer of the ,united ,states4 7,c7 t is the total number of months in the period of obligated service of the participant4 7,d7 s is the number of months of such period served by the participant4 7d7 ,limitation on liability for reductions-in-,force ,liability shall not arise under subsection 7c7 if the participant fails to maintain employment as a ,department employee due to a staffing adjustment4 7e7 ,period for payment of damages ,any amount of damages that the ,united ,states is entitled to recover under this section shall be paid to the ,united ,states within the one-year period beginning on the date of the breach of the agreement4 4 7b7 ,conforming and technical amendments 7#a7 ,conforming amendments 7,a7 ,establishment of program ,section #gfja7;a7 of such title is amended-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking and2 7ii7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking the period and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 the readjustment counseling service scholarship program provided for in subchapter ,,ix of this chapter4 4 7,b7 ,eligibility ,section #gfjb of such title is amended-- 7i7 in subsection 7a77#a7-- 7,i7 by striking or ,,vi and inserting ,,vi1 or ,,ix2 and 7,,ii7 by striking subchapter ,,vi and inserting subchapter ,,vi or ,,ix2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7b71 by striking or ,,vi and inserting ,,vi1 or ,,ix4 7,c7 ,application ,section #gfjc7;a77#a7 of such title is amended by striking or ,,viii and inserting ,,viii1 or ,,ix4 7,d7 ,terms of agreement ,section #gfjd of such title is amended by striking or ,,viii each place it appears and inserting ,,viii1 or ,,ix4 7,e7 ,annual report ,section #gfcb of such title is amended-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and the ,specialty ,education ,loan ,repayment ,program and inserting the ,specialty ,education ,loan ,repayment ,program1 and the ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program2 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking and per participant in the ,specialty ,education ,loan ,repayment ,program and inserting per participant in the ,specialty ,education ,loan ,repayment ,program1 and per participant in the ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program4 7#b7 ,table of sections ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #gf of such title is amended by inserting after the items relating to subchapter ,,viii the following3 ,,subchapter ,,ix--,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program ,sec4 #gfih4 ,requirement for program4 #gfii4 ,eligibility2 agreement4 #gfii;,a4 ,obligated service4 #gfii;,b4 ,breach of agreement3 liability4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall begin awarding scholarships under subchapter ,,ix of chapter #gf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a71 for programs of study beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4