,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #ecf #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ead ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #ad1 #bjai,mr4 ,tester 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,boozman1 ,mrs4 ,capito1 ,mrs4 ,blackburn1 ,ms4 ,stabenow1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 ,ms4 ,sinema1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mr4 ,menendez1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 ,mr4 ,reed1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,ms4 ,baldwin1 ,ms4 ,duckworth1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mrs4 ,shaheen1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 ,ms4 ,harris1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,casey1 ,mr4 ,brown1 ,mr4 ,peters1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,ms4 ,mc,sally1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,sullivan1 ,mr4 ,king1 ,ms4 ,smith1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,moran1 ,mr4 ,cramer1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,warner1 ,mr4 ,jones1 ,ms4 ,rosen1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 ,ms4 ,murkowski1 ,mr4 ,gardner1 ,mr4 ,manchin1 and ,mr4 ,bennet7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,september #ae1 #bjbj,reported by ,mr4 ,moran1 with an amendment,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to improve the benefits and services provided by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to women veterans1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,deborah ,sampson ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,,title ,i--,readjustment and ,related ,assistance,sec4 #aja4 ,provision of reintegration and readjustment services to veterans and family members in group retreat settings4,sec4 #ajb4 ,expansion of capabilities of ,women ,veterans ,call ,center to include text messaging4,,title ,,ii--,legal and ,supportive ,services,sec4 #bja4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs public-private partnership on legal services for women veterans4,sec4 #bjb4 ,additional amount for ,supportive ,services for ,veteran ,families grant program to support organizations that have a focus on providing assistance to women veterans and their families4,sec4 #bjc4 ,gap analysis of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless4,,title ,,iii--,newborn ,care,sec4 #cja4 ,extension of period of eligibility for care for newborn children from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,,title ,,iv--,eliminating ,barriers to ,access,sec4 #dja4 ,women ,veterans ,retrofit ,initiative4,sec4 #djb4 ,staffing of women's health primary care providers at medical facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #djc4 ,additional funding for primary care and emergency care clinicians in ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program4,sec4 #djd4 ,establishment of women veteran training module for non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs health care providers4,sec4 #dje4 ,study on staffing of ,women ,veteran ,program ,manager program at medical centers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and training of staff4,,title ,v--,data ,collection and ,reporting,sec4 #eja4 ,requirement for collection and analysis of data on ,department of ,veterans ,affairs benefits and services and disaggregation of such data by sex and minority status4,sec4 #ejb4 ,report on availability of prosthetics for women veterans from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #ejc4 ,requirement for ,department of ,veterans ,affairs internet website to provide information on services available to women veterans4,sec4 #ejd4 ,report on locations where women veterans are using health care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #eje4 ,report on models of medical facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for the treatment of women4,sec4 #ejf4 ,report on staffing of ,department of ,veterans relating to the treatment of women4 ,i ,readjustment and related assistance #aja4 ,provision of reintegration and readjustment services to veterans and family members in group retreat settings 7a7 ,in general ,section #agab;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a77;,b7-- 7,a7 in clause 7ii71 by redesignating subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii7 as items 7aa7 and 7bb72 7,b7 by redesignating clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 as subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii72 7,c7 in the matter preceding subclause 7,i71 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b71 by striking ,counseling and inserting 7i7 ,counseling2 and 7,d7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7ii7 7,i7 ,except as provided in subclause 7,,iv71 counseling furnished to an individual under subparagraph 7,a7 may include reintegration and readjustment services described in subclause 7,,ii7 furnished in group retreat settings4 7,,ii7 ,reintegration and readjustment services described in this subclause are the following3 7aa7 ,information on reintegration of the individual into family1 employment1 and community4 7bb7 ,financial counseling4 7cc7 ,occupational counseling4 7dd7 ,information and counseling on stress reduction4 7ee7 ,information and counseling on conflict resolution4 7ff7 ,such other information and counseling as the ,secretary considers appropriate to assist the individual in reintegration into family1 employment1 and community4 7,,iii7 ,in furnishing reintegration and readjustment services under subclause 7,i71 the ,secretary shall offer women the opportunity to receive such services in group retreat settings in which the only participants are women4 7,,iv7 ,an individual referred to in subparagraph 7,c77v7 may receive reintegration and readjustment services under subclause 7,i7 only if the individual receives such services with a family member described in subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of such subparagraph4 4 7b7 ,request for services ,subsection 7a77#b7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,upon and inserting 7,a7 ,upon2 7#b7 by striking paragraph 7#a77;,b7 and inserting paragraph 7#a77;,b77i72 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,b7 ,upon the request of an individual described in paragraph 7#a77;,c71 the ,secretary shall furnish the individual reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings under paragraph 7#a77;,b77ii74 4 #ajb4 ,expansion of capabilities of ,women ,veterans ,call ,center to include text messaging ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall expand the capabilities of the ,women ,veterans ,call ,center of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to include a text messaging capability4 ,,ii ,legal and supportive services #bja4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs public-private partnership on legal services for women veterans 7a7 ,partnership required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a partnership with at least one nongovernmental organization to provide legal services to women veterans4 7b7 ,focus ,the focus of the partnership established under subsection 7a7 shall be on the #aj highest unmet needs of women veterans as set forth in the most recently completed ,community ,homelessness ,assessment1 ,local ,education and ,networking ,groups for ,veterans 7,,chaleng for ,veterans7 survey4 #bjb4 ,additional amount for ,supportive ,services for ,veteran ,families grant program to support organizations that have a focus on providing assistance to women veterans and their families ,section #bjdd7;e7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,f7 #djj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbb4 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,not less than #bj1jjj1jjj shall be available under paragraph 7#a77;,h7 for the provision of financial assistance under subsection 7a7 to organizations that have a focus on providing assistance to women veterans and their families4 4 #bjc4 ,gap analysis of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall complete an analysis of programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless or precariously housed to identify the areas in which such programs are failing to meet the needs of such women4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 analysis completed under subsection 7a74 ,,iii ,newborn care #cja4 ,extension of period of eligibility for care for newborn children from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,section #aghf7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended1 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking seven days and inserting #ad days4 ,,iv ,eliminating barriers to access #dja4 ,women ,veterans ,retrofit ,initiative 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall retrofit existing medical facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs with fixtures1 materials1 and other outfitting measures to support the provision of care to women veterans at such facilities4 7b7 ,plan ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 plan to address deficiencies in environment of care for women veterans at medical facilities of the ,department4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary #bj1jjj1jjj to carry out subsection 7a7 in addition to amounts otherwise made available to the ,secretary for the purposes set forth in such subsection4 #djb4 ,staffing of women's health primary care providers at medical facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall ensure that each medical facility of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs has not fewer than one full-time or part-time women's health primary care provider whose duties include1 to the extent possible1 providing training to other health care providers of the ,department on the needs of women veterans4 #djc4 ,additional funding for primary care and emergency care clinicians in ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program 7a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs #a1jjj1jjj for each fiscal year for the ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to provide opportunities for participation in such program for primary care and emergency care clinicians4 7b7 ,treatment of amounts ,the amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection 7a7 shall be in addition to amounts otherwise made available to the ,secretary for the purposes set forth in such subsection4 #djd4 ,establishment of women veteran training module for non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs health care providers 7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish and make available to community providers a training module that is specific to women veterans4 7b7 ,community provider defined ,in this section1 the term community provider means a non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs health care provider who provides health care to veterans under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 #dje4 ,study on staffing of ,women ,veteran ,program ,manager program at medical centers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and training of staff 7a7 ,study ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study on the use of the ,women ,veteran ,program ,manager program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to determine-- 7#a7 if the program is appropriately staffed at each medical center of the ,department2 7#b7 whether each medical center of the ,department is staffed with a ,women ,veteran ,program ,manager2 and 7#c7 whether it would be feasible and advisable to have a ,women ,veteran ,program ,ombudsman at each medical center of the ,department4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 study conducted under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,training ,the ,secretary shall ensure that all ,women ,veteran ,program ,managers and ,women ,veteran ,program ,ombudsmen receive the proper training to carry out their duties4 ,v ,data collection and reporting #eja4 ,requirement for collection and analysis of data on ,department of ,veterans ,affairs benefits and services and disaggregation of such data by sex and minority status ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall-- 7#a7 collect and analyze data on each program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that provides a service or benefit to a veteran1 including the program carried out under section #aadd of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code2 7#b7 disaggregate such data by sex and minority status1 when the data lends itself to such disaggregation2 and 7#c7 publish the data collected and analyzed under paragraph 7#a71 except for such cases in which the ,secretary determines that some portions of the data would undermine the anonymity of a veteran4 #ejb4 ,report on availability of prosthetics for women veterans from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 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 availability from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs of prosthetics made for women veterans1 including an assessment of the availability of such prosthetics at each medical facility of the ,department4 #ejc4 ,requirement for ,department of ,veterans ,affairs internet website to provide information on services available to women veterans 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall survey the internet websites and information resources of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this ,act and publish an internet website that serves as a centralized source for the provision to women veterans of information about the benefits and services available to them under laws administered by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,elements ,the internet website published under subsection 7a7 shall provide to women veterans information regarding all of the services available in the district in which that the veteran is seeking such services1 including1 with respect to each medical center and community-based outpatient clinic in the applicable ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network-- 7#a7 the name and contact information of each women's health coordinator2 7#b7 a list of appropriate staff for other benefits available from the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 the ,national ,cemetery ,administration1 and such other entities as the ,secretary considers appropriate2 and 7#c7 such other information as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,updated information ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the information described in subsection 7b7 that is published on the internet website required by subsection 7a7 is updated not less frequently 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 required by subsection 7a74 7e7 ,derivation of funds ,amounts used by the ,secretary to carry out this section shall be derived from amounts made available to the ,secretary to publish internet websites of the ,department4 #ejd4 ,report on locations where women veterans are using health care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 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 use by women veterans of health care from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,elements ,each report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following information3 7#a7 ,the number of women veterans who reside in each ,state4 7#b7 ,the number of women veterans in each ,state who are enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the ,department established and operated under section #agje7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,of the women veterans who are so enrolled1 the number who have received health care under the laws administered by the ,secretary at least one time during the one-year period preceding the submittal of the report4 7#d7 ,the number of women veterans who have been seen at each medical facility of the ,department during such year4 7#e7 ,the number of appointments that women veterans have had at each such facility during such year4 7#f7 ,if known1 an identification of the medical facility of the ,department in each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network with the largest rate of increase in patient population of women veterans as measured by the increase in unique women veteran patient use4 7#g7 ,if known1 an identification of the medical facility of the ,department in each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network with the largest rate of decrease in patient population of women veterans as measured by the decrease in unique women veterans patient use4 #eje4 ,report on models of medical facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for the treatment of women 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 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 use by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs of general primary care clinics1 separate but shared spaces1 and women's health centers as models of providing health care to women veterans4 7b7 ,elements ,each report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,the number of facilities of the ,department that fall into each model described in subsection 7a71 disaggregated by ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network and ,state4 7#b7 ,a description of the criteria used by the ,department to determine which such model is most appropriate for each facility of the ,department4 7#c7 ,an assessment of how the ,department decides to make investments to upgrade facilities to the next higher-level model4 7#d7 ,a description of what1 if any1 plans the ,department has to upgrade facilities from the lowest-level model1 general primary care clinics1 to another model4 7#e7 ,an assessment of whether any facilities could be upgraded to the next higher-level model within planned investments under the strategic capital investment planning process of the ,department4 7#f7 ,an assessment of whether any facilities could be upgraded to the next higher-level model with minor modifications to existing plans under the strategic capital investment planning process of the ,department4 7#g7 ,an assessment of whether the ,department has a goal for how many facilities should fall into each such model4 #ejf4 ,report on staffing of ,department of ,veterans relating to the treatment of women 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 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 staffing of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs relating to the treatment of women4 7b7 ,elements ,each report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following1 disaggregated by ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network and ,state 7except with respect to paragraph 7#d773 7#a7 ,the number of women's health centers4 7#b7 ,the number of patient aligned care teams of the ,department relating to women's health4 7#c7 ,the number of full- and part-time gynecologists of the ,department4 7#d7 ,the number of designated women's health care providers of the ,department1 disaggregated by facility of the ,department4 7#e7 ,the number of health care providers of the ,department who have completed a mini-residency for women's health care through ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program of the ,department during the one-year period preceding the submittal of the report1 and the number that plan to participate in such a mini-residency during the one-year period following such date4 7#f7 ,the number of designated women's health care providers of the ,department who have sufficient female patients to retain their competencies and proficiencies4 #a4 ,short title 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,deborah ,sampson ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title4,,title ,i--,improving access for women veterans to the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs,sec4 #aja4 ,office of ,women's ,health in ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #ajb4 ,women veterans retrofit initiative4,sec4 #ajc4 ,establishment of environment of care standards and inspections at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical centers4,sec4 #ajd4 ,provision of reintegration and readjustment services to veterans and family members in group retreat settings4,sec4 #aje4 ,provision of legal services for women veterans4,sec4 #ajf4 ,comptroller ,general surveys and report on supportive services provided for very low-income women veterans4,sec4 #ajg4 ,programs on assistance for child care for certain veterans4,sec4 #ajh4 ,availability of prosthetics for women veterans from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #aji4 ,requirement to improve ,department of ,veterans ,affairs women veterans call center4,sec4 #aaj4 ,facilitation of reproduction and infertility research4,sec4 #aaa4 ,information for members of the ,armed ,forces regarding availability of services provided by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #aab4 ,sense of ,congress on access to facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs by reservists for counseling and treatment relating to military sexual trauma4,,title ,,ii--,increasing staff cultural competency,sec4 #bja4 ,staffing of women's health primary care providers at medical facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bjb4 ,additional funding for primary care and emergency care clinicians in ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program4,sec4 #bjc4 ,establishment of women veteran training module for non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs health care providers4,sec4 #bjd4 ,study on staffing of women veteran program manager program at medical centers of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and training of staff4,sec4 #bje4 ,study on ,women ,veteran ,coordinator program4,sec4 #bjf4 ,staffing improvement plan for peer specialists of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who are women4,,title ,,iii--,eliminating harassment and assault,sec4 #cja4 ,expansion of coverage by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs of counseling and treatment for sexual trauma4,sec4 #cjb4 ,assessment of effects of intimate partner violence on women veterans by ,advisory ,committee on ,women ,veterans4,sec4 #cjc4 ,anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cjd4 ,pilot program on assisting veterans who experience intimate partner violence or sexual assault4,sec4 #cje4 ,study and task force on veterans experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault4,,title ,,iv--,data collection and reporting,sec4 #dja4 ,requirement for collection and analysis of data on ,department of ,veterans ,affairs benefits and services and disaggregation of such data by gender1 race1 and ethnicity4,sec4 #djb4 ,study on barriers for women veterans to receipt of health care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #djc4 ,study on feasibility and advisability of offering ,parenting ,,stair program at all medical centers of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #djd4 ,gap analysis of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless4,,title ,v--,benefits matters,sec4 #eja4 ,standard of proof for service-connection of mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma4,sec4 #ejb4 ,choice of sex of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical examiner for assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability resulting from physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment4,sec4 #ejc4 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs report on implementing recommendations of ,inspector ,general of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs in certain report on denied posttraumatic stress disorder claims related to military sexual trauma4 ,i ,improving access for women veterans to the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs #aja4 ,office of ,women's ,health in ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health ,subsection 7a7 of section #gcjf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#aj7 as paragraph 7#aa72 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#i7 the following new paragraph 7#aj73 7#aj7 ,the ,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health4 4 7b7 ,organization of office and annual reports 7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #gc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end of the following new sections3 #gcaj4 ,office of ,women's ,health 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,health shall establish and operate in the ,veterans ,health ,administration the ,office of ,women's ,health 7in this section referred to as the ,office74 7#b7 ,the ,office shall be located at the ,central ,office of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#c7 7,a7 ,the head of the ,office is the ,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health 7in this section referred to as the ,chief ,officer74 7,b7 ,the ,chief ,officer shall report to the ,under ,secretary for ,health4 7#d7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,health shall provide the ,office with such staff and other support as may be necessary for the ,office to carry out effectively the functions of the ,office under this section4 7#e7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,health may reorganize existing offices within the ,veterans ,health ,administration as of the date of the enactment of this section in order to avoid duplication with the functions of the ,office4 7b7 ,functions ,the functions of the ,office include the following3 7#a7 ,to provide a central office for monitoring and encouraging the activities of the ,veterans ,health ,administration with respect to the provision1 evaluation1 and improvement of health care services provided to women veterans by the ,department4 7#b7 ,to develop and implement standards of care for the provision of health care for women veterans by the ,department4 7#c7 ,to monitor and identify deficiencies in standards of care for the provision of health care for women veterans by the ,department1 to provide technical assistance to medical facilities of the ,department to address and remedy deficiencies1 and to perform oversight of implementation of such standards of care4 7#d7 ,to monitor and identify deficiencies in standards of care for the provision of health care for women veterans provided through the community pursuant to this title and to provide recommendations to the appropriate office to address and remedy any deficiencies4 7#e7 ,to oversee distribution of resources and information related to health programming for women veterans under this title4 7#f7 ,to promote the expansion and improvement of clinical1 research1 and educational activities of the ,veterans ,health ,administration with respect to the health care of women veterans4 7#g7 ,to provide1 as part of the annual budgeting process1 recommendations with respect to the amounts to be requested for furnishing hospital care and medical services to women veterans pursuant to chapter #ag of this title1 including1 at a minimum1 recommendations that ensure that such amounts either reflect or exceed the proportion of veterans enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the ,department established and operated under section #agje7;a7 of this title who are women4 7#h7 ,to provide recommendations to the ,under ,secretary for ,health with respect to modifying the ,veterans ,equitable ,resource ,allocation system1 or successor system1 to ensure that resource allocations under such system1 or successor system1 reflect the health care needs of women veterans4 7#i7 ,to carry out such other duties as the ,under ,secretary for ,health may require4 7c7 ,recommendations 7#a7 ,if the ,under ,secretary for ,health determines not to implement any recommendation made by the ,chief ,officer with respect to the allocation of resources to address the health care needs of women veterans1 the ,secretary shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of such determination by not later than #cj days after the date on which the ,under ,secretary for ,health receives the recommendation4 7#b7 ,each notification under paragraph 7#a7 relating to a determination with respect to a recommendation shall include the following3 7,a7 ,the reasoning of the ,under ,secretary for ,health in making the determination4 7,b7 ,an alternative1 if one is selected1 to the recommendation that the ,under ,secretary for ,health will carry out to fulfill the health care needs of women veterans4 7d7 ,standards of care ,for purposes of carrying out the functions of the ,office under this section1 the standards of care for the provision of health care for women veterans from the ,department shall include1 at a minimum1 the following3 7#a7 ,a requirement for-- 7,a7 at least one designated women's health primary care provider at each medical center of the ,department whose duties include1 to the extent practicable1 providing training to other health care providers of the ,department with respect to the needs of women veterans2 and 7,b7 at least one designated women's health primary care provider at each community-based outpatient clinic of the ,department who may serve women patients as a percentage of the total duties of the provider4 7#b7 ,other requirements as determined by the ,under ,secretary for ,health4 7e7 ,outreach ,the ,chief ,officer shall ensure that-- 7#a7 not less frequently than biannually1 each medical facility of the ,department holds a public forum for women veterans that occurs outside of regular business hours2 and 7#b7 not less frequently than quarterly1 each medical facility of the ,department convenes a focus group of women veterans that includes a discussion of harassment occurring at such facility4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term appropriate congressional committees has the meaning given that term in section #gcaj;,a7h7 of this title4 7#b7 ,the term facility of the ,department has the meaning given the term facilities of the ,department in section #agja7c7 of this title4 7#c7 ,the term ,veterans ,equitable ,resource ,allocation system means the resource allocation system established pursuant to section #dbi of the ,departments of ,veterans ,affairs and ,housing and ,urban ,development1 and ,independent ,agencies ,appropriations ,act1 #aiig 7,public ,law #ajd-bjd2 #aaj ,stat4 #bibi74 #gcaj;,a4 ,annual reports on women's health 7a7 ,annual reports ,not later than ,december #a of each year1 the ,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the matters under subsections 7b7 through 7g74 7b7 ,office of ,women's ,health ,each report under subsection 7a7 shall include a description of-- 7#a7 actions taken by the ,office of ,women's ,health established under section #gcaj of this title in the preceding fiscal year to improve the provision of health care by the ,department to women veterans2 7#b7 any identified deficiencies related to the provision of health care by the ,department to women veterans and the standards of care established in such section and the plan of the ,department to address such deficiencies2 7#c7 the funding and personnel provided to the ,office and whether additional funding or personnel are needed to meet the requirements of such section2 and 7#d7 other information that would be of interest to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to oversight of the provision of health care by the ,department to women veterans4 7c7 ,access to gender-specific services 7#a7 ,each report under subsection 7a7 shall include an analysis of the access of women veterans to gender-specific services under contracts1 agreements1 or other arrangements with non-,department medical providers entered into by the ,secretary for the provision of hospital care or medical services to veterans4 7#b7 ,the analysis under paragraph 7#a7 shall include data and performance measures for the availability of gender-specific services described in such paragraph1 including-- 7,a7 the average wait time between the preferred appointment date of the veteran and the date on which the appointment is completed2 7,b7 the average driving time required for veterans to attend appointments2 and 7,c7 reasons why appointments could not be scheduled with non-,department medical providers4 7d7 ,locations where women veterans are using health care ,each report under subsection 7a7 shall include an analysis of the use by women veterans of health care from the ,department1 including the following information3 7#a7 ,the number of women veterans who reside in each ,state4 7#b7 ,the number of women veterans in each ,state who are enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the ,department established and operated under section #agje7;a7 of this title4 7#c7 ,of the women veterans who are so enrolled1 the number who have received health care under the laws administered by the ,secretary at least one time during the one-year period preceding the submittal of the report4 7#d7 ,the number of women veterans who have been seen at a medical facility of the ,department during such year1 disaggregated by facility4 7#e7 ,the number of appointments that women veterans have had at a medical facility of the ,department during such year1 disaggregated by-- 7,a7 facility2 and 7,b7 appointments for-- 7i7 primary care2 7ii7 specialty care2 and 7iii7 mental health care4 7#f7 ,for each appointment type specified in paragraph 7#e77;,b71 the number of appointments completed face-to-face and the number completed via telehealth4 7#g7 ,if known1 an identification of the medical facility of the ,department in each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network with the largest rate of increase in patient population of women veterans as measured by the increase in unique women veteran patient use4 7#h7 ,if known1 an identification of the medical facility of the ,department in each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network with the largest rate of decrease in patient population of women veterans as measured by the decrease in unique women veteran patient use4 7e7 ,models of care 7#a7 ,each report under subsection 7a7 shall include an analysis of the use by the ,department of general primary care clinics1 separate but shared spaces1 and women's health centers as delivery of care models for women veterans4 7#b7 ,the analysis under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,the number of facilities of the ,department that fall into each delivery of care model described in such paragraph1 disaggregated by ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network and ,state4 7,b7 ,a description of the criteria used by the ,department to determine which such model is most appropriate for each facility of the ,department4 7,c7 ,an assessment of how the ,department decides to make investments to modify facilities to a different model4 7,d7 ,a description of what1 if any1 plans the ,department has to modify facilities from general primary care clinics to another model4 7,e7 ,an assessment of whether any facilities could be modified to a separate but shared space for a women's health center within planned investments under the strategic capital investment planning process of the ,department4 7,f7 ,an assessment of whether any facilities could be modified to a separate or shared space or a women's health center with minor modifications to existing plans under the strategic capital investment planning process of the ,department4 7,g7 ,an assessment of whether the ,department has a goal for how many facilities should fall into each such model4 7f7 ,staffing ,each report under subsection 7a7 shall include an analysis of the staffing of the ,department relating to the treatment of women1 including the following1 disaggregated by ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network and ,state 7except with respect to paragraph 7#d773 7#a7 ,the number of women's health centers4 7#b7 ,the number of patient aligned care teams of the ,department relating to women's health4 7#c7 ,the number of full- and part-time gynecologists of the ,department4 7#d7 ,the number of designated women's health care providers of the ,department1 disaggregated by facility of the ,department4 7#e7 ,the number of health care providers of the ,department who have completed a mini-residency for women's health care through the ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program of the ,department during the one-year period preceding the submittal of the report and the number of mini-residency training slots for such program that are available during the one-year period following such date4 7#f7 ,the number of designated women's health care providers of the ,department who have sufficient women patient loads or case complexities to retain their competencies and proficiencies4 7g7 ,accessibility and treatment options ,each report under subsection 7a7 shall include an analysis of the accessibility and treatment options for women veterans1 including the following3 7#a7 ,an assessment of wheelchair accessibility of women's health centers of the ,department1 including1 with respect to each such center1 an assessment of accessibility for each kind of treatment provided at the center1 including with respect to radiology and mammography1 that addresses all relevant factors1 including door sizes1 hoists1 and equipment4 7#b7 ,the options for women veterans to access mental health providers and primary care providers who are women4 7#c7 ,the options for women veterans at medical facilities of the ,department with respect to clothing sizes1 including for gowns1 drawstring pants1 and pajamas4 7h7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,the term gender-specific services means mammography1 obstetric care1 gynecological care1 and such other services as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #gcji;,a the following new items3 #gcaj4 ,office of ,women's ,health4#gcaj;,a4 ,annual reports on women's health4 4 7c7 ,initial report ,the ,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit the initial report under section #gcaj;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7b71 by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ajb4 ,women veterans retrofit initiative 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall prioritize the retrofitting of existing medical facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs with fixtures1 materials1 and other outfitting measures to support the provision of care to women veterans at such facilities4 7b7 ,plan 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 plan to address deficiencies in environment of care for women veterans at medical facilities of the ,department4 7#b7 ,elements ,the plan required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,an assessment of how the ,secretary prioritizes retrofitting existing medical facilities to support provision of care to women veterans in comparison to other requirements4 7,b7 ,a five-year strategic plan for retrofitting medical facilities of the ,department to support the provision of care to women veterans as required under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary #bj1jjj1jjj to carry out subsection 7a7 in addition to amounts otherwise made available to the ,secretary for the purposes set forth in such subsection4 #ajc4 ,establishment of environment of care standards and inspections at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical centers 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a policy under which the environment of care standards and inspections at medical centers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs include-- 7#a7 an alignment of the requirements for such standards and inspections with the women's health handbook of the ,veterans ,health ,administration2 7#b7 a requirement for the frequency of such inspections2 7#c7 delineation of the roles and responsibilities of staff at each medical center who are responsible for compliance2 7#d7 the requirement that each medical center submit to the ,secretary and make publicly available a report on the compliance of the medical center with the standards2 and 7#e7 a remediation plan4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 certifying in writing that the policy required by subsection 7a7 has been finalized and disseminated to all medical centers of the ,department4 #ajd4 ,provision of reintegration and readjustment services to veterans and family members in group retreat settings 7a7 ,in general ,section #agab;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a77;,b7-- 7,a7 in clause 7ii71 by redesignating subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii7 as items 7aa7 and 7bb72 7,b7 by redesignating clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 as subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii72 7,c7 in the matter preceding subclause 7,i71 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b71 by striking ,counseling and inserting 7i7 ,counseling2 and 7,d7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7ii7 7,i7 ,except as provided in subclause 7,,iv71 counseling furnished to an individual under subparagraph 7,a7 may include reintegration and readjustment services described in subclause 7,,ii7 furnished in group retreat settings4 7,,ii7 ,reintegration and readjustment services described in this subclause are the following3 7aa7 ,information on reintegration of the individual into family1 employment1 and community4 7bb7 ,financial counseling4 7cc7 ,occupational counseling4 7dd7 ,information and counseling on stress reduction4 7ee7 ,information and counseling on conflict resolution4 7ff7 ,such other information and counseling as the ,secretary considers appropriate to assist the individual in reintegration into family1 employment1 and community4 7,,iii7 ,in furnishing reintegration and readjustment services under subclause 7,i71 the ,secretary shall offer women the opportunity to receive such services in group retreat settings in which the only participants are women4 7,,iv7 ,an individual described in subparagraph 7,c77v7 may receive reintegration and readjustment services under subclause 7,i7 only if the individual receives such services with a family member described in subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of such subparagraph4 4 7b7 ,request for services ,subsection 7a77#b7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,upon and inserting 7,a7 ,upon2 7#b7 by striking paragraph 7#a77;,b7 and inserting paragraph 7#a77;,b77i72 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,b7 ,upon the request of an individual described in paragraph 7#a77;,c71 the ,secretary shall furnish the individual reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings under paragraph 7#a77;,b77ii7 if the ,secretary determines the experience will be therapeutically appropriate4 4 #aje4 ,provision of legal services for women veterans 7a7 ,agreement required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall enter into one or more agreements with public or private entities to provide legal services to women veterans4 7b7 ,focus ,the focus of an agreement entered into under subsection 7a7 shall be to address the following unmet needs of women veterans as set forth in the most recently completed ,community ,homelessness ,assessment1 ,local ,education and ,networking ,groups for ,veterans 7,,chaleng for ,veterans7 survey3 7#a7 ,child support4 7#b7 ,prevention of eviction and foreclosure4 7#c7 ,discharge upgrades4 7#d7 ,financial guardianship4 7#e7 ,credit counseling4 7#f7 ,family reconciliation assistance4 #ajf4 ,comptroller ,general surveys and report on supportive services provided for very low-income women veterans 7a7 ,surveys 7#a7 ,survey of women veterans ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall survey women veterans who have received or are receiving supportive services provided under section #bjdd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to determine satisfaction with the ability of such services to meet the specific needs of such veterans4 7#b7 ,survey of eligible entities ,the ,comptroller ,general shall survey eligible entities receiving financial assistance under such section and other partners of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including veterans service organizations and the ,national ,coalition of ,homeless ,veterans1 on the view of such entities and partners regarding-- 7,a7 whether the ,department is meeting the needs of women veterans through the provision of supportive services under such section2 and 7,b7 any additional supportive services that may be required to meet such needs4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states 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 efforts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to provide supportive services to women veterans under section #bjdd of title #ch1 ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,elements ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a review of how the ,department determines which categories of supportive services would be beneficial to women veterans who receive services under such section4 7,b7 ,a description of the challenges women veterans who have children face in accessing supportive services under such section1 including with respect to accessing-- 7i7 homeless shelters with their children2 7ii7 homeless shelters that have restrictions on male children2 and 7iii7 affordable child care4 7,c7 ,a description of how the ,department identifies eligible entities under such section that can provide supportive services to meet the needs of women veterans1 including eligible entities with experience in-- 7i7 intimate partner violence2 7ii7 legal matters pertaining especially to women veterans1 including temporary restraining orders and child care orders2 7iii7 supportive services for children2 and 7iv7 the evaluation of which categories of services would be beneficial to women veterans who receive such services under such section4 7,d7 ,a description of how much the ,department spends1 from funds appropriated to carry out such section and funds provided under the ,coronavirus ,aid1 ,relief1 and ,economic ,security ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-acf71 on supportive services specifically for women veterans1 and in particular1 on the services described in subparagraph 7,a74 7,e7 ,the results of the surveys conducted under subsection 7a74 7,f7 ,a review of the resources and programming offered to woman veterans under such section4 7,g7 ,an assessment of such other areas as the ,comptroller ,general considers appropriate4 #ajg4 ,programs on assistance for child care for certain veterans 7a7 ,assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care 7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #agji;,c4 ,assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care 7a7 ,program required ,the ,secretary shall carry out a program to provide1 subject to subsection 7b71 assistance to qualified veterans described in subsection 7c7 to obtain child care so that such veterans can receive health care services described in subsection 7c77#b74 7b7 ,limitation on period of payments ,assistance may be provided to a qualified veteran under this section for receipt of child care only during the period that the qualified veteran-- 7#a7 receives the types of health care services described in subsection 7c77#b7 at a facility of the ,department2 and 7#b7 requires travel to and return from such facility for the receipt of such health care services4 7c7 ,qualified veterans ,for purposes of this section1 a qualified veteran is a veteran who-- 7#a7 is the primary caretaker of a child or children2 and 7#b7 7,a7 receives from the ,department-- 7i7 regular mental health care services2 7ii7 intensive mental health care services2 or 7iii7 such other intensive health care services that the ,secretary determines that provision of assistance to the veteran to obtain child care would improve access to such health care services by the veteran2 or 7,b7 is in need of regular or intensive mental health care services from the ,department1 and but for lack of child care services1 would receive such health care services from the ,department4 7d7 ,locations ,not later than five years after the date of the enactment of the ,deborah ,sampson ,act1 the ,secretary shall carry out the program at each medical center of the ,department4 7e7 ,forms of child care assistance 7#a7 ,child care assistance under this section may include the following3 7,a7 ,stipends for the payment of child care offered by a licensed child care center 7either directly or through a voucher program7 that shall be1 to the extent practicable1 modeled after the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,child ,care ,subsidy ,program established pursuant to section #fcj of the ,treasury and ,general ,government ,appropriations ,act1 #bjjb 7,public ,law #ajg-fg2 #aae ,stat4 #eeb74 7,b7 ,direct provision of child care at an on-site facility of the ,department4 7,c7 ,payments to private child care agencies4 7,d7 ,collaboration with facilities or programs of other ,federal agencies4 7,e7 ,such other forms of assistance as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,in providing child care assistance under this section1 the child care needs of the local area shall be considered and the head of each medical center may select the type of care that is most appropriate or feasible for such medical center4 7#c7 ,in the case that child care assistance under this section is provided as a stipend under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 such stipend shall cover the full cost of such child care4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #bje7;e7 of the ,caregivers and ,veterans ,omnibus ,health ,services ,act of #bjaj 7,public ,law #aaa-afc2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agaj note7 is amended by striking ,september #cj1 #bjbj and inserting the date of the enactment of the ,deborah ,sampson ,act4 7#c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #ag of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #agji;,b the following new item3 #agji;,c4 ,assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care1 4 7b7 ,pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving readjustment counseling and related mental health services 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing1 subject to paragraph 7#b71 assistance to qualified veterans described in paragraph 7#c7 to obtain child care so that such veterans can receive readjustment counseling and related mental health services4 7#b7 ,limitation on period of payments ,assistance may be provided to a qualified veteran under the pilot program for receipt of child care only during the period that the qualified veteran receives readjustment counseling and related health care services at a ,vet ,center4 7#c7 ,qualified veterans ,for purposes of this subsection1 a qualified veteran is a veteran who-- 7,a7 is the primary caretaker of a child or children2 and 7,b7 7i7 receives from the ,department regular readjustment counseling and related mental health services2 or 7ii7 is in need of regular readjustment counseling and related mental health services from the ,department1 and but for lack of child care services1 would receive such counseling and services from the ,department4 7#d7 ,locations ,the ,secretary shall carry out the pilot program in not fewer than three ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,regions selected by the ,secretary for purposes of the pilot program4 7#e7 ,forms of child care assistance 7,a7 ,in general ,child care assistance under the pilot program may include the following3 7i7 ,stipends for the payment of child care offered by a licensed child care center 7either directly or through a voucher program7 that shall be1 to the extent practicable1 modeled after the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,child ,care ,subsidy ,program established pursuant to section #fcj of the ,treasury and ,general ,government ,appropriations ,act1 #bjjb 7,public ,law #ajg-fg2 #aae ,stat4 #eeb74 7ii7 ,payments to private child care agencies4 7iii7 ,collaboration with facilities or programs of other ,federal agencies4 7iv7 ,such other forms of assistance as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,local area ,in providing child care assistance under the pilot program1 the child care needs of the local area shall be considered and the head of each ,vet ,center may select the type of care that is most appropriate or feasible for such ,vet ,center4 7,c7 ,use of stipend ,in the case that child care assistance under the pilot program is provided as a stipend under subparagraph 7,a77i71 such stipend shall cover the full cost of such child care4 7#f7 ,duration ,the pilot program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program4 7#g7 ,report 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the completion of the pilot program1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the pilot program4 7,b7 ,elements ,the report required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall include the findings and conclusions of the ,secretary regarding the pilot program1 and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7#h7 ,vet center defined ,in this subsection1 the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #ajh4 ,availability of prosthetics for women veterans from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,access at each medical facility ,section #agad7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking 7a7 ,any veteran and inserting 7a77#a7 ,any veteran2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#b7 ,in furnishing prosthetic appliances under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall ensure women veterans are able to access clinically appropriate prosthetic appliances through each medical facility of the ,department4 4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 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 availability from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs of prosthetics made for women veterans1 including an assessment of the availability of such prosthetics at medical facilities of the ,department4 7#b7 ,elements ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a list of all devices classified by the ,department as prosthetic devices1 including a breakdown of whether a device is considered gender-neutral or gender-specific2 7,b7 for gender-neutral devices1 a breakdown of sizing2 7,c7 the average time it takes for a woman veteran to receive a prosthetic device after it is prescribed1 disaggregated by ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network and medical center of the ,department2 7,d7 the total number of women veterans utilizing the ,department for prosthetic services1 disaggregated by facility of the ,department2 7,e7 an assessment of efforts by the ,department on research1 development1 and employment of additive manufacture technology 7commonly referred to as #c;,d printing7 to provide prosthetic items for women veterans2 7,f7 the results of a survey with a representative sample of not fewer than #ej1jjj veterans 7of which women shall be overrepresented7 in an amputee care program on satisfaction with prosthetics furnished or procured by the ,department that replace appendages or their function2 and 7,g7 such other information as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 #aji4 ,requirement to improve ,department of ,veterans ,affairs women veterans call center ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall enhance the capabilities of the women veterans call center of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs-- 7#a7 to respond to requests by women veterans for assistance with accessing health care and benefits furnished under the laws administered by the ,secretary2 and 7#b7 to refer such veterans to resources provided by the ,federal ,government and the community to obtain assistance with services not furnished by the ,department4 #aaj4 ,facilitation of reproduction and infertility research 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #gc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #gccj;,d4 ,facilitation of reproduction and infertility research 7a7 ,facilitation of research required ,the ,secretary shall facilitate research conducted collaboratively by the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services to improve the ability of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to meet the long-term reproductive health care needs of veterans who have a genitourinary service-connected disability or a condition that was incurred or aggravated in line of duty in the active military1 naval1 or air service1 such as a spinal cord injury1 that affects the ability of the veteran to reproduce4 7b7 ,dissemination of information ,the ,secretary shall ensure that information produced by the research facilitated under this section that may be useful for other activities of the ,veterans ,health ,administration is disseminated throughout the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #gc of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #gccj;,c the following new item3 #gccj;,d4 ,facilitation of reproduction and infertility research4 4 7c7 ,report ,not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to ,congress a report on the research activities conducted by the ,secretary under section #gccj;,d of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a74 #aaa4 ,information for members of the ,armed ,forces regarding availability of services provided by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall inform members of the ,armed ,forces1 using mechanisms available to the ,secretary1 of the eligibility of such members for services provided by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,information from ,sexual ,assault ,response ,coordinators ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall ensure that ,sexual ,assault ,response ,coordinators of the ,department of ,defense advise members of the ,armed ,forces who have experienced physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment regarding the eligibility of such members for services provided by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 #aab4 ,sense of ,congress on access to facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs by reservists for counseling and treatment relating to military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,it is the sense of ,congress that members of the reserve components of the ,armed ,forces1 including members of the ,national ,guard1 should be able to access all health care facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 not just ,vet ,centers1 to receive counseling and treatment relating to military sexual trauma4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,military sexual trauma ,the term military sexual trauma means a condition described in section #agbj;,d7a77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,vet ,center ,the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of such title4 ,,ii ,increasing staff cultural competency #bja4 ,staffing of women's health primary care providers at medical facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall ensure that each medical facility of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs has not fewer than one full-time or part-time women's health primary care provider whose duties include1 to the extent possible1 providing training to other health care providers of the ,department on the needs of women veterans4 #bjb4 ,additional funding for primary care and emergency care clinicians in ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program 7a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs #a1jjj1jjj for each fiscal year for the ,women ,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency ,program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to provide opportunities for participation in such program for primary care and emergency care clinicians4 7b7 ,treatment of amounts ,the amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection 7a7 shall be in addition to amounts otherwise made available to the ,secretary for the purposes set forth in such subsection4 #bjc4 ,establishment of women veteran training module for non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs health care providers 7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish and make available to community providers a training module that is specific to women veterans4 7b7 ,training materials provided ,under the training module established and made available to community providers under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall provide to community providers the same training materials relating to treatment of women veterans that is provided to health care providers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to ensure that all health care providers treating women veterans have access to the same materials to support competency throughout the community4 7c7 ,administration of training module ,the ,secretary shall administer the training module established under subsection 7a7 to community providers through an internet website of the ,department4 7d7 ,annual report ,not later than one year after the establishment of the training module under subsection 7a71 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on-- 7#a7 the utilization by community providers of the training module2 and 7#b7 the effectiveness of the training module4 7e7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,community provider ,the term community provider means a non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs health care provider who provides preauthorized health care to veterans under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#b7 ,preauthorized health care ,the term preauthorized health care means health care provided to a veteran that is authorized by the ,secretary before being provided4 #bjd4 ,study on staffing of women veteran program manager program at medical centers of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and training of staff 7a7 ,study ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study on the use of the ,women ,veteran ,program ,manager program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to determine-- 7#a7 if the program is appropriately staffed at each medical center of the ,department2 7#b7 whether each medical center of the ,department is staffed with a ,women ,veteran ,program ,manager2 and 7#c7 whether it would be feasible and advisable to have a ,women ,veteran ,program ,ombudsman at each medical center of the ,department4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 study conducted under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,training ,the ,secretary shall ensure that all ,women ,veteran ,program ,managers and ,women ,veteran ,program ,ombudsmen receive the proper training to carry out their duties4 #bje4 ,study on ,women ,veteran ,coordinator program 7a7 ,study and report required ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall-- 7#a7 complete a study on the ,women ,veteran ,coordinator program of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 and 7#b7 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 findings of the ,secretary with respect to the study completed under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,elements ,the study required by subsection 7a77#a7 shall identify the following3 7#a7 ,if the program described in such subsection is appropriately staffed at each regional benefits office of the ,department4 7#b7 ,whether each regional benefits office of the ,department is staffed with a ,women ,veteran ,coordinator4 7#c7 ,the position description of the ,women ,veteran ,coordinator4 7#d7 ,whether an individual serving in the ,women ,veteran ,coordinator position concurrently serves in any other position1 and if so1 the allocation of time the individual spends in each such position4 7#e7 ,a description of the metrics the ,secretary uses to determine the job performance and effectiveness of the ,women ,veteran ,coordinator4 #bjf4 ,staffing improvement plan for peer specialists of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who are women 7a7 ,assessment of capacity 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in consultation with the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 shall commence an assessment of the capacity of peer specialists of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who are women4 7#b7 ,elements ,the assessment required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include an assessment of the following3 7,a7 ,the geographical distribution of peer specialists of the ,department who are women4 7,b7 ,the geographical distribution of women veterans4 7,c7 ,the number and proportion of women peer specialists who specialize in peer counseling on mental health or suicide prevention4 7,d7 ,the number and proportion of women peer specialists who specialize in peer counseling on non-mental health related matters4 7b7 ,report ,not later than one year after the assessment required by subsection 7a7 has commenced1 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 detailing the findings of the assessment4 7c7 ,staffing improvement plan 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after submitting the report under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,inspector ,general1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a plan1 based on the results of the assessment required by subsection 7a71 to hire additional qualified peer specialists who are women1 with special consideration for areas that lack peer specialists who are women4 7#b7 ,elements ,the peer specialist positions included in the plan required by paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 shall be non-volunteer1 paid positions2 and 7,b7 may be part-time positions4 ,,iii ,eliminating harassment and assault #cja4 ,expansion of coverage by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs of counseling and treatment for sexual trauma 7a7 ,expansion of eligibility for counseling and treatment ,section #agbj;,d of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking active duty1 active duty for training1 or inactive duty training and inserting duty1 regardless of duty status or line of duty determination 7as that term is used in section #abcbc of title #aj72 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking active duty1 active duty for training1 or inactive duty training and inserting duty1 regardless of duty status or line of duty determination 7as that term is used in section #abcbc of title #aj72 7#b7 by striking veteran each place it appears and inserting former member of the ,armed ,forces2 7#c7 by striking veterans each place it appears and inserting former members of the ,armed ,forces2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7g7 ,in this section1 the term former member of the ,armed ,forces includes the following3 7#a7 ,a veteran4 7#b7 ,an individual described in section #agbj;,i7b7 of this title4 4 7b7 ,inclusion of treatment for physical health conditions ,such section is further amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by inserting 1 to include care for physical health conditions1 as appropriate1 after counseling and appropriate care and services2 7ii7 by striking overcome psychological trauma and inserting treat a condition2 and 7iii7 by striking mental health professional and inserting health care professional2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking overcome psychological trauma and inserting treat a condition2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting and other health care professionals after mental health professionals2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by inserting and other health care professionals after mental health professionals4 #cjb4 ,assessment of effects of intimate partner violence on women veterans by ,advisory ,committee on ,women ,veterans ,section #edb7;c77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,c7 as subparagraph 7,d72 and 7#c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,b7 the following new subparagraph 7,c73 7,c7 an assessment of the effects of intimate partner violence on women veterans2 and 4 #cjc4 ,anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #e of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #ecc4 ,anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,office of ,assault and ,prevention of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 shall establish a comprehensive policy to end harassment and sexual assault1 including sexual harassment and gender-based harassment1 throughout the ,department4 7#b7 ,the policy required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a process for employees and contractors of the ,department to respond to reported incidents of harassment and sexual assault committed by any non-,department individual within a facility of the ,department1 including with respect to accountability or disciplinary measures4 7,b7 ,a process for employees and contractors of the ,department to respond to reported incidents of harassment and sexual assault of any non-,department individual within a facility of the ,department4 7,c7 ,a process for any non-,department individual to report harassment and sexual assault described in subparagraph 7,a71 including an option for confidential reporting1 and for the ,secretary to respond to and address such reports4 7,d7 ,clear mechanisms for non-,department individuals to readily identify to whom and how to report incidents of harassment and sexual assault committed by another non-,department individual4 7,e7 ,clear mechanisms for employees and contractors of the ,department to readily identify to whom and how to report incidents of harassment and sexual assault and how to refer non-,department individuals with respect to reporting an incident of harassment or sexual assault4 7,f7 ,a process for1 and mandatory reporting requirement applicable to1 any employee or contractor of the ,department who witnesses harassment or sexual assault described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 within a facility of the ,department1 regardless of whether the individual affected by such harassment or sexual assault wants to report such harassment or sexual assault4 7,g7 ,the actions possible1 including disciplinary actions1 for employees or contractors of the ,department who fail to report incidents of harassment and sexual assault described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 that the employees or contractors witness4 7,h7 ,on an annual or more frequent basis1 mandatory training for employees and contractors of the ,department regarding how to report and address harassment and sexual assault described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71 including bystander intervention training4 7,i7 ,on an annual or more frequent basis1 the distribution of the policy under this subsection and anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault educational materials by mail or email to each individual receiving a benefit under a law administered by the ,secretary4 7,j7 ,the prominent display of anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault messages in each facility of the ,department1 including how non-,department individuals may report harassment and sexual assault described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 at such facility and the points of contact under subsection 7b74 7,k7 ,the posting on internet websites of the ,department1 including the main internet website regarding benefits of the ,department and the main internet website regarding health care of the ,department1 of anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault banners specifically addressing harassment and sexual assault described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74 7b7 ,points of contact ,the ,secretary shall designate1 as a point of contact to receive reports of harassment and sexual assault described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of subsection 7a77#b7-- 7#a7 at least one individual1 in addition to law enforcement1 at each facility of the ,department 7including ,vet ,centers under section #agab;,a of this title71 with regard to that facility2 7#b7 at least one individual employed in each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network1 with regard to facilities in that ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network2 7#c7 at least one individual employed in each regional benefits office2 7#d7 at least one individual employed at each location of the ,national ,cemetery ,administration2 and 7#e7 at least one individual employed at the ,central ,office of the ,department to track reports of such harassment and sexual assault across the ,department1 disaggregated by facility4 7c7 ,accountability 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall establish a policy to ensure that each facility of the ,department and each director of a ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network is responsible for addressing harassment and sexual assault at the facility and the ,network4 7#b7 ,the policy required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a remediation plan for facilities that experience five or more incidents of sexual harassment1 sexual assault1 or combination thereof1 during any single fiscal year2 and 7,b7 taking appropriate actions under chapter #g or subchapter ,v of chapter #gd of this title4 7d7 ,data ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the in-take process for veterans at medical facilities of the ,department includes a survey to collect the following information3 7#a7 ,whether the veteran feels safe at the facility and whether any events occurred at the facility that affect such feeling4 7#b7 ,whether the veteran wants to be contacted later by the ,department with respect to such safety issues4 7e7 ,working group 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall establish a working group to assist the ,secretary in implementing policies to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,the working group established under paragraph 7#a7 shall consist of representatives from-- 7,a7 veterans service organizations2 7,b7 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal veterans agencies2 and 7,c7 other persons the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#c7 ,the working group established under paragraph 7#a7 shall develop1 and the ,secretary shall carry out-- 7,a7 an action plan for addressing changes at the local level to reduce instances of harassment and sexual assault2 7,b7 standardized media for veterans service organizations and other persons to use in print and on the internet with respect to reducing harassment and sexual assault2 and 7,c7 bystander intervention training for veterans4 7#d7 ,the working group established under paragraph 7#a7 shall not be subject to the requirements of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 7f7 ,annual reports 7#a7 ,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 annual report on harassment and sexual assault described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of subsection 7a77#b7 in facilities of the ,department4 7#b7 ,each report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,results of harassment and sexual assault programming1 including the ,end ,harassment program4 7,b7 ,results of studies from the ,women's ,health ,practice-,based ,research ,network of the ,department relating to harassment and sexual assault4 7,c7 ,data collected on incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault4 7,d7 ,a description of any actions taken by the ,secretary during the year preceding the date of the report to stop harassment and sexual assault at facilities of the ,department4 7,e7 ,an assessment of the implementation of the training required in subsection 7a77#b77;,h74 7,f7 ,a list of resources the ,secretary determines necessary to prevent harassment and sexual assault at facilities of the ,department4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term non-,department individual means any individual present at a facility of the ,department who is not an employee or contractor of the ,department4 7#b7 ,the term sexual harassment means unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section #ecb the following new item3 #ecc4 ,anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy4 4 7c7 ,definition of sexual harassment ,section #agbj;,d7f7 of such title is amended by striking repeated14 7d7 ,deadline ,the ,secretary shall commence carrying out section #ecc of such title1 as added by subsection 7a71 not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #cjd4 ,pilot program on assisting veterans who experience intimate partner violence or sexual assault 7a7 ,pilot program required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of assisting former members of the ,armed ,forces who have experienced or are experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault in accessing benefits from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including coordinating access to medical treatment centers1 housing assistance1 and other benefits from the ,department4 7b7 ,duration ,the ,secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection 7a7 during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program4 7c7 ,collaboration ,the ,secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection 7a7 in collaboration with-- 7#a7 intimate partner violence shelters and programs2 7#b7 rape crisis centers2 7#c7 ,state intimate partner violence and sexual assault coalitions2 and 7#d7 such other health care or other service providers that serve intimate partner violence or sexual assault victims as determined by the ,secretary1 particularly those providing emergency services or housing assistance4 7d7 ,authorized activities ,in carrying out the pilot program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may conduct the following activities3 7#a7 ,training for community-based intimate partner violence or sexual assault service providers on-- 7,a7 identifying former members of the ,armed ,forces who have been victims of1 or are currently experiencing1 intimate partner violence or sexual assault2 7,b7 coordinating with local service providers of the ,department2 and 7,c7 connecting former members of the ,armed ,forces with appropriate housing1 mental health1 medical1 and other financial assistance or benefits from the ,department4 7#b7 ,assistance to service providers to ensure access of veterans to intimate partner violence and sexual assault emergency services1 particularly in underserved areas1 including services for ,native ,american veterans 7as defined in section #cgfe of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code74 7#c7 ,such other outreach and assistance as the ,secretary determines necessary for the provision of assistance under subsection 7a74 7e7 ,intimate partner violence and sexual assault outreach coordinators 7#a7 ,in general ,in order to effectively assist veterans who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual assault1 the ,secretary may establish local coordinators to provide outreach under the pilot program required by subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,local coordinator knowledge ,the ,secretary shall ensure that each coordinator established under paragraph 7#a7 is knowledgeable about-- 7,a7 the dynamics of intimate partner violence and sexual assault1 including safety concerns1 legal protections1 and the need for the provision of confidential services2 7,b7 the eligibility of veterans for services and benefits from the ,department that are relevant to recovery from intimate partner violence and sexual assault1 particularly emergency housing assistance1 mental health care1 other health care1 and disability benefits2 and 7,c7 local community resources addressing intimate partner violence and sexual assault4 7#c7 ,local coordinator assistance ,each coordinator established under paragraph 7#a7 shall assist intimate partner violence shelters and rape crisis centers in providing services to veterans4 7f7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the completion of the pilot program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the pilot program4 7#b7 ,contents ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,the findings and conclusions of the ,secretary with respect to the pilot program4 7,b7 ,such recommendations for continuing or expanding the pilot program as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,intimate partner 7,a7 ,in general ,the term intimate partner means a person with whom one has a close personal relationship that may be characterized by the partners' emotional connectedness1 regular contact1 ongoing physical contact and sexual behavior1 identity as a couple1 and familiarity and knowledge about each other's lives4 7,b7 ,close personal relationships ,in this paragraph1 the term close personal relationships includes the following3 7i7 ,a relationship between married spouses4 7ii7 ,a relationship between common-law spouses4 7iii7 ,a relationship between civil union spouses4 7iv7 ,a relationship between domestic partners4 7v7 ,a relationship between dating partners4 7vi7 ,a relationship between ongoing sexual partners4 7#b7 ,intimate partner violence ,the term intimate partner violence includes physical violence1 sexual violence1 stalking1 and psychological aggression1 including coercive tactics by a current or former intimate partner4 #cje4 ,study and task force on veterans experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault 7a7 ,national baseline study 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in consultation with the ,attorney ,general1 shall conduct a national baseline study to examine the scope of the problem of intimate partner violence and sexual assault among veterans and spouses and intimate partners of veterans4 7#b7 ,matters included ,the study under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 include a literature review of all relevant research on intimate partner violence and sexual assault among veterans and spouses and intimate partners of veterans2 7,b7 examine the prevalence of the experience of intimate partner violence among-- 7i7 women veterans2 7ii7 veterans who are minority group members 7as defined in section #edd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 and including other minority populations as the ,secretary determines appropriate72 7iii7 urban and rural veterans2 7iv7 veterans who are enrolled in a program under section #agbj;,g of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 7v7 veterans who are in intimate relationships with other veterans2 and 7vi7 veterans who are described in more than one clause of this subparagraph2 7,c7 examine the prevalence of the perpetration of intimate partner violence by veterans2 and 7,d7 include recommendations to address the findings of the study4 7#c7 ,report ,not later than #cj days after the date on which the ,secretary completes the study under paragraph 7#a71 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 such study4 7b7 ,task force 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date on which the ,secretary completes the study under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,attorney ,general and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 shall establish a national task force 7in this section referred to as the ,task ,force7 to develop a comprehensive national program1 including by integrating facilities1 services1 and benefits of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs into existing networks of community-based intimate partner violence and sexual assault services1 to address intimate partner violence and sexual assault among veterans4 7#b7 ,leadership ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall lead the ,task ,force in collaboration with the ,attorney ,general and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7c7 ,consultation with stakeholders ,in carrying out this section1 the ,task ,force shall consult with-- 7#a7 representatives from veteran service organizations and military service organizations2 7#b7 representatives from not fewer than three national organizations or ,state coalitions with demonstrated expertise in intimate partner violence prevention1 response1 or advocacy2 and 7#c7 representatives from not fewer than three national organizations or ,state coalitions1 particularly those representing underserved and ethnic minority communities1 with demonstrated expertise in sexual assault prevention1 response1 or advocacy4 7d7 ,duties ,the duties of the ,task ,force shall include the following3 7#a7 ,to review existing services and policies of the ,department and develop a comprehensive national program to be carried out by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in collaboration with the heads of relevant ,federal agencies1 to address intimate partner violence and sexual assault prevention1 response1 and treatment4 7#b7 ,to review the feasibility and advisability of establishing an expedited process to secure emergency1 temporary benefits1 including housing or other benefits1 for veterans who are experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault4 7#c7 ,to review and make recommendations regarding the feasibility and advisability of establishing dedicated1 temporary housing assistance for veterans experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault4 7#d7 ,to identify any requirements regarding intimate partner violence assistance or sexual assault response and services that are not being met by the ,department and make recommendations on how the ,department can meet such requirements4 7#e7 ,to review and make recommendations regarding the feasibility and advisability of providing direct services or contracting for community-based services for veterans in response to a sexual assault1 including through the use of sexual assault nurse examiners1 particularly in underserved or remote areas1 including services for ,native ,american veterans4 7#f7 ,to review the availability of counseling services provided by the ,department and through peer network support1 and to provide recommendations for the enhancement of such services1 to address-- 7,a7 the perpetration of intimate partner violence and sexual assault2 and 7,b7 the recovery of veterans1 particularly women veterans1 from intimate partner violence and sexual assault4 7#g7 ,to review and make recommendations to expand services available for veterans at risk of perpetrating intimate partner violence4 7e7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and not less frequently than annually thereafter by ,october #a of each year1 the ,task ,force shall submit to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and ,congress a report on the activities of the ,task ,force1 including any recommendations for legislative or administrative action4 7f7 ,nonapplicability of ,,faca ,the ,task ,force shall not be subject to the requirements of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,native ,american veteran ,the term ,native ,american veteran has the meaning given that term in section #cgfe of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,state ,the term ,state has the meaning given that term in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 ,,iv ,data collection and reporting #dja4 ,requirement for collection and analysis of data on ,department of ,veterans ,affairs benefits and services and disaggregation of such data by gender1 race1 and ethnicity ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall-- 7#a7 collect and analyze data on each program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that provides a service or benefit to a veteran1 including the program carried out under section #aadd of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code2 7#b7 disaggregate such data by gender1 race1 and ethnicity1 when the data lends itself to such disaggregation2 and 7#c7 publish the data collected and analyzed under paragraph 7#a71 except for such cases in which the ,secretary determines that some portions of the data would undermine the anonymity of a veteran4 #djb4 ,study on barriers for women veterans to receipt of health care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,study required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a comprehensive study of the barriers to the provision of comprehensive health care by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs encountered by women who are veterans4 7b7 ,survey ,in conducting the study required by subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 survey women veterans who seek or receive hospital care or medical services provided by the ,department as well as women veterans who do not seek or receive such care or services2 7#b7 administer the survey to a representative sample of women veterans from each ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network2 and 7#c7 ensure that the sample of women veterans surveyed is of sufficient size for the study results to be statistically significant and is a larger sample than that of the study specified in subsection 7c77#a74 7c7 ,use of previous studies ,in conducting the study required by subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall build on the work of the studies of the ,department titled-- 7#a7 ,national ,survey of ,women ,veterans in ,fiscal ,year #bjjg-bjjh2 and 7#b7 ,study of ,barriers for ,women ,veterans to ,,va ,health ,care #bjae4 7d7 ,elements of study ,in conducting the study required by subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall conduct research on the effects of the following on the women veterans surveyed in the study3 7#a7 ,the barriers associated with seeking mental health care services1 including with respect to provider availability1 telehealth access1 and family1 work1 and school obligations4 7#b7 ,the effect of driving distance or availability of other forms of transportation to the nearest medical facility on access to care4 7#c7 ,the effect of access to care from non-,department providers4 7#d7 ,the availability of child care4 7#e7 ,the satisfaction of such veterans with the provision by the ,department of integrated primary care1 women's health clinics1 or both1 including perceptions of quality of care1 safety1 and comfort4 7#f7 ,the understanding and perceived accessibility among such veterans of eligibility requirements for1 and the scope of services available under1 hospital care and medical services4 7#g7 ,the perception of such veterans of personal safety and comfort in inpatient1 outpatient1 and behavioral health facilities4 7#h7 ,the gender sensitivity of health care providers and staff to issues that particularly affect women4 7#i7 ,the effectiveness of outreach for health care services available to women veterans4 7#aj7 ,the location and operating hours of health care facilities that provide services to women veterans4 7#aa7 ,the perception of such veterans of the motto of the ,department4 7#ab7 ,such other significant barriers as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7e7 ,discharge by contract ,the ,secretary shall enter into a contract with a qualified independent entity or organization to carry out the study and research required under this section4 7f7 ,mandatory review of data by certain ,department divisions 7#a7 ,review 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the head of each division of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs specified in paragraph 7#b7 reviews the results of the study conducted under this section4 7,b7 ,submittal of findings ,the head of each division specified in paragraph 7#b7 shall submit findings with respect to the study under this section to the ,under ,secretary of the ,department with responsibilities relating to health care services for women veterans4 7#b7 ,specified divisions ,the divisions of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs specified in this paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,the ,office of the ,under ,secretary for ,health4 7,b7 ,the ,office of ,women's ,health established under section #gcaj of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,c7 ,the ,center for ,women ,veterans under section #cah of such title4 7,d7 ,the ,advisory ,committee on ,women ,veterans established under section #edb of such title4 7g7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the study required under this section4 7#b7 ,elements ,the report under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 the findings of the head of each division of the ,department specified under subsection 7f77#b72 and 7,b7 recommendations for such administrative and legislative action as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 #djc4 ,study on feasibility and advisability of offering ,parenting ,,stair program at all medical centers of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability of expanding the ,parenting ,,stair program to all medical centers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and including such program as part of care for military sexual trauma for affected members and former members of the ,armed ,forces4 7b7 ,elements ,in conducting the study under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall assess-- 7#a7 staffing needed to offer the ,parenting ,,stair program at all medical centers of the ,department2 7#b7 any additional infrastructure or resources 7such as child care during the program7 needed for the expansion of the program2 and 7#c7 such other factors relevant to the expansion of the program as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,reports to ,congress 7#a7 ,interim report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 detailing-- 7,a7 the current number and locations of all facilities of the ,department offering the ,parenting ,,stair program2 and 7,b7 the number of veterans served by such program in the most recent fiscal year or calendar year for which data is available4 7#b7 ,final report ,not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 detailing-- 7,a7 the results of the study conducted under subsection 7a72 7,b7 an update on how many veterans have used the ,parenting ,,stair program since its development in fiscal year #bjag1 disaggregated by year1 including the locations in which veterans have used such program2 and 7,c7 a determination on the feasibility and advisability of expanding the ,parenting ,,stair program to all medical facilities of the ,department offering care for military sexual trauma4 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,affected members and former members of the ,armed ,forces ,the term affected members and former members of the ,armed ,forces means members and former members of the ,armed ,forces who are parents and have experienced military sexual trauma4 7#b7 ,military sexual trauma ,the term military sexual trauma means a condition described in section #agbj;,d7a77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,parenting stair program ,the term ,parenting ,,stair program means the program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that consists of a five-session1 parenting-specific treatment protocol based on skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation 7commonly referred to as ,,stair71 which is a cognitive behavioral therapy that has been identified as a promising practice for treating post-traumatic stress disorder1 including chronic and complicated forms1 among individuals with co-occurring disorders4 #djd4 ,gap analysis of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall complete an analysis of programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless or precariously housed to identify the areas in which such programs are failing to meet the needs of such women4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 analysis completed under subsection 7a74 ,v ,benefits matters #eja4 ,standard of proof for service-connection of mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma 7a7 ,standard of proof ,section #aaed of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 7#a7 7,a7 ,in the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition was incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma during active military1 naval1 or air service1 the ,secretary shall accept as sufficient proof of service-connection a diagnosis of such mental health condition by a mental health professional together with satisfactory lay or other evidence of such trauma and an opinion by the mental health professional that such covered mental health condition is related to such military sexual trauma1 if consistent with the circumstances1 conditions1 or hardships of such service1 notwithstanding the fact that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation in such service1 and1 to that end1 shall resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran4 7,b7 ,service-connection of a covered mental health condition described in subparagraph 7,a7 may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary4 7,c7 ,the reasons for granting or denying service-connection in each case shall be recorded in full4 7#b7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term covered mental health condition means post-traumatic stress disorder1 anxiety1 depression1 or other mental health diagnosis described in the current version of the ,diagnostic and ,statistical ,manual of ,mental ,disorders published by the ,american ,psychiatric ,association that the ,secretary determines to be related to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma means1 with respect to a veteran1 a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 technological abuse of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment during active military1 naval1 or air service4 4 7b7 ,use of evidence in evaluating disability claims involving military sexual trauma 7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,vi of chapter #aa of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #aafd4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma 7a7 ,nonmilitary sources of evidence 7#a7 ,in carrying out section #aaed7;c7 of this title1 the ,secretary shall ensure that if a claim for compensation under this chapter is received by the ,secretary for a covered mental health condition 7as defined in such section7 based on military sexual trauma experienced by a veteran during active military1 naval1 or air service1 evidence from sources other than official records of the ,department of ,defense regarding the veteran's service may corroborate the veteran's account of the assault1 battery1 or harassment4 7#b7 ,examples of evidence described in paragraph 7#a7 include the following3 7,a7 ,records from law enforcement authorities1 rape crisis centers1 mental health counseling centers1 hospitals1 and physicians4 7,b7 ,pregnancy tests and tests for sexually transmitted diseases4 7,c7 ,statements from family members1 roommates1 other members of the ,armed ,forces or veterans1 and clergy4 7b7 ,behavior changes corroborating evidence 7#a7 ,in carrying out section #aaed7;c7 of this title1 the ,secretary shall ensure that evidence of a behavior change following military sexual trauma is one type of relevant evidence that may be found in sources described in such subsection4 7#b7 ,examples of behavior changes that may be relevant evidence of military sexual trauma include the following3 7,a7 ,a request for a transfer to another military duty assignment4 7,b7 ,deterioration in work performance4 7,c7 ,substance abuse4 7,d7 ,episodes of depression1 panic attacks1 or anxiety without an identifiable cause4 7,e7 ,unexplained economic or social behavior changes4 7c7 ,notice and opportunity to supply evidence ,the ,secretary may not deny a claim of a veteran for compensation under this chapter for a covered mental health condition that is based on military sexual trauma without first-- 7#a7 advising the veteran that evidence described in subsections 7a7 and 7b7 may constitute credible corroborating evidence of the military sexual trauma2 and 7#b7 allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish such corroborating evidence or advise the ,secretary of potential sources of such evidence4 7d7 ,review of evidence ,in reviewing a claim for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a71 for any evidence received with such claim that is described in subsection 7a7 or 7b71 the ,secretary may submit such evidence to such medical or mental health professional as the ,secretary considers appropriate1 including clinical and counseling experts employed by the ,department1 to obtain a credible opinion as to whether the evidence indicates that military sexual trauma occurred4 7e7 ,point of contact ,the ,secretary shall ensure that each document provided to a veteran relating to a claim for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a7 includes contact information for an appropriate point of contact with the ,department4 7f7 ,specialized teams 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall establish specialized teams to process claims for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a74 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that members of teams established under paragraph 7#a7 are trained to identify markers indicating military sexual trauma4 7#c7 ,in any case in which the ,secretary obtains conflicting evidence relating to the substantiation of a claim for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a71 the ,secretary shall give more credence to the evidence that is more beneficial to the claimant4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the terms covered mental health condition and military sexual trauma have the meanings given such terms in section #aaed7;c7 of this title4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 #aafd4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma4 4 7c7 ,annual reports 7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,vi of chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by subsection 7b71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #aaff4 ,annual reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma 7a7 ,reports ,not later than ,march #a1 #bjba1 and not less frequently than once each year thereafter through #bjbg1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on covered claims submitted during the previous fiscal year to identify and track the consistency of decisions across regional offices4 7b7 ,elements ,each report under subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,the number of covered claims submitted to or considered by the ,secretary during the fiscal year covered by the report4 7#b7 ,of the covered claims listed under paragraph 7#a71 the number and percentage of such claims-- 7,a7 submitted by each sex2 7,b7 that were approved1 including the number and percentage of such approved claims submitted by each sex2 and 7,c7 that were denied1 including the number and percentage of such denied claims submitted by each sex4 7#c7 ,of the covered claims listed under paragraph 7#a7 that were approved1 the number and percentage1 disaggregated by sex1 of claims assigned to each rating percentage4 7#d7 ,of the covered claims listed under paragraph 7#a7 that were denied-- 7,a7 the three most common reasons given by the ,secretary under section #eajd7;b77#a7 of this title for such denials2 and 7,b7 the number of denials that were based on the failure of a veteran to report for a medical examination4 7#e7 ,the number of covered claims that1 as of the end of the fiscal year covered by the report1 are pending and1 separately1 the number of such claims on appeal4 7#f7 ,for the fiscal year covered by the report1 the average number of days that covered claims take to complete1 beginning on the date on which the claim is submitted4 7#g7 ,a description of the training that the ,secretary provides to employees of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 or such contractors or other individuals as the ,secretary considers appropriate1 specifically with respect to covered claims1 including the frequency1 length1 and content of such training4 7c7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term covered claims means claims for disability compensation submitted to the ,secretary based on a covered mental health condition alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma4 7#b7 ,the terms covered mental health condition and military sexual trauma have the meanings given such terms in section #aaed7;c7 of this title4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter1 as amended by subsection 7b71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new item3 #aaff4 ,annual reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma4 4 7d7 ,effective date ,subsection 7c7 of section #aaed of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a71 shall apply with respect to any claim for disability compensation under laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for which no final decision has been made before the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ejb4 ,choice of sex of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical examiner for assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability resulting from physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,vi of chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #eja1 is further amended by inserting after section #aafd1 as added by section #eja1 the following new section3 #aafe4 ,choice of sex of medical examiner for certain disabilities 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a veteran who requires a medical examination from a covered medical provider in support of a claim for compensation under this chapter for a mental or physical health condition that resulted from a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment may designate the sex of the medical provider who provides such medical examination4 7b7 ,covered medical providers ,for purposes of this section1 a covered medical provider is any medical provider who is employed by the ,department or is under any contract with the ,department to provide medical examinations for the purpose of assessing a claim for compensation under this chapter4 7c7 ,notice ,before providing any medical examination for a veteran in support for a claim described in subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall notify the veteran of the veteran's rights under subsection 7a74 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #aa of such title1 as amended by section #eja1 is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section #aafd the following new item3 #aafe4 ,choice of sex of medical examiner for certain disabilities4 4 #ejc4 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs report on implementing recommendations of ,inspector ,general of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs in certain report on denied posttraumatic stress disorder claims related to military sexual trauma ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house a report on the progress of the ,secretary in implementing the recommendations from the report of the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs entitled ,denied ,posttraumatic ,stress ,disorder ,claims ,related to ,military ,sexual ,trauma 7#ag-jebdh-bda74 ,september #ae1 #bjbj,reported with an amendment