,i #aag? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,h4 ,r4 #addh ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,m>* #a1 #bjba,mr4 ,/iv]s 7= himself1 ,miss ,rice ( ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,waltz1 ,ms4 ,slotk91 ,mr4 ,dunn1 ,ms4 ,%]rill1 ,mr4 ,ru!r=d1 ,mr4 ,rice ( ,s\? ,c>ol9a1 ,mr4 ,taylor1 ,ms4 ,velzquez1 ,mr4 ,fitzpatrick1 ,mr4 ,/eube1 ,mr4 ,coop]1 ,mr4 ,cr5%aw1 ,mr4 ,johnson ( ,ohio1 ,mr4 ,nadl]1 ,mrs4 ,beatty1 ,mr4 ,bu*anan1 ,mr4 ,norman1 ,mrs4 ,murphy ( ,florida1 ,mr4 ,zeld91 ,mrs4 ,axne1 ,mr4 ,ha/+s1 ,mrs4 ,walorski1 ,mr4 ,gonzalez ( ,ohio1 ,mr4 ,lieu1 ,mr4 ,web/] ( ,florida1 ,mr4 ,mc,kinley1 ,ms4 ,moore ( ,wiscons91 ,mr4 ,sean ,patrick ,maloney ( ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,coh51 ,mr4 ,vic5te ,gonzalez ( ,texas1 ,mr4 ,swalwell1 ,mr4 ,panetta1 ,ms4 ,kaptur1 ,mr4 ,palazzo1 ,ms4 ,h\lahan1 ,mr4 ,rask91 ,mr4 ,womack1 ,mr4 ,o',hall]an1 ,ms4 ,b>ragn1 ,mr4 ,gallagh]1 ,mr4 ,van ,drew1 ,mr4 ,keat+1 ,mr4 ,gaetz1 ,ms4 ,p+ree1 ,mr4 ,p]lmutt]1 ,mr4 ,co/a1 ,mr4 ,turn]1 ,mr4 ,kri%namoor?i1 ,mr4 ,bacon1 ,mr4 ,trone1 ,mr4 ,morelle1 ,mr4 ,baird1 ,mr4 ,joyce ( ,ohio1 ,mr4 ,mool5a>1 ,mr4 ,lamb1 ,mr4 ,grijalva1 ,mr4 ,buck1 ,mr4 ,res*5?al]1 ,ms4 ,del,bene1 ,mr4 ,murphy ( ,nor? ,c>ol9a1 ,mr4 ,br5dan ,f4 ,boyle ( ,p5nsylvania1 ,mr4 ,gim5ez1 ,mr4 ,bi%op ( ,nor? ,c>ol9a1 ,mr4 ,p]ry1 ,mr4 ,kelly ( ,p5nsylvania1 ,mr4 ,hice ( ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,p5ce1 ,ms4 ,h]rell1 ,mrs4 ,bice ( ,oklahoma1 ,mr4 ,espaillat1 ,mr4 ,b]gman1 ,mr4 ,=t5b]ry1 ,mr4 ,calv]t1 ,mr4 ,johnson ( ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,long1 ,ms4 ,mace1 ,mr4 ,/ew>t1 ,mr4 ,c>l1 ,mr4 ,neguse1 ,mr4 ,caw?orn1 ,mrs4 ,mill]-,meeks1 ,mr4 ,williams ( ,texas1 ,mr4 ,smi? ( ,miss\ri1 ,mrs4 ,watson ,coleman1 ,mr4 ,banks1 ,mr4 ,higg9s ( ,l\isiana1 ,mr4 ,suozzi1 ,mr4 ,bald]son1 ,mrs4 ,mill] ( ,we/ ,virg9ia1 ,mr4 ,l>s5 ( ,wa%+ton1 ,mrs4 ,kirkpatrick1 ,ms4 ,ku/]1 ,mr4 ,graves ( ,l\isiana1 ,mr4 ,/anton1 ,ms4 ,roybal-,all>d1 ,mr4 ,ru%1 ,mr4 ,f]guson1 ,mr4 ,lamborn1 ,mr4 ,hag$orn1 ,mr4 ,amodei1 ,mr4 ,s*weik]t1 ,mr4 ,posey1 ,mrs4 ,wagn]1 ,mr4 ,latta1 ,mr4 ,craw=d1 ,mr4 ,ku/(f1 ,mr4 ,smuck]1 ,mr4 ,c>t] ( ,texas1 ,mr4 ,rose1 ,mr4 ,massie1 ,mr4 ,walb]g1 ,mr4 ,huiz5ga1 ,mr4 ,roy1 ,mr4 ,upton1 ,mr4 ,katko1 ,mr4 ,emm]1 ,mr4 ,wel*1 ,mr4 ,mc,nerney1 ,mr4 ,bilirakis1 ,mr4 ,tiffany1 ,mr4 ,w5/rup1 ,mr4 ,budd1 ,mr4 ,"y1 ,mr4 ,biggs1 ,mr4 ,brady1 ,mr4 ,bur*ett1 ,ms4 ,e%oo1 ,mr4 ,arm/rong1 ,mr4 ,cr[1 ,mr4 ,hill1 ,ms4 ,malliotakis1 ,mr4 ,ful*]1 ,mr4 ,moore ( ,alabama1 ,mr4 ,la,hood1 ,mr4 ,bab91 ,mr4 ,rodney ,davis ( ,ill9ois1 ,mr4 ,all51 ,mr4 ,curtis1 ,mr4 ,v>gas1 ,ms4 ,escob>1 ,mr4 ,com]1 ,mr4 ,e/es1 ,mrs4 ,lesko1 ,mr4 ,mc,caul1 ,mr4 ,scalise1 ,mr4 ,r\z]1 ,mrs4 ,h>tzl]1 ,mr4 ,/eil1 ,mr4 ,la,malfa1 ,ms4 ,/efanik1 ,mr4 ,mc,clintock1 ,ms4 ,h]r]a ,beutl]1 ,mrs4 ,rodg]s ( ,wa%+ton1 ,mr4 ,rog]s ( ,k5tucky1 ,mr4 ,gro?man1 ,mr4 ,au/9 ,scott ( ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,l\d]milk1 ,mr4 ,cl\d1 ,mr4 ,c\rtney1 ,mr4 ,re$1 ,mr4 ,c>t] ( ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,mc,henry1 ,mr4 ,?ompson ( ,p5nsylvania1 ,mr4 ,we/]man1 ,mr4 ,mull91 ,mr4 ,burgess1 ,mr4 ,joyce ( ,p5nsylvania1 ,mr4 ,c4 ,scott ,frankl9 ( ,florida1 ,mr4 ,simpson1 ,mr4 ,ma/1 ,mr4 ,valadao1 ,mr4 ,johnson ( ,l\isiana1 ,mr4 ,b>r1 ,mr4 ,des,jarlais1 ,mr4 ,duncan1 ,mr4 ,fleis*mann1 ,mr4 ,gibbs1 ,mr4 ,gre5 ( ,t5nessee1 ,mr4 ,hudson1 ,mr4 ,kelly ( ,mississippi1 ,mr4 ,luetkemey]1 ,mr4 ,ne:\se1 ,mr4 ,rog]s ( ,alabama1 ,mr4 ,timmons1 ,mr4 ,*abot1 ,mrs4 ,mc,clain1 ,mr4 ,g>cia ( ,cali=nia1 ,mr4 ,lyn*1 ,mr4 ,au*9closs1 ,ms4 ,s*ak[sky1 ,mrs4 ,trahan1 ,mrs4 ,torres ( ,cali=nia1 ,mr4 ,pet]s1 ,mr4 ,meeks1 ,mr4 ,meus]1 ,mr4 ,crd5as1 ,mr4 ,m\lton1 ,mrs4 ,radewag51 ,mr4 ,blum5au]1 ,ms4 ,mc,collum1 ,mr4 ,h>ris1 ,mr4 ,smi? ( ,nebraska1 ,mr4 ,kilm]1 ,mr4 ,soto1 ,mrs4 ,h9son1 ,ms4 ,t5ney1 ,mr4 ,davidson1 ,mr4 ,good5 ( ,texas1 ,mr4 ,gos>1 ,ms4 ,*5ey1 ,mr4 ,buc%on1 ,mr4 ,wilson ( ,s\? ,c>ol9a1 ,mr4 ,sessions1 ,ms4 ,fudge1 & ,mr4 ,/aub]7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to direct ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to c>ry out a pilot program on dog tra9+ !rapy1 & to am5d title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to au?orize ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to provide s]vice dogs to vet]ans ) m5tal illnesses :o d n h mobility impairm5ts4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,puppies ,assi/+ ,w\nd$ ,s]vicememb]s = ,vet]ans ,!rapy ,act or ! ,,paws = ,vet]ans ,!rapy ,act4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress makes ! foll[+ f9d+s3 7#a7 ,accord+ to ! analyses ( vet]an suicide publi%$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 9 ,augu/ #bjaf & titl$ ,suicide ,among ,vet]ans & ,o!r ,am]icans1 & 9 ,june #bjah1 titl$ ,,va ,national ,suicide ,date ,report-- 7,a7 an av]age ( #bj vet]ans di$ by suicide ea* day 9 #bjad2 7,b7 m5tal heal? disord]s1 includ+ major depression & o!r mood disord]s1 h be5 associat$ ) increas$ risk = suicide2 7,c7 s9ce #bjja1 ! proportion ( us]s ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration ) m5tal heal? conditions or sub/ance use disord]s has increas$ f approximately #bg p]c5t 9 #bjja to m ?an #dj p]c5t 9 #bjad2 & 7,d7 ov]all1 suicide rates are highe/ among pati5ts ) m5tal heal? & sub/ance use disord] diagnoses :o are 9 treatm5t & l[] among ^? :o receiv$ a m5tal heal? diagnosis b 7 n at risk en\gh to require enhanc$ c>e f a m5tal heal? provid]4 7#b7 ,! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs mu/ be m effective 9 its approa* to r$uc+ ! burd5 ( vet]an suicide connect$ to m5tal heal? disord]s1 includ+ po/-traumatic /ress disord] 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z ,,ptsd71 & new1 rigor\s sci5tific rese>* provides p]suasive weight to ! gr[+ anecdotal evid5ce t s]vice dogs ameliorate ! symptoms associat$ ) ,,ptsd1 & 9 p>ticul>1 help prev5t vet]an suicide4 7#c7 ,sev]al organizations h prov5 track records ( tra9+ s]vice dogs = vet]ans ) sev]e ,,ptsd & dramatically improv+ ^? vet]ans' quality ( life1 ability to re-ent] society1 &1 mo/ importantly1 _! *ances ( survival4 #c4 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs pilot program on dog tra9+ !rapy 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,comm5c+ n lat] ?an #abj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all c>ry out a pilot program "u :i* ! ,secret>y %all make grants to "o or m appropriate non-gov]nm5t entities = ! purpose ( assess+ ! effectiv5ess ( address+ po/-deploym5t m5tal heal? & po/-traumatic /ress disord] 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z ,,ptsd7 symptoms ?r\gh a !rapeutic m$ium ( tra9+ s]vice dogs = vet]ans ) disabilities4 7b7 ,duration ( pilot program ,! pilot program requir$ by subsection 7a7 %all be c>ri$ out dur+ ! five-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( ! comm5cem5t ( ! pilot program4 7c7 ,conditions on receipt ( grants ,z a condition ( receiv+ a grant "u ?is section1 a non-gov]nm5t entity %all-- 7#a7 submit to ! ,secret>y c]tification t ! entity is an organization describ$ 9 section #eja7;c77#c7 ( ! ,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf t-- 7,a7 provides s]vice dogs to vet]ans ) ,,ptsd2 & 7,b7 is accr$it$ by1 or adh]es to /&>ds comp>able to ^? (1 an accr$it+ organization ) demon/rat$ exp]i5ce1 national scope1 & recogniz$ lead]%ip & exp]tise 9 ! tra9+ ( s]vice dogs & education 9 ! use ( s]vice dogs2 7#b7 agree to cov] all co/s 9 excess ( ! grant am\nt2 7#c7 agree to reaccept or replace ! s]vice dog ! organization provid$ to ! vet]an1 if necess>y1 z det]m9$ by ! organization & ! vet]an2 7#d7 provide a wellness c]tification f a lic5s$ vet]9>ian = any dog p>ticipat+ 9 ! program2 7#e7 employ at lea/ "o p]son ) cl9ical exp]i5ce relat$ to m5tal heal?2 7#f7 ensure t vet]ans p>ticipat+ 9 ! pilot program receive tra9+ f c]tifi$ s]vice dog tra9+ in/ructors = a p]iod ( "t det]m9$ appropriate by ! organization & ! ,secret>y1 includ+ s]vice skills to address or alleviate symptoms unique to vet]ans' ne$s2 7#g7 agree to provide bo? lectures on s]vice dog tra9+ me?odologies & practical h&s-on tra9+ & groom+ ( s]vice dogs2 7#h7 agree t 9 hir+ s]vice dog tra9+ in/ructors to c>ry out tra9+ "u ! pilot program1 ! non-gov]nm5t entity w give a pref]5ce to vet]ans :o h successfully graduat$ f ,,ptsd or o!r resid5tial treatm5t program & :o h receiv$ adequate c]tification 9 s]vice dog tra9+2 7#i7 agree n to use %ock coll>s or prong coll>s z tra9+ tools & to use positive re9=cem5t tra9+2 7#aj7 agree t ^u ! conclusion ( tra9+ provid$ us+ ! grant funds-- 7,a7 ! vet]an :o receiv$ ! tra9+ w keep ! dog unless ! vet]an & ! vet]an's heal? provid] decide x is n 9 ! be/ int]e/ ( ! vet]an2 7,b7 if ! vet]an does n opt to own ! dog1 ! entity w be responsible = c>+ = & appropriately plac+ ! dog2 7,c7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs w h no additional responsibility to provide = any b5efits "u ?is section2 & 7,d7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs w h no liability ) respect to ! dog2 7#aa7 provide foll[-up support s]vice = ! life ( ! dog1 includ+ a contact plan betwe5 ! vet]an & ! entity to all[ ! vet]an to rea* out = & receive adequate help ) ! s]vice dog & ! organization to communicate ) ! vet]an to ensure ! s]vice dog is be+ prop]ly c>$ =2 & 7#ab7 submit to ! ,secret>y an application conta9+ su* in=mation1 c]tification1 & assurances z ! ,secret>y may require4 7d7 ,vet]an eligibility 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,= ! purposes ( ?is section1 an eligible vet]an is a vet]an :o-- 7,a7 is enroll$ 9 ! pati5t enrollm5t sy/em 9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs "u section #agje ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 7,b7 has be5 recomm5d$ = ! pilot program "u ?is section by a qualifi$ heal? c>e provid] or cl9ical team bas$ on ! m$ical judgm5t t ! vet]an may pot5tially b5efit f p>ticipat+2 & 7,c7 agrees to successfully complete tra9+ provid$ by an eligible organization t receives a grant "u ?is section4 7#b7 ,relation%ip to p>ticipation 9 o!r program ,vet]ans may p>ticipate 9 ! pilot program 9 conjunction ) ! comp5sat$ "w !rapy program ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4 7#c7 ,cont9u+ eligibility requirem5t ,to rema9 eligible to p>ticipate 9 ! program1 a vet]an %all see ! heal? c>e provid] or cl9ical team ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs treat+ ! vet]an = ,,ptsd at lea/ once e six mon?s to det]m9e1 bas$ on a cl9ical evaluation ( efficacy1 :e!r ! vet]an cont9ues to b5efit f ! program4 7e7 ,collection ( data ,9 c>ry+ out ?is section1 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7#a7 develop metrics & o!r appropriate means to measure1 ) respect to vet]ans p>ticipation 9 ! program1 ! improvem5t 9 psy*osocial function & !rapeutic compliance ( su* vet]ans & *anges ) respect to ! dep5d5ce on prescription n>cotics & psy*otropic m$ication ( su* vet]ans2 7#b7 e/abli% processes to docum5t & track ! progress ( su* vet]ans "u ! program 9 t]ms ( ! b5efits & improvem5ts not$ z a result ( ! program2 & 7#c7 9 addition1 ! ,secret>y %all cont9ue to collect ^! data ov] ! c\rse ( five ye>s = ea* vet]an :o has cont9u$ ) ! dog he or %e has p]sonally tra9$4 7f7 ,,gao brief+ & /udy 7#a7 ,brief+ ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! comm5cem5t ( ! pilot program "u subsection 7a71 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all provide to ! ,committees on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,s5ate a brief+ on ! me?odology e/abli%$ = ! program4 7#b7 ,report ,n lat] ?an #bgj days aft] ! date on :i* ! program t]m9ates1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al %all submit to ! committees specifi$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 a report on ! program4 ,su* report %all include an evaluation ( ! approa* & me?odology us$ = ! program ) respect to-- 7,a7 help+ vet]ans ) sev]e ,,ptsd return to civilian life2 7,b7 relevant metrics1 includ+ r$uction 9 metrics su* z r$uction 9 scores "u ! ,,ptsd *eck li/ 7,,pcl-#e71 improvem5t 9 psy*osocial function1 & !rapeutic compliance2 & 7,c7 r$uc+ ! dep5d5ce ( p>ticipants on prescription n>cotics & psy*otropic m$ication4 7g7 ,def9ition ,= ! purposes ( ?is section1 ! t]m s]vice dog tra9+ in/ructor means an in/ructor :o provides ! direct tra9+ ( vet]ans ) ,,ptsd & o!r po/-deploym5t issues 9 ! art & sci5ce ( s]vice dog tra9+ & h&l+4 #d4 ,au?ority ( ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to provide s]vice dogs to vet]ans ) m5tal illnesses :o d n h mobility impairm5ts ,section #agad ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subsection3 7e7 ,! ,secret>y may provide a s]vice dog to a vet]an "u subsection 7c77#c7 reg>dless ( :e!r ! vet]an has a mobility impairm5t4 4