H.R. 8386 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8386 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 14, 2022Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish internship programs relating to behavioral health, and for other purposes. 1. Internship programs of Department Of Veterans Affairs for Behavioral Health (a) Establishment The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish paid pre-doctoral and post-doctoral internship programs for the purpose of training licensed officials to work as covered behavioral health providers. (b) Employment obligation (1) Obligation Subject to subparagraph (B), as a condition of participating in an internship program under paragraph (1), the participant shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to which the participant agrees to work on a full-time basis as a covered behavioral health provider for a period of a duration that is at least equivalent to the period of participation in such internship program. (2) Other terms and conditions An agreement entered into pursuant to subparagraph (A) may include such other terms and conditions as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may determine necessary to protect the interests of the United States or otherwise appropriate for purposes of this section, including terms and conditions providing for limited exceptions from the employment obligation specified in such subparagraph. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The term behavioral health provider includes psychiatry, clinical psychology, social work, counseling, and related fields. (2) The term licensed official includes: (A) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). (B) Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). (C) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). (D) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Mental Health (LPCC). (E) Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). (F) Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP). (3) The term covered behavioral health provider means behavioral health provider who— (A) is an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (B) whose employment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs involves the provision of behavioral health services at VA Medical facilities.