S. 3637 — Introduced in Senate

II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3637 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 10, 2022 Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Cassidy, and Mrs. Murray) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish an interim behavioral health policy for members of the Coast Guard that achieves parity with the behavioral health policy of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Guarding Mental Health Act. 2. Coast Guard behavioral health policy (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) members of the Coast Guard— (A) are exposed to high-risk, and often stressful, duties; and (B) should be encouraged to seek medical treatment and professional guidance; and (2) after treatment for behavioral health conditions, many members of the Coast Guard should be allowed to resume service in the Coast Guard if— (A) they are able to do so without persistent duty modifications; and (B) do not pose a risk to other members of the Coast Guard. (b) Interim behavioral health policy (1) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard (referred to in this section as the Commandant) shall establish an interim behavioral health policy for members of the Coast Guard that is in parity with section 5.28 (relating to behavioral health) of Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03, volume 2, Medical Standards for Military Service: Retention. (2) Termination The interim policy established under paragraph (1) shall remain in effect until the date on which the Commandant issues a permanent behavioral health policy for members of the Coast Guard. (c) Permanent policy In developing a permanent policy with respect to retention and behavioral health, the Commandant shall ensure that the policy of the Coast Guard is in parity with section 5.28 (relating to behavioral health) of Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03, volume 2, Medical Standards for Military Service: Retention.