,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ajbh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #bi1 #bjbc ,mr4 ,tester 7for himself and ,ms4 ,murkowski7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to expand health care and benefits from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for military sexual trauma1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,servicemembers and ,veterans ,empowerment and ,support ,act of #bjbc4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,,title ,i--,defining military sexual trauma ,sec4 #aja4 ,report on military sexual trauma in the digital age4 ,,title ,,ii--,disability compensation and claims processing ,sec4 #bja4 ,definition of military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,conforming changes relating to specialized teams to evaluate claims involving military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,choice of location of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical examination for assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability resulting from military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,communications from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,study on training and processing relating to claims for disability compensation relating to military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #bjg4 ,annual special focus review of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma4 ,,title ,,iii--,access to ,health ,care ,sec4 #cja4 ,expansion of eligibility for counseling and treatment for military sexual trauma to include all former members of the reserve components of the ,armed ,forces4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,connection to ,veterans ,health ,administration when a disability claim related to military sexual trauma is submitted to ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,pilot program for interim access to mental health care for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,comptroller ,general study on access to care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4 ,i ,defining military sexual trauma #aja4 ,report on military sexual trauma in the digital age 7a7 ,report required ,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 military sexual trauma in the digital age4 7b7 ,requirements ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of current ,department of ,veterans ,affairs statutes1 regulations1 and agency guidance relating to military sexual trauma for the purposes of access to health care under chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 and compensation under chapter #aa of such title to identify-- 7,a7 gaps in coverage for health care and compensation eligibility relating to military sexual trauma involving online or other technological communications2 and 7,b7 the feasibility and advisability of expanding health care and compensation for trauma that is nonsexual in nature involving online or other technological communications4 7#b7 ,recommendations for revising statutes1 regulations1 and agency guidance in response to the evaluation and assessment under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,consultation ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall consult veterans service organizations and such other stakeholders as the ,secretary considers relevant and appropriate4 7d7 ,military sexual trauma defined ,in this section1 the term military sexual trauma-- 7#a7 with respect to eligibility for health care1 has the meaning given such term in section #agbj;,d7f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #cja2 and 7#b7 with respect to eligibility for compensation1 has the meaning given such term in section #aafi7;i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #bjc7;a74 ,,ii ,disability compensation and claims processing #bja4 ,definition of military sexual trauma ,in this title1 the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given such term in section #aafi7;i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #bjc7;a74 #bjb4 ,conforming changes relating to specialized teams to evaluate claims involving military sexual trauma ,subsection 7d7 of section #aaff of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the terms covered mental health condition and military sexual trauma have the meanings given those terms in section #aafi7;i7 of this title4 4 #bjc4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,vi of chapter #aa of such title is amended by inserting after section #aaff the following new section3 #aaff;,a4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,in the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition based on military sexual trauma was incurred in or aggravated by active military1 naval1 air1 or space service1 the ,secretary shall consider the following3 7,a7 ,a diagnosis of such mental health condition by a mental health professional4 7,b7 ,a link1 established by medical evidence1 between current symptoms and a military sexual trauma4 7,c7 ,credible supporting evidence1 in accordance with subsections 7b7 and 7c7 that the claimed military sexual trauma occurred4 7#b7 ,the reasons for granting or denying service-connection in each case described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be recorded in full4 7b7 ,nonmilitary sources of evidence 7#a7 ,for purposes of subsection 7a71 evidence from sources other than official records of the ,department of ,defense regarding the veteran's active military1 naval1 air1 or space service may corroborate the veteran's account of the trauma4 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 7c7 ,evidence of behavior changes 7#a7 ,for purposes of subsection 7a71 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 abuse or substance use disorder4 7,d7 ,episodes of depression1 panic attacks1 or anxiety without an identifiable cause4 7,e7 ,unexplained economic or social behavior changes4 7d7 ,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 7b7 and 7c7 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 7e7 ,review of evidence ,in reviewing a claim for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a71 for any evidence identified as part of such claim that is described in subsection 7b7 or 7c71 the ,secretary shall 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 an opinion as to whether the evidence indicates that a military sexual trauma occurred4 7f7 ,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 7g7 ,specialized teams ,the ,secretary shall ensure that all claims for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a7 are reviewed and processed by a specialized team established under section #aaff of this title4 7h7 ,rule of construction regarding application to nonsexual personal assault ,the ,secretary shall not construe this section as supplanting the standard of proof or evidence required for claims for posttraumatic stress disorder based on nonsexual personal assault1 which the ,secretary shall continue to define in regulation4 7i7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term covered mental health condition means post-traumatic stress disorder1 anxiety1 depression1 or other mental health diagnosis that the ,secretary determines to be related to military sexual trauma and which may be service-connected under section #aaaj of this title4 7#b7 ,the term mental health professional means a provider in the field of mental health who meets the credential1 licensure1 education1 and training requirements established by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,the term military sexual trauma means1 with respect to a veteran1 a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the active military1 naval1 air1 or space service4 4 7b7 ,outreach ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall implement1 with input from the veteran community1 an informative outreach program for veterans regarding the standard of proof for evaluation of claims relating to military sexual trauma1 including requirements for a medical examination and opinion4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #aaff the following new item3 #aaff;,a4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma4 4 #bjd4 ,choice of location of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical examination for assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability resulting from military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,section #aafe of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by inserting and location of medical examination after examiner2 7#b7 in subsection 7a71 by striking a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment and inserting military sexual trauma 7as defined in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title72 7#c7 by redesignating subsection 7c7 as subsection 7d72 and 7#d7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following new subsection 7c73 7c7 ,choice of examination location 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a veteran who requires a medical examination in support of a claim described in subsection 7a7 may request that the medical examination take place at a medical facility of the ,department by a qualified employee of the ,department rather than at a location designated by a ,department contractor that performs such examinations on behalf of the ,department4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall grant any request under paragraph 7#a7 if a medical facility of the ,department is available not further than #ajj miles from the veteran's home2 and 7,b7 may not issue a decision on a claim described in such paragraph before the requested examination is completed1 or notice is provided per paragraph 7c77#c74 7#c7 ,if a medical facility of the ,department is not available within #ajj miles of the veteran's home1 the ,secretary shall notify the veteran and provide the veteran the opportunity-- 7,a7 to have the examination completed by a contractor of the ,department2 or 7,b7 to complete the examination at a medical facility further than #ajj miles from the veteran's home4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #aa of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section #aafe and inserting the following new item3 #aafe4 ,choice of sex of medical examiner and location of medical examination for certain disabilities4 4 #bje4 ,communications from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7a7 ,review board 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a board to review correspondence relating to military sexual trauma4 7#b7 ,membership ,the board established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be composed of members who shall be appointed by the ,secretary from among employees of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who are experts in military sexual trauma and mental health1 of whom-- 7,a7 one or more shall be appointed from among mental health providers of the ,veterans ,health ,administration2 7,b7 one or more shall be appointed from among experts on sexual assault and sexual harassment of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration2 and 7,c7 one or more shall be appointed from among experts on sexual assault and sexual harassment of the ,board of ,veterans' ,appeals4 7#c7 ,duties ,the board established under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 review standard correspondence1 which may include templates for notices under sections #eajc1 #eajd1 #eajd;,b1 and #gajd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 from the ,department to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma for sensitivity2 and 7,b7 ensure that the correspondence-- 7i7 treats such individuals with dignity and respect2 and 7ii7 does not re-traumatize such individuals4 7#d7 ,individual who has experienced military sexual trauma defined ,in this subsection1 the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7,a7 a veteran who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 relating to military sexual trauma2 7,b7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7,c7 a former member of the ,armed ,forces or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7b7 ,contents of certain written communications to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7#a7 ,notice to claimants of required information and evidence ,section #eajc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,written communications to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes contact information for each of the following3 7,a7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7,b7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7,c7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7,d7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7#b7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 a veteran who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a former member of the ,armed ,forces or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 7#b7 ,decisions and notices of decisions ,section #eajd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes contact information for each of the following3 7,a7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7,b7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7,c7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an award of compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma includes-- 7,a7 the contact information described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 the contact information for the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#c7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 a veteran who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a former member of the ,armed ,forces or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 7#c7 ,higher-level review by the agency of original jurisdiction ,section #eajd;,b of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 ,written communications to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes contact information for each of the following3 7,a7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7,b7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7,c7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an award of compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma includes-- 7,a7 the contact information described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 the contact information for the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#c7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 a veteran who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a former member of the ,armed ,forces or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 7#d7 ,board of ,veterans' ,appeals ,section #gajd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7g7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes contact information for each of the following3 7,a7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7,b7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7,c7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an award of compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma includes-- 7,a7 the contact information described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 the contact information for the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#c7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 a veteran who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a former member of the ,armed ,forces or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 #bjf4 ,study on training and processing relating to claims for disability compensation relating to military sexual trauma 7a7 ,study required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study on-- 7#a7 the quality of training provided to personnel of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who review claims for disability compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma2 and 7#b7 the quality of the procedures of the ,department for reviewing the accuracy of the processing of such claims4 7b7 ,elements ,the study required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,with respect to the quality of training described in paragraph 7#a7 of such subsection3 7,a7 ,whether the ,department ensures personnel complete such training on time4 7,b7 ,whether the training has resulted in improvements to the processing of claims described in such subsection and issue-based accuracy4 7,c7 ,such recommendations as the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may have for improving the training4 7#b7 ,with respect to the quality of procedures described in paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection3 7,a7 ,whether the procedures of the ,department for reviewing the accuracy of the processing of claims described in such subsection comport with generally accepted statistical methodologies to ensure reasonable accuracy of such reviews4 7,b7 ,whether such procedures adequately include mechanisms to correct errors found in such reviews4 7,c7 ,such recommendations as the ,secretary may have for improving such procedures4 7c7 ,report required ,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 the findings of the ,secretary with respect to the study conducted under subsection 7a74 #bjg4 ,annual special focus review of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma 7a7 ,annual special focus review 7#a7 ,in general ,each year1 the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma4 7#b7 ,elements ,each review conducted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include a review of the following3 7,a7 ,a statistically significant1 nationally representative sample of all claims for benefits under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs relating to military sexual trauma filed during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the report is submitted4 7,b7 ,the accuracy of each decision made with respect to each claim described in subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,the types of benefit entitlement errors found1 disaggregated by category4 7,d7 ,trends from year to year4 7,e7 ,training completion rates for personnel of the ,department who process claims described in paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,reprocessing of claims ,if the ,under ,secretary finds1 pursuant to a special focus review conducted under subsection 7a77#a71 that an error was made with respect to the entitlement of a veteran to a benefit under the laws administered by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary shall return the relevant claim of the veteran to the appropriate regional office of the ,department for reprocessing to ensure that the veteran receives an accurate decision with respect to the claim4 7c7 ,re-,reviewing of claims ,if the ,under ,secretary finds1 pursuant to a special focus review conducted under paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7a71 that the accuracy rate1 under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 of such subsection1 is less than #ij percent1 the ,secretary shall conduct a review of each claim for benefits under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs relating to military sexual trauma filed during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the report is submitted4 7d7 ,report ,section #eeja7;b77#b7 of the ,johnny ,isakson and ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans ,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-cae2 #acd ,stat4 #ejdh7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,i7 ,the findings of the most recent special focus review conducted under subsection 7a77#a7 of section #bjg of the ,servicemembers and ,veterans ,empowerment and ,support ,act of #bjbc1 including-- 7i7 the elements under subsection 7a77#b7 of such section2 7ii7 the number of claims returned for reprocessing under subsection 7b7 of such section2 and 7iii7 the number of claims described in clause 7ii7 for which the decision relating to service-connection or entitlement to compensation changed as a result of reprocessing the claim4 4 7e7 ,sunset ,on the date that the ,under ,secretary determines1 pursuant to special focus reviews conducted under paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7a71 that the accuracy rates under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 of such subsection have been #ie percent or greater for five consecutive years-- 7#a7 subsection 7a77#a7 shall cease to be in effect2 and 7#b7 subparagraph 7,i7 of section #eeja7;b77#b7 of the ,johnny ,isakson and ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans ,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-cae2 #acd ,stat4 #ejdh71 as added by subsection 7d71 is repealed4 ,,iii ,access to ,health ,care #cja4 ,expansion of eligibility for counseling and treatment for military sexual trauma to include all former members of the reserve components of the ,armed ,forces ,section #agbj;,d of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking a physical assault and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting military sexual trauma42 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking was suffered and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting resulted from military sexual trauma42 and 7#b7 by striking subsections 7f7 and 7g7 and inserting the following new subsection 7f73 7f7 ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term former member of the ,armed ,forces means a person who served on active duty1 active duty for training1 or inactive duty training1 and who was discharged or released therefrom under any condition that is not-- 7,a7 a discharge by court-martial2 or 7,b7 a discharge subject to a bar to benefits under section #ecjc of this title4 7#b7 ,the term military sexual trauma means1 with respect to a member of the ,armed ,forces or former member of the ,armed ,forces1 a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment which occurred while the member or former member was serving on duty1 regardless of duty status or line of duty determination 7as that term is used in section #abcbc of title #aj74 7#c7 ,the term sexual harassment means unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character4 4 #cjb4 ,connection to ,veterans ,health ,administration when a disability claim related to military sexual trauma is submitted to ,veterans ,benefits ,administration 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ad days after the date on which a veteran submits a claim for disability compensation to the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration for a disability related to military sexual trauma1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall send a communication to the veteran with the following information3 7#a7 ,the contact information for the nearest military sexual trauma coordinator for the veteran at the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration and a description of the assistance such coordinator can provide4 7#b7 ,the contact information for the nearest military sexual trauma coordinator for the veteran at the ,veterans ,health ,administration and a description of the assistance such coordinator can provide4 7#c7 ,the types of services that individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma are eligible to receive from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including the nearest locations and the contact information for such services4 7#d7 ,the contact information for the ,veterans ,crisis ,line established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,such other information on services1 care1 or resources for military sexual trauma as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7b7 ,definition of military sexual trauma ,in this section1 the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #bjc7;a74 #cjc4 ,pilot program for interim access to mental health care for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,commencing not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a pilot program to provide intensive outpatient mental health care to current and former members of the ,armed ,forces who have experienced military sexual trauma when the wait times for residential mental health care from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for the individual is more than #ad days4 7b7 ,duration ,the ,secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection 7a7 for a three-year period beginning on the commencement of the pilot program4 7c7 ,locations 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection 7a7 at not fewer than four ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks of the ,department4 7#b7 ,selection of locations ,in selecting locations for the pilot program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall select locations that have the longest wait times for residential mental health care1 particularly for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4 7#c7 ,notification ,before commencing the pilot program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall notify the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives of the locations selected for the pilot program4 7d7 ,types of services ,subject to the preference of the individual participating in the pilot program under subsection 7a7 and the capacity of facilities of the ,department1 the ,secretary may provide services under the pilot program via telehealth or in person at a facility of the ,department4 7e7 ,participation 7#a7 ,clarification on participation ,participation by an individual in the pilot program under subsection 7a7 shall be during the period in which the individual is waiting for a residential mental health bed opening and shall not disqualify the individual from receiving residential mental health care following their participation in the pilot program4 7#b7 ,decisions on participation ,decisions about the participation of an individual in the pilot program and the transition of the individual to residential mental health care shall be made by the individual and their health care provider4 7f7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the conclusion of the pilot program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on-- 7#a7 participation in the pilot program2 7#b7 clinical outcomes under the pilot program2 and 7#c7 such recommendations for continuation or termination of the program as the ,secretary may have1 including recommendations for legislative or administrative action4 7g7 ,definition of military sexual trauma ,in this section1 the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #agbj;,d7f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #cja4 #cjd4 ,comptroller ,general study on access to care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study on access to mental health care at facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4 7b7 ,elements ,the study conducted under subsection 7a7 shall include an assessment of the following3 7#a7 ,the availability of residential and outpatient services1 including wait times and geographic disparities for such services1 to include-- 7,a7 an assessment of the availability of bed spaces in the mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma1 including an assessment of the suitability of those programs for such individuals and the wait times for services under those programs2 7,b7 an assessment of geographic disparities in access to those programs for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma1 including by region and by rural and urban areas2 7,c7 an assessment of alternative care options provided when an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma is waiting for residential care1 the efficacy of those alternatives1 and the satisfaction of patients with those alternatives2 7,d7 recommendations for reducing the average wait time for services under those programs to #ad days or less1 including by increasing bed space or addressing staffing needs2 and 7,e7 an assessment of the satisfaction of patients with the tracks of those programs specific to military sexual trauma1 an assessment of the wait times for services under those tracks1 and recommendations for increasing or changing the number of locations for services under those tracks to better meet the needs of individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4 7#b7 ,the communication and advertisement by the ,department of the care1 services1 and resources available for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4 7#c7 ,the barriers to accessing health care related to military sexual trauma at a facility of the ,department for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma1 including transportation1 child care1 lack of telehealth1 gender-specific barriers1 and more4 7#d7 ,the extent to which the ,secretary has assessed the quality of the training provided to providers of the ,department on military sexual trauma and made any adjustments in response to such assessment4 7#e7 ,the role of ,vet ,centers in providing care to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma1 including current and former members of the ,armed ,forces4 7#f7 ,any current actions by the ,secretary to strengthen access to high-quality care for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma and such recommendations for improving access to care for such individuals as the ,comptroller ,general considers appropriate4 7c7 ,report ,not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to ,congress a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection 7a74 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,military sexual trauma ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #agbj;,d7f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #cja4 7#b7 ,vet ,center ,the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4