,,ii  #aah? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #baf  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!       
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,febru>y #a1 #bjbc,mr4 
,moran introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0   
read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on  
,vet]ans' ,affairs  ,a ,,bill  ,to am5d 
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to      
modify ! family c>egiv] program ( !     
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to include
 s]vices relat$ to m5tal heal? &        
neurological disord]s1 & = o!r purposes4
  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ 
z ! ,re9=c+ ,enhanc$ ,support ?r\gh     
,promot+ ,equity = ,c>egiv]s ,act (     
#bjbc or ! ,,respect ,act ( #bjbc4  #b4 
,modification ( family c>egiv] program (
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to       
include s]vices relat$ to m5tal heal? & 
neurological disord]s  7a7 ,9 g5]al     
,section #agbj;,g ( title #ch1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9         
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph        
7#b77;,c77ii71 by /rik+ neurological &  
ins]t+ a neurological disord]2  7,b7 9  
p>agraph 7#c7-- 7i7 9 subp>agraph       

7,a77ii77,,ii71 by ins]t+ 1 includ+     
?r\gh public or private entities be=e ! 
semicolon2 &  7ii7 9 subp>agraph 7,c71  
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new clause3   
7v7 7,i7 ,= purposes ( det]m9+ ! am\nt &
 degree ( p]sonal c>e s]vices provid$ "u
 clause 7i7 ) respect to a vet]an       
describ$ 9 subclause 7,,ii71 ! ,secret>y
 %all take into acc\nt relevant         
docum5tation evid5c+ ! provision (      
p]sonal c>e s]vices ) respect to !      
vet]an dur+ ! prec$+ ?ree-ye> p]iod4    
7,,ii7 ,a vet]an describ$ 9 ?is         
subclause is a vet]an ^: ne$ = p]sonal  
c>e s]vices z describ$ 9 p>agraph       
7#b77;,c7 is bas$ 9 :ole or 9 "p on--   
7aa7 a diagnosis ( m5tal illness or     
hi/ory ( suicidal ideation t puts !     
vet]an at risk ( self-h>m2 or  7bb7 a   
neurological disord]4  2 &  7,c7 by add+
 at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#ad7 
,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% a process &   
requirem5ts = cl9icians ( facilities ( !
 ,dep>tm5t-- 7,a7 to docum5t incid5ts 9 
:i* an eligible vet]an p>ticipat+ 9 !   

program e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7-- 7i7 
pres5ts at su* a facility = treatm5t =  
an em]g5t or urg5t m5tal heal? crisis2  
or  7ii7 is assess$ by su* a cl9ician to
 be at risk = suicide2 &  7,b7 to       
provide su* docum5tation1 includ+ any   
safety plans develop$ & ref]rals made to
 a suicide prev5tion coord9ator ( !     
,dep>tm5t1 to su* program4  2  7#b7 9   
subsection 7b77#b77;,b71 by /rik+       
neurological & ins]t+ a neurological    
disord]2  7#c7 9 subsection 7d7-- 7,a7  
by r$esignat+ p>agraph 7#d7 z p>agraph  
7#e72  7,b7 by ins]t+ aft] p>agraph 7#c7
 ! foll[+ new p>agraph 7#d73  7#d7 ! t]m
 neurological disord] means a disease ( 
! bra91 sp9al cord1 n]ves1 or           
neuromuscul> sy/em4  2 &  7,c7 9        
p>agraph 7#e77;,b71 z r$esignat$ by     
subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ neurological 
& ins]t+ a neurological disord]4  7b7   
,tim+ = e/abli%m5t ( requirem5ts &      
processes  7#a7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o  
ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1
 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all-- 

7,a7 e/abli% ! process & requirem5ts    
requir$ "u p>agraph 7#ad7 ( section     
#agbj;,g7a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates  
,code1 z add$ by subsection             
7a77#a77;,b72 &  7,b7 submit to !       
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
description ( su* process & requirem5ts4
  7#b7 ,c]tification  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n  
lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs %all require all cl9icians (   
facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t to c]tify to ! 
,secret>y t ! cl9ician und]/&s ! process
 & requirem5ts e/abli%$ "u p>agraph     
7#a77;,a74  7,b7 ,facilities ( !        
,dep>tm5t def9$ ,9 ?is p>agraph1 ! t]m  
facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t has ! mean+    
giv5 t t]m 9 section #agja ( title #ch1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  #c4 ,requirem5ts  
relat+ to evaluations1 assessm5ts1 &    
reassessm5ts relat+ to eligibility (    
vet]ans & c>egiv]s = family c>egiv]     
program  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,subsection 7a7 ( 

section #agbj;,g ( title #ch1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by section        
#b7;a77#a71 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! 
end ! foll[+ new p>agraphs3  7#ae7 7,a7 
,= purposes ( conduct+ evaluations &    
assessm5ts to det]m9e eligibility ( a   
vet]an & c>egiv] = ! program e/abli%$ "u
 p>agraph 7#a7 or conduct+ reassessm5ts 
to det]m9e cont9u$ eligibility = su*    
program1 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7i7 take    
into acc\nt relevant docum5tation &     
m$ical records g5]at$ by ,dep>tm5t &    
non-,dep>tm5t heal? c>e provid]s1       
includ+ qualifi$ m5tal heal?            
pr(essionals & neurological speciali/s2 
7ii7 if ! c>egiv] ( ! vet]an claims t ! 
s]i\s injury or ne$ = p]sonal c>e       
s]vices ( ! vet]an z describ$ 9 p>agraph
 7#b7 is bas$ 9 :ole or 9 "p on         
psy*ological trauma or ano!r m5tal      
disord]1 ensure-- 7,i7 a qualifi$ m5tal 
heal? pr(essional t treats ! vet]an     
p>ticipates 9 ! evaluation process2 &   
7,,ii7 a qualifi$ m5tal heal?           
pr(essional p>ticipates 9 ! assessm5t or

 reassessm5t process2 &  7iii7 if !     
c>egiv] ( ! vet]an claims t ! s]i\s     
injury or ne$ = p]sonal c>e s]vices ( ! 
vet]an z describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 is    
bas$ 9 :ole or 9 "p on a neurological   
disord]1 ensure-- 7,i7 a neurological   
speciali/ t treats ! vet]an p>ticipates 
9 ! evaluation process2 &  7,,ii7 a     
neurological speciali/ p>ticipates 9 !  
assessm5t or reassessm5t process4  7,b7 
7i7 ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% an        
appropriate "t limit dur+ a #bd-;h\r    
p]iod = ! active p>ticipation ( a vet]an
 9 an evaluation1 assessm5t1 or         
reassessm5t to det]m9e eligibility ( !  
vet]an = ! program e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 
7#a74  7ii7 ,9 det]m9+ an appropriate "t
 limit = a vet]an "u clause 7i71 !      
,secret>y %all-- 7,i7 take into         
consid]ation necess>y accommodations = !
 vet]an /emm+ f ! disability or m$ical  
condition ( ! vet]an2 &  7,,ii7 consult 
) ! prim>y c>e provid]1 neurological    
speciali/1 or qualifi$ m5tal heal?      
pr(essional t is treat+ ! vet]an4  7,c7 

,! ,secret>y %all n require ! pres5ce ( 
a vet]an dur+ portions ( an evaluation1 
assessm5t1 or reassessm5t to det]m9e    
eligibility ( ! vet]an = ! program      
e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 t only require
 ! active p>ticipation ( ! c>egiv]4     
7,d7 7i7 ,! ,secret>y %all make         
reasonable ef=ts to assi/ a c>egiv] &   
vet]an 9 obta9+ evid5ce necess>y to     
sub/antiate ! claims ( ! c>egiv] &      
vet]an 9 ! application process =        
evaluation1 assessm5t1 or reassessm5t = 
! program e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a74    
7ii7 7,i7 ,z "p ( ! assi/ance provid$ to
 a c>egiv] or vet]an "u clause 7i71 !   
,secret>y %all make reasonable ef=ts to 
obta9 relevant private records t !      
c>egiv] or vet]an adequately id5tifies  
to ! ,secret>y4  7,,ii7 ,:5ev] !        
,secret>y1 aft] mak+ reasonable ef=ts "u
 subclause 7,i71 is unable to obta9 all 
( ! relevant records s\ght1 ! ,secret>y 
%all notify ! c>egiv] & vet]an t !      
,secret>y is unable to obta9 records )  
respect to ! claim1 :i* %all include--  

7aa7 an id5tification ( ! records !     
,secret>y is unable to obta92  7bb7 a   
brief explanation ( ! ef=ts t !         
,secret>y made to obta9 su* records2 &  
7cc7 an explanation t ! ,secret>y w make
 a det]m9ation bas$ on ! evid5ce (      
record & t ?is clause does n prohibit ! 
submission ( records at a lat] date if  
su* submission is o!rwise all[$4        
7,,iii7 ,! ,secret>y %all make n few]   
?an two reque/s to a cu/odian ( a       
private record 9 ord] = an ef=t to obta9
 su* record to be treat$ z reasonable "u
 subclause 7,i71 unless x is made evid5t
 by ! fir/ reque/ t a second reque/ w\ld
 be futile 9 obta9+ su* record4  7iii7  
,"u regulations prescrib$ by !          
,secret>y1 ! ,secret>y-- 7,i7 %all      
enc\rage a c>egiv] & vet]an to submit   
relevant private m$ical records ( !     
vet]an to ! ,secret>y to sub/antiate !  
claims ( ! c>egiv] & vet]an 9 !         
application process = evaluation1       
assessm5t1 or reassessm5t = ! program   
e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 if su*        

submission does n burd5 ! c>egiv] or    
vet]an2 &  7,,ii7 may require ! c>egiv] 
or vet]an to au?orize ! ,secret>y to    
obta9 su* relevant private m$ical       
records if su* au?orization is requir$  
to comply ) ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local law4
  7#af7 7,a7 ,! ,secret>y1 9            
consultation ) a heal? c>e provid]1     
neurological speciali/1 or qualifi$     
m5tal heal? pr(essional t is treat+ a   
vet]an1 %all waive ! reassessm5t        
requirem5t = ! vet]an = p>ticipation 9 !
 program e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 if-- 
7i7 ! s]i\s injury ( ! vet]an "u        
p>agraph 7#b7 is significantly caus$ by 
a deg5]ative or *ronic condition2 &     
7ii7 su* condition is unlikely to       
improve ! dep5d5cy ( ! vet]an = p]sonal 
c>e s]vices4  7,b7 ,! ,secret>y %all    
require a heal? c>e provid]1            
neurological speciali/1 or qualifi$     
m5tal heal? pr(essional t is treat+ a   
vet]an to c]tify at appropriate int]vals
 det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y ! cl9ical       
decision ( ! provid]1 speciali/1 or     

pr(essional "u subp>agraph 7,a74  7,c7  
,! ,secret>y may resc9d a waiv] "u      
subp>agraph 7,a7 ) respect to a vet]an &
 require a reassessm5t ( ! vet]an if a  
heal? c>e provid]1 neurological         
speciali/1 or qualifi$ m5tal heal?      
pr(essional t is treat+ ! vet]an makes a
 cl9ical det]m9ation t ! level (        
dep5d5cy ( ! vet]an = p]sonal c>e       
s]vices has dim9i%$ s9ce ! la/          
c]tification ( ! cl9ical decision ( !   
provid]1 speciali/1 or pr(essional "u   
subp>agraph 7,b74  4  7b7 ,def9itions   
,subsection 7d7 ( su* section1 z am5d$  
by section #b7;a77#b71 is fur!r am5d$-- 
7#a7 by r$esignat+ p>agraph 7#e7 z      
p>agraph 7#f72  7#b7 by ins]t+ aft]     
p>agraph 7#d7 ! foll[+ new p>agraph     
7#e73  7#e7 ,! t]m neurological         
speciali/ means a neurologi/1           
neuropsy*iatri/1 physiatri/1            
g]iatrician1 c]tifi$ bra9 injury        
speciali/1 neurology nurse1 neurology   
nurse practition]1 neurology physician  
assi/ant1 or su* o!r lic5s$ m$ical      

pr(essional z ! ,secret>y consid]s      
appropriate4  2 &  7#c7 by add+ at ! end
 ! foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#g7 ,! t]m    
qualifi$ m5tal heal? pr(essional means a
 psy*iatri/1 psy*ologi/1 lic5s$ cl9ical 
social work]1 psy*iatric nurse1 lic5s$  
pr(essional m5tal heal? c\nselor1 or o!r
 lic5s$ m5tal heal? pr(essional z !     
,secret>y consid]s appropriate4  4  #d4 
,au?ority = ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs to aw>d grants to entities to  
improve provision ( m5tal heal? support 
to family c>egiv]s ( vet]ans  7a7 ,9    
g5]al ,sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #ag ( title
 #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by  
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new section3     
#agbj,k4 ,grants to provide m5tal heal? 
support to family c>egiv]s ( vet]ans    
7a7 ,purpose ,x is ! purpose ( ?is      
section to provide = assi/ance by !     
,secret>y to entities to c>ry out       
programs t improve ! provision ( m5tal  
heal? support to ! family c>egiv]s (    
vet]ans p>ticipat+ 9 ! family c>egiv]   
program4  7b7 ,au?ority ,! ,secret>y may

 aw>d grants to c>ry out1 coord9ate1    
improve1 or o!rwise enhance m5tal heal? 
c\nsel+1 treatm5t1 or support to !      
family c>egiv]s ( vet]ans p>ticipat+ 9 !
 family c>egiv] program4  7c7           
,application  7#a7 ,to be eligible = a  
grant "u ?is section1 an entity %all    
submit to ! ,secret>y an application    
!re= at su* "t1 9 su* mann]1 & conta9+  
su* in=mation z ! ,secret>y may require4
  7#b7 ,ea* application submitt$ "u     
p>agraph 7#a7 %all include ! foll[+3    
7,a7 ,a detail$ plan = ! use ( ! grant4 
7,b7 ,a description ( ! programs or     
ef=ts ?r\gh :i* ! entity w meet !       
outcome measures develop$ by ! ,secret>y
 "u subsection 7g74  7,c7 ,a description
 ( h[ ! entity w di/ribute grant am\nts 
equitably among areas ) v>y+ levels (   
urbanization4  7,d7 ,a plan = h[ ! grant
 w be us$ to meet ! unique ne$s (       
vet]ans resid+ 9 rural areas1 ,am]ican  
,indian or ,alaska ,native vet]ans1     
eld]ly vet]ans1 wom5 vet]ans1 & vet]ans 
f o!r und]s]v$ communities4  7d7        

,di/ribution ,! ,secret>y %all seek to  
ensure t grants aw>d$ "u ?is section are
 equitably di/ribut$ among entities     
locat$ 9 ,/ates ) v>y+ levels (         
urbanization4  7e7 ,priority ,!         
,secret>y %all prioritize aw>d+ grants  
"u ?is section t w s]ve ! foll[+ areas3 
7#a7 ,areas ) high rates ( vet]ans      
enroll$ 9 ! family c>egiv] program4     
7#b7 ,areas ) high rates (-- 7,a7       
suicide among vet]ans2 or  7,b7 ref]rals
 to ! ,vet]ans ,crisis ,l9e4  7f7       
,requir$ activities ,any grant aw>d$ "u 
?is section %all be us$-- 7#a7 to exp&  
exi/+ programs1 activities1 & s]vices2  
7#b7 to e/abli% new or additional       
programs1 activities1 & s]vices2 or     
7#c7 = travel & transportation to       
facilitate c>ry+ out p>agraph 7#a7 or   
7#b74  7g7 ,outcome measures  7#a7 ,!   
,secret>y %all develop & provide to ea* 
entity t receives a grant "u ?is section
 writt5 guidance on ! foll[+3 7,a7      
,outcome measures4  7,b7 ,policies ( !  
,dep>tm5t4  7#b7 ,9 develop+ outcome    

measures "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y  
%all consid] ! foll[+ goals3 7,a7       
,increas+ ! utilization ( m5tal heal?   
s]vices among family c>egiv]s ( vet]ans 
p>ticipat+ 9 ! family c>egiv] program4  
7,b7 ,r$uc+ b>ri]s to m5tal heal?       
s]vices among family c>egiv]s ( vet]ans 
p>ticipat+ 9 su* program4  7h7 ,track+  
requirem5ts  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y %all     
e/abli% appropriate track+ requirem5ts )
 respect to ! entities receiv+ a grant  
"u ?is section4  7#b7 ,n less frequ5tly 
?an annually1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to
 ,congress a report on su* track+       
requirem5ts4  7i7 ,p]=mance review ,!   
,secret>y %all-- 7#a7 review ! p]=mance 
( ea* entity t receives a grant "u ?is  
section2 &  7#b7 make in=mation reg>d+  
su* p]=mance publicly available4  7j7   
,rem$iation plan  7#a7 ,9 ! case ( an   
entity t receives a grant "u ?is section
 & does n meet ! outcome measures       
develop$ by ! ,secret>y "u subsection   
7g71 ! ,secret>y %all require ! entity  
to submit to ! ,secret>y a rem$iation   

plan "u :i* ! entity %all describe h[ & 
:5 x plans to meet su* outcome measures4
  7#b7 ,! ,secret>y may n aw>d a        
subsequ5t grant "u ?is section to an    
entity describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 unless !
 ,secret>y approves ! rem$iation plan   
submitt$ by ! entity "u su* p>agraph4   
7k7 ,maximum am\nt ,! am\nt ( a grant   
aw>d$ "u ?is section may n exce$ #aj    
p]c5t ( am\nts made available = grants  
"u ?is section = ! fiscal ye> 9 :i* !   
grant is aw>d$4  7l7 ,supplem5t1 n      
supplant ,any grant aw>d$ "u ?is section
 %all be us$ to supplem5t & n supplant  
fund+ t is o!rwise available ?r\gh !    
,dep>tm5t to provide m5tal heal? support
 among family c>egiv]s ( vet]ans        
p>ticipat+ 9 ! family c>egiv] program4  
7m7 ,fund+  7#a7 ,am\nts = ! activities 
( ! ,dep>tm5t "u ?is section %all be    
budget$ & appropriat$ ?r\gh a sep>ate   
appropriation acc\nt4  7#b7 ,9 ! budget 
ju/ification mat]ials submitt$ to       
,congress 9 support ( ! budget ( !      
,dep>tm5t = any fiscal ye> 7z submitt$ )

 ! budget ( ! ,presid5t "u section      
#aaje7;a7 ( title #ca71 ! ,secret>y %all
 include a sep>ate /atem5t ( ! am\nt    
reque/$ to be appropriat$ = t fiscal ye>
 = ! acc\nt specifi$ 9 p>agraph 7#a74   
7n7 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re 
is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to !      
,secret>y = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbc     
?r\gh #bjbe #ej1jjj1jjj to c>ry out ?is 
section4  7o7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is        
section3 7#a7 ,! t]ms c>egiv] & family  
c>egiv] h ! mean+s giv5 ^? t]ms 9       
section #agbj;,g7d7 ( ?is title4  7#b7  
,! t]m family c>egiv] program means !   
program ( compreh5sive assi/ance =      
family c>egiv]s "u section #agbj;,g7a7 (
 ?is title4  7#c7 ,! t]m ,vet]ans       
,crisis ,l9e means ! toll-free hotl9e = 
vet]ans e/abli%$ "u section #agbj;,f7h7 
( ?is title4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!
 table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su*     
sub*apt] is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !    
foll[+ new item3  #agbj,k4 ,grants to   
provide m5tal heal? support to family   
c>egiv]s ( vet]ans4  4  #e4 ,comptroll] 

,g5]al report on m5tal heal? support =  
c>egiv]s  7a7 ,report requir$ ,n lat]   
?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t (   
?is ,act1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( !      
,unit$ ,/ates %all submit to !          
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
report on ! provision ( m5tal heal?     
support to c>egiv]s ( vet]ans4  7b7     
,cont5ts ,! report submitt$ "u          
subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3   
7#a7 ,an assessm5t ( ! ne$ = m5tal heal?
 support among c>egiv]s p>ticipat+ 9 !  
c>egiv] programs4  7#b7 ,an assessm5t ( 
options = m5tal heal? support 9         
facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs & 9 ! community = c>egiv]s     
p>ticipat+ 9 ! c>egiv] programs4  7#c7  
,an assessm5t ( ! availability &        
accessibility ( m5tal heal? support 9   
facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t & 9 ! community
 = c>egiv]s p>ticipat+ 9 ! c>egiv]      
programs4  7#d7 ,an assessm5t ( !       
aw>5ess among c>egiv]s ( ! availability 

( m5tal heal? support 9 facilities ( !  
,dep>tm5t & 9 ! community = c>egiv]s    
p>ticipat+ 9 ! c>egiv] programs4  7#e7  
,an assessm5t ( b>ri]s to m5tal heal?   
support 9 facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t & 9 !
 community = c>egiv]s p>ticipat+ 9 !    
c>egiv] programs4  7c7 ,def9itions ,9   
?is section3 7#a7 ,c>egiv] ,! t]m       
c>egiv] has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9 section
 #agbj;,g7d7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code4  7#b7 ,c>egiv] programs ,! t]m   
c>egiv] programs means-- 7,a7 ! program 
( compreh5sive assi/ance = family       
c>egiv]s "u subsection 7a7 ( section    
#agbj;,g ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code2 &  7,b7 ! program ( support      
s]vices = c>egiv]s "u subsection 7b7 (  
su* section4