Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
Plain Language Summary
# Bill Summary: Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act **What the Bill Does** This bill aims to improve mental health support for military members leaving service and newly separated veterans. It would require the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs to provide enhanced mental health information and assistance during two key transition programs: the DOD's Transition Assistance Program (for active-duty members preparing to leave the military) and the VA's Solid Start program (which reaches out to veterans during their first year after separation). Specifically, the bill mandates that counseling materials include information about suicide risk and other mental health challenges associated with military transition. **Who It Affects** The bill directly affects service members about to leave the military and veterans in their first year of civilian life.
It also involves the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs, which would need to expand their counseling and outreach efforts. The bill is named after two veterans, Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert, suggesting it was motivated by their experiences with military transition and mental health. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Rep. Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet advanced to a full vote in the House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) to provide additional information and assistance related to mental health care to veterans in the Solid Start program and members of the Armed Forces in the Transition Assistance Program.Specifically, the bill requires that counseling provided under DOD’s Transition Assistance Program include additional mental health information, including information about the risk of suicide and other potential stressors associated with separation from the Armed Forces.The bill also expands the activities that must be carried out by the VA under the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from service. Specifically, under the program, the VA must (1) assist eligible veterans who elect to enroll in the VA health care system, and (2) educate veterans about mental health and counseling services available through the Veterans Health Administration.
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