Green Star Families Act
Green Star Families Act
Plain Language Summary
# Green Star Families Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The Green Star Families Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide free counseling services to families and former caregivers of veterans who have died by suicide. The counseling would be made available online and through partnerships with federal, state, or private organizations.
The VA would need to ensure these services are easily accessible and meet quality standards comparable to other VA counseling programs. **Who It Affects** This bill specifically targets "Green Star families"—the surviving family members and former volunteer caregivers of servicemembers and veterans who died by suicide. These individuals often experience grief, trauma, and mental health challenges following the death of their loved one. **Current Status** The bill (HR 3027) was introduced by Representative Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Green Star Families ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish free counseling services to the next of kin and former volunteer caregivers of veterans who die by suicide. (Generally, Green Star families are families of servicemembers and veterans who have died by suicide.)The VA may provide counseling services under this bill only if the services are reasonably accessible to the eligible individuals and are substantially equivalent or superior to similar services furnished by the VA to such individuals.The VA is authorized to enter into an agreement with a federal, state, or private entity to provide the counseling services.Additionally, the VA must publish information relating to the program online and provide information relating to the program to any eligible individual.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.