1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Brandon Act”.
Brandon Act
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the process by which a member of the Armed Forces may be referred for a mental health evaluation.
2. Mandatory referral for mental health evaluation
Section 1090a of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection:
“(e) Process applicable to member disclosure—The regulations required by subsection (a) shall—
“(1) establish a phrase that enables a member of the armed forces to trigger a referral of the member by a commanding officer or supervisor for a mental health evaluation;
“(2) require a commanding officer or supervisor to make such referral as soon as practicable following disclosure by the member to the commanding officer or supervisor of the phrase established under paragraph (1); and
“(3) ensure that the process protects the confidentiality of the member in a manner similar to the confidentiality provided for members making restricted reports under section 1565b(b) of this title.”