1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Gambling Addiction Prevention Act of 2019”.
Gambling Addiction Prevention Act of 2019
A BILL
To require policies and programs to prevent and treat gambling disorder among members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, and for other purposes.
2. Development and implementation of policies and programs to prevent and treat gambling disorder among members of the Armed Forces and their dependents
Policies and programs—
In general— The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement policies and programs on prevention, education, and treatment of gambling disorder and integrate gambling disorder into existing mental health and substance use disorder programs.
Consultation— The Secretary shall develop the policies and programs described in paragraph (1) in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Educational materials and promotion of responsible behavior—
In general— In carrying out policies and programs developed and implemented under subsection (a)(1), if the Secretary hosts or provides gambling activities at a morale, welfare, and recreation facility of the Department of Defense, the Secretary shall, at that facility—
provide—
educational materials and a list of resources to assist and empower members of the Armed Forces to identify the risks of gambling; and
a list of resources and informational material on where such members can seek help if they develop gambling disorder; and
implement measures that encourage responsible behavior consistent with measures authorized and required by commercial and tribal gaming regulators in the United States.
Funding of measures— The Secretary shall fund measures implemented under paragraph (1)(B) through the use of proceeds generated by gambling activities at morale, welfare, and recreation facilities of the Department.
Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on efforts undertaken under this section.
Congressional defense committees defined— In this section, the term congressional defense committees has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.
3. Update of Department of Defense regulations, instructions, and other guidance to include gambling disorder
In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall update all regulations, instructions, and other guidance of the Department of Defense and the military departments with respect to behavioral health to explicitly include gambling disorder.
Military departments defined— In this section, the term military departments has the meaning given that term in section 101(8) of title 10, United States Code.