Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Vet Center Support Act”.
Vet Center Support Act
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on mental health care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs in certain States and a report on funding by Vet Centers of marketing and outreach.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Appropriate committees of Congress— The term appropriate committees of Congress means the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives.
Covered State— The term covered State means each State (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States) that has a ratio of one or fewer Vet Centers per 100,000 or more veterans who reside in such State (as such population is determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, for fiscal year 2021).
Vet Center— The term Vet Center—
has the meaning given that term in section 1712A of title 38, United States Code;
includes Vet Center outstations; and
does not include mobile Vet Centers.
Sec. 3 Report on mental health care furnished by Department of Veterans Affairs in certain States
In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding mental health care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans in each covered State.
Elements— The report under subsection (a) shall include, with respect to each covered State, the following:
An assessment of the ability of the Department to furnish to veterans in such State—
readjustment counseling;
therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related therapy;
group counseling;
marriage and family counseling;
military sexual trauma counseling;
bereavement counseling;
screenings and referrals for medical issues;
substance abuse assessments and referrals;
employment assessments and referrals; and
explanations and referrals regarding benefits furnished through the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department.
An assessment of the feasibility of establishing additional Vet Centers in such State.
An assessment of the feasibility of increasing staff at existing Vet Centers in such State to ensure comprehensive coverage.
An assessment of any barriers faced by such State regarding—
demonstrating a need for additional Vet Centers, mobile Vet Centers, and community access points;
including travel time as a measure of productivity while conducting outreach to underserved areas; and
building a new Vet Center.
An analysis of staffing shortages at Vet Centers in such State, including delays in approving and processing new hires.
An outreach strategy for using mobile Vet Centers, Vet Center outstations, and community access points to ensure that mental health care services reach veterans in underserved areas in such State.
Sec. 4 Report on marketing and outreach funding by Vet Centers
In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding funding by Vet Centers in covered States of marketing and outreach.
Elements— The report under subsection (a) shall include, with respect to each covered State, the following:
An accounting of marketing and outreach funding for each Vet Center in such State.
An assessment of the adequacy of the marketing and outreach funds for each Vet Center in such State, including the ability of each such Vet Center to connect with veterans about services provided.
An analysis of effectiveness of each Vet Center in such State to market and conduct outreach.
A marketing and outreach strategy for Vet Centers to ensure that local resources are effectively utilized to connect with the local veteran community in such State.