Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Guarding Mental Health Act”.
Guarding Mental Health Act
A BILL
To require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to establish an interim behavioral health policy for members of the Coast Guard that achieves parity with the behavioral health policy of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Coast Guard behavioral health policy
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that—
members of the Coast Guard—
are exposed to high-risk, and often stressful, duties; and
should be encouraged to seek medical treatment and professional guidance; and
after treatment for behavioral health conditions, many members of the Coast Guard should be allowed to resume service in the Coast Guard if—
they are able to do so without persistent duty modifications; and
do not pose a risk to other members of the Coast Guard.
Interim behavioral health policy—
In general— Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard (referred to in this section as the “Commandant”) shall establish an interim behavioral health policy for members of the Coast Guard that is in parity with section 5.28 (relating to behavioral health) of Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03, volume 2, “Medical Standards for Military Service: Retention”.
Termination— The interim policy established under paragraph (1) shall remain in effect until the date on which the Commandant issues a permanent behavioral health policy for members of the Coast Guard.
Permanent policy— In developing a permanent policy with respect to retention and behavioral health, the Commandant shall ensure that the policy of the Coast Guard is in parity with section 5.28 (relating to behavioral health) of Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03, volume 2, “Medical Standards for Military Service: Retention”.