Green Star Families Act

“1720K. Counseling program for certain family members and caregivers of veterans deceased as a result of suicide

“(a) Counseling program

“(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall furnish, at no cost to the recipient, counseling services to—

“(A) the next of kin of covered veterans; and

“(B) former volunteer caregivers of covered veterans.

“(2) The Secretary may provide counseling services under this section only if the Secretary determines such counseling services are—

“(A) reasonably accessible to the an individual described in paragraph (1); and

“(B) substantially equivalent or superior to similar services furnished by the Secretary to an individual described in paragraph (1).

“(3) To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into an agreement with a Federal, State, or private entity. The Secretary may provide fair compensation to such entity pursuant to such agreement.

“(b) Public awareness—In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

“(1) publish information relating to the program on an internet website of the Department; and

“(2) provide information relating to the program to any individual described in paragraph (1).

“(c) Definitions—In this section:

“(1) The terms “covered veteran” and “next of kin” has the meaning given that term in section 904 of title 36.

“(2) The term “covered veterans service organization” includes—

“(A) an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of this title; and

“(B) an organization—

“(i) that is described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; and

“(ii) that carries out activities relating to veterans and their assistance.

“(3) The term “family member” means, with respect to a covered veteran, an individual—

“(A) who is a member of the family of the veteran, including—

“(i) a parent or legal guardian;

“(ii) a spouse;

“(iii) a child;

“(iv) a step-family member; and

“(v) an extended family member; or

“(B) who, prior to the death of the covered veteran, lived with the covered veteran.

“(4) The term “former volunteer caregiver” means, with respect to a covered veteran, an individual—

“(A) who is at least 18 years of age; and

“(B) who, prior to the death of the covered veteran, and in connection with a covered veterans service organization, furnished the covered veteran with counseling, social work, or other personal care services—

“(i) without compensation to such individual; and

“(ii) for a period of at least three months.

“(5) The term “personal care services” has the meaning given that term in section 1720G of this title.”