Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020

Veterans COMPACT Act th Congress

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PUBLIC LAW 116–214—DEC. 5, 2020 VETERANS COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTION, ACCESS TO CARE, AND TREATMENT ACT OF 2020 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00214 Frm 00001 Fmt 6579 Sfmt 6579 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL214.116 PUBL214 ralbany on LAP520R082PROD with PUB LAWS PDF 134 STAT. 1026 PUBLIC LAW 116–214—DEC. 5, 2020 Public Law 116–214 116th Congress An Act To make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals to services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and care and services for women veterans, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020’’ or the ‘‘Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020’’. (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Sec. 101. Pilot program on information sharing between Department of Veterans Affairs and designated relatives and friends of veterans regarding as- sistance and benefits available to the veterans. Sec. 102. Annual report on Solid Start program of Department of Veterans Affairs. TITLE II—SUICIDE PREVENTION Sec. 201. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of emergent suicide care. Sec. 202. Education program for family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders. Sec. 203. Interagency Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans. Sec. 204. Contact of certain veterans to encourage receipt of comprehensive medical examinations. Sec. 205. Police crisis intervention training of Department of Veterans Affairs. TITLE III—IMPROVEMENT OF CARE AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS Sec. 301. Gap analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that provide as- sistance to women veterans who are homeless. Sec. 302. Report on locations where women veterans are using health care from De- partment of Veterans Affairs. 38 USC 101 note. Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020. Dec. 5, 2020 [H.R. 8247] VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00214 Frm 00002 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL214.116 PUBL214 ralbany on LAP520R082PROD with PUB LAWS PDF 134 STAT. 1027 PUBLIC LAW 116–214—DEC. 5, 2020 TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSI- TION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SEC. 101. PILOT PROGRAM ON INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DESIGNATED RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF VETERANS REGARDING ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE VET- ERANS. (a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence carrying out a pilot program— (A) to encourage members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life, before separating from such service, to des- ignate up to 10 persons to whom information regarding the assistance and benefits available to the veterans under laws administered by the Secretary shall be disseminated using the contact information obtained under paragraph (7); and (B) provides such persons, within 30 days after the date on which such persons are designated under subpara- graph (A), the option to elect to receive such information. (2) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program during a period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program that is not less than two years. (3) DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary shall disseminate information described in paragraph (1)(A) under the pilot pro- gram no less than quarterly. (4) TYPES OF INFORMATION.—The types of information to be disseminated under the pilot program to persons who elect to receive such information shall include information regarding the following: (A) Services and benefits offered to veterans and their family members by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (B) Challenges and stresses that might accompany transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life. (C) Services available to veterans and their family members to cope with the experiences and challenges of service in the Armed Forces and transition from such service to civilian life. (D) Services available through community partner organizations to support veterans and their family mem- bers. (E) Services available through Federal, State, and local government agencies to support veterans and their family members. (F) The environmental health registry program, health and wellness programs, and resources for preventing and managing diseases and illnesses. Time period. Deadline. 38 USC 6303 note. VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00214 Frm 00003 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL214.116 PUBL214 ralbany on LAP520R082PROD with PUB LAWS PDF 134 STAT. 1028 PUBLIC LAW 116–214—DEC. 5, 2020 (G) A toll-free telephone number through which such persons who elect to receive information under the pilot program may request information regarding the program. (H) Such other matters as the Secretary, in consulta- tion with members of the Armed Forces and such persons who elect to receive information under the pilot program, determines to be appropriate. (5) PRIVACY OF INFORMATION.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary may not disseminate information under paragraph (4) in violation of laws and regulations pertaining to the privacy of members of the Armed Forces, including requirements pursuant to— (A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code; and (B) the Health Insurance Portability and Account- ability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–191). (6) NOTICE AND MODIFICATIONS.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a veteran— (A) ensure that such veteran is notified of the ability to modify designations made by such veteran under para- graph (1)(A); and (B) upon the request of a veteran, authorize such vet- eran to modify such designations at any time. (7) CONTACT INFORMATION.—In making a designation under the pilot program, a veteran shall provide necessary contact information, specifically including an email address, to facilitate the dissemination of information regarding the assistance and benefits available to the veteran under laws administered by the Secretary. (8) OPT-IN AND OPT-OUT OF PILOT PROGRAM.— (A) OPT-IN BY MEMBERS.—A veteran may participate in the pilot program only if the veteran voluntarily elects to participate in the program. A veteran seeking to make such an election shall make such election in a manner, and by including such information, as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the pilot program. (B) OPT-IN BY DESIGNATED RECIPIENTS.—A person des- ignated pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) may receive informa- tion under the pilot program only if the person makes the election described in paragraph (1)(B). (C) OPT-OUT.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a person who has elected to receive information under such pilot program, cease disseminating such information to that person upon request of such person. (b) SURVEY AND REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM.— (1) SURVEY.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the pilot program and not less frequently than once each year thereafter for the dura- tion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall administer a survey to persons who ever elected to receive information under the pilot program for the purpose of receiving feed- back regarding the quality of information disseminated under this section. (B) ELEMENTS.—Each survey conducted under subpara- graph (A) shall include solicitation of the following: (i) Feedback on the following: Deadline. Consultation. Determination. VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00214 Frm 00004 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL214.116 PUBL214 ralbany on LAP520R082PROD with PUB LAWS PDF 134 STAT. 1029 PUBLIC LAW 116–214—DEC. 5, 2020 (I) The nature of information disseminated under the pilot program. (II) Satisfaction with the pilot program. (III) The utility of the pilot program. (IV) Overall pilot program successes and chal- lenges. (ii) Recommendations for improving the pilot pro- gram. (iii) Reasons for opting in or out of the pilot pro- gram. (iv) Such other feedback or matters as the Sec- retary considers appropriate. (2) REPORT.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three years after the date on which the pilot program commences, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a final report on the pilot program. (B) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under subpara- graph (A) shall include the following: (i) The results of the survey administered under paragraph (1). (ii) The number of participants enrolled in the pilot program who are veterans. (iii) The number of persons designated under sub- section (a)(1)(A). (iv) The number of such persons who opted in or out of the pilot program under subsection (a)(8). (v) The average period such persons remained in the pilot program. (vi) An assessment of the feasibility and advis- ability of making the pilot program permanent. (vii) Identification of legislative or administrative action that may be necessary if the pilot program is made permanent. (viii) A plan to expand the pilot program if the pilot program is made permanent. (ix) If the Secretary finds under clause (vi) that making the pilot program permanent is not feasible or advisable, a justification for such finding. SEC. 102. ANNUAL REPORT ON SOLID START PROGRAM OF DEPART- MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) ELEMENTS.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) With respect to each veteran called or emailed under the Solid Start program: (A) The Armed Force in which the veteran served. (B) Age. (C) Gender. (D) Whether the veteran responded to the call or email. Time period. Plan. Assessment. Recommenda- tions. VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00214 Frm 00005 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL214.116 PUBL214 ralbany on LAP520R082PROD with PUB LAWS PDF 134 STAT. 1030 PUBLIC LAW 116–214—DEC. 5, 2020 (E) Whether the call or email resulted in a call to the Veterans Crisis Line established pursuant to section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code. (F) Whether the call or email resulted in a referral to— (i) compensation and pension determination; (ii) enrollment in the patient enrollment system of the Department; or (iii) any other program or benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Any change to the Solid Start program implemented by the Secretary since the date of the previous such report. (c) PROHIBITION ON PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.— No report under subsection (a) may contain any personally identifi- able information regarding a veteran. TITLE II—SUICIDE PREVENTION SEC. 201. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF EMER- GENT SUICIDE CARE. (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ‘‘§ 1720J. Emergent suicide care ‘‘(a) EMERGENT SUICIDE CARE.—Pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall— ‘‘(1) furnish emergent suicide care to an eligible individual at a medical facility of the Department; ‘‘(2) pay for emergent suicide care provided to an eligible individual at a non-Department facility; and ‘‘(3) reimburse an eligible individual for emergent suicide care provided to the eligible individual at a non-Department facility. ‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—An individual is eligible for emergent suicide care under subsection (a) if the individual is in an acute suicidal crisis and is either of the following: ‘‘(1) A veteran (as defined in section 101). ‘‘(2) An individual described in section 1720I(b) of this title. ‘‘(c) PERIOD OF CARE.—(1) Emergent suicide care provided under subsection (a) shall be furnished to an eligible individual— ‘‘(A) through inpatient or crisis residential care, for a period not to exceed 30 days; or ‘‘(B) if care under subparagraph (A) is unavailable, or if such care is not clinically appropriate, as outpatient care for a period not to exceed 90 days. ‘‘(2) If, upon the expiration of a period under paragraph (1), the Secretary determines that the eligible individual remains in an acute suicidal crisis, the Secretary may extend such period as the Secretary determines appropriate. ‘‘(d) NOTIFICATION.—An eligible individual who receives emer- gent suicide care under subsection (a) at a non-Department facility (or a person acting on behalf of the individual) shall notify the Secretary of such care within seven days of admission to such facility. Deadline. Determination. Reimbursement. 38 USC 1720J. VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:48 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019139 PO 00214 Frm 00006 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL214.116 PUBL214 ralbany on LAP520R082PROD with PUB LAWS PDF 134 STAT. 1031 PUBLIC LAW 116–214—DEC. 5, 2020 ‘‘(e) OUTREACH.—During any period when an eligible individual is receiving emergent suicide care under subsection (a), the Sec- retary shall— ‘‘(1) ensure that— ‘‘(A) in the case of an eligible individual whom the Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek emergent suicide care at a medical facility of the Department, the Veterans Crisis Line notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator of such medical facility; ‘‘(B) in the case of an eligible individual who presents at a medical facility of the Department in an acute suicidal crisis without a recommendation by the Veterans Crisis Line, the Secretary notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordi- nator; ‘‘(C) in the case of an eligible individual whom the Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek treatment at a non-Department facility, the Veterans Crisis Line notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator and the Office of Community Care at the medical facility of the Department located nearest to the eligible individual; and ‘‘(D) in the case of an eligible individual who presents at a non-Department facility in an acute suicidal crisis without a recommendation by the Veterans Crisis Line and for whom the Secretary receives a [Text truncated for display. 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