38 U.S.C. § 1720F — Comprehensive program for suicide pre-

Page 423 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F than Mar. 31, 1994, to submit to Congress a comprehen- sive report on the Secretary’s actions under 38 U.S.C. 1720D. § 1720E. Nasopharyngeal radium irradiation (a) The Secretary may provide any veteran a medical examination, and hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care, which the Sec- retary determines is needed for the treatment of any cancer of the head or neck which the Sec- retary finds may be associated with the vet- eran’s receipt of nasopharyngeal radium irradia- tion treatments in active military, naval, air, or space service. (b) The Secretary shall provide care and serv- ices to a veteran under subsection (a) only on the basis of evidence in the service records of the veteran which document nasopharyngeal ra- dium irradiation treatment in service, except that, notwithstanding the absence of such docu- mentation, the Secretary may provide such care to a veteran who— (1) served as an aviator in the active mili- tary, naval, or air service before the end of the Korean conflict; or (2) underwent submarine training in active naval service before January 1, 1965. (Added Pub. L. 105–368, title IX, § 901(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3360; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 926(a)(27), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3830.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted ‘‘air, or space service’’ for ‘‘or air service’’. § 1720F. Comprehensive program for suicide pre- vention among veterans and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall de- velop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among covered individuals incorporating the components described in this section. (b) STAFF EDUCATION.—In carrying out the comprehensive program under this section, the Secretary shall provide for mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors (including all medical personnel) of the Department who interact with covered individuals. This training shall cover information appropriate to the du- ties being performed by such staff and contrac- tors. The training shall include information on— (1) recognizing risk factors for suicide; (2) proper protocols for responding to crisis situations involving covered individuals who may be at high risk for suicide; and (3) best practices for suicide prevention. (c) HEALTH ASSESSMENTS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall di- rect that medical staff offer mental health in their overall health assessment when covered in- dividuals seek medical care at a Department medical facility (including a center established under section 1712A of this title) and make refer- rals, at the request of the individual concerned, to appropriate counseling and treatment pro- grams for covered individuals who show signs or symptoms of mental health problems. (d) DESIGNATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION COUN- SELORS.—In carrying out the comprehensive pro- gram, the Secretary shall designate a suicide prevention counselor at each Department med- ical facility other than centers established under section 1712A of this title. Each counselor shall work with local emergency rooms, police departments, mental health organizations, and veterans service organizations to engage in out- reach to covered individuals and improve the co- ordination of mental health care to covered in- dividuals. (e) BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research on best practices for suicide prevention among covered individuals. Research shall be conducted under this sub- section in consultation with the heads of the fol- lowing entities: (1) The Department of Health and Human Services. (2) The National Institute of Mental Health. (3) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (4) The Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention. (f) SEXUAL TRAUMA RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research on mental health care for covered individuals who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service. The re- search design shall include consideration of vet- erans or members of a reserve component. (g) 24-HOUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.—In car- rying out the comprehensive program, the Sec- retary shall provide for mental health care availability to covered individuals on a 24-hour basis. (h) HOTLINE.—In carrying out the comprehen- sive program, the Secretary may provide for a toll-free hotline for covered individuals to be staffed by appropriately trained mental health personnel and available at all times. (i) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for outreach to and education for cov- ered individuals and the families of covered indi- viduals, with special emphasis on providing in- formation to veterans of Operation Iraqi Free- dom and Operation Enduring Freedom and the families of such veterans. Education to promote mental health shall include information de- signed to— (1) remove the stigma associated with men- tal illness; (2) encourage covered individuals to seek treatment and assistance for mental illness; (3) promote skills for coping with mental ill- ness; and (4) help families of covered individuals with— (A) understanding issues arising from the readjustment of covered individuals to civil- ian life; (B) identifying signs and symptoms of mental illness; and (C) encouraging covered individuals to seek assistance for mental illness. (j) PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM.—(1) In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Page 424 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F Secretary shall establish and carry out a peer support counseling program, under which cov- ered individuals shall be permitted to volunteer as peer counselors— (A) to assist other covered individuals with issues related to mental health and readjust- ment; and (B) to conduct outreach to covered individ- uals and the families of covered individuals. (2) In carrying out the peer support counseling program under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide adequate training for peer coun- selors, including training carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note). (3) In addition to other locations the Sec- retary considers appropriate, the Secretary shall carry out the peer support program under this subsection at each Department medical cen- ter. (4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this subsection, the Secretary shall emphasize appointing peer support counselors for covered individuals who are women. To the degree prac- ticable, the Secretary shall seek to recruit women peer support counselors with expertise in— (i) female gender-specific issues and services; (ii) the provision of information about serv- ices and benefits provided under laws adminis- tered by the Secretary; or (iii) employment mentoring. (B) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall emphasize facilitating peer support coun- seling for covered individuals who are women and are eligible for counseling and services under section 1720D of this title, have post-trau- matic stress disorder or suffer from another mental health condition, are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or are otherwise at in- creased risk of suicide, as determined by the Secretary. (C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform covered individuals who are women about the program and the assistance available under this paragraph. (D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Sec- retary shall coordinate with such community organizations, State and local governments, in- stitutions of higher education, chambers of com- merce, local business organizations, organiza- tions that provide legal assistance, and other or- ganizations as the Secretary considers appro- priate. (E) In carrying out this paragraph, the Sec- retary shall provide adequate training for peer support counselors, including training carried out under the national program of training re- quired by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note). (k) OTHER COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary may pro- vide for other actions to reduce the incidence of suicide among covered individuals that the Sec- retary considers appropriate. (l)(1) COVERED INDIVIDUAL DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘covered individual’’ means a veteran or a member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces. (2) In determining coverage of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces under the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Defense. (Added Pub. L. 110–110, § 3(a)(1), Nov. 5, 2007, 121 Stat. 1031; amended Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VII, § 730(a)(1)–(3), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1814; Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, § 8051(a), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4093; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VII, § 764(a)(1)–(3)(A), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3725, 3726.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omni- bus Health Services Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (j)(2), (4)(E), is section 304(c) of Pub. L. 111–163, which is set out as a note under section 1712A of this title. CODIFICATION Section 3(a)(1) of Pub. L. 110–110, which directed that this section be added at the end of this chapter, was ex- ecuted by adding this section at the end of this sub- chapter, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. AMENDMENTS 2021—Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(3)(A), inserted ‘‘and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces’’ after ‘‘veterans’’ in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(A), substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(B), substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’ in introductory provisions and par. (2). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(C), in heading, struck out ‘‘of Veterans’’ after ‘‘Assessments’’, and in text, substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’ in two places and ‘‘individual’’ for ‘‘veteran’’. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(D), substituted ‘‘to covered individuals’’ for ‘‘to veterans’’ in two places. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(E), substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(F), substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’ in first sentence and inserted ‘‘or members’’ after ‘‘veterans’’ in second sentence. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(G), substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(H), substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(I)(i), (ii), struck out ‘‘for Veterans and Families’’ after ‘‘Education’’ in heading, and substituted ‘‘covered individuals and the families of covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans and the families of veterans’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(I)(iii), sub- stituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’. Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(I)(iv), sub- stituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’ wherever appearing. Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(J)(i), sub- stituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’ wherever appearing. Subsec. (j)(4)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(J)(ii)(I), substituted ‘‘covered individuals who are women’’ for ‘‘women veterans’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (j)(4)(B). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(J)(ii)(II), substituted ‘‘covered individuals who are women and’’ for ‘‘women veterans who’’. Subsec. (j)(4)(C). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(J)(ii)(III), substituted ‘‘covered individuals who are women’’ for ‘‘women veterans’’. Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(2)(K), substituted ‘‘covered individuals’’ for ‘‘veterans’’. Page 425 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 116–283, § 764(a)(1), added subsec. (l). 2018—Subsec. (j)(4). Pub. L. 115–271 added par. (4). 2013—Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 112–239, § 730(a)(1), sub- stituted ‘‘shall establish’’ for ‘‘may establish’’ in intro- ductory provisions. Subsec. (j)(2). Pub. L. 112–239, § 730(a)(2), inserted ‘‘, including training carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note)’’ after ‘‘peer counselors’’. Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 112–239, § 730(a)(3), added par. (3). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries VETERANS CRISIS LINE Pub. L. 117–328, div. V, title II, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5501, provided that: ‘‘SEC. 201. VETERANS CRISIS LINE. ‘‘In this title, the term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under sec- tion 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code. ‘‘SUBTITLE A—VETERANS CRISIS LINE TRAINING AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT ‘‘SEC. 211. STAFF TRAINING. ‘‘(a) REVIEW OF TRAINING FOR VETERANS CRISIS LINE CALL RESPONDERS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with an organization outside the Department of Veterans Affairs to review the training for Veterans Crisis Line call responders on assisting callers in crisis. ‘‘(2) COMPLETION OF REVIEW.—The review conducted under paragraph (1) shall be completed not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022]. ‘‘(3) ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—The review conducted under paragraph (1) shall consist of a review of the training provided by the Department on subjects in- cluding risk assessment, lethal means assessment, substance use and overdose risk assessment, safety planning, referrals to care, supervisory consultation, and emergency dispatch. ‘‘(4) UPDATE OF TRAINING.—If any deficiencies in the training for Veterans Crisis Line call responders are found pursuant to the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall update such training and associated standards of practice to correct those deficiencies not later than one year after the completion of the re- view. ‘‘(b) RETRAINING GUIDELINES FOR VETERANS CRISIS LINE CALL RESPONDERS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop guidelines on retraining and quality manage- ment for when a Veterans Crisis Line call responder has an adverse event or when a quality review check by a supervisor of such a call responder denotes that the call responder needs improvement. ‘‘(2) ELEMENTS OF GUIDELINES.—The guidelines de- veloped under paragraph (1) shall specify the subjects and quantity of retraining recommended and how su- pervisors should implement increased use of silent monitoring or other performance review mechanisms. ‘‘SEC. 212. QUALITY REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT. ‘‘(a) MONITORING OF CALLS ON VETERANS CRISIS LINE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall require that not fewer than two calls per month for each Veterans Crisis Line call responder be sub- ject to supervisory silent monitoring, which is used to monitor the quality of conduct by such call re- sponder during the call. ‘‘(2) BENCHMARKS.—The Secretary shall establish benchmarks for requirements and performance of Veterans Crisis Line call responders on supervisory silent monitored calls. ‘‘(3) QUARTERLY REPORTS.—Not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall submit to the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs a report on occurrence and outcomes of supervisory silent monitoring of calls on the Veterans Crisis Line. ‘‘(b) QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROCESSES FOR VETERANS CRISIS LINE.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the leadership for the Veterans Crisis Line, in partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department and the National Center for Patient Safety of the Department, shall establish quality management processes and expectations for staff of the Veterans Cri- sis Line, including with respect to reporting of adverse events and close calls. ‘‘(c) ANNUAL COMMON CAUSE ANALYSIS FOR CALLERS TO VETERANS CRISIS LINE WHO DIE BY SUICIDE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than annu- ally, the Secretary shall perform a common cause analysis for all identified callers to the Veterans Cri- sis Line that died by suicide during the one-year pe- riod preceding the conduct of the analysis before the caller received contact with emergency services and in which the Veterans Crisis Line was the last point of contact. ‘‘(2) SUBMITTAL OF RESULTS.—The Secretary shall submit to the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department the results of each analysis conducted under paragraph (1). ‘‘(3) APPLICATION OF THEMES OR LESSONS.—The Sec- retary shall apply any themes or lessons learned under an analysis under paragraph (1) to updating training and standards of practice for staff of the Veterans Crisis Line. ‘‘SEC. 213. GUIDANCE FOR HIGH-RISK CALLERS. ‘‘(a) DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED GUIDANCE AND PRO- CEDURES FOR RESPONSE TO CALLS RELATED TO SUB- STANCE USE AND OVERDOSE RISK.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consulta- tion with national experts within the Department of Veterans Affairs on substance use disorder and over- dose, shall— ‘‘(1) develop enhanced guidance and procedures to respond to calls to the Veterans Crisis Line related to substance use and overdose risk; ‘‘(2) update training materials for staff of the Vet- erans Crisis Line in response to such enhanced guid- ance and procedures; and ‘‘(3) update criteria for monitoring compliance with such enhanced guidance and procedures. ‘‘(b) REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT OF STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY DISPATCH.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— ‘‘(A) review the current emergency dispatch standard operating procedure of the Veterans Crisis Line to identify any additions to such procedure to strengthen communication regarding— ‘‘(i) emergency dispatch for disconnected call- ers; and ‘‘(ii) the role of social service assistants in re- questing emergency dispatch and recording such dispatches; and ‘‘(B) update such procedure to include the addi- tions identified under subparagraph (A). ‘‘(2) TRAINING.—The Secretary shall ensure that all staff of the Veterans Crisis Line are trained on all up- dates made under paragraph (1)(B) to the emergency dispatch standard operating procedure of the Vet- erans Crisis Line. ‘‘SEC. 214. OVERSIGHT OF TRAINING OF SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANTS AND CLARIFICATION OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. ‘‘Not later than one year after the date of the enact- ment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the Secretary of Vet- erans Affairs shall— Page 426 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F ‘‘(1) establish oversight mechanisms to ensure that social service assistants and supervisory social serv- ice assistants working with the Veterans Crisis Line are appropriately trained and implementing guidance of the Department regarding the Veterans Crisis Line; and ‘‘(2) refine standard operating procedures to delin- eate roles and responsibilities for all levels of super- visory social service assistants working with the Vet- erans Crisis Line. ‘‘SUBTITLE B—PILOT PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH ON VETERANS CRISIS LINE ‘‘SEC. 221. PILOT PROGRAMS. ‘‘(a) EXTENDED SAFETY PLANNING PILOT PROGRAM FOR VETERANS CRISIS LINE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to determine whether a lengthier, templated safety plan used in clinical set- tings could be applied in call centers for the Veterans Crisis Line. ‘‘(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to Congress a briefing on the findings of the Secretary under the pilot program conducted under paragraph (1), which shall include any recommenda- tions of the Secretary with respect to the continu- ation or discontinuation of the pilot program. ‘‘(b) CRISIS LINE FACILITATION PILOT PROGRAM.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program on the use of crisis line facilitation to increase use of the Vet- erans Crisis Line among high-risk veterans. ‘‘(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to Congress a briefing on the findings of the Secretary under the pilot program under paragraph (1), including any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program. ‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(A) The term ‘crisis line facilitation’, with re- spect to a high-risk veteran, means the presen- tation by a therapist of psychoeducational informa- tion about the Veterans Crisis Line and a discus- sion of the perceived barriers and facilitators to fu- ture use of the Veterans Crisis Line for the veteran, which culminates in the veteran calling the Vet- erans Crisis Line with the therapist to provide firsthand experiences that may counter negative impressions of the Veterans Crisis Line. ‘‘(B) The term ‘high-risk veteran’ means a vet- eran receiving inpatient mental health care fol- lowing a suicidal crisis. ‘‘SEC. 222. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RESEARCH ON EFFECTIVENESS AND OP- PORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF VET- ERANS CRISIS LINE. ‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec- retary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, a total of $5,000,000 for the Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct research on the effective- ness of the Veterans Crisis Line and areas for improve- ment for the Veterans Crisis Line. ‘‘SUBTITLE C—TRANSITION OF CRISIS LINE NUMBER ‘‘SEC. 231. FEEDBACK ON TRANSITION OF CRISIS LINE NUMBER. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall solicit feedback from veterans service organiza- tions on how to conduct outreach to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their family members, and other members of the military and veterans commu- nity on the move to 988 as the new, national three-digit suicide and mental health crisis hotline, which is ex- pected to be implemented by July 2022, to minimize confusion and ensure veterans are aware of their op- tions for reaching the Veterans Crisis Line. ‘‘(b) NONAPPLICATION OF FACA.—The Federal Advi- sory Committee Act ([former] 5 U.S.C. App.) [see 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.] shall not apply to any feedback so- licited under subsection (a). ‘‘(c) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘veterans service organization’ means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.’’ DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS GOVERNORS CHALLENGE PROGRAM Pub. L. 117–328, div. V, title III, § 303, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5508, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into agreements with States, terri- tories, and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes for the development and implementation of veteran suicide prevention proposals through the Governors Challenge Program.’’ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN ENTITIES TO PRO- VIDE OR COORDINATE THE PROVISION OF SUICIDE PRE- VENTION SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES Pub. L. 116–171, title II, § 201, Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 783, provided that: ‘‘(a) PURPOSE; DESIGNATION.— ‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to re- duce veteran suicide through a community-based grant program to award grants to eligible entities to provide or coordinate suicide prevention services to eligible individuals and their families. ‘‘(2) DESIGNATION.—The grant program under this section shall be known as the ‘Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program’. ‘‘(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities approved under this section through the award of grants to such entities to provide or coordinate the provision of services to eligible individuals and their families to reduce the risk of suicide. The Secretary shall carry out this section in coordination with the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide Task Force and in con- sultation with the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department, to the extent prac- ticable. ‘‘(c) AWARD OF GRANTS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award a grant to each eligible entity for which the Secretary has approved an application under subsection (f) to provide or coordinate the provision of suicide preven- tion services under this section. ‘‘(2) GRANT AMOUNTS, INTERVALS OF PAYMENT, AND MATCHING FUNDS.—In accordance with the services being provided under a grant under this section and the duration of those services, the Secretary shall es- tablish— ‘‘(A) a maximum amount to be awarded under the grant of not more than $750,000 per grantee per fis- cal year; and ‘‘(B) intervals of payment for the administration of the grant. ‘‘(d) DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS AND PREFERENCE.— ‘‘(1) DISTRIBUTION.— ‘‘(A) PRIORITY.—In compliance with subpara- graphs (B) and (C), in determining how to distribute grants under this section, the Secretary may prioritize— ‘‘(i) rural communities; ‘‘(ii) Tribal lands; ‘‘(iii) territories of the United States; ‘‘(iv) medically underserved areas; ‘‘(v) areas with a high number or percentage of minority veterans or women veterans; and Page 427 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F ‘‘(vi) areas with a high number or percentage of calls to the Veterans Crisis Line. ‘‘(B) AREAS WITH NEED.—The Secretary shall en- sure that, to the extent practicable, grants under this section are distributed— ‘‘(i) to provide services in areas of the United States that have experienced high rates of suicide by eligible individuals, including suicide at- tempts; and ‘‘(ii) to eligible entities that can assist eligible individuals at risk of suicide who are not cur- rently receiving health care furnished by the De- partment. ‘‘(C) GEOGRAPHY.—In distributing grants under this paragraph, the Secretary may provide grants to eligible entities that furnish services to eligible individuals and their families in geographically dis- persed areas. ‘‘(2) PREFERENCE.—The Secretary shall give pref- erence to eligible entities that have demonstrated the ability to provide or coordinate suicide preven- tion services. ‘‘(e) REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIPT OF GRANTS.— ‘‘(1) NOTIFICATION THAT SERVICES ARE FROM DEPART- MENT.—Each entity receiving a grant under this sec- tion to provide or coordinate suicide prevention serv- ices to eligible individuals and their families shall notify the recipients of such services that such serv- ices are being paid for, in whole or in part, by the De- partment. ‘‘(2) DEVELOPMENT OF PLAN WITH ELIGIBLE INDIVID- UALS AND THEIR FAMILY.—Any plan developed with re- spect to the provision of suicide prevention services for an eligible individual or their family shall be de- veloped in consultation with the eligible individual and their family. ‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—An entity receiving a grant under this section shall— ‘‘(A) coordinate with the Secretary with respect to the provision of clinical services to eligible indi- viduals in accordance with subsection (n) or any other provisions of the law regarding the delivery of health care by the Secretary; ‘‘(B) inform every veteran who receives assistance under this section from the entity of the ability of the veteran to apply for enrollment in the patient enrollment system of the Department under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; and ‘‘(C) if such a veteran wishes to so enroll, inform the veteran of a point of contact at the Department who can assist the veteran in such enrollment. ‘‘(4) MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING.—An entity re- ceiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a description of such tools and assessments the entity uses or will use to determine the effective- ness of the services furnished by the entity, which shall include the measures developed under sub- section (h)(2) and may include— ‘‘(A) the effect of the services furnished by the en- tity on the financial stability of the eligible indi- vidual; ‘‘(B) the effect of the services furnished by the en- tity on the mental health status, wellbeing, and suicide risk of the eligible individual; and ‘‘(C) the effect of the services furnished by the en- tity on the social support of the eligible individuals receiving those services. ‘‘(5) REPORTS.—The Secretary— ‘‘(A) shall require each entity receiving a grant under this section to submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes the projects carried out with such grant during the year covered by the report; ‘‘(B) shall specify to each such entity the evalua- tion criteria and data and information to be sub- mitted in such report; and ‘‘(C) may require each such entity to submit to the Secretary such additional reports as the Sec- retary considers appropriate. ‘‘(f) APPLICATION FOR GRANTS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor in such form, in such manner, and containing such commitments and information as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section. ‘‘(2) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—Each application submitted by an eligible entity under paragraph (1) shall contain the following: ‘‘(A) A description of the suicide prevention serv- ices proposed to be provided by the eligible entity and the identified need for those services. ‘‘(B) A detailed plan describing how the eligible entity proposes to coordinate or deliver suicide pre- vention services to eligible individuals, including— ‘‘(i) an identification of the community part- ners, if any, with which the eligible entity pro- poses to work in delivering such services; ‘‘(ii) a description of the arrangements cur- rently in place between the eligible entity and such partners with regard to the provision or co- ordination of suicide prevention services; ‘‘(iii) an identification of how long such ar- rangements have been in place; ‘‘(iv) a description of the suicide prevention services provided by such partners that the eligi- ble entity shall coordinate, if any; and ‘‘(v) an identification of local suicide preven- tion coordinators of the Department and a de- scription of how the eligible entity will commu- nicate with local suicide prevention coordinators. ‘‘(C) A description of the population of eligible in- dividuals and their families proposed to be provided suicide prevention services. ‘‘(D) Based on information and methods developed by the Secretary for purposes of this subsection, an estimate of the number of eligible individuals at risk of suicide and their families proposed to be provided suicide prevention services, including the percentage of those eligible individuals who are not currently receiving care furnished by the Depart- ment. ‘‘(E) Evidence of measurable outcomes related to reductions in suicide risk and mood-related symp- toms utilizing validated instruments by the eligible entity (and the proposed partners of the entity, if any) in providing suicide prevention services to in- dividuals at risk of suicide, particularly to eligible individuals and their families. ‘‘(F) A description of the managerial and techno- logical capacity of the eligible entity— ‘‘(i) to coordinate the provision of suicide pre- vention services with the provision of other serv- ices; ‘‘(ii) to assess on an ongoing basis the needs of eligible individuals and their families for suicide prevention services; ‘‘(iii) to coordinate the provision of suicide pre- vention services with the services of the Depart- ment for which eligible individuals are also eligi- ble; ‘‘(iv) to tailor suicide prevention services to the needs of eligible individuals and their families; ‘‘(v) to seek continuously new sources of assist- ance to ensure the continuity of suicide preven- tion services for eligible individuals and their families as long as they are determined to be at risk of suicide; and ‘‘(vi) to measure the effects of suicide preven- tion services provided by the eligible entity or partner organization, in accordance with sub- section (h)(2), on the lives of eligible individuals and their families who receive such services pro- vided by the organization using pre- and post- evaluations on validated measures of suicide risk and mood-related symptoms. ‘‘(G) Clearly defined objectives for the provision of suicide prevention services. ‘‘(H) A description and physical address of the pri- mary location of the eligible entity. Page 428 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F ‘‘(I) A description of the geographic area the eli- gible entity plans to serve during the grant award period for which the application applies. ‘‘(J) If the eligible entity is a State or local gov- ernment or an Indian tribe, the amount of grant funds proposed to be made available to community partners, if any, through agreements. ‘‘(K) A description of how the eligible entity will assess the effectiveness of the provision of grants under this section. ‘‘(L) An agreement to use the measures and metrics provided by the Department for the pur- poses of measuring the effectiveness of the pro- gramming as described in subsection (h)(2). ‘‘(M) Such additional application criteria as the Secretary considers appropriate. ‘‘(g) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide training and technical assistance, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to eligible entities in receipt of grants under this sec- tion regarding— ‘‘(A) suicide risk identification and management; ‘‘(B) the data required to be collected and shared with the Department; ‘‘(C) the means of data collection and sharing; ‘‘(D) familiarization with and appropriate use of any tool to be used to measure the effectiveness of the use of the grants provided; and ‘‘(E) the requirements for reporting under sub- section (e)(5) on services provided via such grants. ‘‘(2) PROVISION OF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSIST- ANCE.—The Secretary may provide the training and technical assistance described in paragraph (1) di- rectly or through grants or contracts with appro- priate public or nonprofit entities. ‘‘(h) ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT PROGRAM.— ‘‘(1) SELECTION CRITERIA.—The Secretary, in con- sultation with entities specified in paragraph (3), shall establish criteria for the selection of eligible en- tities that have submitted applications under sub- section (f). ‘‘(2) DEVELOPMENT OF MEASURES AND METRICS.—The Secretary shall develop, in consultation with entities specified in paragraph (3), the following: ‘‘(A) A framework for collecting and sharing in- formation about entities in receipt of grants under this section for purposes of improving the services available for eligible individuals and their families, set forth by service type, locality, and eligibility criteria. ‘‘(B) The measures and metrics to be used by each entity in receipt of grants under this section to de- termine the effectiveness of the programming being provided by such entity in improving mental health status, wellbeing, and reducing suicide risk and completed suicides of eligible individuals and their families, which shall include an existing measure- ment tool or protocol for the grant recipient to uti- lize when determining programmatic effectiveness. ‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—In developing a plan for the de- sign and implementation of the provision of grants under this section, including criteria for the award of grants, the Secretary shall consult with the fol- lowing: ‘‘(A) Veterans service organizations. ‘‘(B) National organizations representing poten- tial community partners of eligible entities in pro- viding supportive services to address the needs of eligible individuals and their families, including na- tional organizations that— ‘‘(i) advocate for the needs of individuals with or at risk of behavioral health conditions; ‘‘(ii) represent mayors; ‘‘(iii) represent unions; ‘‘(iv) represent first responders; ‘‘(v) represent chiefs of police and sheriffs; ‘‘(vi) represent governors; ‘‘(vii) represent a territory of the United States; or ‘‘(viii) represent a Tribal alliance. ‘‘(C) National organizations representing mem- bers of the Armed Forces. ‘‘(D) National organizations that represent coun- ties. ‘‘(E) Organizations with which the Department has a current memorandum of agreement or under- standing related to mental health or suicide pre- vention. ‘‘(F) State departments of veterans affairs. ‘‘(G) National organizations representing mem- bers of the reserve components of the Armed Forces. ‘‘(H) National organizations representing mem- bers of the Coast Guard. ‘‘(I) Organizations, including institutions of high- er education, with experience in creating measure- ment tools for purposes of advising the Secretary on the most appropriate existing measurement tool or protocol for the Department to utilize. ‘‘(J) The National Alliance on Mental Illness. ‘‘(K) A labor organization (as such term is defined in section 7103(a)(4) of title 5, United States Code). ‘‘(L) The Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Serv- ices Administration, the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide Task Force, and such other organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate. ‘‘(4) REPORT ON GRANT CRITERIA.—Not later than 30 days before notifying eligible entities of the avail- ability of funding under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con- gress a report containing— ‘‘(A) criteria for the award of a grant under this section; ‘‘(B) the already developed measures and metrics to be used by the Department to measure the effec- tiveness of the use of grants provided under this section as described in subsection (h)(2); and ‘‘(C) a framework for the sharing of information about entities in receipt of grants under this sec- tion. ‘‘(i) INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL ELIGIBLE INDIVID- UALS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make avail- able to recipients of grants under this section certain information regarding potential eligible individuals who may receive services for which such grant is pro- vided. ‘‘(2) INFORMATION INCLUDED.—The information made available under paragraph (1) with respect to poten- tial eligible individuals may include the following: ‘‘(A) Confirmation of the status of a potential eli- gible individual as a veteran. ‘‘(B) Confirmation of whether the potential eligi- ble individual is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. ‘‘(C) Confirmation of whether a potential eligible individual is currently receiving care furnished by the Department or has recently received such care. ‘‘(3) OPT-OUT.—The Secretary shall allow an eligible individual to opt out of having their information shared under this subsection with recipients of grants under this section. ‘‘(j) DURATION.—The authority of the Secretary to provide grants under this section shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section. ‘‘(k) REPORTING.— ‘‘(1) INTERIM REPORT.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the ap- propriate committees of Congress a report on the provision of grants to eligible entities under this section. ‘‘(B) ELEMENTS.—The report submitted under sub- paragraph (A) shall include the following: Page 429 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F ‘‘(i) An assessment of the effectiveness of the grant program under this section, including— ‘‘(I) the effectiveness of grant recipients and their community partners, if any, in conducting outreach to eligible individuals; ‘‘(II) the effectiveness of increasing eligible individuals engagement in suicide prevention services; and ‘‘(III) such other validated instruments and additional measures as determined by the Sec- retary and as described in subsection (h)(2). ‘‘(ii) A list of grant recipients and their partner organizations, if any, that delivered services funded by the grant and the amount of such grant received by each recipient and partner organiza- tion. ‘‘(iii) The number of eligible individuals sup- ported by each grant recipient, including through services provided to family members, disaggregated by— ‘‘(I) all demographic characteristics as deter- mined necessary and appropriate by the Sec- retary in coordination with the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention; ‘‘(II) whether each such eligible individual is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; ‘‘(III) branch of service in the Armed Forces; ‘‘(IV) era of service in the Armed Forces; ‘‘(V) type of service received by the eligible individual; and ‘‘(VI) whether each such eligible individual was referred to the Department for care. ‘‘(iv) The number of eligible individuals sup- ported by grants under this section, including through services provided to family members. ‘‘(v) The number of eligible individuals de- scribed in clause (iv) who were not previously re- ceiving care furnished by the Department, with specific numbers for the population of eligible in- dividuals described in subsection (q)(4)(B). ‘‘(vi) The number of eligible individuals whose mental health status, wellbeing, and suicide risk received a baseline measurement assessment under this section and the number of such eligible individuals whose mental health status, wellbeing, and suicide risk will be measured by the Department or a community partner over a period of time for any improvements. ‘‘(vii) The types of data the Department was able to collect and share with partners, including a characterization of the benefits of that data. ‘‘(viii) The number and percentage of eligible individuals referred to the point of contact at the Department under subsection (e)(3)(C). ‘‘(ix) The number of eligible individuals newly enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code[,] based on a referral to the Department from a grant recipient under sub- section (e)(3)(C), disaggregated by grant recipient. ‘‘(x) A detailed account of how the grant funds were used, including executive compensation, overhead costs, and other indirect costs. ‘‘(xi) A description of any outreach activities conducted by the eligible entity in receipt of a grant with respect to services provided using the grant. ‘‘(xii) The number of individuals who seek serv- ices from the grant recipient who are not eligible individuals. ‘‘(C) SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION BY GRANT RECIPI- ENTS.—The Secretary may require eligible entities receiving grants under this section to provide to Congress such information as the Secretary deter- mines necessary regarding the elements described in subparagraph (B). ‘‘(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than three years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section, and annually thereafter for each year in which the program is in effect, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con- gress— ‘‘(A) a follow-up on the interim report submitted under paragraph (1) containing the elements set forth in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph; and ‘‘(B) a report on— ‘‘(i) the effectiveness of the provision of grants under this section, including the effectiveness of community partners in conducting outreach to eligible individuals and their families and reduc- ing the rate of suicide among eligible individuals; ‘‘(ii) an assessment of the increased capacity of the Department to provide services to eligible in- dividuals and their families, set forth by State, as a result of the provision of grants under this sec- tion; ‘‘(iii) the feasibility and advisability of extend- ing or expanding the provision of grants con- sistent with this section; and ‘‘(iv) such other elements as considered appro- priate by the Secretary. ‘‘(l) THIRD-PARTY ASSESSMENT.— ‘‘(1) STUDY OF GRANT PROGRAM.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the commencement of the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall seek to enter into a contract with an appropriate entity described in paragraph (3) to conduct a study of the grant pro- gram. ‘‘(B) ELEMENTS OF STUDY.—In conducting the study under subparagraph (A), the appropriate enti- ty shall— ‘‘(i) evaluate the effectiveness of the grant pro- gram under this section in— ‘‘(I) addressing the factors that contribute to suicides; ‘‘(II) increasing the use of suicide prevention services; ‘‘(III) reducing mood-related symptoms that increase suicide and suicide risk; and ‘‘(IV) where such information is available due to the time frame of the grant program, reduc- ing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, self- harm, and deaths by suicide; and ‘‘(V) reducing suicidal ideation, suicide at- tempts, self-harm, and deaths by suicide among eligible individuals through eligible entities lo- cated in communities; and ‘‘(ii) compare the results of the grant program with other national programs in delivering re- sources to eligible individuals in the communities where they live that address the factors that con- tribute to suicide. ‘‘(2) ASSESSMENT.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The contract under paragraph (1) shall provide that not later than 24 months after the commencement of the grant program under this section, the appropriate entity shall submit to the Secretary an assessment based on the study con- ducted pursuant to such contract. ‘‘(B) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Upon receipt of the assessment under subparagraph (A), the Sec- retary shall transmit to the appropriate commit- tees of Congress a copy of the assessment. ‘‘(3) APPROPRIATE ENTITY.—An appropriate entity described in this paragraph is a nongovernment enti- ty with experience optimizing and assessing organiza- tions that deliver services and assessing the effective- ness of suicide prevention programs. ‘‘(m) REFERRAL FOR CARE.— ‘‘(1) MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT.—If an eligible en- tity in receipt of a grant under this section deter- mines that an eligible individual is at-risk of suicide or other mental or behavioral health condition pursu- ant to a baseline mental health screening conducted under subsection (q)(11)(A)(ii) with respect to the in- dividual, the entity shall refer the eligible individual to the Department for additional care under sub- section (n) or any other provision of law. Page 430 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F ‘‘(2) EMERGENCY TREATMENT.—If an eligible entity in receipt of a grant under this section determines that an eligible individual furnished clinical services for emergency treatment under subsection (q)(11)(A)(iv) requires ongoing services, the entity shall refer the eligible individual to the Department for additional care under subsection (n) or any other provision of law. ‘‘(3) REFUSAL.—If an eligible individual refuses a re- ferral by an entity under paragraph (1) or (2), any on- going clinical services provided to the eligible indi- vidual by the entity shall be at the expense of the en- tity. ‘‘(n) PROVISION OF CARE TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.— When the Secretary determines it is clinically appro- priate, the Secretary shall furnish to eligible individ- uals who are receiving or have received suicide preven- tion services through grants provided under this sec- tion an initial mental health assessment and mental health or behavioral health care services authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, that are required to treat the mental or behavioral health care needs of the eligible individual, including risk of suicide. ‘‘(o) AGREEMENTS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), an eligi- ble entity may use grant funds to enter into an agree- ment with a community partner under which the eli- gible entity may provide funds to the community partner for the provision of suicide prevention serv- ices to eligible individuals and their families. ‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The ability of a recipient of a grant under this section to provide grant funds to a community partner shall be limited to grant recipi- ents that are a State or local government or an In- dian tribe. ‘‘(p) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is au- thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section a total of $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2025. ‘‘(q) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—The term ‘appropriate committees of Congress’ means— ‘‘(A) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and ‘‘(B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. ‘‘(2) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘Department’ means the Department of Veterans Affairs. ‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means— ‘‘(A) an incorporated private institution or foun- dation— ‘‘(i) no part of the net earnings of which incurs to the benefit of any member, founder, contrib- utor, or individual; and ‘‘(ii) that has a governing board that would be responsible for the operation of the suicide pre- vention services provided under this section; ‘‘(B) a corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization meeting the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A); ‘‘(C) an Indian tribe; ‘‘(D) a community-based organization that can ef- fectively network with local civic organizations, re- gional health systems, and other settings where eli- gible individuals and their families are likely to have contact; or ‘‘(E) A State or local government. ‘‘(4) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘eligible indi- vidual’ includes a person at risk of suicide who is— ‘‘(A) a veteran as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code; ‘‘(B) an individual described in section 1720I(b) of such title; or ‘‘(C) an individual described in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of such title. ‘‘(5) EMERGENCY TREATMENT.—Medical services, pro- fessional services, ambulance services, ancillary care and medication (including a short course of medica- tion related to and necessary for the treatment of the emergency condition that is provided directly to or prescribed for the patient for use after the emergency condition is stabilized and the patient is discharged) was rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably ex- pected that delay in seeking immediate medical at- tention would have been hazardous to life or health. This standard is met by an emergency medical condi- tion manifesting itself by acute symptoms of suffi- cient severity (including severe pain) that a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the ab- sence of immediate medical attention to result in placing the health of the individual in serious jeop- ardy, serious impairment to bodily functions, or seri- ous dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. ‘‘(6) FAMILY.—The term ‘family’ means, with re- spect to an eligible individual, any of the following: ‘‘(A) A parent. ‘‘(B) A spouse. ‘‘(C) A child. ‘‘(D) A sibling. ‘‘(E) A step-family member. ‘‘(F) An extended family member. ‘‘(G) Any other individual who lives with the eli- gible individual. ‘‘(7) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determina- tion Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103). ‘‘(8) RISK OF SUICIDE.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘risk of suicide’ means exposure to, or the existence of, any of the following (to a degree determined by the Secretary pursuant to regulations): ‘‘(i) Health risk factors, including the following: ‘‘(I) Mental health challenges. ‘‘(II) Substance abuse. ‘‘(III) Serious or chronic health conditions or pain. ‘‘(IV) Traumatic brain injury. ‘‘(ii) Environmental risk factors, including the following: ‘‘(I) Prolonged stress. ‘‘(II) Stressful life events. ‘‘(III) Unemployment. ‘‘(IV) Homelessness. ‘‘(V) Recent loss. ‘‘(VI) Legal or financial challenges. ‘‘(iii) Historical risk factors, including the fol- lowing: ‘‘(I) Previous suicide attempts. ‘‘(II) Family history of suicide. ‘‘(III) History of abuse, neglect, or trauma. ‘‘(B) DEGREE OF RISK.—The Secretary may, by regulation, establish a process for determining de- grees of risk of suicide for use by grant recipients to focus the delivery of services using grant funds. ‘‘(9) RURAL.—The term ‘rural’, with respect to a community, has the meaning given that term in the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system of the Department of Agriculture. ‘‘(10) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. ‘‘(11) SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘suicide prevention services’ means services to address the needs of eli- gible individuals and their families and includes the following: ‘‘(i) Outreach to identify those at risk of suicide with an emphasis on eligible individuals who are at highest risk or who are not receiving health care or other services furnished by the Depart- ment. ‘‘(ii) A baseline mental health screening for risk. Page 431 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F ‘‘(iii) Education on suicide risk and prevention to families and communities. ‘‘(iv) Provision of clinical services for emer- gency treatment. ‘‘(v) Case management services. ‘‘(vi) Peer support services. ‘‘(vii) Assistance in obtaining any benefits from the Department that the eligible individual and their family may be eligible to receive, includ- ing— ‘‘(I) vocational and rehabilitation counseling; ‘‘(II) supportive services for homeless vet- erans; ‘‘(III) employment and training services; ‘‘(IV) educational assistance; and ‘‘(V) health care services. ‘‘(viii) Assistance in obtaining and coordinating the provision of other benefits provided by the Federal Government, a State or local govern- ment, or an eligible entity. ‘‘(ix) Assistance with emergent needs relating to— ‘‘(I) health care services; ‘‘(II) daily living services; ‘‘(III) personal financial planning and coun- seling; ‘‘(IV) transportation services; ‘‘(V) temporary income support services; ‘‘(VI) fiduciary and representative payee serv- ices; ‘‘(VII) legal services to assist the eligible indi- vidual with issues that may contribute to the risk of suicide; and ‘‘(VIII) child care (not to exceed $5,000 per family of an eligible individual per fiscal year). ‘‘(x) Nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices, as determined appro- priate by the Secretary, in consultation with ap- propriate entities. ‘‘(xi) Such other services necessary for improv- ing the mental health status and wellbeing and reducing the suicide risk of eligible individuals and their families as the Secretary considers ap- propriate, which may include— ‘‘(I) adaptive sports, equine assisted therapy, or in-place or outdoor recreational therapy; ‘‘(II) substance use reduction programming; ‘‘(III) individual, group, or family counseling; and ‘‘(IV) relationship coaching. ‘‘(B) EXCLUSION.—The term ‘suicide prevention services’ does not include direct cash assistance to eligible individuals or their families. ‘‘(12) VETERANS CRISIS LINE.—The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code. ‘‘(13) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘veterans service organization’ means any organiza- tion recognized by the Secretary for the representa- tion of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.’’ UPDATE OF CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR AS- SESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS AT RISK FOR SUICIDE Pub. L. 116–171, title III, § 303, Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 801, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the first publication of the De- partment of Veterans Affairs and Department of De- fense Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide published after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2020], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Sec- retary of Defense, through the Assessment and Manage- ment of Patients at Risk for Suicide Work Group (in this section referred to as the ‘Work Group’), shall en- sure the publication includes the following: ‘‘(1) Enhanced guidance with respect to gender-spe- cific— ‘‘(A) risk factors for suicide and suicidal ideation; ‘‘(B) treatment efficacy for depression and suicide prevention; ‘‘(C) pharmacotherapy efficacy; and ‘‘(D) psychotherapy efficacy. ‘‘(2) Guidance with respect to the efficacy of alter- native therapies, other than psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, including the following: ‘‘(A) Yoga therapy. ‘‘(B) Meditation therapy. ‘‘(C) Equine therapy. ‘‘(D) Other animal therapy. ‘‘(E) Training and caring for service dogs. ‘‘(F) Agritherapy. ‘‘(G) Art therapy. ‘‘(H) Outdoor sports therapy. ‘‘(I) Music therapy. ‘‘(J) Any other alternative therapy that the Work Group considers appropriate. ‘‘(3) Guidance with respect to the findings of the Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery Commission (commonly referred to as the ‘COVER Commission’) established under section 931 of the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act (title IX of Public Law 114–198; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note). ‘‘(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense from considering all relevant evidence, as appropriate, in updating the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of De- fense Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide, as re- quired under subsection (a), or from ensuring that the final clinical practice guidelines updated under such subsection remain applicable to the patient popu- lations of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.’’ CONTRACTS RELATED TO SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH MEDIA Pub. L. 116–171, title IV, § 401(e)–(g), Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 807, 808, provided that: ‘‘(e) TREATMENT OF CONTRACTS FOR SUICIDE PREVEN- TION AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH MEDIA.— ‘‘(1) FOCUS GROUPS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall include in each contract to develop media relating to suicide prevention and mental health materials and cam- paigns a requirement that the contractor convene focus groups of veterans to assess the effectiveness of suicide prevention and mental health outreach. ‘‘(B) REPRESENTATION.—Each focus group required under subparagraph (A) shall, to the extent prac- ticable, include veterans of diverse backgrounds, including— ‘‘(i) veterans of all eras, as determined by the Secretary; ‘‘(ii) women veterans; ‘‘(iii) minority veterans; ‘‘(iv) Native American veterans, as defined in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code; ‘‘(v) veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bi- sexual, transgender, or queer (commonly referred to as ‘LGBTQ’); ‘‘(vi) veterans who live in rural or highly rural areas; ‘‘(vii) individuals transitioning from active duty in the Armed Forces to civilian life; and ‘‘(viii) other high-risk groups of veterans, as de- termined by the Secretary. ‘‘(2) SUBCONTRACTING.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall include in each contract described in paragraph (1)(A) a re- quirement that, if the contractor subcontracts for the development of media, the contractor shall sub- contract with a subcontractor that has experience creating impactful media campaigns that target in- dividuals age 18 to 34. ‘‘(B) BUDGET LIMITATION.—Not more than two per- cent of the budget of the Office of Mental Health Page 432 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720F and Suicide Prevention of the Department for con- tractors for suicide prevention and mental health media outreach shall go to subcontractors de- scribed in subparagraph (A). ‘‘(f) PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT EXEMPTION.—Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘Paperwork Reduction Act’) shall not apply to any rulemaking or information collection required under this section [enacting this note and provisions not set out in the Code]. ‘‘(g) RURAL AND HIGHLY RURAL DEFINED.—In this sec- tion, with respect to an area, the terms ‘rural’ and ‘highly rural’ have the meanings given those terms in the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system of the Department of Agriculture.’’ OVERSIGHT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVEN- TION MEDIA OUTREACH CONDUCTED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Pub. L. 116–171, title IV, § 402, Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 808, provided that: ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish goals for the mental health and sui- cide prevention media outreach campaigns of the De- partment of Veterans Affairs, which shall include the establishment of targets, metrics, and action plans to describe and assess those campaigns. ‘‘(2) USE OF METRICS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The goals established under paragraph (1) shall be measured by metrics specific to different media types. ‘‘(B) FACTORS TO CONSIDER.—In using metrics under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall deter- mine the best methodological approach for each media type and shall consider the following: ‘‘(i) Metrics relating to social media, which may include the following: ‘‘(I) Impressions. ‘‘(II) Reach. ‘‘(III) Engagement rate. ‘‘(IV) Such other metrics as the Secretary considers necessary. ‘‘(ii) Metrics relating to television, which may include the following: ‘‘(I) Nielsen ratings. ‘‘(II) Such other metrics as the Secretary con- siders necessary. ‘‘(iii) Metrics relating to email, which may in- clude the following: ‘‘(I) Open rate. ‘‘(II) Response rate. ‘‘(III) Click rate. ‘‘(IV) Such other metrics as the Secretary considers necessary. ‘‘(C) UPDATE.—The Secretary shall periodically update the metrics under subparagraph (B) as more accurate metrics become available. ‘‘(3) TARGETS.—The Secretary shall establish tar- gets to track the metrics used under paragraph (2). ‘‘(4) CONSULTATION.—In establishing goals under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the following: ‘‘(A) Relevant stakeholders, such as organizations that represent veterans, as determined by the Sec- retary. ‘‘(B) Mental health and suicide prevention ex- perts. ‘‘(C) Such other persons as the Secretary con- siders appropriate. ‘‘(5) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2020], the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Vet- erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report detailing the goals established under para- graph (1) for the mental health and suicide preven- tion media outreach campaigns of the Department, including the metrics and targets for such metrics by which those goals are to be measured under para- graphs (2) and (3). ‘‘(6) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after the submittal of the report under paragraph (5), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report detailing— ‘‘(A) the progress of the Department in meeting the goals established under paragraph (1) and the targets established under paragraph (3); and ‘‘(B) a description of action to be taken by the Department to modify mental health and suicide prevention media outreach campaigns if those goals and targets are not being met. ‘‘(b) REPORT ON USE OF FUNDS BY OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2020], and semiannually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing the expenditures and obligations of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Veterans Health Administration during the period covered by the report.’’ STAFFING REQUIREMENT FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION COORDINATORS Pub. L. 116–171, title V, § 506(a), Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 820, provided that: ‘‘Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2020], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that each medical center of the Department of Vet- erans Affairs has not less than one suicide prevention coordinator.’’ FUNDING FOR PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING FOR WOMEN VETERANS Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, § 8051(b), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4093, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out paragraph (4) of section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), using funds otherwise made available to the Sec- retary. No additional funds are authorized to be appro- priated by reason of such paragraph.’’ COLLABORATION ON SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS BE- TWEEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON- PROFIT MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS Pub. L. 114–2, § 6, Feb. 12, 2015, 129 Stat. 36, provided that: ‘‘(a) COLLABORATION.—The Secretary of Veterans Af- fairs may collaborate with non-profit mental health or- ganizations to prevent suicide among veterans as fol- lows: ‘‘(1) To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts carried out by the Sec- retary and non-profit mental health organizations. ‘‘(2) To assist non-profit mental health organiza- tions with the suicide prevention efforts of such orga- nizations through the use of the expertise of employ- ees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. ‘‘(3) To jointly carry out suicide prevention efforts. ‘‘(b) EXCHANGE OF RESOURCES.—In carrying out any collaboration under subsection (a), the Secretary and any non-profit mental health organization with which the Secretary is collaborating under such subsection shall exchange training sessions and best practices to help with the suicide prevention efforts of the Depart- ment and such organization. ‘‘(c) DIRECTOR OF SUICIDE PREVENTION COORDINA- TION.—The Secretary shall select within the Depart- ment a Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with non-profit mental health organizations under this section or any other provision of law.’’ DEADLINE FOR COMMENCEMENT OF PROGRAM Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VII, § 730(a)(4), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1814, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of Page 433 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 1720G Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the peer support counseling program required by section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this subsection, commences at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2013].’’ SENSE OF CONGRESS Pub. L. 110–110, § 2, Nov. 5, 2007, 121 Stat. 1031, pro- vided that: ‘‘It is the sense of Congress that— ‘‘(1) suicide among veterans suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder (in this section referred to as ‘PTSD’) is a serious problem; and ‘‘(2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take into consideration the special needs of veterans suf- fering from PTSD and the special needs of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and expe- rience high rates of suicide in developing and imple- menting the comprehensive program under this Act [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note under section 101 of this title].’’ § 1720G. Assistance and support services for caregivers (a) PROGRAM OF COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS.—(1)(A) The Secretary shall establish a program of comprehensive as- sistance for family caregivers of eligible vet- erans. (B) The Secretary shall only provide support under the program required by subparagraph (A) to a family caregiver of an eligible veteran if the Secretary determines it is in the best inter- est of the eligible veteran to do so. (2) For purposes of this subsection, an eligible veteran is any individual who— (A) is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces undergoing medical discharge from the Armed Forces; (B) for assistance provided under this sub- section— (i) before the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification that the Department has fully implemented the in- formation technology system required by section 162(a) of the Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2018, has a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trau- ma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air, or space service on or after September 11, 2001; (ii) during the 2-year period beginning on the date on which the Secretary submitted to Congress the certification described in clause (i), has a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trau- ma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air, or space service— (I) on or before May 7, 1975; or (II) on or after September 11, 2001; or (iii) after the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Secretary submits to Con- gress the certification described in clause (i), has a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air, or space service; and (C) is in need of personal care services be- cause of— (i) an inability to perform one or more ac- tivities of daily living; (ii) a need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neuro- logical or other impairment or injury; (iii) a need for regular or extensive in- struction or supervision without which the ability of the veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired; or (iv) such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3)(A) As part of the program required by para- graph (1), the Secretary shall provide to family caregivers of eligible veterans the following as- sistance: (i) To each family caregiver who is approved as a provider of personal care services for an eligible veteran under paragraph (6)— (I) such instruction, preparation, and training as the Secretary considers appro- priate for the family caregiver to provide personal care services to the eligible vet- eran; (II) ongoing technical support consisting of information and assistance to address, in a timely manner, the routine, emergency, and specialized caregiving needs of the fam- ily caregiver in providing personal care serv- ices to the eligible veteran; (III) counseling; and (IV) lodging and subsistence under section 111(e) of this title. (ii) To each family caregiver who is des- ignated as the primary provider of personal care services for an eligible veteran under paragraph (7)— (I) the assistance described in clause (i); (II) such mental health services as the Sec- retary determines appropriate; (III) covered respite care of not less than 30 days annually; (IV) medical care under section 1781 of this title; (V) a monthly personal caregiver stipend; and (VI) through the use of contracts with, or the provision of grants to, public or private entities— (aa) financial planning services relating to the needs of injured veterans and their caregivers; and (bb) legal services, including legal advice and consultation, relating to the needs of injured veterans and their caregivers. (B)(i) The amount of the monthly personal caregiver stipend provided under subparagraph (A)(ii)(V) shall be determined in accordance with a schedule established by the Secretary that specifies stipends based upon the amount and degree of personal care services provided. (ii) The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the schedule required by clause (i) specifies that the amount of the monthly per- sonal caregiver stipend provided to a primary provider of personal care services for the provi- sion of personal care services to an eligible vet- eran is not less than the monthly amount a commercial home health care entity would pay an individual in the geographic area of the eligi- ble veteran to provide equivalent personal care services to the eligible veteran.