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Bill113th CongressFiled Jul 10, 2014Armed Forces and National Security
H.R. 5059

Clay Hunt SAV Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Dec 9, 2014)

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act - (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third party evaluation, at least annually, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to Congress, by December 1 of each year, containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's existing Internet websites and information resources to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information, updated at least once every 90 days, regarding all of the VA's mental health care services.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:

  • are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine;
  • demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and
  • agree to a period of two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary.

Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service.

Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network, carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs; and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.

Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.

(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization with which the Secretary is collaborating to exchange training sessions and best practices.

Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.

(Sec. 7) Extends, for the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2015, combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses which have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided: (1) they were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge.

(Sec. 8) Prohibits the authorization of any additional appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.

What just happenedDec 10, 2014

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1](D-MN)Sponsor
140 cosponsors89 D51 R
Read on Congress.gov
140cosponsors2committees13actions1related bills21subjects
  • Received in SenateDec 10, 2014
  • Engrossed in HouseDec 9, 2014
  • Introduced in HouseJul 10, 2014
  1. Dec 10, 2014IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Dec 9, 2014FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. Dec 9, 2014FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Dec 9, 2014FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8899-8901)

  5. Dec 9, 2014Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8899-8901)

  6. Dec 9, 2014FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5059.

  7. Dec 9, 2014FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8899-8904)

  8. Dec 9, 2014FloorH30300

    Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Jul 18, 2014Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  10. Jul 10, 2014IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  11. Jul 10, 2014IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  12. Jul 10, 2014IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  13. Jul 10, 2014IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedDec 9, 201436

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act - (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third party evaluation, at least annually, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to Congress, by December 1 of each year, containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's existing Internet websites and information resources to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information, updated at least once every 90 days, regarding all of the VA's mental health care services.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:

  • are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine;
  • demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and
  • agree to a period of two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary.

Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service.

Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network, carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs; and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.

Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.

(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization with which the Secretary is collaborating to exchange training sessions and best practices.

Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.

(Sec. 7) Extends, for the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2015, combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses which have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided: (1) they were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge.

(Sec. 8) Prohibits the authorization of any additional appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.

Introduced in HouseJul 10, 2014

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Secretary of Defense (DOD), at least annually, to each arrange for an independent third party evaluation of, respectively, the VA and DOD mental health care and suicide prevention programs.

Requires a board reviewing the discharge or dismissal of a former member of the Armed Forces whose application for relief is based at least in part on post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury related to military operations or sexual trauma, to: (1) review the medical evidence from the VA or a civilian health provider that is presented by the former member; and (2) review the case, with a presumption of administrative irregularity, and place the burden on the VA or DOD to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that no error or injustice occurred.

Directs the VA Secretary to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with regularly updated information regarding all of the VA's mental health care services.

Requires the VA Secretary and the DOD Secretary to enter into certain strategic relationships to facilitate:

  • the mental health referrals of members of the reserve components who have a service-connected disability and are being discharged or released from the Armed Forces,
  • timely behavioral health services for such members,
  • communication when such members are at risk for behavioral health reasons, and
  • the transfer of documentation for line-of-duty and fitness-for-duty determinations.

Requires the VA Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:

  • are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine,
  • demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA, and
  • agree to a period of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine.

Directs the VA Secretary to carry out a program, as part of the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, under which the VA Secretary and an institution of higher education (IHE) agree to cover the full cost of charges not covered by post-9/11 educational assistance that are incurred by veterans who: (1) are pursuing an advanced degree in mental health at the IHE, and (2) intend to seek employment as a mental health professional in the VA. Allows the VA Secretary to cover up to 64% of those charges, if the school covers the remainder.

Requires the DOD Secretary to submit to Congress a zero-based review of the staffing requirements for individual State National Guard Commands with respect to Directors of Psychological Health.

Directs the VA Secretary to establish a pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network, and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.

Clay Hunt SAV Act — Informed