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Bill117th CongressFiled Jan 18, 2022Armed Forces and National Security
H.R. 6411

STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed house (Jun 23, 2022)

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources.

Among other requirements, the VA must

  • ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
  • increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
  • expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
  • review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
  • designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
  • update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
  • make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
  • expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
  • offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
  • improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
  • perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.

Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.

What just happenedJul 11, 2022

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41](D-CA)Sponsor
40 cosponsors35 D5 R
Read on Congress.gov
40cosponsors2committees16actions7related bills49subjects
  1. Jul 11, 2022IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  2. Jun 23, 2022FloorH38310

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

  3. Jun 23, 2022FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5845-5851)

  4. Jun 23, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. Jun 23, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6411.

  6. Jun 23, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5845-5853)

  7. Jun 23, 2022FloorH30300

    Mr. Levin (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Jun 22, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 292.

  9. Jun 22, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-382.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  10. Jun 22, 2022Committee5000

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-382.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  11. Feb 2, 2022Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  12. Feb 2, 2022Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  13. Jan 20, 2022Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  14. Jan 18, 2022IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  15. Jan 18, 2022IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  16. Jan 18, 2022IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseJun 23, 202253

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources.

Among other requirements, the VA must

  • ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
  • increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
  • expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
  • review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
  • designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
  • update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
  • make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
  • expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
  • offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
  • improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
  • perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.

Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.

Reported to HouseJun 22, 20227

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources.

Among other requirements, the VA must

  • ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
  • increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
  • expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
  • review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
  • designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
  • update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
  • make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
  • expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
  • offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
  • improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
  • perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.

Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.

Introduced in HouseJan 18, 2022

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources.

Among other requirements, the VA must

  • ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
  • increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
  • expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
  • review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
  • designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
  • update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
  • make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
  • expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
  • offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
  • improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
  • perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.

Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.

STRONG Veterans Act of 2022 — Informed