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Public Law117th CongressArmed Forces and National Security
S. 1198Became Law

Solid Start Act of 2022

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (Oct 17, 2022)

Solid Start Act of 2022

This act permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.

Specifically, the act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to

  • collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service;
  • explain the existence and purpose of the program;
  • call veterans three times within the first year of separation;
  • publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website;
  • provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs;
  • provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers;
  • gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program;
  • ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and
  • prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.

Under the act, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, and (2) follow up on missed phone calls.

What just happenedOct 17, 2022

Became Public Law No: 117-205.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH](D-NH)Sponsor
5 cosponsors2 D3 R
Read on Congress.gov
5cosponsors1committees37actions1amendments3related bills10subjects
  1. Oct 17, 2022President

    Became Public Law No: 117-205.

  2. Oct 17, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-205.

  3. Oct 17, 2022President

    Signed by President.

  4. Oct 17, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Oct 17, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Oct 17, 2022President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Sep 29, 2022FloorH37300

    Pursuant to section 10 of H. Res. 1396, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 1638, as amended; H.R. 3304, as amended; H.R. 4081, as amended; H.R. 4821, as amended; H.R. 6889, as amended; H.R. 6967, as amended; H.R. 8163, as amended; H.R. 8510, as amended; H.R. 8681, as amended; H.R. 8875, as amended; H.R. 8956; S. 1198; and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 5641. (text: CR H8186)

  8. Sep 29, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 10 of H. Res. 1396, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 1638, as amended; H.R. 3304, as amended; H.R. 4081, as amended; H.R. 4821, as amended; H.R. 6889, as amended; H.R. 6967, as amended; H.R. 8163, as amended; H.R. 8510, as amended; H.R. 8681, as amended; H.R. 8875, as amended; H.R. 8956; S. 1198; and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 5641.

  9. Sep 29, 2022FloorH1B000

    Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1396, proceedings on S. 1198 are considered vacated.

  10. Sep 28, 2022FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  11. Sep 28, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1198.

  12. Sep 28, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8186-8190)

  13. Sep 28, 2022FloorH30300

    Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  14. Sep 20, 2022FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  15. Sep 20, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. Sep 19, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate, under the order of 9/15/22, with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4812)

  17. Sep 19, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate, under the order of 9/15/22, with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  18. Sep 19, 2022Floor

    The committee substitute, under the order of 9/15/22, withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

  19. Sep 19, 2022Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4812)

  20. Sep 19, 2022Floor

    Senate vitiated previous passage, under the order of 9/15/22. (CR S4812)

  21. Sep 19, 2022FloorH1B000

    Papers returned to Senate

  22. Sep 19, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  23. Sep 19, 2022FloorH1B000

    Senate request return of papers

  24. Sep 19, 2022FloorH8D000

    UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST RETURN OF PAPERS - That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to request the House of Representatives to return to the Senate the bill (S. 1198) entitled "An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and expand the Solid State program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Agreed to without objection.

  25. Sep 15, 2022Floor

    Senate requests return of papers with respect to S. 1198 by Unanimous Consent.

  26. Sep 9, 2022FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  27. Sep 9, 2022FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  28. Sep 8, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  29. Sep 8, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S4519; text: CR S4519)

  30. Sep 8, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  31. Aug 4, 2022Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 478.

  32. Aug 4, 2022Committee

    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  33. Aug 4, 2022Committee14000

    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  34. Jul 28, 2021Committee

    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  35. Jun 23, 2021Committee

    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  36. Apr 15, 2021IntroReferral

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

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  37. Apr 15, 2021IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawOct 17, 202249

Solid Start Act of 2022

This act permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.

Specifically, the act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to

  • collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service;
  • explain the existence and purpose of the program;
  • call veterans three times within the first year of separation;
  • publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website;
  • provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs;
  • provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers;
  • gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program;
  • ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and
  • prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.

Under the act, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, and (2) follow up on missed phone calls.

Passed HouseSep 29, 202253

Solid Start Act of 2022

This bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to

  • collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service;
  • explain the existence and purpose of the program;
  • call veterans three times within the first year of separation;
  • publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website;
  • provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs;
  • provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers;
  • gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program;
  • ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and
  • prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.

Under the bill, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, and (2) follow up on missed phone calls.

Passed SenateSep 19, 202255

Solid Start Act of 2022

This bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to

  • collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service;
  • explain the existence and purpose of the program;
  • call veterans three times within the first year of separation;
  • publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website;
  • provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs;
  • provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers;
  • gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program;
  • ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and
  • prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.

Under the bill, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, and (2) follow up on missed phone calls.

Reported to SenateAug 4, 202225

Solid Start Act of 2021

This bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to

  • collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service;
  • explain the existence and purpose of the program;
  • call veterans three times within the first year of separation;
  • publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website;
  • provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs;
  • provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers;
  • gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program;
  • ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and
  • prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.

Under the bill, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, and (2) follow up on missed phone calls.

Introduced in SenateApr 15, 2021

Solid Start Act of 2021

This bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to

  • collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service;
  • explain the existence and purpose of the program;
  • call veterans three times within the first year of separation;
  • publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website;
  • provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs;
  • provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers;
  • gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program;
  • ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and
  • prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.

Under the bill, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, (2) follow up on missed phone calls, and (3) reach out to veterans who separated prior to the initiation of the Solid Start program.

Solid Start Act of 2022 — Informed