VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act became law 615 days after introduction, with cosponsors from both parties
Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 163 words.
This act prescribes that a peer support specialist of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must not be responsible for providing assistance to a veteran regarding a claim for compensation for a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced during active service. Such specialists must only provide counseling services, guidance, and support and must not participate in the adjudication of the claim. As part of the forms for claims for compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST, the VA must include an option for a veteran to elect to be referred to a MST trauma coordinator at the VA facility closest to the veteran's residence. Additionally, the VA must (1) ensure that its peer support specialists receive annual training on providing peer support regarding MST, and (2) provide annual training on the processing of claims for compensation for covered mental health conditions based on MST to its MST coordinators and peer specialists.
- Committees
- House Veterans' Affairs Committee
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee - Policy area
- Armed Forces and National Security: 268 of 6,567 bills became law, 113th–118th (4.1%)
- Sponsor
- 4 of 52 bills enacted since 2013
- Text versions
- 5, from enrolled bill to public law · 601 words
- Subjects
- Administrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesCrime victimsDepartment of Veterans AffairsSex offensesVeterans' pensions and compensation
- Latest action
- Dec 27, 2022: Became Public Law No: 117-271.
- Records
- Congress.gov · Bill text
Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 1 in all.
Identical or companion · 1
- 117th S. 4441 A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support specialists for claima D · Introduced