Fostering Intergovernmental Health Transparency in Veteran Suicides Act or the FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify Congress following a suicide or attempted suicide of a veteran that occurs in a VA facility. Specifically, the VA must provide the name and location of the facility and also specified information regarding the veteran who committed or attempted suicide. The VA is required to include in each notification (1) guidance to deter the sensationalism of suicide, (2) guidance for identifying warning signs exhibited by veterans at risk of suicide, and (3) information on the resources available from the VA to veterans at risk of suicide.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2340 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2340
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to Congress
notice of any suicide or attempted suicide of a veteran in a Department
of Veterans Affairs facility, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 18, 2019
Mr. Rose of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to Congress
notice of any suicide or attempted suicide of a veteran in a Department
of Veterans Affairs facility, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fostering Intergovernmental Health
Transparency in Veteran Suicides Act'' or ``FIGHT Veteran Suicides
Act''.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL NOTICE OF SUICIDES AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDES OF
VETERANS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FACILITIES.
Section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(l) Congressional Notice Requirements.--(1) In the case of the
suicide or attempted suicide of any veteran that occurs in, or on the
grounds of, a Department facility, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of
Representatives and the Senator and member of Congress representing the
district in which the facility is located the following notices:
``(A) Not later than seven days after the date on which the
suicide or attempted suicide occurs, notice of--
``(i) the suicide or attempted suicide; and
``(ii) the name of the facility and location where
the suicide or attempted suicide occurred.
``(B) Not later than 60 days after such date, notice of the
following information regarding the veteran who committed or
attempted to commit suicide:
``(i) The enrollment status of the veteran with
respect to the patient enrollment system of the
Department under section 1705 of this title.
``(ii) The most recent encounter between the
veteran and any employee or facility of the Veterans
Health Administration before the suicide or attempted
suicide occurred.
``(iii) Whether the veteran had private medical
insurance.
``(iv) The Armed Force in which the veteran served.
``(v) The time period when the veteran served in
the Armed Forces.
``(vi) The age of the veteran.
``(vii) The marital status of the veteran.
``(viii) The employment status of the veteran.
``(ix) The housing status of the veteran.
``(x) Confirmation that the Secretary has provided
notice to the immediate family members of the veteran
regarding any Department support or assistance for
which such family members may be eligible.
``(2) Each notice submitted under subparagraph (A) or (B) of
paragraph (1) shall include a copy of guidance developed by the
Secretary for purposes of dissemination that is designed to--
``(A) deter the sensationalism of suicide;
``(B) provide information regarding warning signs that are
often exhibited by veterans at risk of suicide; and
``(C) provide notice of the resources the Department offers
to veterans who may be at risk of suicide, including the
Veterans Crisis Line and readjustment counseling provided
through Vet Centers.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 116-77.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 116-77.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 53.
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4041-4042)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2340.
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Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4041)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4041)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.