Open Eye

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117th Congress · House

VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act

Subjects: Administrative remedies · Assault and harassment offenses · Crime victims · Department of Veterans Affairs · Sex offenses · Veterans' pensions and compensation · Armed Forces and National Security

In plain language

  • House bill in the 117th Congress.
  • Prescribes that a peer support specialist of VA (VA) must not be responsible for providing assistance.
  • House passed it on May 19, 2022 (substantive).
Official summary (Congressional Research Service)

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.

View this measure on congress.gov

Roll-call votes on this measure