Service-Connected Suicide Compensation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2264
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-24T09:05:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Service-Connected Suicide Compensation Act" (H.R. 2264) aims to provide automatic financial support to the surviving family members of veterans who die by suicide and had a mental health condition recognized as related to their military service (a "service-connected" disability). This legislation seeks to streamline benefits for these survivors, recognizing the link between service-related mental health issues and suicide.
Key Provisions
- Automatic Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): The bill amends Section 1310(a) of Title 38, United States Code (which governs veterans' benefits), to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay DIC directly to the surviving spouse, children, and parents of qualifying veterans.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- The veteran must have a mental disorder classified as a service-connected disability (meaning the VA has already determined it stems from military service).
- The veteran must have died by suicide.
- No additional proof of causation between the mental disorder and the suicide is required beyond these facts; payment is mandated upon determination of eligibility.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, DIC (a tax-free monthly payment, typically around $1,500 or more depending on dependents) is available to survivors if a veteran's death is deemed service-connected, but proving this for suicides often requires extensive evidence linking the act to service-related issues.
- This bill introduces a new subsection (1310(a)(2)) that creates a presumption of service connection for suicides in cases involving a service-connected mental disorder, eliminating the need for survivors to navigate a lengthy claims process. The original text of Section 1310(a) is redesignated as paragraph (1) to accommodate this addition.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will face increased administrative responsibilities to identify and process these automatic claims, potentially leading to higher expenditures on veterans' benefits (estimated costs would depend on suicide rates among affected veterans, which exceed 6,000 annually per VA data).
- On Citizens: Surviving family members gain quicker access to financial stability, reducing emotional and economic burdens during grief. This could affect thousands of families yearly, providing immediate support without appeals.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses solely on domestic U.S. veterans' benefits.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Survivors: Primarily spouses, children, and parents of veterans with service-connected mental disorders who die by suicide; they benefit from streamlined compensation.
- Veterans and Their Families: Broader veteran community, as the law acknowledges mental health struggles linked to service.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementing and funding the payments, potentially straining resources.
- Congress and Advocacy Groups: Veteran service organizations (e.g., those focused on mental health) may support or monitor enforcement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands VA benefit eligibility under Title 38 without altering due process requirements, as determinations still rely on existing service-connection records. It could set a precedent for presumptive benefits in other health-related veteran deaths.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I, Section 8 to provide for military personnel and veterans; no apparent conflicts with equal protection or due process clauses.
- Political: Highlights ongoing national focus on veteran suicide prevention (a nonpartisan issue), potentially influencing future mental health funding in VA budgets, but may spark debates on fiscal responsibility given rising benefit costs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Conaway, Herbert [D-NJ-3], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2025-03-21: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-03-21: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Service-Connected Suicide Compensation Act — issued 2025-03-21 — PDF (2 pages)