Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2878
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-21: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:07:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act," aims to enhance mental health support for transitioning servicemembers and newly separated veterans. It amends existing programs to provide better information and resources on mental health issues, with the goal of reducing suicide rates among veterans by addressing risks during the transition from military to civilian life.
Key Provisions
- Amendments to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) under the Department of Defense (DoD): Requires TAP briefings to include detailed information on mental health, such as:
- Availability of mental health services from the military branches, DoD, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or nonprofit organizations.
- Treatments for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD—a mental health condition triggered by terrifying events), traumatic brain injury (TBI—injury to the brain from external force), anxiety, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal thoughts, and other service-related issues.
- Suicide risks, including warning signs, symptoms, and factors like childhood trauma, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, joblessness, and relationship problems.
- Resources for substance abuse treatment, covering alcohol, prescription drugs, and opioids.
- Effects of losing military community support, social isolation, and stressors from leaving the armed forces.
- Amendments to the Solid Start Program under the VA: Expands outreach to newly separated veterans to include:
- Help with enrolling in the VA's patient enrollment system (a process to access VA healthcare).
- Education on mental health and counseling services provided through the VA's Veterans Health Administration.
- Reporting Requirement: The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of VA must jointly submit a report to relevant congressional committees within one year of enactment, detailing the new information and materials developed under these changes. The committees include the Senate and House Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- TAP Changes (Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1142(b)): Expands the curriculum by inserting a new, comprehensive paragraph on mental health topics, replacing a prior, less detailed provision. This integrates mental health education more deeply into mandatory separation briefings for servicemembers.
- Solid Start Changes (Title 38, U.S. Code, Section 6320(b)(1)): Adds two new elements (enrollment assistance and mental health education) to the program's outreach activities, shifting it from general contact to more targeted health support. This builds on existing VA efforts to connect with veterans within their first year of separation.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD and VA will need to update training materials, briefings, and outreach processes, potentially increasing administrative workload and coordination between the agencies. This could lead to better resource allocation for mental health programs.
- On Citizens (Servicemembers and Veterans): Transitioning servicemembers and recent veterans may gain earlier access to mental health information and services, helping to identify and address issues like suicide risk or substance abuse sooner, which could improve overall well-being and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic military and veteran support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, receiving enhanced mental health guidance during separation and early civilian life.
- Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementing changes, developing materials, and reporting to Congress.
- Congressional Committees: Senate and House Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees, which oversee and receive updates on program effectiveness.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Involved in providing mental health services referenced in TAP.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens compliance with existing mandates for transition support by mandating specific mental health content, potentially setting precedents for future expansions of veteran programs without creating new entitlements.
- Constitutional Implications: None significant; the bill aligns with Congress's authority over military affairs and veteran benefits under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
- Political Implications: Highlights bipartisan focus on veteran suicide prevention (introduced by representatives from both parties), which could build public support for mental health initiatives and influence future funding for DoD and VA programs. It emphasizes suicide reduction without altering broader policy frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (23)
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-21: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-01-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (4 pages)