VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3863
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 550.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27T20:06:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 3863: VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act
Purpose
This bill aims to improve mental health support for veterans by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide annual mental health consultations and outreach to veterans receiving disability compensation for service-connected mental health conditions. It also makes a minor extension to a deadline for certain VA housing loan fees.
Key Provisions
- Annual Mental Health Consultations and Outreach (Section 2):
- Veterans receiving VA disability compensation for a service-connected mental health diagnosis (e.g., PTSD, depression) must be offered at least one mental health consultation per year to assess needs and discuss care options.
- VA must conduct outreach (unless the veteran opts out) about these consultations and other mental health services using:
- Phone calls or text messages (at least two attempts if the first fails).
- Email (at least one) if no phone number is available.
- Mailed letter if no email or phone is available.
- Consultations and outreach do not affect the veteran's disability compensation entitlement.
- Reporting Requirements:
- VA submits an annual report to Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees for 4 years, detailing outreach success rates, failure reasons, follow-up methods, engagement with services, and opt-out rates.
- Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducts a review 2 years after enactment, reporting on consultation/outreach numbers, most effective methods, and any barriers veterans face.
- Technical Changes:
- Redesignates existing law (38 U.S.C. § 1167) as § 1169 and updates references.
- Housing Loan Fee Extension (Section 3):
- Extends a deadline in the VA home loan fee table (38 U.S.C. § 3729(b)(2)) from June 9, 2034, to May 12, 2035 (about 11 months).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands prior law (limited to an "initial consultation") to mandate annual consultations and proactive outreach for targeted veterans.
- Introduces specific, tiered outreach methods (phone/text first, then email/letter) and protections against impacting compensation.
- Adds new reporting and GAO oversight not previously required.
- Minor extension of a loan fee sunset date, delaying its expiration.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases VA workload for outreach, consultations, and reporting; requires GAO review, adding oversight costs.
- Citizens (Veterans): Enhances access to mental health care for those with service-connected conditions, potentially improving well-being and reducing untreated issues; opt-out option respects privacy.
- International Relations: None.
- Overall: Could lead to higher VA mental health service utilization; loan fee change provides short-term stability for veterans using VA home loans.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans with service-connected mental health disabilities receiving compensation.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (Secretary and staff implementing outreach/consultations).
- Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs (receiving reports).
- Government Accountability Office (conducting review).
- VA home loan users (minor benefit from fee extension).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens VA's duty to support veteran mental health without risking compensation benefits; outreach methods prioritize less intrusive contact (e.g., phone before mail).
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with federal authority over veterans' benefits (Article I, spending power).
- Political: Bipartisan support (multiple sponsors); emphasizes veteran care, a non-controversial priority, with built-in accountability via reports to prevent inefficiency. No major fiscal impact specified, but could increase VA spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 550.
- 2026-05-04: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-634.
- 2026-05-04: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-634.
- 2025-07-23: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2025-07-23: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-06-10: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-06-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act — issued 2026-05-04 — PDF (8 pages)