Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2096
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-10T11:03:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to enhance mental health support for transitioning servicemembers and newly separated veterans by improving two key programs: the Department of Defense's (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Solid Start Program. The goal is to provide better information and resources on mental health issues, including suicide prevention, to reduce veteran suicide rates. It is named the "Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act."
Key Provisions
- Amendments to TAP (under Title 10, U.S. Code): Requires TAP briefings to include expanded information on mental health, covering:
- Availability of mental health services from DoD, VA, or nonprofits.
- Treatments for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events), traumatic brain injury (TBI, physical brain damage from injury), anxiety, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and suicidal thoughts linked to military service.
- Suicide risks, including warning signs, symptoms, and factors like childhood trauma, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, joblessness, or relationship problems.
- Resources for substance abuse treatment (e.g., alcohol, prescription drugs, opioids).
- Effects of losing military community support, social isolation, and stressors from leaving the armed forces.
- Amendments to Solid Start Program (under Title 38, U.S. Code): Adds requirements for the program, which reaches out to recently separated veterans, to:
- Help eligible veterans enroll in the VA's patient enrollment system for healthcare access.
- Educate veterans on mental health and counseling services provided by the VA's Veterans Health Administration.
- Reporting Requirement: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs must jointly report to relevant congressional committees (Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs in both the Senate and House) on the new information and materials developed under these changes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- TAP Expansion: Previously, TAP included some mental health topics, but this bill replaces and broadens paragraph (11) of 10 U.S.C. § 1142(b) to mandate more detailed, comprehensive coverage of mental health risks and resources, integrating it into the program's core briefing elements.
- Solid Start Enhancements: Inserts new subparagraphs (G) and (H) into 38 U.S.C. § 6320(b)(1), shifting focus from general outreach to specific assistance with VA enrollment and mental health education, while renumbering existing content.
These changes build on existing programs without creating new ones, emphasizing prevention and access during the critical post-service transition period (typically the first year after separation).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DoD and VA will need to update training materials, briefings, and outreach efforts, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving coordination between the agencies. The joint report could lead to further refinements based on congressional feedback.
- On Citizens: Transitioning servicemembers and recent veterans (especially those at risk for mental health issues) will gain earlier, more targeted access to support, which may lower suicide rates and ease reintegration into civilian life. Families could indirectly benefit from reduced veteran distress.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic military and veteran programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those facing mental health challenges during separation.
- DoD and VA Personnel: Responsible for implementing program updates, including counselors, trainers, and outreach staff.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Involved in providing mental health services referenced in TAP.
- Congressional Committees: Receive the required report and oversee program effectiveness.
- Families of Veterans: Indirectly affected through improved veteran well-being and suicide prevention.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens compliance with existing veteran support laws (e.g., under Titles 10 and 38) by mandating evidence-based mental health education without imposing new funding requirements. The changes are administrative and do not alter eligibility for benefits.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; aligns with Congress's authority to regulate military affairs and provide for veterans' welfare under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by senators from both parties) highlights a non-controversial focus on veteran suicide prevention, potentially setting a precedent for future mental health integrations in military transitions. It promotes inter-agency collaboration without major fiscal or regulatory overhauls.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Cosponsors (19)
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-06-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act — issued 2025-06-17 — PDF (4 pages)