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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support specialists for claimants who are survivors of military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

3/13/2024, 2:12 AM

Congressional Summary of S 4441

This bill 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.

Current Status of Bill S 4441

Bill S 4441 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since June 22, 2022. Bill S 4441 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the Senate on June 22, 2022.  Bill S 4441's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. as of June 22, 2022

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 4441

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
10
Democrat Cosponsors
6
Republican Cosponsors
3
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
1

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 4441

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 4441

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support specialists for claimants who are survivors of military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support specialists for claimants who are survivors of military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

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