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GRATEFUL Act
3/13/2024, 12:40 AM
Summary of Bill S 1887
The GRATEFUL Act aims to improve access to mental health services for veterans by expanding the availability of telehealth services, increasing funding for mental health programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and enhancing coordination between the VA and community-based mental health providers.
Additionally, the bill seeks to address the issue of veteran suicide by implementing suicide prevention initiatives and increasing awareness of mental health resources available to veterans. It also includes provisions to improve the transition process for veterans returning to civilian life, ensuring they have the support they need to successfully reintegrate into society. Overall, the GRATEFUL Act is focused on improving the mental health outcomes of veterans and providing them with the resources and support they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives after their service to our country.
Congressional Summary of S 1887
Granting Recognition to Accomplished Talented Employees For Unwavering Loyalty Act or the GRATEFUL Act
This bill makes additional visas available under a program that provides special immigrant visas to eligible foreign nationals who were employed by the U.S. government abroad. The bill also modifies a provision that reduces the number of diversity immigrant visas available each fiscal year.
Generally, under this program, a foreign national (and their spouse and children) may receive a special immigrant visa if (1) the foreign national has been employed by the U.S. government abroad for at least 15 years, and (2) the Department of State has found that it is in the national interest to award the visa. There are a limited number of such visas available each fiscal year.
Specifically, this bill makes additional special immigrant visas available if no visas are immediately available. Up to 3,500 additional visas shall be made available for FY2024, and up to 3,000 shall be made available in each subsequent fiscal year.
The bill also modifies a provision related to the annual cap on diversity immigrant visas (i.e., visas awarded to nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States). Current law reduces the number of such visas available each fiscal year based in part on the number of visas awarded under another program. Under this bill, the reduction in the number of diversity immigrant visas shall also take into consideration the number of special immigrant visas awarded under this bill.
