To improve mental health programs for veterans, and for other purposes.

March 6, 2003

Mr. ROCKEFELLER introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

To improve mental health programs for veterans, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR COUNSELING AND TREATMENT OF VETERANS FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA.

Section 1720D of title 38, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `During the period through December 31, 2004, the Secretary' and inserting `The Secretary'; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking `, during the period through December 31, 2004,'; and

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `establishment and'; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking `establishing a program' and inserting `operating a program'.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO OPERATE ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CENTERS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND CLINICAL ACTIVITIES.

Section 7320(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking `five centers' and inserting `15 centers'.

SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF PROGRAM FOR PROVISION OF SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO VETERANS.

(a) INCREASE IN FUNDING- Subsection (c) of section 116 of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act (Public Law 106-117; 113 Stat. 1559; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking `$15,000,000' and inserting `$25,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006';

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking `$15,000,000' and inserting `$25,000,000'; and

(3) in paragraph (3)--

(A) by inserting `(A)' after `(3)'; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(B) For purposes of this paragraph, in fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, the fiscal year utilized to determine the baseline amount shall be fiscal year 2003.'.

(b) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS- Subsection (d) of that section is amended--

(1) by striking `The Secretary' and inserting `(1) In each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, the Secretary'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

`(2) In allocating funds to facilities in a fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that--

`(A) not less than $10,000,000 is allocated by direct grants to programs that are identified by the Mental Health Strategic Health Care Group and the Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans;

`(B) not less than $5,000,000 is allocated for programs on post-traumatic stress disorder; and

`(C) not less than $5,000,000 is allocated for programs on substance abuse disorder.

`(3) The Secretary shall provide that the funds to be allocated under this section during each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006 are funds for a special purpose program for which funds are not allocated through the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system.'.

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