H.R. 2724 · 117th Congress
VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act
Law · 117-271 · Dec 27, 2022Key: what the circles and colors mean
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39 cosponsors · 35 D, 4 R
1 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- House Introduced Apr 21, 2021
- House Passed May 18, 2022 420–0
- Senate Passed Dec 15, 2022
- President To the President Dec 23, 2022
- President Signed Dec 27, 2022
- Law Dec 27, 2022
This act 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.
What it does: CRS summary · Public Law · Dec 27, 2022
This act 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.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
Votes to become law
About this bill and sources
Official title: VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act
Latest action (Dec 27, 2022): Became Public Law No: 117-271.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: House · Introduced: Apr 21, 2021
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML) · Embed in your story
- House Introduced Apr 21, 2021
- House Passed May 18, 2022 420–0
- Senate Passed Dec 15, 2022
- President To the President Dec 23, 2022
- President Signed Dec 27, 2022
- Law Dec 27, 2022
Final vote · House · May 18, 2022
Passage (two-thirds required) — Passed. Vote details
Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi