H.R. 5666 · 117th Congress
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
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PingreeSponsor21 cosponsors · 21 D
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DeGette9 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Oct 21, 2021
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
This bill modifies and implements policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is generally defined as physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the military.
The VA must revise its regulations to update the definition of MST to include matters relating to technological abuse.
In the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on MST was incurred or aggravated by active service, the VA must accept specified diagnoses and evidence as proof of service-connection.
The VA may not deny a veteran's claim of compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST without first (1) advising the veteran that nonmilitary evidence and behavioral evidence may constitute credible corroborating evidence, and (2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish the corroborating evidence or advise the VA of potential sources of such evidence.
The Veterans Benefits Administration must conduct an annual special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to MST.
Additionally, the bill (1) expands access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the VA and the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for MST survivors.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
Latest action (Nov 2, 2021): Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: House · Introduced: Oct 21, 2021
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.