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4 cosponsors · 4 D
0 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- House Introduced Mar 7, 2022
- House Passed May 18, 2022 405–12
- Senate Passed Dec 19, 2022
- President To the President Dec 23, 2022
- President Signed Dec 27, 2022
- Law Dec 27, 2022
This act modifies communications and procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) regarding claims for compensation based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced by veterans.
What it does: CRS summary · Public Law · Dec 27, 2022
This act modifies communications and procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) regarding claims for compensation based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced by veterans.
The act requires the VA to ensure each member of the BVA is offered annual training on MST and proceedings that concern a claim for compensation based on MST. A proceeding that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST may not be assigned to a member of the BVA (or a panel of members) unless such persons have completed the annual training.
When a notice of disagreement is filed, the BVA must promptly determine whether it is filed for a case that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST and for which the appellant has requested a hearing in the notice.
The VA must audit the language used in letters sent to individuals to explain decisions denying claims for compensation based on MST. Letters must be modified to ensure (1) the use of trauma-informed language, and (2) veterans are not retraumatized through insensitive language.
The VA must establish protocols for VA medical providers and contract medical providers to ensure that the medical providers use trauma-informed practices in conducting examinations in relation to claims for compensation based on MST.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
Votes to become law
About this bill and sources
Official title: Dignity for MST Survivors Act
Latest action (Dec 27, 2022): Became Public Law No: 117-300.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: House · Introduced: Mar 7, 2022
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML) · Embed in your story
- House Introduced Mar 7, 2022
- House Passed May 18, 2022 405–12
- Senate Passed Dec 19, 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