This bill would change title 38 of the U.S. code to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure a suicide prevention coordinator is available at each Department medical center. The coordinator must be available, including outside the center's normal operating hours, when needed to accommodate a request for suicide prevention planning services. The bill also states that this requirement does not authorize hiring any additional full-time equivalent positions.
If you seek suicide prevention planning at a Department medical center, the bill would require that a suicide prevention coordinator be reachable to help you. This includes times when the medical center is closed, if a request requires it. The bill does not give permission to create new full-time jobs to meet this requirement.
No publicly available information on projected costs or funding for implementing this requirement. The text of the bill says it does not authorize hiring additional full-time equivalent positions.
Supporters say the bill would make suicide prevention help more timely and available at each medical center, including during off-hours. The bill's short title emphasizes timely intervention for mental health emergencies.
No publicly available information on opposition or specific objections in the provided text.