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To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-1954| House 
| Updated: 4/24/2017
Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree

Democratic Representative

Maine

Cosponsors (16)
Ruben Gallego (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Niki Tsongas (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Scott H. Peters (Democratic)Bruce Poliquin (Republican)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Elizabeth H. Esty (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Military Personnel Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2017 This bill expands Department of Defense (DOD) sexual trauma counseling and treatment to include: (1) cyber harassment of a sexual nature, and (2) members of the Armed Forces on active duty for training or inactive duty training. The bill sets forth the standard of proof, which may be rebutted, in the case of a veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition was incurred in or aggravated by military sexual trauma during active service. The reasons for granting or denying service-connection in each case shall be recorded in full. DOD shall ensure that: (1) in a compensation claim for post-traumatic stress disorder based on sexual assault, battery, cyber harassment, or harassment experienced during active military service, non-DOD evidence may corroborate the veteran's account of such assault, battery, or harassment; and (2) behavior changes may be considered as corroborating evidence. DOD shall: (1) report annually through 2027 on submitted claims to identify and track the consistency of decisions across regional offices, (2) inform members of the Armed Forces of their eligibility for services at Vet Centers, and (3) ensure that Sexual Assault Response Coordinators advise members of the Armed Forces who report instances of military sexual trauma about their eligibility for Vet Center services.
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Timeline
Apr 5, 2017
Introduced in House
Apr 5, 2017
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 6, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Apr 24, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Jul 11, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-833
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
  • April 5, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • April 5, 2017
    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • April 6, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • April 24, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.


  • July 11, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-833
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 115-833: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.
Assault and harassment offensesCongressional oversightCrimes against womenCriminal justice information and recordsDisability assistanceEvidence and witnessesHealth information and medical recordsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMental healthMilitary education and trainingMilitary personnel and dependentsSex offensesSexually transmitted diseasesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensationWomen's health

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-1954| House 
| Updated: 4/24/2017
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2017 This bill expands Department of Defense (DOD) sexual trauma counseling and treatment to include: (1) cyber harassment of a sexual nature, and (2) members of the Armed Forces on active duty for training or inactive duty training. The bill sets forth the standard of proof, which may be rebutted, in the case of a veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition was incurred in or aggravated by military sexual trauma during active service. The reasons for granting or denying service-connection in each case shall be recorded in full. DOD shall ensure that: (1) in a compensation claim for post-traumatic stress disorder based on sexual assault, battery, cyber harassment, or harassment experienced during active military service, non-DOD evidence may corroborate the veteran's account of such assault, battery, or harassment; and (2) behavior changes may be considered as corroborating evidence. DOD shall: (1) report annually through 2027 on submitted claims to identify and track the consistency of decisions across regional offices, (2) inform members of the Armed Forces of their eligibility for services at Vet Centers, and (3) ensure that Sexual Assault Response Coordinators advise members of the Armed Forces who report instances of military sexual trauma about their eligibility for Vet Center services.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 5, 2017
Introduced in House
Apr 5, 2017
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 6, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Apr 24, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Jul 11, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-833
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
  • April 5, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • April 5, 2017
    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • April 6, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • April 24, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.


  • July 11, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-833
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree

Democratic Representative

Maine

Cosponsors (16)
Ruben Gallego (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Niki Tsongas (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Scott H. Peters (Democratic)Bruce Poliquin (Republican)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Elizabeth H. Esty (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Military Personnel Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 115-833: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Assault and harassment offensesCongressional oversightCrimes against womenCriminal justice information and recordsDisability assistanceEvidence and witnessesHealth information and medical recordsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMental healthMilitary education and trainingMilitary personnel and dependentsSex offensesSexually transmitted diseasesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensationWomen's health