II
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3368
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 9, 2021
Mr. Cornyn introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the VITAL Assessment Act of 2021
.
Veterans integration to academic leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Report
In general
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Contents
The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
The number of medical centers of the Department, institutions of higher learning, noncollege degree programs, and student veterans supported by the program, and relevant trends since the program began.
The staff and resources allocated to the program, and relevant trends since the program began.
An assessment of the outcomes and effectiveness of the program in—
supporting student veterans;
connecting student veterans to needed services of the Department or services provided by non-Department entities;
addressing the mental health needs of student veterans;
lowering the suicide risk of student veterans; and
helping student veterans achieve educational goals.
An assessment of barriers to expanding the program and how the Secretary intends to address such barriers.
An assessment of whether the program should be expanded outside of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to support student veterans with needs unrelated to mental health or suicide.
Uniform best practices, goals, and measures
The Secretary shall establish best practices, goals, and measures for the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department that are uniform among the medical centers of the Department.
Outreach
The Secretary shall conduct outreach among the Armed Forces, veterans service organizations, institutions of higher learning, and non-college degree programs with respect to the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department.
Assessment
The Secretary shall assess the feasibility and advisability of including the suicide rate for student veterans in the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department.
Definitions
In this section:
Institution of higher learning
The term institution of higher learning has the meaning given that term in section 3452 of title 38, United States Code.
Student veteran
The term student veteran means the following:
A veteran or member of the Armed Forces using educational assistance under any of the following provisions of law:
Chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, United States Code.
Section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note).
Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note prec.).
A veteran who is enrolled in an institution of higher learning or other training program, without regard to whether the veteran is using educational assistance specified in subparagraph (A).
