United States · Law · S
S. 785 (116th)
Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019
Introduced
13 March 2019
Last action
17 October 2020 · Became law
Status
Became Public Law No: 116-171.
Sponsors
Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT], Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [I-AZ], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA], Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA], Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA], Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Subjects
Healthcare, Defence
Source updated
28 May 2025
Summary
Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 This bill makes various updates related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transition assistance, mental health care, and telehealth care. First, the bill expands the VA's transition assistance efforts, including by expanding eligibility for VA hospital care and medical services to recently discharged or released veterans during the one-year period following their discharge or release from active service. Next, the bill requires the VA to make grants and take specific actions towards preventing veteran suicide. The bill requires the VA to conduct various studies, implement temporary programs, and issue updated guidelines related to the causes, diagnoses, and treatment of veterans' mental health issues. The VA must conduct a study and establish measurable goals related to the effectiveness of its suicide prevention and mental health outreach materials and campaigns. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to review and report on several of the VA's efforts, including the effort to integrate mental health care into VA primary care clinics. The bill makes several changes related to the VA's mental health workforce, including expanding direct hiring authority. Among other requirements, the VA must implement the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Service Scholarship Program and must address staffing shortages of psychiatrists and psychologists. Finally, the bill requires the VA to award grants to entities for the expansion of telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services to veterans. Additionally, the VA must assess current telehealth security protocols used by other entities and implement a standardized telehealth security protocol at VA facilities.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
13 March 2019
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Source: IntroReferral
13 March 2019
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
22 May 2019
Committee
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-179.
Source: Committee
29 January 2020
Reported
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
27 July 2020
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 498.
Source: Calendars
27 July 2020
Reported
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Source: Committee
27 July 2020
Reported
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Source: Committee
5 August 2020
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4921-4935)
Source: Floor
5 August 2020
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4961-4976)
Source: Floor
7 August 2020
Floor
Held at the desk.
Source: Floor
7 August 2020
Floor
Received in the House.
Source: Floor
7 August 2020
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
9 September 2020
Committee
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Source: Committee
23 September 2020
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
23 September 2020
Passed
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4734-4749)
Source: Floor
23 September 2020
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Source: Floor
23 September 2020
Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 785.
Source: Floor
23 September 2020
Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4734-4752)
Source: Floor
23 September 2020
Floor
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Source: Floor
6 October 2020
Floor
Presented to President.
Source: Floor
6 October 2020
President
Presented to President.
Source: President
17 October 2020
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
17 October 2020
President
Signed by President.
Source: President
17 October 2020
Became law
Became Public Law No: 116-171.
Source: President
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Enrolled Bill · — · Download file
- Public Law · 18 October 2020 · Download file
- Engrossed in Senate · 5 August 2020 · Download file
- Reported to Senate · 27 July 2020 · Download file
- Introduced in Senate · 13 March 2019 · Download file
Documents
15 official files
Enrolled Bill (text)
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Enrolled Bill (text)
Enrolled Bill · EN
Enrolled Bill (PDF)
Enrolled Bill · EN
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Public Law (text)
Public Law · EN · 18 October 2020
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Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 18 October 2020
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Public Law
summary · EN · 17 October 2020
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Passed House
summary · EN · 23 September 2020
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Engrossed in Senate (text)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 5 August 2020
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Engrossed in Senate (PDF)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 5 August 2020
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Passed Senate
summary · EN · 5 August 2020
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Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate · EN · 27 July 2020
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Reported to Senate (PDF)
Reported to Senate · EN · 27 July 2020
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Reported to Senate
summary · EN · 27 July 2020
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Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 March 2019
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Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 13 March 2019
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
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Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 13 March 2019
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Sponsors
- Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS] · R · Sponsor
- Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [I-AZ] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] · I · Sponsor
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · D · Cosponsor
Showing 48 of 55 sponsors and actors.
Related records
- related to → Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019
- related to ← To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a week as "Buddy Check Week" for the purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans, and for other purposes.
- related to ← To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the communications of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to services available for women veterans, and for other purposes.
- related to ← Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act of 2020
- related to ← To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care coverage provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs during the transition of members of the Armed Forces from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life, and for other purposes.
- related to ← VA Suicide Prevention Services Accountability Act
- related to ← CONTRACT Act of 2019
- related to ← Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019
- related to ← Promoting Coordination for Veteran Suicide Prevention Act of 2020
Showing 9 of 24 related records.
Related across the Repo ecosystem
Direct relationships are identifier-backed. Topic context means shared TopicMembership — not a citation and not causation.
Direct relationships
- Legal framework · Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 · S. 785 (116th) · US
- Identifier matchPROJECTS_FROM
Same us record 116-s-785 projected from PoliticalRepo US row.
Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/785
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/116/s/785
- us · 116-s-785 · source updated 28 May 2025