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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.

USA115th CongressS-833| Senate 
| Updated: 7/11/2017
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (15)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Al Franken (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs 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 Senate
Apr 5, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-1954
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Jul 11, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
  • April 5, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 5, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-1954
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.


  • July 11, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 115-1954: 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

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.

USA115th CongressS-833| Senate 
| Updated: 7/11/2017
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 Senate
Apr 5, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-1954
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Jul 11, 2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
  • April 5, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 5, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-1954
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.


  • July 11, 2017
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (15)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Al Franken (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 115-1954: 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