H.R. 2942 — What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act

This section amends VA program evaluation requirements under 38 U.S.C. 527 to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe regulations establishing standard practices—unless prohibited by law—for grant programs or pilot programs relating to suicide prevention or mental health carried out through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Such practices include (1) establishing clear and measurable objectives; (2) developing a methodology and plan to determine necessary evaluation information, identify collection sources, methods, timing, and frequency, analyze program implementation, performance, and lessons learned, and set criteria for decisions on program expansion, extension, or permanence; (3) communicating program objectives, assessment methodology, and evaluation plan to relevant entities during development, at least 30 days prior to program start, and throughout the program term; (4) performing a concluding evaluation to validate lessons learned and assess generalizability; and (5) sharing results and best practices with relevant entities. The regulations must be prescribed not later than 180 days after enactment and apply to all such programs regardless of establishment date.