S. 2096 — Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act

This section revises the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense—required pre-separation counseling for transitioning service members—by expanding mandatory informational topics under 10 U.S.C. §1142(b)(11) to include mental health services availability; treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation; suicide risks and factors (e.g., adverse childhood experiences, homelessness); substance abuse resources; and separation-related stressors such as loss of community and isolation. It also expands the Solid Start Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs—outreach to recently separated veterans—under 38 U.S.C. §6320(b)(1) by adding requirements to assist eligible veterans with enrollment in VA health care under 38 U.S.C. §1705(a) and to educate them on Veterans Health Administration mental health and counseling services. Finally, this section requires the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly submit a report to the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees of the House and Senate, not later than one year after enactment, on information and materials developed pursuant to these amendments.