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Justin Bailey Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008

Introduced: March 6, 2008 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 2008
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 20, 2008
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20, 2008
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4193-4194)
May 20, 2008
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4193-4194)
May 20, 2008
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5554.
May 20, 2008
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4193-4196)
May 20, 2008
Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 15, 2008
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 400.
May 15, 2008
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-639.
Apr 30, 2008
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 30, 2008
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 23, 2008
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Apr 23, 2008
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 15, 2008
Committee Hearings Held.
Apr 15, 2008
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 7, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 6, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 6, 2008
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 15, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Justin Bailey Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008 - Requires each substance use disorder treatment plan developed by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center to ensure that such center provides ready access to a full continuum of care for substance use disorders for veterans in need of such care. Includes under a full continuum of care: (1) screening for substance use disorder; (2) detoxification and stabilization; (3) intensive outpatient care; (4) relapse prevention; (5) outpatient counseling; (6) residential substance use disorder treatment; (7) pharmacological treatment to reduce cravings and opioid substitution therapy; (8) coordination with groups providing peer-to-peer counseling; (9) short-term, early interventions for substance use disorders; and (10) marital and family counseling. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide outreach to veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom to increase awareness of the availability of such care.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that amounts made available to the VA for substance use disorder care, treatment, and services are allocated to ensure a full continuum of such care to veterans regardless of the location of their residence; and (2) include in annual budget reports a report on such care, treatment, and services. Requires: (1) each such report to be reviewed by the Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans; and (2) the Committee to provide an independent assessment of such care, treatment, and services furnished directly by the VA to veterans.

Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program to test the feasibility and advisability of providing veterans who seek treatment for substance use disorders with access to a computer-based self-assessment, education, and specific treatment program through a secure Internet website operated by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a pilot program report from the Secretary to Congress.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a review of all residential mental health care facilities, including domiciliary facilities, of the Veterans Health Administration; and (2) report review results to the congressional veterans' committees.

States that this Act is in tribute to Justin Bailey, who, after returning to the United States from service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, died in a VA domiciliary facility while receiving care for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a substance use disorder.

What's happening now May 21, 2008

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3