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HR 6961 117th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Administrative remedies Assault and harassment offenses Crime victims Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency medical services and trauma care Government studies and investigations Medical tests and diagnostic methods Sex offenses Veterans' medical care Veterans' pensions and compensation

Dignity for MST Survivors Act

Introduced: March 8, 2022 Introduced by: Mrvan, Frank J. Democratic · Indiana See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 27, 2022
Became Public Law No: 117-300.
Dec 27, 2022
Signed by President.
Dec 23, 2022
Presented to President.
Dec 20, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 19, 2022
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 19, 2022
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7302-7303)
Dec 19, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
May 19, 2022
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 18, 2022
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5142)
May 18, 2022
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 18, 2022
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 12 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H5107)
May 18, 2022
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 18, 2022
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6961.
May 18, 2022
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5107-5108)
May 18, 2022
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 6, 2022
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Apr 6, 2022
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
Apr 6, 2022
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 28, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Mar 7, 2022
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 7, 2022
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 18, 2022 House · vote #216 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 405–12 See who voted →
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This act modifies communications and procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) regarding claims for compensation based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced by veterans.

The act requires the VA to ensure each member of the BVA is offered annual training on MST and proceedings that concern a claim for compensation based on MST. A proceeding that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST may not be assigned to a member of the BVA (or a panel of members) unless such persons have completed the annual training.

When a notice of disagreement is filed, the BVA must promptly determine whether it is filed for a case that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST and for which the appellant has requested a hearing in the notice.

The VA must audit the language used in letters sent to individuals to explain decisions denying claims for compensation based on MST. Letters must be modified to ensure (1) the use of trauma-informed language, and (2) veterans are not retraumatized through insensitive language.

The VA must establish protocols for VA medical providers and contract medical providers to ensure that the medical providers use trauma-informed practices in conducting examinations in relation to claims for compensation based on MST.

What's happening now December 27, 2022

Became Public Law No: 117-300.

 Bill text 5 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 3
D
Levin, Mike
California · Mar 28, 2022
 D
Pappas, Chris
New Hampshire · Mar 21, 2022
Trone, David
· Mar 9, 2022
 D
Underwood, Lauren
Illinois · Mar 8, 2022
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6961: Dignity for MST Survivors Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6961/
MLA
"H.R. 6961: Dignity for MST Survivors Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6961/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6961, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6961/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6961: Dignity for MST Survivors Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6961/)
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