S. 216 118th Congress Senate

RESPECT Act of 2023

Official title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include services related to menta… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include services related to mental health and neurological disorders, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 26, 2023 Introduced by: Jerry Moran Republican · Kansas See on congress.gov

Armed Forces and National Security Family servicesHealth facilities and institutionsHealth promotion and preventive careMental health

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Neurological disordersVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Feb 16, 2023

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Feb 1, 2023

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

Feb 1, 2023

Introduced in Senate

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Latest action February 16, 2023

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Reinforcing Enhanced Support through Promoting Equity for Caregivers Act of 2023 or the RESPECT Act of 2023

This bill modifies the caregiver programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and addresses the provision of support for caregivers participating in such programs.

The bill expands (1) the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to include services related to neurological disorders and additional mental health services, and (2) the Program of General Caregiver Support Services to include services related to neurological disorders.

The VA must establish a process and requirements for its clinicians to document incidents in which veterans in the family caregiver program present at a facility for treatment for an emergent or urgent mental health crisis or are assessed to be at risk for suicide.

The bill sets forth the VA's process and requirements for determining or reassessing the eligibility of a veteran and caregiver for the family caregiver program, including with regard to the provision of documentation and evidence related to mental health, psychological trauma, or a neurological disorder. The VA must waive the reassessment requirement under specified circumstances, such as when a veteran's serious injury is caused by a degenerative or chronic condition.

The VA is authorized to award grants to implement, coordinate, improve, or enhance mental health counseling, treatment, or support for family caregivers of veterans participating in the family caregiver program.

The Government Accountability Office must report on the provision of mental health support to caregivers of veterans.

Related & companion bills 1

Bill text 1 version