S. 2096 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jun 17, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens mental health support for transitioning service members
This bill requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide more mental health information and assistance to people leaving military service. Specifically, it expands counseling during the transition process to include details about suicide risk and other stressors that come with leaving the Armed Forces. It also expands the VA's outreach program for newly separated veterans to help them enroll in VA health care and learn about available mental health services.
How it affects you
If you're a service member preparing to leave the military or a veteran in your first year after separation, you'd receive more information about mental health support and suicide prevention resources available to you. The VA would also do more active outreach to help you understand and access counseling services during this transition period.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jun 17, 2025)
Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) to provide additional information and assistance related to mental health care to veterans in the Solid Start program and members of the Armed Forces in the Transition Assistance Program.
Specifically, the bill requires that counseling provided under DOD’s Transition Assistance Program include additional mental health information, including information about the risk of suicide and other potential stressors associated with separation from the Armed Forces.
The bill also expands the activities that must be carried out by the VA under the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from service. Specifically, under the program, the VA must (1) assist eligible veterans who elect to enroll in the VA health care system, and (2) educate veterans about mental health and counseling services available through the Veterans Health Administration.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2096
A BILL
Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) · Introduced Jun 17, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 17, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.”