Pilot program to provide mental health care to incarcerated veterans

(a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to furnish mental health care to incarcerated veterans (in this section referred to as the pilot program), with a priority given to veterans with a service-connected disability relating to— (1) post-traumatic stress disorder; (2) traumatic brain injury; or (3) military sexual trauma. (b) Locations The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than five facilities, which shall— (1) represent large and small facilities and urban and rural settings; and (2) have separate housing units for veterans that have already been established by the facility. (c) Coordination The Secretary shall develop the pilot program in coordination with relevant State or Federal agencies responsible for the incarceration of veterans. (d) Services To be provided (1) In general In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide to incarcerated veterans telemental health services, if the facility at which the veteran is incarcerated has necessary infrastructure for the provision of such services. (2) Other services If the provision of telemental health services under paragraph (1) is not feasible, the Secretary shall provide to incarcerated veterans under the pilot program— (A) mental health services through the use of mobile mental health units close to the facility at which the veteran is incarcerated through the Department of Veterans Affairs or a Vet Center; or (B) mental health services through other means, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (3) Copayment The Secretary shall not charge a copayment for the receipt of services under the pilot program. (e) Health care providers (1) Direct care The Secretary shall furnish mental health care under the pilot program through the use of health care providers of the Department and may not use non-Department health care providers. (2) Treatment and assessment A health care provider providing mental health care under the pilot program shall provide treatment and assessment of medical conditions and is not to provide assessment or evaluation of current or future disability claims. (3) Hub In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall create a hub of health care providers that— (A) only provide care to incarcerated veterans; and (B) operate separate from any medical facility or Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department. (f) Furnishing of care The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program notwithstanding section 1710(h) of title 38, United States Code. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Incarcerated veteran The term incarcerated veteran means a veteran who is incarcerated in a Federal, State, local, or other penal institution or correctional facility. (2) Military sexual trauma The term military sexual trauma means sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced by an individual during service in the Armed Forces. (3) Service-connected; veteran The terms service-connected and veteran have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (4) Vet Center The term Vet Center has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of such title.