Policy on provider notification to commanders regarding imminent risk of suicide for members of the Armed Forces

(a) Policy Required Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement a policy throughout the Department of Defense regarding the notification of commanders when a health care provider determines that a member of the Armed Forces is at imminent risk of suicide. (b) Definition of imminent risk (1) In general As part of the policy required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a clear and standardized definition of imminent risk of suicide for purposes of the military health system. (2) Elements of definition The definition required under paragraph (1) shall— (A) be informed by evidence-based clinical standards and suicide risk assessment practices; (B) account for the presence of suicidal ideation, intent, plan, access to means, and temporal proximity of potential self-harm; (C) distinguish between acute, immediate risk and non-immediate or chronic suicide risk; and (D) allow for the exercise of professional clinical judgment in individual cases. (c) Elements The policy required under subsection (a) shall— (1) establish clear and standardized criteria for determining when a member of the Armed Forces is at imminent risk of suicide, consistent with evidence-based clinical practices; (2) require timely notification to the appropriate commander when such a determination is made, while ensuring that only the minimum necessary information is disclosed to protect the privacy of the member; (3) define the roles and responsibilities of health care providers, commanders, and other relevant personnel in responding to such notifications; (4) ensure that such notifications are made in a manner that supports the safety and well-being of the member, including coordination of appropriate interventions and support services; (5) incorporate procedures to safeguard the confidentiality of protected health information consistent with section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Privacy Act of 1974), and applicable regulations of the Department of Defense; (6) provide guidance on documentation and accountability for decisions relating to such notifications; and (7) include mechanisms to ensure that such notifications do not result in inappropriate adverse personnel actions solely on the basis of a mental health condition. (d) Training and implementation The Secretary shall ensure that— (1) health care providers within the military health system receive training on the policy developed under subsection (a), including criteria for determining imminent risk and procedures for notification of commanders; (2) commanders receive training on appropriate responses to such notifications, including how to support members of the Armed Forces while maintaining good order and discipline; and (3) health professionals within the military health system in patient care positions receive training on— (A) how to respond when a member of the Armed Forces initiates the referral process under section 1090b(e) of title 10, United States Code; and (B) how to recognize signs indicating mental health distress and imminent risk of suicide. (e) Coordination In developing the policy required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) the Director of the Defense Health Agency; (2) the Surgeons General of the Armed Forces; and (3) other relevant stakeholders, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (f) Briefing to Congress Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing that includes— (1) a description of the policy developed under subsection (a); (2) an assessment of implementation of such policy across the Armed Forces; (3) a description of any identified challenges or barriers to such implementation; and (4) recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve suicide prevention efforts of the Department of Defense.