38 U.S.C. § 221

PILOT PROGRAMS.

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“(a)Extended Safety Planning Pilot Program for Veterans Crisis Line.—“(1)In general.—Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to determine whether a lengthier, templated safety plan used in clinical settings could be applied in call centers for the Veterans Crisis Line.“(2)Briefing.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to Congress a briefing on the findings of the Secretary under the pilot program conducted under paragraph (1), which shall include any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program.“(b)Crisis Line Facilitation Pilot Program.—“(1)In general.—Commencing not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program on the use of crisis line facilitation to increase use of the Veterans Crisis Line among high-risk veterans.“(2)Briefing.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to Congress a briefing on the findings of the Secretary under the pilot program under paragraph (1), including any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program.“(3)Definitions.—In this section:“(A) The term ‘crisis line facilitation’, with respect to a high-risk veteran, means the presentation by a therapist of psychoeducational information about the Veterans Crisis Line and a discussion of the perceived barriers and facilitators to future use of the Veterans Crisis Line for the veteran, which culminates in the veteran calling the Veterans Crisis Line with the therapist to provide firsthand experiences that may counter negative impressions of the Veterans Crisis Line.“(B) The term ‘high-risk veteran’ means a veteran receiving inpatient mental health care following a suicidal crisis.