H.R.3027 - Green Star Families Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3027, the Green Star Families Act, aims to provide counseling services to the next of kin and former volunteer caregivers of veterans who die by suicide. The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and administer this counseling program. It also includes provisions for public awareness and defines key terms such as 'next of kin' and 'former volunteer caregiver'.
Expected Effects
The bill would lead to the creation of a new counseling program within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program would offer support to individuals affected by the suicide of a veteran. The implementation deadline is set at 90 days after the enactment of the Act.
Potential Benefits
- Provides mental health support to those grieving the loss of a veteran to suicide.
- Offers services at no cost to the recipient, increasing accessibility.
- Aims to improve the well-being of families and caregivers of veterans.
- Allows the Secretary to partner with other entities to expand service reach.
- Increases public awareness of available resources through website publication.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential strain on the Department of Veterans Affairs budget.
- Possible challenges in ensuring equitable access to services across different geographic locations.
- Defining and verifying 'former volunteer caregiver' status may present administrative hurdles.
- The effectiveness of the counseling program is dependent on proper implementation and staffing.
- Limited scope, focusing solely on suicide-related grief, potentially overlooking other mental health needs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to support the well-being of veterans' families. Specifically, the Preamble states the goal to "promote the general Welfare". The bill's focus on mental health support can be seen as contributing to this goal. The establishment and funding of the counseling program fall under Congress's power to legislate for the common defense and provide for veterans, as implied in Article I, Section 8.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).