Summary: Heroes at Home Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a program on training and certification of family caregivers of veterans and members with traumatic brain injury (TBI); and (2) conduct outreach to enhance awareness of veterans and the public about the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and TBI and the services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with such symptoms. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) establish a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of using telehealth technology to assess cognitive functioning of members who have sustained head trauma in order to improve their diagnosis and treatment; and (2) conduct an ongoing study of all matters relating to the telehealth and telemental health services of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

heroes home act directs secretary veterans_affairs establish program training certification family caregivers veterans members traumatic brain injury tbi conduct outreach enhance awareness veterans public symptoms post traumatic stress disorder ptsd tbi services provided department_of_veterans_affairs veterans symptoms directs secretaries defense veterans_affairs jointly establish demonstration project assess feasibility advisability telehealth technology assess cognitive functioning members sustained head trauma order improve diagnosis treatment conduct ongoing study matters relating telehealth telemental health services departments_of_defense veterans_affairs


Summary: Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase the authorization of appropriations for the grant program for adult and juvenile collaboration for access to adequate mental health treatment and to extend such funding through FY2014. Directs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applications that promote effective strategies to identify and treat mentally-ill offenders and meet other criteria.(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes and tribal organizations for training programs and other services to assist law enforcement officers and campus security personnel in responding appropriately to incidents involving mentally-ill individuals. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2014. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes and tribal organizations to provide services to female offenders with a mental illness, including mental health treatment, intensive case management services, and family support services. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2014. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes and tribal organizations to provide services for mentally-ill offenders, including: (1) assistance to correctional facilities for identifying mentally-ill offenders and for providing treatment plans for them; (2) local task forces to assist such offenders in reentry into the community; (3) housing options for such offenders; (4) development of community crisis services; and (5) links with local community mental health providers for assisting mentally-ill offenders with services prior to release from a correctional facility. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2014.(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to assist states, local governments, territories, and Indian tribes in planning and coordinating treatment programs for offenders with mental illnesses. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013.(Sec. 8) Reauthorizes the mental health courts grant program for FY2008-FY2014. Expands the permissible uses of grant funds to include pre-trial services and programs to provide alternatives to incarceration for offenders with mental illnesses.(Sec. 9) Directs the Attorney General to provide for a study of the rate of occurrence of serious mental illnesses in individuals (including juveniles) on probation, incarcerated in a jail or prison, or on parole. Requires such study to identify the percentage of individuals with serious mental illnesses who, at the time of arrest, were eligible to receive social security disability or Medicaid benefits or who were homeless. Requires the Attorney General to submit a report to Congress on such study within 18 months after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 to carry out such study.

mentally ill offender treatment improvement act sec amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act increase authorization appropriations grant program adult juvenile collaboration access adequate mental health treatment extend funding fy2014 directs attorney general priority grant applications promote effective strategies identify treat mentally ill offenders meet authorizes attorney general grants states local governments indian tribes tribal organizations training programs services assist law enforcement officers campus security personnel responding appropriately incidents involving mentally ill individuals authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2014 sec authorizes attorney general grants states local governments indian tribes tribal organizations provide services female offenders mental illness including mental health treatment intensive case management services family support services authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2014 sec authorizes attorney general grants states local governments indian tribes tribal organizations provide services mentally ill offenders including assistance correctional facilities identifying mentally ill offenders providing treatment plans local task forces assist offenders reentry community housing options offenders development community crisis services links local community mental health providers assisting mentally ill offenders services prior release correctional facility authorizes appropriations fy2008 authorizes attorney general grants assist states local governments territories indian tribes planning coordinating treatment programs offenders mental illnesses authorizes appropriations fy2008 reauthorizes mental health courts grant program fy2008 fy2014 expands permissible uses grant funds include pre trial services programs provide alternatives incarceration offenders mental directs attorney general provide study rate occurrence mental illnesses individuals including juveniles probation incarcerated jail prison parole requires study identify percentage individuals mental illnesses time arrest eligible receive social security disability medicaid benefits homeless requires attorney general submit report congress study months enactment act authorizes appropriations fy2009 carry study


Summary: Christopher Van Der Horn Military Survivors Mental Health Access Act - Declares that preadmission authorization is not required for the first sixteen outpatient mental health visits for a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces who died while eligible to receive hostile fire pay or from a disease or injury incurred while eligible for such pay.

authorization required outpatient mental health visits dependent member armed_forces died eligible receive hostile fire pay disease injury incurred eligible pay


Summary: Rural Veterans Health Care Access Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to establish and implement a pilot program to provide mental health counseling services to eligible veterans at non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. Defines "eligible veteran" as one who: (1) served on active duty in support of a contingency operation; (2) is eligible to receive hospital care and medical services; (3) has been diagnosed with a mental health condition and recommended to receive mental health counseling; and (4) resides at least 30 miles from a VA medical facility that employs a full-time mental health professional. Requires the Secretary to issue to an eligible veteran a six-month supply of vouchers to be used to pay for counseling (including family counseling) services provided by the mental health provider. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the pilot program.

directs secretary veterans_affairs secretary establish implement pilot program provide mental health counseling services eligible veterans non-department_of_veterans_affairs medical facilities defines eligible veteran served active duty support contingency operation eligible receive hospital care medical services diagnosed mental health condition recommended receive mental health counseling resides miles medical facility employs time mental health professional requires secretary issue eligible veteran month supply vouchers pay counseling including family counseling services provided mental health provider requires secretary conduct study effectiveness pilot program


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act to extend until December 31, 2008, mental health parity provisions, which require group health plans to treat equally mental health benefits and medical and surgical benefits for purposes of lifetime limits or annual limits on benefits covered by the plan.Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to take all necessary steps to participate in the Federal Payment Levy Program as soon as possible and ensure that: (1) at least 50% of all payments under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) are processed through such program within one year after enactment of this Act; (2) at least 75% of all such payments are processed through such program within two years; and (3) all such payments are processed through such program by September 30, 2011.Requires the Financial Management Service and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide assistance to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure that all payments are included in the Federal Payment Levy Program by the deadlines specified.Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offset Medicare payments by the amount of the payee's delinquent federal debt.Requires the Secretary of HHS to provide for specified expenditures from the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund for payment for physicians' services.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer specified funds from general revenues to Social Security trust funds to ensure that assets of such trust funds are not reduced as a result of enactment of this Act.

amends internal revenue code employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act extend december mental health parity provisions require group health plans treat equally mental health benefits medical surgical benefits purposes lifetime limits annual limits benefits covered plan amends title xviii medicare social security act direct centers necessary steps participate soon possible ensure payments parts processed program year enactment act payments processed program years payments processed program september internal_revenue_service irs provide assistance ensure payments included federal payment levy program deadlines specified directs department_of_health_and_human_services hhs offset medicare payments payee delinquent federal debt requires secretary hhs provide specified expenditures physician assistance quality initiative fund payment physicians services directs secretary treasury transfer specified funds general revenues social_security trust funds ensure assets trust funds reduced result enactment act


Summary: Stop Senior Suicide Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Interagency Geriatric Mental Health Planning Council to coordinate and collaborate on the planning for the delivery of mental health services, to include suicide prevention, to older adults.Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase, through 2014 (when it will not be limited), payment for the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient of a hospital at the time such expenses are incurred.Requires the Secretary to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to develop strategies for addressing suicide among the elderly.Revises provisions requiring centers to provide appropriate information, training, and technical assistance on youth suicide to require such information, training, and assistance on suicide among all ages, particularly for groups that are at a high risk for suicide. Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out such changes.

stop senior suicide act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish coordinate collaborate planning delivery mental health services include suicide prevention older adults amends title xviii medicare social security act increase limited payment treatment mental personality disorders individual inpatient hospital time expenses incurred requires secretary award grants cooperative agreements eligible entities develop strategies addressing suicide elderly revises provisions requiring centers provide appropriate information training technical assistance youth suicide require information training assistance suicide ages particularly groups high risk suicide authorizes additional appropriations carry changes


Summary: Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities for the construction or modernization of facilities to provide mental health and behavioral health services to individuals. Defines an "eligible entity" as: (1) a state that is the recipient of a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant under such Act; or (2) an Indian tribe or a tribal organization. Includes among grant application requirements assurances that facilities will be used for not less than 10 years for community-based mental health or substance abuse services for those who cannot pay for such services. Permits a grant recipient to request permission to transfer such 10-year obligation to another facility.Authorizes a state that receives a grant to award a subgrant to a qualified community program for activities such as: (1) the construction, expansion, and modernization of mental and behavioral health facilities; and (2) the construction and structural modification of facilities to permit the integrated delivery of behavioral health and primary care of specialty medical services to individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses and chronic medical or surgical diseases at a single service site.Requires a grant recipient to agree to make available nonfederal contributions matching federal funds provided.

authorize secretary health_and_human_services award grants eligible entities construction modernization facilities provide mental health behavioral health services individuals defines eligible entity state recipient community_mental_health_services block grant substance abuse prevention treatment block grant act indian tribe tribal organization includes grant application requirements assurances facilities years community based mental health substance abuse services pay services permits grant recipient request permission transfer year obligation facility authorizes state receives grant award subgrant qualified community program activities construction expansion modernization mental behavioral health facilities construction structural modification facilities permit integrated delivery behavioral health primary care specialty medical services individuals occurring mental illnesses chronic medical surgical diseases single service site requires grant recipient agree available nonfederal contributions matching federal funds provided


Summary: Community Mental Health Services Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for: (1) services to children, adults, and older adults with mental illnesses who have co-occurring primary care conditions and chronic diseases through the co-location of primary and specialty medical care in community-based mental and behavioral health settings; (2) programs to address behavioral and mental health workforce needs in professional shortage areas; (3) expanding behavioral and mental health education and training programs; (4) tele-mental health in medically-underserved areas; and (5) developing and implementing a plan to ensure that the National Health Information Infrastructure meets the needs of mental health and substance abuse providers.Provides for reports to Congress on: (1) the paperwork burden on community mental health providers; and (2) the compensation structure for such providers.

community_mental_health_services improvement act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services award grants services children adults older adults mental illnesses occurring primary care conditions chronic diseases location primary specialty medical care community based mental behavioral health settings programs address behavioral mental health workforce needs professional shortage areas expanding behavioral mental health education training programs tele mental health medically underserved areas developing implementing plan ensure meets needs mental health substance abuse providers provides reports congress paperwork burden community mental health providers compensation structure providers


Summary: Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to undertake specified actions to enhance the suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense (DOD), including: (1) suicide prevention training for all members of the Armed Forces and DOD civilian health care community and family support professionals; and (2) a suicide prevention outreach program throughout the Armed Forces and military family communities. Directs the Secretary to provide readjustment assistance to spouses and parents of members returning from deployments, including information on: (1) ways to identify signs and symptoms of risk factors for suicide; and (2) the national suicide prevention hotline and other suicide prevention resources. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements to identify and implement within DOD strategies for: (1) the recruitment and retention of qualified military behavioral health professionals to provide mental health services, and substance abuse disorder prevention and treatment services, to members; and (2) reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.

directs secretary defense undertake specified actions enhance suicide prevention programs department_of_defense dod including suicide prevention training members armed_forces dod civilian health care community family support professionals suicide prevention outreach program armed_forces military family communities directs secretary provide readjustment assistance spouses parents members returning deployments including information ways identify signs symptoms risk factors suicide national suicide prevention hotline suicide prevention resources authorizes secretary award grants enter cooperative agreements identify implement dod strategies recruitment retention qualified military behavioral health professionals provide mental health services substance abuse disorder prevention treatment services members reducing stigma associated seeking mental health treatment


Summary: Global Autism Assistance Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish and administer a health and education grant program (Global Autism Assistance Program) to: (1) support activities by nongovernmental organizations and other service providers, including advocacy groups, focused on autism in developing countries; and (2) establish a "teach the teachers" program to train health and education professionals working with autistic children in developing countries.

directs administrator united_states_agency international_development usaid establish administer health education grant program support activities nongovernmental organizations service providers including advocacy groups focused autism developing countries establish teach teachers program train health education professionals working autistic children developing countries


Summary: National Guard and Reserve Mental Health Access Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide for the implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for members of the National Guard and reserves and their families required by section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) report to the congressional defense committees on that Program's implementation. Directs the Secretary to carry out a joint psychological health program to: (1) increase access to and the provision of psychological health care and related services for members of the National Guard following their deployment, and their families; (2) improve coordination among DOD components in the provision of such care during members' transition from active duty to civilian life; and (3) coordinate and oversee DOD efforts to assist members of the National Guard with mental illness and members with traumatic brain injury post-deployment. Requires the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to establish the National Guard Psychological Health Council. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly carry out: (1) one or more pilot programs on the provision of mental health services to members of the National Guard and reserves, both before and after deployment, through telemental health technologies; and (2) an outreach program intended to reduce the stigma, among members of the National Guard and reserves returning from deployment, and their families, associated with seeking and obtaining mental health services. Requires the Secretary, as part of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, to assign community outreach coordinators to assist members of the National Guard and reserves returning from deployment.

requires secretary defense provide implementation yellow ribbon reintegration program members national_guard reserves families required section national defense authorization act fiscal year later days date enactment act report congressional defense committees program implementation directs secretary carry joint psychological health program increase access provision psychological health care related services members national_guard following deployment families improve coordination dod components provision care members transition active duty civilian life coordinate oversee dod efforts assist members national_guard mental illness members traumatic brain injury post deployment requires chief national_guard_bureau establish directs secretaries defense veterans_affairs jointly carry pilot programs provision mental health services members national_guard reserves deployment telemental health technologies outreach program intended reduce stigma members national_guard reserves returning deployment families associated seeking obtaining mental health services requires secretary yellow_ribbon_reintegration_program assign community outreach coordinators assist members national_guard reserves returning deployment


Summary: Honoring Our Nation's Obligation to Returning Warriors Act or HONOR Warriors Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing education or training in behavioral health care specialties that are critical to the operations of Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans) in order to recruit and retain individuals with such specialties for service in Vet Centers. Conditions the scholarship agreeing to serve in such a capacity for whatever period the Secretary specifies in the agreement. Makes any Armed Forces member who serves in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers regardless of whether the member is on active duty at the time of receipt of counseling and services. Directs the Secretary, on receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the individual's rights to apply for review of the discharge or release. Treats the suicide of a former member that occurs within two years after separation or retirement, if the member had a medical history of a combat-related mental health condition, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), as a death in line of duty for purposes of the survivors' eligibility to burial benefits and benefits under the Survivor Benefit Plan, laws administered by the Secretary, and the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces and deceased veterans through the survivors' peers. Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of various means of enhancing awareness among members of the Army of PTSD.

honoring nation honor warriors act directs secretary veterans_affairs provide scholarships individuals pursuing education training behavioral health care specialties critical operations vet_centers centers readjustment counseling related mental health services veterans order recruit retain individuals specialties service vet_centers conditions scholarship agreeing serve capacity period secretary specifies agreement makes armed_forces member serves operation iraqi freedom operation enduring freedom eligible readjustment counseling related mental health services vet_centers regardless member active duty time receipt counseling services directs secretary receipt request counseling individual discharged released active service provide referrals assist individual obtaining mental health care services outside department_of_veterans_affairs pertinent advise individual individual rights apply review discharge release treats suicide member occurs years separation retirement member medical history combat related mental health condition post traumatic stress disorder ptsd traumatic brain injury tbi death line duty purposes survivors eligibility burial benefits benefits survivor benefit plan laws administered secretary social security act directs secretary defense award grants nonprofit organizations provide emotional support services survivors deceased members armed_forces deceased veterans survivors peers directs secretary army carry fort carson colorado fort leonard wood missouri pilot program assess feasibility advisability means enhancing awareness members army ptsd


Summary: Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization of 2008 - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program through FY2015 and to revise program requirements to: (1) provide for competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to assist in locating missing patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; (2) expand such program to include locating other missing elderly individuals; (3) require the Attorney General to solicit grants for program applications in the Federal Register and on the Department of Justice (DOJ) website; and (4) establish a preference in awarding grants to national nonprofit organizations that have a direct link to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their families (currently, grants may be awarded to only such organizations).

missing alzheimer disease patient alert program reauthorization amends violent crime control law enforcement act reauthorize missing alzheimer disease patient alert program fy2015 revise program requirements provide competitive grants nonprofit organizations assist locating missing patients alzheimer disease related dementias expand program include locating missing elderly individuals require attorney general solicit grants program applications federal_register department_of_justice doj website establish preference awarding grants national nonprofit organizations direct link patients alzheimer disease related dementias families currently grants awarded organizations


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a four-year pilot program to provide outreach and training services related to the mental health of veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to counseling centers, student health or wellness centers, or student services centers at colleges or universities with large enrollments of such veterans.

directs secretary veterans_affairs carry year pilot program provide outreach training services related mental health veterans operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom counseling centers student health wellness centers student services centers colleges universities large enrollments veterans


Summary: Helping Those Who Serve Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project (project) designed to: (1) increase access of members of the Armed Forces (members) returning from deployment abroad, and their families, to accessible, safe, and confidential mental health counseling; (2) reduce the stigma and career repercussions associated with seeking such services; and (3) make high-quality mental health services more user-friendly to such members and their families. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a Special Working Group to develop guidelines and recommendations to ensure the protection of confidentiality for members participating in the project; (2) establish an advisory group to oversee project implementation; (3) submit project reports to the congressional defense committees; and (4) conduct a study of reasons for attrition among military mental health professionals, and make recommendations to increase the recruitment and retention of such individuals.

helping serve act directs secretary defense conduct demonstration project project designed increase access members armed_forces members returning deployment abroad families accessible safe confidential mental health counseling reduce stigma career associated seeking services high quality mental health services user friendly members families requires secretary establish develop guidelines recommendations ensure protection confidentiality members participating project establish advisory group oversee project implementation submit project reports congressional defense committees conduct study reasons attrition military mental health professionals recommendations increase recruitment retention individuals


Summary: Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits to ensure that: (1) the financial requirements, such as deductibles and copayments, applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan; (2) there are no separate cost sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits; (3) the treatment limitations applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan; and (4) there are no separate treatment limitations that are applicable only with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits.Requires the criteria for medical necessity determinations and the reason for any denial of reimbursement or payment for services made under the plan with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits to be made available by the plan administrator.Requires the plan to provide out-of network coverage for mental health or substance use disorder benefits if the plan provides coverage for medical or surgical benefits provided by out-of network providers.Exempts from the requirements of this Act a group health plan if the application of this Act results in an increase for the plan year of the actual total costs of coverage with respect to medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits by an amount that exceeds 2% for the first plan year and 1% for each subsequent plan year. Requires determinations as to increases in actual costs under a plan to be made and certified by a qualified and licensed actuary. Requires determinations for such an exemption to be made after such plan has complied with this Act for the first six months of the plan year.Sets forth requirements for notifications of exemptions under this Act, including notification of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the appropriate state agencies, and participants and beneficiaries in the plan.Authorizes the Secretary and the appropriate state agency to audit the books and records of a group health plan relating to an exemption.Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to the appropriate congressional committees on compliance of group health plans with the requirements of this Act; and (2) publish guidance and information concerning the requirements of this Act and provide assistance concerning such requirements and the continued operation of applicable state law. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the specific rates, patterns, and trends in coverage and exclusion of specific mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses by health plans and health insurance.(Sec. 3) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) delay until 2013 the application of special rules for the worldwide allocation of interest for purposes of computing the limitation on the foreign tax credit; and (2) increase the amount of interest allocable to sources within the United States from 30 to 85% in the first taxable year in which the worldwide allocation of interest applies.

equity act sec amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act internal revenue code require group health plan provides medical surgical benefits mental health substance use disorder benefits ensure financial requirements deductibles copayments applicable mental health substance use disorder benefits restrictive predominant financial requirements applied substantially medical surgical benefits covered plan separate cost sharing requirements applicable respect mental health substance use disorder benefits treatment limitations applicable mental health substance use disorder benefits restrictive predominant treatment limitations applied substantially medical surgical benefits covered plan separate treatment limitations applicable respect mental health substance use disorder benefits requires criteria medical necessity determinations reason denial reimbursement payment services plan respect mental health substance use disorder benefits available plan administrator requires plan provide network coverage mental health substance use disorder benefits plan provides coverage medical surgical benefits provided network providers exempts requirements act group health plan application act results increase plan year actual total costs coverage respect medical surgical benefits mental health substance use disorder benefits exceeds plan year subsequent plan year requires determinations increases actual costs plan certified qualified licensed actuary requires determinations exemption plan complied act months plan year sets forth requirements notifications exemptions act including notification secretary health_and_human_services appropriate state agencies participants beneficiaries plan authorizes secretary appropriate state agency audit books records group health plan relating exemption directs secretary report appropriate congressional committees compliance group health plans requirements act publish guidance information concerning requirements act provide assistance concerning requirements continued operation applicable state law requires comptroller general report congress specific rates patterns trends coverage exclusion specific mental health substance use disorder diagnoses health plans health amends internal revenue code delay application special rules worldwide allocation interest purposes computing limitation foreign tax credit increase interest allocable sources united_states taxable year worldwide allocation interest applies


Summary: Veterans Mental Health Training for First Responders and Community Leaders Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a three-year pilot program to provide education and training to emergency response providers and community leaders about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, traumatic brain injury, and other mental health conditions related to deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

responders community leaders act directs secretary veterans_affairs conduct year pilot program provide education training emergency response providers community leaders post traumatic stress disorder ptsd depression traumatic brain injury mental health conditions related deployment support operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom


Summary: Psychiatric and Psychological Examinations Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow clinical social workers (in addition to licensed or certified psychiatrists or psychologists) to conduct psychiatric or psychological examinations on criminal defendants to determine mental capacity to stand trial and insanity at the time of a criminal offense.

amends federal criminal code allow clinical social workers addition licensed certified psychiatrists psychologists conduct psychiatric psychological examinations criminal defendants determine mental capacity stand trial time criminal offense


Summary: Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health benefits to ensure that: (1) the financial requirements applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those of substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including deductibles and copayments; and (2) the treatment limitations applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including limits on the frequency of treatments or similar limits on the scope or duration of treatment. Prohibits the plan from establishing separate cost sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to mental health benefits. Requires that such a plan ensure that the requirements of this Act are applied to both in- and out-of-network services, if offered, by comparing in-network medical and surgical benefits to in-network mental health benefits and out-of network medical and surgical benefits to out-of-network mental health benefits. Excludes from the requirements of this Act any group health plan: (1) for an employer with not more than 50 employees; or (2) whose costs of compliance with this Act increase the total costs of coverage by more than a specified percentage. Requires that determinations as to increases in actual costs under a plan be made and certified by a qualified and licensed actuary. Sets forth procedures for seeking a cost exemption, and authorizes audits of books and records relating to such an exemption. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an individual within their departments as the group health plan ombudsman to serve as an initial point of contact to permit individuals to obtain information and provide assistance concerning coverage of mental health services under group health plans in accordance with this Act. Requires the Secretaries to provide for the conduct of random audits of group health plans to ensure compliance with this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to study the effect of this Act on the cost of health insurance coverage, access to such coverage, the quality of health care, and the impact on benefits and coverage for mental health and substance use disorders.

mental health parity act sec amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act require group health plan provides medical surgical benefits mental health benefits ensure financial requirements applicable mental health benefits restrictive substantially medical surgical benefits covered plan including deductibles copayments treatment limitations applicable mental health benefits restrictive applied substantially medical surgical benefits covered plan including limits frequency treatments similar limits scope duration treatment prohibits plan establishing separate cost sharing requirements applicable respect mental health benefits requires plan ensure requirements act applied network services offered comparing network medical surgical benefits network mental health benefits network medical surgical benefits network mental health benefits excludes requirements act group health plan employer employees costs compliance act increase total costs coverage specified percentage requires determinations increases actual costs plan certified qualified licensed actuary sets forth procedures seeking cost exemption authorizes audits books records relating exemption sec requires secretary labor secretary health_and_human_services designate individual departments group health plan ombudsman serve initial point contact permit individuals obtain information provide assistance concerning coverage mental health services group health plans accordance act requires secretaries provide conduct random audits group health plans ensure compliance act requires comptroller general study effect act cost health insurance coverage access coverage quality health care impact benefits coverage mental health substance use disorders


Summary: Working Together for Rural Access to Mental Health and Wellness for Children and Seniors Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to enable states to award grants for: (1) operating a mobile van outreach program under which a hospital and elementary or secondary schools provide mental health care services to students in a rural area; and (2) providing telemental health services to persons of all ages in a rural area. Requires the governor of a state to designate a lead agency to: (1) administer the state program under the grant; and (2) develop a state plan for the provision of mental health services in rural areas.

secretary health_and_human_services award grants enable states award grants operating mobile van outreach program hospital elementary secondary schools provide mental health care services students rural area providing telemental health services persons ages rural area requires governor state designate lead agency administer state program grant develop state plan provision mental health services rural areas


Summary: Services To Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide financial assistance to eligible entities (private nonprofit organizations or consumer cooperatives) to provide and coordinate the provision of various supportive services for very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing. Requires: (1) equitable geographic distribution of such assistance; and (2) the Secretary to provide training and technical assistance to participating entities regarding the planning, development, and provision of such services. Directs the Secretary to conduct a two-year study of the effectiveness of the assistance program in meeting the needs of very low-income veteran families.

services prevent veterans homelessness act directs secretary veterans_affairs provide financial assistance eligible entities private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives provide coordinate provision supportive services low income veteran families occupying permanent housing requires equitable geographic distribution assistance secretary provide training technical assistance participating entities planning development provision services directs secretary conduct year study effectiveness assistance program meeting needs low income veteran families


Summary: Alzheimer's Family Assistance Act of 20007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a phased-in tax credit ($1,000 in 2007 increasing by $500 each year until allowing $3,000 in 2011) for family caregivers of spouses and dependents who have long-term care needs; (2) allow a tax deduction for long-term care insurance premiums; and (3) apply certain consumer protection standards to long-term care insurance contracts.

alzheimer family assistance act amends internal revenue code allow phased tax credit increasing year allowing family caregivers spouses dependents long term care needs allow tax deduction long term care insurance premiums apply certain consumer protection standards long term care insurance contracts


Summary: Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services generally, and particularly such services provided in rural health clinics and in hospice programs. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous) to exclude such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system. Authorizes marriage and family therapists to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.

seniors_mental_health_access_improvement_act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage medicare supplementary_medical_insurance marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services generally particularly services provided rural health clinics hospice programs amends medicare miscellaneous exclude services skilled nursing facility prospective payment system authorizes marriage family therapists develop discharge plans post hospital services


Summary: Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene, on behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, a Treatments, Interventions, and Services Evaluation Task Force to evaluate evidence-based biomedical and behavioral treatments and services for individuals with autism; (2) establish a multi-year demonstration grant program for states to provide evidence-based autism treatments, interventions, and services. (3) establish planning and demonstration grant programs for adults with autism; (4) award grants to states for access to autism services following diagnosis; (5) award grants to University Centers of Excellence for Developmental Disabilities to provide services and address the unmet needs of individuals with autism and their families; (6) make grants to protection and advocacy systems to address the needs of individuals with autism and other emerging populations of individuals with disabilities; and (7) award a grant to a national nonprofit organization for the establishment and maintenance of a national technical assistance center for autism services and information dissemination.Directs the Comptroller General to issue a report on the financing of autism services and treatments.

expanding promise individuals autism act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services convene behalf interagency autism coordinating committee treatments interventions services evaluation task force evaluate evidence based biomedical behavioral treatments services individuals autism establish multi year demonstration grant program states provide evidence based autism treatments interventions services establish planning demonstration grant programs adults autism award grants states access autism services following diagnosis award grants provide services address unmet needs individuals autism families grants protection advocacy systems address needs individuals autism emerging populations individuals disabilities award grant national nonprofit organization establishment maintenance national technical assistance center autism services information dissemination directs comptroller_general issue report financing autism services treatments


Summary: Mental Health Care for Our Wounded Warriors Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) members of the Armed Forces (members) deserve the best possible treatment for mental and physical illnesses and injuries sustained while in military service; (2) members should have access to mental health providers; (3) mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should be treated with an urgency similar to physical ailments incurred by members; (4) there is a need to recruit, train, and retain more mental health care professionals to diagnose and treat members; and (5) there is a continued need for research, new treatments, and best practices for treating PTSD, as well as a long-term strategy for recruiting, training, and retaining the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense (DOD). Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish at least two centers of excellence in military mental health for, among other things, the development and implementation of DOD strategy for the prevention, identification, and treatment of combat-related mental health conditions, with an emphasis on PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional defense committees on appropriate actions to address current personnel shortages in the DOD mental health workforce.

mental health care wounded warriors act expresses sense congress members armed_forces members deserve best possible treatment mental physical illnesses injuries sustained military service members access mental health providers mental health disorders post traumatic stress disorder ptsd treated urgency similar physical incurred members need recruit train retain mental health care professionals diagnose treat members continued need research new treatments best practices treating ptsd long term strategy recruiting training retaining mental health workforce department_of_defense dod directs secretary defense establish centers excellence military mental health things development implementation dod strategy prevention identification treatment combat related mental health conditions emphasis ptsd traumatic brain injury requires report secretary congressional defense committees appropriate actions address current personnel shortages dod mental health workforce


Summary: Mom's Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act or the MOTHERS Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to: (1) states to provide to women who have recently given birth and their families, before such women leave their birthing centers, education concerning postpartum depression, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and postpartum psychosis and to screen new mothers for such postpartum conditions during their first year of postnatal checkup visits; and (2) public or nonprofit private entities to provide for the delivery of essential services to individuals with such postpartum conditions and their families. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the heads of other federal agencies that administer federal health programs, to organize a series of national meetings that are designed to develop a research plan for postpartum depression and psychosis. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to expand and intensify research relating to postpartum conditions to carry out such plan.

mom support postpartum depression act mothers act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services award grants states provide women recently given birth families women leave centers education concerning postpartum depression postpartum anxiety disorders postpartum screen new mothers postpartum conditions year visits public nonprofit private entities provide delivery essential services individuals postpartum conditions families requires secretary acting director national_institutes_of_health nih administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration heads federal agencies administer federal health programs organize series national meetings designed develop research plan postpartum depression requires secretary acting director expand intensify research relating postpartum conditions carry plan


Summary: Public Mental Health Emergency Preparedness Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the National Center for Public Mental Health Emergency Preparedness to address mental health concerns and coordinate and implement the development and delivery of mental health services in the event of bioterrorism or other public health emergency. Requires the Director of the Center to: (1) develop a mechanism to appoint a panel of experts for the Center; (2) convene a Training Curricula Working Group to review and approve mental health training curricula for emergency health professionals; (3) develop a mechanism through which individuals trained through approved curricula return to their communities to recruit and train others and provide expertise to state and local government agencies; (4) coordinate the use of existing emergency registries established to track medical and mental health volunteers for use by the Secretary, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Governor of each state to recruit and deploy trained emergency health professionals; (5) establish and maintain a central clearinghouse of educational materials, guidelines, information, strategies, resources, and research on public mental health emergency preparedness and service delivery; (6) convene a Clearinghouse Working Group; (7) organize an annual national forum to address public mental health emergency preparedness and service delivery; and (8) convene an Assessment Working Group to evaluate the effectiveness of the Center's efforts and those across the federal government in building the nation's public mental health emergency preparedness and service delivery capacity.Requires the National Disaster Medical System and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to ensure that licensed mental health professionals with expertise in treating vulnerable populations are available for deployment with Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and are included in the leadership of the National Disaster Medical System.

public mental health emergency preparedness act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish address mental health concerns coordinate implement development delivery mental health services event bioterrorism public health emergency requires director center develop mechanism appoint panel experts center convene training review approve mental health training curricula emergency health professionals develop mechanism individuals trained approved curricula return communities recruit train provide expertise state local government agencies coordinate use existing emergency registries established track medical mental health volunteers use secretary secretary homeland_security governor state recruit deploy trained emergency health professionals establish maintain central clearinghouse educational materials guidelines information strategies resources research public mental health emergency preparedness service delivery convene organize annual national forum address public mental health emergency preparedness service delivery convene evaluate effectiveness center efforts federal government building nation public mental health emergency preparedness service delivery capacity requires ensure licensed mental health professionals expertise treating vulnerable populations available deployment included leadership


Summary: Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to establish programs related to mental health services for children and adolescents, to include: (1) entering into contracts with qualified individuals to pay educational loans in exchange for providing mental health services to children and adolescents; (2) awarding scholarships to students who agree to work as child and adolescent mental health service professionals after graduation or completion of residency or fellowship; (3) awarding competitive grants to higher education institutions to establish or expand internship or other field placement programs for students receiving specialized training or clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health; (4) awarding grants to state-licensed mental heath organizations to pay for programs for preservice or in-service training of paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health workers; and (5) awarding grants to higher education institutions to establish or expand graduate child and adolescent mental health programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to adjust the graduate medical education program to: (1) exclude a reasonable number of residents or fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry when calculating the maximum number of residents in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine for which the hospital may be paid; and (2) extend the period of board eligibility for residents and fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry. Directs the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the distribution of, and need for, child mental health service professionals and on a comparison of such distribution and need on a state-by-state basis.

child health care crisis relief act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa establish programs related mental health services children adolescents include entering contracts qualified individuals pay educational loans exchange providing mental health services children adolescents awarding scholarships students agree work child adolescent mental health service professionals graduation completion residency fellowship awarding competitive grants higher education institutions establish expand internship field placement programs students receiving specialized training clinical experience child adolescent mental health awarding grants state licensed mental heath organizations pay programs preservice service training paraprofessional child adolescent mental health workers awarding grants higher education institutions establish expand graduate child adolescent mental health programs amends title xviii medicare social security act adjust graduate medical education program exclude reasonable number residents fellows child adolescent psychiatry calculating maximum number residents field allopathic osteopathic medicine hospital paid extend period board eligibility residents fellows child adolescent psychiatry directs administrator study report congress distribution need child mental health service professionals comparison distribution need state state basis


Summary: Medicare Mental Health Copayment Equity Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide, by a gradual increase in the percentage of expenses considered incurred expenses, for a gradual reduction (from 50% to the standard 20%) of copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services under the Medicare program.

amends title xviii medicare social security act provide gradual increase percentage expenses considered incurred expenses gradual reduction standard copayment rates outpatient psychiatric services medicare program


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of a military department from discharging due to a personality disorder a member of the Armed Forces who has served on active duty in a combat zone until the later of the date of: (1) completion by the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) of a review of Department of Defense (DOD) policies and procedures for diagnosing such a disorder; (2) issuance by the Secretary of policies and procedures to ensure the appropriate use of such a discharge; (3) establishment by the Secretary of an independent review board for personality disorder discharges; (4) submittal by the Secretary of a report to Congress on progress in implementing the requirements under (1) through (3), above; or (5) the date that is 45 days after the date of the submission of the report referred to in (4), which period shall permit Congress to consider the report. Provides an exception to such requirement in the case of a member who, during recruitment for or enlistment in the Armed Forces, provided false or misleading information, or omitted providing information about past criminal behavior, that is material to a discharge for personality disorder.

prohibits secretary military department discharging personality disorder member armed_forces served active duty combat zone later date completion secretary defense secretary review department_of_defense dod policies procedures diagnosing disorder issuance secretary policies procedures ensure appropriate use discharge establishment secretary independent review board personality disorder discharges submittal secretary report congress progress implementing requirements date days date submission report referred period shall permit congress consider report provides exception requirement case member recruitment enlistment armed_forces provided false misleading information omitted providing information past criminal behavior material discharge personality disorder


Summary: Stop Senior Suicide Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Interagency Geriatric Mental Health Planning Council to coordinate and collaborate on the planning for the delivery of mental health services, to include suicide prevention, to older adults.Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove provisions that limit payment for the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient of a hospital at the time such expenses are incurred.Requires the Secretary to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to develop strategies for addressing suicide among the elderly.Revises provisions requiring centers to provide appropriate information, training, and technical assistance on youth suicide to require such information, training, and assistance on suicide among all ages, particularly for groups that are at a high risk for suicide. Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out such changes.

stop senior suicide act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish coordinate collaborate planning delivery mental health services include suicide prevention older adults amends title xviii medicare social security act remove provisions limit payment treatment mental personality disorders individual inpatient hospital time expenses incurred requires secretary award grants cooperative agreements eligible entities develop strategies addressing suicide elderly revises provisions requiring centers provide appropriate information training technical assistance youth suicide require information training assistance suicide ages particularly groups high risk suicide authorizes additional appropriations carry changes


Summary: Community Mental Health Services Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for: (1) services to children, adults, and older adults with mental illnesses who have co-occurring primary care conditions and chronic diseases through the co-location of primary and specialty medical care in community-based mental and behavioral health settings; (2) programs to address behavioral and mental health workforce needs in professional shortage areas; (3) expanding behavioral and mental health education and training programs; (4) tele-mental health in medically-underserved areas; and (5) developing and implementing a plan to ensure that the National Health Information Infrastructure meets the needs of mental health and substance abuse providers.Provides for reports to Congress on: (1) the paperwork burden on community mental health providers; and (2) the compensation structure for such providers.

community_mental_health_services improvement act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services award grants services children adults older adults mental illnesses occurring primary care conditions chronic diseases location primary specialty medical care community based mental behavioral health settings programs address behavioral mental health workforce needs professional shortage areas expanding behavioral mental health education training programs tele mental health medically underserved areas developing implementing plan ensure meets needs mental health substance abuse providers provides reports congress paperwork burden community mental health providers compensation structure providers


Summary: Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities for the construction or modernization of facilities to provide mental health and behavioral health services to individuals. Defines an "eligible entity" as: (1) a state that is the recipient of a Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant under such Act; or (2) an Indian tribe or a tribal organization. Includes among grant application requirements assurances that facilities will be used for not less than 10 years for community-based mental health or substance abuse services for those who cannot pay for such services. Permits a grant recipient to request permission to transfer such 10-year obligation to another facility.Authorizes a state that receives a grant to award a subgrant to a qualified community program for activities such as: (1) the construction, expansion, and modernization of mental and behavioral health facilities; and (2) the construction and structural modification of facilities to permit the integrated delivery of behavioral health and primary care of specialty medical services to individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses and chronic medical or surgical diseases at a single service site.Requires a grant recipient to agree to make available nonfederal contributions matching federal funds provided.

authorize secretary health_and_human_services award grants eligible entities construction modernization facilities provide mental health behavioral health services individuals defines eligible entity state recipient community_mental_health_services block grant substance abuse prevention treatment block grant act indian tribe tribal organization includes grant application requirements assurances facilities years community based mental health substance abuse services pay services permits grant recipient request permission transfer year obligation facility authorizes state receives grant award subgrant qualified community program activities construction expansion modernization mental behavioral health facilities construction structural modification facilities permit integrated delivery behavioral health primary care specialty medical services individuals occurring mental illnesses chronic medical surgical diseases single service site requires grant recipient agree available nonfederal contributions matching federal funds provided


Summary: Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through 2014 the authorization of appropriations for the adult and juvenile mental health collaboration grant program. Includes within the priorities for awarding grants under such program the identification and treatment of mentally-ill offenders and the expanded use of mental health courts. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to: (1) offer law enforcement officers and campus security personnel training to respond appropriately to incidents involving mentally-ill individuals; (2) establish specialized receiving centers to assess the mental health requirements and suicide risk of individuals in law enforcement custody; (3) provide computerized information systems to improve the response of law enforcement and criminal justice personnel to mentally-ill offenders; and (4) establish cooperative programs to promote public safety by using effective intervention for mentally-ill offenders. Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to develop training models for law enforcement personnel for responding to the needs of individuals with mental illnesses, including suicide prevention. Prohibits federal matching funds from exceeding 50% of the cost of a grant program. Directs the Attorney General to examine and report to Congress on mental illness and the criminal justice system, including: (1) the rate of occurrence of serious mental illnesses in individuals (including juveniles) on probation, incarcerated in a jail or prison, or on parole; and (2) the percentage of individuals in each of those populations who have a serious mental illness and have received social security disability benefits. Authorizes appropriations.

mentally ill offender treatment improvement act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act extend authorization appropriations adult juvenile mental health collaboration grant program includes priorities awarding grants program identification treatment mentally ill offenders expanded use mental health courts authorizes attorney general grants states local governments indian tribes tribal organizations offer law enforcement officers campus security personnel training respond appropriately incidents involving mentally ill individuals establish specialized receiving centers assess mental health requirements suicide risk individuals law enforcement custody provide computerized information systems improve response law enforcement criminal justice personnel mentally ill offenders establish cooperative programs promote public safety effective intervention mentally ill offenders requires director bureau_of_justice_assistance develop training models law enforcement personnel responding needs individuals mental illnesses including suicide prevention prohibits federal matching funds exceeding cost grant program directs attorney general examine report congress mental illness criminal justice system including rate occurrence mental illnesses individuals including juveniles probation incarcerated jail prison parole percentage individuals populations mental illness received social security disability benefits authorizes appropriations


Summary: Requires: (1) each member of the Armed Forces being considered for any type of military discharge to receive written notice that an upgrade in the characterization of such discharge will not automatically result from review by a discharge review board; (2) such notice to also advise the member of the right to discuss discharge options with military legal counsel prior to electing a characterization or type of discharge; (3) each member to acknowledge receipt of such notice; and (4) each military department Secretary to annually make public information on discharge reviews. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each member receives, at the time of discharge, comprehensive information on the effect of the discharge status of the member on benefits and services available through the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or any other federal department or agency providing benefits to former members. Prohibits the Secretary of a military department from discharging for a personality disorder a member: (1) unless the member has undergone testing by DOD for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and any related mental health disorder or injury prior to a final action with respect to the discharge; or (2) determined by the Secretary to suffer from PTSD, TBI, or a related mental health disorder or injury. Requires the Secretary to waive the 15-year time limit generally applicable to discharge reviews in the case of reviews of discharges for personality disorder of a former member who has been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or a related mental health disorder or injury.

requires member armed_forces considered type military discharge receive written notice upgrade characterization discharge automatically result review discharge review board notice advise member right discuss discharge options military legal counsel prior electing characterization type discharge member acknowledge receipt notice military department secretary annually public information discharge reviews directs secretary defense ensure member receives time discharge comprehensive information effect discharge status member benefits services available department_of_defense dod department_of_veterans_affairs federal department agency providing benefits members prohibits secretary military department discharging personality disorder member member undergone testing dod post traumatic stress disorder ptsd traumatic brain injury tbi related mental health disorder injury prior final action respect discharge determined secretary suffer ptsd tbi related mental health disorder injury requires secretary waive year time limit generally applicable discharge reviews case reviews discharges personality disorder member diagnosed ptsd tbi related mental health disorder injury


Summary: Veterans Suicide Study Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who died by suicide between January 1, 1997, and the date of the enactment of this Act.

secretary veterans_affairs conduct study determine number veterans died suicide january date enactment act


Summary: National Guard and Reserve Mental Health Access Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide for the implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for members of the National Guard and reserves and their families required by section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) report to the congressional defense committees on that Program's implementation. Directs the Secretary to carry out a joint psychological health program to: (1) increase access to and the provision of psychological health care and related services for members of the National Guard following their deployment, and their families; (2) improve coordination among DOD components in the provision of such care during members' transition from active duty to civilian life; and (3) coordinate and oversee DOD efforts to assist members of the National Guard with mental illness and members with traumatic brain injury post-deployment. Requires the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to establish the National Guard Psychological Health Council. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly carry out: (1) one or more pilot programs on the provision of mental health services to members of the National Guard and reserves, both before and after deployment, through telemental health technologies; and (2) an outreach program intended to reduce the stigma, among members of the National Guard and reserves returning from deployment, and their families, associated with seeking and obtaining mental health services.

requires secretary defense provide implementation yellow ribbon reintegration program members national_guard reserves families required section national defense authorization act fiscal year later days date enactment act report congressional defense committees program implementation directs secretary carry joint psychological health program increase access provision psychological health care related services members national_guard following deployment families improve coordination dod components provision care members transition active duty civilian life coordinate oversee dod efforts assist members national_guard mental illness members traumatic brain injury post deployment requires chief national_guard_bureau establish directs secretaries defense veterans_affairs jointly carry pilot programs provision mental health services members national_guard reserves deployment telemental health technologies outreach program intended reduce stigma members national_guard reserves returning deployment families associated seeking obtaining mental health services


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing education or training in behavioral health care specialties that are critical to the operations of Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans) in order to recruit and retain individuals with such specialties for service in Vet Centers. Conditions the scholarship on agreeing to serve in such a capacity for whatever period the Secretary specifies in the agreement. Makes any Armed Forces member who serves in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers regardless of whether the member is on active duty at the time of receipt of counseling and services. Directs the Secretary, on receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the individual's rights to apply for review of the discharge or release. Treats the suicide of a former member that occurs within two years after separation or retirement, if the member had a medical history of a combat-related mental health condition, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), as a death in line of duty for purposes of the survivors' eligibility to burial benefits and benefits under the Survivor Benefit Plan, laws administered by the Secretary, and the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces and deceased veterans through the survivors' peers.

directs secretary veterans_affairs provide scholarships individuals pursuing education training behavioral health care specialties critical operations vet_centers centers readjustment counseling related mental health services veterans order recruit retain individuals specialties service vet_centers conditions scholarship agreeing serve capacity period secretary specifies agreement makes armed_forces member serves operation iraqi freedom operation enduring freedom eligible readjustment counseling related mental health services vet_centers regardless member active duty time receipt counseling services directs secretary receipt request counseling individual discharged released active service provide referrals assist individual obtaining mental health care services outside department_of_veterans_affairs pertinent advise individual individual rights apply review discharge release treats suicide member occurs years separation retirement member medical history combat related mental health condition post traumatic stress disorder ptsd traumatic brain injury tbi death line duty purposes survivors eligibility burial benefits benefits survivor benefit plan laws administered secretary social security act directs secretary defense award grants nonprofit organizations provide emotional support services survivors deceased members armed_forces deceased veterans survivors peers


Summary: Honoring Our Nation's Obligation to Returning Warriors Act or HONOR Warriors Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing education or training in behavioral health care specialties that are critical to the operations of Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans) in order to recruit and retain individuals with such specialties for service in Vet Centers. Conditions the scholarship agreeing to serve in such a capacity for whatever period the Secretary specifies in the agreement. Makes any Armed Forces member who serves in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers regardless of whether the member is on active duty at the time of receipt of counseling and services. Directs the Secretary, on receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the individual's rights to apply for review of the discharge or release. Treats the suicide of a former member that occurs within two years after separation or retirement, if the member had a medical history of a combat-related mental health condition, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), as a death in line of duty for purposes of the survivors' eligibility to burial benefits and benefits under the Survivor Benefit Plan, laws administered by the Secretary, and the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces and deceased veterans through the survivors' peers. Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of various means of enhancing awareness among members of the Army of PTSD.

honoring nation honor warriors act directs secretary veterans_affairs provide scholarships individuals pursuing education training behavioral health care specialties critical operations vet_centers centers readjustment counseling related mental health services veterans order recruit retain individuals specialties service vet_centers conditions scholarship agreeing serve capacity period secretary specifies agreement makes armed_forces member serves operation iraqi freedom operation enduring freedom eligible readjustment counseling related mental health services vet_centers regardless member active duty time receipt counseling services directs secretary receipt request counseling individual discharged released active service provide referrals assist individual obtaining mental health care services outside department_of_veterans_affairs pertinent advise individual individual rights apply review discharge release treats suicide member occurs years separation retirement member medical history combat related mental health condition post traumatic stress disorder ptsd traumatic brain injury tbi death line duty purposes survivors eligibility burial benefits benefits survivor benefit plan laws administered secretary social security act directs secretary defense award grants nonprofit organizations provide emotional support services survivors deceased members armed_forces deceased veterans survivors peers directs secretary army carry fort carson colorado fort leonard wood missouri pilot program assess feasibility advisability means enhancing awareness members army ptsd


Summary: Relief for Rural Veterans in Crisis Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states for increasing the delivery of mental health services or other health care services deemed necessary to meet the needs of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom living in rural areas; and (2) extend the authorization for Medicare rural hospital flexibility program (FLEX) grants.

relief rural veterans crisis act amends title xviii medicare social security act authorize secretary health_and_human_services award grants states increasing delivery mental health services health care services deemed necessary meet needs veterans operation iraqi freedom operation enduring freedom living rural areas extend authorization medicare rural hospital flexibility program flex grants


Summary: Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to eligible institutions of higher education to improve mental and behavioral health services and outreach on college and university campuses. Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to programs that: (1) demonstrate the greatest need; (2) propose effective approaches for initiating or expanding campus services; (3) target underserved and at-risk populations; (4) coordinate with a community mental health center or other community mental health resources; (5) identify how the college or university will address psychiatric emergencies; and (6) demonstrate the greatest potential for replication and dissemination. Allows the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to convene an interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health on college campuses. Requires the Secretary to establish the College Campus Task Force to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns on college and university campuses.

mental health campus improvement act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration award grants eligible institutions higher education improve mental behavioral health services outreach college university campuses directs secretary special consideration programs demonstrate greatest need propose effective approaches initiating expanding campus services target underserved risk populations coordinate community mental health center community mental health resources identify college university address psychiatric emergencies demonstrate greatest potential replication dissemination allows secretary provide technical assistance grantees requires secretary acting administrator convene interagency public private sector working group plan establish begin coordinating evaluating targeted public education campaign designed focus mental behavioral health college campuses requires secretary establish college_campus_task_force discuss mental behavioral health concerns college university campuses


Summary: Future Fuels Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish the Future Fuels Corporation as a government corporation. Requires the Corporation, beginning in FY2009, to expend funds transferred by the Secretary of Energy to: (1) promote and deploy coal and coal cofired polygeneration technologies; (2) reduce the carbon footprint of coal consumption and the production of coal-based byproducts; and (3) conduct widespread carbon sequestration research, development, and deployment activities. Requires the Secretary to: (1) implement a 10-year carbon capture and storage (currently, sequestration) research, development, and demonstration program; (2) establish a program to achieve the goal of annually sequestering at least 1,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide by January 1, 2015; (3) verify, analyze, and report on the results of assessments conducted by other federal agencies or states relating to geological storage capacity and the potential for carbon injection rates; (4) submit to congressional committees recommendations on regulatory and advisory mechanisms for the determination of best technologies, the identification and evaluation of strategies for carbon capture and storage technologies, the selection and operation of carbon dioxide sequestration sites, and the transfer of liability for the sites to the United States; (5) develop model interstate compacts to govern the transportation, injection, and storage of carbon dioxide; and (6) conduct geological sequestration demonstration projects involving operations in a variety of geological settings. Authorizes appropriations of such programs for FY2009-FY2014. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into standby loan agreements for no more than 10 qualifying coal-to-liquid (CTL) projects, at least one of which may be a qualifying CTL project primarily designed to produce pipeline-quality natural gas from domestic coal. Defines a "qualifying CTL project" to include specified commercial-scale projects that convert coal to industrial feedstocks or liquid or gaseous fuels for transportation or other uses or projects conducted at facilities that convert petroleum refinery waste products into gaseous transportation fuels. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a coal-based transportation fuel pipeline tax credit; (2) apply the credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source to the capture or extraction of coalmine methane gas; (3) modify the qualifying advanced coal project credit; (4) establish a credit for investment in a clean coal energy bond; and (5) establish a new tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration.

future fuels act amends energy policy act establish government corporation requires corporation beginning fy2009 expend funds transferred secretary energy promote deploy coal coal technologies reduce carbon footprint coal consumption production coal based byproducts conduct widespread carbon sequestration research development deployment activities requires secretary implement year carbon capture storage currently sequestration research development demonstration program establish program achieve goal annually sequestering tons carbon dioxide january verify analyze report results assessments conducted federal agencies states relating geological storage capacity potential carbon injection rates submit congressional committees recommendations regulatory advisory mechanisms determination best technologies identification evaluation strategies carbon capture storage technologies selection operation carbon dioxide sequestration sites transfer liability sites united_states develop model interstate compacts govern transportation injection storage carbon dioxide conduct geological sequestration demonstration projects involving operations variety geological settings authorizes appropriations programs fy2009 fy2014 authorizes secretary energy enter standby loan agreements qualifying coal liquid projects qualifying project primarily designed produce pipeline quality natural gas domestic coal defines qualifying project include specified commercial scale projects convert coal industrial feedstocks liquid gaseous fuels transportation uses projects conducted facilities convert petroleum refinery waste products gaseous transportation fuels amends internal revenue code establish coal based transportation fuel pipeline tax credit apply credit producing fuel nonconventional source capture extraction methane gas modify qualifying advanced coal project credit establish credit investment clean coal energy bond establish new tax credit carbon dioxide sequestration


Summary: Increasing America's Global Development Capacity Act of 2008 - Provides for the hiring of additional Foreign Service officers as United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees.

increasing america global development capacity act provides hiring additional foreign_service officers united_states_agency international_development usaid employees


Summary: Changes the effective date of amendments made by the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 for group health plans maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements.

changes effective date amendments equity act group health plans maintained pursuant collective bargaining agreements


Summary: Heroes at Home Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a program on training and certification of family caregivers of veterans and members with traumatic brain injury (TBI); and (2) conduct outreach to enhance awareness of veterans and the public about the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and TBI and the services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with such symptoms. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) establish a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of using telehealth technology to assess cognitive functioning of members who have sustained head trauma in order to improve their diagnosis and treatment; and (2) conduct an ongoing study of all matters relating to the telehealth and telemental health services of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

heroes home act directs secretary veterans_affairs establish program training certification family caregivers veterans members traumatic brain injury tbi conduct outreach enhance awareness veterans public symptoms post traumatic stress disorder ptsd tbi services provided department_of_veterans_affairs veterans symptoms directs secretaries defense veterans_affairs jointly establish demonstration project assess feasibility advisability telehealth technology assess cognitive functioning members sustained head trauma order improve diagnosis treatment conduct ongoing study matters relating telehealth telemental health services departments_of_defense veterans_affairs


Summary: Community Assistance Act for Persons with Mental Illness - Authorizes the use of specified funds, by state and local governments under the community development, mental health services, and substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant programs of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act, to provide housing counseling and financial counseling for individuals before their release from institutions for individuals with mental illness. Amends the Public Health Service Act to include in a state plan for comprehensive community-based mental health systems: (1) housing counseling; (2) financial counseling; and (3) support services for individuals released from inpatient or residential institutions.

community assistance act persons mental illness authorizes use specified funds state local governments community development mental health services substance abuse prevention treatment block grant programs housing_and_community_development_act public_health_service_act provide housing counseling financial counseling individuals release institutions individuals mental illness amends public_health_service_act include state plan comprehensive community based mental health systems housing counseling financial counseling support services individuals released inpatient residential institutions