Green Star Families Act

House Votes

This bill would set up a new VA program to give free counseling to the closest relatives and former volunteer caregivers of veterans who die by suicide. These families are often called “Green Star” families, meaning families of service members and veterans who have died by suicide. The help must be easy to access and at least as good as similar counseling the VA already offers. The VA can partner with federal, state, or private groups to provide the care and pay them fairly. The VA must also share clear information about the program online and directly with eligible people.

Key points

• Who is covered: closest living relatives (“next of kin”) and former volunteer caregivers of veterans who die by suicide.
• What changes: free counseling; services must be reasonably accessible and as good as or better than similar VA services; VA can partner with outside providers; VA must post and share program details.
• When: the VA must start the program within 90 days after the law takes effect.