H.R. 3027

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a counseling program for certain survivors of veterans who die by suicide.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · April 24, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Van Drew · Committee: Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Table of contents

• H.R. 3027
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Counseling program for next of kin and caregivers of veterans who die by suicide

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Green Star Families Act.

SEC. 2. Counseling program for next of kin and caregivers of veterans who die by suicide

• (a) Establishment
  • Subchapter II of of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section (and amending the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly): chapter 17
    • (a) Counseling program
      • Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall furnish, at no cost to the recipient, counseling services to—
        • the next of kin of a veteran who dies by suicide; and
        • a former volunteer caregiver of a veteran who dies by suicide.
      • The Secretary may provide counseling services under this section only if the Secretary determines such counseling services are—
        • reasonably accessible to an individual described in paragraph (1); and
        • substantially equivalent or superior to similar services furnished by the Secretary to an individual described in paragraph (1).
      • To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into an agreement with a Federal, State, or private entity. The Secretary may provide fair compensation to such entity pursuant to such agreement.
    • (b) Public awareness
      • In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
        • publish information relating to the program on a website of the Department; and
        • provide information relating to the program to any individual described in paragraph (1).
    • (c) Definitions
      • In this section:
        • The term includes— covered veterans service organization
        • The term means, with respect to a veteran who dies by suicide, an individual— former volunteer caregiver
        • The term means the closest living relative of a veteran who dies by suicide, in the following order of priority: next of kin
        • The term has the meaning given such term in section 1720G of this title. personal care services
• (b) Implementation deadline
  • The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out section 1720M of such title, as added by subsection (a), not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.