Summary

Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue regulations that set uniform standards for any Veterans Health Administration grant or pilot program related to suicide prevention or mental health. The rules must require clear, measurable objectives; a written evaluation plan and methodology; ongoing communication with relevant partners; a final evaluation to validate findings; and sharing of results and best practices. The Secretary must issue these regulations within 180 days of enactment and they apply to relevant programs regardless of when they began.

• Directs VA to issue regulations that set uniform standards for VHA suicide-prevention and mental-health grants and pilots.
• Regulations must be issued within 180 days of enactment.
• Standard practices must include measurable objectives and a detailed evaluation plan and methodology.
• Requires ongoing communication with relevant partners during development and at least 30 days before program start.
• Mandates a concluding evaluation to validate lessons learned and assess generalizability.
• Requires sharing program results and best practices with relevant entities.
• Applies to relevant programs regardless of when they were established (covers existing and future programs).
• Does not appropriate new funding or create new programs; it prescribes evaluation and reporting standards.