Purpose

• Create a task force to improve veterans’ access to mental health services in rural areas.
• The task force is to be convened by the commissioner of veterans affairs and to consider and make recommendations on issues related to veterans’ mental health.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of a task force: The commissioner of veterans affairs must convene a task force focused on improving access to mental health services for veterans in rural areas.
• Scope of work: The task force must consider and make recommendations regarding issues relating to veterans mental health.
• Funding: Provides a general fund appropriation in fiscal year 2027 to the department of veterans affairs to administer the task force, with the appropriation’s base continuing in fiscal years 2028 and 2029.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new advisory body (a task force) within the Department of Veterans Affairs to address rural veterans’ mental health access, which did not exist in this form before.
• Allocates dedicated funding to support the task force’s administration for fiscal years 2027–2029, establishing ongoing base funding for 2028 and 2029.

Implementation Considerations

• Leadership: Task force convened by the commissioner of veterans affairs.
• Location focus: Rural areas.
• Outcome expectation: Recommendations on how to improve access to mental health services for veterans.

Relevant Terms task force, veterans, mental health services, rural areas, commissioner of veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, general fund appropriation, fiscal year 2027, fiscal year 2028, fiscal year 2029, recommendations, issues relating to veterans mental health.