SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
In Committee
Summary
Office of Falls Prevention would create a VA-wide program to cut veteran falls by setting standards, coordinating care and research, and funding education and home-adaptation efforts. It centers a Chief Officer in the Veterans Health Administration to lead prevention across VA services and community programs.
Show full summary
- Veterans and families would get more screening and support. Licensed physical or occupational therapists would assess and provide fall-prevention services for veterans who have fallen or are at risk within the prior year. The Office would run public education campaigns and award local grants.
- VA providers and facilities would follow new standards and training rules. The VA must issue safe patient handling directives within 180 days and require biennial training and access to transfer and mobility technology in emergency and high-need settings.
- Research, home adaptations, and pilots would be expanded and coordinated with the National Institute on Aging. An 8-member expert panel would guide studies on home modifications, medication risks, and safe handling, and the Secretary would report within one year on any pilot plans.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New VA Office for Falls Prevention
If enacted, the bill would create an Office of Falls Prevention at VA Central Office to set national falls-prevention standards and run education campaigns. The office would coordinate research with VA research staff and the National Institute on Aging and could award grants for local outreach. The bill would require a joint expert panel within 180 days and require the Secretary to report on a home-modification pilot within one year, plus a comprehensive falls-prevention report within two years or one year after the Chief Officer is appointed.
More PT/OT Falls Checks in VA Care
If enacted, the bill would require yearly falls-risk assessments and fall-prevention services by a licensed physical or occupational therapist for veterans in VA extended care. For VA nursing home stays, the VA would require a PT or OT assessment and fall-prevention services when a physician finds the veteran fell or was at risk in the past year. The nursing home rule in subsection (a) would terminate on September 30, 2028.
New Safe Handling Rules for VA Staff
If enacted, the Secretary would have 180 days to issue updated VA rules on safe patient handling and mobility. The rules would require provider training at least every two years and require facilities that assist with transfers to have appropriate lifting and mobility equipment. Emergency settings would need immediate access to such technology to support safe transfers and fall recovery.
VA Joins Healthy Aging Committee
If enacted, the bill would add the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities. It would also add the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees to that committee's consultative list. This is an administrative change to improve interagency coordination on aging and veteran issues.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]
FL • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Bergman
MI • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 4/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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