Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would set a nationwide minimum floor of Vet Centers so every State and territory meets a required number of Vet Centers based on land area and veteran population. It would require the VA Secretary to reach those minimums within one year of enactment.
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- Veterans and families: Veterans would get more local access to Vet Center mental health and related services. Minimums are one center per 55,000 veterans or one per 30,000 square miles in contiguous States, and at least one center for each noncontiguous State or territory.
- State, local governments, and tribes: The VA could establish centers in facilities provided by State or local governments or by federally recognized tribes, including space offered at no cost, enabling local partnerships to expand access.
- VA operations: The Secretary would have to add full Vet Centers as needed and may use outstations for additional sites. Covered Vet Centers and outstations must be open at least eight hours per day, five days per week and offer similar child care services.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More Vet Centers per State
If enacted, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would have one year to make sure each State meets a minimum number of covered Vet Centers. For non‑contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other territories, the minimum would be the larger of one center or the number that existed on January 1, 2020. For contiguous States, the minimum would be the larger of one center per 30,000 square miles of land or one center per 55,000 veterans using the Census Director's most recent data. The Secretary would add centers as needed, may use facilities provided by State, local, or tribal governments (even if provided at no cost), and must open at least one full Vet Center in a State needing more than one additional center while allowing outstations for remaining required centers.
Defines which Vet Centers qualify
If enacted, the bill would define key terms for which Vet Centers count under the law. A "covered Vet Center" would be a Vet Center scheduled to be open at least eight hours per day, five days per week, with temporary exceptions for Federal holidays, weather, safety, pandemics, or other Secretary‑approved reasons. A "covered Vet Center outstation" would provide child care similar to a Vet Center and meet the same hours. The term "State" would keep its meaning from title 38, United States Code, section 101.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
WA • D
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
IL • D
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov