BRAVE Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced
Summary
Would boost staffing, outreach, and technology for VA Vet Centers and Readjustment Counseling Service to expand mental health access, with special focus on women veterans and transitioning service members. It would set pay studies, credentialing flexibilities, pilot programs, and timed reports to guide expansion and improve coordination across VA and the Department of Defense.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Better suicide risk checks and outreach
If enacted, VA would change REACH VET within 60 days to weight risk factors for women, like military sexual trauma and intimate partner violence. VA would also be required to offer at least one mental health consultation each year to veterans receiving compensation for service‑connected mental health conditions. VA would collect veteran feedback and report within one year and then at least every two years on outreach results and barriers.
Spinal cord residential pilot
If enacted, VA would submit a plan within 60 days to expand residential mental health care for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders, including staffing and equipment needs. VA would start a pilot at not fewer than three VA medical facilities within 120 days and must report on the pilot within one year.
Easier hiring for VA counselors
If enacted, VA would be allowed to temporarily waive state licensure for licensed professional mental health counselors and permit flexible appointment timing for psychologists as recommended by the Under Secretary for Health. This would help VA hire clinicians faster and may reduce wait times for veteran mental health care.
Vet Center outreach data guidance
If enacted, VA would give each Vet Center demographic data for its service area and issue guidance and metrics to measure outreach effectiveness within 180 days. VA would also set up processes to study and address barriers veterans and staff face in using Vet Center services.
Larger community suicide grants
If enacted, the Parker Gordon Fox grant cap would increase from $750,000 to $1,000,000 per award and the program term would extend from three years to six years. This would let eligible community groups seek larger grants to provide suicide‑prevention services for veterans.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov