Bills · S 1655
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1655Armed Forces and National Security
Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act
INTRO MAY 7· LAST ACTION MAY 7
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it focuses on a crucial lifeline for veterans struggling with mental health crises, homelessness, or other urgent needs. The Veterans Crisis Line is designed to be available 24/7, and its effectiveness directly impacts the well-being and safety of those who have served our country. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to greater accountability and transparency in how the Crisis Line is managed, ensuring it has enough staff and is performing up to standard.
Without this bill, the VA would not be required to provide the same level of detailed, regular reporting to Congress on staffing and performance metrics, nor would it have to notify Congress before terminating Crisis Line employees. This bill seeks to prevent disruptions in service and ensure that veterans receive prompt, quality care when they reach out for help, addressing concerns that the line might not always meet caller demand or maintain consistent staffing.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the VA to notify Congress 48 hours before terminating any Veterans Crisis Line employee, including justification, employee status (veteran/military spouse), and a plan for continued service.
This provision aims to increase transparency and oversight over personnel decisions at a critical veteran support service, potentially offering greater job security for employees and ensuring no service disruptions.
PROVISION 02
Mandates the VA to submit an initial report on past and current Veterans Crisis Line staffing levels, including specific details like job category, veteran status, and any reinstatements.
This allows Congress to understand the historical and current staffing situation of the Crisis Line, which is crucial for assessing its capacity to meet demand.
PROVISION 03
Requires the VA to submit monthly reports to Congress on the performance of the Veterans Crisis Line, including average wait times, unanswered calls, and caller-to-operator ratios.
These ongoing reports provide Congress with up-to-date information on the operational effectiveness of the Crisis Line, enabling continuous monitoring of service quality.
PROVISION 04
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to conduct an independent report on the Veterans Crisis Line's operations and recommend improvements.
An independent review offers an objective assessment and expert recommendations to enhance the Crisis Line's efficiency and service delivery.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
D· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
62
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAY 7
Introduced in Senate
MAY 7
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 1655
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMay 7, 2025
Last actionMay 7, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2025
Senate BillS 1655Armed Forces and National Security
Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act
INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 7, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
