Bill Sponsor
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Bill Sponsor
Politicians
Bills
House Bill 6961
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Dignity for MST Survivors Act
Became Law
Became Law
Became Public Law 117-300 on Dec 27, 2022
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 7, 2022
Latest Action
Dec 27, 2022
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
6961
Congress
117
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Frank J. Mrvan
Indiana
Democrat
Mike Levin
California
Democrat
Lauren Underwood
Illinois
Democrat
David Trone
Maryland
Democrat
Chris Pappas
New Hampshire
House Votes (1)
Senate Votes (1)
checkPassed on May 18, 2022
Question
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Status
Passed
Type
Roll Call Vote
Roll Call Vote
A vote that records the individual position of each Member who voted. Such votes occurring on the House floor (by the "yeas and nays" or by "recorded vote") are taken by electronic device. The Senate has no electronic voting system; in such votes, Senators answer "yea" or "nay" as the clerk calls each name aloud. Each vote is compiled by clerks and receives a roll call number (referenced in Congress.gov as a "Record Vote" [Senate] or "Roll no." [House]).
Roll Call Type
2/3 Yea-And-Nay
Roll Number
216
House Roll Call Votes
Summary

Dignity for MST Survivors Act

This bill modifies communications and procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) regarding claims for compensation based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced by veterans.

The bill requires the VA to ensure each member of the BVA is offered annual training on MST and proceedings that concern a claim for compensation based on MST. A proceeding that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST may not be assigned to a member of the BVA (or a panel of members) unless such persons have completed the annual training.

When a notice of disagreement is filed, the BVA must promptly determine whether it is filed for a case that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST and for which the appellant has requested a hearing in the notice.

The VA must audit the language used in letters sent to individuals to explain decisions denying claims for compensation based on MST. Letters must be modified to ensure (1) the use of trauma-informed language, and (2) veterans are not retraumatized through insensitive language.

The VA must establish protocols for contract medical providers to ensure that the medical providers use trauma-informed practices in conducting examinations in relation to claims for compensation based on MST.

Text (4)
Enrolled Bill
Referred in Senate
May 19, 2022
Engrossed in House
May 18, 2022
Introduced in House
March 7, 2022
Public Record
Record Updated
May 11, 2023 3:43:11 PM
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