This Act may be cited as the “Providing Evidence-based Peptide Therapies to Improve Delivery and Expanded Services for Veterans Act” or the “PEPTIDES for Veterans Act”.

(a) Review required.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a review of the regulations and guidance relating to peptides and, in particular, the scope of “peptide” as a defined term in Federal regulations and guidance, and shall establish an appropriate definition of “peptide” for purposes of this Act. A primary focus of the review shall be to consider addressing developments in research relating to peptides, if any, since the regulations, guidance, and defined terms were established.

(b) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the review. The report shall—

(1) summarize the regulations, guidance, and defined terms;

(2) describe the research developments, if any, since the regulations, guidance, and defined terms were established;

(3) set forth the definition of “peptide” established by the Secretary for purposes of this Act;

(4) set forth a definition of “peptide-based therapy” for purposes of this Act and any guidance the Secretary determines to be appropriate regarding what constitutes such a therapy; and

(5) explain the rationale for the definition established by the Secretary and the differences, if any, between such definition and other definitions of “peptide” in Federal regulations and guidance.

(a) Study required.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the date on which the report required by section 2 is submitted to Congress, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a study on the safety, efficacy, and potential therapeutic benefits of peptide-based therapies for veterans receiving care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(2) MATTERS INCLUDED.—In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall—

(A) review medical research;

(B) establish clinical protocols;

(C) identify potential applications relating to recovery, rehabilitation, chronic pain, mental health, physical wellness, and other service-connected conditions affecting veterans; and

(D) consider the extent to which peptides are safe to use for clinical and rehabilitation purposes.

(3) COMPLETION OF STUDY.—The study shall be completed not later than the date that is 18 months after the date on which the report required by section 2 is submitted to Congress.

(4) REPORT.—Upon completing the study, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study. The report shall include findings, recommendations, and a determination as to whether peptide-based therapies should be made available to veterans receiving care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(b) Pilot program.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary determines, in the report required by subsection (a)(4), that peptide-based therapies should be provided to such veterans, then the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program under which peptide-based therapies are made available to such veterans and the results of those therapies are assessed.

(2) LIMITATIONS ON PILOT PROGRAM.—Participation in the pilot program shall be limited to veterans who elect to participate, and the Secretary shall impose such other geographic, clinical, or other limitations on the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(3) COMPLETION OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The pilot program shall be completed not later than the date that is 5 years after the date on which it is established.

(4) REPORT.—Upon completing the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the pilot program. The report shall include—

(A) a detailed description of the effectiveness of peptide treatments for clinical and rehabilitation purposes, including a determination as to what conditions or ailments are improved by use of peptides;

(B) guidance on large-scale implementation of peptides throughout the medical facilities of the Department; and

(C) any challenges encountered in carrying out the pilot program.