HB3027, titled the Green Star Families Act, would amend title 38 of the U.S. Code to create a new Department of Veterans Affairs counseling program for certain people affected by the suicide of a veteran. The program would provide counseling at no cost to the veteran’s next of kin and to former volunteer caregivers who had provided unpaid counseling, social work, or other personal care services to the veteran through a covered veterans service organization for at least three months.
The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to offer these services only when they are reasonably accessible and substantially equivalent or better than comparable VA services. It also allows the VA to partner with federal, state, or private entities and to provide fair compensation under those agreements. The bill requires the VA to publicize the program on its website and to provide information directly to eligible individuals. It defines key terms such as “next of kin,” “former volunteer caregiver,” and “covered veterans service organization,” and requires implementation within 90 days of enactment.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new section to chapter 17 of title 38, expanding VA mental health and bereavement-related support to survivors and caregivers after a veteran suicide. It would create a new statutory obligation for the VA to furnish counseling services, establish eligibility rules, and potentially contract with outside providers to deliver those services. The bill would affect veterans’ benefits administration, VA outreach practices, and the scope of services available to families and caregivers of deceased veterans.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally supportive sentiment, as the bill was introduced with a clear service-oriented purpose and referred onward without recorded opposition in the provided materials. There are no committee transcripts or recorded votes in the supplied context, so no formal debate or partisan split is evident. The bill’s framing as a support measure for grieving families and caregivers indicates a compassionate, assistance-focused approach that is likely to be viewed favorably by veterans’ advocates.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues that could arise from the text itself include the cost and administrative burden of creating a new counseling entitlement, the requirement that services be “reasonably accessible” and at least equivalent to VA services, and the use of outside federal, state, or private entities to deliver care. Eligibility definitions may also be debated, especially the limitation to former volunteer caregivers connected to a covered veterans service organization and the order of priority for determining next of kin.
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)
A bill for an act providing for certain business entities acting under the jurisdiction of the secretary of state by providing for the removal of information from a filing based on a sworn affidavit and administrative dissolution based on the response to interrogatories.(See HF 2678.)