The Green Star Families Act would add new section 1720M to Title 38 to create a no-cost counseling program for the next of kin of veterans who die by suicide and for former volunteer caregivers of those veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs would furnish counseling through agreements with federal, state, or private entities, ensuring accessibility and parity with existing VA counseling services.
It also requires the VA to publish information about the program on its website and to provide information to eligible individuals. It defines key terms (next of kin, former volunteer caregiver, personal care services) and sets a tight implementation deadline to stand up the program within 90 days of enactment.
At a Glance
What It Does
Establishes a no-cost counseling program for the next of kin and former volunteer caregivers of veterans who die by suicide; authorizes the VA to contract with federal, state, or private entities; requires accessibility and parity with existing VA services.
Who It Affects
Next of kin and former volunteer caregivers of veterans who die by suicide; organizations that may partner with VA to provide services; the VA and potential private/providers.
Why It Matters
Creates formal support pathways for families and caregivers affected by veteran suicides, expanding access to mental health support and signaling a structured VA response to an underserved beneficiary group.
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What This Bill Actually Does
This bill adds a new program to Title 38 that would let the Department of Veterans Affairs provide counseling at no cost to two groups: the next of kin of veterans who die by suicide, and former volunteer caregivers who provided personal care or counseling services to those veterans without compensation for at least three months. The VA secretary would have the flexibility to work with federal, state, or private entities to deliver these services and must ensure that the counseling is reasonably accessible and at least as good as similar services already offered by the VA.
The bill also requires the VA to raise public awareness by publishing information on its website and sharing program details with eligible survivors.
Key definitions establish who counts as a “next of kin” (spouse first, then child, parent, sibling, or other person as determined by the Secretary), who is a “former volunteer caregiver,” and what constitutes “personal care services.” An implementation deadline requires the VA to begin carrying out the program within 90 days of enactment. The framework sets the stage for partnerships with other providers and clarifies eligibility, but it does not specify funding levels within the statute.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill creates Section 1720M of Title 38 to establish no-cost counseling for survivors of veteran suicide.
Eligibility covers next of kin and former volunteer caregivers of the veteran.
The VA may contract with federal, state, or private entities to deliver services.
Definitions establish who qualifies and what counts as personal care services.
Implementation must occur within 90 days of enactment.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Counseling program for next of kin and caregivers
Section 1720M(a) directs the Secretary to furnish no-cost counseling to the next of kin of veterans who die by suicide and to former volunteer caregivers. It allows the Secretary to work with Federal, State, or private entities to deliver these services and requires the services to be reasonably accessible and substantially equivalent or superior to those provided to the covered individuals.
Public awareness and information
Section 1720M(b) requires the Secretary to publish information about the program on the VA website and to provide program information to eligible individuals, ensuring visibility and access for survivors and caregivers.
Definitions
Section 1720M(c) defines key terms: a covered veterans service organization; a former volunteer caregiver (18+, who provided counseling or related services for at least three months without compensation); the next of kin (spouse, then child, parent, sibling, or other as determined by the Secretary); and personal care services as defined in section 1720G.
Implementation deadline
Section 1720M requires the Secretary to implement the new counseling program not later than 90 days after the enactment of the bill.
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Explore Healthcare in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Next of kin of veterans who die by suicide gain access to no-cost counseling for bereavement and related mental health needs, improving support during a vulnerable period.
- Former volunteer caregivers receive formal recognition and access to counseling services for a period after the veteran’s death, reducing potential caregiver burnout and isolation.
- Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and other coordinating bodies can play a role in outreach and referral, strengthening community-based support networks for families.
- VA and partner providers that deliver counseling will have a clearer framework and potential funding pathways to administer and scale services.
Who Bears the Cost
- The Department of Veterans Affairs bears ongoing program administration and service costs.
- Contracting entities and private providers may incur costs associated with delivering counseling under VA contracts.
- State governments or other public partners could incur administrative or coordination costs if they participate in program delivery.
- Public funding pressures on the federal budget if the program requires ongoing appropriations.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
Balancing immediate access to no-cost counseling for survivors with the lack of explicit funding and uniform implementation standards across providers and jurisdictions.
The bill creates a no-cost counseling entitlement for a specific survivor subgroup, but it provides limited detail on funding mechanisms, oversight, or outcomes reporting. The criteria for “reasonably accessible” and “substantially equivalent or superior” to existing services are not quantified, which could lead to variability in implementation across regions and providers.
The definition of “personal care services” relies on §1720G, which could affect the scope of services covered under the program and potential conflicts with other VA mental health initiatives. The reliance on intergovernmental or private partnerships raises questions about standards, credentialing, and accountability for the quality and continuity of care.
Core tension arises from needing rapid, no-cost support for grieving families while ensuring durable funding, provider capacity, and consistent service quality across the system.
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