H.R. 10409: Lethal Means Safety Training Act

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update its Lethal Means Safety and Suicide Prevention training course so that it reflects current best practices and is culturally appropriate.

What the VA would have to do

• Update the training within 180 days of enactment, working with a range of outside experts and organizations.

• Update the training at least once a year after that, as needed, based on new best practices.

• Publish a yearly report on the VA website showing what percentage of required people completed the training during the year.

• Make the training publicly available on a VA website.

Who would have to take the training

The bill would require the most recently updated training course for:

• VA employees in Veterans Health Administration or Veterans Benefits Administration roles who regularly interact with veterans;

• compensation and pension examiners, including contractor employees who do those exams;

• employees at Veterans Centers or vocational rehabilitation facilities;

• employees of non-VA providers who give care under the VA community care program; and

• family caregivers who receive support under the VA caregiver program.

When training would be required

• Newly hired covered VA employees would need to complete the training within 90 days of starting.

• Covered employees, community care provider staff, and family caregivers would need to take it at least once every year afterward.

Who VA would consult

In updating the course, VA would work with the Department of Health and Human Services and several related experts and groups, including suicide prevention experts, firearms dealers and instructors, lethal means safety experts, VA research centers, and veterans service organizations.

Relevant Companies

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