US HB1290

Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish a three-year pilot program within 180 days of enactment to refer veterans experiencing mental health crises to approved non-VA mental health care providers

Pilot program must operate in at least three geographic locations, with referrals connecting veterans to outside providers within one week

VA must develop approval criteria for non-Department providers, hire additional staff as needed, and train Vet Center and medical facility employees on the referral system

Annual reports to Congress required covering number of veterans referred, average wait times for care, and veteran satisfaction; final report due 180 days after program conclusion with recommendations on expansion

Authorizes $3,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2027 to fund the pilot program