Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1198
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Solid Start Act of 2022
Became Law
Amendments
Became Law
Became Public Law 117-205 on Oct 17, 2022
Overview
Text
Introduced
Apr 15, 2021
Latest Action
Oct 17, 2022
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1198
Congress
117
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Senate Votes (2)
House Votes (0)
Status
Passed
Type
Unanimous Consent
Unanimous Consent
A senator may request unanimous consent on the floor to set aside a specified rule of procedure so as to expedite proceedings. If no Senator objects, the Senate permits the action, but if any one senator objects, the request is rejected. Unanimous consent requests with only immediate effects are routinely granted, but ones affecting the floor schedule, the conditions of considering a bill or other business, or the rights of other senators, are normally not offered, or a floor leader will object to it, until all senators concerned have had an opportunity to inform the leaders that they find it acceptable.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate, under the order of 9/15/22, with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Summary

Solid Start Act of 2021

This bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to

  • collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service;
  • explain the existence and purpose of the program;
  • call veterans three times within the first year of separation;
  • publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website;
  • provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs;
  • provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers;
  • gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program;
  • ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and
  • prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.

Under the bill, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, (2) follow up on missed phone calls, and (3) reach out to veterans who separated prior to the initiation of the Solid Start program.

Text (4)
Amendments (1)
Sep 19, 2022
Agreed to in Senate
1
Sponsorship
Senate Amendment 5505
In the nature of a substitute.
Agreed To
Public Record
Record Updated
Feb 14, 2023 2:28:47 PM