124 STAT. 1156 PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 TITLE IV—MENTAL HEALTH CARE MATTERS SEC. 401. ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO SERVE IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM OR OPER- ATION IRAQI FREEDOM FOR COUNSELING AND SERVICES THROUGH READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE. (a) IN GENERAL.—Any member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserve, who serves on active duty in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom or Oper- ation Iraqi Freedom is eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, through the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration. (b) NO REQUIREMENT FOR CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE.— A member of the Armed Forces who meets the requirements for eligibility for counseling and services under subsection (a) is entitled to counseling and services under that subsection regardless of whether or not the member is currently on active duty in the Armed Forces at the time of receipt of counseling and services under that subsection. (c) REGULATIONS.—The eligibility of members of the Armed Forces for counseling and services under subsection (a) shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly prescribe for purposes of this section. (d) SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The provi- sion of counseling and services under subsection (a) shall be subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose. SEC. 402. RESTORATION OF AUTHORITY OF READJUSTMENT COUN - SELING SERVICE TO PROVIDE REFERRAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE UPON REQUEST TO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES NOT AUTHORIZED COUNSELING. Section 1712A is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (c) through (f) as sub- sections (d) through (g), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub- section (c): ‘‘(c) Upon receipt of a request for counseling under this section from any individual who has been discharged or released from active military, naval, or air service but who is not otherwise eligible for such counseling, the Secretary shall— ‘‘(1) provide referral services to assist such individual, to the maximum extent practicable, in obtaining mental health care and services from sources outside the Department; and ‘‘(2) if pertinent, advise such individual of such individual’s rights to apply to the appropriate military, naval, or air service, and to the Department, for review of such individual’s discharge or release from such service.’’. SEC. 403. STUDY ON SUICIDES AMONG VETERANS. (a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who died by suicide between January 1, 1999, and the date of the enactment of this Act. 38 USC 1712A note.
