S.Amdt. 6367

SA 6367, submitted by Mr. Ricketts, aims to improve mental health screening for members of the Armed Forces during their separation health assessments. The purpose is to ensure transitioning members receive effective screening to address mental health challenges following their service.

The amendment seeks to add the following to the bill:

• Validated Screening: It requires that all mental health screens under the separation health assessment be validated. Specifically, the Joint Executive Committee must ensure that screens for violence risk, alcohol use, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are modified to be validated tools.

• Substance Use Screening: It states that screening for substance use should be considered a necessary mental health screen. The Joint Executive Committee is tasked with incorporating substance use screening and must report to congressional committees within 120 days on whether this screen was included and why.

• Full Implementation: The Secretary of Defense, guided by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, must fully implement the separation health assessment within 120 days of the Act's enactment.