COPE Act
The COPE Act (HR 3581) creates a new grant program for the VA to fund mental health support services specifically for family caregivers of veterans enrolled in the VA's family caregiver program. It requires grantees to develop equitable plans addressing rural, American Indian/Alaska Native, elderly, women, and other underserved veteran communities, with priority given to areas with high veteran suicide rates or Veterans Crisis Line referrals. Grants must expand or create new mental health services while tracking outcomes like increased service utilization and reduced barriers, with annual reports to Congress. The bill authorizes $50 million annually (2023-2025) to supplement existing VA funding for this purpose.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2023
Committee Review
Dec 2023
House Passage
Dec 2023
Senate Passage
President
Introduced May 22, 2023
Last action Dec 5, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
6
Committee
8
Amendments
2
Dec 5, 2023
Committee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
upper
Dec 4, 2023
Introduced
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6103-6104)
lower
Dec 4, 2023
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6103-6104)
lower
Dec 4, 2023
Introduced
Mr. Bergman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
lower
Oct 25, 2023
Lower · Passed
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-251.
lower
Jul 26, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
lower
Jul 18, 2023
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Jul 18, 2023
Lower · Passed
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
lower
Jun 21, 2023
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Hearings Held
lower
Jun 19, 2023
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
lower
May 22, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
lower
May 22, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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