Sec. 723. Comptroller General study on impact of perinatal mental health conditions of members of the Armed Forces and their dependents on military readiness and retention
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The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on perinatal mental health conditions among members of the Armed Forces and dependents of such members during the five-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act. The study required under paragraph
(1)shall include the following: An assessment of beneficiaries under the TRICARE program, including members of the Armed Forces and dependents of such members, who attempted suicide or died by suicide or substance use overdose during the perinatal period. An assessment of members of the Armed Forces discharged from active duty due to a mental health condition within two years after the perinatal period. An assessment of beneficiaries under the TRICARE program, including members of the Armed Forces and dependents of such members, diagnosed with a perinatal mental health condition who were relocated during the perinatal period. An assessment of the effects of retention and promotion policies of the Department of Defense relating to perinatal mental health conditions on members of the Armed Forces seeking and accessing screening, referral, and treatment. The number of members of the Armed Forces who were separated from the Armed Forces or did not receive a promotion due to a diagnosed perinatal mental health condition. An assessment of whether policies of the Department can be modified to provide clear standards for retention and pathways for promotion of members of the Armed Forces diagnosed with a perinatal mental health condition. An assessment of resources needed to integrate behavioral health specialists into all obstetric care practices, pediatric practices, and women’s clinics. A disaggregated demographic assessment of the population included in the study with respect to race, ethnicity, sex, age, family status (including dual service and single parent families), military occupation, military service, and rank, as applicable. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a), including— recommendations for actions to be taken by the Secretary of Defense to improve mental health among members of the Armed Forces and dependents of such members during the perinatal period; recommendations for legislative or administrative action to mitigate the effects of retention and promotion policies of the Department of Defense on members of the Armed Forces seeking and accessing mental health care during the perinatal period; and such other recommendations as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. In this section: The terms dependent and TRICARE program have the meanings given those terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. The term perinatal mental health condition means a mental health disorder that onsets during the perinatal period. The term perinatal period means the period during pregnancy and the one-year period following childbirth, still birth, or miscarriage.