Sec. 5304. PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTING VETERANS WHO EXPERIENCE INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT
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## SEC. 5304 PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTING VETERANS WHO EXPERIENCE INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT **[**[38 U.S.C. 6303 note](/us/usc/t38/s6303)**]** ###
(a)Pilot Program Required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of assisting former members of the Armed Forces who have experienced or are experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault in accessing benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including coordinating access to medical treatment centers, housing assistance, and other benefits from the Department. ###
(b)Duration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection
(a)during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. ###
(c)Collaboration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection
(a)in collaboration with— ####
(1)intimate partner violence shelters and programs; ####
(2)rape crisis centers; ####
(3)State intimate partner violence and sexual assault coalitions; and ####
(4)such other health care or other service providers that serve intimate partner violence or sexual assault victims as determined by the Secretary, particularly those providing emergency services or housing assistance. ###
(d)Authorized Activities In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary may conduct the following activities: ####
(1)Training for community-based intimate partner violence or sexual assault service providers on— #####
(A)identifying former members of the Armed Forces who have been victims of, or are currently experiencing, intimate partner violence or sexual assault; #####
(B)coordinating with local service providers of the Department; and #####
(C)connecting former members of the Armed Forces with appropriate housing, mental health, medical, and other financial assistance or benefits from the Department. ####
(2)Assistance to service providers to ensure access of veterans to intimate partner violence and sexual assault emergency services, particularly in underserved areas, including services for Native American veterans (as defined in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code). ####
(3)Such other outreach and assistance as the Secretary determines necessary for the provision of assistance under subsection (a). ###
(e)Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault Outreach Coordinators ####
(1)In general In order to effectively assist veterans who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual assault, the Secretary may establish local coordinators to provide outreach under the pilot program required by subsection (a). ####
(2)Local coordinator knowledge The Secretary shall ensure that each coordinator established under paragraph
(1)is knowledgeable about— #####
(A)the dynamics of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, including safety concerns, legal protections, and the need for the provision of confidential services; #####
(B)the eligibility of veterans for services and benefits from the Department that are relevant to recovery from intimate partner violence and sexual assault, particularly emergency housing assistance, mental health care, other health care, and disability benefits; and #####
(C)local community resources addressing intimate partner violence and sexual assault. ####
(3)Local coordinator assistance Each coordinator established under paragraph
(1)shall assist intimate partner violence shelters and rape crisis centers in providing services to veterans. ###
(f)Report ####
(1)In general Not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. ####
(2)Contents The report required by paragraph
(1)shall include the following: #####
(A)The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program. #####
(B)Such recommendations for continuing or expanding the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate. ###
(g)Definitions In this section: ####
(1)Intimate partner #####
(A)In general The term “intimate partner” means a person with whom one has a close personal relationship that may be characterized by the partners’ emotional connectedness, regular contact, ongoing physical contact and sexual behavior, identity as a couple, and familiarity and knowledge about each other’s lives. #####
(B)Close personal relationships In this paragraph, the term “close personal relationships” includes the following: ######
(i)A relationship between married spouses. ######
(ii)A relationship between common-law spouses. ######
(iii)A relationship between civil union spouses. ######
(iv)A relationship between domestic partners. ######
(v)A relationship between dating partners. ######
(vi)A relationship between ongoing sexual partners. ####
(2)Intimate partner violence The term “intimate partner violence” includes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression, including coercive tactics by a current or former intimate partner.
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Sec. 5304
PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTING VETERANS WHO EXPERIENCE INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT
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