Bill Summary
This legislation amends Title 38 of the United States Code to establish specific qualifications for appointing marriage and family therapists who are qualified to provide clinical supervision within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The amendment clarifies eligibility criteria by redesignating existing sections and adding new requirements.
To be eligible for a marriage and family therapist position that includes clinical supervision, candidates must meet the qualifications outlined in the prior subparagraph and must also be recognized by their respective state as qualified to provide clinical supervision. This change aims to ensure that VHA hires adequately qualified professionals to support the mental health needs of veterans.
Possible Impacts
The legislation you provided establishes qualifications for appointing marriage and family therapists in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who are qualified to provide clinical supervision. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Qualified Therapists for Veterans**:
With the establishment of clear qualifications for marriage and family therapists, veterans seeking mental health services may benefit from improved access to qualified professionals. This can lead to more effective therapeutic interventions, as veterans will be treated by therapists with recognized credentials and appropriate training, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided within the VHA.
2. **Enhanced Quality of Clinical Supervision**:
By requiring therapists to meet specific qualifications to provide clinical supervision, the legislation ensures that therapists in training or those seeking licensure are guided by experienced and appropriately credentialed supervisors. This can lead to better training outcomes and more competent therapists entering the workforce, which is particularly important for addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by veterans and their families.
3. **Standardization of Practices Across States**:
The requirement for therapists to be recognized by their respective states as qualified to provide clinical supervision promotes standardization in the qualifications and practices of marriage and family therapists. This can help reduce discrepancies in the quality of care provided to veterans across different states and improve the overall effectiveness of mental health services within the VHA, ensuring that all veterans receive consistent and high-quality care regardless of their location.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 658 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 658
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 3, 2026
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish qualifications for
the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist,
qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health
Administration.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A
PERSON AS A MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST, QUALIFIED TO
PROVIDE CLINICAL SUPERVISION, IN THE VETERANS HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION.
Section 7402(b)(10) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses
(i) and (ii), respectively;
(2) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``To be eligible''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph
(B):
``(B) To be eligible to be appointed to a marriage and family
therapist position and qualified to provide clinical supervision, a
person must--
``(i) have the qualifications set forth in subparagraph
(A); and
``(ii) be recognized by the State described in clause (ii)
of such subparagraph as a provider of, or
otherwise allowed by such State to provide, clinical
supervision.''.
Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2026.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.