Gilbert Cisneros (D-CA)
Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act
A Democratic bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act," directs the Secretary of Defense to create a strategic plan regarding the mental health of Armed Forces members. The plan aims to address suicide and the mental health services provided to service members. It requires coordination between the Secretary of Defense, military department Secretaries, and the Director of the Defense Health Agency. Key components include developing uniform protocols for self-initiated mental health evaluation referrals. Additionally, the act mandates standardized mental health training for various military leaders and personnel.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill mandates a strategic plan to address suicide and establishes uniform protocols for self-initiated mental health evaluation referrals.
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The focus on mental health and suicide prevention in the military directly benefits the well-being of current and future veterans.
- Scored +4
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
By improving mental health services and suicide prevention within the Armed Forces, the bill supports the long-term well-being of service members.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Services: The plan specifically aims to address suicide and the mental-health services provided to members of the Armed Forces (Section 2(a)).
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Clearer Access to Mental Health Evaluations: The bill requires uniform protocols for the self-initiated referral process, which helps members seeking mental health evaluations (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
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Increased Awareness of Resources: The plan includes providing information through workplace posters, flyers, and advertisements to ensure members are aware of the referral process (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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Better Recognition of Mental Health Issues: The act calls for standardized training to help commanders, senior enlisted leaders, and medical personnel recognize signs of mental health distress (Section 2(a)(2)(A) and (D)).
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Standardized Response Procedures: Training will include how to respond when a member initiates the self-initiated referral process (Section 2(a)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The focus on mental health and suicide prevention in the military directly benefits the well-being of current and future veterans. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The emphasis on mental health assistance provides better support for those experiencing mental health-related disabilities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates a strategic plan to address suicide and establishes uniform protocols for self-initiated mental health evaluation referrals.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — By improving mental health services and suicide prevention within the Armed Forces, the bill supports the long-term well-being of service members.
- 6/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CarterRepublican · Texas
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Abraham HamadehRepublican · Arizona
Young KimRepublican · California
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia