Julia Brownley (D-CA)
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.
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code regarding the Veterans Health Administration. It focuses on establishing specific qualifications for individuals appointed as marriage and family therapists. Specifically, it targets those who are qualified to provide clinical supervision. The amendment requires these individuals to meet existing qualifications and state-specific recognition. This change ensures a standard for clinical supervision within the agency.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
Standardizing supervision requirements for therapists may improve the quality of mental health services provided to veterans.
- Scored +5
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill enhances veteran healthcare by ensuring that those providing clinical supervision meet specific state-recognized standards.
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill ensures that veterans receive mental health services overseen by highly qualified, state-recognized professionals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Ensures Qualified Supervision: By requiring that a person be recognized by a State as a provider of, or otherwise allowed to provide, clinical supervision, the bill ensures that those overseeing others meet specific state standards. This is found in Section 1, subparagraph (B)(ii).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Requirements for Appointment: The bill adds a new requirement that a person must be recognized by a State to provide clinical supervision to be eligible for the position. This could potentially limit the pool of eligible applicants for marriage and family therapist positions in the Veterans Health Administration. This is found in Section 1, subparagraph (B)(ii).
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.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Standardizing supervision requirements for therapists may improve the quality of mental health services provided to veterans. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill enhances veteran healthcare by ensuring that those providing clinical supervision meet specific state-recognized standards.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill ensures that veterans receive mental health services overseen by highly qualified, state-recognized professionals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill empowers states by requiring federal employees to meet state-recognized clinical supervision standards. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight by mandating state-specific recognition for positions within a federal agency.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — By standardizing therapist qualifications, the bill helps ensure high-quality clinical supervision for veterans.
- 2/3/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2/2/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1932)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1932)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 658.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1932-1933)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 5/17/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-99.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 72.
- 5/6/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 3/25/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 3/4/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 1/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia