PLAN TO INCREASE THE MENTAL HEALTH CAPABILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

SEC. 714. PLAN TO INCREASE THE MENTAL HEALTH CAPABILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.(a) Increased Authorizations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of each military department shall increase the number of active duty mental health personnel authorized for the department under the jurisdiction of the Secretary in an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts:(1) The greater of—(A) the amount identified on personnel authorization documents as required but not authorized to be filled; or(B) the amount that is 25 percent of the amount identified on personnel authorization documents as authorized.(2) The amount required to fulfill the requirements of section 708, as determined by the Secretary concerned.(b) Report and Plan on the Required Number of Mental Health Personnel.—(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the appropriate number of mental health personnel required to meet the mental health care needs of members of the Armed Forces, retired members, and dependents. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:(A) An evaluation of the recommendation titled “Ensure an Adequate Supply of Uniformed Providers” made by the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health established by section 723 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 119 Stat. 3348).(B) The criteria and models used to determine the appropriate number of mental health personnel.(C) The plan under paragraph (2).(2) Plan.—The Secretary shall develop and implement a plan to significantly increase the number of military and civilian mental health personnel of the Department of Defense by September 30, 2013. The plan may include the following:(A) The allocation of scholarships and financial assistance under the Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program under subchapter I of chapter 105 of title 10, United States Code, to students pursuing advanced degrees in clinical psychology and other mental health professions.(B) The offering of accession and retention bonuses for psychologists pursuant to section 620 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 4489).(C) An expansion of the capacity for training doctoral-level clinical psychologists at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.(D) An expansion of the capacity of the Department of Defense for training masters-level clinical psychologists and social workers with expertise in deployment-related mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.123 STAT. 2382(E) The detail of commissioned officers of the Armed Forces to accredited schools of psychology for training leading to a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or social work.(F) The reassignment of military mental health personnel from administrative positions to clinical positions in support of military units.(G) The offering of civilian hiring incentives and bonuses and the use of direct hiring authority to increase the number of mental health personnel of the Department of Defense.(H) Such other mechanisms to increase the number of mental health personnel of the Department of Defense as the Secretary considers appropriate.(c) Report on Additional Officer or Enlisted Military Specialties for Mental Health.—(1) Report.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the assessment of the Secretary of the feasability and advisability of establishing one or more military mental health specialities for officers or enlisted members of the Armed Forces in order to better meet the mental health care needs of members of the Armed Forces and their families.(2) Elements.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall set forth the following:(A) A recommendation as to the feasability and advisability of establishing one or more military mental health specialities for officers or enlisted members of the Armed Forces.(B) For each military specialty recommended to be established under subparagraph (A)—(i) a description of the qualifications required for such speciality, which shall reflect lessons learned from best practices in academia and the civilian health care industry regarding positions analogous to such specialty; and(ii) a description of the incentives or other mechanisms, if any, that would be advisable to facilitate recruitment and retention of individuals to and in such specialty.