GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY PILOT PROGRAM AT STATE VETERANS HOMES.

SEC. 163. GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY PILOT PROGRAM AT STATE VETERANS HOMES.(a) In General.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence the conduct of a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide geriatric psychiatry assistance to eligible veterans at State homes. (b) Duration.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under this section for a two-year period. (c) Type of Assistance.—Assistance provided under the pilot program under this section may include—136 STAT. 5431(1) direct provision of geriatric psychiatry services, including health care if feasible; (2) payments to non-Department of Veterans Affairs providers in the community to provide such services; (3) collaboration with other Federal agencies to provide such services; or (4) such other forms of assistance as the Secretary considers appropriate. (d) Consideration of Local Area Needs.—In providing assistance under the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall consider the geriatric psychiatry needs of the local area, including by considering—(1) State homes with a high proportion of residents with unmet mental health needs; (2) State homes located in mental health care health professional shortage areas designated under section 332 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e); or (3) State homes located in rural or highly rural areas. (e) Definitions.—In this section, the terms “State home” and “veteran” have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.