CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO FAMILIES OF VETERANS.

SEC. 301. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO FAMILIES OF VETERANS.(a) In General.—Chapter 17 is amended—(1) in section 1701(5)(B)—(A) by inserting “marriage and family counseling,” after “professional counseling,”; and(B) by striking “as may be essential to” and inserting “as the Secretary considers appropriate for”; and(2) in section 1782—(A) in subsection (a), by inserting “marriage and family counseling,” after “professional counseling,”; and(B) in subsection (b)—(i) by inserting “marriage and family counseling,” after “professional counseling,”; and(ii) by striking “if—” and all that follows and inserting a period.(b) Location.—Paragraph (5) of section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, shall not be construed to prevent the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from providing services described in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph to individuals described in such subparagraph in centers under section 1712A of such title (commonly referred to as “Vet Centers”), Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, or in such other facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary considers necessary.