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.

House Bill

H.R. 658

119th Congress

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.

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 72.

Introduced:Jan 23, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Julia Brownley

Representative

Democratic

CA-26

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill establishes eligibility requirements for marriage and family therapists who provide clinical supervision in the Veterans Health Administration. Candidates must hold an appropriate masters degree, be licensed or certified, and either be authorized to provide clinical supervision in their licensing state or be designated as an approved supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 72.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill establishes eligibility requirements for marriage and family therapists who provide clinical supervision in the Veterans Health Administration. Candidates must hold an appropriate masters degree, be licensed or certified, and either be authorized to provide clinical supervision in their licensing state or be designated as an approved supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

<p>This bill establishes eligibility requirements for the appointment of an individual in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) as a marriage and family therapist who is qualified to provide clinical supervision. In order to be appointed as a marriage and family therapist in the VHA who is qualified to provide clinical supervision, a person must hold an appropriate master’s degree, be licensed or certified, and (1) be authorized to provide clinical supervision in the state they are licensed in, or (2) be designated as an approved supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.</p>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires appropriate masters degree for VHA clinical supervisors
Mandates state licensure or certification
Accepts state authorization for clinical supervision
Recognizes AAMFT approved supervisor designation
Standardizes qualifications across the VHA system

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This legislation ensures veterans receive mental health services from qualified clinical supervisors. By establishing clear credentialing standards for marriage and family therapists, it improves quality assurance while providing flexibility through multiple qualification pathways. Veterans and their families benefit from standardized professional oversight in therapy services.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Family services

Health personnel

Mental health

Veterans' medical care

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

658, 119th Congress (2025). "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.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-658