No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a quality assurance document for carrying out the toll-free Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), which shall: (1) outline performance indicators and objectives to improve the VCL, including at backup call centers; (2) include time frames to meet such indicators and objectives; and (3) be consistent with guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget.

The VA shall develop a plan to ensure that each telephone call, text message, and other communications received by the VCL, including at backup call centers, is answered in a timely manner by a person, consistent with the guidance established by the American Association of Suicidology. The plan shall include guidelines for periodic VCL testing.

The VA shall submit the document and plan within 180 days.