(a) Evaluations.—
(1)
Not less frequently than once during each period specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide for the conduct of an evaluation of the mental health care and suicide prevention programs carried out under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(2) Each evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) shall—
(A)
use metrics that are common among and useful for practitioners in the field of mental health care and suicide prevention, including metrics applicable specifically to women;
(B)
identify the most effective mental health care and suicide prevention programs conducted by the Secretary, including such programs conducted at a Center of Excellence;
(E)
propose best practices for caring for individuals who suffer from mental health disorders or are at risk of suicide, including such practices conducted or suggested by other departments or agencies of the Federal Government, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(3) The periods specified in this paragraph are the following:
(b) Annual Submission.—Not later than December 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that contains the following:
(Added Pub. L. 114–2, § 2(a)(1), Feb. 12, 2015, 129 Stat. 30; amended Pub. L. 114–188, § 2, June 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 611.)