Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 3.djvu/185

 PUBLIC LAW 102-405—OCT. 9, 1992 106 STAT. 1979 (1) veterans who were awarded a campaign medal for active-duty service during the Persian Gulf War and the spouses and children of such veterans; and (2) veterans who are or were members of the reserve components who were called or ordered to active duty during the Persian Gulf War and the spouses and children of such members. (c) COUNSELING SERVICES. —Under the program, the Secretary may provide marriage and family counseling that the Secretary determines, based on an assessment by a mental-health professional employed by the Department and designated by the Secretary (or, in an area where no such professional is available, a mentalhealth professional designated by the Secretary and performing services under a contract or fee arreuigement with the Secretary), is necessary for the amelioration of psychological, marital, or familial difficulties that result from the active duty service referred to in subsection (b)(1) or (2). (d) MANNER OF FURNISHING SERVICES. — (1) Marriage and family counseling services shall be furnished under the program— (A) by personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are qualified to provide such counseling services; (B) by appropriately certified marriage and family counselors employed by the Department; and (C) by qualified mental health professionals pursuant to contracts with the Department, when Department facilities are not capable of furnishing economical medical services because of geographical inaccessibility or are not capable of furnishing the services required. (2) The Secretary shall establish the qualifications required of personnel under subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (1) and shall prescribe the training, experience, and certification required of appropriately certified marriage and family counselors under subparagraph (B) of such paragraph. (3) The Secretary may employ licensed or certified marriage and family counselors to provide counseling under paragraph (1)(B) and may classify the positions in which they are employed at levels determined appropriate by the Secretary, taking into consideration the training, experience, and licensure or certification required of such counselors. (e) CONTRACT COUNSELING SERVICES. — (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), a mental health professional referred to in subsection (d)(1)(C) may furnish marriage and family counseling services to a person under the program as follows: (A) For a period of not more than 15 days beginning on the date of the commencement of the furnishing of such services to the person. (B) For a 90-day period beginning on such date if— (i) the mental health professional submits to the Secretary a treatment plan with respect to the person not later than 15 days after such date; and (ii) the treatment plan and the assessment made under subsection (c) are approved by an appropriate mental health professional of the Department designated for that purpose by the Under Secretary for Health. (C) For an additional 90-day period beginning on the date of the expiration of the 90-day period referred to in subparagraph (B) (or any subsequent 90-aay period) if—

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