The COMFORT Act makes it easier for military families to access mental health counseling by allowing licensed counselors to provide services remotely or from military bases, no matter where the family member is located. Right now, there can be restrictions on where and how military mental health professionals can deliver their services. This bill removes those barriers, so a military family member stationed overseas could get counseling from a provider back home, or someone could receive services from a base counselor while living off-base in their community. The counselors providing these services include military personnel, civilian Department of Defense employees, and contractors who are properly licensed or certified. The key requirement is that the services stay within the United States or U.S. territories, and the provider stays within their authorized job duties. Essentially, this bill recognizes that military families face unique stresses and should have flexible access to mental health support without being limited by physical location or outdated rules about where services can be delivered.

COMFORT Act

Slotkin, Elissa

Comforting Our Military Families through On-base or Remote Treatment Act or the COMFORT Act This bill authorizes mental health professionals to provide nonmedical counseling services to military families regardless of where the provider or recipient is located, so long as the provision of services is (1) in the United States or a U.S. territory or possession, and (2) within the scope of the authorized duties of the provider. For purposes of the bill, mental health professionals include individuals who are licensed or certified mental health providers and are members of the Armed Forces, civilian Department of Defense (DOD) employees, or DOD contractors.