II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 456 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2023 Ms. Sinema (for herself and Mr. Sullivan ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize non-medical counseling services, provided by certain mental health professionals, to military families.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Comforting Our Military Families through On-base or Remote Treatment Act or the COMFORT Act . 2. Non-medical counseling services for military families (a) Non-Medical counseling services Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mental health professional described in subsection (b) may provide non-medical counseling services to military families at any location in a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States, without regard to where the provider or recipient of such services is located, if the provision of such services is within the scope of the authorized Federal duties of the provider. (b) Covered mental health professionals A mental health professional described in this subsection is a person who is— (1) a currently licensed or certified mental health care provider who holds an unrestricted license or certification that is— (A) issued by a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States; and (B) recognized by the Secretary of Defense; (2) a member of the uniformed services, a civilian employee of the Department of Defense, or a contractor designated by the Secretary; and (3) performing authorized duties for the Department of Defense under a program or activity referred to in subsection (a).