To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the inclusion of a behavioral health professional on any physical evaluation board that considers issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 18, 2013

Requires any physical evaluation board within the Department of Defense (DOD) that will consider issues related to post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition of a member or former member of the Armed Forces to include a behavioral health professional (BHP) as a board member.

Requires the BHP to serve in lieu of the medical member of such board unless, as a result of the health-related issues before the board, the board would benefit from the presence of both the BHP and the medical member.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3] · R–NC

Committees

Armed Services Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Apr 5, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Mar 18, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Mar 18, 2013
Introduced in House
Mar 18, 2013
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 18, 2013 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.1236 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1236, 113th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the inclusion of a behavioral health professional on any physical evaluation board that considers issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1236/BILLS-113hr1236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1236 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1236 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1236, 113th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the inclusion of a behavioral health professional on any physical evaluation board that considers issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1236/BILLS-113hr1236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1236 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1236 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1236, 113th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the inclusion of a behavioral health professional on any physical evaluation board that considers issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1236/BILLS-113hr1236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1236 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1236 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1236, 113th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the inclusion of a behavioral health professional on any physical evaluation board that considers issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1236

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1236/BILLS-113hr1236ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1236 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.