PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 24, 2020
Solid Start Act of 2020
This bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service,
explain the existence and purpose of the program,
call veterans at least twice within the first year of separation,
publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website,
ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests, and
prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.
Under the bill, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, (2) follow up on missed phone calls, and (3) reach out to veterans who separated prior to the initiation of the Solid Start program.
The Government Accountability Office must assess and report on the Solid Start program.
People & committees
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] · D–NH
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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