For Immediate Release

March 16, 2012

Executive Order -- National Defense Resources Preparedness

EXECUTIVE ORDER

NATIONAL DEFENSE RESOURCES PREPAREDNESS

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:
PART I  -  PURPOSE, POLICY, AND IMPLEMENTATION
Section 101.  Purpose.  This order delegates authorities and addresses national defense resource policies and programs under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (the "Act").
Sec. 102.  Policy.  The United States must have an industrial and technological base capable of meeting national defense requirements and capable of contributing to the technological superiority of its national defense equipment in peacetime and in times of national emergency.  The domestic industrial and technological base is the foundation for national defense preparedness.  The authorities provided in the Act shall be used to strengthen this base and to ensure it is capable of responding to the national defense needs of the United States.
Sec. 103.  General Functions.  Executive departments and agencies (agencies) responsible for plans and programs relating to national defense (as defined in section 801(j) of this order), or for resources and services needed to support such plans and programs, shall:
(a)  identify requirements for the full spectrum of emergencies, including essential military and civilian demand;
(b)  assess on an ongoing basis the capability of the domestic industrial and technological base to satisfy requirements in peacetime and times of national emergency, specifically evaluating the availability of the most critical resource and production sources, including subcontractors and suppliers, materials, skilled labor, and professional and technical personnel;
(c)  be prepared, in the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States, to take actions necessary to ensure the availability of adequate resources and production capability, including services and critical technology, for national defense requirements;
(d)  improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the domestic industrial base to support national defense requirements; and
(e)  foster cooperation between the defense and commercial sectors for research and development and for acquisition of materials, services, components, and equipment to enhance industrial base efficiency and responsiveness.
Sec. 104.  Implementation.  (a)  The National Security Council and Homeland Security Council, in conjunction with the National Economic Council, shall serve as the integrated policymaking forum for consideration and formulation of national defense resource preparedness policy and shall make recommendations to the President on the use of authorities under the Act.

(b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall:

(1)  advise the President on issues of national defense resource preparedness and on the use of the authorities and functions delegated by this order;

(2)  provide for the central coordination of the plans and programs incident to authorities and functions delegated under this order, and provide guidance to agencies assigned functions under this order, developed in consultation with such agencies; and

(3)  report to the President periodically concerning all program activities conducted pursuant to this order.

(c)  The Defense Production Act Committee, described in section 701 of this order, shall:

(1)  in a manner consistent with section 2(b) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2062(b), advise the President through the Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy on the effective use of the authorities under the Act; and

(2)  prepare and coordinate an annual report to the Congress pursuant to section 722(d) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2171(d).

(d)  The Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other agencies, shall:

(1)  analyze potential effects of national emergencies on actual production capability, taking into account the entire production system, including shortages of resources, and develop recommended preparedness measures to strengthen capabilities for production increases in national emergencies; and

(2)  perform industry analyses to assess capabilities of the industrial base to support the national defense, and develop policy recommendations to improve the international competitiveness of specific domestic industries and their abilities to meet national defense program needs.

PART II  -  PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS
Sec. 201.  Priorities and Allocations Authorities.  (a)  The authority of the President conferred by section 101 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2071, to require acceptance and priority performance of contracts or orders (other than contracts of employment) to promote the national defense over performance of any other contracts or orders, and to allocate materials, services, and facilities as deemed necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense, is delegated to the following agency heads:

(1)  the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to food resources, food resource facilities, livestock resources, veterinary resources, plant health resources, and the domestic distribution of farm equipment and commercial fertilizer;

(2)  the Secretary of Energy with respect to all forms of energy;

(3)  the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to health resources;

(4)  the Secretary of Transportation with respect to all forms of civil transportation;

(5)  the Secretary of Defense with respect to water resources; and

(6)  the Secretary of Commerce with respect to all other materials, services, and facilities, including construction materials.

(b)  The Secretary of each agency delegated authority under subsection (a) of this section (resource departments) shall plan for and issue regulations to prioritize and allocate resources and establish standards and procedures by which the authority shall be used to promote the national defense, under both emergency and non-emergency conditions.  Each Secretary shall authorize the heads of other agencies, as appropriate, to place priority ratings on contracts and orders for materials, services, and facilities needed in support of programs approved under section 202 of this order.
(c)  Each resource department shall act, as necessary and appropriate, upon requests for special priorities assistance, as defined by section 801(l) of this order, in a time frame consistent with the urgency of the need at hand.  In situations where there are competing program requirements for limited resources, the resource department shall consult with the Secretary who made the required determination under section 202 of this order.  Such Secretary shall coordinate with and identify for the resource department which program requirements to prioritize on the basis of operational urgency.  In situations involving more than one Secretary making such a required determination under section 202 of this order, the Secretaries shall coordinate with and identify for the resource department which program requirements should receive priority on the basis of operational urgency.
(d)  If agreement cannot be reached between two such Secretaries, then the issue shall be referred to the President through the Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.
(e)  The Secretary of each resource department, when necessary, shall make the finding required under section 101(b) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2071(b).  This finding shall be submitted for the President's approval through the Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.  Upon such approval, the Secretary of the resource department that made the finding may use the authority of section 101(a) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2071(a), to control the general distribution of any material (including applicable services) in the civilian market.
Sec. 202.  Determinations.  Except as provided in section 201(e) of this order, the authority delegated by section 201 of this order may be used only to support programs that have been determined in writing as necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense:

(a)  by the Secretary of Defense with respect to military production and construction, military assistance to foreign nations, military use of civil transportation, stockpiles managed by the Department of Defense, space, and directly related activities;

(b)  by the Secretary of Energy with respect to energy production and construction, distribution and use, and directly related activities; and

(c)  by the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to all other national defense programs, including civil defense and continuity of Government.

Sec. 203.  Maximizing Domestic Energy Supplies.  The authorities of the President under section 101(c)(1) (2) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2071(c)(1) (2), are delegated to the Secretary of Commerce, with the exception that the authority to make findings that materials (including equipment), services, and facilities are critical and essential, as described in section 101(c)(2)(A) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2071(c)(2)(A), is delegated to the Secretary of Energy.
Sec. 204.  Chemical and Biological Warfare.  The authority of the President conferred by section 104(b) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2074(b), is delegated to the Secretary of Defense.  This authority may not be further delegated by the Secretary.
PART III  -  EXPANSION OF PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY AND SUPPLY
Sec. 301.  Loan Guarantees.  (a)  To reduce current or projected shortfalls of resources, critical technology items, or materials essential for the national defense, the head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense, as defined in section 801(h) of this order, is authorized pursuant to section 301 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2091, to guarantee loans by private institutions.
(b)  Each guaranteeing agency is designated and authorized to:  (1) act as fiscal agent in the making of its own guarantee contracts and in otherwise carrying out the purposes of section 301 of the Act; and (2) contract with any Federal Reserve Bank to assist the agency in serving as fiscal agent.
(c)  Terms and conditions of guarantees under this authority shall be determined in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  The guaranteeing agency is authorized, following such consultation, to prescribe:  (1) either specifically or by maximum limits or otherwise, rates of interest, guarantee and commitment fees, and other charges which may be made in connection with such guarantee contracts; and (2) regulations governing the forms and procedures (which shall be uniform to the extent practicable) to be utilized in connection therewith.
Sec. 302.  Loans.  To reduce current or projected shortfalls of resources, critical technology items, or materials essential for the national defense, the head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority of the President under section 302 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2092, to make loans thereunder.  Terms and conditions of loans under this authority shall be determined in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of OMB.
Sec. 303.  Additional Authorities.  (a)  To create, maintain, protect, expand, or restore domestic industrial base capabilities essential for the national defense, the head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority of the President under section 303 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093, to make provision for purchases of, or commitments to purchase, an industrial resource or a critical technology item for Government use or resale, and to make provision for the development of production capabilities, and for the increased use of emerging technologies in security program applications, and to enable rapid transition of emerging technologies.
(b)  Materials acquired under section 303 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093, that exceed the needs of the programs under the Act may be transferred to the National Defense Stockpile, if, in the judgment of the Secretary of Defense as the National Defense Stockpile Manager, such transfers are in the public interest.
Sec. 304.  Subsidy Payments.  To ensure the supply of raw or nonprocessed materials from high cost sources, or to ensure maximum production or supply in any area at stable prices of any materials in light of a temporary increase in transportation cost, the head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority of the President under section 303(c) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093(c), to make subsidy payments, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of OMB.
Sec. 305.  Determinations and Findings.  (a)  Pursuant to budget authority provided by an appropriations act in advance for credit assistance under section 301 or 302 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2091, 2092, and consistent with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, as amended (FCRA), 2 U.S.C. 661 et seq., the head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority to make the determinations set forth in sections 301(a)(2) and 302(b)(2) of the Act, in consultation with the Secretary making the required determination under section 202 of this order; provided, that such determinations shall be made after due consideration of the provisions of OMB Circular A 129 and the credit subsidy score for the relevant loan or loan guarantee as approved by OMB pursuant to FCRA.
(b)  Other than any determination by the President under section 303(a)(7)(b) of the Act, the head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority to make the required determinations, judgments, certifications, findings, and notifications defined under section 303 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093, in consultation with the Secretary making the required determination under section 202 of this order.
Sec. 306.  Strategic and Critical Materials.  The Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the Secretary of Defense as the National Defense Stockpile Manager, are each delegated the authority of the President under section 303(a)(1)(B) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093(a)(1)(B), to encourage the exploration, development, and mining of strategic and critical materials and other materials.
Sec. 307.  Substitutes.  The head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority of the President under section 303(g) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093(g), to make provision for the development of substitutes for strategic and critical materials, critical components, critical technology items, and other resources to aid the national defense.
Sec. 308.  Government-Owned Equipment.  The head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority of the President under section 303(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093(e), to:
(a)  procure and install additional equipment, facilities, processes, or improvements to plants, factories, and other industrial facilities owned by the Federal Government and to procure and install Government owned equipment in plants, factories, or other industrial facilities owned by private persons;
(b)  provide for the modification or expansion of privately owned facilities, including the modification or improvement of production processes, when taking actions under sections 301, 302, or 303 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2091, 2092, 2093; and
(c)  sell or otherwise transfer equipment owned by the Federal Government and installed under section 303(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093(e), to the owners of such plants, factories, or other industrial facilities.
Sec. 309.  Defense Production Act Fund.  The Secretary of Defense is designated the Defense Production Act Fund Manager, in accordance with section 304(f) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2094(f), and shall carry out the duties specified in section 304 of the Act, in consultation with the agency heads having approved, and appropriated funds for, projects under title III of the Act.
Sec. 310.  Critical Items.  The head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority of the President under section 107(b)(1) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2077(b)(1), to take appropriate action to ensure that critical components, critical technology items, essential materials, and industrial resources are available from reliable sources when needed to meet defense requirements during peacetime, graduated mobilization, and national emergency.  Appropriate action may include restricting contract solicitations to reliable sources, restricting contract solicitations to domestic sources (pursuant to statutory authority), stockpiling critical components, and developing substitutes for critical components or critical technology items.
Sec. 311.  Strengthening Domestic Capability.  The head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense is delegated the authority of the President under section 107(a) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2077(a), to utilize the authority of title III of the Act or any other provision of law to provide appropriate incentives to develop, maintain, modernize, restore, and expand the productive capacities of domestic sources for critical components, critical technology items, materials, and industrial resources essential for the execution of the national security strategy of the United States.
Sec. 312.  Modernization of Equipment.  The head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense, in accordance with section 108(b) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2078(b), may utilize the authority of title III of the Act to guarantee the purchase or lease of advance manufacturing equipment, and any related services with respect to any such equipment for purposes of the Act.  In considering title III projects, the head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense shall provide a strong preference for proposals submitted by a small business supplier or subcontractor in accordance with section 108(b)(2) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2078(b)(2).
PART IV  -  VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Sec. 401.  Delegations.  The authority of the President under sections 708(c) and (d) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2158(c), (d), is delegated to the heads of agencies otherwise delegated authority under this order.  The status of the use of such delegations shall be furnished to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Sec. 402.  Advisory Committees.  The authority of the President under section 708(d) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2158(d), and delegated in section 401 of this order (relating to establishment of advisory committees) shall be exercised only after consultation with, and in accordance with, guidelines and procedures established by the Administrator of General Services.
Sec. 403.  Regulations.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, after approval of the Attorney General, and after consultation by the Attorney General with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, shall promulgate rules pursuant to section 708(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2158(e), incorporating standards and procedures by which voluntary agreements and plans of action may be developed and carried out.  Such rules may be adopted by other agencies to fulfill the rulemaking requirement of section 708(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2158(e).
PART V  -  EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL
Sec. 501.  National Defense Executive Reserve.  (a) In accordance with section 710(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2160(e), there is established in the executive branch a National Defense Executive Reserve (NDER) composed of persons of recognized expertise from various segments of the private sector and from Government (except full time Federal employees) for training for employment in executive positions in the Federal Government in the event of a national defense emergency.
(b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue necessary guidance for the NDER program, including appropriate guidance for establishment, recruitment, training, monitoring, and activation of NDER units and shall be responsible for the overall coordination of the NDER program.  The authority of the President under section 710(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2160(e), to determine periods of national defense emergency is delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(c)  The head of any agency may implement section 501(a) of this order with respect to NDER operations in such agency.
(d)  The head of each agency with an NDER unit may exercise the authority under section 703 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2153, to employ civilian personnel when activating all or a part of its NDER unit.  The exercise of this authority shall be subject to the provisions of sections 501(e) and (f) of this order and shall not be redelegated.
(e)  The head of an agency may activate an NDER unit, in whole or in part, upon the written determination of the Secretary of Homeland Security that an emergency affecting the national defense exists and that the activation of the unit is necessary to carry out the emergency program functions of the agency.
(f)  Prior to activating the NDER unit, the head of the agency shall notify, in writing, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism of the impending activation.
Sec. 502.  Consultants.  The head of each agency otherwise delegated functions under this order is delegated the authority of the President under sections 710(b) and (c) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2160(b), (c), to employ persons of outstanding experience and ability without compensation and to employ experts, consultants, or organizations.  The authority delegated by this section may not be redelegated.
PART VI  -  LABOR REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 601.  Secretary of Labor.  (a)  The Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other agencies, as deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Labor, shall:

(1)  collect and maintain data necessary to make a continuing appraisal of the Nation's workforce needs for purposes of national defense;

(2)  upon request by the Director of Selective Service, and in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, assist the Director of Selective Service in development of policies regulating the induction and deferment of persons for duty in the armed services;

(3)  upon request from the head of an agency with authority under this order, consult with that agency with respect to:  (i) the effect of contemplated actions on labor demand and utilization; (ii) the relation of labor demand to materials and facilities requirements; and (iii) such other matters as will assist in making the exercise of priority and allocations functions consistent with effective utilization and distribution of labor;

(4)  upon request from the head of an agency with authority under this order:  (i) formulate plans, programs, and policies for meeting the labor requirements of actions to be taken for national defense purposes; and (ii) estimate training needs to help address national defense requirements and promote necessary and appropriate training programs; and

(5)  develop and implement an effective labor management relations policy to support the activities and programs under this order, with the cooperation of other agencies as deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Labor, including the National Labor Relations Board, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the National Mediation Board, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

(b)  All agencies shall cooperate with the Secretary of Labor, upon request, for the purposes of this section, to the extent permitted by law.
PART VII  -  DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT COMMITTEE
Sec. 701.  The Defense Production Act Committee.  (a)  The Defense Production Act Committee (Committee) shall be composed of the following members, in accordance with section 722(b) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2171(b):

(1)   The Secretary of State;

(2)   The Secretary of the Treasury;

(3)   The Secretary of Defense;

(4)   The Attorney General;

(5)   The Secretary of the Interior;

(6)   The Secretary of Agriculture;

(7)   The Secretary of Commerce;

(8)   The Secretary of Labor;

(9)   The Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(10)  The Secretary of Transportation;

(11)  The Secretary of Energy;

(12)  The Secretary of Homeland Security; 

(13)  The Director of National Intelligence;

(14)  The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency;

(15)  The Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers;

(16)  The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and

(17)  The Administrator of General Services.

(b)  The Director of OMB and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall be invited to participate in all Committee meetings and activities in an advisory role.  The Chairperson, as designated by the President pursuant to section 722 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2171, may invite the heads of other agencies or offices to participate in Committee meetings and activities in an advisory role, as appropriate.
Sec. 702.  Offsets.  The Secretary of Commerce shall prepare and submit to the Congress the annual report required by section 723 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2172, in consultation with the Secretaries of State, the Treasury, Defense, and Labor, the United States Trade Representative, the Director of National Intelligence, and the heads of other agencies as appropriate.  The heads of agencies shall provide the Secretary of Commerce with such information as may be necessary for the effective performance of this function.
PART VIII  -  GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 801.  Definitions.  In addition to the definitions in section 702 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2152, the following definitions apply throughout this order:
(a)  "Civil transportation" includes movement of persons and property by all modes of transportation in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce within the United States, its territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia, and related public storage and warehousing, ports, services, equipment and facilities, such as transportation carrier shop and repair facilities.  "Civil transportation" also shall include direction, control, and coordination of civil transportation capacity regardless of ownership.  "Civil transportation" shall not include transportation owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, use of petroleum and gas pipelines, and coal slurry pipelines used only to supply energy production facilities directly.
(b)  "Energy" means all forms of energy including petroleum, gas (both natural and manufactured), electricity, solid fuels (including all forms of coal, coke, coal chemicals, coal liquification, and coal gasification), solar, wind, other types of renewable energy, atomic energy, and the production, conservation, use, control, and distribution (including pipelines) of all of these forms of energy.
(c)  "Farm equipment" means equipment, machinery, and repair parts manufactured for use on farms in connection with the production or preparation for market use of food resources.
(d)  "Fertilizer" means any product or combination of products that contain one or more of the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for use as a plant nutrient.
(e)  "Food resources" means all commodities and products, (simple, mixed, or compound), or complements to such commodities or products, that are capable of being ingested by either human beings or animals, irrespective of other uses to which such commodities or products may be put, at all stages of processing from the raw commodity to the products thereof in vendible form for human or animal consumption.  "Food resources" also means potable water packaged in commercially marketable containers, all starches, sugars, vegetable and animal or marine fats and oils, seed, cotton, hemp, and flax fiber, but does not mean any such material after it loses its identity as an agricultural commodity or agricultural product.
(f)  "Food resource facilities" means plants, machinery, vehicles (including on farm), and other facilities required for the production, processing, distribution, and storage (including cold storage) of food resources, and for the domestic distribution of farm equipment and fertilizer (excluding transportation thereof).
(g)  "Functions" include powers, duties, authority, responsibilities, and discretion.
(h)  "Head of each agency engaged in procurement for the national defense" means the heads of the Departments of State, Justice, the Interior, and Homeland Security, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the General Services Administration, and all other agencies with authority delegated under section 201 of this order.
(i)  "Health resources" means drugs, biological products, medical devices, materials, facilities, health supplies, services and equipment required to diagnose, mitigate or prevent the impairment of, improve, treat, cure, or restore the physical or mental health conditions of the population.
(j)  "National defense" means programs for military and energy production or construction, military or critical infrastructure assistance to any foreign nation, homeland security, stockpiling, space, and any directly related activity.  Such term includes emergency preparedness activities conducted pursuant to title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5195 et seq., and critical infrastructure protection and restoration.
(k)  "Offsets" means compensation practices required as a condition of purchase in either government to government or commercial sales of defense articles and/or defense services as defined by the Arms Export Control Act, 22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq., and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 C.F.R. 120.1 130.17.
(l)  "Special priorities assistance" means action by resource departments to assist with expediting deliveries, placing rated orders, locating suppliers, resolving production or delivery conflicts between various rated orders, addressing problems that arise in the fulfillment of a rated order or other action authorized by a delegated agency, and determining the validity of rated orders.
(m)  "Strategic and critical materials" means materials (including energy) that (1) would be needed to supply the military, industrial, and essential civilian needs of the United States during a national emergency, and (2) are not found or produced in the United States in sufficient quantities to meet such need and are vulnerable to the termination or reduction of the availability of the material.
(n)  "Water resources" means all usable water, from all sources, within the jurisdiction of the United States, that can be managed, controlled, and allocated to meet emergency requirements, except "water resources" does not include usable water that qualifies as "food resources."
Sec. 802.  General.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided in section 802(c) of this order, the authorities vested in the President by title VII of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2151 et seq., are delegated to the head of each agency in carrying out the delegated authorities under the Act and this order, by the Secretary of Labor in carrying out part VI of this order, and by the Secretary of the Treasury in exercising the functions assigned in Executive Order 11858, as amended.
(b)  The authorities that may be exercised and performed pursuant to section 802(a) of this order shall include:

(1)  the power to redelegate authorities, and to authorize the successive redelegation of authorities to agencies, officers, and employees of the Government; and

(2)  the power of subpoena under section 705 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2155, with respect to (i) authorities delegated in parts II, III, and section 702 of this order, and (ii) the functions assigned to the Secretary of the Treasury in Executive Order 11858, as amended, provided that the subpoena power referenced in subsections (i) and (ii) shall be utilized only after the scope and purpose of the investigation, inspection, or inquiry to which the subpoena relates have been defined either by the appropriate officer identified in section 802(a) of this order or by such other person or persons as the officer shall designate.

(c)  Excluded from the authorities delegated by section 802(a) of this order are authorities delegated by parts IV and V of this order, authorities in section 721 and 722 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2170 2171, and the authority with respect to fixing compensation under section 703 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2153.
Sec. 803.  Authority.  (a)  Executive Order 12919 of June 3, 1994, and sections 401(3) (4) of Executive Order 12656 of November 18, 1988, are revoked.  All other previously issued orders, regulations, rulings, certificates, directives, and other actions relating to any function affected by this order shall remain in effect except as they are inconsistent with this order or are subsequently amended or revoked under proper authority.  Nothing in this order shall affect the validity or force of anything done under previous delegations or other assignment of authority under the Act.
(b)  Nothing in this order shall affect the authorities assigned under Executive Order 11858 of May 7, 1975, as amended, except as provided in section 802 of this order.
(c)  Nothing in this order shall affect the authorities assigned under Executive Order 12472 of April 3, 1984, as amended.
Sec. 804.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
         March 16, 2012.

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Constitutional County Sheriff's Honor Roll 336 County Sheriffs Will Defend the Constitution If you are a sheriff or you know of a Sheriff that would like to be added to this list please call Keith Broaders at (951) 282-3271 or email him at keithbroaders@gmail.com Visit www.ConstitutionalCountySheriffs.com For more information about the movement to restore our Constitutional Republic.   Alabama Houston County, Alabama Sheriff Andy Hughes Baldwin County Alabama Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack Madison County, Alabama Sheriff Blake Dorning Morgan County, Alabama Sheriff Ana Franklin   Alaska (there are no counties in Alaska   Arizona Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheahan Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot Arkansas Boone County Sheriff Mike Moore Cross County Sheriff J.R. Smith Madison County Sheriff Phil Morgan Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter Van Buren County Sheriff Scott Bradley Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder California Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan Butte County Sheriff Jerry Smith El Dorado County Sheriff John D'Agostini Del Norte County Sheriff Dean Wilson Fresno County, Sheriff Margaret Mims Humboldt County Sheriff Mike Downey Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growden Mendocino County Sheriff Thomas Allman Modoc County Sheriff Mike Poindexter Nevada County Sheriff Keith Royal Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood Riverside County Sheriff Stanley Sniff Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson Tehama County Sheriff David Hencraft Trinity County Sheriff Bruce Haney Tuolumne County Sheriff James W. Mele   Colorado Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr Alamosa County Sheriff Dave Strong Archuleta County Sheriff Peter Gonzalez Baca County Sheriff Dave Campbell Bent County Sheriff Dave Encinias Chaffee County Sheriff William Palmer Cheyenne County Sheriff Ken Putnam Clear Creek County Sheriff Don Kruger Conejos County Sheriff Robert Gurule Costilla County Sheriff Amos Medina Crowley County Sheriff Miles Clark Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee Dolores County Jerry Martin Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver Eagle County Sheriff Joe Hoy El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap Fremont County Sheriff James Biecker Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario Gilpin County Sheriff Bruce Hartman Grand County Sheriff Rodney Johnson Gunnison County Sheriff Rickard Besecker Hinsdale County Sheriff Ron Bruce Huerfano County Sheriff Bruce Newman Jackson County Sheriff Scott Fisher Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink Kiowa Forest County Sheriff Frazee Kit Carson County Sheriff Tom Ridnour La Plata County Sheriff Duke Schirard Lake County Sheriff Rodney Fenske Larimer County Sheriff Jutin Smith Lincoln County Sheriff Tom Nestor Logan County Sheriff Brett Powell Mesa County Sheriff Stan Hilkey Mineral County Sheriff Fred Hosselkus Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz Montezuma County Sheriff Dennis Spruell Montrose County Sheriff Rick Dunlap Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone Otero County Sheriff Chris Johnson Ouray County Sheriff Dominic Mattivi Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener Phillips County Sheriff Charles Urbach Ptkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo Prower County Sheriff Jim Faull Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor Rio Blanco County Sheriff Si Woodruff Rio Grande County Sheriff Brian Norton Routt County Sheriff Garret Wiggins Saguache County Sheriff Mike Norris San Juan County Sheriff Sue Kurtz San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters Sedgwick County Sheriff Randy Peck Summit County Sheriff John Minor Teller County Sheriff Mike Ensminger Washington County Larry Kuntz Weld County Sheriff John Cooke Yuma County Sheriff Chad Day Broomfield County has no Sheriff and the Sheriffs of Arapahoe, Boulder and Denver are opposed to the position taken by the Colorado Sheriff's Association.   Delaware Sussex County, Delaware Sheriff Jeff Christopher Florida   Bay County. Florida Sheriff Frank McKeithen Clay County, Florida Sheriff Rick Beseler Lee County, Florida Sheriff Mike Scott Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd Walton County, Florida Sheriff Michael Adkinson   Georgia Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren Fannin County Sheriff Dale Kirby Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson Gwinnett County Butch Conway Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton Twigg County Sheriff Darren Mitchum Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman Idaho   Benewah County Sheriff Dave Resser Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue Clark County Sheriff Bart May Clearwater County Sheriff Chris Goetz Gem County Sheriff Chuck Rolland Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings Jerome County Sheriff Doug McFall Lewis County Sheriff Brian Brokop Madison County Sheriff Roy Klingler Nez Perce County Sheriff Joe Rodriguez Twin Falls County, Sheriff Tom Carter Illinois DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba Edgar County, Illinois Sheriff Edward Motley: McLean County, Illinois Sheriff Mike Emery Clark County, Illinos Sheriff Jerry Parsley Indiana Boone County Sheriff Ken P. Campbell Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers Franklin County Sheriff Ken Murphy Riply County Sheriff Tom Grills Iowa Cedar County, Iowa Sheriff Warren M. Wethington Kansas Johnson County, Kansas Sheriff Frank Denning Kentucky Bath County, Kentucky Sheriff John Snedegar Boone County, Kentucky Sheriff Micahel A. Helmig Jackson County, Kentucky Sheriff Denny Peyman Kenton County, Kentucky Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn Powell County, Kentucky Sheriff Scott F. Harrison Maine Maryland Frederick County, Maryland Sheriff Charles A. Jenkins Carroll County, Maryland Sheriff Ken Tregoning Massachusetts   Michigan Barry County, Michigan Sheriff Dar Leaf Benzie County, Michigan Sheriff Ted Schende Kent County, Michigan Sheriff Larry Stelma Menominee County Sheriff Kenny Mays Minnesota Anoka County, Minnesota James Stuart Pine County, Minnesota Sheriff Robin Cole Hennipen County, Minnesota Sheriff Rich Stanek Itasca County Sheriff Victor Williams Yellow Medicine, Minnesota Sheriff Bill Flaten Ramsey County, Minnesota Sheriff Matt Bostrom Steams County, Minnesota Sheriff John Sanner Mississippi DeSoto County, Mississippi Sheriff Bill Rasco Forrest County, Mississippi Sheriff Billy McGee Monroe County, Mississippi Sheriff Cecil Cantrell Oktibbeha County Sheriff Steve Gladney Missouri Barry County, Missouri Sheriff Mick Epperly Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs Johnson County, Missouri Sheriff Charles Heiss Gasconda County Sheriff Randy Esphorst Lawrence County, Missouri Sheriff Brad DeLay Livingston County, Missouri Sheriff Steve Cox Marion County, Missouri Jimmy Shinn Mercer County, Missouri Sheriff Stephen Stockman Oregon County, Missouri Sheriff George R. Underwood Osage County, Missouri Sheriff Michael Dixon Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf Ralls County, Missouri Sheriff Gerry Dinwiddie Shannon County, Missour Sheriff Steven Blunkall Texas County Sheriff James Sigman Warren County Sheriff Kevin T. Harrison Montana Cascade County, Montana Sheriff Bob Edwards Lake County, Montana Sheriff Jay Doyle Lewis and Clark County, Montana Sheriff Leo Dutton Musselshell County, Sheriff Woodrow Weitseil Powell County, Montana Sheriff Scott F. Howard Ravalli County, Montana, Sheriff Chris Hoffman Sanders County, Montana Sheriff Tom Rummel Wibaux County, Montana Sheriff Darby Harrington Yellowstone County, Montana Sheriff Mike Linder Nebraska Cumberland County Sheriff Ronny R. Anderson Nevada Churchill County Sheriff Benjamin D. Trotter Elko County Sheriff Jim Pitts Humboldt County Sheriff Ed Kilgpore Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo New Hampshire Grafton County, New Hampshire Sheriff Douglas R Dutile New Mexico Bernalillo County, NM Sheriff Dan Houston Catron County, NM Sheriff Shawn Menges Chaves County, NM Sheriff Patrick R Jennings Cibola County, NM Sheriff Johnny Valdez Colfax County, NM Sheriff Jim Maldonado De Baca County, NM Sheriff Dennis A. Cleaver Dona Ana County, NM Sheriff Todd Garrison Eddy County, NM is Sheriff Scott London Grant County, NM Sheriff Raul Holguin Guadalupe County, NM Sheriff Michael R Lucero Harding County, NM Sheriff Herman Martinez Hidalgo County, NM Sheriff Saturnino Madero Lea County, NM Sheriff Sheriff, Mark Hargrove Lincoln County, NM Sheriff Robert Sheppard Los Alamos County, NM Sheriff Marco Lucero Luna County, NM Sheriff Raymond Cobos Otero County, NM Sheriff Benny House Quay County, NM Sheriff Joe Schallert Arriba County, NM Sheriff Joe Mascarenas Roosevelt County, NM Sheriff Darren Hooker San Juan County, NM Sheriff Ken Christesen San Miguel County, NM Sheriff Benjie Vigil Santa Fe County, NM Sheriff Robert Garcia Sierra County, NM Sheriff Joe Baca Socorro County, NM Sheriff Phillip Montoya Taos County, NM Sheriff Miguel Romero Jr Torrance County, NM Sheriff Heath White Union County, NM Sheriff William Spriggs Valencia County, NM Sheriff Louis Burkhard New York Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin Jr. Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond Steuben County Sheriff David Cole Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco North Carolina Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman Edgefield County Sheriff Adell Dobey Franklin County Sheriff Jerry Jones Harnett County Sheriff Larry Rollins Henderson County Sheriff Charlie McDonald New Hanover County Sheriff Castle Hayne Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton Stokes County Sheriff Mike Marshall Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders North Dakota   Ohio Allen County Sheriff Sam Crish Auglaize County Sheriff Al Solomon Clermont County Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg Hancock and Gray County Sheriff Mike Heldman Hamilton County Sheriff Harrel Reid Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey Richland County Sheriff J. Steve Sheldon Oklahoma Jackson County Sheriff Roger LeVick Major County Sheriff Steven Randolph McCurtain County Sheriff Johnny Tadlock Wagoner County Sheriff Bob Colbert Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held Oregon Baker County Sheriff Mitchell Southwick Coos County Sheriff Craig Zanni Crook County Sheriff Jim Hensley Curry County Sheriff John Bishop Deschutes County Sheriff Larry Blanton Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers Multnomah County Sheriff Daniel Staton Polk County Sheriff Bob Wolfe Union County Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree Pennsylvania Adams County Sheriff Jim Muller Berks County Sheriff Eric J. Weaknecht Bradford County Sheriff Clinton J. Walters Chester County Sheriff Carolyn "Bunny" Welsh Cumberland County Sheriff Ronnie Anderson Elk County, Sheriff Jeffrey C. Kreig Rhode Island South Carolina Abbeyville County Sheriff Ronnie Ashley Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews Lexington County Sheriff James Metts Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant   South Dakota   Tennessee Bradley County Sheriff Jim Ruth Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond White County Sheriff Oddie Shoupe Texas Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor Burnet County Sheriff R. Gene Smith Collin County Sheriff Terry Box Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls Harden County Sheriff Ed Cain Hill County Sheriff Michael Cox, Hutchinson County Sheriff Don L Johnson Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford Mason County Sheriff Buster Nixon Mills County Sheriff Clint Hammonds McCulloch County Sheriff Earl Howell McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage Oldham County Sheriff David Medlin Randall County Sheriff Joel W. Richardson Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith Waller County Sheriff R. Glen Smith Utah Beaver County Sheriff Cameron Noel Box Elder County Sheriff Joseph Yeates Cache County Sheriff G. Lynn Nelson Carbon County Sheriff James Cordova Daggett County Sheriff Allan Campbell Davis County Sheriff Todd Richardson Duchesne County Sheriff Merv Gustin Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk Garfiled County Sheriff Than Cooper Grand County Sheriff James B. Nyland Sr. Iron County Sheriff Mark Gower Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme Kane County Sheriff Lamont Smith Millard County Sheriff Robert Dekker Morgan County Sheriff Gene Ercanbrack Piute County Sheriff Mary Gleave Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey San Juan County Sheriff Rick Eldridge Sanpete County Sheriff Kay P. Larsen Sevier County,Sheriff Phil Barney Summit County Sheriff David A. Edmunds Tooele County Sheriff Frank J. Park Uintah County Sheriff Jeff Merrell Utah County Sheriff James B. Tracy Wasatch County Sheriff Kenneth Vanwagoner Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith Wayne County Sheriff Kurt R. Taylor Weber County Sheriff Terry Thompson Vermont Virginia Washington Asotin County Sheriff Ken Bancroft Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin   West Virginia Boone County Sheriff Randal White Roane County Sheriff Mike Harper Wood County Sheriff Ken Merritt Wisconsin   Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr

Visit Constitutional Sheriff's Association at: http://constitutionclub.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Executive Order -- Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2012 

 

EXECUTIVE ORDER

 

IMPROVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND MILITARY FAMILIES

 

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order as follows:

 

Section 1.  Policy.  Since September 11, 2001, more than two million service members have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.  Long deployments and intense combat conditions require optimal support for the emotional and mental health needs of our service members and their families.  The need for mental health services will only increase in the coming years as the Nation deals with the effects of more than a decade of conflict.  Reiterating and expanding upon the commitment outlined in my Administration's 2011 report, entitled "Strengthening Our Military Families," we have an obligation to evaluate our progress and continue to build an integrated network of support capable of providing effective mental health services for veterans, service members, and their families.  Our public health approach must encompass the practices of disease prevention and the promotion of good health for all military populations throughout their lifespans, both within the health care systems of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and in local communities.  Our efforts also must focus on both outreach to veterans and their families and the provision of high quality mental health treatment to those in need.  Coordination between the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense during service members' transition to civilian life is essential to achieving these goals.

 

Ensuring that all veterans, service members (Active, Guard, and Reserve alike), and their families receive the support they deserve is a top priority for my Administration.  As part of our ongoing efforts to improve all facets of military mental health, this order directs the Secretaries of Defense, Health and Human Services, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security to expand suicide prevention strategies and take steps to meet the current and future demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families.

 

Sec. 2.  Suicide Prevention.  (a)  By December 31, 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs, in continued collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall expand the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line by 50 percent to ensure that veterans have timely access, including by telephone, text, or online chat, to qualified, caring responders who can help address immediate crises and direct veterans to appropriate care.  Further, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran identifying him or herself as being in crisis connects with a mental health professional or trained mental health worker within 24 hours.  The Department of Veterans Affairs also shall expand the number of mental health professionals who are available to see veterans beyond traditional business hours.

 

(b)  The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense shall jointly develop and implement a national suicide prevention campaign focused on connecting veterans and service members to mental health services.  This 12 month campaign, which shall begin on September 1, 2012, will focus on the positive benefits of seeking care and encourage veterans and service members to proactively reach out to support services.

 

(c)  To provide the best mental health and substance abuse prevention, education, and outreach support to our military and their family members, the Department of Defense shall review all of its existing mental health and substance abuse prevention, education, and outreach programs across the military services and the Defense Health Program to identify the key program areas that produce the greatest impact on quality and outcomes, and rank programs within each of these program areas using metrics that assess their effectiveness.  By the end of Fiscal Year 2014, existing program resources shall be realigned to ensure that highly ranked programs are implemented across all of the military services and less effective programs are replaced.

 

Sec. 3.  Enhanced Partnerships Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Community Providers.  (a)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, in those service areas where the Department of Veterans Affairs has faced challenges in hiring and placing mental health service providers and continues to have unfilled vacancies or long wait times, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services shall establish pilot projects whereby the Department of Veterans Affairs contracts or develops formal arrangements with community based providers, such as community mental health clinics, community health centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, and rural health clinics, to test the effectiveness of community partnerships in helping to meet the mental health needs of veterans in a timely way.  Pilot sites shall ensure that consumers of community-based services continue to be integrated into the health care systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  No fewer than 15 pilot projects shall be established.

 

(b)  The Department of Veterans Affairs shall develop guidance for its medical centers and service networks that supports the use of community mental health services, including telehealth services and substance abuse services, where appropriate, to meet demand and facilitate access to care.  This guidance shall include recommendations that medical centers and service networks use community-based providers to help meet veterans' mental health needs where objective criteria, which the Department of Veterans Affairs shall define in the form of specific metrics, demonstrate such needs.  Such objective criteria should include estimates of wait-times for needed care that exceed established targets.

 

(c)  The Departments of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs shall develop a plan for a rural mental health recruitment initiative to promote opportunities for the Department of Veterans Affairs and rural communities to share mental health providers when demand is insufficient for either the Department of Veterans Affairs or the communities to independently support a full time provider.

 

Sec. 4.  Expanded Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services Staffing.  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, by December 31, 2013, hire and train 800 peer to peer counselors to empower veterans to support other veterans and help meet mental health care needs.  In addition, the Secretary shall continue to use all appropriate tools, including collaborative arrangements with community based providers, pay setting authorities, loan repayment and scholarships, and partnerships with health care workforce training programs to accomplish the Department of Veterans Affairs' goal of recruiting, hiring, and placing 1,600 mental health professionals by June 30, 2013.  The Department of Veterans Affairs also shall evaluate the reporting requirements associated with providing mental health services and reduce paperwork requirements where appropriate.  In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall update its management performance evaluation system to link performance to meeting mental health service demand.

 

Sec. 5.  Improved Research and Development.  (a)  The lack of full understanding of the underlying mechanisms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), other mental health conditions, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has hampered progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.  In order to improve the coordination of agency research into these conditions and reduce the number of affected men and women through better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Education, in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall establish a National Research Action Plan within 8 months of the date of this order.

 

(b)  The National Research Action Plan shall include strategies to establish surrogate and clinically actionable biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment effectiveness; develop improved diagnostic criteria for TBI; enhance our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for PTSD, related injuries, and neurological disorders following TBI; foster development of new treatments for these conditions based on a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms; improve data sharing between agencies and academic and industry researchers to accelerate progress and reduce redundant efforts without compromising privacy; and make better use of electronic health records to gain insight into the risk and mitigation of PTSD, TBI, and related injuries.  In addition, the National Research Action Plan shall include strategies to support collaborative research to address suicide prevention.

 

(c)  The Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services shall engage in a comprehensive longitudinal mental health study with an emphasis on PTSD, TBI, and related injuries to develop better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options.  Agencies shall continue ongoing collaborative research efforts, with an aim to enroll at least 100,000 service members by December 31, 2012, and include a plan for long term follow up with enrollees through a coordinated effort with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Sec. 6.  Military and Veterans Mental Health Interagency Task Force.  There is established an Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health (Task Force), to be co chaired by the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services, or their designated representatives.

 

(a)  Membership.  In addition to the Co-Chairs, the Task Force shall consist of representatives from:

 

(i)    the Department of Education;

 

(ii)   the Office of Management and Budget;

 

(iii)  the Domestic Policy Council;

 

(iv)   the National Security Staff;

 

(v)    the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

 

(vi)   the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and

 

(vii)  such other executive departments, agencies, or offices as the Co-Chairs may designate.

 

A member agency of the Task Force shall designate a full time officer or employee of the Federal Government to perform the Task Force functions.

 

(b)  Mission.  Member agencies shall review relevant statutes, policies, and agency training and guidance to identify reforms and take actions that facilitate implementation of the strategies outlined in this order.  Member agencies shall work collaboratively on these strategies and also create an inventory of mental health and substance abuse programs and activities to inform this work.

 

(c)  Functions.

 

(i)    Not later than 180 days after the date of this order, the Task Force shall submit recommendations to the President on strategies to improve mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families.  Every year thereafter, the Task Force shall provide to the President a review of agency actions to enhance mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families consistent with this order, as well as provide additional recommendations for action as appropriate.  The Task Force shall define specific goals and metrics that will aid in measuring progress in improving mental health strategies.  The Task Force will include cost analysis in the development of all recommendations, and will ensure any new requirements are supported within existing resources.

 

(ii)   In addition to coordinating and reviewing agency efforts to enhance veteran and military mental health services pursuant to this order, the Task Force shall evaluate:

 

(1)  agency efforts to improve care quality and ensure that the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and community based mental health providers are trained in the most current evidence based methodologies for treating PTSD, TBI, depression, related mental health conditions, and substance abuse;

 

(2)  agency efforts to improve awareness and reduce stigma for those needing to seek care; and

 

(3)  agency research efforts to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TBI, PTSD, and related injuries, and explore the need for an external research portfolio review.

 

(iii)  In performing its functions, the Task Force shall consult with relevant nongovernmental experts and organizations as necessary.

 

Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

 

(b)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

 

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

 

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

 

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

 

BARACK OBAMA

 

THE WHITE HOUSE,

August 31, 2012.