Bill
HR 658
Expands VA LMFT supervisor eligibility by allowing state-licensed supervisors or AAMFT-approved supervisors, widening the pool and improving veteran mental-health access.
Note: The materials provided include two different measures both labeled “H.R. 658.” One is a federal bill reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (amending 38 U.S.C.), and the other is a Georgia state House resolution to dedicate a portion of a road in Cherokee County. Both summaries are given below to avoid confusion.
Status: Reported by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (H. Rept. 119‑99); placed on Union Calendar (Calendar No. 72) — House procedural actions in 2025 as noted.
Purpose/Intent
- Amend title 38, U.S. Code, to establish/clarify qualification requirements for appointment of licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) who are “qualified to provide clinical supervision” in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Key provisions
- Modify 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(10) to add a new subparagraph establishing that, to be eligible for an LMFT position qualified to provide clinical supervision, a person must:
- Meet the existing qualifications in the statute (e.g., master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable mental‑health degree from an approved institution; state license/certification to practice LMFT), and
- Either (I) be authorized to provide clinical supervision under the laws of the state in which they are licensed; or (II) hold the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) “approved supervisor” designation.
- This explicitly allows state‑authorized supervisors (even without the AAMFT designation) to serve as VHA clinical supervisors.
Who is affected
- Veterans Health Administration (policy for hiring LMFT supervisors)
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) seeking supervisory roles in VA/VHA
- Veterans and their families (through access to supervisory LMFT workforce)
Potential impact
- Expands the eligible pool of LMFT supervisors for VA by aligning VA qualifications with state licensure/supervisory authorizations, reducing reliance on a private credential (AAMFT) as the sole path to supervisory eligibility.
- Aims to improve recruitment, retention, and promotion opportunities for LMFTs within VA and thereby support veterans’ access to mental‑health services.
- Reported by committee without amendment; committee report filed May 17, 2025. Congressional Budget Office estimate included in the report (no major new entitlement authority cited in the summary).
Status: Georgia House resolution; referred/acted on in Georgia House (House First/Second Readers noted).
Purpose/Intent
- Honor the life and local contributions of David Allen Donley by dedicating a segment of state highway in Cherokee County in his memory.
Key provisions
- Designates the portion of State Route 140 from Darnell Road to East Cherokee Drive in Cherokee County as the “David Allen Donley Memorial Parkway.”
- Directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain appropriate signs reflecting the designation.
- Directs the Clerk of the Georgia House to provide copies of the resolution to Mr. Donley’s family and to the Department of Transportation.
Who is affected
- Cherokee County local community (Holly Springs and Hickory Flat)
- Georgia Department of Transportation (responsible for signage and maintenance of honorary designation)
- Mr. Donley’s family and community members (honored by the designation)
Potential impact
- Honorary designation only; does not change roadway jurisdiction, funding, or operational characteristics.
- Minor one‑time/signage costs borne by the Department of Transportation.
If you want, I can prepare a concise one‑page briefing focused on either the federal LMFT statute change (38 U.S.C. analysis and likely VA implementation steps) or the Georgia roadway dedication (legislative history and next procedural steps at the state level).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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