To direct the Director of the Defense Health Agency to submit to Congress a report on the feasibility of establishing a pilot program that establishes a behavioral neurology fellowship program to provide training opportunities with respect to treating members of the Armed Forces and veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9863 would require the Director of the Defense Health Agency to submit a report to Congress examining the feasibility of creating a pilot program that would establish a behavioral neurology fellowship focused on treating traumatic brain injuries in service members and veterans. The report, due within 270 days of enactment, must address whether such a program could meet specific design requirements and must evaluate possible locations to host it.
The bill lays out detailed parameters for the potential pilot program rather than creating it outright: it would involve two one-year clinical fellowship positions; participants would need an M.D. or D.O. from an accredited medical school and completion of a neurology or psychiatry residency, but would not need to already be board certified; the program would aim to let graduates sit for board certification in behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry through the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties; and the fellowship itself would be accredited.
This bill primarily affects the Defense Health Agency, which would bear responsibility for producing the report, and could eventually affect military and veteran patients with traumatic brain injuries, as well as physicians who might pursue such a fellowship, if a pilot program is later created. The bill does not itself establish the program—it only mandates a feasibility study.
The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Joe Neguse, with Rep. Luttrell as a cosponsor, and has been referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. No further action has yet been taken; the committee would need to consider the bill before it could proceed to a vote in the House.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 22, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9863 do?
- H.R. 9863 would require the Director of the Defense Health Agency to submit a report to Congress examining the feasibility of creating a pilot program that would establish a behavioral neurology fellowship focused on treating traumatic brain injuries in service members and veterans. The report, due within 270 days of enactment, must address whether such a program could meet specific design requirements and must evaluate possible locations to host it. The bill lays out detailed parameters for the potential pilot program rather than creating it outright: it would involve two one-year clinical fellowship positions; participants would need an M.D. or D.O. from an accredited medical school and completion of a neurology or psychiatry residency, but would not need to already be board certified; the program would aim to let graduates sit for board certification in behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry through the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties; and the fellowship itself would be accredited. This bill primarily affects the Defense Health Agency, which would bear responsibility for producing the report, and could eventually affect military and veteran patients with traumatic brain injuries, as well as physicians who might pursue such a fellowship, if a pilot program is later created. The bill does not itself establish the program—it only mandates a feasibility study. The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Joe Neguse, with Rep. Luttrell as a cosponsor, and has been referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. No further action has yet been taken; the committee would need to consider the bill before it could proceed to a vote in the House.
- Has H.R. 9863 become law?
- Not yet. As of 22 Jul 2026, H.R. 9863 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9863?
- H.R. 9863 was sponsored by Rep. Joe Neguse [D-CO2] (Democrat-CO), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9863?
- Introduced (22 Jul 2026).
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