SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2024

This bill establishes a new Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs, headed by a Chief Officer who will develop standards, monitor care quality, and coordinate prevention efforts for veterans. The office will oversee public education campaigns about fall prevention, coordinate home modification programs, and promote research on effective prevention strategies for veterans. The bill requires VA facilities to implement safe patient handling policies, provide annual falls risk assessments for veterans in nursing homes, and conduct biennial training for providers on safe mobility techniques. It also mandates a report evaluating current falls prevention practices and will assess the feasibility of a pilot program to provide home modifications that prevent falls. The bill directly affects veterans at risk of falls and VA healthcare facilities providing services to veterans.