Mike Bost
Representative for Illinois · Republican · United States
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
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“[[Page H4563]] ``(e) Covered Assistance Defined.--In this section, the term `covered assistance' means educational assistance available under-- ``(1) this chapter, chapter 30 of this title, chapter 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 of title 10; or ``(2) any other provision of law providing educational assistance to a veteran, or to another individual in connection with the service of a veteran in the Armed Forces.''. SEC. 210. INCREASE OF AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PAID BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR FIRST YEAR OF A FULL-TIME PROGRAM OF APPRENTICESHIP OR OTHER ON-JOB TRAINING.”
“Section 3315 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``educational assistance under this chapter'' and inserting ``covered assistance''; (2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``under this chapter'' and inserting ``with respect to covered assistance''; (3) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``under this chapter'' and inserting ``with respect to covered assistance''; and (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(d) Warnings.--Before providing any payment to or on behalf of an individual described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide notice to the individual a warning that use of entitlement under this section for a licensing or certification test may not lead to a license or certification.”
“(4) State defined.--In this section, the term ``State'' has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 209. EXPANSION OF ENTITLEMENT FOR PAYMENT FOR LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION TESTS FOR VETERANS ENTITLED TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.”
“(b) Expansion of VetSuccess on Campus Program to at Least One Location in Each State.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the VetSuccess on Campus program of the Department of Veterans Affairs is located in every State. (2) Counselors.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that at least one counselor of the VetSuccess on Campus program is located in each State, notwithstanding the number of individuals in a State or at an educational institution who may qualify to participate in the program. (3) Preference.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give preference to educational institutions that have the largest populations of students who are pursuing programs of education at such institutions with educational assistance provided under laws administered by the Secretary.”
“ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT THAT ON-CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELING IS PROVIDED BY CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES. (a) In General.--Section 3697B(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking the second sentence; (2) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(2) Any individual providing services under paragraph (1) on behalf of the Department who is not an employee of the Department shall be subject to the same oversight, training, and accountability standards applicable to Department employees providing such services.''.”
“(b) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives, and to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report that-- (1) identifies each veterans service organization that participated in a presentation under paragraph (20) of section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a); (2) contains the number of members of the Armed Forces who attended such presentations; and (3) includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding changes to such presentation or to such paragraph. SEC. 208.”
“Such presentation-- ``(A) shall be standardized; ``(B) shall, before implementation, be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Defense in collaboration with veterans service organizations that provide claims assistance under the benefits delivery at discharge program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; ``(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives for review at least 90 days before implementation; ``(D) where available, shall be presented with the participation of-- ``(i) an employee or representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs assisted by a representative of a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38; or ``(ii) an employee or representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs assisted by an individual recognized under section 5903 of such title and authorized by the Secretary concerned to so participate; ``(E) shall include information on how a veterans service organization may assist the member in filing a claim described in paragraph (19); ``(F) may not encourage the member to join a particular veterans service organization; and ``(G) may not be longer than one hour.''.”
“(a) In General.--Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(20) A presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.”
“Such report shall include observations and recommendations of the Comptroller General regarding, with respect to members and employers who participate in Skillbridge-- (A) differences in criteria for participation between the Armed Forces; (B) other differences in Skillbridge programs between the Armed Forces; (C) best practices in Skillbridge programs across the Armed Forces, including-- (i) the selection of employers; and (ii) the development of contracts; and (D) the feasibility of making Skillbridge programs uniform across the Armed Forces. SEC. 207. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: PRESENTATION IN PRESEPARATION COUNSELING TO PROMOTE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO VETERANS.”
“(b) Skillbridge: GAO Study.-- (1) Study required.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the Skillbridge programs under section 1143(e) of title 10, United States Code. (2) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report regarding such study.”
“(D) The number of members who receive such preseparation counseling and apply for unemployment compensation under subchapter II of chapter 85 of title 5, United States Code. (E) The total amount of such unemployment compensation paid to members separating from the Armed Forces. (8) Contracting: standardization.--Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(f) Contracting.--A Secretary concerned may enter into an agreement with an entity under which such entity shall provide preseparation counseling under this section. If more than one Secretary seeks to enter into such an agreement, such Secretaries concerned shall, to the extent practicable, seek to enter into such agreements with the same entity.''.”
“Such a report shall include a list of the seven military installations located inside the continental United States, and three military installations located outside the continental United States, where members are least likely to receive preseparation counseling in accordance with such time periods. Such a report shall also include the following. (A) The number of members who, in the course of such preseparation counseling, were referred to another Federal agency or department. (B) The Federal agencies or departments to which members were so referred. (C) The number of members who should have been, but were not, so referred, and reasons why such referrals did not occur.”
“``(C) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor shall each submit to the Committees on Armed Services and on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an annual report that identifies the number of times, and reasons why, an employee of the department under the jurisdiction of such Secretary failed to carry out subparagraph (B) in the year preceding the date of the report.''. (7) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report on data recorded with such tracking system during the year preceding the date of such report.”
“``(3)(A) Before a member described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii) separates, retires, or is discharged, the Secretary concerned shall provide such member with the contact information of an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs and an employee of the Department of Labor; and ``(B) Each employee described in subparagraph (A) shall contact the member described in such subparagraph not later than 60 days after such member separates, retires, or is discharged.”
“(6) Coordination between departments of defense, veterans affairs, and labor.--Such section is further amended, in subsection (d)-- (A) by striking the heading and inserting ``Transmission of Certain Information to Other Departments''; (B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``In the case''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(2) Before a member described in subsection (a) separates, retires, or is discharged, the Secretary concerned shall transmit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the Department of Defense Form DD-2648 regarding such member.”
“(5) Pathways: record of pathway assignment.--Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that the pathway in which a member is placed, and the reasons for such placement, are noted in the service record of such member.''.”
“(3) Repeat attendance.--Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) A member who received preseparation counseling under this section may, before separation, retirement, or discharge, request to receive, on a space-available basis, such preseparation counseling a second time.''. (4) Pathways: standardization; establishment of pathway for members of the reserve components.--Such section is further amended, in paragraph (1) of subsection (c), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)(1)-- [[Page H4562]] (A) by striking ``Each Secretary concerned'' and inserting ``The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security''; and (B) by striking ``pathways for members of the military department concerned'' and inserting ``pathways, standardized across the armed forces''.”
“(2) Requirement of preseparation counseling: number of days.--Such subsection is further amended, in paragraph (1)-- (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``Within''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(B) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that a member described in subparagraph (A) receives preseparation counseling in the following amounts: ``(i) In the case of a member who has accepted an offer of full-time employment, or has enrolled in a program of education or vocational training, that shall commence after the member separates, retires, or is discharged, not fewer than three days. ``(ii) In the case of a member other than a member described in clause (i), not fewer than five days.''.”
“``(2) The Secretary shall provide to eligible veterans and eligible persons who are enrolled in a course or program of education or training notice of the opportunity to opt in to sending and receiving correspondence using tailored lines of communication pursuant to paragraph (1). ``(3) In this subsection, the term `tailored lines of communication' includes mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging.''. SEC. 206. IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SKILLBRIDGE. (a) Transition Assistance Program: Amendments; Pilot Program; Reports.-- (1) Special operations forces.--Subsection (a) of section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(including each member of the special operations forces)'' after ``armed forces''.”
“(b) Department of Veterans Affairs Use of Tailored Lines of Communication for Correspondence Relating to Educational Assistance Benefits.--Section 3680 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(i) Mechanism for Tailored Lines of Communication.--(1) The Secretary shall provide a mechanism by which an eligible veteran or eligible person may use tailored lines of communication to send and receive correspondence with the Department related to entitlement to and use of educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary. The Secretary shall ensure that an eligible veteran or eligible person is provided with an opportunity to opt into sending and receiving such correspondence using such lines of communication rather than by mail.”
“(a) Improvement to Certain Outreach Under Solid Start Program of Department of Veterans Affairs.--Section 6320(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B)-- (A) by striking ``calling'' and inserting ``communicating with''; and (B) by inserting ``through the use of tailored lines of communication, including mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging'' after ``Armed Forces''; and (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``tailored mailings'' and inserting ``tailored lines of communication, including mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging,''.”
“(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to a program of education beginning on or after August 1, 2027. SEC. 204. CLARIFICATION REGARDING INCLUSION OF MEDICALLY NECESSARY AUTOMOBILE ADAPTATIONS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DEFINITION OF ``MEDICAL SERVICES''. Section 1701(6)(I) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(I) The provision of any medically necessary automobile adaptations for driver or passenger use, including-- ``(i) ramp and kneeling systems; ``(ii) raised doors or lowered floors; ``(iii) raised roofs; ``(iv) air conditioning; ``(v) occupied and unoccupied mobility lifts; ``(vi) ingress or egress accessibility modifications; ``(vii) wheelchair tiedowns; and ``(viii) adapted seating.''. SEC. 205. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS: SOLID START PROGRAM; EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.”
“(a) In General.--Section 3313(c)(1)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in clause (i), by striking ``and (iii)'' and inserting ``, (iii), and (iv)''; (2) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); and (3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following new clause (iv): ``(iv) In the case of an individual pursuing, solely through distance learning, a program of education that is shorter than 12 weeks during the summer, for each month the individual pursues the program of education, a monthly housing stipend equal to the product of-- ``(I) the national average of the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member with dependents in pay grade E-5, multiplied by ``(II) the lesser of-- ``(aa) 1.0 and ``(bb) the number of course hours borne by the individual in pursuit of the program of education, divided by the minimum number of course hours required for full-time pursuit of the program of education, rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.''.”
“(2) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after publishing the report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on such report. Such briefing shall include any response from the Secretary to the Comptroller General regarding the recommendations in the report. SEC. 203. MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND UNDER THE POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO PURSUE SUMMER PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION SOLELY THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING.”
“Such report shall include the determinations of the Comptroller General regarding the following: (A) The capacity of the office determined by the Secretary under such subsection, to carry out processing described in such subsection, including-- (i) a comprehensive assessment of employees of the Department who carry out chapter 39 of such title; (ii) a comprehensive skills assessment indicating what resources the Secretary requires to otherwise improve such centralization, including additional funds, employees, or contractors; and (iii) a review of systems of information technology, including systems in use or to be acquired, to carry out such centralization. (B) Recommendations to improve such processing. (C) Estimated costs to the United States to implement such recommendations.”
“(d) GAO Report; Briefing.-- (1) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary completes centralization under subsection (f) of section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, as added by this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review such centralization and publish a report containing the results of such review.”
“Each such report shall include, with respect to the period of six months preceding the date of the report, the following elements: (1) The average and median number of days between receipt of an invoice for payment under such section by the Claims Intake Center of the Department and the day when the Secretary makes such payment, disaggregated by whether the claim was under review or being processed by-- (A) the Veterans Health Administration; (B) the Veterans Benefits Administration; or (C) the seller. (2) Improvements to information technology of the Department that the Secretary determines would reduce the time required for such review or processing.”
“(c) Reporting.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and publish on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Veterans Affairs, four semiannual reports after the date of the enactment of this Act, regarding the administration of section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this section.”
“(b) Centralization of Process for Making Payments.--Such section is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(f)(1) The Secretary shall process payments under this section through one office of the Department that the Secretary determines has the capacity and expertise to make such payments in compliance with regulations described in subsection (a)(2). ``(2) The Secretary shall accurately track and resolve payments due to sellers under this section that are more than 90 days overdue.''.”
“IMPROVEMENTS TO PROCESS FOR MAKING PAYMENTS TO AUTOMOBILE SELLERS FOR AUTOMOBILES PURCHASED FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS. (a) Timeliness of Payments.--Section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)-- (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(2) The Secretary shall-- ``(A) make payments under this section in compliance with regulations prescribed under section 3903(a) of title 31, except that no interest penalties shall be required to be paid under this section; and ``(B) in the case of any payment under this section that is not processed during the period of 30 days following receipt by the Secretary of the final invoice for such payment, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the number of days required to process the payment.''.”
“``(2) The term `school certifying official' means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.''. (e) Notification of School Certifying Officials of Handbook Updates.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 14 business days after updating the school certifying official handbook of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying officials of such update. (2) School certifying official defined.--The term ``school certifying official'' means [[Page H4561]] an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution. SEC. 202.”
“(d) Department of Veterans Affairs Compliance Surveys.-- Section 3693 of such title is amended-- (1) in subsection (c)-- (A) by striking ``not more than 10 business days of notice''; (B) by striking ``this section.'' and inserting ``this section--''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(1) in the case of an educational institution or training establishment with a time stamp database collection feature, not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of notice; and ``(2) in the case of any other educational institution or training establishment, not more than 10 business days of notice.''; and (2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsection (d): ``(d) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) The terms `educational institution' and `training establishment' have the meanings given such terms in section 3452 of this title.”
“(5) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the following new item: ``3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service.''.”
“(2) Conforming amendment.--Such subsection is further amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``or takes a leave of absence'' and inserting ``, takes a leave of absence, or enters into an agreement''. (3) Agreement.--Such section is further amended-- (A) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (B) by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new subsection (d): ``(d) Agreement With Institution Concerned.--A covered member may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member has completed at least half of a course of covered education.''. (4) Section heading.--Such section is further amended by striking the heading and inserting ``Absence from certain education due to certain service''.”
“(5) Applicability.--To the extent practicable for any program requiring practical, laboratory, clinical, shop, or hands on competencies, the online portion of instruction may not substitute for the supervised in person training necessary to demonstrate such competencies. (c) Absence From Certain Education Due to Certain Service.-- (1) Options.--Section 3691A of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following: ``(1) A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service-- ``(A) withdraw from covered education; ``(B) take a leave of absence from covered education; or ``(C) subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned.''.”
“(4) GAO report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the oversight and implementation of the amendments made by paragraph (1), including-- (A) the effectiveness of oversight activities conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and State approving agencies; (B) institutional compliance with applicable requirements under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code; (C) participation and outcomes of veterans enrolled in programs approved pursuant to section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of such title, as added by paragraph (1); and (D) any recommendations to improve oversight, program integrity, or educational outcomes for veterans.”
“(2) Applicability.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2027. (3) Oversight.--During the first six years beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with State approving agencies, shall, every two years, conduct risk-based surveys or reviews of institutions approved pursuant to section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of title 38, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1).”
“(b) Treatment of Certain Independent Study Programs Under Educational Assistance Programs of Department of Veterans Affairs.-- (1) In general.--Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such title is amended-- (A) by inserting ``that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors'' after ``course of study''; (B) in item (aa), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a semicolon; (C) in item (bb), by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``; or''; and (D) by adding at the end the following new item: ``(cc) an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or is participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and''.”
“(2) Technical corrections and conforming amendment.--Such subsection is further amended-- (A) by striking ``paragraphs (2) through (7)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (2) through (6)''; and (B) in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting ``for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend'' after ``Additional assistance''. (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2027.”
“(a) Repayment of Members of the Armed Forces for Contributions Towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance: Timing; Mechanism for Individuals Not Eligible for a Monthly Housing Stipend.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``together'' and all that follows through ``before'' and inserting ``not later than 60 days after''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Additional assistance for an individual not eligible for a monthly housing stipend.--In the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall be paid-- ``(A) in a lump sum calculated by multiplying-- ``(i) the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and ``(ii) the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and ``(B) to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.''.”
“(2) The term ``covered entities'' includes-- (A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B) an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (C) a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; (D) an entity that advocates for veterans; and (E) an entity that advocates for survivors of veterans. (3) The term ``claimant'' has the meaning given such term in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code. TITLE II--EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SEC. 201. VETS OPPORTUNITY ACT.”
“(c) Report; Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall-- (1) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and (2) implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary. (d) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation. (e) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally funded research and development center.”
“(3) The terms ``claimant'' and ``notice'' have the meanings given such terms in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 113. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF FORMS THAT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SENDS TO CLAIMANTS. (a) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants. (b) Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters into an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better organized.”
“(d) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation. (e) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally funded research and development center. (2) The term ``covered entities'' includes-- [[Page H4560]] (A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B) an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (C) a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; (D) an entity that advocates for veterans; and (E) an entity that advocates for the survivors of veterans.”
“The assessment shall include the following: (1) The determination of the FFRDC, made in consultation with covered entities, whether each such notice may be feasibly altered to reduce paper consumption by, and costs to, the Federal Government. (2) The recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such notices clearer to claimants, better organized, and more concise. (c) Report; Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall-- (1) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and (2) implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.”
“(6) Definition.--In this section, the term ``military sexual trauma'' has the meaning given such term in section 1166(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 112. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF NOTICES THAT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SENDS TO CLAIMANTS. (a) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of notices that the Secretary sends to claimants. (b) Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters into an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment of such notices.”
“(5) Reporting requirements.--(A) Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report detailing-- (i) the annual cost to implement the dashboard required by paragraph (2); (ii) areas for improvement of the dashboard; and (iii) such additional information as the Secretary considers appropriate. (B) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall commence providing, on a quarterly basis, to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a quarterly briefing on the Department's processing of military sexual trauma-related claims.”
“(C) Information regarding the availability of services from military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (D) Information on availability of specialized care, services, and benefits from the Department for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma. (E) Such additional information as the Secretary considers appropriate. (4) Availability.--The Secretary shall ensure that the dashboard established pursuant to paragraph (1) is available to the public from the website of the Department of Veterans Affairs and is updated not less frequently than once every 30 days.”
“(G) The most frequent conditions or disabilities for which a claim relating to military sexual trauma is denied. (H) The most frequent conditions or disabilities for which a claim relating to military sexual trauma is submitted to the Secretary for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, including the grant rate for such contentions. (3) Additional resource information.--The Secretary shall make available via the performance dashboard established pursuant to subsection (a) the following information: (A) Veterans Crisis Line contact information. (B) Information regarding the availability of services from military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans Health Administration.”
“(ii) Average number of days for completed adjudication. (iii) Total number of pending claims, disaggregated by whether the claims have been partially adjudicated or not adjudicated at all. (iv) Total number of claims completely adjudicated. (v) Of the number specified in clause (iv), the percentage that were approved, denied, or appealed. (D) The total number of claims relating to military sexual trauma submitted to the Secretary for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. (E) The methods used for submittal of claims relating to military sexual trauma to the Secretary for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. (F) The most frequent reasons the Secretary denies a claim relating to military sexual trauma submitted to the Secretary for a benefit under a law administered by the Secretary.”