[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 161 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 161

  To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise certain provisions 
relating to the appointment of clinical and counseling psychologists in 
      the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 21, 1997

  Mr. Inouye introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise certain provisions 
relating to the appointment of clinical and counseling psychologists in 
      the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REVISION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OF CLINICAL 
              AND COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGISTS IN THE VETERANS HEALTH 
              ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 7401(3) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by striking out ``who hold diplomas as diplomates in 
psychology from an accrediting authority approved by the Secretary''.
    (b) Certain Other Appointments.--Section 7405(a) of such title is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking out ``Certified or'' 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``Clinical or counseling 
        psychologists, certified or''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking out ``Certified or'' 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``Clinical or counseling 
        psychologists, certified or''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) 
shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
    (d) Appointment Requirement.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall begin to make 
appointments of clinical and counseling psychologists in the Veterans 
Health Administration under section 7401(3) of title 38, United States 
Code (as amended by subsection (a)), not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act.
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