110 HR 2172 IH: To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that U.S. House of Representatives 2007-05-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2172 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 3, 2007 Mr. Reyes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that all Department of Veterans Affairs orthotic-prosthetic laboratories, clinics, and prosthesists are certified by either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics or the Board of Orthotics and Prosthetic Certification, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Amputee Veteran Assistance Act.
2.
Requirement for certification of Department of Veterans Affairs orthotic-prosthetic laboratories; contracts for service and repair of prosthetic devices; plan to inform disabled veterans
(a)
Requirement for certification; contracts for service and repair; plan To inform disabled veterans
(1)
In general
Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sections:
3122.
Certification of Department orthotic-prosthetic laboratories
The Secretary shall ensure that all Department orthotic-prosthetic laboratories and clinics are certified by either of the following: (1)The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics. (2)The Board of Orthotics and Prosthetic Certification.
3123.
Contracts for service and repair of prosthetic devices with non-Department entities
The Secretary shall seek to enter into a contract with a non-Department entity that the Secretary determines is qualified to provide for the service and repair of prosthetic devices for a veteran if— (1)the Secretary determines that Department facilities are unable to perform the necessary service or repair due to a lack of technology or for any other reason that the Secretary determines prevents such service or repair in a timely manner; or (2)the veteran in need of such service or repair to a prosthetic device resides at a distance greater than 55 miles from the nearest suitable Department facility capable of furnishing such service or repair.
3124.
Plan to inform disabled veterans of technological advances in the field of prosthetics
The Secretary shall develop and carry out a plan to inform disabled veterans at least two times per year of technological advances in the field of prosthetics.
. (2)
Clerical amendment
The table of contents at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new items: 3122. Certification of Department orthotic-prosthetic laboratories. 3133. Contracts for service and repair of prosthetic devices with non-Department entities. 3134. Plan to inform disabled veterans of technological advances in the field of prosthetics. . (b)
Effective dates
The Secretary shall implement the requirements of— (1)section 3122 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later than five years after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2)sections 3123 and 3124 of such title, as so added, not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
3.
Review of Department of Veterans Affairs orthotic-prosthetic laboratories and specialists
(a)
Review of laboratories and clinics
(1)
Review required
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct and complete a review of all Department of Veterans Affairs orthotic-prosthetic laboratories and clinics to ensure that the Department is capable of servicing and repairing the most technologically advanced prosthetic devices. (2)
Report required
Not later than six months after the completion of the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the Secretary’s findings under the review and any recommendations to address any deficiencies in capability discovered as a result of such review. (b)
Review of specialists
(1)
Review required
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct and complete a review of Department prosthetists and orthotists to determine what level and kinds of training and education will be needed to ensure that such prosthetists and orthotists are qualified to service and repair the most technologically advanced prosthetic devices. (2)
Report required
Not later than six months after the completion of the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the Secretary’s findings under the review and any recommendations to address any deficiencies in education, training, or qualification discovered as a result of such review.