I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1681 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 24, 2009 Mr. Boswell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To improve the coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to better provide care to members and the Armed Forces and veterans.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Veterans Transitional Assistance Act of 2009.
2.
Establishment of Office of Transitional Assistance
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary of Defense shall establish in the Department of Defense an office to be known as the Office of Transitional Assistance, which shall be responsible for carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary under section 1614 of the Wounded Warrior Act (10 U.S.C. 1071 note). (b)
Report
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the establishment of the office under subsection (a).
3.
Transmittal of records and contact by Secretary of Veterans Affairs
(a)
Transmittal of records to Department of Veterans Affairs
Upon the discharge or release of a member of the Armed Forces, the Office of Transitional Assistance, established under section 2(a), shall transmit the military service record and contact information of the member to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (b)
Contacting of veterans
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall contact each person for whom the Secretary receives a military service record and contact information under subsection (a) by not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives such record and information, and shall provide to the person such forms and other information as may be necessary for the person to apply for any benefits, including medical benefits, to which the person may be entitled under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (c)
Report
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this section.