[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5226 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5226

   To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Appalachian 
Regional Commission to carry out a program of outreach for veterans who 
             reside in Appalachia, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 5, 2010

Mr. Wilson of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
  Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Appalachian 
Regional Commission to carry out a program of outreach for veterans who 
             reside in Appalachia, 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. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Appalachian Veterans Outreach 
Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. OUTREACH FOR VETERANS WHO RESIDE IN APPALACHIA.

    (a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
Appalachian Regional Commission shall jointly carry out a program of 
outreach to veterans who reside in the Appalachian region for the 
purpose described in subsection (b).
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose described in this subsection is to 
increase the following:
            (1) The access to and use by veterans of Federal, State, 
        and local programs providing compensation and other benefits 
        for service in the Armed Forces.
            (2) Awareness of such programs, and their eligibility for 
        such programs, by veterans who reside in the Appalachian 
        region.
    (c) Projects.--
            (1) Department of veterans affairs.--In carrying out the 
        program required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs may enter into agreements with other Federal and State 
        agencies to carry out projects under the jurisdiction of such 
        agencies to further the purpose described in subsection (b).
            (2) Appalachian regional commission.--In carrying out the 
        program required by subsection (a), the Appalachian Regional 
        Commission may provide technical assistance, award grants, 
        enter into contracts, or otherwise provide amounts to persons 
        or entities in the Appalachian region for projects and 
        activities that--
                    (A) increase outreach with respect to, awareness 
                of, and use by veterans of programs described in 
                subsection (b)(1);
                    (B) provide incentives for State and local 
                governments and veterans service organizations to 
                assist veterans in utilizing facilities and resources 
                available to veterans through the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs;
                    (C) provide incentives for State and local 
                governments and veterans service organizations to 
                assist veterans in utilizing resources available 
                through government programs and veterans service 
                organizations for veterans;
                    (D) educate communities and State and local 
                governments about the employment rights of veterans, 
                including the employment and reemployment of members of 
                the uniformed services under chapter 43 of title 38, 
                United States Code;
                    (E) provide technical assistance to businesses 
                owned by veterans; and
                    (F) encourage and assist nonprofit organizations, 
                businesses, and institutions of higher education to 
                carry out programs of assistance designed for veterans.
    (d) Information, Advice, and Technical Assistance.--In carrying out 
the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs and the Appalachian Regional Commission may provide, or may 
enter into contracts with public or private organizations to provide, 
information, advice, and technical assistance to nonprofit 
organizations that provide services to communities in the Appalachian 
region in order to increase the number of veterans receiving such 
services in the Appalachian region.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``Appalachian region'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 14102(a) of title 40, United States Code.
            (2) The term ``veterans service organization'' means any 
        organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 
        38, United States Code.
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