I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5517 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 10, 2010 Mr. Stearns introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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 amend title 13, United States Code, to require that the questionnaire used in a decennial census of population shall include an inquiry regarding an individual’s status as a veteran, a spouse of a veteran, or a dependent of a veteran, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Every Veteran Counts Act.

2.

Census question regarding status as veteran, spouse of a veteran, or dependent of a veteran

(a)

In general

Section 141 of title 13, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and (2)by inserting after subsection (f) the following: (g)(1)In conducting a decennial census under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, on each questionnaire used in such census, include a question regarding whether an individual is a veteran, a spouse of a veteran, or the dependent of a veteran. Such question shall be in a checkoff format. (2)In conducting any survey during the interval between each census of population required under subsection (a), the Secretary may, on each questionnaire or form used in such survey, include a question regarding whether an individual is a veteran, a spouse of a veteran, or the dependent of a veteran. (3)For purposes of this subsection— (A)the term veteran has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38; and (B)the term dependent has the meaning given such term in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. . (b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the 2020 decennial census of population and each decennial census thereafter.

3.

Reports to Congress regarding use of population and other census-related data by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Not later than 21 months after the date of a decennial census, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall transmit to Congress a report identifying the laws or programs administered by such Department, including the specific purposes under each such law or program, for which population data or any other information obtained from any census, survey, or other means under title 13, United States Code— (1)were used by such Department during the year most recently ended; and (2)are being or will be used by such Department during the period following the close of the year most recently ended and preceding the date as of which data from the next decennial census are obtained.