I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2965 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 19, 2011 Mr. Turner of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 38, United States Code, to provide for penalties for employees of the Veterans Health Administration who intentionally fail to follow infection control practices.

1.

Failure of Veterans Health Administration employees to follow infection control practices

(a)

Criminal penalties

(1)

In general

Subchapter V of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

7465.

Failure to follow infection control practices

(a)

In general

Any employee of the Veterans Health Administration who, while working in a Department medical facility, intentionally fails to follow infection control practices shall be fined in accordance with title 18, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. (b)

Infection control practices

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish infection control practices for purposes of this section.

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subchapter the following new item: 7465. Failure to follow infection control practices. . (b)

Effective date

Subsection (a) of section 7465 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to actions taken on or after the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establishes infection control practices, as required by subsection (b) of such section.