I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3016 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 22, 2011 Mr. Barrow 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 direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly operate the Federal Recovery Coordination Program, and for other purposes.

1.

Joint operation of Federal Recovery Coordination Program

(a)

Federal Recovery Coordination Program

In carrying out the Federal Recovery Coordination Program (in this section referred to as the Program), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that— (1)the program is operated jointly by the Secretaries; (2)the administration of the Program is not delegated to an individual outside the respective office of each Secretary; (3)the program assists— (A)members of the Armed Forces with severe or catastrophic injuries or illnesses who are unlikely to return to active duty and will most likely be medically separated under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code; and (B)members of the Armed Forces and veterans whose individual circumstances (including illness, injury, mental health, family situation, and unique benefit needs) are determined by the Secretary concerned to cause difficulties to the member or veteran in transitioning to civilian life; (4)in referring members and veterans described in paragraph (3) to the Program, the Secretary of each military department and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs makes such referrals at the earliest time feasible, including by the date that is 180 days before the last day of the month in which a member is expected to be retired or separated from the Armed Forces; and (5)each department and agency of the Federal Government, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, provides a Federal Recovery Coordinator of the Program with the information, coordination, and cooperation necessary for the Coordinator to assist members and veterans participating in the Program, including the maximum amount of information, coordination, and cooperation available to allow the Coordinator to— (A)ensure the efficient recovery, transition, and reintegration of such members and veterans; (B)act as a liaison between such members and veterans and the team of care providers and other personnel involved with the recovery, transition, and reintegration of the member or veteran, regardless of whether such team is under the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (C)work closely with case and care-management programs that assist such members and veterans. (b)

Plan and memorandum of understanding

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1)jointly develop a plan to carry out subsection (a); (2)enter into a memorandum of understanding to jointly carry out the plan beginning 90 days after the date on which the memorandum is entered into; and (3)jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees such plan and memorandum. (c)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the memorandum of understanding under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) goes into effect, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing and evaluating the implementation of such memorandum and plan under paragraph (1) of such subsection. (d)

Appropriate congressional committees defined

In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means the following: (1)The Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and Senate. (2)The Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and Senate.