I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5881 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 31, 2012 Mr. Runyan (for himself and Mr. Walz of Minnesota) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain employees of Members of Congress and certain employees of local governmental agencies with access to case-tracking information of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act.

2.

Provision of access to case-tracking information

(a)

In general

Chapter 59 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

5906.

Provision of access to case-tracking information

(a)

In general

(1)The Secretary shall provide a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system to provide a veteran with information regarding the status of a claim submitted by such veteran, regardless of whether such employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by such veteran. (2)In providing a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that such access— (A)is provided in a manner that does not allow such employee to modify the data contained in such system; and (B)does not include access to medical records. (b)

Treatment of disclosure

The access to information by a covered employee pursuant to subsection (a) shall be deemed to be— (1)a covered disclosure under section 552a(b) of title 5; and (2)a permitted disclosure under regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note). (c)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term case-tracking system means the system of the Department of Veterans Affairs that provides information regarding the status of a claim submitted by a veteran. (2)The term covered employee means an employee of a Member of Congress or an employee of a State or local governmental agency (including a veterans service officer) who, in the course of carrying out the responsibilities of such employment, assists veterans with claims for any benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 5906. Provision of access to case-tracking information. .