[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2864 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 414
116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2864

   To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot 
   program on information sharing between the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and designated relatives and friends of veterans regarding the 
   assistance and benefits available to the veterans, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 14, 2019

 Ms. Sinema (for herself, Mr. Tillis, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Gillibrand, 
Mr. Daines, and Mrs. Loeffler) introduced the following bill; which was 
     read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

                            February 5, 2020

                Reported by Mr. Moran, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot 
   program on information sharing between the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and designated relatives and friends of veterans regarding the 
   assistance and benefits available to the veterans, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Sergeant Daniel Somers 
Veterans Network of Support Act of 2019''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM ON INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DESIGNATED RELATIVES 
              AND FRIENDS OF VETERANS REGARDING THE ASSISTANCE AND 
              BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE VETERANS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Pilot Program Required.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs shall commence carrying out a pilot program--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to encourage members of the Armed 
                Forces who are transitioning from service in the Armed 
                Forces to civilian life, before separating from such 
                service, to designate up to 10 persons to whom 
                information regarding the assistance and benefits 
                available to the veterans under laws administered by 
                the Secretary shall be disseminated using the contact 
                information obtained under paragraph (7); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) provides such persons, within 30 days 
                after the date on which such persons are designated 
                under subparagraph (A), the option to elect to receive 
                such information.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
        pilot program during a period beginning on the date of the 
        commencement of the pilot program that is not less than two 
        years.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall 
        disseminate information described in paragraph (1)(A) under the 
        pilot program on a regular basis.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Types of information.--The types of 
        information to be disseminated under the pilot program to 
        persons who elect to receive such information shall include 
        information regarding the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Services and benefits offered to 
                veterans and their family members by the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Challenges and stresses that might 
                accompany transitioning from service in the Armed 
                Forces to civilian life.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Services available to veterans and 
                their family members to cope with the experiences and 
                challenges of service in the Armed Forces and 
                transition from such service to civilian 
                life.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Services available through community 
                partner organizations to support veterans and their 
                family members.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) Services available through Federal, 
                State, and local government agencies to support 
                veterans and their family members.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) The environmental health registry 
                program, health and wellness programs, and resources 
                for preventing and managing diseases and 
                illnesses.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) A toll-free telephone number through 
                which such persons who elect to receive information 
                under the pilot program may request information 
                regarding the program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (H) Such other matters as the Secretary, 
                in consultation with members of the Armed Forces and 
                such persons who elect to receive information under the 
                pilot program, determines to be appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Privacy of information.--In carrying out the 
        pilot program, the Secretary may not disseminate information 
        under paragraph (4) in violation of laws and regulations 
        pertaining to the privacy of members of the Armed Forces, 
        including requirements pursuant to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) section 552a of title 5, United States 
                Code; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the Health Insurance Portability and 
                Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
                191).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Notice and modifications.--In carrying out the 
        pilot program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a veteran--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) ensure that such veteran is notified 
                of the ability to modify designations made by such 
                veteran under paragraph (1)(A); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) upon the request of a veteran, 
                authorize such veteran to modify such designations at 
                any time.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) Contact information.--In making a designation 
        under the pilot program, a veteran shall provide necessary 
        contact information, specifically including an email address, 
        to facilitate the dissemination of information regarding the 
        assistance and benefits available to the veteran under laws 
        administered by the Secretary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Opt-in and opt-out of pilot program.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Opt-in by members.--A veteran may 
                participate in the pilot program only if the veteran 
                voluntarily elects to participate in the program. A 
                veteran seeking to make such an election shall make 
                such election in a manner, and by including such 
                information, as the Secretary shall specify for 
                purposes of the pilot program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Opt-in by designated recipients.--A 
                person designated pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) may 
                receive information under the pilot program only if the 
                person makes the election described in paragraph 
                (1)(B).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Opt-out.--In carrying out the pilot 
                program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a person 
                who has elected to receive information under such pilot 
                program, cease disseminating such information to that 
                person upon request of such person.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Survey and Report on Pilot Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Survey.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Not later than one year 
                after the date of the commencement of the pilot program 
                and not less frequently than once each year thereafter 
                for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary 
                shall administer a survey to persons who elected to 
                receive information under the pilot program for the 
                purpose of receiving feedback regarding the quality of 
                information disseminated under this section.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Elements.--Each survey conducted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include solicitation of the 
                following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) Feedback on the 
                        following:</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) The nature of 
                                information disseminated under the 
                                pilot program.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) Satisfaction with the 
                                pilot program.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) The utility of the 
                                pilot program.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) Overall pilot program 
                                successes and challenges.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Recommendations for improving 
                        the pilot program.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) Reasons for opting in or out 
                        of the pilot program.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) Such other feedback or 
                        matters as the Secretary considers 
                        appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Report.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Not later than three 
                years after the date on which the pilot program 
                commences, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
                on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
                Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
                final report on the pilot program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) The results of the survey 
                        administered under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) The number of participants 
                        enrolled in the pilot program who are 
                        veterans.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) The number of persons 
                        designated under subsection 
                        (a)(1)(A).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) The number of such persons 
                        who opted in or out of the pilot program under 
                        subsection (a)(8).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) The average period such 
                        persons remained in the pilot 
                        program.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) An assessment of the 
                        feasibility and advisability of making the 
                        pilot program permanent.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vii) Identification of 
                        legislative or administrative action that may 
                        be necessary if the pilot program is made 
                        permanent.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (viii) A plan to expand the pilot 
                        program if the pilot program is made 
                        permanent.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ix) If the Secretary finds under 
                        clause (vi) that making the pilot program 
                        permanent is not feasible or advisable, a 
                        justification for such finding.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans 
Network of Support Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM ON INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DESIGNATED RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF 
              VETERANS REGARDING THE ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE 
              TO THE VETERANS.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall commence carrying out a pilot program--
                    (A) to encourage members of the Armed Forces who 
                are transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to 
                civilian life, before separating from such service, to 
                designate up to 10 persons to whom information 
                regarding the assistance and benefits available to the 
                veterans under laws administered by the Secretary shall 
                be disseminated using the contact information obtained 
                under paragraph (7); and
                    (B) provides such persons, within 30 days after the 
                date on which such persons are designated under 
                subparagraph (A), the option to elect to receive such 
                information.
            (2) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 
        program during a period beginning on the date of the 
        commencement of the pilot program that is not less than two 
        years.
            (3) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall disseminate 
        information described in paragraph (1)(A) under the pilot 
        program no less frequently than quarterly.
            (4) Types of information.--The types of information to be 
        disseminated under the pilot program to persons who elect to 
        receive such information shall include information regarding 
        the following:
                    (A) Services and benefits offered to veterans and 
                their family members by the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs.
                    (B) Challenges and stresses that might accompany 
                transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to 
                civilian life.
                    (C) Services available to veterans and their family 
                members to cope with the experiences and challenges of 
                service in the Armed Forces and transition from such 
                service to civilian life.
                    (D) Services available through community partner 
                organizations to support veterans and their family 
                members.
                    (E) Services available through Federal, State, and 
                local government agencies to support veterans and their 
                family members.
                    (F) The environmental health registry program, 
                health and wellness programs, and resources for 
                preventing and managing diseases and illnesses.
                    (G) A toll-free telephone number through which such 
                persons who elect to receive information under the 
                pilot program may request information regarding the 
                program.
                    (H) Such other matters as the Secretary, in 
                consultation with members of the Armed Forces and such 
                persons who elect to receive information under the 
                pilot program, determines to be appropriate.
            (5) Privacy of information.--In carrying out the pilot 
        program, the Secretary may not disseminate information under 
        paragraph (4) in violation of laws and regulations pertaining 
        to the privacy of members of the Armed Forces, including 
        requirements pursuant to--
                    (A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code; 
                and
                    (B) the Health Insurance Portability and 
                Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191).
            (6) Notice and modifications.--In carrying out the pilot 
        program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a veteran--
                    (A) ensure that such veteran is notified of the 
                ability to modify designations made by such veteran 
                under paragraph (1)(A); and
                    (B) upon the request of a veteran, authorize such 
                veteran to modify such designations at any time.
            (7) Contact information.--In making a designation under the 
        pilot program, a veteran shall provide necessary contact 
        information, specifically including an email address, to 
        facilitate the dissemination of information regarding the 
        assistance and benefits available to the veteran under laws 
        administered by the Secretary.
            (8) Opt-in and opt-out of pilot program.--
                    (A) Opt-in by members.--A veteran may participate 
                in the pilot program only if the veteran voluntarily 
                elects to participate in the program. A veteran seeking 
                to make such an election shall make such election in a 
                manner, and by including such information, as the 
                Secretary shall specify for purposes of the pilot 
                program.
                    (B) Opt-in by designated recipients.--A person 
                designated pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) may receive 
                information under the pilot program only if the person 
                makes the election described in paragraph (1)(B).
                    (C) Opt-out.--In carrying out the pilot program, 
                the Secretary shall, with respect to a person who has 
                elected to receive information under such pilot 
                program, cease disseminating such information to that 
                person upon request of such person.
    (b) Survey and Report on Pilot Program.--
            (1) Survey.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
                date of the commencement of the pilot program and not 
                less frequently than once each year thereafter for the 
                duration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall 
                administer a survey to persons who elected to receive 
                information under the pilot program for the purpose of 
                receiving feedback regarding the quality of information 
                disseminated under this section.
                    (B) Elements.--Each survey conducted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include solicitation of the 
                following:
                            (i) Feedback on the following:
                                    (I) The nature of information 
                                disseminated under the pilot program.
                                    (II) Satisfaction with the pilot 
                                program.
                                    (III) The utility of the pilot 
                                program.
                                    (IV) Overall pilot program 
                                successes and challenges.
                            (ii) Recommendations for improving the 
                        pilot program.
                            (iii) Reasons for opting in or out of the 
                        pilot program.
                            (iv) Such other feedback or matters as the 
                        Secretary considers appropriate.
            (2) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than three years after 
                the date on which the pilot program commences, the 
                Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' 
                Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' 
                Affairs of the House of Representatives a final report 
                on the pilot program.
                    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) The results of the survey administered 
                        under paragraph (1).
                            (ii) The number of participants enrolled in 
                        the pilot program who are veterans.
                            (iii) The number of persons designated 
                        under subsection (a)(1)(A).
                            (iv) The number of such persons who opted 
                        in or out of the pilot program under subsection 
                        (a)(8).
                            (v) The average period such persons 
                        remained in the pilot program.
                            (vi) An assessment of the feasibility and 
                        advisability of making the pilot program 
                        permanent.
                            (vii) Identification of legislative or 
                        administrative action that may be necessary if 
                        the pilot program is made permanent.
                            (viii) A plan to expand the pilot program 
                        if the pilot program is made permanent.
                            (ix) If the Secretary finds under clause 
                        (vi) that making the pilot program permanent is 
                        not feasible or advisable, a justification for 
                        such finding.
                                                       Calendar No. 414

116th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2864

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

   To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot 
   program on information sharing between the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and designated relatives and friends of veterans regarding the 
   assistance and benefits available to the veterans, and for other 
                               purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            February 5, 2020

                       Reported with an amendment