[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1378 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1378
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an internship
program within the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 7, 2023
Mr. Ciscomani (for himself, Mr. McGarvey, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mrs.
Kiggans of Virginia, and Ms. Budzinski) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an internship
program within the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Appeals Backlog
Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7114. Internship program
``The Secretary shall establish a competitive internship program
within the Department for the purpose of providing an opportunity for
high-achieving students at law schools accredited by the American Bar
Association to gain experience with the Board.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 71 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following
new item:
``7114. Internship program.''.
(c) Deadline.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish
the internship program required by section 7114 of such title, as added
by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM ON ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS HONORS PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish a nine-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall
carry out a competitive honors program within the Department of
Veterans Affairs for the purpose of recruiting high-achieving law
school students, recent law school graduates, and entry-level attorneys
for employment with the Department.
(b) Qualifications.--To be eligible to participate in the
competitive honors program under the pilot program, an individual shall
have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar
Association and shall be a member in good standing of the bar of a
state, territory, or the District of Columbia. The Secretary shall give
priority consideration in application for the honors program to
individuals who successfully complete the internship program
established under section 7114 of title 38, United States Code, as
added by section 2(a).
(c) Student Loan Repayment Benefits.--
(1) In general.--Subject to an agreement under paragraph
(2), the Secretary shall provide student loan repayment
benefits under section 5379 of title 5, United States Code, to
each participant in the pilot program who is eligible for
student loan repayment benefits under such section.
(2) Participant agreement.--The Secretary shall enter into
an agreement with each participant in the pilot program who
will receive benefits described in paragraph (1), in accordance
with such section. Each such agreement shall specify that--
(A) the participant agrees to remain in the service
of the Department for a period of not less than three
years, unless involuntarily separated, in accordance
with subsection (c) of such section; and
(B) if separated involuntarily on account of
misconduct, or voluntarily, before the end of the
period specified in the agreement, the participant
shall repay to the Government the amount of any
benefits received by the individual from the Department
in accordance with subsection (c) of such section 5379.
(d) Professional Development Activities.--
(1) Assignment of mentors.--Not later than 90 days after
the date on which an individual begins participating in the
pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall assign the participant a mentor who is an employee of the
Department who is--
(A) to the extent practicable, a managerial
employee; and
(B) outside the participant's chain of command.
(2) Assignments to office of general counsel.--The
Secretary shall provide each participant in the pilot program
at least one assignment within the Office of General Counsel of
the Department that includes full-time legal responsibilities
in order to further the professional development of the
participant. Such assignment shall be for a period of not less
than 120 days and not more than 180 days, or longer at the
discretion of the Secretary.
(3) Other rotational assignments.--The Secretary may
provide a participant in the pilot program one or more other
short-term rotational assignments. Such an assignment shall be
for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 180
days, at the discretion of the Secretary.
(e) Periodic Reports.--
(1) Reports required.--Not later than three years after the
date on which the Secretary first accepts a participant into
the competitive honors program carried out under the pilot
program, and not less frequently than once every three years
thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, 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 report on the findings of the Secretary with
respect to the pilot program.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) The findings of the Secretary with respect to
the feasibility and advisability of establishing a
permanent competitive honors program within the
Department.
(B) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have
for legislative or administrative action to improve
recruitment and retention of staff at the Department.
SEC. 4. REPORT ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS
TELEHEARINGS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on
improving access to hearings before the Board of Veterans' Appeals held
by picture and voice transmission.
(b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include
the following:
(1) Recommendations on the feasibility and advisability of
reimbursing veterans for expenses incurred for travel from the
home of a veteran to the location at which a hearing before the
Board of Veterans' Appeals is held by picture and voice
transmission, if the Secretary determines that travel to such
location is reasonably necessary for such a hearing.
(2) Recommendations on establishment of pilot programs to
assess the feasibility and advisability of using other methods
that could improve veteran access to hearings before the Board
of Veterans' Appeals held by picture and voice transmission
from a veteran's home.
(3) Such other recommendations to improve access to
hearings before the Board of Veterans' Appeals held by picture
and voice transmission as the Secretary may receive from
stakeholders.
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