[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7150 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7150

   To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to improve equitable access to certain benefits under 
   the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to 
 improve certain outreach to individuals who served uniformed services 
      and dependents of such individuals, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 30, 2024

  Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to improve equitable access to certain benefits under 
   the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to 
 improve certain outreach to individuals who served uniformed services 
      and dependents of such individuals, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Survivor Benefits Delivery 
Improvement Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CERTAIN BENEFITS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS FOR SURVIVORS OF VETERANS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Survivor 
Benefits Data Collection Act of 2024''.
    (b) Collection of Demographic Data.--
            (1) Collection.--Chapter 53 of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section 
        (and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of such 
        chapter accordingly):
``Sec. 5321. Demographic data of certain beneficiaries
    ``(a) Collection.--The Secretary, in consultation with the entities 
described in subsection (b), shall--
            ``(1) develop a method to collect the demographic data of--
                    ``(A) each covered survivor receiving disability 
                and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of this 
                title, pension under chapter 15 of this title, or 
                increased pension (or additional compensation or 
                allowances) under this title based on the need of 
                regular aid and attendance or by reason of being 
                permanently housebound; and
                    ``(B) each person who receives burial benefits 
                under chapter 23 of this title; and
            ``(2) collect demographic data pursuant to the method 
        developed under paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Entities for Consultation.--The entities described in this 
subsection are the following:
            ``(1) The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans 
        established under section 544 of this title.
            ``(2) The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established 
        under section 542 of this title.
            ``(3) The Veterans' Family, Caregiver, and Survivor 
        Advisory Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or 
        successor advisory committee.
            ``(4) Veterans service organizations.
    ``(c) Designation of Underserved Demographics.--The Secretary 
shall--
            ``(1) designate as an underserved demographic any 
        demographic the Secretary determines, taking into account the 
        demographic data collected under subsection (a), is underserved 
        with respect to the benefits specified in such subsection; and
            ``(2) review such designations on at least a biennial basis 
        and update as appropriate.
    ``(d) Inclusion in Annual Reports.--For each annual benefits report 
of the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Secretary shall include as 
part of the report information concerning the demographic data 
collected under subsection (a) during the fiscal year covered by the 
report.
    ``(e) Effect on Application.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as requiring any person to submit demographic data or as 
authorizing the Secretary to consider whether a person submits 
demographic data in evaluating any claim for benefits under the laws 
administered by the Secretary.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `covered survivor' means a surviving spouse, 
        child, or parent of a veteran.
            ``(2) The term `demographic data' includes, with respect to 
        an individual, the following:
                    ``(A) Race.
                    ``(B) Ethnicity.
                    ``(C) Tribal affiliation, if any.
                    ``(D) LGBTQIA+ status.
                    ``(E) Geographic location.
            ``(3) The term `veterans service organization' means any 
        organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of 
        this title.''.
            (2) Deadlines; applicability.--
                    (A) Deadline for collection.--The Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs shall develop the data collection 
                method under subsection (a) of section 5321 of title 
                38, United States Code (as added by paragraph (1)), and 
                commence the collection of data pursuant to such 
                method, by not later than 180 days after the date of 
                the enactment of this Act.
                    (B) Deadline for initial designations.--The 
                Secretary shall make the initial designation of any 
                underserved demographics under subsection (c) of such 
                section 5321 by not later than one year after the date 
                on which the Secretary commences the collection of data 
                under subsection (a) of such section.
                    (C) Applicability regarding annual reports.--The 
                requirement under subsection (d) of such section 5321 
                shall apply with respect to annual benefits reports of 
                the Veterans Benefits Administration submitted on or 
                after the date that is one year after the date on which 
                the Secretary commences the collection of data under 
                subsection (a) of such section.
    (c) Outreach and Education.--
            (1) Strategy for underserved demographics.--Not later than 
        one year after the date of initial designation, the Secretary 
        shall develop and submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
        of the Senate and House of Representatives an outreach and 
        education strategy for raising awareness regarding the benefits 
        specified in section 5321(a) of title 38, United States Code 
        (as added by subsection (b)), among covered survivors who 
        belong to an underserved demographic.
            (2) Eligibility of veterans for certain burial benefits.--
                    (A) Outreach plan.--Not later than 180 days after 
                the date of initial designation, the Under Secretary 
                for Memorial Affairs shall develop and submit to the 
                Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives and the Senate an outreach strategy for 
                raising awareness regarding eligibility for burial in a 
                national cemetery under section 2303 of title 38, 
                United States Code, among veterans and beneficiaries 
                who belong to an underserved demographic.
                    (B) Education activities.--The Under Secretary 
                shall carry out education activities pursuant to the 
                plan developed under subparagraph (A) to ensure that 
                the veterans and beneficiaries specified in such 
                paragraph are made aware of any eligibility specified 
                in such subparagraph.
                    (C) Reports.--Not later than one year after the 
                date of initial designation, and annually thereafter 
                for five years, the Under Secretary shall submit to the 
                Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives and the Senate a report on the efforts 
                taken by the Under Secretary pursuant to this 
                paragraph.
            (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) The term ``covered survivor'' has the meanings 
                given that term in section 5321(e) of title 38, United 
                States Code (as added by subsection (b)).
                    (B) The term ``date of initial designation'' means 
                the date on which the Secretary makes the initial 
                designation of any underserved demographics.
                    (C) The term ``underserved demographic'' means a 
                demographic designated as an underserved demographic by 
                the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 5321(c) 
                of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection 
                (b)).
    (d) Assessment and Strategy for Office of Survivors Assistance.--
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall--
            (1) conduct an assessment of the resources of the Office of 
        Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or 
        any successor office; and
            (2) develop a strategy to ensure the availability of 
        resources necessary for the function of such office, as 
        determined by the Secretary as a result of the assessment.

SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO OUTREACH SERVICES PROVIDED BY SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED IN THE 
              UNIFORMED SERVICES AND DEPENDENTS OF SUCH INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Survivor Solid 
Start Act of 2024''.
    (b) Expansion of Outreach Services.--Subchapter I of chapter 63 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in section 6301(b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
                paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
                redesignated) the following new paragraph:
            ``(1) the term `covered individual' means--
                    ``(A) a veteran; or
                    ``(B) an individual who served in the uniformed 
                services (as defined in section 1965(6) of this 
                title);'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by 
                striking ``veterans'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``covered individuals''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by 
                striking ``a person who served in the active military, 
                naval, air, or space service'' and inserting ``a 
                covered individual'';
            (2) in section 6302(b), by striking ``eligible veterans'' 
        each place it appears and inserting ``covered individuals'';
            (3) in section 6303--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``eligible 
                veterans'' and inserting ``covered individuals'';
                    (B) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``eligible 
                veterans'' and inserting ``covered individuals'';
                    (C) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``veteran or 
                dependent'' each place it appears and inserting 
                ``covered individual or eligible dependent''; and
                    (D) in subsection (d), by striking ``veterans'' and 
                inserting ``covered individuals'';
            (4) in section 6306--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``eligible 
                veteran'' and inserting ``covered individual''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) by striking ``opportunities for 
                        veterans'' and inserting ``opportunities for 
                        covered individuals'';
                            (ii) by striking ``eligible veterans'' and 
                        inserting ``covered individuals''; and
            (5) in section 6307, by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(c) Outreach Services for Surviving Eligible Dependents.--(1)(A) 
Upon receipt of notification of the death of a covered individual, the 
Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Benefits, shall 
provide outreach services, by mail, email, and telephone, to each 
eligible dependent of such individual not less than once each quarter 
calendar year until the eligible dependent files a claim for a benefit 
under laws administered by the Secretary.
    ``(B) In the case of an eligible dependent described in 
subparagraph (A) who is a minor child, the Secretary shall provide such 
outreach services to the legal guardian of the eligible dependent.
    ``(C) If the Secretary does not have the contact information of an 
eligible dependent or legal guardian described in subparagraph (A) or 
(B), the Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to obtain such contact 
information to carry out this subsection.
    ``(D) An eligible dependent or legal guardian described in 
subparagraph (A) or (B) may elect to not receive, or to receive fewer, 
outreach services under this subsection. Not less than once each 
calendar year, the Secretary shall notify each such eligible dependent 
or legal guardian of the option to make such an election.
    ``(2) Outreach services under this subsection shall provide an 
eligible dependent with information including the following:
            ``(A) Contact information for the Office of Survivors 
        Assistance established under section 321 of this title.
            ``(B) Information regarding assistance in filing a claim 
        for a benefit under laws administered by the Secretary 
        furnished by--
                    ``(i) a veterans service organization recognized 
                under section 5902 of this title; or
                    ``(ii) an attorney, agent, or other entity 
                recognized under section 5904 of this title.
            ``(C) How to find an entity--
                    ``(i) described in clause (i) or (ii) of 
                subparagraph (B); and
                    ``(ii) located near the residence of the eligible 
                dependent.
    ``(3) In developing and revising materials used in outreach 
services under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with 
entities including the following:
            ``(A) Veterans service organizations recognized under 
        section 5902 of this title.
            ``(B) The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established 
        under section 542 of this title.
            ``(C) The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans 
        established under section 544 of this title.
            ``(D) The Veterans' Family, Caregiver, and Survivor 
        Advisory Committee of the Department, or successor advisory 
        committee.''.
    (c) Personnel.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish 
at least 5, but not more than 10, full-time equivalent positions at 
call centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out 
subsection (c) of section 6307 of such title, as added by subsection 
(b).
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