H. R. 3767 (Reported-in-House)

SEC. 2. Time frame for employment of participants in Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Scholarship Program.

(a) in general.—Section 7616 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(d) (1) The Secretary shall ensure that a participant in the Scholarship Program receives a contract for employment in the full-time clinical practice of such participant’s profession at a Department facility with the highest need, as determined by the Secretary, by not later than 90 days after the later of the following dates:

“(A) The date on which the participant completes the course in the Scholarship Program.

“(B) The date on which participant obtains all required licensure, certification, or credentialing necessary to practice independently in their field.

“(2) A contract referred to in paragraph (1) shall include a competitive salary and benefits package consistent with the employment standards of the Department.”.

(b) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter until the termination date specified in paragraph (2), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the implementation of subsection (d) of section 7616 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

(2) TERMINATION DATE.—The termination date specified in this paragraph is September 30, 2027.

SEC. 3. Prohibition on smoking in facilities of the veterans health administration.

(a) Prohibition.—Section 1715 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“§ 1715. Prohibition on smoking in facilities of the Veterans Health Administration

“(a) Prohibition.—No person (including any veteran, patient, resident, employee of the Department, contractor, or visitor) may smoke on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration.

“(b) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) The term ‘smoke’ includes—

“(A) the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and any other combustion or heating of tobacco; and

“(B) the use of any electronic nicotine delivery system, including electronic or e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-cigars.

“(2) The term ‘facility of the Veterans Health Administration’ means any land or building (including any medical center, nursing home, domiciliary facility, outpatient clinic, or center that provides readjustment counseling) that is—

“(A) under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs;

“(B) under the control of the Veterans Health Administration; and

“(C) not under the control of the General Services Administration.”.

(b) Conforming amendments.—

(1) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1715 and inserting the following:

“1715. Prohibition on smoking in facilities of the Veterans Health Administration.”.

(2) CONFORMING REPEAL.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 526 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–585; 38 U.S.C. 1715 note) is repealed.

(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents of such Act is amended by striking the item relating to such section.