[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. COLEMAN (for himself and Mr. Pryor):
  S. 151. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require an 
annual plan on outreach activities of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Veterans Benefits Outreach Act of 2005 with my good friend and 
colleague, Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas.
  The idea for this legislation emanated from a very troubling story I 
read in my hometown paper, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press entitled, 
``Wounded and Forgotten.''
  The article reported that nearly 600,000 veterans are eligible for 
benefits but not receiving them simply because they don't know they are 
eligible.
  It is clear that we need to do a better job of reaching out to 
veterans so they get the benefits they have earned. Our bill would do 
this by requiring the Veterans Administration to develop an annual plan 
to identify veterans who are eligible for but not receiving their 
benefits and an outreach plan to enroll them.
  Pretty simply really: matching benefits with people who have earned 
them, and often through a lot of sacrifice for us and the freedoms we 
enjoy every day.
  I hope the Senate will be able to act on this important legislation 
early this year so my hometown newspaper can report that our veterans 
are always remembered.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 151

       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 ``Veterans Benefits Outreach 
     Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. ANNUAL PLAN ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Annual Plan Required.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of 
     title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     section 523 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 523A. Annual plan on outreach activities

       ``(a) Annual Plan Required.--The Secretary shall prepare 
     each year a plan for the outreach activities of the 
     Department for the following year.
       ``(b) Elements.--Each annual plan under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following:
       ``(1) Plans for efforts to identify veterans who are not 
     enrolled or registered with the Department for benefits or 
     services under the programs administered by the Secretary.
       ``(2) Plans for informing veterans and their dependents of 
     modifications of the benefits and services under the programs 
     administered by the Secretary, including eligibility for 
     medical and nursing care and services.
       ``(c) Coordination in Development.--In developing an annual 
     plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with 
     the following:
       ``(1) Directors or other appropriate officials of 
     organizations recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 
     of this title.
       ``(2) Directors or other appropriate officials of State and 
     local education and training programs.
       ``(3) Representatives of non-governmental organizations 
     that carry out veterans outreach programs.
       ``(4) Representatives of State and local veterans 
     employment organizations.
       ``(5) Businesses and professional organizations.
       ``(6) Other individuals and organizations that assist 
     veterans in adjusting to civilian life.
       ``(d) Incorporation of Assessment of Previous Annual 
     Plans.--In developing an annual plan under subsection (a), 
     the Secretary shall take into account the lessons learned 
     from the implementation of previous annual plans under such 
     subsection.
       ``(e) Incorporation of Recommendations to Improve Outreach 
     and Awareness.--In developing an annual plan under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall incorporate the recommendations for 
     the improvement of veterans outreach and awareness activities 
     included in the report submitted to Congress by the Secretary 
     pursuant to section 805 of the Veterans Benefits Improvement 
     Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-454).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 523 the following new item:

``523A. Annual plan on outreach activities.''.
                                 ______