[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7075-S7078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 5182. Mr. PORTMAN (for Mr. Inhofe (for himself and Mr.
Blumenthal)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 3021, to amend title
38, United States Code, to authorize the use of Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance to pursue independent study programs at certain educational
institutions that are not institutions of higher learning; as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Education
Improvement Act of 2016'' or the ``VEI Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE TO PURSUE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS
AT CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE
NOT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.
Paragraph (4) of section 3680A(a) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(4) any independent study program except--
``(A) with respect to enrollments occurring during the
period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans
Education Improvement Act of 2016 and ending on September 30,
2018, an independent study program (including open circuit
television) that--
``(i) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting
agency; and
``(ii) leads--
``(I) to a standard college degree;
``(II) to a certificate that reflects educational
attainment offered by an institution of higher learning; or
``(III) to a certificate that reflects completion of a
course of study offered by--
``(aa) an area career and technical education school (as
defined in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 3(3) of the
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
(20 U.S.C. 2302(3))) that provides education at the
postsecondary level; or
``(bb) a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined
in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002(c))) that provides education at the postsecondary
level; and
``(B) with respect to enrollments occurring during any
period other than the period described in subparagraph (A),
an accredited independent study program (including open
circuit television) leading--
``(i) to a standard college degree; or
``(ii) to a certificate that reflects educational
attainment offered by an institution of higher learning.''.
SEC. 3. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR
PURPOSES OF THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 3104(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``A rehabilitation''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), to the
maximum extent practicable, a course of education or training
may be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation
program under this chapter only if the course is approved for
purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title.
``(B) The Secretary may waive the requirement under
subparagraph (A) to the extent the Secretary determines
appropriate.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to a course of education or training
pursued by a veteran who first begins a program of
rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United States
Code, on or after the date that is one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
SERVICES BASED ON NEED.
Section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by
section 3, is further amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to
administer this chapter by prioritizing the provision of
services under this chapter based on need, as determined by
the Secretary.
``(2) In evaluating need for purposes of this subsection,
the Secretary shall consider disability ratings, the severity
of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of
independent living services and assistance, income, and such
other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(3) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to
the prioritization of the provision of services under this
chapter as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a plan describing such changes.''.
SEC. 5. CODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTION PROCESS FOR
POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 3325 as section 3326; and
(2) by inserting after section 3324 the following new
section 3325:
``Sec. 3325. Election to receive educational assistance
``(a) Individuals Eligible to Elect Participation in Post-
9/11 Educational Assistance.--An individual may elect to
receive educational assistance under this chapter if such
individual--
``(1) as of August 1, 2009--
``(A) is entitled to basic educational assistance under
chapter 30 of this title and has used, but retains unused,
entitlement under that chapter;
``(B) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 and has used, but retains
unused, entitlement under the applicable chapter;
``(C) is entitled to basic educational assistance under
chapter 30 of this title but has not used any entitlement
under that chapter;
``(D) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 but has not used any
entitlement under such chapter;
``(E) is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for
receipt of basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of
this title and is making contributions toward such assistance
under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; or
``(F) is a member of the Armed Forces who is not entitled
to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of this
title by reason of an election under section 3011(c)(1) or
3012(d)(1) of this title; and
``(2) as of the date of the individual's election under
this paragraph, meets the requirements for entitlement to
educational assistance under this chapter.
``(b) Cessation of Contributions Toward GI Bill.--Effective
as of the first month beginning on or after the date of an
election under subsection (a) of an individual described by
paragraph (1)(E) of that subsection, the obligation of the
individual to make contributions under section 3011(b) or
3012(c) of this title, as applicable, shall cease, and the
requirements of such section shall be deemed to be no longer
applicable to the individual.
``(c) Revocation of Remaining Transferred Entitlement.--
``(1) Election to revoke.--If, on the date an individual
described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of subsection (a)
makes an election under that subsection, a transfer of the
entitlement of the individual to basic educational assistance
under section 3020 of this title is in effect and a number of
months of the entitlement so transferred remain unutilized,
the individual may elect to revoke all or a portion of the
entitlement so transferred that remains unutilized.
``(2) Availability of revoked entitlement.--Any entitlement
revoked by an individual under this paragraph shall no longer
be available to the dependent to whom transferred, but shall
be available to the individual instead for educational
assistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance with
the provisions of this section.
``(3) Availability of unrevoked entitlement.--Any
entitlement described in paragraph (1) that is not revoked by
an individual in accordance with that paragraph
[[Page S7076]]
shall remain available to the dependent or dependents
concerned in accordance with the current transfer of such
entitlement under section 3020 of this title.
``(d) Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and except as
provided in subsection (e), an individual making an election
under subsection (a) shall be entitled to educational
assistance under this chapter in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter, instead of basic educational
assistance under chapter 30 of this title, or educational
assistance under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as
applicable.
``(2) Limitation on entitlement for certain individuals.--
In the case of an individual making an election under
subsection (a) who is described by paragraph (1)(A) of that
subsection, the number of months of entitlement of the
individual to educational assistance under this chapter shall
be the number of months equal to--
``(A) the number of months of unused entitlement of the
individual under chapter 30 of this title, as of the date of
the election, plus
``(B) the number of months, if any, of entitlement revoked
by the individual under subsection (c)(1).
``(e) Continuing Entitlement to Educational Assistance Not
Available Under 9/11 Assistance Program.--
``(1) In general.--In the event educational assistance to
which an individual making an election under subsection (a)
would be entitled under chapter 30 of this title, or chapter
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable, is not
authorized to be available to the individual under the
provisions of this chapter the individual shall remain
entitled to such educational assistance in accordance with
the provisions of the applicable chapter.
``(2) Charge for use of entitlement.--The utilization by an
individual of entitlement under paragraph (1) shall be
chargeable against the entitlement of the individual to
educational assistance under this chapter at the rate of one
month of entitlement under this chapter for each month of
entitlement utilized by the individual under paragraph (1)
(as determined as if such entitlement were utilized under the
provisions of chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606,
or 1607 of title 10, as applicable).
``(f) Additional Post-9/11 Assistance for Members Having
Made Contributions Toward GI Bill.--
``(1) Additional assistance.--In the case of an individual
making an election under subsection (a) who is described by
subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that
subsection, the amount of educational assistance payable to
the individual under this chapter as a monthly stipend
payable under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this
title, or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of that section
(as applicable), shall be the amount otherwise payable as a
monthly stipend under the applicable paragraph increased by
the amount equal to--
``(A) the total amount of contributions toward basic
educational assistance made by the individual under section
3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as of the date of the
election, multiplied by
``(B) the fraction--
``(i) the numerator of which is--
``(I) the number of months of entitlement to basic
educational assistance under chapter 30 of this title
remaining to the individual at the time of the election; plus
``(II) the number of months, if any, of entitlement under
chapter 30 revoked by the individual under subsection (c)(1);
and
``(ii) the denominator of which is 36 months.
``(2) Months of remaining entitlement for certain
individuals.--In the case of an individual covered by
paragraph (1) who is described by subsection (a)(1)(E), the
number of months of entitlement to basic educational
assistance remaining to the individual for purposes of
paragraph (1)(B)(i)(II) shall be 36 months.
``(3) Timing of payment.--The amount payable with respect
to an individual under paragraph (1) shall be paid to the
individual together with the last payment of the monthly
stipend payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of
section 3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs (2)
through (7) of that section (as applicable), before the
exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational
assistance under this chapter.
``(g) Continuing Entitlement to Additional Assistance for
Critical Skills or Speciality and Additional Service.--An
individual making an election under subsection (a)(1) who, at
the time of the election, is entitled to increased
educational assistance under section 3015(d) of this title,
or section 16131(i) of title 10, or supplemental educational
assistance under subchapter III of chapter 30 of this title,
shall remain entitled to such increased educational
assistance or supplemental educational assistance in the
utilization of entitlement to educational assistance under
this chapter, in an amount equal to the quarter, semester, or
term, as applicable, equivalent of the monthly amount of such
increased educational assistance or supplemental educational
assistance payable with respect to the individual at the time
of the election.
``(h) Alternative Election by Secretary.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of an individual who, on or
after January 1, 2016, submits to the Secretary an election
under this section that the Secretary determines is clearly
against the interests of the individual, or who fails to make
an election under this section, the Secretary may make an
alternative election on behalf of the individual that the
Secretary determines is in the best interests of the
individual.
``(2) Notice.--If the Secretary makes an election on behalf
of an individual under this subsection, the Secretary shall
notify the individual by not later than seven days after
making such election and shall provide the individual with a
30-day period, beginning on the date of the individual's
receipt of such notice, during which the individual may
modify or revoke the election made by the Secretary on the
individual's behalf. The Secretary shall include, as part of
such notice, a clear statement of why the alternative
election made by the Secretary is in the best interests of
the individual as compared to the election submitted by the
individual. The Secretary shall provide the notice required
under this paragraph by electronic means whenever possible.
``(i) Irrevocability of Elections.--An election under
subsection (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item
relating to section 3325 and inserting the following new
items:
``3325. Election to receive educational assistance.
``3326. Reporting requirement.''.
(c) Conforming Repeal.--Subsection (c) of section 5003 of
the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-252; 38 U.S.C. 3301 note) is hereby repealed.
SEC. 6. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE.
Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``June 30, 2013'' each place it appears
and inserting ``June 30, 2013, or the period beginning on
June 30, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2022''.
SEC. 7. RETENTION OF ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
DURING CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF ACTIVE
DUTY.
(a) Educational Assistance Allowance.--Section
16131(c)(3)(B)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``or 12304'' and inserting ``12304, 12304a, or
12304b''.
(b) Expiration Date.--Section 16133(b)(4) of such title is
amended by striking ``or 12304'' and inserting ``12304,
12304a, or 12304b''.
SEC. 8. REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF STUDENTS RECEIVING POST-9/11
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Chapter 33 of title 38, United States
Code, as amended by section 5, is further amended--
(1) in subsection 3326(c), as redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph (3):
``(3) the information received by the Secretary under
section 3327 of this title; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3327. Report on student progress
``As a condition on approval under chapter 36 of this title
of a course offered by an educational institution (as defined
in section 3452 of this title), each year, each educational
institution (as so defined) that received a payment in that
year on behalf of an individual entitled to educational
assistance under this chapter shall submit to the Secretary
such information regarding the academic progress of the
individual as the Secretary may require.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 5, is
further amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``3327. Report on student progress.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 9. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLLMENT BY
CERTAIN GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND CONSORTIUMS OF
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 3684(a) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``32, 33,'' after
``31,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term
`educational institution' may include a group, district, or
consortium of separately accredited educational institutions
located in the same State that are organized in a manner that
facilitates the centralized reporting of the enrollments in
such group, district, or consortium of institutions.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 10. ROLE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.
(a) Approval of Certain Courses.--Section 3672(b)(2)(A) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the
following'' and all that follows through the colon and
inserting the following: ``a program of education is deemed
to be approved for purposes of this chapter if a State
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of
a State approving agency, determines that the program is one
of the following programs:''.
(b) Approval of Other Courses.--Section 3675 of such title
is amended--
[[Page S7077]]
(1) in subsection (a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary or a State approving
agency'' and inserting ``A State approving agency, or the
Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving
agency,''; and
(B) by striking ``offered by proprietary for-profit
educational institutions'' and inserting ``not covered by
section 3672 of this title''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ``the
Secretary or the State approving agency'' and inserting ``the
State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the
role of a State approving agency,''; and
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the Secretary or the
State approving agency'' and inserting ``the State approving
agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State
approving agency''.
SEC. 11. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL FOR
PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF PROGRAMS
DESIGNED TO PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR LICENSURE
OR CERTIFICATION.
(a) Approval of Nonaccredited Courses.--Subsection (c) of
section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new
paragraphs:
``(14) In the case of a course designed to prepare an
individual for licensure or certification in a State, the
course--
``(A) meets all instructional curriculum licensure or
certification requirements of such State; and
``(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an
individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is
accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized
by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part H of
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1099b).
``(15) In the case of a course designed to prepare an
individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by
a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires
approval, licensure, or certification, the course--
``(A) meets such standards; and
``(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an
individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is
accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized
by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part H of
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1099b).''.
(b) Exceptions.--Such section is further amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(f)(1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of
paragraph (14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a
course of education offered by an educational institution
(either accredited or not accredited) if the Secretary
determines all of the following:
``(A) The educational institution is not accredited by an
agency or association recognized by the Secretary of
Education.
``(B) The course did not meet the requirements of such
paragraph at any time during the two-year period preceding
the date of the waiver.
``(C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational
assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would
further the education interests of individuals eligible for
assistance under such programs.
``(D) The educational institution does not provide any
commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly
or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial
aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student
recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions
regarding the award of student financial assistance, except
for the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign
countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student
assistance.
``(2) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the
Secretary issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall submit to Congress notice of such waiver and a
justification for issuing such waiver.''.
(c) Approval of Accredited Courses.--Section 3675(b)(3) of
such title, as amended by section 10, is further amended--
(1) by striking ``and (3)'' and inserting ``(3), (14),
(15), and (16)''; and
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``(or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and
(15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived
pursuant to subsection (f)(1) of section 3676 of this
title)''.
(d) Approval of Accredited Standard College Degree Programs
Offered at Public or Not-for-profit Educational
Institutions.--Section 3672(b)(2) of such title is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``An accredited''
and inserting ``Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an
accredited''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) A course that is described in both subparagraph
(A)(i) of this paragraph and in paragraph (14) or (15) of
section 3676(c) of this title shall not be deemed to be
approved for purposes of this chapter unless--
``(i) a State approving agency, or the Secretary when
acting in the role of a State approving agency, determines
that the course meets the applicable criteria in such
paragraphs; or
``(ii) the Secretary issues a waiver for such course under
section 3676(f)(1) of this title.''.
(e) Disapproval of Courses.--Section 3679 of such title is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
the Secretary or the applicable State approving agency shall
disapprove a course of education described in paragraph (14)
or (15) of section 3676(c) of this title unless the
educational institution providing the course of education--
``(1) publicly discloses any conditions or additional
requirements, including training, experience, or
examinations, required to obtain the license, certification,
or approval for which the course of education is designed to
provide preparation; and
``(2) makes each disclosure required by paragraph (1) in a
manner that the Secretary considers prominent (as specified
by the Secretary in regulations prescribed for purposes of
this subsection).''.
(f) Applicability.--If after enrollment in a course of
education that is subject to disapproval by reason of an
amendment made by this Act, an individual pursues one or more
courses of education at the same educational institution
while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during
regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or
terms) at that institution, any course so pursued by the
individual at that institution while so continuously enrolled
shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of such
amendment.
SEC. 12. COMPLIANCE SURVEYS.
(a) In General.--Section 3693 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following
new subsection (a):
``(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the
Secretary shall conduct an annual compliance survey of
educational institutions and training establishments offering
one or more courses approved for the enrollment of eligible
veterans or persons if at least 20 such veterans or persons
are enrolled in any such course.
``(2) The Secretary shall--
``(A) design the compliance surveys required by paragraph
(1) to ensure that such institutions or establishments
described in such paragraph, as the case may be, and approved
courses are in compliance with all applicable provisions of
chapters 30 through 36 of this title;
``(B) survey each such educational institution and training
establishment not less than once during every two-year
period; and
``(C) assign not fewer than one education compliance
specialist to work on compliance surveys in any year for each
40 compliance surveys required to be made under this section
for such year.
``(3) The Secretary, in consultation with the State
approving agencies, shall--
``(A) annually determine the parameters of the surveys
required under paragraph (1); and
``(B) not later than September 1 of each year, make
available to the State approving agencies a list of the
educational institutions and training establishments that
will be surveyed during the fiscal year following the date of
making such list available.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) In this section, the terms `educational institution'
and `training establishment' have the meanings given such
terms in section 3452 of this title.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (b) of such section
is amended--
(1) by striking ``subsection (a) of this section for an
annual compliance survey'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)
for a compliance survey'';
(2) by striking ``institution'' and inserting ``educational
institution or training establishment''; and
(3) by striking ``institution's demonstrated record of
compliance'' and inserting ``record of compliance of such
institution or establishment''.
SEC. 13. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO IN-STATE TUITION
RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO WHOM ENTITLEMENT IS
TRANSFERRED UNDER ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND POST-9/11
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Technical Amendment.--Subparagraph (B) of section
3679(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under--
``(i) section 3311(b)(9) of this title; or
``(ii) section 3319 of this title by virtue of the
individual's relationship to--
``(I) a veteran described in subparagraph (A); or
``(II) a member of the uniformed services described in
section 3319(b) of this title who is serving on active
duty.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to a course, semester, or term that
begins after July 1, 2017.
SEC. 14. AUTHORITY OF DIRECTORS OF VETERANS INTEGRATED
SERVICE NETWORKS TO INVESTIGATE MEDICAL CENTERS
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--The Director of a Veterans Integrated
Service Network of the Department of Veterans Affairs may
contract with an appropriate entity specializing in civilian
accreditation or health care evaluation to investigate any
medical center within such Network to assess and report
deficiencies of the facilities at such medical center.
[[Page S7078]]
(b) Coordination.--Before entering into any contract under
subsection (a), the Director of a Veterans Integrated Service
Network shall notify the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the
Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and
the Comptroller General of the United States for purposes of
coordinating any investigation conducted pursuant to such
contract with any other investigations or accreditations that
may be ongoing.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed--
(1) to prevent the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Veterans Affairs from conducting any review,
audit, evaluation, or inspection regarding a topic for which
a review is conducted under subsection (a); or
(2) to modify the requirement that employees of the
Department assist with any review, audit, evaluation, or
inspection conducted by the Office of the Inspector General
of the Department.
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