[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4451-S4452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1141. Mr. PADILLA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1092 submitted by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Ms. 
Collins) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 4366, making 
appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2024, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:
        At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. ___. ELECTRONIC REQUEST OF CERTAIN RECORDS MAINTAINED BY 
                   THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and notwithstanding section 5702 of 
     title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall--
       (1) establish and maintain a secure website or online tool 
     for a claimant or a duly recognized agent or representative 
     of that claimant to submit an electronic request for

[[Page S4452]]

     records under section 5702 of title 38, United States Code; 
     and
       (2) ensure that, after consulting with stakeholders 
     (including veterans service organizations recognized under 
     section 5902 of such title) regarding the wording of the 
     warning under subparagraph (A), each time a claimant under a 
     law administered by the Secretary logs in to a website or 
     online tool of the Department, such website or online tool 
     issues to the claimant, in plain language and in English, 
     Spanish, Tagalog, and the other languages most commonly 
     spoken in the United States--
       (A) a warning about individuals who seek to act in 
     violation of chapter 59 of such title;
       (B) a link to an online tool of the Department through 
     which the claimant may report such an individual;
       (C) a link to an online tool of the Department through 
     which the claimant may search for a recognized agent, 
     attorney, or other entity recognized by the Secretary for the 
     preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim under 
     laws administered by the Secretary; and
       (D) a link to a website or an online tool of the Department 
     providing final decisions on discipline of agents, attorneys, 
     and entities, described in subparagraph (C), by the Secretary 
     for violations of chapter 59 of such title.
       (b) Responses to Requests.--Upon receipt of a valid request 
     made through the website or online tool established and 
     maintained pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall 
     provide to the requestor--
       (1) not later than 10 days after receipt of the request, 
     confirmation of such receipt; and
       (2) not later than 120 days after receipt of the request, 
     such records requested in the format in which such copy is 
     desired by the requester, including whether in printed form 
     or by downloadable file.
                                 ______