#aac? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 ,r4 
#adje  ,,an ,,act  ,to am5d title #ch1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to require !       
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to include
 a notice ( disagreem5t =m 9 any notice 
( decision issu$ = ! d5ial ( a b5efit   
s\ght1 to improve ! sup]vision (        
fiduci>ies ( vet]ans "u ! laws adm9i/]$ 
by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 & = 
o!r purposes4  #a4 ,inclusion ( notice (
 disagreem5t =ms 9 notices ( decisions (
 b5efits d5ials issu$ by ,secret>y (    
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section
 #eajd7;b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code1 is am5d$--  7#a7 by /rik+ & 7#b7 
& ins]t+ 7#b72 &  7#b7 by ins]t+ be=e ! 
p]iod at ! end ! foll[+3 1 & 7#c7 a =m t
 may be us$ to file a notice (          
disagreem5t to ! decision4  7b7         
,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by     
subsection 7a7 %all apply ) respect to  
decisions made by ! ,secret>y "u section
 #eaa ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 
on or aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is    
,act4  #b4 ,provision ( /atus "u law by 

honor+ c]ta9 memb]s ( ! res]ve compon5ts
 z vet]ans  7a7 ,vet]an /atus  7#a7 ,9  
g5]al ,*apt] #a ( title #ch1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft]   
section #ajg ! foll[+ new section3      
#ajg;,a4 ,honor+ z vet]ans c]ta9 p]sons 
:o p]=m$ s]vice 9 ! res]ve compon5ts    
,any p]son :o is entitl$ "u *apt] #abbc 
( title #aj to retir$ pay = nonregul>   
s]vice or1 b = age1 w\ld be entitl$ "u  
su* *apt] to retir$ pay = nonregul>     
s]vice %all be honor$ z a vet]an b %all 
n be entitl$ to any b5efit by reason (  
?is section4  4  7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t  
,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su*   
*apt] is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item    
relat+ to section #ajg ! foll[+ new     
item3  #ajg;,a4 ,honor+ z vet]ans c]ta9 
p]sons :o p]=m$ s]vice 9 ! res]ve       
compon5ts4  4  7b7 ,cl>ification reg>d+ 
b5efits ,no p]son may receive any b5efit
 "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y (    
,vet]ans ,affairs solely by reason (    
section #ajg;,a ( title #ch1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a74 

#c4 ,provision ( access to case-track+  
in=mation  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #ei (    
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #eijf4     
,provision ( access to case-track+      
in=mation  7a7 ,9 g5]al  7#a7 ,9        
accordance ) subsection 7b71 ! ,secret>y
 %all provide a cov]$ employee ) access 
to ! case-track+ sy/em to provide a     
vet]an ) in=mation reg>d+ ! /atus ( a   
claim submitt$ by su* vet]an if su*     
employee is act+ "u writt5 p]mission or 
a p[] ( attorney execut$ by su* vet]an4 
7#b7 ,9 provid+ a cov]$ employee )      
access to ! case-track+ sy/em "u        
p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y %all ensure--
  7,a7 t su* access--  7i7 is provid$ 9 
a mann] t does n all[ su* employee to   
modify ! data conta9$ 9 su* sy/em2 &    
7ii7 does n include access to m$ical    
records2 &  7,b7 t ea* "t a cov]$       
employee accesses su* sy/em1 ! employee 
mu/ c]tify t su* access is = (ficial    
purposes only4  7b7 ,privacy            
c]tification c\rse ,! ,secret>y may n   

provide a cov]$ employee ) access to !  
case-track+ sy/em "u subsection 7a77#a7 
unless ! cov]$ employee has successfully
 complet$ a c]tification c\rse on       
privacy issues provid$ by ! ,secret>y4  
7c7 ,treatm5t ( disclosure ,! access to 
in=mation by a cov]$ employee pursuant  
to subsection 7a77#a7 %all be deem$ to  
be--  7#a7 a cov]$ disclosure "u section
 #eeb;a7b7 ( title #e2 &  7#b7 a p]mitt$
 disclosure "u regulations promulgat$ "u
 section #bfd7;c7 ( ! ,heal? ,insurance 
,portability & ,acc\ntability ,act (    
#aiif 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbj;d-#b note74  
7d7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3  7#a7 ,!
 t]m case-track+ sy/em means ! sy/em ( !
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs t        
provides in=mation reg>d+ ! /atus ( a   
claim submitt$ by a vet]an4  7#b7 ,! t]m
 cov]$ employee means an employee ( a   
,/ate or local gov]nm5tal ag5cy 7includ+
 a vet]ans s]vice (fic]7 :o1 9 ! c\rse (
 c>ry+ out ! responsibilities ( su*     
employm5t1 assi/s vet]ans ) claims = any
 b5efit "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by !         

,secret>y4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!  
table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt]
 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new 
item3  #eijf4 ,provision ( access to    
case-track+ in=mation4  4  #d4          
,improvem5t ( fiduci>ies = vet]ans  7a7 
,appo9tm5t & sup]vision  7#a7 ,section  
#eejb ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 
is am5d$ to read z foll[s3  #eejb4      
,appo9tm5t ( fiduci>ies  7a7 ,appo9tm5t 
7#a7 ,:]e x appe>s to ! ,secret>y t !   
int]e/ ( ! b5efici>y w\ld be s]v$ !reby1
 paym5t ( b5efits "u any law adm9i/]$ by
 ! ,secret>y may be made directly to !  
b5efici>y or to a relative or "s o!r    
fiduci>y = ! use & b5efit ( ! b5efici>y1
 reg>dless ( any legal disability on !  
"p ( ! b5efici>y4  7#b7 ,:5 9 ! op9ion (
 ! ,secret>y1 a tempor>y fiduci>y is    
ne$$ 9 ord] to protect ! b5efits provid$
 to ! b5efici>y "u any law adm9i/]$ by !
 ,secret>y :ile a det]m9ation (         
incompet5cy is be+ made or appeal$ or a 
fiduci>y is appeal+ a det]m9ation (     
misuse1 ! ,secret>y may appo9t "o or m  

tempor>y fiduci>ies = a p]iod n to exce$
 #abj days4 ,if a f9al decision has n   
be5 made )9 #abj days1 ! ,secret>y may n
 cont9ue ! appo9tm5t ( ! fiduci>y )\t   
obta9+ a c\rt ord] = appo9tm5t ( a      
gu>dian1 cons]vator1 or o!r fiduci>y "u 
! au?ority provid$ 9 section #eejb7;b7 (
 ?is title4  7b7 ,appeals  7#a7 ,if !   
,secret>y det]m9es a b5efici>y to be    
m5tally incompet5t = purposes ( appo9t+ 
a fiduci>y "u ?is *apt]1 ! ,secret>y    
%all provide su* b5efici>y ) a writt5   
/atem5t detail+ ! reasons = su*         
det]m9ation4  7#b7 ,a b5efici>y :om !   
,secret>y has det]m9$ to be m5tally     
incompet5t = purposes ( appo9t+ a       
fiduci>y "u ?is *apt] may appeal su*    
det]m9ation4  7c7 ,modification  7#a7 ,a
 b5efici>y = :om ! ,secret>y appo9ts a  
fiduci>y "u ?is *apt] may1 at any "t1   
reque/ ! ,secret>y to--  7,a7 remove !  
fiduci>y s appo9t$2 &  7,b7 h a new     
fiduci>y appo9t$4  7#b7 ,! ,secret>y    
%all comply ) a reque/ "u p>agraph 7#a7 
if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t ! reque/ is   

made 9 good fai? &--  7,a7 ! fiduci>y   
reque/$ to be remov$ receives a fee f ! 
b5efici>y & a suitable volunte] fiduci>y
 is available to assi/ ! b5efici>y2 or  
7,b7 ! b5efici>y provides cr$ible       
in=mation t ! fiduci>y reque/$ to be    
remov$ is--  7i7 n act+ 9 ! int]e/ ( !  
b5efici>y2 or  7ii7 unable to           
effectively s]ve ! b5efici>y because (  
an irreconcilable p]sonality conflict or
 disagreem5t4  7#c7 ,! ,secret>y %all   
ensure t any removal or new appo9tm5t ( 
a fiduci>y "u p>agraph 7#a7 does n delay
 or int]rupt ! b5efici>y's receipt (    
b5efits adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y4  7d7   
,indep5d5ce ,a fiduci>y appo9t$ by !    
,secret>y %all op]ate indep5d5tly ( !   
,dep>tm5t to det]m9e ! actions t are 9 !
 int]e/ ( ! b5efici>y4  7e7             
,pr$esignation ,a vet]an may pr$esignate
 a fiduci>y by--  7#a7 submitt+ writt5  
notice to ! ,secret>y ( ! pr$esignat$   
fiduci>y2 or  7#b7 submitt+ a =m provid$
 by ! ,secret>y = su* purpose4  7f7     
,appo9tm5t ( non-,pr$esignat$ fiduci>y  

,if a b5efici>y designates an individual
 to s]ve z a fiduci>y "u subsection 7e7 
& ! ,secret>y appo9ts an individual n s 
designat$ z ! fiduci>y = su* b5efici>y1 
! ,secret>y %all notify su* b5efici>y   
(--  7#a7 ! reason :y su* designat$     
individual 0 n appo9t$2 &  7#b7 !       
ability ( ! b5efici>y to modify !       
appo9t$ fiduci>y "u subsection 7c74  7g7
 ,priority ( appo9tm5t ,9 appo9t+ a     
fiduci>y "u ?is *apt]1 if a b5efici>y   
does n designate a fiduci>y pursuant to 
subsection 7e71 to ! ext5t possible !   
,secret>y %all appo9t a p]son :o is--   
7#a7 a relative ( ! b5efici>y2  7#b7    
appo9t$ z gu>dian ( ! b5efici>y by a    
c\rt ( compet5t jurisdiction2 or  7#c7  
au?oriz$ to act on behalf ( ! b5efici>y 
"u a durable p[] ( attorney4  4  7#b7   
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at 
! beg9n+ ( *apt] #ee ( title #ch1 ,unit$
 ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! item 
relat+ to section #eejb & ins]t+ !      
foll[+3  #eejb4 ,appo9tm5t ( fiduci>ies4
  4  7b7 ,sup]vision  7#a7 ,9 g5]al     

,*apt] #ee ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section  
#eejb1 z am5d$ by subsection 7a77#a71 ! 
foll[+ new section3  #eejb;,a4          
,sup]vision ( fiduci>ies  7a7           
,commission  7#a7  7,a7 ,9 a case 9 :i* 
! ,secret>y det]m9es t a commission is  
necess>y 9 ord] to obta9 ! s]vices ( a  
fiduci>y 9 ! be/ int]e/s ( a b5efici>y1 
! ,secret>y may au?orize a fiduci>y     
appo9t$ by ! ,secret>y to obta9 f !     
mon?ly b5efits provid$ to ! b5efici>y a 
reasonable commission = fiduci>y s]vices
 r5d]$1 b ! commission = any mon? may n 
exce$ ! less] ( ! foll[+ am\nts3  7i7 ,!
 am\nt t equals ?ree p]c5t ( ! mon?ly   
monet>y b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$ by !   
,secret>y paid on behalf ( ! b5efici>y  
to ! fiduci>y4  7ii7 #ce4  7,b7 ,a      
commission paid "u ?is p>agraph may n be
 d]iv$ f any aw>d to a b5efici>y reg>d+ 
back pay or retroactive b5efits paym5ts4
  7,c7 ,a commission may n be au?oriz$ =
 a fiduci>y :o receives any o!r =m (    
remun]ation or paym5t 9 connection )    

r5d]+ fiduci>y s]vices = b5efits "u ?is 
title on behalf ( ! b5efici>y4  7,d7 ,9 
accordance ) section #fajf ( ?is title1 
a commission may n be paid to a fiduci>y
 if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t ! fiduci>y   
misus$ any b5efit paym5ts ( a b5efici>y4
  7,e7 ,if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t !     
fiduci>y has misus$ any b5efit or       
paym5ts ( a b5efici>y1 ! ,secret>y may  
revoke ! fiduci>y /atus ( ! fiduci>y4   
7#b7 ,:]e1 9 ! op9ion ( ! ,secret>y1 any
 fiduci>y receiv+ funds on behalf ( a   
,dep>tm5t b5efici>y is act+ 9 su* a     
numb] ( cases z to make x impracticable 
to cons]ve prop]ly ! e/ates or to       
sup]vise ! p]sons ( ! b5efici>ies1 !    
,secret>y may refuse to make future     
paym5ts 9 su* cases z ! ,secret>y may   
deem prop]4  7b7 ,c\rt ,:5ev] x appe>s t
 any fiduci>y1 9 ! op9ion ( ! ,secret>y1
 is n prop]ly execut+ or has n prop]ly  
execut$ ! duties ( ! tru/ ( su* fiduci>y
 or has collect$ or paid1 or is attempt+
 to collect or pay1 fees1 commissions1  
or all[ances t are inequitable or 9     

excess ( ^? all[$ by law = ! duties     
p]=m$ or exp5ses incurr$1 or has fail$  
to make su* paym5ts z may be necess>y = 
! b5efit ( ! w>d or ! dep5d5ts ( ! w>d1 
!n ! ,secret>y may appe>1 by !          
,secret>y's au?oriz$ attorney1 9 ! c\rt 
:i* has appo9t$ su* fiduci>y1 or 9 any  
c\rt hav+ orig9al1 concurr5t1 or        
appellate jurisdiction ov] said cause1 &
 make prop] pres5tation ( su* matt]s4 ,!
 ,secret>y1 9 ! ,secret>y's discretion1 
may susp5d paym5ts to any su* fiduci>y  
:o %all neglect or refuse1 aft]         
reasonable notice1 to r5d] an acc\nt to 
! ,secret>y f "t to "t %[+ ! application
 ( su* paym5ts = ! b5efit ( su*         
incompet5t or m9or b5efici>y1 or :o %all
 neglect or refuse to adm9i/] ! e/ate   
accord+ to law4 ,! ,secret>y may require
 ! fiduci>y1 z "p ( su* acc\nt1 to      
disclose any additional f9ancial        
in=mation conc]n+ ! b5efici>y 7except = 
in=mation t is n available to !         
fiduci>y74 ,! ,secret>y may appe> or    
int]v5e by ! ,secret>y's duly au?oriz$  

attorney 9 any c\rt z an int]e/$ p>ty 9 
any litigation in/itut$ by ! ,secret>y  
or o!rwise1 directly affect+ money paid 
to su* fiduci>y "u ?is section4  7c7    
,paym5t ( c]ta9 exp5ses ,au?ority is    
h]eby grant$ = ! paym5t ( any c\rt or   
o!r exp5ses incid5t to any inve/igation 
or c\rt proce$+ = ! appo9tm5t ( any     
fiduci>y or o!r p]son = ! purpose (     
paym5t ( b5efits payable "u laws        
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y or ! removal (  
su* fiduci>y & appo9tm5t ( ano!r1 & (   
exp5ses 9 connection ) ! adm9i/ration ( 
su* b5efits by su* fiduci>ies1 or 9     
connection ) any o!r c\rt proce$+ h]eby 
au?oriz$1 :5 su* paym5t is au?oriz$ by !
 ,secret>y4  7d7 ,tempor>y paym5t (     
b5efits ,all or any "p ( any b5efits !  
paym5t ( :i* is susp5d$ or )held "u ?is 
section may1 9 ! discretion ( !         
,secret>y1 be paid tempor>ily to ! p]son
 hav+ cu/ody & control ( ! incompet5t or
 m9or b5efici>y1 to be us$ solely = !   
b5efit ( su* b5efici>y1 or1 9 ! case (  
an incompet5t vet]an1 may be apportion$ 

to ! dep5d5t or dep5d5ts1 if any1 ( su* 
vet]an4 ,any "p n s paid & any funds ( a
 m5tally incompet5t or insane vet]an n  
paid to ! *ief (fic] ( ! in/itution 9   
:i* su* vet]an is a pati5t nor          
apportion$ to ! vet]an's dep5d5t or     
dep5d5ts may be ord]$ held 9 ! ,treasury
 to ! cr$it ( su* b5efici>y4 ,all funds 
s held %all be disburs$ "u ! ord] & 9 ! 
discretion ( ! ,secret>y = ! b5efit (   
su* b5efici>y or ! b5efici>y's dep5d5ts4
 ,any balance rema9+ 9 su* fund to !    
cr$it ( any b5efici>y may be paid to !  
b5efici>y if ! b5efici>y recov]s & is   
f\nd compet5t1 or if a m9or1 atta9s     
majority1 or o!rwise to ! b5efici>y's   
fiduci>y1 or1 9 ! ev5t ( ! b5efici>y's  
dea?1 to ! b5efici>y's p]sonal          
repres5tative1 except z o!rwise provid$ 
by law2 h[ev]1 paym5t w n be made to !  
b5efici>y's p]sonal repres5tative if1 "u
 ! law ( ! b5efici>y's la/ legal        
resid5ce1 ! b5efici>y's e/ate w\ld      
es*eat to ! ,/ate4 ,9 ! ev5t ( ! dea? ( 
a m5tally incompet5t or insane vet]an1  

all gratuit\s b5efits "u laws adm9i/]$  
by ! ,secret>y deposit$ be=e or aft]    
,augu/ #g1 #aiei1 9 ! p]sonal funds (   
pati5ts tru/ fund on acc\nt ( su* vet]an
 %all n be paid to ! p]sonal            
repres5tative ( su* vet]an1 b %all be   
paid to ! foll[+ p]sons liv+ at ! "t (  
settlem5t1 & 9 ! ord] nam$3 ,! surviv+  
sp\se1 ! *ildr5 7)\t reg>d to age or    
m>ital /atus7 9 equal p>ts1 & ! dep5d5t 
p>5ts ( su* vet]an1 9 equal p>ts4 ,if   
any balance rema9s1 su* balance %all be 
deposit$ to ! cr$it ( ! applicable      
curr5t appropriation2 except t !re may  
be paid only s mu* ( su* balance z may  
be necess>y to reimburse a p]son 7o!r   
?an a political subdivision ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates7 :o bore ! exp5ses ( la/ sickness
 or burial ( ! vet]an = su* exp5ses4 ,no
 paym5t %all be made "u ! two prec$+    
s5t5ces ( ?is subsection unless claim   
!re= is fil$ ) ! ,secret>y )9 five ye>s 
aft] ! dea? ( ! vet]an1 except t1 if any
 p]son s entitl$ "u said two s5t5ces is 
"u legal disability at ! "t ( dea? ( !  

vet]an1 su* five-ye> p]iod ( limitation 
%all run f ! t]m9ation or removal ( !   
legal disability4  7e7 ,es*eatm5t ,any  
funds 9 ! h&s ( a fiduci>y appo9t$ by a 
,/ate c\rt or ! ,secret>y d]iv$ f       
b5efits payable "u laws adm9i/]$ by !   
,secret>y1 :i* "u ! law ( ! ,/ate :]e9 !
 b5efici>y _h la/ legal resid5ce w\ld   
es*eat to ! ,/ate1 %all es*eat to !     
,unit$ ,/ates & %all be return$ by su*  
fiduci>y1 or by ! p]sonal repres5tative 
( ! deceas$ b5efici>y1 less legal       
exp5ses ( any adm9i/ration necess>y to  
det]m9e t an es*eat is 9 ord]1 to !     
,dep>tm5t1 & %all be deposit$ to ! cr$it
 ( ! applicable revolv+ fund1 tru/ fund1
 or appropriation4  7f7 ,assi/ance ,!   
,secret>y %all provide to a fiduci>y    
appo9t$ "u section #eejb ( ?is title    
mat]ials & tools to assi/ ! fiduci>y 9  
c>ry+ out ! responsibilities ( !        
fiduci>y "u ?is *apt]1 includ+--  7#a7  
h&books1 bro*ures1 or o!r writt5 mat]ial
 t expla9 ! responsibilities ( a        
fiduci>y "u ?is *apt]2  7#b7 tools      

locat$ on an ,int]net website1 includ+  
=ms to submit to ! ,secret>y requir$    
in=mation2 &  7#c7 assi/ance provid$ by 
telephone4  4  7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! 
table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( *apt] #ee
 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is   
am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to   
section #eejb ! foll[+ new item3        
#eejb;,a4 ,sup]vision ( fiduci>ies4  4  
7c7 ,def9ition ( fiduci>y ,section #eejf
 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code is    
am5d$--  7#a7 by /rik+ ,= purposes &    
ins]t+ 7a7 ,= purposes2 &  7#b7 by add+ 
at ! end ! foll[+ new subsection3  7b7  
7#a7 ,= purposes ( subsection 7a71 ! t]m
 p]son includes any--  7,a7 ,/ate or    
local gov]nm5t ag5cy ^: mission is to   
c>ry out income ma9t5ance1 social       
s]vice1 or heal? c>e-relat$ activities2 
7,b7 any ,/ate or local gov]nm5t ag5cy )
 fiduci>y responsibilities2 or  7,c7 any
 nonpr(it social s]vice ag5cy t !       
,secret>y det]m9es--  7i7 regul>ly      
provides s]vices z a fiduci>y           
concurr5tly to five or m individuals2 & 

7ii7 is n a cr$itor ( any su*           
individual4  7#b7 ,! ,secret>y %all     
ma9ta9 a li/ ( ,/ate or local ag5cies & 
nonpr(it social s]vice ag5cies "u       
p>agraph 7#a7 t are qualifi$ to act z a 
fiduci>y "u ?is *apt]4 ,9 ma9ta9+ su*   
li/1 ! ,secret>y may consult ! li/s     
ma9ta9$ "u section #hjg7;h7 ( ! ,social 
,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4           
#ajjg7;h774  4  7d7 ,qualifications     
,section #eejg ( title #ch1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3
  #eejg4 ,inquiry1 inve/igations1 &     
qualification ( fiduci>ies  7a7         
,inve/igation ,any c]tification ( a     
p]son = paym5t ( b5efits ( a b5efici>y  
to t p]son z su* b5efici>y's fiduci>y "u
 section #eejb ( ?is title %all be made 
on ! basis (--  7#a7 an inquiry or      
inve/igation by ! ,secret>y ( ! fitness 
( t p]son to s]ve z fiduci>y = t        
b5efici>y to be conduct$ 9 advance ( su*
 c]tification & 9 accordance )          
subsection 7b72  7#b7 adequate evid5ce t
 c]tification ( t p]son z fiduci>y = t  

b5efici>y is 9 ! int]e/ ( su* b5efici>y 
7z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y "u            
regulations72  7#c7 adequate evid5ce t !
 p]son to s]ve z fiduci>y protects !    
private in=mation ( a b5efici>y 9       
accordance ) subsection 7d77#a72 &  7#d7
 ! furni%+ ( any bond t may be requir$  
by ! ,secret>y 9 accordance ) subsection
 7f74  7b7 ,elem5ts ( inve/igation  7#a7
 ,9 conduct+ an inquiry or inve/igation 
( a propos$ fiduci>y "u subsection      
7a77#a71 ! ,secret>y %all conduct--     
7,a7 a face-to-face int]view ) ! propos$
 fiduci>y by n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! 
date on :i* su* inquiry or inve/igation 
beg9s2 &  7,b7 a backgr\nd *eck ( !     
propos$ fiduci>y to--  7i7 9 accordance 
) p>agraph 7#b71 det]m9e :e!r ! propos$ 
fiduci>y has be5 convict$ ( a crime2 &  
7ii7 det]m9e :e!r ! propos$ fiduci>y w  
s]ve ! be/ int]e/ ( ! b5efici>y1 includ+
 by conduct+ a cr$it *eck ( ! propos$   
fiduci>y & *eck+ ! records "u p>agraph  
7#e74  7#b7 ,! ,secret>y %all reque/    
in=mation conc]n+ :e!r t p]son has be5  

convict$ ( any (f5se "u ,f$]al or ,/ate 
law4 ,if t p]son has be5 convict$ ( su* 
an (f5se1 ! ,secret>y may c]tify ! p]son
 z a fiduci>y only if ! ,secret>y f9ds t
 ! p]son is an appropriate p]son to act 
z fiduci>y = ! b5efici>y conc]n$ "u !   
circum/ances4  7#c7 ,! ,secret>y %all   
conduct ! backgr\nd *eck describ$ 9     
p>agraph 7#a77;,b7--  7,a7 ea* "t a     
p]son is propos$ to be a fiduci>y1      
reg>dless ( :e!r ! p]son is s]v+ or has 
s]v$ z a fiduci>y2 &  7,b7 at no exp5se 
to ! b5efici>y4  7#d7 ,ea* propos$      
fiduci>y %all disclose to ! ,secret>y ! 
numb] ( b5efici>ies t ! fiduci>y acts on
 behalf (4  7#e7 ,! ,secret>y %all      
ma9ta9 records ( any p]son :o has--     
7,a7 previ\sly s]v$ z a fiduci>y2 &     
7,b7 _h su* fiduci>y /atus revok$ by !  
,secret>y4  7#f7  7,a7 ,if a fiduci>y   
appo9t$ by ! ,secret>y is convict$ ( a  
crime describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 !    
,secret>y %all notify ! b5efici>y ( su* 
conviction by n lat] ?an #ad days aft] !
 date on :i* ! ,secret>y le>ns ( su*    

conviction4  7,b7 ,a crime describ$ 9   
?is subp>agraph is a crime--  7i7 = :i* 
! fiduci>y is convict$ :ile s]v+ z a    
fiduci>y = any p]son2  7ii7 t is n      
includ$ 9 a report submitt$ by !        
fiduci>y "u section #eeji7;a7 ( ?is     
title2 &  7iii7 t ! ,secret>y det]m9es  
c\ld affect ! ability ( ! fiduci>y to   
act on behalf ( ! b5efici>y4  7c7       
,inve/igation ( c]ta9 p]sons  7#a7 ,9 ! 
case ( a propos$ fiduci>y describ$ 9    
p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,secret>y1 9 conduct+  
an inquiry or inve/igation "u subsection
 7a77#a71 may c>ry out su* inquiry or   
inve/igation on an exp$it$ basis t may  
include giv+ priority to conduct+ su*   
inquiry or inve/igation4 ,any su*       
inquiry or inve/igation c>ri$ out on su*
 an exp$it$ basis %all be c>ri$ out "u  
regulations prescrib$ = purposes ( ?is  
section4  7#b7 ,p>agraph 7#a7 applies ) 
respect to a propos$ fiduci>y :o is--   
7,a7 ! p>5t 7natural1 adopt$1 or        
/epp>5t7 ( a b5efici>y :o is a m9or2    
7,b7 ! sp\se or p>5t ( an incompet5t    

b5efici>y2  7,c7 a p]son :o has be5     
appo9t$ a fiduci>y ( ! b5efici>y by a   
c\rt ( compet5t jurisdiction2  7,d7 be+ 
appo9t$ to manage an e/ate :]e ! annual 
am\nt ( vet]ans b5efits to be manag$ by 
! propos$ fiduci>y does n exce$ #c1fjj1 
z adju/$ pursuant to section #ecab ( ?is
 title2 or  7,e7 a p]son :o is au?oriz$ 
to act on behalf ( ! b5efici>y "u a     
durable p[] ( attorney4  7d7 ,protection
 ( private in=mation  7#a7 ,a fiduci>y  
%all take all reasonable precautions    
to--  7,a7 protect ! private in=mation (
 a b5efici>y1 includ+ p]sonally         
id5tifiable in=mation2 &  7,b7 securely 
conducts f9ancial transactions4  7#b7 ,a
 fiduci>y %all notify ! ,secret>y ( any 
action ( ! fiduci>y t compromises or    
pot5tially compromises ! private        
in=mation ( a b5efici>y4  7e7 ,pot5tial 
misuse ( funds  7#a7 ,if ! ,secret>y has
 reason to believe t a fiduci>y may be  
misus+ all or "p ( ! b5efit ( a         
b5efici>y1 ! ,secret>y %all--  7,a7     
conduct a ?or\gh inve/igation to det]m9e

 ! v]acity ( su* belief2 &  7,b7 if su* 
v]acity is e/abli%$1 transmit to !      
(ficials describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 a     
report ( su* inve/igation4  7#b7 ,!     
(ficials describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph are !  
foll[+3  7,a7 ,! ,attorney ,g5]al4  7,b7
 ,ea* head ( a ,f$]al dep>tm5t or ag5cy 
t pays to a fiduci>y or o!r p]son       
b5efits "u any law adm9i/]$ by su*      
dep>tm5t ( ag5cy = ! use & b5efit ( a   
m9or1 incompet5t1 or o!r b5efici>y4  7f7
 ,bond ,9 det]m9+ :e!r a propos$        
fiduci>y is requir$ to furni% a bond "u 
subsection 7a77#d71 ! ,secret>y %all    
consid]--  7#a7 ! exi/5ce ( any familial
 or o!r p]sonal relation%ip betwe5 !    
propos$ fiduci>y & ! b5efici>y2 &  7#b7 
! c>e ! propos$ fiduci>y has tak5 to    
protect ! int]e/s ( ! b5efici>y4  7g7   
,li/ ( fiduci>ies ,ea* regional (fice ( 
! ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration %all  
ma9ta9 a li/ ( ! foll[+3  7#a7 ,! "n &  
contact in=mation ( ea* fiduci>y1       
includ+ address1 telephone numb]1 &     
email address4  7#b7 ,) respect to ea*  

fiduci>y describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7--     
7,a7 ! date ( ! mo/ rec5t backgr\nd *eck
 & cr$it *eck p]=m$ by ! ,secret>y "u   
?is section2  7,b7 ! date t any bond 0  
paid "u ?is section2  7,c7 ! "n1        
address1 & telephone numb] ( ea*        
b5efici>y ! fiduci>y acts on behalf (2 &
  7,d7 ! am\nt t ! fiduci>y controls )  
respect to ea* b5efici>y describ$ 9     
subp>agraph 7,c74  4  7e7 ,annual       
receipt ( paym5ts  7#a7 ,9 g5]al        
,section #eeji ( title #ch1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--  7,a7 9        
subsection 7a7--  7i7 by /rik+ may      
require a fiduci>y to file a & ins]t+   
%all require a fiduci>y to file an      
annual2 &  7ii7 by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+ new s5t5ce3 ,! ,secret>y %all    
transmit su* annual report or acc\nt+ to
 ! b5efici>y & any legal gu>dian ( su*  
b5efici>y42  7,b7 by add+ at ! end !    
foll[+ new subsections3  7c7 ,matt]s    
includ$ ,except z provid$ by subsection 
7f71 an annual report or acc\nt+ "u     
subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3   

7#a7 ,= ea* b5efici>y t a fiduci>y acts 
on behalf (--  7,a7 ! am\nt ( ! b5efits 
( ! b5efici>y provid$ "u any law        
adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y accru$ dur+ !   
ye>1 ! am\nt sp5t1 & ! am\nt rema9+2 &  
7,b7 if ! fiduci>y s]ves ! b5efici>y )  
respect to b5efits n adm9i/]$ by !      
,secret>y1 an acc\nt+ ( all s\rces (    
b5efits or o!r income ! fiduci>y ov]sees
 = ! b5efici>y4  7#b7 ,a li/ ( ev5ts t  
occurr$ dur+ ! ye> cov]$ by ! report t  
c\ld affect ! ability ( ! fiduci>y to   
act on behalf ( ! b5efici>y1 includ+--  
7,a7 ! fiduci>y be+ convict$ ( any      
crime2  7,b7 ! fiduci>y decl>+          
bankruptcy2 &  7,c7 any judgm5ts ent]$  
aga9/ ! fiduci>y4  7d7 ,r&om audits ,!  
,secret>y %all annually conduct r&om    
audits ( fiduci>ies :o receive a        
commission pursuant to subsection       
#eejb;,a7a77#a7 ( ?is title4  7e7 ,/atus
 ( fiduci>y ,if a fiduci>y includes 9 ! 
annual report ev5ts describ$ 9          
subsection 7c77#b71 ! ,secret>y may take
 appropriate action to adju/ ! /atus ( !

 fiduci>y z ! ,secret>y det]m9es        
appropriate1 includ+ by revok+ !        
fiduci>y /atus ( ! fiduci>y4  7f7       
,c>egiv]s & c]ta9 o!r fiduci>ies  7#a7  
7,a7 ,9 c>ry+ out ?is section1 !        
,secret>y %all ensure t a c>egiv]       
fiduci>y is requir$ only to file an     
annual report or acc\nt+ "u subsection  
7a7 ) respect to ! am\nt ( ! b5efits ( !
 b5efici>y provid$ "u any law adm9i/]$  
by ! ,secret>y--  7i7 sp5t on--  7,i7   
food & h\s+ = ! b5efici>y2 &  7,,ii7    
clo?+1 heal?-relat$ exp5ses1 recreation1
 & o!r p]sonal items = ! b5efici>y2 &   
7ii7 sav$ = ! b5efici>y4  7,b7 ,!       
,secret>y %all coord9ate ) ! ,"u        
,secret>y = ,b5efits & ! ,"u ,secret>y =
 ,heal? to--  7i7 m9imize ! frequ5cy )  
:i* employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t visit ! home
 ( a c>egiv] fiduci>y & b5efici>y2 &    
7ii7 limit ! ext5t ( sup]vision by su*  
,"u ,secret>ies ) respect to su* a      
fiduci>y & b5efici>y4  7,c7 ,9 ?is      
p>agraph1 ! t]m c>egiv] fiduci>y means a
 fiduci>y :o--  7i7 9 addition to act+ z

 a fiduci>y = a b5efici>y1 is approv$ by
 ! ,secret>y to be a provid] ( p]sonal  
c>e s]vices = ! b5efici>y "u p>agraph   
7#c77;,a77i7 ( section #agbj;,g7a7 ( ?is
 title2  7ii7 9 c>ry+ out su* c>e       
s]vices to su* b5efici>y1 has und]gone n
 less ?an f\r home visits "u p>agraph   
7#i77;,a7 ( su* section2 &  7iii7 has n 
be5 requir$ by ! ,secret>y to take      
corrective action pursuant to p>agraph  
7#i77;,c7 ( su* section4  7#b7 ,9 c>ry+ 
out ?is section1 ! ,secret>y may adju/ !
 matt]s requir$ "u an annual report or  
acc\nt+ "u subsection 7a7 ) respect to a
 fiduci>y :om ! ,secret>y det]m9es to h 
effectively protect$ ! int]e/s ( !      
b5efici>y ov] a su/a9$ p]iod4  2 &  7,c7
 by /rik+ ! section head+ & ins]t+ !    
foll[+3 ,annual reports & acc\nt+s (    
fiduci>ies4  7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!   
table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( *apt] #ee
 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is   
am5d$ by /rik+ ! item relat+ to section 
#eeji & ins]t+ ! foll[+ new item3       
#eeji4 ,annual reports & acc\nt+s (     

fiduci>ies4  4  7f7 ,repaym5t ( misus$  
b5efits ,section #fajg7;a77#b77;,c7 (   
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by ins]t+ be=e ! p]iod ! foll[+3 1     
includ+ by ! ,secret>y n act+ 9         
accordance ) section #eejg ( ?is title4 
7g7 ,annual reports ,section #eeaj (    
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by /rik+ ,! ,secret>y %all include 9 ! 
,annual ,b5efits ,report ( ! ,vet]ans   
,b5efits ,adm9i/ration or ! ,secret>y's 
,annual ,p]=mance & ,acc\ntability      
,report & ins]t+ ,n lat] ?an ,july #a ( 
ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to !   
,committees on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !   
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,s5ate a    
sep>ate report conta9+4  7h7 ,report ,n 
lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs %all submit to ! ,committee on 
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & !       
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a compreh5sive  
report on ! implem5tation ( ! am5dm5ts  
made by ?is ,act1 includ+--  7#a7       

detail$ in=mation on ! e/abli%m5t ( new 
policies & proc$ures pursuant to su*    
am5dm5ts & tra9+ provid$ on su* policies
 & proc$ures2 &  7#b7 a discussion (    
:e!r ! ,secret>y %\ld provide fiduci>ies
 ) /&>diz$ f9ancial s(tw>e to simplify  
report+ requirem5ts4  #e4 ,limitation on
 aw>ds & bonuses to employees (         
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,= ea* (  
fiscal ye>s #bjad ?r\gh #bjah1 !        
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs may n pay 
m ?an #cde1jjj1jjj 9 aw>ds or bonuses "u
 *apt] #de or #ec ( title #e1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 or any o!r aw>ds or       
bonuses au?oriz$ "u su* title4  ,pass$ !
 ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives ,octob] #bh1   
#bjac4;,cl]k4