H.R. 2528 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2528 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 26, 2013 Ms. Titus (for herself and Mr. Horsford) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To establish a task force in the Department of Veterans Affairs to assess the retention and training of claims processors. 1. Establishment of task force on retention and training of Department of Veterans Affairs claims processors and adjudicators (a) Establishment The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a task force to assess retention and training of claims processors and adjudicators that are employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other Federal agencies and departments. (b) Composition The task force shall be composed of the following: (1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management. (3) The Commissioner of Social Security. (4) An employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs who is— (A) a veteran service representative; (B) a rating veteran service representative; or (C) a decision review officer. (5) An individual selected by the Secretary who represents an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. (6) Such other individuals selected by the Secretary who represent such other organizations and institutions as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Duration The task force established under subsection (a) shall terminate not later than two years after the date on which the task force is established under such subsection. (d) Duties The duties of the task force are as follows: (1) To identify key skills required by claims processors and adjudicators to perform the duties of claims processors and adjudicators in the various claims processing and adjudication positions throughout the Federal Government. (2) To identify reasons for employee attrition from claims processing positions. (3) Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of the task force, to develop a Governmentwide strategic and operational plan for promoting employment of veterans in claims processing positions in the Federal Government. (4) To coordinate with educational institutions to develop training and programs of education for members of the Armed Forces to prepare such members for employment in claims processing and adjudication positions in the Federal Government. (5) To identify and coordinate offices of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs located throughout the United States to provide information about, and promotion of, available claims processing positions to members of the Armed Forces transitioning to civilian life and to veterans with disabilities. (6) To establish performance measures to assess the plan developed under paragraph (3), to assess the implementation of such plan, and revise such plan as the task force considers appropriate. (7) To establish performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the task force. (e) Reports (1) Submittal of plan Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of the task force, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the plan developed by the task force under subsection (d)(3). (2) Assessment of implementation Not later than 120 days after the termination of the task force, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that assesses the implementation of the plan developed by the task force under subsection (d)(3).