H.R. 5054 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5054 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 10, 2014 Mrs. Kirkpatrick introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs an Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Whistleblower and Patient Protection Act of 2014. 2. Establishment of Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection (a) In general Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 319 the following new section: 319A. Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection (a) Establishment (1) There is in the Department an Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection (in this section referred to as the Office). There is at the head of the Office a Director appointed by the Secretary solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations. (2) The Director shall be a career appointee in the Senior Executive Service. (3) The Director reports directly to the Secretary concerning matters within the responsibility of the Office. (b) Complaints (1) The Director shall establish a dedicated Internet website and toll-free telephone number for an individual, regardless of whether the individual is an employee of the Department, to file a covered complaint directly to the Office. (2) (A) In addition to covered complaints filed directly with the Office pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall refer to the Director any covered complaint that the Secretary receives directly, including pursuant to the Patient Advocacy Program of the Veterans Health Administration or other similar program, or that is transmitted to the Secretary pursuant to section 1213 of title 5. In accordance with subsection (c), the Director shall investigate each such complaint. (B) The Secretary may not refer a covered complaint that the Secretary receives as described in subparagraph (A) to any element of the Department, including the Office of Medical Inspection, other than the Office. (C) The Secretary shall ensure that employees of the Department who are located at a medical facility are able to efficiently refer to the Director any covered complaints received at such medical facility. (3) The identity of any individual who files a covered complaint may not be disclosed by the Director without the consent of such individual unless the Director determines that the disclosure of the identity of the individual is necessary because of an imminent danger to public health or safety or imminent violation of any criminal law. (c) Investigation and determination (1) The Director shall investigate each covered complaint that the Office receives directly pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (b) or that the Secretary refers to the Director as described in paragraph (2)(A) of such subsection to determine whether there is a substantial likelihood that the covered complaint discloses a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. The Director shall make such determination not later than 240 days after the date on which the Director receives the covered complaint. The Director is the only official of the Department of Veterans Affairs who may conduct an investigation that is required to be conducted by the Department pursuant to section 1213 of title 5. (2) If the Director makes a positive determination under paragraph (1) regarding a covered complaint, the Director shall— (A) notify the Secretary of such determination, including the basis for such determination and recommendations for actions to address such covered complaint; and (B) as appropriate, refer the covered complaint to the head of the appropriate department or agency of the Federal Government, including the Attorney General, Special Counsel, or the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (3) (A) If the Director does not make a positive determination under paragraph (1) regarding a covered complaint, the Director— (i) upon the consent of the individual who filed the complaint, may transmit the complaint to the Secretary; and (ii) if the Director does not transmit the complaint under clause (i), shall inform the individual of— (I) the reasons for such determination; and (II) other offices of the Federal Government available for receiving such complaints if the individual wishes to pursue the matter further. (B) Within a reasonable time after a covered complaint is transmitted under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall inform the Director in writing of what action has been or is being taken and when such action will be completed. The Director shall inform the individual who filed the complaint of the report of the Secretary. (d) Staff and resources (1) The Office shall employ a sufficient number of attorneys, investigators, and other personnel as are necessary to carry out the functions of the Office, including personnel with expertise in health care matters. Attorneys shall be compensated at a level commensurate with attorneys employed by the Office of the General Counsel. (2) The Secretary shall ensure that the Director is furnished sufficient resources in addition to personnel under paragraph (1) to enable the Director to carry out the functions of the Office in a timely manner. (e) Coordination In carrying out the duties of the Office, the Director shall coordinate with the Inspector General of the Department and the Special Counsel to ensure that the actions of the Director are not duplicative with the Inspector General or the Special Counsel. (f) Reports (1) During each 90-day period, the Director shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes the following: (A) The findings and recommendations made by the Director to the Secretary during the previous 90-day period. (B) With respect to such recommendations, whether the Secretary has made any actions based on such findings during such period. (C) During such period— (i) the number of covered complaints received by the Director; (ii) the number of investigations commenced; (iii) the number of positive determinations made under paragraph (2) of subsection (c); (iv) the number of covered complaints for which a positive determination was not made pursuant to paragraph (3)(A) of such subsection; and (v) the number of covered complaints transmitted to the Secretary under such paragraph. (2) During each 180-day period, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that includes each report described in paragraph (1) submitted during the previous 180-day period and any legislative recommendations of the Secretary to address problems or concerns regarding the Office. (g) Covered complaint defined In this section, the term covered complaint means a complaint regarding— (1) an alleged prohibited personnel practice committed by an officer or employee of the Department and described in section 2302(b)(8) or 2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B), (C), or (D) of title 5; or (2) the safety of a patient at a medical facility of the Department. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 319 the following new item: 319A. Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection. .