H.R. 733 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 733 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 14, 2013 Mr. Runyan (for himself and Mr. Walz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain employees of Members of Congress and certain employees of State or local governmental agencies with access to case-tracking information of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act. 2. Provision of access to case-tracking information (a) In general Chapter 59 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 5906. Provision of access to case-tracking information (a) In general (1) In accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system to provide a veteran with information regarding the status of a claim submitted by such veteran, regardless of whether such employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by such veteran. (2) In providing a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure— (A) that such access— (i) is provided in a manner that does not allow such employee to modify the data contained in such system; and (ii) does not include access to medical records; and (B) that each time a covered employee accesses such system, the employee must certify that such access is for official purposes only. (b) Privacy certification course The Secretary may not provide a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system under subsection (a)(1) unless the covered employee has successfully completed a certification course on privacy issues provided by the Secretary. (c) Treatment of disclosure The access to information by a covered employee pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall be deemed to be— (1) a covered disclosure under section 552a(b) of title 5; and (2) a permitted disclosure under regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note). (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term case-tracking system means the system of the Department of Veterans Affairs that provides information regarding the status of a claim submitted by a veteran. (2) The term covered employee means— (A) an employee of a Member of Congress who assists the constituents of the Member with issues regarding departments or agencies of the Federal Government; or (B) an employee of a State or local governmental agency (including a veterans service officer) who, in the course of carrying out the responsibilities of such employment, assists veterans with claims for any benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 5906. Provision of access to case-tracking information. .