,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ibg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #i1 #bjac ,mr4 ,sanders introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to require the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to carry out a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of using ,state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to increase awareness of benefits and services for veterans and to improve coordination of outreach activities relating to such benefits and services1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,veterans' ,outreach ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,demonstration project to increase coordination of outreach efforts between the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and ,federal1 ,state1 and local agencies and nonprofit organizations 7a7 ,demonstration project required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of using ,state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations-- 7#a7 to increase awareness of veterans regarding benefits and services for veterans2 and 7#b7 to improve coordination of outreach activities regarding such benefits and services between the ,secretary and ,federal1 ,state1 and local government and nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services for veterans4 7b7 ,duration 7#a7 ,in general ,the demonstration project shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date that is #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,authority for extension ,the ,secretary may extend the duration of the demonstration project for an additional two years4 7c7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out the demonstration project through the award of grants to ,state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to carry out projects that-- 7,a7 increase the awareness of veterans regarding benefits and services for veterans2 and 7,b7 improve coordination of outreach activities regarding such benefits and services between the ,secretary and ,federal1 ,state1 and local government and nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services for veterans4 7#b7 ,application 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state or local government agency or nonprofit organization seeking a grant under the demonstration project shall submit to the ,secretary an application therefor in such form and in such manner as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,elements ,each application submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include the following3 7i7 ,a description of the consultations1 if any1 with the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs in the development of any proposal under the application4 7ii7 ,a description of the project for which the applicant is seeking a grant under the demonstration project1 including a plan to coordinate under the demonstration project1 to the greatest extent possible1 the outreach activities of ,federal1 ,state1 and local government agencies that provide health care1 benefits1 and services for veterans and nonprofit organizations that provide such care1 benefits1 and services to enhance the awareness and availability of such care1 benefits1 and services4 7iii7 ,an agreement to report to the ,secretary standardized data and other performance measures necessary for the ,secretary to evaluate the demonstration project and to facilitate evaluation of individual projects for which grants are awarded under the demonstration project4 7iv7 ,such other information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,considerations ,in awarding grants under the demonstration project to carry out projects1 the ,secretary shall consider where the projects will be carried out and which populations are targeted4 ,in particular1 the ,secretary shall consider the advisability of awarding grants for projects-- 7,a7 carried out in areas with populations that have a high proportion of veteran representation2 7,b7 carried out in a variety of geographic areas1 including urban1 rural1 and highly rural areas2 and 7,c7 that target a variety of veteran populations1 including racial and ethnic minorities1 low-income populations1 and older populations4 7#d7 ,use of funds ,the ,secretary shall establish appropriate uses of grant amounts received under the demonstration project4 7#e7 ,limitation ,in a fiscal year1 not more than #bj percent of all grant amounts awarded in that fiscal year may be awarded to a single ,state entity4 7d7 ,state matching requirement ,the ,secretary may not make a grant to a ,state under subsection 7c7 unless that ,state agrees that1 with respect to the costs to be incurred by the ,state in carrying out the program or activities for which the grant was awarded1 the ,state will make available 7directly or through donations from public or private entities7 non-,federal contributions in an amount equal to #ej percent of ,federal funds provided under the grant4 7e7 ,annual report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days after the completion of the first calendar year beginning after the date of the commencement of the demonstration project1 and not less frequently than once every year thereafter for the duration of the project1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report evaluating the demonstration project and the projects supported by grants awarded under the demonstration project4 7#b7 ,elements ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,the findings and conclusions of the ,secretary with respect to the demonstration project4 7,b7 ,an assessment of the benefit to veterans of the demonstration project4 7,c7 ,the recommendations of the ,secretary as to the feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding the demonstration project4 #c4 ,cooperative agreements between ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and ,states on outreach activities 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #fc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #fcjf the following new section3 #fcjf;,a4 ,cooperative agreements with ,states 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may enter into cooperative agreements and arrangements with various agencies and departments of ,states to carry out this chapter and to otherwise carry out1 coordinate1 improve1 or enhance outreach activities of the ,department and the ,states4 7b7 ,annual report ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report that describes the agreements and arrangements entered into by the ,secretary under subsection 7a7 during the most recent one-year period4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #fc of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #fcjf the following new item3 #fcjf;,a4 ,cooperative agreements with ,states4 4 #d4 ,budget transparency for outreach activities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #fc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #fcjh the following new section3 #fcji4 ,budget transparency 7a7 ,budget requirements ,in the budget justification materials submitted to ,congress in support of the ,department budget for a fiscal year 7as submitted with the budget of the ,president under section #aaje7;a7 of title #ca71 the ,secretary shall include a separate statement of the amount requested for such fiscal year for activities of the ,office of ,public and ,intergovernmental ,affairs as follows3 7#a7 ,for outreach activities of the ,department in aggregate4 7#b7 ,for outreach activities of each element of the ,department specified in subsection 7b77#a74 7b7 ,procedures for effective coordination and collaboration 7#a7 ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of the ,veterans' ,outreach ,act of #bjac1 the ,secretary shall establish and maintain procedures for the ,office of ,public and ,intergovernmental ,affairs to ensure the effective coordination and collaboration of outreach activities of the ,department between and among the following3 7,a7 ,the ,office of the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7,c7 ,the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7,d7 ,the ,national ,cemetery ,administration4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 beginning after the date on which the ,secretary establishes procedures under paragraph 7#a71 not less frequently than once every two years conduct a review of the procedures established and maintained under paragraph 7#a7 to ensure that such procedures meet the requirements such paragraph2 7,b7 make such modifications to such procedures as the ,secretary considers appropriate based upon reviews conducted under subparagraph 7,a7 in order to better meet such requirements2 and 7,c7 not later than #de days after completing a review under subparagraph 7,a71 submit to ,congress a report on such review4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #fc of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #fcjh the following new item3 #fcji4 ,budget transparency4 4 #e4 ,advisory committee on outreach activities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish an advisory committee on outreach activities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,membership ,the advisory committee shall be composed of individuals selected by the ,secretary from among the following3 7#a7 ,to the maximum extent practicable1 individuals who are eminent in their respective fields of public relations4 7#b7 ,representatives of organizations with offices that focus on communications and distribute messages through major media news outlets and social media4 7#c7 ,to the maximum extent practicable1 individuals with experience communicating financial results and business strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image4 7#d7 ,to the maximum extent practicable1 individuals with experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating publicity for a particular product or service4 7#e7 ,to the maximum extent practicable1 veterans who have experience in press and public relations4 7c7 ,duties ,the advisory committee shall collaborate with the ,assistant ,secretary for ,public and ,intergovernmental ,affairs-- 7#a7 to ensure that the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs is strategically and effectively-- 7,a7 engaging the public and ,department stakeholders to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and services furnished by the ,department2 7,b7 explaining new or changing policies of the ,department2 7,c7 improving the image and reputation of the ,department2 and 7,d7 coordinating and collaborating with national community-based organizations1 nonprofits1 and ,state and local government agencies2 and 7#b7 to assist the ,secretary in conducting such other press or public relations activities relating to outreach activities of the ,department as the advisory committee considers appropriate4 7d7 ,consultation ,the ,secretary shall consult with and seek the advice of the advisory committee not less frequently than quarterly on matters relating to the duties of the advisory committee under subsection 7c74 7e7 ,quarterly reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once every #ij days1 the advisory committee shall submit to ,congress and to the ,secretary a report on outreach activities of the ,department4 7#b7 ,recommendations ,each report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include such recommendations for legislative and administrative action as the advisory committee considers appropriate to improve the press and public relations of the ,department relating to outreach4 7f7 ,termination ,the advisory committee shall terminate on ,october #a1 #bjae1 and the requirements and authorities under this section shall terminate on such date4 7g7 ,outreach defined ,in this section1 the term outreach has the meaning given the term in section #fcja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #f4 ,advisory boards on outreach activities at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical centers 7a7 ,establishment ,for each ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical center1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 acting through the director of such medical center1 establish not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act an advisory board at such medical center on matters relating to outreach activities of the ,department at such medical center4 7b7 ,membership ,each advisory board established under subsection 7a7 at a ,department medical center shall be1 to the maximum extent practicable1 composed of individuals selected by the ,secretary from among the following3 7#a7 ,individuals who are eminent in their respective fields of public relations4 7#b7 ,representatives of organizations with offices that focus on communications and distribute messages through major media news outlets and social media4 7#c7 ,individuals with experience communicating financial results and business strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image4 7#d7 ,individuals with experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating publicity for a particular product or service4 7#e7 ,employees of the ,department who are involved in press and public relations strategy at the medical center4 7#f7 ,to the maximum extent practicable1 veterans who have experience in press and public relations4 7c7 ,duties ,each advisory board established under subsection 7a7 at a ,department medical center shall collaborate with the ,assistant ,secretary for ,public and ,intergovernmental ,affairs-- 7#a7 to ensure that the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs is strategically and effectively-- 7,a7 engaging the public and ,department stakeholders to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and services furnished by the ,department2 7,b7 explaining new or changing policies of the ,department2 7,c7 improving the image and reputation of the ,department2 and 7,d7 coordinating and collaborating with national community-based organizations1 nonprofits1 and ,state and local government agencies2 and 7#b7 to assist the director of such medical facility in conducting such other press or public relations activities relating to outreach activities of the ,department as the advisory board considers appropriate4 7d7 ,consultation ,each director of a ,department medical center shall consult with and seek the advice of the advisory board established at such medical center not less frequently than once every two months on matters relating to the duties of the advisory board under subsection 7c74 7e7 ,annual reports ,not less frequently than each year1 each advisory board established under subsection 7a7 shall submit to the ,secretary a report with such information as may be beneficial to the ,secretary in preparing the reports required by section #fcjh of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7f7 ,termination ,each advisory board established under subsection 7a7 and the authorities and requirements of this section shall terminate on ,october #a1 #bjae4 #g4 ,modification of requirement for periodic reports to ,congress on outreach activities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,section #fcjh of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking even-numbered2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking biennial2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting for legislative and administrative action after ,recommendations2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,recommendations that such administrative actions as may be taken-- 7,a7 to maximize resources for outreach activities of the ,department2 and 7,b7 to focus outreach efforts on activities that are proven to be more effective4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendments 7#a7 ,section heading ,the heading for section #fcjh of such title is amended by striking ,biennial and inserting ,annual4 7#b7 ,table of sections ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #fc of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section #fcjh and inserting the following new item3 #fcjh4 ,annual report to ,congress4 4