H.R. 4477 — Introduced in House

I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4477 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 4, 2016 Mr. Clawson of Florida (for himself, Mr. Blum, and Mr. Rooney of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to require voice mail for certain telephone lines paid for by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Be Responsive to all Veterans Expeditiously Act of 2016 or the BRAVE Act of 2016. 2. Voice mail for certain telephone lines paid for by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 705 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the heading, by striking for medical officers and facility directors; (2) by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: (a) Telephone service for medical officers and facility directors The Secretary ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (b) Voice mail required (1) The primary telephone line for any facility of the Department shall include voice mail. (2) The introductory message of any voice mail under paragraph (1) shall inform the caller of— (A) the name of the relevant facility; (B) when the caller may expect a response; and (C) another telephone number to call in case of emergency. (c) Performance reviews In reviewing the performance of any employee responsible for responding to messages left on voice mail under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider the timeliness of such responses. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 705 and inserting the following: 705. Telephone service. .