H.R. 2885 — Introduced in House

I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2885 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 21, 2019Mr. Wittman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning that provide administrative assistance to veterans. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Collaboration Act. 2. Pilot program on collaboration with nonprofit organizations (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a two-year pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall emphasize collaboration with— (1) veterans service organizations that provide personnel with appropriate credentials to assist veterans in filing claims and appeals with the Department for disability compensation; and (2) educational institutions that provide pro bono legal assistance to veterans. (b) Metrics The Secretary shall establish metrics to determine which organizations and institutions provide the best service to veterans and seek to encourage such organizations and institutions to participate in the pilot program. (c) Location The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in States with the highest veteran populations, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Use of social media In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall use social media to promote the collaboration efforts carried out under the pilot program and to notify veterans of such collaborations. Quarterly reports will be provided to members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee that document the reach of the social media efforts and the number of veterans who use the program. (e) Reports Not later than 30 days after the end of a fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program, including the use of social media under subsection (d) and the number of veterans who receive administrative assistance from organizations and institutions through the program.