H.R. 4314 — Introduced in House

I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4314 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 12, 2019Mr. Higgins of Louisiana (for himself and Mr. Mast) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to appoint officers of the Armed Forces as directors of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Reorganization of Department of Veterans Affairs medical center directors (a) Reorganization Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1104 the following new section: 1104a. Appointment of directors of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Appointment by Secretary of Defense The Secretary of Defense shall appoint the director of each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Qualifications The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall establish the common qualifications and core competencies required for an officer of the armed forces to serve as a director under this section. (c) Functions and responsibilities Each director under this section shall have the functions and responsibilities of a director of a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs under title 38, and any other functions or responsibilities as the Secretary of Defense may assign. (d) Training of officers The Secretary of Defense shall provide training to officers of the armed forces to serve as directors under this section through the joint medical executive skills development program established under Department of Defense Instruction 6000.15 (or any successor instruction). . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Title 38 Title 38, United States Code, is amended— (A) in section 7401(4), by striking Directors of medical centers and directors and inserting Directors; and (B) in section 7402(b), by striking Center, in the heading of paragraph (4). (2) VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 Section 210 of the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–46; 131 Stat. 965; 38 U.S.C. 7401 note) is repealed. (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1104 the following new item: 1104a. Appointment of directors of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. . (d) Effective date This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to a director of a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs appointed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.