,i  #aag? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #bice  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(           
,,repres5tatives  ,april #cj1 #bjba,mr4 
,pappas 7= himself & ,mr4 ,nehls7       
introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to
 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs  ,a 
,,bill  ,to am5d title #ch1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code1 to improve ! process+ (   
vet]ans b5efits by ! ,dep>tm5ts (       
,vet]ans ,affairs1 to limit ! au?ority (
 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to     
recov] ov]paym5ts made by ! ,dep>tm5t & 
o!r am\nts ow$ by individuals to !      
,unit$ ,/ates1 to improve due process   
accord$ individuals ) respect to su*    
recov]y1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort   
title2 table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort title 
,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,,va          
,b5efici>y ,debt ,collection ,improvem5t
 ,act4  7b7 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( 
cont5ts = ?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4   
#a4 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts4,sec4  
#b4 ,prohibition ( debt aris+ f         
ov]paym5t due to delay 9 process+ by !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #c4 

,prohibition on ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs int]e/ & adm9i/rative co/ *>ges
 = debts relat+ to c]ta9 b5efits        
programs4,sec4 #d4 ,ext5sion ( w9d[ to  
reque/ relief f recov]y ( debt aris+ "u 
laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs4,sec4 #e4 ,re=ms relat+ to     
recov]y by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs
 ( am\nts ow$ by individuals to ! ,unit$
 ,/ates4  #b4 ,prohibition ( debt aris+ 
f ov]paym5t due to delay 9 process+ by !
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,b> 
to recov]y  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #ec (  
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by ins]t+ aft] section #ecjb;,a !      
foll[+ new section3  #ecjb;,b4          
,prohibition ( debt aris+ f ov]paym5t   
due to delay 9 process+  7a7 ,limitation
  7#a7 ,except z provid$ 9 p>agraph     
7#b71 no individual may incur a debt to 
! ,unit$ ,/ates t-- 7,a7 arises f !     
p>ticipation ( ! individual 9 a program 
or b5efit adm9i/]$ by ! ,"u ,secret>y = 
,b5efits2 &  7,b7 is attributable to !  
failure ( an employee or (ficial ( !    

,dep>tm5t to process in=mation provid$  
by or on behalf ( t individual )9       
applicable timel9ess /&>ds e/abli%$ by !
 ,secret>y4  7#b7 ,no?+ 9 ?is section   
%all be con/ru$ to affect ! p5al &      
=feiture provisions = fiduci>ies set =? 
9 *apt] #fa ( ?is title4  7b7 ,notice   
7#a7 ,if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t !       
,secret>y has made an ov]paym5t to an   
individual1 ! ,secret>y %all provide    
notice to ! individual ( ! ov]paym5t4   
7#b7 ,notice "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all      
include a detail$ explanation ( ! "r ( !
 individual-- 7,a7 to dispute !         
ov]paym5t1 includ+ a detail$ explanation
 ( ! process by :i* to dispute !        
ov]paym5t2 or  7,b7 to reque/ a waiv] ( 
indebt$ness4  7c7 ,delay on collection  
7#a7 ,subject to p>agraph 7#b71 !       
,secret>y may n take any action "u      
section #cgaa ( title #ca reg>d+ an     
ov]paym5t describ$ 9 a notice "u        
subsection 7b7 ( ?is section until !    
date t is #ij days aft] ! date !        
,secret>y issues su* notice4  7#b7 ,!   

,secret>y may take action "u section    
#cgaa ( title #ca reg>d+ an ov]paym5t   
describ$ 9 a notice "u subsection 7b7 ( 
?is section be=e ! date t is #ij days   
aft] ! date ! ,secret>y issues su*      
notice if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t delay+ 
su* action is-- 7,a7 likely to make     
repaym5t ( su* ov]paym5t m difficult =  
an individual2  7,b7 likely to cause an 
unpaid debt to be ref]r$ to ! ,treasury 
,(fset ,program2 or  7,c7 n 9 ! be/     
int]e/ ( ! individual4  4  7#b7 ,cl]ical
 am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+
 ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] !  
item relat+ to section #ecjb;,a ! foll[+
 new item3  #ecjb;,b4 ,prohibition (    
debt aris+ f ov]paym5t due to delay 9   
process+4  4  7#c7 ,deadl9e ,! ,secret>y
 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all prescribe     
regulations to e/abli% /&>ds "u section 
#ecjb;,b7a77#b7 ( su* title1 z add$ by  
subsection 7a71 n lat] ?an #ahj days    
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4    
7b7 ,plan = improv$ notification &      
communication ( debts  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n 

lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( !      
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & "o ye> !reaft]1 !
 ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all     
submit to ,congress a report on !       
improvem5t ( ! notification ( &         
communication ) individuals :o receive  
ov]paym5ts made by ! ,secret>y4  7#b7   
,cont5ts ,ea* report "u p>agraph 7#a7   
%all include ea* ( ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,!    
plan ( ! ,secret>y to c>ry out ea* ( !  
foll[+3 7i7 ,! developm5t &             
implem5tation ( a me*anism by :i*       
individuals enroll$ 9 ! pati5t enrollm5t
 sy/em "u section #agje ( title #ch1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 may view _! mon?ly 
pati5t m$ical /atem5ts electronically4  
7ii7 ,! developm5t & implem5tation ( a  
me*anism by :i* individuals eligible =  
b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by !         
,secret>y may receive electronic        
correspond5ce relat+ to debt & ov]paym5t
 in=mation4  7iii7 ,! developm5t &      
implem5tation1 by n lat] ?an ,octob] #a1
 #bjbb1 ( a me*anism by :i* individuals 
eligible = b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by

 ! ,secret>y may access in=mation relat$
 to ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs debt  
electronically4  7iv7 ,! improvem5t &   
cl>ification ( ,dep>tm5t communications 
relat+ to ov]paym5ts & debt collection1 
includ+ lett]s & electronic             
correspond5ce & includ+ in=mation relat+
 to ! mo/ common reasons individuals    
eligible = b5efits "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by
 ! ,secret>y incur debts to ! ,unit$    
,/ates & ! process = reque/+ a waiv] (  
su* debt4 ,! ,secret>y %all develop su* 
improvem5ts & cl>ifications 9           
consultation ) vet]ans s]vice           
organizations1 labor organizations t    
repres5t employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 & o!r 
relevant nongov]nm5tal organizations4   
7,b7 ,a description ( ! curr5t ef=ts &  
plans = improv+ ! accuracy ( paym5ts to 
individuals entitl$ to b5efits "u ! laws
 adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y1 includ+       
specific data mat*+ agreem5ts4  7,c7 ,a 
description ( /eps to be tak5 to improve
 ! id5tification ( und]paym5ts to su*   
individuals & to improve ,dep>tm5t      

proc$ures & policies to ensure t su*    
individuals :o are und]paid receive     
adequate comp5sation paym5ts4  7,d7 ,a  
li/ ( actions complet$1 implem5tation   
/eps1 & timetables = ea* requirem5t     
describ$ 9 subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,c74
  7,e7 ,a description ( any new         
legislative au?ority requir$ to complete
 any su* requirem5t4  #c4 ,prohibition  
on ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs int]e/ 
& adm9i/rative co/ *>ges = debts relat+ 
to c]ta9 b5efits programs  7a7 ,9 g5]al 
,section #ecae7;a77#a7 ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by 
/rik+ o!r ?an a loan & all t foll[s     
?r\gh ! semicolon & ins]t+ o!r ?an--2 & 
7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new      
subp>agraphs3  7,a7 a loan1             
loan-gu>anty1 or loan-insurance program2
  7,b7 a disability comp5sation program2
  7,c7 a p5sion program2 or  7,d7 an    
educational assi/ance program4  4  7b7  
,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by     
subsection 7a7 %all apply ) respect to  
an indebt$ness t occurs on or aft] !    

date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #d4      
,ext5sion ( w9d[ to reque/ relief f     
recov]y ( debt aris+ "u laws adm9i/]$ by
 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs        
,section #ecjb7;a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ #ahj    
days & ins]t+ "o ye>4  #e4 ,re=ms relat+
 to recov]y by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs ( am\nts ow$ by individuals to 
! ,unit$ ,/ates  7a7 ,limitation on     
indebt$ness (fsets ,subsection 7a7 (    
section #ecad ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by ins]t+ 7#a7  
be=e ,subject to2 &  7#b7 by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#b7 ,!     
,secret>y may n make a d$uction "u      
p>agraph 7#a7 :ile ! exi/5ce or am\nt ( 
su* indebt$ness is disput$ "u section   
#ecad;,a ( ?is title4  4  7b7           
,adm9i/rative process = dispute (       
exi/5ce or am\nt ( indebt$ness  7#a7    
,e/abli%m5t ,*apt] #ec ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
aft] section #ecad ! foll[+ new section3
  #ecad;,a4 ,dispute ( indebt$ness  7a7 

,e/abli%m5t ,! ,secret>y %all prescribe 
regulations t e/abli% an adm9i/rative   
process = ! dispute ( ! exi/5ce or am\nt
 ( an indebt$ness describ$ 9 section    
#ecad7;a77#a7 ( ?is title 7)\t reg>d to 
:e!r ! ,secret>y has made a d$uction "u 
su* section reg>d+ su* indebt$ness74    
7b7 ,/&>ds ,! process "u subsection 7a7 
%all be effici5t1 effective1 &          
equitable4  7c7 ,timel9ess ,! ,secret>y 
%all ensure t ea* dispute "u subsection 
7a7 proce$s 9 accordance ) /&>ds =      
timel9ess prescrib$ by ! ,secret>y "u   
?is section4  7d7 ,limitation ,!        
,secret>y may n submit to any debt      
collector 7z def9$ 9 section #hjc ( !   
,fair ,debt ,collection ,practices ,act 
7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #afib;a77 any dispute    
p5d+ "u ?is section4  7e7 ,rule (       
con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is section %all be 
con/ru$ to modify ! proc$ures = seek+   
review ( a decision ( ! ag5cy ( orig9al 
jurisdiction describ$ 9 section         
#eajd;,c7a77#a7 ( ?is title4  4  7#b7   
,exi/+ adm9i/rative process ,! ,secret>y

 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all c>ry out      
section #ecad;,a ( su* title1 z add$ by 
p>agraph 7#a71 by improv+ ! adm9i/rative
 process ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs = ! dispute ( ! exi/+ or am\nt 
( an indebt$ness t 0 9 effect on ! day  
be=e ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4    
7#c7 ,improvem5ts to ,dep>tm5t website &
 notices ,9 c>ry+ out p>agraph 7#b71 !  
,secret>y %all-- 7,a7 improve ! website 
( ! ,dep>tm5t2 &  7,b7 ensure t su*     
website & writt5 notices s5t to a p]son 
ab\t indebt$ness describ$ 9 section     
#ecad7;a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 conta9 all in=mation a p]son ne$s
 to dispute su* an indebt$ness1 includ+ 
a description (-- 7i7 ! specific actions
 ! p]son w ne$ to take 9 ord] to dispute
 ! indebt$ness2  7ii7 ! docum5tation t w
 be requir$ = ! dispute2 &  7iii7 h[ !  
docum5tation is to be submitt$4  7#d7   
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at 
! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
aft] ! item relat+ to section #ecad !   
foll[+ new item3  #ecad;,a4 ,dispute (  

indebt$ness4  4  7c7 ,limitation on     
au?ority ,to recov] debts ,section      
#ecjb7;a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by ins]t+ 7#a7   
be=e ,!re2 &  7#b7 by add+ at ! end !   
foll[+ new p>agraph3  7#b7 ,! ,secret>y 
may n seek to recov] an indebt$ness     
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 if ! ,secret>y 
det]m9es t ! co/ to ! ,dep>tm5t to      
recov] su* indebt$ness1 z det]m9$ :5 !  
debt is e/abli%$1 w\ld exce$ ! am\nt ( !
 indebt$ness4  4