,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #eec #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gaej ,report ,no4 #aah-feg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #cj1 #bjbd,mr4 ,takano introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,september #aj1 #bjbd,reported with an amendment1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic,for text of introduced bill1 see copy of bill as introduced on ,january #cj1 #bjbd ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to direct the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to improve equitable access to certain benefits under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and to improve certain outreach to individuals who served uniformed services and dependents of such individuals1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,survivor ,benefits ,delivery ,improvement ,act of #bjbd4 #b4 ,equitable access to certain benefits of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for survivors of veterans 7a7 ,short title ,this section may be cited as the ,survivor ,benefits ,data ,collection ,act of #bjbd4 7b7 ,collection of demographic data 7#a7 ,collection ,chapter #ec of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section 7and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly73 #ecba4 ,demographic data of certain beneficiaries 7a7 ,collection ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the entities described in subsection 7b71 shall-- 7#a7 develop a method to collect the demographic data of-- 7,a7 each covered survivor receiving dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter #ac of this title1 pension under chapter #ae of this title1 or increased pension 7or additional compensation or allowances7 under this title based on the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound2 and 7,b7 each person who receives burial benefits under chapter #bc of this title2 and 7#b7 collect demographic data pursuant to the method developed under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,entities for consultation ,the entities described in this subsection are the following3 7#a7 ,the ,advisory ,committee on ,minority ,veterans established under section #edd of this title4 7#b7 ,the ,advisory ,committee on ,women ,veterans established under section #edb of this title4 7#c7 ,the ,veterans' ,family1 ,caregiver1 and ,survivor ,advisory ,committee of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 or successor advisory committee4 7#d7 ,veterans service organizations4 7c7 ,designation of underserved demographics ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 designate as an underserved demographic any demographic the ,secretary determines1 taking into account the demographic data collected under subsection 7a71 is underserved with respect to the benefits specified in such subsection2 and 7#b7 review such designations on at least a biennial basis and update as appropriate4 7d7 ,inclusion in annual reports ,for each annual benefits report of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 the ,secretary shall include as part of the report information concerning the demographic data collected under subsection 7a7 during the fiscal year covered by the report4 7e7 ,effect on application ,nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any person to submit demographic data or as authorizing the ,secretary to consider whether a person submits demographic data in evaluating any claim for benefits under the laws administered by the ,secretary4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term covered survivor means a surviving spouse1 child1 or parent of a veteran4 7#b7 ,the term demographic data includes-- 7,a7 with respect to an individual-- 7i7 age2 7ii7 race2 7iii7 ethnicity2 7iv7 tribal affiliation1 if any2 and 7v7 geographic location2 and 7,b7 with respect to a covered survivor1 the cause of death of the applicable veteran4 7#c7 ,the term veterans service organization means any organization recognized by the ,secretary under section #eijb of this title4 4 7#b7 ,deadlines2 applicability 7,a7 ,deadline for collection ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall develop the data collection method under subsection 7a7 of section #ecba of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by paragraph 7#a771 and commence the collection of data pursuant to such method1 by not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7,b7 ,deadline for initial designations ,the ,secretary shall make the initial designation of any underserved demographics under subsection 7c7 of such section #ecba by not later than #ahj days after the date on which the ,secretary commences the collection of data under subsection 7a7 of such section4 7,c7 ,applicability regarding annual reports ,the requirement under subsection 7d7 of such section #ecba shall apply with respect to annual benefits reports of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration submitted on or after the date that is one year after the date on which the ,secretary commences the collection of data under subsection 7a7 of such section4 7c7 ,outreach and education 7#a7 ,strategy for underserved demographics ,not later than one year after the date of initial designation1 the ,secretary shall develop and submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives an outreach and education strategy for raising awareness regarding the benefits specified in section #ecba7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by subsection 7b771 among covered survivors who belong to an underserved demographic4 7#b7 ,eligibility of veterans for certain burial benefits 7,a7 ,outreach plan ,not later than #ahj days after the date of initial designation1 the ,under ,secretary for ,memorial ,affairs shall develop and submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate an outreach strategy for raising awareness regarding eligibility for burial in a national cemetery under section #bcjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 among veterans and beneficiaries who belong to an underserved demographic4 7,b7 ,education activities ,the ,under ,secretary shall carry out education activities pursuant to the plan developed under subparagraph 7,a7 to ensure that the veterans and beneficiaries specified in such paragraph are made aware of any eligibility specified in such subparagraph4 7,c7 ,reports ,not later than one year after the date of initial designation1 and annually thereafter for five years1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate a report on the efforts taken by the ,under ,secretary pursuant to this paragraph4 7#c7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term covered survivor has the meanings given that term in section #ecba7;e7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by subsection 7b774 7,b7 ,the term date of initial designation means the date on which the ,secretary makes the initial designation of any underserved demographics4 7,c7 ,the term underserved demographic means a demographic designated as an underserved demographic by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs under section #ecba7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by subsection 7b774 7d7 ,assessment and strategy for ,office of ,survivors ,assistance ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 conduct an assessment of the resources of the ,office of ,survivors ,assistance of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 or any successor office2 and 7#b7 develop a strategy to ensure the availability of resources necessary for the function of such office1 as determined by the ,secretary as a result of the assessment4 #c4 ,improvements to outreach services provided by ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to individuals who served in the uniformed services and dependents of such individuals 7a7 ,short title ,this section may be cited as the ,survivor ,solid ,start ,act of #bjbd4 7b7 ,expansion of outreach services ,subchapter ,i of chapter #fc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #fcja7;b7-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 as paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#d71 respectively2 7,b7 by inserting before paragraph 7#b7 7as so redesignated7 the following new paragraph3 7#a7 the term covered individual means-- 7,a7 a veteran2 or 7,b7 an individual who served in the uniformed services 7as defined in section #aife7f7 of this title72 2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b7 7as so redesignated71 by striking veterans each place it appears and inserting covered individuals2 and 7,d7 in paragraph 7#d7 7as so redesignated71 by striking a person who served in the active military1 naval1 air1 or space service and inserting a covered individual2 7#b7 in section #fcjb7;b71 by striking eligible veterans each place it appears and inserting covered individuals2 7#c7 in section #fcjc-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking eligible veterans and inserting covered individuals2 7,b7 in subsection 7c77#a77;,a71 by striking eligible veterans and inserting covered individuals2 7,c7 in subsection 7c77#b71 by striking veteran or dependent each place it appears and inserting covered individual or eligible dependent2 and 7,d7 in subsection 7d71 by striking veterans and inserting covered individuals2 7#d7 in section #fcjf-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking eligible veteran and inserting covered individual2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7i7 by striking opportunities for veterans and inserting opportunities for covered individuals2 and 7ii7 by striking eligible veterans and inserting covered individuals2 and 7#e7 in section #fcjg1 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,outreach services for surviving eligible dependents 7#a7 7,a7 ,upon receipt of notification of the death of a covered individual1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits1 shall provide outreach services1 by either mail1 email1 or telephone1 to each eligible dependent of such individual not less than once each quarter calendar year until the eligible dependent files a claim for a benefit under laws administered by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,in the case of an eligible dependent described in subparagraph 7,a7 who is a minor child1 the ,secretary shall provide such outreach services to the legal guardian of the eligible dependent4 7,c7 ,if the ,secretary does not have the contact information of an eligible dependent or legal guardian described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b71 the ,secretary shall make reasonable efforts to obtain such contact information to carry out this subsection4 7,d7 ,an eligible dependent or legal guardian described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 to whom the ,secretary has provided outreach services under this subsection twice may elect to not receive1 or to receive fewer1 outreach services under this subsection4 ,not less than once each calendar year1 the ,secretary shall notify each such eligible dependent or legal guardian who has not made such an election of the option to make such an election4 7#b7 ,outreach services under this subsection shall provide an eligible dependent with information including the following3 7,a7 ,contact information for the ,office of ,survivors ,assistance established under section #cba of this title4 7,b7 ,information regarding assistance in filing a claim for a benefit under laws administered by the ,secretary furnished by-- 7i7 a veterans service organization recognized under section #eijb of this title2 or 7ii7 an attorney1 agent1 or other entity recognized under section #eijd of this title4 7,c7 ,how to find an entity-- 7i7 described in clause 7i7 or 7ii7 of subparagraph 7,b72 and 7ii7 located near the residence of the eligible dependent4 7#c7 ,in developing and revising materials used in outreach services under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall consult with entities including the following3 7,a7 ,veterans service organizations recognized under section #eijb of this title4 7,b7 ,the ,advisory ,committee on ,women ,veterans established under section #edb of this title4 7,c7 ,the ,advisory ,committee on ,minority ,veterans established under section #edd of this title4 7,d7 ,the ,veterans' ,family1 ,caregiver1 and ,survivor ,advisory ,committee of the ,department1 or successor advisory committee4 7#d7 ,the ,secretary shall seek to ensure1 to the extent practicable1 that materials used in outreach services by the ,pension and ,fiduciary ,service of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration are in accordance with materials used by the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits to provide outreach services under this subsection4 4 7c7 ,personnel ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish at least #e1 but not more than #aj1 full-time equivalent positions at call centers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to carry out subsection 7c7 of section #fcjg of such title1 as added by subsection 7b74 #d4 ,modification of certain housing loan fees ,the loan fee table in section #cgbi7;b77#b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking ,november #ae1 #bjca each place it appears and inserting ,november #bi1 #bjca4 ,september #aj1 #bjbd,reported with an amendment1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed