S. 2067 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2067 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 21, 2023Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Heinrich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act or the SAVES Act. 2. Department of Veterans Affairs program to award grants for the provision of service dogs to veterans (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall require the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans. (b) Applications (1) In general To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a nonprofit organization shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Elements An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A proposal for the evaluation required by subsection (d). (B) A description of the following: (i) The training that will be provided by the organization to eligible veterans. (ii) The training of dogs that will serve as service dogs. (iii) The aftercare services that the organization will provide for such dogs and eligible veterans. (iv) The plan for publicizing the availability of such dogs through a marketing campaign that targets eligible veterans. (v) The commitment of the organization to have humane standards for animals. (C) A statement certifying that the organization is accredited by Assistance Dogs International or another similar widely recognized accreditation organization that the Secretary determines has accreditation standards that meet or exceed the standards of Assistance Dogs International. (c) Use of funds (1) In general The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant amounts to plan, design, establish, or operate (or any combination thereof) one or more programs that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. (2) Equal access The Secretary shall require each recipient of a grant under this section to provide equal access to service dogs to eligible veterans who are women. (d) Evaluations The Secretary shall require each recipient of a grant under this section to conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities carried out through the grant by such recipient. (e) Maximum amount The total amount of grants awarded to each nonprofit organization under this section may not exceed $2,000,000. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible veteran (A) In general The term eligible veteran means a veteran who— (i) is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; and (ii) has one or more disabilities described in subparagraph (B). (B) Disability described A disability described in this subparagraph is any of the following: (i) Blindness or visual impairment. (ii) Loss of use of a limb, paralysis, or other significant mobility issue. (iii) Loss of hearing. (iv) Traumatic brain injury. (v) Post-traumatic stress disorder. (vi) Military sexual trauma. (vii) Any other disability that the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Service dog (A) In general The term service dog means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that are— (i) for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical or sensory disability or a psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability; and (ii) directly related to the disability of the individual. (B) Work and tasks The crime-deterrent effects of the presence of a dog and the provision by a dog of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of subparagraph (A). (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.