,i #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fgfd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,december #af1 #bjbe,mr4 ,self introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to establish new1 and terminate certain1 advisory committees of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,veterans ,affairs ,advisory ,committee ,oversight ,act of #bjbe4 #b4 ,establishment of new advisory committees of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,subchapter ,,iii of chapter #e of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new sections 7and amending the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly73 #edi4 ,veterans ,health ,advisory ,committee 7a7 ,establishment ,there is in the ,department an advisory committee to be known as the ,veterans ,health ,advisory ,committee 7in this section referred to as the ,committee74 7b7 ,membership2 terms2 chair 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall appoint the members of the ,committee1 including the following3 7,a7 ,a veteran who uses prosthetic or rehabilitative health care services of the ,department4 7,b7 ,an individual with expertise in prosthetics or rehabilitative health care for disabled veterans4 7,c7 ,an individual with expertise in geriatrics or gerontology1 including long-term care for veterans4 7,d7 ,an individual with expertise in environmental health or toxic exposures described in subchapter ,,vii of chapter #aa of this title4 7,e7 ,an individual with expertise in mental health or readjustment counseling for veterans4 7,f7 ,a representative of a veterans service organization1 recognized under section #eijb of this title1 that represents disabled or aging veterans4 7,g7 ,other individuals the ,secretary determines appropriate to ensure various perspectives on veterans' needs for health care1 across regions and populations4 7#b7 ,members of the ,committee shall be appointed for staggered terms of two years and may be reappointed4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall designate one member of the ,commission to serve as ,chair4 7c7 ,functions ,the functions of the ,committee are the following3 7#a7 ,to advise the ,under ,secretary for ,health regarding policies and programs of the ,department related to health care for veterans with specialized health care needs1 including prosthetics and other special disabilities programs1 rehabilitative services1 and long-term care for elderly veterans4 7#b7 ,to assess the efficacy of1 and recommend improvements to1 health care furnished by the ,secretary relating to a new veteran's readjustment to civilian life1 including mental health counseling and outreach programs4 7#c7 ,to evaluate the programs of the ,department that relate to health conditions related to environmental or toxic exposures1 and to advise on emerging health hazards and appropriate responses4 7#d7 ,to review the coordination of prosthetic and rehabilitative research and development initiatives within the ,department and with external partners1 and to recommend ways to enhance innovation and information exchange4 7#e7 ,to identify gaps in health care furnished by the ,secretary for a disabled1 ill1 or aging veteran1 and propose strategies to improve the quality1 accessibility1 and equity of such health care4 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,not later than ,july #a of each year1 the ,committee shall submit to the ,under ,secretary for ,health a report summarizing its activities1 findings1 and recommendations under subsection 7c74 ,each such report shall include the following3 7,a7 ,an review and assessment of the hospital care and medical services furnished by the ,secretary1 including such care and services for veterans with disabilities1 geriatric and aging veterans1 and veterans exposed to environmental hazards4 7,b7 ,recommendations for administrative or legislative action that the ,committee determines appropriate4 7#b7 ,not later than #ij days after receiving each report under this subsection1 the ,under ,secretary for ,health shall submit the report1 together with the ,under ,secretary's comments and recommendations1 to the ,secretary4 ,the ,secretary shall submit all such documents to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives4 7e7 ,administrative matters 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall provide such staff1 information1 and administrative services as necessary for the ,committee to carry out its functions4 7#b7 ,members of the ,committee shall serve without compensation1 but shall be entitled to travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 when engaged in the performance of ,committee duties1 as authorized by section #egjc of title #e4 7#c7 ,the ,committee shall meet at the call of the ,chair or the ,under ,secretary for ,health1 but not less frequently than quarterly each fiscal year4 7f7 ,termination ,unless renewed pursuant to section #ad of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 the ,committee shall terminate not later than ,september #cj1 #bjbh4 ,the ,secretary may terminate the ,committee at any time before such date4 #eej4 ,veterans ,economic ,opportunity and ,transition ,advisory ,committee 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,department an advisory committee to be known as the ,veterans ,economic ,opportunity and ,transition ,advisory ,committee 7in this section referred to as the ,committee74 7b7 ,membership2 terms2 chair 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall appoint members of the ,committee1 including the following3 7,a7 ,an individual with expertise in educational benefits and programs under this title4 7,b7 ,a representative of an institution of higher education or training program that serves veterans4 7,c7 ,an individual with expertise in employment and job training programs for veterans4 7,d7 ,an individual with experience in hiring or training veterans4 7,e7 ,a veteran who separated from active military1 naval1 air1 or space service less than #aj years before being appointed under this subsection4 7,f7 ,an individual who was a homeless veteran or an advocate for veterans' homelessness prevention and recovery programs4 7,g7 ,other individuals the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#b7 ,the term of a member appointed under paragraph 7#a7 shall be two years1 staggered to ensure continuity4 ,a member may be reappointed4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall designate one member of the ,committee to serve as ,chair4 7c7 ,functions ,the functions of the ,committee are the following3 7#a7 ,to advise the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits regarding the effectiveness of the educational benefits1 vocational rehabilitation1 employment assistance1 and transition services furnished by the ,secretary in enabling veterans to successfully readjust to civilian life and achieve economic stability4 7#b7 ,to assemble and review information on the needs of veterans in readjusting to civilian employment1 higher education1 and job training4 ,such information shall include identified barriers that veterans 7including women1 minority1 and economically disadvantaged veterans7 face in such readjustment4 7#c7 ,to assess the effectiveness of the educational benefits1 vocational training1 job placement1 and entrepreneurship training furnished by the ,secretary in improving economic opportunities for veterans4 7#d7 ,to advise the ,under ,secretary regarding means to improve interagency coordination and partnership between the ,department and other ,federal1 ,state1 and local entities to promote employment1 skills training1 and financial stability for veterans4 7#e7 ,to identify and recommend strategies 7including early intervention1 supportive services1 and employer outreach7 to assist veterans at risk of homelessness or unemployment4 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,not later than ,march #ca of each year1 the ,committee shall submit to the ,under ,secretary a report on the programs and activities of the ,department that relate to the issues of transition1 education1 employment1 and economic opportunity for veterans4 ,each such report shall include the following1 with regards to such issues3 7,a7 ,an assessment of the unmet needs of veterans4 7,b7 ,a review and evaluation of programs of the ,department designed to meet such needs4 7,c7 ,a summary of the activities of the ,committee during the preceding year4 7,d7 ,recommendations for administrative or legislative action that the ,committee determines appropriate4 7#b7 ,not later than #ij days after receiving each report under this subsection1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit the report1 together with the ,under ,secretary's comments and recommendations1 to the ,secretary4 ,the ,secretary shall submit all such documents to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives1 7e7 ,administrative matters 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall provide such staff support1 information1 and administrative services as necessary for the ,committee to carry out its responsibilities4 7#b7 ,members of the ,committee shall serve without compensation1 but may be reimbursed for travel expenses and per diem in lieu of subsistence in accordance with section #egjc of title #e4 7#c7 ,the ,committee shall meet at the call of the ,chair or the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits1 but not less frequently than twice each year4 7f7 ,termination ,unless renewed pursuant to section #ad of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 the ,committee shall terminate not later than ,september #cj1 #bjbh4 ,the ,secretary may terminate the ,committee at any time before such date4 #eea4 ,advisory ,committee on ,veterans ,special ,populations 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,department an advisory committee to be known as the ,advisory ,committee on ,veterans ,special ,populations 7in this section referred to as the ,committee74 7b7 ,membership2 terms2 ,chair 7#a7 ,the ,committee shall consist of members appointed by the ,secretary for their expertise regarding the needs of historically underserved veteran communities4 ,members shall include the following3 7,a7 ,not fewer than two women veterans1 representing different service eras4 7,b7 ,not fewer than two veterans from1 and with experience advocating for veterans from1 the outlying areas of the ,united ,states or the ,freely ,associated ,states 7including ,american ,samoa1 ,guam1 the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 ,puerto ,rico1 the ,u4,s4 ,virgin ,islands1 the ,federated ,states of ,micronesia1 the ,marshall ,islands1 and ,palau74 7,c7 ,individuals who are recognized authorities on issues affecting minority veteran populations1 including-- 7i7 at least one individual with expertise in health care or benefits for women veterans2 and 7ii7 at least one individual with expertise in issues regarding veterans in tribal or insular area communities4 7,d7 ,such other members the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#b7 ,the term of a member appointed under paragraph 7#a7 shall be two years1 staggered to ensure continuity4 ,a member may be reappointed4 7#c7 ,in addition to members appointed under paragraph 7#a71 the ,committee shall include1 as ex officio members1 the following officials 7or their designees73 7,a7 ,the ,deputy ,assistant ,secretary for ,tribal ,government ,relations4 7,b7 ,the ,director of the ,center for ,women ,veterans of the ,department4 7,c7 ,the ,director of the ,center for ,minority ,veterans of the ,department4 7#d7 ,the ,secretary shall designate one member of the ,committee to serve as the ,chair4 7c7 ,functions ,the functions of the ,committee include the following3 7#a7 ,to advise the ,secretary on the administration of benefits and services for veterans who are members of populations that have been historically underserved1 under-represented1 or faced unique barriers to access4 7#b7 ,to assess the needs of such veterans with respect to compensation1 health care1 mental health1 rehabilitation1 outreach1 and other benefits and programs administered by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,to evaluate the extent to which programs of the ,department meeting needs described in paragraph 7#b74 7#d7 ,to review and make recommendations regarding reports1 studies1 and program data pertaining to the experience of such veterans1 including trends in health outcomes1 benefit usage rates1 and disparities in access or quality of services4 7#e7 ,to examine and make recommendations to outreach activities of the ,department and strategies for engaging with veterans in such communities4 7#f7 ,to advise on the effectiveness of offices and programs of the ,department that are specifically charged with assisting such veterans 7including the ,center for ,women ,veterans1 the ,center for ,minority ,veterans1 and the ,office of ,tribal ,government ,relations74 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,not later than ,july #a of each year1 the ,committee shall submit to the ,secretary a report on the programs and activities of the ,department during the preceding year4 ,each such report shall include the following3 7,a7 ,an assessment of the needs of such veterans for benefits and services furnished by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,a review and evaluation of the programs1 activities1 and research initiatives of the ,department designed to meet such needs4 7,c7 ,recommendations for administrative or legislative action that the ,committee determines appropriate4 7#b7 ,not later than #ij days after receiving each report under this subsection1 the ,under ,secretary for ,health shall submit the report1 together with the ,under ,secretary's comments and recommendations1 to the ,secretary4 ,the ,secretary shall submit all such documents to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives4 7e7 ,administrative matters 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall provide such staff1 data1 and administrative support to the ,committee as necessary for the ,committee to carry out its duties4 7#b7 ,members of the ,committee shall serve without pay1 but shall receive travel expenses and per diem for any travel performed in the course of service on the ,committee1 in accordance with section #egjc of title #e4 7#c7 ,the ,committee shall meet at the call of the ,chair or the ,secretary1 but not less frequently than twice per year4 ,meetings may be conducted in person or through electronic means1 as the ,secretary deems appropriate4 7f7 ,termination ,unless renewed pursuant to section #ad of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 the ,committee shall terminate not later than ,september #cj1 #bjbh4 ,the ,secretary may terminate the ,committee at any time before such date4 #eeb4 ,advisory ,committee on ,former ,prisoners of ,war1 ,compensation1 and ,memorial ,affairs 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs an advisory committee to be known as the ,advisory ,committee on ,former ,prisoners of ,war1 ,compensation1 and ,memorial ,affairs 7in this section referred to as the ,committee74 7b7 ,membership2 terms2 ,chair 7#a7 ,members of the ,committee shall be appointed by the ,secretary and shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a veteran who is a former prisoner of war1 or a family member or advocates for former prisoners of war 7hereinafter1 ,p,o,ws71 to provide insight into the experiences and needs of such veterans4 7,b7 ,individuals who are recognized authorities in fields relevant to disabilities prevalent among former ,p,o,ws1 such as epidemiology1 mental health1 nutrition1 geriatrics1 or internal medicine4 7,c7 ,representatives of veterans with service-connected disabilities and experts in veterans disability compensation policy4 7,d7 ,individuals with expertise in memorial affairs1 funeral services1 or military or veteran burials4 7,e7 ,such other individuals the ,secretary determines appropriate to ensure a comprehensive representation of perspectives on compensation1 ,,pow issues1 and memorial matters4 7#b7 ,the term of a member appointed under paragraph 7#a7 shall be two years1 staggered to ensure continuity4 ,a member may be reappointed4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall designate one member of the ,committee to serve as the ,chair4 7c7 ,functions ,the functions of the ,committee are the following3 7#a7 ,to advise the ,secretary on the administration and adequacy of benefits for disabled veterans1 including compensation and the schedule for rating disabilities4 7#b7 ,to assess the needs of veterans who are former ,p,o,ws 7including disability compensation1 health care1 and rehabilitation7 and to evaluate the programs and policies of the ,department meant to address such needs 7including presumptions of service connection for former ,p,o,ws1 the provision of specialized health care 7including mental health care7 to such veterans1 and outreach efforts to ensure former ,p,o,ws are aware of and receiving benefits74 7#c7 ,to advise the ,secretary on the administration of burial benefits and memorial programs for veterans and their eligible family members1 including policies on burial allowances1 headstones or markers1 and the operation of national cemeteries4 7#d7 ,the review and make recommendations regarding the services and plans of the ,national ,cemetery ,administration to address the needs of veterans and survivors4 7#e7 ,to assess and make recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the programs of the ,department that commemorate and honor the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families1 7including the maintenance of cemeteries1 availability of gravesites1 and memorial tributes for under-recognized groups of veterans74 7#f7 ,to identify and make recommendations regarding legislative or administrative barriers that hinder the ability of the ,secretary to promptly and fairly compensate veterans for service-connected disabilities or to provide appropriate memorial benefits4 7d7 ,reports 7#a7 ,not later than ,july #a of each year1 the ,committee shall submit to the ,secretary a report on the programs and activities of the ,department during the preceding year4 ,each such report shall include the following3 7,a7 ,an assessment of the needs of veterans and their survivors for disability compensation1 including an evaluation of whether the current compensation structure 7such as the rating schedule and ancillary benefits7 adequately compensates veterans for the loss of earning capacity and quality of life4 7,b7 ,an assessment of the specific needs of former ,p,o,ws for compensation1 health care1 and rehabilitation4 7,c7 ,an assessment of needs related to burial and memorial services for veterans and their families4 7,d7 ,an assessment review of the programs and policies of the ,department that address issues related to functions described in subsection 7c74 7,e7 ,recommendations for administrative or legislative action that the ,committee determines appropriate4 7#b7 ,not later than #ij days after receiving each report under this subsection1 the ,under ,secretary for ,health shall submit the report1 together with the ,under ,secretary's comments and recommendations1 to the ,secretary4 ,the ,secretary shall submit all such documents to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives4 7e7 ,administrative matters 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall provide such staff1 data1 and administrative support to the ,committee as necessary for the ,committee to carry out its duties4 7#b7 ,members of the ,committee shall serve without pay1 but shall receive travel expenses and per diem for any travel performed in the course of service on the ,committee1 in accordance with section #egjc of title #e4 7#c7 ,the ,committee shall meet at the call of the ,chair or the ,secretary1 but not less frequently than twice per year4 ,meetings may be conducted in person or through electronic means1 as the ,secretary deems appropriate4 7f7 ,termination ,unless renewed pursuant to section #ad of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 the ,committee shall terminate not later than ,september #cj1 #bjbh4 ,the ,secretary may terminate the ,committee at any time before such date4 4 #c4 ,termination dates of certain advisory committees of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,advisory ,committee on ,former ,prisoners of ,war ,section #eda of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7b7 ,advisory ,committee on ,women ,veterans ,section #edb of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7c7 ,advisory ,committee on ,prosthetics and ,special-,disabilities ,programs ,section #edc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subsection 7d7 and inserting the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7d7 ,advisory ,committee on the ,readjustment of ,veterans ,section #ede of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subsection 7d7 and inserting the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7e7 ,advisory ,committee on ,disability ,compensation ,section #edf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subsection 7f7 and inserting the following new subsection3 7f7 ,termination ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7f7 ,advisory ,committee on ,tribal and ,indian ,affairs ,section #edg of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subsection 7i7 and inserting the following new subsection3 7i7 ,termination ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7g7 ,advisory ,committee on ,united ,states ,outlying ,areas and ,freely ,associated ,states ,section #edh7k7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the date that is #aj years after the date of the enactment of this section and inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 7h7 ,advisory ,committee on ,cemeteries and ,memorials ,section #bdja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf44 7i7 ,veterans' ,advisory ,committee on ,rehabilitation ,section #caba of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7j7 ,veterans' ,advisory ,committee on ,education ,section #cfib7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking ,december #ca1 #bjbf and inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 7k7 ,advisory ,committee on ,veterans ,employment1 ,training1 and ,employer ,outreach ,section #daaj of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended1 in subsection 7h71 by striking continue until terminated by law and inserting terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 7l7 ,advisory ,committee on ,academic ,affiliations ,section #gcac of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,any such advisory committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 ,the ,secretary may not establish a new such advisory committee after such date4 4 7m7 ,geriatrics and ,gerontology ,advisory ,committee ,section #gcae of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7n7 ,parent ,advisory ,committee for ,child ,care ,centers ,section #ghji7;e7 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,any such committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf44 7o7 ,advisory ,committee on ,structural ,safety of ,department ,facilities ,section #haje7;b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,the advisory committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 7p7 ,veterans' ,advisory ,committee on ,environmental ,hazards ,the ,veterans' ,dioxin and ,radiation ,exposure ,compensation ,standards ,act 7,public ,law #ih-edb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #aaed note71 is amended1 in section #f1 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7h7 ,the ,committee shall terminate on ,september #cj1 #bjbf4 4 #d4 ,repeal of defunct advisory committees 7a7 ,professional ,certification and ,licensure ,advisory ,committee ,section #cfhi of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subsection 7e74 7b7 ,report ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives a report containing a list of advisory committees of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs-- 7#a7 that are authorized and inactive2 or 7#b7 for which authorization has lapsed4