,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #cdff ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #aa1 #bjbe,mr4 ,blumenthal 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,alsobrooks1 ,mr4 ,king1 ,ms4 ,duckworth1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 and ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to improve health care provided by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,honor ,our ,promise to ,veterans ,act of #bjbe4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,implementation4,,title ,i--,improvements to care,subtitle ,a--,scheduling,sec4 #aja4 ,timing for scheduling of appointments4,sec4 #ajb4 ,consideration of telehealth in determining whether an appointment can be scheduled within the access standards of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and limitation on availability of telehealth through community care4,sec4 #ajc4 ,information for veterans regarding access to care4,subtitle ,b--,provider requirements,sec4 #aaa4 ,extension of period for submittal of claims by health care entities and providers4,sec4 #aab4 ,rating program relating to military sexual trauma for providers under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #aac4 ,requirements relating to quality of community care providers4,sec4 #aad4 ,community care provider training requirements4,sec4 #aae4 ,waivers for network adequacy4,sec4 #aaf4 ,contracting requirements4,sec4 #aag4 ,inspector ,general oversight authority over community care4,sec4 #aah4 ,requirement that health care providers under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program provide certain data4,sec4 #aai4 ,full practice authority for certain positions within ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #aai;,a4 ,treatment of psychologists4,subtitle ,c--,reports and related matters,sec4 #aba4 ,information on lessons learned to improve contracting for community care4,sec4 #abb4 ,analysis of impact of spending under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program on budgets of medical centers and ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #abc4 ,study on recovery of revenue from private health insurers4,sec4 #abd4 ,matters relating to emergency care4,sec4 #abe4 ,review of dialysis care furnished by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #abf4 ,benefits for persons disabled by treatment under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,,title ,,ii--,staffing matters,subtitle ,a--,salaries,sec4 #bja4 ,modification of limitation on waiver for pay of critical health care personnel4,sec4 #bjb4 ,increase of maximum amount of incentive pay for ,department pharmacist executives4,sec4 #bjc4 ,modification of special pay authority for nurse executives4,subtitle ,b--,recruitment and retention,sec4 #baa4 ,inclusion of police officers of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs as law enforcement officers4,sec4 #bab4 ,mentorship program for executive leadership teams at medical centers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bac4 ,requirement for equivalent role postings for vacant positions at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bad4 ,hiring processes4,sec4 #bae4 ,staffing models4,sec4 #baf4 ,telework policy4,subtitle ,c--,education,sec4 #bba4 ,establishment of ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program4,sec4 #bbb4 ,building and maintenance professionals educational assistance program4,sec4 #bbc4 ,expansion of reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses4,sec4 #bbd4 ,payment of licensure exam costs for recipients of scholarships from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,subtitle ,d--,reports,sec4 #bca4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs personnel transparency4,sec4 #bcb4 ,report on ,grow ,our ,own ,program4,sec4 #bcc4 ,provision of data on educational assistance programs of ,veterans ,health ,administration4,,title ,,iii--,infrastructure matters,sec4 #cja4 ,definitions4,subtitle ,a--,investing in ,department of ,veterans infrastructure to increase capacity to serve veterans,sec4 #caa4 ,authorization of funding for certain land acquisitions for medical facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cab4 ,detachment of congressional committee approval requests of major medical facility leases from annual budget submission of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cac4 ,improvement of capital asset staffing of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cad4 ,development of performance metrics of capital asset management by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and monitoring for improvement4,sec4 #cae4 ,expansion of membership of the ,capital ,asset ,planning ,committee4,sec4 #caf4 ,authorization of appropriations4,subtitle ,b--,reviews and reports,sec4 #cba4 ,review of resilience of facilities1 land1 and other relevant capital assets of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbb4 ,reports on key capital asset investments1 activities1 and performance of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbc4 ,report on long-term care physical infrastructure needs of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbd4 ,report on women veterans retrofit initiative4,sec4 #cbe4 ,report on capital asset and information technology needs of the research and development program of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbf4 ,review and report on provisions of law relating to ,department of ,veterans ,affairs capital asset management and oversight4,sec4 #cbg4 ,improving prevention1 detection1 and reporting of waste1 fraud1 and abuse in ,department of ,veterans ,affairs capital asset projects and activities4,sec4 #cbh4 ,comptroller ,general report on continued need for non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs project management for super construction projects4 #b4 ,implementation ,unless otherwise specified1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall implement this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act by not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,i ,improvements to care ,a ,scheduling #aja4 ,timing for scheduling of appointments 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #agjf;,a the following new section3 #agjf;,b4 ,requirements for timing of scheduling of appointments 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall ensure that an appointment for a veteran for care or services under this chapter1 including under section #agjc of this title-- 7#a7 in the case of a non-urgent appointment1 is scheduled 7but may occur at a later date7 not later than seven days after the earlier of the date on which-- 7,a7 a clinician of the ,department determines that the veteran requires care2 or 7,b7 the veteran presents to the ,department requesting care2 and 7#b7 in the case of an appointment for urgent care1 is completed not later than #dh hours after the earlier of the date on which-- 7,a7 a clinician of the ,department determines that the veteran requires care2 or 7,b7 the veteran presents to the ,department requesting care4 7b7 ,report on community care scheduling 7#a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than quarterly1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the average time it takes each medical facility of the ,department to schedule appointments for care or services under section #agjc of this title1 disaggregated by primary care1 mental health care1 and each type of specialty care4 7#b7 ,data included ,each report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall indicate what data for wait times for various types of care1 services1 or locations1 if any1 were not included in the calculation of the average times and why that data was not included4 7#c7 ,inclusion in existing reports ,the ,secretary may include each report required under paragraph 7#a7 in any existing report required to be submitted to ,congress that relates to the same or a similar topic4 7#d7 ,analysis of reasons for noncompliance 7,a7 ,in general ,each medical facility of the ,department for which any average time reported under paragraph 7#a7 for the facility is more than seven days shall submit to the ,under ,secretary for ,health1 not later than #cj days after the date of the report-- 7i7 an analysis of why such average time is more than seven days1 including the extent to which staffing shortages of a type or position of employee1 insufficient provider networks1 surges of appointments1 or any other factor is increasing such average times2 7ii7 a remediation plan to bring such average time to not more than seven days2 and 7iii7 an explanation for how each issue specified in clause 7i7 is being mitigated4 7,b7 ,treatment of insufficient provider network ,with respect to any analysis under subparagraph 7,a77i7 that determines an insufficient provider network1 the ,under ,secretary for ,health shall-- 7i7 consult with any third party administrator responsible for administering such network regarding-- 7,i7 if such network insufficiency has been previously identified1 whether mitigation is planned for areas where average times exceed seven days2 and 7,,ii7 if such network insufficiency has not been previously identified or if previous mitigation plans have not worked1 how network insufficiency can be overcome2 and 7ii7 examine whether the third party administrator is meeting contractual obligations regarding network sufficiency4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #agjf;,a the following new item3 #agjf;,b4 ,requirements for timing of scheduling of appointments4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall comply with the requirements under section #agjf;,b of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a71 by not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ajb4 ,consideration of telehealth in determining whether an appointment can be scheduled within the access standards of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and limitation on availability of telehealth through community care 7a7 ,in general ,section #agjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7d71 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,in determining under paragraph 7#a77;,d7 whether the ,department is able to furnish care or services in a manner that complies with designated access standards under section #agjc;,b of this title1 for purposes of determining the availability of an appointment1 a telehealth appointment shall be considered as an available appointment1 subject to subsection 7r71 if the veteran accepts the use of telehealth or the only option for the appointment is via telehealth4 2 7#b7 by redesignating subsection 7q7 as subsection 7r72 and 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7p7 the following new subsection 7q73 7q7 ,availability of telehealth 7#a7 ,if a covered veteran is authorized to receive care or services under this section1 the covered veteran may only seek such care or services via telehealth if-- 7,a7 such care or services via telehealth are not available through the ,department2 7,b7 the wait time for such care or services via telehealth is longer through the ,department than through a provider under this section2 or 7,c7 the veteran has already established related in-person care or services through a provider under this section4 7#b7 ,when discussing options for care or services for a covered veteran under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that the veteran is informed of the ability of the veteran to seek care or services via telehealth1 either through a medical facility of the ,department or through a non-,department provider1 if telehealth-- 7,a7 is available to the veteran2 and 7,b7 is appropriate for the type of care or services the veteran is seeking1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7b7 ,limitation on telehealth through community care providers ,when a veteran is authorized to seek care from a non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs provider under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs other than under section #agjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 the veteran may only seek care via telehealth under such laws if-- 7#a7 such care via telehealth is not available through the ,department2 7#b7 the wait time for such care via telehealth is longer through the ,department than through a community provider2 or 7#c7 the veteran has already established related in-person care through the community provider4 #ajc4 ,information for veterans regarding access to care 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #agjd;,a the following new section3 #agjd;,b4 ,information regarding access to care 7a7 ,provision of information 7#a7 ,in general ,to the greatest extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall ensure that veterans are provided1 for each episode of care sought under the laws administered by the ,secretary1 information on current wait time and average driving time options for such episode of care1 disaggregated by care provided-- 7,a7 in person at a facility of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 7,b7 via telehealth through a provider of the ,department2 7,c7 in person through the nearest suitable non-,department facility with which the ,department has a provider agreement or other arrangement for non-,department care pursuant to section #agjc of this title2 and 7,d7 via telehealth through a non-,department provider with which the ,department has a provider agreement or other arrangement for non-,department care pursuant to such section with the shortest wait time4 7#b7 ,form of information ,information provided under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 may be provided electronically2 and 7,b7 shall be documented in the health record of the veteran4 7#c7 ,opt out ,the ,secretary shall permit a veteran to opt out of receiving information under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,publication and update of information ,not less frequently than weekly1 the ,secretary shall update the ,access to ,care website of the ,department 7or successor website7 to include updated information with respect to the following3 7#a7 ,the information required under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,the national average wait times for each appointment at the ,department and a non-,department facility for the receipt of primary care1 specialty care 7which shall include a disaggregated average wait time for outpatient in-person individual mental health care71 and hospital care4 7#c7 ,total completed appointments for care under the laws administered by the ,secretary disaggregated by appointments completed during the following period following a request for appointment3 7,a7 ,within #cj days4 7,b7 ,more than #cj days4 7,c7 ,more than #ij days4 7,d7 ,more than #ahj days4 7#d7 ,historical data1 at a minimum dating back #aj years if available1 for each data point required to be calculated under-- 7,a7 subsection 7a72 7,b7 section #bjf of the ,veterans ,access1 ,choice1 and ,accountability ,act of #bjad 7,public ,law #aac-adf2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agja note72 7,c7 section #aie of the ,joseph ,maxwell ,cleland and ,robert ,joseph ,dole ,memorial ,veterans ,benefits and ,health ,care ,improvement ,act of #bjbb 7division ,u of ,public ,law #aag-cbh2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agja note72 or 7,d7 any other provision of law that requires data to be included in the ,access to ,care website of the ,department 7or successor website74 7c7 ,briefing ,not less frequently than quarterly1 the ,secretary shall provide to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a briefing that includes a presentation or overview of the trends in the data published on the ,access to ,care website of the ,department 7or successor website74 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #ag of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #agjd;,a the following new item3 #agjd;,b4 ,information regarding access to care4 4 ,b ,provider requirements #aaa4 ,extension of period for submittal of claims by health care entities and providers ,section #agjc;,d of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7a7 in subsection 7a77#b71 by striking the reason for denying the claim and what1 if any1 additional information is required to process the claim and inserting the reason for denying the claim and request additional missing information1 if any1 that is required to process the claim2 7b7 by amending subsection 7b7 to read as follows3 7b7 ,submittal of claims by health care entities and providers 7#a7 ,a health care entity or provider that furnishes hospital care1 a medical service1 or an extended care service under this chapter pursuant to a contract1 agreement1 or other arrangement shall submit to the ,secretary a claim for payment for furnishing the hospital care1 medical service1 or extended care service not later than one year after the date on which the entity or provider furnished the hospital care1 medical service1 or extended care service4 7#b7 ,no health care entity or provider may seek payment from a patient if the health care entity or provider failed to comply with the timely filing requirement set forth in paragraph 7#a74 2 and 7c7 in subsection 7c71 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,the ,secretary may suspend a health care entity or provider from furnishing hospital care1 medical services1 and extended care services under this chapter if the ,secretary has reason to believe the entity or provider has submitted to the ,secretary fraudulent health care claims for payment by the ,secretary4 4 #aab4 ,rating program relating to military sexual trauma for providers under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,program ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a program under which the ,secretary provides a rating of ,,mst ,aware for any community care provider that complies with the qualifications under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,provider qualifications ,the ,secretary shall provide a community care provider with a rating of ,,mst ,aware pursuant to the program established under subsection 7a7 if the provider-- 7#a7 completes core training modules relating to military sexual trauma recommended or required of similar employees of the ,department or recommended by the ,office of ,integrated ,veteran ,care1 or successor office1 and other relevant training modules as determined by the ,secretary2 7#b7 completes core training modules relating to the treatment of women veterans1 such as the training module created under section #ebjc of the ,deborah ,sampson ,act of #bjbj 7title ,v of ,public ,law #aaf-cae2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agjc note71 as determined by the ,secretary2 and 7#c7 complies with such other criteria as the ,secretary may determine appropriate4 7c7 ,timing ,the ,secretary shall determine how often a community care provider shall be required to complete any training and updates to the training or comply with any criteria required under subsection 7b7 in order to maintain the ,,mst ,aware rating4 7d7 ,plan ,the ,secretary shall establish a plan to promote the program established under subsection 7a7 and encourage the participation of community care providers in such program by offering incentives1 such as continuing medical education credits1 to providers that complete core or other relevant training modules4 7e7 ,publication of list 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,third ,party ,administrator shall publish on a publicly available and user-friendly website a list of all community care providers administered by the ,third ,party ,administrator that includes a designation of whether each provider has earned an ,,mst ,aware rating pursuant to the program established under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,update ,each ,third ,party ,administrator shall update the list required under paragraph 7#a7 not less frequently than weekly4 7#c7 ,oversight ,the ,secretary shall develop an oversight plan to ensure the lists under this subsection are maintained and accurate4 7#d7 ,display of rating ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,provider ,profile ,management ,system1 or any successor system1 displays the ,,mst ,aware rating pursuant to the program established under subsection 7a7 for any provider that achieves such rating4 7#e7 ,third ,party ,administrator defined ,in this subsection1 the term ,third ,party ,administrator has the meaning given that term in section #agjc;,b of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7f7 ,report ,not later than one year after the establishment of the program under subsection 7a71 and not less frequently than annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the program1 including-- 7#a7 a description of the training modules determined by the ,secretary for purposes of paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7b72 7#b7 the number of community care providers who have earned an ,,mst ,aware rating during the prior year1 disaggregated by community care region1 provider type1 and specialty2 7#c7 an assessment of the effectiveness of the training modules and other criteria required under subsection 7b72 and 7#d7 the status of the plans of the ,secretary for promotion of the program and provision of incentives under subsection 7d74 7g7 ,community care provider defined ,in this section1 the term community care provider means a health care provider specified under section #agjc7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #aac4 ,requirements relating to quality of community care providers 7a7 ,monthly checks against list of excluded individuals or entities ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall ensure that third party administrators under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program perform automated monthly checks for all community care providers against the list of excluded individuals or entities set forth by the ,office of ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services using social security number1 date of birth1 and other unique identifiers4 7b7 ,revision of provider exclusion standard operating procedures ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,office of ,integrated ,veteran ,care revises its provider exclusion standard operating procedures to require automated matching of community care providers in the provider profile management system of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to the system for award management exclusions of the ,general ,services ,administration using both taxpayer identification number and national provider identifier as identifiers4 7c7 ,process ,to ,identify ,department ,providers ,terminated or ,resigning from ,employment ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,under ,secretary for ,health of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs develops a process to identify health care providers that are terminated1 retire1 or resign from employment with the ,department for quality of care concerns or while under investigation for quality of care concerns so those health care providers can be prevented from participating in the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program4 7d7 ,update of information on providers ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 through the ,office of ,integrated ,veteran ,care1 shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly1 not less frequently than monthly-- 7#a7 update their lists of community care providers to reflect accurate provider contact information2 7#b7 annotate providers that are not currently accepting patients under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program2 and 7#c7 remove providers from the provider profile management system that-- 7,a7 are on the list of excluded individuals or entities set forth by the ,office of ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services2 7,b7 are in the system for award management exclusions of the ,general ,services ,administration2 or 7,c7 have been terminated from employment with the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs due to quality of care concerns or left such employment voluntarily1 through resignation1 or through retirement1 while under investigation for quality of care concerns4 7e7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,veterans ,community ,care ,program ,the term ,veterans ,community ,care ,program means the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program under section #agjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,community care provider ,the term community care provider means a health care provider specified under section #agjc7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #aad4 ,community care provider training requirements 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #agjc;,g the following new section3 #agjc;,h4 ,required training for community care providers 7a7 ,in general ,each non-,department health care provider that provides health care to veterans under this subchapter shall complete covered training4 7b7 ,continuing education requirements ,the ,secretary shall offer covered training under this section in such a manner as to qualify for or fulfill continuing education requirements for health care professionals4 7c7 ,timeline 7#a7 ,in general ,covered training must be completed by a health care provider under this section-- 7,a7 except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 within the same time period in which a newly hired health care provider employed by the ,department is required to complete such training or substantially similar training2 and 7,b7 in the case of any recurring or newly added training1 within the same time period in which a health care provider employed by the ,department is required to complete such training or substantially similar training4 7#b7 ,existing providers ,with respect to health care providers providing care to veterans under this subchapter as of the date of the enactment of the ,honor ,act of #bjbe1 covered training under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 must be completed by not later than one year after such date of enactment4 7d7 ,lack of compliance 7#a7 ,supervision ,a non-,department health care provider that does not complete covered training within the timelines required under this section shall be able to provide care under the laws administered by the ,secretary only under direct supervision by a provider who has completed covered training and has an equivalent or higher licensure as the provider in question4 7#b7 ,removal ,a non-,department health care provider that has not completed covered training as of the date that is #ahj days after the due date for such training shall be-- 7,a7 ineligible to provide health care under the laws administered by the ,secretary until completing covered training2 7,b7 removed from any network of non-,department health care providers2 and 7,c7 ineligible to reapply to be a part of any such network for not less than #ahj days and until completing covered training4 7e7 ,publication of training status 7#a7 ,provider ,profile ,management ,system ,the status of the completion by a non-,department health care provider of covered training shall be reflected in the ,provider ,profile ,management ,system1 or any successor system4 7#b7 ,publicly available website ,each ,third ,party ,administrator 7as defined in section #agjc;,b of this title7 shall publish the status of the completion by non-,department health care providers administered by the ,third ,party ,administrator of covered training on a publicly available and user-friendly website and update such a website not less frequently than weekly4 7f7 ,covered training defined ,in this section1 the term covered training means-- 7#a7 course modules that are required of similarly practicing and licensed providers of the ,department relating to miliary culture1 post-traumatic stress disorder1 evaluation and management of suicide1 preventing suicide through lethal means safety1 traumatic brain injury1 and opioid safety provided by or through the ,department2 or 7#b7 course modules determined by the ,secretary as comparable in length and scope to those specified in paragraph 7#a74 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #agjc;,g the following new item3 #agjc;,h4 ,required training for community care providers4 4 #aae4 ,waivers for network adequacy ,section #agjc;,b7f77#c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,f7 ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the ,honor ,act of #bjbe1 and not less frequently than annually thereafter1 each ,third ,party ,administrator shall publish on a publicly available and user-friendly website an overview of waivers requested by the ,third ,party ,administrator under subparagraph 7,a7 and approved by the ,department1 which shall include an indication of any services and geographic locations with active waivers4 4 #aaf4 ,contracting requirements ,section #agjc7;h7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 by amending subparagraph 7,a7 to read as follows3 7,a7 ,the ,secretary may terminate a contract with an entity entered into under paragraph 7#a7 at such time and upon such notice to the entity as the ,secretary may specify for purposes of this section1 if the ,secretary notifies the appropriate committees of ,congress that1 at a minimum-- 7i7 the entity-- 7,i7 failed to comply substantially with the provisions of the contract or with the provisions of this section and the regulations prescribed under this section2 or 7,,ii7 failed to comply with the access standards or the standards for quality established by the ,secretary2 7ii7 it is reasonable to terminate the contract based on the health care needs of veterans2 or 7iii7 it is reasonable to terminate the contract based on coverage provided by contracts or sharing agreements entered into under authorities other than this section4 2 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,b7 as subparagraph 7,d72 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the following new subparagraphs3 7,b7 7i7 ,the ,secretary shall terminate a contract with an entity entered into under paragraph 7#a7 at such a time and upon such notice to the entity as the ,secretary may specify for the purposes of this section1 if the entity-- 7,i7 is excluded from participation in a ,federal health care program 7as defined in section #aabh;,b7f7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbj;a-#g;b7f777 under section #aabh or #aabh;,a of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbj;a-#g and #acbj;a-#g;a72 7,,ii7 has been convicted of a felony or other serious offense under ,federal or ,state law and the continued participation of the entity would be detrimental to the best interests of veterans or the ,department2 7,,iii7 is identified as an excluded source on the list maintained in the ,system for ,award ,management1 or any successor system2 or 7,,iv7 failed to comply with provisions of the contract or provisions of this section related to training or return of medical record documentation for care or services provided under this section4 7ii7 ,the ,secretary may issue a waiver for entities subject to clause 7i7 for a one-year period1 and such a waiver shall be reported to ,congress not later than #cj days after such waiver is issued4 7,c7 ,any entities ineligible to enter into contracts with the ,department due to one or more reasons specified in this paragraph may be listed on a publicly available website of the ,department or appropriate third party administrator4 2 7,d7 in subparagraph 7,d71 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b7 of this paragraph1 by striking in subparagraph 7,a7 and inserting in this paragraph2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 ,any contract or agreement between the ,department and a third party administrator or between a third party administrator and a health care provider specified in subsection 7c7 that is made with respect to care or services provided under this section shall include-- 7,a7 notice of obligations to comply with ,federal laws and the consequences for failure to comply with those laws1 including specific information regarding claims for payment and consequences for any false claims1 statements1 or documents1 or concealment of a material fact2 7,b7 confirmation by the health care provider that they are accredited to provide any specialized services subject to the contract or agreement and that they will only use qualified staff to provide those services2 and 7,c7 confirmation that the health care provider will identify any individuals providing specialized services or treatments included in the contract or agreement and provide proof of the licensure of those individuals to the ,department4 4 #aag4 ,inspector ,general oversight authority over community care 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #agjc;,h1 as added by section #aad1 the following new section3 #agjc;,i4 ,inspector ,general oversight authority over community care 7a7 ,in general ,the ,office of ,inspector ,general of the ,department may audit any entity providing care under the laws administered by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,authority ,the authority under subsection 7a7 includes-- 7#a7 the authority to perform unannounced visits1 audits1 or investigations2 and 7#b7 the authority to request and obtain any necessary documents without a subpoena4 7c7 ,elements of audits ,audits under subsection 7a7 may be conducted-- 7#a7 to ensure conformance with required standards of care prescribed by the ,department2 7#b7 to conduct inspections for safety2 7#c7 to ensure compliance in general with the law2 7#d7 to ensure compliance with contractual obligations2 or 7#e7 for such other purposes as the ,inspector ,general may determine appropriate4 7d7 ,notification ,notification of the authority under this section and any other related information as the ,secretary determines appropriate shall be included in the provider handbooks of third party administrators4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #agjc;,h the following new item3 #agjc;,i4 ,inspector ,general oversight authority over community care4 4 #aah4 ,requirement that health care providers under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program provide certain data 7a7 ,in general ,beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall require that covered providers electronically submit to the ,secretary1 at such time and in such manner as the ,secretary may require1 data required to be collected and considered by the ,secretary under section #agjc;,c7a77#c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,exclusion of covered providers ,the ,secretary may not permit a covered provider to participate in the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program under section #agjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 if the provider has not provided to the ,secretary data required under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,other providers ,the ,secretary shall encourage health care providers specified in section #agjc7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 that are not covered providers to submit to the ,secretary1 on a voluntary basis1 data described in subsection 7a74 7d7 ,type of data required and waiver 7#a7 ,type of data ,the ,secretary shall determine the data required to be submitted by each type of covered provider under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement to submit data under subsection 7a7 for a particular type of covered provider if the ,secretary determines that the submittal by that type of provider of such data would not be appropriate or relevant4 7e7 ,list of high-,performing providers 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,third ,party ,administrator 7as defined in section #agjc;,b of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code7 shall publish and maintain a publicly available and user-friendly website1 updated not less frequently than weekly1 that contains an up-to-date list of all covered providers administered by the ,third ,party ,administrator that-- 7,a7 have provided data described in subsection 7a72 and 7,b7 are designated as high-performing providers1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,display of designation ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,provider ,profile ,management ,system1 or any successor system1 shows the designation of a covered provider as a high-performing provider under paragraph 7#a77;,b74 7#c7 ,use of designation ,when scheduling an episode of care for a veteran with a health care provider1 an employee of the ,department shall consult a list under paragraph 7#a7 or the ,provider ,profile ,management ,system1 or any successor system1 to determine if the health care provider is designated as a high-performing provider under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 and share such information with the veteran4 7f7 ,covered provider defined ,in this section1 the term covered provider means a health care provider specified in section #agjc7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 that the ,secretary determines has sufficient resources to submit the data required under subsection 7a7 at the time and in the manner required by the ,secretary under such subsection4 #aai4 ,full practice authority for certain positions within ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,full practice authority ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall prescribe regulations to provide full practice authority to physician assistants and such other licensed health care professionals of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs as the ,secretary considers appropriate consistent with the education1 training1 and certification of such physician assistant or health care professional4 7b7 ,limitations ,regulations prescribed under subsection 7a7 may be subject to-- 7#a7 the limitations imposed by the ,controlled ,substances ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #hja et seq472 7#b7 any limitation on the ,state licensure of an individual regarding the authority to prescribe or administer controlled substances2 and 7#c7 any other limitations on the provision of care under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs set forth in applicable ,federal law and policy4 7c7 ,physician assistant defined ,in this section1 the term physician assistant has the meaning given that term in section #ahfa7;aa77#e77;,a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciex7aa77#e77;,a774 #aai;,a4 ,treatment of psychologists 7a7 ,treatment as title #ch employees ,section #gdja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting psychologists1 after chiropractors12 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking psychologists14 7b7 ,inclusion in contracts for scarce medical specialist services ,section #gdji7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting psychologists1 after chiropractors14 ,c ,reports and related matters #aba4 ,information on lessons learned to improve contracting for community care 7a7 ,establishment of formal process ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 through the ,office of ,integrated ,veteran ,care of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 shall establish a formal lessons-learned process1 consistent with leading practices1 for contracts under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program under section #agjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to inform the plans of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for contracts under such program entered into after the date of the enactment of this ,act and the continuing oversight efforts of the ,department with respect to such program4 7b7 ,report on process ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the process established under subsection 7a74 #abb4 ,analysis of impact of spending under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program on budgets of medical centers and ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct an analysis of the impact of spending under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program on the budgets of individual medical centers and ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 7b7 ,elements ,the analysis required under subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,a breakdown of how ,veterans ,equitable ,resource ,allocations to medical centers of the ,department are tracked for the ,medical ,services account1 ,medical ,community ,care account1 ,medical ,support and ,compliance account1 and ,medical ,facilities account of the ,department for each fiscal year4 7#b7 ,the top #aj services for which care is sought under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program for each fiscal year at each medical center4 7#c7 ,the number of full-time equivalent employees dedicated to local offices of the ,office of ,integrated ,veteran ,care of the ,department4 7#d7 ,to the extent possible1 a breakdown by medical center of health care coverage of patients authorized to receive care under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program1 including private insurance1 ,medicare1 or ,medicaid4 7#e7 ,the administrative fee for each claim1 or the aggregate fee for such claims1 for care under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program at each medical center4 7c7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the analysis conducted under subsection 7a74 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,veterans ,community ,care ,program ,the term ,veterans ,community ,care ,program means the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program under section #agjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,non-service-connected2 service-connected ,the terms non-service-connected and service-connected have the meanings given those terms in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #abc4 ,study on recovery of revenue from private health insurers 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study assessing the feasibility and advisability of maximizing opportunities to bill private health insurers of veterans for recoverable claims4 7b7 ,elements ,in conducting the study required under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 consider aligning and prioritizing the processing of potentially recoverable claims to filing deadlines for private health insurers2 7#b7 consider how information systems controls can be strengthened to ensure complete and accurate claims information is transferred between applicable current and future payment systems1 the workflow tool of the ,consolidated ,patient ,account ,centers1 and patient treatment files in ,vist,a2 and 7#c7 determine if staffing resources and workload are sufficiently aligned to process the anticipated volume of claims billed to private health insurers of veterans and outline changes to such resources and workload that might be needed4 7c7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the study conducted under subsection 7a74 #abd4 ,matters relating to emergency care 7a7 ,comprehensive review of authorities relating to emergency care 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall seek to enter into a contract with an independent entity under which the entity shall complete and submit to the ,secretary a comprehensive review of the existing authorities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to reimburse the cost of emergency treatment provided to veterans1 including emergency transportation services1 and determine whether and how those authorities should be modified to streamline the process and reduce confusion by veterans regarding what is covered4 7#b7 ,timing ,the review required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be completed not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,input ,the review required under paragraph 7#a7 shall consider input from key stakeholders of the ,department1 including veterans service organizations4 7b7 ,analysis of inpatient emergency care spending under veterans community care program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a detailed analysis to review inpatient emergency care spending under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program1 which shall include an assessment of-- 7,a7 how the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs could repatriate veterans admitted to hospitals under the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program when it is medically appropriate2 7,b7 how the ,department could require third party administrators to inform the ,department when patients require inpatient admission or high-dollar procedures2 and 7,c7 how the ,department could conduct intensive case management for individuals with a high likelihood of emergency department visits or inpatient admissions to help reduce costs1 including by using similar practices already used by private health care plans4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the analysis conducted under paragraph 7#a7 and publish the report on a publicly available website of the ,department4 7#c7 ,veterans ,community ,care ,program defined ,in this subsection1 the term ,veterans ,community ,care ,program means the ,veterans ,community ,care ,program under section #agjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7c7 ,report on expansion of tele-,emergency care 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the feasibility and advisability of expanding tele-emergency care in a consistent and standardized manner throughout the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#b7 ,elements ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 information on how long it would take to implement an expansion of tele-emergency care throughout the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 7,b7 an assessment of staffing needs for such an expansion2 7,c7 an assessment of any legislative changes needed for such an expansion2 7,d7 a cost analysis of potential savings in implementing such an expansion2 and 7,e7 an assessment of impacts on quality of care and coordination of care for veterans resulting from such an expansion4 #abe4 ,review of dialysis care furnished by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,review by the ,office of ,inspector ,general 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct an investigation and publish a report on the quality and availability of dialysis care provided at facilities of the ,department or authorized by the ,department to be provided through non-,department providers4 7#b7 ,input ,the review required under paragraph 7#a7 shall consider input from key stakeholders of the ,department1 including veterans service organizations and labor organizations representing staff of the ,department and staff of non-,department providers4 7#c7 ,assessment ,the review required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include an assessment of-- 7,a7 facilities of the ,department that provide dialysis care1 including an assessment of-- 7i7 the capacity and utilization of such facilities2 7ii7 the staffing and vacancy levels for providing such care2 and 7iii7 the volume of dialysis care provided to veterans via non-,department providers in the catchment area of such facilities2 and 7,b7 non-,department facilities and providers that are authorized to and have provided dialysis care to veterans via an agreement with the ,department1 including an assessment of-- 7i7 conformance with required standards of care prescribed by the ,department2 7ii7 patient safety2 7iii7 compliance in general with the law2 7iv7 staffing levels2 7v7 changes in access to and utilization of care by veterans related to staffing levels and patient capacity of such facility2 7vi7 billing practices for care authorized by the ,department2 and 7vii7 such other topics as the ,inspector ,general determines appropriate4 7#d7 ,recommendations ,not later than #abj days after the publication of the report under paragraph 7#a71 and not less frequently than quarterly thereafter until all recommendations contained in such report are closed by the ,inspector ,general of the ,department1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the implementation of such recommendations4 7b7 ,contract enforcement 7#a7 ,in general ,any violation of any contract or agreement with the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs or violation of the law by a non-,department entity found by the review conducted under subsection 7a7 shall be immediately and expeditiously remedied by the ,secretary and any obligations under any such contract or agreement1 or pursuant to such law1 including any penalties1 shall be immediately and expeditiously enforced by the ,department4 7#b7 ,follow-up ,not later than one year after the publication of the report under subsection 7a77#a71 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall-- 7,a7 conduct a follow-up review containing any findings and recommendations related to violations described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 submit to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on any ongoing violations4 7#c7 ,financial penalties ,after receipt of the report under paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the ,secretary shall impose financial penalties commensurate with the level and quantity of violations until those violations are resolved4 #abf4 ,benefits for persons disabled by treatment under ,veterans ,community ,care ,program of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,subsection 7a7 of section #aaea of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 7#b7 in paragraph 7#a77;,b71 by striking or at the end2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following new paragraph 7#b73 7#b7 the disability or death was caused by hospital care1 a medical service1 or an extended care service furnished the veteran by a non-,department provider under section #agjc of this title and the proximate cause of the disability or death was-- 7,a7 carelessness1 negligence1 lack of proper skill1 error in judgment1 or similar instance of fault on the part of the provider in furnishing the hospital care1 medical service1 or extended care service2 or 7,b7 an event not reasonably foreseeable2 or 4 7b7 ,offset of awards ,such section is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the amount of any judgment awarded to an individual in a civil action brought by the individual against a non-,department provider in a court of competent jurisdiction for a disability or death caused by hospital care1 a medical service1 or an extended care service furnished by a non-,department provider as described in subsection 7a77#b7 shall be offset by the amount of any compensation awarded to the individual under such subsection for such disability or death4 4 ,,ii ,staffing matters ,a ,salaries #bja4 ,modification of limitation on waiver for pay of critical health care personnel ,section #gdca7;e77#f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subparagraph 7,d72 and 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,e71 7,f71 and 7,g7 as subparagraphs 7,d71 7,e71 and 7,f71 respectively4 #bjb4 ,increase of maximum amount of incentive pay for ,department pharmacist executives ,section #gdaj7;b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking #dj1jjj and inserting #ajj1jjj2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f7-- 7,a7 by striking ,special and inserting 7,a7 ,special2 7,b7 by striking bonuses and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,b7 ,recruitment1 relocation1 or retention bonuses under subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of section #gjf of this title and critical skills incentives under subsection 7d7 of such section shall be excluded from the calculation of the limitation under subparagraph 7,a74 4 #bjc4 ,modification of special pay authority for nurse executives ,section #gdeb7;g7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,department nurse executives1 the ,secretary may1 in accordance with and all that follows through ,the ,central ,office4 and inserting nurse executives for the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 the ,under ,secretary for ,health may pay special pay to personnel of the ,veterans ,health ,administration who are nurse executives42 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,health shall define through regulations which positions of the ,veterans ,health ,administration qualify as nurse executives for purposes of special pay under paragraph 7#a74 4 ,b ,recruitment and retention #baa4 ,inclusion of police officers of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs as law enforcement officers 7a7 ,,csrs and ,,fers 7#a7 ,in general ,title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 in section #hcca7bj71 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by inserting 1 or an individual described in section #hdja7ag77;,e7 after criminal laws of the ,united ,states2 and 7ii7 by inserting 1 or so described1 after engaged in this activity2 and 7,b7 in section #hdja7ag7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7,i7 by striking subparagraph 7,a7 and 7,b7 and inserting subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 7,e72 and 7,,ii7 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in the flush text following subparagraph 7,d77iii71 by adding and at the end2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 an employee of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who is a ,department police officer under section #ijb of title #ch1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs2 4 7#b7 ,application ,the amendments made by this subsection shall apply to any-- 7,a7 individual who is appointed as a law enforcement officer-- 7i7 as defined in section #hcca7bj7 or #hdja7ag7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by this subsection2 and 7ii7 on or after the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7,b7 incumbent1 as defined in subsection 7b71 consistent with the requirements of that subsection4 7b7 ,incumbent law enforcement officers 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management4 7,b7 ,fund ,the term ,fund means the ,civil ,service ,retirement and ,disability ,fund4 7,c7 ,incumbent ,the term incumbent means an individual who-- 7i7 was appointed as a law enforcement officer before the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7ii7 is serving as a law enforcement officer on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7,d7 ,law enforcement officer ,the term law enforcement officer means an individual who satisfies the requirements of section #hcca7bj7 or #hdja7ag7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 solely by virtue of the amendments made by subsection 7a74 7,e7 ,prior service ,the term prior service means1 with respect to an incumbent who makes an election under paragraph 7#b77;,b71 service performed by the incumbent before the date on which appropriate retirement deductions begin to be made under the election4 7,f7 ,service ,the term service means service performed by an individual as a law enforcement officer4 7#b7 ,treatment of service performed by incumbents 7,a7 ,service on or after date of enactment ,service performed by an incumbent on or after the date of enactment of this ,act shall be treated as service performed as a law enforcement officer4 7,b7 ,service before date of enactment ,service performed by an incumbent before the date of enactment of this ,act shall1 for purposes of subchapter ,,iii of chapter #hc and chapter #hd of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 be treated as service performed as a law enforcement officer only if the incumbent submits a written election to the ,director by the earlier of-- 7i7 the date that is #e years after the date of enactment of this ,act2 or 7ii7 the day before the date on which the incumbent separates from service4 7#c7 ,individual contributions for prior service 7,a7 ,in general ,an incumbent who makes an election under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 may1 with respect to prior service performed by the incumbent1 pay a deposit into the ,fund equal to the sum of-- 7i7 the difference between-- 7,i7 the amount that would have been deducted during the period of prior service under section #hccd or #hdbb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 from the pay of the incumbent if the amendments made by subsection 7a7 had been in effect during the prior service2 and 7,,ii7 the amount that was deducted during the period of prior service under section #hccd or #hdbb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7ii7 interest on the amount described in clause 7i77,i71 as computed under-- 7,i7 paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of section #hccd7;e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,,ii7 regulations promulgated by the ,director4 7,b7 ,effect of not contributing ,if an incumbent does not pay the full amount of the deposit described in subparagraph 7,a71 all prior service of the incumbent-- 7i7 shall remain fully creditable as a law enforcement officer2 and 7ii7 the resulting annuity shall be reduced-- 7,i7 in a manner similar to that described in section #hccd7;d77#b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,,ii7 to the extent necessary to make up the amount unpaid4 7#d7 ,government contributions for prior service 7,a7 ,in general ,if an incumbent makes an election under paragraph 7#b77;,b71 an agency that employed the incumbent during any prior service of the incumbent shall remit to the ,director1 for deposit in the ,fund1 an amount equal to the sum of-- 7i7 the difference between-- 7,i7 the total amount of ,government contributions that would have been paid under section #hccd or #hdbc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 if the amendments made by subsection 7a7 had been in effect during the prior service2 and 7,,ii7 the total amount of ,government contributions paid under section #hccd or #hdbc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7ii7 interest on the amount described in clause 7i77,i71 as computed in accordance with-- 7,i7 paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of section #hccd7;e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,,ii7 regulations promulgated by the ,director4 7,b7 ,contributions to be made ratably ,government contributions under this paragraph on behalf of an incumbent shall be made by the agency ratably 7not less frequently than annually7 over the #aj-year period beginning on the date described in paragraph 7#a77;,e74 7#e7 ,exemption from mandatory separation ,notwithstanding section #hcce7;b7 or #hdbe7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 a law enforcement officer shall not be subject to mandatory separation during the #c-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#f7 ,regulations ,the ,director shall prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection1 including regulations for the application of this subsection in the case of any individual entitled to a survivor annuity 7based on the service of an incumbent who dies before making an election under paragraph 7#b77;,b771 to the extent of any rights that would have been available to the decedent if still living4 7#g7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this subsection may be construed to apply in the case of a reemployed annuitant4 #bab4 ,mentorship program for executive leadership teams at medical centers of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may establish a program to connect covered individuals 7in this section referred to as mentees7 with peer mentors to facilitate sharing of best practices and leadership experiences and to foster opportunities to develop knowledge and skills required to lead successfully at medical facilities of the ,department 7in this section referred to as the mentorship program74 7b7 ,covered individual defined ,in this section1 the term covered individual means-- 7#a7 an individual in the position of ,facility ,director1 ,chief of ,staff1 ,associate ,director of ,patient ,care ,services1 ,associate ,director1 ,assistant ,director1 or ,deputy ,director at a medical center of the ,department2 or 7#b7 any other employee of the ,department who is determined by the ,secretary to be an executive leader at a medical center of the ,department4 7c7 ,eligibility ,the following employees of the ,department are eligible for participation as mentees in the mentorship program3 7#a7 ,an employee appointed to a position as a covered individual who has been in that position for less than one year4 7#b7 ,a covered individual employed at a medical center of the ,department 7regardless of appointment commencement date7 that meets one or more of the following criteria3 7,a7 ,reports poor performance1 as defined by the ,secretary1 on the ,strategic ,analytics for ,improvement and ,learning ,value ,model of the ,department1 or successor similar model4 7,b7 ,reports data under section #agjc;,c7a77#c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as published on the ,access to ,care website of the ,department1 or successor similar website1 that-- 7i7 does not consistently meet the level reported in the community surrounding such medical center1 as determined by the ,secretary2 or 7ii7 does not meet a threshold level determined by the ,secretary4 7,c7 ,has one or more recommendations from a report by the ,office of ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that is still open more than one year after the report was published4 7#c7 ,a covered individual employed at a medical center of the ,department 7regardless of appointment commencement date7 who is recommended by the ,director of the ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network overseeing such medical center4 7d7 ,criteria for peer mentors ,each peer mentor to be paired with a mentee under subsection 7a7 shall meet each of the following criteria3 7#a7 ,previous or current employment in the same position title as the mentee4 7#b7 ,employment in that position for not less than two years4 7#c7 ,employment at a medical center of the ,department that reports-- 7,a7 above average performance1 as defined by the ,secretary1 on the ,strategic ,analytics for ,improvement and ,learning ,value ,model of the ,department1 or successor similar model2 and 7,b7 data under section #agjc;,c7a77#c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as published on the ,access to ,care website of the ,department1 or successor similar website1 that exceeds the level reported in the community surrounding such medical center1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7e7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for an additional three years1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the mentorship program1 including-- 7#a7 the number of mentees and peer mentors participating in the mentorship program1 disaggregated by medical center of the ,department2 7#b7 the number of mentor-mentee pairings initiated under each of the eligibility criteria outlined in paragraphs 7#a71 7#b71 and 7#c7 of subsection 7c71 including information on any circumstances in which multiple criteria under such paragraphs were met2 7#c7 a description of the actions taken by the ,department to encourage communication between mentees and peer mentors2 7#d7 aggregated feedback from participants in the mentorship program2 and 7#e7 the turnover rate for covered individuals4 #bac4 ,requirement for equivalent role postings for vacant positions at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,whenever possible and practicable1 if the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs is issuing a posting for vacant positions at the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that may be filled by more than one type of professional or clinician1 the ,secretary shall issue postings for all possible clinicians or professionals who could fill the position4 7b7 ,application to certain positions ,the ,secretary shall consider the requirement under subsection 7a7 in particular with respect to hard-to-recruit1 hard-to-retain1 primary care1 and mental health care positions4 #bad4 ,hiring processes 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #g of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #gja the following new section3 #gjb4 ,hiring processes 7a7 ,standardized approval process for filling vacant positions 7#a7 ,process required 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a standardized1 nationwide approval process for filling vacant employment positions within the ,department4 7,b7 ,variability ,the process required by subparagraph 7,a7 may be different for each type of employment position in the ,department4 7,c7 ,approval windows ,the process required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall include a standardized approval window for each approval step4 7#b7 ,timeline ,for any employment position going through the process established under subparagraph 7,a7 of paragraph 7#a71 if the time for a step in the approval process exceeds five business days beyond the allotted time set forth under subparagraph 7,c7 of such paragraph1 it shall be automatically approved4 7#c7 ,delegation ,if the approval authority for a step in the hiring process established under paragraph 7#a7 is vacant1 on leave1 or otherwise unable to respond to requests for approval1 such authority for approval will be delegated to the supervisor of such approval authority or such other designee as may be specified in the chain of command4 7#d7 ,time to fill goal ,each window of time allotted for each approval step under paragraph 7#a77;,c7 when added together shall not exceed the goal of the ,department to fill window for that employment position4 7b7 ,standardized process for creating1 editing1 and approving facility-,specific lists 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall develop a standardized1 nationwide process for creating1 editing1 and approving facility-specific hard-to-recruit or hard-to-retain lists4 7#b7 ,extended authority ,under the process required by paragraph 7#a71 flexibilities1 authorities1 and policies regarding a list created with such process may be considered applicable for #ij days after an employment position in the ,department is no longer on the list and for any posting for that position that was vacant at the time the position dropped off the hard-to-recruit or hard-to-retain list4 7c7 ,process for tentative offers of employment ,the ,secretary shall develop a standardized process for issuing tentative offers of employment with the ,department and such process shall require that each such offer includes a specified rate of basic pay4 7d7 ,third-,party contracts ,the ,secretary may conduct laboratory testing1 background clearances1 and other candidate approval and vetting procedures through a contract with a third party4 7e7 ,electronic signatures 7#a7 ,authority ,the ,secretary shall allow electronic signatures on any hiring1 recruitment1 retention1 or other employment documents once a standardized process for such signatures is developed and implemented4 7#b7 ,standardized process ,the ,secretary shall develop a standardized process for use of electronic signatures as described in paragraph 7#a71 which shall include exceptions and limitations as the ,secretary considers appropriate and that allows for use of electronic signatures for employment documents1 including standard form #aaeb and related successor forms1 ,,sf #bhbc and related successor forms1 and ,,sf #cajb-;,,fers and related successor forms4 7f7 ,employee community building program ,the ,secretary shall establish an employee community building program that connects employees in similar positions1 offices1 and programs to connect with each other nationwide4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #g of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #gja the following new item3 #gjb4 ,hiring processes4 4 #bae4 ,staffing models 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #gd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #gdae4 ,staffing models 7a7 ,staffing models ,the ,secretary shall establish a staffing model for each service or program within the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7b7 ,reevaluation ,the ,secretary shall reevaluate each staffing model established under subsection 7a7 not less frequently than once every #e years4 7c7 ,consultation ,in establishing and reevaluating staffing models under this section1 the ,secretary shall consult with the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department1 labor representatives1 veterans service organizations1 and appropriate professional associations4 7d7 ,reporting 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives a report containing any staffing model or reevaluation of a staffing model under this section1 including any feedback provided under paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,feedback 7,a7 ,in general ,before submitting under paragraph 7#a7 a report containing any staffing model or reevaluation of a staffing model1 the ,secretary shall submit such model or reevaluation to the entities specified under subsection 7c7 for feedback4 7,b7 ,incorporation of feedback ,the ,secretary shall include in the report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 any original documents1 a description of feedback provided under subparagraph 7,a71 and the new documents updated with such feedback4 7#c7 ,elements ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a description of-- 7i7 the staffing model for each service or program within the ,veterans ,health ,administration2 7ii7 where and how the staffing model shall be applied2 and 7iii7 the rationale for such staffing model2 7,b7 an identification of the ratio of staff required to administer such service or program to the number of veterans served by such service or program2 and 7,c7 such other matters as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #gdad the following new item3 #gdae4 ,staffing models4 4 #baf4 ,telework policy 7a7 ,policy required ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 in accordance with the requirements of this section and the requirements of section #fejb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 establish a policy for telework within the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for all employees of the ,department4 7b7 ,default status ,the policy established pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall establish the default status for employees as being allowed to telework with exemptions outlined for employees who must perform some or all of their work in person due to the nature of their work or because they do not meet the requirements for telework permission set forth in section #fejb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 as of the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,report on savings ,not later than one year after the date on which the policy established pursuant to subsection 7a7 goes into effect1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives a report on amounts saved each year because of the number of employees who are permitted to telework4 7d7 ,effective date and changes 7#a7 ,effective date of initial policy ,the initial policy established by pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall go into effect not later than #ahj days after the date on which the policy is established4 7#b7 ,effective date of subsequent changes ,any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection 7a7 after the effective date set forth in paragraph 7#a7 shall take effect not less than one year after the date on which the change is made4 7#c7 ,notice ,for any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection 7a7 after the effective date set forth in paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall1 not later than one year after the date on which the change is made-- 7,a7 notify all affected employees of the ,department2 7,b7 submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the changes2 and 7,c7 make available to the public a copy of the changes4 7e7 ,relation to memoranda ,the policy established pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall supplant any memoranda signed by the ,president or the ,secretary to the degree that such memoranda conflict with such policy4 ,c ,education #bba4 ,establishment of ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #gf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter3 ,x ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program #gfii;,c4 ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program 7a7 ,in general ,as part of the ,educational ,assistance ,program1 the ,secretary shall carry out a program under this subchapter to provide-- 7#a7 scholarships under section #gfii;,c-#a of this title2 and 7#b7 lump sum education debt reduction under section #gfii;,c-#b of this title4 7b7 ,name of program ,the program under this subchapter shall be known as the ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program 7in this subchapter referred to as the ,program74 #gfii;,c-#a4 ,scholarships 7a7 ,covered costs ,a scholarship provided to an individual under the ,program shall consist of payment of reasonable education expenses of the individual for a course of education or training described in subsection 7b77#c71 including tuition1 fees1 books1 and laboratory expenses4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an individual is eligible to receive a scholarship under the ,program if the individual-- 7#a7 is an employee of the ,department serving as a medical support assistant1 advanced medical support assistant1 lead medical support assistant1 or supervisory medical support assistant2 7#b7 as of the date on which the individual submits an application for participation in the ,program1 has been continuously employed by the ,department in one or more of the positions specified in paragraph 7#a7 for a period of not less than two years2 7#c7 has been accepted for enrollment or is enrolled as a student in a course of education or training-- 7,a7 listed as a requirement for any shortage occupation position1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7,b7 related to business1 health care administration1 or human resources2 or 7,c7 completion of which results in any other degree or certification that the ,secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the ,program2 and 7#d7 has a record of employment with the ,department that1 in the judgment of the ,secretary1 demonstrates a high likelihood that the individual will be successful in completing such course of education or training and in gaining employment in a field related to such course of education or training4 7c7 ,period of obligated service 7#a7 ,agreement 7,a7 ,in general ,an agreement between the ,secretary and a participant under the ,program who seeks a scholarship under this section1 in addition to the requirements set forth in section #gfjd of this title1 shall include the following3 7i7 ,the agreement of the ,secretary to provide the participant with a scholarship under the ,program for a specified number of school years1 which may not exceed the credit equivalent of four full school years1 during which the participant pursues a course of education or training described in subsection 7b77#c7 that meets the requirements set forth in section #gfjb7;a7 of this title4 7ii7 ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the agreement of the participant to serve as a full-time employee in the ,department in a position described in subsection 7b77#c77;,a7 for a period of time1 not less than one year1 that is equal to the period of the course of education or training for which a scholarship is provided under this section 7in this section referred to as the period of obligated service of the participant74 7,b7 ,part-time students ,in the case of a participant who is a part-time student during a school year with respect to which a scholarship is provided to the participant under this section1 the period of obligated service of the participant incurred during that school year shall be reduced in accordance with the proportion that the number of credit hours carried by the participant in that school year bears to the number of credit hours required to be carried by a full-time student in the course of education or training pursued by the participant during that school year1 but in no event may the total period of obligated service of the participant be reduced to less than one year4 7#b7 ,service commencement date 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,f7 or 7,g71 not later than #fj days before the service commencement date of a participant under this section1 the ,secretary shall notify the participant of that service commencement date4 ,that date is the beginning of the period of obligated service of the participant4 7,b7 ,doctors and similar health care professionals ,in the case of a participant receiving a degree from a school of medicine1 osteopathy1 dentistry1 optometry1 or podiatry1 the service commencement date of the participant is the date the participant becomes licensed to practice medicine1 osteopathy1 dentistry1 optometry1 or podiatry1 as the case may be1 in a ,state4 7,c7 ,nurses ,in the case of a participant receiving a degree from a school of nursing1 the service commencement date of the participant is the later of-- 7i7 the course completion date of the participant2 or 7ii7 the date the participant becomes licensed as a registered nurse in a ,state4 7,d7 ,other health care professionals ,in the case of a participant not covered by subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,c71 the service commencement date of the participant is the later of-- 7i7 the course completion date of the participant2 or 7ii7 the date the participant meets any applicable licensure or certification requirements4 7,e7 ,treatment of part-time students ,the ,secretary shall specify the service commencement date for participants who were part-time students1 which shall include terms as similar as practicable to the terms set forth in subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,d74 7,f7 ,service during course of education or training ,a participant may serve the period of obligated service of the participant1 or any portion of such period of obligated service1 during the period in which the participant is enrolled as a student in a course of education or training under subsection 7b77#c7 if the participant is employed in a position described in subparagraph 7,a7 of such subsection4 7,g7 ,service following licensure or ongoing training ,with respect to a participant who is licensed but may enter a residency or similar training program1 the ,secretary may adjust the beginning of the period of obligated service of the participant to begin following completion of the residency or similar training program4 7,h7 ,course completion date defined ,in this section1 the term course completion date means the date on which a participant under this section completes the course of education or training of the participant under this section4 7d7 ,liability for breach of agreement 7#a7 ,liability during course of education or training 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 a participant under this section shall be liable to the ,united ,states for the amount that has been paid to or on behalf of the participant under the agreement under subsection 7c77#a7 if any of the following occurs3 7i7 ,the participant fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the educational institution in which the participant is enrolled 7as determined by the educational institution pursuant to direction by the ,secretary74 7ii7 ,the participant is dismissed from such educational institution for disciplinary reasons4 7iii7 ,the participant voluntarily terminates the course of education or training in such educational institution before the completion of such course of education or training4 7iv7 ,the participant1 as applicable1 during a period of time determined by the ,secretary-- 7,i7 fails to become licensed to practice medicine1 osteopathy1 dentistry1 podiatry1 or optometry in a ,state2 7,,ii7 fails to become licensed as a registered nurse in a ,state2 or 7,,iii7 in the case of any other health-care personnel who is not covered under subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii71 fails to meet any applicable licensure or certification requirement4 7,b7 ,in lieu of service obligation ,liability under this paragraph is in lieu of any period of obligated service arising under the agreement of the participant under subsection 7c77#a74 7#b7 ,liability during period of obligated service ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 if a participant under this section breaches the agreement under subsection 7c77#a7 by failing for any reason to complete the period of obligated service of the participant1 the ,united ,states shall be entitled to recover from the participant an amount equal to-- 7,a7 the total amount paid under this section to the participant2 multiplied by 7,b7 a fraction-- 7i7 the numerator of which is-- 7,i7 the total number of months in the period of obligated service of the participant2 minus 7,,ii7 the number of months served by the participant2 and 7ii7 the denominator of which is the total number of months in the period of obligated service of the participant4 7#c7 ,limitation on liability for reduction in force ,liability shall not arise under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 in the case of a individual covered by either such paragraph if the individual does not obtain1 or fails to maintain1 employment as an employee of the ,department due to staffing changes approved by the ,secretary4 7e7 ,payment of amounts and limitations 7#a7 ,total amount for a school year ,the total amount of a scholarship payable to a participant under this section-- 7,a7 may not exceed #bj1jjj for the equivalent of one year of full-time coursework in a course of education or training2 or 7,b7 in the case of a participant who is a part-time student1 may not exceed an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount that would be paid under subparagraph 7,a7 if the student were a full-time student in the course of education or training being pursued by the participant as the coursework carried by the participant compares to full-time coursework in that course of education or training4 7#b7 ,maximum number of school years 7,a7 ,total years ,the number of school years for which a scholarship may be paid to a participant under this section may not exceed eight school years4 7,b7 ,full-time equivalent ,a participant may not receive a scholarship under this section for more than the equivalent of four years of full-time coursework4 7#c7 ,maximum total amount ,the total amount paid to or on behalf of a participant through a scholarship under this section may not exceed #hj1jjj4 7#d7 ,payment of educational expenses by educational institutions ,the ,secretary may arrange with an educational institution in which a participant under this section is enrolled for the payment of education expenses under subsection 7a74 ,such payments may be made without regard to subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of section #ccbd of title #ca4 #gfii;,c-#b4 ,lump sum education debt reduction 7a7 ,covered costs ,lump sum education debt reduction provided by the ,secretary under this section to an individual shall consist of payment of principal and interest under a loan1 the proceeds of which were used by or on behalf of that individual to pay costs relating to a course of education or training1 including tuition expenses and other reasonable educational expenses1 including fees1 books1 laboratory expenses1 and reasonable living expenses4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an individual is eligible to receive lump sum education debt repayment under this section if the individual-- 7#a7 owes any amount of principal and interest under a loan1 the proceeds of which were used by or on behalf of that individual to pay costs relating to a course of education or training2 7#b7 commits to a period of obligated service under subsection 7d72 and 7#c7 has been offered employment in the ,department in the position of a medical support assistant1 advanced medical support assistant1 lead medical support assistant1 or supervisory medical support assistant4 7c7 ,payments 7#a7 ,in general ,a lump sum education debt reduction payment under this section shall consist of a payment to a participant under this section of an amount not to exceed the lesser of-- 7,a7 the principal and interest on loans described in subsection 7a7 that is outstanding for such participant at the time of the payment2 or 7,b7 #dj1jjj4 7#b7 ,proof of use of amounts ,participants under this section in receipt of a lump sum education debt reduction payment under this section must provide proof of payment verifying the full lump sum payment received was paid to the lender for the loan held by such participant not later than #de days after receiving the lump sum payment4 7d7 ,period of obligated service 7#a7 ,in general ,in exchange for a one-time lump sum education debt payment under this section1 a participant under this section shall agree to be employed for not less than three years at the ,department 7in this section referred to as the period of obligated service74 7#b7 ,positions of employment 7,a7 ,medical support ,not fewer than two of the years of the period of obligated service of a participant under this section shall be served in the position of medical support assistant1 advanced medical support assistant1 lead medical support assistant1 or supervisory medical support assistant of the ,department4 7,b7 ,hard-to-hire or hard-to-recruit ,the remainder of any period of obligated service not covered under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be served in a hard-to-hire or hard-to-recruit position as determined by the ,secretary4 7e7 ,liability during period of obligated service 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 if a participant under this section fails to complete the period of obligated service of the participant for any reason1 the ,united ,states shall be entitled to recover from the participant an amount equal to-- 7,a7 the total amount paid under this section to the participant2 multiplied by 7,b7 a fraction-- 7i7 the numerator of which is-- 7,i7 the total number of months in the period of obligated service of the participant2 minus 7,,ii7 the number of months served by the participant2 and 7ii7 the denominator of which is the total number of months in the period of obligated service of the participant4 7#b7 ,exception ,liability shall not arise under paragraph 7#a7 in the case of an individual covered by that paragraph if the individual does not obtain1 or fails to maintain1 employment as an employee of the ,department due to staffing changes approved by the ,secretary4 #gfii;,c-#c4 ,administration 7a7 ,outreach 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall develop an outreach program to ,tribal ,colleges and ,universities1 historically ,black colleges and universities1 high schools in rural areas1 community colleges1 transition assistance programs for members of the ,armed ,forces transitioning to civilian life1 and spouses of such members to provide information about the ,program4 7#b7 ,tribal ,college or ,university defined ,in this subsection1 the term ,tribal ,college or ,university has the meaning given that term under section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 7b7 ,mentors ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a mentor or mentors are available for each individual participating in the ,program at the facility at which the individual is employed4 #gfii;,c-#d4 ,limitation ,no individual may receive both a scholarship under section #gfii;,c-#a of this title and a lump sum education debt reduction under section #gfii;,c-#b of this title4 #gfii;,c-#e4 ,termination ,the authority to carry out the ,program shall terminate on the date that is #aj years after the date of the enactment of the ,honor ,act of #bjbe4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,,subchapter ,x--,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program,sec4#gfii;,c4 ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program4#gfii;,c-#a4 ,scholarships4#gfii;,c-#b4 ,lump sum education debt reduction4#gfii;,c-#c4 ,administration4#gfii;,c-#d4 ,limitation4#gfii;,c-#e4 ,termination4 4 7c7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,establishment of program ,section #gfja7;a7 of such title is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking and2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#g71 by striking the period and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#h7 the program to provide scholarships and lump sum education debt reduction provided for in subchapter ,x of this chapter4 4 7#b7 ,eligibility ,section #gfjb of such title is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a77#a7-- 7i7 by striking or ,,ix and inserting ,,ix1 or ,x2 7ii7 by striking or for which a scholarship and inserting for which a scholarship2 and 7iii7 by inserting or for which a scholarship or lump sum education debt reduction may be provided under subchapter ,x of this chapter1 before as the case may be2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking or ,,ix and inserting ,,ix1 or ,x4 7#c7 ,application ,section #gfjc7;a77#a7 of such title is amended by striking or ,,ix and inserting ,,ix1 or ,x4 7#d7 ,terms of agreement ,section #gfjd of such title is amended by striking or ,,ix each place it appears and inserting ,,ix1 or ,x4 7#e7 ,annual report ,section #gfcb of such title is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and the ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program and inserting the ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program1 and the ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking and per participant in the ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program and inserting per participant in the ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program1 and per participant in the ,start and ,stay at ,,va ,program4 #bbb4 ,building and maintenance professionals educational assistance program 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #gf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #bba7;a71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter3 ,,xi ,build and ,maintain ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,program #gfii;,d4 ,requirement for program 7a7 ,in general ,as part of the ,educational ,assistance ,program1 the ,secretary shall carry out a program under this subchapter to provide education and employment assistance under this subchapter4 7b7 ,name of program ,the program under this subchapter shall be known as the ,build and ,maintain ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,program 7in this subchapter referred to as the ,program74 #gfii;,d-#a4 ,education and employment assistance 7a7 ,covered costs ,a scholarship provided to an individual under the ,program shall consist of payment of reasonable education expenses of the individual for a course of education or training described in subsection 7b71 including tuition1 fees1 books1 and laboratory expenses4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an individual is eligible to receive a scholarship under the ,program if the individual has been accepted for enrollment or is enrolled as a student in a course of education or training related to qualifications required by the ,department in order to be eligible for employment as-- 7#a7 a heating1 air conditioning1 industrial or boiler plant equipment mechanic2 7#b7 a boiler plant1 utility systems1 or air conditioning equipment operator2 7#c7 a general1 biomedical1 or industrial engineer2 or 7#d7 other such positions related to infrastructure1 maintenance1 or facilities management deemed essential by the ,secretary for the operation of ,department facilities4 7c7 ,period of obligated service 7#a7 ,agreement ,an agreement between the ,secretary and a participant under the ,program who seeks a scholarship under this section1 in addition to the requirements set forth in section #gfjd of this title1 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,the agreement of the ,secretary to provide the participant with a scholarship under the ,program for a specified number of school years during which the participant pursues a course of education or training described in subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,subject to subparagraph 7,a71 the agreement of the participant to serve as a full-time employee in the ,department in a position described in subsection 7b7 for a specified period of time 7in this section referred to as the period of obligated service of the participant74 7#b7 ,service commencement date 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,f7 or 7,g71 not later than #fj days before the service commencement date of a participant under this section1 the ,secretary shall notify the participant of that service commencement date4 ,that date is the beginning of the period of obligated service of the participant4 7,b7 ,service commencement date ,the service commencement date of the participant is the later of-- 7i7 the course completion date of the participant2 or 7ii7 the date the participant meets any applicable licensure or certification requirements4 7,c7 ,treatment of part-time students ,the ,secretary shall specify the service commencement date for participants who were part-time students1 which shall include terms as similar as practicable to the terms set forth in subparagraph 7,b74 7,d7 ,service during course of education or training ,a participant may serve the period of obligated service of the participant1 or any portion of such period of obligated service1 during the period in which the participant is enrolled as a student in a course of education or training under subsection 7b7 as deemed appropriate by the ,secretary4 7,e7 ,service following licensure or ongoing training ,with respect to a participant who is licensed but may enter a related and appropriate further training program1 the ,secretary may adjust the beginning of the period of obligated service of the participant to begin following completion or desertion of the additional training4 7d7 ,termination ,the authority to carry out the ,program shall terminate on the date that is #aj years after the date of the enactment of the ,honor ,act of #bjbe4 #gfii;,d-#b4 ,partnerships ,as part of the ,program1 the ,secretary may coordinate and develop partnerships and agreements with training programs and schools with the capability of providing the education required to fill the types of positions outlined in section #gfii;,d-#a7;b74 #gfii;,d-#c4 ,administration 7a7 ,outreach 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall develop an outreach program to ,tribal ,colleges and ,universities1 historically ,black colleges and universities1 high schools in rural areas1 community colleges1 transition assistance programs for members of the ,armed ,forces transitioning to civilian life1 and spouses of such members to provide information about the ,program4 7#b7 ,tribal ,college or ,university defined ,in this subsection1 the term ,tribal ,college or ,university has the meaning given that term under section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 7b7 ,mentors ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a mentor or mentors are available for each individual participating in the ,program at the facility at which the individual is employed4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,,subchapter ,,xi--,build and ,maintain ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,program,sec4#gfii;,d4 ,requirement for program4#gfii;,d-#a4 ,education and ,employment ,assistance4#gfii;,d-#b4 ,partnerships4#gfii;,d-#c4 ,administration4 4 #bbc4 ,expansion of reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses 7a7 ,in general ,section #gdaa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #gdaa4 ,reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall reimburse certain full-time health care professionals of the ,department for expenses incurred for continuing professional education in amounts as follows3 7#a7 ,with respect to any physician1 dentist1 podiatrist1 chiropractor1 optometrist1 registered nurse1 or physician assistant appointed under section #gdja7a7 of this title1 not more than #a1jjj per year for each such individual4 7#b7 ,with respect to any licensed practical or vocational nurse including but not limited to nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses1 medical technologist1 pharmacist1 pharmacy technician1 psychologist1 diagnostic radiologic technologist1 or social worker appointed under section #gdja7c7 of this title1 not more than #a1jjj per year for each such individual4 7b7 ,report required 7#a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than annually after the end of the first fiscal year following the date of the enactment of the ,honor ,act of #bjbe1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives information on utilization of reimbursement under subsection 7a71 including-- 7,a7 locations at which reimbursement is claimed2 7,b7 position title and specialty of the individual claiming reimbursement2 7,c7 average amount claimed per position and specialty2 and 7,d7 percent utilization by each position and specialty overall4 7#b7 ,authority to include in existing report ,the information required under paragraph 7#a7 may be submitted independently or included in another annual report to ,congress4 7c7 ,priority reimbursements ,in providing reimbursement under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall prioritize reimbursement for-- 7#a7 individuals providing direct patient care or individuals who are decision-makers for direct patient care2 and 7#b7 professional education directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position of the employee or related to the position or positions of employees overseen by the employee4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of subchapter ,i of chapter #gd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the item relating to section #gdaa and inserting the following new item3 #gdaa4 ,reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses4 4 #bbd4 ,payment of licensure exam costs for recipients of scholarships from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall pay the costs of any licensing examinations and certifications required by the ,secretary for any current recipient of a covered health professional scholarship from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,licensing examinations and certifications ,subsection 7a7 shall apply to the payment of costs for-- 7#a7 the ,united ,states ,medical ,licensing ,examination ,step #a1 ,step #b1 and ,step #c2 7#b7 the ,national ,council ,licensure ,exam2 7#c7 the ,national ,board ,dental ,examination2 7#d7 the ,national ,board ,dental ,hygiene ,examination2 7#e7 the ,dental ,licensure ,objective ,structured ,clinical ,examination and ,integrated ,national ,board ,dental ,examination2 7#f7 the ,national ,licensing ,exams for ,registered ,nurses1 ,nurse ,practitioners1 ,nurse ,midwives1 ,clinical ,nurse ,specialists1 and ,certified ,registered ,nurse ,anesthetists2 7#g7 the ,american ,podiatric ,medical ,licensing ,exam2 7#h7 the ,national ,board of ,examiners in ,optometry ,exam2 7#i7 the ,physician ,assistant ,national ,certification ,exam2 7#aj7 the ,examination for ,professional ,practice in ,psychology2 7#aa7 the ,academy for ,certification of ,vision ,rehabilitation and ,education ,professionals certification examinations2 7#ab7 the ,association of ,social ,workers ,boards ,exam2 7#ac7 the ,national ,physical ,therapy ,licensing ,examination for ,physical ,therapists2 7#ad7 ,the ,board of ,registration ,examination for ,kinesiotherapy2 and 7#ae7 such other licensing examinations and certifications as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and not less frequently than annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the implementation of this section that includes the following data for each ,state and territory of the ,united ,states for the one-year period preceding the date of the report3 7#a7 ,utilization by the ,secretary of the requirement under subsection 7a7 broken down by position and career type4 7#b7 ,number of times each examination or certification described in subsection 7b7 was paid for by the ,department and total funds expended by the ,department for each such examination or certification4 7d7 ,covered health professional scholarship defined ,in this section1 the term covered health professional scholarship means-- 7#a7 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,health ,professional ,scholarship ,program under subchapter ,,ii of chapter #gf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 7#b7 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,employee ,incentive ,scholarship ,program under subchapter ,,vi of such chapter1 including-- 7,a7 the ,national ,nursing ,education ,initiative2 and 7,b7 the ,,va ,national ,education for ,employees ,program2 7#c7 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,readjustment ,counseling ,service ,scholarship ,program under subchapter ,,ix of such chapter2 7#d7 the ,visual ,impairment and ,orientation and ,mobility ,professionals ,scholarship ,program under chapter #ge of such title2 7#e7 the ,veterans ,healing ,veterans ,medical ,access and ,scholarship ,program under section #cjd of the ,,va ,,mission ,act of #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ahb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja note72 7#f7 the ,physician ,assistant ,education and ,training ,pilot ,program for ,former ,members of the ,armed ,forces under section #bdf of division ,j of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act of #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ada2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja note72 and 7#g7 such other programs as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 ,d ,reports #bca4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs personnel transparency 7a7 ,in general ,section #eje of the ,john ,s4 ,mc,cain ,,iii1 ,daniel ,k4 ,akaka1 and ,samuel ,r4 ,johnson ,,va ,maintaining ,internal ,systems and ,strengthening ,integrated ,outside ,networks ,act of #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ahb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #cja note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the matter before subparagraph 7,a71 by striking information1 and all that follows through facility3 and inserting information32 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7,i7 by inserting 7i7 before ,the number2 and 7,,ii7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7ii7 ,information made available under this subparagraph shall be updated not less frequently than once each quarter to account for delays in data processing and shall reflect the most recently available data4 2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking vacancies1 by occupation4 and inserting positions currently undergoing a recruitment action1 disaggregated by occupation and by stage of recruitment1 including ,manager ,request ,initiation ,stage1 recruitment stage1 onboarding stage1 and waiting to start stage1 or successor stages if modified42 7iv7 in subparagraph 7,e77iii71 by striking potential hires or2 and 7v7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,f7 ,the number of positions vacated during the quarter for which the ,department has not initiated a recruitment action1 including the date the position was vacated1 disaggregated by occupation4 2 7,b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 7,c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following new paragraph 7#e73 7#e7 ,display of information ,the display of information made publicly available on an internet website of the ,department pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 shall be disaggregated-- 7,a7 by departmental component2 7,b7 in the case of information relating to ,veterans ,health ,administration positions1 by medical facility2 and 7,c7 in the case of information relating to ,veterans ,benefits ,administration positions1 by regional office4 2 and 7,d7 in paragraph 7#f71 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b71 by striking shall and all that follows and inserting the following3 8shall-- 7,a7 review the administration of the website required under paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 develop recommendations relating to the improvement of such administration2 and 7,c7 submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report containing-- 7i7 the findings of the ,inspector ,general with respect to the most recent review conducted under subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 the recommendations most recently developed under subparagraph 7,b74 2 and 7#b7 by amending subsection 7b7 to read as follows3 7b7 ,annual report ,each year1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress an annual report that includes the following3 7#a7 ,a description of the steps the ,department is taking to achieve full staffing capacity4 7#b7 ,a description of the actions the ,department is taking to improve the onboard timeline for facilities of the ,department1 including-- 7,a7 in the case of facilities of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 for facilities for which the duration of the onboarding process exceeds the metrics laid out in the ,time to ,hire ,model of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 or successor model2 and 7,b7 in the case of ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 for regional offices that exceed the time-to-hire target of the ,office of ,personnel ,management4 7#c7 ,the amount of additional funds necessary to enable the ,department to reach full staffing capacity4 7#d7 ,such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the ,secretary may have in order to achieve full staffing capacity at the ,department4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act and shall apply with respect to the first update under section #eje7;a77#c7 of such ,act beginning after the date of the enactment of this ,act and each update thereafter4 #bcb4 ,report on ,grow ,our ,own ,program ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives a report on-- 7#a7 the implementation of the pilot program under section #bdf of the ,military ,construction1 ,veterans ,affairs1 and ,related ,agencies ,appropriations ,act1 #bjah 7division ,j of ,public ,law #aae-ada2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja note72 7#b7 the current status of such pilot program2 and 7#c7 the status of such pilot program since the origin of such pilot program4 #bcc4 ,provision of data on educational assistance programs of ,veterans ,health ,administration 7a7 ,in general ,beginning not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall provide to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives data on graduate medical education programs1 health profession scholarship programs1 and any other educational assistance programs within the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7b7 ,elements ,the data required to be provided under subsection 7a7 shall include1 for each program1 the following3 7#a7 ,the number of active participants1 broken down by position or expected future position or licensure4 7#b7 ,the amount of funds spent each fiscal year4 7#c7 ,the number of participants who have completed their education and are currently completing their service requirements at the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#d7 ,the number of participants who were previously active in the program but left the program before completing their education or service requirement during the year preceding the date on which the data is provided4 7#e7 ,an overview of outreach by the ,department to prospective participants in the program4 7#f7 ,such other information as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,update and submittal of data ,the data required to be provided under subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 shall be updated not less frequently than annually2 and 7#b7 may be submitted to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives as part of another report required by law4 ,,iii ,infrastructure matters #cja4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,capital asset ,the term capital asset means the physical infrastructure1 land1 buildings1 and other related items under the operation and control of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including the information technology and other support systems needed to ensure physical space can be used to deliver intended services and functions of the ,department4 ,a ,investing in ,department of ,veterans infrastructure to increase capacity to serve veterans #caa4 ,authorization of funding for certain land acquisitions for medical facilities of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,section #hajd7;a77#b77;,a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,no funds and inserting 7i7 ,no funds2 7#b7 by inserting land acquisition or before advance planning2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7ii7 ,the exception under clause 7i7 for land acquisition shall apply only to a major medical facility project that has been included in the five-year development plan1 or any successor similar plan1 of the ,department included in the budget of the ,president for a fiscal year submitted under section #aaje7;a7 of title #ca4 4 #cab4 ,detachment of congressional committee approval requests of major medical facility leases from annual budget submission of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,section #hajd7;b77#b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended1 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7 by striking 1 on the same day14 #cac4 ,improvement of capital asset staffing of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,capital asset personnel of the ,department 7#a7 ,requirement for dedicated offices and sufficient staff 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #edj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall ensure that the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs has dedicated offices or entities and sufficient staff1 including at each medical center of the ,department1 to conduct relevant critical responsibilities for the life-cycle of capital asset management at the local1 regional1 and central office level4 7,b7 ,offices and staff included ,the requirement for offices or entities and sufficient staff under subparagraph 7,a7 may include ensuring such mix as the ,secretary considers appropriate of personnel with duties from the following categories3 7i7 ,facility planning4 7ii7 ,long-range capital planning4 7iii7 ,management of projects and capital assets relating to the execution of major construction projects1 minor construction projects1 major leases1 minor leases1 nonrecurring maintenance1 and related matters at medical centers and facilities of the ,department in the surrounding catchment areas of those centers and facilities4 7iv7 ,property disposal or transfer1 environmental remediation1 and historic preservation4 7v7 ,engineering1 including matters relating to seismic repairs and projects4 7vi7 ,maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure4 7vii7 ,the collection of views of veterans and employees of the ,department to understand the capital assets needs of the ,department4 7viii7 ,other relevant functions relating to the full life-cycle of capital asset management of the ,department1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,tasks ,to the greatest extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall ensure that each of the categories of duties under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 are assigned to a different individual or group of individuals so as-- 7,a7 to organize common work in a cohesive manner2 and 7,b7 not to overburden a small number of individuals with such requirements4 7#c7 ,lead official ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 designate one individual as the lead senior official responsible for integration and coordination of1 and accountability for1 the evaluation of the capital asset workforce needs of the ,department1 to include the workforce staffing model established under paragraph 7#d71 and the ongoing implementation and monitoring of actions to ensure adequate capital asset staffing across the ,department1 including those at the field1 regional1 and central offices of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 the ,national ,cemetery ,administration1 the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 and the ,office of ,acquisition1 ,logistics1 and ,construction2 and 7,b7 notify the appropriate committees of ,congress who have been designated under subparagraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,staffing model 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a staffing model for the relevant administrations1 staff offices1 and other elements of the ,department to carry out paragraph 7#a7 that-- 7i7 ensures a minimum base level of capital asset staffing2 and 7ii7 is adjusted based on the volume and complexity of capital asset work of a particular facility1 catchment area1 region1 or central office responsibility4 7,b7 ,update ,the ,secretary shall update the staffing model under subparagraph 7,a7 regularly to ensure it is effective in carrying out paragraph 7#a74 7#e7 ,treatment of ,states and territories without a medical center ,in the case of a ,state or territory of the ,united ,states in which the ,department does not operate a full-service medical center1 the ,secretary shall1 in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 ensure1 to the greatest extent practicable1 that the ,department has a dedicated office or entity and sufficient staff at the largest medical facility of the ,department in that ,state or territory1 and any reference in this section to a medical center shall be deemed to be a reference to that medical facility4 7#f7 ,purpose and intent 7,a7 ,in general ,the purpose of this subsection is to ensure that field1 regional1 and central offices of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs have an appropriately sized and credentialed capital asset workforce to allow for efficient and effective execution of their relevant segment of capital asset work4 7,b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this subsection is intended to mandate a realignment of capital asset workforce roles1 responsibilities1 and reporting structures4 7b7 ,qualifications ,the ,secretary shall ensure that appropriate professional certifications1 educational background1 and other qualifications are in effect for individuals employed in a position at a dedicated office or entity required by subsection 7a7 to manage the duties under the categories set forth under subsection 7a77#a77;,b74 7c7 ,duties of dedicated offices or entities at medical centers 7#a7 ,in general ,the duties of a dedicated office or entity required by subsection 7a7 at a medical center of the ,department may include such combination of the following duties as the ,secretary considers appropriate to achieve efficient and effective capital asset management and performance as it pertains to relevant activities at the field level3 7,a7 ,the development1 monitoring1 and implementation of capital asset objectives for the catchment area surrounding the medical center1 including community-based outpatient clinics and other sites of care of the ,department in that area4 7,b7 ,the coordination of capital asset management and planning with counterparts at other medical centers of the ,department in the region and facility planners for the ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network or ,networks in the region4 7,c7 ,effective delivery of capital asset projects4 7,d7 ,maintenance and repair of infrastructure4 7,e7 ,capital asset disposal or transfer1 environmental remediation1 and historic preservation4 7,f7 ,regularly monitoring state-of-the-art best practices in health care capital asset delivery and management4 7,g7 ,constantly monitoring the needs of veterans and employees of the ,department as it relates to medical space and services at the medical center and facilities in the catchment area surrounding the medical center to forward plan and identify and submit plans1 through processes of the ,department1 to meet those needs1 including by formulating local and regional capital improvement and asset management plans for medical facilities of the ,department through the regular collection of-- 7i7 views and expectations of veterans1 including as expressed by relevant local or national veterans service organizations1 in that area who are eligible users of health care and related services provided by the ,department with respect to-- 7,i7 preferences and needs of those veterans for the care received from medical facilities of the ,department in that area2 and 7,,ii7 the need for improvements and enhancements to infrastructure of the ,department2 and 7ii7 views of relevant medical staff of the ,department at the medical center and facilities in that catchment area regarding their preferences and needs for how to deliver health care to veterans and how those preferences impact the infrastructure needs of the ,department4 7,h7 ,understanding the capital asset policies1 procedures1 and directives of the ,department1 including those issued by the central office of the ,department1 the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks1 the ,office of ,acquisition1 ,logistics1 and ,construction1 the ,office of ,asset ,enterprise ,management1 the ,office of ,general ,counsel1 the ,office of ,information and ,technology1 or any successor offices1 and any other office of the ,department with significant responsibility over capital asset management and planning4 7,i7 ,implementing locally the policies1 procedures1 and directives described in subparagraph 7,h74 7,j7 ,providing feedback regarding ways in which the policies1 procedures and directives described in subparagraph 7,h7 can be improved4 7,k7 ,understanding the importance for collaboration and coordination among all relevant offices of the ,department1 including the ,office of ,acquisition1 ,logistics1 and ,construction1 the ,office of ,asset ,enterprise ,management1 the ,office of ,information and ,technology1 or successor offices with similar functions1 and other internal stakeholders as required to achieve success in all phases of capital asset management4 7#b7 ,collection of views and expectations 7,a7 ,in general ,views and expectations may be collected under paragraph 7#a77;,g7 through multiple channels and the process used for such collection shall ensure that the views and expectations collected provide a representative sample of the population from which such views and expectations are collected4 7,b7 ,confidentiality ,any information collected under paragraph 7#a77;,g7 shall be collected in a manner that provides an option for submission of views that are anonymous and confidential4 7,c7 ,inclusion of diverse viewpoints ,in collecting views and expectations of veterans and medical staff under paragraph 7#a77;,g71 an office1 entity1 or relevant staff described in subsection 7a7 for a medical center of the ,department shall ensure that the viewpoints of a diverse population of veterans being served by the medical center and medical staff of the medical center or in the catchment area of the medical center are captured4 7,d7 ,coordination with existing efforts of the ,department ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a77;,g7 and this paragraph1 the ,secretary shall use1 as the ,secretary considers appropriate1 existing efforts and expertise of the ,department through the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 the ,office of ,acquisition1 ,logistics1 and ,construction1 the ,office of ,asset ,enterprise ,management1 and the ,veterans ,experience ,office4 7,e7 ,usage of views and expectations ,the views and expectations collected under paragraph 7#a77;,g7 shall be used to inform the offices1 entities1 or relevant staff described in subsection 7a77#a7 and the broader leadership of medical centers and ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks of the ,department to develop plans for capital asset improvement4 7d7 ,development of standard process ,to solicit views on effectiveness 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary shall develop a standardized process to regularly solicit feedback from individuals and entities described in paragraph 7#b7 regarding the effectiveness of and ways to improve-- 7,a7 the infrastructure and capital asset management investment processes and procedures of the central office of the ,department and ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks of the ,department2 and 7,b7 the guidance of the central office and ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks regarding such processes and procedures to the medical centers1 facilities in the surrounding catchment areas of those medical centers1 and ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks1 as appropriate4 7#b7 ,individuals and entities described ,the individuals and entities described in this paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,each office1 entity1 or relevant staff described in subsection 7a77#a7 for a medical center of the ,department4 7,b7 ,medical staff of the ,department at facilities in the surrounding catchment area of the medical center4 7,c7 ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks4 7,d7 ,staff of offices within the central office of the ,department1 including the ,office of ,acquisition1 ,logistics1 and ,construction1 the ,office of ,asset ,enterprise ,management1 and the ,office of ,information and ,technology1 or successor offices with similar functions4 7,e7 ,the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 including the ,office of ,healthcare ,environment and ,facilities ,programs4 7,f7 ,such other offices as the ,secretary determines relevant4 7#c7 ,alignment with market area assessments ,to the degree practicable1 the ,secretary shall align the process developed and standardized under paragraph 7#a7 with the performance of market area assessments under section #gccj;,c7a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#d7 ,confidentiality ,any information collected under paragraph 7#a7 shall be collected in a manner that provides an option for submission of views that are anonymous and confidential4 7e7 ,use of report findings ,the ,secretary shall use the results of the report required under section #cbf in establishing the offices1 entities1 or organizational structures required under subsection 7a7 and carrying out any other requirements of this section4 #cad4 ,development of performance metrics of capital asset management by ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and monitoring for improvement 7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall-- 7#a7 develop meaningful and measurable goals and metrics-- 7,a7 to assess the performance of the capital asset management programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including those carried out by a non-,department ,federal entity under section #hajc7;e77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to allow the ,secretary to make sound decisions regarding construction1 leasing1 acquisition1 maintenance1 and disposal of capital assets2 and 7,b7 that are in alignment with strategic plans and budgets of the ,department and the mission of the ,department to serve veterans1 their families1 and caregivers2 7#b7 develop an internal dashboard or other tool to monitor progress towards meeting those goals2 7#c7 establish and implement internal governance processes to direct necessary changes to improve performance and achievement of those goals2 and 7#d7 submit to appropriate committees of ,congress a report on the development of the goals and metrics under paragraph 7#a7 and the implementation of the internal dashboard or other tool under paragraph 7#b7 and the internal governance process under paragraph 7#c74 7b7 ,internal dashboard ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the internal dashboard developed under subsection 7a77#b7 includes meaningful and relevant metrics that-- 7#a7 evaluate capital asset management performance of the ,department and provide relevant information to guide necessary improvements2 and 7#b7 are developed consistent with recommendations set forth by the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states4 #cae4 ,expansion of membership of the ,capital ,asset ,planning ,committee ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 in order to facilitate ,federal health infrastructure planning1 coordination1 and investment1 the ,deputy ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the ,under ,secretary of ,defense for ,personnel and ,readiness shall modify the membership of the ,capital ,asset ,planning ,committee established as a subordinate entity of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs-,department of ,defense ,joint ,executive ,committee established under section #cbj of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to include the following3 7#a7 ,not fewer than one officer or employee of the ,indian ,health ,service4 7#b7 ,not fewer than one officer or employee of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services who is not an employee of the ,indian ,health ,service4 #caf4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,minor construction ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 for the ,construction1 ,minor ,projects account1 the following3 7#a7 ,for fiscal year #bjbf1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,for fiscal year #bjbg1 #b1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,for fiscal year #bjbh1 #c1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,for fiscal year #bjbi1 #d1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,for fiscal year #bjcj1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#f7 ,for fiscal year #bjca1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#g7 ,for fiscal year #bjcb1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#h7 ,for fiscal year #bjcc1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#i7 ,for fiscal year #bjcd1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aj7 ,for fiscal year #bjce1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aa7 ,for fiscal year #bjcf1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#ab7 ,for fiscal year #bjcg1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7b7 ,major construction ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 for the ,construction1 ,major ,projects account1 the following3 7#a7 ,for fiscal year #bjbf1 #b1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,for fiscal year #bjbg1 #c1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,for fiscal year #bjbh1 #d1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,for fiscal year #bjbi1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,for fiscal year #bjcj1 #f1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#f7 ,for fiscal year #bjca1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#g7 ,for fiscal year #bjcb1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#h7 ,for fiscal year #bjcc1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#i7 ,for fiscal year #bjcd1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aj7 ,for fiscal year #bjce1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aa7 ,for fiscal year #bjcf1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#ab7 ,for fiscal year #bjcg1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7c7 ,grants for extended care facilities ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 to be used for grants for extended care facilities1 the following3 7#a7 ,for fiscal year #bjbf1 #cjj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,for fiscal year #bjbg1 #djj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,for fiscal year #bjbh1 #ejj1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,for fiscal year #bjbi1 #eej1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,for fiscal year #bjcj1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#f7 ,for fiscal year #bjca1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#g7 ,for fiscal year #bjcb1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#h7 ,for fiscal year #bjcc1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#i7 ,for fiscal year #bjcd1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aj7 ,for fiscal year #bjce1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aa7 ,for fiscal year #bjcf1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7d7 ,requirement for detailed justification 7#a7 ,in general ,for any fiscal year in which the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs requests an amount that is less than an amount specified in any of subsections 7a7 through 7c71 the ,secretary shall include as part of the budget of the ,president for that fiscal year submitted under section #aaje7;a7 of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code-- 7,a7 a detailed justification and analysis for why the requested funding levels are sufficient to meet the infrastructure needs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 and 7,b7 an identification of which projects-- 7i7 with respect to subsections 7a7 and 7b71 included in the ,strategic ,capital ,investment ,planning process1 or successor process1 will not be funded based on the level of funding requested2 and 7ii7 with respect to subsection 7c71 included in the most recent approved ,state ,home ,construction ,grants ,priority ,list1 will not be funded based on the level of funding requested4 7#b7 ,comparison to amount sent to ,office of ,management and ,budget ,in providing information under paragraph 7#a7 for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall indicate whether the numbers that appear in the budget for the accounts specified under subsections 7a7 through 7c7 match or do not match what the ,secretary submitted for review to the ,office of ,management and ,budget as part of the budget development process of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for that fiscal year4 ,b ,reviews and reports #cba4 ,review of resilience of facilities1 land1 and other relevant capital assets of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the resilience of mission critical assets of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs as it relates to extreme weather events4 7b7 ,elements ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,an assessment and description of which mission critical existing facilities1 land1 and other relevant capital assets of the ,department1 disaggregated by ,state1 territory of the ,united ,states1 and type of facility1 land1 or asset1 are at highest risk due to vulnerabilities relating to proximity to-- 7,a7 a body of water2 or 7,b7 an area prone to-- 7i7 flooding1 including flooding due to rising sea levels2 7ii7 wildfire2 or 7iii7 tornadoes1 hurricanes1 or other storms or extreme weather events4 7#b7 ,a description of strategies to improve the resilience of existing facilities1 land1 and other relevant capital assets assessed to be at highest risk pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 including potential modifications to facility operations and maintenance practices4 7#c7 ,recommendations of the ,secretary for best practices1 standards1 and solutions for future placement1 planning1 renovation1 leasing1 purchase1 construction1 and disposal of facilities1 land1 and other mission critical assets of the ,department to avoid or mitigate the challenges resulting from the placement of a facility or asset in an area at risk of being vulnerable to harm from the impacts of changing environmental conditions and an assessment of whether additional resources are necessary to address the risks at each such facility or for each such asset4 7#d7 ,a description of-- 7,a7 recommendations for legislative or administrative action to mitigate and respond to the findings under paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c72 7,b7 actions taken by the ,secretary during the three fiscal years immediately preceding the date of the submission of the report and actions planned to be taken by the ,secretary during the three fiscal years immediately following such date to improve the resilience of existing facilities1 land1 infrastructure1 and other relevant capital assets under the jurisdiction or control of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that are mission critical and assessed to be highest risk pursuant to paragraph 7#a72 7,c7 changes in policies1 directives1 and procedures of the ,department to mitigate1 plan for1 and improve resilience of future constructed1 leased1 or other facilities1 land1 infrastructure1 and other relevant capital assets under the jurisdiction or control of the ,department2 7,d7 how the ,department has incorporated or will incorporate resilience information into the processes and procedures of the ,department for capital asset investment decisions2 7,e7 changes the ,department will make to ensure the facilities1 land1 infrastructure1 and other relevant capital assets of the ,department are available to furnish care and services under section #aghe of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 during or following a disaster or emergency2 7,f7 the estimated cost to implement the changes described in the report2 7,g7 the estimated timeline to implement the changes described in the report2 and 7,h7 such other matters as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 #cbb4 ,reports on key capital asset investments1 activities1 and performance of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,section #habj of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 #habj4 ,reports on key capital asset investments1 activities1 and performance 7a7 ,capital asset investment1 activities1 and performance 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj days after the end of each fiscal year1 and every #fj days thereafter until the end of that fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on key capital asset investments1 activities1 and performance of the ,department4 7#b7 ,elements 7,a7 ,first report in each fiscal year ,the first report under paragraph 7#a7 in each fiscal year shall include the following3 7i7 ,a brief summary of work that was completed on each capital asset project that was completed in the previous fiscal year4 7ii7 ,a brief summary of the accomplishments1 impediments1 and challenges experienced by the ,department with respect to capital asset projects in the previous fiscal year and a description of efforts made to address any such impediments and challenges4 7iii7 ,with respect to each capital asset project completed in such year1 the following3 7,i7 ,the type of project 7major construction1 minor construction1 non-recurring maintenance1 leases1 or other category1 including disposals74 7,,ii7 ,the estimated total cost and the actual total cost of the project4 7,,iii7 ,a description of the project4 7,,iv7 ,the location and facility with respect to which the project was carried out4 7,v7 ,the fiscal quarter the project was expected to begin1 the fiscal quarter the project began1 the month and year the project was completed1 and the fiscal quarter the facility in connection to such project was in use by veterans1 employees of the ,department1 or other relevant users1 as the case may be4 7iv7 ,in the case of any capital asset project completed during the previous fiscal year with respect to which the final cost of the project 7or any increment of the project7 was more than #aj percent greater than the estimated cost of the project 7or increment7 or the completion of such project 7or increment7 was more than #ahj days later than the planned schedule for such project 7or increment7-- 7,i7 the reason for any such overage or delay2 and 7,,ii7 actions being taken to prevent any such overage or delay in future projects4 7v7 ,a list of any capital asset projects cancelled during the previous fiscal year1 including any projects in the design phase and including the reason for the cancellation4 7vi7 ,a summary of total actual obligations for capital asset projects for the previous fiscal year1 broken out by major construction1 minor construction1 non-recurring maintenance1 and leases from the medical facilities appropriation account of the ,department4 7vii7 ,a projected list of capital asset projects1 broken out by type of project under subclause 7,i71 that are expected to be initiated during the current fiscal year and those that are expected to be completed during the current fiscal year1 which shall include the following3 7,i7 ,the type of project 7major construction1 minor construction1 non-recurring maintenance1 leases1 or other category1 including disposals74 7,,ii7 ,the estimated total cost of the project4 7,,iii7 ,a description of the project4 7,,iv7 ,the location and facility with respect to which the project was carried out or is expected to be carried out4 7,v7 ,the fiscal quarter the project is expected to begin1 the fiscal quarter the project is expected to be completed1 and the fiscal quarter the facility in connection to such project is expected to be in use by veterans1 employees of the ,department1 or other relevant users1 as the case may be4 7viii7 ,projected total obligations for capital asset projects for the current fiscal year1 broken out by major construction1 minor construction1 non-recurring maintenance1 and leases1 from the medical facilities appropriation account of the ,department4 7ix7 ,such observations of best practices1 impediments1 and accomplishments related to the capital asset management and performance of the ,department1 including any legislative or administrative action1 as the ,secretary considers appropriate with respect to such practices1 impediments1 and accomplishments4 7x7 ,meaningful metrics that show the progress of the ,department toward meeting relevant goals of the ,department relating to capital asset management4 7xi7 ,such other matters as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7,b7 ,subsequent reports ,each report in a fiscal year after the first report shall include1 at a minimum1 relevant updates on any capital asset projects that are ongoing during that fiscal year1 including any updates to information provided with respect to such projects under subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,metrics ,beginning not later than two years after the date of the enactment of the ,honor ,act of #bjbe1 the metrics described in subparagraph 7,a77x7 shall include the metrics developed under section #cad7;a77#a7 of such ,act4 7#c7 ,matters relating to reporting costs ,in each report under paragraph 7#a71 when reporting on costs for capital asset projects1 the ,secretary may include information regarding ,federal requirements1 including those specific to the ,department1 that may not exist in the non-,federal construction sector that may increase costs for capital asset projects4 7b7 ,super construction projects 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj days after the end of each fiscal year1 and every #fj days thereafter until the end of that fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on the super construction projects carried out by the appropriate non-,department ,federal entity described in section #hajc7;e77#a7 of this title during such year4 7#b7 ,elements ,each report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall include1 for each project described in such paragraph-- 7,a7 the budgetary and scheduling status of the project1 as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter ending before the date on which the report is required to be submitted2 and 7,b7 the actual cost and schedule variances of the project1 as of such day1 compared to the planned cost and schedules for the project4 7c7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,capital asset project ,the term capital asset project means a capital asset investment or activity of the ,department4 7#c7 ,super construction project ,the term super construction project has the meaning given such term in section #hajc7;e77#c7 of this title4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #ha of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the item relating to section #habj and inserting the following new item3 #habj4 ,reports on key capital asset investments1 activities1 and performance4 4 #cbc4 ,report on long-term care physical infrastructure needs of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report1 disaggregated by medical center or other relevant health care facility of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 identifying the physical infrastructure needs of the ,department to support current and future anticipated long-term care needs and models of care for veterans1 including-- 7#a7 infrastructure needed to support the delivery of long-term care for women veterans1 veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases1 veterans with traumatic brain injury1 veterans with unique behavioral health needs1 veterans with memory loss1 and other population groups with unique needs or projected future needs2 7#b7 information regarding the plans of the ,department to provide such care as the ,department builds internal capacity but space is not yet available to meet the demand for such care2 and 7#c7 with respect to any projects needed to provide the infrastructure specified under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 the estimated individual project cost and total cost to accomplish those projects2 and 7,b7 the estimated individual project timeline to accomplish each such project upon receipt of appropriate funding4 7b7 ,inclusion of information regarding prioritization of certain projects ,the ,secretary shall include in the report required under subsection 7a7 information regarding how the infrastructure prioritization processes of the ,department1 such as the ,strategic ,capital ,investment ,planning process1 or successor process1 could be modified to include higher prioritization of projects that support the provision of a health care service that is not widely available1 or is not available in compliance with appropriate quality or access standards1 from non-,department providers4 7c7 ,development of report ,in developing the report required under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall consult with relevant regional and national program offices of the ,veterans ,health ,administration with responsibility for managing the various health care services covered by the report1 including long-term care and care relating to spinal cord injuries and diseases1 to ensure that the report contains a holistic1 comprehensive1 and integrated plan to address the capital asset and other space needs for the population of veterans who require those services4 7d7 ,indication of types of projects ,in the report required under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall indicate the projects that can be most efficiently and effectively accomplished through smaller individual infrastructure projects or through a larger medical facility replacement or new site of care1 as determined by the ,secretary4 #cbd4 ,report on women veterans retrofit initiative ,section #eajb of the ,deborah ,sampson ,act of #bjbj 7title ,v of ,public ,law #aaf-cae2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #haaj note7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7c7 as subsection 7d72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following new subsection 7c73 7c7 ,report on projects 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the ,honor ,act of #bjbe1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing-- 7,a7 an identification of the funding requested and the funding provided to the ,department for retrofitting prioritized under subsection 7a7 as of the date of the report2 7,b7 a list of projects conducted with such funding as of such date1 including-- 7i7 amounts obligated for each such project2 7ii7 the locations of each such project2 7iii7 a short description of each such project2 and 7iv7 the status of each such project1 including an estimated timeline to complete the project2 and 7,c7 a list of projects for retrofitting prioritized under subsection 7a7 as of such date that remain unfunded as of such date1 including-- 7i7 the estimated funding required for those projects to be completed1 on a project by project basis2 and 7ii7 an estimated timeline to complete each such project if necessary funding and other resources are provided4 7#b7 ,updates ,not later than one year after the submittal of the report under paragraph 7#a71 and annually thereafter until the earlier of the date that is #aj years after the submittal of such report or the date on which all projects listed under subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c7 of such paragraph have been completed1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on-- 7,a7 the progress made by the ,secretary in completing such projects2 and 7,b7 an identification of the funding requested and the funding provided to the ,department to complete such projects4 7#c7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,in this subsection1 the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 4 #cbe4 ,report on capital asset and information technology needs of the research and development program of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,report required ,not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to ,congress a report on the capital asset and information technology needs of the research and development program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,contents 7#a7 ,in general ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a comprehensive summary of new facilities1 renovations of existing facilities1 leasing of facilities1 and any other such facilities or physical infrastructure the ,department requires to effectively perform its research and development functions1 including projected functions4 7,b7 ,detailed information on the information technology resources1 projects1 equipment1 and related information technology needs1 disaggregated by type of information technology funding categories1 such as development or operations and maintenance1 the ,department requires in order to make the research and development program and activities of the ,department functional and high performing in the short1 medium1 and long term1 and those needed to enable employees of the ,department to perform their research and development activities in an effective and efficient manner4 7,c7 ,such matters as the ,secretary determines relevant to maintain and further improve and advance the research and development functions of the ,department through improved capital asset and information technology support4 7#b7 ,requirements 7,a7 ,facilities 7i7 ,summaries by project ,in providing information under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,secretary shall provide estimated summaries for each project with cost data as well as a realistic multi-year plan to design and deliver the capital asset projects1 assuming required funding is provided4 7ii7 ,identification of projects ,the ,secretary shall identify each project under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 by its project type1 such as major construction1 minor construction1 nonrecurring maintenance1 major lease1 minor lease1 or such other category as the ,secretary determines may be appropriate4 7,b7 ,information technology ,in providing information under paragraph 7#a77;,b71 the ,secretary shall provide estimated summaries for each project or investment with individual and total cost data as well as a realistic multi-year plan to develop relevant requirements and acquire and deploy the relevant information technology services1 projects1 equipment1 and related matters4 7,c7 ,scope ,the scope of the report submitted under subsection 7a7 is on the capital asset1 information technology1 and other related critical support functions1 excluding human capital related needs1 needed for the ,department to perform research and development in an effective and efficient manner4 7c7 ,considerations ,in preparing the report required by subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may consider the following3 7#a7 ,the findings of the #bjab final report of the ,research ,infrastructure ,program of the ,department4 7#b7 ,current and updated data providing the most accurate and holistic presentation of the physical infrastructure1 information technology1 and other relevant support function needs of the research and development program of the ,department4 7#c7 ,such other matters as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 #cbf4 ,review and report on provisions of law relating to ,department of ,veterans ,affairs capital asset management and oversight 7a7 ,review ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall review all relevant authorities of the ,secretary1 including those in section #cab;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 and determine whether the provisions of such authorities are meaningful1 relevant1 and reflect the current operational needs1 organization structure1 and all other necessary requirements for the full life-cycle of effective and efficient management of capital assets4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report regarding whether the authorities reviewed under subsection 7a7 should be revised to align more closely with current and future projected operational needs of the ,department4 7c7 ,contents ,the report required by subsection 7b7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,an assessment of whether other offices1 administrations1 or entities of the ,department should be directed to formally assume certain functions currently assigned to officials of the ,department1 including to the ,deputy ,secretary1 the ,director of ,construction and ,facilities ,management1 the ,under ,secretary for ,health1 the ,assistant ,secretary for ,management1 and the ,chief ,financial ,officer1 pursuant to statute or ,departmental practice1 so as to match operational realities and needs1 directives1 policies1 and procedures of the ,department1 to improve efficiencies1 streamline management and lines of authority1 responsibility1 and accountability1 or other reasons that would be beneficial to the capital asset management of the ,department4 7#b7 ,an assessment of whether capital asset functions currently not clearly assumed or controlled by other entities of the ,department should be more clearly assigned to relevant offices of the ,department to match operational realities and needs1 directives1 policies1 and procedures of the ,department1 to improve efficiencies1 streamline management and lines of authority and responsibility1 or other reasons that would be beneficial to the capital asset management of the ,department4 7#c7 ,an identification of whether any new offices1 structures1 positions1 or reporting lines should be created or modified in the ,department to improve operational effectiveness1 performance1 and accountability for capital asset management1 including the views of the ,department on the advisability of-- 7,a7 consolidating the planning1 management1 oversight1 and procurement of all leasing activities of the ,department1 regardless of administration or sub-agency entity1 to include major and minor leases1 within one office within the ,office of ,construction and ,facilities ,management to consolidate and improve organization1 oversight1 expertise1 and efficiency2 and 7,b7 consolidating the planning1 management1 oversight1 and procurement of all minor construction activities of the ,department1 regardless of administration or sub-agency entity1 within one office within the ,office of ,construction and ,facilities ,management to consolidate and improve organization1 oversight1 expertise1 and efficiency4 7#d7 ,an assessment of whether a modified ,departmental organizational structure and changes to relevant statutory provisions could create a clearly identified single line of accountability and responsibility for the full life-cycle of capital asset management activities of the ,department so as to improve effectiveness1 efficiency1 performance1 and stability of capital asset management of the ,department4 7#e7 ,an assessment of whether the qualifications requirements for the ,director of ,construction and ,facilities ,management under section #cab;,a7b77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 should be modified to ensure the ,department is able to hire from a broad candidate pool of qualified applicants4 7#f7 ,specific reasons for the statutory or other changes that are recommended in the report or if no changes are necessary1 a justification for not making any changes1 including a statement providing the single responsible executive and office in charge of managing all capital asset management activities of the ,department as of the date of the report4 7#g7 ,an identification of such legislative or administrative action as the ,secretary determines necessary to implement the changes necessary to improve capital asset management of the ,department4 #cbg4 ,improving prevention1 detection1 and reporting of waste1 fraud1 and abuse in ,department of ,veterans ,affairs capital asset projects and activities 7a7 ,report required ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on actions the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs is taking or plans to take to enhance the ability of the ,department to prevent1 detect1 and report waste1 fraud1 and abuse occurring in capital asset projects of the ,department1 whether by employees1 contractors1 or other relevant persons or entities involved with the ,department4 7b7 ,elements ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,an assessment of whether new training or enhancements to existing training should be undertaken to improve the prevention1 detection1 and reporting of waste1 fraud1 and abuse4 7#b7 ,recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as the ,secretary determines appropriate to improve the prevention1 detection1 and reporting of waste1 fraud1 and abuse4 7#c7 ,such other matters as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,consultation ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary-- 7#a7 shall consult with the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states on matters relating to best practices and strategies to improve detection and prevention by the ,department of waste1 fraud1 and abuse in capital asset projects and management2 and 7#b7 may consult with such other persons and entities on such matters as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 #cbh4 ,comptroller ,general report on continued need for non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs project management for super construction projects 7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing the following3 7#a7 ,the metrics or evaluation criteria by which ,congress should judge whether the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs has evolved in their management capabilities1 performance1 and results so as to permit the removal of the requirement under section #hajc7;e77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 that the ,department use a non-,department ,federal entity to provide full project management services for all super construction projects4 7#b7 ,a description of the cost arrangements and premiums paid by the ,department1 as of the date of the report1 to use a non-,department ,federal entity for a super construction project as required under such section and what savings may be generated through the removal of that requirement4 7#c7 ,such other matters as the ,comptroller ,general considers relevant related to the management of infrastructure projects of the ,department4 7b7 ,super construction project defined ,in this section1 the term super construction project has the meaning given that term in section #hajc7;e77#c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4