,,ii #aai? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,s4 #cdff ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,decemb] #aa1 #bjbe,mr4 ,blum5?al 7= himself1 ,ms4 ,alsobrooks1 ,mr4 ,k+1 ,ms4 ,duckwor?1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,s&]s1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 & ,ms4 ,cortez ,ma/o7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to improve heal? c>e provid$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts 7a7 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,honor ,our ,promise to ,vet]ans ,act ( #bjbe4 7b7 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts4,sec4 #b4 ,implem5tation4,,title ,i--,improvem5ts to care,subtitle ,a--,scheduling,sec4 #aja4 ,tim+ = s*$ul+ ( appo9tm5ts4,sec4 #ajb4 ,consid]ation ( teleheal? 9 det]m9+ :e!r an appo9tm5t c be s*$ul$ )9 ! access /&>ds ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & limitation on availability ( teleheal? ?r\gh community c>e4,sec4 #ajc4 ,in=mation = vet]ans reg>d+ access to c>e4,subtitle ,b--,provid] requirements,sec4 #aaa4 ,ext5sion ( p]iod = submittal ( claims by heal? c>e entities & provid]s4,sec4 #aab4 ,rat+ program relat+ to milit>y sexual trauma = provid]s "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #aac4 ,requirem5ts relat+ to quality ( community c>e provid]s4,sec4 #aad4 ,community c>e provid] tra9+ requirem5ts4,sec4 #aae4 ,waiv]s = network adequacy4,sec4 #aaf4 ,contract+ requirem5ts4,sec4 #aag4 ,inspector ,g5]al ov]sight au?ority ov] community c>e4,sec4 #aah4 ,requirem5t t heal? c>e provid]s "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program provide c]ta9 data4,sec4 #aai4 ,full practice au?ority = c]ta9 positions )9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #aai;,a4 ,treatm5t ( psy*ologi/s4,subtitle ,c--,reports & relat$ matters,sec4 #aba4 ,in=mation on lessons le>n$ to improve contract+ = community c>e4,sec4 #abb4 ,analysis ( impact ( sp5d+ "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program on budgets ( m$ical c5t]s & ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #abc4 ,/udy on recov]y ( rev5ue f private heal? insur]s4,sec4 #abd4 ,matt]s relat+ to em]g5cy c>e4,sec4 #abe4 ,review ( dialysis c>e furni%$ by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #abf4 ,b5efits = p]sons disabl$ by treatm5t "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,,title ,,ii--,/aff+ matters,subtitle ,a--,salaries,sec4 #bja4 ,modification ( limitation on waiv] = pay ( critical heal? c>e p]sonnel4,sec4 #bjb4 ,increase ( maximum am\nt ( inc5tive pay = ,dep>tm5t ph>maci/ executives4,sec4 #bjc4 ,modification ( special pay au?ority = nurse executives4,subtitle ,b--,recruitm5t & retention,sec4 #baa4 ,inclusion ( police (fic]s ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs z law en=cem5t (fic]s4,sec4 #bab4 ,m5tor%ip program = executive lead]%ip teams at m$ical c5t]s ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #bac4 ,requirem5t = equival5t role po/+s = vacant positions at ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #bad4 ,hir+ processes4,sec4 #bae4 ,/aff+ models4,sec4 #baf4 ,telework policy4,subtitle ,c--,education,sec4 #bba4 ,e/abli%m5t ( ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program4,sec4 #bbb4 ,build+ & ma9t5ance pr(essionals educational assi/ance program4,sec4 #bbc4 ,expansion ( reimbursem5t ( cont9u+ pr(essional education exp5ses4,sec4 #bbd4 ,paym5t ( lic5sure exam co/s = recipi5ts ( s*ol>%ips f ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,subtitle ,d--,reports,sec4 #bca4 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs p]sonnel transp>5cy4,sec4 #bcb4 ,report on ,gr[ ,our ,own ,program4,sec4 #bcc4 ,provision ( data on educational assi/ance programs ( ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration4,,title ,,iii--,infra/ructure matters,sec4 #cja4 ,def9itions4,subtitle ,a--,inve/+ 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans infra/ructure to increase capacity to s]ve veterans,sec4 #caa4 ,au?orization ( fund+ = c]ta9 l& acquisitions = m$ical facilities ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #cab4 ,deta*m5t ( congressional committee approval reque/s ( major m$ical facility leases f annual budget submission ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #cac4 ,improvem5t ( capital asset /aff+ ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #cad4 ,developm5t ( p]=mance metrics ( capital asset managem5t by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & monitor+ = improvem5t4,sec4 #cae4 ,expansion ( memb]%ip ( ! ,capital ,asset ,plann+ ,committee4,sec4 #caf4 ,au?orization ( appropriations4,subtitle ,b--,reviews & reports,sec4 #cba4 ,review ( resili5ce ( facilities1 l&1 & o!r relevant capital assets ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbb4 ,reports on key capital asset inve/m5ts1 activities1 & p]=mance ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbc4 ,report on long-t]m c>e physical infra/ructure ne$s ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbd4 ,report on wom5 vet]ans retr(it initiative4,sec4 #cbe4 ,report on capital asset & in=mation te*nology ne$s ( ! rese>* & developm5t program ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #cbf4 ,review & report on provisions ( law relat+ to ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs capital asset managem5t & ov]sight4,sec4 #cbg4 ,improv+ prev5tion1 detection1 & report+ ( wa/e1 fraud1 & abuse 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs capital asset projects & activities4,sec4 #cbh4 ,comptroll] ,g5]al report on cont9u$ ne$ = non-,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs project managem5t = sup] con/ruction projects4 #b4 ,implem5tation ,unless o!rwise specifi$1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all implem5t ?is ,act & ! am5dm5ts made by ?is ,act by n lat] ?an ! date t is "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 ,i ,improvem5ts to c>e ,a ,s*$ul+ #aja4 ,tim+ = s*$ul+ ( appo9tm5ts 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #ag ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #agjf;,a ! foll[+ new section3 #agjf;,b4 ,requirem5ts = tim+ ( s*$ul+ ( appo9tm5ts 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t an appo9tm5t = a vet]an = c>e or s]vices "u ?is *apt]1 includ+ "u section #agjc ( ?is title-- 7#a7 9 ! case ( a non-urg5t appo9tm5t1 is s*$ul$ 7b may occur at a lat] date7 n lat] ?an sev5 days aft] ! e>li] ( ! date on :i*-- 7,a7 a cl9ician ( ! ,dep>tm5t det]m9es t ! vet]an requires c>e2 or 7,b7 ! vet]an pres5ts to ! ,dep>tm5t reque/+ c>e2 & 7#b7 9 ! case ( an appo9tm5t = urg5t c>e1 is complet$ n lat] ?an #dh h\rs aft] ! e>li] ( ! date on :i*-- 7,a7 a cl9ician ( ! ,dep>tm5t det]m9es t ! vet]an requires c>e2 or 7,b7 ! vet]an pres5ts to ! ,dep>tm5t reque/+ c>e4 7b7 ,report on community c>e s*$ul+ 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n less frequ5tly ?an qu>t]ly1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! av]age "t x takes ea* m$ical facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t to s*$ule appo9tm5ts = c>e or s]vices "u section #agjc ( ?is title1 disaggregat$ by prim>y c>e1 m5tal heal? c>e1 & ea* type ( specialty c>e4 7#b7 ,data includ$ ,ea* report requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all indicate :at data = wait times = v>i\s types ( c>e1 s]vices1 or locations1 if any1 7 n includ$ 9 ! calculation ( ! av]age times & :y t data 0 n includ$4 7#c7 ,inclusion 9 exi/+ reports ,! ,secret>y may include ea* report requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 9 any exi/+ report requir$ to be submitt$ to ,congress t relates to ! same or a simil> topic4 7#d7 ,analysis ( reasons = noncompliance 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* m$ical facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t = :i* any av]age "t report$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 = ! facility is m ?an sev5 days %all submit to ! ,"u ,secret>y = ,heal?1 n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date ( ! report-- 7i7 an analysis ( :y su* av]age "t is m ?an sev5 days1 includ+ ! ext5t to :i* /aff+ %ortages ( a type or position ( employee1 insuffici5t provid] networks1 surges ( appo9tm5ts1 or any o!r factor is increas+ su* av]age times2 7ii7 a rem$iation plan to br+ su* av]age "t to n m ?an sev5 days2 & 7iii7 an explanation = h[ ea* issue specifi$ 9 clause 7i7 is be+ mitigat$4 7,b7 ,treatm5t ( insuffici5t provid] network ,) respect to any analysis "u subp>agraph 7,a77i7 t det]m9es an insuffici5t provid] network1 ! ,"u ,secret>y = ,heal? %all-- 7i7 consult ) any ?ird p>ty adm9i/rator responsible = adm9i/]+ su* network reg>d+-- 7,i7 if su* network insuffici5cy has be5 previ\sly id5tifi$1 :e!r mitigation is plann$ = areas :]e av]age times exce$ sev5 days2 & 7,,ii7 if su* network insuffici5cy has n be5 previ\sly id5tifi$ or if previ\s mitigation plans h n work$1 h[ network insuffici5cy c be ov]come2 & 7ii7 exam9e :e!r ! ?ird p>ty adm9i/rator is meet+ contractual obligations reg>d+ network suffici5cy4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #agjf;,a ! foll[+ new item3 #agjf;,b4 ,requirem5ts = tim+ ( s*$ul+ ( appo9tm5ts4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all comply ) ! requirem5ts "u section #agjf;,b ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a71 by n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 #ajb4 ,consid]ation ( teleheal? 9 det]m9+ :e!r an appo9tm5t c be s*$ul$ )9 ! access /&>ds ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & limitation on availability ( teleheal? ?r\gh community c>e 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #agjc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7d71 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3 7#e7 ,9 det]m9+ "u p>agraph 7#a77;,d7 :e!r ! ,dep>tm5t is able to furni% c>e or s]vices 9 a mann] t complies ) designat$ access /&>ds "u section #agjc;,b ( ?is title1 = purposes ( det]m9+ ! availability ( an appo9tm5t1 a teleheal? appo9tm5t %all be consid]$ z an available appo9tm5t1 subject to subsection 7r71 if ! vet]an accepts ! use ( teleheal? or ! only option = ! appo9tm5t is via teleheal?4 2 7#b7 by r$esignat+ subsection 7q7 z subsection 7r72 & 7#c7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7p7 ! foll[+ new subsection 7q73 7q7 ,availability ( teleheal? 7#a7 ,if a cov]$ vet]an is au?oriz$ to receive c>e or s]vices "u ?is section1 ! cov]$ vet]an may only seek su* c>e or s]vices via teleheal? if-- 7,a7 su* c>e or s]vices via teleheal? are n available ?r\gh ! ,dep>tm5t2 7,b7 ! wait "t = su* c>e or s]vices via teleheal? is long] ?r\gh ! ,dep>tm5t ?an ?r\gh a provid] "u ?is section2 or 7,c7 ! vet]an has already e/abli%$ relat$ 9-p]son c>e or s]vices ?r\gh a provid] "u ?is section4 7#b7 ,:5 discuss+ options = c>e or s]vices = a cov]$ vet]an "u ?is section1 ! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! vet]an is in=m$ ( ! ability ( ! vet]an to seek c>e or s]vices via teleheal?1 ei!r ?r\gh a m$ical facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t or ?r\gh a non-,dep>tm5t provid]1 if teleheal?-- 7,a7 is available to ! vet]an2 & 7,b7 is appropriate = ! type ( c>e or s]vices ! vet]an is seek+1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4 4 7b7 ,limitation on teleheal? ?r\gh community c>e provid]s ,:5 a vet]an is au?oriz$ to seek c>e f a non-,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs provid] "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs o!r ?an "u section #agjc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 ! vet]an may only seek c>e via teleheal? "u su* laws if-- 7#a7 su* c>e via teleheal? is n available ?r\gh ! ,dep>tm5t2 7#b7 ! wait "t = su* c>e via teleheal? is long] ?r\gh ! ,dep>tm5t ?an ?r\gh a community provid]2 or 7#c7 ! vet]an has already e/abli%$ relat$ 9-p]son c>e ?r\gh ! community provid]4 #ajc4 ,in=mation = vet]ans reg>d+ access to c>e 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #ag ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #agjd;,a ! foll[+ new section3 #agjd;,b4 ,in=mation reg>d+ access to c>e 7a7 ,provision ( in=mation 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,to ! greate/ ext5t practicable1 ! ,secret>y %all ensure t vet]ans are provid$1 = ea* episode ( c>e s\ght "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y1 in=mation on curr5t wait "t & av]age driv+ "t options = su* episode ( c>e1 disaggregat$ by c>e provid$-- 7,a7 9 p]son at a facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs2 7,b7 via teleheal? ?r\gh a provid] ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 7,c7 9 p]son ?r\gh ! ne>e/ suitable non-,dep>tm5t facility ) :i* ! ,dep>tm5t has a provid] agreem5t or o!r arrangem5t = non-,dep>tm5t c>e pursuant to section #agjc ( ?is title2 & 7,d7 via teleheal? ?r\gh a non-,dep>tm5t provid] ) :i* ! ,dep>tm5t has a provid] agreem5t or o!r arrangem5t = non-,dep>tm5t c>e pursuant to su* section ) ! %orte/ wait "t4 7#b7 ,=m ( in=mation ,in=mation provid$ "u p>agraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 may be provid$ electronically2 & 7,b7 %all be docum5t$ 9 ! heal? record ( ! vet]an4 7#c7 ,opt out ,! ,secret>y %all p]mit a vet]an to opt out ( receiv+ in=mation "u p>agraph 7#a74 7b7 ,publication & update ( in=mation ,n less frequ5tly ?an weekly1 ! ,secret>y %all update ! ,access to ,c>e website ( ! ,dep>tm5t 7or successor website7 to include updat$ in=mation ) respect to ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! in=mation requir$ "u subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,! national av]age wait times = ea* appo9tm5t at ! ,dep>tm5t & a non-,dep>tm5t facility = ! receipt ( prim>y c>e1 specialty c>e 7:i* %all include a disaggregat$ av]age wait "t = outpati5t 9-p]son individual m5tal heal? c>e71 & hospital c>e4 7#c7 ,total complet$ appo9tm5ts = c>e "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y disaggregat$ by appo9tm5ts complet$ dur+ ! foll[+ p]iod foll[+ a reque/ = appo9tm5t3 7,a7 ,)9 #cj days4 7,b7 ,m ?an #cj days4 7,c7 ,m ?an #ij days4 7,d7 ,m ?an #ahj days4 7#d7 ,hi/orical data1 at a m9imum dat+ back #aj ye>s if available1 = ea* data po9t requir$ to be calculat$ "u-- 7,a7 subsection 7a72 7,b7 section #bjf ( ! ,vet]ans ,access1 ,*oice1 & ,acc\ntability ,act ( #bjad 7,public ,law #aac-adf2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agja note72 7,c7 section #aie ( ! ,joseph ,maxwell ,clel& & ,rob]t ,joseph ,dole ,memorial ,vet]ans ,b5efits & ,heal? ,c>e ,improvem5t ,act ( #bjbb 7division ,u ( ,public ,law #aag-cbh2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agja note72 or 7,d7 any o!r provision ( law t requires data to be includ$ 9 ! ,access to ,c>e website ( ! ,dep>tm5t 7or successor website74 7c7 ,brief+ ,n less frequ5tly ?an qu>t]ly1 ! ,secret>y %all provide to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a brief+ t includes a pres5tation or ov]view ( ! tr5ds 9 ! data publi%$ on ! ,access to ,c>e website ( ! ,dep>tm5t 7or successor website74 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( *apt] #ag ( su* title is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #agjd;,a ! foll[+ new item3 #agjd;,b4 ,in=mation reg>d+ access to c>e4 4 ,b ,provid] requirem5ts #aaa4 ,ext5sion ( p]iod = submittal ( claims by heal? c>e entities & provid]s ,section #agjc;,d ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7a7 9 subsection 7a77#b71 by /rik+ ! reason = d5y+ ! claim & :at1 if any1 additional in=mation is requir$ to process ! claim & ins]t+ ! reason = d5y+ ! claim & reque/ additional miss+ in=mation1 if any1 t is requir$ to process ! claim2 7b7 by am5d+ subsection 7b7 to read z foll[s3 7b7 ,submittal ( claims by heal? c>e entities & provid]s 7#a7 ,a heal? c>e entity or provid] t furni%es hospital c>e1 a m$ical s]vice1 or an ext5d$ c>e s]vice "u ?is *apt] pursuant to a contract1 agreem5t1 or o!r arrangem5t %all submit to ! ,secret>y a claim = paym5t = furni%+ ! hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vice1 or ext5d$ c>e s]vice n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date on :i* ! entity or provid] furni%$ ! hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vice1 or ext5d$ c>e s]vice4 7#b7 ,no heal? c>e entity or provid] may seek paym5t f a pati5t if ! heal? c>e entity or provid] fail$ to comply ) ! timely fil+ requirem5t set =? 9 p>agraph 7#a74 2 & 7c7 9 subsection 7c71 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3 7#c7 ,! ,secret>y may susp5d a heal? c>e entity or provid] f furni%+ hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vices1 & ext5d$ c>e s]vices "u ?is *apt] if ! ,secret>y has reason to believe ! entity or provid] has submitt$ to ! ,secret>y fraudul5t heal? c>e claims = paym5t by ! ,secret>y4 4 #aab4 ,rat+ program relat+ to milit>y sexual trauma = provid]s "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,program ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all e/abli% a program "u :i* ! ,secret>y provides a rat+ ( ,,m/ ,aw>e = any community c>e provid] t complies ) ! qualifications "u subsection 7b74 7b7 ,provid] qualifications ,! ,secret>y %all provide a community c>e provid] ) a rat+ ( ,,m/ ,aw>e pursuant to ! program e/abli%$ "u subsection 7a7 if ! provid]-- 7#a7 completes core tra9+ modules relat+ to milit>y sexual trauma recomm5d$ or requir$ ( simil> employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t or recomm5d$ by ! ,(fice ( ,integrat$ ,vet]an ,c>e1 or successor (fice1 & o!r relevant tra9+ modules z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 7#b7 completes core tra9+ modules relat+ to ! treatm5t ( wom5 vet]ans1 su* z ! tra9+ module creat$ "u section #ebjc ( ! ,deborah ,sampson ,act ( #bjbj 7title ,v ( ,public ,law #aaf-cae2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agjc note71 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 & 7#c7 complies ) su* o!r crit]ia z ! ,secret>y may det]m9e appropriate4 7c7 ,tim+ ,! ,secret>y %all det]m9e h[ (t5 a community c>e provid] %all be requir$ to complete any tra9+ & updates to ! tra9+ or comply ) any crit]ia requir$ "u subsection 7b7 9 ord] to ma9ta9 ! ,,m/ ,aw>e rat+4 7d7 ,plan ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% a plan to promote ! program e/abli%$ "u subsection 7a7 & enc\rage ! p>ticipation ( community c>e provid]s 9 su* program by (f]+ inc5tives1 su* z cont9u+ m$ical education cr$its1 to provid]s t complete core or o!r relevant tra9+ modules4 7e7 ,publication ( li/ 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator %all publi% on a publicly available & us]-fri5dly website a li/ ( all community c>e provid]s adm9i/]$ by ! ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator t includes a designation ( :e!r ea* provid] has e>n$ an ,,m/ ,aw>e rat+ pursuant to ! program e/abli%$ "u subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,update ,ea* ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator %all update ! li/ requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 n less frequ5tly ?an weekly4 7#c7 ,ov]sight ,! ,secret>y %all develop an ov]sight plan to ensure ! li/s "u ?is subsection are ma9ta9$ & accurate4 7#d7 ,display ( rat+ ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! ,provid] ,pr(ile ,managem5t ,sy/em1 or any successor sy/em1 displays ! ,,m/ ,aw>e rat+ pursuant to ! program e/abli%$ "u subsection 7a7 = any provid] t a*ieves su* rat+4 7#e7 ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator def9$ ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9 section #agjc;,b ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7f7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! e/abli%m5t ( ! program "u subsection 7a71 & n less frequ5tly ?an annually !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! program1 includ+-- 7#a7 a description ( ! tra9+ modules det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y = purposes ( p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 ( subsection 7b72 7#b7 ! numb] ( community c>e provid]s :o h e>n$ an ,,m/ ,aw>e rat+ dur+ ! prior ye>1 disaggregat$ by community c>e region1 provid] type1 & specialty2 7#c7 an assessm5t ( ! effectiv5ess ( ! tra9+ modules & o!r crit]ia requir$ "u subsection 7b72 & 7#d7 ! /atus ( ! plans ( ! ,secret>y = promotion ( ! program & provision ( inc5tives "u subsection 7d74 7g7 ,community c>e provid] def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m community c>e provid] means a heal? c>e provid] specifi$ "u section #agjc7;c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 #aac4 ,requirem5ts relat+ to quality ( community c>e provid]s 7a7 ,mon?ly *ecks aga9/ li/ ( exclud$ individuals or entities ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all ensure t ?ird p>ty adm9i/rators "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program p]=m automat$ mon?ly *ecks = all community c>e provid]s aga9/ ! li/ ( exclud$ individuals or entities set =? by ! ,(fice ( ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices us+ social security numb]1 date ( bir?1 & o!r unique id5tifi]s4 7b7 ,revision ( provid] exclusion /&>d op]at+ proc$ures ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! ,(fice ( ,integrat$ ,vet]an ,c>e revises its provid] exclusion /&>d op]at+ proc$ures to require automat$ mat*+ ( community c>e provid]s 9 ! provid] pr(ile managem5t sy/em ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to ! sy/em = aw>d managem5t exclusions ( ! ,g5]al ,s]vices ,adm9i/ration us+ bo? taxpay] id5tification numb] & national provid] id5tifi] z id5tifi]s4 7c7 ,process ,to ,id5tify ,dep>tm5t ,provid]s ,t]m9at$ or ,resign+ f ,employm5t ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! ,"u ,secret>y = ,heal? ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs develops a process to id5tify heal? c>e provid]s t are t]m9at$1 retire1 or resign f employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t = quality ( c>e conc]ns or :ile "u inve/igation = quality ( c>e conc]ns s ^? heal? c>e provid]s c be prev5t$ f p>ticipat+ 9 ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program4 7d7 ,update ( in=mation on provid]s ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y1 ?r\gh ! ,(fice ( ,integrat$ ,vet]an ,c>e1 %all develop a process to ensure t ?ird p>ty adm9i/rators regul>ly1 n less frequ5tly ?an mon?ly-- 7#a7 update _! li/s ( community c>e provid]s to reflect accurate provid] contact in=mation2 7#b7 annotate provid]s t are n curr5tly accept+ pati5ts "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program2 & 7#c7 remove provid]s f ! provid] pr(ile managem5t sy/em t-- 7,a7 are on ! li/ ( exclud$ individuals or entities set =? by ! ,(fice ( ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices2 7,b7 are 9 ! sy/em = aw>d managem5t exclusions ( ! ,g5]al ,s]vices ,adm9i/ration2 or 7,c7 h be5 t]m9at$ f employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs due to quality ( c>e conc]ns or left su* employm5t volunt>ily1 ?r\gh resignation1 or ?r\gh retirem5t1 :ile "u inve/igation = quality ( c>e conc]ns4 7e7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program ,! t]m ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program means ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program "u section #agjc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7#b7 ,community c>e provid] ,! t]m community c>e provid] means a heal? c>e provid] specifi$ "u section #agjc7;c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 #aad4 ,community c>e provid] tra9+ requirem5ts 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #ag ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #agjc;,g ! foll[+ new section3 #agjc;,h4 ,requir$ tra9+ = community c>e provid]s 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* non-,dep>tm5t heal? c>e provid] t provides heal? c>e to vet]ans "u ?is sub*apt] %all complete cov]$ tra9+4 7b7 ,cont9u+ education requirem5ts ,! ,secret>y %all (f] cov]$ tra9+ "u ?is section 9 su* a mann] z to qualify = or fulfill cont9u+ education requirem5ts = heal? c>e pr(essionals4 7c7 ,timel9e 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,cov]$ tra9+ mu/ be complet$ by a heal? c>e provid] "u ?is section-- 7,a7 except z provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 )9 ! same "t p]iod 9 :i* a newly hir$ heal? c>e provid] employ$ by ! ,dep>tm5t is requir$ to complete su* tra9+ or sub/antially simil> tra9+2 & 7,b7 9 ! case ( any recurr+ or newly add$ tra9+1 )9 ! same "t p]iod 9 :i* a heal? c>e provid] employ$ by ! ,dep>tm5t is requir$ to complete su* tra9+ or sub/antially simil> tra9+4 7#b7 ,exi/+ provid]s ,) respect to heal? c>e provid]s provid+ c>e to vet]ans "u ?is sub*apt] z ( ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,honor ,act ( #bjbe1 cov]$ tra9+ "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 mu/ be complet$ by n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] su* date ( enactm5t4 7d7 ,lack ( compliance 7#a7 ,sup]vision ,a non-,dep>tm5t heal? c>e provid] t does n complete cov]$ tra9+ )9 ! timel9es requir$ "u ?is section %all be able to provide c>e "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y only "u direct sup]vision by a provid] :o has complet$ cov]$ tra9+ & has an equival5t or high] lic5sure z ! provid] 9 "q4 7#b7 ,removal ,a non-,dep>tm5t heal? c>e provid] t has n complet$ cov]$ tra9+ z ( ! date t is #ahj days aft] ! due date = su* tra9+ %all be-- 7,a7 ineligible to provide heal? c>e "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y until complet+ cov]$ tra9+2 7,b7 remov$ f any network ( non-,dep>tm5t heal? c>e provid]s2 & 7,c7 ineligible to reapply to be a "p ( any su* network = n less ?an #ahj days & until complet+ cov]$ tra9+4 7e7 ,publication ( tra9+ /atus 7#a7 ,provid] ,pr(ile ,managem5t ,sy/em ,! /atus ( ! completion by a non-,dep>tm5t heal? c>e provid] ( cov]$ tra9+ %all be reflect$ 9 ! ,provid] ,pr(ile ,managem5t ,sy/em1 or any successor sy/em4 7#b7 ,publicly available website ,ea* ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator 7z def9$ 9 section #agjc;,b ( ?is title7 %all publi% ! /atus ( ! completion by non-,dep>tm5t heal? c>e provid]s adm9i/]$ by ! ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator ( cov]$ tra9+ on a publicly available & us]-fri5dly website & update su* a website n less frequ5tly ?an weekly4 7f7 ,cov]$ tra9+ def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m cov]$ tra9+ means-- 7#a7 c\rse modules t are requir$ ( simil>ly practic+ & lic5s$ provid]s ( ! ,dep>tm5t relat+ to mili>y culture1 po/-traumatic /ress disord]1 evaluation & managem5t ( suicide1 prev5t+ suicide ?r\gh le?al means safety1 traumatic bra9 injury1 & opioid safety provid$ by or ?r\gh ! ,dep>tm5t2 or 7#b7 c\rse modules det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y z comp>able 9 l5g? & scope to ^? specifi$ 9 p>agraph 7#a74 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #agjc;,g ! foll[+ new item3 #agjc;,h4 ,requir$ tra9+ = community c>e provid]s4 4 #aae4 ,waiv]s = network adequacy ,section #agjc;,b7f77#c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subp>agraph3 7,f7 ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,honor ,act ( #bjbe1 & n less frequ5tly ?an annually !reaft]1 ea* ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator %all publi% on a publicly available & us]-fri5dly website an ov]view ( waiv]s reque/$ by ! ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator "u subp>agraph 7,a7 & approv$ by ! ,dep>tm5t1 :i* %all include an indication ( any s]vices & geographic locations ) active waiv]s4 4 #aaf4 ,contract+ requirem5ts ,section #agjc7;h7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 by am5d+ subp>agraph 7,a7 to read z foll[s3 7,a7 ,! ,secret>y may t]m9ate a contract ) an entity ent]$ into "u p>agraph 7#a7 at su* "t & ^u su* notice to ! entity z ! ,secret>y may specify = purposes ( ?is section1 if ! ,secret>y notifies ! appropriate committees ( ,congress t1 at a m9imum-- 7i7 ! entity-- 7,i7 fail$ to comply sub/antially ) ! provisions ( ! contract or ) ! provisions ( ?is section & ! regulations prescrib$ "u ?is section2 or 7,,ii7 fail$ to comply ) ! access /&>ds or ! /&>ds = quality e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y2 7ii7 x is reasonable to t]m9ate ! contract bas$ on ! heal? c>e ne$s ( vet]ans2 or 7iii7 x is reasonable to t]m9ate ! contract bas$ on cov]age provid$ by contracts or %>+ agreem5ts ent]$ into "u au?orities o!r ?an ?is section4 2 7,b7 by r$esignat+ subp>agraph 7,b7 z subp>agraph 7,d72 7,c7 by ins]t+ aft] subp>agraph 7,a7 ! foll[+ new subp>agraphs3 7,b7 7i7 ,! ,secret>y %all t]m9ate a contract ) an entity ent]$ into "u p>agraph 7#a7 at su* a "t & ^u su* notice to ! entity z ! ,secret>y may specify = ! purposes ( ?is section1 if ! entity-- 7,i7 is exclud$ f p>ticipation 9 a ,f$]al heal? c>e program 7z def9$ 9 section #aabh;,b7f7 ( ! ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbj;a-#g;b7f777 "u section #aabh or #aabh;,a ( ! ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbj;a-#g & #acbj;a-#g;a72 7,,ii7 has be5 convict$ ( a felony or o!r s]i\s (f5se "u ,f$]al or ,/ate law & ! cont9u$ p>ticipation ( ! entity w\ld be detrim5tal to ! be/ int]e/s ( vet]ans or ! ,dep>tm5t2 7,,iii7 is id5tifi$ z an exclud$ s\rce on ! li/ ma9ta9$ 9 ! ,sy/em = ,aw>d ,managem5t1 or any successor sy/em2 or 7,,iv7 fail$ to comply ) provisions ( ! contract or provisions ( ?is section relat$ to tra9+ or return ( m$ical record docum5tation = c>e or s]vices provid$ "u ?is section4 7ii7 ,! ,secret>y may issue a waiv] = entities subject to clause 7i7 = a "o-ye> p]iod1 & su* a waiv] %all be report$ to ,congress n lat] ?an #cj days aft] su* waiv] is issu$4 7,c7 ,any entities ineligible to ent] into contracts ) ! ,dep>tm5t due to "o or m reasons specifi$ 9 ?is p>agraph may be li/$ on a publicly available website ( ! ,dep>tm5t or appropriate ?ird p>ty adm9i/rator4 2 7,d7 9 subp>agraph 7,d71 z r$esignat$ by subp>agraph 7,b7 ( ?is p>agraph1 by /rik+ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 & ins]t+ 9 ?is p>agraph2 & 7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3 7#g7 ,any contract or agreem5t betwe5 ! ,dep>tm5t & a ?ird p>ty adm9i/rator or betwe5 a ?ird p>ty adm9i/rator & a heal? c>e provid] specifi$ 9 subsection 7c7 t is made ) respect to c>e or s]vices provid$ "u ?is section %all include-- 7,a7 notice ( obligations to comply ) ,f$]al laws & ! consequ5ces = failure to comply ) ^? laws1 includ+ specific in=mation reg>d+ claims = paym5t & consequ5ces = any false claims1 /atem5ts1 or docum5ts1 or concealm5t ( a mat]ial fact2 7,b7 confirmation by ! heal? c>e provid] t !y are accr$it$ to provide any specializ$ s]vices subject to ! contract or agreem5t & t !y w only use qualifi$ /aff to provide ^? s]vices2 & 7,c7 confirmation t ! heal? c>e provid] w id5tify any individuals provid+ specializ$ s]vices or treatm5ts includ$ 9 ! contract or agreem5t & provide pro( ( ! lic5sure ( ^? individuals to ! ,dep>tm5t4 4 #aag4 ,inspector ,g5]al ov]sight au?ority ov] community c>e 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #ag ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #agjc;,h1 z add$ by section #aad1 ! foll[+ new section3 #agjc;,i4 ,inspector ,g5]al ov]sight au?ority ov] community c>e 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,(fice ( ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t may audit any entity provid+ c>e "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y4 7b7 ,au?ority ,! au?ority "u subsection 7a7 includes-- 7#a7 ! au?ority to p]=m unann\nc$ visits1 audits1 or inve/igations2 & 7#b7 ! au?ority to reque/ & obta9 any necess>y docum5ts )\t a subpo5a4 7c7 ,elem5ts ( audits ,audits "u subsection 7a7 may be conduct$-- 7#a7 to ensure con=mance ) requir$ /&>ds ( c>e prescrib$ by ! ,dep>tm5t2 7#b7 to conduct inspections = safety2 7#c7 to ensure compliance 9 g5]al ) ! law2 7#d7 to ensure compliance ) contractual obligations2 or 7#e7 = su* o!r purposes z ! ,inspector ,g5]al may det]m9e appropriate4 7d7 ,notification ,notification ( ! au?ority "u ?is section & any o!r relat$ in=mation z ! ,secret>y det]m9es appropriate %all be includ$ 9 ! provid] h&books ( ?ird p>ty adm9i/rators4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,su* *apt] is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #agjc;,h ! foll[+ new item3 #agjc;,i4 ,inspector ,g5]al ov]sight au?ority ov] community c>e4 4 #aah4 ,requirem5t t heal? c>e provid]s "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program provide c]ta9 data 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,beg9n+ n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all require t cov]$ provid]s electronically submit to ! ,secret>y1 at su* "t & 9 su* mann] z ! ,secret>y may require1 data requir$ to be collect$ & consid]$ by ! ,secret>y "u section #agjc;,c7a77#c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7b7 ,exclusion ( cov]$ provid]s ,! ,secret>y may n p]mit a cov]$ provid] to p>ticipate 9 ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program "u section #agjc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 if ! provid] has n provid$ to ! ,secret>y data requir$ "u subsection 7a74 7c7 ,o!r provid]s ,! ,secret>y %all enc\rage heal? c>e provid]s specifi$ 9 section #agjc7;c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 t are n cov]$ provid]s to submit to ! ,secret>y1 on a volunt>y basis1 data describ$ 9 subsection 7a74 7d7 ,type ( data requir$ & waiv] 7#a7 ,type ( data ,! ,secret>y %all det]m9e ! data requir$ to be submitt$ by ea* type ( cov]$ provid] "u subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,waiv] ,! ,secret>y may waive ! requirem5t to submit data "u subsection 7a7 = a p>ticul> type ( cov]$ provid] if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t ! submittal by t type ( provid] ( su* data w\ld n be appropriate or relevant4 7e7 ,li/ ( high-,p]=m+ provid]s 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator 7z def9$ 9 section #agjc;,b ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code7 %all publi% & ma9ta9 a publicly available & us]-fri5dly website1 updat$ n less frequ5tly ?an weekly1 t conta9s an up-to-date li/ ( all cov]$ provid]s adm9i/]$ by ! ,?ird ,p>ty ,adm9i/rator t-- 7,a7 h provid$ data describ$ 9 subsection 7a72 & 7,b7 are designat$ z high-p]=m+ provid]s1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4 7#b7 ,display ( designation ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! ,provid] ,pr(ile ,managem5t ,sy/em1 or any successor sy/em1 %[s ! designation ( a cov]$ provid] z a high-p]=m+ provid] "u p>agraph 7#a77;,b74 7#c7 ,use ( designation ,:5 s*$ul+ an episode ( c>e = a vet]an ) a heal? c>e provid]1 an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all consult a li/ "u p>agraph 7#a7 or ! ,provid] ,pr(ile ,managem5t ,sy/em1 or any successor sy/em1 to det]m9e if ! heal? c>e provid] is designat$ z a high-p]=m+ provid] "u p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 & %>e su* in=mation ) ! vet]an4 7f7 ,cov]$ provid] def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m cov]$ provid] means a heal? c>e provid] specifi$ 9 section #agjc7;c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 t ! ,secret>y det]m9es has suffici5t res\rces to submit ! data requir$ "u subsection 7a7 at ! "t & 9 ! mann] requir$ by ! ,secret>y "u su* subsection4 #aai4 ,full practice au?ority = c]ta9 positions )9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,full practice au?ority ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all prescribe regulations to provide full practice au?ority to physician assi/ants & su* o!r lic5s$ heal? c>e pr(essionals ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate consi/5t ) ! education1 tra9+1 & c]tification ( su* physician assi/ant or heal? c>e pr(essional4 7b7 ,limitations ,regulations prescrib$ "u subsection 7a7 may be subject to-- 7#a7 ! limitations impos$ by ! ,controll$ ,sub/ances ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #hja et seq472 7#b7 any limitation on ! ,/ate lic5sure ( an individual reg>d+ ! au?ority to prescribe or adm9i/] controll$ sub/ances2 & 7#c7 any o!r limitations on ! provision ( c>e "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs set =? 9 applicable ,f$]al law & policy4 7c7 ,physician assi/ant def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m physician assi/ant has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9 section #ahfa7;aa77#e77;,a7 ( ! ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciex7aa77#e77;,a774 #aai;,a4 ,treatm5t ( psy*ologi/s 7a7 ,treatm5t z title #ch employees ,section #gdja ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by ins]t+ psy*ologi/s1 aft] *iropractors12 & 7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by /rik+ psy*ologi/s14 7b7 ,inclusion 9 contracts = sc>ce m$ical speciali/ s]vices ,section #gdji7;a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ psy*ologi/s1 aft] *iropractors14 ,c ,reports & relat$ matt]s #aba4 ,in=mation on lessons le>n$ to improve contract+ = community c>e 7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( =mal process ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 ?r\gh ! ,(fice ( ,integrat$ ,vet]an ,c>e ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 %all e/abli% a =mal lessons-le>n$ process1 consi/5t ) lead+ practices1 = contracts "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program "u section #agjc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to in=m ! plans ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = contracts "u su* program ent]$ into aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & ! cont9u+ ov]sight ef=ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t ) respect to su* program4 7b7 ,report on process ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! process e/abli%$ "u subsection 7a74 #abb4 ,analysis ( impact ( sp5d+ "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program on budgets ( m$ical c5t]s & ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all conduct an analysis ( ! impact ( sp5d+ "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program on ! budgets ( individual m$ical c5t]s & ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = fiscal ye>s #bjbj ?r\gh #bjbe4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,! analysis requir$ "u subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,a breakd[n ( h[ ,vet]ans ,equitable ,res\rce ,allocations to m$ical c5t]s ( ! ,dep>tm5t are track$ = ! ,m$ical ,s]vices acc\nt1 ,m$ical ,community ,c>e acc\nt1 ,m$ical ,support & ,compliance acc\nt1 & ,m$ical ,facilities acc\nt ( ! ,dep>tm5t = ea* fiscal ye>4 7#b7 ,! top #aj s]vices = :i* c>e is s\ght "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program = ea* fiscal ye> at ea* m$ical c5t]4 7#c7 ,! numb] ( full-"t equival5t employees d$icat$ to local (fices ( ! ,(fice ( ,integrat$ ,vet]an ,c>e ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#d7 ,to ! ext5t possible1 a breakd[n by m$ical c5t] ( heal? c>e cov]age ( pati5ts au?oriz$ to receive c>e "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program1 includ+ private insurance1 ,m$ic>e1 or ,m$icaid4 7#e7 ,! adm9i/rative fee = ea* claim1 or ! aggregate fee = su* claims1 = c>e "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program at ea* m$ical c5t]4 7c7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! analysis conduct$ "u subsection 7a74 7d7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program ,! t]m ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program means ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program "u section #agjc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7#b7 ,non-s]vice-connect$2 s]vice-connect$ ,! t]ms non-s]vice-connect$ & s]vice-connect$ h ! mean+s giv5 ^? t]ms 9 section #aja ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 #abc4 ,/udy on recov]y ( rev5ue f private heal? insur]s 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all conduct a /udy assess+ ! feasibility & advisability ( maximiz+ opportunities to bill private heal? insur]s ( vet]ans = recov]able claims4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,9 conduct+ ! /udy requir$ "u subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7#a7 consid] align+ & prioritiz+ ! process+ ( pot5tially recov]able claims to fil+ deadl9es = private heal? insur]s2 7#b7 consid] h[ in=mation sy/ems controls c be /r5g!n$ to ensure complete & accurate claims in=mation is transf]r$ betwe5 applicable curr5t & future paym5t sy/ems1 ! workfl[ tool ( ! ,consolidat$ ,pati5t ,acc\nt ,c5t]s1 & pati5t treatm5t files 9 ,vist,a2 & 7#c7 det]m9e if /aff+ res\rces & workload are suffici5tly align$ to process ! anticipat$ volume ( claims bill$ to private heal? insur]s ( vet]ans & outl9e *anges to su* res\rces & workload t might be ne$$4 7c7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! /udy conduct$ "u subsection 7a74 #abd4 ,matt]s relat+ to em]g5cy c>e 7a7 ,compreh5sive review ( au?orities relat+ to em]g5cy c>e 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all seek to ent] into a contract ) an indep5d5t entity "u :i* ! entity %all complete & submit to ! ,secret>y a compreh5sive review ( ! exi/+ au?orities ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to reimburse ! co/ ( em]g5cy treatm5t provid$ to vet]ans1 includ+ em]g5cy transportation s]vices1 & det]m9e :e!r & h[ ^? au?orities %\ld be modifi$ to /reaml9e ! process & r$uce confusion by vet]ans reg>d+ :at is cov]$4 7#b7 ,tim+ ,! review requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all be complet$ n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 7#c7 ,input ,! review requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all consid] input f key /akehold]s ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ vet]ans s]vice organizations4 7b7 ,analysis ( inpati5t em]g5cy c>e sp5d+ "u vet]ans community c>e program 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all conduct a detail$ analysis to review inpati5t em]g5cy c>e sp5d+ "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program1 :i* %all include an assessm5t (-- 7,a7 h[ ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs c\ld repatriate vet]ans admitt$ to hospitals "u ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program :5 x is m$ically appropriate2 7,b7 h[ ! ,dep>tm5t c\ld require ?ird p>ty adm9i/rators to in=m ! ,dep>tm5t :5 pati5ts require inpati5t admission or high-doll> proc$ures2 & 7,c7 h[ ! ,dep>tm5t c\ld conduct int5sive case managem5t = individuals ) a high likelihood ( em]g5cy dep>tm5t visits or inpati5t admissions to help r$uce co/s1 includ+ by us+ simil> practices already us$ by private heal? c>e plans4 7#b7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! analysis conduct$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 & publi% ! report on a publicly available website ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#c7 ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program def9$ ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program means ! ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program "u section #agjc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7c7 ,report on expansion ( tele-,em]g5cy c>e 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! feasibility & advisability ( exp&+ tele-em]g5cy c>e 9 a consi/5t & /&>diz$ mann] ?r\gh\t ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4 7#b7 ,elem5ts ,! report requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all include-- 7,a7 in=mation on h[ long x w\ld take to implem5t an expansion ( tele-em]g5cy c>e ?r\gh\t ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs2 7,b7 an assessm5t ( /aff+ ne$s = su* an expansion2 7,c7 an assessm5t ( any legislative *anges ne$$ = su* an expansion2 7,d7 a co/ analysis ( pot5tial sav+s 9 implem5t+ su* an expansion2 & 7,e7 an assessm5t ( impacts on quality ( c>e & coord9ation ( c>e = vet]ans result+ f su* an expansion4 #abe4 ,review ( dialysis c>e furni%$ by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,review by ! ,(fice ( ,inspector ,g5]al 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ah mon?s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all conduct an inve/igation & publi% a report on ! quality & availability ( dialysis c>e provid$ at facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t or au?oriz$ by ! ,dep>tm5t to be provid$ ?r\gh non-,dep>tm5t provid]s4 7#b7 ,input ,! review requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all consid] input f key /akehold]s ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ vet]ans s]vice organizations & labor organizations repres5t+ /aff ( ! ,dep>tm5t & /aff ( non-,dep>tm5t provid]s4 7#c7 ,assessm5t ,! review requir$ by p>agraph 7#a7 %all include an assessm5t (-- 7,a7 facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t t provide dialysis c>e1 includ+ an assessm5t (-- 7i7 ! capacity & utilization ( su* facilities2 7ii7 ! /aff+ & vacancy levels = provid+ su* c>e2 & 7iii7 ! volume ( dialysis c>e provid$ to vet]ans via non-,dep>tm5t provid]s 9 ! cat*m5t area ( su* facilities2 & 7,b7 non-,dep>tm5t facilities & provid]s t are au?oriz$ to & h provid$ dialysis c>e to vet]ans via an agreem5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ an assessm5t (-- 7i7 con=mance ) requir$ /&>ds ( c>e prescrib$ by ! ,dep>tm5t2 7ii7 pati5t safety2 7iii7 compliance 9 g5]al ) ! law2 7iv7 /aff+ levels2 7v7 *anges 9 access to & utilization ( c>e by vet]ans relat$ to /aff+ levels & pati5t capacity ( su* facility2 7vi7 bill+ practices = c>e au?oriz$ by ! ,dep>tm5t2 & 7vii7 su* o!r topics z ! ,inspector ,g5]al det]m9es appropriate4 7#d7 ,recomm5dations ,n lat] ?an #abj days aft] ! publication ( ! report "u p>agraph 7#a71 & n less frequ5tly ?an qu>t]ly !reaft] until all recomm5dations conta9$ 9 su* report are clos$ by ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! implem5tation ( su* recomm5dations4 7b7 ,contract en=cem5t 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,any violation ( any contract or agreem5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs or violation ( ! law by a non-,dep>tm5t entity f\nd by ! review conduct$ "u subsection 7a7 %all be imm$iately & exp$iti\sly rem$i$ by ! ,secret>y & any obligations "u any su* contract or agreem5t1 or pursuant to su* law1 includ+ any p5alties1 %all be imm$iately & exp$iti\sly en=c$ by ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#b7 ,foll[-up ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! publication ( ! report "u subsection 7a77#a71 ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all-- 7,a7 conduct a foll[-up review conta9+ any f9d+s & recomm5dations relat$ to violations describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a72 & 7,b7 submit to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate1 & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on any ongo+ violations4 7#c7 ,f9ancial p5alties ,aft] receipt ( ! report "u p>agraph 7#b77;,b71 ! ,secret>y %all impose f9ancial p5alties comm5surate ) ! level & quantity ( violations until ^? violations are resolv$4 #abf4 ,b5efits = p]sons disabl$ by treatm5t "u ,vet]ans ,community ,c>e ,program ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,subsection 7a7 ( section #aaea ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+ p>agraph 7#b7 z p>agraph 7#c72 7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,b71 by /rik+ or at ! end2 & 7#c7 by ins]t+ aft] p>agraph 7#a7 ! foll[+ new p>agraph 7#b73 7#b7 ! disability or dea? 0 caus$ by hospital c>e1 a m$ical s]vice1 or an ext5d$ c>e s]vice furni%$ ! vet]an by a non-,dep>tm5t provid] "u section #agjc ( ?is title & ! proximate cause ( ! disability or dea? 0-- 7,a7 c>elessness1 neglig5ce1 lack ( prop] skill1 error 9 judgm5t1 or simil> in/ance ( fault on ! "p ( ! provid] 9 furni%+ ! hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vice1 or ext5d$ c>e s]vice2 or 7,b7 an ev5t n reasonably =eseeable2 or 4 7b7 ,(fset ( aw>ds ,su* section is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subsection3 7d7 ,! am\nt ( any judgm5t aw>d$ to an individual 9 a civil action br\ght by ! individual aga9/ a non-,dep>tm5t provid] 9 a c\rt ( compet5t jurisdiction = a disability or dea? caus$ by hospital c>e1 a m$ical s]vice1 or an ext5d$ c>e s]vice furni%$ by a non-,dep>tm5t provid] z describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#b7 %all be (fset by ! am\nt ( any comp5sation aw>d$ to ! individual "u su* subsection = su* disability or dea?4 4 ,,ii ,/aff+ matt]s ,a ,sal>ies #bja4 ,modification ( limitation on waiv] = pay ( critical heal? c>e p]sonnel ,section #gdca7;e77#f7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ subp>agraph 7,d72 & 7#b7 by r$esignat+ subp>agraphs 7,e71 7,f71 & 7,g7 z subp>agraphs 7,d71 7,e71 & 7,f71 respectively4 #bjb4 ,increase ( maximum am\nt ( inc5tive pay = ,dep>tm5t ph>maci/ executives ,section #gdaj7;b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ #dj1jjj & ins]t+ #ajj1jjj2 & 7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#f7-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,special & ins]t+ 7,a7 ,special2 7,b7 by /rik+ bonuses &2 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subp>agraph3 7,b7 ,recruitm5t1 relocation1 or ret5tion bonuses "u subsections 7a7 & 7b7 ( section #gjf ( ?is title & critical skills inc5tives "u subsection 7d7 ( su* section %all be exclud$ f ! calculation ( ! limitation "u subp>agraph 7,a74 4 #bjc4 ,modification ( special pay au?ority = nurse executives ,section #gdeb7;g7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ ,dep>tm5t nurse executives1 ! ,secret>y may1 9 accordance ) & all t foll[s ?r\gh ,! ,c5tral ,(fice4 & ins]t+ nurse executives = ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 ! ,"u ,secret>y = ,heal? may pay special pay to p]sonnel ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration :o are nurse executives42 & 7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3 7#e7 ,! ,"u ,secret>y = ,heal? %all def9e ?r\gh regulations :i* positions ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration qualify z nurse executives = purposes ( special pay "u p>agraph 7#a74 4 ,b ,recruitm5t & ret5tion #baa4 ,inclusion ( police (fic]s ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs z law en=cem5t (fic]s 7a7 ,,csrs & ,,f]s 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 section #hcca7bj71 9 ! matt] prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by ins]t+ 1 or an individual describ$ 9 section #hdja7ag77;,e7 aft] crim9al laws ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 & 7ii7 by ins]t+ 1 or s describ$1 aft] engag$ 9 ?is activity2 & 7,b7 9 section #hdja7ag7-- 7i7 9 subp>agraph 7,c7-- 7,i7 by /rik+ subp>agraph 7,a7 & 7,b7 & ins]t+ subp>agraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 7,e72 & 7,,ii7 by /rik+ & at ! end2 7ii7 9 ! flu% text foll[+ subp>agraph 7,d77iii71 by add+ & at ! end2 & 7iii7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7,e7 an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs :o is a ,dep>tm5t police (fic] "u section #ijb ( title #ch1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs2 4 7#b7 ,application ,! am5dm5ts made by ?is subsection %all apply to any-- 7,a7 individual :o is appo9t$ z a law en=cem5t (fic]-- 7i7 z def9$ 9 section #hcca7bj7 or #hdja7ag7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by ?is subsection2 & 7ii7 on or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 & 7,b7 incumb5t1 z def9$ 9 subsection 7b71 consi/5t ) ! requirem5ts ( t subsection4 7b7 ,incumb5t law en=cem5t (fic]s 7#a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is subsection3 7,a7 ,director ,! t]m ,director means ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t4 7,b7 ,fund ,! t]m ,fund means ! ,civil ,s]vice ,retirem5t & ,disability ,fund4 7,c7 ,incumb5t ,! t]m incumb5t means an individual :o-- 7i7 0 appo9t$ z a law en=cem5t (fic] be=e ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 & 7ii7 is s]v+ z a law en=cem5t (fic] on ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 7,d7 ,law en=cem5t (fic] ,! t]m law en=cem5t (fic] means an individual :o satisfies ! requirem5ts ( section #hcca7bj7 or #hdja7ag7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 solely by virtue ( ! am5dm5ts made by subsection 7a74 7,e7 ,prior s]vice ,! t]m prior s]vice means1 ) respect to an incumb5t :o makes an election "u p>agraph 7#b77;,b71 s]vice p]=m$ by ! incumb5t be=e ! date on :i* appropriate retirem5t d$uctions beg9 to be made "u ! election4 7,f7 ,s]vice ,! t]m s]vice means s]vice p]=m$ by an individual z a law en=cem5t (fic]4 7#b7 ,treatm5t ( s]vice p]=m$ by incumb5ts 7,a7 ,s]vice on or aft] date ( enactm5t ,s]vice p]=m$ by an incumb5t on or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act %all be treat$ z s]vice p]=m$ z a law en=cem5t (fic]4 7,b7 ,s]vice be=e date ( enactm5t ,s]vice p]=m$ by an incumb5t be=e ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act %all1 = purposes ( sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt] #hc & *apt] #hd ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 be treat$ z s]vice p]=m$ z a law en=cem5t (fic] only if ! incumb5t submits a writt5 election to ! ,director by ! e>li] (-- 7i7 ! date t is #e ye>s aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 or 7ii7 ! day be=e ! date on :i* ! incumb5t sep>ates f s]vice4 7#c7 ,individual contributions = prior s]vice 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,an incumb5t :o makes an election "u p>agraph 7#b77;,b7 may1 ) respect to prior s]vice p]=m$ by ! incumb5t1 pay a deposit into ! ,fund equal to ! sum (-- 7i7 ! diff]5ce betwe5-- 7,i7 ! am\nt t w\ld h be5 d$uct$ dur+ ! p]iod ( prior s]vice "u section #hccd or #hdbb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 f ! pay ( ! incumb5t if ! am5dm5ts made by subsection 7a7 _h be5 9 effect dur+ ! prior s]vice2 & 7,,ii7 ! am\nt t 0 d$uct$ dur+ ! p]iod ( prior s]vice "u section #hccd or #hdbb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 & 7ii7 int]e/ on ! am\nt describ$ 9 clause 7i77,i71 z comput$ "u-- 7,i7 p>agraphs 7#b7 & 7#c7 ( section #hccd7;e7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 & 7,,ii7 regulations promulgat$ by ! ,director4 7,b7 ,effect ( n contribut+ ,if an incumb5t does n pay ! full am\nt ( ! deposit describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 all prior s]vice ( ! incumb5t-- 7i7 %all rema9 fully cr$itable z a law en=cem5t (fic]2 & 7ii7 ! result+ annuity %all be r$uc$-- 7,i7 9 a mann] simil> to t describ$ 9 section #hccd7;d77#b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 & 7,,ii7 to ! ext5t necess>y to make up ! am\nt unpaid4 7#d7 ,gov]nm5t contributions = prior s]vice 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,if an incumb5t makes an election "u p>agraph 7#b77;,b71 an ag5cy t employ$ ! incumb5t dur+ any prior s]vice ( ! incumb5t %all remit to ! ,director1 = deposit 9 ! ,fund1 an am\nt equal to ! sum (-- 7i7 ! diff]5ce betwe5-- 7,i7 ! total am\nt ( ,gov]nm5t contributions t w\ld h be5 paid "u section #hccd or #hdbc ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 if ! am5dm5ts made by subsection 7a7 _h be5 9 effect dur+ ! prior s]vice2 & 7,,ii7 ! total am\nt ( ,gov]nm5t contributions paid "u section #hccd or #hdbc ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 & 7ii7 int]e/ on ! am\nt describ$ 9 clause 7i77,i71 z comput$ 9 accordance )-- 7,i7 p>agraphs 7#b7 & 7#c7 ( section #hccd7;e7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 & 7,,ii7 regulations promulgat$ by ! ,director4 7,b7 ,contributions to be made ratably ,gov]nm5t contributions "u ?is p>agraph on behalf ( an incumb5t %all be made by ! ag5cy ratably 7n less frequ5tly ?an annually7 ov] ! #aj-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,e74 7#e7 ,exemption f m&atory sep>ation ,not)/&+ section #hcce7;b7 or #hdbe7;b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 a law en=cem5t (fic] %all n be subject to m&atory sep>ation dur+ ! #c-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 7#f7 ,regulations ,! ,director %all prescribe regulations to c>ry out ?is subsection1 includ+ regulations = ! application ( ?is subsection 9 ! case ( any individual entitl$ to a survivor annuity 7bas$ on ! s]vice ( an incumb5t :o dies be=e mak+ an election "u p>agraph 7#b77;,b771 to ! ext5t ( any rights t w\ld h be5 available to ! dec$5t if /ill liv+4 7#g7 ,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is subsection may be con/ru$ to apply 9 ! case ( a reemploy$ annuitant4 #bab4 ,m5tor%ip program = executive lead]%ip teams at m$ical c5t]s ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs may e/abli% a program to connect cov]$ individuals 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z m5tees7 ) pe] m5tors to facilitate %>+ ( be/ practices & lead]%ip exp]i5ces & to fo/] opportunities to develop k & skills requir$ to lead successfully at m$ical facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z ! m5tor%ip program74 7b7 ,cov]$ individual def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m cov]$ individual means-- 7#a7 an individual 9 ! position ( ,facility ,director1 ,*ief ( ,/aff1 ,associate ,director ( ,pati5t ,c>e ,s]vices1 ,associate ,director1 ,assi/ant ,director1 or ,deputy ,director at a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 or 7#b7 any o!r employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t :o is det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y to be an executive lead] at a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7c7 ,eligibility ,! foll[+ employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t are eligible = p>ticipation z m5tees 9 ! m5tor%ip program3 7#a7 ,an employee appo9t$ to a position z a cov]$ individual :o has be5 9 t position = less ?an "o ye>4 7#b7 ,a cov]$ individual employ$ at a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t 7reg>dless ( appo9tm5t comm5cem5t date7 t meets "o or m ( ! foll[+ crit]ia3 7,a7 ,reports poor p]=mance1 z def9$ by ! ,secret>y1 on ! ,/rategic ,analytics = ,improvem5t & ,le>n+ ,value ,model ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 or successor simil> model4 7,b7 ,reports data "u section #agjc;,c7a77#c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z publi%$ on ! ,access to ,c>e website ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 or successor simil> website1 t-- 7i7 does n consi/5tly meet ! level report$ 9 ! community surr\nd+ su* m$ical c5t]1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 or 7ii7 does n meet a ?re%old level det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4 7,c7 ,has "o or m recomm5dations f a report by ! ,(fice ( ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs t is /ill op5 m ?an "o ye> aft] ! report 0 publi%$4 7#c7 ,a cov]$ individual employ$ at a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t 7reg>dless ( appo9tm5t comm5cem5t date7 :o is recomm5d$ by ! ,director ( ! ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,network ov]see+ su* m$ical c5t]4 7d7 ,crit]ia = pe] m5tors ,ea* pe] m5tor to be pair$ ) a m5tee "u subsection 7a7 %all meet ea* ( ! foll[+ crit]ia3 7#a7 ,previ\s or curr5t employm5t 9 ! same position title z ! m5tee4 7#b7 ,employm5t 9 t position = n less ?an two ye>s4 7#c7 ,employm5t at a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t t reports-- 7,a7 above av]age p]=mance1 z def9$ by ! ,secret>y1 on ! ,/rategic ,analytics = ,improvem5t & ,le>n+ ,value ,model ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 or successor simil> model2 & 7,b7 data "u section #agjc;,c7a77#c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z publi%$ on ! ,access to ,c>e website ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 or successor simil> website1 t exce$s ! level report$ 9 ! community surr\nd+ su* m$ical c5t]1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4 7e7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & annually !reaft] = an additional ?ree ye>s1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! m5tor%ip program1 includ+-- 7#a7 ! numb] ( m5tees & pe] m5tors p>ticipat+ 9 ! m5tor%ip program1 disaggregat$ by m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 7#b7 ! numb] ( m5tor-m5tee pair+s initiat$ "u ea* ( ! eligibility crit]ia outl9$ 9 p>agraphs 7#a71 7#b71 & 7#c7 ( subsection 7c71 includ+ in=mation on any circum/ances 9 :i* multiple crit]ia "u su* p>agraphs 7 met2 7#c7 a description ( ! actions tak5 by ! ,dep>tm5t to enc\rage communication betwe5 m5tees & pe] m5tors2 7#d7 aggregat$ fe$back f p>ticipants 9 ! m5tor%ip program2 & 7#e7 ! turnov] rate = cov]$ individuals4 #bac4 ,requirem5t = equival5t role po/+s = vacant positions at ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,:5ev] possible & practicable1 if ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs is issu+ a po/+ = vacant positions at ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs t may be fill$ by m ?an "o type ( pr(essional or cl9ician1 ! ,secret>y %all issue po/+s = all possible cl9icians or pr(essionals :o c\ld fill ! position4 7b7 ,application to c]ta9 positions ,! ,secret>y %all consid] ! requirem5t "u subsection 7a7 9 p>ticul> ) respect to h>d-to-recruit1 h>d-to-reta91 prim>y c>e1 & m5tal heal? c>e positions4 #bad4 ,hir+ processes 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #g ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #gja ! foll[+ new section3 #gjb4 ,hir+ processes 7a7 ,/&>diz$ approval process = fill+ vacant positions 7#a7 ,process requir$ 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% a /&>diz$1 nationwide approval process = fill+ vacant employm5t positions )9 ! ,dep>tm5t4 7,b7 ,v>iability ,! process requir$ by subp>agraph 7,a7 may be diff]5t = ea* type ( employm5t position 9 ! ,dep>tm5t4 7,c7 ,approval w9d[s ,! process requir$ by subp>agraph 7,a7 %all include a /&>diz$ approval w9d[ = ea* approval /ep4 7#b7 ,timel9e ,= any employm5t position go+ ?r\gh ! process e/abli%$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 ( p>agraph 7#a71 if ! "t = a /ep 9 ! approval process exce$s five bus9ess days beyond ! allott$ "t set =? "u subp>agraph 7,c7 ( su* p>agraph1 x %all be automatically approv$4 7#c7 ,delegation ,if ! approval au?ority = a /ep 9 ! hir+ process e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 is vacant1 on leave1 or o!rwise unable to respond to reque/s = approval1 su* au?ority = approval w be delegat$ to ! sup]visor ( su* approval au?ority or su* o!r designee z may be specifi$ 9 ! *a9 ( comm&4 7#d7 ,"t to fill goal ,ea* w9d[ ( "t allott$ = ea* approval /ep "u p>agraph 7#a77;,c7 :5 add$ toge!r %all n exce$ ! goal ( ! ,dep>tm5t to fill w9d[ = t employm5t position4 7b7 ,/&>diz$ process = creat+1 edit+1 & approv+ facility-,specific li/s 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all develop a /&>diz$1 nationwide process = creat+1 edit+1 & approv+ facility-specific h>d-to-recruit or h>d-to-reta9 li/s4 7#b7 ,ext5d$ au?ority ,"u ! process requir$ by p>agraph 7#a71 flexibilities1 au?orities1 & policies reg>d+ a li/ creat$ ) su* process may be consid]$ applicable = #ij days aft] an employm5t position 9 ! ,dep>tm5t is no long] on ! li/ & = any po/+ = t position t 0 vacant at ! "t ! position dropp$ (f ! h>d-to-recruit or h>d-to-reta9 li/4 7c7 ,process = t5tative (f]s ( employm5t ,! ,secret>y %all develop a /&>diz$ process = issu+ t5tative (f]s ( employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t & su* process %all require t ea* su* (f] includes a specifi$ rate ( basic pay4 7d7 ,?ird-,p>ty contracts ,! ,secret>y may conduct laboratory te/+1 backgr\nd cle>ances1 & o!r c&idate approval & vett+ proc$ures ?r\gh a contract ) a ?ird p>ty4 7e7 ,electronic signatures 7#a7 ,au?ority ,! ,secret>y %all all[ electronic signatures on any hir+1 recruitm5t1 ret5tion1 or o!r employm5t docum5ts once a /&>diz$ process = su* signatures is develop$ & implem5t$4 7#b7 ,/&>diz$ process ,! ,secret>y %all develop a /&>diz$ process = use ( electronic signatures z describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a71 :i* %all include exceptions & limitations z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate & t all[s = use ( electronic signatures = employm5t docum5ts1 includ+ /&>d =m #aaeb & relat$ successor =ms1 ,,sf #bhbc & relat$ successor =ms1 & ,,sf #cajb-;,,f]s & relat$ successor =ms4 7f7 ,employee community build+ program ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% an employee community build+ program t connects employees 9 simil> positions1 (fices1 & programs to connect ) ea* o!r nationwide4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( *apt] #g ( su* title is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #gja ! foll[+ new item3 #gjb4 ,hir+ processes4 4 #bae4 ,/aff+ models 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #gd ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new section3 #gdae4 ,/aff+ models 7a7 ,/aff+ models ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% a /aff+ model = ea* s]vice or program )9 ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration4 7b7 ,reevaluation ,! ,secret>y %all reevaluate ea* /aff+ model e/abli%$ "u subsection 7a7 n less frequ5tly ?an once e #e ye>s4 7c7 ,consultation ,9 e/abli%+ & reevaluat+ /aff+ models "u ?is section1 ! ,secret>y %all consult ) ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 labor repres5tatives1 vet]ans s]vice organizations1 & appropriate pr(essional associations4 7d7 ,report+ 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report conta9+ any /aff+ model or reevaluation ( a /aff+ model "u ?is section1 includ+ any fe$back provid$ "u p>agraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,fe$back 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,be=e submitt+ "u p>agraph 7#a7 a report conta9+ any /aff+ model or reevaluation ( a /aff+ model1 ! ,secret>y %all submit su* model or reevaluation to ! entities specifi$ "u subsection 7c7 = fe$back4 7,b7 ,incorporation ( fe$back ,! ,secret>y %all include 9 ! report submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 any orig9al docum5ts1 a description ( fe$back provid$ "u subp>agraph 7,a71 & ! new docum5ts updat$ ) su* fe$back4 7#c7 ,elem5ts ,! report requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all include-- 7,a7 a description (-- 7i7 ! /aff+ model = ea* s]vice or program )9 ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration2 7ii7 :]e & h[ ! /aff+ model %all be appli$2 & 7iii7 ! rationale = su* /aff+ model2 7,b7 an id5tification ( ! ratio ( /aff requir$ to adm9i/] su* s]vice or program to ! numb] ( vet]ans s]v$ by su* s]vice or program2 & 7,c7 su* o!r matt]s z ! ,secret>y det]m9es appropriate4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #gdad ! foll[+ new item3 #gdae4 ,/aff+ models4 4 #baf4 ,telework policy 7a7 ,policy requir$ ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all1 9 accordance ) ! requirem5ts ( ?is section & ! requirem5ts ( section #fejb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 e/abli% a policy = telework )9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = all employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7b7 ,default /atus ,! policy e/abli%$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 %all e/abli% ! default /atus = employees z be+ all[$ to telework ) exemptions outl9$ = employees :o mu/ p]=m "s or all ( _! "w 9 p]son due to ! nature ( _! "w or because !y d n meet ! requirem5ts = telework p]mission set =? 9 section #fejb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z ( ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 7c7 ,report on sav+s ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date on :i* ! policy e/abli%$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 goes into effect1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on am\nts sav$ ea* ye> because ( ! numb] ( employees :o are p]mitt$ to telework4 7d7 ,effective date & *anges 7#a7 ,effective date ( initial policy ,! initial policy e/abli%$ by pursuant to subsection 7a7 %all g into effect n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! policy is e/abli%$4 7#b7 ,effective date ( subsequ5t *anges ,any *ange made to ! policy e/abli%$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 aft] ! effective date set =? 9 p>agraph 7#a7 %all take effect n less ?an "o ye> aft] ! date on :i* ! *ange is made4 7#c7 ,notice ,= any *ange made to ! policy e/abli%$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 aft] ! effective date set =? 9 p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y %all1 n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date on :i* ! *ange is made-- 7,a7 notify all affect$ employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 7,b7 submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! *anges2 & 7,c7 make available to ! public a copy ( ! *anges4 7e7 ,relation to memor&a ,! policy e/abli%$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 %all supplant any memor&a sign$ by ! ,presid5t or ! ,secret>y to ! degree t su* memor&a conflict ) su* policy4 ,c ,education #bba4 ,e/abli%m5t ( ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #gf ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new sub*apt]3 ,x ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program #gfii;,c4 ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,z "p ( ! ,educational ,assi/ance ,program1 ! ,secret>y %all c>ry out a program "u ?is sub*apt] to provide-- 7#a7 s*ol>%ips "u section #gfii;,c-#a ( ?is title2 & 7#b7 lump sum education debt r$uction "u section #gfii;,c-#b ( ?is title4 7b7 ,"n ( program ,! program "u ?is sub*apt] %all be kn[n z ! ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program 79 ?is sub*apt] ref]r$ to z ! ,program74 #gfii;,c-#a4 ,s*ol>%ips 7a7 ,cov]$ co/s ,a s*ol>%ip provid$ to an individual "u ! ,program %all consi/ ( paym5t ( reasonable education exp5ses ( ! individual = a c\rse ( education or tra9+ describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#c71 includ+ tuition1 fees1 books1 & laboratory exp5ses4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an individual is eligible to receive a s*ol>%ip "u ! ,program if ! individual-- 7#a7 is an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t s]v+ z a m$ical support assi/ant1 advanc$ m$ical support assi/ant1 lead m$ical support assi/ant1 or sup]visory m$ical support assi/ant2 7#b7 z ( ! date on :i* ! individual submits an application = p>ticipation 9 ! ,program1 has be5 cont9u\sly employ$ by ! ,dep>tm5t 9 "o or m ( ! positions specifi$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 = a p]iod ( n less ?an two ye>s2 7#c7 has be5 accept$ = enrollm5t or is enroll$ z a /ud5t 9 a c\rse ( education or tra9+-- 7,a7 li/$ z a requirem5t = any %ortage occupation position1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 7,b7 relat$ to bus9ess1 heal? c>e adm9i/ration1 or human res\rces2 or 7,c7 completion ( :i* results 9 any o!r degree or c]tification t ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate = purposes ( ! ,program2 & 7#d7 has a record ( employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t t1 9 ! judgm5t ( ! ,secret>y1 demon/rates a high likelihood t ! individual w be successful 9 complet+ su* c\rse ( education or tra9+ & 9 ga9+ employm5t 9 a field relat$ to su* c\rse ( education or tra9+4 7c7 ,p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice 7#a7 ,agreem5t 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,an agreem5t betwe5 ! ,secret>y & a p>ticipant "u ! ,program :o seeks a s*ol>%ip "u ?is section1 9 addition to ! requirem5ts set =? 9 section #gfjd ( ?is title1 %all include ! foll[+3 7i7 ,! agreem5t ( ! ,secret>y to provide ! p>ticipant ) a s*ol>%ip "u ! ,program = a specifi$ numb] ( s*ool ye>s1 :i* may n exce$ ! cr$it equival5t ( f\r full s*ool ye>s1 dur+ :i* ! p>ticipant pursues a c\rse ( education or tra9+ describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#c7 t meets ! requirem5ts set =? 9 section #gfjb7;a7 ( ?is title4 7ii7 ,subject to subp>agraph 7,b71 ! agreem5t ( ! p>ticipant to s]ve z a full-"t employee 9 ! ,dep>tm5t 9 a position describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#c77;,a7 = a p]iod ( "t1 n less ?an "o ye>1 t is equal to ! p]iod ( ! c\rse ( education or tra9+ = :i* a s*ol>%ip is provid$ "u ?is section 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant74 7,b7 ,"p-"t /ud5ts ,9 ! case ( a p>ticipant :o is a "p-"t /ud5t dur+ a s*ool ye> ) respect to :i* a s*ol>%ip is provid$ to ! p>ticipant "u ?is section1 ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant incurr$ dur+ t s*ool ye> %all be r$uc$ 9 accordance ) ! proportion t ! numb] ( cr$it h\rs c>ri$ by ! p>ticipant 9 t s*ool ye> be>s to ! numb] ( cr$it h\rs requir$ to be c>ri$ by a full-"t /ud5t 9 ! c\rse ( education or tra9+ pursu$ by ! p>ticipant dur+ t s*ool ye>1 b 9 no ev5t may ! total p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant be r$uc$ to less ?an "o ye>4 7#b7 ,s]vice comm5cem5t date 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,f7 or 7,g71 n lat] ?an #fj days be=e ! s]vice comm5cem5t date ( a p>ticipant "u ?is section1 ! ,secret>y %all notify ! p>ticipant ( t s]vice comm5cem5t date4 ,t date is ! beg9n+ ( ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant4 7,b7 ,doctors & simil> heal? c>e pr(essionals ,9 ! case ( a p>ticipant receiv+ a degree f a s*ool ( m$ic9e1 o/eopa?y1 d5ti/ry1 optometry1 or podiatry1 ! s]vice comm5cem5t date ( ! p>ticipant is ! date ! p>ticipant becomes lic5s$ to practice m$ic9e1 o/eopa?y1 d5ti/ry1 optometry1 or podiatry1 z ! case may be1 9 a ,/ate4 7,c7 ,nurses ,9 ! case ( a p>ticipant receiv+ a degree f a s*ool ( nurs+1 ! s]vice comm5cem5t date ( ! p>ticipant is ! lat] (-- 7i7 ! c\rse completion date ( ! p>ticipant2 or 7ii7 ! date ! p>ticipant becomes lic5s$ z a regi/]$ nurse 9 a ,/ate4 7,d7 ,o!r heal? c>e pr(essionals ,9 ! case ( a p>ticipant n cov]$ by subp>agraph 7,b7 or 7,c71 ! s]vice comm5cem5t date ( ! p>ticipant is ! lat] (-- 7i7 ! c\rse completion date ( ! p>ticipant2 or 7ii7 ! date ! p>ticipant meets any applicable lic5sure or c]tification requirem5ts4 7,e7 ,treatm5t ( "p-"t /ud5ts ,! ,secret>y %all specify ! s]vice comm5cem5t date = p>ticipants :o 7 "p-"t /ud5ts1 :i* %all include t]ms z simil> z practicable to ! t]ms set =? 9 subp>agraphs 7,b7 ?r\gh 7,d74 7,f7 ,s]vice dur+ c\rse ( education or tra9+ ,a p>ticipant may s]ve ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant1 or any portion ( su* p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice1 dur+ ! p]iod 9 :i* ! p>ticipant is enroll$ z a /ud5t 9 a c\rse ( education or tra9+ "u subsection 7b77#c7 if ! p>ticipant is employ$ 9 a position describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 ( su* subsection4 7,g7 ,s]vice foll[+ lic5sure or ongo+ tra9+ ,) respect to a p>ticipant :o is lic5s$ b may ent] a resid5cy or simil> tra9+ program1 ! ,secret>y may adju/ ! beg9n+ ( ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant to beg9 foll[+ completion ( ! resid5cy or simil> tra9+ program4 7,h7 ,c\rse completion date def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m c\rse completion date means ! date on :i* a p>ticipant "u ?is section completes ! c\rse ( education or tra9+ ( ! p>ticipant "u ?is section4 7d7 ,liability = brea* ( agreem5t 7#a7 ,liability dur+ c\rse ( education or tra9+ 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#c71 a p>ticipant "u ?is section %all be liable to ! ,unit$ ,/ates = ! am\nt t has be5 paid to or on behalf ( ! p>ticipant "u ! agreem5t "u subsection 7c77#a7 if any ( ! foll[+ occurs3 7i7 ,! p>ticipant fails to ma9ta9 an acceptable level ( academic /&+ 9 ! educational in/itution 9 :i* ! p>ticipant is enroll$ 7z det]m9$ by ! educational in/itution pursuant to direction by ! ,secret>y74 7ii7 ,! p>ticipant is dismiss$ f su* educational in/itution = discipl9>y reasons4 7iii7 ,! p>ticipant volunt>ily t]m9ates ! c\rse ( education or tra9+ 9 su* educational in/itution be=e ! completion ( su* c\rse ( education or tra9+4 7iv7 ,! p>ticipant1 z applicable1 dur+ a p]iod ( "t det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y-- 7,i7 fails to become lic5s$ to practice m$ic9e1 o/eopa?y1 d5ti/ry1 podiatry1 or optometry 9 a ,/ate2 7,,ii7 fails to become lic5s$ z a regi/]$ nurse 9 a ,/ate2 or 7,,iii7 9 ! case ( any o!r heal?-c>e p]sonnel :o is n cov]$ "u subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii71 fails to meet any applicable lic5sure or c]tification requirem5t4 7,b7 ,9 lieu ( s]vice obligation ,liability "u ?is p>agraph is 9 lieu ( any p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice aris+ "u ! agreem5t ( ! p>ticipant "u subsection 7c77#a74 7#b7 ,liability dur+ p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ,except z provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#c71 if a p>ticipant "u ?is section brea*es ! agreem5t "u subsection 7c77#a7 by fail+ = any reason to complete ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all be entitl$ to recov] f ! p>ticipant an am\nt equal to-- 7,a7 ! total am\nt paid "u ?is section to ! p>ticipant2 multipli$ by 7,b7 a fraction-- 7i7 ! num]ator ( :i* is-- 7,i7 ! total numb] ( mon?s 9 ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant2 m9us 7,,ii7 ! numb] ( mon?s s]v$ by ! p>ticipant2 & 7ii7 ! d5om9ator ( :i* is ! total numb] ( mon?s 9 ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant4 7#c7 ,limitation on liability = r$uction 9 =ce ,liability %all n arise "u p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 9 ! case ( a individual cov]$ by ei!r su* p>agraph if ! individual does n obta91 or fails to ma9ta91 employm5t z an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t due to /aff+ *anges approv$ by ! ,secret>y4 7e7 ,paym5t ( am\nts & limitations 7#a7 ,total am\nt = a s*ool ye> ,! total am\nt ( a s*ol>%ip payable to a p>ticipant "u ?is section-- 7,a7 may n exce$ #bj1jjj = ! equival5t ( "o ye> ( full-"t c\rsework 9 a c\rse ( education or tra9+2 or 7,b7 9 ! case ( a p>ticipant :o is a "p-"t /ud5t1 may n exce$ an am\nt t be>s ! same ratio to ! am\nt t w\ld be paid "u subp>agraph 7,a7 if ! /ud5t 7 a full-"t /ud5t 9 ! c\rse ( education or tra9+ be+ pursu$ by ! p>ticipant z ! c\rsework c>ri$ by ! p>ticipant comp>es to full-"t c\rsework 9 t c\rse ( education or tra9+4 7#b7 ,maximum numb] ( s*ool ye>s 7,a7 ,total ye>s ,! numb] ( s*ool ye>s = :i* a s*ol>%ip may be paid to a p>ticipant "u ?is section may n exce$ eight s*ool ye>s4 7,b7 ,full-"t equival5t ,a p>ticipant may n receive a s*ol>%ip "u ?is section = m ?an ! equival5t ( f\r ye>s ( full-"t c\rsework4 7#c7 ,maximum total am\nt ,! total am\nt paid to or on behalf ( a p>ticipant ?r\gh a s*ol>%ip "u ?is section may n exce$ #hj1jjj4 7#d7 ,paym5t ( educational exp5ses by educational in/itutions ,! ,secret>y may arrange ) an educational in/itution 9 :i* a p>ticipant "u ?is section is enroll$ = ! paym5t ( education exp5ses "u subsection 7a74 ,su* paym5ts may be made )\t reg>d to subsections 7a7 & 7b7 ( section #ccbd ( title #ca4 #gfii;,c-#b4 ,lump sum education debt r$uction 7a7 ,cov]$ co/s ,lump sum education debt r$uction provid$ by ! ,secret>y "u ?is section to an individual %all consi/ ( paym5t ( pr9cipal & int]e/ "u a loan1 ! proce$s ( :i* 7 us$ by or on behalf ( t individual to pay co/s relat+ to a c\rse ( education or tra9+1 includ+ tuition exp5ses & o!r reasonable educational exp5ses1 includ+ fees1 books1 laboratory exp5ses1 & reasonable liv+ exp5ses4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an individual is eligible to receive lump sum education debt repaym5t "u ?is section if ! individual-- 7#a7 owes any am\nt ( pr9cipal & int]e/ "u a loan1 ! proce$s ( :i* 7 us$ by or on behalf ( t individual to pay co/s relat+ to a c\rse ( education or tra9+2 7#b7 commits to a p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice "u subsection 7d72 & 7#c7 has be5 (f]$ employm5t 9 ! ,dep>tm5t 9 ! position ( a m$ical support assi/ant1 advanc$ m$ical support assi/ant1 lead m$ical support assi/ant1 or sup]visory m$ical support assi/ant4 7c7 ,paym5ts 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,a lump sum education debt r$uction paym5t "u ?is section %all consi/ ( a paym5t to a p>ticipant "u ?is section ( an am\nt n to exce$ ! less] (-- 7,a7 ! pr9cipal & int]e/ on loans describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 t is out/&+ = su* p>ticipant at ! "t ( ! paym5t2 or 7,b7 #dj1jjj4 7#b7 ,pro( ( use ( am\nts ,p>ticipants "u ?is section 9 receipt ( a lump sum education debt r$uction paym5t "u ?is section mu/ provide pro( ( paym5t v]ify+ ! full lump sum paym5t receiv$ 0 paid to ! l5d] = ! loan held by su* p>ticipant n lat] ?an #de days aft] receiv+ ! lump sum paym5t4 7d7 ,p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 ex*ange = a "o-"t lump sum education debt paym5t "u ?is section1 a p>ticipant "u ?is section %all agree to be employ$ = n less ?an ?ree ye>s at ! ,dep>tm5t 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice74 7#b7 ,positions ( employm5t 7,a7 ,m$ical support ,n few] ?an two ( ! ye>s ( ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( a p>ticipant "u ?is section %all be s]v$ 9 ! position ( m$ical support assi/ant1 advanc$ m$ical support assi/ant1 lead m$ical support assi/ant1 or sup]visory m$ical support assi/ant ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7,b7 ,h>d-to-hire or h>d-to-recruit ,! rema9d] ( any p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice n cov]$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be s]v$ 9 a h>d-to-hire or h>d-to-recruit position z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4 7e7 ,liability dur+ p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 if a p>ticipant "u ?is section fails to complete ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant = any reason1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all be entitl$ to recov] f ! p>ticipant an am\nt equal to-- 7,a7 ! total am\nt paid "u ?is section to ! p>ticipant2 multipli$ by 7,b7 a fraction-- 7i7 ! num]ator ( :i* is-- 7,i7 ! total numb] ( mon?s 9 ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant2 m9us 7,,ii7 ! numb] ( mon?s s]v$ by ! p>ticipant2 & 7ii7 ! d5om9ator ( :i* is ! total numb] ( mon?s 9 ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant4 7#b7 ,exception ,liability %all n arise "u p>agraph 7#a7 9 ! case ( an individual cov]$ by t p>agraph if ! individual does n obta91 or fails to ma9ta91 employm5t z an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t due to /aff+ *anges approv$ by ! ,secret>y4 #gfii;,c-#c4 ,adm9i/ration 7a7 ,outrea* 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all develop an outrea* program to ,tribal ,colleges & ,univ]sities1 hi/orically ,black colleges & univ]sities1 high s*ools 9 rural areas1 community colleges1 transition assi/ance programs = memb]s ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces transition+ to civilian life1 & sp\ses ( su* memb]s to provide in=mation ab\t ! ,program4 7#b7 ,tribal ,college or ,univ]sity def9$ ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m ,tribal ,college or ,univ]sity has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m "u section #caf ( ! ,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 7b7 ,m5tors ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t a m5tor or m5tors are available = ea* individual p>ticipat+ 9 ! ,program at ! facility at :i* ! individual is employ$4 #gfii;,c-#d4 ,limitation ,no individual may receive bo? a s*ol>%ip "u section #gfii;,c-#a ( ?is title & a lump sum education debt r$uction "u section #gfii;,c-#b ( ?is title4 #gfii;,c-#e4 ,t]m9ation ,! au?ority to c>ry out ! ,program %all t]m9ate on ! date t is #aj ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,honor ,act ( #bjbe4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 ,,sub*apt] ,x--,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program,sec4#gfii;,c4 ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program4#gfii;,c-#a4 ,s*ol>%ips4#gfii;,c-#b4 ,lump sum education debt r$uction4#gfii;,c-#c4 ,adm9i/ration4#gfii;,c-#d4 ,limitation4#gfii;,c-#e4 ,t]m9ation4 4 7c7 ,con=m+ am5dm5ts 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( program ,section #gfja7;a7 ( su* title is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#f71 by /rik+ &2 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#g71 by /rik+ ! p]iod & ins]t+ 2 &2 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3 7#h7 ! program to provide s*ol>%ips & lump sum education debt r$uction provid$ = 9 sub*apt] ,x ( ?is *apt]4 4 7#b7 ,eligibility ,section #gfjb ( su* title is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 subsection 7a77#a7-- 7i7 by /rik+ or ,,ix & ins]t+ ,,ix1 or ,x2 7ii7 by /rik+ or = :i* a s*ol>%ip & ins]t+ = :i* a s*ol>%ip2 & 7iii7 by ins]t+ or = :i* a s*ol>%ip or lump sum education debt r$uction may be provid$ "u sub*apt] ,x ( ?is *apt]1 be=e z ! case may be2 & 7,b7 9 subsection 7b71 by /rik+ or ,,ix & ins]t+ ,,ix1 or ,x4 7#c7 ,application ,section #gfjc7;a77#a7 ( su* title is am5d$ by /rik+ or ,,ix & ins]t+ ,,ix1 or ,x4 7#d7 ,t]ms ( agreem5t ,section #gfjd ( su* title is am5d$ by /rik+ or ,,ix ea* place x appe>s & ins]t+ ,,ix1 or ,x4 7#e7 ,annual report ,section #gfcb ( su* title is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ & ! ,readju/m5t ,c\nsel+ ,s]vice ,s*ol>%ip ,program & ins]t+ ! ,readju/m5t ,c\nsel+ ,s]vice ,s*ol>%ip ,program1 & ! ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program2 & 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#d71 by /rik+ & p] p>ticipant 9 ! ,readju/m5t ,c\nsel+ ,s]vice ,s*ol>%ip ,program & ins]t+ p] p>ticipant 9 ! ,readju/m5t ,c\nsel+ ,s]vice ,s*ol>%ip ,program1 & p] p>ticipant 9 ! ,/>t & ,/ay at ,,va ,program4 #bbb4 ,build+ & ma9t5ance pr(essionals educational assi/ance program 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #gf ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by section #bba7;a71 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new sub*apt]3 ,,xi ,build & ,ma9ta9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,program #gfii;,d4 ,requirem5t = program 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,z "p ( ! ,educational ,assi/ance ,program1 ! ,secret>y %all c>ry out a program "u ?is sub*apt] to provide education & employm5t assi/ance "u ?is sub*apt]4 7b7 ,"n ( program ,! program "u ?is sub*apt] %all be kn[n z ! ,build & ,ma9ta9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,program 79 ?is sub*apt] ref]r$ to z ! ,program74 #gfii;,d-#a4 ,education & employm5t assi/ance 7a7 ,cov]$ co/s ,a s*ol>%ip provid$ to an individual "u ! ,program %all consi/ ( paym5t ( reasonable education exp5ses ( ! individual = a c\rse ( education or tra9+ describ$ 9 subsection 7b71 includ+ tuition1 fees1 books1 & laboratory exp5ses4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an individual is eligible to receive a s*ol>%ip "u ! ,program if ! individual has be5 accept$ = enrollm5t or is enroll$ z a /ud5t 9 a c\rse ( education or tra9+ relat$ to qualifications requir$ by ! ,dep>tm5t 9 ord] to be eligible = employm5t z-- 7#a7 a heat+1 air condition+1 indu/rial or boil] plant equipm5t me*anic2 7#b7 a boil] plant1 utility sy/ems1 or air condition+ equipm5t op]ator2 7#c7 a g5]al1 biom$ical1 or indu/rial eng9e]2 or 7#d7 o!r su* positions relat$ to infra/ructure1 ma9t5ance1 or facilities managem5t deem$ ess5tial by ! ,secret>y = ! op]ation ( ,dep>tm5t facilities4 7c7 ,p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice 7#a7 ,agreem5t ,an agreem5t betwe5 ! ,secret>y & a p>ticipant "u ! ,program :o seeks a s*ol>%ip "u ?is section1 9 addition to ! requirem5ts set =? 9 section #gfjd ( ?is title1 %all include ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,! agreem5t ( ! ,secret>y to provide ! p>ticipant ) a s*ol>%ip "u ! ,program = a specifi$ numb] ( s*ool ye>s dur+ :i* ! p>ticipant pursues a c\rse ( education or tra9+ describ$ 9 subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,subject to subp>agraph 7,a71 ! agreem5t ( ! p>ticipant to s]ve z a full-"t employee 9 ! ,dep>tm5t 9 a position describ$ 9 subsection 7b7 = a specifi$ p]iod ( "t 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant74 7#b7 ,s]vice comm5cem5t date 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,f7 or 7,g71 n lat] ?an #fj days be=e ! s]vice comm5cem5t date ( a p>ticipant "u ?is section1 ! ,secret>y %all notify ! p>ticipant ( t s]vice comm5cem5t date4 ,t date is ! beg9n+ ( ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant4 7,b7 ,s]vice comm5cem5t date ,! s]vice comm5cem5t date ( ! p>ticipant is ! lat] (-- 7i7 ! c\rse completion date ( ! p>ticipant2 or 7ii7 ! date ! p>ticipant meets any applicable lic5sure or c]tification requirem5ts4 7,c7 ,treatm5t ( "p-"t /ud5ts ,! ,secret>y %all specify ! s]vice comm5cem5t date = p>ticipants :o 7 "p-"t /ud5ts1 :i* %all include t]ms z simil> z practicable to ! t]ms set =? 9 subp>agraph 7,b74 7,d7 ,s]vice dur+ c\rse ( education or tra9+ ,a p>ticipant may s]ve ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant1 or any portion ( su* p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice1 dur+ ! p]iod 9 :i* ! p>ticipant is enroll$ z a /ud5t 9 a c\rse ( education or tra9+ "u subsection 7b7 z deem$ appropriate by ! ,secret>y4 7,e7 ,s]vice foll[+ lic5sure or ongo+ tra9+ ,) respect to a p>ticipant :o is lic5s$ b may ent] a relat$ & appropriate fur!r tra9+ program1 ! ,secret>y may adju/ ! beg9n+ ( ! p]iod ( obligat$ s]vice ( ! p>ticipant to beg9 foll[+ completion or des]tion ( ! additional tra9+4 7d7 ,t]m9ation ,! au?ority to c>ry out ! ,program %all t]m9ate on ! date t is #aj ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,honor ,act ( #bjbe4 #gfii;,d-#b4 ,p>tn]%ips ,z "p ( ! ,program1 ! ,secret>y may coord9ate & develop p>tn]%ips & agreem5ts ) tra9+ programs & s*ools ) ! capability ( provid+ ! education requir$ to fill ! types ( positions outl9$ 9 section #gfii;,d-#a7;b74 #gfii;,d-#c4 ,adm9i/ration 7a7 ,outrea* 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all develop an outrea* program to ,tribal ,colleges & ,univ]sities1 hi/orically ,black colleges & univ]sities1 high s*ools 9 rural areas1 community colleges1 transition assi/ance programs = memb]s ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces transition+ to civilian life1 & sp\ses ( su* memb]s to provide in=mation ab\t ! ,program4 7#b7 ,tribal ,college or ,univ]sity def9$ ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m ,tribal ,college or ,univ]sity has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m "u section #caf ( ! ,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 7b7 ,m5tors ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t a m5tor or m5tors are available = ea* individual p>ticipat+ 9 ! ,program at ! facility at :i* ! individual is employ$4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 ,,sub*apt] ,,xi--,build & ,ma9ta9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,program,sec4#gfii;,d4 ,requirem5t = program4#gfii;,d-#a4 ,education & ,employm5t ,assi/ance4#gfii;,d-#b4 ,p>tn]%ips4#gfii;,d-#c4 ,adm9i/ration4 4 #bbc4 ,expansion ( reimbursem5t ( cont9u+ pr(essional education exp5ses 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #gdaa ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 #gdaa4 ,reimbursem5t ( cont9u+ pr(essional education exp5ses 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all reimburse c]ta9 full-"t heal? c>e pr(essionals ( ! ,dep>tm5t = exp5ses incurr$ = cont9u+ pr(essional education 9 am\nts z foll[s3 7#a7 ,) respect to any physician1 d5ti/1 podiatri/1 *iropractor1 optometri/1 regi/]$ nurse1 or physician assi/ant appo9t$ "u section #gdja7a7 ( ?is title1 n m ?an #a1jjj p] ye> = ea* su* individual4 7#b7 ,) respect to any lic5s$ practical or vocational nurse includ+ b n limit$ to nurse practition]s & advanc$ practice regi/]$ nurses1 m$ical te*nologi/1 ph>maci/1 ph>macy te*nician1 psy*ologi/1 diagno/ic radiologic te*nologi/1 or social work] appo9t$ "u section #gdja7c7 ( ?is title1 n m ?an #a1jjj p] ye> = ea* su* individual4 7b7 ,report requir$ 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n less frequ5tly ?an annually aft] ! end ( ! fir/ fiscal ye> foll[+ ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,honor ,act ( #bjbe1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives in=mation on utilization ( reimbursem5t "u subsection 7a71 includ+-- 7,a7 locations at :i* reimbursem5t is claim$2 7,b7 position title & specialty ( ! individual claim+ reimbursem5t2 7,c7 av]age am\nt claim$ p] position & specialty2 & 7,d7 p]c5t utilization by ea* position & specialty ov]all4 7#b7 ,au?ority to include 9 exi/+ report ,! in=mation requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 may be submitt$ indep5d5tly or includ$ 9 ano!r annual report to ,congress4 7c7 ,priority reimbursem5ts ,9 provid+ reimbursem5t "u subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y %all prioritize reimbursem5t =-- 7#a7 individuals provid+ direct pati5t c>e or individuals :o are decision-mak]s = direct pati5t c>e2 & 7#b7 pr(essional education directly relat$ to ! duties & responsibilities ( ! position ( ! employee or relat$ to ! position or positions ( employees ov]se5 by ! employee4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #gd ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! item relat+ to section #gdaa & ins]t+ ! foll[+ new item3 #gdaa4 ,reimbursem5t ( cont9u+ pr(essional education exp5ses4 4 #bbd4 ,paym5t ( lic5sure exam co/s = recipi5ts ( s*ol>%ips f ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all pay ! co/s ( any lic5s+ exam9ations & c]tifications requir$ by ! ,secret>y = any curr5t recipi5t ( a cov]$ heal? pr(essional s*ol>%ip f ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4 7b7 ,lic5s+ exam9ations & c]tifications ,subsection 7a7 %all apply to ! paym5t ( co/s =-- 7#a7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,m$ical ,lic5s+ ,exam9ation ,/ep #a1 ,/ep #b1 & ,/ep #c2 7#b7 ! ,national ,c\ncil ,lic5sure ,exam2 7#c7 ! ,national ,bo>d ,d5tal ,exam9ation2 7#d7 ! ,national ,bo>d ,d5tal ,hygi5e ,exam9ation2 7#e7 ! ,d5tal ,lic5sure ,objective ,/ructur$ ,cl9ical ,exam9ation & ,integrat$ ,national ,bo>d ,d5tal ,exam9ation2 7#f7 ! ,national ,lic5s+ ,exams = ,regi/]$ ,nurses1 ,nurse ,practition]s1 ,nurse ,midwives1 ,cl9ical ,nurse ,speciali/s1 & ,c]tifi$ ,regi/]$ ,nurse ,ane/heti/s2 7#g7 ! ,am]ican ,podiatric ,m$ical ,lic5s+ ,exam2 7#h7 ! ,national ,bo>d ( ,exam9]s 9 ,optometry ,exam2 7#i7 ! ,physician ,assi/ant ,national ,c]tification ,exam2 7#aj7 ! ,exam9ation = ,pr(essional ,practice 9 ,psy*ology2 7#aa7 ! ,academy = ,c]tification ( ,vision ,rehabilitation & ,education ,pr(essionals c]tification exam9ations2 7#ab7 ! ,association ( ,social ,work]s ,bo>ds ,exam2 7#ac7 ! ,national ,physical ,!rapy ,lic5s+ ,exam9ation = ,physical ,!rapi/s2 7#ad7 ,! ,bo>d ( ,regi/ration ,exam9ation = ,k9esio!rapy2 & 7#ae7 su* o!r lic5s+ exam9ations & c]tifications z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4 7c7 ,report to ,congress ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & n less frequ5tly ?an annually !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! implem5tation ( ?is section t includes ! foll[+ data = ea* ,/ate & t]ritory ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates = ! "o-ye> p]iod prec$+ ! date ( ! report3 7#a7 ,utilization by ! ,secret>y ( ! requirem5t "u subsection 7a7 brok5 d[n by position & c>e] type4 7#b7 ,numb] ( times ea* exam9ation or c]tification describ$ 9 subsection 7b7 0 paid = by ! ,dep>tm5t & total funds exp5d$ by ! ,dep>tm5t = ea* su* exam9ation or c]tification4 7d7 ,cov]$ heal? pr(essional s*ol>%ip def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m cov]$ heal? pr(essional s*ol>%ip means-- 7#a7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,heal? ,pr(essional ,s*ol>%ip ,program "u sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #gf ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 7#b7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,employee ,inc5tive ,s*ol>%ip ,program "u sub*apt] ,,vi ( su* *apt]1 includ+-- 7,a7 ! ,national ,nurs+ ,education ,initiative2 & 7,b7 ! ,,va ,national ,education = ,employees ,program2 7#c7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,readju/m5t ,c\nsel+ ,s]vice ,s*ol>%ip ,program "u sub*apt] ,,ix ( su* *apt]2 7#d7 ! ,visual ,impairm5t & ,ori5tation & ,mobility ,pr(essionals ,s*ol>%ip ,program "u *apt] #ge ( su* title2 7#e7 ! ,vet]ans ,heal+ ,vet]ans ,m$ical ,access & ,s*ol>%ip ,program "u section #cjd ( ! ,,va ,,mission ,act ( #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ahb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja note72 7#f7 ! ,physician ,assi/ant ,education & ,tra9+ ,pilot ,program = ,=m] ,memb]s ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces "u section #bdf ( division ,j ( ! ,consolidat$ ,appropriations ,act ( #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ada2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja note72 & 7#g7 su* o!r programs z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4 ,d ,reports #bca4 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs p]sonnel transp>5cy 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #eje ( ! ,john ,s4 ,mc,cain ,,iii1 ,daniel ,k4 ,akaka1 & ,samuel ,r4 ,johnson ,,va ,ma9ta9+ ,int]nal ,sy/ems & ,/r5g!n+ ,integrat$ ,outside ,networks ,act ( #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ahb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #cja note7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a7-- 7i7 9 ! matt] be=e subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ in=mation1 & all t foll[s ?r\gh facility3 & ins]t+ in=mation32 7ii7 9 subp>agraph 7,b7-- 7,i7 by ins]t+ 7i7 be=e ,! numb]2 & 7,,ii7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new clause3 7ii7 ,in=mation made available "u ?is subp>agraph %all be updat$ n less frequ5tly ?an once ea* qu>t] to acc\nt = delays 9 data process+ & %all reflect ! mo/ rec5tly available data4 2 7iii7 9 subp>agraph 7,c71 by /rik+ vacancies1 by occupation4 & ins]t+ positions curr5tly und]go+ a recruitm5t action1 disaggregat$ by occupation & by /age ( recruitm5t1 includ+ ,manag] ,reque/ ,initiation ,/age1 recruitm5t /age1 onbo>d+ /age1 & wait+ to />t /age1 or successor /ages if modifi$42 7iv7 9 subp>agraph 7,e77iii71 by /rik+ pot5tial hires or2 & 7v7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subp>agraph3 7,f7 ,! numb] ( positions vacat$ dur+ ! qu>t] = :i* ! ,dep>tm5t has n initiat$ a recruitm5t action1 includ+ ! date ! position 0 vacat$1 disaggregat$ by occupation4 2 7,b7 by r$esignat+ p>agraph 7#e7 z p>agraph 7#f72 7,c7 by ins]t+ aft] p>agraph 7#d7 ! foll[+ new p>agraph 7#e73 7#e7 ,display ( in=mation ,! display ( in=mation made publicly available on an int]net website ( ! ,dep>tm5t pursuant to p>agraph 7#a71 %all be disaggregat$-- 7,a7 by dep>tm5tal compon5t2 7,b7 9 ! case ( in=mation relat+ to ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration positions1 by m$ical facility2 & 7,c7 9 ! case ( in=mation relat+ to ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration positions1 by regional (fice4 2 & 7,d7 9 p>agraph 7#f71 z r$esignat$ by subp>agraph 7,b71 by /rik+ %all & all t foll[s & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 8%all-- 7,a7 review ! adm9i/ration ( ! website requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a72 7,b7 develop recomm5dations relat+ to ! improvem5t ( su* adm9i/ration2 & 7,c7 submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report conta9+-- 7i7 ! f9d+s ( ! ,inspector ,g5]al ) respect to ! mo/ rec5t review conduct$ "u subp>agraph 7,a72 & 7ii7 ! recomm5dations mo/ rec5tly develop$ "u subp>agraph 7,b74 2 & 7#b7 by am5d+ subsection 7b7 to read z foll[s3 7b7 ,annual report ,ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ,congress an annual report t includes ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,a description ( ! /eps ! ,dep>tm5t is tak+ to a*ieve full /aff+ capacity4 7#b7 ,a description ( ! actions ! ,dep>tm5t is tak+ to improve ! onbo>d timel9e = facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+-- 7,a7 9 ! case ( facilities ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 = facilities = :i* ! duration ( ! onbo>d+ process exce$s ! metrics laid out 9 ! ,"t to ,hire ,model ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 or successor model2 & 7,b7 9 ! case ( ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration1 = regional (fices t exce$ ! "t-to-hire t>get ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t4 7#c7 ,! am\nt ( additional funds necess>y to enable ! ,dep>tm5t to rea* full /aff+ capacity4 7#d7 ,su* recomm5dations = legislative or adm9i/rative action z ! ,secret>y may h 9 ord] to a*ieve full /aff+ capacity at ! ,dep>tm5t4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by subsection 7a7 %all take effect on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & %all apply ) respect to ! fir/ update "u section #eje7;a77#c7 ( su* ,act beg9n+ aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & ea* update !reaft]4 #bcb4 ,report on ,gr[ ,our ,own ,program ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on-- 7#a7 ! implem5tation ( ! pilot program "u section #bdf ( ! ,milit>y ,con/ruction1 ,vet]ans ,affairs1 & ,relat$ ,ag5cies ,appropriations ,act1 #bjah 7division ,j ( ,public ,law #aae-ada2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja note72 7#b7 ! curr5t /atus ( su* pilot program2 & 7#c7 ! /atus ( su* pilot program s9ce ! orig9 ( su* pilot program4 #bcc4 ,provision ( data on educational assi/ance programs ( ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,beg9n+ n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all provide to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives data on graduate m$ical education programs1 heal? pr(ession s*ol>%ip programs1 & any o!r educational assi/ance programs )9 ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,! data requir$ to be provid$ "u subsection 7a7 %all include1 = ea* program1 ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! numb] ( active p>ticipants1 brok5 d[n by position or expect$ future position or lic5sure4 7#b7 ,! am\nt ( funds sp5t ea* fiscal ye>4 7#c7 ,! numb] ( p>ticipants :o h complet$ _! education & are curr5tly complet+ _! s]vice requirem5ts at ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4 7#d7 ,! numb] ( p>ticipants :o 7 previ\sly active 9 ! program b left ! program be=e complet+ _! education or s]vice requirem5t dur+ ! ye> prec$+ ! date on :i* ! data is provid$4 7#e7 ,an ov]view ( outrea* by ! ,dep>tm5t to prospective p>ticipants 9 ! program4 7#f7 ,su* o!r in=mation z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4 7c7 ,update & submittal ( data ,! data requir$ to be provid$ "u subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 %all be updat$ n less frequ5tly ?an annually2 & 7#b7 may be submitt$ to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives z "p ( ano!r report requir$ by law4 ,,iii ,infra/ructure matt]s #cja4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is title3 7#a7 ,appropriate committees ( ,congress ,! t]m appropriate committees ( ,congress means-- 7,a7 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate2 & 7,b7 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 7#b7 ,capital asset ,! t]m capital asset means ! physical infra/ructure1 l&1 build+s1 & o!r relat$ items "u ! op]ation & control ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 includ+ ! in=mation te*nology & o!r support sy/ems ne$$ to ensure physical space c be us$ to deliv] int5d$ s]vices & functions ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 ,a ,inve/+ 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans infra/ructure to increase capacity to s]ve vet]ans #caa4 ,au?orization ( fund+ = c]ta9 l& acquisitions = m$ical facilities ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,section #hajd7;a77#b77;,a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ ,no funds & ins]t+ 7i7 ,no funds2 7#b7 by ins]t+ l& acquisition or be=e advance plann+2 & 7#c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new clause3 7ii7 ,! exception "u clause 7i7 = l& acquisition %all apply only to a major m$ical facility project t has be5 includ$ 9 ! five-ye> developm5t plan1 or any successor simil> plan1 ( ! ,dep>tm5t includ$ 9 ! budget ( ! ,presid5t = a fiscal ye> submitt$ "u section #aaje7;a7 ( title #ca4 4 #cab4 ,deta*m5t ( congressional committee approval reque/s ( major m$ical facility leases f annual budget submission ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,section #hajd7;b77#b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$1 9 ! matt] prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a7 by /rik+ 1 on ! same day14 #cac4 ,improvem5t ( capital asset /aff+ ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,capital asset p]sonnel ( ! ,dep>tm5t 7#a7 ,requirem5t = d$icat$ (fices & suffici5t /aff 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #edj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all ensure t ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs has d$icat$ (fices or entities & suffici5t /aff1 includ+ at ea* m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 to conduct relevant critical responsibilities = ! life-cycle ( capital asset managem5t at ! local1 regional1 & c5tral (fice level4 7,b7 ,(fices & /aff includ$ ,! requirem5t = (fices or entities & suffici5t /aff "u subp>agraph 7,a7 may include ensur+ su* mix z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate ( p]sonnel ) duties f ! foll[+ categories3 7i7 ,facility plann+4 7ii7 ,long-range capital plann+4 7iii7 ,managem5t ( projects & capital assets relat+ to ! execution ( major con/ruction projects1 m9or con/ruction projects1 major leases1 m9or leases1 nonrecurr+ ma9t5ance1 & relat$ matt]s at m$ical c5t]s & facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9 ! surr\nd+ cat*m5t areas ( ^? c5t]s & facilities4 7iv7 ,prop]ty disposal or transf]1 environm5tal rem$iation1 & hi/oric pres]vation4 7v7 ,eng9e]+1 includ+ matt]s relat+ to seismic repairs & projects4 7vi7 ,ma9t5ance & repair ( exi/+ infra/ructure4 7vii7 ,! collection ( views ( vet]ans & employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t to und]/& ! capital assets ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7viii7 ,o!r relevant functions relat+ to ! full life-cycle ( capital asset managem5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4 7#b7 ,tasks ,to ! greate/ ext5t practicable1 ! ,secret>y %all ensure t ea* ( ! categories ( duties "u p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 are assign$ to a diff]5t individual or gr\p ( individuals s z-- 7,a7 to organize common "w 9 a cohesive mann]2 & 7,b7 n to ov]burd5 a small numb] ( individuals ) su* requirem5ts4 7#c7 ,lead (ficial ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7,a7 designate "o individual z ! lead s5ior (ficial responsible = integration & coord9ation (1 & acc\ntability =1 ! evaluation ( ! capital asset work=ce ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 to include ! work=ce /aff+ model e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#d71 & ! ongo+ implem5tation & monitor+ ( actions to ensure adequate capital asset /aff+ across ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ ^? at ! field1 regional1 & c5tral (fices ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 ! ,national ,cemet]y ,adm9i/ration1 ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration1 & ! ,(fice ( ,acquisition1 ,logi/ics1 & ,con/ruction2 & 7,b7 notify ! appropriate committees ( ,congress :o h be5 designat$ "u subp>agraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,/aff+ model 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all e/abli% a /aff+ model = ! relevant adm9i/rations1 /aff (fices1 & o!r elem5ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t to c>ry out p>agraph 7#a7 t-- 7i7 ensures a m9imum base level ( capital asset /aff+2 & 7ii7 is adju/$ bas$ on ! volume & complexity ( capital asset "w ( a p>ticul> facility1 cat*m5t area1 region1 or c5tral (fice responsibility4 7,b7 ,update ,! ,secret>y %all update ! /aff+ model "u subp>agraph 7,a7 regul>ly to ensure x is effective 9 c>ry+ out p>agraph 7#a74 7#e7 ,treatm5t ( ,/ates & t]ritories )\t a m$ical c5t] ,9 ! case ( a ,/ate or t]ritory ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates 9 :i* ! ,dep>tm5t does n op]ate a full-s]vice m$ical c5t]1 ! ,secret>y %all1 9 c>ry+ out p>agraph 7#a71 ensure1 to ! greate/ ext5t practicable1 t ! ,dep>tm5t has a d$icat$ (fice or entity & suffici5t /aff at ! l>ge/ m$ical facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9 t ,/ate or t]ritory1 & any ref]5ce 9 ?is section to a m$ical c5t] %all be deem$ to be a ref]5ce to t m$ical facility4 7#f7 ,purpose & int5t 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! purpose ( ?is subsection is to ensure t field1 regional1 & c5tral (fices ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs h an appropriately siz$ & cr$5tial$ capital asset work=ce to all[ = effici5t & effective execution ( _! relevant segm5t ( capital asset "w4 7,b7 ,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is subsection is int5d$ to m&ate a realignm5t ( capital asset work=ce roles1 responsibilities1 & report+ /ructures4 7b7 ,qualifications ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t appropriate pr(essional c]tifications1 educational backgr\nd1 & o!r qualifications are 9 effect = individuals employ$ 9 a position at a d$icat$ (fice or entity requir$ by subsection 7a7 to manage ! duties "u ! categories set =? "u subsection 7a77#a77;,b74 7c7 ,duties ( d$icat$ (fices or entities at m$ical c5t]s 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! duties ( a d$icat$ (fice or entity requir$ by subsection 7a7 at a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t may include su* comb9ation ( ! foll[+ duties z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate to a*ieve effici5t & effective capital asset managem5t & p]=mance z x p]ta9s to relevant activities at ! field level3 7,a7 ,! developm5t1 monitor+1 & implem5tation ( capital asset objectives = ! cat*m5t area surr\nd+ ! m$ical c5t]1 includ+ community-bas$ outpati5t cl9ics & o!r sites ( c>e ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9 t area4 7,b7 ,! coord9ation ( capital asset managem5t & plann+ ) c\nt]p>ts at o!r m$ical c5t]s ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9 ! region & facility plann]s = ! ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,network or ,networks 9 ! region4 7,c7 ,effective deliv]y ( capital asset projects4 7,d7 ,ma9t5ance & repair ( infra/ructure4 7,e7 ,capital asset disposal or transf]1 environm5tal rem$iation1 & hi/oric pres]vation4 7,f7 ,regul>ly monitor+ /ate-(-!-art be/ practices 9 heal? c>e capital asset deliv]y & managem5t4 7,g7 ,con/antly monitor+ ! ne$s ( vet]ans & employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t z x relates to m$ical space & s]vices at ! m$ical c5t] & facilities 9 ! cat*m5t area surr\nd+ ! m$ical c5t] to =w>d plan & id5tify & submit plans1 ?r\gh processes ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 to meet ^? ne$s1 includ+ by =mulat+ local & regional capital improvem5t & asset managem5t plans = m$ical facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t ?r\gh ! regul> collection (-- 7i7 views & expectations ( vet]ans1 includ+ z express$ by relevant local or national vet]ans s]vice organizations1 9 t area :o are eligible us]s ( heal? c>e & relat$ s]vices provid$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ) respect to-- 7,i7 pref]5ces & ne$s ( ^? vet]ans = ! c>e receiv$ f m$ical facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9 t area2 & 7,,ii7 ! ne$ = improvem5ts & enhancem5ts to infra/ructure ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 & 7ii7 views ( relevant m$ical /aff ( ! ,dep>tm5t at ! m$ical c5t] & facilities 9 t cat*m5t area reg>d+ _! pref]5ces & ne$s = h[ to deliv] heal? c>e to vet]ans & h[ ^? pref]5ces impact ! infra/ructure ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7,h7 ,und]/&+ ! capital asset policies1 proc$ures1 & directives ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ ^? issu$ by ! c5tral (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks1 ! ,(fice ( ,acquisition1 ,logi/ics1 & ,con/ruction1 ! ,(fice ( ,asset ,ent]prise ,managem5t1 ! ,(fice ( ,g5]al ,c\nsel1 ! ,(fice ( ,in=mation & ,te*nology1 or any successor (fices1 & any o!r (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t ) significant responsibility ov] capital asset managem5t & plann+4 7,i7 ,implem5t+ locally ! policies1 proc$ures1 & directives describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,h74 7,j7 ,provid+ fe$back reg>d+ ways 9 :i* ! policies1 proc$ures & directives describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,h7 c be improv$4 7,k7 ,und]/&+ ! importance = collaboration & coord9ation among all relevant (fices ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ ! ,(fice ( ,acquisition1 ,logi/ics1 & ,con/ruction1 ! ,(fice ( ,asset ,ent]prise ,managem5t1 ! ,(fice ( ,in=mation & ,te*nology1 or successor (fices ) simil> functions1 & o!r int]nal /akehold]s z requir$ to a*ieve success 9 all phases ( capital asset managem5t4 7#b7 ,collection ( views & expectations 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,views & expectations may be collect$ "u p>agraph 7#a77;,g7 ?r\gh multiple *annels & ! process us$ = su* collection %all ensure t ! views & expectations collect$ provide a repres5tative sample ( ! population f :i* su* views & expectations are collect$4 7,b7 ,confid5tiality ,any in=mation collect$ "u p>agraph 7#a77;,g7 %all be collect$ 9 a mann] t provides an option = submission ( views t are anonym\s & confid5tial4 7,c7 ,inclusion ( div]se viewpo9ts ,9 collect+ views & expectations ( vet]ans & m$ical /aff "u p>agraph 7#a77;,g71 an (fice1 entity1 or relevant /aff describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 = a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all ensure t ! viewpo9ts ( a div]se population ( vet]ans be+ s]v$ by ! m$ical c5t] & m$ical /aff ( ! m$ical c5t] or 9 ! cat*m5t area ( ! m$ical c5t] are captur$4 7,d7 ,coord9ation ) exi/+ ef=ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t ,9 c>ry+ out p>agraph 7#a77;,g7 & ?is p>agraph1 ! ,secret>y %all use1 z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate1 exi/+ ef=ts & exp]tise ( ! ,dep>tm5t ?r\gh ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 ! ,(fice ( ,acquisition1 ,logi/ics1 & ,con/ruction1 ! ,(fice ( ,asset ,ent]prise ,managem5t1 & ! ,vet]ans ,exp]i5ce ,(fice4 7,e7 ,usage ( views & expectations ,! views & expectations collect$ "u p>agraph 7#a77;,g7 %all be us$ to in=m ! (fices1 entities1 or relevant /aff describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#a7 & ! broad] lead]%ip ( m$ical c5t]s & ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks ( ! ,dep>tm5t to develop plans = capital asset improvem5t4 7d7 ,developm5t ( /&>d process ,to solicit views on effectiv5ess 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,subject to p>agraph 7#c71 ! ,secret>y %all develop a /&>diz$ process to regul>ly solicit fe$back f individuals & entities describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 reg>d+ ! effectiv5ess ( & ways to improve-- 7,a7 ! infra/ructure & capital asset managem5t inve/m5t processes & proc$ures ( ! c5tral (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t & ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 & 7,b7 ! guidance ( ! c5tral (fice & ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks reg>d+ su* processes & proc$ures to ! m$ical c5t]s1 facilities 9 ! surr\nd+ cat*m5t areas ( ^? m$ical c5t]s1 & ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks1 z appropriate4 7#b7 ,individuals & entities describ$ ,! individuals & entities describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph are ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,ea* (fice1 entity1 or relevant /aff describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#a7 = a m$ical c5t] ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7,b7 ,m$ical /aff ( ! ,dep>tm5t at facilities 9 ! surr\nd+ cat*m5t area ( ! m$ical c5t]4 7,c7 ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,networks4 7,d7 ,/aff ( (fices )9 ! c5tral (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ ! ,(fice ( ,acquisition1 ,logi/ics1 & ,con/ruction1 ! ,(fice ( ,asset ,ent]prise ,managem5t1 & ! ,(fice ( ,in=mation & ,te*nology1 or successor (fices ) simil> functions4 7,e7 ,! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 includ+ ! ,(fice ( ,heal?c>e ,environm5t & ,facilities ,programs4 7,f7 ,su* o!r (fices z ! ,secret>y det]m9es relevant4 7#c7 ,alignm5t ) m>ket area assessm5ts ,to ! degree practicable1 ! ,secret>y %all align ! process develop$ & /&>diz$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 ) ! p]=mance ( m>ket area assessm5ts "u section #gccj;,c7a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7#d7 ,confid5tiality ,any in=mation collect$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all be collect$ 9 a mann] t provides an option = submission ( views t are anonym\s & confid5tial4 7e7 ,use ( report f9d+s ,! ,secret>y %all use ! results ( ! report requir$ "u section #cbf 9 e/abli%+ ! (fices1 entities1 or organizational /ructures requir$ "u subsection 7a7 & c>ry+ out any o!r requirem5ts ( ?is section4 #cad4 ,developm5t ( p]=mance metrics ( capital asset managem5t by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & monitor+ = improvem5t 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all-- 7#a7 develop mean+ful & measurable goals & metrics-- 7,a7 to assess ! p]=mance ( ! capital asset managem5t programs ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 includ+ ^? c>ri$ out by a non-,dep>tm5t ,f$]al entity "u section #hajc7;e77#a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to all[ ! ,secret>y to make s\nd decisions reg>d+ con/ruction1 leas+1 acquisition1 ma9t5ance1 & disposal ( capital assets2 & 7,b7 t are 9 alignm5t ) /rategic plans & budgets ( ! ,dep>tm5t & ! mission ( ! ,dep>tm5t to s]ve vet]ans1 _! families1 & c>egiv]s2 7#b7 develop an int]nal da%bo>d or o!r tool to monitor progress t[>ds meet+ ^? goals2 7#c7 e/abli% & implem5t int]nal gov]nance processes to direct necess>y *anges to improve p]=mance & a*ievem5t ( ^? goals2 & 7#d7 submit to appropriate committees ( ,congress a report on ! developm5t ( ! goals & metrics "u p>agraph 7#a7 & ! implem5tation ( ! int]nal da%bo>d or o!r tool "u p>agraph 7#b7 & ! int]nal gov]nance process "u p>agraph 7#c74 7b7 ,int]nal da%bo>d ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! int]nal da%bo>d develop$ "u subsection 7a77#b7 includes mean+ful & relevant metrics t-- 7#a7 evaluate capital asset managem5t p]=mance ( ! ,dep>tm5t & provide relevant in=mation to guide necess>y improvem5ts2 & 7#b7 are develop$ consi/5t ) recomm5dations set =? by ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 #cae4 ,expansion ( memb]%ip ( ! ,capital ,asset ,plann+ ,committee ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 9 ord] to facilitate ,f$]al heal? infra/ructure plann+1 coord9ation1 & inve/m5t1 ! ,deputy ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & ! ,"u ,secret>y ( ,def5se = ,p]sonnel & ,read9ess %all modify ! memb]%ip ( ! ,capital ,asset ,plann+ ,committee e/abli%$ z a subord9ate entity ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs-,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se ,jo9t ,executive ,committee e/abli%$ "u section #cbj ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,n few] ?an "o (fic] or employee ( ! ,indian ,heal? ,s]vice4 7#b7 ,n few] ?an "o (fic] or employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices :o is n an employee ( ! ,indian ,heal? ,s]vice4 #caf4 ,au?orization ( appropriations 7a7 ,m9or con/ruction ,!re is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 = ! ,con/ruction1 ,m9or ,projects acc\nt1 ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbf1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbg1 #b1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbh1 #c1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbi1 #d1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcj1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#f7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjca1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#g7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcb1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#h7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcc1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#i7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcd1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aj7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjce1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aa7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcf1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#ab7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcg1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7b7 ,major con/ruction ,!re is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 = ! ,con/ruction1 ,major ,projects acc\nt1 ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbf1 #b1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbg1 #c1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbh1 #d1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbi1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcj1 #f1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#f7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjca1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#g7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcb1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#h7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcc1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#i7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcd1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aj7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjce1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aa7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcf1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7#ab7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcg1 #g1jjj1jjj1jjj4 7c7 ,grants = ext5d$ c>e facilities ,!re is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 to be us$ = grants = ext5d$ c>e facilities1 ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbf1 #cjj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbg1 #djj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbh1 #ejj1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjbi1 #eej1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcj1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#f7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjca1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#g7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcb1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#h7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcc1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#i7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcd1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aj7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjce1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7#aa7 ,= fiscal ye> #bjcf1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 7d7 ,requirem5t = detail$ ju/ification 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,= any fiscal ye> 9 :i* ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs reque/s an am\nt t is less ?an an am\nt specifi$ 9 any ( subsections 7a7 ?r\gh 7c71 ! ,secret>y %all include z "p ( ! budget ( ! ,presid5t = t fiscal ye> submitt$ "u section #aaje7;a7 ( title #ca1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code-- 7,a7 a detail$ ju/ification & analysis = :y ! reque/$ fund+ levels are suffici5t to meet ! infra/ructure ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs2 & 7,b7 an id5tification ( :i* projects-- 7i7 ) respect to subsections 7a7 & 7b71 includ$ 9 ! ,/rategic ,capital ,inve/m5t ,plann+ process1 or successor process1 w n be fund$ bas$ on ! level ( fund+ reque/$2 & 7ii7 ) respect to subsection 7c71 includ$ 9 ! mo/ rec5t approv$ ,/ate ,home ,con/ruction ,grants ,priority ,li/1 w n be fund$ bas$ on ! level ( fund+ reque/$4 7#b7 ,comp>ison to am\nt s5t to ,(fice ( ,managem5t & ,budget ,9 provid+ in=mation "u p>agraph 7#a7 = a fiscal ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all indicate :e!r ! numb]s t appe> 9 ! budget = ! acc\nts specifi$ "u subsections 7a7 ?r\gh 7c7 mat* or d n mat* :at ! ,secret>y submitt$ = review to ! ,(fice ( ,managem5t & ,budget z "p ( ! budget developm5t process ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = t fiscal ye>4 ,b ,reviews & reports #cba4 ,review ( resili5ce ( facilities1 l&1 & o!r relevant capital assets ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an two ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a report on ! resili5ce ( mission critical assets ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs z x relates to extreme wea!r ev5ts4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,! report requir$ by subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,an assessm5t & description ( :i* mission critical exi/+ facilities1 l&1 & o!r relevant capital assets ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 disaggregat$ by ,/ate1 t]ritory ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & type ( facility1 l&1 or asset1 are at highe/ risk due to vuln]abilities relat+ to proximity to-- 7,a7 a body ( wat]2 or 7,b7 an area prone to-- 7i7 flood+1 includ+ flood+ due to ris+ sea levels2 7ii7 wildfire2 or 7iii7 tornadoes1 hurricanes1 or o!r /orms or extreme wea!r ev5ts4 7#b7 ,a description ( /rategies to improve ! resili5ce ( exi/+ facilities1 l&1 & o!r relevant capital assets assess$ to be at highe/ risk pursuant to p>agraph 7#a71 includ+ pot5tial modifications to facility op]ations & ma9t5ance practices4 7#c7 ,recomm5dations ( ! ,secret>y = be/ practices1 /&>ds1 & solutions = future placem5t1 plann+1 r5ovation1 leas+1 pur*ase1 con/ruction1 & disposal ( facilities1 l&1 & o!r mission critical assets ( ! ,dep>tm5t to avoid or mitigate ! *all5ges result+ f ! placem5t ( a facility or asset 9 an area at risk ( be+ vuln]able to h>m f ! impacts ( *ang+ environm5tal conditions & an assessm5t ( :e!r additional res\rces are necess>y to address ! risks at ea* su* facility or = ea* su* asset4 7#d7 ,a description (-- 7,a7 recomm5dations = legislative or adm9i/rative action to mitigate & respond to ! f9d+s "u p>agraphs 7#a7 ?r\gh 7#c72 7,b7 actions tak5 by ! ,secret>y dur+ ! ?ree fiscal ye>s imm$iately prec$+ ! date ( ! submission ( ! report & actions plann$ to be tak5 by ! ,secret>y dur+ ! ?ree fiscal ye>s imm$iately foll[+ su* date to improve ! resili5ce ( exi/+ facilities1 l&1 infra/ructure1 & o!r relevant capital assets "u ! jurisdiction or control ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs t are mission critical & assess$ to be highe/ risk pursuant to p>agraph 7#a72 7,c7 *anges 9 policies1 directives1 & proc$ures ( ! ,dep>tm5t to mitigate1 plan =1 & improve resili5ce ( future con/ruct$1 leas$1 or o!r facilities1 l&1 infra/ructure1 & o!r relevant capital assets "u ! jurisdiction or control ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 7,d7 h[ ! ,dep>tm5t has incorporat$ or w incorporate resili5ce in=mation into ! processes & proc$ures ( ! ,dep>tm5t = capital asset inve/m5t decisions2 7,e7 *anges ! ,dep>tm5t w make to ensure ! facilities1 l&1 infra/ructure1 & o!r relevant capital assets ( ! ,dep>tm5t are available to furni% c>e & s]vices "u section #aghe ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 dur+ or foll[+ a disa/] or em]g5cy2 7,f7 ! e/imat$ co/ to implem5t ! *anges describ$ 9 ! report2 7,g7 ! e/imat$ timel9e to implem5t ! *anges describ$ 9 ! report2 & 7,h7 su* o!r matt]s z ! ,secret>y det]m9es appropriate4 #cbb4 ,reports on key capital asset inve/m5ts1 activities1 & p]=mance ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #habj ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 #habj4 ,reports on key capital asset inve/m5ts1 activities1 & p]=mance 7a7 ,capital asset inve/m5t1 activities1 & p]=mance 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! end ( ea* fiscal ye>1 & e #fj days !reaft] until ! end ( t fiscal ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report on key capital asset inve/m5ts1 activities1 & p]=mance ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#b7 ,elem5ts 7,a7 ,fir/ report 9 ea* fiscal ye> ,! fir/ report "u p>agraph 7#a7 9 ea* fiscal ye> %all include ! foll[+3 7i7 ,a brief summ>y ( "w t 0 complet$ on ea* capital asset project t 0 complet$ 9 ! previ\s fiscal ye>4 7ii7 ,a brief summ>y ( ! accompli%m5ts1 imp$im5ts1 & *all5ges exp]i5c$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ) respect to capital asset projects 9 ! previ\s fiscal ye> & a description ( ef=ts made to address any su* imp$im5ts & *all5ges4 7iii7 ,) respect to ea* capital asset project complet$ 9 su* ye>1 ! foll[+3 7,i7 ,! type ( project 7major con/ruction1 m9or con/ruction1 non-recurr+ ma9t5ance1 leases1 or o!r category1 includ+ disposals74 7,,ii7 ,! e/imat$ total co/ & ! actual total co/ ( ! project4 7,,iii7 ,a description ( ! project4 7,,iv7 ,! location & facility ) respect to :i* ! project 0 c>ri$ out4 7,v7 ,! fiscal qu>t] ! project 0 expect$ to beg91 ! fiscal qu>t] ! project began1 ! mon? & ye> ! project 0 complet$1 & ! fiscal qu>t] ! facility 9 connection to su* project 0 9 use by vet]ans1 employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 or o!r relevant us]s1 z ! case may be4 7iv7 ,9 ! case ( any capital asset project complet$ dur+ ! previ\s fiscal ye> ) respect to :i* ! f9al co/ ( ! project 7or any increm5t ( ! project7 0 m ?an #aj p]c5t great] ?an ! e/imat$ co/ ( ! project 7or increm5t7 or ! completion ( su* project 7or increm5t7 0 m ?an #ahj days lat] ?an ! plann$ s*$ule = su* project 7or increm5t7-- 7,i7 ! reason = any su* ov]age or delay2 & 7,,ii7 actions be+ tak5 to prev5t any su* ov]age or delay 9 future projects4 7v7 ,a li/ ( any capital asset projects cancell$ dur+ ! previ\s fiscal ye>1 includ+ any projects 9 ! design phase & includ+ ! reason = ! cancellation4 7vi7 ,a summ>y ( total actual obligations = capital asset projects = ! previ\s fiscal ye>1 brok5 out by major con/ruction1 m9or con/ruction1 non-recurr+ ma9t5ance1 & leases f ! m$ical facilities appropriation acc\nt ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7vii7 ,a project$ li/ ( capital asset projects1 brok5 out by type ( project "u subclause 7,i71 t are expect$ to be initiat$ dur+ ! curr5t fiscal ye> & ^? t are expect$ to be complet$ dur+ ! curr5t fiscal ye>1 :i* %all include ! foll[+3 7,i7 ,! type ( project 7major con/ruction1 m9or con/ruction1 non-recurr+ ma9t5ance1 leases1 or o!r category1 includ+ disposals74 7,,ii7 ,! e/imat$ total co/ ( ! project4 7,,iii7 ,a description ( ! project4 7,,iv7 ,! location & facility ) respect to :i* ! project 0 c>ri$ out or is expect$ to be c>ri$ out4 7,v7 ,! fiscal qu>t] ! project is expect$ to beg91 ! fiscal qu>t] ! project is expect$ to be complet$1 & ! fiscal qu>t] ! facility 9 connection to su* project is expect$ to be 9 use by vet]ans1 employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 or o!r relevant us]s1 z ! case may be4 7viii7 ,project$ total obligations = capital asset projects = ! curr5t fiscal ye>1 brok5 out by major con/ruction1 m9or con/ruction1 non-recurr+ ma9t5ance1 & leases1 f ! m$ical facilities appropriation acc\nt ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7ix7 ,su* obs]vations ( be/ practices1 imp$im5ts1 & accompli%m5ts relat$ to ! capital asset managem5t & p]=mance ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ any legislative or adm9i/rative action1 z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate ) respect to su* practices1 imp$im5ts1 & accompli%m5ts4 7x7 ,mean+ful metrics t %[ ! progress ( ! ,dep>tm5t t[>d meet+ relevant goals ( ! ,dep>tm5t relat+ to capital asset managem5t4 7xi7 ,su* o!r matt]s z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4 7,b7 ,subsequ5t reports ,ea* report 9 a fiscal ye> aft] ! fir/ report %all include1 at a m9imum1 relevant updates on any capital asset projects t are ongo+ dur+ t fiscal ye>1 includ+ any updates to in=mation provid$ ) respect to su* projects "u subp>agraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,metrics ,beg9n+ n lat] ?an two ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,honor ,act ( #bjbe1 ! metrics describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a77x7 %all include ! metrics develop$ "u section #cad7;a77#a7 ( su* ,act4 7#c7 ,matt]s relat+ to report+ co/s ,9 ea* report "u p>agraph 7#a71 :5 report+ on co/s = capital asset projects1 ! ,secret>y may include in=mation reg>d+ ,f$]al requirem5ts1 includ+ ^? specific to ! ,dep>tm5t1 t may n exi/ 9 ! non-,f$]al con/ruction sector t may increase co/s = capital asset projects4 7b7 ,sup] con/ruction projects 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! end ( ea* fiscal ye>1 & e #fj days !reaft] until ! end ( t fiscal ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report on ! sup] con/ruction projects c>ri$ out by ! appropriate non-,dep>tm5t ,f$]al entity describ$ 9 section #hajc7;e77#a7 ( ?is title dur+ su* ye>4 7#b7 ,elem5ts ,ea* report requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all include1 = ea* project describ$ 9 su* p>agraph-- 7,a7 ! budget>y & s*$ul+ /atus ( ! project1 z ( ! la/ day ( ! mo/ rec5t fiscal qu>t] end+ be=e ! date on :i* ! report is requir$ to be submitt$2 & 7,b7 ! actual co/ & s*$ule v>iances ( ! project1 z ( su* day1 comp>$ to ! plann$ co/ & s*$ules = ! project4 7c7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,appropriate committees ( ,congress ,! t]m appropriate committees ( ,congress means-- 7,a7 ! ,committee on ,appropriations & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2 & 7,b7 ! ,committee on ,appropriations & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 7#b7 ,capital asset project ,! t]m capital asset project means a capital asset inve/m5t or activity ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#c7 ,sup] con/ruction project ,! t]m sup] con/ruction project has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section #hajc7;e77#c7 ( ?is title4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( *apt] #ha ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! item relat+ to section #habj & ins]t+ ! foll[+ new item3 #habj4 ,reports on key capital asset inve/m5ts1 activities1 & p]=mance4 4 #cbc4 ,report on long-t]m c>e physical infra/ructure ne$s ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report1 disaggregat$ by m$ical c5t] or o!r relevant heal? c>e facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 id5tify+ ! physical infra/ructure ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t to support curr5t & future anticipat$ long-t]m c>e ne$s & models ( c>e = vet]ans1 includ+-- 7#a7 infra/ructure ne$$ to support ! deliv]y ( long-t]m c>e = wom5 vet]ans1 vet]ans ) sp9al cord injuries & diseases1 vet]ans ) traumatic bra9 injury1 vet]ans ) unique behavioral heal? ne$s1 vet]ans ) memory loss1 & o!r population gr\ps ) unique ne$s or project$ future ne$s2 7#b7 in=mation reg>d+ ! plans ( ! ,dep>tm5t to provide su* c>e z ! ,dep>tm5t builds int]nal capacity b space is n yet available to meet ! dem& = su* c>e2 & 7#c7 ) respect to any projects ne$$ to provide ! infra/ructure specifi$ "u p>agraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 ! e/imat$ individual project co/ & total co/ to accompli% ^? projects2 & 7,b7 ! e/imat$ individual project timel9e to accompli% ea* su* project ^u receipt ( appropriate fund+4 7b7 ,inclusion ( in=mation reg>d+ prioritization ( c]ta9 projects ,! ,secret>y %all include 9 ! report requir$ "u subsection 7a7 in=mation reg>d+ h[ ! infra/ructure prioritization processes ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 su* z ! ,/rategic ,capital ,inve/m5t ,plann+ process1 or successor process1 c\ld be modifi$ to include high] prioritization ( projects t support ! provision ( a heal? c>e s]vice t is n widely available1 or is n available 9 compliance ) appropriate quality or access /&>ds1 f non-,dep>tm5t provid]s4 7c7 ,developm5t ( report ,9 develop+ ! report requir$ "u subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y %all consult ) relevant regional & national program (fices ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration ) responsibility = manag+ ! v>i\s heal? c>e s]vices cov]$ by ! report1 includ+ long-t]m c>e & c>e relat+ to sp9al cord injuries & diseases1 to ensure t ! report conta9s a holi/ic1 compreh5sive1 & integrat$ plan to address ! capital asset & o!r space ne$s = ! population ( vet]ans :o require ^? s]vices4 7d7 ,indication ( types ( projects ,9 ! report requir$ "u subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y %all indicate ! projects t c be mo/ effici5tly & effectively accompli%$ ?r\gh small] individual infra/ructure projects or ?r\gh a l>g] m$ical facility replacem5t or new site ( c>e1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4 #cbd4 ,report on wom5 vet]ans retr(it initiative ,section #eajb ( ! ,deborah ,sampson ,act ( #bjbj 7title ,v ( ,public ,law #aaf-cae2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #haaj note7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+ subsection 7c7 z subsection 7d72 & 7#b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7b7 ! foll[+ new subsection 7c73 7c7 ,report on projects 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,honor ,act ( #bjbe1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report conta9+-- 7,a7 an id5tification ( ! fund+ reque/$ & ! fund+ provid$ to ! ,dep>tm5t = retr(itt+ prioritiz$ "u subsection 7a7 z ( ! date ( ! report2 7,b7 a li/ ( projects conduct$ ) su* fund+ z ( su* date1 includ+-- 7i7 am\nts obligat$ = ea* su* project2 7ii7 ! locations ( ea* su* project2 7iii7 a %ort description ( ea* su* project2 & 7iv7 ! /atus ( ea* su* project1 includ+ an e/imat$ timel9e to complete ! project2 & 7,c7 a li/ ( projects = retr(itt+ prioritiz$ "u subsection 7a7 z ( su* date t rema9 unfund$ z ( su* date1 includ+-- 7i7 ! e/imat$ fund+ requir$ = ^? projects to be complet$1 on a project by project basis2 & 7ii7 an e/imat$ timel9e to complete ea* su* project if necess>y fund+ & o!r res\rces are provid$4 7#b7 ,updates ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! submittal ( ! report "u p>agraph 7#a71 & annually !reaft] until ! e>li] ( ! date t is #aj ye>s aft] ! submittal ( su* report or ! date on :i* all projects li/$ "u subp>agraphs 7,b7 & 7,c7 ( su* p>agraph h be5 complet$1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report on-- 7,a7 ! progress made by ! ,secret>y 9 complet+ su* projects2 & 7,b7 an id5tification ( ! fund+ reque/$ & ! fund+ provid$ to ! ,dep>tm5t to complete su* projects4 7#c7 ,appropriate committees ( ,congress ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m appropriate committees ( ,congress means-- 7,a7 ! ,committee on ,appropriations & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2 & 7,b7 ! ,committee on ,appropriations & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 4 #cbe4 ,report on capital asset & in=mation te*nology ne$s ( ! rese>* & developm5t program ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,report requir$ ,n lat] ?an two ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to ,congress a report on ! capital asset & in=mation te*nology ne$s ( ! rese>* & developm5t program ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4 7b7 ,cont5ts 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! report requir$ by subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,a compreh5sive summ>y ( new facilities1 r5ovations ( exi/+ facilities1 leas+ ( facilities1 & any o!r su* facilities or physical infra/ructure ! ,dep>tm5t requires to effectively p]=m its rese>* & developm5t functions1 includ+ project$ functions4 7,b7 ,detail$ in=mation on ! in=mation te*nology res\rces1 projects1 equipm5t1 & relat$ in=mation te*nology ne$s1 disaggregat$ by type ( in=mation te*nology fund+ categories1 su* z developm5t or op]ations & ma9t5ance1 ! ,dep>tm5t requires 9 ord] to make ! rese>* & developm5t program & activities ( ! ,dep>tm5t functional & high p]=m+ 9 ! %ort1 m$ium1 & long t]m1 & ^? ne$$ to enable employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t to p]=m _! rese>* & developm5t activities 9 an effective & effici5t mann]4 7,c7 ,su* matt]s z ! ,secret>y det]m9es relevant to ma9ta9 & fur!r improve & advance ! rese>* & developm5t functions ( ! ,dep>tm5t ?r\gh improv$ capital asset & in=mation te*nology support4 7#b7 ,requirem5ts 7,a7 ,facilities 7i7 ,summ>ies by project ,9 provid+ in=mation "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a71 ! ,secret>y %all provide e/imat$ summ>ies = ea* project ) co/ data z well z a reali/ic multi-ye> plan to design & deliv] ! capital asset projects1 assum+ requir$ fund+ is provid$4 7ii7 ,id5tification ( projects ,! ,secret>y %all id5tify ea* project "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 by its project type1 su* z major con/ruction1 m9or con/ruction1 nonrecurr+ ma9t5ance1 major lease1 m9or lease1 or su* o!r category z ! ,secret>y det]m9es may be appropriate4 7,b7 ,in=mation te*nology ,9 provid+ in=mation "u p>agraph 7#a77;,b71 ! ,secret>y %all provide e/imat$ summ>ies = ea* project or inve/m5t ) individual & total co/ data z well z a reali/ic multi-ye> plan to develop relevant requirem5ts & acquire & deploy ! relevant in=mation te*nology s]vices1 projects1 equipm5t1 & relat$ matt]s4 7,c7 ,scope ,! scope ( ! report submitt$ "u subsection 7a7 is on ! capital asset1 in=mation te*nology1 & o!r relat$ critical support functions1 exclud+ human capital relat$ ne$s1 ne$$ = ! ,dep>tm5t to p]=m rese>* & developm5t 9 an effective & effici5t mann]4 7c7 ,consid]ations ,9 prep>+ ! report requir$ by subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y may consid] ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! f9d+s ( ! #bjab f9al report ( ! ,rese>* ,infra/ructure ,program ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#b7 ,curr5t & updat$ data provid+ ! mo/ accurate & holi/ic pres5tation ( ! physical infra/ructure1 in=mation te*nology1 & o!r relevant support function ne$s ( ! rese>* & developm5t program ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#c7 ,su* o!r matt]s z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4 #cbf4 ,review & report on provisions ( law relat+ to ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs capital asset managem5t & ov]sight 7a7 ,review ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all review all relevant au?orities ( ! ,secret>y1 includ+ ^? 9 section #cab;,a ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & det]m9e :e!r ! provisions ( su* au?orities are mean+ful1 relevant1 & reflect ! curr5t op]ational ne$s1 organization /ructure1 & all o!r necess>y requirem5ts = ! full life-cycle ( effective & effici5t managem5t ( capital assets4 7b7 ,report ,n lat] ?an #bgj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ,congress a report reg>d+ :e!r ! au?orities review$ "u subsection 7a7 %\ld be revis$ to align m closely ) curr5t & future project$ op]ational ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7c7 ,cont5ts ,! report requir$ by subsection 7b7 %all include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,an assessm5t ( :e!r o!r (fices1 adm9i/rations1 or entities ( ! ,dep>tm5t %\ld be direct$ to =mally assume c]ta9 functions curr5tly assign$ to (ficials ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ to ! ,deputy ,secret>y1 ! ,director ( ,con/ruction & ,facilities ,managem5t1 ! ,"u ,secret>y = ,heal?1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y = ,managem5t1 & ! ,*ief ,f9ancial ,(fic]1 pursuant to /atute or ,dep>tm5tal practice1 s z to mat* op]ational realities & ne$s1 directives1 policies1 & proc$ures ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 to improve effici5cies1 /reaml9e managem5t & l9es ( au?ority1 responsibility1 & acc\ntability1 or o!r reasons t w\ld be b5eficial to ! capital asset managem5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#b7 ,an assessm5t ( :e!r capital asset functions curr5tly n cle>ly assum$ or controll$ by o!r entities ( ! ,dep>tm5t %\ld be m cle>ly assign$ to relevant (fices ( ! ,dep>tm5t to mat* op]ational realities & ne$s1 directives1 policies1 & proc$ures ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 to improve effici5cies1 /reaml9e managem5t & l9es ( au?ority & responsibility1 or o!r reasons t w\ld be b5eficial to ! capital asset managem5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#c7 ,an id5tification ( :e!r any new (fices1 /ructures1 positions1 or report+ l9es %\ld be creat$ or modifi$ 9 ! ,dep>tm5t to improve op]ational effectiv5ess1 p]=mance1 & acc\ntability = capital asset managem5t1 includ+ ! views ( ! ,dep>tm5t on ! advisability (-- 7,a7 consolidat+ ! plann+1 managem5t1 ov]sight1 & procurem5t ( all leas+ activities ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 reg>dless ( adm9i/ration or sub-ag5cy entity1 to include major & m9or leases1 )9 "o (fice )9 ! ,(fice ( ,con/ruction & ,facilities ,managem5t to consolidate & improve organization1 ov]sight1 exp]tise1 & effici5cy2 & 7,b7 consolidat+ ! plann+1 managem5t1 ov]sight1 & procurem5t ( all m9or con/ruction activities ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 reg>dless ( adm9i/ration or sub-ag5cy entity1 )9 "o (fice )9 ! ,(fice ( ,con/ruction & ,facilities ,managem5t to consolidate & improve organization1 ov]sight1 exp]tise1 & effici5cy4 7#d7 ,an assessm5t ( :e!r a modifi$ ,dep>tm5tal organizational /ructure & *anges to relevant /atutory provisions c\ld create a cle>ly id5tifi$ s+le l9e ( acc\ntability & responsibility = ! full life-cycle ( capital asset managem5t activities ( ! ,dep>tm5t s z to improve effectiv5ess1 effici5cy1 p]=mance1 & /ability ( capital asset managem5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7#e7 ,an assessm5t ( :e!r ! qualifications requirem5ts = ! ,director ( ,con/ruction & ,facilities ,managem5t "u section #cab;,a7b77#a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 %\ld be modifi$ to ensure ! ,dep>tm5t is able to hire f a broad c&idate pool ( qualifi$ applicants4 7#f7 ,specific reasons = ! /atutory or o!r *anges t are recomm5d$ 9 ! report or if no *anges are necess>y1 a ju/ification = n mak+ any *anges1 includ+ a /atem5t provid+ ! s+le responsible executive & (fice 9 *>ge ( manag+ all capital asset managem5t activities ( ! ,dep>tm5t z ( ! date ( ! report4 7#g7 ,an id5tification ( su* legislative or adm9i/rative action z ! ,secret>y det]m9es necess>y to implem5t ! *anges necess>y to improve capital asset managem5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 #cbg4 ,improv+ prev5tion1 detection1 & report+ ( wa/e1 fraud1 & abuse 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs capital asset projects & activities 7a7 ,report requir$ ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report on actions ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs is tak+ or plans to take to enhance ! ability ( ! ,dep>tm5t to prev5t1 detect1 & report wa/e1 fraud1 & abuse occurr+ 9 capital asset projects ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 :e!r by employees1 contractors1 or o!r relevant p]sons or entities involv$ ) ! ,dep>tm5t4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,! report requir$ by subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,an assessm5t ( :e!r new tra9+ or enhancem5ts to exi/+ tra9+ %\ld be und]tak5 to improve ! prev5tion1 detection1 & report+ ( wa/e1 fraud1 & abuse4 7#b7 ,recomm5dations = su* legislative & adm9i/rative action z ! ,secret>y det]m9es appropriate to improve ! prev5tion1 detection1 & report+ ( wa/e1 fraud1 & abuse4 7#c7 ,su* o!r matt]s z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4 7c7 ,consultation ,9 c>ry+ out subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y-- 7#a7 %all consult ) ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates on matt]s relat+ to be/ practices & /rategies to improve detection & prev5tion by ! ,dep>tm5t ( wa/e1 fraud1 & abuse 9 capital asset projects & managem5t2 & 7#b7 may consult ) su* o!r p]sons & entities on su* matt]s z ! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4 #cbh4 ,comptroll] ,g5]al report on cont9u$ ne$ = non-,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs project managem5t = sup] con/ruction projects 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report conta9+ ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! metrics or evaluation crit]ia by :i* ,congress %\ld judge :e!r ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs has evolv$ 9 _! managem5t capabilities1 p]=mance1 & results s z to p]mit ! removal ( ! requirem5t "u section #hajc7;e77#a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 t ! ,dep>tm5t use a non-,dep>tm5t ,f$]al entity to provide full project managem5t s]vices = all sup] con/ruction projects4 7#b7 ,a description ( ! co/ arrangem5ts & premiums paid by ! ,dep>tm5t1 z ( ! date ( ! report1 to use a non-,dep>tm5t ,f$]al entity = a sup] con/ruction project z requir$ "u su* section & :at sav+s may be g5]at$ ?r\gh ! removal ( t requirem5t4 7#c7 ,su* o!r matt]s z ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al consid]s relevant relat$ to ! managem5t ( infra/ructure projects ( ! ,dep>tm5t4 7b7 ,sup] con/ruction project def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m sup] con/ruction project has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9 section #hajc7;e77#c7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4