S.Amdt. 1141

SA 1141. Mr. PADILLA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
to amendment SA 1092 submitted by Mrs. Murray (for herself and Ms.
Collins) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 4366, making
appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2024, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:
At the appropriate place in division A, insert the
following:

SEC. ___. ELECTRONIC REQUEST OF CERTAIN RECORDS MAINTAINED BY
THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act and notwithstanding section 5702 of
title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall--
(1) establish and maintain a secure website or online tool
for a claimant or a duly recognized agent or representative
of that claimant to submit an electronic request for

[[Page S4452]]

records under section 5702 of title 38, United States Code;
and
(2) ensure that, after consulting with stakeholders
(including veterans service organizations recognized under
section 5902 of such title) regarding the wording of the
warning under subparagraph (A), each time a claimant under a
law administered by the Secretary logs in to a website or
online tool of the Department, such website or online tool
issues to the claimant, in plain language and in English,
Spanish, Tagalog, and the other languages most commonly
spoken in the United States--
(A) a warning about individuals who seek to act in
violation of chapter 59 of such title;
(B) a link to an online tool of the Department through
which the claimant may report such an individual;
(C) a link to an online tool of the Department through
which the claimant may search for a recognized agent,
attorney, or other entity recognized by the Secretary for the
preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim under
laws administered by the Secretary; and
(D) a link to a website or an online tool of the Department
providing final decisions on discipline of agents, attorneys,
and entities, described in subparagraph (C), by the Secretary
for violations of chapter 59 of such title.
(b) Responses to Requests.--Upon receipt of a valid request
made through the website or online tool established and
maintained pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall
provide to the requestor--
(1) not later than 10 days after receipt of the request,
confirmation of such receipt; and
(2) not later than 120 days after receipt of the request,
such records requested in the format in which such copy is
desired by the requester, including whether in printed form
or by downloadable file.
______