[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 151 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 151
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require an annual plan on
outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 25, 2005
Mr. Coleman (for himself and Mr. Pryor) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require an annual plan on
outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Benefits Outreach Act of
2005''.
SEC. 2. ANNUAL PLAN ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.
(a) Annual Plan Required.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 523 the
following new section:
``Sec. 523A. Annual plan on outreach activities
``(a) Annual Plan Required.--The Secretary shall prepare each year
a plan for the outreach activities of the Department for the following
year.
``(b) Elements.--Each annual plan under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
``(1) Plans for efforts to identify veterans who are not
enrolled or registered with the Department for benefits or
services under the programs administered by the Secretary.
``(2) Plans for informing veterans and their dependents of
modifications of the benefits and services under the programs
administered by the Secretary, including eligibility for
medical and nursing care and services.
``(c) Coordination in Development.--In developing an annual plan
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the following:
``(1) Directors or other appropriate officials of
organizations recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of
this title.
``(2) Directors or other appropriate officials of State and
local education and training programs.
``(3) Representatives of non-governmental organizations
that carry out veterans outreach programs.
``(4) Representatives of State and local veterans
employment organizations.
``(5) Businesses and professional organizations.
``(6) Other individuals and organizations that assist
veterans in adjusting to civilian life.
``(d) Incorporation of Assessment of Previous Annual Plans.--In
developing an annual plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
take into account the lessons learned from the implementation of
previous annual plans under such subsection.
``(e) Incorporation of Recommendations to Improve Outreach and
Awareness.--In developing an annual plan under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall incorporate the recommendations for the improvement of
veterans outreach and awareness activities included in the report
submitted to Congress by the Secretary pursuant to section 805 of the
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-454).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
523 the following new item:
``523A. Annual plan on outreach activities.''.
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