H.R. 6590 – Reading Mode

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6590

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 21, 2020

Mr. Pappas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To defer action regarding certain debts arising from benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a period of time including the COVID-19 emergency period.

Deferral of certain debts arising from benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

(a)

In general

During the covered period, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not—

(1)

take any action to collect a covered debt (including the offset of any payment by the Secretary);

(2)

record a covered debt;

(3)

issue notice of a covered debt to a person or a consumer reporting agency;

(4)

allow any interest to accrue on a covered debt; or

(5)

apply any administrative fee to a covered debt.

(b)

Exception

Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary may collect a payment regarding a covered debt (including interest or any administrative fee) from a person (or the fiduciary of that person) who elects to make such a payment during the covered period.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term consumer reporting agency has the meaning given that term in section 5701 of title 38, United States Code.

(2)

The term covered debt means a debt—

(A)

owed by a person (including a fiduciary) to the United States;

(B)

arising from a benefit under a covered law; and

(C)

that is not subject to recovery under—

(i)

section 3729 of title 31, United States Code;

(ii)

section 1729 of title 38, United States Code; or

(iii)

Public Law 87–693 (42 U.S.C. 2651).

(3)

The term covered law means any law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs through—

(A)

the Under Secretary for Health; or

(B)

the Under Secretary for Benefits.

(4)

The term covered period means—

(A)

the COVID-19 emergency period; and

(B)

the 60 days immediately following the date of the end of the COVID-19 emergency period.

(5)

The term COVID-19 emergency period means the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)).