H.R. 693 – VACANT Act | Legislate.dev

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 2:52 AM UTC

The VACANT Act requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to limit and closely track the temporary reassignment (detailing) of directors of VA medical centers. It mandates timely notification to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees, sets deadlines for appointing acting directors, provides regular status updates, and requires the director’s return or replacement within set timeframes, with limited waiver options.

Key Provisions

Notify Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees within 90 days of any director’s detail, including location, new position, expected absence length, and other relevant info.
Appoint an acting director with full authority within 120 days of the detail.
Provide status updates to the committees at least every 30 days after the initial 120‑day period while the detail continues or the position remains vacant.
Return the detailed director to their medical center or begin hiring a new director no later than 180 days after the detail, unless an investigation or administrative action applies.
Allow the Secretary to waive the 180‑day return requirement in 90‑day increments up to a total of 540 days, with a notification to Congress within 30 days of each waiver.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Health Subcommittee

April 18, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 31, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

January 31, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

March 13, 2023

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Health Subcommittee

March 29, 2023

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Health Subcommittee

April 18, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 31, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 693

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 31, 2023

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

A BILL

To limit the detailing of directors of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to different positions within the Department, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act or the VACANT Act.

2.

Limitation on detail of directors of medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs to different positions

(a)

Notification

(1)

In general

Not later than 90 days after detailing a director of a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to a different position within the Department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives of such detail.

(2)

Matters To be included

The notification required by paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to a director of a medical center who is detailed to a different position within the Department, the following information:

(A)

The location at which the director is detailed.

(B)

The position title of the detail.

(C)

The estimated time the director is expected to be absent from their duties at the medical center.

(D)

Such other information as the Secretary may determine appropriate.

(b)

Appointment of acting director

Not later than 120 days after detailing a director of a medical center of the Department to a different position within the Department, the Secretary shall appoint an individual as acting director of such medical center with all of the authority and responsibilities of the detailed director.

(c)

Update on detail

Not later than 120 days after detailing a director of a medical center of the Department to a different position within the Department, and not less frequently than every 30 days thereafter while the detail is in effect or while the director position at the medical center is vacant, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives an update regarding the status of the detail.

(d)

Return to position or reassignment

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later than 180 days after detailing a director of a medical center of the Department to a different position within the Department, for a reason other than an ongoing investigation or administrative action with respect to the director, the Secretary shall—

(A)

return the individual to the position as director of the medical center; or

(B)

reassign the individual from the position as director of the medical center and begin the process of hiring a new director for such position.

(2)

Waiver

(A)

In general

The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to an individual for successive 90-day increments for a total period of not more than 540 days from the original date the individual was detailed away from their position as director of a medical center.

(B)

Notification

Not later than 30 days after exercising a waiver under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall notify Congress of the waiver and provide to Congress information as to why the waiver is necessary.