S. 55 – VACANT Act | Legislate.dev

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 2:24 AM UTC

The VACANT Act sets rules for moving (detailing) directors of Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to other VA positions. It requires the VA secretary to inform Congress of such moves, appoint acting directors, provide regular status updates, and ensure the original director returns or is replaced within set timeframes, with limited waiver options.

Key Provisions

The Secretary must notify both Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees within 90 days of detailing a medical center director, including the new location, title, expected absence length, and other relevant info.
An acting director must be appointed within 120 days of the detail, with full authority of the absent director.
The Secretary must give Congress an update on the detail at least every 30 days after the first 120 days, and while the position remains vacant.
Unless waived, the detailed director must be returned to the medical center or reassigned with a new hiring process no later than 180 days after the detail.
The Secretary may grant waivers in 90‑day increments up to a total of 540 days, and must notify Congress within 30 days of each waiver, explaining the reason.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

January 24, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 24, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

January 24, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 24, 2023

II

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 55

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 24 (legislative day, January 3), 2023

Mr. Boozman introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 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.