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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 927 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 927

      To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a 
  demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of 
 using State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations 
  to increase awareness of benefits and services for veterans and to 
 improve coordination of outreach activities relating to such benefits 
                 and services, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 9, 2013

  Mr. Sanders introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
      To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a 
  demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of 
 using State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations 
  to increase awareness of benefits and services for veterans and to 
 improve coordination of outreach activities relating to such benefits 
                 and services, and for other purposes.

    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' Outreach Act of 2013''.

SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO INCREASE COORDINATION OF OUTREACH 
              EFFORTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
              FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT 
              ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Demonstration Project Required.--The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a demonstration project to assess the 
feasibility and advisability of using State and local government 
agencies and nonprofit organizations--
            (1) to increase awareness of veterans regarding benefits 
        and services for veterans; and
            (2) to improve coordination of outreach activities 
        regarding such benefits and services between the Secretary and 
        Federal, State, and local government and nonprofit providers of 
        health care and benefit services for veterans.
    (b) Duration.--
            (1) In general.--The demonstration project shall be carried 
        out during the two-year period beginning on the date that is 
        180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Authority for extension.--The Secretary may extend the 
        duration of the demonstration project for an additional two 
        years.
    (c) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
        demonstration project through the award of grants to State and 
        local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to carry 
        out projects that--
                    (A) increase the awareness of veterans regarding 
                benefits and services for veterans; and
                    (B) improve coordination of outreach activities 
                regarding such benefits and services between the 
                Secretary and Federal, State, and local government and 
                nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services 
                for veterans.
            (2) Application.--
                    (A) In general.--A State or local government agency 
                or nonprofit organization seeking a grant under the 
                demonstration project shall submit to the Secretary an 
                application therefor in such form and in such manner as 
                the Secretary considers appropriate.
                    (B) Elements.--Each application submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) A description of the consultations, if 
                        any, with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
                        the development of any proposal under the 
                        application.
                            (ii) A description of the project for which 
                        the applicant is seeking a grant under the 
                        demonstration project, including a plan to 
                        coordinate under the demonstration project, to 
                        the greatest extent possible, the outreach 
                        activities of Federal, State, and local 
                        government agencies that provide health care, 
                        benefits, and services for veterans and 
                        nonprofit organizations that provide such care, 
                        benefits, and services to enhance the awareness 
                        and availability of such care, benefits, and 
                        services.
                            (iii) An agreement to report to the 
                        Secretary standardized data and other 
                        performance measures necessary for the 
                        Secretary to evaluate the demonstration project 
                        and to facilitate evaluation of individual 
                        projects for which grants are awarded under the 
                        demonstration project.
                            (iv) Such other information as the 
                        Secretary may require.
            (3) Considerations.--In awarding grants under the 
        demonstration project to carry out projects, the Secretary 
        shall consider where the projects will be carried out and which 
        populations are targeted. In particular, the Secretary shall 
        consider the advisability of awarding grants for projects--
                    (A) carried out in areas with populations that have 
                a high proportion of veteran representation;
                    (B) carried out in a variety of geographic areas, 
                including urban, rural, and highly rural areas; and
                    (C) that target a variety of veteran populations, 
                including racial and ethnic minorities, low-income 
                populations, and older populations.
            (4) Use of funds.--The Secretary shall establish 
        appropriate uses of grant amounts received under the 
        demonstration project.
            (5) Limitation.--In a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent 
        of all grant amounts awarded in that fiscal year may be awarded 
        to a single State entity.
    (d) State Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may not make a grant 
to a State under subsection (c) unless that State agrees that, with 
respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the 
program or activities for which the grant was awarded, the State will 
make available (directly or through donations from public or private 
entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 50 percent of 
Federal funds provided under the grant.
    (e) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        completion of the first calendar year beginning after the date 
        of the commencement of the demonstration project, and not less 
        frequently than once every year thereafter for the duration of 
        the project, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
        evaluating the demonstration project and the projects supported 
        by grants awarded under the demonstration project.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary 
                with respect to the demonstration project.
                    (B) An assessment of the benefit to veterans of the 
                demonstration project.
                    (C) The recommendations of the Secretary as to the 
                feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding 
                the demonstration project.

SEC. 3. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              AND STATES ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 6306 the following new section:
``Sec. 6306A. Cooperative agreements with States
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative 
agreements and arrangements with various agencies and departments of 
States to carry out this chapter and to otherwise carry out, 
coordinate, improve, or enhance outreach activities of the Department 
and the States.
    ``(b) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the 
agreements and arrangements entered into by the Secretary under 
subsection (a) during the most recent one-year period.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 63 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 6306 the following new item:

``6306A. Cooperative agreements with States.''.

SEC. 4. BUDGET TRANSPARENCY FOR OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 6308 the following new section:
``Sec. 6309. Budget transparency
    ``(a) Budget Requirements.--In the budget justification materials 
submitted to Congress in support of the Department budget for a fiscal 
year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 
1105(a) of title 31), the Secretary shall include a separate statement 
of the amount requested for such fiscal year for activities of the 
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs as follows:
            ``(1) For outreach activities of the Department in 
        aggregate.
            ``(2) For outreach activities of each element of the 
        Department specified in subsection (b)(1).
    ``(b) Procedures for Effective Coordination and Collaboration.--(1) 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the 
Veterans' Outreach Act of 2013, the Secretary shall establish and 
maintain procedures for the Office of Public and Intergovernmental 
Affairs to ensure the effective coordination and collaboration of 
outreach activities of the Department between and among the following:
            ``(A) The Office of the Secretary.
            ``(B) The Veterans Health Administration.
            ``(C) The Veterans Benefits Administration.
            ``(D) The National Cemetery Administration.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) beginning after the date on which the Secretary 
        establishes procedures under paragraph (1), not less frequently 
        than once every two years conduct a review of the procedures 
        established and maintained under paragraph (1) to ensure that 
        such procedures meet the requirements such paragraph;
            ``(B) make such modifications to such procedures as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate based upon reviews conducted 
        under subparagraph (A) in order to better meet such 
        requirements; and
            ``(C) not later than 45 days after completing a review 
        under subparagraph (A), submit to Congress a report on such 
        review.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 63 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 6308 the following new item:

``6309. Budget transparency.''.

SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish an advisory committee on outreach activities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Membership.--The advisory committee shall be composed of 
individuals selected by the Secretary from among the following:
            (1) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals who are 
        eminent in their respective fields of public relations.
            (2) Representatives of organizations with offices that 
        focus on communications and distribute messages through major 
        media news outlets and social media.
            (3) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with 
        experience communicating financial results and business 
        strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image.
            (4) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with 
        experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating 
        publicity for a particular product or service.
            (5) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have 
        experience in press and public relations.
    (c) Duties.--The advisory committee shall collaborate with the 
Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs--
            (1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is 
        strategically and effectively--
                    (A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders 
                to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and 
                services furnished by the Department;
                    (B) explaining new or changing policies of the 
                Department;
                    (C) improving the image and reputation of the 
                Department; and
                    (D) coordinating and collaborating with national 
                community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State 
                and local government agencies; and
            (2) to assist the Secretary in conducting such other press 
        or public relations activities relating to outreach activities 
        of the Department as the advisory committee considers 
        appropriate.
    (d) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with and seek the 
advice of the advisory committee not less frequently than quarterly on 
matters relating to the duties of the advisory committee under 
subsection (c).
    (e) Quarterly Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every 90 
        days, the advisory committee shall submit to Congress and to 
        the Secretary a report on outreach activities of the 
        Department.
            (2) Recommendations.--Each report submitted under paragraph 
        (1) shall include such recommendations for legislative and 
        administrative action as the advisory committee considers 
        appropriate to improve the press and public relations of the 
        Department relating to outreach.
    (f) Termination.--The advisory committee shall terminate on October 
1, 2015, and the requirements and authorities under this section shall 
terminate on such date.
    (g) Outreach Defined.--In this section, the term ``outreach'' has 
the meaning given the term in section 6301 of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 6. ADVISORY BOARDS ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS.

    (a) Establishment.--For each Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
center, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, acting through the 
director of such medical center, establish not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act an advisory board at such 
medical center on matters relating to outreach activities of the 
Department at such medical center.
    (b) Membership.--Each advisory board established under subsection 
(a) at a Department medical center shall be, to the maximum extent 
practicable, composed of individuals selected by the Secretary from 
among the following:
            (1) Individuals who are eminent in their respective fields 
        of public relations.
            (2) Representatives of organizations with offices that 
        focus on communications and distribute messages through major 
        media news outlets and social media.
            (3) Individuals with experience communicating financial 
        results and business strategy for purposes of shaping a 
        confident brand image.
            (4) Individuals with experience with consumer and lifestyle 
        imaging and creating publicity for a particular product or 
        service.
            (5) Employees of the Department who are involved in press 
        and public relations strategy at the medical center.
            (6) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have 
        experience in press and public relations.
    (c) Duties.--Each advisory board established under subsection (a) 
at a Department medical center shall collaborate with the Assistant 
Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs--
            (1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is 
        strategically and effectively--
                    (A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders 
                to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and 
                services furnished by the Department;
                    (B) explaining new or changing policies of the 
                Department;
                    (C) improving the image and reputation of the 
                Department; and
                    (D) coordinating and collaborating with national 
                community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State 
                and local government agencies; and
            (2) to assist the director of such medical facility in 
        conducting such other press or public relations activities 
        relating to outreach activities of the Department as the 
        advisory board considers appropriate.
    (d) Consultation.--Each director of a Department medical center 
shall consult with and seek the advice of the advisory board 
established at such medical center not less frequently than once every 
two months on matters relating to the duties of the advisory board 
under subsection (c).
    (e) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than each year, each 
advisory board established under subsection (a) shall submit to the 
Secretary a report with such information as may be beneficial to the 
Secretary in preparing the reports required by section 6308 of title 
38, United States Code.
    (f) Termination.--Each advisory board established under subsection 
(a) and the authorities and requirements of this section shall 
terminate on October 1, 2015.

SEC. 7. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR PERIODIC REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON 
              OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 6308 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``even-numbered''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``biennial'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``for 
                legislative and administrative action'' after 
                ``Recommendations''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) Recommendations that such administrative actions as 
        may be taken--
                    ``(A) to maximize resources for outreach activities 
                of the Department; and
                    ``(B) to focus outreach efforts on activities that 
                are proven to be more effective.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Section heading.--The heading for section 6308 of such 
        title is amended by striking ``Biennial'' and inserting 
        ``Annual''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by striking 
        the item relating to section 6308 and inserting the following 
        new item:

``6308. Annual report to Congress.''.
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