II

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. 2953

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve outreach programs carried

out by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for more fully

informing veterans of benefits available to them under laws administered

by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

JULY 27, 2000

Mr. TORRICELLI 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 improve outreach

programs carried out by the Department of Veterans

Affairs to provide for more fully informing veterans of

benefits available to them under laws administered by

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans’ Right to

5 Know Act’’.
2

•S 2953 IS

1 SEC. 2. VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

2 (a) INFORMATION ON VETERANS BENEFITS.—Sec3 tion 7722(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

4 (1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(c)’’; and

5 (2) by adding at the end the following:

6 ‘‘(2) Whenever a veteran or dependent first applies

7 for any benefit under laws administered by the Secretary,

8 the Secretary shall provide to the veteran or dependent

9 information concerning eligibility for benefits and health

10 care services under programs administered by the Sec11 retary. For purposes of this paragraph, a request for bur12 ial or related benefits, including an application for life in13 surance proceeds, shall be treated by the Secretary as an

14 initial application for dependent’s benefits.

15 ‘‘(3) Information provided under this subsection shall

16 include information on how to apply for benefits for which

17 the veteran or dependent may be eligible, including infor18 mation about assistance available under subsection (d).

19 ‘‘(4) In the case of veterans or dependents who are

20 members of distinct beneficiary populations (such as sur21 vivors of veterans), the Secretary shall ensure that infor22 mation provided under this subsection includes specific in23 formation about benefits relating to that population.’’.

24 (b) ANNUAL OUTREACH PLAN.—(1) Chapter 77 of

25 such title is amended by adding at the end the following

26 new section:
3

•S 2953 IS

1 ‘‘§ 7727. Annual outreach plan

2 ‘‘(a) The Secretary shall prepare an annual plan for

3 the conduct of outreach activities under this subchapter.

4 The Secretary shall include in the annual plan—

5 ‘‘(1) efforts to identify veterans who are not

6 otherwise enrolled or registered with the Department

7 for benefits or services under programs administered

8 by the Secretary; and

9 ‘‘(2) provisions for informing veterans and de10 pendents of any changes in benefit programs or

11 health care eligibility.

12 ‘‘(b) In developing the annual plan, the Secretary

13 shall consult with the following:

14 ‘‘(1) Directors or other responsible officials of

15 veterans service organizations.

16 ‘‘(2) Directors or other responsible officials of

17 local education and training programs.

18 ‘‘(3) Representatives of veterans outreach pro19 grams.

20 ‘‘(4) Local veterans employment representa21 tives.

22 ‘‘(5) Business and professional organizations.

23 ‘‘(6) Other appropriate individuals or organiza24 tions that could assist veterans in adjusting to a

25 self-sufficient civilian life.
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•S 2953 IS

1 ‘‘(c) The annual report required by section 7726 of

2 this title shall include specific information concerning the

3 effectiveness of the outreach plan developed pursuant to

4 this section.’’.

5 (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such

6 chapter is amended by adding at the end the following

7 new item:

‘‘7727. Annual outreach plan.’’.

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