Veterans’ Appeals Backlog Improvement Act

Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1378 Introduced in House (IH)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1378

   To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an internship 
 program within the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 7, 2023

   Mr. Ciscomani (for himself, Mr. McGarvey, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mrs. 
Kiggans of Virginia, and Ms. Budzinski) introduced the following bill; 
        which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an internship 
 program within the Board of Veterans' Appeals, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Appeals Backlog 
Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7114. Internship program
    ``The Secretary shall establish a competitive internship program 
within the Department for the purpose of providing an opportunity for 
high-achieving students at law schools accredited by the American Bar 
Association to gain experience with the Board.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 71 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item:

``7114. Internship program.''.
    (c) Deadline.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish 
the internship program required by section 7114 of such title, as added 
by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM ON ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS HONORS PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish a nine-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall 
carry out a competitive honors program within the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for the purpose of recruiting high-achieving law 
school students, recent law school graduates, and entry-level attorneys 
for employment with the Department.
    (b) Qualifications.--To be eligible to participate in the 
competitive honors program under the pilot program, an individual shall 
have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar 
Association and shall be a member in good standing of the bar of a 
state, territory, or the District of Columbia. The Secretary shall give 
priority consideration in application for the honors program to 
individuals who successfully complete the internship program 
established under section 7114 of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by section 2(a).
    (c) Student Loan Repayment Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to an agreement under paragraph 
        (2), the Secretary shall provide student loan repayment 
        benefits under section 5379 of title 5, United States Code, to 
        each participant in the pilot program who is eligible for 
        student loan repayment benefits under such section.
            (2) Participant agreement.--The Secretary shall enter into 
        an agreement with each participant in the pilot program who 
        will receive benefits described in paragraph (1), in accordance 
        with such section. Each such agreement shall specify that--
                    (A) the participant agrees to remain in the service 
                of the Department for a period of not less than three 
                years, unless involuntarily separated, in accordance 
                with subsection (c) of such section; and
                    (B) if separated involuntarily on account of 
                misconduct, or voluntarily, before the end of the 
                period specified in the agreement, the participant 
                shall repay to the Government the amount of any 
                benefits received by the individual from the Department 
                in accordance with subsection (c) of such section 5379.
    (d) Professional Development Activities.--
            (1) Assignment of mentors.--Not later than 90 days after 
        the date on which an individual begins participating in the 
        pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary 
        shall assign the participant a mentor who is an employee of the 
        Department who is--
                    (A) to the extent practicable, a managerial 
                employee; and
                    (B) outside the participant's chain of command.
            (2) Assignments to office of general counsel.--The 
        Secretary shall provide each participant in the pilot program 
        at least one assignment within the Office of General Counsel of 
        the Department that includes full-time legal responsibilities 
        in order to further the professional development of the 
        participant. Such assignment shall be for a period of not less 
        than 120 days and not more than 180 days, or longer at the 
        discretion of the Secretary.
            (3) Other rotational assignments.--The Secretary may 
        provide a participant in the pilot program one or more other 
        short-term rotational assignments. Such an assignment shall be 
        for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 180 
        days, at the discretion of the Secretary.
    (e) Periodic Reports.--
            (1) Reports required.--Not later than three years after the 
        date on which the Secretary first accepts a participant into 
        the competitive honors program carried out under the pilot 
        program, and not less frequently than once every three years 
        thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the findings of the Secretary with 
        respect to the pilot program.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The findings of the Secretary with respect to 
                the feasibility and advisability of establishing a 
                permanent competitive honors program within the 
                Department.
                    (B) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
                for legislative or administrative action to improve 
                recruitment and retention of staff at the Department.

SEC. 4. REPORT ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS 
              TELEHEARINGS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
improving access to hearings before the Board of Veterans' Appeals held 
by picture and voice transmission.
    (b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) Recommendations on the feasibility and advisability of 
        reimbursing veterans for expenses incurred for travel from the 
        home of a veteran to the location at which a hearing before the 
        Board of Veterans' Appeals is held by picture and voice 
        transmission, if the Secretary determines that travel to such 
        location is reasonably necessary for such a hearing.
            (2) Recommendations on establishment of pilot programs to 
        assess the feasibility and advisability of using other methods 
        that could improve veteran access to hearings before the Board 
        of Veterans' Appeals held by picture and voice transmission 
        from a veteran's home.
            (3) Such other recommendations to improve access to 
        hearings before the Board of Veterans' Appeals held by picture 
        and voice transmission as the Secretary may receive from 
        stakeholders.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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