I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6612 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe the technical qualifica-
tions for licensed hearing aid specialists of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 23, 2020 
Mr. TAKANO (for himself and Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe the 
technical qualifications for licensed hearing aid specialists 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. PRESCRIPTION OF TECHNICAL QUALIFICA-
TIONS FOR LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIAL-
ISTS AND REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT 
OF SUCH SPECIALISTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
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erans Affairs shall prescribe the technical qualifications 
required under section 7402(a)(14) of title 38, United 
States Code, to be appointed as a licensed hearing aid spe-
cialist under section 7401(3) of such title. 
(b) ELEMENTS
FOR
QUALIFICATIONS.—In pre-
scribing the qualifications for licensed hearing aid special-
ists under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure such 
qualifications are consistent with the following: 
(1) Standards of registered apprenticeship pro-
grams for the occupation of hearing aid specialists 
approved by the Department of Labor in accordance 
with the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known 
as the ‘‘National Apprenticeship Act’’) (50 Stat. 
664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.). 
(2) Standards for licensure of hearing aid spe-
cialists that are required by a majority of States. 
(3) Competency in completing core tasks for the 
occupation of hearing aid specialist as determined by 
the Occupational Information Network Database 
(commonly known as ‘‘O*NET’’). 
(c) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than September 30, 
2022, the Secretary shall appoint not fewer than one li-
censed hearing aid specialist at each medical center of the 
Department. 
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(d) REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2022, 
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report— 
(1) assessing the progress of the Secretary in 
appointing licensed hearing aid specialists under 
subsection (c); 
(2) assessing potential conflicts or obstacles 
that prevent the appointment of licensed hearing aid 
specialists; 
(3) assessing the factors that led to such con-
flicts or obstacles; and 
(4) indicating the medical centers of the De-
partment with vacancies for licensed hearing aid spe-
cialists. 
Æ 
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