I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6583 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a centralized research 
data system for the Department of Veterans Affairs and to make certain 
improvements to processes applicable to major research projects of the 
Department, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 10, 2025 
Mr. MURPHY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a cen-
tralized research data system for the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs and to make certain improvements to proc-
esses applicable to major research projects of the Depart-
ment, 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. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘VA Research Reform 
Act of 2025’’. 
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SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRALIZED VA RESEARCH 
DATA SYSTEM; STANDARDS WITH RESPECT 
TO MAJOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT. 
Subchapter V of chapter 73 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sections (and conforming the table of sections at the be-
ginning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 7383. VA Centralized Research Data System 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish and maintain a centralized research data system for 
the Department (to be known as the ‘VA Centralized Re-
search Data System’), to collect and manage information 
on all research activities of the Department. Such system 
shall include data with respect to all programs of medical 
research conducted under section 7303 of this title, includ-
ing biomedical research, clinical research, mental health 
research, health services and policy research, and any 
other category of research supported by the Department. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS OF SYSTEM.—The VA Centralized 
Research Data System shall include, for each research 
project conducted by or supported by the Department the 
following information: 
‘‘(1) A summary of the objectives, scope, and 
study design of the project. 
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‘‘(c) USE AND INTEGRATION.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that the VA Centralized Research Data System 
is— 
‘‘(1) used to facilitate oversight and coordina-
tion of Department research; 
‘‘(2) designed to— 
‘‘(A) allow authorized personnel of the De-
partment, including the Office of Research and 
Development and officials at Veterans Health 
Administration facilities, to track research 
progress and outcomes, avoid unnecessary du-
plication of research efforts, and identify oppor-
tunities for translating research findings into 
clinical practice; and 
‘‘(B) protect personally identifiable infor-
mation, in accordance with applicable laws and 
regulations; and 
‘‘(3) compatible with the electronic health 
record system of the Department. 
‘‘(d) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary 
shall prescribe such regulations or guidance as the Sec-
retary determines necessary to implement this section, in-
cluding— 
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‘‘(1) policies for the submission of information 
by investigators into the Centralized Research Data 
System; and 
‘‘(2) protocols for maintaining the accuracy and 
security of data in the system. 
‘‘§ 7384. Research proposal review and approval proc-
esses 
‘‘(a) TIERED REVIEW BASED
ON RISK
AND IM-
PACT.—The Secretary shall develop and implement a 
tiered system for the ethical and scientific review and ap-
proval of research proposals conducted by the Department 
or using Department facilities, data, or resources. Under 
such system, the level of review and applicable require-
ments shall be commensurate with the projected risk to 
human subjects (or to animal subjects, as applicable) and 
the expected effect or significance of the research. 
‘‘(b) LEVEL OF REVIEW.—(1) Under the tiered sys-
tem required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure 
that research proposals the Secretary determines pose— 
‘‘(A) a minimal risk (as defined by Secretary in 
regulations) to subjects or are of a small scope or 
short duration are eligible for an expedited or abbre-
viated review process that is consistent with the pro-
tection of human subjects and sound research prac-
tice; and 
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‘‘(B) a greater than minimal risk to subjects, 
involve invasive procedures, or have broad potential 
impact (including as large clinical trials or multi-site 
studies) undergo a full review process. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may establish intermediate levels 
of review for— 
‘‘(A) categories of research the Secretary deter-
mines fall between minimal risk and high risk; or 
‘‘(B) projects deemed of high scientific impor-
tance, to ensure appropriate scrutiny without unnec-
essary delay. 
‘‘(c) STANDARDIZED NATIONAL TIMELINES.—For 
each tier of research review under subsection (b), the Sec-
retary shall establish standardized, Department-wide tar-
get timelines for completion of the review and approval 
or disapproval of research proposals. Such timelines shall 
be designed to expedite the initiation of valuable research 
while maintaining standards for safety and ethics. The 
Secretary shall ensure that these review processes and 
timelines are applied uniformly across all facilities of the 
Veterans Health Administration, notwithstanding any 
local policies. 
‘‘(d) OFFICE
OF RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT 
OVERRIDE AUTHORITY.—(1) The Under Secretary for 
Health, acting through the Chief Research and Develop-
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ment Officer of the Office of Research and Development 
established under section 7381 of this title, shall monitor 
the research proposal review process nationwide to identify 
any undue delays or barriers to timely approval. If a re-
search proposal subject to Department review is not ap-
proved, conditionally approved, or disapproved within the 
applicable timeline established under subsection (c), the 
Under Secretary, through the Office of Research and De-
velopment, may intervene to ensure a timely decision with 
respect to the research proposal. 
‘‘(2)(A) In exercising the authority under paragraph 
(1), the Under Secretary for Health may, as appro-
priate— 
‘‘(i) assume responsibility for or reassign 
the review of the proposal to an alternative duly 
constituted institutional review board or other 
research review body that meets applicable 
standards; or 
‘‘(ii) issue an approval or disapproval of 
the proposal after such additional expedited re-
view as the Under Secretary determines nec-
essary. 
‘‘(B) The Under Secretary shall notify the chief 
research officer of the affected facility and the Office 
of Research Oversight under section 7307 of this 
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title of any intervention under subparagraph (A) and 
the rationale for such intervention. 
‘‘(C) Any action by the Under Secretary under 
this subsection shall ensure that all requisite ethical 
and safety reviews are completed. 
‘‘(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
waive or override any law or regulation protecting human 
subjects, animal welfare, or research integrity. 
‘‘(e) GUIDANCE
AND OVERSIGHT.—The Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(1) issue policies or guidance to implement the 
tiered review system under this section, including— 
‘‘(A) definitions of risk and impact cat-
egories; 
‘‘(B) specific timeframes for review at each 
tier; and 
‘‘(C) procedures for centralized monitoring 
of compliance with these timelines; 
‘‘(2) oversee adherence to these processes 
through the Office of Research and Development; 
and 
‘‘(3) provide training to members of institu-
tional review boards and other research review com-
mittees on the new requirements to ensure con-
sistent application. 
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