I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8216 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a Native VetSuccess 
at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 
Mr. GALLEGO (for himself, Mr. COLE, Ms. HAALAND, and Mr. COOK) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out 
a Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities 
Pilot Program. 
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 ‘‘Native VetSuccess at 
Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act’’. 
SEC. 2. NATIVE VETSUCCESS AT TRIBAL COLLEGES AND 
UNIVERSITIES PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
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Veterans Affairs shall carry out a five-year pilot program, 
to be known as the ‘‘Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges 
and Universities Pilot Program’’. Under such pilot pro-
gram the Secretary shall— 
(1) identify three regional Native VetSuccess 
service areas consisting of at least two participating 
Tribal colleges or universities; 
(2) assign to each regional Native VetSuccess 
service area a VetSuccess on Campus counselor and 
a full-time Vet Center outreach coordinator, both of 
which shall be based on one or more of the partici-
pating Tribal colleges or universities in the service 
area; and 
(3) provide for eligible students at such partici-
pating colleges and universities with all services for 
which such students would be eligible under the 
VetSuccess on Campus program of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—For purposes of the pilot 
program, an eligible student is a student who is a veteran, 
member of the Armed Forces, or dependent of a veteran 
or member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for any 
service or benefit under the VetSuccess on Campus pro-
gram of the Department. 
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(c) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In developing 
the pilot program under this section, the Secretary, acting 
through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 
Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs and in 
coordination with the Office of Tribal Government Rela-
tions of the Department, shall consult with Indian tribes, 
Tribal organizations, and veterans service organizations 
regarding each of the following: 
(1) The design of the pilot program. 
(2) The selection of the three regional Native 
VetSuccess service areas and participating Tribal 
colleges and universities, taking into consideration— 
(A) the number of eligible students en-
rolled in the college or university and in the re-
gional service area; 
(B) the capacity of the colleges and univer-
sities in the regional service area to accommo-
date a full-time VetSuccess on Campus coun-
selor and a full-time Vet Center outreach coor-
dinator; 
(C) the lack of information available at the 
colleges and universities in the regional service 
area about and lack of access to benefits and 
services under the laws administered by the 
Secretary; and 
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any challenges of such a model due to distance, 
communication, coordination, and level of 
unmet services. 
(G) A detailed legislative proposal regard-
ing a long-term extension of the pilot program, 
including a budget, if the Secretary determines 
that such an extension is appropriate. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘Tribal college or university’’ has 
the meaning given such term under section 316 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1059c). 
(2) The term ‘‘tribal organization’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 450b). 
(3) The term ‘‘culturally competent’’ means 
considerate of the unique values, customs, traditions, 
cultures, and languages of Native American vet-
erans. 
Æ 
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