I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7340 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to 
the laws relating to the recognition of agents, attorneys, organizations 
and their representatives, and other individuals for the purposes of assist-
ing in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for bene-
fits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 13, 2024 
Mr. STANTON (for himself and Mrs. LESKO) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain 
improvements to the laws relating to the recognition 
of agents, attorneys, organizations and their representa-
tives, and other individuals for the purposes of assisting 
in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of 
claims for benefits under the laws administered by the 
Secretary 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, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Accurate VA Accredi-
tation Information Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ANNUAL REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 59 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new sections: 
‘‘§ 5907. Annual submission of information on rec-
ognition of agents, attorneys, organiza-
tions and their representatives, and other 
individuals 
‘‘The Secretary shall include in the annual report re-
quired to be submitted to Congress under section 529 of 
this title information on agents, attorneys, organizations 
and their representatives, and any other individuals recog-
nized under this chapter. Such information shall include, 
for the year covered by the report, the following: 
‘‘(1) A description of the type and frequency of 
training that is required to be recognized, or to con-
tinue to be recognized, under this chapter and of 
any review or audit conducted of such training. 
‘‘(2) A description of the type of information 
the Secretary collects from individuals who request 
to be recognized, or to continue to be recognized, 
under this chapter. 
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‘‘(3) A description of the method the Secretary 
uses to gather personal and qualifying information 
from individuals and organizations recognized or 
seeking recognition under this chapter. 
‘‘(4) An identification of the frequency with 
which the Secretary receives updated personal and 
qualifying information from individuals and organi-
zations recognized under this chapter. 
‘‘(5) A description of the method the Secretary 
uses to verify personal and qualifying information 
received from individuals and organizations recog-
nized or seeking recognition under this chapter. 
‘‘(6) An identification of the frequency with 
which individuals and organizations recognized 
under this chapter are required to comply with ongo-
ing reporting requirements. 
‘‘(7) An identification of the number of Depart-
ment employees responsible for the administration of 
this chapter. 
‘‘(8) An identification of the frequency with 
which the VA Accreditation Search database, or any 
successor to such database, is— 
‘‘(A) updated; and 
‘‘(B) checked for accuracy, including with 
respect to the accuracy of contact information 
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and the removal of individuals and organiza-
tions no longer recognized to assist veterans in 
the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of 
claims under laws administered by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(9) A description of the steps the Secretary 
has taken to ensure such database is updated. 
‘‘(10) An identification of any additional re-
sources the Department may need to ensure that— 
‘‘(A) any published information regarding 
individuals and organizations recognized under 
this chapter is accurate and up-to date; and 
‘‘(B) individuals who are recognized under 
this chapter are of good moral character and in 
good repute, are qualified to render claimants 
valuable service, and are otherwise competent to 
assist claimants in presenting claims under laws 
administered by the Secretary. 
‘‘(11) An identification of the costs of proc-
essing applications for recognition under this chap-
ter. 
‘‘(12) A description of the timeline for proc-
essing applications for recognition under this chap-
ter. 
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‘‘(13) An identification of how frequently indi-
viduals seeking recognition under this chapter are 
denied such recognition and for what reasons. 
‘‘(14) An identification of how frequently rec-
ognition is rescinded from individuals recognized 
under this chapter and for what reasons. 
‘‘§ 5908. Certification mark for identification of recog-
nized individuals 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall establish and maintain a certification mark, 
which may be used to identify individuals who are recog-
nized under this chapter for the purposes of assisting in 
the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims 
for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary. 
Such certification mark shall be registered with the United 
States Patent and Trademark Office. 
‘‘(b) CIVIL PENALTY FOR VIOLATION.—(1) A person 
who displays or otherwise uses the certification mark es-
tablished under subsection (a) for the fraudulent purpose 
of inducing the belief that the person is recognized under 
this chapter for the purposes of assisting in the prepara-
tion, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary shall be 
fined in accordance with title 18, imprisoned, or both. 
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‘‘(2) This subsection shall not make unlawful the use 
of any such emblem, sign, insignia or words which was 
lawful on the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(3) Amounts collected as civil penalties pursuant to 
this subsection shall remain available for the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, without fiscal year limitation, for the 
purpose of enforcing paragraph (1).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 5906 the following new 
items: 
‘‘5907. Annual submission of information on recognition of agents, attorneys, 
organizations and their representatives, and other individuals. 
‘‘5908. Certification mark for identification of recognized individuals.’’. 
SEC. 3. BIANNUAL DATABASE ACCURACY. 
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
Secretary submits the first report under section 529 of 
title 38, United States Code, that includes the information 
required to be submitted under section 5907 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by section 2, and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— 
(1) provide to each individual recognized under 
chapter 59 of title 38, United States Code, a notice 
that includes a request to update the contact infor-
mation of the individual provided to the Department 
of Veterans Affairs; 
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(2) make publicly available instructions such in-
dividuals may use to update such contact informa-
tion; and 
(3) ensure the VA Accreditation Search Data-
base is updated to include updated contact informa-
tion. 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 
2024 and each of the next four fiscal years for the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs such sums as may be necessary 
to— 
(1) carry out this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act; and 
(2) employ four additional full-time employees 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs to perform 
functions to carry out this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act. 
Æ 
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