I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3256
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve outreach programs carried
out by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for more fully
informing veterans of benefits available to them under laws administered
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 8, 1999
Mr. PASCRELL (for himself, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. RAHALL, Mr.
SHOWS, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. FRANK
of Massachusetts, Mr.
BALDACCI, Mr. KLINK, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr.
COOK, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. STARK, Mr. BAIRD, Mrs. KELLY, Mr. ROTH-
MAN, Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. HOLT, Mr. CROWLEY,
Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr.
COYNE, Mr. FROST, Mr. UNDERWOOD, Mr. OLVER, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr.
WAXMAN, Mr. OBEY, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. STUPAK, Mr. RO-
MERO-BARCELO´, Mr. BARCIA, Mr. MOORE, Mr. GORDON, Mrs. THUR-
MAN, Mr. TALENT, Mr. PHELPS, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. ENGLISH, Mrs.
CAPPS, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. FORBES, Ms. CARSON,
Mr. SKELTON, Mr. VISCLOSKY, and Mr. HOYER) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve outreach
programs carried out by the Department of Veterans
Affairs to provide for more fully informing veterans of
benefits available to them under laws administered by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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 ‘‘Veterans’ Right to
Know Act’’.
SEC. 2. VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
(a) INFORMATION ON VETERANS BENEFITS.—Sec-
tion 7722(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(c)’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(2) Whenever a veteran or dependent first applies
for any benefit under laws administered by the Secretary,
the Secretary shall provide to the veteran or dependent
information concerning eligibility for benefits and health
care services under programs administered by the Sec-
retary. For purposes of this paragraph, a request for bur-
ial or related benefits, including an application for life in-
surance proceeds, shall be treated by the Secretary as an
initial application for dependent’s benefits.
‘‘(3) Information provided under this subsection shall
include information on how to apply for benefits for which
the veteran or dependent may be eligible, including infor-
mation about assistance available under subsection (d).
‘‘(4) In the case of veterans or dependents who are
members of distinct beneficiary populations (such as sur-
vivors of veterans), the Secretary shall ensure that infor-
mation provided under this subsection includes specific in-
formation about benefits relating to that population.’’.
(b) ANNUAL OUTREACH PLAN.—(1) Chapter 77 of
such title is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
‘‘§ 7727. Annual outreach plan
‘‘(a) The Secretary shall prepare an annual plan for
the conduct of outreach activities under this subchapter.
The Secretary shall include in the annual plan—
‘‘(1) efforts to identify veterans who are not
otherwise enrolled or registered with the Department
for benefits or services under programs administered
by the Secretary; and
‘‘(2) provisions for informing veterans and de-
pendents of any changes in benefit programs or
health care eligibility.
‘‘(b) In developing the annual plan, the Secretary
shall consult with the following:
‘‘(1) Directors or other responsible officials of
veterans service organizations.
‘‘(2) Directors or other responsible officials of
local education and training programs.
‘‘(3) Representatives of veterans outreach pro-
grams.
‘‘(4) Local veterans employment representa-
tives.
‘‘(5) Business and professional organizations.
‘‘(6) Other appropriate individuals or organiza-
tions that could assist veterans in adjusting to a
self-sufficient civilian life.
‘‘(c) The annual report required by section 7726 of
this title shall include specific information concerning the
effectiveness of the outreach plan developed pursuant to
this section.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following
new item:
‘‘7727. Annual outreach plan.’’.
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