A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Bill: S.1031 | Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. (D-GA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity.
Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.

[117th Congress Public Law 66]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 135 STAT. 1489]]

Public Law 117-66
117th Congress

                                 An Act


 
  To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to 
certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and 
        for other purposes. <<NOTE: Nov. 30, 2021 -  [S. 1031]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY ON DISPARITIES 
                              ASSOCIATED WITH RACE AND ETHNICITY 
                              WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN BENEFITS 
                              ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
                              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study--
            (1) <<NOTE: Assessment.>>  to assess whether there are 
        disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to--
                    (A) compensation benefits administered by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
                    (B) <<NOTE: Determination. Evaluation.>>  disability 
                ratings determined by the Secretary, with specific 
                consideration of disability evaluations based on pain; 
                and
                    (C) the rejection of fully developed claims for 
                benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and
            (2) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  to develop recommendations 
        to facilitate better data collection on the disparities 
        described in paragraph (1).

    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Initial Briefing.--Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall brief Congress on the initial results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a).

    (c) Final Report.--Not later than 240 days after the date on which 
the briefing required by subsection (b) is conducted, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to Congress a final report setting

[[Page 135 STAT. 1490]]

forth the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including 
the recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection.

    Approved November 30, 2021.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1031:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 167 (2021):
            Aug. 5, considered and passed Senate.
            Nov. 15, considered and passed House.
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2021):
            Nov. 30, Presidential remarks.

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