Title: VISIT Act of 2020
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Volunteers Improving Social Isolation and loneliness Together Act of 2020 or the VISIT Act of 2020
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program in two tiers to assess the feasibility and advisability of assisting veterans, members of the Armed Forces or National Guard, or family members of such individuals who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness through the funding of specified national service programs (VISIT pay for results projects).

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5083 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 5083

   To establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs a pay for 
 results pilot program to assist veterans, members of the Armed Forces 
 on active duty, and their family members at risk of social isolation 
                and loneliness, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 21, 2020

   Mr. Young introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs a pay for 
 results pilot program to assist veterans, members of the Armed Forces 
 on active duty, and their family members at risk of social isolation 
                and loneliness, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Volunteers Improving Social 
Isolation and loneliness Together Act of 2020'' or the ``VISIT Act of 
2020''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Active duty.--The term ``active duty'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Armed forces.--The term ``Armed Forces'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United 
        States Code.
            (3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an 
        entity qualified to provide services under this Act, as 
        determined by the Secretary.
            (4) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible individual'' 
        means--
                    (A) a veteran;
                    (B) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty;
                    (C) a member of the National Guard; or
                    (D) a family member of an individual described in 
                subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
            (5) Intervention.--The term ``intervention'' means a 
        specific service delivered to achieve an impact through a VISIT 
        pay for results project under the pilot program.
            (6) Participant.--The term ``participant'' means a staff 
        member or volunteer of an eligible entity that receives 
        assistance under the pilot program to carry out a VISIT pay for 
        results project who provides a service to eligible individuals 
        under the project.
            (7) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the 
        pilot program under section 4.
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Veterans Affairs.
            (9) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (10) VISIT pay for results project.--The term ``VISIT pay 
        for results project'' means a project under the pilot program 
        that uses a Volunteers Improving Social Isolation and 
        Loneliness Together (VISIT) pay for results model.
            (11) Volunteers improving social isolation and loneliness 
        together (visit) pay for results model.--The term ``Volunteers 
        Improving Social isolation and Loneliness Together (VISIT) pay 
        for results model'' means a method of financing national 
        service programs in which--
                    (A) except as provided in section 5, Federal funds 
                are awarded to an eligible entity only if the eligible 
                entity achieves certain outcomes agreed to by the 
                entity and the Secretary, in consultation with the 
                Federal Interagency Council on Social Impact 
                Partnerships and the Secretary of Defense;
                    (B) the eligible entity coordinates with the 
                Secretary and the Federal Interagency Council on Social 
                Impact Partnerships and the Secretary of Defense to 
                identify an intervention expected to produce the 
                outcome or outcomes; and
                    (C) the eligible entity delivers the intervention 
                to the target population of the intervention.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To mitigate the damage from the current social 
        recession upon veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their 
        family members who are vulnerable to isolation and loneliness 
        that has been found to impair physical and mental well-being, 
        including causing premature death.
            (2) To renew the spirit of community to aid veterans, 
        members of the Armed Forces, and their family members at risk 
        of social isolation and loneliness, particularly those without 
        robust social connections.
            (3) To facilitate the efforts of public-private 
        partnerships to assist veterans, members of the Armed Forces, 
        and their family members at risk of social isolation and 
        loneliness.

SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES, 
              AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE AT RISK OF SOCIAL 
              ISOLATION AND LONELINESS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out, in consultation 
with the Federal Interagency Council on Social Impact Partnerships and 
the Secretary of Defense, a pilot program to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of assisting eligible individuals at risk of social 
isolation and loneliness through the funding of VISIT pay for results 
projects.
    (b) Tiers.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in two 
tiers (in this Act referred to as ``Tier 1'' and ``Tier 2'').
    (c) Participation of Veterans Service Organizations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall encourage the 
        participation of veterans service organizations in the pilot 
        program, including participation that involves partnerships 
        between veterans service organizations and other organizations.
            (2) Veterans service organization defined.--In this 
        paragraph, the term ``veterans service organization'' means an 
        organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation 
        of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
    (d) Funding Partnerships.--An eligible entity that seeks to 
participate in the pilot program may partner with investors or 
philanthropic entities for purposes of funding a VISIT pay for results 
project.

SEC. 5. TIER 1 OF PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Notice.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal 
Register a request for proposals from eligible entities to conduct 
VISIT pay for results projects under Tier 1 of the pilot program.
    (b) Qualification of VISIT Pay for Results Project.--To qualify as 
a VISIT pay for results project under Tier 1 of the pilot program, a 
project must effectively use participants to meet unmet social 
isolation or loneliness needs of eligible individuals through 
interventions described in the application and agreed upon by the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Interagency Council on 
Social Impact Partnerships and the Secretary of Defense, to improve one 
or more measurable performance indicators, including better mental or 
physical health outcomes that lower risk of mortality for the target 
population of the project.
    (c) Application Required.--The notice published under subsection 
(a) shall require an eligible entity seeking to participate in Tier 1 
of the pilot program to submit to the Secretary, not later than 180 
days after the date of such publication, an application for a VISIT pay 
for results project that addresses each of the following:
            (1) A description of each proposed intervention under the 
        project and anticipated outcomes of the intervention, including 
        expected benefits to the target population of the intervention, 
        the participants working on the project, and other individuals 
        who may be affected by the invention.
            (2) A summary of the unmet need in the area where the 
        intervention will be delivered or among the target population 
        of the intervention.
            (3) The criteria used to determine the eligibility of an 
        individual to be served by the project, including how selected 
        populations will be identified and referred to and enrolled in 
        the project.
            (4) The anticipated number of participants needed to 
        implement the project.
            (5) The criteria used to determine the eligibility of a 
        participant for the project, including how the potential 
        participants will be identified, recruited for the project, and 
        trained for their roles in the project.
            (6) A plan for implementing each intervention through the 
        use of participants.
            (7) Rigorous evidence demonstrating that the intervention 
        can be expected to produce the desired outcome or outcomes or, 
        if the eligible entity lacks such rigorous evidence but 
        demonstrates promising evidence that the intervention can be 
        expected to produce the desired outcome or outcomes, a plan 
        described in subsection (d)(4)(B).
            (8) The target population that will be served by the 
        project.
            (9) The projected cost to the eligible entity to carry out 
        the project, and any costs to the Federal, State, or local 
        government associated with the project.
            (10) Projected costs avoided by the Federal Government and 
        State and local governments if the project is implemented and 
        the outcomes are achieved as a result of the intervention.
            (11) A description of the expertise of the eligible entity, 
        including a summary of the experience of the eligible entity in 
        delivering the proposed intervention or a similar intervention, 
        or demonstrating the capacity of the eligible entity to deliver 
        the intervention to the number of eligible individuals the 
        eligible entity proposes to serve under the project.
            (12) The proposed payment terms, the methodology used to 
        calculate outcome payments, the payment schedule, and 
        performance thresholds.
            (13) The budget for the project.
            (14) Subject to subsection (g), the timeline for the 
        project.
            (15) The design for the evaluation required by subsection 
        (i), including the metrics that will be used in the evaluation 
        to determine whether the outcomes have been achieved as a 
        result of the intervention and how the metrics will be 
        measured.
            (16) An explanation of how the metrics described in 
        paragraph (15) are independent, objective indicators of impact 
        and are not subject to manipulation by the eligible entity or 
        any investor.
            (17) An explanation of the independence of the evaluator 
        who will conduct the evaluation required by subsection (i) from 
        the other entities involved in the project and the experience 
        of the evaluator in conducting rigorous evaluations of program 
        effectiveness including, where available, well-implemented 
        randomized controlled trials on the intervention or similar 
        interventions.
            (18) An explanation of how any potential payment disputes 
        related to the outcomes of the evaluation will be managed.
    (d) Agreements on Participation in Pilot Program.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the deadline 
        for applications under subsection (c) has expired, the 
        Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Interagency Council 
        on Social Impact Partnerships and the Secretary of Defense, 
        shall enter into an agreement with not fewer than eight 
        eligible entities to participate in Tier 1 of the pilot 
        program.
            (2) Fewer applicants.--
                    (A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if 
                the Secretary determines that fewer than eight eligible 
                entities meet the requirements for participation in 
                Tier 1 of the pilot program, the Secretary, in 
                consultation with the Federal Interagency Council on 
                Social Impact Partnerships and the Secretary of 
                Defense, may enter into an agreement with fewer than 
                eight eligible entities to participate in Tier 1 of the 
                pilot program.
                    (B) Insufficient number of applicants.--
                Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the Secretary 
                determines that an insufficient number of eligible 
                entities meet the requirements for participation in 
                Tier 1 of the pilot program, the Secretary may--
                            (i)(I) publish in the Federal Register a 
                        second request for proposals from eligible 
                        entities to conduct VISIT pay for results 
                        projects under Tier 1 of the pilot program; and
                            (II) include in such request application 
                        requirements that are broader than the 
                        requirements under subsection (c); or
                            (ii) carry out Tier 2 of the pilot program, 
                        in accordance with section 6.
            (3) Considerations.--In determining whether to enter into 
        an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) seek to ensure geographic diversity among 
                selected entities, including by selecting not fewer 
                than one eligible entity that plans to serve a rural 
                community and not fewer than one eligible entity that 
                plans to serve an urban community; and
                    (B) consider--
                            (i) the anticipated use of participants, 
                        and whether the eligible entity plans to use 
                        participants who come from a high-risk 
                        background;
                            (ii) the value to the Federal Government of 
                        the outcomes expected to be achieved by the 
                        eligible entity under the pilot program, which 
                        the Secretary shall define to include--
                                    (I) measurable costs avoided; and
                                    (II) other outcomes of intrinsic 
                                value such as the health, well-being, 
                                and prosperity of eligible individuals;
                            (iii) the likelihood, based on evidence 
                        provided in the application and other evidence, 
                        that the eligible entity will achieve those 
                        outcomes, balanced with the need to develop 
                        more rigorous evidence if the Secretary decides 
                        such evidence is necessary;
                            (iv) the value to State and local 
                        governments if those outcomes are achieved; and
                            (v) the expected quality of the evaluation 
                        that would be conducted with respect to the 
                        VISIT pay for results project under subsection 
                        (i).
            (4) Requirements for entering into agreements.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary may enter into an 
                agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph (1) 
                if the Secretary determines that each of the following 
                requirements are met:
                            (i) Except as provided in subsection (f), 
                        the eligible entity agrees to achieve one or 
                        more outcomes as a result of the project, as 
                        specified in the agreement and validated by 
                        independent evaluation, in order to receive 
                        payment. Such outcomes shall be significant 
                        metrics closely correlated with intervention 
                        under the project.
                            (ii) Except as provided in subsection (f), 
                        payment from the Federal Government to the 
                        eligible entity for each specified outcome 
                        achieved as a result of the project will be 
                        less than or equal to the value of the outcome 
                        to the Federal Government over a period not to 
                        exceed ten years, as determined by the 
                        Secretary, in consultation with the eligible 
                        entity.
                            (iii) The eligible entity meets the 
                        requirement under subparagraph (B).
                            (iv) The project will begin not later than 
                        one year after the eligible entity has entered 
                        into the agreement with the Secretary.
                            (v) The duration of the project will not 
                        exceed five years.
                            (vi) The eligible entity has shown that it 
                        has experience delivering the intervention used 
                        in the project, a similar intervention, or has 
                        otherwise demonstrated the capability necessary 
                        to deliver the intervention.
                            (vii) The project will use participants to 
                        implement the project.
                            (viii) The eligible entity has made such 
                        other assurances as the Secretary may require.
                    (B) Plan for evaluation.--The requirement described 
                in this subparagraph is that the eligible entity has 
                demonstrated, through the application submitted under 
                subsection (c), that there is--
                            (i) a clear and feasible plan to evaluate 
                        the VISIT pay for results project with a 
                        rigorous experimental or quasi-experimental 
                        study or other rigorous methodology that can 
                        establish a clear causal connection between the 
                        intervention and performance indicators; and
                            (ii) a strong circumstantial case, based on 
                        existing measurable outcomes associated with 
                        the project, that the study or methodology is 
                        likely to establish such a connection.
    (e) Raising Funds.--
            (1) In general.--To the extent that the eligible entity 
        does not have experience raising private or philanthropic 
        capital to fund social service investments or is unable to 
        secure such capital prior to submittal of the application under 
        subsection (c), the Secretary may assist the entity in 
        attaining such funding.
            (2) Ensuring diversity of eligible entities.--The 
        Secretary--
                    (A) shall take all practicable steps to ensure a 
                pool of eligible entities enrolled in the pilot program 
                that reflects the diversity of the population of 
                eligible individuals; and
                    (B) shall not permit historical lack of access to 
                private or philanthropic capital by any eligible entity 
                to limit inclusion of the eligible entity in the pilot 
                program.
    (f) Ability To Finance Project.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
        which an eligible entity enters into an agreement with the 
        Secretary under subsection (d) for a VISIT pay for results 
        project under Tier 1 of the pilot program, the entity shall 
        provide to the Secretary a plan demonstrating that the entity--
                    (A) has the capability to fund at least 50 percent 
                of the up-front costs of the project, with or without 
                funds from partner investors or philanthropic entities; 
                and
                    (B) will have the funds described in subparagraph 
                (A) available and reserved for the project not later 
                than one year after the date of such agreement.
            (2) Termination of agreement.--The Secretary may terminate 
        an agreement entered into under subsection (d) with an eligible 
        entity for a VISIT pay for results project under Tier 1 of the 
        pilot program if--
                    (A) the Secretary determines that the eligible 
                entity is not likely to have the capability to fund at 
                least 50 percent of the up-front costs of the project; 
                or
                    (B) the eligible entity does not have the funds 
                available and reserved to fund at least 50 percent of 
                the up-front costs of the project.
    (g) Duration.--Each VISIT pay for results project conducted under 
Tier 1 of the pilot program shall be limited to a duration of not more 
than five years.
    (h) Payment.--
            (1) Amount of payment.--The Secretary shall have discretion 
        in determining the amount of funds awarded for each VISIT pay 
        for results project under Tier 1 of the pilot program, except 
        that such amount shall be specified as part of the agreement 
        with each eligible entity under subsection (d).
            (2) Up-front costs.--An eligible entity with which the 
        Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (d) for a 
        VISIT pay for results project under Tier 1 of the pilot program 
        shall pay for at least 50 percent of the entire up-front costs 
        of the project.
            (3) Outcome payment.--
                    (A) In general.--After completion of a VISIT pay 
                for results project under the pilot program, the 
                Secretary shall pay the remaining obligation of the 
                Secretary under the agreement entered into between the 
                Secretary and the eligible entity only if the 
                independent evaluator described in subsection (i) 
                determines that the project has--
                            (i) met the requirements specified in the 
                        agreement with respect to such project; and
                            (ii) has achieved an outcome as a result of 
                        the intervention used in such project, as 
                        specified in the agreement and validated by the 
                        independent evaluator.
                    (B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary may pay up to 50 percent of costs of a 
                VISIT pay for results project under Tier 1 of the pilot 
                program--
                            (i) before completion of the evaluation 
                        conducted by the independent evaluator under 
                        subsection (i); and
                            (ii) before the measurements of value 
                        described in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii) are made.
    (i) Evaluations.--
            (1) Agreements.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into an 
                agreement with each eligible entity carrying out a 
                VISIT pay for results project under the pilot program 
                to pay for all or part of an independent evaluation to 
                determine whether the project has achieved a specific 
                outcome in order for the entity to receive outcome 
                payments under subsection (h)(3).
                    (B) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may waive the 
                requirement under subparagraph (A) for up to 20 percent 
                of all VISIT pay for results projects under Tier 1 of 
                the pilot program if the Secretary determines that such 
                a waiver is necessary for ensuring robust diversity of 
                project geography and focus.
            (2) Evaluator qualifications.--The Secretary may not enter 
        into an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph (1) 
        unless the Secretary determines that--
                    (A) the evaluator is independent of the other 
                parties to the agreement; and
                    (B) the evaluator has demonstrated substantial 
                experience in conducting rigorous evaluations of 
                program effectiveness, including, as available and 
                appropriate, well-implemented randomized controlled 
                trials on the intervention used in the VISIT pay for 
                results project covered by the agreement or a similar 
                intervention.
            (3) Methodologies to be used.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                evaluation used to determine whether an eligible entity 
                will receive outcome payments under subsection (h)(3) 
                shall use experimental designs using random assignment, 
                or other reliable, evidence-based research 
                methodologies that allow for the strongest possible 
                causal inferences when random assignment is not 
                feasible.
                    (B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the 
                requirement under subparagraph (A) if--
                            (i) multiple evaluations or one large, 
                        multi-site evaluation have been conducted with 
                        respect to an intervention used in a VISIT pay 
                        for results project; and
                            (ii) such evaluations or evaluation 
                        established substantial and statistically 
                        significant effects of the intervention.
            (4) Progress reports.--
                    (A) Submittal of reports.--An eligible entity shall 
                ensure that the independent evaluator conducting the 
                evaluation under this subsection with respect to a 
                VISIT pay for results project conducted by the entity 
                under the pilot program--
                            (i) not later than two years after the 
                        project has been approved by the Secretary, and 
                        annually thereafter until the project is 
                        concluded, submits to the Secretary and the 
                        Federal Interagency Council on Social Impact 
                        Partnerships a written report summarizing the 
                        progress that has been made in achieving each 
                        outcome specified in the agreement under 
                        subsection (d); and
                            (ii) before the scheduled time of each 
                        payment under subsection (h)(3) to be made to 
                        the eligible entity with respect to such 
                        project, submits to the Secretary and the 
                        Federal Interagency Council on Social Impact 
                        Partnerships a written report that includes--
                                    (I) the results of the evaluation 
                                conducted to determine whether a 
                                payment should be made; and
                                    (II) information on--
                                            (aa) the unique factors 
                                        that contributed to achieving 
                                        or failing to achieve the 
                                        outcome;
                                            (bb) the challenges faced 
                                        in attempting to achieve the 
                                        outcome; and
                                            (cc) the improved future 
                                        delivery of the intervention 
                                        used in the project or a 
                                        similar intervention.
                    (B) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 30 
                days after receipt of the written report under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall transmit the 
                report to Congress.
            (5) Final report.--
                    (A) Submittal of report.--An eligible entity shall 
                ensure that the independent evaluator conducting the 
                evaluation under this subsection with respect to a 
                VISIT pay for results project conducted by the entity 
                under the pilot program, not later than 180 days after 
                the VISIT pay for results project is completed--
                            (i) evaluates the effects of the activities 
                        undertaken pursuant to the agreement under 
                        subsection (d) with regard to each outcome 
                        specified in the agreement; and
                            (ii) submits to the President a written 
                        report that includes--
                                    (I) the results of the evaluation 
                                and the conclusion of the evaluator as 
                                to whether the eligible entity has 
                                fulfilled each obligation of the 
                                agreement; and
                                    (II) information on--
                                            (aa) the unique factors 
                                        that contributed to the success 
                                        or failure of the project;
                                            (bb) the challenges faced 
                                        in attempting to achieve the 
                                        outcome; and
                                            (cc) the improved future 
                                        delivery of the intervention 
                                        used in the project or a 
                                        similar intervention.
                    (B) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 30 
                days after receipt of the written report under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall transmit the 
                report to Congress.

SEC. 6. TIER 2 OF PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Notice.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may carry out Tier 2 of the 
        pilot program, including by publishing in the Federal Register 
        a request for proposals from eligible entities to conduct VISIT 
        pay for results projects under Tier 2 of the pilot program, if 
        the Secretary certifies that a reasonable number of eligible 
        entities could provide rigorous evidence demonstrating that the 
        interventions of such projects can be expected to produce 
        desired outcomes.
            (2) Considerations for certification.--In making a 
        certification under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
        consider--
                    (A) an analysis of the number of eligible entities 
                that could provide rigorous evidence described such 
                paragraph; and
                    (B) whether an analysis of the final results of 
                VISIT pay for results projects under Tier 1 of the 
                pilot program is necessary to inform such 
                certification.
    (b) Qualification for VISIT Pay for Results Project.--Section 5(b) 
shall apply with respect to Tier 2 of the pilot program.
    (c) Application Required.--The notice published under subsection 
(a) shall require an eligible entity seeking to participate in Tier 2 
of the pilot program to submit to the Secretary, not later than 180 
days after the date of such publication, an application for a VISIT pay 
for results project under Tier 2 of the pilot program that addresses 
each element under section 5(c), except that, with respect to paragraph 
(7) of such section, an application shall include rigorous evidence 
demonstrating that the intervention of the project can be expected to 
produce the desired outcome or outcomes.
    (d) Agreements on Participation in Pilot Program.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the deadline 
        for applications under subsection (c) has expired, the 
        Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Interagency Council 
        on Social Impact Partnerships and the Secretary of Defense, 
        shall enter into an agreement with one or more eligible 
        entities to participate in Tier 2 of the pilot program.
            (2) Number.--The Secretary is encouraged to enter into 
        agreements under paragraph (1) with a number of eligible 
        entities that is at least half of the number of eligible 
        entities that participated under Tier 1 of the pilot program.
            (3) Considerations.--In determining whether to enter into 
        an agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) seek to ensure geographic diversity among 
                selected entities as described in subparagraph (A) of 
                section 5(d)(3); and
                    (B) consider the elements under subparagraph (B) of 
                such section.
            (4) Requirements for entering into agreements.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary may enter into an 
                agreement with an eligible entity under paragraph (1) 
                if the Secretary determines that each of the following 
                requirements are met:
                            (i) The eligible entity agrees to achieve 
                        one or more outcomes as a result of the 
                        project, as specified in the agreement and 
                        validated by independent evaluation, in order 
                        to receive payment. Such outcomes shall be 
                        significant metrics closely correlated with 
                        intervention under the project.
                            (ii) Payment from the Federal Government to 
                        the eligible entity for each specified outcome 
                        achieved as a result of the project will be 
                        less than or equal to the value of the outcome 
                        to the Federal Government over a period not to 
                        exceed ten years, as determined by the 
                        Secretary, in consultation with the eligible 
                        entity.
                            (iii) Based on prior rigorous experimental 
                        evaluations or rigorous quasi-experimental 
                        studies, the project can be expected to achieve 
                        each outcome specified in the agreement.
                            (iv) The project will begin not later than 
                        one year after the eligible entity has entered 
                        into the agreement with the Secretary.
                            (v) The duration of the project will not 
                        exceed seven years.
                            (vi) The eligible entity has shown that it 
                        has experience delivering the intervention used 
                        in the project, a similar intervention, or has 
                        otherwise demonstrated the capability necessary 
                        to deliver the intervention.
                            (vii) The project will use participants to 
                        implement the project.
                            (viii) The eligible entity has made such 
                        other assurances as the Secretary may require.
    (e) Raising Funds.--Section 5(e) shall apply with respect to Tier 2 
of the pilot program.
    (f) Ability To Finance Project.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
        which an eligible entity enters into an agreement with the 
        Secretary under subsection (a) for a VISIT pay for results 
        project under Tier 2 of the pilot program, the entity shall 
        provide to the Secretary a plan demonstrating that the entity--
                    (A) has the capability to fully fund the up-front 
                costs of the project, with or without funds from 
                partner investors or philanthropic entities; and
                    (B) will have the funds described in subparagraph 
                (A) available and reserved for the project not later 
                than one year after the date of such agreement.
            (2) Termination of agreement.--The Secretary may terminate 
        an agreement entered into under subsection (a) with an eligible 
        entity for a VISIT pay for results project under Tier 2 of the 
        pilot program if--
                    (A) the Secretary determines that the eligible 
                entity is not likely to have the capability to fully 
                fund the up-front costs of the project; or
                    (B) the eligible entity does not have the funds 
                available and reserved to fully fund the up-front costs 
                of the project.
    (g) Duration.--Each VISIT pay for results project conducted under 
Tier 2 of the pilot program shall be limited to a duration of not more 
than seven years.
    (h) Payment.--
            (1) Amount of payment.--Section 5(h)(1) shall apply with 
        respect to Tier 2 of the pilot program.
            (2) Up-front costs.--An eligible entity with which the 
        Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (d) for a 
        VISIT pay for results project under Tier 2 of the pilot program 
        shall pay the entire up-front costs of the project.
            (3) Outcome payments.--Subparagraph (A) of section 5(h)(3) 
        shall apply with respect to Tier 2 of the pilot program, except 
        that the exception under subparagraph (B) of such section shall 
        not apply with respect Tier 2 of the pilot program.
    (i) Evaluation.--Section 5(i) shall apply with respect to Tier 2 of 
the pilot program, except that the waiver authority under paragraph 
(1)(B) of such section shall not apply with respect to Tier 2 of the 
pilot program.

SEC. 7. TASK FORCE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a task force to 
support the pilot program through feedback and engagement with relevant 
entities.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The task force established under 
        subsection (a) shall be composed of members selected by the 
        Secretary from among experts described in paragraph (2) who 
        have some experience--
                    (A) working with veterans and family members of 
                veterans; or
                    (B) serving in the Armed Forces.
            (2) Experts described.--The experts described in this 
        paragraph are individuals with expertise in--
                    (A) the social impact partnership model under 
                subtitle C of title XX of the Social Security Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1397n et seq.), or similar pay for results 
                model;
                    (B) evaluation methodologies;
                    (C) relevant interventions and support available to 
                eligible individuals; or
                    (D) health effects associated with social isolation 
                and loneliness.
    (c) Duties.--The task force established under subsection (a) 
shall--
            (1) proactively offer feedback, advice, and technical 
        assistance to State and local governments and other entities 
        seeking to participate in the pilot program; and
            (2) work to proactively engage such governments and 
        entities with the goal of ensuring that many strong proposals 
        for such program are submitted.
    (d) Independent Operation.--An employee of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs may not simultaneously serve on the Task Force and 
have responsibilities for selecting eligible entities for participation 
in the pilot program.

SEC. 8. FUNDING.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $50,000,000, to 
remain available for expenditure until 15 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (b) Prohibition on Federal Funding for Credit Enhancements.--No 
amount appropriated to carry out this Act may be used to provide any 
insurance, guarantee, or other credit enhancement to an eligible entity 
under which a Federal payment would be made to an eligible entity as 
the result of such entity failing to achieve an outcome specified in an 
agreement under the pilot program.
    (c) Limitation on Cost of Evaluations.--Of the amounts appropriated 
to carry out this Act in any fiscal year, the Secretary may not 
obligate more than 15 percent to evaluate under sections 5(i) and 6(i) 
the implementation and outcomes of VISIT pay for results projects under 
the pilot program.
    (d) Task Force.--In any fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more 
than 5 percent of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available 
to carry out this Act for the task force under section 7.
    (e) Administrative Expenses.--In any fiscal year, the Secretary may 
use not more than 5 percent of the amounts appropriated or otherwise 
made available to carry out this Act for administrative expenses.
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