SHIELD for Veterans Act

Bill: 116-hr-5245
Sponsor: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Debt collection
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health care costs and insurance
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Stopping Harm and Implementing Enhanced Lead-time for Debts for Veterans Act or the SHIELD for Veterans Act

 
This bill updates debt collection and overpayment processes related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits or programs.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from collecting all or any part of an amount owed under a VA program if the amount is owed for any payment or overpayment that was caused by the amount of time taken by the VA to process information provided by or on behalf of an individual.
 
If the VA has made an overpayment to an individual, the VA must provide notice to the individual of the overpayment and any action the VA plans to take to collect repayment or reduce any benefit of the individual at least 90 days before taking such action. The notice must include an explanation of the right of the individual to dispute the overpayment or request a waiver of indebtedness. 
 
The VA must report on its plan for the improvement of the notification and communication processes for individuals who receive overpayments from the VA.
 
The bill prohibits interest and administrative cost charges on delinquent payments of debt resulting from a person's participation in a VA disability compensation program, pension program, or an educational assistance program.

action_date: 2020-09-23
text: 

Stopping Harm and Implementing Enhanced Lead-time for Debts for Veterans Act or the SHIELD for Veterans Act
 
 
This bill updates debt collection and overpayment processes related to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 555.
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4752-4753)
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5245.
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4752-4754)
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
action_date: 2020-03-10
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in House