Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

Bill: 117-hr-4772
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Health technology, devices, supplies
Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

 
This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clothing allowance policy for veterans who, due to a service-connected disability, wear a prosthetic, use an orthopedic appliance (e.g., a wheelchair), or use a prescription skin medication that the VA determines causes irreparable damage to clothing.
 
The bill requires the VA to continue the clothing allowance for such a veteran on an annual basis until the veteran elects to no longer receive the allowance, or the VA determines the veteran is no longer eligible for the allowance, whichever occurs first.
 
The bill sets forth a procedure by which the VA must conduct reviews of clothing allowance claims to determine the continued eligibility of veterans. Specifically, the VA must conduct a review (1) five years after the date on which a veteran initially receives a clothing allowance and periodically thereafter, and (2) whenever the VA receives notice that the veteran no longer meets eligibility requirements. If a veteran is eligible for a clothing allowance based on a circumstance that is not subject to change, the VA does not need to review whether the veteran has continued eligibility.
 
If the VA determines, as the result of a review of a claim, that a veteran no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a clothing allowance, the VA must provide notice of the determination and discontinue the clothing allowance. The notice must include a description of applicable actions that may be taken following the determination (e.g., filing a notice of disagreement).

action_date: 2022-12-01
text: 

Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

 
This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clothing allowance policy for veterans who, due to a service-connected disability, wear a prosthetic, use an orthopedic appliance (e.g., a wheelchair), or use a prescription skin medication that the VA determines causes irreparable damage to clothing.
 
The bill requires the VA to continue the clothing allowance for such a veteran on an annual basis until the veteran elects to no longer receive the allowance, or the VA determines the veteran is no longer eligible for the allowance, whichever occurs first.
 
The bill sets forth a procedure by which the VA must conduct reviews of clothing allowance claims to determine the continued eligibility of veterans. Specifically, the VA must conduct a review (1) five years after the date on which a veteran initially receives a clothing allowance and periodically thereafter, and (2) whenever the VA receives notice that the veteran no longer meets eligibility requirements. If a veteran is eligible for a clothing allowance based on a circumstance that is not subject to change, the VA does not need to review whether the veteran has continued eligibility.
 
If the VA determines, as the result of a review of a claim, that a veteran no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a clothing allowance, the VA must provide notice of the determination and discontinue the clothing allowance. The notice must include a description of applicable actions that may be taken following the determination (e.g., filing a notice of disagreement).
 
The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through January 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-05
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 1499, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 4601, as amended; H.R. 4772, as amended; H.R. 4899; H.R. 5943, as amended; H.R. 7158, as amended; H.R. 8203; H.R. 9308; and S. 3825; and the following resolutions were agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 744, as amended; and H. Res. 922, as amended. (consideration: CR H8696-8700; text: CR H8697)
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 1499, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 4601, as amended; H.R. 4772, as amended; H.R. 4899; H.R. 5943, as amended; H.R. 7158, as amended; H.R. 8203; H.R. 9308; and S. 3825; and the following resolutions were agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 744, as amended; and H. Res. 922, as amended.(consideration: CR H8696-8700; text: CR H8697)
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1499, proceedings on H.R. 4772 are considered vacated.
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4772.
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8604-8605; text: CR H8604-8605)
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-11-16
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2022-11-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-11-16
text: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
action_date: 2021-10-20
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2021-09-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House