Veterans Collaboration Act

Bill: 115-hr-1798
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
Introduced: 2017-03-29
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies

Congressional oversight

Department of Veterans Affairs

Disability assistance

Higher education

Lawyers and legal services

Performance measurement

Veterans' organizations and recognition

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2017-06-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-03-29
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Veterans Collaboration Act</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program in states with the highest veteran populations to promote collaboration between the VA and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. </p> <p>The VA shall emphasize collaboration with: (1) veterans service organizations that provide personnel with appropriate credentials to assist veterans in filing disability compensation claims and appeals with the VA, and (2) educational institutions that provide veterans with pro bono legal assistance.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1798 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 29, 2017 Mr. Wittman (for himself, Ms. Shea-Porter , and Mr. Ryan of Ohio ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning that provide administrative assistance to veterans.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Collaboration Act . 2. Pilot program on collaboration with nonprofit organizations (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a two-year pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall emphasize collaboration with— (1) veterans service organizations that provide personnel with appropriate credentials to assist veterans in filing claims and appeals with the Department for disability compensation; and (2) educational institutions that provide pro bono legal assistance to veterans. (b) Metrics The Secretary shall establish metrics to determine which organizations and institutions provide the best service to veterans and seek to encourage such organizations and institutions to participate in the pilot program. (c) Location The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in States with the highest veteran populations, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Use of social media In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall use social media to promote the collaboration efforts carried out under the pilot program and to notify veterans of such collaborations. Quarterly reports will be provided to members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee that document the reach of the social media efforts and the number of veterans who use the program. (e) Reports Not later than 30 days after the end of a fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program, including the use of social media under subsection (d) and the number of veterans who receive administrative assistance from organizations and institutions through the program.