Veterans and Family Information Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2195
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-06-23
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals

Congressional oversight

Department of Veterans Affairs

Family services

Foreign language and bilingual programs

Government information and archives

Military personnel and dependents

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2021-06-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-06-23
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Veterans and Family Information Act</b> <strong>of 2021</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make all of its fact sheets available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and each of the 10 most commonly spoken languages not listed. The bill also requires the VA to establish a publicly available website that provides links to all VA fact sheets. Finally, the VA must report to Congress regarding the utilization of such fact sheets as well as the details of the Language Access Plan of the VA.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2195 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 23, 2021 Ms. Hirono introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make all fact sheets of the Department of Veterans Affairs available in English, Spanish, and Tagalog, and other commonly spoken languages, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans and Family Information Act of 2021 . 2. Availability of Department of Veterans Affairs fact sheets in commonly spoken languages (a) Languages The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available versions of all fact sheets of the Department of Veterans Affairs in— (1) English; (2) Spanish; (3) Tagalog; and (4) each of the 10 most commonly spoken languages, other than English, in the United States that are not otherwise covered by paragraphs (2) and (3). (b) Website (1) In general The Secretary shall establish and maintain a publicly available website of the Department that contains links to all fact sheets of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and of the National Cemetery Administration. (2) Access to website The Secretary shall ensure that the website established under paragraph (1) is accessible by a clearly labeled hyperlink on the homepage of the Department. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report regarding fact sheets described in subsection (a) and details of the Language Access Plan of the Department of Veteran Affairs. (2) Contents The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) What the Secretary determines constitutes a fact sheet of the Department for purposes of this section. (B) How such fact sheets are used and distributed other than on and through the website of the Department. (C) How such Language Access Plan is communicated to veterans, family members of veterans, and caregivers. (D) The roles and responsibilities of patient advocates in the coordination of care for veterans with limited English proficiency, family members of such veterans, and caregivers. (E) Other demographic information that the Secretary determines appropriate regarding veterans with limited English proficiency.