VSAFE Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-6452
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Introduced: 2023-11-17
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs

Executive agency funding and structure

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Housing finance and home ownership

Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2024-07-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 499.

Summaries:

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 499 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6452 [Report No. 118–599] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 17, 2023 Ms. Stefanik (for herself, Mr. Bost , Mr. Cole , and Mr. Wittman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs July 18, 2024 Additional sponsors: Mr. Lawler , Mrs. Radewagen , Mr. Buchanan , Mr. Mann , and Mr. Feenstra July 18, 2024 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on November 17, 2023 A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2024 or the VSAFE Act of 2024 . 2. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer (a) In general Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer (a) Establishment There is in the Department a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, who shall be responsible for fraud and scam prevention, reporting, and incident response plans at the Department. (b) Responsibilities The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer shall carry out the following responsibilities: (1) Providing comprehensive communication from the Department to Department employees and veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors during strategic and time-sensitive fraud and scam incidents. (2) Establishing consistent guidance across the enterprise for employees as well as veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors on how to identify, report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts. (3) Promoting the Veteran Identity Health Theft Helpline of the Department (and any successor resource) and identifying other identity theft resources available to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors, including with respect to actions made by the Secretary to protect the identities of veterans and their beneficiaries. (4) Developing methods to monitor fraud and scam metrics within the Department to— (A) provide internal and external reporting; (B) enable advanced data analytics; and (C) facilitate proactive and robust fraud and scam trend identification. (5) Developing comprehensive training plans for Department employees fielding fraud and scam inquiries and reports. (6) Coordinating with the Inspector General of the Department and other Federal departments and agencies, including the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Management and Budget, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, the Department of State, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the Social Security Administration, and other relevant agencies to— (A) create a whole-of-Government view within the Department with respect to the fraud prevention efforts at other Federal departments and agencies; (B) identify the proper avenues for veterans to report fraud attempts and receive assistance; and (C) identify opportunities for coordination with such departments and agencies. (7) Consulting with veterans service organizations and State, local, and tribal governments, as necessary, to improve the understanding of fraud and scam risks within the Department. (c) Full-time employees Nothing in this section authorizes an increase in the number of full-time employees otherwise authorized for the Department. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Office of Inspector General of the Department as otherwise provided in this title or in chapter 4 of title 5 (commonly referred to as the Inspector General Act of 1978). . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer. . 3. Modification of certain housing loan fees The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 15, 2031 each place it appears and inserting November 29, 2031 .

July 18, 2024 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6452 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 17, 2023 Ms. Stefanik (for herself, Mr. Bost , Mr. Cole , and Mr. Wittman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2023 or the VSAFE Act of 2023 . 2. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer (a) In general Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer (a) Establishment There is in the Department a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, who shall be responsible for fraud and scam prevention, reporting, and incident response plans at the Department. (b) Responsibilities The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer shall carry out the following responsibilities: (1) Providing comprehensive communication from the Department to Department employees and veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors during strategic and time-sensitive fraud and scam incidents. (2) Establishing consistent guidance across the enterprise for employees as well as veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors on how to identify, report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts. (3) Promoting the Veteran Identity Health Theft Helpline of the Department (and any successor resource) and identifying other identity theft resources available to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors, including with respect to actions made by the Secretary to protect the identities of veterans and their beneficiaries. (4) Developing methods to monitor fraud and scam metrics within the Department to— (A) provide internal and external reporting; (B) enable advanced data analytics; and (C) facilitate proactive and robust fraud and scam trend identification. (5) Developing comprehensive training plans for Department employees fielding fraud and scam inquiries and reports. (6) Coordinate with other Federal departments and agencies, including the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Management and Budget, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, the Department of State, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the Social Security Administration, and other relevant agencies to— (A) create a whole-of-Government view within the Department with respect to the fraud prevention efforts at other Federal departments and agencies; (B) identify the proper avenues for veterans to report fraud attempts and receive assistance; and (C) identify opportunities for coordination with such departments and agencies. (7) Consulting with veterans service organizations and State and local governments, as necessary, to improve the understanding of fraud and scam risks within the Department. (c) Full-time employees Nothing in this section authorizes an increase in the number of full-time employees otherwise authorized for the Department. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 325. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer. .