To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to ensure, under certain conditions, that members of the Armed Forces are automatically enrolled in benefits and services under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which such members are eligible.

Bill: 118-hr-5152
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Introduced: 2023-08-04
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies

Congressional oversight

Department of Defense

Department of Veterans Affairs

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Military personnel and dependents

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2023-08-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5152 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 4, 2023 Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services , and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to ensure, under certain conditions, that members of the Armed Forces are automatically enrolled in benefits and services under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which such members are eligible.

1. Program of Department of Defense to enroll certain members of the Armed Forces in benefits and services under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall carry out a program to— (1) identify covered benefits, if any, for which each covered member of an Armed Force is eligible to enroll; (2) notify each covered member of the relevant covered benefits identified under subparagraph (A); and (3) expect as provided in subsection (e), ensure such covered member is enrolled in such covered benefits. (b) Notification to Secretary of Veterans Affairs With respect to any covered member of an Armed Force the Secretary of Defense determines is eligible for enrollment in a covered benefit, such Secretary shall, not later than 90 days before the date on which such covered member is separated from service, submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a notification that includes— (1) the name, contact information, and military service details of such covered member; (2) the anticipated date on which such covered member will be separated from service; and (3) a description of any military occupational specialty and training such covered member received during service. (c) Outreach required Not later than 60 days after any date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives a notification under subsection (b), such Secretary shall contact the covered member of an Armed Force described in such notification and provide materials and resources relating to covered benefits. (d) Information sharing The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish procedures to— (1) share necessary information to facilitate the automatic enrollment process under subsection (a); and (2) ensure the secure and confidential transfer of data during any such sharing of necessary information. (e) Opt-Out provision The decision to enroll in a covered benefit pursuant to subsection (a) shall be at the election of the relevant covered member of an Armed Force. (f) Working group (1) In general The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a working group to address potential barriers and challenges in implementing the automatic enrollment process. The working group shall consist of representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other relevant stakeholders as determined by such Secretaries. (2) Duties The working group shall be responsible for— (A) identifying potential barriers to implementation, such as legal, technological, or administrative challenges; and (B) developing strategies and recommendations to overcome such potential barriers and ensure the successful implementation of automatic enrollments. (3) Report Not later than 180 days after the date on which such Secretaries establish the working group under paragraph (1), the head of such working group shall submit to Congress a report that includes findings, recommendations, and proposed timelines for implementation. (g) GAO report on notice of automatic enrollment Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of a study to determine the best methods for the Secretary of Defense to provide notice under subsection (a)(2). In making such determination, the Comptroller General shall consider needs of veterans based on— (1) age; (2) residence in urban areas; and (3) residence in rural areas. (h) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered benefit means a benefit or service under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (2) The term covered member of an Armed Force means a member of the Armed Forces participating in the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense under section 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code.