Wounded Warrior Access Act

Bill: 118-hr-1226
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33]
Introduced: 2023-02-28
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft

Computers and information technology

Crime prevention

Disability assistance

Freedom of information

Government information and archives

Health information and medical records

Internet, web applications, social media

Personnel records

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2023-11-13
text: Became Public Law No: 118-21.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-02-28
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Wounded Warrior Access Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits. Requests for records must specify in which format the copy is desired. The VA must notify a requester within 10 days that their request has been received and must fulfill the request within 120 days.</p> <p>The bill also requires the VA to ensure that each time a claimant logs in to a website or online tool of the VA, the website or online tool displays in plain language (1) a warning regarding violations of laws related to agents and attorneys, (2) a link to an online tool to report violations, (3) a link to an online tool to search for a VA-recognized agent or attorney, and (4) a link to a website or online tool providing final decisions on discipline of agents and attorneys for violations.</p>

action_date: 2023-03-07
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>Wounded Warrior Access Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits. Requests for records must specify in which format the copy is desired. The VA must notify a requester within 10 days that their request has been received and must fulfill the request within 120 days.</p> <p>The bill also requires the VA to ensure that each time a claimant logs in to a website or online tool of the VA, the website or online tool displays in plain language (1) a warning regarding violations of laws related to agents and attorneys, (2) a link to an online tool to report violations, (3) a link to an online tool to search for a VA-recognized agent or attorney, and (4) a link to a website or online tool providing final decisions on discipline of agents and attorneys for violations.</p>

action_date: 2023-11-02
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p><b>Wounded Warrior Access Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits. Requests for records must specify in which format the copy is desired. The VA must notify a requester within 10 days that their request has been received and must fulfill the request within 120 days.</p> <p>The bill also requires the VA to ensure that each time a claimant logs in to a website or online tool of the VA, the website or online tool displays in plain language (1) a warning regarding violations of laws related to agents and attorneys, (2) a link to an online tool to report violations, (3) a link to an online tool to search for a VA-recognized agent or attorney, and (4) a link to a website or online tool providing final decisions on discipline of agents and attorneys for violations.</p>

action_date: 2023-11-13
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><b>Wounded Warrior Access Act</b></p> <p>This act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits. Requests for records must specify in which format the copy is desired. The VA must notify a requester within 10 days that their request has been received and must fulfill the request within 120 days.</p> <p>The act also requires the VA to ensure that each time a claimant logs in to a website or online tool of the VA, the website or online tool displays in plain language (1) a warning regarding violations of laws related to agents and attorneys, (2) a link to an online tool to report violations, (3) a link to an online tool to search for a VA-recognized agent or attorney, and (4) a link to a website or online tool providing final decisions on discipline of agents and attorneys for violations.</p>

tv_txt: I One Hundred Eighteenth Congress of the United States of America At the First Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-three H. R. 1226 AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for the electronic request of certain records, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wounded Warrior Access Act . 2. Electronic request of certain records maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Electronic record requests Section 5702 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) (1) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a secure website or online tool for a claimant or a duly recognized agent or representative of that claimant to submit an electronic request for such records. (2) The Secretary, upon receipt of a valid request made through the website or online tool established under paragraph (1), shall provide to the requestor— (A) not later than 10 days after receipt, confirmation of such receipt; and (B) not later than 120 days after receipt, such records requested in the form selected by the requestor. . (b) Conforming amendments Section 5702(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking in writing and inserting in writing, including an electronic request submitted through the website or online tool established under subsection (b), ; (2) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (3) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (3) the format in which such copy is desired, including whether in printed form or by downloadable file. . (c) Deadline; establishment of website or online tool Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the website or online tool required under section 5702(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as added by this Act, and, to the extent practicable, the Secretary shall utilize existing online resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes of such establishment. 3. Warnings to claimants under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding unrecognized representatives (a) In general Section 5901 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting (a) In general.— before Except ; (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Warnings about potential predatory practices (1) The Secretary shall ensure that, each time a claimant under a law administered by the Secretary logs in to a website or online tool of the Department, such website or online tool issues to the claimant, in plain language— (A) a warning about individuals who seek to act in violation of this chapter; (B) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may report such an individual; (C) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may search for a recognized agent, attorney, or other entity recognized by the Secretary for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim under laws administered by the Secretary; and (D) a link to a website or an online tool of the Department providing final decisions on discipline of agents, attorneys, and entities, described in subparagraph (C), by the Secretary for violations of this chapter. (2) The Secretary shall provide all information under paragraph (1) in the following languages: (A) English. (B) Spanish. (C) Tagalog. (D) The seven other languages most commonly spoken in the United States. . (b) Implementation The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out subsection (b) of such section, as added by subsection (a) of this section— (1) after consulting with stakeholders (including veterans service organizations recognized under section 5902 of such title) regarding the wording of the warning under such subsection; and (2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. No additional funds authorized No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

tv_txt: IIB 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1226 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 8, 2023 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for the electronic request of certain records, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wounded Warrior Access Act . 2. Electronic request of certain records maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Electronic record requests Section 5702 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) (1) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a secure website or online tool for a claimant or a duly recognized agent or representative of that claimant to submit an electronic request for such records. (2) The Secretary, upon receipt of a valid request made through the website or online tool established under paragraph (1), shall provide to the requestor— (A) not later than 10 days after receipt, confirmation of such receipt; and (B) not later than 120 days after receipt, such records requested in the form selected by the requestor. . (b) Conforming amendments Section 5702(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking in writing and inserting in writing, including an electronic request submitted through the website or online tool established under subsection (b), ; (2) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (3) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (3) the format in which such copy is desired, including whether in printed form or by downloadable file. . (c) Deadline; establishment of website or online tool Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the website or online tool required under section 5702(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as added by this Act, and, to the extent practicable, the Secretary shall utilize existing online resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes of such establishment. 3. Warnings to claimants under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding unrecognized representatives (a) In general Section 5901 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting (a) In general.— before Except ; (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Warnings about potential predatory practices (1) The Secretary shall ensure that, each time a claimant under a law administered by the Secretary logs in to a website or online tool of the Department, such website or online tool issues to the claimant, in plain language— (A) a warning about individuals who seek to act in violation of this chapter; (B) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may report such an individual; (C) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may search for a recognized agent, attorney, or other entity recognized by the Secretary for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim under laws administered by the Secretary; and (D) a link to a website or an online tool of the Department providing final decisions on discipline of agents, attorneys, and entities, described in subparagraph (C), by the Secretary for violations of this chapter. (2) The Secretary shall provide all information under paragraph (1) in the following languages: (A) English. (B) Spanish. (C) Tagalog. (D) The seven other languages most commonly spoken in the United States. . (b) Implementation The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out subsection (b) of such section, as added by subsection (a) of this section— (1) after consulting with stakeholders (including veterans service organizations recognized under section 5902 of such title) regarding the wording of the warning under such subsection; and (2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. No additional funds authorized No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act.

Passed the House of Representatives March 7, 2023. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1226 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for the electronic request of certain records, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wounded Warrior Access Act . 2. Electronic request of certain records maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Electronic record requests Section 5702 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) (1) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a secure website or online tool for a claimant or a duly recognized agent or representative of that claimant to submit an electronic request for such records. (2) The Secretary, upon receipt of a valid request made through the website or online tool established under paragraph (1), shall provide to the requestor— (A) not later than 10 days after receipt, confirmation of such receipt; and (B) not later than 120 days after receipt, such records requested in the form selected by the requestor. . (b) Conforming amendments Section 5702(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking in writing and inserting in writing, including an electronic request submitted through the website or online tool established under subsection (b), ; (2) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (3) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (3) the format in which such copy is desired, including whether in printed form or by downloadable file. . (c) Deadline; establishment of website or online tool Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the website or online tool required under section 5702(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as added by this Act, and, to the extent practicable, the Secretary shall utilize existing online resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes of such establishment. 3. Warnings to claimants under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding unrecognized representatives (a) In general Section 5901 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting (a) In general.— before Except ; (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Warnings about potential predatory practices (1) The Secretary shall ensure that, each time a claimant under a law administered by the Secretary logs in to a website or online tool of the Department, such website or online tool issues to the claimant, in plain language— (A) a warning about individuals who seek to act in violation of this chapter; (B) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may report such an individual; (C) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may search for a recognized agent, attorney, or other entity recognized by the Secretary for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim under laws administered by the Secretary; and (D) a link to a website or an online tool of the Department providing final decisions on discipline of agents, attorneys, and entities, described in subparagraph (C), by the Secretary for violations of this chapter. (2) The Secretary shall provide all information under paragraph (1) in the following languages: (A) English. (B) Spanish. (C) Tagalog. (D) The seven other languages most commonly spoken in the United States. . (b) Implementation The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out subsection (b) of such section, as added by subsection (a) of this section— (1) after consulting with stakeholders (including veterans service organizations recognized under section 5902 of such title) regarding the wording of the warning under such subsection; and (2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. No additional funds authorized No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act.

Passed the House of Representatives March 7, 2023. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1226 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 28, 2023 Mr. Aguilar introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for the electronic request of certain records, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wounded Warrior Access Act . 2. Electronic request of certain records maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Electronic record requests Section 5702 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) (1) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a secure website or online tool for a claimant or a duly recognized agent or representative of that claimant to submit an electronic request for such records. (2) The Secretary, upon receipt of a valid request made through the website or online tool established under paragraph (1), shall provide to the requestor— (A) not later than 10 days after receipt, confirmation of such receipt; and (B) not later than 120 days after receipt, such records requested in the form selected by the requestor. . (b) Conforming amendments Section 5702(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking in writing and inserting in writing, including an electronic request submitted through the website or online tool established under subsection (b), ; (2) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (3) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (3) the format in which such copy is desired, including whether in printed form or by downloadable file. . (c) Deadline; establishment of website or online tool Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the website or online tool required under section 5702(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as added by this Act, and, to the extent practicable, the Secretary shall utilize existing online resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes of such establishment. 3. Warnings to claimants under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding unrecognized representatives (a) In general Section 5901 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting (a) In general.— before Except ; (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Warnings about potential predatory practices (1) The Secretary shall ensure that, each time a claimant under a law administered by the Secretary logs in to a website or online tool of the Department, such website or online tool issues to the claimant, in plain language— (A) a warning about individuals who seek to act in violation of this chapter; (B) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may report such an individual; (C) a link to an online tool of the Department through which the claimant may search for a recognized agent, attorney, or other entity recognized by the Secretary for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim under laws administered by the Secretary; and (D) a link to a website or an online tool of the Department providing final decisions on discipline of agents, attorneys, and entities, described in subparagraph (C), by the Secretary for violations of this chapter. (2) The Secretary shall provide all information under paragraph (1) in the following languages: (A) English. (B) Spanish. (C) Tagalog. (D) The seven other languages most commonly spoken in the United States. . (b) Implementation The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out subsection (b) of such section, as added by subsection (a) of this section— (1) after consulting with stakeholders (including veterans service organizations recognized under section 5902 of such title) regarding the wording of the warning under such subsection; and (2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. No additional funds authorized No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated.