REP VA Act

Bill: 119-s-831
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2025-03-04
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-30
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-03-04
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Representing VA with Accuracy Act or the REP VA Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that any call made to a veteran by a VA employee or contractor regarding VA services or benefits is made from a single, well-known telephone number and uses caller identification that indicates the call is from or on behalf of the VA.</p><p>The VA must also ensure the Veterans Health Administration has at least one call center in each time zone in the United States to address concerns regarding appointments and referrals for health care.</p>

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 831 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 4, 2025 Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Ms. Hirono ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve telephone communication by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Representing VA with Accuracy Act or the REP VA Act . 2. Improvement of telephone communication by Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 6321. Telephone communication (a) Calls associated with Department Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that any call made to a veteran by an employee or contractor of the Department regarding services or benefits furnished by the Department— (1) is made from a single, well-known telephone number; and (2) uses caller identification branding that indicates to the veteran that the call is from or on behalf of the Department. (b) Call centers for health care appointments and referrals (1) In general Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has at least one call center in each of the time zones specified in paragraph (2) to address concerns regarding appointments and referrals for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Time zones specified The time zones specified in this paragraph are the following: (A) Eastern time. (B) Central time. (C) Mountain time. (D) Pacific time. (E) Alaska time. (F) Hawaii time. (3) Clarification The Secretary is not required to ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has a call center in any location generally within a time zone specified in paragraph (2) that does not follow daylight time. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 6321. Telephone communication. .