jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-13 00:00:00

Extends for one year and 30 days after the enactment of this Act the authority of members of the Armed Forces or veterans who have completed more than 10 years of active-duty service to transfer to family members any portion of their unused post-9/11 educational assistance program benefits.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-13 00:00:00

Women's Fair and Equal Right to Military Service Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense to revise the military personnel policies of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military departments so that such policies do not restrict members of the Armed Forces from assignment to units and positions based on gender. Prohibits any change in a military personnel policy that would exclude based on gender from taking effect until: (1) the Secretary submits to Congress a notice of the intent to make the change, and (2) the expiration of 30 legislative days after Congress receives such notice. Repeals specified existing Armed Forces personnel laws directing the Secretary to notify Congress of changes to the ground combat exclusion policy (defined in the existing provisions as military personnel policies of DOD and military departments, as in effect on October 1, 1994, by which female members of the armed forces are restricted from assignment to units and positions below brigade level whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground), assignment of females to certain military career designators, and other related personnel policy changes.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-23 00:00:00

Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to provide for a program under which postal benefits are provided to a member of the Armed Forces who is on active duty and who is either: (1) serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, or (2) hospitalized at a military medical facility as a result of such service. Provides the postal benefits in the form of coupons or other evidence of credit (vouchers) to use for postal-free mailings. Makes the benefits program applicable during FY2012-FY2017.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-23 00:00:00

Hiring Heroes Act of 2011- Amends the Wounded Warriors Act to extend until January 1, 2015, the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide the same rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses as are provided to veterans. Expands the authority of the VA Secretary to make payments to employers to provide on-job training to veterans to include veterans who have not been rehabilitated to the point of employability. Entitles certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who have exhausted their rights to unemployment benefits to participation in an additional VA rehabilitation program. Limits the duration of such a program to 24 months. Makes the 12-year period of eligibility for a VA rehabilitation program inapplicable under such an additional program. Instructs the VA Secretary to follow-up on the employment status of veterans who participate in a VA rehabilitation program. Requires (current law encourages) participation by eligible members in the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense (DOD). Requires (under current law, authorizes) the provision of preseparation counseling to members whose discharge or release is anticipated. Instructs the Secretary of Labor to follow-up on the employment status of members who complete their participation in the TAP. Directs the VA Secretary to award grants to up to three nonprofit organizations under a collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program for eligible veterans seeking employment. Requires participants in the TAP to receive individualized assessments of civilian positions for which they may be qualified based on a joint DOD, VA, and Department of Labor study of the equivalencies between military skills and civilian employment requirements. Authorizes the appointment of an honorably discharged member of the uniformed services to a position in the civil service, without regard to specified civil service examination, certification, and appointment provisions, if otherwise qualified. Requires executive agencies to establish programs to provide employment assistance to members who are being separated from active duty. Directs the Secretary of Labor to carry out an outreach program to provide employment assistance to certain veterans who have been receiving assistance under the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers program. Authorizes a pilot program to assess the feasibility of providing work experience to certain members of the Armed Forces who are on terminal leave. Requires (under current law, authorizes) a VA demonstration project on the credentialing and licensing of veterans.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-25 00:00:00

Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Repeals provisions phasing in the full concurrent receipt of such pay through December 31, 2013. Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability. Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Prohibits requiring repayment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member. Removes the requirement that days of active duty or active service used to reduce the minimum age at which a member of the reserves may retire for non-regular (reserve) service must occur in the same fiscal year.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Permits the posthumous transfer of Post 9/11 Educational Assistance (an educational assistance entitlement for certain members of the Armed Forces serving on or after September 11, 2001) to the spouse or children of eligible Armed Forces members when the application of a member electing to transfer such assistance was not approved before the member died in the line of duty. Allows transfers of such entitlements by individuals honorably discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces due to a service-connected disability or after sustaining an injury in line of duty requiring hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care or treatment. (Current law requires an individual to be serving as a member of the Armed Forces when the transfer is executed.) Sets forth extended and alternative eligibility periods for such individuals. Applies this Act to individuals who become eligible to transfer such benefits on or after August 1, 2009.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Modifies the requirement that the Secretary concerned provide preseparation counseling to members of the Armed Forces whose discharge or release from active duty is anticipated as of a specific date. Directs the Secretary concerned, including the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), to require such members to receive, as part of their preseparation counseling, employment assistance, job training assistance, and other transitional services under a specified program established by the Secretary of Labor.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Amends the Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007 to apply specified provisions of the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 and the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 concerning the provision of government markers for marked graves of veterans at private cemeteries to headstones, markers, and medallions for individuals dying before, on, or after November 1, 1990. (Current law applies only to headstones and markers for individuals dying on or after that date.)
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Veterans Missing in America Act of 2011 - Recognizes the tireless work and dedication of the Missing in America Project, in conjunction with numerous veterans service organizations, in identifying unclaimed remains of veterans. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cooperate with such organizations to assist entities in possession of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in determining if any such remains are the remains of veterans or other individuals eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Requires the Secretary, upon a positive determination with respect to any such remains, to provide for and cover the cost of the burial and funeral expenses if the Secretary determines that: (1) there is no next of kin or other person claiming the remains, and (2) there are no other sufficient resources to cover such expenses. Directs the Secretary to establish a publicly accessible database of the names of any veteran or other individual so identified.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Fort McClellan Health Registry Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Fort McClellan Health Registry containing the name of each individual who, while serving in the Armed Forces, was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, during the period beginning on January 1, 1935, and ending on May 20, 1999, and who: (1) applies for care or services from the VA; (2) files a claim for compensation on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service; (3) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation on the basis of such service; (4) requests a health examination from the VA; or (5) receives such health examination and requests inclusion in the Registry. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to provide such health examination, as well as consultation and counseling with respect to examination results. Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify individuals in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Fort McClellan; and (2) carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to such health examinations, consultation, and counseling.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Veterans' Disability Claims Efficiency Act of 2011 - Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in the case of a disability claim with multiple conditions, to assign an interim disability rating for the condition(s) that can be assigned without further development and to continue development of the remaining condition(s). Requires an interim disability rating to remain in effect unless the Secretary later assigns an increased rating for such condition. Prohibits the continuation of such rating if the rating was based on fraud or the condition improves. Directs the Secretary to establish a process for the rapid identification of initial claims for disability compensation that should, in adjudication, receive priority in the order of review. Requires the Secretary to identify whether claims have the potential of being adjudicated quickly, the claims qualify for priority treatment, and a temporary disability rating could be assigned for such claims. Authorizes the Secretary to provide priority based on the effect such priority would have on a claimant.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-13 00:00:00

Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act - Permits a veteran with any compensable service-connected disability (and the veteran's dependents) to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-15 00:00:00

Military Leaders Enhancement Act - Directs Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) in the case of the Coast Guard to: (1) prepare and implement a plan to achieve, between 2031 and 2041, a dynamic, sustainable level of Armed Forces members (including reserve components) that, among both commissioned officers and senior enlisted personnel of each armed force, reflects the diverse population of the United States eligible to serve in the Armed Forces, including gender specific, racial, or ethnic populations and diversified language and cultural skills; and (2) develop a standard set of metrics and collection procedures, uniform across the Armed Forces, to capture the inclusion and capability aspects of the Armed Forces' broader diversity plans and to verify and systematically link to strategic plans. Requires: (1) the DOD and DHS Secretaries, at least biannually, to meet with the Secretaries of the military departments, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and senior enlisted members of the Armed Forces to discuss progress on the plan; and (2) the DOD Secretary to coordinate with the National Guard Bureau and states in tracking the National Guard's progress on the plan. Directs the DOD Secretary to include in its annual defense manpower requirements report to Congress a discussion of: (1) the progress on implementing the plan while still being able to prevail in any war, prevent and deter any conflict, defeat any adversary, succeed in wide ranges of contingencies, and preserve and enhance the all-volunteer force; (2) the available pool of qualified candidates for the general officer grades of general and lieutenant general and the flag officer grades of admiral and vice admiral, including an assessment of the qualified racial or ethnic minority and female candidates. Directs the DHS Secretary to submit to Congress a related annual report.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-22 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit, at least annually until January 1, 2021, separate reports to Congress on the operation of the educational assistance program with respect to members of the Armed Forces whose service commenced on or after September 11, 2001. Requires the reports to include information concerning the utilization of benefits, as well as how benefit levels affect recruitment and retention. Repeals reporting requirements concerning the all-volunteer force educational assistance program.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-22 00:00:00

Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act - Requires the autism spectrum disorder treatment authorized for dependents in uniformed services facilities under TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care system) to include behavioral health treatment, including applied behavior analysis, when prescribed by a physician.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-22 00:00:00

Extends, until FY2018, the yearly $2 million appropriations authorization for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-23 00:00:00

Medal of Honor Stipend Increase Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), subject to the availability of appropriations, to increase by up to $500 a month the rate of the Medal of Honor special pension.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2011-06-24 00:00:00

Authorizes the American Legion under its federal charter to provide guidance and leadership to the individual Departments and Posts. Prohibits it from controlling or otherwise influencing the specific activities and conduct of independent, autonomous Departments and Posts.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2011-06-24 00:00:00

Directs the Chief of Engineers to develop a Veterans' Curation Program to hire veterans and members of the Armed Forces to assist in carrying out curation and historic preservation activities.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-24 00:00:00

Rating and Processing Individuals' Disability Claims Act or the RAPID Claims Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), if a veteran's claim is submitted that is determined to be a fully developed claim, to provide: (1) the claimant with the opportunity to waive any claim development period with respect to such claim, and (2) expeditious treatment of such claim. Provides that: (1) if a person notifies the Secretary of the intention to submit a fully developed claim and does so within a one-year period thereafter, the Secretary shall provide expeditious treatment to the claim; and (2) if the Secretary determines that a claim submitted as fully developed is not fully developed, the Secretary shall notify such person within 30 days of the information and evidence required to fully develop the claim. Requires the Secretary, when denying a benefit, to notify the claimant of any form or application required to appeal such decision.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-24 00:00:00

Modernizing Notice to Claimants Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide VA benefits claimants, by the most expeditious means available, including electronic communication or notification in writing, of any information or medical or lay evidence not previously provided to the Secretary that is necessary to substantiate a claim. (Current law does not specify the means of notice.) Requires the Secretary, whenever private records relevant to a claim are unable to be obtained after making reasonable efforts in response to a claimant's request for assistance, to, subject to waiver: (1) notify the claimant that the claim will be decided based on evidence of record, but that this Act does not prohibit submission of records at a later date if such submission is otherwise allowed, and (2) make at least two requests to a private record custodian before an effort to obtain relevant private records may be treated as reasonable. (Current law requires only an identification and explanation of the Secretary's efforts to obtain such records with a description of any further action to be taken on the claim.) Directs the Secretary, when attempting to assist a disability compensation claimant in obtaining relevant records from a federal agency, to continue such efforts unless it is reasonably certain that the records are nonexistent or that further efforts would be futile.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-06-24 00:00:00

Accountability in Contract Execution Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) conduct a cost-benefit analysis and notify Congress of each contract awarded by the Secretary valued over $100 million, including sole-source, undefinitized, split, or indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contracts; and (2) submit such analysis to Congress upon request. Requires such an analysis to address: (1) economic and technical feasibility, (2) cost effectiveness, (3) adherence to best industry practices, and (4) written certification that the Secretary considered all alternatives in a fair, competitive, and ethical environment during the contracting process.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-07-06 00:00:00

Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act or COMBAT PTSD Act - Defines "combat with the enemy," for purposes of proof of service-connection for veterans' disability compensation, as service on active duty: (1) in a theater of combat operations during a period of war, or (2) in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-07-08 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award a decoration called the Department of Veterans Affairs Medal for Distinguished Public Service to a veteran who, during the period after the date of the veteran's discharge or release from the active military, naval, or air service, has: (1) made remarkable and distinguished contributions to the community of the veteran, and (2) exemplified the virtues of honor, duty, and commitment to service that originally led the veteran to service in the Armed Forces. Allows the Secretary to award such medal posthumously to such a veteran who is deceased.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-07-15 00:00:00

Helping Homeless Heroes Act of 2011 - Allows grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for homeless veterans' comprehensive services programs (outreach, rehabilitation, vocational counseling, and transitional housing assistance) to be used for the construction of new facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from denying applications for such grants solely on the basis that the grant entity proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, as long as such entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide project oversight and site control. Revises eligibility: (1) under the grant program for entities serving homeless veterans with special needs, and (2) for treatment and rehabilitation of homeless veterans who are not seriously mentally ill. Includes all individuals caring for minor dependents (current law applies only to women caring for minor dependents) within the definition of "homeless veterans with special needs." Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans. Requires the plan to consider circumstances and requirements unique to veterans located in rural areas. Extends provisions concerning: (1) homeless veterans' health care to December 31, 2012; (2) centers for provision of comprehensive services and property transfers for housing assistance to December 31, 2014; and (3) the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans to December 30, 2013.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-07-21 00:00:00

Veterans Affairs Active Shooter Training Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish policies and promulgate guidelines to ensure that law enforcement personnel charged with security functions at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers receive active shooter training, as described in the Department of Defense (DOD) document entitled "Protecting the Force: Lessons from Fort Hood."