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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Veterans' Outreach Act of 2013''.

SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO INCREASE COORDINATION OF OUTREACH
EFFORTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) Demonstration Project Required.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall carry out a demonstration project to assess the
feasibility and advisability of using State and local government
agencies and nonprofit organizations--
(1) to increase awareness of veterans regarding benefits
and services for veterans; and
(2) to improve coordination of outreach activities
regarding such benefits and services between the Secretary and
Federal, State, and local government and nonprofit providers of
health care and benefit services for veterans.
(b) Duration.--
(1) In general.--The demonstration project shall be carried
out during the two-year period beginning on the date that is
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Authority for extension.--The Secretary may extend the
duration of the demonstration project for an additional two
years.
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the
demonstration project through the award of grants to State and
local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to carry
out projects that--
(A) increase the awareness of veterans regarding
benefits and services for veterans; and
(B) improve coordination of outreach activities
regarding such benefits and services between the
Secretary and Federal, State, and local government and
nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services
for veterans.
(2) Application.--
(A) In general.--A State or local government agency
or nonprofit organization seeking a grant under the
demonstration project shall submit to the Secretary an
application therefor in such form and in such manner as
the Secretary considers appropriate.
(B) Elements.--Each application submitted under
subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
(i) A description of the consultations, if
any, with the Department of Veterans Affairs in
the development of any proposal under the
application.
(ii) A description of the project for which
the applicant is seeking a grant under the
demonstration project, including a plan to
coordinate under the demonstration project, to
the greatest extent possible, the outreach
activities of Federal, State, and local
government agencies that provide health care,
benefits, and services for veterans and
nonprofit organizations that provide such care,
benefits, and services to enhance the awareness
and availability of such care, benefits, and
services.
(iii) An agreement to report to the
Secretary standardized data and other
performance measures necessary for the
Secretary to evaluate the demonstration project
and to facilitate evaluation of individual
projects for which grants are awarded under the
demonstration project.
(iv) Such other information as the
Secretary may require.
(3) Considerations.--In awarding grants under the
demonstration project to carry out projects, the Secretary
shall consider where the projects will be carried out and which
populations are targeted. In particular, the Secretary shall
consider the advisability of awarding grants for projects--
(A) carried out in areas with populations that have
a high proportion of veteran representation;
(B) carried out in a variety of geographic areas,
including urban, rural, and highly rural areas; and
(C) that target a variety of veteran populations,
including racial and ethnic minorities, low-income
populations, and older populations.
(4) Use of funds.--The Secretary shall establish
appropriate uses of grant amounts received under the
demonstration project.
(5) Limitation.--In a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent
of all grant amounts awarded in that fiscal year may be awarded
to a single State entity.
(d) State Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may not make a grant
to a State under subsection (c) unless that State agrees that, with
respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the
program or activities for which the grant was awarded, the State will
make available (directly or through donations from public or private
entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 50 percent of
Federal funds provided under the grant.
(e) Annual Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the
completion of the first calendar year beginning after the date
of the commencement of the demonstration project, and not less
frequently than once every year thereafter for the duration of
the project, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
evaluating the demonstration project and the projects supported
by grants awarded under the demonstration project.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary
with respect to the demonstration project.
(B) An assessment of the benefit to veterans of the
demonstration project.
(C) The recommendations of the Secretary as to the
feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding
the demonstration project.

SEC. 3. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
AND STATES ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 6306 the following new section:
''Sec. 6306A. Cooperative agreements with States
''(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements and arrangements with various agencies and departments of
States to carry out this chapter and to otherwise carry out,
coordinate, improve, or enhance outreach activities of the Department
and the States.
''(b) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the
agreements and arrangements entered into by the Secretary under
subsection (a) during the most recent one-year period.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 63 of such title is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 6306 the following new item:

''6306A. Cooperative agreements with States.''.

SEC. 4. BUDGET TRANSPARENCY FOR OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 6308 the following new section:
''Sec. 6309. Budget transparency
''(a) Budget Requirements.--In the budget justification materials
submitted to Congress in support of the Department budget for a fiscal
year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section
1105(a) of title 31), the Secretary shall include a separate statement
of the amount requested for such fiscal year for activities of the
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs as follows:
''(1) For outreach activities of the Department in
aggregate.
''(2) For outreach activities of each element of the
Department specified in subsection (b)(1).
''(b) Procedures for Effective Coordination and Collaboration.--(1)
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the
Veterans' Outreach Act of 2013, the Secretary shall establish and
maintain procedures for the Office of Public and Intergovernmental
Affairs to ensure the effective coordination and collaboration of
outreach activities of the Department between and among the following:
''(A) The Office of the Secretary.
''(B) The Veterans Health Administration.
''(C) The Veterans Benefits Administration.
''(D) The National Cemetery Administration.
''(2) The Secretary shall--
''(A) beginning after the date on which the Secretary
establishes procedures under paragraph (1), not less frequently
than once every two years conduct a review of the procedures
established and maintained under paragraph (1) to ensure that
such procedures meet the requirements such paragraph;
''(B) make such modifications to such procedures as the
Secretary considers appropriate based upon reviews conducted
under subparagraph (A) in order to better meet such
requirements; and
''(C) not later than 45 days after completing a review
under subparagraph (A), submit to Congress a report on such
review.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 63 of such title is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 6308 the following new item:

''6309. Budget transparency.''.

SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish an advisory committee on outreach activities of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Membership.--The advisory committee shall be composed of
individuals selected by the Secretary from among the following:
(1) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals who are
eminent in their respective fields of public relations.
(2) Representatives of organizations with offices that
focus on communications and distribute messages through major
media news outlets and social media.
(3) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with
experience communicating financial results and business
strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image.
(4) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with
experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating
publicity for a particular product or service.
(5) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have
experience in press and public relations.
(c) Duties.--The advisory committee shall collaborate with the
Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs--
(1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is
strategically and effectively--
(A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders
to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and
services furnished by the Department;
(B) explaining new or changing policies of the
Department;
(C) improving the image and reputation of the
Department; and
(D) coordinating and collaborating with national
community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State
and local government agencies; and
(2) to assist the Secretary in conducting such other press
or public relations activities relating to outreach activities
of the Department as the advisory committee considers
appropriate.
(d) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with and seek the
advice of the advisory committee not less frequently than quarterly on
matters relating to the duties of the advisory committee under
subsection (c).
(e) Quarterly Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every 90
days, the advisory committee shall submit to Congress and to
the Secretary a report on outreach activities of the
Department.
(2) Recommendations.--Each report submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include such recommendations for legislative and
administrative action as the advisory committee considers
appropriate to improve the press and public relations of the
Department relating to outreach.
(f) Termination.--The advisory committee shall terminate on October
1, 2015, and the requirements and authorities under this section shall
terminate on such date.
(g) Outreach Defined.--In this section, the term ''outreach'' has
the meaning given the term in section 6301 of title 38, United States
Code.

SEC. 6. ADVISORY BOARDS ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS.

(a) Establishment.--For each Department of Veterans Affairs medical
center, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, acting through the
director of such medical center, establish not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act an advisory board at such
medical center on matters relating to outreach activities of the
Department at such medical center.
(b) Membership.--Each advisory board established under subsection
(a) at a Department medical center shall be, to the maximum extent
practicable, composed of individuals selected by the Secretary from
among the following:
(1) Individuals who are eminent in their respective fields
of public relations.
(2) Representatives of organizations with offices that
focus on communications and distribute messages through major
media news outlets and social media.
(3) Individuals with experience communicating financial
results and business strategy for purposes of shaping a
confident brand image.
(4) Individuals with experience with consumer and lifestyle
imaging and creating publicity for a particular product or
service.
(5) Employees of the Department who are involved in press
and public relations strategy at the medical center.
(6) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have
experience in press and public relations.
(c) Duties.--Each advisory board established under subsection (a)
at a Department medical center shall collaborate with the Assistant
Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs--
(1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is
strategically and effectively--
(A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders
to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and
services furnished by the Department;
(B) explaining new or changing policies of the
Department;
(C) improving the image and reputation of the
Department; and
(D) coordinating and collaborating with national
community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State
and local government agencies; and
(2) to assist the director of such medical facility in
conducting such other press or public relations activities
relating to outreach activities of the Department as the
advisory board considers appropriate.
(d) Consultation.--Each director of a Department medical center
shall consult with and seek the advice of the advisory board
established at such medical center not less frequently than once every
two months on matters relating to the duties of the advisory board
under subsection (c).
(e) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than each year, each
advisory board established under subsection (a) shall submit to the
Secretary a report with such information as may be beneficial to the
Secretary in preparing the reports required by section 6308 of title
38, United States Code.
(f) Termination.--Each advisory board established under subsection
(a) and the authorities and requirements of this section shall
terminate on October 1, 2015.

SEC. 7. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR PERIODIC REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--Section 6308 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ''even-numbered''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ''biennial'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ''for
legislative and administrative action'' after
''Recommendations''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
''(3) Recommendations that such administrative actions as
may be taken--
''(A) to maximize resources for outreach activities
of the Department; and
''(B) to focus outreach efforts on activities that
are proven to be more effective.''.
(b) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Section heading.--The heading for section 6308 of such
title is amended by striking ''Biennial'' and inserting
''Annual''.
(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 6308 and inserting the following
new item:

''6308. Annual report to Congress.''.
A:
Veterans' Outreach Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of using state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to increase veteran awareness of available benefits and services, and to improve the coordination of outreach activities between the Secretary and federal, state, and local government and nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services for veterans. Allows the Secretary to extend such program for an additional two years. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with various state departments and agencies concerning the provision of veterans' activities. Requires the Secretary to include, in annual VA budget justification materials, a separate statement of amounts requested for outreach activities of the VA in aggregate as well as for each of the Office of the Secretary, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) an advisory committee on VA outreach activities; and (2) for each VA medical center, an advisory board relating to outreach activities at such center. Changes from biennial to annual a required report to Congress on VA outreach activities. Requires the inclusion in each report of recommendations: (1) to maximize resources for VA outreach activities, and (2) to focus such efforts on activities proven to be more effective.