Summary:
State Outreach for Local Veterans Employment Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the Department of Labor from rejecting a disabled veterans training and employment outreach plan submitted by a state based solely on which agency the state selected to carry out the plan.

Labor shall encourage each state to: (1) colocate its disabled veterans outreach program specialists and local veterans employment representatives with one or more one-stop centers, and (2) tailor its plan to meet the employment and training needs of in-state veterans.

If a plan addresses a significant employment barrier, a state may propose such barriers as appropriate in order to allow additional categories of veterans to receive outreach and local veterans employment representative services.

 Labor shall, if it objects to only a portion of a state's plan: (1) approve those portions of the plan that it does not object to, (2) submit to the state an explanation of which portions were not approved and why, and (3) allow the state to submit revisions to such portions for approval.

state outreach local veterans employment act bill prohibits department_of_labor rejecting disabled veterans training employment outreach plan submitted state based solely agency state selected carry plan labor shall encourage state disabled veterans outreach program specialists local veterans employment representatives stop centers tailor plan meet employment training needs state veterans plan addresses significant employment barrier state propose barriers appropriate order allow additional categories veterans receive outreach local veterans employment representative services labor shall objects portion state plan approve portions plan object submit state explanation portions approved allow state submit revisions portions approval


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Veterans First Act

TITLE I--PERSONNEL AND ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS

 This bill establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection.

 The VA is required to develop criteria to promote supervisory protection of whistle-blowers.

The bill revises VA authority to remove certain employees or senior VA executives for reasons of misconduct or performance.

 The VA shall conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to the performance plan for a career appointee in a VA Senior Executive Service position.

 The VA may not pay a bonus to any employee against whom it is considering carrying out an adverse personnel action.

 A VA official who has participated personally and substantially in a VA acquisition that exceeds $10 million shall, prior to termination, obtain a written opinion from a VA ethics counselor regarding post-VA activity restrictions.

TITLE II--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

 Jason Simcakoski Memorial Act

 The bill: (1) includes each immunization on the recommended adult immunization schedule in the VA preventive health services, and (2) expands veterans' chiropractor services.

The bill establishes the Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission to examine the VA's evidence-based therapy model for treating mental health illnesses.

 The VA shall establish standards to ensure that each eligible veteran has access to mental health care in a manner that accommodates the veteran's obligation to not improperly disclose classified information.

The bill requires education and training of marriage and family therapists and licensed professional mental health counselors to be included in health personnel education and training programs.

 Doctoral degrees are included in qualifications for licensed mental health counselors.

The VA shall: (1) require additional information about a prospective health care employee from the medical board of each state in which the health care provider holds or has held a medical license, and (2) provide state medical boards with information regarding VA health care providers who have violated a medical license requirement.

The VA family caregiver program is expanded to include an information technology system that allows for data assessment and comprehensive program monitoring.

The bill establishes a VA advisory committee on caregiver policies.

 The VA shall develop partnerships with institutions of higher education to establish or expand advanced degree programs in prosthetics and orthotics.

The VA shall revive the Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program that was carried out from January 2013 through February 2014.

The VA may place a requesting veteran for whom it is required to provide nursing home care in a medical foster home that meets appropriate VA standards.

 The bill sets forth requirements for VA hospitals with emergency departments to provide appropriate examination and stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions and women in labor.

The VA and the Department of Defense (DOD) shall jointly update the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain.

The VA shall: (1) expand its Opioid Safety Initiative to include all VA medical facilities, (2) establish standard designation protocols for pain management teams, and (3) increase the availability of opioid receptor antagonists approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The bill establishes the VA Office of Patient Advocacy.

 The VA shall conduct outreach to inform veterans how to resolve credit issues caused by delayed payment of emergency care claims furnished through a non-VA provider.

The VA shall ensure that payments are made promptly to non-VA health care providers.

If the VA is unable to furnish certain hospital, medical, or extended care at VA facilities or under other authorized contracts or sharing agreements, it may enter into a Veterans Care Agreement with an eligible provider to furnish such care.

 The VA shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Medicine for an assessment of scientific research relating to the descendants of individuals with toxic exposure.

The bill authorizes the VA to carry out specified major medical facility projects involving seismic corrections and construction of facilities in California, Maryland, Kentucky, and Washington.

 The VA may implement a tracking system for biological implants from human donor or animal source to implantation.

 The VA may procure biological implants of human origin only from qualifying vendors.

 The VA shall: (1) adopt the Federal Drug Administrations's unique device identification system to identify biological implants for use in VA medical procedures; (2) expand research and integration of complementary and integrative health services into veterans health care services; and (3) carry out a three-year program to assess the feasibility of integrating complementary and alternative medicine services for veterans with mental health conditions, chronic pain conditions, and other chronic conditions.

TITLE III--DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION

The VA may pay burial and funeral expenses, accrued benefits, dependency and indemnity compensation, and non-service connected disability or death pension amounts to a survivor of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the record contains sufficient evidence to establish the survivor's entitlement to such benefits.

 The bill increases the special monthly pension for living Medal of Honor recipients.

The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 is amended to extend until December 31, 2017, VA authority to provide for persons other than VA employees (i.e., contract physicians) to conduct medical disability examinations of applicants for VA benefits.

 Licensed, VA-contracted physicians may conduct such examinations at any location in any state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession so long as the examination is authorized under a contract.

The VA shall carry out a five-year pilot program for an optional disability claims appeals process.

TITLE IV--EDUCATION

Any member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, is deemed to have died on January 1, 2006, in order to make that member's surviving spouse eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship. (Under current law, surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty after September 11, 2001, are eligible for such assistance until the earlier of the date they remarry or the date that is 15 years after the military spouse's death.)

VA educational assistance payments for a veteran who was forced to discontinue a course, who did not receive credit, or who lost training time toward completion of an education program because of a permanent school closure shall not be charged against the individual's educational assistance entitlement or counted against the aggregate assistance period.

The bill revises the process for electing Post-9/11 educational benefits.

TITLE V--EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSITION

Each state director for veterans' employment and training shall coordinate activities with the state departments of labor and veterans affairs.

TITLE VI--HOMELESS VETERANS

The bill includes as a homeless veteran for purposes of VA benefits a veteran or veteran's family fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions in their current housing situation.

 The VA shall shall carry case management services to improve the retention of housing by: (1) veterans who were previously homeless and who are transitioning to permanent housing, and (2) veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. The VA, by September 1, 2017, must assess the feasibility of providing intensive case management interventions for certain homeless veterans.

The VA shall establish the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.

 The VA may enter into partnerships with public or private entities to fund a portion of the general legal services that such entities provide to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness.

This bill eliminates the minimum continuous active duty service requirement for homeless veterans to receive certain benefits, including: (1) outreach, (2) rehabilitative services, (3) vocational counseling and training, (4) transitional housing assistance, (5) supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, and (6) health care for homeless veterans with special needs.

Homeless veterans are exempted from disqualification for such benefits because of a discharge or dismissal from the Armed Forces under conditions other than honorable, except for a discharge by reason of a general court-martial.

"Veteran" is defined for purposes of such benefits as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or released therefrom, except for a person who: (1) received a dishonorable discharge, or (2) was discharged or dismissed by reason of a general court-martial.

 TITLE VII--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

The bill extends the temporary expansion of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims until January 1, 2021.

 TITLE VIII--BURIAL BENEFITS

The VA, in lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker to a deceased individual who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917, and who is eligible for a headstone or marker, or who would be eligible but for his or her date of death, may furnish a medallion or other device to signify such individual's veteran status, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense.

 TITLE IX--OTHER MATTERS

The VA may carry out specified leases at the VA's West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California.

 The President shall issue an annual proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure veterans act title personnel accountability matters bill establishes department_of_veterans_affairs required develop criteria promote supervisory protection whistle blowers bill revises authority remove certain employees senior executives reasons misconduct performance shall conduct annual performance plan political appointee similar performance plan career appointee va_senior_executive_service position pay bonus employee considering carrying adverse personnel action official participated personally substantially acquisition exceeds million shall prior termination obtain written opinion ethics counselor post activity restrictions title health care matters bill includes immunization recommended adult immunization schedule preventive health services expands veterans chiropractor services bill establishes examine evidence based therapy model treating mental health illnesses shall establish standards ensure eligible veteran access mental health care manner accommodates veteran obligation improperly disclose classified information bill requires education training marriage family therapists licensed professional mental health counselors included health personnel education training programs doctoral degrees included qualifications licensed mental health counselors shall require additional information prospective health care employee medical board state health care provider holds held medical license provide state medical boards information health care providers violated medical license requirement family caregiver program expanded include information technology system allows data assessment comprehensive program monitoring bill establishes advisory committee caregiver policies shall develop partnerships institutions higher education establish expand advanced degree programs prosthetics orthotics shall revive intermediate care technician pilot program carried january february place requesting veteran required provide nursing home care medical foster home meets appropriate standards bill sets forth requirements hospitals emergency departments provide appropriate examination stabilizing treatment emergency medical conditions women labor department_of_defense dod shall jointly update chronic pain shall expand include medical facilities establish standard designation protocols pain management teams increase availability opioid approved food_and_drug_administration fda bill establishes shall conduct outreach inform veterans resolve credit issues caused delayed payment emergency care claims furnished non-va provider shall ensure payments promptly non-va health care providers unable furnish certain hospital medical extended care facilities authorized contracts sharing agreements enter veterans care agreement eligible provider furnish care shall seek enter agreement assessment scientific research relating descendants individuals toxic exposure bill authorizes carry specified major medical facility projects involving seismic corrections construction facilities california maryland kentucky washington implement tracking system biological human donor animal source procure biological human origin qualifying vendors shall adopt unique device identification system identify biological use medical procedures expand research integration complementary integrative health services veterans health care services carry year program assess feasibility integrating complementary alternative medicine services veterans mental health conditions chronic pain conditions chronic conditions title iii disability compensation pension pay burial funeral expenses accrued benefits dependency indemnity compensation non service connected disability death pension amounts survivor veteran filed formal claim record contains sufficient evidence establish survivor entitlement benefits bill increases special monthly pension living medal honor recipients veterans benefits act amended extend december authority provide persons employees contract physicians conduct medical disability examinations applicants benefits licensed contracted physicians conduct examinations location state district_of_columbia commonwealth territory possession long examination authorized contract shall carry year pilot program optional disability claims appeals process title education member armed_forces died september december deemed died january order member surviving spouse eligible marine gunnery sergeant john_david_fry scholarship current law surviving spouses service members die line duty september eligible assistance earlier date remarry date years military spouse death educational assistance payments veteran forced discontinue course receive credit lost training time completion education program permanent school closure shall charged individual educational assistance entitlement counted aggregate assistance period bill revises process electing educational benefits title employment transition state director veterans employment training shall coordinate activities state departments labor veterans affairs title homeless veterans bill includes homeless veteran purposes benefits veteran veteran family fleeing domestic violence sexual assault stalking dangerous life threatening conditions current housing situation shall shall carry case management services improve retention housing veterans previously homeless transitioning permanent housing veterans risk homeless september assess feasibility providing intensive case management interventions certain homeless veterans shall establish veterans enter partnerships public private entities fund portion general legal services entities provide homeless veterans veterans risk homelessness bill eliminates minimum continuous active duty service requirement homeless veterans receive certain benefits including outreach rehabilitative services vocational counseling training transitional housing assistance supportive services low income veteran families permanent housing health care homeless veterans special needs homeless veterans exempted disqualification benefits discharge dismissal armed_forces conditions honorable discharge reason general court martial veteran defined purposes benefits person served active military naval air service regardless length service discharged released therefrom person received dishonorable discharge discharged dismissed reason general court martial title vii united states court appeals veterans claims bill extends temporary expansion court_of_appeals veterans claims january title viii burial benefits lieu furnishing headstone marker deceased individual served armed_forces april eligible headstone marker eligible date death furnish medallion device signify individual veteran status attached headstone marker furnished private expense title matters carry specified leases los_angeles california president shall issue annual proclamation calling people united_states observe minutes silence veterans day


Summary:
Enhanced Veteran Healthcare Act of 2016

 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into covered partnerships and contracts for the mutually beneficial coordination, use, or exchange of covered VA health-care resources with eligible academic affiliates in order to improve access to, and quality of, VA hospital care and medical services.

 The VA shall use non-competitive procedures in the case of a partnership or contract for:

 coordination, use, or exchange of a clinical service; use of medical equipment or space; research; construction or lease of clinical space; use of any full-time equivalent VA employee or contractor; or use of any full-time equivalent employee jointly hired by the VA and an eligible academic affiliate.

enhanced veteran healthcare act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs seek enter covered partnerships contracts mutually beneficial coordination use exchange covered health care resources eligible academic affiliates order improve access quality hospital care medical services shall use non competitive procedures case partnership contract coordination use exchange clinical service use medical equipment space research construction lease clinical space use time equivalent employee contractor use time equivalent employee jointly hired eligible academic affiliate


Summary:
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program under which it may enter into up to five partnership arrangements with a state or local authority, a tax exempt non-profit corporation, a limited liability corporation, a private entity, a donor, or other non-federal entity to conduct:

 super construction projects (a project for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100 million); major medical facility projects (a project for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $10 million, excluding an acquisition by exchange); or major construction projects to construct a new cemeteries or to develop additional gravesites or columbarium niches at existing cemeteries. The VA may select projects for which: (1) Congress has appropriated partial funding or the VA has identified a need through its long-range capital planning process by listing it on the Major Construction Strategic Capital Investment Planning priority list included in the annual budget submitted to Congress by the President, and (2) a non-federal entity has entered into or is willing to enter into a formal agreement with the VA to independently finance or donate an acceptable amount of project funds at no additional cost to the federal government.

One of the non-federal entity partnership agreements shall be a project to design, finance, and construct a new ambulatory care center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Each partnership agreement shall require the partner entity to:

 conduct necessary environmental and historic preservation due diligence, comply with local zoning requirements, and obtain any permits required for construction; use construction standards required of the VA when designing and building the project, except to the extent the VA determines otherwise; and establish a Board of Directors to oversee the project. The VA shall include in the annual budget submitted to Congress by the President information regarding any projects conducted under this bill during the preceding year.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry program enter partnership arrangements state local authority tax exempt non profit corporation limited liability corporation private entity donor non federal entity conduct super construction projects project construction alteration acquisition medical facility involving total expenditure million major medical facility projects project construction alteration acquisition medical facility involving total expenditure million excluding acquisition exchange major construction projects construct new cemeteries develop additional gravesites existing cemeteries select projects congress appropriated partial funding identified need long range capital planning process listing priority list included annual budget submitted congress president non federal entity entered willing enter formal agreement independently finance donate acceptable project funds additional cost federal government non federal entity partnership agreements shall project design finance construct new ambulatory care center nebraska partnership agreement shall require partner entity conduct necessary environmental historic preservation diligence comply local zoning requirements obtain permits required construction use construction standards required designing building project extent determines establish board_of_directors oversee project shall include annual budget submitted congress president information projects conducted bill preceding year


Summary:
National Guard and Reserve Entrepreneurship Support Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act and the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 to revise a condition on the extension of disaster loan assistance to a small business concern that has suffered, or that is likely to suffer, substantial economic injury as the result of an essential employee's being ordered to active military duty during a period of military conflict.

The condition "being ordered to active military duty during a period of military conflict" shall change to read "being ordered to deploy as part of active military duty." This change shall permit the extension of disaster assistance to a small business concern in such a circumstance even when deployment is not during a period of military conflict.

The same condition is revised in requirements for deferred repayment of principal and interest due on a direct loan to a qualified borrower who is an eligible armed forces reservist and who:

 received a direct loan, including a disaster loan, from the Small Business Administration (SBA) before being ordered to active duty; or is an essential employee ordered to active duty from a small business concern that received a direct loan, including a disaster loan, from the SBA. The President shall report semiannually to specified congressional committees on the number of loans, and their dollar amount, made under the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, including the subsidy rate of those loans.

(Sec. 3) The SBA shall to make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with specified public and private entities for outreach programs for the spouses of veterans and members of a reserve component of the armed forces.

 In making such grants the SBA shall establish a National Guard and Reserve Deployment Support and Business Training Program to give training, counseling and other assistance to support members of a reserve component of the armed forces and their spouses.

In establishing this program the SBA may:

 modify existing programs and resources to disseminate pre-deployment and other information specific to members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces and their spouses; collaborate with the National Guard Bureau (NGB), State Adjutant Generals (or their designees), and other public and private partners; and furnish training, information, and other resources to the NGB and State Adjutant Generals (or designees) to support members of a reserve component of the armed forces, their spouses, and the spouses of veterans.

sec bill amends small_business_act veterans entrepreneurship small business development act revise condition extension disaster loan assistance small business concern suffered likely suffer substantial economic injury result essential employee ordered active military duty period military conflict condition ordered active military duty period military conflict shall change read ordered deploy active military duty change shall permit extension disaster assistance small business concern circumstance deployment period military conflict condition revised requirements deferred repayment principal interest direct loan qualified borrower eligible armed forces reservist received direct loan including disaster loan small_business_administration sba ordered active duty essential employee ordered active duty small business concern received direct loan including disaster loan sba president shall report semiannually specified congressional committees number loans dollar program including subsidy rate loans sec sba shall grants enter contracts cooperative agreements specified public private entities outreach programs spouses veterans members reserve component armed forces making grants sba shall establish business training program training counseling assistance support members reserve component armed forces spouses establishing program sba modify existing programs resources disseminate pre deployment information specific members reserve component armed_forces spouses collaborate national_guard_bureau designees public private partners furnish training information resources designees support members reserve component armed forces spouses spouses veterans


Summary:
Arla Harrell Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reconsider and make a new determination regarding each claim for disability compensation in connection with exposure to mustard gas or lewisite during active military, naval, or air service during World War II that was denied before this bill's enactment. The VA or the Department of Defense (DOD): (1) shall presume that a veteran experienced full-body exposure to mustard gas or lewisite unless proven otherwise; and (2) may not use information contained in the DOD and VA Chemical Biological Warfare Database or any list of known testing sites for mustard gas or lewisite maintained by the VA or DOD as the sole reason for determining that the veteran did not experience such exposure.

The VA shall report to Congress every 90 days on reconsidered claims that were denied.

The VA and DOD shall jointly establish a policy for processing future claims in connection with such exposure.

The bill requires DOD, for purposes of determining whether a site should be added to the list of DOD sites where mustard gas or lewisite testing occurred, to: (1) investigate and assess sites where the Army Corps of Engineers has uncovered evidence of mustard gas or lewisite testing or where more than two veterans submitted claims in connection with exposure that were denied; and (2) report on experiments conducted by DOD during World War II to assess the effects of mustard gas and lewisite.

The VA shall: (1) investigate and assess VA actions to reach out to individuals who had been exposed in such experiments, the disability compensation claims that were filed, and the percentage of such claims that were denied; and (2) submit a comprehensive list of each location where such an experiment was conducted.

bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs reconsider new determination claim disability compensation connection exposure mustard gas active military naval air service world war denied bill enactment department_of_defense dod shall presume veteran experienced body exposure mustard gas proven use information contained dod biological list known testing sites mustard gas maintained dod sole reason determining veteran experience exposure shall report congress days reconsidered claims denied dod shall jointly establish policy processing future claims connection exposure bill requires dod purposes determining site added list dod sites mustard gas testing occurred investigate assess sites army_corps_of_engineers uncovered evidence mustard gas testing veterans submitted claims connection exposure denied report experiments conducted dod world war assess effects mustard gas shall investigate assess actions reach individuals exposed experiments disability compensation claims filed percentage claims denied submit comprehensive list location experiment conducted


Summary:
Maurice (Mo) Bailey Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Grant Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 to reauthorize through FY2017 a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural areas.

highly rural veteran transportation grant reauthorization act bill amends caregivers veterans_omnibus_health_services act reauthorize fy2017 grant program provide innovative transportation options veterans highly rural areas


Summary:
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2016

 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2016, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

 Each such increase shall be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.

bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs increase december rates veterans disability compensation additional compensation dependents clothing allowance certain disabled veterans dependency indemnity compensation surviving spouses children increase shall percentage increase benefits provided title survivors disability insurance social security act effective date


Summary:
Muhammad Ali Voluntary Service Act

This bill repeals the Military Selective Service Act.

No person may be denied a right, privilege, benefit, or employment position under federal law on the grounds that the person failed to present himself for and submit to registration under the Military Selective Service Act before its repeal by this bill.

act bill repeals military_selective_service_act person denied right privilege benefit employment position federal law grounds person failed present submit registration military_selective_service act repeal bill


Summary:
Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2016

This bill amends the Uniformed Services Employment Rights Act of 1994 to: (1) consider procedural protections or provisions under such Act concerning employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services to be a right or benefit subject to the protection of such Act, and (2) make any agreement to arbitrate a claim under such provisions unenforceable unless all parties consent to arbitration after a complaint on the specific claim has been filed in court or with the Merit Systems Protection Board, and all parties knowingly and voluntarily consent to have that particular claim subjected to arbitration.

Consent shall not be considered voluntary when a person is required to agree to arbitrate an action, complaint, or claim alleging a violation of such provisions as a condition of future or continued employment, advancement in employment, or receipt of any right or benefit of employment.

justice servicemembers act bill amends consider procedural protections provisions act concerning employment reemployment rights members uniformed services right benefit subject protection act agreement arbitrate claim provisions unenforceable parties consent arbitration complaint specific claim filed court merit_systems_protection_board parties knowingly voluntarily consent particular claim subjected arbitration consent shall considered voluntary person required agree arbitrate action complaint claim alleging violation provisions condition future continued employment advancement employment receipt right benefit employment


Summary:
Veterans Transplant Coverage Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for an operation on a live donor to carry out a transplant procedure for an eligible veteran notwithstanding that the live donor may not be eligible for VA health care.

The VA shall furnish to such a donor any care or services that may be required before and after conducting such procedure.

veterans transplant coverage act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs provide operation live donor carry transplant procedure eligible veteran notwithstanding live donor eligible health care shall furnish donor care services required conducting procedure


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 20, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), if it is unable to identify a deceased veteran's next of kin and if it determines that sufficient resources for the furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of such veteran are not otherwise available, to furnish a casket or urn for the burial of such veteran in a national cemetery (current law) or in a veterans cemetery of a state or tribal organization for which the VA has provided a grant for the establishment, expansion, and improvement of veterans' cemeteries.

measure amended passed senate september summary version repeated sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs unable identify deceased veteran kin determines sufficient resources furnishing casket urn burial veteran available furnish casket urn burial veteran national cemetery current law veterans cemetery state tribal organization provided grant establishment expansion improvement veterans cemeteries


Summary:
Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now Act or the WINGMAN Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide an accredited, permanent congressional employee with read-only remote access to the electronic Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims records system of a represented veteran, regardless of whether the employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by the veteran.

The VA shall ensure that access does not allow the employee to modify system data.

An employee must complete the VA certification process required of agents or attorneys in order to have system access.

 Each Member of Congress who elects to have an employee have access to the system shall bear the certification cost, which shall be paid from the Member's representational allowance.

Information access by an employee shall be deemed: (1) a covered disclosure requiring prior consent, with specified exceptions; and (2) a permitted disclosure relating to the privacy of individually identifiable health information.

The VA may not recognize an employee for purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA claims by reason of such system access.

"Accredited, permanent congressional employee" means an employee of a Member of Congress who assists constituents with issues regarding federal departments or agencies.

"Electronic VBA claims records system" means the VA system that provides claim status information, including information about medical records, compensation and pension exams records, rating decisions, a statement of the case and a supplementary statement of the case, a notice of disagreement, and Form-9.

working act act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs provide accredited permanent congressional employee read remote access electronic veterans_benefits_administration vba claims records system represented veteran regardless employee acting power attorney executed veteran shall ensure access allow employee modify system data employee complete certification process required agents attorneys order system access member congress elects employee access system shall bear certification cost shall paid member representational allowance information access employee shall deemed covered disclosure requiring prior consent specified exceptions permitted disclosure relating privacy individually identifiable health information recognize employee purposes preparation presentation prosecution claims reason system access accredited permanent congressional employee means employee member congress assists constituents issues federal departments agencies electronic vba claims records system means system provides claim status information including information medical records compensation pension exams records rating decisions statement case supplementary statement case notice disagreement


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the performance awards and bonuses presented to Regional Office Directors of the VA, Directors of Medical Centers of the VA, and Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

Each report shall include:

 the amount of each award or bonus, the job title of each recipient, and the location where each recipient individual works.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure department_of_veterans_affairs bonus transparency act sec bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs submit annual report specified congressional committees performance awards bonuses presented directors medical centers directors veterans_integrated_service_networks report shall include award bonus job title recipient location recipient individual works


Summary:
Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment Act or the BRAVE Act

 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in awarding a contract for the procurement of goods or services, to give preference to offerors based on the percentage of the offeror's full-time employees who are veterans.

Any offeror determined to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented the veteran status of its employees shall be debarred from contracting with the VA for at least five years.

rates american veteran employment act act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs awarding contract procurement goods services preference offerors based percentage offeror time employees veterans offeror determined willfully intentionally misrepresented veteran status employees shall debarred contracting years


Summary:
VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct and provides that specified federal employee performance appraisal provisions shall not apply to such removals or demotions. The VA may remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate.

 A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave during the appeals period and can receive pay only if he or she reports for duty.

 An expedited appeals process is established under which: (1) an employee shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) within seven days of removal or demotion, (2) the MSPB shall issue a decision within 60 days of the appeal or the removal or demotion becomes final, (3) an MSPB decision and any final removal or demotion may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and (4) the MSPB may not stay any removal or demotion.

The VA may not remove or demote an employee: (1) without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice, and (2) until a final decision in the case of a whistle blower complaint.

 The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in such position.

The VA may reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken.

 The VA may recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances.

 The VA may suspend, reprimand or admonish an SES employee for misconduct or performance that does not merit removal. The VA must notify an individual five days before taking such proposed action. Appeals may be made to the Senior Executive Disciplinary Appeals Board (as provided for by this bill) and may not be appealed to the MSPB.

 The bill establishes an additional whistle blower complaint process, which shall include suspension and removal actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited personnel actions against a whistle blower.

The bill amends the disability benefits appeals process.

 The bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to prohibit payment of an award or bonus to any VA SES employee during each of FY2017-FY2021.

accountability appeals modernization act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs remove demote employee based performance misconduct provides specified federal employee performance appraisal provisions shall apply removals remove individual civil service demote individual reduction grade annual pay rate demoted individual shall placed administrative leave category paid leave appeals period receive pay reports duty expedited appeals process established employee shall right appeal merit_systems_protection_board mspb seven days removal demotion mspb shall issue decision days appeal removal demotion final mspb decision final removal demotion appealed mspb stay removal demotion remove demote employee approval special_counsel individual seeks corrective action office_of_special_counsel based alleged prohibited personnel practice final decision case whistle blower complaint shall reduce federal annuity individual removed va_senior_executive_service ses convicted felony influenced performance employed position reduce federal annuity individual convicted felony subject removal transfer ses left final action taken recoup award bonus relocation expenses paid employee specified circumstances suspend ses employee misconduct performance merit removal notify individual days taking proposed action appeals provided bill appealed mspb bill establishes additional whistle blower complaint process shall include suspension removal actions supervisory employees commit prohibited personnel actions whistle blower bill amends disability benefits appeals process bill amends accountability act prohibit payment award bonus employee fy2017 fy2021


Summary:
State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an agreement or a contract with each state home to pay for medical supervision model adult day health care for a veteran for whom the home is not receiving VA nursing home care payments.

The veteran must need such care either specifically for a service-connected disability, or, if not specifically for one, the veteran must have a service-connected disability rated 70% or more.

Payment under each agreement or contract between the VA and a state home must equal 65% of the payment that the VA would otherwise pay to the state home if the veteran were receiving nursing home care.

 "Medical supervision model adult day health care" means adult day health care that includes the coordination of physician services, dental services, the administration of drugs, and such other requirements as the VA may determine.

bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs enter agreement contract state home pay medical supervision model adult day health care veteran home receiving nursing home care payments veteran need care specifically service connected disability specifically veteran service connected disability rated payment agreement contract state home equal payment pay state home veteran receiving nursing home care medical supervision model adult day health care means adult day health care includes coordination physician services dental services administration drugs requirements determine


Summary:
Enewetak Atoll Cleanup Veterans Registry and Study Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain the Enewetak Atoll Veterans Health Registry of each veteran who performed a radiation cleanup mission in the Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands between January 1, 1977, and December 31, 1980, while serving as a member of the Armed Forces and who:

 applies for medical care or services from the VA; files a claim for compensation on the basis of any disability associated with such service; 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; requests a health examination from the VA; or receives such a health examination and submits a request to be included in the registry. The registry shall include relevant medical data relating to the health status of each such individual who: (1) grants the VA permission to include such information, or (2) is deceased when the individual's name is added to the registry.

In the case of such an individual who is deceased, the VA shall provide that individual's spouse, child, or parent with consultation and counseling with respect to the results of an examination of such individual, upon request.

The VA shall: (1) periodically notify individuals listed in the registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential radiation exposure related to such service, (2) provide for an independent study on such potential exposure, and (3) carry out outreach activities with respect to health examinations and consultation and counseling services.

enewetak atoll cleanup veterans registry study act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs establish maintain veteran performed radiation cleanup mission marshall_islands january december serving member armed_forces applies medical care services files claim compensation basis disability associated service dies survived spouse child parent files claim dependency indemnity compensation basis service requests health examination receives health examination submits request included registry registry shall include relevant medical data relating health status individual grants permission include information deceased individual added registry case individual deceased shall provide individual spouse child parent consultation counseling respect results examination individual request shall periodically notify individuals listed registry significant developments research health consequences potential radiation exposure related service provide independent study potential exposure carry outreach activities respect health examinations consultation counseling services


Summary:
Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2016

This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to exclude from a consumer report: (1) for one year, information related to a veteran's medical debt resulting from hospital or medical services provided in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility; and (2) information related to a fully paid or settled medical debt that had been characterized as delinquent, charged off, or in collection.

 A veteran may submit a notice along with proof of VA liability for such debt to a consumer reporting agency or a reseller to dispute the debt's inclusion in a consumer report. The consumer reporting agency shall, within 30 days, delete such information from the consumer's file and notify the furnisher and the veteran.

 The Consumer Credit Protection Act is amended to provide a mechanism for veterans to dispute the inclusion of program debt already on a credit report. A consumer reporting agency shall, within 30 days after receiving notice of such dispute, delete such information from the veteran's file and notify the furnisher and the veteran.

Within five days after the initial communication with a veteran, a debt collector shall, unless the appropriate information is contained in the initial communication or the veteran has paid the debt, send the veteran a written notice containing specified debt-related information, including information concerning the debt amount, creditors, the insurance company involved, and the hospital or medical care provider.

If a veteran notifies the debt collector within such one-year period that the program debt is disputed or that the veteran requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection until debt verification or the name and address of the original creditor is obtained.

bill amends fair credit reporting act exclude consumer report year information related veteran medical debt resulting hospital medical services provided non-department_of_veterans_affairs facility information related fully paid settled medical debt characterized delinquent charged collection veteran submit notice proof liability debt consumer reporting agency reseller dispute debt inclusion consumer report consumer reporting agency shall days delete information consumer file notify furnisher veteran consumer_credit_protection_act amended provide mechanism veterans dispute inclusion program debt credit report consumer reporting agency shall days receiving notice dispute delete information veteran file notify furnisher veteran days initial communication veteran debt collector shall appropriate information contained initial communication veteran paid debt send veteran written notice containing specified debt related information including information concerning debt creditors insurance company involved hospital medical care provider veteran notifies debt collector year period program debt disputed veteran requests address original creditor debt collector shall cease collection debt verification address original creditor obtained


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Appeals Modernization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits appeals process to permit a claimant to request:

 a review of the agency of original jurisdiction's decision by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency based on the original evidence; or a Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) review under which no BVA hearing is requested and no additional evidence may be submitted or under which a BVA hearing is requested and the appellant requests an opportunity to submit additional evidence at, and within 90 days of, the hearing (for which the BVA shall maintain two separate dockets). (The term "agency of original jurisdiction" means the activity which entered the original determination with regard to a claim for veterans benefits.)

The bill prescribes additional information that must be included in the notice of a denied benefit.

A finding favorable to a claimant is binding on all subsequent VA adjudicators unless clear and convincing evidence is shown to the contrary.

 If a claim is denied the claimant may, within one year after the agency of original jurisdiction issues a decision with respect to such claim: (1) file a request for higher-level review, (2) file a supplemental claim, or (3) file a notice of disagreement.

The BVA may remand a claim to the agency to obtain a corrective advisory medical opinion.

 The VA shall provide for expedited treatment by the agency of original jurisdiction of any claim that is remanded by the BVA.

The bill revises effective dates of awards provisions.

 The bill repeals a provision authorizing the BVA to secure an independent medical expert's opinion when warranted by the medical complexity or controversy involved in an appeal case.

The VA's duty to assist a claimant shall not apply: (1) once the claimant is provided notice of the agency's initial decision, and (2) to higher-level agency or BVA review.

The VA is not required to send notice for a supplemental claim or to readjudicate a claim that has been disallowed except when new and relevant evidence is presented or secured (currently such provision applies to reopening such claim).

A claimants's notice of disagreement must set out specific allegations of error of fact or law. The BVA is authorized to dismiss an appeal that fails to do so.

bill amends department_of_veterans_affairs benefits appeals process permit claimant request review agency original jurisdiction decision higher level agency based original evidence review hearing requested additional evidence submitted hearing requested appellant requests opportunity submit additional evidence days hearing shall maintain separate term agency original jurisdiction means activity entered original determination regard claim veterans benefits bill prescribes additional information included notice denied benefit finding favorable claimant binding subsequent clear convincing evidence shown contrary claim denied claimant year agency original jurisdiction issues decision respect claim file request higher level review file supplemental claim file notice disagreement remand claim agency obtain corrective advisory medical opinion shall provide expedited treatment agency original jurisdiction claim remanded bill revises effective dates awards provisions bill repeals provision authorizing secure independent medical expert opinion warranted medical complexity controversy involved appeal case duty assist claimant shall apply claimant provided notice agency initial decision higher level agency review required send notice supplemental claim claim disallowed new relevant evidence presented secured currently provision applies reopening claim claimants notice disagreement set specific allegations error fact law authorized dismiss appeal fails


Summary:
Accountability to Safeguard Veterans from Violent Crimes Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the covered service of an individual who is removed (or who retires before being removed) from a specified medical professional position in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and who is convicted of committing a crime of violence against a veteran while employed in such position from being taken into account for purposes of calculating a federal retirement annuity for such individual.

"Covered service" means the period of service beginning on the date the VA determines such individual engaged in activity that gave rise to the removal action and ending on the date such individual is removed from or leaves VA employment. An individual whose annuity is reduced pursuant to this bill shall be entitled to be paid so much of such individual's lump-sum credit as is attributable to such period of covered service.

accountability bill prohibits covered service individual removed retires removed specified medical professional position department_of_veterans_affairs convicted committing crime violence veteran employed position taken account purposes calculating federal retirement annuity individual covered service means period service beginning date determines individual engaged activity gave rise removal action ending date individual removed leaves employment individual annuity reduced pursuant bill shall entitled paid individual lump sum credit attributable period covered service


Summary:
Respectful Interment for Passing Veterans Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into a contract with at least one funeral home near each VA medical center for the expeditious provision of burial and funeral services for deceased veterans:

 who at the time of death were in receipt of compensation or a pension, or with respect to whom the VA determines that there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body and there are insufficient resources to cover burial and funeral expenses. The VA must:

 establish a policy on the provision of respectful and timely burial of such veterans, ensure that such policy is based on best practices used in the private sector, and balance the interests of the deceased in identifying the deceased's next of kin and in having a timely burial. The VA shall follow state and local government practices with respect to the treatment of unclaimed remains of deceased veterans until it establishes such policy.

The VA shall report annually regarding the remains of covered veterans who died in the most recently completed calendar year.

passing veterans act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs enter contract funeral home near medical center expeditious provision burial funeral services deceased veterans time death receipt compensation pension respect determines kin person claiming body insufficient resources cover burial funeral expenses establish policy provision timely burial veterans ensure policy based best practices private sector balance interests deceased identifying deceased kin having timely burial shall follow state local government practices respect treatment unclaimed remains deceased veterans establishes policy shall report annually remains covered veterans died recently completed calendar year


Summary:
Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to declare that any person who knowingly engages in any scheme or artifice to defraud an individual of veterans' benefits, or in connection with obtaining veteran's benefits for that individual, shall be fined, imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

preventing crimes veterans act bill amends federal criminal code declare person knowingly engages scheme artifice defraud individual veterans benefits connection obtaining veteran benefits individual shall fined imprisoned years


Summary:
Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 or the CHIP IN for Vets Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a pilot program under which it may accept up to five donations from specified non-federal entities of: (1) real property that includes a constructed facility or that is to be used as the site of a facility constructed by the entity, and (2) a facility to be constructed by the entity on real property of the VA.

The VA may accept such a donation only if the property is: (1) a property for which funds have been appropriated for a VA facility project, or (2) identified both as meeting a VA need as part of its long-range capital planning process and as the location for a VA facility project that is included on the Strategic Capital Investment Planning process priority list in the most recent budget submitted by the President. Also, the entity must agree to:

 independently donate the real property, improvements, goods, or services for the VA facility project in an amount acceptable to the VA and at no additional cost to the federal government; conduct all necessary environmental and historic preservation due diligence; comply with all local zoning requirements (except for federally required studies and consultations); obtain all permits required in connection with the construction of the facility; use construction standards required of the VA when designing and building the facility; and provide the real property, improvements, goods, or services in a manner sufficient to complete the construction of the facility, at no additional cost to the federal government. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress, at least biennially, on the donation arrangements entered into under the pilot program.

The VA's authority to accept donations under the program shall terminate five years after the date of this bill's enactment.

veterans act chip vets act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry pilot program accept donations specified non federal entities real property includes constructed facility site facility constructed entity facility constructed entity real property accept donation property property funds appropriated facility project identified meeting need long range capital planning process location facility project included process priority list recent budget submitted president entity agree independently donate real property improvements goods services facility project acceptable additional cost federal government conduct necessary environmental historic preservation diligence comply local zoning requirements federally required studies consultations obtain permits required connection construction facility use construction standards required designing building facility provide real property improvements goods services manner sufficient complete construction facility additional cost federal government government_accountability_office shall report congress biennially donation arrangements entered pilot program authority accept donations program shall terminate years date bill enactment


Summary:
Military Injury Surgical Systems Integrated Operationally Nationwide to Achieve ZERO Preventable Deaths Act or the MISSION ZERO Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to award grants to certain trauma centers to enable military trauma care providers and trauma teams to provide trauma care and related acute care at those trauma centers. Funds may be used to train and incorporate military trauma care providers into the trauma center, including expenditures for malpractice insurance, office space, information technology, specialty education and supervision, trauma programs, and state license fees. Grantees must allow the military trauma care providers to be deployed for military operations, training, or response to a mass casualty incident.

military injury surgical systems integrated operationally nationwide achieve zero preventable deaths act mission zero act bill amends public_health_service_act require office assistant secretary preparedness response award grants certain trauma centers enable military trauma care providers trauma teams provide trauma care related acute care trauma centers funds train incorporate military trauma care providers trauma center including expenditures malpractice insurance office space information technology specialty education supervision trauma programs state license fees grantees allow military trauma care providers deployed military operations training response mass casualty incident


Summary:
Veteran Overmedication Prevention Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (or another private, not-for-profit entity with comparable expertise) to review the deaths of all covered veterans who died by suicide during the last five years.

The review shall include:

 the total numbers of veterans who died by a violent death or by an accidental death during such period; each veteran's age, gender, race, and ethnicity; a list of medications and substances prescribed to such veterans, as annotated on toxicology reports; a summary of medical diagnoses by VA physicians that led to such prescriptions in cases of anxiety and depressive disorders; the number of instances in which such a veteran was concurrently on multiple medications prescribed by VA physicians; the number of such veterans who were not taking any VA-prescribed medication; the percentage of such veterans treated for anxiety or depressive disorders who received a non-medication first-line treatment compared to the percentage who received medication only; the number of instances in which a non-medication first-line treatment was attempted and deemed ineffective which led to prescribing medication; descriptions of how the VA determines and updates clinical practice guidelines for prescribing medications and of VA efforts to maintain appropriate staffing levels for mental health professionals; the percentage of such veterans with combat experience or related trauma; identification of VA medical facilities with markedly high prescription rates and suicide rates for treated veterans; an analysis of VA programs that collaborate with state Medicaid agencies and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; an analysis of VA medical center collaboration with medical examiners' offices or local jurisdictions to determine veteran mortality and cause of death; identification of a best practice model to collect and share veteran death certificate data; an assessment of any apparent patterns based on the review; and recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of veterans. The VA shall ensure that such data is compiled in a manner that allows it to be analyzed across all data fields for purposes of informing and updating VA clinical practice guidelines.

A "covered veteran" means any veteran who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the veteran's death.

veteran prevention act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs contract medicine private profit entity comparable expertise review deaths covered veterans died suicide years review shall include total numbers veterans died violent death accidental death period veteran age gender race ethnicity list medications substances prescribed veterans toxicology reports summary medical diagnoses physicians led prescriptions cases anxiety disorders number instances veteran concurrently multiple medications prescribed physicians number veterans taking prescribed medication percentage veterans treated anxiety disorders received non medication line treatment compared percentage received medication number instances non medication line treatment attempted deemed ineffective led prescribing medication descriptions determines updates clinical practice guidelines prescribing medications efforts maintain appropriate staffing levels mental health professionals percentage veterans combat experience related trauma identification medical facilities high prescription rates suicide rates treated veterans analysis programs collaborate state medicaid agencies centers medicare medicaid_services analysis medical center collaboration medical examiners offices local jurisdictions determine veteran mortality cause death identification best practice model collect share veteran death certificate data assessment apparent patterns based review recommendations improve safety veterans shall ensure data compiled manner allows analyzed data fields purposes informing updating clinical practice guidelines covered veteran means veteran received hospital care medical services year period preceding veteran death


Summary:
Gold Star Families Voices Act of 2016

This bill amends the Veterans' Oral History Project Act to require the veterans oral history program to include the collection of video and audio recordings of biographical histories by immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces who became missing in action or who died as a result of their wartime service.

act bill amends veterans oral history project act require veterans oral history program include collection video audio recordings biographical histories immediate family members members armed_forces missing action died result wartime service


Summary:
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Improvement Act of 2016

This bill revises the enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of members of the Armed Forces with respect to state and private employers.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) may initiate an action for relief: (1) with respect to a private or a state employer, and (2) when a state or private employer is engaged in a pattern or practice to infringe upon such rights.

A person may bring an action against a state (as an employer), state instrumentality, or state officer or employee acting in his or her official capacity in U.S. district court or state court. The state, instrumentality, officer, or employee shall not be immune from such action under the Eleventh Amendment of the Constitution or under any doctrine of sovereign immunity. No such state, instrumentality, officer, or employee that receives or uses federal financial assistance for a program or activity shall be immune under the Eleventh Amendment or under any other doctrine of sovereign immunity from suit in federal or state court for any violation of such rights related to such program or activity. (Currently, a person may bring such an action against a state only in a state court.)

The venue for an action against a private employer is expanded to include: (1) any district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred; or (2) any district in which the employer is subject to the court's personal jurisdiction with respect to such action if there is no district in which an action may otherwise be brought.

DOJ may issue civil investigative demands.

Service-related disability coverage is extended to include a disability that is brought to the employer's attention within five years after the person resumes employment.

The bill provides that the employer has the burden of identifying the appropriate reemployment positions.

bill revises enforcement employment reemployment rights members armed_forces respect state private employers department_of_justice doj initiate action relief respect private state employer state private employer engaged pattern practice infringe rights person bring action state employer state instrumentality state officer employee acting official capacity district court state court state instrumentality officer employee shall immune action eleventh amendment constitution doctrine sovereign immunity state instrumentality officer employee receives uses federal financial assistance program activity shall immune eleventh amendment doctrine sovereign immunity suit federal state court violation rights related program activity currently person bring action state state court venue action private employer expanded include district substantial events omissions giving rise claim occurred district employer subject court personal jurisdiction respect action district action brought doj issue civil investigative demands service related disability coverage extended include disability brought employer attention years person employment bill provides employer burden identifying appropriate reemployment positions


Summary:
American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2016

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to specify that hiring and training additional career law enforcement officers, as an allowable use of grant funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services program, includes prioritizing the hiring and training of veterans.

bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act specify hiring training additional career law enforcement officers allowable use grant funds program includes prioritizing hiring training veterans


Summary:
National Guard Bonus Repayment and Financial Relief Act

This bill requires the Army to review all bonuses, incentive pays, or similar benefits received by members of the Army National Guard between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010, to determine if such benefits were issued erroneously and to either: (1) waive repayment of such an erroneous payment if the member concerned fully satisfies any period of service otherwise agreed to or imposed upon the member in connection with receipt of the payment; or (2) repay any such erroneous payment and any interest that was repaid by a member before this bill's enactment if the member fully satisfies any such period of service.

The Army may require an Army National Guard member to repay any such erroneous payment upon determining that: (1) the member knowingly received the benefit through fraud or misrepresentation in which the member participated, or (2) repayment is otherwise consistent with provisions governing repayment of unearned pay.

For any such member granted relief under this bill, the Army shall: (1) notify all consumer credit reporting agencies that any debt subject to the relief was never valid, and (2) provide assistance to the member facing financial hardship as a result of recoupment actions taken in connection with receipt of the payment. A consumer reporting agency notified of the invalidity of such a debt may not, after the date of notice, make any consumer report containing information relating to the debt.

financial relief act bill requires army review bonuses incentive pays similar benefits received members army_national_guard january december determine benefits issued erroneously waive repayment erroneous payment member concerned fully satisfies period service agreed imposed member connection receipt payment repay erroneous payment interest repaid member bill enactment member fully satisfies period service army require army_national_guard member repay erroneous payment determining member knowingly received benefit fraud misrepresentation member participated repayment consistent provisions governing repayment unearned pay member granted relief bill army shall notify consumer credit reporting agencies debt subject relief valid provide assistance member facing financial hardship result recoupment actions taken connection receipt payment consumer reporting agency notified debt date notice consumer report containing information relating debt


Summary:
Presidential Innovation Fellows Program Act of 2016

This bill establishes in the General Services Administration (GSA) the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program to enable exceptional individuals with proven track records to serve time-limited appointments in executive agencies as Presidential Innovation Fellows to address some of the most significant challenges facing the United States and improve federal efforts that would particularly benefit from expertise using innovative techniques and technology. The functions of the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program established pursuant to Executive Order 13704, as in existence on the day before enactment of this bill, shall be functions of the program established by this bill.

The program shall be administered by a Director, who shall be appointed by the GSA. The director shall appoint such fellows and facilitate their placement in projects that have the potential for significant positive effects and are consistent with the President's goals.

Each agency shall: (1) work with the director and the program advisory board to attempt to maximize program benefits to the agency and the government, including by identifying initiatives that will have a meaningful effect on the people served and that will benefit from involvement by a fellow; and (2) ensure that each fellow placed at the agency works closely with a responsible senior official.

presidential innovation fellows program act bill establishes general_services_administration gsa enable exceptional individuals proven track records serve time limited appointments executive agencies address significant challenges facing united_states improve federal efforts particularly benefit expertise innovative techniques technology functions established pursuant executive order existence day enactment bill shall functions program established bill program shall administered director shall appointed gsa director shall appoint fellows facilitate placement projects potential significant positive effects consistent president goals agency shall work director program advisory board attempt maximize program benefits agency government including identifying initiatives meaningful effect people served benefit involvement fellow ensure fellow placed agency works closely responsible senior official


Summary:
Servicemember Retirement Improvement Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow members of the Ready Reserve of a reserve component of the Armed Forces to make the maximum allowable contribution ($18,000 in 2016) to their Thrift Savings Plans without limiting the amount such members may contribute to a retirement plan based upon other employment. The bill also doubles the maximum allowable contribution amount to the Thrift Savings Plans of federal employees in the Ready Reserve.

servicemember retirement improvement act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow members ready_reserve reserve component armed_forces maximum allowable contribution plans limiting members contribute retirement plan based employment bill doubles maximum allowable contribution plans federal employees ready_reserve


Summary:
Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular low-income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas.

 In preparing the report, the FCC shall provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment.

veterans act bill requires federal_communications_commission fcc submit congress report promoting broadband internet access service veterans particular low income veterans veterans residing rural areas preparing report fcc shall provide public notice opportunity comment


Summary:
Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes Act

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to expand eligibility for its Secretarial Designee Program to include the provision of health care at military treatment facilities for: (1) victims of acts of terror that occur in the United States, and (2) U.S. residents who are victims of acts of terror outside the United States.

 Individuals who become eligible for the program shall remain eligible on a space available and fully reimbursable basis in accordance with DOD policy governing such program. DOD may provide expedited program eligibility to individuals with severe injuries.

DOD may not release an individual who is receiving care under the program to a health care provider in the private sector until a comprehensive treatment plan is communicated to the individual and such provider.

DOD shall establish procedures to implement such program expansion, which shall include procedures for:

 conducting timely outreach and communication to local medical facilities after an act of terror in the United States; promptly contacting, coordinating, and providing medical expertise to such facilities that are treating serious injuries; and providing medical evaluations for victims who were exposed to blast and other types of injuries.

bill requires department_of_defense dod expand eligibility include provision health care military treatment facilities victims acts terror occur united_states residents victims acts terror outside united_states individuals eligible program shall remain eligible space available fully reimbursable basis accordance dod policy governing program dod provide expedited program eligibility individuals severe injuries dod release individual receiving care program health care provider private sector comprehensive treatment plan communicated individual provider dod shall establish procedures implement program expansion shall include procedures conducting timely outreach communication local medical facilities act terror united_states promptly contacting coordinating providing medical expertise facilities treating injuries providing medical evaluations victims exposed types injuries


Summary: Fair Tax Act of 2007 - Repeals the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax. Redesignates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Internal Revenue Code of 2007. Imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. Sets the sales tax rate at 23 percent in 2009, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. Allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes and for state government functions. Sets forth rules relating to: (1) the collection and remittance of the sales tax; and (2) credits and refunds. Allows families a sales tax rebate.Grants states the primary authority for the collection of sales tax revenues and the remittance of such revenues to the Treasury. Sets forth administrative provisions relating to: (1) the filing of monthly reports and payments of tax; (2) accounting methods; (3) registration of sellers of goods and services responsible for reporting sales; (4) penalties for noncompliance; and (5) collections, appeals, and taxpayer rights. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate sales tax revenues among: (1) the general revenue; (2) the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund; (3) the disability insurance trust fund; (4) the hospital insurance trust fund; and (5) the federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund. Prohibits the funding of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after FY2011. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury: (1) an Excise Tax Bureau to administer excise taxes not administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and (2) a Sales Tax Bureau to administer the national sales tax.

fair tax act repeals income tax employment tax estate gift tax redesignates internal revenue code internal_revenue_code imposes national sales tax use consumption united_states taxable property services sets sales tax rate percent adjustments rate subsequent years allows exemptions tax property services purchased business export investment purposes state government functions sets forth rules relating collection remittance sales tax credits refunds allows families sales tax rebate grants states primary authority collection sales tax revenues remittance revenues treasury sets forth administrative provisions relating filing monthly reports payments tax accounting methods registration sellers goods services responsible reporting sales penalties noncompliance collections appeals taxpayer rights directs secretary treasury allocate sales tax revenues general revenue old age survivors insurance trust fund disability insurance trust fund hospital insurance trust fund federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund prohibits funding internal_revenue_service irs fy2011 establishes department_of_the_treasury excise_tax_bureau administer excise taxes administered explosives atf sales_tax_bureau administer national sales tax


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on the amount of distilled spirits tax covered (paid over) into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

amends internal revenue code repeal limitation distilled spirits tax covered paid treasuries puerto_rico virgin_islands


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for state and local general sales taxes.

amends internal revenue code permanent tax deduction state local general sales taxes


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the income tax filing deadline for calendar year taxpayers from April 15 to the first Monday in November.

amends internal revenue code change income tax filing deadline calendar year taxpayers april monday november


Summary: Homeowner's Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an additional tax deduction (whether or not such taxpayers itemize deductions) for state and local real property taxes paid for a principal residence that exceed the national average, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Denies such deduction for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $80,000 ($160,000 for joint returns).

homeowner tax relief act amends internal revenue code allow individual taxpayers additional tax deduction taxpayers itemize deductions state local real property taxes paid principal residence exceed national average determined secretary treasury denies deduction taxpayers adjusted gross income exceeds joint returns


Summary: Permanent Marriage Equity Act of 2007 - Makes provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 that eliminate the marriage penalty in the standard deduction, the 15-percent tax bracket, and the earned income tax credit, permanent.

permanent marriage equity act makes provisions economic_growth_and_tax_relief_reconciliation_act eliminate marriage penalty standard deduction percent tax bracket earned income tax credit permanent


Summary: Realistic Roofing Tax Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify any roof system as 20-year property for depreciation purposes.

amends internal revenue code classify roof system year property depreciation purposes


Summary: To Encourage Alternatively fueled vehicle Manufacturing up for Energy Independence Act of 2007 or the TEAM up for Energy Independence Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on the first retail sale of each passenger automobile sold by manufacturers, producers, or importers. Exempts alternative fueled automobiles from such tax. Amends federal transportation law to revise the definitons of "automobile" and "passenger automobile" to increase the gross vehicle weight limit from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds.Directs the Secretary of Energy to make grants for alternative fuel refueling infrastructure projects from a trust fund into which revenues from the excise tax on passenger automobiles shall be deposited.Amends the Automobile Information Disclosure Act to require labeling for new automobiles to indicate: (1) whether a new automobile is an alternative fueled automobile; and (2) the types of fuel on which such automobile can operate.

encourage fueled vehicle manufacturing energy independence act team energy independence act amends internal revenue code impose excise tax retail sale passenger automobile sold manufacturers producers importers exempts alternative fueled automobiles tax amends federal transportation law revise automobile passenger automobile increase gross vehicle weight limit pounds directs secretary energy grants alternative fuel refueling infrastructure projects trust fund revenues excise tax passenger automobiles shall deposited amends automobile information disclosure act require labeling new automobiles indicate new automobile alternative fueled automobile types fuel automobile operate


Summary: Simple Savings Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $400 (twice such amount on a joint return) of interest income annually. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exclusion amount beginning after 2008.

amends internal revenue code exclude gross income twice joint return interest income annually provides inflation adjustment exclusion beginning


Summary: Cool and Efficient Buildings Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 20-year depreciation recovery period, calculated on a straight line basis, for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial refrigeration systems installed in nonresidential buildings and placed in service between December 31, 2006, and January 1, 2009.

cool efficient buildings investment act amends internal revenue code allow year depreciation recovery period calculated straight line basis heating ventilation air conditioning commercial refrigeration systems installed nonresidential buildings placed service december january


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, in the case of an electing individual, no gain (up to a specified amount) shall be recognized on the receipt of a capital gain dividend distributed by a regulated investment company if such capital gain dividend is automatically reinvested in additional shares of the company pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan.

amends internal revenue code provide case electing individual gain specified shall recognized receipt capital gain dividend distributed regulated investment company capital gain dividend automatically reinvested additional shares company pursuant dividend reinvestment plan


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deductions for state and local sales taxes, for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers, and for tuition and related expenses.Exempts certain provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 relating to the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, repeal of the estate tax, and the tax deduction for higher education expenses from the general terminating date of that Act (i.e., December 31, 2010).

amends internal revenue code permanent tax deductions state local sales taxes certain expenses elementary secondary school teachers tuition related expenses exempts certain provisions economic_growth_and_tax_relief_reconciliation_act relating child tax credit marriage penalty relief repeal estate tax tax deduction higher education expenses general terminating date act december


Summary: Seniors' Tax Simplification Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make available a new Federal income tax Form 1040S (similar to Form 1040EZ) to individuals who have turned 65 as of the close of the taxable year. Allows the form to be used even if income includes: (1) social security benefits; (2) distributions from qualified retirement plans, annuities, or other such deferred payment arrangements; (3) interest and dividends; or (4) capital gains and losses.

seniors tax simplification act directs secretary treasury available new federal income tax form similar form 1040ez individuals turned close taxable year allows form income includes social security benefits distributions qualified retirement plans annuities deferred payment arrangements interest dividends capital gains losses


Summary: Securing America's Future Economy Commission Act, or SAFE Commission Act - Establishes the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission to develop legislation designed to address: (1) the unsustainable imbalance between long-term federal spending commitments and projected revenues; (2) increases in net national savings to provide for domestic investment and economic growth; (3) the implications of foreign ownership of federally issued debt instruments; and (4) revision of the budget process to place greater emphasis on long-term fiscal issues. Requires the Commission to: (1) develop one or two methods for estimating the cost of legislation as an alternative to the current Congressional Budget Office (CBO) method; and (2) hold at least one town-hall style public hearing within each federal reserve district. Requires the Commission to submit a legislative proposal to Congress and the President. Authorizes the President to submit to Congress an alternative proposal. Authorizes the Committee on the Budget of either chamber to publish its own alternative proposal in the Congressional Record. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such legislation. Requires CBO to prepare a long-term cost estimate and have it published in the Congressional Record as expeditiously as possible whenever requested to do so by the Commission, the President, or the chairman or ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget of either chamber.

securing_america safe commission act establishes securing_america future economy safe commission develop legislation designed address unsustainable imbalance long term federal spending commitments projected revenues increases net national savings provide domestic investment economic growth implications foreign ownership federally issued debt instruments revision budget process place greater emphasis long term fiscal issues requires commission develop methods estimating cost legislation alternative current congressional_budget_office cbo method hold town hall style public hearing federal reserve district requires commission submit legislative proposal congress president authorizes president submit congress alternative proposal authorizes committee budget chamber publish alternative proposal congressional_record sets forth procedures consideration legislation requires cbo prepare long term cost estimate published congressional_record expeditiously possible requested commission president chairman ranking minority member chamber


Summary: Tax Code Termination Act - Terminates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after December 31, 2010, except for self-employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes, and Railroad Retirement taxes. Declares that any new federal tax system should be a simple and fair system that: (1) applies a low rate to all Americans; (2) provides tax relief for working Americans; (3) protects the rights of taxpayers and reduces tax collection abuses; (4) eliminates the bias against savings and investment; (5) promotes economic growth and job creation; and (6) does not penalize marriage or families.Requires that the new federal tax system be approved by Congress in its final form by July 4, 2010.

tax code termination act terminates internal revenue code december self employment taxes federal_insurance_contributions_act taxes taxes declares new federal tax system simple fair system applies low rate americans provides tax relief working americans protects rights taxpayers reduces tax collection abuses eliminates bias savings investment promotes economic growth job creation penalize marriage families requires new federal tax system approved congress final form july


Summary: Taxpayer Abuse and Harassment Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into contracts with private collection agencies to collect unpaid taxes.

harassment prevention act amends internal revenue code repeal authority secretary treasury enter contracts private collection agencies collect unpaid taxes


Summary: Total Overhaul of Totalization Agreements Law of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for agreements establishing a totalization arrangement between the United States and another country with respect to the exchange of funds and information between the countries on behalf citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of one country who become entitled to cash benefits under the other country's social security system. Prohibits, in computing an individual's average indexed monthly earnings, the crediting of individuals under OASDI with wages from employment or self-employment in the United States performed while such individuals: (1) are not citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the United States; and (2) are not authorized by law to be employed in the United States.

total totalization agreements law amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act revise requirements agreements establishing totalization arrangement united_states country respect exchange funds information countries behalf citizens nationals permanent residents country entitled cash benefits country social security system prohibits computing individual average indexed monthly earnings crediting individuals oasdi wages employment self employment united_states performed individuals citizens nationals lawful permanent residents united_states authorized law employed united_states


Summary: Timber Tax Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction (available to taxpayers whether or not they itemize deductions) for up to 60% of gains from certain sales or exchanges of timber.

timber tax act amends internal revenue code allow tax deduction available taxpayers itemize deductions gains certain sales exchanges timber


Summary: Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007 - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to make permanent the ban on state and local taxation of Internet access and on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.

permanent internet tax freedom act amends internet tax freedom act permanent ban state local taxation internet access multiple discriminatory taxes electronic commerce


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico.

amends internal revenue code permanent tax deduction income attributable domestic production activities puerto_rico