S114 ENR: VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents(a)This Act may be cited as the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017
.(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Title I—Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice ProgramSec. 101. Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program.Title II—Personnel mattersSec. 201. Modification to annual determination of staffing shortages in Veterans Health Administration.Sec. 202. Establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Management Fellowship Program.Sec. 203. Accountability of leaders for managing the Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 204. Reemployment of former employees at Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 205. Promotional opportunities for technical experts at Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 206. Employment of students and recent graduates by Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 207. Encouragement of transition of military medical professionals into employment with Veterans Health Administration.Sec. 208. Recruiting database at Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 209. Training for human resources professionals of Veterans Health Administration on recruitment and retention.Sec. 210. Plan to hire directors of medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 211. Exit surveys at Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 212. Requirement that physician assistants employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs receive competitive pay.Sec. 213. Expansion of direct-hiring authority for Department of Veterans Affairs in case of shortage of highly qualified candidates.Sec. 214. Comptroller General of the United States assessment of succession planning at Department of Veterans Affairs.Title III—Major medical facility leasesSec. 301. Authorization of certain major medical facility leases of the Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 302. Authorization of appropriations for medical facility leases.Title IV—Other mattersSec. 401. Extension of reduction in amount of pension furnished by Department of Veterans Affairs for certain veterans covered by medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing facilities.Sec. 402. Extension of requirement for collection of fees for housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 403. Extension of authority to use income information.<enum>I</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program</header><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9D04BB120B54451197802BCDC31C8976" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H552600F43AE747B38CE9737D86886E14"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is authorized to be appropriated, and is appropriated, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,100,000,000 to be deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/146">Public Law 113–146</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1701">38 U.S.C. 1701</external-xref> note).</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA138A379F3134CC3BC34E82E81018761"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Availability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amount appropriated under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Personnel matters</header><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1AE03E97E12A403FB500D115EB3D9090" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>201.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Modification to annual determination of staffing shortages in Veterans Health Administration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 7412(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7589682708B3415E99F60C23E3735601"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>the five occupations</quote> and inserting <quote>at a minimum, the five clinical occupations and the five nonclinical occupations</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCAB2D071E524458C9F05ADECDCC34DA3"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>throughout the Department</quote> and inserting <quote>with respect to each medical center of the Department,</quote>.</text></paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAD66D1B0930F4DEBA6433CA4C01E2CA4" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>202.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Management Fellowship Program</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAFD9B5FB94314A3384272239D6099A61"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fellowship program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/7">Chapter 7</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE10F8056BA99463399FB3B81CCC26755" style="USC"><subchapter commented="no" id="H8125195583534FAB92DC857803B00757" level-type="subsequent"><enum>III</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Executive Management Fellowship Program</header><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H58F72155A5A64A1EB3C303E4AC453561" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>741.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Executive Management Fellowship Program</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H48E69920CFFE4CB39E53F9AF7783671A"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fellowship program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is in the Department an Executive Management Fellowship Program. The purpose of the program shall be to provide—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1F090576C9594CD1B56D98BEE2E46F6C"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">eligible employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration with training and experience in the private sector; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H91C844D8C6CE49EB924FF201FA925932"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">eligible employees of a private-sector entity with training and experience in the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0492138DAE604C58B1DDAA0700844243"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fellowship</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HBE376FD4FA35463CBE14A02E9D2FBC2A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A fellowship provided under this section is a 1-year fellowship during which—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H32A13248CCF844E794A56F060CD0D8BC" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">with respect to a Department participant, the participant receives training and experience at a private-sector entity that is engaged in the administration and delivery of health care or other services similar to the benefits administered by the Secretary; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H44B2C99F7C5E40C5921BCDE1667B67D2" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">with respect to a private-sector participant, the participant receives training and experience at the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health Administration.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9AF7B6A8B58F4BE19A1D0C20E9A10C43" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall enter into such agreements with private-sector entities as are necessary to carry out this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1AFB7AC3BB0A40698EDD53352C531DC9"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Selection of recipients</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H7C6B5F5ACFCE4F62AE53C9DCDF5D76DC"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In August of each year, the Secretary shall select—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6722F9D839924148BE0385F3BDA363BC" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 eligible employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration to receive a fellowship under this section; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAFDECF3B0D374F329DA02D6E2EA3C80F" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 eligible employees of private-sector entities to receive a fellowship under this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC7A4ED1C7B7B41B2B627862FF414F054" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall select eligible employees under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) from among eligible employees who are veterans in a manner that is reflective of the demographics of the veteran population of the United States and that whenever practicable provides a preference to such employees who represent or service rural areas.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H210810451CEE4ED8BCF6D737800E0153"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Eligible employees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For the purposes of this section, an eligible employee is—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDA6FE29421D145DEB8203FBCDF029E97"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">with respect to an employee of the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health Administration, an employee who—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H05B42E580F684310A44688DFB564119F"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is compensated at a rate of basic pay not less than the minimum rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–14 of the General Schedule and not more than either the minimum rate of basic pay payable to a member of the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5 or the minimum rate of basic pay payable pursuant to chapter 74 of this title, as the case may be;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC4A5DE5DC9E44A9395EA1FF38BBB67EC"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">enters into an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (e); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA85359574ABF439A868EB7E7B1126562"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submits to the Secretary an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB141DE151E1C47C09A90C4B53710B8EE"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">with respect to an employee of a private-sector entity, an employee who—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1A01DC0314D14B9B922D4F6A5A614C1C"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is employed in a position whose duties and responsibilities are commensurate with an employee of the Department described in paragraph (1);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1EA793AF78624F699CF23C2891837C07"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">enters into an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (e); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H006DC89BF4E64A3BB83832F7B341BE14"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submits to the Secretary an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0990D5107AB344A6972CDB294316DDEE"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Agreements</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HFFE0C0175B2D457FA5CB4AAB4BA013DD"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An agreement between the Secretary and a Department participant shall be in writing, shall be signed by the participant, and shall include the following provisions:</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5A04BDF760B24AFE9A30CC9A618C45AB" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary’s agreement to provide the participant with a fellowship under this section;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE79E5C6FA8544864B4B298D18AA8FC51" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The participant’s agreement—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3623042A1AF94393A1743F7A19FCB47B"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to accept the fellowship;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6F4239E505B1446195D3B4CD5367837D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">after completion of the fellowship, to serve as a full-time employee in the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health Administration for at least 2 years as specified in the agreement; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE0E7BAC9A8E849CD93F57344A43A5347"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">that, during the 2-year period beginning on the last day of the fellowship, the participant will not accept employment in the same industry as the industry of the private-sector entity at which the participant accepts the fellowship.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9D804FADC12F4CB398E9E3302C31CF84" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A provision that any financial obligation of the United States arising out of an agreement entered into under this subchapter, and any obligation of the participant which is conditioned on such agreement, is contingent upon funds being appropriated.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H85D3B12C78E545E2A6D8A4E6D8FC65CC" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A statement of the damages to which the United States is entitled under this subchapter for the participant’s breach of the agreement.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3A9045D7A0924E4D9EBE7985C737BD83" indent="up1"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such other terms as the Secretary determines are required to be included in the agreement.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDDF57952DDFF4E439147A35C30261BFD" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An agreement between the Secretary and a private-sector participant shall be in writing, shall be signed by the participant, and shall include the following provisions:</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD7A1D261904D4A608A902DC98B0AEF68"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary’s agreement to provide the participant with a fellowship under this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7BE2C8B5E8DF4A1F8DF24BECF83E020A"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The participant’s agreement to accept the fellowship.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3B28E2EFCE4D4725AFDBECF0EE699055"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such other terms as the Secretary determines are required to be included in the agreement.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7DC191F2DD644D0696111FE0BBFABAC7"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Treatment of recipients</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H6E442CAA761F4D4DA3AEE129BECB19C6"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A Department participant shall be considered an employee of the Department for all purposes, including for purposes of receiving a salary and benefits, and shall remain eligible for all promotion and incentive programs otherwise available to such an employee.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H89C3B2CAA67B42FA833205E9A0EC2760" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A private-sector participant shall be considered an employee of the private-sector entity that employs the participant for all purposes, including for purposes of receiving a salary and benefits, and during the fellowship shall be treated as a contractor of the Department.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H50AC54D2A1EC418185BC15517BB45DBD"><enum>(g)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reports</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HE8956199EB064DEC9DECE7B333D0F299"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after completing a fellowship under this section, a recipient of the fellowship shall submit to the Secretary a report on the fellowship.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAA4CA54501774835B2CB989CD68CFA58" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each such report shall describe the duties of the recipient during the fellowship and any recommendations of the recipient for the application by the Secretary of industry processes, technologies, and best practices.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H01AB6B445DE44E1A8511D60DC880782B" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 7 days after receiving each such report, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives such report without change.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H93010257AF294966AF8835B2A9DF759D"><enum>(h)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H761FF39BBE444148BBBCC9A3655F759A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Department participant</term> means an employee of the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health Administration who is participating in the fellowship under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6C01C33D58C44793869598C9ABF1CDA6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>private-sector entity</term> includes an entity operating under a public-private partnership.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC6B6E9EA8D7E45CFBF699D280A6C862A"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>private-sector participant</term> means an employee of a private-sector entity who is participating in the fellowship under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subchapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCDA66E481AC24162B45AFEBE86674AD2"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deadline for implementation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement the Executive Management Fellowship Program required under section 741 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBA5CB0370CFF499EAF31BAF1304D59FB"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/7">chapter 7</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new items:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2023834E035F4BAA88A6464C0FBDFB7E" style="OLC"><toc regeneration="no-regeneration"><toc-entry bold="off" level="subchapter">Subchapter III—Executive Management Fellowship Program</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">741. Executive Management Fellowship Program.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3F5F7EAEC3884E2DB6C404B83874B1AA" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>203.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Accountability of leaders for managing the Department of Veterans Affairs</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBA487EBCD51A448BB4B9ECCE48C610F2"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/7">chapter 7</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBCDBC3468D064897861136F443D4610B" style="USC"><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H72DE1EF36CBB474D973AE26970CBDE4F" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>725.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual performance plan for political appointees</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEBE4D3AE3DFF42A6A71715CDF1696495"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee of the Department that is similar to the annual performance plan conducted for an employee of the Department who is appointed as a career appointee (as that term is defined in section 3132(a) of title 5) within the Senior Executive Service at the Department.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8026AD86FDA24A48AC7015087C427F93"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Elements of plan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each annual performance plan conducted under subsection (a) with respect to a political appointee of the Department shall include an assessment of whether the appointee is meeting the following goals:</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9E8C925D8F104B5AB3FABDD5CE7AA0CD"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recruiting, selecting, and retaining well-qualified individuals for employment at the Department.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB6534DDC86A041969BF0C764BA3D3A1F"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Engaging and motivating employees.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEAF2BDFC00D24484A2982768238A6A22"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Training and developing employees and preparing those employees for future leadership roles within the Department.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H70B0088ABB0A43BC87B2B7A7A0A51860"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Holding each employee of the Department that is a manager accountable for addressing issues relating to performance, in particular issues relating to the performance of employees that report to the manager.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC84BB31600D44DEAA049A85E9DFAA1CD"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition of political appointee</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>political appointee</term> means an employee of the Department who holds—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H70151DDE987A49D186957DB8A4B3B28E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a position which has been excepted from the competitive service by reason of its confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character; or</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H749DA1271D0345CB9D1BDDA6493888F7"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a position in the Senior Executive Service as a noncareer appointee (as such term is defined in section 3132(a) of title 5).</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDE0F9D53585C44B58D43C4AD98C62D9D"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 723 the following new item:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5064E8532F1246A59797D3E4889E999E" style="USC"><toc><toc-entry bold="off" idref="H72DE1EF36CBB474D973AE26970CBDE4F" level="section">725. Annual performance plan for political appointees.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H77B3B71BC2B44135AB999EF9EA7DB689" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>204.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reemployment of former employees at Department of Veterans Affairs</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB4486494A4D648BBB4816EB5A182F172"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may noncompetitively appoint a qualified former career or career conditional employee to any position within the competitive service at the Department of Veterans Affairs that is one grade or equivalent higher than the grade or equivalent of the position at the Department most recently occupied by the employee.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCFBF82A6B75D42C6B584384D4E8270F8"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may not appoint a qualified former employee to a position that is more than one grade (or equivalent) higher than the position at the Department most recently occupied by the employee.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H06C4337BF5CF4C6DB75AA7796BB6FA60"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition of qualified former employee</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this section, the term <term>qualified former employee</term> means any individual who—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H35462BF5B49C45C6A64F9DA09E9F8FA8"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">formerly occupied any career or career conditional position at the Department of Veterans Affairs within 2 years before applying for reemployment at the Department;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCFC71C37E586400DB12DFF077B9C85B7"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">voluntarily left such position, or was subject to a reduction in force, and had a satisfactory performance record while occupying such position; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1E470C1DD7004A76A9466DC29ABB3C22"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">since leaving such position has maintained licensing requirements, related to the position, if any, and gained skill, knowledge, or other factors related to the position.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCCE0B0B486614D1693662DA3B797C583" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>205.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Promotional opportunities for technical experts at Department of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a promotional track system for employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs that the Secretary determines are technical experts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of carrying out this section. Such system shall—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0710CABD137E4D41982698B8C9F6CD8B"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide any such employee the opportunity to advance within the Department without being required to transition to a management position; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDC74867A4F8441EC8927B25F960F6327"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for purposes of achieving career advancement—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0239BF027431449AAD545FE114060226"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide for the establishment of new positions within the Department; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H102150DEC7C34B1ABF6553D85A00DF47"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notwithstanding any other provision of law, provide for increases in pay for any such employee.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1244EFA1040243988FDBA511A0AED2FA" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>206.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Employment of students and recent graduates by Department of Veterans Affairs</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEC3F3E2EA44D463EA2B34FDC8617A47B"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service appointments of students and recent graduates leading to conversion to career or career conditional employment of a student or recent graduate of a qualifying educational institution, as defined by the Department.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3D207CCD7BB84E3F814C9C01A592014E"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Applicability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The conversion authority described in subsection (a) shall be applicable to individuals in good standing who—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H611FB8F0B8084578AA18CE65BD289010"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">are employed in a qualifying internship or fellowship program at the Department;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFCA43064ECE146348EE7DC7F90079552"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">are employed in the Department in a volunteer capacity and performing substantive duties comparable to those of individuals in internship or fellowship programs and meet the required number of hours for conversion;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1A41342FF9114B35B9DC325AEAAE3DD2"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">are employed in the Department under a contract or agreement with an external nonprofit organization and performing substantive duties comparable to those of individuals in internship or fellowship programs;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H39F8BA5FF66D40DF9068D5C93601735D"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">have received educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/33">chapter 33</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code; or</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H47A148AD753343C59389894C843F1889"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">graduated from a qualifying educational institution, as defined by the Department, and have not reached 30 years of age.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H586FF2D3579140568E2B20258FADDAC3"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Uniformity</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b), hours of work performed by an individual employed shall be considered equal to those performed by an individual employed in a qualifying internship or fellowship program by the Department.</text></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD8F7910A7F33400CB99E7FC5BB9DC0B0" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>207.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Encouragement of transition of military medical professionals into employment with Veterans Health
Administration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program to encourage an individual who serves in the Armed Forces with a military occupational specialty relating to the provision of health care to seek employment with the Veterans Health Administration when the individual has been discharged or released from service in the Armed Forces or is contemplating separating from such service.</text></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H929A5B6C2D504CD7A77E207FB5669727" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>208.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recruiting database at Department of Veterans Affairs</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD10E7D0F0F564FA4BD3E76EEDF8DBF89"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a single database that lists—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8C62DD3FC72B4D27833CAA3029C5175D"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each vacant position in the Department of Veterans Affairs that the Secretary determines is critical to the mission of the Department, difficult to fill, or both; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFD6F420611CD41BB9EC0DA3B6F846212"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each vacant position in the Department of Veterans Affairs for a mental health professional.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD70055D309B94ECC869A6D60BFB70AD7"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Qualified applicant</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary determines that an applicant for a vacant position listed in the database established under subsection (a) is qualified for such position but does not select the applicant for such position, the Secretary, at the election of the applicant, may consider the applicant for other similar vacant positions listed in the database for which the applicant is qualified.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC9FA2AF309444E2E9C54130A9814A495"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Prolonged vacancies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary does not fill a vacant position listed in the database established under subsection (a) after a period determined appropriate by the Secretary, the Secretary—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC5893EC36C224C62A31608975CDEA1B5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may ensure that applicants described in subsection (b) are considered for such position; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H44D7DCE6DAD94EA9A9BA5E98223D751B"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may use the database established under subsection (a) to assist in filling such position.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBC7E482DFC9146098F62165509130467"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the use and efficacy of the database established under subsection (a).</text></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE917A0CF4D8942DC8C9BF33B8060EF41" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>209.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Training for human resources professionals of Veterans Health Administration on recruitment and
retention</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8CFB02FAE1484802BAFF1A9938F78C16"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to human resources professionals of the Veterans Health Administration training on how to best recruit and retain employees of the Veterans Health Administration, including with respect to any recruitment and retention matters that are unique to the Veterans Health Administration pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/74">chapter 74</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, or other provisions of law.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H12EEFB466B1E4C0FA14EF39A2F13DD5A"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Virtual training</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Training provided under this section shall be provided virtually.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5A36650C0B7443AC9492D152199B9FC1"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amount of training</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall ensure that each human resources professional of the Veterans Health Administration receives the training described in subsection (a)—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H03FF17748CC348968A2CA4A6D828E1B3"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">as soon as practicable after being hired by the Secretary as a human resources professional; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H01B1920FE9CC4F43B85985B6DAFA09EF"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">annually thereafter.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2D88D33BEFB245BE82EA50164B38D9AB"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Certification</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall require that each human resources professional of the Veterans Health Administration, upon the completion of the training described in subsection (a), certifies that the professional received the training and understands the information provided by the training.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE35BA3E6398F4745A44A1998735E7655"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the training described in subsection (a), including the cost of providing such training and the number of human resources professionals who received such training during the year covered by the report.</text></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6CB0684F982646BCB828F20F5346021B" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>210.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Plan to hire directors of medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2C6613C145624C2497333A7F9500C1D8"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Plan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and implement a plan to hire highly qualified directors for each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs that lacks a permanent director as of the date of the plan.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB2D1BE3A8C444BE18C45FD7B4082ED9A"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Priority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall prioritize under the plan developed under subsection (a) the hiring of directors for medical centers that have not had a permanent director for the longest periods.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4743D459A7C84DA8970AAE7BBFABA197"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Matters included</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The plan developed under subsection (a) shall include the following:</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H22FD37A932D24E74845239FB47513C96"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A deadline to hire directors of medical centers of the Department as described in such subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9B1707C5BCF0453EA1882626E3C64965"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Identification of the possible impediments to such hiring.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H83F9FC484CFF4297843E281749067A0C"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Identification of opportunities to promote and train candidates from within the Department to senior executive positions in the Department, including as directors of medical centers.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H01CC6924C4A74F7BA258F8FC67BAE171"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Submittal of plan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives the plan developed under subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCDB427DC34DF4F8AB3338E46393B01EC"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Semiannual reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing a list of each medical center of the Department that lacks a permanent director as of the date of the report.</text></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD5FEDB7AF0F54ACAB678D3AE0C4D06AB" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>211.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exit surveys at Department of Veterans Affairs</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H96E3EC20C2C24AD2935AF59E3DD8EC81"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Exit surveys required</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB278ADD356C5440E9D2216BFB7D9EE7B"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and carry out a standardized exit survey to be voluntarily completed by career and noncareer employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs who voluntarily separate from the Department.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HACFFD87FF85343CDAE7792B47FDAE339"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Consultation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such exit survey shall be developed in consultation with an appropriate non-Department entity with experience developing such surveys.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF8BC02D0498F4FCDB634FDE3CF567BC7"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Survey content</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The survey shall include, at a minimum, the following:</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4B9A8A6D4F054B7E94E0C16891D4B0AA"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reasons for leaving the Department.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBD01240BDED84492A76B8ADCFCD27E52"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Efforts made by the supervisor of the employee to retain the individual.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H08E9D9FE62104C2FB89D486395BA115C"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The extent of job satisfaction and engagement during the employment.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9F575C6FFDA44F7C8DE634F37452A156"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The intent of employee to either remain employed within the Federal Government or to leave employment with the Federal Government.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDA535131363F424A8C42154B5471BCB7"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H07A65C2DC43E4AB9830B026DE85810B8"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Anonymity of survey content</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall ensure that data collected under subsection (a)—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H95E34B62DE2348DA935E2407861ADC34"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is anonymized, including through the use of a location that allows for privacy;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBEA33B6DCB6349B59D81DF8F180F75CB"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is not directly visible by another employee; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFFA3448055784FF38EA270605073E7D8"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">does not require the departing employee to input any personally identifiable data.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H54F82BA40D3C4229ACCE3D4ED3153AEE"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Sharing of survey data</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall ensure that the results of the survey required by subsection (a) are—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8DB13032855E420BB0EAB50836EAB69E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">aggregated at the Veterans Integrated Service Network level; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6F444335E6424085BF5BC0B39A4F0981"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shared on an annual basis with directors and managers of facilities of the Department and the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H837DAF57582746F78820C8AB4C582675"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Annual report</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5A22588622024428AF720CB9379D16FF"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing the aggregate results of the exit survey under subsection (a) covering the year prior to the report.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H73CC3FD270B44156ADDFF1899523225A"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following:</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF5084E6E2F8441EEBEC4E2D5527D1754"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An analysis of the most common reasons employees choose to leave the Department.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5A6968C3A4B844F79CD3680E7E537E71"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The steps the Secretary is taking to improve retention, particularly for mission-critical occupations.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H897101F3309A4BEAA9D9174C40621994"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The demographic characteristics of employees choosing to leave the Department.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC10BC6B207C24171ABF90B0652A0DA8F"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any legislative barriers to improving employee retention.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H957E638547D942A9AC7F1EA4238D4669"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The total number of employees who voluntarily separated from the Department and the number and percentage of whom took the exit survey under subsection (a).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H80BB4B50C6D246CCA1B9E3BD320F7192" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>212.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Requirement that physician assistants employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs receive
competitive pay</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 7451(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDDBF2281AFCD4CAF8A8F2204E7B94473"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H462F2089E2AB4D188CE9E4C899E93ADA"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B):</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H420397FDC34D41C5B1A54FA97D9848FF" style="OLC"><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H301B5547BD2C46FB9F4A44EA498F31A8" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Physician assistant.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCABE72D64E2D44509380A08DDE0137FC"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by striking <quote>and registered nurse</quote> and inserting <quote>registered nurse, and physician assistant</quote>.</text></paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8F4BC7066C6D4164B80C7DB81FF3F6CD" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>213.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Expansion of direct-hiring authority for Department of Veterans Affairs in case of shortage of highly qualified candidates</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3304(a)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting <quote>(or, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs, that there exists a severe shortage of highly qualified candidates)</quote> after <quote>severe shortage of candidates</quote>.</text></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF8D9F2E6E02347BF81250F4522F6309A" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>214.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Comptroller General of the United States assessment of succession planning at Department of
Veterans Affairs</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3556F0972C794A14B508A9C3A45424BB"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assessment</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCEF19189CAE64131909160A7A6F67FDA"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Comptroller General of the United States shall assess the extent to which key succession planning policies and guidance at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration, are consistent with leading practices for succession and workforce planning identified by Comptroller General.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3A26E36B8F664730A05DDB9EEDBE5170"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional matters</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out the assessment required by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General may assess such other matters as the Comptroller General considers appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H82914D9B5E7942AE8AE7E5A7099C3FF7"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the assessment carried out under subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H935B2EBBAA764D41AC60272F897D8A54"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Sense of Congress on study on compliance with policies and guidance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">It is the sense of Congress that—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE00F1C64EC284F0EACBBA498E6B72BDA"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Comptroller General should conduct a study to examine the extent to which a sampling of installations of the Department of Veterans Affairs are complying with policies and guidance of the Department, as well as applicable leading practices; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCFC989818ED142EC897782A8C10BBA54"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the scope and timeframe of a study conducted as described in paragraph (1) may be dependent upon the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the assessment carried out under subsection (a).</text></paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Major medical facility leases</header><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC8FCE37AC4F941E1B6CE6C30DC870E5A" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>301.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorization of certain major medical facility leases of the Department of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility leases at the locations specified and in an amount for each lease not to exceed the amount specified for such location (not including any estimated cancellation costs):</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5F3E9AB8B6AF4FA6BF1EAC936C0EB676"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,247,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H06804F79A45B43F4AA962A5BADAAC1B7"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a new outpatient mental health clinic, Birmingham, Alabama, an amount not to exceed $6,649,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7F63FD0FA0F846B383B16E5D37A2665B"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For new research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an amount not to exceed $6,224,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8506895B26DA4035BD3EEF4C66F78722"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement research space, Charleston, South Carolina, an amount not to exceed $7,274,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8576CF52E9AD40AABBBFDDE16B82828E"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus Christi, Texas, an amount not to exceed $6,556,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H53DA06A0A7D243F29896FF4035980CA6"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an amount not to exceed $12,198,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6443A1058C1C4DA3956CCAA32CB9C624"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space, Denver, Colorado, an amount not to exceed $14,784,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0C86C281819A4805820AB4637BD4B9B4"><enum>(8)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Fredericksburg, Virginia, an amount not to exceed $45,015,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6AA656CD92994765A540A58ADDF3A827"><enum>(9)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a new outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $7,891,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA886F09E92C6493EA726DC90D381F2B9"><enum>(10)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For an outpatient mental health clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $4,320,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDC40AECB69DD42268087D2B066000709"><enum>(11)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Hampton Roads, Virginia, an amount not to exceed $18,141,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1F429AA287B5423782921777EA56244C"><enum>(12)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Indianapolis, Indiana, an amount not to exceed $7,876,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H79767DD7624B47EF84DD84E6819B511E"><enum>(13)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $18,623,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H38DB1FA007854D5A9F0C62E7701F2755"><enum>(14)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Missoula, Montana, an amount not to exceed $6,942,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H66FE39673413449DB7BDF675E352E1D1"><enum>(15)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient mental health clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, an amount not to exceed $8,904,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H89E5634FE6C7406FAF591DFE7B932A35"><enum>(16)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, an amount not to exceed $5,026,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H888F38CFBEA04664A64F39A8A5EA34D0"><enum>(17)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a new outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, an amount not to exceed $5,274,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H917723FBCFF349DAA769A876A4E2EEB2"><enum>(18)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a new outpatient clinic, Pike County, Georgia, an amount not to exceed $5,565,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4E8DD558131E40B096430D37F2E3507C"><enum>(19)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a new outpatient clinic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an amount not to exceed $6,247,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB88C8C155BE5473B942935B97C38E8EF"><enum>(20)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Portland, Maine, an amount not to exceed $6,808,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H95DB661C76D3475D9B5C094298B7E1B4"><enum>(21)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Raleigh, North Carolina, an amount not to exceed $21,870,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2D8207C385C64E899E434E4CDCC5F4F5"><enum>(22)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase II, Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed $3,645,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA2D0FCC2359242DAAB91A5760365B383"><enum>(23)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement research space, San Diego, California, an amount not to exceed $4,852,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1346EE766F0C4D81B1B287D0F51D1DED"><enum>(24)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a new outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, California, an amount not to exceed $6,922,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HABB5AB87980E48D584EBEB56884C43D7"><enum>(25)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement mental health clinic, Tampa, Florida, an amount not to exceed $13,387,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H95AE7EE2011F405B8183C58515BB9082"><enum>(26)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Lakeland, Tampa, Florida, an amount not to exceed $10,760,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD3C2660202AA45289F4D4B21438C16D2"><enum>(27)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre Haute, Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,102,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H433D308132794256AF4E084D14CBA8D6"><enum>(28)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For a replacement outpatient clinic, Rapid City, South Dakota, an amount not to exceed $4,532,000.</text></paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H37C3DDAF2B654D52B1709FF5BBAE7625" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>302.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorization of appropriations for medical facility leases</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2018 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Medical Facilities account $274,634,000 for the major medical facility leases authorized in section 301.</text></section><enum>IV</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Other matters</header><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H588CC395BF3F47638F1DBDF044B93F3E" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>401.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Extension of reduction in amount of pension furnished by Department of Veterans Affairs for certain
veterans covered by medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing
facilities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>.</text></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H54D17900D7534EFB8F6963BC55601CA1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>402.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Extension of requirement for collection of fees for housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDF5C9A743F1B462F92938035877C433E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (A)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB860F347CF294A1CA60E609862FF60BD"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (iii), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF4F3C2A5946C4E6CACD86E3E52E8C8FD"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (iv), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H612798A58CE641808E5D9430DA44ACE9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (B)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE04037856D8B4BF6B3A98C237E1226A4"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (i), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1D0715025DA74F96A3EA2E338C419EC7"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (ii), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD4A2090B800D45A388865D98EF24D614"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (C)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H535286A896074D79BD6C292DB43BF134"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (i), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H095B44CE790A4956BE03CCE28CCCB6A8"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (ii), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H72C3A6C8ED434486B6F3701739127575"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (D)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9D2AB4CB92CB4DC0AAB54C1783019E33"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (i), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE0915047CB00454F9D7E460E3CEF2BA8"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (ii), by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6B25E7D79F7A4FDDA03AA798FBDE1F30" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>403.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Extension of authority to use income information</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>September 30, 2024</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2027</quote>.</text></section>Speaker of the House of RepresentativesVice President of the United States and President of the Senate