[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5152 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5152
To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to ensure,
under certain conditions, that members of the Armed Forces are
automatically enrolled in benefits and services under the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which such
members are eligible.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 4, 2023
Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
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A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to ensure,
under certain conditions, that members of the Armed Forces are
automatically enrolled in benefits and services under the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which such
members are eligible.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO ENROLL CERTAIN MEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES IN BENEFITS AND SERVICES UNDER THE
LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall carry out a program to--
(1) identify covered benefits, if any, for which each
covered member of an Armed Force is eligible to enroll;
(2) notify each covered member of the relevant covered
benefits identified under subparagraph (A); and
(3) expect as provided in subsection (e), ensure such
covered member is enrolled in such covered benefits.
(b) Notification to Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--With respect to
any covered member of an Armed Force the Secretary of Defense
determines is eligible for enrollment in a covered benefit, such
Secretary shall, not later than 90 days before the date on which such
covered member is separated from service, submit to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs a notification that includes--
(1) the name, contact information, and military service
details of such covered member;
(2) the anticipated date on which such covered member will
be separated from service; and
(3) a description of any military occupational specialty
and training such covered member received during service.
(c) Outreach Required.--Not later than 60 days after any date on
which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives a notification under
subsection (b), such Secretary shall contact the covered member of an
Armed Force described in such notification and provide materials and
resources relating to covered benefits.
(d) Information Sharing.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish procedures to--
(1) share necessary information to facilitate the automatic
enrollment process under subsection (a); and
(2) ensure the secure and confidential transfer of data
during any such sharing of necessary information.
(e) Opt-Out Provision.--The decision to enroll in a covered benefit
pursuant to subsection (a) shall be at the election of the relevant
covered member of an Armed Force.
(f) Working Group.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a
working group to address potential barriers and challenges in
implementing the automatic enrollment process. The working
group shall consist of representatives from the Department of
Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other relevant
stakeholders as determined by such Secretaries.
(2) Duties.--The working group shall be responsible for--
(A) identifying potential barriers to
implementation, such as legal, technological, or
administrative challenges; and
(B) developing strategies and recommendations to
overcome such potential barriers and ensure the
successful implementation of automatic enrollments.
(3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which such Secretaries establish the working group under
paragraph (1), the head of such working group shall submit to
Congress a report that includes findings, recommendations, and
proposed timelines for implementation.
(g) GAO Report on Notice of Automatic Enrollment.--Not later than
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
containing the results of a study to determine the best methods for the
Secretary of Defense to provide notice under subsection (a)(2). In
making such determination, the Comptroller General shall consider needs
of veterans based on--
(1) age;
(2) residence in urban areas; and
(3) residence in rural areas.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered benefit'' means a benefit or service
under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
(2) The term ``covered member of an Armed Force'' means a
member of the Armed Forces participating in the Transition
Assistance Program of the Department of Defense under section
1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code.
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