[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1746 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1746
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to
the laws relating to the recognition of agents, attorneys,
organizations and their representatives, and other individuals for the
purposes of assisting in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution
of claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 27, 2025
Mr. Stanton (for himself and Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
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A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to
the laws relating to the recognition of agents, attorneys,
organizations and their representatives, and other individuals for the
purposes of assisting in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution
of claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Standardizing Accreditation
information for Veteran Ease Act'' or the ``SAVE Act''.
SEC. 2. ANNUAL REPORT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 59 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new sections:
``Sec. 5907. Annual submission of information on recognition of agents,
attorneys, organizations and their representatives, and
other individuals
``The Secretary shall include in the annual report required to be
submitted to Congress under section 529 of this title information on
agents, attorneys, organizations and their representatives, and any
other individuals recognized under this chapter. Such information shall
include, for the year covered by the report, the following:
``(1) A description of the type and frequency of training
that is required to be recognized, or to continue to be
recognized, under this chapter and of any review or audit
conducted of such training.
``(2) A description of the type of information the
Secretary collects from individuals who request to be
recognized, or to continue to be recognized, under this
chapter.
``(3) A description of the method the Secretary uses to
gather personal and qualifying information from individuals and
organizations recognized or seeking recognition under this
chapter.
``(4) An identification of the frequency with which the
Secretary receives updated personal and qualifying information
from individuals and organizations recognized under this
chapter.
``(5) A description of the method the Secretary uses to
verify personal and qualifying information received from
individuals and organizations recognized or seeking recognition
under this chapter.
``(6) An identification of the frequency with which
individuals and organizations recognized under this chapter are
required to comply with ongoing reporting requirements.
``(7) An identification of the number of Department
employees responsible for the administration of this chapter.
``(8) An identification of the frequency with which the VA
Accreditation Search database, or any successor to such
database, is--
``(A) updated; and
``(B) checked for accuracy, including with respect
to the accuracy of contact information and the removal
of individuals and organizations no longer recognized
to assist veterans in the preparation, presentation, or
prosecution of claims under laws administered by the
Secretary.
``(9) A description of the steps the Secretary has taken to
ensure such database is updated.
``(10) An identification of any additional resources the
Department may need to ensure that--
``(A) any published information regarding
individuals and organizations recognized under this
chapter is accurate and up-to date; and
``(B) individuals who are recognized under this
chapter are of good moral character and in good repute,
are qualified to render claimants valuable service, and
are otherwise competent to assist claimants in
presenting claims under laws administered by the
Secretary.
``(11) An identification of the costs of processing
applications for recognition under this chapter.
``(12) A description of the timeline for processing
applications for recognition under this chapter.
``(13) An identification of how frequently individuals
seeking recognition under this chapter are denied such
recognition and for what reasons.
``(14) An identification of how frequently recognition is
rescinded from individuals recognized under this chapter and
for what reasons.
``Sec. 5908. Certification mark for identification of recognized
individuals
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish and maintain a certification mark, which may be used to
identify individuals who are recognized under this chapter for the
purposes of assisting in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution
of claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary.
Such certification mark shall be registered with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
``(b) Civil Penalty for Violation.--(1) A person who displays or
otherwise uses the certification mark established under subsection (a)
for the fraudulent purpose of inducing the belief that the person is
recognized under this chapter for the purposes of assisting in the
preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits under
the laws administered by the Secretary shall be fined in accordance
with title 18, imprisoned, or both.
``(2) This subsection shall not make unlawful the use of any such
emblem, sign, insignia or words which was lawful on the date of
enactment of this section.
``(3) Amounts collected as civil penalties pursuant to this
subsection shall remain available for the Department of Veterans
Affairs, without fiscal year limitation, for the purpose of enforcing
paragraph (1).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
5906 the following new items:
``5907. Annual submission of information on recognition of agents,
attorneys, organizations and their
representatives, and other individuals.
``5908. Certification mark for identification of recognized
individuals.''.
SEC. 3. BIANNUAL DATABASE ACCURACY.
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary
submits the first report under section 529 of title 38, United States
Code, that includes the information required to be submitted under
section 5907 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
(1) provide to each individual recognized under chapter 59
of title 38, United States Code, a notice that includes a
request to update the contact information of the individual
provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(2) make publicly available instructions such individuals
may use to update such contact information; and
(3) ensure the VA Accreditation Search Database is updated
to include updated contact information.
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