[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2278 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2278
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to improve equitable access to certain benefits under
the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to
improve certain outreach to individuals who served uniformed services
and dependents of such individuals, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 21, 2025
Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to improve equitable access to certain benefits under
the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to
improve certain outreach to individuals who served uniformed services
and dependents of such individuals, 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 ``Survivor Benefits Delivery
Improvement Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CERTAIN BENEFITS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS FOR SURVIVORS OF VETERANS.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Survivor
Benefits Data Collection Act of 2025''.
(b) Collection of Demographic Data.--
(1) Collection.--Chapter 53 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section
(and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of such
chapter accordingly):
``Sec. 5322. Demographic data of certain beneficiaries
``(a) Collection.--The Secretary, in consultation with the entities
described in subsection (b), shall--
``(1) develop a method to collect the demographic data of--
``(A) each covered survivor receiving disability
and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of this
title, pension under chapter 15 of this title, or
increased pension (or additional compensation or
allowances) under this title based on the need of
regular aid and attendance or by reason of being
permanently housebound; and
``(B) each person who receives burial benefits
under chapter 23 of this title; and
``(2) collect demographic data pursuant to the method
developed under paragraph (1).
``(b) Entities for Consultation.--The entities described in this
subsection are the following:
``(1) The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans
established under section 544 of this title.
``(2) The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established
under section 542 of this title.
``(3) The Veterans' Family, Caregiver, and Survivor
Advisory Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or
successor advisory committee.
``(4) Veterans service organizations.
``(c) Designation of Underserved Demographics.--The Secretary
shall--
``(1) designate as an underserved demographic any
demographic the Secretary determines, taking into account the
demographic data collected under subsection (a), is underserved
with respect to the benefits specified in such subsection; and
``(2) review such designations on at least a biennial basis
and update as appropriate.
``(d) Inclusion in Annual Reports.--For each annual benefits report
of the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Secretary shall include as
part of the report information concerning the demographic data
collected under subsection (a) during the fiscal year covered by the
report.
``(e) Effect on Application.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed as requiring any person to submit demographic data or as
authorizing the Secretary to consider whether a person submits
demographic data in evaluating any claim for benefits under the laws
administered by the Secretary.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `covered survivor' means a surviving spouse,
child, or parent of a veteran.
``(2) The term `demographic data' includes, with respect to
an individual, the following:
``(A) Race.
``(B) Ethnicity.
``(C) Tribal affiliation, if any.
``(D) LGBTQIA+ status.
``(E) Geographic location.
``(3) The term `veterans service organization' means any
organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of
this title.''.
(2) Deadlines; applicability.--
(A) Deadline for collection.--The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall develop the data collection
method under subsection (a) of section 5322 of title
38, United States Code (as added by paragraph (1)), and
commence the collection of data pursuant to such
method, by not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(B) Deadline for initial designations.--The
Secretary shall make the initial designation of any
underserved demographics under subsection (c) of such
section 5322 by not later than one year after the date
on which the Secretary commences the collection of data
under subsection (a) of such section.
(C) Applicability regarding annual reports.--The
requirement under subsection (d) of such section 5322
shall apply with respect to annual benefits reports of
the Veterans Benefits Administration submitted on or
after the date that is one year after the date on which
the Secretary commences the collection of data under
subsection (a) of such section.
(c) Outreach and Education.--
(1) Strategy for underserved demographics.--Not later than
one year after the date of initial designation, the Secretary
shall develop and submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives an outreach and
education strategy for raising awareness regarding the benefits
specified in section 5322(a) of title 38, United States Code
(as added by subsection (b)), among covered survivors who
belong to an underserved demographic.
(2) Eligibility of veterans for certain burial benefits.--
(A) Outreach plan.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of initial designation, the Under Secretary
for Memorial Affairs shall develop and submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate an outreach strategy for
raising awareness regarding eligibility for burial in a
national cemetery under section 2303 of title 38,
United States Code, among veterans and beneficiaries
who belong to an underserved demographic.
(B) Education activities.--The Under Secretary
shall carry out education activities pursuant to the
plan developed under subparagraph (A) to ensure that
the veterans and beneficiaries specified in such
paragraph are made aware of any eligibility specified
in such subparagraph.
(C) Reports.--Not later than one year after the
date of initial designation, and annually thereafter
for five years, the Under Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on the efforts
taken by the Under Secretary pursuant to this
paragraph.
(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) The term ``covered survivor'' has the meanings
given that term in section 5322(e) of title 38, United
States Code (as added by subsection (b)).
(B) The term ``date of initial designation'' means
the date on which the Secretary makes the initial
designation of any underserved demographics.
(C) The term ``underserved demographic'' means a
demographic designated as an underserved demographic by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 5322(c)
of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection
(b)).
(d) Assessment and Strategy for Office of Survivors Assistance.--
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall--
(1) conduct an assessment of the resources of the Office of
Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or
any successor office; and
(2) develop a strategy to ensure the availability of
resources necessary for the function of such office, as
determined by the Secretary as a result of the assessment.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO OUTREACH SERVICES PROVIDED BY SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED IN THE
UNIFORMED SERVICES AND DEPENDENTS OF SUCH INDIVIDUALS.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Survivor Solid
Start Act of 2025''.
(b) Expansion of Outreach Services.--Subchapter I of chapter 63 of
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 6301(b)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following new paragraph:
``(1) the term `covered individual' means--
``(A) a veteran; or
``(B) an individual who served in the uniformed
services (as defined in section 1965(6) of this
title);'';
(C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``veterans'' each place it appears and
inserting ``covered individuals''; and
(D) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``a person who served in the active military,
naval, air, or space service'' and inserting ``a
covered individual'';
(2) in section 6302(b), by striking ``eligible veterans''
each place it appears and inserting ``covered individuals'';
(3) in section 6303--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``eligible
veterans'' and inserting ``covered individuals'';
(B) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``eligible
veterans'' and inserting ``covered individuals'';
(C) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``veteran or
dependent'' each place it appears and inserting
``covered individual or eligible dependent''; and
(D) in subsection (d), by striking ``veterans'' and
inserting ``covered individuals'';
(4) in section 6306--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``eligible
veteran'' and inserting ``covered individual''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``opportunities for
veterans'' and inserting ``opportunities for
covered individuals''; and
(ii) by striking ``eligible veterans'' and
inserting ``covered individuals''; and
(5) in section 6308, by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(c) Outreach Services for Surviving Eligible Dependents.--(1)(A)
Upon receipt of notification of the death of a covered individual, the
Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Benefits, shall
provide outreach services, by mail, email, and telephone, to each
eligible dependent of such individual not less than once each quarter
calendar year until the eligible dependent files a claim for a benefit
under laws administered by the Secretary.
``(B) In the case of an eligible dependent described in
subparagraph (A) who is a minor child, the Secretary shall provide such
outreach services to the legal guardian of the eligible dependent.
``(C) If the Secretary does not have the contact information of an
eligible dependent or legal guardian described in subparagraph (A) or
(B), the Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to obtain such contact
information to carry out this subsection.
``(D) An eligible dependent or legal guardian described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) may elect to not receive, or to receive fewer,
outreach services under this subsection. Not less than once each
calendar year, the Secretary shall notify each such eligible dependent
or legal guardian of the option to make such an election.
``(2) Outreach services under this subsection shall provide an
eligible dependent with information including the following:
``(A) Contact information for the Office of Survivors
Assistance established under section 321 of this title.
``(B) Information regarding assistance in filing a claim
for a benefit under laws administered by the Secretary
furnished by--
``(i) a veterans service organization recognized
under section 5902 of this title; or
``(ii) an attorney, agent, or other entity
recognized under section 5904 of this title.
``(C) How to find an entity--
``(i) described in clause (i) or (ii) of
subparagraph (B); and
``(ii) located near the residence of the eligible
dependent.
``(3) In developing and revising materials used in outreach
services under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with
entities including the following:
``(A) Veterans service organizations recognized under
section 5902 of this title.
``(B) The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established
under section 542 of this title.
``(C) The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans
established under section 544 of this title.
``(D) The Veterans' Family, Caregiver, and Survivor
Advisory Committee of the Department, or successor advisory
committee.''.
(c) Personnel.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish
at least 5, but not more than 10, full-time equivalent positions at
call centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out
subsection (c) of section 6308 of such title, as added by subsection
(b).
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