Sec. 703. Advisory committee on outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs
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Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish an advisory committee on outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The advisory committee shall be composed of individuals selected by the Secretary from among the following: To the maximum extent practicable, individuals who are eminent in their respective fields of public relations. Representatives of organizations with offices that focus on communications and distribute messages through major media news outlets and social media.
To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with experience communicating financial results and business strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image. To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating publicity for a particular product or service. To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have experience in press and public relations. The advisory committee shall advise the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs— to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is strategically and effectively— engaging the public and Department stakeholders to increase awareness nationally regarding all benefits and services furnished by the Department; explaining new or changing policies of the Department; improving the image and reputation of the Department; and coordinating and collaborating with national community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State and local government agencies; to assist the Secretary in conducting such other press or public relations activities relating to outreach activities of the Department as the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs consider appropriate; and to ensure coordination and collaboration on efforts within the Department for the development, implementation, and review of local outreach with respect to benefits that include the following:
Compensation and pension benefits. Insurance benefits. Burial and memorial benefits. Education benefits. Vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. Readjustment counseling benefits. Loan guarantee benefits. Such other benefits as the Secretary considers appropriate. Each meeting of the advisory committee shall take place at a location that is property of the Department and shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use teleconference technology. The Secretary shall consult with and seek the advice of the advisory committee not less frequently than quarterly on matters relating to the duties of the advisory committee under subsection (c).
Not less frequently than once every 90 days for the first year and semiannually thereafter, the advisory committee shall submit to Congress and to the Secretary a report on outreach activities of the Department. Each report submitted under paragraph
(1)shall include such recommendations for legislative and administrative action as the advisory committee considers appropriate to improve the press and public relations of the Department relating to outreach. The advisory committee shall terminate on October 1, 2015, and the requirements and authorities under this section shall terminate on such date. In this section, the term outreach has the meaning given the term in section 6301 of title 38, United States Code.