Sec. 304. Reports on improvements to adherence to recommendations of Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
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Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection 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 recommendations and actions taken by the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection to improve the percentage of recommendations issued by the Office to elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs that are adhered to by such elements. The report submitted pursuant to paragraph
(1)shall include the following: A comprehensive review of the reasons that recommendations issued by the Office to elements of the Department are not taken, initiated, or significantly modified by management. Recommendations for administrative action to enable the Department to better— meet the goals of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–41 ); foster a culture of accountability in the Department; and protect whistleblowers. Recommendations for such legislative action as may be necessary to assist the Office in accomplishing Departmental adherence to recommendations of the Office and other statutory functions of the Office. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall complete a review of internal challenges within the Department relating to the proper preparation and processing of accountability proposals within the Department. The review completed under subparagraph
(A)shall focus, at a minimum, on— improving the completeness and thoroughness of proposed accountability actions and evidence for adverse actions relating to employees of the Department, at all levels and of a representative range of senior levels, so as to sustain the action as it goes through Departmental review by a Departmental deciding official, relevant internal legal counsel review, or external judicial or other external administrative or legal review, while protecting due process; and improving the timeliness of the accountability process from the period of the concern being raised to formal issuance of an action, while protecting due process through a variety of efforts to include Departmental reorganization, improved policy and process guidance, improved training, and enhanced or additional information technology systems. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the review completed under paragraph (1). The report submitted pursuant to subparagraph
(A)shall include the following: The findings of the Secretary with respect to the review completed under paragraph (1). A description of the following: The current average length of Departmental accountability processes. Recommendations for improvements to process, human resources, legal, organizational structure, and employee training. Information technology including those that move processes from paper-based to digital or electronic-based systems. A timeline to achieve the improvements recommended under clause (ii)(II). Recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers necessary to implement the improvements recommended under clause (ii)(II). Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.
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Sec. 304
Reports on improvements to adherence to recommendations of Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
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