Sec. 306. Modification to responsibilities and authorities of Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
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The responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs assigned by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the function specified in section 308(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, shall include the following: Recording, tracking, reviewing, and confirming implementation of policy, governance, and all related recommendations from audits and investigations carried out by the Inspector General of the Department, the Medical Inspector of the Department, the Special Counsel, and the Comptroller General of the United States, except for such portions of such policy governance and recommendations as pertain to the imposition of disciplinary actions and other corrective actions relating to employees of the Department.
After reviewing such recommendations and confirming such implementation, providing the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, each of the other Assistant Secretaries appointed under section 308 of title 38, United States Code, and such other officials of the Department as the Secretary considers appropriate with information, advice, and proposed improvements for individual administration, office, and Departmental correction of deficiencies and challenges identified in recommendations described in subparagraph (A).
Paragraph
(1)shall take effect on the date that is 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Paragraph
(2)of section 714(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— in subparagraph (A), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: the Assistant Secretary otherwise finds that the removal, demotion, or suspension under subsection
(a)is consistent with— protecting and preserving the ability of the Department to deliver services to veterans and other related beneficiaries under the laws administered by the Secretary in an efficient and effective manner; maintaining a safe environment for veterans, employees of the Department, and visitors; eliminating future occurrences of waste, fraud, or abuse; and ensuring a culture of accountability, whistleblower protection, and due process. . Such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: Not later than 60 days after the Assistant Secretary makes a finding under paragraph (2)(C) that a removal, demotion, or suspension is consistent, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs notice of such finding along with a justification for the finding. .