Sec. 4. REPORT ON SUPPORTING GOVERNMENTAL VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS WHO PREPARE, PRESENT, AND PROSECUTE BENEFITS CLAIMS BEFORE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

314 words·~1 min read·/statute-compilations/comps-17972/sec-4

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

## SEC. 4 REPORT ON SUPPORTING GOVERNMENTAL VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS WHO PREPARE, PRESENT, AND PROSECUTE BENEFITS CLAIMS BEFORE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ###

(a)Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and after consulting veterans service organizations and such other stakeholders as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers relevant and appropriate, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on improving the support by the Department of Veterans Affairs of covered governmental veterans service officers. ###

(b)Elements The report submitted under subsection

(a)shall include the following: ####

(1)An assessment of the feasibility, advisability, and current technical limitations of providing covered governmental veterans service officers enhanced access to certain Department systems to better serve veterans those governmental service officers may not have authorization to represent. ####

(2)An assessment as to whether the Department would benefit from the establishment or designation of an office or working group within the Department to serve as an intergovernmental liaison between the Department and governmental veterans service officers. ####

(3)Any other recommendations to improve how the Department monitors, coordinates with, or provides support to covered governmental veterans service officers. ###

(c)Definitions In this section: ####

(1)The term “covered governmental veterans service officer” means an employee of a State, county, municipal, or Tribal government— #####

(A)who is recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as a representative of a veterans service organization to serve as a veterans service officer; and #####

(B)whose primary responsibilities include preparing, presenting, and prosecuting before the Department of Veterans Affairs claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. ####

(2)The term “veterans service organization” means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.