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Senate Bill 850
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act
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Passed Senate on Jul 30, 2020
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S. 850 (Reported-in-Senate)

Calendar No. 413

116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 850


To extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 14, 2019

Mr. Sullivan (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, and Ms. Sinema) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

February 5, 2020

Reported by Mr. Moran, with an amendment

[Insert the part printed in italic]

A BILL

To extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans.

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 “Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act”.

SEC. 2. Extension of authority to make grants to Veterans Service Organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans.

Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking “2020” and inserting “2021”.

SEC. 3. Making permanent authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking paragraph (2); and

(2) in paragraph (1), by striking “(1)”.

SEC. 4. Medical examination protocol for volunteer drivers participating in program of transportation services for veterans.

Section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by inserting “(1)” before “The Secretary”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(2) (A) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act, the Secretary shall develop and establish a national protocol for the administration of medical examinations for volunteer drivers to participate in the program described in paragraph (1).

“(B) In developing the protocol required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult with such persons as the Secretary determines have an interest in the program described in paragraph (1).

“(C) (i) The Secretary shall implement the protocol by first conducting a one-year pilot program using the protocol.

“(ii) After conducting the pilot program required by clause (i), the Secretary shall assess the pilot program and make such changes to the protocol as the Secretary considers appropriate.

“(iii) After making changes to the protocol under clause (ii), the Secretary shall implement the protocol in phases during the course of one year.”.

SEC. 5. Comptroller General of the United States report on transportation services for veterans.

(a) Report required.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 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 the program the establishment of which was facilitated under section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code.

(b) Contents.—The report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A description of the program described in subsection (a), including descriptions of the following:

(A) The purpose of the program.

(B) The activities carried out under the program.

(2) An assessment of the sufficiency of the program with respect to the purpose of the program.

(3) An assessment of the cost effectiveness of the program in relation to alternatives.

(4) An assessment of the health benefits for veterans who have participated in the program.

(5) An assessment of the sufficiency of staffing of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are responsible for facilitating the maintenance of the program.

(6) An assessment, with respect to the purpose of the program, of the number of vehicles owned by and operating in conjunction with the program.

(7) An assessment of the awareness and usage of the program by veterans and their families.

(8) An assessment of other options for transportation under the program, such as local taxi companies and ridesharing programs such as Uber and Lyft.

Calendar No. 413

116th CONGRESS
     2d Session
S. 850
A BILL
To extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans.
February 5, 2020
Reported with an amendment