§6303. Outreach services
(a)
(b)
(c)
(A) shall distribute full information to eligible veterans and eligible dependents regarding all benefits and services to which they may be entitled under laws administered by the Secretary; and
(B) may, to the extent feasible, distribute information on other governmental programs (including manpower and training programs) which the Secretary determines would be beneficial to veterans.
(2) Whenever a veteran or dependent first applies for any benefit under laws administered by the Secretary (including a request for burial or related benefits or an application for life insurance proceeds), the Secretary shall provide to the veteran or dependent information concerning benefits and health care services under programs administered by the Secretary. Such information shall be provided not later than three months after the date of such application.
(d)
(e)
(Added Pub. L. 109–233, title IV, §402(a), June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 408; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, §926(a)(59), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3830; Pub. L. 117–205, §2(b)(2), Oct. 17, 2022, 136 Stat. 2233.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 7722 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–233.
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–205 substituted "this subchapter" for "this chapter".
2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283 "air, or space service" for "or air service".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Improvements to Veterans Justice Outreach Program
Pub. L. 117–328, div. V, title III, §302, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5506, provided that:
"(a)
"(1) shall be designed—
"(A) to spread awareness and understanding of the Program;
"(B) to spread awareness and understanding of veteran eligibility for the Program, including the eligibility of veterans who were discharged from service in the Armed Forces under conditions other than honorable; and
"(C) to improve the identification of justice-involved veterans; and
"(2) may be conducted in person, virtually, or through other means, including by the dissemination of informational materials and contact information.
"(b)
"(1) an assessment of barriers to working with justice-involved veterans in rural, remote, and underserved areas, including potential steps to address such barriers; and
"(2) a workforce gap analysis for the Program.
"(c)
"(1)
"(A) the hiring of additional Veterans Justice Outreach specialists;
"(B) the reallocation of existing Veterans Justice Outreach specialists; or
"(C) such other means as may be determined appropriate by the Secretary.
"(2)
"(A) such number and locations needed to achieve the mission and strategic goals of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program;
"(B) any gaps in the workforce of the Program, including such gaps identified pursuant to subsection (b)(2); and
"(C) strategies to address such gaps.
"(3)
"(d)
"(1)
"(A) the Veterans Justice Outreach Program;
"(B) Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists; and
"(C) providing support for research regarding justice-involved veterans.
"(2)
"(A) qualitative and quantitative milestones, measures, and metrics, and associated timelines for completion of the plans under paragraph (1) and barriers to such completion;
"(B) an identification of relevant staff; and
"(C) an estimate of resource needs and sources.
"(3)
"(e)
"(1) best practices for identifying and conducting outreach to justice-involved veterans and relevant stakeholders in the criminal justice community; and
"(2) veteran eligibility for the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including with respect to consistently communicating changes regarding eligibility (including through the use of a script or other reference materials).
"(f)
"(1)
"(A) An assessment of implementing subsection (c), including—
"(i) strategies to increase Veterans Justice Outreach specialists responsible for supporting justice-involved veterans in rural, remote, or underserved areas; and
"(ii) the progress of the Secretary in addressing gaps in the workforce of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program identified pursuant to paragraph (2) of such subsection.
"(B) The performance goals and implementation plans established under subsection (d)(1).
"(2)
"(g)
"(1) the availability and efficacy of veterans treatment courts in meeting the needs of justice-involved veterans;
"(2) best practices for Department of Veterans Affairs staff and justice-involved veterans in working with veterans treatment courts; and
"(3) the ability of justice-involved veterans to access veterans treatment courts, including any barriers that exist to increasing such access.
"(h)
"(1) The term 'justice-involved veteran' means a veteran with active, ongoing, or recent contact with some component of a local criminal justice system.
"(2) The term 'Veterans Justice Outreach Program' means the program through which the Department of Veterans Affairs identifies justice-involved veterans and provides such veterans with access to Department services.
"(3) The term 'Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist' means an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who serves as a liaison between the Department and the local criminal justice system on behalf of a justice-involved veteran.
"(4) The term 'veterans treatment court' means a State or local court that is participating in the veterans treatment court program (as defined in section 2991(i)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa(i)(1)) [now 34 U.S.C. 10651(i)(1)])."
Fact Sheets
Pub. L. 117–62, §2, Nov. 22, 2021, 135 Stat. 1482, provided that:
"(a)
"(1) English;
"(2) Spanish;
"(3) Tagalog; and
"(4) each of the 10 most commonly spoken languages, other than English, in the United States that are not otherwise covered by paragraphs (2) and (3).
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) What the Secretary determines constitutes a fact sheet of the Department for purposes of this Act [enacting this note and provisions set out as a note under section 101 of this title].
"(2) How such fact sheets are utilized and distributed other than on and through the website of the Department.
"(3) How such Language Access Plan is communicated to veterans, family members of veterans, and caregivers.
"(4) The roles and responsibilities of patient advocates in the coordination of care for veterans with limited English proficiency, family members of such veterans, and caregivers.
"(5) Other demographic information that the Secretary determines appropriate regarding veterans with limited English proficiency."
Continuation of Women's Health Transition Training Program of Department of Veterans Affairs
Pub. L. 116–315, title III, §3005(a), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4993, provided that: "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out the Women's Health Transition Training program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (in this section [remainder of section 3005 of Pub. L. 116–315 not classified to the Code] referred to as the 'Program') until at least one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 5, 2021]."
Pilot Program on Assisting Veterans Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence or Sexual Assault
Pub. L. 116–315, title V, §5304, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 5041, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) intimate partner violence shelters and programs;
"(2) rape crisis centers;
"(3) State intimate partner violence and sexual assault coalitions; and
"(4) such other health care or other service providers that serve intimate partner violence or sexual assault victims as determined by the Secretary, particularly those providing emergency services or housing assistance.
"(d)
"(1) Training for community-based intimate partner violence or sexual assault service providers on—
"(A) identifying former members of the Armed Forces who have been victims of, or are currently experiencing, intimate partner violence or sexual assault;
"(B) coordinating with local service providers of the Department; and
"(C) connecting former members of the Armed Forces with appropriate housing, mental health, medical, and other financial assistance or benefits from the Department.
"(2) Assistance to service providers to ensure access of veterans to intimate partner violence and sexual assault emergency services, particularly in underserved areas, including services for Native American veterans (as defined in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code).
"(3) Such other outreach and assistance as the Secretary determines necessary for the provision of assistance under subsection (a).
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the dynamics of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, including safety concerns, legal protections, and the need for the provision of confidential services;
"(B) the eligibility of veterans for services and benefits from the Department that are relevant to recovery from intimate partner violence and sexual assault, particularly emergency housing assistance, mental health care, other health care, and disability benefits; and
"(C) local community resources addressing intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
"(3)
"(f)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program.
"(B) Such recommendations for continuing or expanding the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.
"(g)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) A relationship between married spouses.
"(ii) A relationship between common-law spouses.
"(iii) A relationship between civil union spouses.
"(iv) A relationship between domestic partners.
"(v) A relationship between dating partners.
"(vi) A relationship between ongoing sexual partners.
"(2)
Pilot Program on Information Sharing Between Department of Veterans Affairs and Designated Relatives and Friends of Veterans Regarding Assistance and Benefits Available to the Veterans
Pub. L. 116–214, title I, §101, Dec. 5, 2020, 134 Stat. 1027, provided that:
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) to encourage members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life, before separating from such service, to designate up to 10 persons to whom information regarding the assistance and benefits available to the veterans under laws administered by the Secretary shall be disseminated using the contact information obtained under paragraph (7); and
"(B) provides such persons, within 30 days after the date on which such persons are designated under subparagraph (A), the option to elect to receive such information.
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(A) Services and benefits offered to veterans and their family members by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"(B) Challenges and stresses that might accompany transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life.
"(C) Services available to veterans and their family members to cope with the experiences and challenges of service in the Armed Forces and transition from such service to civilian life.
"(D) Services available through community partner organizations to support veterans and their family members.
"(E) Services available through Federal, State, and local government agencies to support veterans and their family members.
"(F) The environmental health registry program, health and wellness programs, and resources for preventing and managing diseases and illnesses.
"(G) A toll-free telephone number through which such persons who elect to receive information under the pilot program may request information regarding the program.
"(H) Such other matters as the Secretary, in consultation with members of the Armed Forces and such persons who elect to receive information under the pilot program, determines to be appropriate.
"(5)
"(A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code; and
"(B) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–191) [see Tables for classification].
"(6)
"(A) ensure that such veteran is notified of the ability to modify designations made by such veteran under paragraph (1)(A); and
"(B) upon the request of a veteran, authorize such veteran to modify such designations at any time.
"(7)
"(8)
"(A)
"(B)
"(C)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) Feedback on the following:
"(I) The nature of information disseminated under the pilot program.
"(II) Satisfaction with the pilot program.
"(III) The utility of the pilot program.
"(IV) Overall pilot program successes and challenges.
"(ii) Recommendations for improving the pilot program.
"(iii) Reasons for opting in or out of the pilot program.
"(iv) Such other feedback or matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) The results of the survey administered under paragraph (1).
"(ii) The number of participants enrolled in the pilot program who are veterans.
"(iii) The number of persons designated under subsection (a)(1)(A).
"(iv) The number of such persons who opted in or out of the pilot program under subsection (a)(8).
"(v) The average period such persons remained in the pilot program.
"(vi) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of making the pilot program permanent.
"(vii) Identification of legislative or administrative action that may be necessary if the pilot program is made permanent.
"(viii) A plan to expand the pilot program if the pilot program is made permanent.
"(ix) If the Secretary finds under clause (vi) that making the pilot program permanent is not feasible or advisable, a justification for such finding."
Expansion of Capabilities of Women Veterans Call Center
Pub. L. 116–315, title V, §5109, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 5033, provided that: "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enhance the capabilities of the women veterans call center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to respond to requests by women veterans for assistance with accessing health care and benefits furnished under the laws administered by the Secretary."
Pub. L. 116–171, title VI, §601, Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 824, provided that: "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall expand the capabilities of the Women Veterans Call Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include a text messaging capability."
Requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs Internet Website To Provide Information on Services Available to Women Veterans
Pub. L. 116–171, title VI, §602, Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 824, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) the name and contact information of each women's health coordinator;
"(2) a list of appropriate staff for other benefits available from the Veterans Benefits Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, and such other entities as the Secretary considers appropriate; and
"(3) such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate.
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
Veterans Treatment Court Improvement
Pub. L. 115–240, Sept. 17, 2018, 132 Stat. 2888, provided that:
"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
"This Act may be cited as the 'Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018'.
"SEC. 2. HIRING BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF ADDITIONAL VETERANS JUSTICE OUTREACH SPECIALISTS.
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) serves, either exclusively or in addition to other duties, as part of a justice team in a veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused court; and
"(B) otherwise meets Department hiring guidelines for Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists.
"(b)
"(1) complies with all Department guidelines and regulations for placement of a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist;
"(2) works within a local criminal justice system with justice-involved veterans;
"(3) maintains an affiliation with one or more veterans treatment courts or other veteran-focused courts; and
"(4) either—
"(A) routinely provides Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists to serve as part of a justice team in a veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused court; or
"(B) establishes a plan that is approved by the Secretary to provide Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists employed under subsection (a)(1) to serve as part of a justice team in a veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused court.
"(c)
"(1) was established on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; or
"(2)(A) was established before the date of the enactment of this Act; and
"(B) is not fully staffed with Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists.
"(d)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) The status of the efforts of the Secretary to hire Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists pursuant to subsection (a)(1), including the total number of Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists hired by the Secretary pursuant to such subsection and the number that the Secretary expects to hire pursuant to such subsection.
"(ii) The total number of Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists assigned to each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center that participates in the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including the number of Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists hired under subsection (a)(1) disaggregated by Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.
"(iii) The total number of eligible Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers that sought placement of a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist under subsection (a)(1), how many Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists each such center sought, and how many of such medical centers received no placement of a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist under subsection (a)(1).
"(iv) For each eligible Department of Veterans Affairs medical center—
"(I) the number of justice-involved veterans who were served or are expected to be served by a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist hired under subsection (a)(1); and
"(II) the number of justice-involved veterans who do not have access to a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist.
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) An assessment of whether the Secretary has fulfilled the Secretary's obligations under this section.
"(ii) The number of veterans who are served by Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists hired under subsection (a)(1), disaggregated by demographics (including discharge status).
"(iii) An identification of any subgroups of veterans who underutilize services provided under laws administered by the Secretary, including an assessment of whether these veterans have access to Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists under the Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
"(iv) Such recommendations as the Comptroller General may have for the Secretary to improve the effectiveness of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)
Outreach Program to Veterans in Rural Areas
Pub. L. 109–461, title II, §213, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3422, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
Information To Assist Veterans Receiving Education Benefits
Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, §421, Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2088, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) to each individual applying for benefits under an education program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and to each such individual at least annually in the years thereafter in which the individual receives such benefits;
"(2) to education and training institution officials on at least an annual basis; and
"(3) upon request, to other individuals significantly affected by education programs administered by the Secretary, including military education personnel.
"(c)
Outreach Services
Pub. L. 100–687, div. B, title XII, §1204, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4125, as amended by Pub. L. 102–4, §4, Feb. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 15; Pub. L. 102–83, §6(k)(2), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 409, provided that:
"(a)
"(A) the health risks (if any) resulting from exposure during that service to dioxin or any other toxic agent in herbicides used in support of United States and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era; and
"(B) services and benefits available to such veterans with respect to such health risks.
"(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall annually furnish updated information on health risks described in paragraph (1)(A) to veterans referred to in paragraph (1).
"(b)