HR 2201 RFS: Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act

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Section 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act’’.

SECTION 2. IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS BASED ON MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

(Train)ing for employees who process such claims.
(1) In general. —Subsection (c) of section1166 of title38, United States Code, is amended—
- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘members of teams established under subsection (a)are trained’’ and inserting ‘‘each employee of the Department who processes such a claim,communicates with a claimant regarding evidence supporting such a claim, or decides such a claim,receives annual sensitivity training and training’’;
- (B)
  The Secretary shall ensure that training received by an employee under this subsection is appropriate for how much experience the employee has with such claims.

EXPANSION OF DUTY TO ASSIST IN OBTAINING RECORDS FOR A COMPENSATION CLAIM

Section11
5103A(c) of title38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)
by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
(2)
by inserting, after paragraph (1), the following new paragraph (2):
‘‘(2) In the case of a claim under section 1166 of this title,the assistance provided by the Secretary under this section shall include obtaining—‘‘(A) the service personnel record of the claimant; and‘‘(B) the service medical record of the claimant.’’;

SENSITIVITY TRAINING FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS: REPORT; IMMEDIATE ACTION

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on—

(1) sensitivity training required for health care professionals and individuals who communicate with veterans to schedule examinations, contracted under section 504 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–275; 38 U.S.C. § 51019 note), to perform examinations of veterans who make claims under section 1166 of title 38, United States Code;
(2) the plan of the Secretary to—
- (A)
  improve such sensitivity training;
- (B)
  ensure that a veteran who makes such a claim is not retraumatized during such an examination by such a contracted health care professional.

PREMISES

(1) sensitivity training required for health care professionals and individuals who communicate with veterans to schedule examinations, contracted under section 504 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–275; 38 U.S.C. § 51019 note), to perform examinations of veterans who make claims under section 1166 of title 38, United States Code;
(2)
the plan of the Secretary to—
- (A)
  improve such sensitivity training;
- (B)
  ensure that a veteran who makes such a claim is not retraumatized during such an examination by such a contracted health care professional.