To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that domiciliary facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and State homes that provide housing to veterans have resident advocates.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1413
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-13T19:16:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to improve support and complaint resolution for veterans living in domiciliary facilities (long-term housing and care settings) operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or state homes. It requires these facilities to have dedicated "resident advocates" to act as intermediaries between veterans and facility leadership or higher authorities.
Key Provisions
- VA Domiciliary Facilities: The bill adds a new section (1720M) to title 38 of the U.S. Code, mandating that the VA Secretary employ at least one resident advocate in each VA domiciliary facility. The advocate's duties include:
- Serving as a liaison between veterans and the VA Secretary.
- Receiving complaints from veterans, forwarding them to the facility director, and responding to them.
- Escalating complaints to the VA Secretary or the VA Inspector General (an internal watchdog office) when deemed necessary.
- State Homes: The bill amends section 1741 of title 38, requiring states to employ a resident advocate in any state home providing domiciliary care to veterans to remain eligible for federal payments. The advocate's duties mirror those in VA facilities but adapt to state operations:
- Serving as a liaison between veterans and the state.
- Receiving, transmitting to the facility director, and responding to complaints.
- Escalating complaints to the VA Secretary, VA Inspector General, or an appropriate state official as needed.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new requirement for resident advocates in VA facilities, which previously had no such mandated position under title 38.
- Modifies eligibility rules for federal funding of state homes by tying payments to the presence of a resident advocate, adding a layer of accountability not explicitly required before.
- These changes expand oversight mechanisms without altering broader eligibility or funding formulas for veteran care.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to hire and train advocates for its facilities, potentially increasing administrative costs but improving internal complaint handling and reducing reliance on external oversight.
- On Citizens (Veterans): Veterans in these facilities gain a direct, dedicated channel for voicing concerns, which could lead to faster resolutions of issues like care quality or living conditions, enhancing their rights and well-being.
- On State Homes: States must implement similar roles to secure federal funds, possibly straining budgets in under-resourced facilities but promoting better veteran support.
- No direct impacts on international relations, as the bill focuses on domestic veteran services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, as they receive improved advocacy in housing facilities.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementation in its facilities, including hiring and oversight.
- State Governments and Homes: Must comply to access federal payments for veteran care programs.
- VA Inspector General: May see increased complaint referrals, affecting investigative workload.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens statutory protections for veterans under title 38 by formalizing advocacy roles, potentially reducing litigation over unmet care needs through proactive complaint resolution. No conflicts with existing federal funding laws.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate VA benefits and spending (under Article I), without infringing on state rights, as states can opt out of federal payments if unwilling to comply.
- Political: Could appeal to veteran advocacy groups by addressing gaps in long-term care oversight, but may face debate over added costs to VA and state budgets amid broader fiscal pressures. The bill's focus on accountability reflects ongoing congressional emphasis on veteran welfare post-service.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2025-02-18: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-02-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to require that domiciliary facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and State homes that provide housing to veterans have resident advocates. — issued 2025-02-18 — PDF (3 pages)