119-S831

Bill is currently in: Senate
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House Senate President

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 831

1. Short title
2. Improvement of telephone communication by Department of Veterans Affairs

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Representing VA with Accuracy Act" or the "REP VA Act".

2. Improvement of telephone communication by Department of Veterans Affairs

(a) In general - Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

6321. Telephone communication

(a) Calls associated with Department - Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that any call made to a veteran by an employee or contractor of the Department regarding services or benefits furnished by the Department—

(1) - is made from a single, well-known telephone number; and

(2) - uses caller identification branding that indicates to the veteran that the call is from or on behalf of the Department.

(b) Call centers for health care appointments and referrals

(1) In general - Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has at least one call center in each of the time zones specified in paragraph (2) to address concerns regarding appointments and referrals for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary.

(2) Time zones specified - The time zones specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A) - Eastern time.

(B) - Central time.

(C) - Mountain time.

(D) - Pacific time.

(E) - Alaska time.

(F) - Hawaii time.

(3) Clarification - The Secretary is not required to ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has a call center in any location generally within a time zone specified in paragraph (2) that does not follow daylight time.

(b) Clerical amendment - The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item: