Bill Summary & Status
112th Congress (2011 - 2012)
H.R.2074
All Information

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Item 1 of 1

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SUMMARY AS OF:
10/5/2011--Reported to House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a centralized and comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assaults and other safety incidents at each medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including: (1) risk-assessment tools; (2) mandatory security training; (3) physical security precautions (surveillance camera systems and panic alarm systems); (4) criteria and guidance for employees communicating and reporting incidents to specified supervisory personnel, VA law enforcement officials, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) an oversight system within the Veterans Health Administration; (6) procedures for VA law enforcement officials investigating, tracking, and closing reported incidents; and (7) clinical guidance for treating sexual assaults reported over 72 hours after assault. Requires the Secretary to submit to the congressional veterans committees: (1) an interim report on the policy's effectiveness on improving the safety and security of such facilities, and (2) annual reports on such incidents and policy implementation.

(Sec. 3) Requires VA payments to state nursing homes for care provided to veterans to be based on a methodology which reimburses such home for care provided under contract. (Under current law, such payments are made according to a prescribed rate.)

(Sec. 4) Includes the goal of maximizing the individual's independence within an individualized plan for the rehabilitation of veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Includes within plan objectives the sustaining of improvement in cognitive, behavioral, and vocational functioning. Includes within the VA definition of "rehabilitative services" treatment and services to sustain and prevent loss of functional gains, as well as any other services or supports that may contribute to maximizing an individual's independence. Includes rehabilitation services within: (1) comprehensive programs for long-term rehabilitation of veterans with TBI, and (2) cooperative agreements for the use of non-VA facilities for neurorehabilitation and recovery programs for such veterans.

(Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary from disallowing the use of service dogs in any VA facility or property, or in any facility or property that receives VA funding.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to implement a three-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of using dog training activities as a component of integrated post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rehabilitation programs at VA medical centers to positively affect veterans with such symptoms and to produce specially trained dogs that may become service dogs for veterans with disabilities. Requires the pilot program to be carried out at between one and three VA medical centers selected by the Secretary. Makes veteran participation voluntary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) collect program data to determine its effectiveness, as well as the potential to expand the program to additional VA medical centers; and (2) report annually to Congress for the duration of the pilot program.

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MAJOR ACTIONS:

6/1/2011	Introduced in House
10/5/2011	Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 112-235.
10/11/2011	Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
10/12/2011	Referred to Senate committee: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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ALL ACTIONS:

6/1/2011:

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

6/24/2011:

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

7/25/2011:

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

7/28/2011:

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

7/28/2011:

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

9/8/2011:

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

9/8/2011:

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

10/5/2011 4:48pm:

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 112-235.

10/5/2011 4:49pm:

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 154.

10/11/2011 2:41pm:

Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

10/11/2011 2:41pm:

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6689-6693)

10/11/2011 2:41pm:

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2074.

10/11/2011 3:08pm:

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6689-6690)

10/11/2011 3:08pm:

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

10/11/2011 3:08pm:

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

10/12/2011:

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 7/6/2011
Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] - 6/14/2011
Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] - 9/13/2011
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 6/14/2011
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 6/14/2011
Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] - 6/1/2011
Rep Runyan, Jon [NJ-3] - 6/14/2011

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COMMITTEE(S):

Committee/Subcommittee:		Activity:
House Veterans' Affairs		Referral, Markup, Reporting
	Subcommittee on Health	Referral, Hearings, Markup, Reporting
Senate Veterans' Affairs		Referral, In Committee

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RELATED BILL DETAILS:  (additional related bills may be indentified in Status)

Bill:	Relationship:
S.1689	Related bill identified by CRS

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