No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6017 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6017
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to issue to a veteran a Veterans Bill of Rights, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 10, 2025
Mr. Van Drew (for himself and Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to issue to a veteran a Veterans Bill of Rights, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Bill of Rights Act''.
SEC. 2. VETERANS BILL OF RIGHTS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 63 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section
(and the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended
accordingly):
``Sec. 6321. Veterans Bill of Rights
``(a) Provision; Publication.--(1) The Secretary shall provide to
each veteran a physical copy and an electronic copy of the Veterans
Bill of Rights described in subsection (c).
``(2) The Secretary shall publish and maintain, on a publicly
accessible website of the Department, an electronic copy of such
Veterans Bill of Rights.
``(3) The Secretary shall keep a copy of the most recent version of
such Veterans Bill of Rights in each facility of the Department.
``(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States,
the Department, or any officer or employee thereof.
``(c) Veterans Bill of Rights Described.--The Veterans Bill of
Rights described in this subsection shall inform a veteran of rights
and benefits to which the veteran may be entitled under laws
administered by the Secretary. Such rights and benefits include the
following:
``(1) Veterans have the right to fair treatment. Veterans
shall be treated equally and with respect, regardless of rank,
position, or any protected class, in every interaction with the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and affiliated service
providers.
``(2) Veterans have the right to be informed of all
eligible programs and benefits upon discharge, including
healthcare options with non-VA providers.
``(A) Upon discharge, the VA shall provide each
veteran with a comprehensive handbook detailing all
eligible benefits and programs, including access to
Community Care when VA healthcare is not available
within reasonable timeframes or distances.
``(B) This information shall be accessible in print
and online, updated annually, and cover healthcare,
disability, education, and housing benefits.
``(3) Veterans have the right to privacy.
``(A) Veterans' personal information and records
shall be strictly protected.
``(B) The VA must adhere to the highest standards
of data privacy and clearly inform veterans about how
their data is used, shared, and protected.
``(C) Veterans shall have assurance that all their
interactions and records with the VA are handled
confidentially and securely.
``(4) Veterans have the right to access quality healthcare.
``(A) Veterans shall have timely access to high-
quality healthcare through VA facilities or Community
Care providers when necessary.
``(B) This includes access to physical and mental
health services tailored to veterans' unique needs,
ensuring they receive the best possible care regardless
of location or circumstance.
``(5) Veterans have the right to mental health and family
support services.
``(A) In recognition of the unique psychological
impacts of military service, veterans shall have access
to tailored mental health resources, including therapy,
counseling, and group support, both in-person and via
telehealth.
``(B) Additionally, support services for veterans'
families shall be available to foster stability and
wellness within the family unit, especially for those
experiencing post-service challenges.
``(6) Veterans have the right to employment and housing
assistance.
``(A) Veterans transitioning to civilian life shall
have access to robust employment services, including
job training, career counseling, and resume workshops.
``(B) The VA shall also provide resources for
housing stability, such as assistance in securing
affordable housing and support for homelessness
prevention for veterans in need.
``(7) Veterans have the right to accessibility in services
and facilities.
``(A) Veterans shall access VA services without
physical, geographical, or logistical barriers, with
reasonable accommodations provided for disabilities.
``(B) The VA shall also expand telehealth options
and partnerships with local providers, particularly to
serve veterans in remote or underserved areas, ensuring
equitable service access.
``(8) Veterans have the right to involvement in decisions
affecting their care and benefits.
``(A) Veterans shall be included in decisions about
their care plans, treatment options, and benefits.
``(B) The VA shall involve veterans in discussions
about their treatment and benefits eligibility,
ensuring that veterans' preferences and needs are
considered and respected in every decision.
``(9) Veterans have the right to transparency in benefits
adjudication.
``(A) Veterans shall be provided with a transparent
process for adjudicating claims, including clear
information on application requirements, expected
timelines, and necessary documentation.
``(B) The VA shall issue written decisions on
claims within a specified timeframe, including
explanations for any denials and information on appeal
options.
``(10) Veterans have the right to a fair and timely appeals
process.
``(A) Veterans may appeal denied claims through a
fair and efficient process, receiving guidance from the
VA on each step.
``(B) The VA shall aim, to the extent practicable,
to resolve appeals within 120 days of filing, with
progress updates provided throughout the process to
ensure veterans are informed of the status of their
cases.
``(11) Veterans have the right to consistent and proactive
communication.
``(A) The VA shall proactively communicate with
veterans regarding any updates or changes to their
benefits and eligibility.
``(B) Veterans should receive timely information
about new or modified services they qualify for,
ensuring they have a clear understanding of all
available resources throughout their lives.
``(d) Hotline and Portal.--(1) The Secretary shall maintain a toll-
free hotline and a publicly accessible website of the Department
through which a veteran may report a complaint regarding compliance by
the Secretary with this section.
``(2) The Secretary shall respond to a veteran not later than 30
days after the Secretary receives such a complaint.
``(e) Reporting.--Not less than once each year, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
House of Representatives a report regarding compliance of the Secretary
with this section. Each such report shall include the following
elements with regards to the year preceding the date of such report:
``(1) The total number of complaints pursuant to subsection
(c), disaggregated by--
``(A) category of issue (such as access to care,
claims processing, appeals, communication, privacy, or
other); and
``(B) facility of the Department;
``(2) The median and average response times for complaints.
``(3) The percentage of complaints resolved within 30 days.
``(4) The number of corrective actions taken or policy
changes made by the Secretary as a result of complaints or
identified noncompliance.
``(5) Data on average and median processing times for
benefit claims and appeals, compared to the target timelines
under subsection (c).
``(6) The number of veterans provided information or
referrals for community care.
``(7) Recommendations of the Secretary for legislative or
administrative action to further the purposes of this
section.''.
(b) Implementation.--The Secretary shall carry out section 6321 of
such title, as added by this section, not later than six months after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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