March 21, 2025
Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve equitable access to certain benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to improve certain outreach to individuals who served uniformed services and dependents of such individuals, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Survivor Benefits Delivery Improvement Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Equitable access to certain benefits of Department of Veterans Affairs for survivors of veterans
(a) Short title
This section may be cited as the Survivor Benefits Data Collection Act of 2025
.
(b) Collection of demographic data
(1) Collection
Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section (and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly):
5322. Demographic data of certain beneficiaries
(a) Collection
The Secretary, in consultation with the entities described in subsection (b), shall—
(1)
develop a method to collect the demographic data of—
(A)
each covered survivor receiving disability and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of this title, pension under chapter 15 of this title, or increased pension (or additional compensation or allowances) under this title based on the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound; and
(B)
each person who receives burial benefits under chapter 23 of this title; and
(2)
collect demographic data pursuant to the method developed under paragraph (1).
(b) Entities for consultation
The entities described in this subsection are the following:
(1)
The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans established under section 544 of this title.
(2)
The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established under section 542 of this title.
(3)
The Veterans’ Family, Caregiver, and Survivor Advisory Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or successor advisory committee.
(4)
Veterans service organizations.
(c) Designation of underserved demographics
The Secretary shall—
(1)
designate as an underserved demographic any demographic the Secretary determines, taking into account the demographic data collected under subsection (a), is underserved with respect to the benefits specified in such subsection; and
(2)
review such designations on at least a biennial basis and update as appropriate.
(d) Inclusion in annual reports
For each annual benefits report of the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Secretary shall include as part of the report information concerning the demographic data collected under subsection (a) during the fiscal year covered by the report.
(e) Effect on application
Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any person to submit demographic data or as authorizing the Secretary to consider whether a person submits demographic data in evaluating any claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(f) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term covered survivor means a surviving spouse, child, or parent of a veteran.
(2)
The term demographic data includes, with respect to an individual, the following:
(A)
Race.
(B)
Ethnicity.
(C)
Tribal affiliation, if any.
(D)
LGBTQIA+ status.
(E)
Geographic location.
(3)
The term veterans service organization means any organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of this title.
(2) Deadlines; applicability
(A) Deadline for collection
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop the data collection method under subsection (a) of section 5322 of title 38, United States Code (as added by paragraph (1)), and commence the collection of data pursuant to such method, by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(B) Deadline for initial designations
The Secretary shall make the initial designation of any underserved demographics under subsection (c) of such section 5322 by not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary commences the collection of data under subsection (a) of such section.
(C) Applicability regarding annual reports
The requirement under subsection (d) of such section 5322 shall apply with respect to annual benefits reports of the Veterans Benefits Administration submitted on or after the date that is one year after the date on which the Secretary commences the collection of data under subsection (a) of such section.
(c) Outreach and education
(1) Strategy for underserved demographics
Not later than one year after the date of initial designation, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an outreach and education strategy for raising awareness regarding the benefits specified in section 5322(a) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)), among covered survivors who belong to an underserved demographic.
(2) Eligibility of veterans for certain burial benefits
(A) Outreach plan
Not later than 180 days after the date of initial designation, the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs shall develop and submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate an outreach strategy for raising awareness regarding eligibility for burial in a national cemetery under section 2303 of title 38, United States Code, among veterans and beneficiaries who belong to an underserved demographic.
(B) Education activities
The Under Secretary shall carry out education activities pursuant to the plan developed under subparagraph (A) to ensure that the veterans and beneficiaries specified in such paragraph are made aware of any eligibility specified in such subparagraph.
(C) Reports
Not later than one year after the date of initial designation, and annually thereafter for five years, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the efforts taken by the Under Secretary pursuant to this paragraph.
(3) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A)
The term covered survivor has the meanings given that term in section 5322(e) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)).
(B)
The term date of initial designation means the date on which the Secretary makes the initial designation of any underserved demographics.
(C)
The term underserved demographic means a demographic designated as an underserved demographic by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 5322(c) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)).
(d) Assessment and strategy for Office of Survivors Assistance
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(1)
conduct an assessment of the resources of the Office of Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any successor office; and
(2)
develop a strategy to ensure the availability of resources necessary for the function of such office, as determined by the Secretary as a result of the assessment.
Sec. 3. Improvements to outreach services provided by Secretary of Veterans Affairs to individuals who served in the uniformed services and dependents of such individuals
(a) Short title
This section may be cited as the Survivor Solid Start Act of 2025
.
(b) Expansion of outreach services
Subchapter I of chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in section 6301(b)—
(A)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively;
(B)
by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following new paragraph:
(1)
the term
covered individualmeans—(A)
a veteran; or
(B)
an individual who served in the uniformed services (as defined in section 1965(6) of this title);;
(C)
in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by striking veterans
each place it appears and inserting covered individuals
; and
(D)
in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by striking a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service
and inserting a covered individual
;
(2)
in section 6302(b), by striking eligible veterans
each place it appears and inserting covered individuals
;
(3)
in section 6303—
(A)
in subsection (a), by striking eligible veterans
and inserting covered individuals
;
(B)
in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking eligible veterans
and inserting covered individuals
;
(C)
in subsection (c)(2), by striking veteran or dependent
each place it appears and inserting covered individual or eligible dependent
; and
(D)
in subsection (d), by striking veterans
and inserting covered individuals
;
(4)
in section 6306—
(A)
in subsection (a), by striking eligible veteran
and inserting covered individual
; and
(B)
in subsection (b)—
(i)
by striking opportunities for veterans
and inserting opportunities for covered individuals
; and
(ii)
by striking eligible veterans
and inserting covered individuals
; and
(5)
in section 6308, by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(c) Outreach services for surviving eligible dependents
(1)
(A)
Upon receipt of notification of the death of a covered individual, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Benefits, shall provide outreach services, by mail, email, and telephone, to each eligible dependent of such individual not less than once each quarter calendar year until the eligible dependent files a claim for a benefit under laws administered by the Secretary.
(B)
In the case of an eligible dependent described in subparagraph (A) who is a minor child, the Secretary shall provide such outreach services to the legal guardian of the eligible dependent.
(C)
If the Secretary does not have the contact information of an eligible dependent or legal guardian described in subparagraph (A) or (B), the Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to obtain such contact information to carry out this subsection.
(D)
An eligible dependent or legal guardian described in subparagraph (A) or (B) may elect to not receive, or to receive fewer, outreach services under this subsection. Not less than once each calendar year, the Secretary shall notify each such eligible dependent or legal guardian of the option to make such an election.
(2)
Outreach services under this subsection shall provide an eligible dependent with information including the following:
(A)
Contact information for the Office of Survivors Assistance established under section 321 of this title.
(B)
Information regarding assistance in filing a claim for a benefit under laws administered by the Secretary furnished by—
(i)
a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title; or
(ii)
an attorney, agent, or other entity recognized under section 5904 of this title.
(C)
How to find an entity—
(i)
described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (B); and
(ii)
located near the residence of the eligible dependent.
(3)
In developing and revising materials used in outreach services under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with entities including the following:
(A)
Veterans service organizations recognized under section 5902 of this title.
(B)
The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established under section 542 of this title.
(C)
The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans established under section 544 of this title.
(D)
The Veterans’ Family, Caregiver, and Survivor Advisory Committee of the Department, or successor advisory committee.
(c) Personnel
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish at least 5, but not more than 10, full-time equivalent positions at call centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out subsection (c) of section 6308 of such title, as added by subsection (b).