Public Law 115-131 | Public Law 115–131: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a warning regarding dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices targeting individuals who are eligible for increased pension on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance, and for other purposes.

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PUBLIC LAW 115–131—MAR. 9, 2018

132 STAT. 334

Public Law

115–131

115th Congress

An Act

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a warning regarding dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices targeting individuals who are eligible for increased pension on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance, and for other purposes.

Mar. 9, 2018

[H.R. 3122]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Veterans Care

Financial Protection

Act of 2017.

SECTION 1.

38 USC 101 note.

SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “

Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017

”.

SEC. 2.

SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NOTICE OF DISHONEST, PREDATORY, OR OTHERWISE UNLAWFUL PRACTICES TARGETING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR INCREASED PENSION ON BASIS OF NEED FOR REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCE.

(a)

38 USC 1501 note.
Notice Required.—

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include on the internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a warning to veterans relating to dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices targeting individuals who are eligible for increased pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance.

(b)

GAO Study.—

(1)

Deadline.
Study required.—

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall complete a study on financial exploitation of veterans. Such study shall include—

(A)

an analysis of the types of standards used by Federal and State agencies intended to protect vulnerable populations from financial exploitation; and

(B)

an analysis of the types of financial exploitation facing veterans who are eligible for increased pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance and any gaps in efforts to address these issues.

(2)

Reports.—

(A)

Preliminary report.—

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a preliminary report on the study required under paragraph (1).

(B)

Final report.—

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 132 STAT. 335 General shall submit to Congress a final report on such study.

Approved March 9, 2018.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3122:

HOUSE REPORTS: ┐No. 115–385 (Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs).

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

Vol. 163 (2017):

Nov. 6, considered and passed House.

Vol. 164 (2018):

Feb. 15, considered and passed Senate.

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