PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 107-135.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 11, 2001
Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 - Revises various requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs employee incentive scholarship program, including by reducing the period of employment required for eligibility and by increasing the years for which a scholarship may be paid.Makes permanent the education debt reduction program.Authorizes: (1) additional pay for Saturday duty for health care professionals in the Department's Veterans Health Administration (VHA); and (2) unused sick leave to be included in the annuity computation for VHA nurses.Establishes the National Commission on VA Nursing.Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans enrolled in the veterans' patient enrollment system.Provides the basis for maintenance of the Department's capacity to provide for the specialized treatment and rehabilitative needs of disabled veterans who: (1) are seriously mentally ill; or (2) have spinal cord dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, blindness, or prosthetics and sensory aids.Directs the Secretary to provide chiropractic care and services to veterans enrolled in the veterans' patient enrollment system.Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a major medical facility project at the Department's Medical Center in Miami, Florida.Urges the Secretary to assess the Department's provision of special telephone services for veterans.Directs the Secretary to provide consultation, counseling, training and mental health services to family members of a veteran receiving treatment for a service-connected disability and authorizes the Secretary to provide such services in connection with a veteran receiving treatment for a non-service-connected disability.Authorizes: (1) bereavement counseling to family members of veterans who die in the line of duty or were participating in a hospice program; and (2) humanitarian hospital or medical care in emergency cases.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 107-135.
Became Public Law No: 107-135.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14075-14080)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S14075-14080)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9217-9223)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9217-9223)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3447.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9217-9225)
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3447 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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