summary
Introduced
10/01/2019
10/01/2019
In Committee
10/14/2019
10/14/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
To amend title 38, United States Code, to treat digitized records as originals with respect to claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. This bill authorizes the treatment of digitized records (e.g., photographs or files) as original documents for purposes of claims under laws of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), so long as the digitized versions are made in compliance with document disposal laws. Under the bill, the VA may not be required to produce or retain original physical files or records, including for proceedings occurring at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The bill requires the VA to implement a process to ensure a digitized record pertaining to a claim is (1) of sufficient quality to be viewed and read on an electronic screen, and (2) an accurate reproduction of the original file or document. The VA must return an original document or file to a claimant once the digitized version has been made. Finally, the VA must resolve any doubt regarding the accuracy of a digitized file or document pertaining to a claim in favor of the claimant if (1) the VA did not implement the process to ensure the quality and accuracy of the digitized version, (2) the claimant presents credible evidence that there is a deficiency or alteration to the file, or (3) the claimant presents credible evidence that such digitized version is missing from VA records.
AI Summary
This bill, the Modernizing VA's Records Management Program Act, authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat digitized records (such as photographs or files) as original documents for the purposes of claims under VA laws. The bill allows the VA to digitize records and not be required to produce or retain the original physical files or documents, including for proceedings at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The VA must implement a process to ensure the digitized records are of sufficient quality and accurately reproduce the original. The VA must also return the original document to the claimant once the digitized version has been made. Finally, the bill requires the VA to resolve any doubt regarding the accuracy of a digitized record in favor of the claimant if certain conditions are not met.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs, Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (24)
TJ Cox (D)*,
Nanette Barragán (D),
Sanford Bishop (D),
Susan Brooks (R),
Jim Costa (D),
Dan Crenshaw (R),
Val Demings (D),
Jenniffer González (R),
Raúl Grijalva (D),
Glenn Grothman (R),
Josh Harder (D),
Sheila Jackson-Lee (D),
Bill Keating (D),
Mike Kelly (R),
Ro Khanna (D),
Susie Lee (D),
Joe Morelle (D),
Dean Phillips (D),
Amata Radewagen (R),
Harley Rouda (D),
Darren Soto (D),
Greg Steube (R),
Scott Tipton (R),
Lee Zeldin (R),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. (on 10/14/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4588/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4588/BILLS-116hr4588ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4588/BILLS-116hr4588ih.pdf.pdf |
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