Bill > HR7176

This bill, known as the Vets Connect Act, mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establish and maintain a secure online system called the "Vets Connect System" to help veterans reconnect with fellow service members. This system will feature a database and messaging platform that prioritizes privacy, meaning personal contact details like phone numbers or email addresses will not be shared unless a veteran explicitly agrees to it. The system will only store essential information for matching veterans based on their service, such as branch, unit, dates of service, and deployments, along with a chosen display name and any additional details a veteran voluntarily opts to share. Access to the Vets Connect System will be restricted to individuals whose military service has been verified by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense, and veterans must actively choose to be discoverable within the system. Veterans will have full control over their participation, with options to adjust visibility, restrict communications, opt out entirely, or delete their information at any time. Crucially, the bill prohibits the use of information from the Vets Connect System for any commercial purposes, including advertising, marketing, or selling data, and imposes strict security measures, audit logs, and penalties for misuse to protect veteran privacy.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7176/all-info