Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary passed house (Sep 23, 2020)
Stopping Harm and Implementing Enhanced Lead-time for Debts for Veterans Act or the SHIELD for Veterans Act
This bill updates debt collection and overpayment processes related to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or programs.
What just happenedSep 24, 2020
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 555.
Who’s behind it
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 555.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4752-4753)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5245.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4752-4754)
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Stopping Harm and Implementing Enhanced Lead-time for Debts for Veterans Act or the SHIELD for Veterans Act
This bill updates debt collection and overpayment processes related to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or programs.
Stopping Harm and Implementing Enhanced Lead-time for Debts for Veterans Act or the SHIELD for Veterans Act
This bill updates debt collection and overpayment processes related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits or programs.
Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from collecting all or any part of an amount owed under a VA program if the amount is owed for any payment or overpayment that was caused by the amount of time taken by the VA to process information provided by or on behalf of an individual.
If the VA has made an overpayment to an individual, the VA must provide notice to the individual of the overpayment and any action the VA plans to take to collect repayment or reduce any benefit of the individual at least 90 days before taking such action. The notice must include an explanation of the right of the individual to dispute the overpayment or request a waiver of indebtedness.
The VA must report on its plan for the improvement of the notification and communication processes for individuals who receive overpayments from the VA.
The bill prohibits interest and administrative cost charges on delinquent payments of debt resulting from a person's participation in a VA disability compensation program, pension program, or an educational assistance program.