VACANT Act

12/15/2023, 4:05 PM

VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act or the VACANT Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is on detail.

Not later than 90 days after detailing a director of a VA medical center to a different position within the VA, the VA must notify Congress with specified information about the detail (e.g., the location of the detail). Additionally, the VA must appoint an individual as acting director not later than 120 days after detailing a director to a different position.

The VA must regularly update Congress regarding the status of the detail.

Generally, not later than 180 days after detailing a director to a different position, the VA must return the individual to the position as director or reassign the individual from the position and begin the process of hiring a new director. This requirement may be waived for a limited amount of time, but the VA must submit to Congress a justification for the waiver.

Congress
118

Number
S - 55

Introduced on
2023-01-24

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/24/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act or the VACANT Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is on detail.

Not later than 90 days after detailing a director of a VA medical center to a different position within the VA, the VA must notify Congress with specified information about the detail (e.g., the location of the detail). Additionally, the VA must appoint an individual as acting director not later than 120 days after detailing a director to a different position.

The VA must regularly update Congress regarding the status of the detail.

Generally, not later than 180 days after detailing a director to a different position, the VA must return the individual to the position as director or reassign the individual from the position and begin the process of hiring a new director. This requirement may be waived for a limited amount of time, but the VA must submit to Congress a justification for the waiver.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to limit the detailing of directors of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to different positions within the Department, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary5/23/2023

VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act or the VACANT Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is ...


Latest Action1/24/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.