To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise certain provisions relating to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.

January 7, 2003

Mr. INOUYE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise certain provisions relating to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Veteran's Health Administration Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. REVISION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS IN THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 7401(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking `who hold diplomas as diplomates in psychology from an accrediting authority approved by the Secretary'.

(b) CERTAIN OTHER APPOINTMENTS- Section 7405(a) of such title is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking `Certified or' and inserting `Professional psychologists, certified or'; and

(2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking `Certified or' and inserting `Professional psychologists, certified or'.

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d) APPOINTMENT REQUIREMENT- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall begin to make appointments of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration under section 7401(3) of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

END