Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LI, § 5126, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3213, provided that:

“(a)

Productivity Expectations for Readjustment Counselors of Vet Centers.—

“(1)

Evaluation of productivity expectations.—

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall evaluate productivity expectations for readjustment counselors of Vet Centers, including by obtaining systematic feedback from counselors on such expectations, including with respect to following:

“(A)

Any potential effects of productivity expectations, whether positive or negative, on client care and the welfare of readjustment counselors.

“(B)

Distances readjustment counselors may travel to appointments, especially with respect to serving rural veterans.

“(C)

The possibility that some veterans may not want to use nor benefit from telehealth or group counseling.

“(D)

Availability and access of veteran populations to broadband and telehealth.

“(E)

Any effect of productivity expectations on readjustment counselors, including with respect to recruitment, retention, and welfare.

“(F)

Whether productivity expectations provide incentives or pressure to inaccurately report client visits.

“(G)

Whether directors and readjustment counselors of Vet Centers need additional training or guidance on how productivity expectations are calculated.

“(H)

Such other criteria as the Secretary considers appropriate.

“(2)

Systematic feedback.—

“(A)

In general.—

The Secretary shall—

“(i)

make every effort to ensure that all readjustment counselors of Vet Centers are given the opportunity to fully provide feedback, positive or negative, including through a survey containing open- and close-ended questions, on all items under paragraph (1);

“(ii)

in obtaining feedback under paragraph (1), ensure that the items under paragraph (1) are adequately and completely addressed in a way that permits responses to be relevant to the evaluation of productivity expectations;

“(iii)

collect and safely store the feedback obtained under paragraph (1)—

“(I)

in an electronic database that cannot be altered by any party;

“(II)

in an anonymized manner, in order to protect the privacy of each respondent; and

“(III)

in a manner that allows for evaluation by third parties of the feedback, such as audit of the feedback by the Government Accountability Office; and

“(iv)

provide the feedback obtained under paragraph (1) in an anonymized manner to the working group established under subsection (c).

“(B)

Government accountability office audit.—

Not less frequently than once each year during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall audit the feedback obtained from readjustment counselors of Vet Centers under paragraph (1).

“(3)

Implementation of changes.—

Not later than 90 days after the date of the completion of the evaluation required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall implement any needed changes to the productivity expectations described in such paragraph in order to ensure—

“(A)

quality of care and access to care for veterans; and

“(B)

the welfare of readjustment counselors.

“(4)

Report to congress.—

Not later than 180 days after the date of the completion of the evaluation required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on—

“(A)

the findings of the evaluation; and

“(B)

any planned or implemented changes described in paragraph (3).

“(5)

Plan for reassessment and implementation.—

“(A)

Plan.—

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and implement a plan for—

“(i)