Public Law 114–256: To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the provision of automobiles and adaptive equipment by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs-wide management of the automobile adaptive equipment program.

The development of standards for safety and quality of equipment and installation of equipment through the automobile adaptive equipment program, including with respect to the defined differentiations in levels of modification complexity.

The consistent application of standards for safety and quality of both equipment and installation throughout the Department.

In accordance with subsection (c)(1), the certification of a provider by a manufacturer if the Secretary designates the quality standards of such manufacturer as meeting or exceeding the standards developed under this section.

In accordance with subsection (c)(2), the certification of a provider by a third party, nonprofit organization if the 130 STAT. 1346 Secretary designates the quality standards of such organization as meeting or exceeding the standards developed under this section.

The education and training of personnel of the Department who administer the automobile adaptive equipment program.

The compliance of the provider with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) when furnishing automobile adaptive equipment at the facility of the provider.

The allowance, where technically appropriate, for veterans to receive modifications at their residence or location of choice, including standards that ensure such receipt and notification to veterans of the availability of such receipt.

The Secretary shall approve a manufacturer as a certifying manufacturer for purposes of subsection (b)(4), if the manufacturer demonstrates that its certification standards meet or exceed the quality standards developed under this section.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall update Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1173.4, or any successor handbook or directive, in accordance with the policy developed under subsection (a).

Not less frequently than once every 6 years thereafter, the Secretary shall update such handbook, or any successor handbook or directive.

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minimize the possibility of conflicts of interest, to the extent practicable; and

establish procedures that ensure against the use of a certifying organization referred to in subsection (b)(5) that 130 STAT. 1347 has a financial conflict of interest regarding the certification of an eligible provider.

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary updates Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1173.4, or any successor handbook or directive, under subsection (d), and not less frequently than once every other year thereafter through 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation and facility compliance with the policy developed under subsection (a).

The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

The term “” means the program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to chapter 39 of title 38, United States Code.

The term “” means any organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.

Section 7401(3) of title 38, United States Code, by “licensed hearing aid specialists,” after “Audiologists,”.

Section 7402(b)(14) of such title by “, hearing aid specialist” after “dental technologist”.

a hearing aid specialist may only perform hearing services consistent with the hearing aid specialist’s State license related to the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids without excluding other qualified professionals, including audiologists, from rendering services in overlapping practice areas;

services provided to veterans by hearing aid specialists shall be provided as part of the non-medical treatment plan developed by an audiologist; and

the medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs provide to veterans access to the full range of professional services provided by an audiologist.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the following:

Each report shall, with respect to the matter specified in paragraph (1)(A) for the 1-year period preceding the submittal of such report, include the following:

(C)

Each report shall, with respect to the matter specified in paragraph (1)(B) for the 1-year period preceding the submittal of such report, include the following: