Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 3.djvu/381

 PUBLIC LAW 107-135^TAN. 23, 2002 115 STAT. 2455 Commission on VA Nursing" (hereinafter in this subtitle referred to as the "Commission"). (b) COMPOSITION. — The Commission shall be composed of 12 members appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as follows: (1) At least two shall be recognized representatives of employees (including nurses) of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) At least one shall be a representative of professional associations of nurses of the Department or similar organizations affiliated with the Department's health care practitioners. (3) At least one shall be a nurse from a nursing school affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. (4) At least two shall be representatives of veterans. (5) At least one shall be an economist. (6) The remainder shall be appointed in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) CHAIR OF COMMISSION.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall designate one of the members of the Commission to chair the Commission. (d) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES. —Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (e) INITIAL ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS.—A ll appointments Deadlines, to the Commission shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. The Commission shall convene its first meeting not later than 60 days after the date as of which all members of the Commission have been appointed. SEC. 142. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 38 USC 7451 (a) ASSESSMENT. — The Commission shall— (1) consider legislative and organizational policy changes to enhance the recruitment and retention of nurses and other nursing personnel by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) assess the future of the nursing profession within the Department. (b) RECOMMENDATIONS. — The Commission shall recommend legislative and organizational policy chsmges to enhance the recruitment and retention of nurses and other nursing personnel in the Department. SEC. 143. REPORTS. 38 USC 7451 (a) COMMISSION REPORT. —The Commission shall, not later than Deadline. two years after the date of its first meeting, submit to Congress and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report on the Commission's findings and recommendations. (b) SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORT. — Not later than Deadline. 60 days after the date of the Commission's report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report— (1) providing the Secretary views on the Commission's findings and recommendations; and (2) explaining what actions, if any, the Secretary intends to take to implement the recommendations of the Commission and the Secretary's resisons for doing so. SEC. 144. POWERS. 38 USC 7451 (a) HEARINGS.— The Commission or, at its direction, any panel or member of the Commission, may, for the purpose of carrying

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