Time frame for employment of participants in Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Scholarship Program

(a) in general Section 7616 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Not later than 90 days after the course completion date of (1) The Secretary shall ensure that a participant in the Scholarship Program, the Secretary shall ensure that the participant Program receives a contract for employment in the full-time clinical practice of such participant’s profession at a Department facility with the highest need, as determined by the Secretary. Such Secretary, by not later than 90 days after the later of the following dates: (A) The date on which the participant completes the course in the Scholarship Program. (B) The date on which participant obtains all required licensure, certification, or credentialing necessary to practice independently in their field. (2) A contract referred to in paragraph (1) shall include a competitive salary and benefits package consistent with the employment standards of the Department.. (b) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter until the termination date specified in paragraph (2), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the implementation of subsection (d) of section 7616 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). (2) Termination date The termination date specified in this paragraph is September 30, 2027.