Limitations on closing offices at Department of Veterans Affairs

(a) Prohibition The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not remove, close, or realign any office or program of the Department of Veterans Affairs except pursuant to a provision of law that specifically authorizes such removal, closure, or realignment. (b) Notification required Whenever the Secretary removes, closes, or realigns an office or program of the Department, the Secretary shall, not later than 1 year before the date on which the Secretary commences such removal, closure, or realignment, submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives notice of the intent of the Secretary to carry out such removal, closure, or realignment. (c) Assistance for displaced employees In any case in which an employee of the Department is displaced by the removal, closure, or realignment of an office or program of the Department, the Secretary shall make a significant effort to find another employment opportunity for the employee within the Department.