Department of Veterans Affairs March 6, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine when to begin development of additional acreage for burial space and, in so doing, to anticipate when to provide money to expand or improve these National Cemeteries.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations that govern the Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP). The amended regulations ensures that VA award not less than 50 HPSP scholarships each year to students who are accepted for enrollment or are enrolled in a program of education or training that leads to employment as a physician or dentist until such a date as VA determines the current staffing shortage is reduced. The amended regulation will also expand the number of years of obligated service that a HPSP participant would have to serve in VA as a physician or a dentist. This rulemaking implements the mandates of the VA MISSION Act of 2018.