06VA026

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
The following categories of individuals are covered by this system: (1) Veterans; and (2) their beneficiaries and dependents, on behalf of whom private relief bills are introduced, or proposed for introduction, in Congress.

Categories of records in the system:
Records (or information contained in records) may include information pertinent to private relief bills such as: (1) The bill for relief (which contains name, other identifying information, personal data and the claim for a particular type of legislative relief); (2) other Federal agency reports; (3) VA reports pertaining to the private relief bill; (4) Congressional committee reports and (5) the Congressional Record.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
Title 38, United States Code, 210(c).

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories of users and the purposes of such uses:

1. The record of an individual who is covered by this system may be disclosed to a member of Congress or staff person acting for the member when the member or staff person requests the record on behalf of and at the request of that individual.
2. Any information in this system, except for the name and address of a veteran, which is relevant to a suspected violation or reasonably imminent violation of law, whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature and whether arising by general or program statute or by regulation, rule or order issued pursuant thereto, may be disclosed to a Federal, State, local or foreign agency charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violation, or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto.
3. The name and address of a veteran, which is relevant to a suspected violation or reasonably imminent violation of law, whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature and whether arising by general or program statute or by regulation, rule or order issued pursuant thereto, may be disclosed to a Federal agency charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violation, or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, regulation, rule or order issued pursuant thereto, in response to its official request.
4. The name and address of a veteran, which is relevant to a suspected violation or reasonably imminent violation of law concerning public health or safety, whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature and whether arising by general or program statute or by regulation, rule or order issued pursuant thereto, may be disclosed to any foreign, State of local governmental agency or instrumentality charged under applicable law with the protection of the public health or safety if a qualified representative of such organization, agency or instrumentality has made a written request that such name and address be provided for a purpose authorized by law.
5. Records pertinent to consideration of private relief bills such as VA and other Federal agency reports may be disclosed to Congressional members in their elected represented capacity and to other Federal agencies upon their official request to enable them to aid or to comment on whether the petitioning veteran should obtain the requested relief and to facilitate the preparation and release of reports by other Federal agencies regarding the matter.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and disposing of records in the system:

Storage:
Active records are maintained in individual file folders and synopsized on file cards, both of which are kept in metal storage cabinets.

Retrievability:
Records and file cards are indexed by last name and bill number of the individuals covered by this system.

Safeguards:
Records and file cards are maintained in a manned room during working hours. During nonworking hours, the file area is locked, and the building is protected by the Federal Protective Service. Access to the records is only authorized to VA personnel on a ``need to know'' basis.

Retention and disposal:
Index cards and record files which result in legislation are maintained permanently in the Office of General Counsel. The other record files and cards are maintained for a period of 10 years and then destroyed.

System manager(s) and address:
Assistant General Counsel (026), Professional Staff Group VI, Office of General Counsel, VA Central Office, Washington, DC 20420.

Notification procedure:
An individual who wishes to determine whether a record is being maintained by the Assistant General Counsel (026) under his or her name or other personal identifier or wishes to determine the contents of such records should submit a written request or apply in person to the Assistant General Counsel (026).

Record access procedures:
An individual who seeks access to or wishes to contest records maintained under his or her name or other personal identifier may write, call or visit the Assistant General Counsel (026).

Contesting record procedures:
(See Record Access Procedures above.)

Record source categories:
Courts, veterans, litigants and their attorneys, Federal agencies, insurance carriers, witnesses, or other interested participants to the proceedings and VA records.

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