H.R. 6583

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6583 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6583

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a centralized 
research data system for the Department of Veterans Affairs and to make 
certain improvements to processes applicable to major research projects 
of the Department, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 10, 2025

Mr. Murphy introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a centralized 
research data system for the Department of Veterans Affairs and to make 
certain improvements to processes applicable to major research projects 
of the Department, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``VA Research Reform Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRALIZED VA RESEARCH DATA SYSTEM; STANDARDS 
WITH RESPECT TO MAJOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT.

Subchapter V of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sections (and conforming 
the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly):
``Sec. 7383. VA Centralized Research Data System
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain a 
centralized research data system for the Department (to be known as the 
`VA Centralized Research Data System'), to collect and manage 
information on all research activities of the Department. Such system 
shall include data with respect to all programs of medical research 
conducted under section 7303 of this title, including biomedical 
research, clinical research, mental health research, health services 
and policy research, and any other category of research supported by 
the Department.
``(b) Elements of System.--The VA Centralized Research Data System 
shall include, for each research project conducted by or supported by 
the Department the following information:
``(1) A summary of the objectives, scope, and study design 
of the project.
``(2) An identification of Department funding, and any non-
Department funding, supporting the project, including amounts 
and funding mechanisms.
``(3) The name and affiliation of the principal 
investigator and key staff or collaborators involved in the 
research.
``(4) The status and dates of all required approvals, 
including institutional review board approvals or exemptions, 
other regulatory approvals (including safety or ethical 
reviews), and associated assurances of compliance.
``(5) Periodic updates on the progress of the project, 
including--
``(A) the initiation date;
``(B) the completion of key milestones or phases; 
and
``(C) the anticipated and actual completion dates 
of the research.
``(6) The results and products of the research, including 
any findings, publications in peer-reviewed journals, 
presentations, patents or inventions, and noted impacts on 
clinical care or policy arising from the project.
``(c) Use and Integration.--The Secretary shall ensure that the VA 
Centralized Research Data System is--
``(1) used to facilitate oversight and coordination of 
Department research;
``(2) designed to--
``(A) allow authorized personnel of the Department, 
including the Office of Research and Development and 
officials at Veterans Health Administration facilities, 
to track research progress and outcomes, avoid 
unnecessary duplication of research efforts, and 
identify opportunities for translating research 
findings into clinical practice; and
``(B) protect personally identifiable information, 
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; and
``(3) compatible with the electronic health record system 
of the Department.
``(d) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prescribe such 
regulations or guidance as the Secretary determines necessary to 
implement this section, including--
``(1) policies for the submission of information by 
investigators into the Centralized Research Data System; and
``(2) protocols for maintaining the accuracy and security 
of data in the system.
``Sec. 7384. Research proposal review and approval processes
``(a) Tiered Review Based on Risk and Impact.--The Secretary shall 
develop and implement a tiered system for the ethical and scientific 
review and approval of research proposals conducted by the Department 
or using Department facilities, data, or resources. Under such system, 
the level of review and applicable requirements shall be commensurate 
with the projected risk to human subjects (or to animal subjects, as 
applicable) and the expected effect or significance of the research.
``(b) Level of Review.--(1) Under the tiered system required by 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that research proposals the 
Secretary determines pose--
``(A) a minimal risk (as defined by Secretary in 
regulations) to subjects or are of a small scope or short 
duration are eligible for an expedited or abbreviated review 
process that is consistent with the protection of human 
subjects and sound research practice; and
``(B) a greater than minimal risk to subjects, involve 
invasive procedures, or have broad potential impact (including 
as large clinical trials or multi-site studies) undergo a full 
review process.
``(2) The Secretary may establish intermediate levels of review 
for--
``(A) categories of research the Secretary determines fall 
between minimal risk and high risk; or
``(B) projects deemed of high scientific importance, to 
ensure appropriate scrutiny without unnecessary delay.
``(c) Standardized National Timelines.--For each tier of research 
review under subsection (b), the Secretary shall establish 
standardized, Department-wide target timelines for completion of the 
review and approval or disapproval of research proposals. Such 
timelines shall be designed to expedite the initiation of valuable 
research while maintaining standards for safety and ethics. The 
Secretary shall ensure that these review processes and timelines are 
applied uniformly across all facilities of the Veterans Health 
Administration, notwithstanding any local policies.
``(d) Office of Research and Development Override Authority.--(1) 
The Under Secretary for Health, acting through the Chief Research and 
Development Officer of the Office of Research and Development 
established under section 7381 of this title, shall monitor the 
research proposal review process nationwide to identify any undue 
delays or barriers to timely approval. If a research proposal subject 
to Department review is not approved, conditionally approved, or 
disapproved within the applicable timeline established under subsection 
(c), the Under Secretary, through the Office of Research and 
Development, may intervene to ensure a timely decision with respect to 
the research proposal.
``(2)(A) In exercising the authority under paragraph (1), the Under 
Secretary for Health may, as appropriate--
``(i) assume responsibility for or reassign the 
review of the proposal to an alternative duly 
constituted institutional review board or other 
research review body that meets applicable standards; 
or
``(ii) issue an approval or disapproval of the 
proposal after such additional expedited review as the 
Under Secretary determines necessary.
``(B) The Under Secretary shall notify the chief research 
officer of the affected facility and the Office of Research 
Oversight under section 7307 of this title of any intervention 
under subparagraph (A) and the rationale for such intervention.
``(C) Any action by the Under Secretary under this 
subsection shall ensure that all requisite ethical and safety 
reviews are completed.
``(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to waive or 
override any law or regulation protecting human subjects, animal 
welfare, or research integrity.
``(e) Guidance and Oversight.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) issue policies or guidance to implement the tiered 
review system under this section, including--
``(A) definitions of risk and impact categories;
``(B) specific timeframes for review at each tier; 
and
``(C) procedures for centralized monitoring of 
compliance with these timelines;
``(2) oversee adherence to these processes through the 
Office of Research and Development; and
``(3) provide training to members of institutional review 
boards and other research review committees on the new 
requirements to ensure consistent application.
``(f) Annual Review of Timeliness.--The Secretary shall track the 
performance of the Department's research approval processes and include 
in the annual report under section 7388 of this title an analysis of 
the timeliness of research proposal reviews, identifying any systemic 
bottlenecks and steps taken to improve the efficiency of research 
approvals.
``Sec. 7385. Implementation of high-impact research findings
``(a) Funding Allocation Requirement.--Of the amounts appropriated 
or otherwise made available to the Department each fiscal year for the 
medical and prosthetic research program authorized under section 7303 
of this title, the Secretary shall ensure that funds are allocated for 
activities to implement the findings of such research program to 
improve the delivery of care and services to veterans.
``(b) Use of Funds; `High-impact Research'.--(1) In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Secretary, acting through the Chief Research and 
Development Officer of the Office of Research and Development under 
section 7381 of this title, shall identify completed or ongoing 
research projects that have produced, or are likely to produce, 
evidence or innovations with high potential to improve veteran health 
care or quality of life (in this section referred to as `high-impact 
research').
``(2) The Secretary shall utilize funds allocated pursuant to 
subsection (a) to accelerate the transfer of such high-impact research 
findings into clinical practice, systems of care, or programmatic 
improvements.
``(3) Activities funded with such amounts may include--
``(A) implementation and dissemination studies;
``(B) the development or updating of clinical practice 
guidelines;
``(C) training of health care providers in new evidence-
based practices;
``(D) modification of health information technology or 
equipment to accommodate new treatments or diagnostic;
``(E) patient outreach and education regarding new 
standards of care; and
``(F) other actions necessary to integrate research 
discoveries into routine veterans care.
``(c) Coordination and Avoidance of Duplication.--(1) The Secretary 
shall ensure that the allocation and use of funds for implementation 
activities under this section are coordinated with other Department 
initiatives in implementation science and quality improvement, 
including the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative and other 
translational research programs within the Department to leverage 
existing expertise and avoid duplicative efforts.
``(2) The Office of Research and Development shall consult 
regularly with Veterans Health Administration program offices 
responsible for clinical operations to identify priority areas where 
research findings are ready to be adopted on a wider scale within the 
Department.
``(d) Accountability.--The Secretary shall include, in the annual 
report required by section 7388 of this title--
``(1) the amount of research funding devoted to 
implementation activities and the outcomes of such investments; 
and
``(2) an analysis of compliance with the funding allocation 
in subsection (a) and a description of major implementation 
projects undertaken, the status of such projects, and the 
effect of such projects on health care for veterans.
``Sec. 7386. Veteran impact forecast and translation plan for major 
research projects required
``(a) Requirement for Major Research Projects.--The Secretary shall 
ensure that any major research project of the Department includes, as 
part of the research protocol and application for funding submitted to 
the Secretary--
``(1) a veteran impact forecast described in subsection 
(b); and
``(2) a translation plan described in subsection (c).
``(b) Veteran Impact Forecast.--A veteran impact forecast described 
in this subsection is a written assessment, prepared by the 
investigators or sponsors of a major research project at the time of 
proposal, that describes the anticipated benefits and outcomes of the 
research for veterans and the health care system of the Department. The 
veteran impact forecast shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
quantify or describe the following:
``(1) How the findings or results of successful research is 
successful are expected to improve health outcomes among 
veterans, including--
``(A) reductions in morbidity or mortality;
``(B) improvements to functional status; and
``(C) enhancements to the quality of life for 
veterans from the condition or conditions subject to 
the research.
``(2) The ways in which the research results could--
``(A) be integrated into the clinical practice of 
the Veterans Health Administration; or
``(B) lead to changes in health care policy or 
programs for veterans (including adoption of new 
treatments, diagnostics, preventive measures, or care 
delivery models) and an estimate of the magnitude of 
the veteran population likely to be affected by such 
changes.
``(3) An explanation of the urgency of the research 
question for veterans and an estimate of the time frame within 
which positive findings could be implemented into clinical 
practice, given the nature of the study design and any 
necessary regulatory approvals.
``(c) Translation Plan.--A translation plan described in this 
subsection is a proactive plan for how positive findings from the 
research will be disseminated and implemented in the Department to 
benefit veterans that includes the following:
``(1) An identification of steps and resources needed to 
move any successful outcomes of the research into general 
Department use.
``(2) A description of how and to whom the research results 
will be communicated upon completion, including identification 
of the relevant entities that should be informed of such 
results, including--
``(A) program offices;
``(B) clinical practice leaders;
``(C) policymakers within the Department in a 
position to act on such results;
``(D) external partners (including academic 
affiliates); and
``(E) the heads of relevant Federal agencies.
``(3) Specific actions to be taken if the study yields 
positive results, including--
``(A) the development or revision of clinical 
protocols and guidelines;
``(B) pursuing regulatory approvals for new 
therapies, if applicable;
``(C) training clinicians in new practices;
``(D) updating health information technology 
systems or decision support tools; or
``(E) initiating pilot programs to implement the 
findings in one or more medical centers of the 
Department.
``(4) An identification of potential obstacles to 
implementation, including resource needs, training gaps, or 
interoperability issues.
``(5) A description of how the investigators or the 
Department might address such obstacles to facilitate timely 
translation of the research into practice.
``(6) As appropriate, to ensure that the translation of 
findings is feasible and sustainable within the Department, 
plans for engaging relevant stakeholders in the implementation 
process, including--
``(A) the Under Secretary for Health;
``(B) veterans who would be affected by the change;
``(C) caregivers; or
``(D) external regulatory bodies.
``(d) Incorporation Into Approval and Funding.--(1) The Secretary 
shall ensure that no major research project is approved or funded by 
the Department unless the proposal includes a veteran impact forecast 
and translation plan meeting the requirements of this section.
``(2) The Office of Research and Development shall review the 
adequacy of the veteran impact forecast and translation plan during the 
scientific review or funding decision process, and may provide feedback 
or require modifications as necessary to strengthen the likelihood that 
the research, if successful, can be readily applied to improve care for 
veterans.
``(e) Guidance and Waiver.--(1) The Secretary, through the Office 
of Research and Development, shall issue guidance defining the classes 
of research projects subject to the requirements of this section and 
detailing the format and content expectations for veteran impact 
forecasts and translation plans.
``(2) The Secretary may exempt a particular project or class of 
projects from one or both of these requirements only if the Secretary 
determines that such project is of a nature for which these planning 
documents would not be practicable or meaningful. Any such exemption 
shall be documented in writing with a justification and submitted to 
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and 
the Senate as part of the annual report under section 7388 of this 
title.
``(f) Updates and Post-Study Review.--(1) The Secretary shall 
establish a mechanism to revisit and update the translation plan as 
necessary during the course of the research project and immediately 
following its completion, in light of the actual findings. 
Investigators conducting a covered project shall, at the conclusion of 
the project, report on how the findings compare to the veteran impact 
forecast and propose any adjustments to the actions in the translation 
plan.
``(2) The Office of Research and Development, in conjunction with 
relevant clinical operations officials, shall evaluate these post-study 
reports to determine what implementation steps will be taken by the 
Department and shall track the outcomes of major research projects in 
terms of uptake into clinical practice or policy.
``(g) Major Research Project Defined.--In this section, a `major 
research project' means--
``(1) a research study or program, including a clinical 
trial or multisite study, that meets criteria indicating 
substantial size, scope, or significance, as shall be defined 
by the Secretary; and
``(2) includes--
``(A) research projects with projected Department 
funding above a threshold amount set by the Secretary; 
and
``(B) any other research initiatives designated by 
the Office of Research and Development as having high 
potential impact on veterans health or health care 
systems.
``Sec. 7387. Department of Veterans Affairs regional research hubs
``(a) Establishment.--(1) The Secretary shall establish a system of 
regional research hubs of the Department (in this section referred to 
as `research hubs') within the Veterans Health Administration to 
support and coordinate the research activities of the Department across 
multiple medical centers and clinics. The number and locations of such 
research hubs shall be determined by the Secretary to ensure that all 
medical facilities of the Department with active research programs may 
access the services of a research hub. In establishing research hubs 
pursuant to this section, the Secretary may consider Veteran Integrated 
Services Networks, or other appropriate regional groupings of 
facilities.
``(2) Each research hub shall be organizationally established under 
the Office of Research and Development, and shall operate under the 
direction of a Regional Research Hub Director appointed by the Under 
Secretary for Health, or a designee of the Under Secretary. The 
Director of each research hub shall be an individual with experience in 
managing biomedical or health services research and knowledge of 
regulatory compliance, who shall report to the Office of Research and 
Development with respect to activities of the hub.
``(b) Functions.--Each research hub shall, in coordination with the 
Office of Research and Development, carry out the following functions 
in support of Department research within the applicable area of 
geographic responsibility:
``(1) Facilitating the efficient and timely review of 
research protocols by coordinating institutional review board 
approvals for multi-site studies, including--
``(A) establishing or utilizing regional or central 
institutional review boards to serve multiple 
facilities;
``(B) harmonizing institutional review board 
submission requirements; and
``(C) ensuring that a single institutional review 
board of record can be used for multi-site projects 
when feasible and in accordance with applicable 
regulations.
``(2) Providing technical assistance and support to 
investigators and research staff at facilities in the region. 
Such support shall include--
``(A) guidance on research proposal development;
``(B) study design and methodology consultation;
``(C) assistance with regulatory compliance, 
including human subjects protections, animal care, and 
safety regulations; and
``(D) training or education programs for new 
investigators and research coordinators to build 
research capacity.
``(3) Coordinating research efforts among the Department 
facilities in the region and with affiliated academic 
institutions or other partners. Such research efforts shall 
identify opportunities for multi-site research projects, 
promote sharing of resources (including research equipment, 
specialized laboratories, or data resources), and encourage 
collaboration on studies that address veteran health 
priorities. Pursuant to such research efforts, the research hub 
may organize regular regional research meetings or consortia to 
foster information exchange and partnership among investigators 
and clinicians.
``(4) Assisting investigators in developing strategies for 
recruitment and enrollment of veteran participants in research 
studies, especially for multi-site clinical trials or studies 
requiring large sample sizes. The hub shall facilitate outreach 
to veterans in the region who might be eligible for ongoing 
studies, in accordance with privacy rules, and coordinate with 
local clinical staff to improve awareness and engagement in 
research opportunities.
``(5) Offering centralized administrative support for 
research projects, such as budget and grant management 
assistance, data management and biostatistical support, and 
guidance on using Department data systems, including the VA 
Centralized Research Data System under section 7383 of this 
title and other information tools, for research purposes.
``(6) Performing such other research-supporting functions 
consistent with the goal of enhancing the productivity, 
efficiency, and effects of the research enterprise of the 
Department in service of veterans, as the Secretary or Under 
Secretary for Health determine appropriate.
``(c) Evaluation and Oversight.--(1) The Chief Research and 
Development Officer of the Office of Research and Development of the 
Department shall oversee the performance of the research hubs and 
ensure such research hubs are meeting the needs of the respective 
regions in which such research hubs are located.
``(2) The Under Secretary for Health shall establish metrics and 
goals for the hubs, including metrics related to institutional review 
board review times, number of multi-site studies supported, training 
activities conducted, and improvements in veteran research enrollment.
``(3) The Under Secretary shall--
``(A) require each research hub to submit periodic reports 
to the Under Secretary with respect to the activities carried 
out by the research hub and the outcomes of such activities; 
and
``(B) include such periodic reports into the annual report 
under section 7388 of this title.
``(d) Consultation and Partnerships.--In establishing and operating 
the research hubs, the Secretary may collaborate with Federal partners, 
including the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of 
Health, and academic affiliates to co-locate or jointly support 
resources that benefit both Department and non-Department research 
endeavors. The Secretary may also seek input from investigators, 
veterans, and other stakeholders in each region in which a research hub 
is located with respect to the research priorities and support needs 
the research hubs should address.
``Sec. 7388. Research performance metrics; annual report
``(a) Establishment of Metrics; Benchmarking Program.--The 
Secretary shall develop and implement a standardized program of metrics 
to assess the performance, productivity, and impact of research 
activities at each facility of the Veterans Health Administration 
(including Department medical centers and affiliated clinics) that 
conducts research. Such metrics shall be used to benchmark Veterans 
Health Administration facilities against each other and against 
Departmental goals to identify best practices and areas for 
improvement. At a minimum, such metrics shall include measures of the 
following:
``(1) The volume of research projects undertaken and 
completed, and the efficiency of research processes at the 
facility, including--
``(A) the number of research proposals submitted, 
approved, and initiated each year;
``(B) the average or median time from proposal 
submission to institutional review board approval and 
project start; and
``(C) the number of studies completed or 
publications produced per year, normalized to the 
research staff or funding level.
``(2) The extent of veteran engagement in research at the 
facility, including--
``(A) the total number of veteran participants 
enrolled in clinical trials or other research studies;
``(B) and the percentage of the facility's patient 
population or eligible population involved in research.
``(3) The degree to which research findings are implemented 
into clinical care or inform improvements to health care 
delivery at the facility. This may include--
``(A) the number of evidence-based interventions or 
new clinical practices adopted by the facility that 
originated from research (whether Department-funded or 
external research);
``(B) the period of time between research discovery 
and implementation at the facility; and
``(C) qualitative examples of significant changes 
in patient care driven by research findings.
``(4) If determined relevant by the Secretary--
``(A) the level of collaboration and external 
support, including the number of partnerships with 
academic or industry researchers;
``(B) the amount of non-Department research funding 
(including grants from the National Institutes of 
Health or the Department of Defense) managed through 
the facility; and
``(C) the extent of participation in multi-site or 
nationwide studies.
``(5) Any other quantifiable measure that the Secretary 
considers appropriate to evaluate research program 
effectiveness, including--
``(A) compliance with research safety and ethics 
requirements;
``(B) training and career development of 
researchers; and
``(C) innovation in research operations.
``(b) Annual Report.--(1) Not later than 180 days after the end of 
each fiscal year, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate a report on the performance of the 
research program of the Department, with specific emphasis on the 
facility-level metrics described in subsection (a). The report shall 
include, for the fiscal year during which the report is submitted, the 
following:
``(A) A table or summary displaying each medical center of 
the Department, and any other major research site, and values 
of such research site for each of the performance metrics in 
subsection (a) for the fiscal year and, for context, for at 
least one prior year.
``(B) An analysis by the Secretary identifying which 
facilities represent the highest performers in various 
categories (including shortest research approval times, highest 
veteran participation rates, most implementations of findings, 
and which facilities are lagging behind benchmarks or 
averages). The analysis should discuss factors contributing to 
strong performance, as well as challenges faced by lower-
performing sites.
``(C) A description of efforts of the Department to improve 
research performance and address any identified deficiencies. 
This should include any initiatives to share best practices 
from high-performing facilities, targeted support or corrective 
actions for under-performing facilities, and progress updates 
on any ongoing Department-wide research improvement efforts.
``(D) Highlights of significant research accomplishments 
from the year, especially instances where research conducted by 
the Department led to improvements in veteran care, new 
treatments or technologies, or notable scientific publications, 
as well as recognition of any researchers or teams for 
exceptional contributions.
``(2) The first annual report under this subsection shall be 
submitted not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of 
this section.
``(c) Public Availability.--(1) The Secretary shall make each 
annual report under subsection (b) publicly available on an internet 
website of the Department, in a format that is readily accessible to 
veterans, researchers, and other stakeholders.
``(2) The publicly released version of the report may aggregate or 
anonymize data as the Secretary determines necessary to protect 
personal privacy and to safeguard confidential research project 
details.
``(3) The Secretary is encouraged to include on the website user-
friendly visualizations or dashboards that illustrate the performance 
of the applicable research program on key metrics over time and by 
facility.
``(d) Sunset or Modification of Metrics.--(1) The Secretary shall 
continuously evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of the 
performance metrics established under subsection (a). The Secretary may 
modify the metrics or benchmarking methods under subsection (a), as the 
Secretary determines appropriate, to better measure research impact and 
efficiency.
``(2) Any such modifications shall be described in the annual 
report under subsection (b).
``Sec. 7389. Integration of research data and interagency collaboration
``(a) Improvement of Data Sharing for Research.--(1) The Secretary 
may include, in the plan required under section 108(a)(1) of the 
Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits 
Improvement Act (Public Law 118-210; 38 U.S.C. note prec. 5701), such 
actions as may be necessary to facilitate the secure integration and 
sharing of data for research purposes between the Department and key 
research partners, including other Federal agencies and academic 
institutions.
``(2) For purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure 
that any data in the custody, possession, or control of the Department, 
(without regard to the original ownership of such data), may be shared 
to the extent permitted under applicable privacy, security, and ethical 
standards.
``(3) The Secretary may include a description of any actions taken 
pursuant to this subsection in the reports required under subsection 
(c)(2) of such section.
``(4) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall seek to 
improve interoperability of data systems and ease of collaboration with 
the following:
``(A) The Department of Defense, to--
``(i) facilitate research on--
``(I) members of the Armed Forces assigned 
to active duty; and
``(II) veterans across the continuum of 
military service and post-service life; and
``(ii) support joint research initiatives of the 
Department and the Department of Defense.
``(B) The Department of Health and Human Services, 
including the National Institutes of Health and other 
components engaged in biomedical and health services research, 
to facilitate--
``(i) mutually beneficial sharing of health data 
and research results; and
``(ii) participation of the Department in national 
research efforts, such as clinical trials networks and 
observational study consortia.
``(C) Affiliated universities and other academic research 
institutions that partner with the Department or receive 
research funding from the Department, to ensure that 
researchers can collaborate effectively while maintaining 
appropriate data security and patient privacy.
``(D) Other public or private research entities as 
determined appropriate by the Secretary, including nonprofit 
research organizations or industry partners, especially in 
contexts where cooperation can accelerate the development of 
treatments or technologies for the benefit of veterans.
``(c) Privacy and Security.--(1) All activities under this section 
shall be carried out in compliance with applicable Federal privacy 
laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
of 1996 (HIPAA, Public Law 104-191; 110 Stat. 1936) and the Privacy Act 
of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), and with regulations governing human subjects 
research confidentiality.
``(2) In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that 
robust safeguards are in place to protect personally identifiable 
information and personal health information of veterans. Such 
safeguards shall include user authentication, role-based access 
controls, encryption of data in transit and at rest, continuous 
monitoring for unauthorized access or anomalies, and regular 
cybersecurity audits.
``(3) When sharing data with the Department of Defense or other 
agencies, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use 
secure Federal health data exchange frameworks and reciprocal data 
access agreements that uphold the same or higher standards of privacy 
and security as those used within the Department.
``(d) Consultation.--In carrying out the provisions of this 
section, the Secretary shall consult with relevant Federal officials 
and outside experts, including the Chief Information Officer of the 
Department of Defense or designee, the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health or designee, and representatives of academic 
institutions with expertise in health information tools and data 
sharing.''.
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