PUBLIC LAW 107-135^JAN. 23, 2002 115 STAT. 2453 medical facility and for each geographic service area of the Department, the following: "(1) The number of waivers requested under the authority referred to in subsection (a)(2), and the number of waivers granted under that authority, to promote to the Nurse II grade or Nurse III grade under the Nurse Schedule under section 7404(b)(1) of this title any nurse who has not completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing in a recognized school of nursing, set forth by age, race, and years of experience of the individuals subject to such waiver requests and waivers, as the case may be. "(2) The programs carried out to facilitate the use of nursing education programs by experienced nurses, including programs for flexible scheduling, scholarships, salary replacement pay, and on-site classes.". (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7323 the following new item: "7324. Annual report on use of authorities to enhance retention of experienced nurses.". (b) INITIAL REPORT. — The initial report required under section 38 USC 7324 7324 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), note. shall be submitted to the National Commission on VA Nursing established under subtitle D as well as to Congress. SEC. 126. REPORT ON MANDATORY OVERTIME FOR NURSES AND NURSING ASSISTANTS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FACILITIES. (a) REPORT.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the DeadHne. enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives and to the National Commission on VA Nursing established under subtitle D a report on the mandatory overtime required of licensed nurses and nursing assistants providing direct patient care at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities during 2001. (b) MANDATORY OVERTIME. —For purposes of the report under subsection (a), mandatory overtime shall consist of any period in which a nurse or nursing assistant is mandated or otherwise required, whether directly or indirectly, to work or be in on-duty status in excess of— (1) a scheduled workshift or duty period; (2) 12 hours in any 24-hour period; or (3) 80 hours in any period of 14 consecutive days. (c) ELEMENTS.— The report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of the amount of mandatory overtime described in that subsection at each Department medical facility during the period covered by the report. (2) A description of the mechanisms employed by the Secretary to monitor overtime of the nurses and nursing assistants referred to in that subsection. (3) An assessment of the effects of the mandatory overtime of such nurses and nursing assistants on patient care, including any reported association with medical errors.
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