,,ii  #aacth ,,congress  #b;d ,session  
,s4 #bdac  ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of     
,,the ,,united ,,states  ,june #b1 #bjad
 ,mr4 ,sanders 7for himself1 ,ms4       
,hirono1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 ,mr4 ,begich1 ,mr4
 ,heinrich1 ,mr4 ,reed1 ,ms4 ,mikulski1 
,mr4 ,brown1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4     
,schatz1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 ,mr4 ,walsh1 ,mr4 
,tester1 and ,ms4 ,stabenow7 introduced 
the following bill2 which was read twice
 and referred to the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs  ,a ,,bill  ,to     
improve the provision of medical        
services and benefits to veterans1 and  
for other purposes4  #a4  ,short title2 
table of contents  7a7  ,short title    
,this ,act may be cited as the          
,restoring ,veterans ,trust ,act of     
#bjad4  7b7  ,table of contents  ,the   
table of contents for this ,act is as   
follows3  ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table 
of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,references to   
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4       
,,title ,i--,health ,care ,matters      
,subtitle ,a--,improvement of ,access to

 ,care by ,strengthening ,management1   
,technology1 and ,metrics ,sec4 #aja4   
,implementation of upgraded ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs electronic        
scheduling system for appointments for  
receipt of health care from the         
,department4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,independent   
assessment of the scheduling process for
 medical appointments for care from     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4
 #ajc4 ,modification of liability for   
breach of period of obligated service   
under ,health ,professionals            
,educational ,assistance ,program for   
primary care physicians4 ,sec4 #ajd4    
,program of education at ,uniformed     
,services ,university of the ,health    
,sciences with specialization in primary
 care4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,treatment of        
staffing shortage and biannual report on
 staffing of medical facilities of the  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4
 #ajf4 ,clinic management training      
program of the ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs4 ,sec4 #ajg4 ,inclusion of     

,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
facilities in ,national ,health ,service
 ,corps ,scholarship and loan repayment 
programs4 ,sec4 #ajh4 ,improvement of   
access by veterans to health care from  
non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
providers4 ,sec4 #aji4 ,extension of and
 report on joint incentives program of  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
,department of ,defense4 ,sec4 #aaj4    
,transfer of authority for payments for 
hospital care1 medical services1 and    
other health care from non-,department  
providers to the ,chief ,business       
,office of the ,veterans ,health        
,administration of the ,department4     
,sec4 #aaj;,a4 ,contracting for hospital
 care1 medical services1 and other      
health care4 ,sec4 #aaj;,b4 ,enhancement
 of collaboration between ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs and ,indian ,health 
,service4 ,sec4 #aaj;,c4 ,enhancement of
 collaboration between ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs and ,native ,hawaiian
 health care systems4 ,sec4 #aaj;,d4    

,improvement of access of veterans to   
mobile vet centers of the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4 #aaj;,e4     
,commission on ,access to ,care4 ,sec4  
#aaj;,f4 ,removal of ,senior ,executive 
,service employees of the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs for performance4    
,sec4 #aaj;,g4 ,authorization of        
emergency appropriations4 ,subtitle     
,b--,expansion and ,improvements of     
,benefits ,generally ,sec4 #aaa4        
,further extension of period of         
eligibility for health care for veterans
 of combat service during certain       
periods of hostilities and war4 ,sec4   
#aab4 ,expansion of assistance and      
support services for caregivers of      
veterans4 ,sec4 #aac4 ,improved access  
to appropriate immunizations for        
veterans4 ,sec4 #aad4 ,expansion of     
provision of chiropractic care and      
services to veterans4 ,sec4 #aae4       
,modification of commencement date of   
period of service at ,camp ,lejeune1    
,north ,carolina1 for eligibility for   

hospital care and medical services in   
connection with exposure to contaminated
 water4 ,sec4 #aaf4 ,expansion of       
emergency treatment reimbursement for   
certain veterans4 ,sec4 #aag4 ,extension
 of sunset date regarding transportation
 of individuals to and from facilities  
of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and
 requirement of report4 ,sec4 #aah4     
,extension and modification of pilot    
program on assisted living services for 
veterans with traumatic brain injury4   
,sec4 #aai4 ,reauthorization and        
modification of pilot program of        
enhanced contract care authority for    
health care needs of veterans4 ,subtitle
 ,c--,health ,care ,administration ,sec4
 #aba4 ,extension of ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs ,health ,professional
 ,scholarship ,program4 ,sec4 #abb4     
,expansion of availability of prosthetic
 and orthotic care for veterans4 ,sec4  
#abc4 ,limitation on expansion of       
dialysis pilot program4 ,sec4 #abd4     
,requirement for ,department of         

,veterans ,affairs policy on reporting  
cases of infectious diseases at         
facilities of the ,department4 ,sec4    
#abe4 ,independent assessment of the    
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks
 and medical centers of ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4 #abf4         
,requirements in connection with next   
update of current strategic plan for    
,office of ,rural ,health of the        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4
 #abg4 ,report on provision of          
telemedicine services4 ,sec4 #abh4      
,designation of ,corporal ,michael ,j4  
,crescenz ,department of ,veterans      
,affairs ,medical ,center4 ,subtitle    
,d--,complementary and ,alternative     
,medicine ,sec4 #aca4 ,expansion of     
research and education on and delivery  
of complementary and alternative        
medicine to veterans4 ,sec4 #acb4       
,program on integration of complementary
 and alternative medicine within        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
medical centers4 ,sec4 #acc4 ,studies of

 barriers encountered by veterans in    
receiving1 and administrators and       
clinicians in providing1 complementary  
and alternative medicine services       
furnished by the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4 #acd4 ,program
 on use of wellness programs as         
complementary approach to mental health 
care for veterans and family members of 
veterans4 ,subtitle ,e--,mental ,health 
,care ,sec4 #ada4 ,inclusion of mental  
health professionals in the education   
and training program for health         
personnel of the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4 #adb4 ,report 
on provision of mental health services  
for families of certain veterans at     
facilities of the ,department4 ,sec4    
#adc4 ,annual report on community mental
 health partnership pilot program4      
,subtitle ,f--,dental ,care ,eligibility
 ,expansion and ,enhancement ,sec4 #aea4
 ,restorative dental services for       
veterans4 ,sec4 #aeb4 ,pilot program on 
expansion of furnishing of dental care  

to all enrolled veterans4 ,sec4 #aec4   
,program on education to promote dental 
health in veterans4 ,sec4 #aed4         
,authorization of appropriations4       
,subtitle ,g--,health ,care ,related to 
,sexual ,trauma ,sec4 #afa4 ,expansion  
of eligibility for sexual trauma        
counseling and treatment to veterans on 
inactive duty training4 ,sec4 #afb4     
,provision of counseling and treatment  
for sexual trauma by the ,department of 
,veterans ,affairs to members of the    
,armed ,forces4 ,sec4 #afc4 ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs screening         
mechanism to detect incidents of        
domestic abuse4 ,sec4 #afd4 ,reports on 
military sexual trauma and domestic     
abuse4 ,subtitle ,h--,reproductive      
treatment and services ,sec4 #aga4      
,clarification that fertility counseling
 and treatment are medical services     
which the ,secretary may furnish to     
veterans like other medical services4   
,sec4 #agb4 ,reproductive treatment and 
care for spouses and surrogates of      

veterans4 ,sec4 #agc4 ,adoption         
assistance for severely wounded         
veterans4 ,sec4 #agd4 ,regulations on   
furnishing of fertility counseling and  
treatment and adoption assistance by    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4
 #age4 ,coordination between ,department
 of ,veterans ,affairs and ,department  
of ,defense on furnishing of fertility  
counseling and treatment4 ,sec4 #agf4   
,facilitation of reproduction and       
infertility research4 ,sec4 #agg4       
,annual report on provision of fertility
 counseling and treatment furnished by  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4
 #agh4 ,program on assistance for child 
care for certain veterans4 ,sec4 #agi4  
,counseling in retreat settings for     
women veterans newly separated from     
service in the ,armed ,forces4 ,subtitle
 ,i--,major ,medical ,facility ,leases  
,sec4 #aha4 ,authorization of major     
medical facility leases4 ,sec4 #ahb4    
,budgetary treatment of ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs major medical        

facilities leases4 ,,title              
,,ii--,survivor and ,dependent ,matters 
,sec4 #bja4 ,extension of initial period
 for increased dependency and indemnity 
compensation for surviving spouses with 
children4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,eligibility for  
dependency and indemnity compensation1  
educational assistance1 and housing     
loans for surviving spouses who remarry 
after age #ee4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,extension of
 marriage delimiting date for surviving 
spouses of ,persian ,gulf ,war veterans 
to qualify for death pension4 ,sec4     
#bjd4 ,making effective date provision  
consistent with provision for benefits  
eligibility of a veteran's child based  
upon termination of remarriage by       
annulment4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,expansion of    
,marine ,gunnery ,sergeant ,john ,david 
,fry ,scholarship4 ,sec4 #bjf4          
,expansion of ,yellow ,ribbon ,g4,i4    
,education ,enhancement ,program4 ,sec4 
#bjg4 ,benefits for children of certain 
,thailand service veterans born with    
spina bifida4 ,sec4 #bjh4 ,program on   

assisted living for children of ,vietnam
 veterans and certain ,korea service    
veterans born with spina bifida4 ,sec4  
#bji4 ,program on grief counseling in   
retreat settings for surviving spouses  
of members of the ,armed ,forces who die
 while serving on active duty in the    
,armed ,forces4 ,sec4 #baj4 ,program    
evaluation on survivors' and dependents'
 educational assistance authorities4    
,,title ,,iii--,education ,matters ,sec4
 #cja4 ,approval of courses of education
 provided by public institutions of     
higher learning for purposes of         
,all-,volunteer ,force ,educational     
,assistance ,program and ,post-#i_/aa   
,educational ,assistance conditional on 
in-,state tuition rate for veterans4    
,sec4 #cjb4 ,extension and expansion of 
authority for certain qualifying        
work-study activities for purposes of   
the educational assistance programs of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4  
,sec4 #cjc4 ,prohibitions relating to   
references to ,,gi ,bill and            

,post-#i_/aa ,,gi ,bill4 ,sec4 #cjd4    
,review of utilization of educational   
assistance to pursue programs of        
training on the job and participating   
employers4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,report on debt  
management and collection4 ,sec4 #cjf4  
,restoration of prior reporting fee     
multipliers4 ,,title ,,iv--,employment  
and ,related ,matters ,subtitle         
,a--,training and other services for    
veterans seeking employment ,sec4 #dja4 
,extension of authority of ,secretary of
 ,veterans ,affairs to provide          
rehabilitation and vocational benefits  
to members of ,armed ,forces with severe
 injuries or illnesses4 ,subtitle       
,b--,employment of veterans and         
recognition of veteran status with      
respect to employment related matters   
,sec4 #daa4 ,employment of veterans with
 the ,federal ,government4 ,sec4 #dab4  
,state recognition of military          
experience of veterans in issuing       
licenses and credentials to veterans4   
,sec4 #dac4 ,report on discrimination   

against members of reserve components of
 ,armed ,forces and veterans in civilian
 labor market4 ,subtitle ,c--,improving 
employment and reemployment rights of   
members of the uniformed services ,sec4 
#dba4 ,suspension1 termination1 or      
debarment of contractors for repeated   
violations of employment or reemployment
 rights of members of uniformed         
services4 ,subtitle ,d--,small ,business
 ,matters ,sec4 #dca4 ,expansion of     
contracting goals and preferences of    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs to    
include conditionally owned small       
business concerns #ajj percent owned by 
veterans4 ,sec4 #dcb4 ,modification of  
treatment under contracting goals and   
preferences of ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs for small businesses owned by  
veterans of small businesses after death
 of disabled veteran owners4 ,sec4 #dcc4
 ,treatment of businesses after deaths  
of servicemember-owners for purposes of 
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
contracting goals and preferences4 ,sec4

 #dcd4 ,special rule for treatment under
 contracting goals and preferences of   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs of    
small business concerns licensed in     
community property ,states4 ,sec4 #dce4 
,report on assistance for veterans in   
obtaining training on purchasing and    
operating a franchise4 ,,title          
,v--,accountability and ,administrative 
,improvements ,sec4 #eja4               
,administration of ,veterans ,integrated
 ,service ,networks4 ,sec4 #ejb4        
,regional support centers for ,veterans 
,integrated ,service ,networks4 ,sec4   
#ejc4 ,commission on ,capital ,planning 
for ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
,medical ,facilities4 ,sec4 #ejd4       
,advance appropriations for certain     
accounts of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs4 ,sec4 #eje4 ,public access to
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs      
research and data sharing between       
,departments4 ,sec4 #ejf4 ,assessment by
 ,comptroller ,general of the ,united   
,states of information made available by

 ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4   
,sec4 #ejg4 ,comptroller general report 
on advisory committees of the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4      
,,title ,,vi--,improvement of           
,processing of ,claims for ,compensation
 ,subtitle ,a--,claims ,based on        
,military ,sexual ,trauma ,sec4 #fja4   
,medical examination and opinion for    
disability compensation claims based on 
military sexual trauma4 ,sec4 #fjb4     
,case representative officers for       
military sexual trauma support4 ,sec4   
#fjc4 ,report on standard of proof for  
service-connection of mental health     
conditions related to military sexual   
trauma4 ,sec4 #fjd4 ,reports on claims  
for disabilities incurred or aggravated 
by military sexual trauma4 ,subtitle    
,b--,claims for dependency and indemnity
 compensation ,sec4 #faa4 ,program on   
treatment of certain applications for   
dependency and indemnity compensation as
 fully developed claims4 ,sec4 #fab4    
,report by ,secretary of ,veterans      

,affairs on improving timeliness and    
accuracy of administration of claims for
 dependency and indemnity compensation  
and pension for surviving spouses and   
children4 ,subtitle ,c--,agency of      
,original ,jurisdiction ,sec4 #fba4     
,working group to improve employee work 
credit and work management systems of   
,veterans ,benefits ,administration in  
an electronic environment4 ,sec4 #fbb4  
,task force on retention and training of
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs      
claims processors and adjudicators4     
,sec4 #fbc4 ,reports on requests by the 
,department of ,veterans ,affairs for   
records of other ,federal agencies4     
,sec4 #fbd4 ,recognition of             
representatives of ,indian tribes in the
 preparation1 presentation1 and         
prosecution of claims under laws        
administered by the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4 #fbe4 ,program
 on participation of local and tribal   
governments in improving quality of     
claims for disability compensation      

submitted to ,department of ,veterans   
,affairs4 ,sec4 #fbf4 ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs notice of average    
times for processing compensation       
claims4 ,sec4 #fbg4 ,quarterly reports  
on progress of ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs in eliminating backlog of      
claims for compensation that have not   
been adjudicated4 ,sec4 #fbh4 ,reports  
on use of existing authorities to       
expedite benefits decisions4 ,sec4 #fbi4
 ,reports on ,department disability     
medical examinations and prevention of  
unnecessary medical examinations4       
,subtitle ,d--,board of ,veterans'      
,appeals and ,court of ,appeals for     
,veterans ,claims ,sec4 #fca4           
,determination of manner of appearance  
for hearings before ,board of ,veterans'
 ,appeals4 ,,title ,,vii--,outreach     
,matters ,sec4 #gja4 ,program to        
increase coordination of outreach       
efforts between the ,department of      
,veterans ,affairs and ,federal1 ,state1
 and local agencies and nonprofit       

organizations4 ,sec4 #gjb4 ,cooperative 
agreements between ,secretary of        
,veterans ,affairs and ,states on       
outreach activities4 ,sec4 #gjc4        
,advisory committee on outreach         
activities of ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs4 ,sec4 #gjd4 ,advisory boards  
on outreach activities of ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs relating to health  
care4 ,sec4 #gje4 ,modification of      
requirement for periodic reports to     
,congress on outreach activities of     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 ,sec4
 #gjf4 ,budget transparency for outreach
 activities of ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs4 ,,title ,,viii--,enhancement  
of rights under ,servicemembers ,civil  
,relief ,act ,sec4 #hja4 ,modification  
of period determining which actions are 
covered under stay of proceedings and   
adjustment of obligation protections    
concerning mortgages and trust deeds of 
members of uniformed services4 ,sec4    
#hjb4 ,protections for members of       
uniformed services regarding            

professional licenses4 ,sec4 #hjc4      
,prohibition on denial of credit because
 of eligibility for protection4 ,sec4   
#hjd4 ,interest rate limitation on debt 
entered into during military service to 
consolidate or refinance student loans  
incurred before military service4 ,sec4 
#hje4 ,termination of residential leases
 after assignment or relocation to      
quarters of ,united ,states or housing  
facility under jurisdiction of uniformed
 service4 ,sec4 #hjf4 ,protection of    
surviving spouse with respect to        
mortgage foreclosure4 ,sec4 #hjg4       
,improved protection of members of      
uniformed services against default      
judgments4 ,sec4 #hjh4 ,clarification   
regarding application of enforcement    
authority of ,attorney ,general and     
private right of action under           
,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act4    
,sec4 #hji4 ,clerical amendments4       
,,title ,,ix--,other ,matters ,sec4     
#ija4 ,repeal of certain reductions made
 by ,bipartisan ,budget ,act of #bjac4  

,sec4 #ijb4 ,consideration by ,secretary
 of ,veterans ,affairs of resources     
disposed of for less than fair market   
value by individuals applying for       
pension4 ,sec4 #ijc4 ,extension of      
reduced pension for certain veterans    
covered by medicaid plans for services  
furnished by nursing facilities4 ,sec4  
#ijd4 ,conditions on award of per diem  
payments by ,secretary of ,veterans     
,affairs for provision of housing or    
services to homeless veterans4 ,sec4    
#ije4 ,exception to certain recapture   
requirements and treatment of contracts 
and grants with ,state homes with       
respect to care for homeless veterans4  
,sec4 #ijf4 ,extended period for        
scheduling of medical exams for veterans
 receiving temporary disability ratings 
for severe mental disorders4 ,sec4 #ijg4
 ,authority to issue ,veterans ,,id     
,cards4 ,sec4 #ijh4 ,honoring as        
veterans certain persons who performed  
service in the reserve components of the
 ,armed ,forces4 ,sec4 #iji4 ,extension 

of authority for ,secretary of ,veterans
 ,affairs to obtain information from    
,secretary of the ,treasury and         
,commissioner of ,social ,security for  
income verification purposes4 ,sec4     
#iaj4 ,extension of authority for       
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to     
issue and guarantee certain loans4 ,sec4
 #iaa4 ,eligibility for interment in    
national cemeteries for certain         
naturalized individuals4 ,sec4 #iab4    
,canadian ,forces ,base ,gagetown       
independent study and registry4 ,sec4   
#iac4 ,review of determination of       
certain service in ,philippines during  
,world ,war ,,ii4 ,sec4 #iad4 ,review of
 determination of certain service of    
merchant mariners during ,world ,war    
,,ii4 ,sec4 #iae4 ,report on practices  
of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 to adequately provide services to      
veterans with hearing loss4 ,sec4 #iaf4 
,report on joint programs of ,department
 of ,veterans ,affairs and ,department  
of ,defense with respect to hearing loss

 of members of the ,armed ,forces and   
veterans4 ,sec4 #iag4 ,designation of   
,american ,world ,war ,,ii ,cities4  #b4
  ,references to title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code  ,except as otherwise     
expressly provided1 whenever in this    
,act an amendment or repeal is expressed
 in terms of an amendment to1 or repeal 
of1 a section or other provision1 the   
reference shall be considered to be made
 to a section or other provision of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  ,i   
,health ,care ,matters  ,a  ,improvement
 of ,access to ,care by ,strengthening  
,management1 ,technology1 and ,metrics  
#aja4  ,implementation of upgraded      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
electronic scheduling system for        
appointments for receipt of health care 
from the ,department  7a7               
,implementation  7#a7  ,in general  ,not
 later than ,march #ca1 #bjaf1 the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
fully implement an upgraded and         
centralized electronic scheduling system

 described in subsection 7b7 for        
appointments by eligible individuals for
 health care from the ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7  ,agile       
software development methodologies  ,in 
implementing the upgraded electronic    
scheduling system required by paragraph 
7#a71 the ,secretary shall use agile    
software development methodologies to   
fully implement portions of such system 
every #ahj days beginning on the date on
 which the ,secretary begins the        
implementation of such system1 or enters
 into a contract for the implementation 
of such system1 and ending on the date  
on which such system is fully           
implemented4  7b7  ,electronic          
scheduling system  ,the upgraded        
electronic scheduling system described  
in this subsection shall include        
mechanisms to achieve the following3    
7#a7 ,an efficient and effective        
graphical user interface with a calendar
 view for use by employees of the       
,department in scheduling appointments  

that enables error-free scheduling of   
the health care resources of the        
,department4  7#b7 ,a capability to     
assist employees of the ,department to  
easily and consistently implement       
policies of the ,department with respect
 to scheduling of appointments1         
including with respect to priority for  
appointments for certain eligible       
individuals4  7#c7 ,a capability for    
employees of the ,department to sort and
 view through a unified interface the   
availability for each health care       
provider of the ,department or other    
health care resource of the ,department4
  7#d7 ,a capability for employees of   
the ,department to sort and view        
appointments for and appointment        
requests made by a particular eligible  
individual4  7#e7 ,a capability for     
seamless coordination of appointments   
for primary care1 specialty care1       
consultations1 or any other health care 
matter among facilities of the          
,department4  7#f7 ,a capability for    

eligible individuals to access the      
system remotely and schedule            
appointments directly through the       
system4  7#g7 ,an electronic timestamp  
of each activity made by an eligible    
individual or on behalf of such         
individual with respect to an           
appointment or the scheduling of an     
appointment that shall be kept in the   
medical record of such individual4  7#h7
 ,a seamless connection to the          
,computerized ,patient ,record ,system  
of the ,department so that employees of 
the ,department1 when scheduling an     
appointment for an eligible individual1 
have access to recommendations from the 
health care provider of such individual 
with respect to when such individual    
should receive an appointment4  7#i7 ,a 
capability to provide automated         
reminders to eligible individuals on    
upcoming appointments through various   
electronic and voice media4  7#aj7 ,a   
capability to provide automated         
reminders to employees of the           

,department when an eligible individual 
who is on the wait-list for an          
appointment becomes eligible to schedule
 an appointment4  7#aa7 ,a dashboard    
capability to support efforts to track  
the following metrics in aggregate and  
by medical facility with respect to     
health care provided to eligible        
individuals under the laws administered 
by the ,secretary3  7,a7 ,the number of 
days into the future that the schedules 
of health care providers are available  
to schedule an appointment4  7,b7 ,the  
number of providers available to see    
patients each day4  7,c7 ,the number of 
support personnel working each day4     
7,d7 ,the types of appointments         
available4  7,e7 ,the rate at which     
patients fail to appear for             
appointments4  7,f7 ,the number of      
appointments canceled by a patient on a 
daily basis4  7,g7 ,the number of       
appointments canceled by a health care  
provider on a daily basis4  7,h7 ,the   
number of patients on the wait list at  

any given time4  7,i7 ,the number of    
appointments scheduled on a daily basis4
  7,j7 ,the number of appointments      
available to be scheduled on a daily    
basis4  7,k7 ,the number of patients    
seen on a daily1 weekly1 and monthly    
basis4  7,l7 ,wait-times for an         
appointment with a health care provider 
of the ,department4  7,m7 ,wait-times   
for an appointment with a               
non-,department health care provider4   
7,n7 ,wait-times for a referral to a    
specialist or consult4  7#ab7 ,a        
capability to provide data on the       
capacity of medical facilities of the   
,department for purposes of determining 
the resources needed by the ,department 
to provide health care to eligible      
individuals4  7#ac7 ,any other          
capabilities as specified by the        
,secretary for purposes of this section4
  7c7  ,plan  7#a7  ,in general  ,not   
later than #ij days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary shall submit to the          

,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a plan for implementing
 the upgraded electronic scheduling     
system required by subsection 7a74  7#b7
  ,elements  ,the plan required by      
paragraph 7#a7 shall include the        
following3  7,a7 ,a description of the  
priorities of the ,secretary for        
implementing the requirements of the    
system under subsection 7b74  7,b7 ,a   
detailed description of the manner in   
which the ,secretary will fully         
implement such system1 including        
deadlines for completing each such      
requirement4  7#c7  ,update  ,not later 
than #ij days after the submittal of the
 plan required by paragraph 7#a71 and   
not less frequently than every #ij days 
thereafter until such system is fully   
implemented1 the ,secretary shall submit
 to the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the

 ,house of ,representatives an update on
 the status of the implementation of    
such plan4  7d7  ,use of amounts  ,the  
,secretary may use amounts available to 
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
for the appropriations account under the
 heading ,medical ,services in          
implementing and carrying out the       
upgraded electronic scheduling system   
required by subsection 7a74  7e7        
,eligible individual defined  ,in this  
section1 the term eligible individual   
means an individual eligible for        
hospital1 nursing home1 domiciliary1    
medical care1 or other health care under
 the laws administered by the ,secretary
 of ,veterans ,affairs4  #ajb4          
,independent assessment of the          
scheduling process for medical          
appointments for care from ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  ,independent
 assessment  7#a7  ,contract  ,not later
 than #cj days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall enter into a

 contract with an independent third     
party to assess the process at each     
medical facility of the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs for scheduling       
appointments for veterans to receive    
hospital care1 medical services1 or     
other health care from the ,department4 
7#b7  ,elements  ,in carrying out the   
assessment required by paragraph 7#a71  
the independent third party shall do the
 following3  7,a7 ,review all training  
materials pertaining to scheduling of   
appointments at each medical facility of
 the ,department4  7,b7 ,assess whether 
all employees of the ,department        
conducting tasks related to scheduling  
are properly trained for conducting such
 tasks4  7,c7 ,assess whether changes in
 the technology or system used in       
scheduling appointments are necessary to
 limit access to the system to only     
those employees that have been properly 
trained in conducting such tasks4  7,d7 
,assess whether health care providers of
 the ,department are making changes to  

their schedules that hinder the ability 
of employees conducting such tasks to   
perform such tasks4  7,e7 ,assess       
whether the establishment of a          
centralized call center throughout the  
,department for scheduling appointments 
at medical facilities of the ,department
 would improve the process of scheduling
 such appointments4  7,f7 ,assess       
whether booking templates for each      
medical facility or clinic of the       
,department would improve the process of
 scheduling such appointments4  7,g7    
,recommend any actions to be taken by   
the ,department to improve the process  
for scheduling such appointments1       
including the following3  7i7 ,changes  
in training materials provided to       
employees of the ,department with       
respect to conducting tasks related to  
scheduling such appointments4  7ii7     
,changes in monitoring and assessment   
conducted by the ,department of         
wait-times of veterans for such         
appointments4  7iii7 ,changes in the    

system used to schedule such            
appointments1 including changes to      
improve how the ,department--  7,i7     
measures wait-times of veterans for such
 appointments2  7,,ii7 monitors the     
availability of health care providers of
 the ,department2 and  7,,iii7 provides 
veterans the ability to schedule such   
appointments4  7iv7 ,such other actions 
as the independent third party considers
 appropriate4  7#c7  ,timing  ,the      
independent third party carrying out the
 assessment required by paragraph 7#a7  
shall complete such assessment not later
 than #ahj days after entering into the 
contract described in such paragraph4   
7b7 ,report ,not later than #ij days    
after the date on which the independent 
third party completes the assessment    
under this section1 the ,secretary shall
 submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' 
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
the results of such assessment4  #ajc4  

,modification of liability for breach of
 period of obligated service under      
,health ,professionals ,educational     
,assistance ,program for primary care   
physicians ,section #gfag is amended--  
7#a7 in subsection 7c77#a71 by striking 
,if a participant and inserting ,except 
as provided in subsection 7d71 if a     
participant2 and  7#b7 by adding at the 
end the following new subsection3  7d7  
,liability shall not arise under        
subsection 7c7 in the case of a         
participant otherwise covered by that   
subsection who has pursued a course of  
education or training in primary care   
if--  7#a7 the participant--  7,a7 does 
not obtain1 or fails to maintain1       
employment as a ,department employee due
 to staffing changes approved by the    
,under ,secretary for ,health2 or  7,b7 
does not obtain1 or fails to maintain1  
employment in a position of primary care
 physician in the ,veterans ,health     
,administration due1 as determined by   
the ,secretary1 to a number of primary  

care physicians in the ,administration  
that is excess to the needs of the      
,administration2 and  7#b7 the          
participant agrees to accept and        
maintain employment as a primary care   
physician with another department or    
agency of the ,federal ,government 7with
 such employment to be under such terms 
and conditions as are jointly agreed    
upon by the participant1 the ,secretary1
 and the head of such department or     
agency1 including terms and conditions  
relating to a period of obligated       
service as a primary care physician with
 such department or agency7 if such     
employment is offered to the participant
 by the ,secretary and the head of such 
department or agency4  4  #ajd4         
,program of education at ,uniformed     
,services ,university of the ,health    
,sciences with specialization in primary
 care  7a7  ,program required under     
,health ,professionals ,educational     
,assistance ,program  7#a7  ,in general 
,chapter #gf is amended by adding after 

subchapter ,,vii the following new      
subchapter3  ,,viii  ,program of        
,education at ,uniformed ,services      
,university of the ,health ,sciences    
,with ,specialization in ,primary ,care 
#gfia4  ,authority for program  ,as part
 of the ,educational ,assistance        
,program1 the ,secretary shall1 in      
collaboration with the ,secretary of    
,defense1 carry out a program to permit 
individuals to enroll in the ,uniformed 
,services ,university of the ,health    
,sciences under chapter #ajd of title   
#aj to pursue a medical education with a
 specialization in primary care4 ,the   
program shall be known as the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
,primary ,care ,educational ,assistance 
,program 7in this chapter referred to as
 the ,primary ,care ,educational        
,assistance ,program74  #gfib4          
,selection2 agreement2 ineligibility for
 certain other educational assistance   
7a7  ,selection  7#a7 ,medical students 
at the ,uniformed ,services ,university 

of the ,health ,sciences pursuant to the
 ,primary ,care ,educational ,assistance
 ,program shall be selected by the      
,secretary1 in consultation with the    
,secretary of ,defense1 in accordance   
with procedures established by the      
,secretaries for purposes of the        
,program4  7#b7 ,the procedures referred
 to in paragraph 7#a7 shall emphasize   
the basic requirement that students     
demonstrate a motivation and dedication 
to a medical career in primary care4    
7#c7 ,the number of medical students    
selected each year for first-year       
enrollment in the ,university pursuant  
to this subsection shall be jointly     
determined by the ,secretary and the    
,secretary of ,defense4  7b7  ,agreement
  ,an agreement between the ,secretary  
and a participant in the ,primary ,care 
,educational ,assistance ,program shall 
7in addition to the requirements set    
forth in section #gfjd of this title7   
include the following3  7#a7 ,the       
,secretary's agreement to cover the     

costs of the participant's education and
 training at the ,uniformed ,services   
,university of the ,health ,sciences    
under chapter #ajd of title #aj as if   
the participant were a medical student  
enrolled in the ,university pursuant to 
section #baad of title #aj4  7#b7 ,the  
participant's agreement to serve as a   
full-time employee in the ,veterans     
,health ,administration in a position as
 a primary care physician for a period  
of time 7in this subchapter referred to 
as the period of obligated service7 of  
one calendar year for each school year  
or part thereof for which the           
participant was a medical student at the
 ,uniformed ,services ,university of the
 ,health ,sciences pursuant to the      
,primary ,care ,educational ,assistance 
,program1 but for not less than one     
year4  7c7  ,ineligibility for other    
educational assistance  ,an individual  
who receives education and training     
under the ,primary ,care ,educational   
,assistance ,program shall not be       

eligible for other assistance under this
 chapter in connection with such        
education and training4  #gfic4         
,obligated service  7a7  ,in general    
,each participant in the ,primary ,care 
,educational ,assistance ,program shall 
provide service as a full-time employee 
of the ,department in the ,veterans     
,health ,administration in a primary    
care position for the period of         
obligated service provided in the       
agreement of the participant entered    
into for purposes of this subchapter4   
,such service shall be provided in a    
full-time primary care clinical practice
 in an assignment or location determined
 by the ,secretary4  7b7  ,service      
commencement date  7#a7 ,not later than 
#fj days before a participant's service 
commencement date1 the ,secretary shall 
notify the participant of that service  
commencement date4 ,that date is the    
date for the beginning of the           
participant's period of obligated       
service4  7#b7 ,as soon as possible     

after a participant's service           
commencement date1 the ,secretary       
shall--  7,a7 in the case of a          
participant who is not a full-time      
employee in the ,veterans ,health       
,administration1 appoint the participant
 as such an employee2 and  7,b7 in the  
case of a participant who is an employee
 in the ,veterans ,health               
,administration but is not serving in a 
position for which the participant's    
course of education or training prepared
 the participant1 assign the participant
 to such a position4  7#c7 ,a           
participant's service commencement for  
purposes of this subsection date is the 
date upon which the participant becomes 
licensed to practice medicine in a      
,state4  7c7  ,commencement of obligated
 service  ,a participant in the ,primary
 ,care ,educational ,assistance ,program
 shall be considered to have begun      
serving the participant's period of     
obligated service--  7#a7 on the date on
 which the participant is appointed as a

 full-time employee in the ,veterans    
,health ,administration pursuant to     
subsection 7b77#b77;,a72 or  7#b7 if the
 participant is a full-time employee in 
the ,veterans ,health ,administration   
and assigned to a position pursuant to  
subsection 7b77#b77;,b71 on the date on 
which the participant is so assigned to 
such position4  #gfid4  ,breach of      
agreement3 liability  7a7  ,liability   
during course of education or training  
7#a7 ,a participant in the ,primary     
,care ,educational ,assistance ,program 
shall be liable to the ,united ,states  
for the amount which has been paid on   
behalf of the participant under the     
agreement entered into for purposes of  
this subchapter if any of the following 
occurs3  7,a7 ,the participant fails to 
maintain an acceptable level of academic
 standing in the ,uniformed ,services   
,university of the ,health ,sciences4   
7,b7 ,the participant is dismissed from 
the ,uniformed ,services ,university of 
the ,health ,sciences for disciplinary  

reasons4  7,c7 ,the participant         
voluntarily terminates the course of    
medical education and training in the   
,uniformed ,services ,university of the 
,health ,sciences before the completion 
of such course of education and         
training4  7,d7 ,the participant fails  
to become licensed to practice medicine 
in a ,state during a period of time     
determined under regulations prescribed 
by the ,secretary4  7#b7 ,liability     
under this subsection is in lieu of any 
service obligation arising under a      
participant's agreement for purposes of 
this subchapter4  7b7  ,liability during
 period of obligated service  7#a7      
,except as provided in subsection 7c7   
and subject to paragraph 7#b71 if a     
participant in the ,primary ,care       
,educational ,assistance ,program       
breaches the agreement entered into for 
purposes of this subchapter by failing  
for any reason to complete the          
participant's period of obligated       
service1 the ,united ,states shall be   

entitled to recover from the participant
 an amount equal to--  7,a7 the total   
amount paid under this subchapter on    
behalf of the participant2 multiplied by
  7,b7 a fraction--  7i7 the numerator  
of which is--  7,i7 the total number of 
months in the participant's period of   
obligated service2 minus  7,,ii7 the    
number of months served by the          
participant pursuant to the agreement2  
and  7ii7 the denominator of which is   
the total number of months in the       
participant's period of obligated       
service4  7#b7 ,any period of internship
 or residency training of a participant 
shall not be treated as satisfying the  
participant's period of obligated       
service for purposes of this subsection4
  7c7  ,exceptions  ,liability shall not
 arise under subsection 7b7 in the case 
of a participant otherwise covered by   
that subsection if--  7#a7 the          
participant--  7,a7 does not obtain1 or 
fails to maintain1 employment as a      
,department employee due to staffing    

changes approved by the ,under          
,secretary for ,health2 or  7,b7 does   
not obtain1 or fails to maintain1       
employment in a position of primary care
 physician in the ,veterans ,health     
,administration due1 as determined by   
the ,secretary1 to a number of primary  
care physicians in the ,administration  
that is excess to the needs of the      
,administration2 and  7#b7 the          
participant agrees to accept and        
maintain employment as a primary care   
physician with another department or    
agency of the ,federal ,government 7with
 such employment to be under such terms 
and conditions as are jointly agreed    
upon by the participant1 the ,secretary1
 and the head of such department or     
agency1 including terms and conditions  
relating to a period of obligated       
service as a primary care physician with
 such department or agency7 if such     
employment is offered to the participant
 by the ,secretary and the head of such 
department or agency4  #gfie4  ,funding 

7a7  ,in general  ,amounts for the      
,primary ,care ,educational ,assistance 
,program shall be derived from amounts  
available to the ,secretary for the     
,veterans ,health ,administration4  7b7 
,transfer  7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall   
transfer to the ,secretary of ,defense  
amounts required by the ,secretary of   
,defense to carry out the ,primary ,care
 ,educational ,assistance ,program4     
7#b7 ,amounts transferred to the        
,secretary of ,defense pursuant to      
paragraph 7#a7 shall be credited to the 
appropriation or account providing      
funding for the ,uniformed ,services    
,university of the ,health ,sciences4   
,amounts so credited shall be merged    
with amounts in the appropriation or    
account to which credited and shall be  
available1 subject to the terms and     
conditions applicable to such           
appropriation or account1 for the       
,uniformed ,services ,university of the 
,health ,sciences4  4  7#b7  ,clerical  
amendment  ,the table of sections at the

 beginning of chapter #gf is amended by 
adding after the item relating to       
section #gfhd the following3            
,,subchapter ,,viii--,program of        
,education at ,uniformed ,services      
,university of the ,health ,sciences    
,with ,specialization in ,primary ,care 
#gfia4 ,authority for program4 #gfib4   
,selection2 agreement2 ineligibility for
 certain other educational assistance4  
#gfic4 ,obligated service4 #gfid4       
,breach of agreement3 liability4 #gfie4 
,funding4  4  7b7  ,inclusion of program
 in ,health ,professionals ,educational 
,assistance ,program  ,section #gfja7;a7
 is amended--  7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71  
by striking 2 and and inserting a       
semicolon2  7#b7 in paragraph 7#e71 by  
striking the period at the end and      
inserting 2 and2 and  7#c7 by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph3    
7#f7 the enrollment of individuals in   
the ,uniformed ,services ,university of 
the ,health ,sciences for specialization
 in primary care provided for in        

subchapter ,,viii of this chapter4  4   
7c7  ,application requirements  7#a7    
,in general  ,subsection 7a77#a7 of     
section #gfjc is amended in the matter  
preceding subparagraph 7,a7 by striking 
1 or ,,vi and inserting 1 ,,vi1 or      
,,viii4  7#b7  ,no priority for         
applications  ,subsection 7d7 of such   
section is amended--  7,a7 by striking  
,in selecting and inserting 7#a7 ,except
 as provided in paragraph 7#b71 in      
selecting2 and  7,b7 by adding at the   
end the following new paragraph3  7#b7  
,paragraph 7#a7 shall not apply with    
respect to applicants for participation 
in the ,program of ,education at        
,uniformed ,services ,university of the 
,health ,sciences ,with ,specialization 
in ,primary ,care pursuant to subchapter
 ,,viii of this chapter4  4  7d7        
,agreement requirements  ,section #gfjd 
is amended by striking 1 or ,,vi each   
place it appears and inserting 1 ,,vi1  
or ,,viii4  #aje4  ,treatment of        
staffing shortage and biannual report on

 staffing of medical facilities of the  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,staffing shortage  7#a7  ,in general   
,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act1 and not 
later than ,september #cj each year     
thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,veterans 
,affairs shall determine1 and publish in
 the ,federal ,register1 the five       
occupations of health care providers of 
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
for which there is the largest staffing 
shortage throughout the ,department4    
7#b7  ,recruitment and appointment      
,notwithstanding sections #ccjd and     
#ccji through #ccah of title #e1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 the ,secretary may1 upon
 a determination by the ,secretary under
 paragraph 7#a7 or a modification to    
such determination under paragraph 7#b71
 that there is a staffing shortage      
throughout the ,department with respect 
to a particular occupation of health    
care provider1 recruit and directly     
appoint highly qualified health care    

providers to a position to serve as a   
health care provider in that particular 
occupation for the ,department4  7#c7   
,priority in ,health ,professionals     
,educational ,assistance ,program to    
certain providers ,section #gfab7;b77#e7
 is amended-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71
 by striking and at the end2  7,b7 by   
redesignating subparagraph 7,b7 as      
subparagraph 7,c72 and  7,c7 by         
inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the   
following new subparagraph 7,b73  7,b7  
shall give priority to applicants       
pursuing a course of education or       
training towards a career in an         
occupation for which the ,secretary has1
 in the most current determination      
published in the ,federal ,register     
pursuant to section #aje7;a77#a7 of the 
,restoring ,veterans ,trust ,act of     
#bjad1 determined that there is one of  
the largest staffing shortage throughout
 the ,department with respect to such   
occupation2 and  4  7b7  ,reports  7#a7 
,in general  ,not later than #ahj days  

after the date of the enactment of this 
,act1 and not later than ,december #ca  
of each even numbered year thereafter   
until #bjbd1 the ,secretary of ,veterans
 ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee
 on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate  
and the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,house of               
,representatives a report assessing the 
staffing of each medical facility of the
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4     
7#b7  ,elements  ,each report submitted 
under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the  
following3  7,a7 ,the results of a      
system-wide assessment of all medical   
facilities of the ,department to ensure 
the following3  7i7 ,appropriate        
staffing levels for health care         
providers to meet the goals of the      
,secretary for timely access to care for
 veterans4  7ii7 ,appropriate staffing  
levels for support personnel1 including 
clerks4  7iii7 ,appropriate sizes for   
clinical panels4  7iv7 ,appropriate     
numbers of full-time staff1 or full-time

 equivalent1 dedicated to direct care of
 patients4  7v7 ,appropriate physical   
plant space to meet the capacity needs  
of the ,department in that area4  7vi7  
,such other factors as the ,secretary   
considers necessary4  7,b7 ,a plan for  
addressing any issues identified in the 
assessment described in subparagraph    
7,a71 including a timeline for          
addressing such issues4  7,c7 ,a list of
 the current wait times and workload    
levels for the following clinics in each
 medical facility3  7i7 ,mental health4 
7ii7 ,primary care4  7iii7              
,gastroenterology4  7iv7 ,women's       
health4  7v7 ,such other clinics as the 
,secretary considers appropriate4  7,d7 
,a description of the results of the    
determination of the ,secretary under   
paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7a7 and a  
plan to use direct appointment authority
 under paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection
 to fill staffing shortages1 including  
recommendations for improving the speed 
at which the credentialing and          

privileging process can be conducted4   
7,e7 ,the current staffing models of the
 ,department for the following clinics1 
including recommendations for changes to
 such models3  7i7 ,mental health4  7ii7
 ,primary care4  7iii7                  
,gastroenterology4  7iv7 ,women's       
health4  7v7 ,such other clinics as the 
,secretary considers appropriate4  7,f7 
,a detailed analysis of succession      
planning at medical facilities of the   
,department1 including the following3   
7i7 ,the number of positions in medical 
facilities throughout the ,department   
that are not filled by a permanent      
employee4  7ii7 ,the length of time each
 such position described in clause 7i7  
remained vacant or filled by a temporary
 or acting employee4  7iii7 ,a          
description of any barriers to filling  
the positions described in clause 7i74  
7iv7 ,a plan for filling any positions  
that are vacant or filled by a temporary
 or acting employee for more than #ahj  
days4  7v7 ,a plan for handling         

emergency circumstances1 such           
administrative leave or sudden medical  
leave for senior officials4  7,g7 ,the  
number of health care providers who have
 been removed from their position or    
have retired1 by provider type1 during  
the two-year period preceding the       
submittal of the report4  7,h7 ,of the  
health care providers specified in      
subparagraph 7,g7 that have been removed
 from their position1 the following3 7i7
 ,the number of such health care        
providers who were reassigned to another
 position in the ,department4  7ii7 ,the
 number of such health care providers   
who left the ,department4  #ajf4        
,clinic management training program of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
7a7  ,in general  ,not later than #ahj  
days after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs shall implement a clinic       
management training program to provide  
in-person1 standardized education on    
health care management to all managers  

of1 and health care providers at1       
medical facilities of the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs4  7b7  ,elements    
,the clinic management training program 
required by subsection 7a7 shall include
 the following3  7#a7 ,training on how  
to manage the schedules of health care  
providers of the ,department1 including 
the following3  7,a7 ,maintaining such  
schedules in a manner that allows       
appointments to be booked at least eight
 weeks in advance4  7,b7 ,proper        
planning procedures for vacation1 leave1
 and graduate medical education training
 schedules4  7#b7 ,training on the      
appropriate number of appointments that 
a health care provider should conduct on
 a daily basis1 based on specialty4     
7#c7 ,training on how to determine      
whether there are enough available      
appointment slots to manage demand for  
different appointment types and         
mechanisms for alerting management of   
insufficient slots4  7#d7 ,training on  
how to properly use the data produced by

 the scheduling dashboard required by   
section #aja7;b77#aa7 of this ,act to   
meet demand for health care1 including  
the following3  7,a7 ,training on       
determining the next available          
appointment for each health care        
provider at the medical facility4  7,b7 
,training on determining the number of  
health care providers needed to meet    
demand for health care at the medical   
facility4  7,c7 ,training on determining
 the number of exam rooms needed to meet
 demand for such health care in an      
efficient manner4  7#e7 ,training on how
 to properly use the appointment        
scheduling system of the ,department1   
including any new scheduling system     
implemented by the ,department4  7#f7   
,training on how to optimize the use of 
technology1 including the following3    
7,a7 ,telemedicine4  7,b7 ,electronic   
mail4  7,c7 ,text messaging4  7,d7 ,such
 other technologies as specified by the 
,secretary4  7#g7 ,training on how to   
properly use physical plant space at    

medical facilities of the ,department to
 ensure efficient flow and privacy for  
patients and staff4  #ajg4  ,inclusion  
of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs    
facilities in ,national ,health ,service
 ,corps ,scholarship and loan repayment 
programs  7a7  ,in general  ,the        
,secretary of ,health and ,human        
,services shall use the funds           
transferred under subsection 7e7 to     
award scholarship and loan repayment    
contracts under sections #cch;,a and    
#cch;,b of the ,public ,health ,service 
,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bedl1 #bedl-#a7 to 
eligible individuals who agree to a     
period of obligated service under       
section #cch;,a7f77#a7 or #cch;,b7f77#a7
 of such ,act1 as applicable1 at a      
health facility of the ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs4  7b7  ,health       
professional shortage areas  ,for       
purposes of selecting individuals       
eligible for the scholarships and loan  
repayment contracts under subsection    
7a71 all health facilities of the       

,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall 
be deemed health professional shortage  
areas1 as defined in section #ccb of the
 ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db     
,u4,s4,c4 #bed;e74  7c7  ,requirement   
,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human   
,services shall ensure that a minimum of
 #e scholarships or loan repayment      
contracts are awarded to individuals who
 agree to a period of obligated service 
at ,veterans ,affairs facilities in each
 ,state4  7d7  ,applicability of ,,nhsc 
program requirements  ,except as        
otherwise provided in this section1 the 
terms of the ,national ,health ,service 
,corps ,scholarship ,program and the    
,national ,health ,service ,corps ,loan 
,repayment ,program shall apply to      
participants awarded a grant or loan    
repayment contract under subsection 7a7 
in the same manner that such terms apply
 to participants awarded a grant or loan
 repayment contract under section       
#cch;,a or #cch;,b of the ,public       
,health ,service ,act4  7e7  ,inclusion 

of geriatricians  ,for purposes of      
awarding scholarships and loan          
repayments contracts to eligible        
individuals who agree to a period of    
obligated service at a health facility  
of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 pursuant to this section1 in sections  
#cch;,a and #cch;,b of the ,public      
,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4    
#bedl1 #bedl-#a71 the term primary      
health services shall include           
geriatrics4  7f7 ,funding ,the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
transfer #bj1jjj1jjj from accounts of   
the ,veterans ,health ,administration to
 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human   
,services to award scholarships and loan
 repayment contracts1 as described in   
subsection 7a74 ,all funds so           
transferred shall be used exclusively   
for the purposes described in such      
subsection4  #ajh4  ,improvement of     
access by veterans to health care from  
non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
providers  7a7  ,improvement of access  

7#a7  ,in general  ,the ,secretary of   
,veterans ,affairs shall ensure timely  
access of all veterans to the hospital  
care1 medical services1 and other health
 care for which such veterans are       
eligible under the laws administered by 
the ,secretary through the enhanced use 
of authorities specified in paragraph   
7#b7 on the provision of such care and  
services through non-,department of     
,veterans ,affairs providers 7commonly  
referred to as non-,department of       
,veterans ,affairs medical care74  7#b7 
,authorities on provision of care       
through non-,department providers  ,the 
authorities specified in this paragraph 
are the following3  7,a7 ,section #agjc 
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1    
relating to contracts for the provision 
of hospital care and medical services   
through non-,department facilities4     
7,b7 ,section #agbe of such title1      
relating to reimbursement of certain    
veterans for the reasonable value of    
emergency treatment at non-,department  

facilities4  7,c7 ,section #agbh of such
 title1 relating to reimbursement of    
certain veterans for customary and usual
 charges of emergency treatment from    
sources other than the ,department4     
7,d7 ,section #aghf of such title1      
relating to health care services        
furnished to newborn children of women  
veterans who are receiving maternity    
care furnished by the ,department at a  
non-,department facility4  7,e7 ,any    
other authority under the laws          
administered by the ,secretary to       
provide hospital care1 medical services1
 or other health care from a            
non-,department provider1 including the 
following3 7i7 ,a ,federally-qualified  
health center 7as defined in section    
#aije7l77#b77;,b7 of the ,social        
,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4           
#acif;d7l77#b77;,b7774  7ii7 ,the       
,department of ,defense4  7iii7 ,the    
,indian ,health ,service4  7#c7         
,requirements  ,in ensuring timely      
access of all veterans to the care and  

services described in paragraph 7#a7    
through the enhanced use of authorities 
specified in paragraph 7#b71 the        
,secretary shall require the following3 
7,a7 ,that each veteran who has not     
received hospital care1 medical         
services1 or other health care from the 
,department and is seeking an           
appointment for primary care under the  
laws administered by the ,secretary     
receive an appointment for primary care 
at a time consistent with timeliness    
measures established by the ,secretary  
for purposes of providing primary care  
to all veterans4  7,b7 ,that the        
determination whether to refer a veteran
 for specialty care through a           
non-,department provider shall take into
 account the urgency and acuity of such 
veteran's need for such care1           
including--  7i7 the severity of the    
condition of such veteran requiring     
specialty care2 and  7ii7 the wait-time 
for an appointment with a specialist    
with respect to such condition at the   

nearest medical facility of the         
,department with the capacity to provide
 such care4  7,c7 ,that the             
determination whether a veteran shall   
receive hospital care1 medical services1
 or other health care from the          
,department through facilities of the   
,department or through non-,department  
providers pursuant to the authorities   
specified in paragraph 7#b7 shall take  
into account1 in the manner specified by
 the ,secretary1 the following3  7i7    
,the distance the veteran would be      
required to travel to receive care or   
services through a non-,department      
provider compared to the distance the   
veteran would be required to travel to  
receive care or services from a medical 
facility of the ,department4  7ii7 ,any 
factors that might limit the ability of 
the veteran to travel1 including age1   
access to transportation1 and infirmity4
  7iii7 ,the wait-time for the provision
 of care or services through a          
non-,department provider compared to the

 wait-time for the provision of care or 
services from a medical facility of the 
,department4  7,d7 ,that the ,department
 maximize the use of hospital care1     
medical services1 and other health care 
available to the ,department through    
non-,department providers1 including    
providers available to provide such care
 and services as follows3  7i7 ,pursuant
 to contracts under the                 
,patient-,centered ,community ,care     
,program of the ,department4  7ii7      
,pursuant to contracts between a        
facility or facilities of the           
,department and a local facility or     
provider4  7iii7 ,pursuant to contracts 
with ,federally-qualified health centers
 7as defined in section                 
#aije7l77#b77;,b7 of the ,social        
,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4           
#acif;d7l77#b77;,b7771 the ,department  
of ,defense1 or the ,indian ,health     
,service4  7iv7 ,on a fee-for-service   
basis4  7b7  ,medical records  ,in      
providing hospital care1 medical        

services1 and other health care to      
veterans through non-,department        
providers pursuant to the authorities   
specified in paragraph 7#b71 the        
,secretary shall ensure that any such   
provider submits to the ,department any 
medical record related to the care and  
services provided to a veteran by that  
provider for inclusion in the electronic
 medical record of such veteran         
maintained by the ,department upon the  
completion of the provision of such care
 and services to such veteran4  7c7     
,reports  7#a7  ,initial report  ,not   
later than #de days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
implementation of the requirements under
 subsections 7a7 and 7b71 including a   
plan to enforce the proper              
implementation of such requirements     

systematically throughout the           
,department4  7#b7  ,periodic reports   
,not later than #ij days after the      
submittal of the report required by     
paragraph 7#a71 and every #ij days      
thereafter for one year1 the ,secretary 
shall submit to the ,committee on       
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,house of ,representatives a report
 that includes the following3  7,a7 ,the
 progress of the ,secretary in carrying 
out the plan under paragraph 7#a7 to    
enforce the proper implementation of the
 requirements under subsections 7a7 and 
7b7 systematically throughout the       
,department4  7,b7 ,the impact of the   
implementation of such requirements on  
wait-times for veterans to receive      
hospital care1 medical services1 and    
other health care1 disaggregated by--   
7i7 new patients2  7ii7 existing        
patients2  7iii7 primary care2 and  7iv7
 specialty care4  7,c7 ,any             
recommendations for changes or          

improvements to such requirements4  7,d7
 ,any requests for additional funding   
necessary to carry out such             
requirements4  #aji4  ,extension of and 
report on joint incentives program of   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
,department of ,defense  7a7  ,extension
  ,section #haaa7;d77#c7 is amended by  
striking ,september #cj1 #bjae and      
inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbj4  7b7   
,reports  7#a7  ,report on              
implementation of recommendations  ,not 
later than #fj days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the
 ,secretary of ,defense shall jointly   
submit to ,congress a report on the     
implementation by the ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs and the ,department  
of ,defense of the findings and         
recommendations of the ,comptroller     
,general of the ,united ,states in the  
,september #bjab report entitled ,,va   
and ,do,d ,health ,care3                
,department-,level ,actions ,needed to  

,assess ,collaboration ,performance1    
,address ,barriers1 and ,identify       
,opportunities 7,,gao-#ab-iib74  7#b7   
,comptroller ,general report  7,a7  ,in 
general  ,not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united
 ,states shall submit to ,congress a    
report assessing and providing          
recommendations for improvement to the  
program to identify1 provide incentives 
to1 implement1 fund1 and evaluate       
creative coordination and sharing       
initiatives between the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs and the ,department  
of ,defense required under section      
#haaa7;d7 of such title4  7,b7          
,elements  ,the report required by      
subparagraph 7,a7 shall include the     
following3  7i7 ,an assessment of the   
extent to which the program described in
 subparagraph 7,a7 has accomplished the 
goal of such program to improve the     
access to1 and quality and cost         
effectiveness of1 the health care       

provided by the ,veterans ,health       
,administration and the ,military       
,health ,system to the beneficiaries of 
both the ,department of ,veterans       
,affairs and the ,department of         
,defense4  7ii7 ,an assessment of       
whether administration of such program  
through the ,health ,executive          
,committee of the ,department of        
,veterans ,affairs-,department of       
,defense ,joint ,executive ,committee   
established under section #cbj of such  
title provides sufficient leadership    
attention and oversight to ensure       
maximum benefits to the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs and the ,department  
of ,defense through collaborative       
efforts4  7iii7 ,an assessment of       
whether additional authorities to       
jointly construct1 lease1 or acquire    
facilities would facilitate additional  
collaborative efforts under such        
program4  7iv7 ,an assessment of whether
 the funding for such program is        
sufficient to ensure consistent         

identification of potential             
opportunities for collaboration and     
oversight of existing collaborations to 
ensure a meaningful partnership between 
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
and the ,department of ,defense and     
remove any barriers to integration or   
collaboration4  7v7 ,an assessment of   
whether existing processes for          
identifying opportunities for           
collaboration are sufficient to ensure  
maximum collaboration between the       
,veterans ,health ,administration and   
the ,military ,health ,system4  7vi7    
,such legislative or administrative     
recommendations for improvement to such 
program as the ,comptroller ,general    
considers appropriate to enhance the use
 of such program to increase access to  
health care4  #aaj4  ,transfer of       
authority for payments for hospital     
care1 medical services1 and other health
 care from non-,department providers to 
the ,chief ,business ,office of the     
,veterans ,health ,administration of the

 ,department  7a7  ,transfer of         
authority  7#a7  ,in general  ,effective
 on ,october #a1 #bjad1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall transfer the
 authority to pay for hospital care1    
medical services1 and other health care 
through non-,department providers to the
 ,chief ,business ,office of the        
,veterans ,health ,administration of the
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs from 
the ,veterans ,integrated ,service      
,networks and medical centers of the    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7
 ,manner of care ,the ,chief ,business  
,office shall work in consultation with 
the ,office of ,clinical ,operations and
 ,management of the ,department of      
,veterans ,affairs to ensure that care  
and services described in paragraph 7#a7
 is provided in a manner that is        
clinically appropriate and effective4   
7#c7  ,no delay in payment  ,the        
transfer of authority under paragraph   
7#a7 shall be carried out in a manner   
that does not delay or impede any       

payment by the ,department for hospital 
care1 medical services1 or other health 
care provided through a non-,department 
provider under the laws administered by 
the ,secretary4  7b7  ,budgetary effect 
,the ,secretary shall1 for each fiscal  
year that begins after the date of the  
enactment of this ,act--  7#a7 include  
in the budget for the ,chief ,business  
,office of the ,veterans ,health        
,administration amounts to pay for      
hospital care1 medical services1 and    
other health care provided through      
non-,department providers1 including any
 amounts necessary to carry out the     
transfer of authority to pay for such   
care and services under subsection 7a71 
including any increase in staff2 and    
7#b7 not include in the budget of each  
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
and medical center of the ,department   
amounts to pay for such care and        
services4  7c7  ,removal from           
performance goals  ,for each fiscal year
 that begins after the date of the      

enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall not include in the performance    
goals of any employee of a ,veterans    
,integrated ,service ,network or medical
 center of the ,department any          
performance goal that might             
disincentivize the payment of           
,department amounts to provide hospital 
care1 medical services1 or other health 
care through a non-,department provider4
  #aaj;,a4  ,contracting for hospital   
care1 medical services1 and other health
 care  7a7  ,use of contracts with      
certain entities  7#a7 ,in general ,in  
providing hospital care1 medical        
services1 and other health care under   
the laws administered by the ,secretary 
of ,veterans ,affairs through the use of
 contracts1 the ,secretary shall        
prioritize the use of contracts or      
agreements with ,federally ,qualified   
,health ,centers 7,f,q,h,cs71 medical   
facilities receiving funding from the   
,indian ,health ,service1 and the       
,department of ,defense4  7#b7 ,plan on 

increased use of contracts ,the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 
in consultation with the ,secretary of  
,defense1 the ,secretary of ,health and 
,human ,services1 and the ,director of  
the ,indian ,health ,service1 develop a 
plan to increase the use of contracts   
described in paragraph 7#a7 to improve  
the ability of the ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs to provide hospital  
care1 medical services1 and other health
 care to veterans4  7#c7 ,report ,not   
later than #ahj days after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
submit to ,congress a report on the plan
 required by paragraph 7#b74  7b7  ,best
 practices  ,the ,secretary shall modify
 the guidance of the ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs on contracts for     
hospital care1 medical services1 and    
other health care in order to provide   
for the incorporation into such         
contracts of standardized requirements  
for best practices under such contracts1

 including the following3  7#a7         
,requirements that contracts provide the
 ,department on a regular basis         
information on scheduling and appearance
 for appointments for hospital care1    
medical services1 and other health care 
on per-patient basis4  7#b7 ,such other 
best practices requirements as the      
,secretary considers appropriate4  7c7  
,federally ,qualified ,health ,center   
defined  ,in this section the term      
,federally ,qualified ,health ,center   
means a ,federally-qualified health     
center as defined in section            
#aije7l77#b77;,b7 of the ,social        
,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4           
#acif;d7l77#b77;,b774  #aaj;,b4         
,enhancement of collaboration between   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
,indian ,health ,service  7a7  ,outreach
 to tribal-,run medical facilities  ,the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall1
 in consultation with the ,director of  
the ,indian ,health ,service1 conduct   
outreach to each medical facility       

operated by an ,indian tribe or tribal  
organization through a contract or      
compact with the ,indian ,health        
,service under the ,indian              
,self-,determination and ,education     
,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej et 
seq47 to raise awareness of the ability 
of such facilities1 ,indian tribes1 and 
tribal organizations to enter into      
agreements with the ,department of      
,veterans ,affairs under which the      
,secretary reimburses such facilities1  
,indian tribes1 or tribal organizations1
 as the case may be1 for health care    
provided to veterans eligible for health
 care at such facilities4  7b7  ,metrics
 for memorandum of understanding        
performance  ,the ,secretary of         
,veterans ,affairs shall implement      
performance metrics for assessing the   
performance by the ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs and the ,indian      
,health ,service under the memorandum of
 understanding entitled ,memorandum of  
,understanding between the ,department  

of ,veterans ,affairs 7,,va7 and the    
,indian ,health ,service 7,,ihs7 in     
increasing access to health care1       
improving quality and coordination of   
health care1 promoting effective        
patient-centered collaboration and      
partnerships between the ,department and
 the ,service1 and ensuring             
health-promotion and disease-prevention 
services are appropriately funded and   
available for beneficiaries under both  
health care systems4  7c7  ,report  ,not
 later than #ahj days after the date of 
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the
 ,director of the ,indian ,health       
,service shall jointly submit to        
,congress a report on the feasibility   
and advisability of the following3  7#a7
 ,entering into agreements for the      
reimbursement by the ,secretary of the  
costs of direct care services provided  
through organizations receiving amounts 
pursuant to grants made or contracts    
entered into under section #ejc of the  

,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act 
7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afec7 to veterans who   
are otherwise eligible to receive health
 care from such organizations4  7#b7    
,including the reimbursement of the     
costs of direct care services provided  
to veterans who are not ,indians in     
agreements between the ,department and  
the following3 7,a7 ,the ,indian ,health
 ,service4  7,b7 ,an ,indian tribe or   
tribal organization operating a medical 
facility through a contract or compact  
with the ,indian ,health ,service under 
the ,indian ,self-,determination and    
,education ,assistance ,act 7#be        
,u4,s4,c4 #dej et seq474  7,c7 ,a       
medical facility of the ,indian ,health 
,service4  7d7  ,definitions  ,in this  
section3  7#a7  ,indian  ,the terms     
,indian and ,indian tribe have the      
meanings given those terms in section #d
 of the ,indian ,health ,care           
,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afjc74
  7#b7  ,medical facility of the ,indian
 ,health ,service  ,the term medical    

facility of the ,indian ,health ,service
 includes a facility operated by an     
,indian tribe or tribal organization    
through a contract or compact with the  
,indian ,health ,service under the      
,indian ,self-,determination and        
,education ,assistance ,act 7#be        
,u4,s4,c4 #dej et seq474  7#c7  ,tribal 
organization  ,the term tribal          
organization has the meaning given the  
term in section #d of the ,indian       
,self-,determination and ,education     
,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej;b74
  #aaj;,c4 ,enhancement of collaboration
 between ,department of ,veterans       
,affairs and ,native ,hawaiian health   
care systems  7a7 ,in general ,the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 
in consultation with ,papa ,ola ,lokahi 
and such other organizations involved in
 the delivery of health care to ,native 
,hawaiians as the ,secretary considers  
appropriate1 enter into contracts or    
agreements with ,native ,hawaiian health
 care systems that are in receipt of    

funds from the ,secretary of ,health and
 ,human ,services pursuant to grants    
awarded or contracts entered into under 
section #f7;a7 of the ,native ,hawaiian 
,health ,care ,improvement ,act 7#db    
,u4,s4,c4 #aagje7;a77 for the           
reimbursement of direct care services   
provided to eligible veterans as        
specified in such contracts or          
agreements4  7b7 ,definitions ,in this  
section1 the terms ,native ,hawaiian1   
,native ,hawaiian health care system1   
and ,papa ,ola ,lokahi have the meanings
 given those terms in section #ab of the
 ,native ,hawaiian ,health ,care        
,improvement ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4        
#aagaa74  #aaj;,d4  ,improvement of     
access of veterans to mobile vet centers
 of the ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs  7a7  ,improvement of access   
7#a7  ,in general  ,the ,secretary of   
,veterans ,affairs shall improve the    
access of veterans to telemedicine and  
other health care through the use of    
mobile vet centers of the ,department of

 ,veterans ,affairs by providing        
standardized requirements for the       
operation of such centers4  7#b7        
,requirements  ,the standardized        
requirements required by paragraph 7#a7 
shall include the following3  7,a7 ,the 
number of days each mobile vet center of
 the ,department is expected to travel  
per year4  7,b7 ,the number of locations
 each center is expected to visit per   
year4  7,c7 ,the number of appointments 
each center is expected to conduct per  
year4  7,d7 ,the method and timing of   
notifications given by each center to   
individuals in the area to which such   
center is traveling1 including          
notifications informing veterans of the 
availability to schedule appointments at
 the center4  7#c7  ,use of telemedicine
  ,the ,secretary shall ensure that each
 mobile vet center of the ,department   
has the capability to provide           
telemedicine services4  7b7  ,reports   
,not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act1 and not  

later than ,september #cj each year     
thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,veterans 
,affairs shall submit to the ,committee 
on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate   
and the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,house of               
,representatives a report on the        
following3  7#a7 ,the use of mobile vet 
centers to provide telemedicine services
 to veterans during the year preceding  
the submittal of the report1 including  
the following3  7,a7 ,the number of days
 each mobile vet center was open to     
provide such services4  7,b7 ,the number
 of days each mobile vet center traveled
 to a location other than the           
headquarters of the mobile vet center to
 provide such services4  7,c7 ,the      
number of appointments each center      
conducted to provide such services on   
average per month and in total during   
such year4  7#b7 ,an analysis of the    
effectiveness of using mobile vet       
centers to provide health care services 
to veterans through the use of          

telemedicine4  7#c7 ,any recommendations
 for an increase in the number of mobile
 vet centers of the ,department4  7#d7  
,any recommendations for an increase in 
the telemedicine capabilities of each   
mobile vet center4  7#e7 ,the           
feasibility and advisability of using   
temporary health care providers1        
including locum tenens1 to provide      
direct health care services to veterans 
at mobile vet centers4  7#f7 ,such other
 recommendations on improvement of the  
use of mobile vet centers by the        
,department as the ,secretary considers 
appropriate4  #aaj;,e4 ,commission on   
,access to ,care  7a7 ,establishment of 
commission  7#a7 ,in general ,there is  
established the ,commission on ,access  
to ,care 7in this section referred to as
 the ,commission7 to examine the access 
of veterans to health care from the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
strategically examine how best to       
organize the ,veterans ,health          
,administration1 locate health care     

resources1 and deliver health care to   
veterans during the next #aj to #bj     
years4  7#b7 ,membership  7,a7 ,voting  
members ,the ,commission shall be       
composed of #aj voting members who are  
appointed by the ,president as follows3 
7i7 ,at least two members who represent 
an organization recognized by the       
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for the
 representation of veterans under       
section #eijb of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  7ii7 ,at least one      
member from among persons who are       
experts concerning a public or private  
hospital system4  7iii7 ,at least one   
member from among persons who are       
familiar with government health care    
systems1 including those systems of the 
,department of ,defense1 the ,indian    
,health ,service1 and                   
,federally-qualified health centers 7as 
defined in section #aije7l77#b77;,b7 of 
the ,social ,security ,act 7#db         
,u4,s4,c4 #acif;d7l77#b77;,b7774  7iv7  
,at least two members from among persons

 who are familiar with the ,veterans    
,health ,administration4  7,b7          
,nonvoting members ,in addition to      
members appointed under subparagraph    
7,a71 the ,commission shall be composed 
of #aj nonvoting members who are        
appointed by the ,president as follows3 
7i7 ,at least two members who represent 
an organization recognized by the       
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for the
 representation of veterans under       
section #eijb of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  7ii7 ,at least one      
member from among persons who are       
experts in a public or private hospital 
system4  7iii7 ,at least one member from
 among persons who are familiar with    
government health care systems1         
including those systems of the          
,department of ,defense1 the ,indian    
,health ,service1 and                   
,federally-qualified health centers 7as 
defined in section #aije7l77#b77;,b7 of 
the ,social ,security ,act 7#db         
,u4,s4,c4 #acif;d7l77#b77;,b7774  7iv7  

,at least two members from among persons
 who are familiar with the ,veterans    
,health ,administration4  7,c7 ,date    
,the appointments of members of the     
,commission shall be made not later than
 #fj days after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act4  7#c7 ,period of
 appointment2 vacancies ,members shall  
be appointed for the life of the        
,commission4 ,any vacancy in the        
,commission shall not affect its powers1
 but shall be filled in the same manner 
as the original appointment4  7#d7      
,initial meeting ,not later than #ae    
days after the date on which seven      
voting members of the ,commission have  
been appointed1 the ,commission shall   
hold its first meeting4  7#e7 ,meetings 
,the ,commission shall meet at the call 
of the ,chairperson4  7#f7 ,quorum ,a   
majority of the members of the          
,commission shall constitute a quorum1  
but a lesser number of members may hold 
hearings4  7#g7 ,chairperson and ,vice  
,chairperson ,the ,commission shall     

select a ,chairperson and ,vice         
,chairperson from among its members4    
7b7 ,duties of commission  7#a7         
,evaluation and assessment ,the         
,commission shall undertake a           
comprehensive evaluation and assessment 
of access to health care at the         
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7
 ,matters evaluated and assessed ,the   
matters evaluated and assessed by the   
,commission shall include the following3
 7,a7 ,the appropriateness of current   
standards of the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs concerning access to 
health care4  7,b7 ,the measurement of  
such standards4  7,c7 ,the              
appropriateness of performance standards
 and incentives in relation to standards
 described in subparagraph 7,a74  7,d7  
,staffing levels throughout the         
,veterans ,health ,administration and   
whether they are sufficient to meet     
current demand for health care from the 
,administration4  7#c7 ,reports ,the    
,commission shall submit to the         

,president1 through the ,secretary of   
,veterans ,affairs1 reports as follows3 
7,a7 ,not later than #ij days after the 
date of the initial meeting of the      
,commission1 an interim report on-- 7i7 
the findings of the ,commission with    
respect to the evaluation and assessment
 required by this subsection2 and  7ii7 
such recommendations as the ,commission 
may have for legislative or             
administrative action to improve access 
to health care through the ,veterans    
,health ,administration4  7,b7 ,not     
later than #ahj days after the date of  
the initial meeting of the ,commission1 
a final report on-- 7i7 the findings of 
the ,commission with respect to the     
evaluation and assessment required by   
this subsection2 and  7ii7 such         
recommendations as the ,commission may  
have for legislative or administrative  
action to improve access to health care 
through the ,veterans ,health           
,administration4  7c7 ,powers of the    
commission  7#a7 ,hearings ,the         

,commission may hold such hearings1 sit 
and act at such times and places1 take  
such testimony1 and receive such        
evidence as the ,commission considers   
advisable to carry out this section4    
7#b7 ,information from ,federal agencies
 ,the ,commission may secure directly   
from any ,federal department or agency  
such information as the ,commission     
considers necessary to carry out this   
section4 ,upon request of the           
,chairperson of the ,commission1 the    
head of such department or agency shall 
furnish such information to the         
,commission4  7d7 ,commission personnel 
matters  7#a7 ,compensation of members  
,each member of the ,commission who is  
not an officer or employee of the       
,federal ,government shall be           
compensated at a rate equal to the daily
 equivalent of the annual rate of basic 
pay prescribed for level ,,iv of the    
,executive ,schedule under section #ecae
 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 for
 each day 7including travel time7 during

 which such member is engaged in the    
performance of the duties of the        
,commission4 ,all members of the        
,commission who are officers or         
employees of the ,united ,states shall  
serve without compensation in addition  
to that received for their services as  
officers or employees of the ,united    
,states4  7#b7 ,travel expenses ,the    
members of the ,commission shall be     
allowed travel expenses1 including per  
diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates   
authorized for employees of agencies    
under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of   
title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 while  
away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of       
services for the ,commission4  7#c7     
,staff  7,a7 ,in general ,the           
,chairperson of the ,commission may1    
without regard to the civil service laws
 and regulations1 appoint and terminate 
an executive director and such other    
additional personnel as may be necessary
 to enable the ,commission to perform   

its duties4 ,the employment of an       
executive director shall be subject to  
confirmation by the ,commission4  7,b7  
,compensation ,the ,chairperson of the  
,commission may fix the compensation of 
the executive director and other        
personnel without regard to chapter #ea 
and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of  
title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1        
relating to classification of positions 
and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except
 that the rate of pay for the executive 
director and other personnel may not    
exceed the rate payable for level ,v of 
the ,executive ,schedule under section  
#ecaf of such title4  7#d7 ,detail of   
government employees ,any ,federal      
,government employee may be detailed to 
the ,commission without reimbursement1  
and such detail shall be without        
interruption or loss of civil service   
status or privilege4  7#e7 ,procurement 
of temporary and intermittent services  
,the ,chairperson of the ,commission may
 procure temporary and intermittent     

services under section #caji7;b7 of     
title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 at     
rates for individuals which do not      
exceed the daily equivalent of the      
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for 
level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule    
under section #ecaf of such title4  7e7 
,termination of the commission ,the     
,commission shall terminate #cj days    
after the date on which the ,commission 
submits its report under subsection     
7b77#c77;,b74  7f7 ,funding ,the        
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
make available to the ,commission from  
amounts appropriated or otherwise made  
available to the ,secretary such amounts
 as the ,secretary and the ,chairperson 
of the ,commission jointly consider     
appropriate for the ,commission to      
perform its duties under this section4  
7g7 ,executive action  7#a7 ,action on  
recommendations ,the ,president shall   
require the ,secretary of ,veterans     
,affairs and such other heads of        
relevant ,federal departments and       

agencies to implement each              
recommendation set forth in a report    
submitted under subsection 7b77#c7 that 
the ,president-- 7,a7 considers feasible
 and advisable2 and  7,b7 determines can
 be implemented without further         
legislative action4  7#b7 ,reports ,not 
later than #fj days after the date on   
which the ,president receives a report  
under subsection 7b77#c71 the ,president
 shall submit to the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,house of ,representatives and such
 other committees of ,congress as the   
,president considers appropriate a      
report setting forth the following3 7,a7
 ,an assessment of the feasibility and  
advisability of each recommendation     
contained in the report received by the 
,president4  7,b7 ,for each             
recommendation assessed as feasible and 
advisable under subparagraph 7,a7 the   
following3 7i7 ,whether such            
recommendation requires legislative     

action4  7ii7 ,if such recommendation   
requires legislative action1 a          
recommendation concerning such          
legislative action4  7iii7 ,a           
description of any administrative action
 already taken to carry out such        
recommendation4  7iv7 ,a description of 
any administrative action the ,president
 intends to be taken to carry out such  
recommendation and by whom4  #aaj;,f4   
,removal of ,senior ,executive ,service 
employees of the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs for performance  7a7 
,removal or transfer  7#a7 ,in general  
,chapter #g is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section3  #gac4   
,senior ,executive ,service3 removal    
based on performance  7a7  ,in general  
,the ,secretary may remove any          
individual from the ,senior ,executive  
,service if the ,secretary determines   
the performance of the individual       
warrants such removal4 ,if the          
,secretary so removes such an           
individual1 the ,secretary may--  7#a7  

remove the individual from the civil    
service 7as defined in section #baja of 
title #e72 or  7#b7 transfer the        
individual to a ,general ,schedule      
position at any grade of the ,general   
,schedule for which the individual is   
qualified and that the ,secretary       
determines is appropriate4  7b7  ,notice
 to ,congress  ,not later than #cj days 
after removing or transferring an       
individual from the ,senior ,executive  
,service under paragraph 7#a71 the      
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of   
the ,senate and ,house of               
,representatives notice in writing of   
such removal or transfer and the reason 
for such removal or transfer4  7c7      
,appeal of removal or transfer ,any     
removal or transfer under subsection 7a7
 may be appealed to the ,merit ,systems 
,protection ,board under section #ggja  
of title #e not later than #g days after
 such removal or transfer4  7d7         
,expedited review by ,merit ,systems    

,protection ,board  7#a7 ,the ,merit    
,systems ,protection ,board shall       
expedite any appeal under section #ggja 
of title #e of a removal or transfer    
under subsection 7a7 and1 in any such   
case1 shall issue a decision not later  
than #ba days after the date of the     
appeal4  7#b7 ,in any case in which the 
,merit ,systems ,protection ,board      
determines that it cannot issue a       
decision in accordance with the #ba-;day
 requirement under paragraph 7#a71 the  
,merit ,systems ,protection ,board shall
 submit to ,congress a report that      
explains the reason why the ,merit      
,systems ,protection ,board is unable to
 issue a decision in accordance with    
such requirement in such case4  7#c7    
,there is authorized to be appropriated 
such sums as may be necessary for the   
,merit ,systems ,protection ,board to   
expedite appeals under paragraph 7#a74  
7#d7 ,the ,merit ,systems ,protection   
,board may not stay any personnel action
 taken under this section4  4  7#b7     

,clerical amendment  ,the table of      
sections at the beginning of such       
chapter is amended by adding at the end 
the following new item3  #gac4 ,senior  
,executive ,service3 removal based on   
performance4  4  7b7 ,establishment of  
expedited review process  7#a7 ,in      
general ,not later than #cj days after  
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board  
shall establish and put into effect a   
process to conduct expedited reviews in 
accordance with section #gac7;d7 of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#b7 
,inapplicability of certain regulations 
,section #abja4bb of title #e1 ,code of 
,federal ,regulations1 as in effect on  
the day before the date of the enactment
 of this ,act1 shall not apply to       
expedited reviews carried out under     
section #gac7;d7 of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code4  7#c7 ,report by ,merit  
,systems ,protection ,board ,not later  
than #cj days after the date of the     
enactment of this ,act1 the ,merit      

,systems ,protection ,board shall submit
 to ,congress a report on the actions   
the ,board plans to take to conduct     
expedited reviews under section #gac7;d7
 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as
 added by subsection 7a74 ,such report  
shall include a description of the      
resources the ,board determines will be 
necessary to conduct such reviews and a 
description of whether any resources    
will be necessary to conduct such       
reviews that were not available to the  
,board on the day before the date of the
 enactment of this ,act4  7c7 ,temporary
 exemption from certain limitation on   
initiation of removal from ,senior      
,executive ,service ,during the         
#abj-;day period beginning on the date  
of the enactment of this ,act1 an action
 to remove an individual from the       
,senior ,executive ,service at the      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
pursuant to section #gac of title #ch1  
,united ,states ,code1 as added by      
subsection 7a71 or section #gedc of     

title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 may be 
initiated1 notwithstanding section      
#ceib7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states  
,code1 or any other provision of law4   
7d7 ,construction ,nothing in this      
section or section #gac of title #ch1   
,united ,states ,code1 as added by      
subsection 7a71 shall be construed to   
apply to an appeal of a removal1        
transfer1 or other personnel action that
 was pending before the date of the     
enactment of this ,act4  #aaj;,g4       
,authorization of emergency             
appropriations ,there is authorized to  
be appropriated for the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs such sums as may be  
necessary to carry out sections #ajc    
through #aaj;,c of this ,act4  ,b       
,expansion and ,improvements of         
,benefits ,generally  #aaa4  ,further   
extension of period of eligibility for  
health care for veterans of combat      
service during certain periods of       
hostilities and war  ,section           
#agaj7;e77#c7 is amended--  7#a7 in     

subparagraph 7,a71 by striking the date 
that is five years before the date of   
the enactment of the ,national ,defense 
,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year   
#bjjh1 after a period of five years and 
inserting ,january #bg1 #bjjc1 after a  
period of #aj years2 and  7#b7 in       
subparagraph 7,b71 by striking more than
 five years and all that follows and    
inserting before ,january #bh1 #bjjc1   
and who did not enroll in the patient   
enrollment system under section #agje of
 this title before ,january #bh1 #bjjh1 
after ,january #bg1 #bjah44  #aab4      
,expansion of assistance and support    
services for caregivers of veterans  7a7
  ,expansion of eligible veterans       
,subsection 7a77#b77;,b7 of section     
#agbj;,g is amended--  7#a7 by striking 
service on or after ,september #aa1     
#bjja2 and and inserting 8service--  7i7
 on or after ,september #aa1 #bjja2 or  
7ii7 that--  7,i7 is rated as #ej       
percent or more disabling on the        
schedule of rating for disabilities of  

the ,department2 and  7,,ii7 requires   
the maximum amount and degree of        
personal care services allowed under    
that schedule4  4  7b7  ,support        
services provided under program of      
general caregiver support services      
,subsection 7b77#c77;,a7 of such section
 is amended--  7#a7 in clause 7i7--     
7,a7 by redesignating subclauses 7,,ii7 
and 7,,iii7 as subclauses 7,,iii7 and   
7,,iv71 respectively2 and  7,b7 by      
inserting after subclause 7,i7 the      
following new subclause 7,,ii73  7,,ii7 
for caregivers undergoing educational   
sessions pursuant to subclause 7,i71    
payment of necessary travel1 lodging1   
and per diem expenses incurred by such  
caregivers in undergoing such           
educational sessions in such amounts as 
the ,secretary shall prescribe for      
purposes of this subclause2  2  7#b7 by 
striking clause 7iii7 and inserting the 
following new clause3  7iii7 ,respite   
care of not less than #cj days annually 
that is medically and age-appropriate1  

including in-home care and #bd-;hour per
 day care of the veteran commensurate   
with the care provided by the caregiver 
to permit extended respite4  2  7#c7 by 
redesignating clause 7iv7 as clause 7v72
 and  7#d7 by inserting after clause    
7iii7 the following new clause 7iv73    
7iv7 ,such mental health services as the
 ,secretary considers appropriate4  4   
7c7  ,effective date  ,the amendments   
made by this section shall take effect  
on ,october #a1 #bjae4  #aac4  ,improved
 access to appropriate immunizations for
 veterans  7a7  ,inclusion of           
recommended adult immunizations as      
medical services  7#a7  ,covered benefit
  ,subparagraph 7,f7 of section #agja7i7
 is amended to read as follows3  7,f7   
immunizations against infectious        
diseases1 including each immunization on
 the recommended adult immunization     
schedule at the time such immunization  
is indicated on that schedule2  4  7#b7 
,recommended adult immunization schedule
 defined  ,section #agja is amended by  

adding after paragraph 7#i7 the         
following new paragraph3  7#aj7 ,the    
term recommended adult immunization     
schedule means the schedule established 
7and periodically reviewed and1 as      
appropriate1 revised7 by the ,advisory  
,committee on ,immunization ,practices  
established by the ,secretary of ,health
 and ,human ,services and delegated to  
the ,centers for ,disease ,control and  
,prevention4  4  7b7  ,inclusion of     
recommended adult immunizations in      
annual report  ,section #agjd7a77;,a7 is
 amended--  7#a7 in clause 7i71 by      
striking and at the end2  7#b7 in clause
 7ii71 by striking the period at the end
 and inserting 2 and2 and  7#c7 by      
inserting after clause 7ii7 the         
following new clause3  7iii7 to provide 
veterans each immunization on the       
recommended adult immunization schedule 
at the time such immunization is        
indicated on that schedule4  4  7c7     
,report to ,congress  7#a7  ,in general 
,not later than two years after the date

 of the enactment of this ,act1 the     
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
the development and implementation by   
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs of
 quality measures and metrics1 including
 targets for compliance1 to ensure that 
veterans receiving medical services     
under chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 receive each immunization
 on the recommended adult immunization  
schedule at the time such immunization  
is indicated on that schedule4  7#b7    
,recommended adult immunization schedule
 defined  ,in this subsection1 the term 
recommended adult immunization schedule 
has the meaning given that term in      
section #agja7aj7 of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 as added by subsection   
7a77#b74  7#c7  ,effective date  ,this  
subsection shall take effect on the date
 that is one year after the date of the 

enactment of this ,act4  #aad4          
,expansion of provision of chiropractic 
care and services to veterans  7a7      
,program for provision of chiropractic  
care and services to veterans  ,section 
#bjd7;c7 of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs ,health ,care ,programs       
,enhancement ,act of #bjja 7,public ,law
 #ajg-ace2 #aae ,stat4 #bdei2 #ch       
,u4,s4,c4 #agaj note7 is amended--  7#a7
 by inserting 7#a7 before ,the program2 
and  7#b7 by adding at the end the      
following new paragraph3  7#b7 ,the     
program shall be carried out at not     
fewer than two medical centers or       
clinics in each ,veterans ,integrated   
,service ,network by not later than one 
year after the effective date specified 
in section #aad7;c7 of the ,restoring   
,veterans ,trust ,act of #bjad1 and at  
not fewer than #ej percent of all       
medical centers in each ,veterans       
,integrated ,service ,network by not    
later than two years after such         
effective date4  4  7b7  ,expanded      

chiropractor services available to      
veterans  7#a7  ,medical services       
,paragraph 7#f7 of section #agja is     
amended by adding at the end the        
following new subparagraph3  7,h7       
,chiropractic services4  4  7#b7        
,rehabilitative services  ,paragraph    
7#h7 of such section is amended by      
inserting chiropractic1 after           
counseling14  7#c7  ,preventive health  
services  ,paragraph 7#i7 of such       
section is amended--  7,a7 by           
redesignating subparagraphs 7,f7 through
 7,k7 as subparagraphs 7,g7 through     
7,l71 respectively2 and  7,b7 by        
inserting after subparagraph 7,e7 the   
following new subparagraph 7,f73  7,f7  
periodic and preventive chiropractic    
examinations and services2  4  7c7      
,effective date  ,this section and the  
amendments made by this section shall   
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #aae4  ,modification of         
commencement date of period of service  

at ,camp ,lejeune1 ,north ,carolina1 for
 eligibility for hospital care and      
medical services in connection with     
exposure to contaminated water  7a7     
,modification  ,section                 
#agaj7;e77#a77;,f7 is amended by        
striking ,january #a1 #aieg1 and        
inserting ,august #a1 #aiec 7or such    
earlier date for the commencement of    
exposure to contaminated water at ,camp 
,lejeune as the ,secretary1 in          
consultation with the ,agency for ,toxic
 ,substances and ,disease ,registry1    
shall specify714  7b7  ,publication     
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall publish in the ,federal ,register 
a notice of any earlier date for the    
commencement of exposure to contaminated
 water at ,camp ,lejeune1 ,north        
,carolina1 for purposes of section      
#agaj7;e77#a77;,f7 of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 as amended by subsection
 7a74  #aaf4  ,expansion of emergency   
treatment reimbursement for certain     
veterans  7a7  ,in general  ,section    

#agbe7;b77#b77;,b7 is amended--  7#a7 by
 inserting 7i7 after 7,b72  7#b7 by     
striking the period at the end and      
inserting 2 or2 and  7#c7 by adding at  
the end the following3  7ii7 the veteran
 was unable to receive care under this  
chapter within such #bd-month period    
because of a waiting period imposed by  
the ,department with respect to a new   
patient examination of such veteran4  4 
7b7  ,effective date  ,the amendments   
made by subsection 7a7 shall take effect
 on the date that is one year after the 
date of the enactment of this ,act4     
#aag4  ,extension of sunset date        
regarding transportation of individuals 
to and from facilities of ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs and requirement of  
report  7a7  ,extension of sunset date  
,subsection 7a77#b7 of section #aaa;,a  
is amended by striking ,december #ca1   
#bjad and inserting ,september #cj1     
#bjaf4  7b7  ,funding available  ,such  
section is further amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection3   

7c7  ,funding  ,there is hereby         
authorized to be appropriated to the    
,department to carry out this section   
the following3 7#a7 ,for fiscal year    
#bjad1 #b1jjj1jjj4  7#b7 ,for each of   
fiscal years #bjae and #bjaf1           
#d1jjj1jjj4  4  7c7  ,report  ,not later
 than one year after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall submit to the ,committee on       
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,house of ,representatives a report
 on--  7#a7 the efforts of the          
,secretary to carry out the             
transportation services required by     
section #aaa;,a7a7 of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code2  7#b7 the utilization of
 those services by covered veterans2 and
  7#c7 the feasibility and advisability 
of the continuation of the provision of 
such services after ,september #cj1     
#bjae4  #aah4  ,extension and           
modification of pilot program on        
assisted living services for veterans   

with traumatic brain injury  7a7        
,extension of program  ,subsection 7a7  
of section #agje of the ,national       
,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal
 ,year #bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-aha2 #ch
 ,u4,s4,c4 #agaj;,c note7 is amended by 
striking a five-year and inserting an   
eight-year4  7b7  ,modification of      
locations  ,subsection 7b7 of such      
section is amended--  7#a7 by           
redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as         
paragraph 7#c72 and  7#b7 by striking   
paragraph 7#a7 and inserting the        
following new paragraphs3  7#a7  ,in    
general  ,the pilot program shall be    
carried out at locations selected by the
 ,secretary for purposes of the pilot   
program4  7#b7  ,located in same region 
as polytrauma centers  ,of the locations
 selected under paragraph 7#a71 at least
 one location shall be in each health   
care region of the ,veterans ,health    
,administration of the ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs that contains a      
polytrauma center of the ,department of 

,veterans ,affairs4  4  7c7             
,modification of report requirements    
,subsection 7e7 of such section is      
amended to read as follows3  7e7        
,reports  7#a7  ,annual report  7,a7    
,in general  ,not later than two years  
after the date of the enactment of the  
,restoring ,veterans ,trust ,act of     
#bjad1 and not later than ,september #cj
 each year thereafter until #bjah1 the  
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the pilot  
program4  7,b7  ,elements  ,each report 
submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall 
include the following3  7i7 ,the number 
of individuals that participated in the 
pilot program during the year preceding 
the submission of the report4  7ii7 ,the
 number of individuals that successfully
 completed the pilot program during the 
year preceding the submission of the    
report4  7iii7 ,the degree to which     

pilot program participants and family   
members of pilot program participants   
were satisfied with the pilot program4  
7iv7 ,the interim findings and          
conclusions of the ,secretary with      
respect to the success of the pilot     
program and recommendations for         
improvement4  7#b7  ,final report  7,a7 
,in general  ,not later than #fj days   
after the completion of the pilot       
program1 the ,secretary shall submit to 
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a final report on the  
pilot program4  7,b7  ,elements  ,the   
final report required by subparagraph   
7,a7 shall include the following3  7i7  
,a description of the pilot program4    
7ii7 ,an assessment of the utility of   
the activities under the pilot program  
in enhancing the rehabilitation1 quality
 of life1 and community reintegration of
 veterans with traumatic brain injury1  
including complex mild traumatic brain  

injury4  7iii7 ,such recommendations as 
the ,secretary considers appropriate    
regarding improving the pilot program4  
4  7d7  ,modification of definitions    
7#a7  ,community-based brain injury     
residential rehabilitative care services
  ,such section is further amended--    
7,a7 in the section heading1 by striking
 assisted living and inserting          
community-based brain injury residential
 rehabilitative care2  7,b7 in          
subsection 7c71 in the subsection       
heading1 by striking assisted living and
 inserting community-,based brain injury
 residential rehabilitative care2  7,c7 
by striking assisted living each place  
it appears1 and inserting               
community-based brain injury            
rehabilitative care2 and  7,d7 in       
subsection 7f77#a71 by striking and     
personal care and inserting             
rehabilitation1 and personal care4  7#b7
  ,eligible veteran  ,subsection 7f77#c7
 of such section is amended--  7,a7 in  
subparagraph 7,c71 by striking 2 and and

 inserting a semicolon2  7,b7 in        
subparagraph 7,d71 by striking the      
period at the end and inserting 2 and2  
and  7,c7 by adding at the end the      
following new subparagraph3  7,e7 has a 
traumatic brain injury that is          
classified as complex-mild to severe4  4
  7e7  ,authorization of appropriations 
,there is authorized to be appropriated 
for the ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs for fiscal year #bjae          
#df1jjj1jjj to carry out the pilot      
program under section #agje of the      
,national ,defense ,authorization ,act  
for ,fiscal ,year #bjjh 7,public ,law   
#aaj-aha2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agaj;,c note71 
as amended by this section4 ,the amount 
so authorized to be appropriated shall  
be available for obligation for the     
three-year period beginning on the date 
that is one year after the date of the  
enactment of this ,act4  7f7  ,effective
 date  ,the amendments made by this     
section shall take effect on ,october   
#a1 #bjad4  #aai4  ,reauthorization and 

modification of pilot program of        
enhanced contract care authority for    
health care needs of veterans  ,section 
#djc of the ,veterans' ,mental ,health  
and ,other ,care ,improvements ,act of  
#bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-chg2 #ch       
,u4,s4,c4 #agjc note7 is amended--  7#a7
 in subsection 7a7--  7,a7 in paragraph 
7#b71 by striking #abj days after the   
date of the enactment of this ,act and  
inserting #ij days after the date of the
 enactment of the ,restoring ,veterans  
,trust ,act of #bjad2 and  7,b7 by      
amending paragraph 7#d7 to read as      
follows3  7#d7  ,program locations  ,the
 ,secretary shall carry out the pilot   
program at locations in the following   
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks
 7and such other locations as the       
,secretary considers appropriate73  7,a7
 ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network
 #a4  7,b7 ,veterans ,integrated        
,service ,network #f4  7,c7 ,veterans   
,integrated ,service ,network #ae4  7,d7
 ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network

 #ah4  7,e7 ,veterans ,integrated       
,service ,network #ai4  2  7#b7 by      
amending subsection 7b7 to read as      
follows3  7b7  ,covered veterans  ,for  
purposes of the pilot program under this
 section1 a covered veteran is any rural
 or highly rural veteran who--  7#a7    
is--  7,a7 enrolled in the system of    
patient enrollment established under    
section #agje7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code2  7,b7 eligible for health
 care under the laws administered by the
 ,secretary and enrolls in such system  
of patient enrollment not later than #cj
 days after the veteran begins receiving
 covered health services under the pilot
 program2 or  7,c7 eligible for health  
care under section #agaj7;e77#c7 of such
 title2 and  7#b7 resides in a location 
that is--  7,a7 more than #fj minutes   
driving distance from the nearest       
,department health care facility        
providing primary care services1 if the 
veteran is seeking such services2  7,b7 
more than #abj minutes driving distance 

from the nearest ,department health care
 facility providing acute hospital care1
 if the veteran is seeking such care2 or
  7,c7 more than #bdj minutes driving   
distance from the nearest ,department   
health care facility providing tertiary 
care1 if the veteran is seeking such    
care4  2  7#c7 by redesignating         
subsection 7h7 as subsection 7j72  7#d7 
by inserting after subsection 7g7 the   
following new subsections3  7h7         
,appointments  ,in carrying out the     
pilot program under this section1 the   
,secretary shall ensure that medical    
appointments for veterans occur during  
the #cj-;day period beginning on the    
date that is #ae days after the date on 
which the appointment is requested4  7i7
  ,outreach  ,the ,secretary shall      
ensure that a veteran eligible for the  
pilot program under this section is     
informed of such program4  2 and  7#e7  
in paragraph 7#b77;,b7 of subsection    
7j71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#c7  
of this section1 by striking the        

semicolon at the end and inserting 2    
and4  ,c  ,health ,care ,administration 
#aba4  ,extension of ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs ,health ,professional
 ,scholarship ,program  ,section #gfai  
is amended by striking ,december #ca1   
#bjad and inserting ,december #ca1      
#bjai4  #abb4  ,expansion of            
availability of prosthetic and orthotic 
care for veterans  7a7  ,establishment  
or expansion of advanced degree programs
 ,to expand availability of provision of
 care  ,the ,secretary of ,veterans     
,affairs shall work with institutions of
 higher education to develop            
partnerships for the establishment or   
expansion of programs of advanced       
degrees in prosthetics and orthotics in 
order to improve and enhance the        
availability of high quality prosthetic 
and orthotic care for veterans4  7b7    
,report  ,not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,secretary shall submit to the      
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the

 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report setting forth 
a plan for carrying out subsection 7a74 
,the ,secretary shall develop the plan  
in consultation with veterans service   
organizations1 institutions of higher   
education with accredited degree        
programs in prosthetics and orthotics1  
and representatives of the prosthetics  
and orthotics field4  7c7  ,funding     
7#a7  ,authorization of appropriations  
,there is hereby authorized to be       
appropriated for fiscal year #bjae for  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1  
#aj1jjj1jjj to carry out this section4  
7#b7  ,availability  ,the amount        
authorized to be appropriated by        
paragraph 7#a7 shall remain available   
for expenditure until ,september #cj1   
#bjag4  #abc4  ,limitation on expansion 
of dialysis pilot program  7a7          
,limitation  ,the ,secretary of         
,veterans ,affairs shall not expand the 
dialysis pilot program to1 or expand the

 capacity to provide additional dialysis
 care at1 any facility owned or leased  
by the ,department that is not an       
initial facility until after the date   
that--  7#a7 the ,secretary has         
implemented the dialysis pilot program  
at each initial facility for a period of
 not less than two years2  7#b7 an      
independent analysis of the dialysis    
pilot program has been conducted at each
 initial facility1 including a          
consideration and comparison of factors 
including--  7,a7 the ability of        
veterans to access care under the       
dialysis pilot program2  7,b7 the       
quality of care provided under the      
dialysis pilot program2 and  7,c7 the   
satisfaction of veterans who have       
received treatment under the dialysis   
pilot program2 and  7#c7 the report     
required by subsection 7b7 has been     
submitted4  7b7  ,report  ,not later    
than #fj days after the date of the     
completion of the independent analysis  
required by subsection 7a77#b71 the     

,secretary shall submit to ,congress a  
report that--  7#a7 includes the results
 of that independent analysis2 and  7#b7
 addresses any recommendations with     
respect to the dialysis pilot program   
provided in a report prepared by the    
,government ,accountability ,office4    
7c7  ,utilization of existing dialysis  
resources  ,in order to increase the    
access of veterans to dialysis care and 
decrease the travel time of such        
veterans to receive such care1 the      
,secretary shall fully utilize existing 
dialysis resources of the ,department1  
including any community dialysis        
provider with which the ,department has 
entered into a contract or agreement for
 the provision of such care4  7d7       
,definitions  ,in this section3  7#a7   
,dialysis pilot program  ,the term      
dialysis pilot program means the pilot  
demonstration program established by the
 ,secretary in #bjji to provide dialysis
 care to patients at certain outpatient 
facilities operated by the ,department  

of ,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7  ,initial  
facility  ,the term initial facility    
means one of the four outpatient        
facilities identified by the ,secretary 
to participate in the dialysis pilot    
program prior to the date of the        
enactment of this ,act4  7e7  ,effective
 date  ,this section shall take effect  
on the date that is one year after the  
date of the enactment of this ,act4     
#abd4  ,requirement for ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs policy on reporting  
cases of infectious diseases at         
facilities of the ,department  7a7  ,in 
general  ,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #gc
 is amended by adding at the end the    
following new section3  #gccj;,b4       
,reporting of infectious diseases  7a7  
,reporting  ,the ,secretary shall ensure
 that the ,department has in effect an  
up-to-date policy on reporting a        
notifiable infectious disease diagnosed 
at a facility under the jurisdiction of 
the ,secretary in accordance with the   
provisions of ,state and local law in   

effect where such facility is located4  
7b7  ,notifiable infectious disease     
,for purposes of this section1 a        
notifiable infectious disease is any    
infectious disease that is--  7#a7 on   
the list of nationally notifiable       
diseases published by the ,council of   
,state and ,territorial ,epidemiologists
 and the ,centers for ,disease ,control 
and ,prevention2 or  7#b7 covered by a  
provision of law of a ,state that       
requires the reporting of infectious    
diseases4  7c7  ,performance measures   
,the ,secretary shall develop           
performance measures to assess whether  
and to what degree the directors of     
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks
 and ,department medical centers are    
complying with the policy required by   
subsection 7a74  4  7b7  ,clerical      
amendment  ,the table of sections at the
 beginning of chapter #gc is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to    
section #gccj;,a the following new item3
  #gccj;,b4 ,reporting of infectious    

diseases4  4  7c7  ,effective date  ,the
 amendments made by this section shall  
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #abe4  ,independent assessment  
of the ,veterans ,integrated ,service   
,networks and medical centers of        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,contract  7#a7  ,in general  ,the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
seek to enter into a contract with an   
independent third party to perform the  
services covered by this section4  7#b7 
,timing  ,the ,secretary shall seek to  
enter into the contract described in    
paragraph 7#a7 not later than #edj days 
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act4  7b7  ,independent study  7#a7    
,in general  ,under a contract between  
the ,secretary and an independent third 
party under this section1 the third     
party shall carry out a study--  7,a7 to
 assess the organizational structures of
 medical centers of the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs2 and  7,b7 to improve

 succession planning among key          
leadership roles at ,veterans           
,integrated ,service ,networks and      
medical centers of the ,department4     
7#b7  ,matters studied and proposed  ,in
 carrying out the study1 the third party
 shall--  7,a7 assess whether the       
organizational structure of the medical 
centers of the ,department is effective 
for the furnishing of medical services1 
addressing issues that arise regarding  
the furnishing of medical services1 and 
addressing standard business operations2
  7,b7 propose one organizational chart 
for ,department medical centers with a  
common set of base position             
descriptions2  7,c7 propose a base set  
of medical positions that should be     
filled to ensure that the health care   
provided to veterans by the ,department 
is of good quality2 and  7,d7 identify  
which key leadership positions at       
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks
 and ,department medical centers should 
have succession plans and propose how to

 implement such plans4  7#c7  ,timing   
,the third party shall complete the     
study under this section not later than 
#bgj days after entering into the       
contract described in subsection 7a74   
7c7  ,report  ,not later than #ij days  
after the date on which the third party 
completes the study under this section1 
the ,secretary shall submit to the      
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the results
 of such study4  7d7  ,effective date   
,this section shall take effect on the  
date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this ,act4  #abf4      
,requirements in connection with next   
update of current strategic plan for    
,office of ,rural ,health of the        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,requirements  7#a7  ,in general  ,the  
first update of the ,strategic ,plan    
,refresh for ,fiscal ,years #bjab       
through #bjad of the ,office of ,rural  

,health of the ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs after the date of the enactment
 of this ,act1 whether an update or     
refresh of such ,strategic ,plan        
,refresh or a strategic plan to         
supersede such ,strategic ,plan         
,refresh1 shall be prepared in          
accordance with this section4  7#b7     
,consultation  ,the ,director of the    
,office of ,rural ,health shall prepare 
the update in consultation with the     
following3  7,a7 ,the ,director of the  
,health ,care ,retention and            
,recruitment ,office of the ,department4
  7,b7 ,the ,director of the ,office of 
,quality and ,performance of the        
,department4  7,c7 ,the ,director of the
 ,office of ,care ,coordination         
,services of the ,department4  7b7      
,elements  ,the update described in     
subsection 7a7 shall include1 for the   
period covered by the update1 the       
following3  7#a7 ,goals and objectives  
for the recruitment and retention by the
 ,veterans ,health ,administration of   

health care personnel in rural areas4   
7#b7 ,goals and objectives for ensuring 
timeliness and improving quality in the 
delivery of health care services by the 
,veterans ,health ,administration in    
rural areas through contract and        
fee-basis providers4  7#c7 ,goals and   
objectives for the implementation1      
expansion1 and enhanced use of          
telemedicine services by the ,veterans  
,health ,administration in rural areas1 
including through coordination with     
other appropriate offices of the        
,department4  7#d7 ,goals and objectives
 for ensuring the full and effective use
 of mobile outpatient clinics by the    
,veterans ,health ,administration for   
the provision of health care services in
 rural areas1 including goals and       
objectives for the use of such clinics  
on a fully mobile basis and for         
encouraging health care providers who   
provide services through such clinics to
 do so in rural areas4  7#e7 ,procedures
 for soliciting from each ,veterans     

,health ,administration facility that   
serves a rural area the following3  7,a7
 ,a statement of the clinical capacity  
of such facility4  7,b7 ,the procedures 
of such facility in the event of a      
medical1 surgical1 or mental health     
emergency outside the scope of the      
clinical capacity of such facility4     
7,c7 ,the procedures and mechanisms of  
such facility for the provision and     
coordination of health care for women   
veterans1 including procedures and      
mechanisms for coordination with local  
hospitals and health care facilities1   
oversight of primary care and fee-basis 
care1 and management of specialty care4 
7#f7 ,goals and objectives for the      
modification of the funding allocation  
mechanisms of the ,office of ,rural     
,health in order to ensure that the     
,office distributes funds to components 
of the ,department to best achieve the  
goals and objectives of the ,office and 
in a timely manner4  7#g7 ,goals and    
objectives for the coordination of1 and 

sharing of resources with respect to1   
the provision of health care services to
 veterans in rural areas between the    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 the  
,department of ,defense1 the ,indian    
,health ,service of the ,department of  
,health and ,human ,services1 and other 
,federal agencies1 as appropriate and   
prudent4  7#h7 ,specific milestones for 
the achievement of the goals and        
objectives developed for the update4    
7#i7 ,procedures for ensuring the       
effective implementation of the update4 
7c7  ,transmittal to ,congress  ,not    
later than #ij days after the date of   
the issuance of the update described in 
subsection 7a71 the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs shall transmit the   
update to ,congress1 together with such 
comments and recommendations in         
connection with the update as the       
,secretary considers appropriate4  #abg4
  ,report on provision of telemedicine  
services  7a7  ,in general  ,not later  
than two years after the date of the    

enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
following3  7#a7 ,issues that may be    
impeding the provision by the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs of    
telemedicine services for veterans1     
including the following3  7,a7          
,statutory or regulatory restrictions4  
7,b7 ,licensure or credentialing issues 
for any provider practicing telemedicine
 with veterans who live in a different  
,state than the provider4  7,c7 ,limited
 broadband access in rural areas4  7,d7 
,limited information technology         
resources or capabilities4  7,e7 ,long  
distances veterans must travel to access
 a facility or clinic with telemedicine 
capabilities4  7,f7 ,insufficient       
liability protection for providers4     
7,g7 ,reimbursement issues faced by     
providers4  7,h7 ,travel limitations for

 providers that are unaffiliated with   
the ,department and are participating or
 seeking to participate in a            
telemedicine program of the ,department4
  7#b7 ,actions taken to address the    
issues identified in paragraph 7#a74    
7#c7 ,an update on efforts by the       
,department to carry out the initiative 
of teleconsultation for the provision of
 remote mental health and traumatic     
brain injury assessments required by    
section #agji;,a of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code4  7#d7 ,an update on      
efforts by the ,department to offer     
training opportunities in telemedicine  
to medical residents1 as required by    
section #ajh7;b7 of the ,janey          
,ensminger ,act 7,public ,law #aab-aed2 
#ch ,u4,s4,c4 #gdjf note74  7#e7 ,an    
update on efforts by the ,department to1
 in partnership with primary care       
providers1 install video cameras and    
instruments to monitor weight1 blood    
pressure1 and other vital statistics in 
the homes of patients4  7b7             

,telemedicine defined  ,in this section1
 the term telemedicine means the use by 
a health care provider of               
telecommunications to assist in the     
diagnosis or treatment of a patient's   
medical condition4  7c7  ,effective date
  ,this section shall take effect on the
 date that is one year after the date of
 the enactment of this ,act4  #abh4     
,designation of ,corporal ,michael ,j4  
,crescenz ,department of ,veterans      
,affairs ,medical ,center  7a7          
,designation  ,the medical center of the
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs      
located at #cijj ,woodland ,avenue in   
,philadelphia1 ,pennsylvania1 shall     
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act be known and designated as the     
,corporal ,michael ,j4 ,crescenz        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
,medical ,center4  7b7  ,references     
,any reference in any law1 regulation1  
map1 document1 paper1 or other record of
 the ,united ,states to the medical     
center referred to in subsection 7a7    

shall be considered to be a reference to
 the ,corporal ,michael ,j4 ,crescenz   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
,medical ,center4  ,d  ,complementary   
and ,alternative ,medicine  #aca4       
,expansion of research and education on 
and delivery of complementary and       
alternative medicine to veterans  7a7   
,development of plan ,to expand         
research1 education1 and delivery  ,not 
later than six months after the         
effective date specified in subsection  
7f71 the ,secretary of ,veterans        
,affairs shall develop a plan to expand 
materially and substantially the scope  
of research and education on1 and       
delivery and integration of1            
complementary and alternative medicine  
services into the health care services  
provided to veterans4  7b7  ,elements   
,the plan required by subsection 7a7    
shall provide for the following3  7#a7  
,research on the following3  7,a7 ,the  
comparative effectiveness of various    
complementary and alternative medicine  

therapies4  7,b7 ,approaches to         
integrating complementary and           
alternative medicine services into other
 health care services provided by the   
,department4  7#b7 ,education and       
training for health care professionals  
of the ,department on the following3    
7,a7 ,complementary and alternative     
medicine services selected by the       
,secretary for purposes of the plan4    
7,b7 ,appropriate uses of such services4
  7,c7 ,integration of such services    
into the delivery of health care to     
veterans4  7#c7 ,research1 education1   
and clinical activities on complementary
 and alternative medicine at centers of 
innovation at ,department medical       
centers4  7#d7 ,identification or       
development of metrics and outcome      
measures to evaluate the provision and  
integration of complementary and        
alternative medicine services into the  
delivery of health care to veterans4    
7#e7 ,integration and delivery of       
complementary and alternative medicine  

services with other health care services
 provided by the ,department4  7c7      
,consultation  7#a7  ,in general  ,in   
carrying out subsection 7a71 the        
,secretary shall consult with the       
following3  7,a7 ,the ,director of the  
,national ,center on ,complementary and 
,alternative ,medicine of the ,national 
,institutes of ,health4  7,b7 ,the      
,commissioner of ,food and ,drugs4  7,c7
 ,institutions of higher education1     
private research institutes1 and        
individual researchers with extensive   
experience in complementary and         
alternative medicine and the integration
 of complementary and alternative       
medicine practices into the delivery of 
health care4  7,d7 ,nationally          
recognized providers of complementary   
and alternative medicine4  7,e7 ,such   
other officials1 entities1 and          
individuals with expertise on           
complementary and alternative medicine  
as the ,secretary considers appropriate4
  7#b7  ,scope of consultation  ,the    

,secretary shall undertake consultation 
under paragraph 7#a7 in carrying out    
subsection 7a7 with respect to the      
following3  7,a7 ,to develop the plan4  
7,b7 ,to identify specific complementary
 and alternative medicine practices     
that1 on the basis of research findings 
or promising clinical interventions1 are
 appropriate to include as services to  
veterans4  7,c7 ,to identify barriers to
 the effective provision and integration
 of complementary and alternative       
medicine services into the delivery of  
health care to veterans1 and to identify
 mechanisms for overcoming such         
barriers4  7d7  ,funding  ,there is     
authorized to be appropriated to the    
,secretary such sums as may be necessary
 to carry out this section4  7e7        
,complementary and alternative medicine 
defined  ,in this section1 the term     
complementary and alternative medicine  
shall have the meaning given that term  
in regulations the ,secretary shall     
prescribe for purposes of this section1 

which shall1 to the degree practicable1 
be consistent with the meaning given    
such term by the ,secretary of ,health  
and ,human ,services4  7f7  ,effective  
date  ,this section shall take effect on
 the date that is one year after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act4     
#acb4  ,program on integration of       
complementary and alternative medicine  
within ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 medical centers  7a7  ,program required
  ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 
shall--  7#a7 carry out1 through the    
,office of ,patient ,centered ,care and 
,cultural ,transformation of the        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 a    
program to assess the feasibility and   
advisability of integrating the delivery
 of complementary and alternative       
medicine services selected by the       
,secretary with other health care       
services provided by the ,department for
 veterans with mental health conditions1
 chronic pain conditions1 other chronic 
conditions1 and such other conditions as

 the ,secretary determines appropriate2 
and  7#b7 in developing the program1    
identify and resolve barriers to the    
provision of complementary and          
alternative medicine services selected  
by the ,secretary and the integration of
 those services with other health care  
services provided by the ,department4   
7b7  ,duration of program  ,the program 
shall be carried out during the         
three-year period beginning on the      
effective date specified in subsection  
7j74  7c7  ,locations  7#a7  ,in general
  ,the ,secretary shall carry out the   
program at not fewer than #ae separate  
,department medical centers4  7#b7      
,polytrauma centers  ,not less than two 
of the medical centers designated under 
paragraph 7#a7 shall be located at      
polytrauma rehabilitation centers of the
 ,department4  7#c7  ,selection of      
locations  ,in carrying out the program1
 the ,secretary shall select locations  
that include the following areas3  7,a7 
,rural areas4  7,b7 ,areas that are not 

in close proximity to an active duty    
military installation4  7,c7 ,areas     
representing different geographic       
locations1 such as census tracts        
established by the ,bureau of the       
,census4  7d7  ,provision of services   
,under the program1 the ,secretary shall
 provide covered services to covered    
veterans by integrating complementary   
and alternative medicine services with  
other services provided by the          
,department at the medical centers      
designated under subsection 7c77#a74    
7e7  ,covered veterans  ,for purposes of
 the program1 a covered veteran is any  
veteran who--  7#a7 has a mental health 
condition diagnosed by a clinician of   
the ,department2  7#b7 experiences      
chronic pain2 or  7#c7 has a chronic    
condition being treated by a clinician  
of the ,department4  7f7  ,covered      
services  7#a7  ,in general  ,for       
purposes of the program1 covered        
services are services consisting of     
complementary and alternative medicine  

as selected by the ,secretary4  7#b7    
,administration of services  ,covered   
services shall be administered under the
 program as follows3  7,a7 ,covered     
services shall be administered by       
clinicians employed by the ,secretary   
for purposes of this section who1 to the
 extent practicable1 shall provide      
services consisting of complementary and
 alternative medicine1 including those  
clinicians who solely provide such      
services4  7,b7 ,covered services shall 
be included as part of the ,patient     
,aligned ,care ,teams initiative of the 
,office of ,patient ,care ,services1    
,primary ,care ,program ,office1 in     
coordination with the ,office of        
,patient ,centered ,care and ,cultural  
,transformation4  7,c7 ,covered services
 shall be made available to both--  7i7 
covered veterans with mental health     
conditions1 pain conditions1 or chronic 
conditions described in subsection 7e7  
who have received conventional          
treatments from the ,department for such

 conditions2 and  7ii7 covered veterans 
with mental health conditions1 pain     
conditions1 or chronic conditions       
described in subsection 7e7 who have not
 received conventional treatments from  
the ,department for such conditions4    
7g7  ,voluntary participation  ,the     
participation of a veteran in the       
program shall be at the election of the 
veteran and in consultation with a      
clinician of the ,department4  7h7      
,reports to ,congress  7#a7  ,quarterly 
reports  ,not later than #ij days after 
the date of the commencement of the     
program and not less frequently than    
once every #ij days thereafter for the  
duration of the program1 the ,secretary 
shall submit to the ,committee on       
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,house of ,representatives a report
 on the efforts of the ,secretary to    
carry out the program1 including a      
description of the outreach conducted by
 the ,secretary to veterans and         

community organizations to inform such  
organizations about the program4  7#b7  
,final report  7,a7  ,in general  ,not  
later than #ahj days after the          
completion of the program1 the          
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
program4  7,b7  ,contents  ,the report  
submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall 
include the following3  7i7 ,the        
findings and conclusions of the         
,secretary with respect to the program1 
including with respect to--  7,i7 the   
utilization and efficacy of the         
complementary and alternative medicine  
services established under the program2 
7,,ii7 an assessment of the benefit of  
the program to covered veterans in      
mental health diagnoses1 pain           
management1 and treatment of chronic    
illness2 and  7,,iii7 the comparative   
effectiveness of various complementary  

and alternative medicine therapies4     
7ii7 ,barriers identified under         
subsection 7a77#b7 that were not        
resolved4  7iii7 ,such recommendations  
for the continuation or expansion of the
 program as the ,secretary considers    
appropriate4  7i7  ,complementary and   
alternative medicine defined  ,in this  
section1 the term complementary and     
alternative medicine shall have the     
meaning given that term in section      
#aca7;e7 of this ,act4  7j7  ,effective 
date  ,this section shall take effect on
 the date that is one year after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act4     
#acc4  ,studies of barriers encountered 
by veterans in receiving1 and           
administrators and clinicians in        
providing1 complementary and alternative
 medicine services furnished by the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,studies required  7#a7  ,in general    
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall conduct comprehensive studies of  
the barriers encountered by veterans in 

receiving1 and administrators and       
clinicians in providing1 complementary  
and alternative medicine services       
furnished by the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7  ,studies     
conducted  7,a7  ,veterans  ,in         
conducting the study of veterans1 the   
,secretary shall--  7i7 survey veterans 
who seek or receive hospital care or    
medical services furnished by the       
,department1 as well as veterans who do 
not seek or receive such care or        
services2  7ii7 administer the survey to
 a representative sample of veterans    
from each ,veterans ,integrated ,service
 ,network2 and  7iii7 ensure that the   
sample of veterans surveyed is of       
sufficient size for the study results to
 be statistically significant4  7,b7    
,administrators and clinicians  ,in     
conducting the study of clinicians and  
administrators1 the ,secretary shall--  
7i7 survey administrators of the        
,department who are involved in the     
provision of health care services2  7ii7

 survey clinicians that have provided   
complementary and alternative medicine  
services through the program established
 under section #acb of this ,act1 after 
those clinicians have provided those    
services through such program for at    
least #ij days2 and  7iii7 administer   
the survey to administrators under      
clause 7i7--  7,i7 before the           
introduction of complementary and       
alternative medicine services through   
such program2 and  7,,ii7 not earlier   
than #ij days after the introduction of 
complementary and alternative medicine  
services through such program4  7b7     
,elements of studies  7#a7  ,veterans   
,in conducting the study of veterans    
required by subsection 7a71 the         
,secretary shall study the following3   
7,a7 ,the perceived barriers associated 
with obtaining complementary and        
alternative medicine services from the  
,department4  7,b7 ,the satisfaction of 
veterans with complementary and         
alternative medicine services in primary

 care4  7,c7 ,the degree to which       
veterans are aware of eligibility       
requirements for1 and the scope of      
services available under1 complementary 
and alternative medicine services       
furnished by the ,department4  7,d7 ,the
 effectiveness of outreach to veterans  
on the availability of complementary and
 alternative medicine for veterans4     
7,e7 ,such other barriers as the        
,secretary considers appropriate4  7#b7 
,administrators and clinicians  ,in     
conducting the study of administrators  
and clinicians required by subsection   
7a71 the ,secretary shall study the     
following3  7,a7 ,the extent of the     
integration of complementary and        
alternative medicine services within the
 services provided by the ,department4  
7,b7 ,the perception by administrators  
and clinicians of the structural and    
attitudinal barriers to the delivery of 
high quality complementary and          
alternative medicine services by the    
,department4  7,c7 ,strategies that have

 been used to reduce or eliminate such  
barriers and the results of such        
strategies4  7,d7 ,the satisfaction of  
administrators and clinicians regarding 
the integration of complementary and    
alternative medicine services within the
 services provided by the ,department4  
7,e7 ,the perception by administrators  
and clinicians of the value of specific 
complementary and alternative medicine  
services for inpatient and outpatient   
veteran populations4  7c7  ,discharge by
 contract  ,the ,secretary shall enter  
into a contract with a qualified        
independent entity or organization to   
carry out the studies required by this  
section4  7d7  ,mandatory review of data
 by the ,national ,research ,advisory   
,council  7#a7  ,in general  ,the       
,secretary shall ensure that the head of
 the ,national ,research ,advisory      
,council reviews the results of the     
studies conducted under this section4   
7#b7  ,submittal of findings  ,the head 
of the ,national ,research ,advisory    

,council shall submit findings with     
respect to the studies to the ,under    
,secretary for ,health and to other     
pertinent program offices within the    
,department with responsibilities       
relating to health care services for    
veterans4  7e7  ,reports  7#a7  ,report 
on implementation  ,not later than one  
year after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit  
to ,congress a report on the status of  
the implementation of this section4     
7#b7  ,report on study  7,a7  ,in       
general  ,not later than #de days after 
the date of the completion of the study1
 the ,secretary shall submit to         
,congress a report on the study required
 by subsection 7a74  7,b7  ,contents    
,the report required by subparagraph    
7,a7 shall include the following3  7i7  
,recommendations for such administrative
 and legislative proposals and actions  
as the ,secretary considers appropriate4
  7ii7 ,the findings of the head of the 
,national ,research ,advisory ,council  

and of the ,under ,secretary for        
,health4  7f7  ,authorization of        
appropriations  ,there is authorized to 
be appropriated for fiscal year #bjae   
for the ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs1 #b1jjj1jjj to carry out this  
section4  7g7  ,complementary and       
alternative medicine defined  ,in this  
section1 the term complementary and     
alternative medicine shall have the     
meaning given that term in section      
#aca7;e7 of this ,act4  #acd4  ,program 
on use of wellness programs as          
complementary approach to mental health 
care for veterans and family members of 
veterans  7a7  ,program required  7#a7  
,in general  ,the ,secretary of         
,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a    
program through the award of grants to  
public or private nonprofit entities to 
assess the feasibility and advisability 
of using wellness programs to complement
 the provision of mental health care to 
veterans and family members eligible for
 counseling under section               

#agab;,a7a77#a77;,c7 of title #ch1      
,united ,states ,code4  7#b7  ,matters  
to be addressed  ,the program shall be  
carried out so as to assess the         
following3  7,a7 ,means of improving    
coordination between ,federal1 ,state1  
local1 and community providers of health
 care in the provision of mental health 
care to veterans and family members     
described in paragraph 7#a74  7,b7      
,means of enhancing outreach1 and       
coordination of outreach1 by and among  
providers of health care referred to in 
subparagraph 7,a7 on the mental health  
care services available to veterans and 
family members described in paragraph   
7#a74  7,c7 ,means of using wellness    
programs of providers of health care    
referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 as     
complements to the provision by the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs of    
mental health care to veterans and      
family members described in paragraph   
7#a74  7,d7 ,whether wellness programs  
described in subparagraph 7,c7 are      

effective in enhancing the quality of   
life and well-being of veterans and     
family members described in paragraph   
7#a74  7,e7 ,whether wellness programs  
described in subparagraph 7,c7 are      
effective in increasing the adherence of
 veterans described in paragraph 7#a7 to
 the primary mental health services     
provided such veterans by the           
,department4  7,f7 ,whether wellness    
programs described in subparagraph 7,c7 
have an impact on the sense of          
well-being of veterans described in     
paragraph 7#a7 who receive primary      
mental health services from the         
,department4  7,g7 ,whether wellness    
programs described in subparagraph 7,c7 
are effective in encouraging veterans   
receiving health care from the          
,department to adopt a more healthy     
lifestyle4  7b7  ,duration  ,the        
,secretary shall carry out the program  
for a period of three years beginning on
 the date that is one year after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act4  7c7

  ,locations  ,the ,secretary shall     
carry out the program at facilities of  
the ,department providing mental health 
care services to veterans and family    
members described in subsection 7a77#a74
  7d7  ,grant proposals  7#a7  ,in      
general  ,a public or private nonprofit 
entity seeking the award of a grant     
under this section shall submit an      
application therefor to the ,secretary  
in such form and in such manner as the  
,secretary may require4  7#b7           
,application contents  ,each application
 submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall   
include the following3  7,a7 ,a plan to 
coordinate activities under the program1
 to the extent possible1 with the       
,federal1 ,state1 and local providers of
 services for veterans to enhance the   
following3  7i7 ,awareness by veterans  
of benefits and health care services    
provided by the ,department4  7ii7      
,outreach efforts to increase the use by
 veterans of services provided by the   
,department4  7iii7 ,educational efforts

 to inform veterans of the benefits of a
 healthy and active lifestyle4  7,b7 ,a 
statement of understanding from the     
entity submitting the application that1 
if selected1 such entity will be        
required to report to the ,secretary    
periodically on standardized data and   
other performance data necessary to     
evaluate individual outcomes and to     
facilitate evaluations among entities   
participating in the program4  7,c7     
,other requirements that the ,secretary 
may prescribe4  7e7  ,grant uses  7#a7  
,in general  ,a public or private       
nonprofit entity awarded a grant under  
this section shall use the award for    
purposes prescribed by the ,secretary4  
7#b7  ,eligible veterans and family  ,in
 carrying out the purposes prescribed by
 the ,secretary in paragraph 7#a71 a    
public or private nonprofit entity      
awarded a grant under this section shall
 use the award to furnish services only 
to individuals specified in section     
#agab;,a7a77#a77;,c7 of title #ch1      

,united ,states ,code4  7f7  ,reports   
7#a7  ,periodic reports  7,a7  ,in      
general  ,not later than #ahj days after
 the date of the commencement of the    
program1 and every #ahj days thereafter1
 the ,secretary shall submit to         
,congress a report on the program4  7,b7
  ,report elements  ,each report        
required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall     
include the following3  7i7 ,the        
findings and conclusions of the         
,secretary with respect to the program  
during the #ahj-;day period preceding   
the report4  7ii7 ,an assessment of the 
benefits of the program to veterans and 
their family members during the         
#ahj-;day period preceding the report4  
7#b7  ,final report  ,not later than    
#ahj days after the end of the program1 
the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress
 a report detailing the recommendations 
of the ,secretary as to the advisability
 of continuing or expanding the program4
  7g7  ,wellness defined  ,in this      
section1 the term wellness has the      

meaning given that term in regulations  
prescribed by the ,secretary4  ,e       
,mental ,health ,care  #ada4  ,inclusion
 of mental health professionals in the  
education and training program for      
health personnel of the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs  7a7  ,in general    
,in carrying out the education and      
training program required under section 
#gcjb7;a77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 the ,secretary of        
,veterans ,affairs shall include        
education and training of marriage and  
family therapists and licensed          
professional mental health counselors4  
7b7  ,funding  ,the ,secretary shall    
apportion funding for the education and 
training program equally among the      
professions included in the program4    
7c7  ,effective date  ,this section     
shall take effect on the date that is   
one year after the date of the enactment
 of this ,act4  #adb4  ,report on       
provision of mental health services for 
families of certain veterans at         

facilities of the ,department  ,not     
later than one year after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
the feasibility and advisability of     
providing services under the program    
established by section #cjd7;a7 of the  
,caregivers and ,veterans ,omnibus      
,health ,services ,act of #bjaj 7,public
 ,law #aaa-afc2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agab;,a  
note7 at medical facilities of the      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4      
#adc4  ,annual report on community      
mental health partnership pilot program 
7a7  ,in general  ,not later than one   
year after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act and not later than ,september 
#cj each year thereafter until the      
completion of the pilot program         
described in subsection 7b71 the        
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  

submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
that pilot program4  7b7  ,pilot program
 described  ,the pilot program described
 in this subsection is the pilot program
 conducted by the ,veterans ,health     
,administration to connect medical      
centers of the ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs with community-based mental    
health care providers and substance     
abuse treatment providers for the       
purpose of assisting in the treatment of
 veterans with mental health disorders1 
commonly known as the ,community ,mental
 ,health ,partnership ,pilot4  7c7      
,elements  ,each report submitted under 
subsection 7a7 shall include the        
following3  7#a7 ,the number of sites   
participating in the pilot program4     
7#b7 ,the number of individuals         
participating in the pilot program at   
each site4  7#c7 ,a detailed assessment 
of the effectiveness of1 the            

participation of veterans in1 and the   
satisfaction of veterans with the pilot 
program4  7#d7 ,an analysis of barriers 
to the effectiveness of1 the            
participation of veterans in1 and the   
satisfaction of veterans with the pilot 
program4  7#e7 ,a description of the    
plans of the ,secretary to conduct      
outreach and provide information to     
veterans and community mental health    
providers with respect to the pilot     
program4  7#f7 ,a description of any    
plans to expand the pilot program1      
including plans that focus on the unique
 needs of veterans located in rural     
areas4  7#g7 ,an explanation of how the 
care provided under the pilot program is
 consistent with the minimum clinical   
mental health guidelines promulgated by 
the ,veterans ,health ,administration1  
including clinical guidelines contained 
in the ,uniform ,mental ,health         
,services ,handbook of such             
,administration4  ,f  ,dental ,care     
,eligibility ,expansion and ,enhancement

  #aea4  ,restorative dental services   
for veterans  7a7  ,in general  ,section
 #agaj7;c7 is amended--  7#a7 in the    
second sentence--  7,a7 by redesignating
 subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 as clauses 
7i7 and 7ii71 respectively2 and  7,b7 by
 redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 
as subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71         
respectively2  7#b7 by inserting 7#a7   
after 7c72  7#c7 by striking ,the       
,secretary and inserting the following3 
7#b7 ,the ,secretary  2 and  7#d7 by    
adding at the end the following new     
paragraph3  7#c7 ,in addition to the    
dental services1 treatment1 and         
appliances authorized to be furnished by
 paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary may     
furnish dental services and treatment1  
and dental appliances1 needed to restore
 functioning in a veteran that is lost  
as a result of any services or treatment
 furnished under this subsection4  4    
7b7  ,effective date  ,the amendments   
made by subsection 7a7 shall take effect
 on the date that is one year after the 

date of the enactment of this ,act4     
#aeb4  ,pilot program on expansion of   
furnishing of dental care to all        
enrolled veterans  7a7  ,pilot program  
required  ,commencing not later than    
#edj days after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a 
pilot program to assess the feasibility 
and advisability of furnishing dental   
care to veterans enrolled in the system 
of patient enrollment under section     
#agje of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 who are not eligible for dental  
services and treatment1 and related     
dental appliances1 under current        
authorities4  7b7  ,duration of pilot   
program  ,the pilot program shall be    
carried out during the three-year period
 beginning on the date of the           
commencement of the pilot program4  7c7 
,locations  7#a7  ,in general  ,the     
,secretary shall carry out the pilot    
program at not fewer than #af locations 
as follows3  7,a7 ,four ,department of  

,veterans ,affairs medical centers with 
an established dental clinic with       
capacity available for the furnishing of
 services and treatment under the pilot 
program4  7,b7 ,four ,department medical
 centers with a current contract for the
 furnishing of dental care4  7,c7 ,four 
,community-,based ,outpatient ,clinics  
7,c,b,o,cs7 with capacity available for 
the furnishing of services and treatment
 under the pilot program4  7,d7 ,four   
facilities selected from among          
,federally ,qualified ,health ,centers  
7,f,q,h,cs7 and ,indian ,health ,service
 facilities with established dental     
clinics1 of which--  7i7 at least one   
facility shall be such an ,indian       
,health ,service facility2 and  7ii7 any
 ,indian ,health ,service facility so   
selected shall be selected in           
consultation with the ,secretary of     
,health and ,human ,services4  7#b7     
,considerations  ,in selecting locations
 for the pilot program1 the ,secretary  
shall consider the feasibility and      

advisability of selecting locations in  
each of the following3  7,a7 ,rural     
areas4  7,b7 ,areas that are not in     
close proximity to an active duty       
military installation4  7,c7 ,areas     
representing different geographic       
locations1 such as census tracts        
established by the ,bureau of ,census4  
7d7  ,limitation on number of           
participating veterans  7#a7  ,in       
general  ,the total number of eligible  
veterans who may participate in the     
pilot program may not exceed #cj1jjj4   
7#b7  ,distribution of limitation  ,in  
applying the limitation in paragraph    
7#a7 to the pilot program1 the          
,secretary shall distribute the         
limitation across and among locations   
selected for the pilot program in a     
manner that takes appropriate account of
 the size and need of veterans for      
dental services at each such location4  
7e7  ,scope of services  ,the dental    
services and treatment furnished to     
veterans under the pilot program shall  

be consistent with the dental services  
and treatment furnished by the          
,secretary to veterans with             
service-connected disabilities rated    
#ajj percent disabling under the laws   
administered by the ,secretary4  7f7    
,voluntary participation  ,the          
participation of a veteran in the pilot 
program shall be at the election of the 
veteran4  7g7  ,limitation on amount of 
services  7#a7  ,in general  ,the total 
amount the ,secretary may expend        
furnishing dental services and treatment
 to a veteran participating in the pilot
 program during any one-year period may 
not exceed such amount as the ,secretary
 determines appropriate4 ,the amount so 
determined may not be less than #a1jjj4 
7#b7  ,consultation  ,the ,secretary    
shall make the determination under      
paragraph 7#a7--  7,a7 in consultation  
with the ,director of the ,indian       
,health ,service2 and  7,b7 in          
consultation with the ,director of the  
,health ,resources and ,services        

,administration of the ,department of   
,health and ,human ,services if one or  
more ,federally ,qualified ,health      
,center is selected as a location for   
the pilot program under subsection      
7c77#a77;,d74  7h7  ,copayments  ,the   
,secretary may collect copayments for   
dental services and treatment furnished 
under the pilot program in accordance   
with authorities on the collection of   
copayments for medical care of veterans 
under chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code4  7i7  ,program           
administration  7#a7  ,notice to        
eligible veterans on pilot program  ,in 
carrying out the pilot program1 the     
,secretary shall inform all veterans    
eligible to participate in the pilot    
program of the services and treatment   
available under the pilot program4  7#b7
  ,contracts  ,in carrying out the pilot
 program1 the ,secretary may enter into 
contracts with appropriate entities for 
the provision of dental services and    
treatment under the pilot program4 ,each

 such contract shall specify performance
 standards and metrics and processes for
 ensuring compliance of the contractor  
concerned with such performance         
standards4  7j7  ,reports  7#a7         
,preliminary reports  7,a7  ,in general 
,not later than each of #edj days and   
three years after the date of the       
commencement of the pilot program1 the  
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the pilot  
program4  7,b7  ,contents  ,each report 
under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include   
the following3  7i7 ,a description of   
the implementation and operation of the 
pilot program4  7ii7 ,the number of     
veterans receiving services and         
treatment under the pilot program1 and a
 description of the dental services and 
treatment furnished to such veterans4   
7iii7 ,an analysis of the costs and     
benefits of the pilot program1 including

 a comparison of costs and benefits by  
location type4  7iv7 ,an assessment of  
the impact of the pilot program on      
medical care1 wellness1 employability1  
and perceived quality of life of        
veterans4  7v7 ,the current findings and
 conclusions of the ,secretary with     
respect to the pilot program4  7vi7     
,such recommendations for the           
continuation or expansion of the pilot  
program as the ,secretary considers     
appropriate4  7#b7  ,final report  7,a7 
,in general  ,not later than #ahj days  
after the completion of the pilot       
program1 the ,secretary shall submit to 
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the pilot  
program4  7,b7  ,contents  ,the report  
under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include   
the following3  7i7 ,the findings and   
conclusions of the ,secretary with      
respect to the pilot program4  7ii7     
,such recommendations for the           

continuation or expansion of the pilot  
program as the ,secretary considers     
appropriate4  7k7  ,federally ,qualified
 ,health ,center defined  ,in this      
section the term ,federally ,qualified  
,health ,center means a                 
,federally-qualified health center as   
defined in section #aije7l77#b77;,b7 of 
the ,social ,security ,act 7#db         
,u4,s4,c4 #acif;d7l77#b77;,b774  7l7    
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #aec4  ,program on education to 
promote dental health in veterans  7a7  
,program required  7#a7  ,in general    
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall carry out a program of education  
to promote dental health for veterans   
who are enrolled in the system of       
patient enrollment of the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs under section #agje 
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4    
7#b7  ,construction  ,nothing in the    
program shall be deemed to alter or     

revise the eligibility of any veteran   
for dental care under the laws          
administered by the ,secretary4  7b7    
,elements  ,the program required by     
subsection 7a7 shall provide education  
for veterans on the following3  7#a7    
,the association between dental health  
and overall health and well-being4  7#b7
 ,proper techniques for dental care4    
7#c7 ,signs and symptoms of commonly    
occurring dental conditions4  7#d7      
,treatment options for commonly         
occurring dental issues4  7#e7 ,options 
for obtaining access to dental care1    
including information on eligibility for
 dental care through the ,department and
 on purchasing private dental insurance4
  7#f7 ,available and accessible options
 for obtaining low or no-cost dental    
care1 including through dental schools  
and ,federally ,qualified ,health       
,centers 7,f,q,h,cs74  7#g7 ,such other 
matters relating to dental health as the
 ,secretary considers appropriate4  7c7 
,delivery of educational materials  7#a7

  ,in general  ,the ,secretary shall    
provide educational materials to        
veterans under the program required by  
subsection 7a7 through a variety of     
mechanisms1 including the following3    
7,a7 ,the availability and distribution 
of print materials at ,department       
facilities 7including at medical        
centers1 clinics1 ,vet ,centers1 and    
readjustment counseling centers7 and to 
providers 7including members of ,patient
 ,aligned ,care ,teams74  7,b7 ,the     
availability and distribution of        
materials over the ,internet1 including 
through webinars and ,my ,healthe,vet4  
7,c7 ,presentations of information1     
including both small group and large    
group presentations4  7#b7  ,selection  
of mechanisms  ,in selecting mechanisms 
for purposes of this subsection1 the    
,secretary shall select mechanisms      
designed to maximize the number of      
veterans who receive education under the
 program4  7d7  ,federally ,qualified   
,health ,center defined  ,in this       

section the term ,federally ,qualified  
,health ,center means a                 
,federally-qualified health center as   
defined in section #aije7l77#b77;,b7 of 
the ,social ,security ,act 7#db         
,u4,s4,c4 #acif;d7l77#b77;,b774  7e7    
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #aed4  ,authorization of        
appropriations  ,there is authorized to 
be appropriated for the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs for fiscal year #bjae
 #cje1jjj1jjj to carry out this subtitle
 and the amendments made by this        
subtitle4 ,the amount so authorized to  
be appropriated shall be available for  
obligation for the five-year period     
beginning on the date that is one year  
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act4  ,g  ,health ,care ,related to    
,sexual ,trauma  #afa4  ,expansion of   
eligibility for sexual trauma counseling
 and treatment to veterans on inactive  
duty training  ,section #agbj;,d7a77#a7 

is amended by striking or active duty   
for training and inserting 1 active duty
 for training1 or inactive duty         
training4  #afb4  ,provision of         
counseling and treatment for sexual     
trauma by the ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs to members of the ,armed       
,forces  7a7  ,expansion of coverage to 
members of the ,armed ,forces           
,subsection 7a7 of section #agbj;,d is  
amended--  7#a7 by redesignating        
paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72  7#b7 
by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the   
following new paragraph 7#b73  7#b7     
7,a7 ,in operating the program required 
by paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary may1  
in consultation with the ,secretary of  
,defense1 provide counseling and care   
and services to members of the ,armed   
,forces 7including members of the       
,national ,guard and ,reserves7 on      
active duty to overcome psychological   
trauma described in that paragraph4     
7,b7 ,a member described in subparagraph
 7,a7 shall not be required to obtain a 

referral before receiving counseling and
 care and services under this paragraph4
  2 and  7#c7 in paragraph 7#c71 as     
redesignated by paragraph 7#a7--  7,a7  
by striking a veteran and inserting an  
individual2 and  7,b7 by striking that  
veteran each place it appears and       
inserting that individual4  7b7         
,information to members on availability 
of counseling and services  ,subsection 
7c7 of such section is amended--  7#a7  
by striking to veterans each place it   
appears2 and  7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by
 inserting members of the ,armed ,forces
 and before individuals4  7c7           
,inclusion of members in reports on     
counseling and services  ,subsection 7e7
 of such section is amended--  7#a7 in  
the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by 
striking to veterans2  7#b7 in paragraph
 7#b7--  7,a7 by striking women veterans
 and inserting individuals2 and  7,b7 by
 striking training under subsection 7d74
 and inserting 8training under          
subsection 7d71 disaggregated by--  7,a7

 veterans2  7,b7 members of the ,armed  
,forces 7including members of the       
,national ,guard and ,reserves7 on      
active duty2 and  7,c7 for each of      
subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7--  7i7 men2 
and  7ii7 women4  2  7#c7 in paragraph  
7#d71 by striking veterans and inserting
 individuals2 and  7#d7 in paragraph    
7#e7--  7,a7 by striking women veterans 
and inserting individuals2 and  7,b7 by 
inserting 1 including specific          
recommendations for individuals         
specified in subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71  
and 7,c7 of paragraph 7#b7 before the   
period at the end4  7d7  ,effective date
  ,the amendments made by this section  
shall take effect on the date that is   
one year after the date of the enactment
 of this ,act4  #afc4  ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs screening mechanism  
to detect incidents of domestic abuse   
7a7  ,in general  ,not later than two   
years after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans 
,affairs shall develop and implement a  

screening mechanism to be used when a   
veteran seeks healthcare services from  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to
 detect if the veteran has been a victim
 of domestic abuse for purposes of      
improving the treatment of the veteran  
and assessing the prevalence of domestic
 abuse in the veteran population4  7b7  
,readily available screening tools  ,in 
developing and implementing a screening 
mechanism under subsection 7a71 the     
,secretary may incorporate into the     
screening mechanism such readily        
available screening tools as the        
,secretary considers appropriate for the
 screening mechanism4  7c7  ,domestic   
abuse defined  ,in this section1 the    
term domestic abuse means behavior with 
respect to an individual that--  7#a7   
constitutes--  7,a7 a pattern of        
behavior resulting in physical or       
emotional abuse1 economic control1 or   
interference with the personal liberty  
of that individual2  7,b7 a violation of
 ,federal or ,state law involving the   

use1 attempted use1 or threatened use of
 force or violence against that         
individual2 or  7,c7 a violation of a   
lawful order issued for the protection  
of that individual2 and  7#b7 is        
committed by a person who--  7,a7 is a  
current or former spouse or domestic    
partner of that individual2  7,b7 shares
 a child in common with that individual2
  7,c7 is a current or former intimate  
partner of that individual that shares  
or has shared a common domicile with    
that individual2  7,d7 is a caregiver or
 family caregiver of that individual 7as
 such terms are defined in section      
#agbj;,g7d7 of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code72 or  7,e7 is in any other
 type of relationship with that         
individual that the ,secretary may      
specify for purposes of this section4   
#afd4  ,reports on military sexual      
trauma and domestic abuse  7a7  ,report 
on services available for military      
sexual trauma in the ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs  ,not later than #fcj

 days after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans 
,affairs shall submit to the ,committee 
on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate   
and the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,house of               
,representatives a report on the        
treatment and services available from   
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
for male veterans who experience        
military sexual trauma compared to such 
treatment and services available to     
female veterans who experience military 
sexual trauma4  7b7  ,report on domestic
 abuse among veterans  ,not later than  
two years after the implementation of   
the screening mechanism required by     
section #afc7;a7 of this ,act1 the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the
 ,secretary of ,health and ,human       
,services1 acting through the ,director 
of the ,centers for ,disease ,control   
and ,prevention1 shall jointly submit to
 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs  
of the ,senate and the ,committee on    

,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on domestic   
abuse among veterans that includes the  
following3  7#a7 ,a summary of the      
types1 outcomes1 and circumstances of   
incidents of domestic abuse that have   
been reported by veterans during the    
two-year period preceding the submission
 of the report4  7#b7 ,a summary of the 
treatments available from the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs for   
veterans who experience domestic abuse  
and an assessment of the effectiveness  
of those treatments4  7#c7 ,data and    
analysis on any correlation between an  
incident of military sexual trauma or   
sexual trauma experienced after the age 
of #ah and domestic abuse4  7#d7 ,any   
other issues that the ,secretary of     
,veterans ,affairs or the ,director of  
the ,centers for ,disease ,control and  
,prevention determines appropriate4  7c7
  ,reports on transition of military    
sexual trauma and domestic abuse        
treatment from ,department of ,defense  

to ,department of ,veterans ,affairs    
,not later than #fcj days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act1 and     
annually thereafter for five years1 the 
,department of ,veterans                
,affairs-,department of ,defense ,joint 
,executive ,committee established by    
section #cbj7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code1 shall submit to the      
appropriate committees of ,congress a   
report on military sexual trauma and    
domestic abuse that includes the        
following3  7#a7 ,the processes and     
procedures utilized by the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs and the           
,department of ,defense to facilitate   
transition of treatment of individuals  
who have experienced military sexual    
trauma or domestic abuse from treatment 
provided by the ,department of ,defense 
to treatment provided by the ,department
 of ,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7 ,a        
description and assessment of the       
collaboration between the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs and the ,department 

of ,defense in assisting veterans in    
filing claims for disabilities related  
to military sexual trauma or domestic   
abuse1 including permitting veterans    
access to information and evidence      
necessary to develop or support such    
claims4  7d7  ,definitions  ,in this    
section3  7#a7  ,appropriate committees 
of congress  ,the term appropriate      
committees of ,congress means--  7,a7   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs   
and the ,committee on ,armed ,services  
of the ,senate2 and  7,b7 the ,committee
 on ,veterans' ,affairs and the         
,committee on ,armed ,services of the   
,house of ,representatives4  7#b7       
,domestic abuse  ,the term domestic     
abuse has the meaning given that term in
 section #afc7;c7 of this ,act4  7#c7   
,military sexual trauma  ,the term      
military sexual trauma means            
psychological trauma1 which in the      
judgment of a mental health professional
 employed by the ,department1 resulted  
from a physical assault of a sexual     

nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or  
sexual harassment which occurred while  
the veteran was serving on active duty  
or active duty for training4  7#d7      
,sexual harassment  ,the term sexual    
harassment means repeated1 unsolicited  
verbal or physical contact of a sexual  
nature which is threatening in          
character4  7#e7  ,sexual trauma  ,the  
term sexual trauma shall have the       
meaning given that term by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for    
purposes of this section4  7e7          
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is #bgj    
days after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act4  ,h ,reproductive treatment  
and services  #aga4 ,clarification that 
fertility counseling and treatment are  
medical services which the ,secretary   
may furnish to veterans like other      
medical services ,section #agja7f71 as  
amended by section #aad7;b77#a7 of this 
,act1 is further amended by adding at   
the end the following new subparagraph3 

7,i7 ,fertility counseling and          
treatment1 including treatment using    
assisted reproductive technology4  4    
#agb4 ,reproductive treatment and care  
for spouses and surrogates of veterans  
7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,viii of   
chapter #ag is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section3  #aghh4  
,reproductive treatment and care for    
spouses and surrogates of veterans  7a7 
,in general ,the ,secretary shall       
furnish fertility counseling and        
treatment1 including through the use of 
assisted reproductive technology1 to a  
spouse or surrogate of a severely       
wounded1 ill1 or injured veteran who has
 an infertility condition incurred or   
aggravated in line of duty in the active
 military1 naval1 or air service and who
 is enrolled in the system of annual    
patient enrollment established under    
section #agje7;a7 of this title if the  
spouse or surrogate and the veteran     
apply jointly for such counseling and   
treatment through a process prescribed  

by the ,secretary4  7b7 ,coordination of
 care for other spouses and surrogates  
,in the case of a spouse or surrogate of
 a veteran not described in subsection  
7a7 who is seeking fertility counseling 
and treatment1 the ,secretary may       
coordinate fertility counseling and     
treatment for such spouse or surrogate4 
7c7 ,construction ,nothing in this      
section shall be construed to require   
the ,secretary-- 7#a7 to find or certify
 a surrogate for a veteran or to connect
 a surrogate with a veteran2 or  7#b7 to
 furnish maternity care to a spouse or  
surrogate of a veteran4  7d7 ,assisted  
reproductive technology defined ,in this
 section1 the term assisted reproductive
 technology includes in vitro           
fertilization and other fertility       
treatments in which both eggs and sperm 
are handled when clinically appropriate4
  4  7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table 
of sections at the beginning of chapter 
#ag is amended by inserting after the   
item relating to section #aghg the      

following new item3  #aghh4             
,reproductive treatment and care for    
spouses and surrogates of veterans4  4  
#agc4 ,adoption assistance for severely 
wounded veterans  7a7 ,in general       
,subchapter ,,viii of chapter #ag1 as   
amended by section #agb7;a7 of this     
,act1 is further amended by adding at   
the end the following new section3      
#aghi4 ,adoption assistance  7a7 ,in    
general ,the ,secretary may pay an      
amount1 not to exceed the limitation    
amount1 to assist a covered veteran in  
the adoption of one or more children4   
7b7 ,covered veteran ,for purposes of   
this section1 a covered veteran is any  
severely wounded1 ill1 or injured       
veteran who-- 7#a7 has an infertility   
condition incurred or aggravated in line
 of duty in the active military1 naval1 
or air service2 and  7#b7 is enrolled in
 the system of annual patient enrollment
 established under section #agje7;a7 of 
this title4  7c7 ,limitation amount ,for
 purposes of this section1 the          

limitation amount is the amount equal to
 the lesser of-- 7#a7 the cost the      
,department would incur if the          
,secretary were to provide a covered    
veteran with one cycle of fertility     
treatment through the use of assisted   
reproductive technology under section   
#aghh of this title1 as determined by   
the ,secretary2 or  7#b7 the cost the   
,department would incur by paying the   
expenses of three adoptions by covered  
veterans1 as determined by the          
,secretary4  7d7 ,assisted reproductive 
technology defined ,in this section1 the
 term assisted reproductive technology  
has the meaning given that term in      
section #aghh of this title4  4  7b7    
,clerical amendment ,the table of       
sections at the beginning of chapter    
#ag1 as amended by section #agb7;b7 of  
this ,act1 is further amended by        
inserting after the item relating to    
section #aghh the following new item3   
#aghi4 ,adoption assistance4  4  #agd4  
,regulations on furnishing of fertility 

counseling and treatment and adoption   
assistance by ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs  7a7 ,in general ,not later    
than #edj days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall prescribe   
regulations-- 7#a7 on the furnishing of 
fertility treatment to veterans using   
assisted reproductive technology2  7#b7 
to carry out section #aghh of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by     
section #agb of this ,act2 and  7#c7 to 
carry out section #aghi of such title1  
as added by section #agc of this ,act4  
7b7 ,limitation ,notwithstanding any    
other provision of law1 during the      
period beginning on the date of the     
enactment of this ,act and ending on the
 date on which the ,secretary prescribes
 regulations under subsection 7a71 the  
,secretary may not furnish-- 7#a7 to a  
veteran any fertility treatment that    
uses an assisted reproductive technology
 that the ,secretary has not used in the
 provision of a fertility treatment to a

 veteran before the date of the         
enactment of this ,act2  7#b7 any       
fertility counseling or treatment under 
section #aghh of such title1 as added by
 section #agb of this ,act2 or  7#c7 any
 assistance under section #aghi of such 
title1 as added by section #agc of this 
,act4  7c7 ,assisted reproductive       
technology defined ,in this section1 the
 term assisted reproductive technology  
has the meaning given the term in       
section #aghh of such title1 as added by
 section #agb of this ,act4  #age4      
,coordination between ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs and ,department of   
,defense on furnishing of fertility     
counseling and treatment ,the ,secretary
 of ,veterans ,affairs and the          
,secretary of ,defense shall share best 
practices and facilitate referrals1 as  
they consider appropriate1 on the       
furnishing of fertility counseling and  
treatment4  #agf4 ,facilitation of      
reproduction and infertility research   
7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,ii of     

chapter #gc1 as amended by section      
#abd7;a7 of this ,act1 is further       
amended by adding at the end the        
following new section3  #gccj;,c4       
,facilitation of reproduction and       
infertility research  7a7 ,facilitation 
of research required ,the ,secretary    
shall facilitate research conducted     
collaboratively by the ,secretary of    
,defense and the ,secretary of ,health  
and ,human ,services to improve the     
ability of the ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs to meet the long-term          
reproductive health care needs of       
veterans who have a genitourinary       
service-connected disability or a       
condition that was incurred or          
aggravated in line of duty in the active
 military1 naval1 or air service1 such  
as a spinal cord injury1 that affects   
the veterans' ability to reproduce4  7b7
 ,dissemination of information ,the     
,secretary shall ensure that information
 produced by the research facilitated   
under this section that may be useful   

for other activities of the ,veterans   
,health ,administration is disseminated 
throughout the ,veterans ,health        
,administration4  4  7b7 ,clerical      
amendment ,the table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter #gc1 as amended by 
section #abd7;b7 of this ,act1 is       
further amended by inserting after the  
item relating to section #gccj;,b the   
following new item3  #gccj;,c4          
,facilitation of reproduction and       
infertility research4  4  7c7 ,report   
,not later than three years after the   
date of the enactment of this ,act1 the 
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
submit to ,congress a report on the     
research activities conducted by the    
,secretary under section #gccj;,c of    
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as    
added by subsection 7a74  #agg4 ,annual 
report on provision of fertility        
counseling and treatment furnished by   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,in general ,not later than one year    
after the date of the enactment of this 

,act and not less frequently than       
annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the  
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
fertility counseling and treatment      
furnished by the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs during the year      
preceding the submittal of the report4  
7b7 ,elements ,each report submitted    
under subsection 7a7 shall include1 for 
the period covered by the report1 the   
following3 7#a7 ,the number of veterans 
who received fertility counseling or    
treatment furnished by the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs1 disaggregated by 
era of military service of such         
veterans4  7#b7 ,the number of spouses  
and surrogates of veterans who received 
fertility counseling or treatment       
furnished by the ,department4  7#c7 ,the
 cost to the ,department of furnishing  
fertility counseling and treatment1     

disaggregated by cost of services and   
administration4  7#d7 ,the average cost 
to the ,department per recipient of such
 counseling and treatment4  7#e7 ,in    
cases in which the ,department furnished
 fertility treatment through the use of 
assisted reproductive technology1 the   
average number of cycles per person     
furnished4  7#f7 ,a description of how  
fertility counseling and treatment      
services of the ,department are         
coordinated with similar services of the
 ,department of ,defense4  #agh4        
,program on assistance for child care   
for certain veterans  7a7 ,assistance   
for child care for certain veterans     
receiving health care  7#a7 ,in general 
,subchapter ,i of chapter #ag is amended
 by adding at the end the following new 
section3  #agji;,b4 ,assistance for     
child care for certain veterans         
receiving health care  7a7 ,program     
required ,the ,secretary shall carry out
 a program to provide1 subject to       
subsection 7b71 assistance to qualified 

veterans described in subsection 7c7 to 
obtain child care so that such veterans 
can receive health care services        
described in subsection 7c74  7b7       
,limitation on period of payments       
,assistance may only be provided to a   
qualified veteran under this section for
 receipt of child care during the period
 that the qualified veteran-- 7#a7      
receives health care services described 
in subsection 7c7 at a facility of the  
,department2 and  7#b7 requires travel  
to and from such facility for the       
receipt of such health care services4   
7c7 ,qualified veterans ,for purposes of
 this section1 a qualified veteran is a 
veteran who is-- 7#a7 the primary       
caretaker of a child or children2 and   
7#b7 7,a7 receiving from the            
,department-- 7i7 regular mental health 
care services2  7ii7 intensive mental   
health care services2 or  7iii7 such    
other intensive health care services    
that the ,secretary determines that     
provision of assistance to the veteran  

to obtain child care would improve      
access to such health care services by  
the veteran2 or  7,b7 in need of regular
 or intensive mental health care        
services from the ,department1 and but  
for lack of child care services1 would  
receive such health care services from  
the ,department4  7d7 ,locations ,the   
,secretary shall carry out the program  
in no fewer than three ,veterans        
,integrated ,service ,networks selected 
by the ,secretary for purposes of the   
program4  7e7 ,forms of child care      
assistance  7#a7 ,child care assistance 
under this section may include the      
following3 7,a7 ,stipends for the       
payment of child care offered by        
licensed child care centers 7either     
directly or through a voucher program7  
which shall be1 to the extent           
practicable1 modeled after the          
,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,child
 ,care ,subsidy ,program established    
pursuant to section #fcj of the         
,treasury and ,general ,government      

,appropriations ,act1 #bjjb 7,public    
,law #ajg-fg2 #aae ,stat4 #eeb74  7,b7  
,direct provision of child care at an   
on-site facility of the ,department4    
7,c7 ,payments to private child care    
agencies4  7,d7 ,collaboration with     
facilities or programs of other ,federal
 departments or agencies4  7,e7 ,such   
other forms of assistance as the        
,secretary considers appropriate4  7#b7 
,in the case that child care assistance 
under this section is provided as a     
stipend under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 such 
stipend shall cover the full cost of    
such child care4  4  7#b7 ,clerical     
amendment ,the table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter #ag is amended by  
inserting after the item relating to    
section #agji;,a the following new item3
  #agji;,b4 ,assistance for child care  
for certain veterans receiving health   
care4  4  7#c7 ,conforming amendment    
,section #bje7;e7 of the ,caregivers and
 ,veterans ,omnibus ,health ,services   
,act of #bjaj 7,public ,law #aaa-afc2   

#ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agaj note7 is amended by 
inserting but not after the date of the 
enactment of the ,restoring ,veterans   
,trust ,act of #bjad before the period  
at the end4  7b7 ,assistance for child  
care for individuals receiving          
readjustment counseling and related     
mental health services  7#a7 ,in general
 ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ag1 as      
amended by subsection 7a77#a7 of this   
section1 is further amended by adding at
 the end the following new section3     
#agji;,c4 ,assistance for child care for
 individuals receiving readjustment     
counseling and related mental health    
services  7a7 ,program required ,the    
,secretary shall carry out a program to 
provide1 subject to subsection 7b71     
assistance to qualified individuals     
described in subsection 7c7 to obtain   
child care so that such individuals can 
receive readjustment counseling and     
related mental health services4  7b7    
,limitation on period of payments       
,assistance may only be provided to a   

qualified individual under this section 
for receipt of child care during the    
period that the qualified individual    
receives readjustment counseling and    
related health care services at a ,vet  
,center4  7c7 ,qualified individuals    
,for purposes of this section1 a        
qualified individual is an individual   
who is-- 7#a7 the primary caretaker of a
 child or children2 and  7#b7 7,a7      
receiving from the ,department regular  
readjustment counseling and related     
mental health services2 or  7,b7 in need
 of readjustment counseling and related 
mental health services from the         
,department1 and but for lack of child  
care services1 would receive such       
counseling and services from the        
,department4  7d7 ,locations ,the       
,secretary shall carry out the program  
under this section in no fewer than     
three ,readjustment ,counseling ,service
 ,regions selected by the ,secretary for
 purposes of the program4  7e7 ,forms of
 child care assistance  7#a7 ,child care

 assistance under this section may      
include the following3 7,a7 ,stipends   
for the payment of child care offered by
 licensed child care centers 7either    
directly or through a voucher program7  
which shall be1 to the extent           
practicable1 modeled after the          
,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,child
 ,care ,subsidy ,program established    
pursuant to section #fcj of the         
,treasury and ,general ,government      
,appropriations ,act1 #bjjb 7,public    
,law #ajg-fg2 #aae ,stat4 #eeb74  7,b7  
,payments to private child care         
agencies4  7,c7 ,collaboration with     
facilities or programs of other ,federal
 departments or agencies4  7,d7 ,such   
other forms of assistance as the        
,secretary considers appropriate4  7#b7 
,in the case that child care assistance 
under this subsection is provided as a  
stipend under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 such 
stipend shall cover the full cost of    
such child care4  7f7 ,vet ,center      
defined ,in this section1 the term ,vet 

,center means a center for readjustment 
counseling and related mental health    
services for individuals under section  
#agab;,a of this title4  4  7#b7        
,clerical amendment ,the table of       
sections at the beginning of chapter    
#ag1 as amended by subsection 7a77#b7 of
 this section1 is further amended by    
inserting after the item relating to    
section #agji;,b the following new item3
  #agji;,c4 ,assistance for child care  
for individuals receiving readjustment  
counseling and related mental health    
services4  4  #agi4 ,counseling in      
retreat settings for women veterans     
newly separated from service in the     
,armed ,forces  7a7 ,counseling in      
retreat settings  7#a7 ,in general      
,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #ag is      
amended by adding at the end the        
following new section3  #agbj;,h4       
,counseling in retreat settings for     
women veterans newly separated from     
service in the ,armed ,forces  7a7 ,in  
general ,the ,secretary shall provide1  

through the ,readjustment ,counseling   
,service of the ,veterans ,health       
,administration1 reintegration and      
readjustment services described in      
subsection 7c7 in group retreat settings
 to women veterans who are recently     
separated from service in the ,armed    
,forces after a prolonged deployment4   
7b7 ,election of veteran ,the receipt of
 services under this section by a woman 
veteran shall be at the election of the 
veteran4  7c7 ,covered services ,the    
services provided to a woman veteran    
under this section shall include the    
following3 7#a7 ,information on         
reintegration into the veteran's family1
 employment1 and community4  7#b7       
,financial counseling4  7#c7            
,occupational counseling4  7#d7         
,information and counseling on stress   
reduction4  7#e7 ,information and       
counseling on conflict resolution4  7#f7
 ,such other information and counseling 
as the ,secretary considers appropriate 
to assist the veteran in reintegration  

into the veteran's family1 employment1  
and community4  4  7#b7 ,clerical       
amendment ,the table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter #ag is amended by  
inserting after the item relating to    
section #agbj;,g the following new item3
  #agbj;,h4 ,counseling in retreat      
settings for women veterans newly       
separated from service in the ,armed    
,forces4  4  7b7 ,repeal of superseded  
pilot program authority ,section #bjc of
 the ,caregivers and ,veterans ,omnibus 
,health ,services ,act of #bjaj 7,public
 ,law #aaa-afc2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #agab;,a  
note7 is hereby repealed4  ,i  ,major   
,medical ,facility ,leases  #aha4       
,authorization of major medical facility
 leases  ,the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs may carry out the following    
major medical facility leases at the    
locations specified1 and in an amount   
for each lease not to exceed the amount 
shown for such location 7not including  
any estimated cancellation costs73  7#a7
 ,for a clinical research and pharmacy  

coordinating center1 ,albuquerque1 ,new 
,mexico1 an amount not to exceed        
#i1efj1jjj4  7#b7 ,for a community-based
 outpatient clinic1 ,brick1 ,new        
,jersey1 an amount not to exceed        
#g1bhj1jjj4  7#c7 ,for a new primary    
care and dental clinic annex1           
,charleston1 ,south ,carolina1 an amount
 not to exceed #g1jgj1bej4  7#d7 ,for   
the ,cobb ,county community-based       
,outpatient ,clinic1 ,cobb ,county1     
,georgia1 an amount not to exceed       
#f1dji1jjj4  7#e7 ,for the ,leeward     
,outpatient ,healthcare ,access ,center1
 ,honolulu1 ,hawaii1 including a        
co-located clinic with the ,department  
of ,defense and the co-location of the  
,honolulu ,regional ,office of the      
,veterans ,benefits ,administration and 
the ,kapolei ,vet ,center of the        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 an   
amount not to exceed #ae1hhg1cgj4  7#f7 
,for a community-based outpatient       
clinic1 ,johnson ,county1 ,kansas1 an   
amount not to exceed #b1bfc1jjj4  7#g7  

,for a replacement community-based      
outpatient clinic1 ,lafayette1          
,louisiana1 an amount not to exceed     
#b1iif1jjj4  7#h7 ,for a community-based
 outpatient clinic1 ,lake ,charles1     
,louisiana1 an amount not to exceed     
#b1fbf1jjj4  7#i7 ,for outpatient clinic
 consolidation1 ,new ,port ,richey1     
,florida1 an amount not to exceed       
#aa1ibg1jjj4  7#aj7 ,for an outpatient  
clinic1 ,ponce1 ,puerto ,rico1 an amount
 not to exceed #aa1ece1jjj4  7#aa7 ,for 
lease consolidation1 ,san ,antonio1     
,texas1 an amount not to exceed         
#ai1dbf1jjj4  7#ab7 ,for a              
community-based outpatient clinic1 ,san 
,diego1 ,california1 an amount not to   
exceed #aa1idf1ajj4  7#ac7 ,for an      
outpatient clinic1 ,tyler1 ,texas1 an   
amount not to exceed #d1cbg1jjj4  7#ad7 
,for the ,errera ,community ,care       
,center1 ,west ,haven1 ,connecticut1 an 
amount not to exceed #d1hhc1jjj4  7#ae7 
,for the ,worcester community-based     
,outpatient ,clinic1 ,worcester1        

,massachusetts1 an amount not to exceed 
#d1hee1jjj4  7#af7 ,for the expansion of
 a community-based outpatient clinic1   
,cape ,girardeau1 ,missouri1 an amount  
not to exceed #d1bcb1jfj4  7#ag7 ,for a 
multispecialty clinic1 ,chattanooga1    
,tennessee1 an amount not to exceed     
#g1jfi1jjj4  7#ah7 ,for the expansion of
 a community-based outpatient clinic1   
,chico1 ,california1 an amount not to   
exceed #d1ecd1jjj4  7#ai7 ,for a        
community-based outpatient clinic1      
,chula ,vista1 ,california1 an amount   
not to exceed #c1gad1jjj4  7#bj7 ,for a 
new research lease1 ,hines1 ,illinois1  
an amount not to exceed #bb1jcb1jjj4    
7#ba7 ,for a replacement research lease1
 ,houston1 ,texas1 an amount not to     
exceed #f1adb1jjj4  7#bb7 ,for a        
community-based outpatient clinic1      
,lincoln1 ,nebraska1 an amount not to   
exceed #g1agh1djj4  7#bc7 ,for a        
community-based outpatient clinic1      
,lubbock1 ,texas1 an amount not to      
exceed #h1eed1jjj4  7#bd7 ,for a        

community-based outpatient clinic       
consolidation1 ,myrtle ,beach1 ,south   
,carolina1 an amount not to exceed      
#h1jbb1jjj4  7#be7 ,for a               
community-based outpatient clinic1      
,phoenix1 ,arizona1 an amount not to    
exceed #bj1geg1jjj4  7#bf7 ,for the     
expansion of a community-based          
outpatient clinic1 ,redding1            
,california1 an amount not to exceed    
#h1aed1jjj4  7#bg7 ,for the expansion of
 a community-based outpatient clinic1   
,tulsa1 ,oklahoma1 an amount not to     
exceed #ac1bfi1bjj4  #ahb4  ,budgetary  
treatment of ,department of ,veterans   
,affairs major medical facilities leases
  7a7  ,findings  ,congress finds the   
following3  7#a7 ,title #ca1 ,united    
,states ,code1 requires the ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs to record the full
 cost of its contractual obligation     
against funds available at the time a   
contract is executed4  7#b7 ,office of  
,management and ,budget ,circular ,a-#aa
 provides guidance to agencies in       

meeting the statutory requirements under
 title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 with 
respect to leases4  7#c7 ,for operating 
leases1 ,office of ,management and      
,budget ,circular ,a-#aa requires the   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs to    
record up-front budget authority in an  
amount equal to total payments under the
 full term of the lease or an amount    
sufficient to cover first year lease    
payments plus cancellation costs4  7b7  
,requirement for obligation of full cost
  7#a7 ,in general ,subject to the      
availability of appropriations provided 
in advance1 in exercising the authority 
of the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 
to enter into leases provided in this   
,act1 the ,secretary shall record1      
pursuant to section #aeja of title #ca1 
,united ,states ,code1 as the full cost 
of the contractual obligation at the    
time a contract is executed either--    
7,a7 an amount equal to total payments  
under the full term of the lease2 or    
7,b7 if the lease specifies payments to 

be made in the event the lease is       
terminated before its full term1 an     
amount sufficient to cover the first    
year lease payments plus the specified  
cancellation costs4  7#b7 ,self-insuring
 authority ,the requirements of         
paragraph 7#a7 may be satisfied through 
the use of a self-insuring authority    
consistent with ,office of ,management  
and ,budget ,circular ,a-#aa4  7c7      
,transparency  7#a7  ,compliance        
,subsection 7b7 of section #hajd is     
amended by adding at the end the        
following new paragraph3  7#g7 ,in the  
case of a prospectus proposing funding  
for a major medical facility lease1 a   
detailed analysis of how the lease is   
expected to comply with ,office of      
,management and ,budget ,circular ,a-#aa
 and section #acda of title #ca         
7commonly referred to as the            
,anti-,deficiency ,act74 ,any such      
analysis shall include--  7,a7 an       
analysis of the classification of the   
lease as a lease-purchase1 capital      

lease1 or operating lease as those terms
 are defined in ,office of ,management  
and ,budget ,circular ,a-#aa2  7,b7 an  
analysis of the obligation of budgetary 
resources associated with the lease2 and
  7,c7 an analysis of the methodology   
used in determining the asset cost1 fair
 market value1 and cancellation costs of
 the lease4  4  7#b7  ,submittal to     
,congress  ,such section #hajd is       
further amended by adding at the end the
 following new subsection3  7h7  7#a7   
,not less than #cj days before entering 
into a major medical facility lease1 the
 ,secretary shall submit to the         
,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of   
the ,senate and the ,house of           
,representatives--  7,a7 notice of the  
,secretary's intention to enter into the
 lease2  7,b7 a detailed summary of the 
proposed lease2  7,c7 a description and 
analysis of any differences between the 
prospectus submitted pursuant to        
subsection 7b7 and the proposed lease2  
and  7,d7 a scoring analysis            

demonstrating that the proposed lease   
fully complies with ,office of          
,management and ,budget ,circular       
,a-#aa4  7#b7 ,each committee described 
in paragraph 7#a7 shall ensure that any 
information submitted to the committee  
under such paragraph is treated by the  
committee with the same level of        
confidentiality as is required by law of
 the ,secretary and subject to the same 
statutory penalties for unauthorized    
disclosure or use as the ,secretary4    
7#c7 ,not more than #cj days after      
entering into a major medical facility  
lease1 the ,secretary shall submit to   
each committee described in paragraph   
7#a7 a report on any material           
differences between the lease that was  
entered into and the proposed lease     
described under such paragraph1         
including how the lease that was entered
 into changes the previously submitted  
scoring analysis described in           
subparagraph 7,d7 of such paragraph4  4 
7d7  ,rule of construction  ,nothing in 

this section1 or the amendments made by 
this section1 shall be construed to in  
any way relieve the ,department of      
,veterans ,affairs from any statutory or
 regulatory obligations or requirements 
existing prior to the enactment of this 
section and such amendments4  ,,ii      
,survivor and ,dependent ,matters  #bja4
  ,extension of initial period for      
increased dependency and indemnity      
compensation for surviving spouses with 
children  7a7  ,in general  ,section    
#acaa7;f77#b7 is amended by striking    
two-year and inserting three-year4  7b7 
,effective date  ,the amendment made by 
subsection 7a7 shall take effect as of  
,september #cj1 #bjad1 and shall apply  
to any surviving spouse who was eligible
 for or in receipt of benefits under    
section #acaa7;f7 of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 on or after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act4  #bjb4      
,eligibility for dependency and         
indemnity compensation1 educational     
assistance1 and housing loans for       

surviving spouses who remarry after age 
#ee  7a7  ,in general  ,paragraph       
7#b77;,b7 of section #ajc7;d7 is amended
 to read as follows3  7,b7 ,the         
remarriage after age #ee of the         
surviving spouse of a veteran shall not 
bar the furnishing of benefits specified
 in paragraph 7#e7 to such person as the
 surviving spouse of the veteran4  4    
7b7  ,conforming amendment  ,paragraph  
7#e7 of such section is amended by      
striking ,paragraphs 7#b77;,a7 and      
inserting ,paragraphs 7#b74  7c7        
,effective date  ,the amendments made by
 this section shall take effect on the  
date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this ,act4  #bjc4      
,extension of marriage delimiting date  
for surviving spouses of ,persian ,gulf 
,war veterans to qualify for death      
pension  ,section #aeda7;f77#a77;,e7 is 
amended by striking ,january #a1 #bjja  
and inserting the date that is #aj years
 and one day after the date on which the
 ,persian ,gulf ,war was terminated1 as 

prescribed by ,presidential proclamation
 or by law4  #bjd4  ,making effective   
date provision consistent with provision
 for benefits eligibility of a veteran's
 child based upon termination of        
remarriage by annulment  ,section       
#eaaj7l7 is amended by striking 1 or of 
an award or increase of benefits based  
on recognition of a child upon          
termination of the child's marriage by  
death or divorce14  #bje4  ,expansion of
 ,marine ,gunnery ,sergeant ,john ,david
 ,fry ,scholarship  7a7  ,expansion of  
entitlement  ,subsection 7b77#i7 of     
section #ccaa is amended by inserting or
 spouse after child4  7b7  ,limitation  
and election on certain benefits        
,subsection 7f7 of such section is      
amended--  7#a7 by redesignating        
paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#d72 and   
7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7  
the following new paragraphs3  7#b7     
,limitation  ,the entitlement of an     
individual to assistance under          
subsection 7a7 pursuant to paragraph    

7#i7 of subsection 7b7 because the      
individual was a spouse of a person     
described in such paragraph shall expire
 on the earlier of--  7,a7 the date that
 is #ae years after the date on which   
the person died2 and  7,b7 the date on  
which the individual remarries4  7#c7   
,election on receipt of certain benefits
  ,a surviving spouse entitled to       
assistance under subsection 7a7 pursuant
 to paragraph 7#i7 of subsection 7b7 who
 is also entitled to educational        
assistance under chapter #ce of this    
title may not receive assistance under  
both this section and such chapter1 but 
shall make an irrevocable election 7in  
such form and manner as the ,secretary  
may prescribe7 under which section or   
chapter to receive educational          
assistance4  4  7c7  ,conforming        
amendment  ,section #ccba7;b77#d7 is    
amended--  7#a7 by striking an          
individual and inserting a child2 and   
7#b7 by striking such individual's each 
time it appears and inserting such      

child's4  7d7  ,effective date  ,the    
amendments made by this section shall   
take effect on the date that is two     
years after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act4  #bjf4  ,expansion of       
,yellow ,ribbon ,g4,i4 ,education       
,enhancement ,program  7a7  ,in general 
,section #ccag7;a7 is amended by        
striking in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 and
 inserting in paragraphs 7#a71 7#b71 and
 7#i74  7b7  ,effective date  ,the      
amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall  
apply with respect to academic terms    
beginning after ,july #a1 #bjae4  #bjg4 
,benefits for children of certain       
,thailand service veterans born with    
spina bifida  7a7  ,in general          
,subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ah is     
amended by adding at the end the        
following new section3  #ahbb4          
,benefits for children of certain       
,thailand service veterans born with    
spina bifida  7a7  ,benefits authorized 
,the ,secretary may provide to any child
 of a veteran of covered service in     

,thailand who is suffering from spina   
bifida the health care1 vocational      
training and rehabilitation1 and        
monetary allowance required to be paid  
to a child of a ,vietnam veteran who is 
suffering from spina bifida under       
subchapter ,i of this chapter as if such
 child of a veteran of covered service  
in ,thailand were a child of a ,vietnam 
veteran who is suffering from spina     
bifida under such subchapter4  7b7      
,spina bifida conditions covered  ,this 
section applies with respect to all     
forms and manifestations of spina       
bifida1 except spina bifida occulta4    
7c7  ,veteran of covered service in     
,thailand  ,for purposes of this        
section1 a veteran of covered service in
 ,thailand is any individual1 without   
regard to the characterization of that  
individual's service1 who--  7#a7 served
 in the active military1 naval1 or air  
service in ,thailand1 as determined by  
the ,secretary in consultation with the 
,secretary of ,defense1 during the      

period beginning on ,january #i1 #aifb1 
and ending on ,may #g1 #aige2 and  7#b7 
is determined by the ,secretary1 in     
consultation with the ,secretary of     
,defense1 to have been exposed to a     
herbicide agent during such service in  
,thailand4  7d7  ,herbicide agent  ,for 
purposes of this section1 the term      
herbicide agent means a chemical in a   
herbicide used in support of ,united    
,states and allied military operations  
in ,thailand1 as determined by the      
,secretary in consultation with the     
,secretary of ,defense1 during the      
period beginning on ,january #i1 #aifb1 
and ending on ,may #g1 #aige4  4  7b7   
,conforming amendment to definition of  
child  ,section #ahca7a7 is amended--   
7#a7 in subparagraph 7,b7--  7,a7 by    
striking subchapter ,,iii of this       
chapter and inserting section #ahba of  
this title2 and  7,b7 in clause 7i71 by 
striking section #ahba of this title and
 inserting that section2 and  7#b7 by   
adding at the end the following new     

subparagraph3  7,c7 ,for purposes of    
section #ahbb of this title1 an         
individual1 regardless of age or marital
 status1 who--  7i7 is the natural child
 of a veteran of covered service in     
,thailand 7as determined for purposes of
 that section72 and  7ii7 was conceived 
after the date on which that veteran    
first entered service described in      
subsection 7c7 of that section4  4  7c7 
,clerical amendments  7#a7  ,subchapter 
heading  ,the heading for subchapter    
,,iii of chapter #ah is amended by      
inserting and ,thailand after ,korea4   
7#b7  ,table of sections  ,the table of 
sections at the beginning of chapter #ah
 is amended--  7,a7 by striking the item
 relating to subchapter ,,iii and       
inserting the following new item3       
,subchapter ,,iii--,children of certain 
,korea and ,thailand service veterans   
born with spina bifida  2  and  7,b7 by 
inserting after the item relating to    
section #ahba the following new item3   
#ahbb4 ,benefits for children of certain

 ,thailand service veterans born with   
spina bifida4  4  7d7  ,effective date  
,the amendments made by this section    
shall take effect on the date that is   
one year after the date of the enactment
 of this ,act4  #bjh4  ,program on      
assisted living for children of ,vietnam
 veterans and certain ,korea service    
veterans born with spina bifida  7a7    
,program  ,commencing not later than    
#ahj days after the date on which this  
section takes effect1 the ,secretary of 
,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a    
program to assess the feasibility and   
advisability of providing assisted      
living1 group home care1 or similar     
services in lieu of nursing home care to
 covered individuals4  7b7  ,covered    
individuals  ,for purposes of this      
section1 a covered individual is any    
individual who is entitled to health    
care under subchapter ,i or ,,iii of    
chapter #ah of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code4  7c7  ,duration  7#a7    
,in general  ,except as otherwise       

provided in this subsection1 the program
 shall be carried out during the        
three-year period beginning on the date 
of the commencement of the program4     
7#b7  ,continuation  ,subject to        
paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary may      
continue the program for an additional  
two-year period as the ,secretary       
considers appropriate4  7#c7            
,termination  ,the program may not      
operate after the date that is five     
years after the date of the commencement
 of the program4  7d7  ,scope of        
services and program  ,under the        
program1 the ,secretary shall provide   
covered individuals with integrated1    
comprehensive services1 including the   
following3  7#a7 ,assisted living1 group
 home care1 or such other similar       
services as the ,secretary considers    
appropriate4  7#b7 ,transportation      
services4  7#c7 ,such other services as 
the ,secretary considers appropriate for
 the care of covered individuals under  
the program4  7e7  ,program requirements

  ,in carrying out the program1 the     
,secretary shall--  7#a7 inform all     
covered individuals of the services     
available under the program2  7#b7 enter
 into agreements with appropriate       
providers of assisted living1 group home
 care1 or other similar services for    
provision of services under the program2
 and  7#c7 determine the appropriate    
number of covered individuals to be     
enrolled in the program and criteria for
 such enrollment4  7f7  ,reports  7#a7  
,preliminary reports  7,a7  ,in general 
,not later than one year after the date 
of the commencement of the program and1 
if the program is continued under       
subsection 7c77#b71 not later than three
 years after the date of the            
commencement of the program1 the        
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
program4  7,b7  ,contents  ,each report 

submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall 
include the following3  7i7 ,a          
description of the implementation and   
operation of the program4  7ii7 ,the    
number of covered individuals receiving 
benefits under the program4  7iii7 ,an  
analysis that compares the costs of     
furnishing assisted living1 group home  
care1 or similar services with the costs
 of furnishing nursing home care4  7iv7 
,an analysis of the costs and benefits  
under the program4  7v7 ,the findings   
and conclusions of the ,secretary with  
respect to the program4  7vi7 ,such     
recommendations for the continuation or 
expansion of the program as the         
,secretary may have4  7#b7  ,final      
report  7,a7  ,in general  ,not later   
than #ahj days after the completion of  
the program1 the ,secretary shall submit
 to the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
the program4  7,b7  ,contents  ,the     

report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7
 shall include the following3  7i7 ,the 
findings and conclusions of the         
,secretary with respect to the program4 
7ii7 ,such recommendations for the      
continuation or expansion of the program
 as the ,secretary may have4  7g7       
,funding  ,amounts to carry out the     
program shall be derived from amounts   
appropriated or otherwise made available
 for the furnishing of nursing home care
 under chapter #ah of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code4  7h7  ,effective date   
,this section shall take effect on the  
date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this ,act4  #bji4      
,program on grief counseling in retreat 
settings for surviving spouses of       
members of the ,armed ,forces who die   
while serving on active duty in the     
,armed ,forces  7a7  ,program required  
7#a7  ,in general  ,commencing not later
 than #ahj days after the date on which 
this section takes effect1 the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  

carry out1 through the ,readjustment    
,counseling ,service of the ,veterans   
,health ,administration1 a program to   
assess the feasibility and advisability 
of providing grief counseling services  
described in subsection 7b7 in group    
retreat settings to surviving spouses of
 members of the ,armed ,forces who die  
while serving on active duty in the     
,armed ,forces who would1 as determined 
by the ,readjustment ,counseling        
,service1 benefit from the services     
provided under the program4  7#b7       
,participation at election of surviving 
spouse  ,the participation of a         
surviving spouse in the program under   
this section shall be at the election of
 the surviving spouse4  7b7  ,covered   
services  ,the services provided to a   
surviving spouse under the program shall
 include the following3  7#a7           
,information and counseling on coping   
with grief4  7#b7 ,information about    
benefits and services available to      
surviving spouses under laws            

administered by the ,secretary4  7#c7   
,such other information and counseling  
as the ,secretary considers appropriate 
to assist a surviving spouse under the  
program with adjusting to the death of a
 spouse4  7c7  ,events  ,the ,secretary 
shall carry out the program at not fewer
 than six events as follows3  7#a7      
,three events at which surviving spouses
 with dependent children are encouraged 
to bring their children4  7#b7 ,three   
events at which surviving spouses with  
dependent children are not encouraged to
 bring their children4  7d7  ,duration  
,the program shall be carried out during
 the two-year period beginning on the   
date of the commencement of the program4
  7e7  ,reports  7#a7  ,in general  ,not
 later than #ahj days after the         
completion of the first year of the     
program and not later than #ahj days    
after the completion of the program1 the
 ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a 
report on the program4  7#b7  ,contents 
,each report submitted under paragraph  

7#a7 shall contain the findings and     
conclusions of the ,secretary as a      
result of the program1 and shall include
 such recommendations for the           
continuation or expansion of the program
 as the ,secretary considers            
appropriate4  7f7  ,definitions  ,in    
this section1 the terms active duty1    
,armed ,forces1 and surviving spouse    
have the meanings given such terms in   
section #aja of title #ch1 ,united      
,states ,code4  7g7  ,effective date    
,this section shall take effect on the  
date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this ,act4  #baj4      
,program evaluation on survivors' and   
dependents' educational assistance      
authorities  7a7  ,in general  ,the     
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
enter into a contract with an           
appropriate private sector entity to    
conduct a program evaluation of the     
authorities for survivors' and          
dependents' educational assistance under
 chapter #ce of title #ch1 ,united      

,states ,code4  7b7  ,report  ,not later
 than six months after the entry into   
the contract required by subsection 7a71
 the ,secretary shall submit to the     
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report setting forth 
the results of the program evaluation   
conducted pursuant to the contract1     
together with such comments on the      
results of the program evaluation as the
 ,secretary considers appropriate4  7c7 
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect one year after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act4  ,,iii      
,education ,matters  #cja4  ,approval of
 courses of education provided by public
 institutions of higher learning for    
purposes of ,all-,volunteer ,force      
,educational ,assistance ,program and   
,post-#i_/aa ,educational ,assistance   
conditional on in-,state tuition rate   
for veterans  7a7  ,in general  ,section
 #cfgi is amended by adding at the end  

the following new subsection3  7c7  7#a7
 ,notwithstanding any other provision of
 this chapter and subject to paragraphs 
7#c7 through 7#f71 the ,secretary shall 
disapprove a course of education        
provided by a public institution of     
higher learning to a covered individual 
pursuing a course of education with     
educational assistance under chapter #cj
 or #cc of this title while living in   
the ,state in which the public          
institution of higher learning is       
located if the institution charges      
tuition and fees for that course for the
 covered individual at a rate that is   
higher than the rate the institution    
charges for tuition and fees for that   
course for residents of the ,state in   
which the institution is located1       
regardless of the covered individual's  
,state of residence4  7#b7 ,for purposes
 of this subsection1 a covered          
individual is any individual as follows3
  7,a7 ,a veteran who was discharged or 
released from a period of not fewer than

 #ij days of service in the active      
military1 naval1 or air service less    
than three years before the date of     
enrollment in the course concerned4     
7,b7 ,an individual who is entitled to  
assistance under section #ccaa7;b77#i7  
or #ccai of this title by virtue of such
 individual's relationship to a veteran 
described in subparagraph 7,a74  7#c7   
,if after enrollment in a course of     
education that is subject to disapproval
 under paragraph 7#a7 by reason of      
paragraph 7#b77;,a7 or 7#b77;,b7 a      
covered individual pursues one or more  
courses of education at the same public 
institution of higher learning while    
remaining continuously enrolled 7other  
than during regularly scheduled breaks  
between courses1 semesters or terms7 at 
that institution of higher learning1 any
 course so pursued by the covered       
individual at that institution of higher
 learning while so continuously enrolled
 shall also be subject to disapproval   
under paragraph 7#a74  7#d7 ,it shall   

not be grounds to disapprove a course of
 education under paragraph 7#a7 if a    
public institution of higher learning   
requires a covered individual pursuing a
 course of education at the institution 
to demonstrate an intent1 by means other
 than satisfying a physical presence    
requirement1 to establish residency in  
the ,state in which the institution is  
located1 or to satisfy other            
requirements not relating to the        
establishment of residency1 in order to 
be charged tuition and fees for that    
course at a rate that is equal to or    
less than the rate the institution      
charges for tuition and fees for that   
course for residents of the ,state4     
7#e7 ,the ,secretary may waive such     
requirements of paragraph 7#a7 as the   
,secretary considers appropriate4  7#f7 
,disapproval under paragraph 7#a7 shall 
apply only with respect to educational  
assistance under chapters #cj and #cc of
 this title4  4  7b7  ,effective date   
,subsection 7c7 of section #cfgi of     

title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code 7as    
added by subsection 7a7 of this         
section71 shall apply with respect to   
educational assistance provided for     
pursuit of programs of education during 
academic terms that begin after ,july   
#a1 #bjae1 through courses of education 
that commence on or after that date4    
#cjb4  ,extension and expansion of      
authority for certain qualifying        
work-study activities for purposes of   
the educational assistance programs of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
7a7  ,extension of expiring current     
authority  ,section #cdhe7;a77#d7 is    
amended by striking ,june #cj1 #bjac    
each place it appears and inserting     
,june #cj1 #bjae4  7b7  ,expansion to   
outreach services provided through      
congressional offices  ,such section is 
further amended by adding at the end the
 following new subparagraph3  7,k7      
,during the period beginning on ,june   
#cj1 #bjac1 and ending on ,june #cj1    
#bjae1 the following activities carried 

out at the offices of ,members of       
,congress for such ,members3  7i7 ,the  
distribution of information to members  
of the ,armed ,forces1 veterans1 and    
their dependents about the benefits and 
services under laws administered by the 
,secretary and other appropriate        
governmental and nongovernmental        
programs4  7ii7 ,the preparation and    
processing of papers and other          
documents1 including documents to assist
 in the preparation and presentation of 
claims for benefits under laws          
administered by the ,secretary4  4  7c7 
,annual reports  7#a7  ,in general  ,not
 later than ,june #cj of #bjad and      
#bjae1 the ,secretary of ,veterans      
,affairs shall submit to ,congress a    
report on the work-study allowances paid
 under paragraph 7#a7 of section        
#cdhe7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code1 during the most recent one-year  
period for qualifying work-study        
activities described in paragraph 7#d7  
of such section1 as amended by          

subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of this section4
  7#b7  ,contents  ,each report         
submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall    
include1 for the year covered by such   
report1 the following3  7,a7 ,a         
description of the recipients of such   
work-study allowances4  7,b7 ,a list of 
the locations where qualifying          
work-study activities were carried out4 
7,c7 ,a description of the outreach     
conducted by the ,secretary to increase 
awareness of the eligibility of such    
work-study activities for such          
work-study allowances4  #cjc4           
,prohibitions relating to references to 
,,gi ,bill and ,post-#i_/aa ,,gi ,bill  
7a7  ,in general  ,subchapter ,,ii of   
chapter #cf is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section3          
#cfig;,b4  ,prohibition relating to     
references to ,,gi ,bill and            
,post-#i_/aa ,,gi ,bill  7a7            
,prohibition  7#a7 ,no person may1      
except with the written permission of   
the ,secretary1 use the words and       

phrases covered by this subsection in   
connection with any promotion1 goods1   
services1 or commercial activity in a   
manner that reasonably and falsely      
suggests that such use is approved1     
endorsed1 or authorized by the          
,department or any component thereof4   
7#b7 ,for purposes of this subsection1  
the words and phrases covered by this   
subsection are as follows3  7,a7  ,,gi  
,bill4  7,b7  ,post-#i_/aa ,,gi ,bill4  
7#c7 ,a determination that a use of one 
or more words and phrases covered by    
this subsection in connection with a    
promotion1 goods1 services1 or          
commercial activity is not a violation  
of this subsection may not be made      
solely on the ground that such          
promotion1 goods1 services1 or          
commercial activity includes a          
disclaimer of affiliation with the      
,department or any component thereof4   
7b7  ,enforcement by ,attorney ,general 
7#a7 ,when any person is engaged or is  
about to engage in an act or practice   

which constitutes or will constitute    
conduct prohibited by subsection 7a71   
the ,attorney ,general may initiate a   
civil proceeding in a district court of 
the ,united ,states to enjoin such act  
or practice4  7#b7 ,such court may1 at  
any time before final determination1    
enter such restraining orders or        
prohibitions1 or take such other action 
as is warranted1 to prevent injury to   
the ,united ,states or to any person or 
class of persons for whose protection   
the action is brought4  4  7b7          
,clerical amendment  ,the table of      
sections at the beginning of chapter #cf
 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section #cfig;,a the        
following new item3  #cfig;,b4          
,prohibition relating to references to  
,,gi ,bill and ,post-#i_/aa ,,gi ,bill4 
4  #cjd4  ,review of utilization of     
educational assistance to pursue        
programs of training on the job and     
participating employers  7a7  ,in       
general  ,not later than two years after

 the date of the enactment of this ,act1
 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall commence a review of--  7#a7 the  
utilization of educational assistance   
under laws administered by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to     
pursue programs of training on the job  
7other than programs of apprenticeship72
 and  7#b7 the availability of such     
programs to individuals seeking to      
pursue such programs with such          
educational assistance4  7b7  ,report   
7#a7  ,in general  ,not later than two  
years after the date on which the       
,secretary commences the review required
 by subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall
 submit to ,congress a report on such   
review4  7#b7  ,contents  ,the report   
required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include
 the following3  7,a7 ,the extent of    
utilization as described in paragraph   
7#a7 of subsection 7a74  7,b7 ,an       
assessment of the availability of       
programs as described in paragraph 7#b7 
of such subsection4  7,c7 ,a description

 of any barriers the ,secretary has     
identified to greater utilization of    
educational assistance for pursuit of a 
program of training on the job or       
availability of such programs4  7,d7    
,such recommendations for legislative or
 administrative action as the ,secretary
 may have to increase or decrease such  
utilization or availability4  7,e7 ,such
 other matters as the ,secretary        
considers appropriate4  #cje4  ,report  
on debt management and collection  7a7  
,report  ,not later than one year after 
the effective date specified in         
subsection 7c71 the ,comptroller        
,general of the ,united ,states shall   
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
processes used by the ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs to identify and      
resolve cases of incorrect payments     
associated with educational assistance  
under chapters #cj and #cc of title #ch1

 ,united ,states ,code4  7b7  ,issues   
addressed  ,the report required by      
subsection 7a7 shall1 to the extent     
possible1 address the following3  7#a7  
,the effectiveness of the processes     
referred to in subsection 7a7 in        
identifying and resolving incorrect     
payments associated with educational    
assistance under chapters #cj and #cc of
 title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#b7
 ,the accuracy of overpayment           
information provided to veterans by the 
,education ,service and ,debt           
,management ,center of the ,department4 
7#c7 ,how well the ,debt ,management    
,center of the ,department communicates 
and works with veterans to resolve      
disputed debt amounts4  7#d7 ,how the   
payment and debt collection processes of
 the ,department compare to comparable  
programs in other ,federal agencies4    
7#e7 ,any recommendations to improve the
 payment and debt collection processes  
of the ,department that the ,comptroller
 ,general considers appropriate4  7c7   

,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #cjf4  ,restoration of prior    
reporting fee multipliers  ,section     
#cfhd7;c7 is amended--  7#a7 by striking
 #ab and inserting #g2 and  7#b7 by     
striking #ae and inserting #aa4  ,,iv   
,employment and ,related ,matters  ,a   
,training and other services for        
veterans seeking employment  #dja4      
,extension of authority of ,secretary of
 ,veterans ,affairs to provide          
rehabilitation and vocational benefits  
to members of ,armed ,forces with severe
 injuries or illnesses  7a7  ,in general
  ,section #afca7;b77#b7 of the ,wounded
 ,warrior ,act 7title ,,xvi of ,public  
,law #aaj-aha2 #aj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajga note7
 is amended by striking ,december #ca1  
#bjad and inserting ,december #ca1      
#bjaf4  7b7  ,report  7#a7  ,in general 
,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act1 the     
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  

submit to the appropriate committees of 
,congress a report on the benefits      
provided by the ,secretary under section
 #afca7;b7 of such ,act4  7#b7          
,appropriate committees of congress  ,in
 this subsection1 the term appropriate  
committees of ,congress means--  7,a7   
the ,committee on ,armed ,services and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate2 and  7,b7 the ,committee  
on ,armed ,services and the ,committee  
on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of 
,representatives4  ,b  ,employment of   
veterans and recognition of veteran     
status with respect to employment       
related matters  #daa4  ,employment of  
veterans with the ,federal ,government  
7a7  ,in general  ,section #dbad is     
amended--  7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by   
adding at the end the following3  7#d7  
7,a7 ,the requirement under this        
paragraph is in addition to the         
appointment of qualified covered        
veterans under the authority specified  
in subparagraph 7,c7 by the ,department 

of ,veterans ,affairs and the           
,department of ,defense4  7,b7 ,the head
 of each agency1 in consultation with   
the ,director of the ,office of         
,personnel ,management1 shall develop a 
plan for exercising the authority       
specified in subparagraph 7,c7 during   
the five-year period beginning on the   
date of the enactment of the ,restoring 
,veterans ,trust ,act of #bjad4  7,c7   
,the authority specified in this        
subparagraph is the authority as        
follows3  7i7 ,the authority under      
paragraph 7#a74  7ii7 ,the authority    
available to the agency concerned under 
the ,veterans ,employment ,opportunities
 ,act of #aiih 7,public ,law #aje-cci7  
and the amendments made by that ,act4   
7,d7 ,the ,director of the ,office of   
,personnel ,management shall ensure that
 under the plans developed under        
subparagraph 7,b7 agencies shall appoint
 to existing vacancies not fewer than   
#ae1jjj qualified covered veterans      
during the five-year period beginning on

 the date of the enactment of the       
,restoring ,veterans ,trust ,act of     
#bjad4 ,for purposes of complying with  
this subparagraph1 an appointment       
pursuant to the authority referred to in
 subparagraph 7,c77ii7 shall not count  
toward the number required by this      
subparagraph unless the appointment is  
to a vacancy in a full-time1 permanent  
position4  2  7#b7 in subsection 7d71 in
 the third sentence1 by inserting       
7including1 during the #e-year period   
beginning on the date of the enactment  
of the ,restoring ,veterans ,trust ,act 
of #bjad1 the development and           
implementation by each agency of the    
plan required under subsection 7b77#d71 
which shall include information         
regarding the grade or pay level of     
appointments by the agency under the    
plan and whether the appointments are1  
or are converted to1 career or          
career-conditional appointments7 after  
subsection 7b7 of this section2 and     
7#c7 in subsection 7e7--  7,a7 in       

paragraph 7#a7--  7i7 in the matter     
before subparagraph 7,a71 by striking to
 the ,congress and inserting to the     
appropriate committees of ,congress2 and
  7ii7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by         
inserting 7including1 during the #e-year
 period beginning on the date of the    
enactment of the ,restoring ,veterans   
,trust ,act of #bjad1 the development   
and implementation by the agency of the 
plan required under subsection 7b77#d71 
which shall include information         
regarding the grade or pay level of     
appointments by the agency under the    
plan and whether the appointments are1  
or are converted to1 permanent          
appointments7 before the period2 and    
7,b7 by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph3  7#c7 ,in this           
subsection1 the term appropriate        
committees of ,congress means--  7,a7   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs   
and the ,committee on ,homeland         
,security and ,governmental ,affairs of 
the ,senate2 and  7,b7 the ,committee on

 ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee 
on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of
 the ,house of ,representatives4  4  7b7
  ,report  ,not later than #ahj days    
after the date of enactment of this     
,act1 the ,director of the ,office of   
,personnel ,management shall submit to  
the appropriate committees of ,congress 
7as defined under section #dbad7;e77#c7 
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as 
amended by subsection 7a77 regarding the
 development of a plan to carry out the 
amendments made by subsection 7a74      
#dab4  ,state recognition of military   
experience of veterans in issuing       
licenses and credentials to veterans    
7a7  ,in general  ,section #dajb;,a7c7  
is amended by striking paragraph 7#i7   
and inserting the following new         
paragraph 7#i73  7#i7  7,a7 ,as a       
condition of a grant or contract under  
which funds are made available to a     
,state under subsection 7b77#e7 in order
 to carry out section #dajc;,a or #dajd 
of this title1 the ,state shall--  7i7  

establish a program under which the     
,state administers an examination to    
each veteran seeking a license or       
credential issued by the ,state and     
issues such license or credential to    
such veteran without requiring such     
veteran to undergo any training or      
apprenticeship if the veteran--  7,i7   
receives a satisfactory score on        
completion of such examination1 as      
determined by the ,state2  7,,ii7 has   
been awarded a military occupational    
specialty that is substantially         
equivalent to or exceeds the            
requirements of the ,state for the      
issuance of such license or credential2 
7,,iii7 has engaged in the active       
practice of the occupation for which the
 veteran is seeking such license or     
credential for at least two of the five 
years preceding the date of application2
 and  7,,iv7 pays any customary or usual
 fees required by the ,state for such   
license or credential2 and  7ii7 submit 
each year to the ,secretary a report on 

the examinations administered under     
clause 7i7 during the most recently     
completed #ab-month period that         
includes1 for the period covered by the 
report the number of veterans who       
completed an examination administered by
 the ,state under clause 7i7 and a      
description of the results of such      
examinations1 disaggregated by          
occupational field4  7,b7 ,the          
,secretary may waive the requirement    
under subparagraph 7,a7 that a ,state   
establish a program described in that   
subparagraph as a condition of a grant  
or contract if the ,state certifies to  
the ,secretary that the ,state--  7i7   
takes into account previous military    
training for the purposes of issuing    
licenses or credentials2 and  7ii7 for  
any credential or license for which a   
veteran is unable to completely satisfy 
a training or testing requirement       
through examination1 the ,state         
substantially reduces training time     
required to satisfy such requirement    

based on the military training received 
by the veteran or establishes procedures
 for granting credit for prior learning 
related to prior military service or    
training4  7,c7 ,not less frequently    
than once each year1 the ,secretary     
shall submit to ,congress and the       
,secretary of ,defense a report         
summarizing the information received by 
the ,secretary under subparagraph       
7,a77ii74  4  7b7  ,technical assistance
  7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of   
,labor1 in consultation with the        
,secretary of ,defense and such other   
heads of ,federal agencies as the       
,secretary of ,labor considers          
appropriate1 may provide technical      
assistance to a ,state to assist the    
,state in meeting the requirements of   
section #dajb;,a7c77#i7 of title #ch1   
,united ,states ,code1 as amended by    
subsection 7a74  7#b7 ,authorization of 
appropriations ,there is authorized to  
be appropriated to the ,secretary of    
,labor to carry out paragraph 7#a7      

#a1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjae4  7c7  
,effective date  7#a7  ,examinations    
,subparagraph 7,a7 of section           
#dajb;,a7c77#i7 of title #ch1 ,united   
,states ,code1 as added by subsection   
7a71 shall take effect on the date that 
is one year after the date of the       
enactment of this ,act and shall apply  
with respect to grants and contracts    
described in such subparagraph awarded  
after such date4  7#b7 ,reports         
,subparagraph 7,b7 of such section      
#dajb;,a7c77#i71 as so added1 shall take
 effect on the date that is one year    
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act and the ,secretary of ,labor shall 
submit the first report under such      
subparagraph not later than #ijj days   
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act4  #dac4  ,report on discrimination 
against members of reserve components of
 ,armed ,forces and veterans in civilian
 labor market  7a7  ,in general  ,not   
later than #egj days after the date of  
the enactment of this act1 the          

,secretary of ,labor1 in coordination   
with the heads of such agencies as the  
,secretary considers appropriate1 shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of 
,congress a report on barriers and      
potential discrimination facing veterans
 in the labor market4  7b7  ,contents   
,the report required by subsection 7a7  
shall include the following3  7#a7 ,an  
evaluation of the following3  7,a7 ,the 
extent to which members of the reserve  
components of the ,armed ,forces and    
veterans face barriers to entry into the
 civilian labor market1 including       
whether such members and veterans face  
obstacles in obtaining employment1      
maintaining employment1 or receiving    
promotions while employed4  7,b7 ,the   
extent to which a member of a reserve   
component of the ,armed ,forces or a    
veteran faces discrimination in the     
civilian labor market based on the      
member's or veteran's status as a member
 of a reserve component of the ,armed   
,forces or as a veteran1 as the case may

 be4  7,c7 ,the adequacy and            
effectiveness of ,federal laws in effect
 on the day before the date of the      
enactment of this ,act in preventing or 
ameliorating acts of discrimination     
against members of the reserve          
components of the ,armed ,forces and    
veterans seeking or retaining employment
 in the civilian labor market4  7,d7    
,the adequacy and effectiveness of      
programs of the ,department of ,labor in
 effect on the day before the date of   
the enactment of this ,act in educating 
private sector employers on matters     
relevant to hiring and employing        
veterans and the military experience of 
veterans4  7#b7 ,such recommendations as
 the ,secretary may have for legislative
 or administrative action--  7,a7 to    
address barriers or discrimination that 
members of the reserve components of the
 ,armed ,forces and veterans may face in
 the civilian labor market2  7,b7 to    
improve education and outreach for      
employers in the civilian labor market  

on issues regarding hiring and employing
 such members and veterans2 and  7,c7 to
 assist employers in the civilian labor 
market in matching the military         
experience of such members and veterans 
with the needs of such employers4  7#c7 
,such other matters as the ,secretary   
considers appropriate4  7c7             
,appropriate committees of congress  ,in
 this section1 the term appropriate     
committees of ,congress means--  7#a7   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs   
and the ,committee on ,health1          
,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the
 ,senate2 and  7#b7 the ,committee on   
,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee  
on ,education and the ,workforce of the 
,house of ,representatives4  7d7        
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  ,c  ,improving employment and   
reemployment rights of members of the   
uniformed services  #dba4  ,suspension1 
termination1 or debarment of contractors

 for repeated violations of employment  
or reemployment rights of members of    
uniformed services  7a7  ,in general    
,subchapter ,,iii of chapter #dc is     
amended by adding at the end the        
following new section3  #dcbh4          
,suspension1 termination1 or debarment  
of contractors  7a7  ,grounds for       
suspension1 termination1 or debarment   
,payment under a contract awarded by a  
,federal executive agency may be        
suspended and the contract may be       
terminated1 and the contractor who made 
the contract with the agency may be     
suspended or debarred in accordance with
 the requirements of this section1 if   
the head of the agency determines that  
the contractor as an employer has       
repeatedly been convicted of failing or 
refusing to comply with one or more     
provisions of this chapter4  7b7        
,effect of debarment  ,a contractor     
debarred by a final decision under this 
section is ineligible for award of a    
contract by a ,federal executive agency1

 and for participation in a future      
procurement by a ,federal executive     
agency1 for a period specified in the   
decision1 not to exceed #e years4  4    
7b7  ,clerical amendment  ,the table of 
sections at the beginning of chapter #dc
 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section #dcbg the following 
new item3  #dcbh4 ,suspension1          
termination1 or debarment of contractor4
  4  7c7  ,regulations  ,not later than 
#ahj days after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act1 the ,federal    
,acquisition ,regulatory ,council shall 
amend the ,federal ,acquisition         
,regulation to carry out section #dcbh  
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as 
added by subsection 7a74  7d7           
,effective date  ,section #dcbh of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by
 subsection 7a71 shall apply with       
respect to failures and refusals to     
comply with provisions of chapter #dc of
 title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1      
occurring on or after the date of the   

enactment of this ,act4  7e7  ,annual   
report  ,section #dccb7;a7 is amended-- 
7#a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#aj7 as
 paragraph 7#aa72 and  7#b7 by inserting
 after paragraph 7#i7 the following new 
paragraph 7#aj73  7#aj7 ,the number of  
suspensions1 terminations1 and          
debarments under section #dcbh of this  
title1 disaggregated by the agency or   
department imposing the suspension or   
debarment4  4  ,d  ,small ,business     
,matters  #dca4  ,expansion of          
contracting goals and preferences of    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs to    
include conditionally owned small       
business concerns #ajj percent owned by 
veterans  ,section #habg7l7 is amended--
  7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting  
unconditionally before owned by each    
place it appears2 and  7#b7 by adding at
 the end the following new paragraph3   
7#c7 ,the term unconditionally owned    
includes1 with respect to ownership of a
 small business concern1 conditional    
ownership of such small business concern

 if such business concern is #ajj       
percent owned by one or more veterans4  
4  #dcb4  ,modification of treatment    
under contracting goals and preferences 
of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for
 small businesses owned by veterans of  
small businesses after death of disabled
 veteran owners  7a7  ,in general       
,section #habg7;h7 is amended--  7#a7 in
 paragraph 7#c71 by striking rated as   
and all that follows through disability4
 and inserting a period2 and  7#b7 in   
paragraph 7#b71 by amending subparagraph
 7,c7 to read as follows3  7,c7 ,the    
date that--  7i7 in the case of a       
surviving spouse of a veteran with a    
service-connected disability rated as   
#ajj percent disabling or who dies as a 
result of a service-connected           
disability1 is #aj years after the date 
of the veteran's death2 or  7ii7 in the 
case of a surviving spouse of a veteran 
with a service-connected disability     
rated as less than #ajj percent         
disabling who does not die as a result  

of a service-connected disability1 is   
three years after the date of the       
veteran's death4  4  7b7  ,effective    
date  ,the amendments made by subsection
 7a7 shall take effect on the date that 
is #ahj days after the date of the      
enactment of this ,act and shall apply  
with respect to applications received   
pursuant to section #habg7;f77#b7 of    
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 that  
are verified on or after such date4     
#dcc4  ,treatment of businesses after   
deaths of servicemember-owners for      
purposes of ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs contracting goals and          
preferences  7a7  ,in general  ,section 
#habg is amended--  7#a7 by             
redesignating subsections 7i7 through   
7l7 as subsections 7j7 through 7m71     
respectively2 and  7#b7 by inserting    
after subsection 7h7 the following new  
subsection 7i73  7i7  ,treatment of     
businesses after death of               
servicemember-,owner  7#a7 ,if a member 
of the ,armed ,forces owns at least #ea 

percent of a small business concern and 
such member is killed in line of duty in
 the active military1 naval1 or air     
service1 the surviving spouse or        
dependent child of such member who      
acquires such ownership rights in such  
small business concern shall1 for the   
period described in paragraph 7#b71 be  
treated as if the surviving spouse or   
dependent child were a veteran with a   
service-connected disability for        
purposes of determining the status of   
the small business concern as a small   
business concern owned and controlled by
 veterans for purposes of contracting   
goals and preferences under this        
section4  7#b7 ,the period referred to  
in paragraph 7#a7 is the period         
beginning on the date on which the      
member of the ,armed ,forces dies and   
ending on the date as follows3  7,a7 ,in
 the case of a surviving spouse1 the    
earliest of the following dates3  7i7   
,the date on which the surviving spouse 
remarries4  7ii7 ,the date on which the 

surviving spouse relinquishes an        
ownership interest in the small business
 concern and no longer owns at least #ea
 percent of such small business concern4
  7iii7 ,the date that is ten years     
after the date of the member's death4   
7,b7 ,in the case of a dependent child1 
the earliest of the following dates3    
7i7 ,the date on which the surviving    
dependent child relinquishes an         
ownership interest in the small business
 concern and no longer owns at least #ea
 percent of such small business concern4
  7ii7 ,the date that is ten years after
 the date of the member's death4  4  7b7
  ,effective date  ,subsection 7i7 of   
section #habg of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 as added by subsection   
7a71 shall take effect on the date of   
the enactment of this ,act and shall    
apply with respect to the deaths of     
members of the ,armed ,forces occurring 
on or after such date4  #dcd4  ,special 
rule for treatment under contracting    
goals and preferences of ,department of 

,veterans ,affairs of small business    
concerns licensed in community property 
,states  ,section #habg1 as amended by  
section #dcc of this ,act1 is further   
amended by adding at the end the        
following new subsection3  7n7  ,special
 rule for community property ,states    
,whenever the ,secretary assesses1 for  
purposes of this section1 the degree of 
ownership by an individual of a small   
business concern licensed in a community
 property ,state1 the ,secretary shall  
also assess what that degree of         
ownership would be if such small        
business concern had been licensed in a 
,state other than a community property  
,state4 ,if the ,secretary determines   
that such individual would have had a   
greater degree of ownership of the small
 business concern had such small        
business concern been licensed in a     
,state other than a community property  
,state1 the ,secretary shall treat1 for 
purposes of this section1 such small    
business concern as if it had been      

licensed in a ,state other than a       
community property ,state4  4  #dce4    
,report on assistance for veterans in   
obtaining training on purchasing and    
operating a franchise  7a7  ,report     
required  ,not later than one year after
 the effective date specified in        
subsection 7c71 the ,secretary of ,labor
 shall1 in consultation with the        
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 the   
,administrator of the ,small ,business  
,administration1 and other appropriate  
entities1 submit to ,congress a report  
on the assistance available to veterans 
to obtain training necessary to purchase
 and operate a franchise4  7b7          
,elements  ,the report required by      
subsection 7a7 shall include the        
following3  7#a7 ,a description of the  
assistance available for veterans       
through the ,department of ,labor1 the  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 the  
,small ,business ,administration1 or any
 other agency of the ,federal           
,government in order to obtain training 

necessary to purchase or operate a      
franchise4  7#b7 ,information on the    
number of veterans who have sought and  
obtained the training described in      
paragraph 7#a7 during the five calendar 
years preceding the report4  7#c7 ,a    
description of any barriers encountered 
by veterans in obtaining the training   
described in paragraph 7#a74  7c7       
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  ,v  ,accountability and         
,administrative ,improvements  #eja4    
,administration of ,veterans ,integrated
 ,service ,networks  7a7  ,veterans     
,integrated ,service ,networks  7#a7    
,in general  ,subchapter ,i of chapter  
#gc is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section3  #gcaj4          
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks
  7a7  ,organization  7#a7 ,the         
,secretary shall organize the ,veterans 
,health ,administration in              
geographically defined ,veterans        

,integrated ,service ,networks4  7#b7   
,each ,veterans ,integrated ,service    
,network shall be organized in          
consideration of the following3  7,a7   
,the size of the veteran population of  
the region of the network4  7,b7 ,the   
complexity of the medical needs of the  
veterans in such region4  7,c7 ,patient 
referral patterns4  7,d7 ,the           
availability of a full continuum of     
health care services4  7,e7 ,the ability
 of the ,department to furnish health   
care efficiently4  7,f7 ,partnerships   
with non-,department health care        
entities4  7b7  ,staffing model  7#a7   
,the ,secretary shall establish a       
staffing model for each ,veterans       
,integrated ,service ,network that--    
7,a7 is appropriate for the mission and 
responsibilities of the ,veterans       
,integrated ,service ,network2 and  7,b7
 accounts for the specific health care  
needs of differing populations in the   
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network4
  7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that

 each ,veterans ,integrated ,service    
,network complies with the staffing     
model established by the ,secretary     
under paragraph 7#a7 for such ,veterans 
,integrated ,service ,network4  7c7     
,integrated health care system  ,the    
,secretary shall ensure that each       
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
maintains a regional integrated         
healthcare system by--  7#a7            
implementing alliances with such other  
governmental1 public1 and private health
 care organizations and practitioners as
 the ,secretary considers appropriate to
 meet the needs of veterans in the      
,network2  7#b7 providing oversight and 
management of1 and taking responsibility
 for1 a regional budget for the         
activities of the ,veterans ,health     
,administration in the geographic area  
of the ,network that is--  7,a7 aligned 
with the budget guidelines of the       
,department and the ,veterans ,health   
,administration2  7,b7 balanced at the  
end of each fiscal year2 and  7,c7      

sufficient to provide high-quality      
health care to veterans within the      
region and to meet any unique needs of  
the veterans of the region2  7#c7 using 
national metrics to develop systems to  
provide effective1 efficient1 and safe  
delivery of health care2 and  7#d7      
ensuring high-quality clinical programs 
and services are rendered in and        
through--  7,a7 the medical centers and 
outpatient clinics of the ,department   
that are located in the ,network2 and   
7,b7 other non-,department clinical or  
health care delivery settings located in
 the ,network4  7d7  ,reduction in      
duplicate functions  ,the ,secretary    
shall ensure that the ,veterans         
,integrated ,service ,networks identify 
and reduce1 whenever practicable1 the   
duplication of functions in clinical1   
administrative1 and operational         
processes and practices of the ,veterans
 ,health ,administration4  7e7          
,collaboration and cooperation  ,the    
,secretary shall ensure that each       

,veterans ,integrated ,service          
,network--  7#a7 works to achieve       
maximum effectiveness in patient care   
and safety1 graduate medical education1 
and research2 and  7#b7 assesses the    
consolidation or realignment of         
institutional functions1 including      
capital asset1 safety1 and operational  
support functions1 in collaboration and 
cooperation with other ,veterans        
,integrated ,service ,networks and the  
following offices or entities within the
 geographical area of the ,network3     
7,a7 ,the offices of the ,veterans      
,benefits ,administration and the       
,national ,cemetery ,administration4    
7,b7 ,the offices1 installations1 and   
facilities of the ,department of        
,defense1 including the offices1        
installations1 and facilities of each   
branch of the ,armed ,forces and the    
reserve components of the ,armed        
,forces4  7,c7 ,the offices1            
installations1 and facilities of the    
,coast ,guard4  7,d7 ,offices of ,state 

and local agencies that have a mission  
to provide assistance to veterans4  7,e7
 ,medical schools and other affiliates4 
7,f7 ,offices of ,congress1 offices of  
,state and local elected officials1 and 
other government offices4  7,g7         
,federal1 ,state1 and local emergency   
preparedness organizations4  7,h7       
,community and nonprofit organizations4 
7,i7 ,such other entities of the        
,federal ,government as the ,secretary  
considers appropriate4  7f7             
,headquarters  7#a7 ,the ,secretary     
shall ensure that each ,veterans        
,integrated ,service ,network has only  
one headquarters office4  7#b7 ,the     
location of a headquarters office for a 
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
shall be determined by the ,secretary   
and co-located with a ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs medical center4  7#c7
  7,a7 ,the ,secretary may employ or    
contract for the services of such full  
time equivalent employees and           
contractors at the headquarters of each 

,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
as the ,secretary considers appropriate 
in accordance with the staffing models  
established under subsection 7b74  7,b7 
,not later than ,december #ca each year1
 the ,secretary shall submit to the     
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on employment 
at the headquarters of ,veterans        
,integrated ,service ,networks during   
the most recently completed fiscal year4
  7,c7 ,each report submitted under     
subparagraph 7,b7 shall include the     
following for the year covered by the   
report3  7i7 ,the number of individuals 
employed at each headquarters of a      
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network4
  7ii7 ,the number of individuals       
employed by the ,veterans ,health       
,administration in each ,veterans       
,integrated ,service ,network who are   
not employed at the same location as the
 headquarters of the ,network4  7iii7   

,the title for each position of         
employment at a headquarters of a       
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network4
  7iv7 ,the title for each position of  
employment with the ,veterans ,health   
,administration in each ,veterans       
,integrated ,service ,network that is   
not at the same location as the         
headquarters of the ,network4  7v7 ,an  
assessment of the impact on the budget  
of the ,department by the employment of 
individuals at the headquarters of the  
,veterans ,integrated ,service          
,networks4  7g7  ,triennial structure   
review1 reassessment1 and report  7#a7  
,beginning three years after the date of
 the enactment of this section and not  
less frequently than once every three   
years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall  
conduct a review and assessment of the  
structure and operations of the         
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks
 in order to identify recommendations-- 
7,a7 for streamlining and reducing costs
 associated with the operation of each  

headquarters of a ,veterans ,integrated 
,service ,network2 and  7,b7 for        
reducing costs of health care within the
 ,veterans ,health ,administration4     
7#b7 ,not later than #ahj days after    
conducting a review and assessment under
 paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall   
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
such review and assessment1 which shall 
include such recommendations for        
legislative or administrative action as 
the ,secretary considers appropriate to 
improve the ,veterans ,integrated       
,service ,networks4  4  7#b7  ,clerical 
amendment  ,the table of sections at the
 beginning of chapter #gc is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to    
section #gcji the following new item3   
#gcaj4 ,veterans ,integrated ,service   
,networks4  4  7b7  ,relocation of      
headquarters  7#a7  ,in general  ,in the
 case of a headquarters office of a     

,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
that on the day before the date of the  
enactment of this ,act was in a location
 that was not co-located with a         
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
medical center and the ,secretary is    
engaged in a lease for such location1   
the ,secretary may--  7,a7 relocate such
 headquarters upon the expiration of    
such lease so that such headquarters is 
co-located as required by section       
#gcaj7;f77#b7 of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code 7as added by subsection   
7a77#a772 or  7,b7 notwithstanding such 
section #gcaj7;f77#b7 7as so added71    
renew such lease or enter into a new    
lease to keep such headquarters in such 
location4  7#b7  ,report  ,if the       
,secretary renews a lease or engages in 
a new lease under paragraph 7#a77;,b71  
the ,secretary shall submit to the      
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives1 before renewing such  

lease or engaging in such lease1 a      
report describing the reasons for such  
renewal or engagement4 ,such report     
shall include the following3  7,a7 ,a   
list of ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs medical centers in the         
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
of the headquarters with underutilized  
buildings1 the number of such buildings1
 and the total underutilized square     
footage for each such medical center4   
7,b7 ,the cost of the current lease 7the
 annual amount of rent1 the total cost  
over the life of the lease1 and the     
total cost per square foot7 and the     
current square footage being leased4    
7,c7 ,the cost of the new lease 7the    
annual amount of rent1 the total cost   
over the life of the lease1 and the     
total cost per square foot7 and the     
square footage to be leased4  7c7       
,construction  ,nothing in this section 
shall be construed to require any change
 in the location or type of medical care
 or service provided by a ,department of

 ,veterans ,affairs medical center1 a   
,department community based outpatient  
clinic1 a center for readjustment       
counseling and related mental health    
services for veterans under section     
#agab;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states  
,code 7known as a vet center71 or other 
facility that provides direct care or   
services under a law administered by the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4  7d7 
,effective date  ,this section1 and the 
amendments made by this section1 shall  
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #ejb4  ,regional support centers
 for ,veterans ,integrated ,service     
,networks  7a7  ,in general  ,subchapter
 ,i of chapter #gc1 as amended by       
section #eja7;a77#a7 of this ,act1 is   
further amended by adding at the end the
 following new section3  #gcaj;,a4      
,regional support centers for ,veterans 
,integrated ,service ,networks  7a7     
,establishment  ,the ,secretary shall   
establish not more than four regional   

support centers within the ,veterans    
,health ,administration to assess the   
effectiveness and efficiency of the     
,veterans ,integrated ,service          
,networks4 ,the head of each regional   
support center shall report to the      
,under ,secretary of ,health4  7b7      
,functions  ,the functions of the       
regional support centers established    
under subsection 7a7 are as follows3    
7#a7 ,to assess the quality of work     
performed within finance operations and 
other compliance related activities of  
the ,veterans ,integrated ,service      
,networks4  7#b7 ,to assess how         
effectively and efficiently each        
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
conducts outreach to veterans who served
 in ,operation ,enduring ,freedom1      
,operation ,iraqi ,freedom1 ,operation  
,new ,dawn1 or any other contingency    
operation 7as that term is defined in   
section #aja of title #aj74  7#c7 ,to   
assess how effectively and efficiently  
each ,veterans ,integrated ,service     

,network conducts programs for the      
benefit of women veterans4  7#d7 ,to    
assess how effectively and efficiently  
each ,veterans ,integrated ,service     
,network conducts programs that address 
homelessness among veterans4  7#e7 ,to  
assess how effectively and efficiently  
each ,veterans ,integrated ,service     
,network consumes energy4  7#f7 ,to     
assess such other matters concerning the
 operations and activities of the       
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,networks
 as the ,secretary considers            
appropriate4  7c7  ,staff  ,the         
,secretary may hire such employees and  
contractors as the ,secretary considers 
appropriate to carry out the functions  
of the regional support centers4  7d7   
,location of regional support centers   
7#a7 ,except as provided in paragraph   
7#b71 the location of each regional     
support center established under        
subsection 7a7 shall be determined by   
the ,secretary and co-located with a    
medical center of the ,department4  7#b7

 ,the ,secretary may choose a location  
for a regional support center           
established under subsection 7a7 that is
 not co-located with a medical center of
 the ,department if the ,secretary      
submits to the ,committee on ,veterans' 
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives1 before     
entering into a contract for a location 
that is not co-located with a medical   
center1 a report describing the reasons 
for choosing a location for the regional
 support center that is not co-located  
with a medical center of the            
,department4 ,such report shall include 
the following3  7,a7 ,a list of medical 
centers of the ,department in the       
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network 
of the regional support center with     
underutilized buildings1 the number of  
all ,veterans ,health ,administration   
buildings in such ,network1 and the     
total underutilized square footage for  
each medical center of the ,department  

in such ,network4  7,b7 ,the estimated  
cost of such lease 7the annual amount of
 rent1 the total cost over the life of  
the lease1 and the total cost per square
 foot7 and the square footage to be     
leased4  4  7b7  ,initial staffing  ,in 
providing for the initial staff of each 
regional support center established     
under section #gcaj;,a7a7 of title #ch1 
,united ,states ,code1 as added by      
subsection 7a71 the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs shall1 to the degree 
practicable1 transfer employees from    
headquarters of ,veterans ,integrated   
,service ,networks to regional support  
centers who were employed in positions  
at such headquarters that covered       
functions similar to those described in 
section #gcaj;,a7b7 of such title1 as so
 added4  7c7  ,clerical amendment  ,the 
table of sections at the beginning of   
chapter #gc1 as amended by section      
#eja7;a77#b7 of this ,act1 is further   
amended by inserting after the item     
relating to section #gcaj the following 

new item3  #gcaj;,a4 ,regional support  
centers for ,veterans ,integrated       
,service ,networks4  4  7d7             
,construction  ,nothing in this section 
shall be construed to require any change
 in the location or type of medical care
 or service provided by a ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs medical center1 a   
,department community based outpatient  
clinic1 a center for readjustment       
counseling and related mental health    
services for veterans under section     
#agab;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states  
,code 7known as a vet center71 or other 
facility that provides direct care or   
services under a law administered by the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4  7e7 
,effective date  ,this section1 and the 
amendments made by this section1 shall  
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #ejc4  ,commission on ,capital  
,planning for ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs ,medical ,facilities  7a7      
,establishment of commission  7#a7      

,establishment  ,there is established   
the ,commission on ,capital ,planning   
for ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
,medical ,facilities 7in this section   
referred to as the ,commission74  7#b7  
,membership  7,a7  ,voting members  ,the
 ,commission shall1 subject to          
subparagraph 7,b71 be composed of #aj   
voting members as follows3  7i7 #a shall
 be appointed by the ,president4  7ii7  
#a shall be appointed by the            
,administrator of ,general ,services4   
7iii7 #c shall be appointed by the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 of    
whom--  7,i7 #a shall be an employee of 
the ,veterans ,health ,administration2  
7,,ii7 #a shall be an employee of the   
,office of ,asset ,enterprise           
,management of the ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs2 and  7,,iii7 #a     
shall be an employee of the ,office of  
,construction and ,facilities           
,management of the ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs4  7iv7 #a shall be   
appointed by the ,secretary of ,defense 

from among employees of the ,army ,corps
 of ,engineers4  7v7 #a shall be        
appointed by the majority leader of the 
,senate4  7vi7 #a shall be appointed by 
the minority leader of the ,senate4     
7vii7 #a shall be appointed by the      
,speaker of the ,house of               
,representatives4  7viii7 #a shall be   
appointed by the minority leader of the 
,house of ,representatives4  7,b7       
,requirement relating to certain        
appointments of voting members  ,of the 
members appointed pursuant to clauses   
7i71 7ii71 and 7iv7 through 7viii7 of   
subparagraph 7,a71 all shall have       
expertise in capital leasing1           
construction1 or health facility        
management planning4  7,c7  ,non-voting 
members  ,the ,commission shall be      
assisted by #aj non-voting members1     
appointed by the vote of a majority of  
members of the ,commission under        
subparagraph 7,a71 of whom--  7i7 #f    
shall be representatives of veterans    
service organizations recognized by the 

,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs2 and   
7ii7 #d shall be individuals from       
outside the ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs with experience and expertise  
in matters relating to management1      
construction1 and leasing of capital    
assets4  7,d7  ,date of appointment of  
voting members  ,the appointments of the
 members of the ,commission under       
subparagraph 7,a7 shall be made not     
later than #fj days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act4  7#c7       
,period of appointment2 vacancies       
,members shall be appointed for the life
 of the ,commission4 ,any vacancy in the
 ,commission shall not affect its       
powers1 but shall be filled in the same 
manner as the original appointment4     
7#d7  ,initial meeting  ,not later than 
#ae days after the date on which #g     
members of the ,commission have been    
appointed1 the ,commission shall hold   
its first meeting4  7#e7  ,meetings     
,the ,commission shall meet at the call 
of the ,chair4  7#f7  ,quorum  ,a       

majority of the members of the          
,commission shall constitute a quorum1  
but a lesser number of members may hold 
hearings4  7#g7  ,chair and vice chair  
,the ,commission shall select a ,chair  
and ,vice ,chair from among its members4
  7b7  ,duties of commission  7#a7  ,in 
general  ,the ,commission shall         
undertake a comprehensive evaluation and
 assessment of various options for      
capital planning for ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs medical facilities1  
including an evaluation and assessment  
of the mechanisms by which the          
,department currently selects means for 
the delivery of health care1 whether by 
major construction1 major medical       
facility leases1 sharing agreements with
 the ,department of ,defense1 the       
,indian ,health ,service1 and ,federally
 ,qualified ,health ,clinics under      
section #ccj of the ,public ,health     
,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;b71   
contract care1 multisite care1          
telemedicine1 extended hours for care1  

or other means4  7#b7  ,context of      
evaluation and assessment  ,in          
undertaking the evaluation and          
assessment1 the ,commission shall       
consider--  7,a7 the importance of      
access to health care through the       
,department1 including associated       
guidelines of the ,department on access 
to1 and drive time for1 health care2    
7,b7 limitations and requirements       
applicable to the construction and      
leasing of medical facilities for the   
,department1 including applicable laws1 
regulations1 and costs as determined by 
both the ,congressional ,budget ,office 
and the ,office of ,management and      
,budget2  7,c7 the nature of capital    
planning for ,department medical        
facilities in an era of fiscal          
uncertainty2  7,d7 projected future     
fluctuations in the population of       
veterans2 and  7,e7 the extent to which 
the ,department was able to meet the    
mandates of the ,capital ,asset         
,realignment for ,enhanced ,services    

,commission4  7#c7  ,particular         
considerations  ,in undertaking the     
evaluation and assessment1 the          
,commission shall address1 in           
particular1 the following3  7,a7 ,the   
,major ,medical ,facility ,lease        
,program of the ,department1 including  
an identification of potential          
improvements to the lease authorization 
processes under that ,program4  7,b7    
,the management processes of the        
,department for its ,major ,medical     
,facility ,construction ,program1       
including processes relating to contract
 award and management1 project          
management1 and processing of change    
orders4  7,c7 ,the overall capital      
planning program of the ,department for 
medical facilities1 including an        
evaluation and assessment of--  7i7 the 
manner in which the ,department         
determines whether to use capital or    
non-capital means to expand access to   
health care2  7ii7 the manner in which  
the ,department determines the          

disposition of under-utilized and       
un-utilized buildings on campuses of    
,department medical centers1 and any    
barriers to disposition2  7iii7 the     
effectiveness of the facility master    
planning initiative of the ,department2 
and  7iv7 the extent to which           
sustainable attributes are planned for  
to decrease operating costs for         
,department medical facilities4  7,d7   
,the current backlog of construction    
projects for ,department medical        
facilities1 including an identification 
of the most effective means to quickly  
secure the most critical repairs        
required1 including repairs relating to 
facility condition deficiencies1        
structural safety1 and compliance with  
the ,americans ,with ,disabilities ,act 
of #aiij4  7#d7  ,reports  ,subject to  
paragraph 7#e71 the ,commission shall   
submit to the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs1 and to the ,committee         
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of

 the ,house of ,representatives1 reports
 as follows3  7,a7 ,not later than six  
months after its initial meeting under  
subsection 7a77#d71 a report on the     
,major ,medical ,facility ,lease        
,program and the ,congressional lease   
authorization process4  7,b7 ,not later 
than one year after its initial meeting1
 a report--  7i7 on the management      
processes of the ,department for the    
construction of ,department medical     
facilities2 and  7ii7 setting forth an  
update of any matters covered in the    
report under subparagraph 7,a74  7,c7   
,not later than #ah months after its    
initial meeting1 a report--  7i7 on the 
overall capital planning program of the 
,department for medical facilities2 and 
7ii7 setting forth an update of any     
matters covered in earlier reports under
 this paragraph4  7,d7 ,not later than  
two years after its initial meeting1 a  
report--  7i7 on the current backlog of 
construction projects for ,department   
medical facilities2  7ii7 setting forth 

an update of any matters covered in     
earlier reports under this paragraph2   
and  7iii7 including such other matters 
relating to the duties of the           
,commission that the ,commission        
considers appropriate4  7,e7 ,not later 
than #bg months after its initial       
meeting1 a report on the implementation 
by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 
pursuant to subsection 7g7 of the       
recommendations included pursuant to    
paragraph 7#e7 in the reports under this
 paragraph4  7#e7  ,recommendations     
,each report under paragraph 7#d7 shall 
include1 for the aspect of the capital  
asset planning process of the           
,department covered by such report1 such
 recommendations as the ,commission     
considers appropriate for the           
improvement and enhancement of such     
aspect of the capital asset planning    
process4  7c7  ,powers of commission    
7#a7  ,hearings  ,the ,commission may   
hold such hearings1 sit and act at such 
times and places1 take such testimony1  

and receive such evidence as the        
,commission considers advisable to carry
 out this section4  7#b7  ,information  
from ,federal agencies  ,the ,commission
 may secure directly from any ,federal  
department or agency such information as
 the ,commission considers necessary to 
carry out this section4 ,upon request of
 the ,chair of the ,commission1 the head
 of such department or agency shall     
furnish such information to the         
,commission4  7d7  ,commission personnel
 matters  7#a7  ,compensation of members
  ,each member of the ,commission who is
 not an officer or employee of the      
,federal ,government shall be           
compensated at a rate equal to the daily
 equivalent of the annual rate of basic 
pay prescribed for level ,,iv of the    
,executive ,schedule under section #ecae
 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 for
 each day 7including travel time7 during
 which such member is engaged in the    
performance of the duties of the        
,commission4 ,all members of the        

,commission who are officers or         
employees of the ,united ,states shall  
serve without compensation in addition  
to that received for their services as  
officers or employees of the ,united    
,states4  7#b7  ,travel expenses  ,the  
members of the ,commission shall be     
allowed travel expenses1 including per  
diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates   
authorized for employees of agencies    
under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of   
title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 while  
away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of       
services for the ,commission4  7#c7     
,staff  7,a7  ,in general  ,the ,chair  
of the ,commission may1 without regard  
to the civil service laws and           
regulations1 appoint and terminate an   
executive director and such other       
additional personnel as may be necessary
 to enable the ,commission to perform   
its duties4 ,the employment of an       
executive director shall be subject to  
confirmation by the ,commission4  7,b7  

,compensation  ,the ,chair of the       
,commission may fix the compensation of 
the executive director and other        
personnel without regard to chapter #ea 
and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of  
title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1        
relating to classification of positions 
and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except
 that the rate of pay for the executive 
director and other personnel may not    
exceed the rate payable for level ,v of 
the ,executive ,schedule under section  
#ecaf of such title4  7#d7  ,detail of  
government employees  ,any ,federal     
,government employee may be detailed to 
the ,commission without reimbursement1  
and such detail shall be without        
interruption or loss of civil service   
status or privilege4  7#e7  ,procurement
 of temporary and intermittent services 
,the ,chair of the ,commission may      
procure temporary and intermittent      
services under section #caji7;b7 of     
title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 at     
rates for individuals which do not      

exceed the daily equivalent of the      
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for 
level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule    
under section #ecaf of such title4  7e7 
,termination of commission  ,the        
,commission shall terminate #fj days    
after the date on which the ,commission 
submits its report under subsection     
7b77#d77;,e74  7f7  ,funding  ,the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
make available to the ,commission such  
amounts as the ,secretary and the ,chair
 of the ,commission jointly consider    
appropriate for the ,commission to      
perform its duties under this section4  
7g7  ,action on recommendations  7#a7   
,in general  ,the ,secretary of         
,veterans ,affairs shall implement each 
recommendation included in a report     
under subsection 7b77#d7 that the       
,secretary considers feasible and       
advisable and can be implemented without
 further legislative action4  7#b7      
,reports  ,not later than #abj days     
after receipt of a report under         

subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d7 of      
subsection 7b77#d71 the ,secretary shall
 submit to the ,committee ,veterans'    
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report    
setting forth the following3  7,a7 ,an  
assessment of the feasibility and       
advisability of each recommendation     
contained in such report4  7,b7 ,for    
each recommendation assessed as feasible
 and advisable--  7i7 if such           
recommendation does not require further 
legislative action for implementation1 a
 description of the actions taken1 and  
to be taken1 by the ,secretary to       
implement such recommendation2 and  7ii7
 if such recommendation requires further
 legislative action for implementation1 
recommendations for such legislative    
action4  #ejd4  ,advance appropriations 
for certain accounts of the ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  ,in general 
,section #aag is amended--  7#a7 by     
striking medical care accounts of the   

,department each place it appears and   
inserting covered accounts of the       
,department2  7#b7 in subsection 7c7--  
7,a7 by striking medical care accounts  
of the ,veterans ,health                
,administration1 ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs account and inserting
 accounts of the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs account2  7,b7 in    
paragraph 7#a71 by inserting ,veterans  
,health ,administration1 after 7#a72    
7,c7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting    
,veterans ,health ,administration1 after
 7#b72  7,d7 in paragraph 7#c71 by      
inserting ,veterans ,health             
,administration1 after 7#c72  7,e7 by   
redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 through   
7#c7 as paragraphs 7#g7 through 7#i71   
respectively2  7,f7 by inserting before 
paragraph 7#g71 as redesignated by      
subparagraph 7,e71 the following new    
paragraphs3  7#a7 ,veterans ,benefits   
,administration1 ,compensation and      
,pensions4  7#b7 ,veterans ,benefits    
,administration1 ,readjustment          

,benefits4  7#c7 ,veterans ,benefits    
,administration1 ,veterans ,insurance   
and ,indemnities4  7#d7 ,veterans       
,benefits ,administration1 ,veterans    
,housing ,benefit ,program ,fund4  7#e7 
,veterans ,benefits ,administration1    
,vocational ,rehabilitation ,loans      
,program ,account4  7#f7 ,veterans      
,benefits ,administration1 ,native      
,american ,veteran ,housing ,loan       
,program ,account4  2 and  7,g7 in the  
subsection heading1 by striking ,medical
 care accounts and inserting ,covered   
accounts2 and  7#c7 in the section      
heading1 by striking certain medical    
care accounts and inserting certain     
accounts4  7b7  ,effective date  ,the   
amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall 
apply with respect to fiscal year #bjaf 
and each subsequent fiscal year4  7c7   
,conforming amendment  ,section #aaje of
 title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 is   
amended by striking the first paragraph 
7#cg7 and inserting the following3      
7#cg7 information on estimates of       

appropriations for the fiscal year      
following the fiscal year for which the 
budget is submitted for the following   
accounts of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs3  7,a7 ,veterans ,benefits    
,administration1 ,compensation and      
,pensions4  7,b7 ,veterans ,benefits    
,administration1 ,readjustment          
,benefits4  7,c7 ,veterans ,benefits    
,administration1 ,veterans ,insurance   
and ,indemnities4  7,d7 ,veterans       
,benefits ,administration1 ,veterans    
,housing ,benefit ,program ,fund4  7,e7 
,veterans ,benefits ,administration1    
,vocational ,rehabilitation ,loans      
,program ,account4  7,f7 ,veterans      
,benefits ,administration1 ,native      
,american ,veteran ,housing ,loan       
,program ,account4  7,g7 ,veterans      
,health ,administration1 ,medical       
,services4  7,h7 ,veterans ,health      
,administration1 ,medical ,support and  
,compliance4  7,i7 ,veterans ,health    
,administration1 ,medical ,facilities4  
4  7d7  ,technical correction  ,such    

section is further amended by           
redesignating the second paragraph      
7#cg71 as added by section #aa7;a77#b7  
of the ,,gpra ,modernization ,act of    
#bjaj 7,public ,law #aaa-ceb2 #abd      
,stat4 #chha71 as paragraph 7#ci74      
#eje4  ,public access to ,department of 
,veterans ,affairs research and data    
sharing between ,departments  7a7       
,establishment of ,internet website     
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall make available on an ,internet    
website of the ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs available to the public the    
following3  7#a7 ,data files that       
contain information on research of the  
,department4  7#b7 ,a data dictionary on
 each data file4  7#c7 ,instructions for
 how to obtain access to each data file 
for use in research4  7b7  ,public      
access to manuscripts on ,department    
funded research  7#a7  ,in general      
,beginning not later than #edj days     
after the effective date specified in   
subsection 7e71 the ,secretary shall    

require1 as a condition on the use of   
any data gathered or formulated from    
research funded by the ,department1 that
 any final1 peer-reviewed manuscript    
prepared for publication that uses such 
data be submitted to the ,secretary for 
deposit in the digital archive under    
paragraph 7#b7 and publication under    
paragraph 7#c74  7#b7  ,digital archive 
,not later than #edj days after the     
effective date specified in subsection  
7e71 the ,secretary shall--  7,a7       
establish a digital archive consisting  
of manuscripts described in paragraph   
7#a72 or  7,b7 partner with another     
executive agency to compile such        
manuscripts in a digital archive4  7#c7 
,public availability  7,a7              
,availability of archive  ,the          
,secretary shall ensure that the digital
 archive under paragraph 7#b7 and the   
contents of such archive are available  
to the public via a publicly accessible 
,internet website at no cost to the     
public4  7,b7  ,availability of         

manuscripts  ,the ,secretary shall      
ensure that each manuscript submitted to
 the ,secretary under paragraph 7#a7 is 
available to the public under           
subparagraph 7,a7 not later than one    
year after the official date on which   
the manuscript is otherwise published4  
7#d7  ,consistent with copyright law    
,the ,secretary shall carry out this    
subsection in a manner consistent with  
applicable copyright law4  7#e7  ,annual
 report  7,a7  ,in general  ,not later  
than one year after the date the        
,secretary begins making manuscripts    
available to the public under this      
subsection and not less frequently than 
once each year thereafter1 the          
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
implementation of this subsection during
 the most recent one-year period4  7,b7 
,contents  ,each report submitted under 

subparagraph 7,a7 shall include for the 
period of the report3  7i7 ,the number  
of manuscripts submitted under paragraph
 7#a74  7ii7 ,the titles of such        
manuscripts4  7iii7 ,the authors of such
 manuscripts4  7iv7 ,for each such      
manuscript1 the name and issue number or
 volume number1 as the case may be1 of  
the journal or other publication in     
which such manuscript was published4    
7c7  ,recommendations for data sharing  
between ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs and ,department of ,defense    
,not later than one year after the      
effective date specified in subsection  
7e71 the ,department of ,veterans       
,affairs-,department of ,defense ,joint 
,executive ,committee established by    
section #cbj7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code1 shall submit to the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the
 ,secretary of ,defense options and     
recommendations for the establishment of
 a program for long-term cooperation and
 data sharing between and within the    

,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
the ,department of ,defense to          
facilitate research on outcomes of      
military service1 readjustment after    
combat deployment1 and other topics of  
importance to the following3  7#a7      
,veterans4  7#b7 ,members of the ,armed 
,forces4  7#c7 ,family members of       
veterans4  7#d7 ,family members of      
members of the ,armed ,forces4  7#e7    
,members of communities that have a     
significant population of veterans or   
members of the ,armed ,forces4  7d7     
,executive agency defined  ,in this     
section1 the term executive agency has  
the meaning given that term in section  
#acc of title #da1 ,united ,states      
,code4  7e7  ,effective date  ,this     
section shall take effect on the date   
that is one year after the date of the  
enactment of this ,act4  #ejf4          
,assessment by ,comptroller ,general of 
the ,united ,states of information made 
available by ,veterans ,benefits        
,administration  7a7  ,assessment of    

information currently available  ,not   
later than two years after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,comptroller ,general of the ,united    
,states shall--  7#a7 conduct an        
assessment of the process by which the  
,veterans ,benefits ,administration     
informs veterans1 veterans service      
organizations1 and such other persons as
 the ,comptroller ,general considers    
appropriate regarding the furnishing of 
benefits under laws administered by the 
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to     
determine the extent to which the       
process results in disseminated         
information that--  7,a7 adequately     
supports and improves the timeliness and
 accuracy of decisions made by the      
,administration with respect to claims  
for disability compensation and such    
other benefits furnished under laws     
administered by the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs as the ,comptroller  
,general considers appropriate2 and     
7,b7 encourages the filing of fully     

developed claims for benefits under laws
 administered by the ,secretary2 and    
7#b7 assess how the ,veterans ,benefits 
,administration notifies each claimant  
during1 and as part of1 any electronic  
filing process established by the       
,secretary for the filing of            
applications for disability compensation
 and such other benefits under laws     
administered by the ,secretary as the   
,comptroller ,general considers         
appropriate that services may be        
available to the claimant from a        
veterans service organization4  7b7     
,report  ,not later than two years after
 the date of the enactment of this ,act1
 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit 
to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs
 of the ,senate and the ,committee on   
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
findings of the ,comptroller ,general   
under subsection 7a74 ,such report shall
 include such recommendations as the    
,comptroller ,general may have for      

legislative or administrative action to 
improve the availability of information 
made available to the public by the     
,veterans ,benefits ,administration     
regarding the furnishing of benefits    
under laws administered by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4  7c7  
,veterans service organization defined  
,in this section1 the term veterans     
service organization means an           
organization recognized by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for the
 representation of veterans under       
section #eijb of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  7d7  ,effective date    
,this section shall take effect on the  
date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this ,act4  #ejg4      
,comptroller general report on advisory 
committees of the ,department of        
,veterans ,affairs  7a7  ,in general    
,not later than one year after the      
effective date specified in subsection  
7c71 the ,comptroller ,general shall    
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  

,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
the advisory committees of the          
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4  7b7 
,contents  ,the report required by      
subsection 7a7--  7#a7 shall include--  
7,a7 recommendations or proposals for   
continuing1 modifying1 or terminating   
certain advisory committees1 including  
noting areas of overlap and duplication 
among the advisory committees2 and  7,b7
 such other information as the          
,comptroller ,general considers         
appropriate2 and  7#b7 may include--    
7,a7 a description of each advisory     
committee1 including with respect to    
each committee--  7i7 the purpose of the
 committee2  7ii7 the commencement date 
of the committee2 and  7iii7 the        
anticipated termination date of the     
committee2  7,b7 a summary of the       
anticipated expenses and the actual     
expenses incurred for each advisory     
committee during the most recent three  

fiscal years ending before the date of  
the enactment of this ,act2 and  7,c7   
with respect to meetings held by each   
advisory committee--  7i7 the frequency 
with which each committee has met during
 the shorter of--  7,i7 the most recent 
three fiscal years ending before the    
date of the enactment of this ,act2 and 
7,,ii7 the life of the committee2  7ii7 
the date of the most recent meeting held
 by the committee before such date of   
enactment2 and  7iii7 the date of the   
most recent report or other written     
product developed by the committee      
before such date of enactment4  7c7     
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  ,,vi  ,improvement of           
,processing of ,claims for ,compensation
  ,a  ,claims ,based on ,military       
,sexual ,trauma  #fja4  ,medical        
examination and opinion for disability  
compensation claims based on military   
sexual trauma  7a7  ,in general         

,section #eajc;,a7d7 is amended by      
adding at the end the following new     
paragraph3  7#c7  7,a7 ,in the case of a
 claim for disability compensation based
 on a mental health condition related to
 military sexual trauma1 the ,secretary 
shall treat an examination or opinion as
 being necessary to make a decision on a
 claim for purposes of paragraph 7#a7 if
 the evidence of record before the      
,secretary1 taking into consideration   
all information and lay or medical      
evidence 7including statements of the   
claimant7--  7i7  7,i7 contains         
competent evidence that the claimant has
 a current disability1 or persistent or 
recurrent symptoms of disability2 and   
7,,ii7 indicates that the disability or 
symptoms may be associated with the     
claimant's active military1 naval1 or   
air service2 but  7ii7 does not contain 
a diagnosis or opinion by a mental      
health professional that may assist in  
corroborating the occurrence of a       
military sexual trauma stressor related 

to a diagnosable mental health          
condition4  7,b7 ,in this paragraph1 the
 term military sexual trauma shall have 
the meaning specified by the ,secretary 
for purposes of this paragraph1 and     
shall include sexual harassment 7as so  
specified74  4  7b7  ,report  ,not later
 than #ah months after the date of the  
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the number 
of examinations and opinions conducted  
by the ,secretary pursuant to paragraph 
7#c7 of section #eajc;,a7d7 of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by 
subsection 7a771 including the          
following3  7#a7 ,the number of         
examinations conducted using a          
standardized disability assessment4     
7#b7 ,the number of examinations        
conducted using a non-standardized      
clinical interview4  #fjb4  ,case       

representative officers for military    
sexual trauma support  7a7  ,in general 
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall assign to each individual seeking 
compensation under the laws administered
 by the ,secretary based on military    
sexual trauma a case representative     
officer who shall provide advice and    
general information to such individual  
on the claims process for such          
compensation4 ,each case representative 
officer so assigned shall be assigned   
from among current personnel of the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4  7b7 
,liaison  ,a case representative officer
 assigned to an individual under        
subsection 7a7 shall be responsible for 
serving as a liaison between the        
individual1 an authorized agent or      
attorney of the individual under section
 #eijd of title #ch1 ,united ,states    
,code1 or an otherwise accredited       
representative of the individual1 and   
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs on
 matters relating to the claim of the   

individual for compensation under the   
laws administered by the ,secretary4    
7c7  ,case representative officer       
requirements  7#a7  ,competence and     
knowledge  ,each case representative    
officer assigned under subsection 7a7   
shall be competent and knowledgeable    
about the following3  7,a7 ,the claims  
adjudication process and applicable     
laws1 regulations1 and other authority  
applicable to the adjudication of       
disability claims based on military     
sexual trauma4  7,b7 ,such other        
services to victims of sexual trauma as 
the ,secretary considers appropriate4   
7#b7  ,limitation on number of          
individuals to which assigned  ,a case  
representative officer may not be       
assigned to more individuals described  
in subsection 7a7 than1 as determined by
 the ,secretary1 is appropriate for the 
provision of individual case management 
assistance by such officer4  7d7        
,information on benefits and programs   
relating to military sexual trauma  7#a7

  ,in general  ,the ,secretary shall    
make available to the public information
 on the availability of case            
representative officers under subsection
 7a7 to assist in the application for   
benefits based on military sexual       
trauma4 ,the ,secretary shall revise and
 update the information so made         
available in order to ensure that the   
information is as current as possible4  
7#b7  ,individuals separating from      
military service  ,the ,secretary shall1
 in consultation with the ,secretary of 
,defense1 ensure that individuals who   
are being separated from the active     
military1 naval1 or air service are     
provided appropriate information about  
programs1 requirements1 and procedures  
for applying for benefits based on      
military sexual trauma and the          
availability of case representative     
officers under subsection 7a74  7e7     
,information on training for agents and 
representatives of individuals assigned 
case representative officer  ,the       

,secretary shall make available to the  
authorized agent or attorney of an      
individual assigned a case              
representative under subsection 7a71 or 
to the otherwise accredited             
representative of the individual1 any   
relevant materials used to train such   
case representative officer for the     
duties of such position4  7f7  ,advisory
 ,committee on ,women ,veterans         
consideration of mechanisms ,to enhance 
coordination between ,,vba and ,,vha on 
benefits for military sexual trauma     
,the ,advisory ,committee on ,women     
,veterans established under section #edb
 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1   
shall undertake actions to identify     
mechanisms to enhance coordination      
between the ,veterans ,benefits         
,administration and the ,veterans       
,health ,administration in the provision
 of benefits based on military sexual   
trauma1 including the identification of 
barriers to the appropriate provision of
 benefits for military sexual trauma by 

such ,administrations and of means of   
eliminating or reducing such barriers4  
7g7  ,annual reports  ,not less         
frequently than annually1 the ,secretary
 of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report setting forth 
the following3  7#a7 ,a certification   
whether or not the case representative  
officers assigned under subsection 7a7  
during the preceding year met the       
requirements specified in subsection    
7c74  7#b7 ,a description of the current
 training the ,secretary provides to    
employees of the ,veterans ,benefits    
,administration on claims for benefits  
based on military sexual trauma1        
including the frequency1 length1 and    
content of such training4  7#c7 ,a      
description of current policies and     
procedures on the training the          
,secretary provides to case             
representative officers1 including the  

current position descriptions for case  
representative officers4  7#d7 ,a       
description of current efforts to       
coordinate activities and assistance    
provided to individuals who seek care or
 benefits for military sexual trauma    
between the ,veterans ,health           
,administration and ,veterans ,benefits 
,administration1 including the efforts  
of the ,advisory ,committee on ,women   
,veterans under subsection 7f74  7h7    
,sunset  7#a7  ,in general  ,no case    
representative officer may be assigned  
under subsection 7a7 after ,december    
#ca1 #bjah4  7#b7  ,continuation of     
duties after sunset date  ,paragraph    
7#a7 shall not be construed to prohibit 
any case representative officer assigned
 to an individual before the date       
specified in that paragraph from        
performing duties pursuant to this      
section after that date with respect to 
a claim for which that case             
representative officer was assigned to  
such individual before that date4  7i7  

,definitions  ,in this section3  7#a7   
,active military1 naval1 or air service 
,the term active military1 naval1 or air
 service has the meaning given that term
 in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code4  7#b7  ,military sexual  
trauma  ,the term military sexual trauma
 shall have the meaning specified by the
 ,secretary for purposes of this        
section1 and shall include sexual       
harassment 7as so specified74  #fjc4    
,report on standard of proof for        
service-connection of mental health     
conditions related to military sexual   
trauma  7a7  ,in general  ,not later    
than #ij days after the date of the     
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the current
 standard of proof for                  
service-connection under chapter #aa of 
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for   

covered mental health conditions based  
on military sexual trauma4  7b7         
,recommendations  ,the ,secretary shall 
include in the report under subsection  
7a7 any recommendations the ,secretary  
considers appropriate to improve the    
adjudication of claims for compensation 
based on military sexual trauma1        
including--  7#a7 recommendations for an
 appropriate standard of proof for such 
claims if the ,secretary considers such 
recommendations advisable2 and  7#b7    
recommendations for legislative action1 
if necessary1 to carry out such         
improvement4  7c7  ,definitions  ,in    
this section3  7#a7  ,active military1  
naval1 or air service  ,the term active 
military1 naval1 or air service has the 
meaning given that term in section #aja 
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4    
7#b7  ,covered mental health condition  
,the term covered mental health         
condition means post-traumatic stress   
disorder1 anxiety1 depression1 or other 
mental health diagnosis that the        

,secretary determines to be related to  
military sexual trauma4  7#c7  ,military
 sexual trauma  ,the term military      
sexual trauma shall have the meaning    
specified by the ,secretary for purposes
 of this section1 and shall include     
sexual harassment 7as so specified74    
#fjd4  ,reports on claims for           
disabilities incurred or aggravated by  
military sexual trauma  7a7  ,reports   
,not later than ,december #a1 #bjad1 and
 each year thereafter through #bjah1 the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall 
submit to ,congress a report on the     
covered claims submitted to the         
,secretary during the previous fiscal   
year4  7b7  ,elements  ,each report     
under subsection 7a7 shall include the  
following3  7#a7 ,the number of covered 
claims submitted to or considered by the
 ,secretary during the fiscal year      
covered by the report4  7#b7 ,of the    
covered claims under paragraph 7#a71 the
 number and percentage of such claims-- 
7,a7 submitted by each gender2  7,b7    

that were approved1 including the number
 and percentage of such approved claims 
submitted by each gender2 and  7,c7 that
 were denied1 including the number and  
percentage of such denied claims        
submitted by each gender4  7#c7 ,of the 
covered claims under paragraph 7#a7 that
 were approved1 the number and          
percentage1 listed by each gender1 of   
claims assigned to each rating          
percentage of disability4  7#d7 ,of the 
covered claims under paragraph 7#a7 that
 were denied--  7,a7 the three most     
common reasons given by the ,secretary  
under section #eajd7;b77#a7 of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for such    
denials2 and  7,b7 the number of denials
 that were based on the failure of a    
veteran to report for a medical         
examination4  7#e7 ,of the covered      
claims under paragraph 7#a7 that were   
resubmitted to the ,secretary after     
denial in a previous adjudication--     
7,a7 the number of such claims submitted
 to or considered by the ,secretary     

during the fiscal year covered by the   
report2  7,b7 the number and percentage 
of such claims--  7i7 submitted by each 
gender2  7ii7 that were approved1       
including the number and percentage of  
such approved claims submitted by each  
gender2 and  7iii7 that were denied1    
including the number and percentage of  
such denied claims submitted by each    
gender2  7,c7 the number and percentage1
 listed by each gender1 of claims       
assigned to each rating percentage of   
disability2 and  7,d7 of such claims    
that were again denied--  7i7 the three 
most common reasons given by the        
,secretary under section #eajd7;b77#a7  
of such title for such denials2 and     
7ii7 the number of denials that were    
based on the failure of a veteran to    
report for a medical examination4  7#f7 
,the number of covered claims that1 as  
of the end of the fiscal year covered by
 the report1 are pending and1           
separately1 the number of such claims on
 appeal4  7#g7 ,for the fiscal year     

covered by the report1 the average      
number of days that covered claims take 
to complete beginning on the date on    
which the claim is submitted4  7c7      
,definitions  ,in this section3  7#a7   
,active military1 naval1 or air service 
,the term active military1 naval1 or air
 service has the meaning given that term
 in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code4  7#b7  ,covered claims   
,the term covered claims means claims   
for disability compensation submitted to
 the ,secretary based on post traumatic 
stress disorder alleged to have been    
incurred or aggravated by military      
sexual trauma4  7#c7  ,military sexual  
trauma  ,the term military sexual trauma
 shall have the meaning specified by the
 ,secretary for purposes of this        
section1 and shall include sexual       
harassment 7as so specified74  ,b       
,claims for dependency and indemnity    
compensation  #faa4  ,program on        
treatment of certain applications for   
dependency and indemnity compensation as

 fully developed claims  7a7  ,in       
general  ,the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs shall carry out a program to   
assess the feasibility and advisability 
of expediting the treatment of a covered
 dependency and indemnity compensation  
claim4  7b7  ,covered dependency and    
indemnity compensation claims  ,for     
purposes of this section1 a covered     
dependency and indemnity compensation   
claim is a claim submitted to the       
,secretary for compensation under       
chapter #ac of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code1 for which the claimant-- 
7#a7 applies for such compensation      
within one-year of the death of the     
veteran upon whose service the claim is 
based2  7#b7 was the dependent on the   
claim of a veteran who was receiving    
benefits for one or more                
service-connected conditions as of the  
date of death2  7#c7 submits a death    
certificate or other evidence with the  
claim indicating that the veteran's     
death was due to a service-connected or 

compensable disability2 and  7#d7 in the
 case that the claimant is the spouse of
 the deceased veteran1 certifies that he
 or she has not remarried since the date
 of the veteran's death4  7c7  ,duration
  ,the program shall be carried out     
during the one-year period beginning on 
the date that is #ij days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act4  7d7    
,locations  ,the program shall be       
carried out at the ,pension ,management 
,center of the ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs or such centers selected by the
 ,secretary for purposes of the program4
  7e7  ,report  7#a7  ,in general  ,not 
later than #bgj days after the date on  
which the program is completed1 the     
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the        
program4  7#b7  ,contents  ,the report  
required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include
 the following3  7,a7 ,the number of    

covered dependency and indemnity        
compensation claims that were           
adjudicated under the program1          
disaggregated by the following3  7i7    
,claims in which the claimant claimed   
entitlement to compensation on the basis
 of the claimant's status as the spouse 
of a deceased veteran4  7ii7 ,claims in 
which the claimant claimed entitlement  
to compensation on the basis of the     
claimant's status as the child of a     
deceased veteran4  7iii7 ,claims in     
which the claimant claimed entitlement  
to compensation on the basis of the     
claimant's status as the parent of a    
deceased veteran4  7,b7 ,the number of  
covered dependency and indemnity        
compensation claims that were           
adjudicated under the program and for   
which compensation was not awarded1     
disaggregated by clauses 7i7 through    
7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a74  7,c7 ,a    
comparison of the accuracy and          
timeliness of claims adjudicated under  
the program with claims submitted to the

 ,secretary for compensation under      
chapter #ac of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code1 that were not provided   
expeditious treatment under the program4
  7,d7 ,the findings of the ,secretary  
with respect to the program4  7,e7 ,such
 recommendations as the ,secretary may  
have for legislative or administrative  
action to improve the adjudication of   
claims submitted to the ,secretary for  
compensation under chapter #ac of title 
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  #fab4      
,report by ,secretary of ,veterans      
,affairs on improving timeliness and    
accuracy of administration of claims for
 dependency and indemnity compensation  
and pension for surviving spouses and   
children  7a7  ,in general  ,not later  
than #dee days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report with          

recommendations for legislative or      
administrative actions to improve the   
timeliness and accuracy with which the  
,secretary processes and adjudicates    
claims for compensation under chapter   
#ac of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1
 and pension under sections #aeda and   
#aedb of such title4  7b7  ,effective   
date  ,this section shall take effect on
 the date that is one year after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act4  ,c 
,agency of ,original ,jurisdiction      
#fba4  ,working group to improve        
employee work credit and work management
 systems of ,veterans ,benefits         
,administration in an electronic        
environment  7a7  ,establishment  ,not  
later than #ij days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
establish a working group to assess and 
develop recommendations for the         
improvement of the employee work credit 
and work management systems of the      
,veterans ,benefits ,administration in  

an electronic environment4  7b7         
,composition  ,the working group shall  
be composed of the following3  7#a7 ,the
 ,secretary or the ,secretary's         
designee4  7#b7 ,individuals selected by
 the ,secretary from among employees of 
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
who handle claims for compensation and  
pension benefits and are recommended to 
the ,secretary by a labor organization  
for purposes of this section1 including 
at least one of each of the following   
individuals3  7,a7 ,a veterans service  
representative4  7,b7 ,a rating veterans
 service representative4  7,c7 ,a       
decision review officer4  7#c7 ,not     
fewer than three individuals selected by
 the ,secretary to represent different  
organizations recognized by the         
,secretary for the representation of    
veterans under section #eijb of title   
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#d7       
,individuals selected by the            
,secretary--  7,a7 that are not         
employees of the ,department2 and  7,b7 

that are experts in work credit and work
 management systems4  7c7  ,duties  ,the
 duties of the working group are to     
assess and develop recommendations for  
the following3  7#a7 ,the improvement of
 the employee work credit and work      
management systems of the ,veterans     
,benefits ,administration in an         
electronic environment4  7#b7 ,a        
scientific1 data based methodology to be
 used in revising the employee work     
credit system of the ,department to     
improve the quality and quantity of work
 produced by employees of the           
,department4  7#c7 ,the improvement of  
the resource allocation model of the    
,veterans ,benefits ,administration1    
with a focus on the processing of claims
 in an electronic environment4  7#d7 ,a 
schedule by which the revisions referred
 to in paragraph 7#b7 will be           
implemented by the ,department4  7d7    
,review and incorporation of findings   
from prior study  ,in carrying out its  
duties under subsection 7c71 the working

 group shall review the findings and    
conclusions of previous studies of the  
employee work credit and work management
 systems of the ,veterans ,benefits     
,administration4  7e7  ,role of the     
,secretary  ,the ,secretary shall       
consider the recommendations of the     
working group and implement such        
recommendations as the ,secretary       
determines appropriate4  7f7  ,reports  
7#a7  ,interim report  ,not later than  
#ahj days after the date of the         
establishment of the working group1 the 
working group shall submit to ,congress 
a report on the progress of the working 
group4  7#b7  ,final report  ,not later 
than one year after the date of the     
establishment of the working group1 the 
,secretary shall submit to ,congress the
 methodology described in subsection    
7c77#b7 and the schedule described in   
subsection 7c77#d7 that the ,secretary  
has decided to implement pursuant to    
subsection 7e74  7g7  ,implementation of
 methodology and schedule  ,after       

submitting the report under subsection  
7f71 the ,secretary shall take such     
actions as may be necessary to apply the
 methodology described in subsection    
7c77#b7 and the schedule described in   
subsection 7c77#d7 that the ,secretary  
has decided to implement pursuant to    
subsection 7e74  #fbb4  ,task force on  
retention and training of ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs claims processors   
and adjudicators  7a7  ,establishment   
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall establish a task force to assess  
retention and training of claims        
processors and adjudicators that are    
employed by the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs and other departments and     
agencies of the ,federal ,government4   
7b7  ,composition  ,the task force shall
 be composed of the following3  7#a7    
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs or
 designee4  7#b7 ,the ,director of the  
,office of ,personnel ,management or    
designee4  7#c7 ,the ,commissioner of   
,social ,security or designee4  7#d7 ,an

 individual selected by the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs who represents an 
organization recognized by the          
,secretary for the representation of    
veterans under section #eijb of title   
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#e7 ,such 
other individuals selected by the       
,secretary who represent such other     
organizations and institutions as the   
,secretary considers appropriate4  7c7  
,duration  ,the task force established  
under subsection 7a7 shall terminate not
 later than two years after the date on 
which the task force is established     
under such subsection4  7d7  ,duties    
,the duties of the task force are as    
follows3  7#a7 ,to identify key skills  
required by claims processors and       
adjudicators to perform the duties of   
claims processors and adjudicators in   
the various claims processing and       
adjudication positions throughout the   
,federal ,government4  7#b7 ,to identify
 reasons for employee attrition from    
claims processing positions4  7#c7 ,to  

coordinate with educational institutions
 to develop training and programs of    
education for members of the ,armed     
,forces to prepare such members for     
employment in claims processing and     
adjudication positions in the ,federal  
,government4  7#d7 ,to identify and     
coordinate offices of the ,department of
 ,defense and the ,department of        
,veterans ,affairs located throughout   
the ,united ,states to provide          
information about1 and promotion of1    
available claims processing positions to
 members of the ,armed ,forces          
transitioning to civilian life and to   
veterans with disabilities4  7#e7 ,to   
establish performance measures to       
evaluate the effectiveness of the task  
force4  7#f7 ,not later than one year   
after the date of the establishment of  
the task force1 to develop a            
,government-wide strategic and          
operational plan for promoting          
employment of veterans in claims        
processing positions in the ,federal    

,government4  7#g7 ,to establish        
performance measures to assess the plan 
developed under paragraph 7#f71 to      
assess the implementation of such plan1 
and to revise such plan as the task     
force considers appropriate4  7e7       
,reports  7#a7  ,submittal of plan  ,not
 later than one year after the date of  
the establishment of the task force1 the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall 
submit to ,congress a report on the plan
 developed by the task force under      
subsection 7d77#f74  7#b7  ,assessment  
of implementation  ,not later than #abj 
days after the termination of the task  
force1 the ,secretary shall submit to   
,congress a report that assesses the    
implementation of the plan developed by 
the task force under subsection 7d77#f74
  #fbc4  ,reports on requests by the    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs for   
records of other ,federal agencies  7a7 
,reports required  ,not later than #ahj 
days after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 and every #ahj days          

thereafter through the date that is #iaj
 days after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans 
,affairs shall submit to the ,committee 
on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate   
and the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,house of               
,representatives a report on the        
attempts of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs to obtain records necessary to
 adjudicate claims for benefits from    
another department or agency of the     
,federal ,government during the         
#ahj-;day period ending on the date of  
such report4  7b7  ,elements  7#a7  ,in 
general  ,each report shall set forth   
the following3  7,a7 ,for the period    
covered by such report1 the following3  
7i7 ,the total number of requests made  
by the ,department4  7ii7 ,the types of 
records requested4  7iii7 ,the number of
 requests made before the receipt of    
each record4  7iv7 ,the amount of time  
between the initial request for each    
record and the receipt of each record4  

7v7 ,the number of occurrences of the   
receipt of a record after the           
adjudication of the claim for which the 
record was sought4  7vi7 ,a description 
of the efforts of the ,secretary to     
expedite the delivery of records to the 
,department from other departments and  
agencies of the ,federal ,government4   
7,b7 ,such recommendations for          
legislative or administrative action as 
the ,secretary considers appropriate in 
light of such report4  7#b7             
,presentation  ,the information in a    
report under clauses 7i7 through 7v7 of 
paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall be set forth  
separately for each department and      
agency of the ,federal ,government      
covered by such report4  #fbd4          
,recognition of representatives of      
,indian tribes in the preparation1      
presentation1 and prosecution of claims 
under laws administered by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs        
,section #eijb7;a77#a7 is amended by    
inserting 1 including ,indian tribes 7as

 defined in section #d of the ,indian   
,self-,determination and ,education     
,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej;b77
 after as the ,secretary may approve4   
#fbe4  ,program on participation of     
local and tribal governments in         
improving quality of claims for         
disability compensation submitted to    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,program required  ,the ,secretary of   
,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a    
program to assess the feasibility and   
advisability of entering into memoranda 
of understanding with local governments 
and tribal organizations--  7#a7 to     
improve the quality of claims submitted 
to the ,secretary for compensation under
 chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united      
,states ,code1 and pension under chapter
 #ae of such title2 and  7#b7 to provide
 assistance to veterans who may be      
eligible for such compensation or       
pension in submitting such claims4  7b7 
,minimum number of participating tribal 
organizations  ,in carrying out the     

program required by subsection 7a71 the 
,secretary shall enter into1 or maintain
 existing1 memoranda of understanding   
with at least--  7#a7 two tribal        
organizations2 and  7#b7 #aj ,state or  
local governments4  7c7  ,duration  ,the
 program shall be carried out during the
 two-year period beginning on the date  
of the commencement of the program4  7d7
  ,report  7#a7  ,initial report  ,not  
later than one year after the date of   
the commencement of the program1 the    
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report that includes 
the following3  7,a7 ,a description of  
the implementation and operation of the 
program1 including a description of     
outreach conducted by the ,secretary to 
tribal organizations and ,state and     
local governments4  7,b7 ,an evaluation 
of the program1 including the total     
number of memoranda of understanding    

entered into or maintained by the       
,secretary4  7#b7  ,final report  ,not  
later than #ahj days after the          
termination of the program1 the         
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report that includes 
the following3  7,a7 ,a description of  
the implementation and operation of the 
program1 including a description of     
outreach conducted by the ,secretary to 
tribal organizations and ,state and     
local governments4  7,b7 ,an evaluation 
of the program1 including the total     
number of memoranda of understanding    
entered into or maintained by the       
,secretary4  7,c7 ,the findings and     
conclusions of the ,secretary with      
respect to the program4  7,d7 ,such     
recommendations for continuation or     
expansion of the program as the         
,secretary considers appropriate4  7e7  
,tribal organization defined  ,in this  

section1 the term tribal organization   
has the meaning given that term in      
section #cgfe of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  #fbf4  ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs notice of average    
times for processing compensation claims
  7a7  ,public notice  ,the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 to the     
extent practicable1 post the information
 described in subsection 7b7--  7#a7 in 
physical locations1 such as ,regional   
,offices or other claims in-take        
facilities1 that the ,secretary         
considers appropriate2  7#b7 on the     
,internet website of the ,department2   
and  7#c7 through other mediums or using
 such other methods1 including          
collaboration with veterans service     
organizations1 as the ,secretary        
considers appropriate4  7b7             
,information described  7#a7  ,in       
general  ,the information described in  
this subsection is the average          
processing time of the claims described 
in paragraph 7#b74  7#b7  ,claims       

described  ,the claims described in this
 paragraph are each of the following    
types of claims for benefits under the  
laws administered by the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs3  7,a7 ,a fully      
developed claim4  7,b7 ,a claim that is 
not fully developed4  7#c7  ,update of  
information  ,the information described 
in this subsection shall be updated not 
less frequently than once each fiscal   
quarter4  7c7  ,expiration of           
requirements  ,the requirements of      
subsection 7a7 shall expire on ,december
 #ca1 #bjae4  7d7  ,veterans service    
organization defined  ,in this section1 
the term veterans service organization  
means an organization recognized by the 
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for the
 representation of veterans under       
section #eijb of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  #fbg4  ,quarterly       
reports on progress of ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs in eliminating       
backlog of claims for compensation that 
have not been adjudicated  7a7  ,in     

general  ,not later than #ij days after 
the date of the enactment of this ,act  
and not less frequently than quarterly  
thereafter through calendar year #bjae1 
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs    
shall submit to the ,committee on       
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,house of ,representatives a report
 on the backlog of claims filed with the
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for  
compensation that have not been         
adjudicated by the ,department4  7b7    
,contents  ,each report submitted under 
subsection 7a7 shall include the        
following3  7#a7 ,for each month through
 calendar year #bjae1 a projection of   
the following3  7,a7 ,the number of     
claims completed4  7,b7 ,the number of  
claims received4  7,c7 ,the number of   
claims on backlog at the end of the     
month4  7,d7 ,the number of claims      
pending at the end of the month4  7,e7  
,the number of appeals pending at the   
end of the month4  7,f7 ,a description  

of the status of the implementation of  
initiatives carried out by the          
,secretary to address the backlog1      
including the expected impact of those  
initiatives on accuracy and timeliness  
of adjudication of claims4  7#b7 ,for   
each quarter through calendar year      
#bjae1 a projection of the average      
accuracy of disability determinations   
for compensation claims that require a  
disability rating 7or disability        
decision74  7#c7 ,for each month during 
the most recently completed quarter1 the
 following3  7,a7 ,the number of claims 
completed4  7,b7 ,the number of claims  
received4  7,c7 ,the number of claims on
 backlog at the end of the month4  7,d7 
,the number of claims pending at the end
 of the month4  7,e7 ,the number of     
appeals pending at the end of the month4
  7,f7 ,a description of the status of  
the implementation of initiatives       
carried out by the ,secretary to address
 the backlog1 including the impact of   
those initiatives on accuracy and       

timeliness of adjudication of claims4   
7,g7 ,an assessment of the accuracy of  
disability determinations for           
compensation claims that require a      
disability rating 7or disability        
decision74  7#d7 ,for the most recently 
completed quarter--  7,a7 the number of 
cases physically received at the ,board 
of ,veterans' ,appeals and docketed2    
7,b7 the number of cases pending at the 
,board of ,veterans' ,appeals at the end
 of the quarter2  7,c7 the number of    
cases physically at the ,board of       
,veterans' ,appeals at the end of the   
quarter2  7,d7 the number of notices of 
disagreement and appeals filed to the   
agency of original jurisdiction referred
 to in section #gaje7;b77#a7 of title   
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 and  7,e7   
the number of decisions made by the     
,board of ,veterans' ,appeals and the   
percentage of such decisions that were  
allowed1 remanded1 denied1 or otherwise 
disposed of4  7c7  ,availability to     
public  ,the ,secretary shall make each 

report submitted under subsection 7a7   
available to the public4  7d7  ,on      
backlog and pending defined  ,in this   
section1 the terms on backlog and       
pending1 with respect to a claim for    
compensation received by the ,secretary1
 shall have the meaning specified by the
 ,secretary for purposes of this        
section4  #fbh4  ,reports on use of     
existing authorities to expedite        
benefits decisions  7a7  ,report on     
current use of temporary1 intermediate1 
and provisional rating decisions  7#a7  
,report required  ,not later than #ahj  
days after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs shall submit to the ,committee 
on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate   
and the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,house of               
,representatives a report on the use of 
temporary1 intermediate1 and provisional
 rating decisions to expedite the       
benefits decisions of the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7  ,report     

elements  ,the report required by       
paragraph 7#a7 shall include the        
following3  7,a7 ,with respect to       
temporary and intermediate rating       
decisions1 the following3  7i7 ,the     
number of temporary and intermediate    
rating decisions issued by the          
,department during each of fiscal years 
#bjaa1 #bjab1 and #bjac4  7ii7 ,a       
description of any reasons or obstacles 
that prevent use of existing authorities
 to issue temporary or intermediate     
rating decisions4  7iii7 ,a description 
of the ,quick ,pay ,disability          
initiative1 including the rationale for 
not expanding the initiative beyond     
pilot program status4  7,b7 ,with       
respect to provisional rating decisions1
 the following3  7i7 ,the number of     
provisional rating decisions issued by  
the ,department during the oldest claims
 first initiative4  7ii7 ,of the        
provisional rating decisions issued     
during the oldest claims first          
initiative--  7,i7 the number of such   

decisions that involved a claim granted2
  7,,ii7 the number of such decisions   
that involved a claim denied2 and       
7,,iii7 the number of such decisions    
that involved a claim granted in part or
 a claim denied in part4  7iii7 ,a      
statement of the most common reasons    
claims were not granted earlier under   
the oldest claims first initiative when 
there was sufficient evidence to render 
an award of benefits in the provisional 
rating decision4  7iv7 ,the average     
number of days to issue a provisional   
rating decision under the oldest claims 
first initiative4  7v7 ,of the total    
number of decisions that were completed 
under the oldest claims first           
initiative--  7,i7 the number that were 
,category #a claims and received a final
 rating decision2 and  7,,ii7 the number
 that were ,category #b claims and      
received a provisional rating decision4 
7vi7 ,the number of rating decisions    
issued during the oldest claims first   
imitative that involved a brokered      

claim1 set forth by number of such      
claims by ,regional ,office of the      
,department1 including--  7,i7 the      
number of brokered claims received by   
each ,regional ,office2 and  7,,ii7 the 
number of brokered claims issued by each
 ,regional ,office4  7vii7 ,the number  
of provisional rating decisions issued  
during the oldest claims first          
initiative with respect to which the    
veteran requested that the provisional  
decision become final in order to       
appeal4  7viii7 ,the number of          
provisional rating decisions issued     
during the oldest claims first          
initiative with respect to which the    
veteran requested an appeal after the   
expiration of the #a-year period        
beginning on the date of notification of
 the provisional rating decision4  7ix7 
,an assessment of the accuracy of       
provisional rating decisions issued     
during the oldest claims first          
initiative1 set forth by ,category #a   
claims and ,category #b claims4  7,c7   

,such other matters as the ,secretary   
considers appropriate for purposes of   
the report4  7#c7  ,supplemental        
information  ,if the ,secretary         
continues to obtain information on      
rating decisions under clauses 7vii7 and
 7viii7 of paragraph 7#b77;,b7 after the
 date of the submittal of the report    
required by paragraph 7#a71 the         
,secretary shall submit to the          
committees of ,congress referred to in  
paragraph 7#a7 a report on such         
information that supplements the        
information on such clauses in the      
report under paragraph 7#a7 when the    
,secretary completes accumulation of    
such information4  7b7  ,plan for       
increase in use of temporary or         
intermediate rating decisions  7#a7     
,report on plan required  ,not later    
than #ahj days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall submit to the ,committee on       
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of

 the ,house of ,representatives a report
 setting forth a plan to increase the   
use of temporary or intermediate rating 
decisions to expedite benefit decisions 
of the ,department when the record      
contains sufficient evidence to grant   
any claim at issue1 including service   
connection4  7#b7  ,plan elements  ,the 
plan required under paragraph 7#a7 shall
 include the following3  7,a7           
,mechanisms to overcome obstacles to the
 use of temporary or intermediate rating
 decisions1 including mechanisms 7such  
as upgrades7 to assure the ability of   
the ,veterans ,benefits ,management     
,system to facilitate the issuance of   
temporary or intermediate rating        
decisions4  7,b7 ,mechanisms to ensure  
that appropriate claimant populations1  
such as claimants who file complex or   
multi-issue disability compensation     
claims1 benefit from the availability of
 temporary or intermediate rating       
decisions4  7,c7 ,mechanisms to provide 
for the use of temporary or intermediate

 rating decisions1 including mechanisms 
to resolve whether a request by a       
claimant or claimant representative     
should trigger use of a temporary or    
intermediate rating decision depending  
on the circumstances of the claimant4   
7,d7 ,mechanisms to prevent the use of  
temporary or intermediate rating        
decisions in lieu of a final rating     
decision when a final rating decision   
could be made with little or no         
additional claim development4  7,e7     
,such recommendations for legislative or
 administrative action as the ,secretary
 considers appropriate to increase the  
use of temporary or intermediate rating 
decisions to expedite benefit decisions 
of the ,department4  #fbi4  ,reports on 
,department disability medical          
examinations and prevention of          
unnecessary medical examinations  7a7   
,report on disability medical           
examinations furnished by ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs  7#a7  ,in general  
,not later than #ahj days after the date

 of the enactment of this ,act1 the     
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
the furnishing of general medical and   
specialty medical examinations by the   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs for   
purposes of adjudicating claims for     
benefits under laws administered by the 
,secretary4  7#b7  ,contents  ,the      
report submitted under paragraph 7#a7   
shall include the following3  7,a7 ,the 
number of general medical examinations  
furnished by the ,department during the 
period of fiscal years #bjji through    
#bjab for purposes of adjudicating      
claims for benefits under laws          
administered by the ,secretary4  7,b7   
,the number of general medical          
examinations furnished by the           
,department during the period of fiscal 
years #bjji through #bjab for purposes  
of adjudicating a claim in which a      

comprehensive joint examination was     
conducted1 but for which no disability  
relating to a joint1 bone1 or muscle had
 been asserted as an issue in the claim4
  7,c7 ,the number of specialty medical 
examinations furnished by the           
,department during the period of fiscal 
years #bjji through #bjab for purposes  
of adjudicating a claim4  7,d7 ,the     
number of specialty medical examinations
 furnished by the ,department during the
 period of fiscal years #bjji through   
#bjab for purposes of adjudicating a    
claim in which one or more joint        
examinations were conducted4  7,e7 ,a   
summary with citations to any medical   
and scientific studies that provide a   
basis for determining that three        
repetitions is adequate to determine the
 effect of repetitive use on functional 
impairments4  7,f7 ,the names of all    
examination reports1 including general  
medical examinations and ,disability    
,benefits ,questionnaires1 used for     
evaluation of compensation and pension  

disability claims which require         
measurement of repeated ranges of motion
 testing and the number of examinations 
requiring such measurements which were  
conducted in fiscal year #bjab4  7,g7   
,the average amount of time taken by an 
individual conducting a medical         
examination to perform the three        
repetitions of movement of each joint4  
7,h7 ,a discussion of whether there are 
more efficient and effective            
scientifically reliable methods of      
testing for functional loss on          
repetitive use of an extremity other    
than the three time repetition currently
 used by the ,department4  7,i7         
,recommendations as to the continuation 
of the practice of measuring functional 
impairment by using three repetitions of
 movement of each joint during the      
examination as a criteria for evaluating
 the effect of repetitive motion on     
functional impairment with supporting   
rationale4  7b7  ,report and plan ,to   
prevent the ordering of unnecessary     

medical examinations  7#a7  ,in general 
,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act1 the     
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report on the efforts
 of the ,secretary in reducing the      
necessity for in-person disability      
examinations and other efforts to comply
 with the provisions of section #eabe of
 title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#b7
  ,contents  ,the report required by    
paragraph 7#a7 shall include the        
following3  7,a7 ,criteria used by the  
,secretary to determine if a claim is   
eligible for the ,acceptable ,clinical  
,evidence initiative4  7,b7 ,the number 
of claims determined to be eligible for 
the ,acceptable ,clinical ,evidence     
initiative during the period beginning  
on the date of the initiation of the    
initiative and ending on the date of the
 enactment of this ,act1 disaggregated--

  7i7 by fiscal year2 and  7ii7 by      
claims determined eligible based in     
whole or in part on medical evidence    
provided by a private health care       
provider4  7,c7 ,the total number of    
claims determined to be eligible for the
 ,acceptable ,clinical ,evidence        
initiative that required an employee of 
the ,department to supplement the       
evidence with information obtained      
during a telephone interview with a     
claimant or health care provider4  7,d7 
,information on any other initiatives or
 efforts1 including disability benefits 
questionnaires1 of the ,department to   
further encourage the use of medical    
evidence provided by a private health   
care provider and reliance upon reports 
of a medical examination administered by
 a private physician if the report is   
sufficiently complete to be adequate for
 the purposes of adjudicating a claim4  
7,e7 ,a plan--  7i7 to measure1 track1  
and prevent the ordering of unnecessary 
medical examinations when the provision 

by a claimant of a medical examination  
administered by a private physician in  
support of a claim for benefits under   
chapter #aa or #ae of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 is adequate for the     
purpose of making a decision on that    
claim2 and  7ii7 that includes the      
actions the ,secretary will take to     
eliminate any request by the ,department
 for a medical examination in the case  
of a claim for benefits under chapter   
#aa or #ae of such title in support of  
which a claimant submits medical        
evidence or a medical opinion provided  
by a private health care provider that  
is competent1 credible1 probative1 and  
otherwise adequate for purposes of      
making a decision on that claim4  ,d    
,board of ,veterans' ,appeals and ,court
 of ,appeals for ,veterans ,claims      
#fca4  ,determination of manner of      
appearance for hearings before ,board of
 ,veterans' ,appeals  7a7  ,in general  
,section #gajg is amended--  7#a7 in    
subsection 7a77#a71 by striking in      

subsection 7f7 and inserting in         
subsection 7g72  7#b7 by redesignating  
subsection 7f7 as subsection 7g72 and   
7#c7 by striking subsections 7d7 and 7e7
 and inserting the following new        
subsections3  7d7  7#a7 ,except as      
provided in paragraph 7#b71 a hearing   
before the ,board shall be conducted    
through picture and voice transmission1 
by electronic or other means1 in such a 
manner that the appellant is not present
 in the same location as the members of 
the ,board during the hearing4  7#b7    
7,a7 ,a hearing before the ,board shall 
be conducted in person upon the request 
of an appellant4  7,b7 ,in the absence  
of a request under subparagraph 7,a71 a 
hearing before the ,board may also be   
conducted in person as the ,board       
considers appropriate4  7e7  7#a7 ,in a 
case in which a hearing before the      
,board is to be held as described in    
subsection 7d77#a71 the ,secretary shall
 provide suitable facilities and        
equipment to the ,board or other        

components of the ,department to enable 
an appellant located at an appropriate  
facility within the area served by a    
regional office to participate as so    
described4  7#b7 ,any hearing conducted 
as described in subsection 7d77#a7 shall
 be conducted in the same manner as1 and
 shall be considered the equivalent of1 
a personal hearing4  7f7  7#a7 ,in a    
case in which a hearing before the      
,board is to be held as described in    
subsection 7d77#b71 the appellant may   
request that the hearing be held at the 
principal location of the ,board or at a
 facility of the ,department located    
within the area served by a regional    
office of the ,department4  7#b7 ,a     
hearing to be held within an area served
 by a regional office of the ,department
 shall 7except as provided in paragraph 
7#c77 be scheduled to be held in        
accordance with the place of the case on
 the docket under subsection 7a7        
relative to other cases on the docket   
for which hearings are scheduled to be  

held within that area4  7#c7 ,a hearing 
to be held within an area served by a   
regional office of the ,department may1 
for cause shown1 be advanced on motion  
for an earlier hearing4 ,any such motion
 shall set forth succinctly the grounds 
upon which the motion is based4 ,such a 
motion may be granted only--  7,a7 if   
the case involves interpretation of law 
of general application affecting other  
claims2  7,b7 if the appellant is       
seriously ill or is under severe        
financial hardship2 or  7,c7 for other  
sufficient cause shown4  4  7b7         
,effective date  ,the amendments made by
 subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect
 to cases received by the ,board of     
,veterans' ,appeals pursuant to notices 
of disagreement submitted on or after   
the date of the enactment of this ,act4 
,,vii  ,outreach ,matters  #gja4        
,program to increase coordination of    
outreach efforts between the ,department
 of ,veterans ,affairs and certain      
eligible entities  7a7  ,program        

required  7#a7 ,in general ,the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
carry out a program to assess the       
feasibility and advisability of using   
eligible entities specified in paragraph
 7#b7--  7,a7 to increase awareness of  
veterans regarding benefits and services
 for veterans2 and  7,b7 to improve     
coordination of outreach activities     
regarding such benefits and services    
between the ,secretary and ,federal1    
,state1 and local government and        
nonprofit providers of health care and  
benefit services for veterans4  7#b7    
,eligible entities specified ,the       
eligible entities specified in this     
paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,state
 and local government agencies4  7,b7   
,nonprofit organizations4  7,c7 ,the    
,appalachian ,regional ,commission1     
established under section #adcja7;a7 of 
title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code4  7,d7 
,the ,delta ,regional ,authority1       
established under section #chb;,b7a7 of 
the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural      

,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4         
#bjji;aa-#a7;a774  7,e7 ,the ,denali    
,commission1 established under section  
#cjc of the ,denali ,commission ,act of 
#aiih 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #caba note2 ,public
 ,law #aje-bgg74  7,f7 ,the ,northern   
,great ,plains ,regional ,authority1    
established under section #chc;,b7a7 of 
the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural      
,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4         
#bjji;bb-#a7;a774  7,g7 ,the ,southeast 
,crescent ,regional ,commission1 the    
,southwest ,border ,regional            
,commission1 and the ,northern ,border  
,regional ,commission established under 
section #aecja7;a7 of title #dj1 ,united
 ,states ,code4  7,h7 ,entities         
described in subparagraph 7,i7 that     
serve ,native ,americans1 ,alaska       
,natives1 or native ,hawaiians 7as such 
terms are defined in section #cgfe of   
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code71      
regardless of whether such entities are 
tribal organizations 7as defined in such
 section74  7,i7 ,commissions and       

development boards that are-- 7i7 not   
chartered by the ,federal ,government2  
7ii7 selected by the ,secretary for     
purposes of the program2 and  7iii7     
located in areas that present           
extraordinary challenges to veterans1 as
 determined by the ,secretary1 including
 the following3 7,i7 ,areas in severe   
economic distress4  7,,ii7 ,areas with  
underdeveloped infrastructure4  7,,iii7 
,areas with unusual geographic          
characteristics1 such as separation from
 the mainland4  7b7  ,duration  ,the    
,secretary shall carry out the program  
for a two-year period4  7c7  ,grants    
7#a7  ,in general  ,the ,secretary shall
 carry out the program through the      
competitive award of grants to eligible 
entities--  7,a7 to increase the        
awareness of veterans regarding benefits
 and services for veterans2 and  7,b7 to
 improve coordination of outreach       
activities regarding such benefits and  
services between the ,secretary and     
,federal1 ,state1 and local government  

and nonprofit providers of health care  
and benefit services for veterans4  7#b7
  ,application  7,a7  ,in general  ,an  
eligible entity seeking a grant under   
the program shall submit to the         
,secretary an application therefor in   
such form and in such manner as the     
,secretary considers appropriate4  7,b7 
,elements  ,each application submitted  
under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include   
the following3  7i7 ,a description of   
the consultations1 if any1 with the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs in the
 development of any proposal under the  
application4  7ii7 ,a description of the
 project for which the applicant is     
seeking a grant under the program1      
including a plan to coordinate under the
 program1 to the greatest extent        
possible1 the outreach activities of    
,federal1 ,state1 and local government  
agencies that provide health care1      
benefits1 and services for veterans and 
nonprofit organizations that provide    
such care1 benefits1 and services to    

enhance the awareness and availability  
of such care1 benefits1 and services4   
7iii7 ,an agreement to report to the    
,secretary standardized data and other  
performance measures necessary for the  
,secretary to evaluate the program and  
to facilitate evaluation of projects for
 which grants are awarded under the     
program4  7iv7 ,such other information  
as the ,secretary may require4  7#c7    
,considerations  7,a7  ,in general  ,in 
awarding grants under the program to    
carry out projects1 the ,secretary shall
 consider--  7i7 where the projects will
 be carried out and which populations   
are targeted2 and  7ii7 the likelihood  
that each potential grantee will        
successfully carry out the grant        
proposal4  7,b7  ,considerations        
regarding location and target population
  ,in taking the matters specified in   
subparagraph 7,a77ii7 into              
consideration1 the ,secretary shall     
consider in particular the advisability 
of awarding grants for projects--  7i7  

carried out in areas with populations   
that have a high proportion of veteran  
representation2  7ii7 carried out in a  
variety of geographic areas1 including  
urban1 rural1 and highly rural areas2   
and  7iii7 that target a variety of     
veteran populations1 including racial   
and ethnic minorities1 low-income       
populations1 and older populations4     
7#d7  ,use of funds  ,the ,secretary    
shall establish appropriate uses of     
grant amounts received under the        
program4  7#e7  ,oversight of use of    
funds  ,the ,secretary shall establish  
appropriate mechanisms for oversight of 
the use of grant amounts received under 
the program1 including the evidence     
grantees must submit to demonstrate use 
of grant amounts and procedures for the 
recovery of grant amounts that were     
improperly used4  7#f7  ,limitation  ,in
 a fiscal year1 not more than #bj       
percent of all grant amounts awarded in 
that fiscal year may be awarded to a    
single ,state entity4  7d7  ,state      

matching requirement  ,the ,secretary   
may not make a grant to a ,state under  
subsection 7c7 unless that ,state agrees
 that1 with respect to the costs to be  
incurred by the ,state in carrying out  
the program or projects for which the   
grant was awarded1 the ,state will make 
available 7directly or through donations
 from public or private entities7       
non-,federal contributions in an amount 
equal to #ej percent of ,federal funds  
provided under the grant4  7e7          
,authorization of appropriations  ,there
 is hereby authorized to be appropriated
 to carry out this section the          
following3  7#a7 #b1ejj1jjj for fiscal  
year #bjae4  7#b7 #b1ejj1jjj for fiscal 
year #bjaf4  7f7  ,annual report  7#a7  
,in general  ,not later than #abj days  
after the completion of the first       
calendar year beginning after the date  
of the commencement of the program1 and 
not less frequently than once every year
 thereafter for the duration of the     
program1 the ,secretary shall submit to 

,congress a report evaluating the       
program and the projects supported by   
grants awarded under the program4  7#b7 
,elements  ,the report required by      
paragraph 7#a7 shall include the        
following3  7,a7 ,the findings and      
conclusions of the ,secretary with      
respect to the program4  7,b7 ,an       
assessment of the benefit to veterans of
 the program4  7,c7 ,the performance    
measures used by the ,secretary for     
purposes of the program and data showing
 the performance of grantees under the  
program under such measures4  7,d7 ,the 
recommendations of the ,secretary as to 
the feasibility and advisability of     
continuing or expanding or modifying the
 program4  7g7  ,effective date  ,this  
section shall take effect on the date   
that is one year after the date of the  
enactment of this ,act4  #gjb4          
,cooperative agreements between         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and    
,states on outreach activities  7a7  ,in
 general  ,chapter #fc is amended by    

inserting after section #fcjf the       
following new section3  #fcjf;,a4       
,cooperative agreements with ,states    
7a7  ,in general  ,the ,secretary may   
enter into cooperative agreements and   
arrangements with various ,state        
agencies and ,state departments to carry
 out this chapter and to otherwise carry
 out1 coordinate1 improve1 or enhance   
outreach activities of the ,department  
and the ,states4  7b7  ,report  ,the    
,secretary shall include in each report 
submitted under section #fcjh of this   
title a description of the agreements   
and arrangements entered into by the    
,secretary under subsection 7a74  4  7b7
  ,clerical amendment  ,the table of    
sections at the beginning of chapter #fc
 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section #fcjf the following 
new item3  #fcjf;,a4 ,cooperative       
agreements with ,states4  4  #gjc4      
,advisory committee on outreach         
activities of ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs  7a7  ,establishment  ,not     

later than #ahj days after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
establish an advisory committee on      
outreach activities of the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs4  7b7  ,membership
  ,the advisory committee shall be      
composed of individuals selected by the 
,secretary from among the following3    
7#a7 ,to the maximum extent practicable1
 individuals who are eminent in their   
respective fields of public relations4  
7#b7 ,representatives of organizations  
with offices that focus on              
communications and distribute messages  
through major media news outlets and    
social media4  7#c7 ,to the maximum     
extent practicable1 individuals with    
experience communicating financial      
results and business strategy for       
purposes of shaping a confident brand   
image4  7#d7 ,to the maximum extent     
practicable1 individuals with experience
 with consumer and lifestyle imaging and
 creating publicity for a particular    

product or service4  7#e7 ,to the       
maximum extent practicable1 veterans who
 have experience in press and public    
relations4  7c7  ,duties  ,the advisory 
committee shall advise the ,assistant   
,secretary for ,public and              
,intergovernmental ,affairs--  7#a7 to  
ensure that the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs is strategically and          
effectively--  7,a7 engaging the public 
and ,department stakeholders to increase
 awareness nationally regarding all     
benefits and services furnished by the  
,department2  7,b7 explaining new or    
changing policies of the ,department2   
7,c7 improving the image and reputation 
of the ,department2 and  7,d7           
coordinating and collaborating with     
national community-based organizations1 
nonprofits1 and ,state and local        
government agencies2  7#b7 to assist the
 ,secretary in conducting such other    
press or public relations activities    
relating to outreach activities of the  
,department as the ,secretary and the   

,assistant ,secretary for ,public and   
,intergovernmental ,affairs consider    
appropriate2 and  7#c7 to ensure        
coordination and collaboration on       
efforts within the ,department for the  
development1 implementation1 and review 
of local outreach with respect to       
benefits that include the following3    
7,a7 ,compensation and pension benefits4
  7,b7 ,insurance benefits4  7,c7       
,burial and memorial benefits4  7,d7    
,education benefits4  7,e7 ,vocational  
rehabilitation and employment benefits4 
7,f7 ,readjustment counseling benefits4 
7,g7 ,loan guarantee benefits4  7,h7    
,such other benefits as the ,secretary  
considers appropriate4  7d7  ,location  
of meetings  ,each meeting of the       
advisory committee shall take place at a
 location that is property of the       
,department and shall1 to the maximum   
extent practicable1 use teleconference  
technology4  7e7  ,consultation  ,the   
,secretary shall consult with and seek  
the advice of the advisory committee not

 less frequently than quarterly on      
matters relating to the duties of the   
advisory committee under subsection 7c74
  7f7  ,reports  7#a7  ,in general  ,not
 less frequently than once every #ij    
days for the first year and semiannually
 thereafter1 the advisory committee     
shall submit to ,congress and to the    
,secretary a report on outreach         
activities of the ,department4  7#b7    
,recommendations  ,each report submitted
 under paragraph 7#a7 shall include such
 recommendations for legislative and    
administrative action as the advisory   
committee considers appropriate to      
improve the press and public relations  
of the ,department relating to outreach4
  7g7  ,termination  ,the advisory      
committee shall terminate on ,october   
#a1 #bjae1 and the requirements and     
authorities under this section shall    
terminate on such date4  7h7  ,outreach 
defined  ,in this section1 the term     
outreach has the meaning given the term 
in section #fcja of title #ch1 ,united  

,states ,code4  #gjd4  ,advisory boards 
on outreach activities of ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs relating to health  
care  7a7  ,establishment  7#a7  ,in    
general  ,for each entity described in  
paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs shall1 acting through
 the director of that entity1 establish 
not later than #ahj days after the      
effective date specified in subsection  
7h7 an advisory board at that entity on 
matters relating to outreach activities 
of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 at that entity4  7#b7  ,entity         
described  ,an entity described in this 
paragraph is--  7,a7 a healthcare system
 of the ,department2 or  7,b7 a         
,veterans ,integrated ,system ,network1 
if such ,veterans ,integrated ,system   
,network does not contain a healthcare  
system4  7b7  ,membership  7#a7  ,in    
general  ,each advisory board           
established under subsection 7a77#a7    
shall be1 to the maximum extent         
practicable1 composed of individuals    

selected by the ,secretary from among   
the following3  7,a7 ,individuals who   
are eminent in their respective fields  
of public relations4  7,b7              
,representatives of organizations with  
offices that focus on communications and
 distribute messages through major media
 news outlets and social media4  7,c7   
,individuals with experience            
communicating financial results and     
business strategy for purposes of       
shaping a confident brand image4  7,d7  
,individuals with experience with       
consumer and lifestyle imaging and      
creating publicity for a particular     
product or service4  7,e7 ,employees of 
the ,department who are involved in     
press and public relations strategy for 
an entity described in subsection       
7a77#b74  7,f7 ,to the maximum extent   
practicable1 veterans who have          
experience in press and public          
relations4  7#b7  ,voluntary            
participation  ,the participation of an 
individual selected under paragraph 7#a7

 shall be at the election of the        
individual4  7c7  ,duties  ,each        
advisory board established under        
subsection 7a77#a7 at an entity         
described in subsection 7a77#b7 shall   
advise the ,assistant ,secretary for    
,public and ,intergovernmental          
,affairs--  7#a7 to ensure that the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs is    
strategically and effectively--  7,a7   
engaging the public and ,department     
stakeholders to increase awareness      
nationally regarding benefits and       
services furnished by the ,department2  
7,b7 explaining new or changing policies
 of the ,department2  7,c7 improving the
 image and reputation of the            
,department2  7,d7 coordinating and     
collaborating with national             
community-based organizations1          
nonprofits1 and ,state and local        
government agencies2 and  7,e7          
coordinating and collaborating on       
efforts within the ,department for the  
development1 implementation1 and review 

of local outreach with respect to       
benefits that include--  7i7            
compensation and pension benefits2  7ii7
 insurance benefits2  7iii7 burial and  
memorial benefits2  7iv7 education      
benefits2  7v7 vocational rehabilitation
 and employment benefits2  7vi7         
readjustment counseling benefits2  7vii7
 loan guarantee benefits2 and  7viii7   
such other benefits as the ,secretary   
considers appropriate2 and  7#b7 to     
assist the director of that entity in   
conducting such other press or public   
relations activities relating to        
outreach activities of the ,department  
as that advisory board considers        
appropriate4  7d7  ,meeting location    
7#a7  ,in general  ,if teleconference   
technology is not used1 meetings of each
 advisory board established under       
subsection 7a77#a7 shall be held at a   
location that is property of the        
,department4  7#b7  ,teleconference     
technology  ,each advisory board shall  
use1 to the maximum extent practicable1 

teleconference technology4  7e7         
,consultation  ,each director of an     
entity described in subsection 7a77#b7  
shall consult with and seek the advice  
of the advisory board established at    
such entity not less frequently than    
once every two months on matters        
relating to the duties of the advisory  
board under subsection 7c74  7f7        
,annual reports  ,not less frequently   
than each year1 each advisory board     
established under subsection 7a77#a7    
shall submit to the ,secretary a report 
with such information as may be         
beneficial to the ,secretary in         
preparing the reports required by       
section #fcjh of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  7g7  ,termination  ,each
 advisory board established under       
subsection 7a77#a7 and the authorities  
and requirements of this section shall  
terminate three years after the         
effective date specified in subsection  
7h74  7h7  ,effective date  ,this       
section shall take effect on the date   

that is one year after the date of the  
enactment of this ,act4  #gje4          
,modification of requirement for        
periodic reports to ,congress on        
outreach activities of ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs  7a7  ,in general    
,section #fcjh is amended--  7#a7 in    
subsection 7a71 by striking             
even-numbered2 and  7#b7 in subsection  
7b7--  7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by       
striking biennial2  7,b7 in paragraph   
7#b71 by inserting for legislative and  
administrative action after             
,recommendations2 and  7,c7 by adding at
 the end the following new paragraph3   
7#c7 ,recommendations that such         
administrative actions as may be taken--
  7,a7 to maximize resources for        
outreach activities of the ,department2 
and  7,b7 to focus outreach efforts on  
activities that are proven to be more   
effective4  4  7b7  ,clerical amendments
  7#a7  ,section heading  ,the heading  
for section #fcjh is amended by striking
 ,biennial and inserting ,annual4  7#b7 

,table of sections  ,the table of       
sections at the beginning of chapter #fc
 is amended by striking the item        
relating to section #fcjh and inserting 
the following new item3  #fcjh4 ,annual 
report to ,congress4  4  #gjf4  ,budget 
transparency for outreach activities of 
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,in general  ,chapter #fc is amended by 
inserting after section #fcjh the       
following new section3  #fcji4  ,budget 
transparency  7a7  ,budget requirements 
,in the budget justification materials  
submitted to ,congress in support of the
 ,department budget for a fiscal year   
7as submitted with the budget of the    
,president under section #aaje7;a7 of   
title #ca71 the ,secretary shall include
 a separate statement of the amount     
requested for such fiscal year for      
activities of the ,office of ,public and
 ,intergovernmental ,affairs as follows3
  7#a7 ,for outreach activities of the  
,department in aggregate4  7#b7 ,for    
outreach activities of each element of  

the ,department specified in subsection 
7b77#a74  7b7  ,procedures for effective
 coordination and collaboration  7#a7   
,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of the enactment of the ,restoring     
,veterans ,trust ,act of #bjad1 the     
,secretary shall establish and maintain 
procedures for the ,office of ,public   
and ,intergovernmental ,affairs to      
ensure the effective coordination and   
collaboration of outreach activities of 
the ,department between and among the   
following3  7,a7 ,office of the         
,secretary4  7,b7 ,veterans ,health     
,administration4  7,c7 ,veterans        
,benefits ,administration4  7,d7        
,national ,cemetery ,administration4    
7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall--  7,a7      
beginning after the date on which the   
,secretary establishes procedures under 
paragraph 7#a71 not less frequently than
 once every two years conduct a review  
of the procedures established and       
maintained under paragraph 7#a7 to      
ensure that such procedures meet the    

requirements of such paragraph2  7,b7   
make such modifications to such         
procedures as the ,secretary considers  
appropriate based upon reviews conducted
 under subparagraph 7,a7 in order to    
better meet such requirements2 and  7,c7
 not later than #de days after          
completing a review under subparagraph  
7,a71 submit to ,congress a report on   
the findings of such review4  4  7b7    
,clerical amendment  ,the table of      
sections at the beginning of chapter #fc
 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section #fcjh the following 
new item3  #fcji4 ,budget transparency4 
4  ,,viii ,enhancement of rights under  
,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act     
#hja4 ,modification of period           
determining which actions are covered   
under stay of proceedings and adjustment
 of obligation protections concerning   
mortgages and trust deeds of members of 
uniformed services  7a7 ,in general     
,section #cjc7;b7 of the ,servicemembers
 ,civil ,relief ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4     

,app4 #ecc7;b77 is amended by striking  
filed and inserting pending4  7b7       
,conforming amendments ,section #gaj7;d7
 of the ,honoring ,america's ,veterans  
and ,caring for ,camp ,lejeune ,families
 ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-aed2  
#abf ,stat4 #abjh7 is amended-- 7#a7 by 
striking paragraph 7#a7 and inserting   
the following new paragraph 7#a73  7#a7 
,sunset and revival  7,a7 ,in general   
,subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of section #cjc
 of the ,servicemembers ,civil ,relief  
,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ecc71 as     
amended by subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of   
this section1 are amended by striking   
within one year each place it appears   
and inserting within #ij days4  7,b7    
,effective date ,the amendments made by 
subparagraph 7,a7 shall take effect on  
,january #a1 #bjae4  2 and  7#b7 by     
striking paragraph 7#c74  #hjb4         
,protections for members of uniformed   
services regarding professional licenses
  7a7 ,in general ,title ,,vii of the   
,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act 7#ej

 ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #gja et seq47 is       
amended by adding at the end the        
following new section3  #gjg4           
,professional licenses  7a7 ,expiration 
during period in which servicemembers   
are eligible for hostile fire or        
imminent danger special pay ,if a       
license issued by a ,state or local     
licensing authority to a servicemember  
would otherwise expire during a period  
in which such servicemember is eligible 
for hostile fire or imminent danger     
special pay under section #caj of title 
#cg1 ,united ,states ,code1 such ,state 
or local licensing authority shall delay
 the expiration of such license until   
not earlier than the date that is #ahj  
days after the date on which such period
 of eligibility ends4  7b7 ,continuing  
education requirements during period in 
which servicemembers are eligible for   
hostile fire or imminent danger special 
pay ,if a ,state or local licensing     
authority otherwise requires a          
servicemember to meet any continuing    

education requirements to maintain a    
license for a trade or profession during
 a period in which such servicemember is
 eligible for hostile fire or imminent  
danger special pay under section #caj of
 title #cg1 ,united ,states ,code1 such 
,state or local licensing authority     
shall delay such continuing education   
requirement until not earlier than the  
date that is #ahj days after the date on
 which such period of eligibility ends4 
4  7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of
 contents in section #a7;b7 of such ,act
 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eja7;b77 is      
amended by inserting after the item     
relating to section #gjf the following  
new item3  ,sec4 #gjg4 ,professional    
licenses and certifications4  4  #hjc4  
,prohibition on denial of credit because
 of eligibility for protection ,section 
#ajh of the ,servicemembers ,civil      
,relief ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eah7 
is amended-- 7#a7 by striking           
,application by and inserting the       
following3  7a7 ,application or receipt 

,application by  2  and  7#b7 by adding 
at the end the following new subsection3
  7b7 ,eligibility  7#a7 ,in general ,in
 addition to the protections under      
subsection 7a71 an individual who is    
entitled to any right or protection     
provided under this ,act may not be     
denied or refused credit or be subject  
to any other action described under     
paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#f7 of         
subsection 7a7 solely by reason of such 
entitlement4  7#b7 ,construction        
,nothing in this subsection shall be    
construed to prohibit a lender from     
considering all relevant factors1 other 
than the entitlement of an individual to
 a right or protection provided under   
this ,act1 in making a determination as 
to whether it is appropriate to extend  
credit4  4  #hjd4 ,interest rate        
limitation on debt entered into during  
military service to consolidate or      
refinance student loans incurred before 
military service  7a7 ,in general       
,subsection 7a7 of section #bjg of the  

,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act 7#ej
 ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ebg7 is amended-- 7#a7
 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting on debt
 incurred before service after          
,limitation to #f percent2  7#b7 by     
redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7  
as paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d71            
respectively2  7#c7 by inserting after  
paragraph 7#a7 the following new        
paragraph 7#b73  7#b7 ,limitation to #f 
percent on debt incurred during service 
to consolidate or refinance student     
loans incurred before service ,an       
obligation or liability bearing interest
 at a rate in excess of #f percent per  
year that is incurred by a              
servicemember1 or the servicemember and 
the servicemember's spouse jointly1     
during military service to consolidate  
or refinance one or more student loans  
incurred by the servicemember before    
such military service shall not bear an 
interest at a rate in excess of #f      
percent during the period of military   
service4  2  7#d7 in paragraph 7#c71 as 

redesignated by paragraph 7#b7 of this  
subsection1 by inserting or 7#b7 after  
paragraph 7#a72 and  7#e7 in paragraph  
7#d71 as so redesignated1 by striking   
paragraph 7#b7 and inserting paragraph  
7#c74  7b7 ,implementation of limitation
 ,subsection 7b7 of such section is     
amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by    
striking the interest rate limitation in
 subsection 7a7 and inserting an        
interest rate limitation in paragraph   
7#a7 or 7#b7 of subsection 7a72 and     
7#b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 in the    
paragraph heading1 by striking as of    
date of order to active duty2 and  7,b7 
by inserting before the period at the   
end the following3 in the case of an    
obligation or liability covered by      
subsection 7a77#a71 or as of the date   
the servicemember 7or servicemember and 
spouse jointly7 incurs the obligation or
 liability concerned under subsection   
7a77#b74  7c7 ,student loan defined     
,subsection 7d7 of such section is      
amended by adding at the end the        

following new paragraph3  7#c7 ,student 
loan ,the term student loan means the   
following3 7,a7 ,a ,federal student loan
 made1 insured1 or guaranteed under     
title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education    
,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj et   
seq474  7,b7 ,a private student loan as 
that term is defined in section #adj7;a7
 of the ,truth in ,lending ,act 7#ae    
,u4,s4,c4 #afej7;a774  4  #hje4         
,termination of residential leases after
 assignment or relocation to quarters of
 ,united ,states or housing facility    
under jurisdiction of uniformed service 
7a7 ,termination of residential leases  
7#a7 ,in general ,section #cje of the   
,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act 7#ej
 ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ece7 is amended-- 7,a7
 in subsection 7a77#a7-- 7i7 in         
subparagraph 7,a71 by striking or at the
 end2  7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by    
striking the period at the end and      
inserting 2 or2 and  7iii7 by adding at 
the end the following new subparagraph3 
7,c7 in the case of a lease described in

 subsection 7b77#a7 and subparagraph    
7,c7 of such subsection1 the date the   
lessee is assigned to or otherwise      
relocates to quarters or a housing      
facility as described in such           
subparagraph4  2 and  7,b7 in subsection
 7b77#a7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by 
striking or at the end2  7ii7 in        
subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the      
period at the end and inserting 2 or2   
and  7iii7 by adding at the end the     
following new subparagraph3  7,c7 the   
lease is executed by or on behalf of a  
person who thereafter and during the    
term of the lease is assigned to or     
otherwise relocates to quarters of the  
,united ,states or a housing facility   
under the jurisdiction of a uniformed   
service 7as defined in section #aja of  
title #cg1 ,united ,states ,code71      
including housing provided under the    
,military ,housing ,privatization       
,initiative4  4  7#b7 ,manner of        
termination ,subsection 7c77#a7 of such 
section is amended-- 7,a7 in            

subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by inserting in 
the case of a lease described in        
subsection 7b77#a7 and subparagraph 7,a7
 or 7,b7 of such subsection1 before by  
delivery2 and  7ii7 by striking and at  
the end2  7,b7 by redesignating         
subparagraph 7,b7 as subparagraph 7,c72 
and  7,c7 by inserting after            
subparagraph 7,a7 the following new     
subparagraph 7,b73  7,b7 in the case of 
a lease described in subsection 7b77#a7 
and subparagraph 7,c7 of such           
subsection1 by delivery by the lessee of
 written notice of such termination1 and
 a letter from the servicemember's      
commanding officer indicating that the  
servicemember has been assigned to or is
 otherwise relocating to quarters of the
 ,united ,states or a housing facility  
under the jurisdiction of a uniformed   
service 7as defined in section #aja of  
title #cg1 ,united ,states ,code71 to   
the lessor 7or the lessor's grantee71 or
 to the lessor's agent 7or the agent's  
grantee72 and  4  7b7 ,definition of    

military orders and continental ,united 
,states for purposes of ,act  7#a7      
,transfer of definitions ,such ,act is  
further amended by transferring         
paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section     
#cje7;i7 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ece7;i77 
to the end of section #aja 7#ej         
,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eaa7 and redesignating 
such paragraphs1 as so transferred1 as  
paragraphs 7#aj7 and 7#aa74  7#b7       
,conforming amendments ,such ,act is    
further amended-- 7,a7 in section #cje  
7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ece71 as amended  
by paragraph 7#a71 by striking          
subsection 7i72 and  7,b7 in section    
#gje 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eie71 by     
striking or naval both places it        
appears4  #hjf4 ,protection of surviving
 spouse with respect to mortgage        
foreclosure  7a7 ,in general ,title     
,,iii of the ,servicemembers ,civil     
,relief ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eca  
et seq47 is amended by inserting after  
section #cjc 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ecc7 
the following new section3  #cjc;,a4    

,protection of surviving spouse with    
respect to mortgage foreclosure  7a7 ,in
 general ,subject to subsection 7b71    
with respect to a servicemember who dies
 while in military service and who has a
 surviving spouse who is the            
servicemember's successor in interest to
 property covered under section         
#cjc7;a71 section #cjc shall apply to   
the surviving spouse with respect to    
that property during the one-year period
 beginning on the date of such death in 
the same manner as if the servicemember 
had not died4  7b7 ,notice required     
7#a7 ,in general ,to be covered under   
this section with respect to property1 a
 surviving spouse shall submit written  
notice that such surviving spouse is so 
covered to the mortgagee1 trustee1 or   
other creditor of the mortgage1 trust   
deed1 or other security in the nature of
 a mortgage with which the property is  
secured4  7#b7 ,time ,notice provided   
under paragraph 7#a7 shall be provided  
with respect to a surviving spouse      

anytime during the one-year period      
beginning on the date of death of the   
servicemember with respect to whom the  
surviving spouse is to receive coverage 
under this section4  7#c7 ,address      
,notice provided under paragraph 7#a7   
with respect to property shall be       
provided via e-mail1 facsimile1 standard
 post1 or express mail to facsimile     
numbers and addresses1 as the case may  
be1 designated by the servicer of the   
mortgage1 trust deed1 or other security 
in the nature of a mortgage with which  
the property is secured4  7#d7 ,manner  
,notice provided under paragraph 7#a7   
shall be provided in writing by using a 
form designed under paragraph 7#e7 or   
submitting a copy of a ,department of   
,defense or ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs document evidencing the        
military service-related death of a     
spouse while in military service4  7#e7 
,official forms ,the ,secretary of      
,defense shall design and distribute an 
official ,department of ,defense form   

that can be used by an individual to    
give notice under paragraph 7#a74  4    
7b7 ,effective date ,section #cjc;,a of 
such ,act1 as added by subsection 7a71  
shall apply with respect to deaths that 
occur on or after the date of the       
enactment of this ,act4  7c7 ,clerical  
amendment ,the table of contents in     
section #a7;b7 of such ,act 7#ej        
,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eja7 is amended by     
inserting after the item relating to    
section #cjc the following new item3    
,sec4 #cjc;,a4 ,protection of surviving 
spouse with respect to mortgage         
foreclosure4  4  #hjg4 ,improved        
protection of members of uniformed      
services against default judgments  7a7 
,modification of plaintiff affidavit    
filing requirement ,paragraph 7#a7 of   
section #bja7;b7 of the ,servicemembers 
,civil ,relief ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4
 #eba7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by         
redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 and    
7,b7 as clauses 7i7 and 7ii71           
respectively1 and indenting such clauses

 two ems to the right2  7#b7 in the     
matter before clause 7i71 as            
redesignated by paragraph 7#a71 by      
striking ,in any and inserting the      
following3  7,a7 ,in general ,in any  2 
and  7#c7 by adding at the end the      
following new subparagraph 7,b73  7,b7  
,due diligence ,before filing the       
affidavit1 the plaintiff shall conduct a
 diligent and reasonable investigation  
to determine whether or not the         
defendant is in military service1       
including a search of available records 
of the ,department of ,defense and any  
other information reasonably available  
to the plaintiff4 ,the affidavit shall  
set forth all steps taken to determine  
the defendant's military status and     
shall have attached copies of the       
records on which the plaintiff relied in
 drafting the affidavit4  4  7b7        
,appointment of attorney ,to represent  
defendant in military service ,paragraph
 7#b7 of such section 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4    
,app4 #eba7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by    

striking ,if in an action and inserting 
the following3  7,a7 ,in general ,if in 
an action  2  7#b7 in subparagraph 7,a71
 as designated by paragraph 7#a71 by    
striking ,if an attorney and inserting  
the following3  7,c7 ,limitations on    
appointed attorney ,if an attorney  2   
7#c7 by inserting after subparagraph    
7,a71 as designated by paragraph 7#a71  
the following new subparagraph3  7,b7   
,due diligence ,if the court appoints an
 attorney to represent the defendant--  
7i7 the attorney shall conduct a        
diligent and reasonable investigation to
 determine whether or not the defendant 
is in military service1 including a     
search of available records of the      
,department of ,defense and any other   
information reasonably available to the 
attorney2 and  7ii7 the plaintiff shall 
submit to the attorney such information 
as the plaintiff may have concerning the
 whereabouts or identity of the         
defendant4  2 and  7#d7 by adding at the
 end the following new subparagraph3    

7,d7 ,treatment of attorneys fees ,the  
reasonable fees of an attorney appointed
 to represent a servicemember shall be  
treated as costs of court for court cost
 purposes1 unless the creditor seeks    
relief from such charges from the court4
  4  #hjh4 ,clarification regarding     
application of enforcement authority of 
,attorney ,general and private right of 
action under ,servicemembers ,civil     
,relief ,act ,sections #hja and #hjb of 
the ,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act 
7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eig and #eig;a7   
shall apply as if such sections were    
included in the enactment of the        
,soldiers' and ,sailors' ,civil ,relief 
,act of #aidj 7#ed ,stat4 #aagh1 chapter
 #hhh7 and included in the restatement  
of such ,act in ,public ,law #ajh-ahi4  
#hji4 ,clerical amendments  7a7 ,in     
general ,the heading for section #cje of
 the ,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act
 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #ece7 is amended  
by striking residential or motor vehicle
 leases and inserting leases of premises

 occupied and motor vehicles used4  7b7 
,table of contents ,the table of        
contents in section #a7;b7 of such ,act 
7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eja7;b77 is       
amended by striking the item relating to
 section #cje and inserting the         
following new item3  ,sec4 #cje4        
,termination of leases of premises      
occupied and motor vehicles used4  4    
,,ix  ,other ,matters  #ija4  ,repeal of
 certain reductions made by ,bipartisan 
,budget ,act of #bjac  7a7  ,adjustment 
of retirement pay  ,section #djc of the 
,bipartisan ,budget ,act of #bjac       
7,public ,law #aac-fg7 is repealed as of
 the date of the enactment of such ,act4
  7b7  ,conforming amendments  7#a7     
,applicability to disability and        
survivor benefits  ,title ,x of the     
,department of ,defense ,appropriations 
,act1 #bjad 7division ,c of ,public ,law
 #aac-gf7 is repealed4  7#b7            
,applicability to members of the ,armed 
,forces who joined after ,january #a1   
#bjad  ,section #b of ,public ,law      

#aac-hb is repealed4  #ijb4             
,consideration by ,secretary of         
,veterans ,affairs of resources disposed
 of for less than fair market value by  
individuals applying for pension  7a7   
,veterans  ,section #aebb is amended--  
7#a7 in subsection 7a7--  7,a7 by       
inserting 7#a7 before ,the ,secretary2  
and  7,b7 by adding at the end the      
following new paragraph3  7#b7  7,a7 ,if
 a veteran otherwise eligible for       
payment of pension under section #aeac  
or #aeba of this title or the spouse of 
such veteran disposes of covered        
resources for less than fair market     
value on or after the look-back date    
described in subparagraph 7,c77i71 the  
,secretary shall deny or discontinue the
 payment of pension to such veteran     
under section #aeac or #aeba of this    
title1 as the case may be1 for months   
during the period beginning on the date 
described in subparagraph 7,d7 and equal
 to the number of months calculated as  
provided in subparagraph 7,e74  7,b7    

7i7 ,for purposes of this paragraph1 a  
covered resource is any resource that   
was a part of the corpus of the estate  
of the veteran or1 if the veteran has a 
spouse1 the corpus of the estates of the
 veteran and of the veteran's spouse1   
that the ,secretary considers that under
 all the circumstances1 if the veteran  
or spouse had not disposed of such      
resource1 it would be reasonable that   
the resource 7or some portion of the    
resource7 be consumed for the veteran's 
maintenance4  7ii7 ,for purposes of this
 paragraph1 the ,secretary may consider1
 in accordance with regulations the     
,secretary shall prescribe1 a transfer  
of an asset 7including a transfer of an 
asset to an annuity1 trust1 or other    
financial instrument or investment7 a   
disposal of a covered resource for less 
than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the 
estate of the veteran or1 if the veteran
 has a spouse1 the corpus of the estates
 of the veteran and of the veteran's    

spouse1 that the ,secretary considers1  
under all the circumstances1 would be   
reasonable to be consumed for the       
veteran's maintenance4  7,c7  7i7 ,the  
look-back date described in this clause 
is a date that is #cf months before the 
date described in clause 7ii74  7ii7    
,the date described in this clause is   
the date on which the veteran applies   
for pension under section #aeac or #aeba
 of this title or1 if later1 the date on
 which the veteran 7or the spouse of the
 veteran7 disposes of covered resources 
for less than fair market value4  7,d7  
,the date described in this subparagraph
 is the first day of the first month in 
or after which covered resources were   
disposed of for less than fair market   
value and which does not occur in any   
other period of ineligibility under this
 paragraph4  7,e7 ,the number of months 
calculated under this subparagraph shall
 be equal to--  7i7 the total1          
cumulative uncompensated value of the   
portion of covered resources so disposed

 of by the veteran 7or the spouse of the
 veteran7 on or after the look-back date
 described in subparagraph 7,c77i7 that 
the ,secretary determines would         
reasonably have been consumed for the   
veteran's maintenance2 divided by  7ii7 
the maximum amount of monthly pension   
that is payable to a veteran under      
section #aeac or #aeba of this title1   
including the maximum amount of         
increased pension payable under such    
sections on account of family members1  
but not including any amount of pension 
payable under such sections because a   
veteran is in need of regular aid and   
attendance or is permanently housebound1
  rounded down1 in the case of any      
fraction1 to the nearest whole number1  
but shall not in any case exceed #cf    
months4  2  7#b7 in subsection 7b7--    
7,a7 by inserting 7#a7 before ,the      
,secretary2 and  7,b7 by adding at the  
end the following new paragraph3  7#b7  
7,a7 ,if a veteran otherwise eligible   
for payment of increased pension under  

subsection 7c71 7d71 7e71 or 7f7 of     
section #aeba of this title on account  
of a child1 the spouse of the veteran1  
or the child disposes of covered        
resources for less than fair market     
value on or after the look-back date    
described in subparagraph 7,c77i71 the  
,secretary shall deny or discontinue    
payment of such increased pension for   
months during the period beginning on   
the date described in subparagraph 7,d7 
and equal to the number of months       
calculated as provided in subparagraph  
7,e74  7,b7  7i7 ,for purposes of this  
paragraph1 a covered resource is any    
resource that was a part of the corpus  
of the estate of the child that the     
,secretary considers that under all the 
circumstances1 if the veteran1 the      
spouse of the veteran1 or the child had 
not disposed of such resource1 it would 
be reasonable that the resource 7or some
 portion of the resource7 be consumed   
for the child's maintenance4  7ii7 ,for 
purposes of this paragraph1 the         

,secretary may consider1 in accordance  
with regulations the ,secretary shall   
prescribe1 a transfer of an asset       
7including a transfer of an asset to an 
annuity1 trust1 or other financial      
instrument or investment7 a disposal of 
a covered resource for less than fair   
market value if such transfer reduces   
the amount in the corpus of the estate  
of the child that the ,secretary        
considers1 under all the circumstances1 
would be reasonable to be consumed for  
the child's maintenance4  7,c7  7i7 ,the
 look-back date described in this clause
 is a date that is #cf months before the
 date described in clause 7ii74  7ii7   
,the date described in this clause is   
the date on which the veteran applies   
for payment of increased pension under  
subsection 7c71 7d71 7e71 or 7f7 of     
section #aeba of this title on account  
of a child or1 if later1 the date on    
which the veteran1 the spouse of the    
veteran1 or the child disposes of       
covered resources for less than fair    

market value4  7,d7 ,the date described 
in this subparagraph is the first day of
 the first month in or after which      
covered resources were disposed of for  
less than fair market value and which   
does not occur in any other period of   
ineligibility under this paragraph4     
7,e7 ,the number of months calculated   
under this subparagraph shall be equal  
to--  7i7 the total1 cumulative         
uncompensated value of the portion of   
the covered resources so disposed of by 
the veteran1 the spouse of the veteran1 
or the child on or after the look-back  
date described in subparagraph 7,c77i7  
that the ,secretary determines would    
reasonably have been consumed for the   
child's maintenance2 divided by  7ii7   
the maximum amount of increased monthly 
pension that is payable to a veteran    
under subsection 7c71 7d71 7e71 or 7f7  
of section #aeba of this title on       
account of a child1  rounded down1 in   
the case of any fraction1 to the nearest
 whole number1 but shall not in any case

 exceed #cf months4  2 and  7#c7 by     
adding at the end the following new     
subsection3  7c7  7#a7  7,a7 ,the       
,secretary shall not deny or discontinue
 payment of pension under section #aeac 
or #aeba of this title or payment of    
increased pension under subsection 7c71 
7d71 7e71 or 7f7 of section #aeba of    
this title on account of a child by     
reason of the application of subsection 
7a77#b7 or 7b77#b7 of this section to   
the disposal of resources by an         
individual--  7i7 if--  7,i7 a          
satisfactory showing is made to the     
,secretary 7in accordance with          
regulations promulgated by the          
,secretary7 that all resources disposed 
of for less than fair market value have 
been returned to the individual who     
disposed of the resources2 or  7,,ii7   
the ,secretary determines1 under        
procedures established by the ,secretary
 in accordance with subparagraph 7,b71  
that the denial or discontinuance of    
payment would work an undue hardship2 or

  7ii7 to the extent that any portion of
 the resources disposed of for less than
 fair market value have been returned to
 the individual who disposed of the     
resources4  7,b7 ,undue hardship would  
be worked by the denial or              
discontinuance of payment for purposes  
of subparagraph 7,a77i77,,ii7 if the    
denial or discontinuance of payment     
would deprive the individual during the 
period of denial or discontinuance--    
7i7 of medical care such that the       
individual's life or health would be    
endangered2  7ii7 of necessary food or  
clothing1 or other necessities of life2 
or  7iii7 on such other basis as the    
,secretary shall specify in the         
procedures required by subparagraph     
7,a77i77,,ii74  7,c7 ,if payment of     
pension or increased pension that would 
otherwise be denied or discontinued by  
reason of the application of subsection 
7a77#b7 or 7b77#b7 is denied or         
discontinued only in part by reason of  
the return of resources as described in 

subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the period of the
 denial or discontinuance as determined 
pursuant to subparagraph 7,e7 of        
subsection 7a77#b7 or 7b77#b71 as       
applicable1 shall be recalculated to    
take into account such return of        
resources4  7#b7 ,at the time a veteran 
applies for pension under section #aeac 
or #aeba of this title or increased     
pension under subsection 7c71 7d71 7e71 
or 7f7 of section #aeba of this title on
 account of a child1 and at such other  
times as the ,secretary considers       
appropriate1 the ,secretary shall--     
7,a7 inform such veteran of the         
provisions of subsections 7a77#b7 and   
7b77#b7 providing for a period of       
ineligibility for payment of pension    
under such sections for individuals who 
make certain dispositions of resources  
for less than fair market value1        
including the exception for hardship    
from such period of ineligibility2  7,b7
 obtain from such veteran information   
which may be used in determining whether

 or not a period of ineligibility for   
such payments would be required by      
reason of such subsections2 and  7,c7   
provide such veteran a timely process   
for determining whether or not the      
exception for hardship shall apply to   
such veteran4  4  7b7  ,surviving       
spouses and children  ,section #aedc is 
amended--  7#a7 in subsection 7a7--     
7,a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as 
paragraph 7#c72  7,b7 by inserting after
 paragraph 7#a7 the following new       
paragraph 7#b73  7#b7  7,a7 ,if a       
surviving spouse otherwise eligible for 
payment of pension under section #aeda  
of this title disposes of covered       
resources for less than fair market     
value on or after the look-back date    
described in subparagraph 7,c77i71 the  
,secretary shall deny or discontinue the
 payment of pension to such surviving   
spouse under section #aeda of this title
 for months during the period beginning 
on the date described in subparagraph   
7,d7 and equal to the number of months  

calculated as provided in subparagraph  
7,e74  7,b7  7i7 ,for purposes of this  
paragraph1 a covered resource is any    
resource that was a part of the corpus  
of the estate of the surviving spouse   
that the ,secretary considers that under
 all the circumstances1 if the surviving
 spouse had not disposed of such        
resource1 it would be reasonable that   
the resource 7or some portion of the    
resource7 be consumed for the surviving 
spouse's maintenance4  7ii7 ,for        
purposes of this paragraph1 the         
,secretary may consider1 in accordance  
with regulations the ,secretary shall   
prescribe1 a transfer of an asset       
7including a transfer of an asset to an 
annuity1 trust1 or other financial      
instrument or investment7 a disposal of 
a covered resource for less than fair   
market value if such transfer reduces   
the amount in the corpus of the estate  
of the surviving spouse that the        
,secretary considers1 under all the     
circumstances1 would be reasonable to be

 consumed for the surviving spouse's    
maintenance4  7,c7  7i7 ,the look-back  
date described in this clause is a date 
that is #cf months before the date      
described in clause 7ii74  7ii7 ,the    
date described in this clause is the    
date on which the surviving spouse      
applies for pension under section #aeda 
of this title or1 if later1 the date on 
which the surviving spouse disposes of  
covered resources for less than fair    
market value4  7,d7 ,the date described 
in this subparagraph is the first day of
 the first month in or after which      
covered resources were disposed of for  
less than fair market value and which   
does not occur in any other period of   
ineligibility under this paragraph4     
7,e7 ,the number of months calculated   
under this subparagraph shall be equal  
to--  7i7 the total1 cumulative         
uncompensated value of the portion of   
the covered resources so disposed of by 
the surviving spouse on or after the    
look-back date described in subparagraph

 7,c77i7 that the ,secretary determines 
would reasonably have been consumed for 
the surviving spouse's maintenance2     
divided by  7ii7 the maximum amount of  
monthly pension that is payable to a    
surviving spouse under section #aeda of 
this title1 including the maximum amount
 of increased pension payable under such
 section on account of a child1 but not 
including any amount of pension payable 
under such section because a surviving  
spouse is in need of regular aid and    
attendance or is permanently housebound1
  rounded down1 in the case of any      
fraction1 to the nearest whole number1  
but shall not in any case exceed #cf    
months4  2 and  7,c7 by adding at the   
end the following new paragraph3  7#d7  
7,a7 ,if a surviving spouse otherwise   
eligible for payment of increased       
pension under subsection 7c71 7d71 or   
7e7 of section #aeda of this title on   
account of a child or the child disposes
 of covered resources for less than fair
 market value on or after the look-back 

date described in subparagraph 7,c77i71 
the ,secretary shall deny or discontinue
 payment of such increased pension for  
months during the period beginning on   
the date described in subparagraph 7,d7 
and equal to the number of months       
calculated as provided in subparagraph  
7,e74  7,b7  7i7 ,for purposes of this  
paragraph1 a covered resource is any    
resource that was a part of the corpus  
of the estate of the child that the     
,secretary considers that under all the 
circumstances1 if the surviving spouse  
or the child had not disposed of such   
resource1 it would be reasonable that   
the resource 7or some portion of the    
resource7 be consumed for the child's   
maintenance4  7ii7 ,for purposes of this
 paragraph1 the ,secretary may consider1
 in accordance with regulations the     
,secretary shall prescribe1 a transfer  
of an asset 7including a transfer of an 
asset to an annuity1 trust1 or other    
financial instrument or investment7 a   
disposal of a covered resource for less 

than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the 
estate of the child that the ,secretary 
considers1 under all the circumstances1 
would be reasonable to be consumed for  
the child's maintenance4  7,c7  7i7 ,the
 look-back date described in this clause
 is a date that is #cf months before the
 date described in clause 7ii74  7ii7   
,the date described in this clause is   
the date on which the surviving spouse  
applies for payment of increased pension
 under subsection 7c71 7d71 or 7e7 of   
section #aeda of this title on account  
of a child or1 if later1 the date on    
which the surviving spouse 7or the      
child7 disposes of covered resources for
 less than fair market value4  7,d7 ,the
 date described in this subparagraph is 
the first day of the first month in or  
after which covered resources were      
disposed of for less than fair market   
value and which does not occur in any   
other period of ineligibility under this
 paragraph4  7,e7 ,the number of months 

calculated under this clause shall be   
equal to--  7i7 the total1 cumulative   
uncompensated value of the portion of   
the covered resources so disposed of by 
the surviving spouse 7or the child7 on  
or after the look-back date described in
 subparagraph 7,c77i7 that the          
,secretary determines would reasonably  
have been consumed for the child's      
maintenance2 divided by  7ii7 the       
maximum amount of increased monthly     
pension that is payable to a surviving  
spouse under subsection 7c71 7d71 or 7e7
 of section #aeda of this title on      
account of a child1  rounded down1 in   
the case of any fraction1 to the nearest
 whole number1 but shall not in any case
 exceed #cf months4  2  7#b7 in         
subsection 7b7--  7,a7 by inserting 7#a7
 before ,the ,secretary2 and  7,b7 by   
adding at the end the following new     
paragraph3  7#b7  7,a7 ,if a child      
otherwise eligible for payment of       
pension under section #aedb of this     
title or any person with whom such child

 is residing who is legally responsible 
for such child's support disposes of    
covered resources for less than fair    
market value on or after the look-back  
date described in subparagraph 7,c77i71 
the ,secretary shall deny or discontinue
 the payment of pension to such child   
under section #aedb of this title for   
months during the period beginning on   
the date described in subparagraph 7,d7 
and equal to the number of months       
calculated as provided in subparagraph  
7,e74  7,b7  7i7 ,for purposes of this  
paragraph1 a covered resource is any    
resource that was a part of the corpus  
of the estate of the child or the corpus
 of the estate of any person with whom  
such child is residing who is legally   
responsible for such child's support    
that the ,secretary considers that under
 all the circumstances1 if the child or 
person had not disposed of such         
resource1 it would be reasonable that   
the resource 7or some portion of the    
resource7 be consumed for the child's   

maintenance4  7ii7 ,for purposes of this
 paragraph1 the ,secretary may consider1
 in accordance with regulations the     
,secretary shall prescribe1 a transfer  
of an asset 7including a transfer of an 
asset to an annuity1 trust1 or other    
financial instrument or investment7 a   
disposal of a covered resource for less 
than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the 
estate described in clause 7i7 that the 
,secretary considers1 under all the     
circumstances1 would be reasonable to be
 consumed for the child's maintenance4  
7,c7  7i7 ,the look-back date described 
in this clause is a date that is #cf    
months before the date described in     
clause 7ii74  7ii7 ,the date described  
in this clause is the date on which the 
child applies for pension under section 
#aedb of this title or1 if later1 the   
date on which the child 7or person      
described in subparagraph 7,b77 disposes
 of covered resources for less than fair
 market value4  7,d7 ,the date described

 in this clause is the first day of the 
first month in or after which covered   
resources were disposed of for less than
 fair market value and which does not   
occur in any other period of            
ineligibility under this paragraph4     
7,e7 ,the number of months calculated   
under this clause shall be equal to--   
7i7 the total1 cumulative uncompensated 
value of the portion of the covered     
resources so disposed of by the child   
7or person described in subparagraph    
7,b77 on or after the look-back date    
described in subparagraph 7,c77i7 that  
the ,secretary determines would         
reasonably have been consumed for the   
child's maintenance2 divided by  7ii7   
the maximum amount of monthly pension   
that is payable to a child under section
 #aedb of this title1  rounded down1 in 
the case of any fraction1 to the nearest
 whole number1 but shall not in any case
 exceed #cf months4  2 and  7#c7 by     
adding at the end the following new     
subsection3  7c7  7#a7  7,a7 ,the       

,secretary shall not deny or discontinue
 payment of pension under section #aeda 
or #aedb of this title or payment of    
increased pension under subsection 7c71 
7d71 or 7e7 of section #aeda of this    
title on account of a child by reason of
 the application of subsection 7a77#b71 
7a77#d71 or 7b77#b7 of this section to  
the disposal of resources by an         
individual--  7i7 if--  7,i7 a          
satisfactory showing is made to the     
,secretary 7in accordance with          
regulations promulgated by the          
,secretary7 that all resources disposed 
of for less than fair market value have 
been returned to the individual who     
disposed of the resources2 or  7,,ii7   
the ,secretary determines1 under        
procedures established by the ,secretary
 in accordance with subparagraph 7,b71  
that the denial or discontinuance of    
payment would work an undue hardship2 or
  7ii7 to the extent that any portion of
 the resources disposed of for less than
 fair market value have been returned to

 the individual who disposed of the     
resources4  7,b7 ,undue hardship would  
be worked by the denial or              
discontinuance of payment for purposes  
of subparagraph 7,a77i77,,ii7 if the    
denial or discontinuance of payment     
would deprive the individual during the 
period of denial or discontinuance--    
7i7 of medical care such that the       
individual's life or health would be    
endangered2  7ii7 of necessary food or  
clothing1 or other necessities of life2 
or  7iii7 on such other basis as the    
,secretary shall specify in the         
procedures required by subparagraph     
7,a77i77,,ii74  7,c7 ,if payment of     
pension or increased pension that would 
otherwise be denied or discontinued by  
reason of the application of subsection 
7a77#b71 7a77#d71 or 7b77#b7 is denied  
or discontinued only in part by reason  
of the return of resources as described 
in subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the period of 
the denial or discontinuance as         
determined pursuant to subparagraph 7,e7

 of subsection 7a77#b71 7a77#d71 or     
7b77#b71 as applicable1 shall be        
recalculated to take into account such  
return of resources4  7#b7 ,at the time 
a surviving spouse or child applies for 
pension under section #aeda or #aedb of 
this title or increased pension under   
subsection 7c71 7d71 or 7e7 of section  
#aeda of this title on account of a     
child1 and at such other times as the   
,secretary considers appropriate1 the   
,secretary shall--  7,a7 inform such    
surviving spouse or child of the        
provisions of subsections 7a77#b71      
7a77#d71 and 7b77#b71 as applicable1    
providing for a period of ineligibility 
for payment of pension or increased     
pension under such sections for         
individuals who make certain            
dispositions of resources for less than 
fair market value1 including the        
exception for hardship from such period 
of ineligibility2  7,b7 obtain from such
 surviving spouse or child information  
which may be used in determining whether

 or not a period of ineligibility for   
such payments would be required by      
reason of such subsections2 and  7,c7   
provide such surviving spouse or child a
 timely process for determining whether 
or not the exception for hardship shall 
apply to such surviving spouse or child4
  4  7c7  ,effective date  ,subsections 
7a77#b71 7b77#b71 and 7c7 of section    
#aebb of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 as added by subsection 7a71 and  
subsections 7a77#b71 7a77#d71 7b77#b71  
and 7c7 of section #aedc of such title1 
as added by subsection 7b71 shall take  
effect on the date that is one year     
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act and shall apply with respect to    
payments of pension and increased       
pension applied for after such date and 
to payments of pension and increased    
pension for which eligibility is        
redetermined after such date1 except    
that no reduction in pension shall be   
made under such subsections because of  
any disposal of covered resources made  

before such date4  7d7  ,annual reports 
7#a7  ,in general  ,not later than #cj  
months after the date of the enactment  
of this ,act and not less frequently    
than once each year thereafter through  
#bjah1 the ,secretary of ,veterans      
,affairs shall submit to the appropriate
 committees of ,congress a report on the
 administration of subsections 7a77#b71 
7b77#b71 and 7c7 of section #aebb of    
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as    
added by subsection 7a71 and subsections
 7a77#b71 7a77#d71 7b77#b71 and 7c7 of  
section #aedc of such title1 as added by
 subsection 7b71 during the most recent 
#ab-month period4  7#b7  ,elements      
,each report submitted under paragraph  
7#a7 shall include the following1 for   
the period covered by the report3  7,a7 
,the number of individuals who applied  
for pension under chapter #ae of such   
title4  7,b7 ,the number of individuals 
who received pension under such chapter4
  7,c7 ,the number of individuals with  
respect to whom the ,secretary denied or

 discontinued payment of pension under  
the subsections referred to in paragraph
 7#a74  7,d7 ,a description of any      
trends identified by the ,secretary     
regarding pension payments that have    
occurred as a result of the amendments  
made by this section4  7,e7 ,such other 
information as the ,secretary considers 
appropriate4  7#c7  ,appropriate        
committees of ,congress defined  ,in    
this subsection1 the term appropriate   
committees of ,congress means--  7,a7   
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs   
and the ,special ,committee on ,aging of
 the ,senate2 and  7,b7 the ,committee  
on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of 
,representatives4  #ijc4  ,extension of 
reduced pension for certain veterans    
covered by medicaid plans for services  
furnished by nursing facilities  7a7    
,in general  ,subsection 7d77#g7 of     
section #eejc is amended by striking    
,november #cj1 #bjaf and inserting      
,september #cj1 #bjbc4  7b7  ,clerical  
amendments  7#a7  ,section heading  ,the

 section heading of such section is     
amended to read as follows3 ,reduced    
pension for certain hospitalized        
veterans and certain veterans receiving 
domiciliary1 nursing home1 or nursing   
facility care4  7#b7  ,table of sections
  ,the table of sections at the         
beginning of chapter #ee is amended by  
striking the item relating to section   
#eejc and inserting the following new   
item3  #eejc4 ,reduced pension for      
certain hospitalized veterans and       
certain veterans receiving domiciliary1 
nursing home1 or nursing facility care4 
4  #ijd4  ,conditions on award of per   
diem payments by ,secretary of ,veterans
 ,affairs for provision of housing or   
services to homeless veterans  7a7      
,condition  7#a7  ,in general  ,section 
#bjab7;c77#a7 is amended by striking    
unless the facilities and all that      
follows through may specify4 and        
inserting the following3 8unless the    
,secretary certifies the following3     
7,a7 ,that the building where the grant 

recipient or eligible entity provides   
housing or services for which the grant 
recipient or eligible entity would      
receive such payment is in compliance   
with the codes relevant to the          
operations and level of care provided1  
including applicable provisions of the  
most recently published version of the  
,life ,safety ,code of the ,national    
,fire ,protection ,association or such  
other comparable fire and safety        
requirements as the ,secretary may      
specify4  7,b7 ,that such building and  
such housing or services are in         
compliance with licensing requirements1 
fire and safety requirements1 and any   
other requirements in the jurisdiction  
in which the building is located        
regarding the condition of the building 
and the provision of such housing or    
services4  4  7#b7  ,effective date     
,the amendment made by paragraph 7#a7   
shall apply with respect to an          
application for a per diem payment under
 section #bjab of title #ch1 ,united    

,states ,code1 submitted on or after the
 date of the enactment of this ,act4    
7b7  ,annual inspections required       
,section #bjab is amended by striking   
subsection 7b7 and inserting the        
following new subsection 7b73  7b7  7#a7
 ,not less frequently than once each    
fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall       
inspect each facility of each grant     
recipient or entity eligible for        
payments under subsection 7a7 at which  
the recipients and entities provide     
services under section #bjaa of this    
title or this section4  7#b7 ,except as 
provided in paragraph 7#a71 inspections 
made under such paragraph shall be made 
at such times as the ,secretary         
considers necessary4  7#c7 ,an          
inspection of a facility of a recipient 
or entity described in paragraph 7#a7   
made under such paragraph may be made   
with or without prior notice to the     
recipient or entity1 as the ,secretary  
considers appropriate4  7#d7 ,no per    
diem payment may be provided to a grant 

recipient or eligible entity under this 
section unless the facilities of the    
grant recipient or eligible entity meet 
such standards as the ,secretary shall  
prescribe4  4  7c7  ,revocation of      
certification authorized  ,subsection   
7c7 of such section is amended--  7#a7  
by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 and    
7#c7 as paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e71       
respectively2  7#b7 in paragraph 7#a71  
as amended by subsection 7a77#a71 by    
striking in paragraph 7#b7 and inserting
 in paragraph 7#d72 and  7#c7 by        
inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the      
following new paragraph 7#b73  7#b7 ,the
 ,secretary may revoke any certification
 made under paragraph 7#a7 if the       
,secretary determines that such         
certification is no longer accurate4  4 
7d7  ,congressional notification of     
termination of per diem required  ,such 
subsection is further amended by        
inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the      
following new paragraph 7#c73  7#c7 ,not
 later than #cj days after the date on  

which the ,secretary terminates         
provision of per diem payment under this
 section to a grant recipient or an     
eligible entity1 the ,secretary shall   
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives notice of   
such termination if such termination    
were made because a facility of the     
grant recipient or eligible entity did  
not comply with--  7,a7 an applicable   
provision of the most recently published
 version of the ,life ,safety ,code of  
the ,national ,fire ,protection         
,association or such other comparable   
fire and safety requirement as the      
,secretary has specified2 or  7,b7 a    
licensing requirement1 fire or safety   
requirement1 or another requirement in  
the jurisdiction in which the facility  
is located regarding the condition of   
the facility4  4  7e7  ,treatment of    
current recipients of per diem payments 
7#a7  ,assessment  ,in the case of the  

recipient of a per diem payment under   
section #bjab of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 that receives such a     
payment during the year in which this   
,act is enacted for the provision of    
housing or services1 the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs shall assess whether 
the building where such housing or      
services are provided is and whether the
 housing and services are in compliance 
as required by section #bjab7;c77#a7 of 
such title1 as amended by subsection    
7a77#a74  7#b7  ,failure to comply  ,in 
the case described in paragraph 7#a71 if
 the ,secretary does not certify the    
compliance of the building and the      
housing or services under such section  
before the date that is two years after 
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,secretary may not make any         
additional per diem payments to the     
recipient for the provision of such     
housing or services under section #bjab 
of such title until the ,secretary      
certifies that such building is and such

 housing or services are in compliance4 
7f7  ,conforming condition on award of  
grants by ,secretary of ,veterans       
,affairs for comprehensive service      
programs  ,section #bjaa7;b77#e77;,a7 is
 amended by inserting 1 including       
housing and building codes14  #ije4     
,exception to certain recapture         
requirements and treatment of contracts 
and grants with ,state homes with       
respect to care for homeless veterans   
7a7  ,exception to certain recapture    
requirements  ,section #hacf7;b7 is     
amended by inserting 1 or the provision 
of services or conduct of a program     
pursuant to a contract or grant issued  
or awarded by the ,secretary under      
subchapter ,,ii of chapter #bj or       
section #bjca7;a77#b7 of this title1    
after outpatient clinic4  7b7           
,construction  ,the amendment made by   
subsection 7a7 may not be construed to  
authorize the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs to enter into a contract with a
 ,state home or award a grant to a      

,state home for the furnishing of       
residential care for a veteran without--
  7#a7 identifying a substantial need   
for such care2 and  7#b7 determining    
that the ,state home is the most        
appropriate provider of such care4      
#ijf4  ,extended period for scheduling  
of medical exams for veterans receiving 
temporary disability ratings for severe 
mental disorders  ,section #aaef7;a77#c7
 is amended by striking six months and  
inserting #ah months4  #ijg4  ,authority
 to issue ,veterans ,,id ,cards  7a7    
,authority  7#a7  ,in general  ,the     
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may    
issue a card to a veteran that          
identifies the veteran as a veteran and 
includes a photo of the veteran and the 
name of the veteran4  7#b7  ,no         
requirement for enrollment or receipt of
 benefits  ,the ,secretary may issue a  
card under paragraph 7#a7 to a veteran1 
whether or not such veteran is--  7,a7  
enrolled in the system of annual patient
 enrollment established under section   

#agje7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code2 or  7,b7 in receipt of           
educational assistance1 compensation1 or
 pension under laws administered by the 
,secretary4  7#c7  ,designation  ,a card
 issued under paragraph 7#a7 may be     
known as a ,veterans ,,id ,card4  7b7   
,recognition of ,veterans ,,id ,cards   
for reduced pricing of pharmaceuticals1 
consumer products1 and services  ,the   
,secretary may work with national retail
 chains that offer reduced prices on    
pharmaceuticals1 consumer products1 and 
services to veterans to ensure that such
 retail chains recognize cards issued   
under subsection 7a77#a7 for purposes of
 offering reduced prices on             
pharmaceuticals1 consumer products1 and 
services4  7c7  ,veteran defined  ,in   
this section1 the term veteran has the  
meaning given the term in section #aja  
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4    
7d7  ,effective date  ,this section     
shall take effect on the date that is   
one year after the date of the enactment

 of this ,act4  #ijh4  ,honoring as     
veterans certain persons who performed  
service in the reserve components of the
 ,armed ,forces  ,any person who is     
entitled under chapter #abbc of title   
#aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 to retired  
pay for nonregular service or1 but for  
age1 would be entitled under such       
chapter to retired pay for nonregular   
service shall be honored as a veteran   
but shall not be entitled to any benefit
 by reason of this honor4  #iji4        
,extension of authority for ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs to obtain         
information from ,secretary of the      
,treasury and ,commissioner of ,social  
,security for income verification       
purposes  ,section #ecag7;g7 is amended 
by striking ,september #cj1 #bjaf and   
inserting ,september #cj1 #bjah4  #iaj4 
,extension of authority for ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs to issue and      
guarantee certain loans  ,section       
#cgbi7;b77#b7 is amended--  7#a7 in     
subparagraph 7,a7--  7,a7 in clause     

7iii71 by striking ,october #a1 #bjag   
and inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbc2 and
  7,b7 in clause 7iv71 by striking      
,october #a1 #bjag and inserting        
,september #cj1 #bjbc2  7#b7 in         
subparagraph 7,b7--  7,a7 in clause 7i71
 by striking ,october #a1 #bjag and     
inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbc2 and    
7,b7 in clause 7ii71 by striking        
,october #a1 #bjag and inserting        
,september #cj1 #bjbc2  7#c7 in         
subparagraph 7,c7--  7,a7 in clause 7i71
 by striking ,october #a1 #bjag and     
inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbc2 and    
7,b7 in clause 7ii71 by striking        
,october #a1 #bjag and inserting        
,september #cj1 #bjbc2 and  7#d7 in     
subparagraph 7,d7--  7,a7 in clause 7i71
 by striking ,october #a1 #bjag and     
inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbc2 and    
7,b7 in clause 7ii71 by striking        
,october #a1 #bjag and inserting        
,september #cj1 #bjbc4  #iaa4           
,eligibility for interment in national  
cemeteries for certain naturalized      

individuals  7a7  ,in general  ,section 
#bdjb7;a7 is amended by adding at the   
end the following new paragraph3  7#aj7 
,any individual--  7,a7 who--  7i7 was  
naturalized pursuant to section #b7a7 of
 the ,hmong ,veterans' ,naturalization  
,act of #bjjj 7,public ,law #ajf-bjg2 #h
 ,u4,s4,c4 #adbc note72 and  7ii7 at the
 time of the individual's death resided 
in the ,united ,states2 or  7,b7 who--  
7i7 the ,secretary determines served    
with a special guerrilla unit or        
irregular forces operating from a base  
in ,laos in support of the ,armed       
,forces of the ,united ,states at any   
time during the period beginning        
,february #bh1 #aifa1 and ending ,may   
#g1 #aige2 and  7ii7 at the time of the 
individual's death--  7,i7 was a citizen
 of the ,united ,states or an alien     
lawfully admitted for permanent         
residence in the ,united ,states2 and   
7,,ii7 resided in the ,united ,states4  
4  7b7  ,effective date  ,the amendment 
made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with 

respect to an individual dying on or    
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act4  #iab4  ,canadian ,forces ,base   
,gagetown independent study and registry
  7a7  ,independent study  7#a7  ,in    
general  ,the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs shall provide for a study on   
the potential exposure of individuals to
 toxic substances or environmental      
hazards related to service at ,canadian 
,forces ,base ,gagetown1 ,new           
,brunswick1 ,canada1 at any time during 
the period beginning on ,january #a1    
#aief1 and ending on ,december #ca1     
#bjjf4  7#b7  ,elements  ,the study     
required by paragraph 7#a7 shall--  7,a7
 assess the health risks associated with
 the exposure of individuals to toxic   
substances or environmental hazards     
described in paragraph 7#a72 and  7,b7  
determine if a registry of individuals  
who were exposed to toxic substances or 
environmental hazards during service at 
,canadian ,forces ,base ,gagetown would 
be advisable as an effective tool to    

assess such health risks4  7#c7         
,independent entity  ,the study required
 by paragraph 7#a7 shall be carried out 
by an entity that--  7,a7 has experience
 conducting studies with respect to the 
exposure of individuals to toxic        
substances or environmental hazards2 and
  7,b7 is not affiliated with the       
,department4  7#d7  ,deadline for       
completion  ,the study required by      
paragraph 7#a7 shall be completed not   
later than #edj days after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act4  7b7        
,registry  7#a7  ,in general  ,if the   
entity that carries out the independent 
study provided for under paragraph 7#a7 
of subsection 7a7 determines pursuant to
 paragraph 7#b77;,b7 of such subsection 
that a registry described in such       
paragraph 7#b77;,b7 would be an         
effective tool as described in such     
paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the ,secretary may 
establish and maintain a registry to be 
known as the ,canadian ,forces ,base    
,gagetown ,health ,registry 7in this    

subsection referred to as the           
,registry74  7#b7  ,contents  ,the      
,registry shall include the following   
information3  7,a7 ,a list containing   
the name of each individual who--  7i7  
while serving as a member of the ,armed 
,forces1 was stationed at or underwent  
training at ,canadian ,forces ,base     
,gagetown at any time during the period 
beginning on ,january #a1 #aief1 and    
ending on ,december #ca1 #bjjf2 and     
7ii7  7,i7 applies for care or services 
from the ,department of ,veterans       
,affairs under chapter #ag of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code2  7,,ii7 files a 
claim for compensation under chapter #aa
 of such title on the basis of any      
disability that may be associated with  
such service2 or  7,,iii7 dies and is   
survived by a spouse1 child1 or parent  
who files a claim for dependency and    
indemnity compensation under chapter #ac
 of such title on the basis of such     
service4  7,b7 ,relevant medical data   
relating to the health status of1 and   

other information that the ,secretary   
considers relevant and appropriate with 
respect to1 each individual described in
 subparagraph 7,a7 who--  7i7 grants to 
the ,secretary permission to include    
such information in the ,registry2 or   
7ii7 at the time the name of the        
individual is added to the ,registry1 is
 deceased4  7#c7  ,consultation with    
other agencies  ,the ,secretary of      
,veterans ,affairs shall consult with   
the ,secretary of ,defense and the heads
 of other agencies as the ,secretary of 
,veterans ,affairs considers necessary  
to establish and maintain the ,registry4
  #iac4  ,review of determination of    
certain service in ,philippines during  
,world ,war ,,ii  7a7  ,in general  ,the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in   
consultation with the ,secretary of     
,defense and such military historians as
 the ,secretary of ,defense recommends1 
shall review the process used to        
determine whether a covered individual  
served in support of the ,armed ,forces 

of the ,united ,states during ,world    
,war ,,ii in accordance with section    
#ajjb7;d7 of title ,x of ,division ,a of
 the ,american ,recovery and            
,reinvestment ,act of #bjji 7,public    
,law #aaa-e2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #ajg note7   
for purposes of determining whether such
 covered individual is eligible for     
payments described in such section4  7b7
  ,covered individuals  ,in this        
section1 a covered individual is any    
individual who timely submitted a claim 
for benefits under subsection 7c7 of    
section #ajjb of title ,x of ,division  
,a of the ,american ,recovery and       
,reinvestment ,act of #bjji 7,public    
,law #aaa-e2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #ajg note7   
based on service as described in        
subsection 7d7 of that section4  7c7    
,report  ,not later than #ij days after 
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs    
shall submit to the ,committee on       
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of

 the ,house of ,representatives a report
 detailing any findings1 actions taken1 
or recommendations for legislative      
action with respect to the review       
conducted under subsection 7a74  7d7    
,prohibition on benefits for            
disqualifying conduct under new process 
pursuant to review  ,if pursuant to the 
review conducted under subsection 7a7   
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs    
determines to establish a new process   
for the making of payments as described 
in that subsection1 the process shall   
include mechanisms to ensure that       
individuals are not treated as covered  
individuals for purposes of such        
payments if such individuals engaged in 
any disqualifying conduct during service
 described in that subsection1 including
 collaboration with the enemy or        
criminal conduct4  #iad4  ,review of    
determination of certain service of     
merchant mariners during ,world ,war    
,,ii  7a7  ,in general  ,the ,secretary 
of ,veterans ,affairs1 in consultation  

with the ,secretary of ,defense1 the    
,secretary of ,homeland ,security and   
such military historians as the         
,secretary of ,defense recommends1 shall
 review the process used to determine   
whether an individual performed service 
under honorable conditions that         
satisfies the requirements of a         
coastwise merchant seaman who is        
recognized pursuant to section #dja of  
the ,,gi ,bill ,improvement ,act of     
#aigg 7,public ,law #ie-bjb2 #ch        
,u4,s4,c4 #ajf note7 as having performed
 active duty service4  7b7  ,report     
,not later than #ij days after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act1 the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report    
detailing any findings1 actions taken1  
or recommendations for legislative      
action with respect to the review       
conducted under subsection 7a74  #iae4  

,report on practices of the ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs to adequately     
provide services to veterans with       
hearing loss  7a7  ,in general  ,not    
later than two years after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a report on 
the actions taken by the ,secretary to  
implement the findings and              
recommendations included in the #bjjf   
report by the ,institute of ,medicine of
 the ,national ,academies entitled      
,noise and ,military ,service3          
,implications for ,hearing ,loss and    
,tinnitus that was prepared pursuant to 
section #ajd of the ,veterans ,benefits 
,act of #bjjb 7,public ,law #ajg-ccj2   
#aaf ,stat4 #bhbb74  7b7  ,effect of    
,duty ,military ,occupational ,specialty
 ,noise ,exposure ,listing on receipt of
 benefits by veterans  7#a7  ,in general

  ,the ,secretary shall include in the  
report required by subsection 7a7 an    
evaluation of the extent to which       
veterans who had a military occupational
 specialty during service as a member of
 the ,armed ,forces that is not included
 on the ,duty ,military ,occupational   
,specialty ,noise ,exposure ,listing 7in
 this subsection referred to as the     
,,mos ,list7 are precluded from         
receiving benefits related to hearing   
loss from the ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs4  7#b7  ,data  ,the ,secretary 
shall include in the evaluation required
 by paragraph 7#a7 the following3  7,a7 
,with respect to veterans who had a     
military occupational specialty included
 on the ,,mos ,list--  7i7 the number of
 claims for benefits related to hearing 
loss from the ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs that were granted2 and  7ii7   
the number of claims for benefits       
related to hearing loss from the        
,department that were denied4  7,b7     
,with respect to veterans who had a     

military occupational specialty not     
included on the ,,mos ,list--  7i7 the  
number of claims for benefits related to
 hearing loss from the ,department that 
were granted2  7ii7 the number of claims
 for benefits related to hearing loss   
from the ,department that were denied2  
7iii7 of the number of denied claims    
under clause 7ii71 the number of those  
claims that were appealed2 and  7iv7 of 
the number of appealed claims under     
clause 7iii71 the number of those       
appealed claims that were successfully  
appealed4  7c7  ,additional matters     
,the ,secretary shall include in the    
report required by subsection 7a7 the   
following3  7#a7 ,in the case of a      
veteran with unilateral hearing loss1 an
 explanation of the scientific basis for
 the practice of the ,department of     
determining a disability rating level   
with respect to hearing based on an     
examination of that veteran's healthy   
ear instead of the injured ear4  7#b7   
,an analysis of the reduction in earning

 capacity for veterans as a result of   
unilateral hearing loss1 with a focus on
 the ability of those veterans--  7,a7  
to detect the direction of sound2 and   
7,b7 to understand speech4  7#c7 ,an    
explanation of the rationale for the    
practice of the ,department of not      
issuing a compensable rating for hearing
 loss at certain levels that are severe 
enough to require the use of hearing    
aids4  7#d7 ,a survey of the            
audiologists that conduct compensation  
and pension examinations for the        
,department to assess the implementation
 of the most recent edition of the best 
practices manual for hearing loss and   
tinnitus examinations that includes the 
following3  7,a7 ,a description of the  
training received by those audiologists 
compared to the methods described in the
 most recent edition of the best        
practices manual for hearing loss and   
tinnitus examinations4  7,b7 ,an        
assessment of how those audiologists    
have complied with that training4  7,c7 

,whether those audiologists are using a 
range of tones up to #hjjj hertz to test
 the hearing of veterans4  7d7          
,construction  ,nothing in this section 
shall be construed to authorize or      
require the ,secretary to defer1 delay1 
or replace the ongoing efforts of the   
,secretary to update the schedule of    
ratings required by section #aaee of    
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7e7  
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #iaf4  ,report on joint programs
 of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
and ,department of ,defense with respect
 to hearing loss of members of the      
,armed ,forces and veterans  7a7  ,in   
general  ,not later than two years after
 the date of the enactment of this ,act1
 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall1 in consultation with the         
,secretary of ,defense1 submit to       
,congress a report that identifies the  
following3  7#a7 ,goals for the         

,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
the ,department of ,defense for the     
prevention1 early detection1 and        
treatment of hearing loss by the        
,national ,center for ,rehabilitative   
,auditory ,research of the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs and the ,hearing  
,center of ,excellence of the           
,department of ,defense4  7#b7          
,resources of the ,department of        
,veterans ,affairs that could be made   
available to assist the ,department of  
,defense in conducting audiometric tests
 and tinnitus screenings for members of 
the ,armed ,forces4  7#c7 ,barriers to  
information being added to the ,hearing 
,loss and ,auditory ,system ,injury     
,registry required under section        
#gba7;c77#a7 of the ,duncan ,hunter     
,national ,defense ,authorization ,act  
for ,fiscal ,year #bjji 7,public ,law   
#aaj-dag2 #abb ,stat4 #dejf74  7#d7     
,recommendations for any legislative or 
administrative actions necessary with   
respect to the ,hearing ,loss and       

,auditory ,system ,injury ,registry--   
7,a7 to assist in achieving the goals   
specified in paragraph 7#a72  7,b7 to   
improve the adjudication of claims for  
benefits with respect to hearing loss2  
and  7,c7 to further the research       
objectives of the ,national ,center for 
,rehabilitative ,auditory ,research of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
and the ,hearing ,center of ,excellence 
of the ,department of ,defense4  7b7    
,effective date  ,this section shall    
take effect on the date that is one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  #iag4  ,designation of ,american
 ,world ,war ,,ii ,cities  7a7  ,in     
general  ,the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs shall designate at least one   
city in the ,united ,states each year as
 an ,american ,world ,war ,,ii ,city4   
7b7  ,criteria for designation  ,after  
the designation made under subsection   
7c71 the ,secretary1 in consultation    
with the ,secretary of ,defense1 shall  
make each designation under subsection  

7a7 based on the following criteria3    
7#a7 ,contributions by a city to the war
 effort during ,world ,war ,,ii1        
including those related to defense      
manufacturing1 bond drives1 service in  
the ,armed ,forces1 and the presence of 
military facilities within the city4    
7#b7 ,efforts by a city to preserve the 
history of the city's contributions     
during ,world ,war ,,ii1 including      
through the establishment of            
preservation organizations or museums1  
restoration of ,world ,war ,,ii         
facilities1 and recognition of ,world   
,war ,,ii veterans4  7c7  ,first        
,american ,world ,war ,,ii ,city  ,the  
city of ,wilmington1 ,north ,carolina1  
is designated as an ,american ,world    
,war ,,ii ,city4  7d7  ,expiration of   
authority  ,the requirements of         
subsections 7a7 and 7b7 shall terminate 
on the date that is five years after the
 date of the enactment of this ,act4