,,iib #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cgdi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #bg1 #bjbj,received2 read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,,an ,,act ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to direct the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to make grants to entities that provide legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,legal ,services for ,homeless ,veterans ,act4 #b4 ,legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #bj of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #bjbb the following new section3 #bjbb;,a4 ,legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness 7a7 ,grants ,subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall make grants to eligible entities that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness4 7b7 ,criteria 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 establish criteria and requirements for grants under this section1 including criteria for entities eligible to receive such grants2 and 7,b7 publish such criteria and requirements in the ,federal ,register4 7#b7 ,in establishing criteria and requirements under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 take into consideration any criteria and requirements needed with respect to carrying out this section in rural communities1 ,tribal lands1 and the territories and possessions of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 consult with organizations that have experience in providing services to homeless veterans1 including veterans service organizations1 the ,equal ,justice ,works ,ameri,corps ,veterans ,legal ,corps1 and other organizations the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7c7 ,eligible entities ,the ,secretary may make a grant under this section to an entity applying for such a grant only if the applicant for the grant-- 7#a7 is a public or nonprofit private entity with the capacity 7as determined by the ,secretary7 to effectively administer a grant under this section2 7#b7 demonstrates that adequate financial support will be available to carry out the services for which the grant is sought consistent with the application2 7#c7 agrees to meet the applicable criteria and requirements established under subsection 7b77#a72 and 7#d7 has1 as determined by the ,secretary1 demonstrated the capacity to meet such criteria and requirements4 7d7 ,use of funds ,grants under this section shall be used to provide homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness the following legal services3 7#a7 ,legal services related to housing1 including eviction defense1 representation in landlord-tenant cases1 and representation in foreclosure cases4 7#b7 ,legal services related to family law1 including assistance in court proceedings for child support1 divorce1 estate planning1 and family reconciliation4 7#c7 ,legal services related to income support1 including assistance in obtaining public benefits4 7#d7 ,legal services related to criminal defense1 including defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness1 such as outstanding warrants1 fines1 and driver's license revocation1 to reduce recidivism and facilitate the overcoming of reentry obstacles in employment or housing4 7#e7 ,legal services related to requests to upgrade the characterization of a discharge or dismissal of a former member of the ,armed ,forces under section #aeec of title #aj4 7#f7 ,such other legal services as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7e7 ,funds for women veterans ,for any fiscal year1 not less than #aj percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section shall be used to provide legal services described in subsection 7d7 to women veterans4 7f7 ,reports ,on a biennial basis1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate a report on grants under this section4 ,to the extent feasible1 each such report shall include the following with respect to the year covered by the report3 7#a7 ,the number of homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness assisted4 7#b7 ,a description of the legal services provided4 7#c7 ,a description of the legal matters addressed4 7#d7 ,an analysis by the ,secretary with respect to the operational effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the services provided4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #bjbb the following new item3 #bjbb;,a4 ,legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness4 4 7c7 ,criteria ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish the criteria and requirements in the ,federal ,register pursuant to subsection 7b77#a7 of section #bjbb;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a74 #c4 ,additional amount for supportive services for veteran families grant program to support organizations that have a focus on providing assistance to women veterans and their families ,section #bjdd7;e7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,there is authorized to be appropriated #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbd for the provision of financial assistance under subsection 7a7 to organizations that have a focus on providing assistance to women veterans and their families4 4 #d4 ,gap analysis of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall complete an analysis of programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless or precariously housed to identify the areas in which such programs are failing to meet the needs of such women4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj 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 analysis completed under subsection 7a74 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,february #be1 #bjbj4;,cheryl ,l4 ,johnson1,clerk4