,in the ,senate of the ,united ,states1 
,december #i1 #bjbj4  ,amendment3  ,that
 the bill from the ,house of            
,representatives 7,h4,r4 #gaje7 entitled
 ,an ,act to provide flexibility for the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs in    
caring for homeless veterans during a   
covered public health emergency1 to     
direct the ,secretary of ,veterans      
,affairs to carry out a retraining      
assistance program for unemployed       
veterans1 and for other purposes41 do   
pass with the following ,strike all     
after the enacting clause and insert the
 following3 #a4 ,short title2 table of  
contents  7a7 ,short title ,this ,act   
may be cited as the ,johnny ,isakson and
 ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans      
,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement
 ,act of #bjbj4  7b7 ,table of contents 
,the table of contents for this ,act is 
as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2     
table of contents4,sec4 #b4             
,determination of budgetary             
effects4,,title ,i--,education,subtitle 

,a--,education generally,sec4 #ajja4    
,improvements to ,edith ,nourse ,rogers 
,,stem ,scholarship program of          
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 
#ajjb4 ,expansion of eligibility for    
,fry ,scholarship to children and       
spouses of certain deceased members of  
the ,armed ,forces4,sec4 #ajjc4 ,period 
for election to receive benefits under  
,all-,volunteer ,educational ,assistance
 ,program of ,department of ,veterans   
,affairs4,sec4 #ajjd4 ,phase out of     
,all-,volunteer ,educational ,assistance
 ,program4,sec4 #ajje4 ,requirements for
 in-,state tuition4,sec4 #ajjf4         
,expansion of authority for certain     
qualifying work-study activities for    
purposes of the educational assistance  
programs of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs to include outreach services  
provided through congressional          
offices4,sec4 #ajjg4 ,restoration of    
entitlement to rehabilitation programs  
for veterans affected by school closure 
or disapproval4,sec4 #ajjh4 ,technical  

correction to clarify eligibility for   
participation in ,yellow ,ribbon        
,program of ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs4,sec4 #ajji4 ,clarification of 
educational assistance for individuals  
who pursue an approved program of       
education leading to a degree while on  
active duty4,sec4 #ajaj4 ,verification  
of enrollment for purposes of receipt of
 ,post-#i_/aa ,educational ,assistance  
benefits4,sec4 #ajaa4 ,clarification    
regarding the dependents to whom        
entitlement to educational assistance   
may be transferred under the ,post      
#i_/aa ,educational ,assistance         
,program4,sec4 #ajab4 ,expansion of     
reasons for which a course of education 
may be disapproved4,sec4 #ajac4         
,oversight of educational institutions  
with approved programs3 risk-based      
surveys4,sec4 #ajad4 ,oversight of      
educational institutions subject to     
,government action for purposes of the  
educational assistance programs of the  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 

#ajae4 ,additional requirement for      
approval of educational institutions for
 purposes of the educational assistance 
programs of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs4,sec4 #ajaf4 ,clarification of
 accreditation for law schools for      
purposes of the educational assistance  
programs of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs4,sec4 #ajag4 ,clarification of
 grounds for disapproval of a course for
 purposes of the educational assistance 
programs of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs4,sec4 #ajah4 ,requirements for
 educational institutions participating 
in the educational assistance programs  
of the ,department of ,veterans         
,affairs4,sec4 #ajai4 ,overpayments to  
eligible persons or veterans4,sec4      
#ajbj4 ,improvements to limitation on   
certain advertising1 sales1 and         
enrollment practices4,sec4 #ajba4       
,charge to entitlement to educational   
assistance for individuals who do not   
transfer credits from certain closed or 
disapproved programs of education4,sec4 

#ajbb4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 treatment of for-profit educational    
institutions converted to nonprofit     
educational institutions4,sec4 #ajbc4   
,authority of ,state approving agencies 
to conduct outreach activities4,sec4    
#ajbd4 ,limitation on colocation and    
administration of ,state approving      
agencies4,sec4 #ajbe4 ,elimination of   
period of eligibility for training and  
rehabilitation for certain veterans with
 service-connected                      
disabilities4,subtitle ,b--,pandemic    
assistance,sec4 #aaja4                  
,definitions4,sec4 #aajb4 ,continuation 
of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs    
educational assistance benefits during  
,,covid-#ai emergency4,sec4 #aajc4      
,effects of closure of educational      
institution and modification of courses 
by reason of ,,covid-#ai emergency4,sec4
 #aajd4 ,payment of educational         
assistance in cases of withdrawal4,sec4 
#aaje4 ,modification of time limitations
 on use of entitlement4,sec4 #aajf4     

,apprenticeship or on-job training      
requirements4,sec4 #aajg4 ,inclusion of 
training establishments in certain      
provisions related to ,,covid-#ai       
emergency4,sec4 #aajh4 ,treatment of    
payment of allowances under ,student    
,veteran ,coronavirus ,response         
,act4,,title ,,ii--,benefits,subtitle   
,a--,benefits generally,sec4 #bjja4     
,revision of definition of ,vietnam era 
for purposes of the laws administered by
 the ,secretary of ,veterans            
,affairs4,sec4 #bjjb4 ,matters relating 
to ,department of ,veterans ,affairs    
medical disability examinations4,sec4   
#bjjc4 ,medal of ,honor special pension 
for surviving spouses4,sec4 #bjjd4      
,modernization of service-disabled      
veterans insurance4,sec4 #bjje4 ,denial 
of claims for traumatic injury          
protection under ,servicemembers' ,group
 ,life ,insurance4,sec4 #bjjf4          
,publication and acceptance of          
disability benefit questionnaire forms  
of ,department of ,veterans             

,affairs4,sec4 #bjjg4 ,threshold for    
reporting debts to consumer reporting   
agencies4,sec4 #bjjh4 ,removal of       
dependents from award of compensation or
 pension4,sec4 #bjji4 ,eligibility for  
dependency and indemnity compensation   
for surviving spouses who remarry after 
age #ee4,sec4 #bjaj4 ,study on exposure 
by members of the ,armed ,forces to     
toxicants at ,karshi-,khanabad ,air     
,base in ,uzbekistan4,sec4 #bjaa4       
,comptroller ,general briefing and      
report on repealing manifestation period
 for presumptions of service connection 
for certain diseases associated with    
exposure to certain herbicide           
agents4,sec4 #bjab4 ,extension of       
authority of ,secretary of ,veterans    
,affairs to use income information from 
other agencies4,sec4 #bjac4 ,extension  
on certain limits on payments of        
pension4,subtitle ,b--,housing,sec4     
#baja4 ,eligibility of certain members  
of the reserve components of the ,armed 
,forces for home loans from the         

,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4  
#bajb4 ,reducing loan fees for certain  
veterans affected by major              
disasters4,sec4 #bajc4 ,extension of    
certain housing loan fees4,sec4 #bajd4  
,collection of overpayments of specially
 adapted housing assistance4,subtitle   
,c--,burial matters,sec4 #bbja4         
,transportation of deceased veterans to 
veterans' cemeteries4,sec4 #bbjb4       
,increase in certain funeral benefits   
under laws administered by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4  
#bbjc4 ,outer burial receptacles for    
each new grave in cemeteries that are   
the subjects of certain grants made by  
the ,secretary of ,veterans             
,affairs4,sec4 #bbjd4 ,provision of     
inscriptions for spouses and children on
 certain headstones and markers         
furnished by the ,secretary of ,veterans
 ,affairs4,sec4 #bbje4 ,aid to counties 
for establishment1 expansion1 and       
improvement of veterans'                
cemeteries4,sec4 #bbjf4 ,increase in    

maximum amount of grants to ,states1    
counties1 and tribal organizations for  
operating and maintaining veterans'     
cemeteries4,sec4 #bbjg4 ,provision of   
urns and commemorative plaques for      
remains of certain veterans whose       
cremated remains are not interred in    
certain cemeteries4,sec4 #bbjh4         
,training of ,state and tribal veterans'
 cemetery personnel by ,national        
,cemetery ,administration4,,title       
,,iii--,health care,subtitle ,a--,health
 care generally,sec4 #cjja4 ,expansion  
of modifications to ,veteran ,directed  
,care program4,sec4 #cjjb4 ,prohibition 
on collection of a health care copayment
 by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs
 from a veteran who is a member of an   
,indian tribe4,sec4 #cjjc4 ,oversight   
for ,state homes regarding ,,covid-#ai  
infections1 response capacity1 and      
staffing levels4,sec4 #cjjd4 ,grants for
 ,state homes located on tribal         
lands4,sec4 #cjje4 ,continuation of     
,women's ,health ,transition ,training  

program of ,department of ,veterans     
,affairs4,sec4 #cjjf4 ,authority for    
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to     
furnish medically necessary             
transportation for newborn children of  
certain women veterans4,sec4 #cjjg4     
,waiver of requirements of ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs for receipt of per
 diem payments for domiciliary care at  
,state homes and modification of        
eligibility for such payments4,sec4     
#cjjh4 ,expansion of quarterly update of
 information on staffing and vacancies  
at facilities of the ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs to include           
information on duration of hiring       
process4,sec4 #cjji4 ,requirement for   
certain ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs medical facilities to have     
physical location for the disposal of   
controlled substances medications4,sec4 
#cjaj4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 pilot program for clinical observation 
by undergraduate students4,subtitle     
,b--,scheduling and consult             

management,sec4 #caja4 ,process and     
requirements for scheduling appointments
 for health care from ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs and non-,department  
health care4,sec4 #cajb4 ,audits        
regarding scheduling of appointments and
 management of consultations for health 
care from ,department of ,veterans      
,affairs and non-,department health     
care4,sec4 #cajc4 ,administration of    
non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
health care4,sec4 #cajd4 ,examination of
 health care consultation and scheduling
 positions of ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs4,,title ,,iv--,navy ,,seal     
,bill ,mulder,sec4 #djja4 ,short        
title4,subtitle ,a--,service-connection 
and ,,covid-#ai,sec4 #daja4             
,presumptions of service-connection for 
members of ,armed ,forces who contract  
,coronavirus ,disease #bjai under       
certain circumstances4,subtitle         
,b--,assistance for homeless            
veterans,sec4 #dbja4 ,flexibility for   
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs in 

caring for homeless veterans during a   
covered public health emergency4,sec4   
#dbjb4 ,legal services for homeless     
veterans and veterans at risk for       
homelessness4,sec4 #dbjc4 ,gap analysis 
of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs    
programs that provide assistance to     
women veterans who are homeless4,sec4   
#dbjd4 ,improvements to grants awarded  
by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 
to entities that provide services to    
homeless veterans4,sec4 #dbje4 ,repeal  
of sunset on authority to carry out     
program of referral and counseling      
services for veterans at risk for       
homelessness who are transitioning from 
certain institutions4,sec4 #dbjf4       
,coordination of case management        
services for veterans receiving housing 
vouchers under ,tribal ,housing and     
,urban ,development-,veterans ,affairs  
,supportive ,housing program4,sec4      
#dbjg4 ,contracts relating to case      
managers for homeless veterans in       
supported housing program4,sec4 #dbjh4  

,report on staffing of ,department of   
,housing and ,urban                     
,development-,department of ,veterans   
,affairs supported housing              
program4,subtitle ,c--,retraining       
assistance for veterans,sec4 #dcja4     
,access for the ,secretaries of ,labor  
and ,veterans ,affairs to the ,federal  
directory of new hires4,sec4 #dcjb4     
,expansion of eligible class of         
providers of high technology programs of
 education for veterans4,sec4 #dcjc4    
,pilot program for off-base transition  
training for veterans and spouses4,sec4 
#dcjd4 ,grants for provision of         
transition assistance to members of the 
,armed ,forces after separation1        
retirement1 or discharge4,sec4 #dcje4   
,one-year independent assessment of the 
effectiveness of ,transition ,assistance
 ,program4,sec4 #dcjf4 ,longitudinal    
study on changes to ,transition         
,assistance ,program4,,title            
,v--,deborah ,sampson,sec4 #ejja4 ,short
 title4,subtitle ,a--,improving access  

for women veterans to the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs,sec4 #eaja4 ,office 
of ,women's ,health in ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #eajb4 ,women  
veterans retrofit initiative4,sec4      
#eajc4 ,establishment of environment of 
care standards and inspections at       
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
medical centers4,sec4 #eajd4 ,provision 
of reintegration and readjustment       
services to veterans and family members 
in group retreat settings4,sec4 #eaje4  
,provision of legal services for women  
veterans4,sec4 #eajf4 ,comptroller      
,general surveys and report on          
supportive services provided for very   
low-income women veterans4,sec4 #eajg4  
,programs on assistance for child care  
for certain veterans4,sec4 #eajh4       
,availability of prosthetics for women  
veterans from ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs4,sec4 #eaji4 ,requirement to   
improve ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs women veterans call            
center4,sec4 #eaaj4 ,study on           

infertility services furnished at       
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 
#eaaa4 ,sense of ,congress on access to 
facilities of ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs by reservists for counseling   
and treatment relating to military      
sexual trauma4,subtitle ,b--,increasing 
staff cultural competency,sec4 #ebja4   
,staffing of women's health primary care
 providers at medical facilities of     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 
#ebjb4 ,additional funding for primary  
care and emergency care clinicians in   
,women ,veterans ,health ,care          
,mini-,residency ,program4,sec4 #ebjc4  
,establishment of women veteran training
 module for non-,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs health care providers4,sec4   
#ebjd4 ,study on staffing of women      
veteran program manager program at      
medical centers of ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs and training of      
staff4,sec4 #ebje4 ,study on ,women     
,veteran ,coordinator program4,sec4     
#ebjf4 ,staffing improvement plan for   

peer specialists of ,department of      
,veterans ,affairs who are              
women4,subtitle ,c--,eliminating        
harassment and assault,sec4 #ecja4      
,expansion of coverage by ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs of counseling and   
treatment for sexual trauma4,sec4 #ecjb4
 ,assessment of effects of intimate     
partner violence on women veterans by   
,advisory ,committee on ,women          
,veterans4,sec4 #ecjc4 ,anti-harassment 
and anti-sexual assault policy of       
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 
#ecjd4 ,pilot program on assisting      
veterans who experience intimate partner
 violence or sexual assault4,sec4 #ecje4
 ,study and task force on veterans      
experiencing intimate partner violence  
or sexual assault4,subtitle ,d--,data   
collection and reporting,sec4 #edja4    
,requirement for collection and analysis
 of data on ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs benefits and services and      
disaggregation of such data by gender1  
race1 and ethnicity4,sec4 #edjb4 ,study 

on barriers for women veterans to       
receipt of health care from ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #edjc4      
,study on feasibility and advisability  
of offering ,parenting ,,stair program  
at all medical centers of ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs4,subtitle           
,e--,benefits matters,sec4 #eeja4       
,evaluation of service-connection of    
mental health conditions relating to    
military sexual trauma4,sec4 #eejb4     
,choice of sex of ,department of        
,veterans ,affairs medical examiner for 
assessment of claims for compensation   
relating to disability resulting from   
physical assault of a sexual nature1    
battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual   
harassment4,sec4 #eejc4 ,secretary of   
,veterans ,affairs report on            
implementing recommendations of         
,inspector ,general of ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs in certain report on 
denied posttraumatic stress disorder    
claims related to military sexual       
trauma4,,title ,,vi--,representation and

 financial exploitation matters,sec4    
#fjja4 ,short title4,sec4 #fjjb4 ,plan  
to address the financial exploitation of
 veterans receiving pension from the    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 
#fjjc4 ,overpayments of pension to      
veterans receiving pension from the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 
#fjjd4 ,evaluation of additional actions
 for verifying direct deposit           
information provided by veterans on     
applications for veterans pension4,sec4 
#fjje4 ,annual report on efforts of     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs to    
address the financial exploitation of   
veterans receiving pension4,sec4 #fjjf4 
,notice regarding fees charged in       
connection with filing an application   
for veterans pension4,sec4 #fjjg4       
,outreach plan for educating vulnerable 
veterans about potential financial      
exploitation relating to the receipt of 
pension4,,title ,,vii--,other           
matters,subtitle ,a--,administrative and
 other matters,sec4 #gjja4 ,medical     

examination protocol for volunteer      
drivers participating in program of     
transportation services for             
veterans4,sec4 #gjjb4 ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs ,advisory ,committee 
on ,tribal and ,indian ,affairs4,sec4   
#gjjc4 ,preference for offerors         
employing veterans4,sec4 #gjjd4         
,extension of certain employment and    
reemployment rights to members of the   
,national ,guard who perform ,state     
active duty4,sec4 #gjje4 ,repayment of  
misused benefits4,sec4 #gjjf4 ,exemption
 of certain transfers4,sec4 #gjjg4      
,report and planned actions of the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to     
address certain high-risk areas of the  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 
#gjjh4 ,annual report by ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs on implementation of 
priority recommendations of ,comptroller
 ,general of the ,united ,states        
pertaining to ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs4,sec4 #gjji4 ,clarification of 
methods used to monitor compliance with 

certain limitations on                  
subcontracting4,sec4 #gjaj4 ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs requirement to    
provide certain notice to persons filing
 claims for damage1 injury1 or death on 
,standard ,form #ie4,subtitle           
,b--,matters relating to the ,chief     
,financial ,officer of ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs,sec4 #gaja4          
,definitions4,sec4 #gajb4 ,plans for    
addressing material weaknesses and      
providing sufficient authority to ,chief
 ,financial ,officer of ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #gajc4 ,chief  
,financial ,officer attestation4,sec4   
#gajd4 ,chief ,financial ,officer       
responsibility for subordinate chief    
financial officers4,subtitle            
,c--,servicemembers civil relief,sec4   
#gbja4 ,clarification of delivery of    
notice of termination of leases of      
premises and motor vehicles for purposes
 of relief under ,servicemembers ,civil 
,relief ,act4,sec4 #gbjb4 ,technical    
correction regarding extension of lease 

protections for servicemembers under    
stop movement orders in response to     
local1 national1 or global emergency4   
#b4 ,determination of budgetary effects 
,the budgetary effects of this ,act1 for
 the purpose of complying with the      
,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of    
#bjaj1 shall be determined by reference 
to the latest statement titled          
,budgetary ,effects of ,,paygo          
,legislation for this ,act1 submitted   
for printing in the ,congressional      
,record by the ,chairman of the ,house  
,budget ,committee1 provided that such  
statement has been submitted prior to   
the vote on passage4  ,i ,education  ,a 
,education generally  #ajja4            
,improvements to ,edith ,nourse ,rogers 
,,stem ,scholarship program of          
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,clarification and expansion of         
eligibility ,subsection 7b77#d7 of      
section #ccbj of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in     
subparagraph 7,a77i7-- 7,a7 in the      

matter preceding subclause 7,i71 by     
inserting 1 or a dual degree program    
that includes such an undergraduate     
college degree1 after undergraduate     
college degree2  7,b7 by striking       
subclause 7,,ix72 and  7,c7 by          
redesignating subclauses 7,x7 and 7,,xi7
 as subclauses 7,,ix7 and 7,x71         
respectively2  7#b7 in subparagraph     
7,b7-- 7,a7 by inserting covered        
clinical training program for health    
care professionals or a before program  
of education2 and  7,b7 by striking the 
period at the end and inserting 2 or2   
and  7#c7 by adding at the end the      
following new subparagraph3  7,c7 is an 
individual who has earned a graduate    
degree in a field referred to in        
subparagraph 7,a77i7 and is enrolled in 
a covered clinical training program for 
health care professionals4  4  7b7      
,priority ,subsection 7c7 of such       
section is amended to read as follows3  
7c7 ,priority  7#a7 ,if the ,secretary  
determines that there are insufficient  

funds available in a fiscal year to     
provide additional benefits under this  
section to all eligible individuals1 the
 ,secretary may give priority to the    
following eligible individuals3 7,a7    
,individuals who require the most credit
 hours described in subsection 7b77#d74 
7,b7 ,individuals who are entitled to   
educational assistance under this       
chapter by reason of paragraph 7#a71    
7#b71 7#h71 or 7#i7 of section #ccaa7;b7
 of this title4  7#b7 ,the ,secretary   
shall give priority to individuals under
 paragraph 7#a7 in the following order3 
7,a7 ,individuals who are enrolled in a 
program of education leading to an      
undergraduate degree in a field referred
 to in subsection 7b77#d77;,a77i74  7,b7
 ,individuals who are enrolled in a     
program of education leading to a       
teaching certificate4  7,c7 ,individuals
 who are enrolled in a dual-degree      
program leading to both an undergraduate
 and graduate degree in a field referred
 to in subsection 7b77#d77;,a77i74  7,d7

 ,individuals who have earned an        
undergraduate degree and are enrolled in
 a covered clinical training program for
 health care professionals4  7,e7       
,individuals who have earned a graduate 
degree and are enrolled in a covered    
clinical training program for health    
care professionals4  4  7c7 ,amounts not
 subject to certain limitation          
,subsection 7d7 of such section is      
amended by adding at the end the        
following new paragraph3  7#d7          
,notwithstanding any other provision of 
this chapter or chapter #cf of this     
title1 any additional benefits under    
this section may not be counted toward  
the aggregate period for which section  
#cfie of this title limits an           
individual's receipt of allowance or    
assistance4  4  7d7 ,covered clinical   
training program defined ,such section  
is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection3  7h7      
,covered clinical training program      
defined ,in this section1 the term      

covered clinical training program means 
any clinical training required by a     
health care professional to be licensed 
to practice in a ,state or locality4  4 
#ajjb4 ,expansion of eligibility for    
,fry ,scholarship to children and       
spouses of certain deceased members of  
the ,armed ,forces  7a7 ,in general     
,subsection 7b7 of section #ccaa of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as    
amended by section #aje of the ,harry   
,w4 ,colmery ,veterans ,educational     
,assistance ,act of #bjag 7,public ,law 
#aae-dh71 is further amended-- 7#a7 by  
redesignating paragraph 7#i7 as         
paragraph 7#aa72 and  7#b7 by inserting 
after paragraph 7#h7 the following new  
paragraphs 7#i7 and 7#aj73  7#i7 ,an    
individual who is the child or spouse of
 a person who1 on or after ,september   
#aa1 #bjja1 dies in line of duty while  
serving on duty other than active duty  
as a member of the ,armed ,forces4      
7#aj7 ,an individual who is the child or
 spouse of a member of the ,selected    

,reserve who dies on or after ,september
 #aa1 #bjja1 while a member of the      
,selected ,reserve from a               
service-connected disability4  4  7b7   
,conforming amendments ,title #ch1      
,united ,states ,code1 is amended as    
follows3 7#a7 ,in section #ccaa7;f71 by 
striking paragraph 7#h7 each place it   
appears and inserting paragraphs 7#h71  
7#i71 and 7#aj74  7#b7 ,in section      
#ccac7;c77#a71 by striking 7#h71 or 7#i7
 and inserting 7#h71 7#i71 7#aj71 or    
7#aa74  7#c7 ,in section #ccag7;a71 in  
the second sentence1 by striking        
paragraphs 7#a71 7#b71 7#h71 and 7#i7   
and inserting paragraphs 7#a71 7#b71    
7#h71 7#i71 7#aj71 and 7#aa74  7#d7 ,in 
section #ccbj1 as amended by section    
#ajja of this title1 in subsection      
7c77#a77;,b71 by striking 7#h71 or 7#i7 
and inserting 7#h71 7#i71 7#aj71 or     
7#aa74  7#e7 ,in section #ccbb-- 7,a7 in
 subsection 7e71 by striking both       
sections #ccaa7;b77#h7 and #ccai and    
inserting section #ccai and paragraph   

7#h71 7#i71 or 7#aj7 of section #ccaa of
 this title2  7,b7 in subsection 7f71 by
 striking section #ccaa7;b77#h7 and     
inserting paragraph 7#h71 7#i71 or 7#aj7
 of section #ccaa of this title2 and    
7,c7 in subsection 7h77#b71 by striking 
either section #ccaa7;b77#h7 or chapter 
#ce and inserting either chapter #ce or 
paragraph 7#h71 7#i71 or 7#aj7 of       
section #ccaa4  7c7 ,applicability date 
,the amendments made by this section    
shall take effect immediately after the 
amendments made by section #aje of the  
,harry ,w4 ,colmery ,veterans           
,educational ,assistance ,act of #bjag  
7,public ,law #aae-dh7 take effect and  
shall apply with respect to a quarter1  
semester1 or term1 as applicable1       
commencing on or after ,august #a1      
#bjba4  #ajjc4 ,period for election to  
receive benefits under ,all-,volunteer  
,educational ,assistance ,program of    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,in general ,section #cjaa of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--    

7#a7 in subsection 7c77#a71 by striking 
,any such election shall be made at the 
time the individual initially enters on 
active duty as a member of the ,armed   
,forces and inserting ,any such election
 shall be made during the #ij-;day      
period beginning on the day that is #ahj
 days after the date on which the       
individual initially enters initial     
training2 and  7#b7 in subsection       
7b77#a71 by striking that such          
individual is entitled to such pay and  
inserting that begin after the date that
 is #bgj days after the date on which   
the individual initially enters initial 
training4  7b7 ,effective date ,the     
amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall 
take effect on the date that is two     
years after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act4  #ajjd4 ,phase out of       
,all-,volunteer ,educational ,assistance
 ,program ,subsection 7a77#a77;,a7 of   
section #cjaa of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 is amended by striking   
after ,june #cj1 #aihe and inserting    

during the period beginning ,july #a1   
#aihe1 and ending ,september #cj1 #bjcj4
  #ajje4 ,requirements for in-,state    
tuition  7a7 ,in general ,section       
#cfgi7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph   
7#b77;,a71 by striking less than three  
years before the date of enrollment in  
the course concerned2 and  7#b7 in      
paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 by striking ,it   
shall and inserting 7,a7 ,it shall2 and 
7,b7 by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph3  7,b7 ,to the extent  
feasible1 the ,secretary shall make     
publicly available on the internet      
website of the ,department a database   
explaining any requirements described in
 subparagraph 7,a7 that are established 
by a public institution of higher       
learning for an individual to be charged
 tuition and fees at a rate that is     
equal to or less than the rate the      
institution charges for tuition and fees
 for residents of the ,state in which   
the institution is located4 ,the        

,secretary shall disapprove a course of 
education provided by such an           
institution that does not provide the   
,secretary-- 7i7 an initial explanation 
of such requirements2 and  7ii7 not     
later than #ij days after the date on   
which any such requirements change1 the 
updated requirements4  4  7b7           
,application ,the amendments made by    
this section shall apply with respect to
 a quarter1 semester1 or term1 as       
applicable1 commencing on or after      
,august #a1 #bjba4  #ajjf4 ,expansion of
 authority for certain qualifying       
work-study activities for purposes of   
the educational assistance programs of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to
 include outreach services provided     
through congressional offices  7a7 ,in  
general ,section #cdhe7;a77#d7 of title 
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended  
by adding at the end the following new  
subparagraph3  7,k7 ,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  7b7 ,effective date ,the
 amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall 
take effect on ,august #a1 #bjba4       
#ajjg4 ,restoration of entitlement to   
rehabilitation programs for veterans    
affected by school closure or           
disapproval  7a7 ,entitlement ,section  
#cfii of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 is amended by striking chapter   
#cj1 each time it appears and inserting 
chapter #cj1 #ca14  7b7 ,payment of     
subsistence allowances ,section         
#cfhj7;a77#b77;,b7 of title #ch1 ,united

 ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by    
inserting or a subsistence allowance    
described in section #cajh before 1     
during2 and  7#b7 by inserting or       
allowance after such a stipend4  7c7    
,conforming amendment ,section #g of the
 ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus         
,response ,act of #bjbj 7#acd ,stat4    
#fcd2 ,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is hereby  
repealed4  7d7 ,effective date ,the     
amendments made by this section shall   
apply as if included in the enactment of
 section #aji of the ,harry ,w4 ,colmery
 ,veterans ,educational ,assistance ,act
 of #bjag 7,public ,law #aae-dh2 #aca   
,stat4 #igh74  #ajjh4 ,technical        
correction to clarify eligibility for   
participation in ,yellow ,ribbon        
,program of ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs ,section #ccag7;a7 of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--
 7#a7 by striking the full cost of      
established charges 7as specified in    
section #ccac7 and inserting the full   
cost of tuition and fees for a program  

of education2 and  7#b7 by striking     
those established charges and inserting 
such tuition and fees4  #ajji4          
,clarification of educational assistance
 for individuals who pursue an approved 
program of education leading to a degree
 while on active duty  7a7 ,in general  
,section #ccac7;e7 of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in the
 heading1 by inserting for a period of  
more than #cj days after active duty2   
7#b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting for
 a period of more than #cj days after   
active duty2 and  7#c7 in paragraph     
7#b71 in the matter preceding           
subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting for a   
period of more than #cj days after      
active duty4  7b7 ,effective date ,the  
amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall 
take effect on ,august #a1 #bjbb4       
#ajaj4 ,verification of enrollment for  
purposes of receipt of ,post-#i_/aa     
,educational ,assistance benefits  7a7  
,in general ,section #ccac of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by   

adding at the end the following new     
subsection3  7l7 ,verification of       
enrollment  7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall  
require-- 7,a7 each educational         
institution to submit to the ,secretary 
verification of each individual who is  
enrolled in a course or program of      
education at the educational institution
 and is receiving educational assistance
 under this chapter-- 7i7 not later than
 such time as the ,secretary determines 
reasonable after the date on which the  
individual is enrolled2 and  7ii7 not   
later than such time as the ,secretary  
determines reasonable after the last    
date on which a student is able to      
withdraw from the course or program of  
education without penalty2 and  7,b7    
each individual who is enrolled in a    
course or program of education and is   
receiving educational assistance under  
this chapter to submit to the ,secretary
 verification of such enrollment for    
each month during which the individual  
is so enrolled and receiving such       

educational assistance4  7#b7           
,verification under this subsection     
shall be in an electronic form          
prescribed by the ,secretary4  7#c7 ,if 
an individual fails to submit the       
verification required under paragraph   
7#a77;,b7 for two consecutive months1   
the ,secretary may not make a monthly   
stipend payment to the individual under 
this section until the individual       
submits such verification4  4  7b7      
,effective date ,the amendment made by  
subsection 7a7 shall take effect on     
,august #a1 #bjba4  #ajaa4              
,clarification regarding the dependents 
to whom entitlement to educational      
assistance may be transferred under the 
,post #i_/aa ,educational ,assistance   
,program  7a7 ,in general ,section      
#ccai7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code1 is amended to read as follows3   
7c7 ,eligible dependents  7#a7 ,transfer
 ,an individual approved to transfer an 
entitlement to educational assistance   
under this section may transfer the     

individual's entitlement to an eligible 
dependent or a combination of eligible  
dependents4  7#b7 ,definition of        
eligible dependent ,for purposes of this
 subsection1 the term eligible dependent
 has the meaning given the term         
dependent under subparagraphs 7,a71     
7,i71 and 7,d7 of section #ajgb7b7 of   
title #aj4  4  7b7 ,applicability ,the  
amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall  
apply with respect to educational       
assistance payable under chapter #cc of 
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1       
before1 on1 or after the date that is   
#ij days after the date of the enactment
 of this ,act4  #ajab4 ,expansion of    
reasons for which a course of education 
may be disapproved  7a7 ,in general     
,section #cfgb7;b77#b7 of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7
 in subparagraph 7,a77i71 by inserting  
or or 7,d7 after subparagraph 7,c72 and 
7#b7 by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph3  7,d7 ,a program that 
is described in subparagraph 7,a77i7 of 

this paragraph and offered by an        
educational institution that is at risk 
of losing accreditation shall not be    
deemed to be approved for purposes of   
this chapter4 ,for purposes of this     
subparagraph1 an educational institution
 is at risk of losing accreditation if  
that educational institution has        
received from the relevant accrediting  
agency or association a notice described
 in section #cfgc7;e77#b77;,d7 of this  
title4  4  7b7 ,effective date ,the     
amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall 
take effect on ,august #a1 #bjba4       
#ajac4 ,oversight of educational        
institutions with approved programs3    
risk-based surveys  7a7 ,risk-based     
surveys  7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i
 of chapter #cf1 ,united ,states ,code1 
is amended by inserting after section   
#cfgc the following new section3        
#cfgc;,a4 ,risk-based surveys  7a7      
,development required ,the ,secretary1  
in partnership with ,state approving    
agencies1 shall develop a searchable    

risk-based survey for oversight of      
educational institutions with courses   
and programs of education approved under
 this chapter4  7b7 ,scope  7#a7 ,the   
scope of the risk-based survey developed
 under subsection 7a7 shall be          
determined by the ,secretary1 in        
partnership with the ,state approving   
agency4  7#b7 ,at a minimum the scope   
determined under paragraph 7#a7 shall   
include the following3 7,a7 ,rapid      
increase in veteran enrollment4  7,b7   
,rapid increase in tuition and fees4    
7,c7 ,complaints tracked and published  
with the mechanism required by section  
#cfih7;b77#b7 from students pursuing    
programs of education with educational  
assistance furnished under laws         
administered by the ,secretary1 based on
 severity or volume of the complaints4  
7,d7 ,compliance with section           
#cfhj;,a7d77#a7 of this title4  7,e7    
,veteran completion rates4  7,f7        
,indicators of financial stability4     
7,g7 ,review of the advertising and     

recruiting practices of the educational 
institution1 including those by         
third-party contractors of the          
educational institution4  7,h7 ,matters 
for which the ,federal ,government or a 
,state ,government brings an action in a
 court of competent jurisdiction against
 an educational institution1 including  
matters in cases in which the ,federal  
,government or the ,state comes to a    
settled agreement on such matters       
outside of the court4  7c7 ,database    
,the ,secretary1 in partnership with the
 ,state approving agencies under this   
chapter1 shall establish a database or  
use an existing system1 as the          
,secretary considers appropriate1 to    
serve as a central repository for       
information required for or collected   
during site visits for the risk-based   
survey developed under subsection 7a71  
so as to improve future oversight of    
educational institutions with programs  
of education approved under this        
chapter4  4  7#b7 ,clerical amendment   

,the table of sections at the beginning 
of chapter #cf of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to 
section #cfgc the following new item3   
#cfgc;,a4 ,risk-based surveys4  4  7b7  
,use of ,state approving agencies for   
oversight activities  7#a7 ,in general  
,section #cfgc7;d7 of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 by    
striking may and inserting shall2 and   
7,b7 by striking compliance and         
risk-based surveys and inserting a      
risk-based survey developed under       
section #cfgc;,a of this title4  7#b7   
,effective date ,the amendment made by  
paragraph 7#a7 shall take effect on     
,october #a1 #bjbb4  #ajad4 ,oversight  
of educational institutions subject to  
,government action for purposes of the  
educational assistance programs of the  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,in general ,section #cfgc of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by   
adding at the end the following new     
subsection3  7e7 ,notice of ,government 

action  7#a7 7,a7 ,if the ,secretary    
receives notice described in paragraph  
7#b71 or otherwise becomes aware of an  
action or event described in paragraph  
7#c71 with respect to an educational    
institution1 the ,secretary shall       
transmit such notice or provide notice  
of such action or event to the ,state   
approving agency for the ,state where   
the educational institution is located  
by not later than #cj days after the    
date on which the ,secretary receives   
such notice or becomes aware of such    
action or event4  7,b7 ,if a ,state     
approving agency receives notice as     
described in paragraph 7#b71 or         
otherwise becomes aware of an action or 
event described in paragraph 7#c71 with 
respect to an educational institution1  
other than from the ,secretary pursuant 
to subparagraph 7,a7 of this paragraph1 
the ,state approving agency shall       
immediately notify the ,secretary4  7,c7
 ,not later than #fj days after the date
 on which a ,state approving agency     

receives notice under subparagraph 7,a71
 receives notice as described in        
subparagraph 7,b71 or becomes aware as  
described in such subparagraph1 as the  
case may be1 regarding an educational   
institution1 such ,state approving      
agency shall-- 7i7 complete a risk-based
 survey of such educational institution2
 and  7ii7 provide the ,secretary with--
 7,i7 a complete report on the findings 
of the ,state approving agency with     
respect to the risk-based survey        
completed under clause 7i7 and any      
actions taken as a result of such       
findings2 and  7,,ii7 any supporting    
documentation and pertinent records4    
7#b7 ,notice described in this paragraph
 is any of the following3 7,a7 ,notice  
from the ,secretary of ,education of an 
event under paragraph 7#c77;,a74  7,b7  
,notice of an event under paragraph     
7#c77;,b74  7,c7 ,notice from a ,state  
of an action taken by that ,state under 
paragraph 7#c77;,c74  7,d7 ,notice      
provided by an accrediting agency or    

association of an action described in   
paragraph 7#c77;,d7 taken by that agency
 or association4  7,e7 ,notice that the 
,secretary of ,education has placed the 
educational institution on provisional  
certification status4  7#c7 ,an action  
or event under this paragraph is any of 
the following3 7,a7 ,the receipt by an  
educational institution of payments     
under the heightened cash monitoring    
level #b payment method pursuant to     
section #dhg7;c77#a77;,b7 of the ,higher
 ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4
 #ajid74  7,b7 ,punitive action taken by
 the ,attorney ,general1 the ,federal   
,trade ,commission1 or any other        
,federal department or agency for       
misconduct or misleading marketing      
practices that would violate the        
standards defined by the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs4  7,c7 ,punitive     
action taken by a ,state against an     
educational institution4  7,d7 ,the     
loss1 or risk of loss1 by an educational
 institution of an accreditation from an

 accrediting agency or association1     
including notice of probation1          
suspension1 an order to show cause      
relating to the educational             
institution's academic policies and     
practices or to its financial stability1
 or revocation of accreditation4  7,e7  
,the placement of an educational        
institution on provisional certification
 status by the ,secretary of ,education4
  7#d7 ,if a ,state approving agency    
disapproves or suspends an educational  
institution1 the ,state approving agency
 shall provide notice of such           
disapproval or suspension to the        
,secretary and to all other ,state      
approving agencies4  7#e7 ,this         
subsection shall be carried out using   
amounts made available pursuant to      
section #cfgd7;a77#d7 of this title as  
long as such amounts remain available4  
7#f7 ,for each notice transmitted or    
provided to a ,state approving agency   
under paragraph 7#a7 with respect to an 
educational institution1 the ,secretary 

shall ensure the careful review of--    
7,a7 to the extent possible1 the action 
that gave rise to such notice2 and  7,b7
 any other action against the           
educational institution by any ,federal 
or ,state government entity or by the   
educational institution's accreditor4   
7#g7 ,in this subsection1 the term      
risk-based survey means the risk-based  
survey developed under section #cfgc;,a 
of this title4  4  7b7 ,effective date  
,the amendment made by subsection 7a7   
shall take effect on ,august #a1 #bjba4 
#ajae4 ,additional requirement for      
approval of educational institutions for
 purposes of the educational assistance 
programs of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs  7a7 ,in general ,section     
#cfge of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection  
7b71 by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph3  7#d7 ,the educational   
institution is approved and participates
 in a program under title ,,iv of the   
,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj   

,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj et seq47 or the         
,secretary has waived the requirement   
under this paragraph with respect to an 
educational institution and submits to  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,senate and the ,committee on      
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives notice of such waiver4 
4  7#b7 by adding at the end the        
following new subsection3  7d7 7#a7 ,the
 ,secretary shall submit to ,congress an
 annual report on any waivers issued    
pursuant to subsection 7b77#d7 or       
section #cfgb7;b77#b77;,a77i7 of this   
title4  7#b7 ,each report submitted     
under paragraph 7#a7 shall include1 for 
the year covered by the report1 the     
following3 7,a7 ,the name of each       
educational institution for which a     
waiver was issued4  7,b7 ,the           
justification for each such waiver4     
7,c7 ,the total number of waivers       
issued4  4  7b7 ,requirement for        
approval of standard college degree     
programs ,clause 7i7 of section         

#cfgb7;b77#b77;,a7 of such title is     
amended to read as follows3  7i7 ,except
 as provided in subparagraph 7,c7 or    
7,d71 an accredited standard college    
degree program offered at a public or   
not-for-profit proprietary educational  
institution that-- 7,i7 is accredited by
 an agency or association recognized for
 that purpose by the ,secretary of      
,education2 and  7,,ii7 is approved and 
participates in a program under title   
,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of  
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj et seq471    
unless the ,secretary has waived the    
requirement to participate in a program 
under title ,,iv of the ,higher         
,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 
#ajgj et seq474  4  7c7 ,effective date 
,the amendments made by subsections 7a7 
and 7b7 shall take effect on ,august #a1
 #bjba4  #ajaf4 ,clarification of       
accreditation for law schools for       
purposes of the educational assistance  
programs of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs  7a7 ,in general ,paragraphs  

7#ad77;,b7 and 7#ae77;,b7 of section    
#cfgf7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code1 are each amended-- 7#a7 by       
striking an accrediting agency both     
places it appears and inserting a       
specialized accrediting agency for      
programs of legal education2 and  7#b7  
by inserting before the period the      
following3 1 from which recipients of   
law degrees from such accredited        
programs are eligible to sit for a bar  
examination in any ,state4  7b7         
,effective date ,the amendments made by 
subsection 7a7 shall take effect on     
,august #a1 #bjba4  #ajag4              
,clarification of grounds for           
disapproval of a course for purposes of 
the educational assistance programs of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
7a7 ,in general ,section #cfgi of title 
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--
 7#a7 by inserting 7including failure to
 comply with a risk-based survey under  
this chapter or secure an affirmation of
 approval by the appropriate ,state     

approving agency following the survey7  
after requirements of this chapter2 and 
7#b7 by adding at the end the following 
new subsection3  7f7 ,in this section1  
the term risk-based survey means a      
risk-based survey developed under       
section #cfgc;,a7a7 of this title4  4   
7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made 
by subsection 7a7 shall take effect on  
,august #a1 #bjba4  #ajah4 ,requirements
 for educational institutions           
participating in the educational        
assistance programs of the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,in general  
,section #cfgi of title #ch1 ,united    
,states ,code1 as amended by section    
#ajag of this title1 is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new  
subsection3  7f7 7#a7 ,except as        
provided by paragraph 7#e71 a ,state    
approving agency1 or the ,secretary when
 acting in the role of the ,state       
approving agency1 shall take an action  
described in paragraph 7#d77;,a7 if the 
,state approving agency or the          

,secretary1 when acting in the role of  
the ,state approving agency1 determines 
that an educational institution does not
 perform any of the following3 7,a7     
,prior to the enrollment of a covered   
individual in a course of education at  
the educational institution1 provide the
 individual with a form that contains   
information personalized to the         
individual that describes-- 7i7 the     
estimated total cost of the course1     
including tuition1 fees1 books1         
supplies1 and any other additional      
costs2  7ii7 an estimate of the cost for
 living expenses for students enrolled  
in the course2  7iii7 the amount of the 
costs under clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 that   
are covered by the educational          
assistance provided to the individual   
under chapter #cj1 #ca1 #cb1 #cc1 or #ce
 of this title1 or chapter #afjf or     
#afjg of title #aj1 as the case may be2 
7iv7 the type and amount of ,federal    
financial aid not administered by the   
,secretary and financial aid offered by 

the institution that the individual may 
qualify to receive2  7v7 an estimate of 
the amount of student loan debt the     
individual would have upon graduation2  
7vi7 information regarding graduation   
rates2  7vii7 job-placement rates for   
graduates of the course1 if available2  
7viii7 information regarding the        
acceptance by the institution of        
transfer of credits1 including military 
credits2  7ix7 any conditions or        
additional requirements1 including      
training1 experience1 or examinations1  
required to obtain the license1         
certification1 or approval for which the
 course of education is designed to     
provide preparation2 and  7x7 other     
information to facilitate comparison by 
the individual of aid packages offered  
by different educational institutions4  
7,b7 ,not later than #ae days after the 
date on which the institution 7or the   
governing body of the institution7      
determines tuition rates and fees for an
 academic year that is different than   

the amount being charged by the         
institution1 provide a covered          
individual enrolled in a course of      
education at the educational institution
 with the form under subparagraph 7,a7  
that contains updated information4  7,c7
 ,maintain policies to-- 7i7 inform each
 covered individual enrolled in a course
 of education at the educational        
institution of the availability of      
,federal financial aid not administered 
by the ,secretary and financial aid     
offered by the institution2 and  7ii7   
alert such individual of the potential  
eligibility of the individual for such  
financial aid before packaging or       
arranging student loans or alternative  
financing programs for the individual4  
7,d7 ,maintain policies to-- 7i7        
prohibit the automatic renewal of a     
covered individual in courses and       
programs of education2 and  7ii7 ensure 
that each covered individual approves of
 the enrollment of the individual in a  
course4  7,e7 ,provide to a covered     

individual enrolled in a course of      
education at the educational institution
 with information regarding the         
requirements to graduate from such      
course1 including information regarding 
when required classes will be offered   
and a timeline to graduate4  7,f7 ,with 
respect to an accredited educational    
institution1 obtain the approval of the 
accrediting agency for each new course  
or program of the institution before    
enrolling covered individuals in such   
courses or programs if the accrediting  
agency determines that such approval is 
appropriate under the substantive change
 requirements of the accrediting agency 
regarding the quality1 objectives1      
scope1 or control of the institution4   
7,g7 ,maintain a policy that-- 7i7      
ensures that members of the ,armed      
,forces1 including the reserve          
components and the ,national ,guard1 who
 enroll in a course of education at the 
educational institution may be          
readmitted at such institution if such  

members are temporarily unavailable or  
have to suspend such enrollment by      
reason of serving in the ,armed ,forces2
 and  7ii7 otherwise accommodates such  
members during short absences by reason 
of such service4  7,h7 ,designate an    
employee of the educational institution 
to serve as a point of contact for      
covered individuals and the family of   
such individuals needing assistance with
 respect to academic counseling1        
financial counseling1 disability        
counseling1 and other information       
regarding completing a course of        
education at such institution1 including
 by referring such individuals and      
family to the appropriate persons for   
such counseling and information4  7#b7  
,except as provided by paragraph 7#e71 a
 ,state approving agency1 or the        
,secretary when acting in the role of   
the ,state approving agency1 shall take 
an action described in paragraph        
7#d77;,a7 if the ,state approving       
agency1 the ,secretary1 or any ,federal 

agency1 determines that an educational  
institution does any of the following3  
7,a7 ,carries out deceptive or          
persistent recruiting techniques1       
including on military installations1    
that may include-- 7i7 misrepresentation
 7as defined in section                 
#cfif7;e77#b77;,b7 of this title7 or    
payment of incentive compensation2  7ii7
 during any #a-month period making three
 or more unsolicited contacts to a      
covered individual1 including contacts  
by phone1 email1 or in-person2 or  7iii7
 engaging in same-day recruitment and   
registration4  7,b7 ,pays inducements1  
including any gratuity1 favor1 discount1
 entertainment1 hospitality1 loan1      
transportation1 lodging1 meals1 or other
 item having a monetary value of more   
than a de minimis amount1 to any        
individual or entity1 or its agents     
including third party lead generators or
 marketing firms other than salaries    
paid to employees or fees paid to       
contractors in conformity with all      

applicable laws for the purpose of      
securing enrollments of covered         
individuals or obtaining access to      
educational assistance under this title1
 with the exception of scholarships1    
grants1 and tuition reductions provided 
by the educational institution4  7#c7 ,a
 ,state approving agency1 or the        
,secretary when acting in the role of   
the ,state approving agency1 shall take 
an action described in paragraph        
7#d77;,a7 if the ,state approving agency
 or the ,secretary1 when acting in the  
role of the ,state approving agency1    
determines that an educational          
institution is the subject of a negative
 action made by the accrediting agency  
that accredits the institution1         
including any of the following3 7,a7    
,accreditor sanctions4  7,b7            
,accreditation probation4  7,c7 ,the    
loss of accreditation or candidacy for  
accreditation4  7#d7 7,a7 ,an action    
described in this subparagraph is any of
 the following3 7i7 ,submitting to the  

,secretary a recommendation that the    
,secretary publish a warning on the     
internet website of the ,department     
described in section #cfih7;c77#b7 of   
this title1 or such other similar       
internet website of the ,department1    
that describes how an educational       
institution is failing to meet a        
requirement under paragraph 7#a71 7#b71 
or 7#c74  7ii7 ,disapproving a course   
for purposes of this chapter4  7,b7 7i7 
,the ,secretary shall establish         
guidelines to ensure that the actions   
described in subparagraph 7,a7 are      
applied in a proportional and uniform   
manner by ,state approving agencies1 or 
the ,secretary when acting in the role  
of the ,state approving agency4  7ii7   
,each ,state approving agency and the   
,secretary1 when acting in the role of  
the ,state approving agency1 shall      
adhere to the guidelines established    
under clause 7i74  7,c7 ,the ,state     
approving agency1 in consultation with  
the ,secretary1 or the ,secretary when  

acting in the role of the ,state        
approving agency1 may limit an action   
described in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 to   
individuals not enrolled at the         
educational institution before the      
period described in such subparagraph4  
7#e7 7,a7 ,the ,secretary may waive the 
requirements of paragraph 7#a7 or waive 
the requirements of paragraph 7#b7 with 
respect to an educational institution   
for a #a-;academic-year period beginning
 in ,august of the year in which the    
waiver is made4 ,a single educational   
institution may not receive waivers     
under this paragraph for more than #b   
consecutive academic years4  7,b7 ,to be
 considered for a waiver under this     
paragraph1 an educational institution   
shall submit to the ,secretary an       
application prior to the first day of   
the academic year for which the waiver  
is sought4  7#f7 ,not later than        
,october #a of 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 the     
following reports3 7,a7 ,a report1 which
 shall be made publicly available1 that 
includes the following3 7i7 ,a summary  
of each action described in paragraph   
7#d77;,a7 made during the year covered  
by the report1 including-- 7,i7 the name
 of the educational institution2  7,,ii7
 the type of action taken2  7,,iii7 the 
rationale for the action1 including how 
the educational institution was not in  
compliance with this subsection2  7,,iv7
 the length of time that the educational
 institution was not in such compliance2
 and  7,v7 whether the educational      
institution was also not in compliance  
with this subsection during any of the  
#b years prior to the year covered by   
the report4  7ii7 ,a summary and        
justifications for the waivers made     
under paragraph 7#e7 during the year    
covered by the report1 including the    
total number of waivers each educational
 institution has received4  7,b7 ,a     

report containing the recommendations of
 the ,secretary with respect to any     
legislative actions the ,secretary      
determines appropriate to ensure that   
this subsection is carried out in a     
manner that is consistent with the      
requirements that educational           
institutions must meet for purposes of  
other departments or agencies of the    
,federal ,government4  7#g7 ,in this    
subsection1 the term covered individual 
means an individual who is pursuing a   
course of education at an educational   
institution under chapter #cj1 #ca1 #cb1
 #cc1 or #ce of this title1 or chapter  
#afjf or #afjg of title #aj4  4  7b7    
,application date ,the amendment made by
 this section shall take effect on ,june
 #ae1 #bjba1 and shall apply to an      
educational institution beginning on    
,august #a1 #bjba1 except that an       
educational institution may submit an   
application for a waiver under          
subsection 7f77#e7 of section #cfgi of  
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as    

added by subsection 7a71 beginning on   
,june #ae1 #bjba4  #ajai4 ,overpayments 
to eligible persons or veterans  7a7 ,in
 general ,subsection 7b7 of section     
#cfhe of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 is amended to read as follows3   
7b7 ,any overpayment to a veteran or    
eligible person with respect to pursuit 
by the veteran or eligible person of a  
program of education at an educational  
institution shall constitute a liability
 of the educational institution to the  
,united ,states if-- 7#a7 the ,secretary
 finds that the overpayment has been    
made as the result of-- 7,a7 the willful
 or negligent failure of an educational 
institution to report1 as required under
 this chapter or chapter #cd or #ce of  
this title1 to the ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs excessive absences   
from a course1 or discontinuance or     
interruption of a course by the veteran 
or eligible person2 or  7,b7 the willful
 or negligent false certification by an 
educational institution2 or  7#b7 the   

benefit payment sent to an educational  
institution on behalf of an eligible    
veteran or person is made pursuant to-- 
7,a7 section #ccac7;h7 of this title2   
7,b7 section #ccag of this title2 or    
7,c7 section #cfhj7;d7 of this title2 or
  7,d7 section #ccbj7;d7 of this title4 
4  7b7 ,clarifying amendment ,subsection
 7a7 of such section is further amended 
by inserting relating to educational    
assistance under a law administered by  
the ,secretary after made to a veteran  
or eligible person4  #ajbj4             
,improvements to limitation on certain  
advertising1 sales1 and enrollment      
practices  7a7 ,prohibition on          
substantial misrepresentation  7#a7 ,in 
general ,section #cfif of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code1 is amended to    
read as follows3  #cfif4 ,prohibition on
 certain advertising1 sales1 and        
enrollment practices  7a7 ,prohibition  
on engaging in substantial              
misrepresentation ,an educational       
institution with a course or program of 

education approved under this chapter1  
and an entity that owns such an         
educational institution1 shall not      
engage in substantial misrepresentation 
described in subsection 7b74  7b7       
,substantial misrepresentation described
  7#a7 ,substantial misrepresentation   
described in this paragraph is          
substantial misrepresentation by an     
educational institution1 a              
representative of the institution1 or   
any person with whom the institution has
 an agreement to provide educational    
programs1 marketing1 advertising1       
recruiting or admissions services1      
concerning any of the following3 7,a7   
,the nature of the educational program  
of the institution1 including           
misrepresentation regarding-- 7i7 the   
particular type1 specific source1 or    
nature and extent1 of the accreditation 
of the institution or a course of       
education at the institution2  7ii7     
whether a student may transfer course   
credits to another institution2  7iii7  

conditions under which the institution  
will accept transfer credits earned at  
another institution2  7iv7 whether      
successful completion of a course of    
instruction qualifies a student-- 7,i7  
for acceptance to a labor union or      
similar organization2 or  7,,ii7 to     
receive1 to apply to take1 or to take an
 examination required to receive a      
local1 ,state1 or ,federal license1 or a
 nongovernmental certification required 
as a precondition for employment1 or to 
perform certain functions in the ,states
 in which the educational program is    
offered1 or to meet additional          
conditions that the institution knows or
 reasonably should know are generally   
needed to secure employment in a        
recognized occupation for which the     
program is represented to prepare       
students2  7v7 the requirements for     
successfully completing the course of   
study or program and the circumstances  
that would constitute grounds for       
terminating the student's enrollment2   

7vi7 whether the courses of education at
 the institution are recommended or have
 been the subject of unsolicited        
testimonials or endorsements by-- 7,i7  
vocational counselors1 high schools1    
colleges1 educational organizations1    
employment agencies1 members of a       
particular industry1 students1 former   
students1 or others2 or  7,,ii7         
officials of a local or ,state          
government or the ,federal ,government2 
7vii7 the size1 location1 facilities1 or
 equipment of the institution2  7viii7  
the availability1 frequency1 and        
appropriateness of the courses of       
education and programs to the employment
 objectives that the institution states 
the courses and programs are designed to
 meet2  7ix7 the nature1 age1 and       
availability of the training devices or 
equipment of the institution and the    
appropriateness to the employment       
objectives that the institution states  
the courses and programs are designed to
 meet2  7x7 the number1 availability1   

and qualifications1 including the       
training and experience1 of the faculty 
and other personnel of the institution2 
7xi7 the availability of part-time      
employment or other forms of financial  
assistance2  7xii7 the nature and       
availability of any tutorial or         
specialized instruction1 guidance and   
counseling1 or other supplementary      
assistance the institution will provide 
students before1 during1 or after the   
completion of a course of education2    
7xiii7 the nature or extent of any      
prerequisites established for enrollment
 in any course of education2  7xiv7 the 
subject matter1 content of the course of
 education1 or any other fact related to
 the degree1 diploma1 certificate of    
completion1 or any similar document that
 the student is to be1 or is1 awarded   
upon completion of the course of        
education2 and  7xv7 whether the degree 
that the institution will confer upon   
completion of the course of education   
has been authorized by the appropriate  

,state educational agency1 including    
with respect to cases where the         
institution fails to disclose facts     
regarding the lack of such authorization
 in any advertising or promotional      
materials that reference such degree4   
7,b7 ,the financial charges of the      
institution1 including misrepresentation
 regarding-- 7i7 offers of scholarships 
to pay all or part of a course charge2  
7ii7 whether a particular charge is the 
customary charge at the institution for 
a course2  7iii7 the cost of the program
 and the refund policy of the           
institution if the student does not     
complete the program2  7iv7 the         
availability or nature of any financial 
assistance offered to students1         
including a student's responsibility to 
repay any loans1 regardless of whether  
the student is successful in completing 
the program and obtaining employment2   
and  7v7 the student's right to reject  
any particular type of financial aid or 
other assistance1 or whether the student

 must apply for a particular type of    
financial aid1 such as financing offered
 by the institution4  7,c7 ,the         
employability of the graduates of the   
institution1 including misrepresentation
 regarding-- 7i7 the relationship of the
 institution with any organization1     
employment agency1 or other agency      
providing authorized training leading   
directly to employment2  7ii7 the plans 
of the institution to maintain a        
placement service for graduates or      
otherwise assist graduates to obtain    
employment2  7iii7 the knowledge of the 
institution about the current or likely 
future conditions1 compensation1 or     
employment opportunities in the industry
 or occupation for which the students   
are being prepared2  7iv7 job market    
statistics maintained by the ,federal   
,government in relation to the potential
 placement of the graduates of the      
institution2 and  7v7 other requirements
 that are generally needed to be        
employed in the fields for which the    

training is provided1 such as           
requirements related to commercial      
driving licenses or permits to carry    
firearms1 and failing to disclose       
factors that would prevent an applicant 
from qualifying for such requirements1  
such as prior criminal records or       
preexisting medical conditions4  7#b7   
,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term     
misleading statement includes any       
communication1 action1 omission1 or     
intimation made in writing1 visually1   
orally1 or through other means1 that has
 the likelihood or tendency to mislead  
the intended recipient of the           
communication under the circumstances in
 which the communication is made4 ,such 
term includes the use of student        
endorsements or testimonials for an     
educational institution that a student  
gives to the institution either under   
duress or because the institution       
required the student to make such an    
endorsement or testimonial to           
participate in a program of education4  

7,b7 ,the term misrepresentation means  
any false1 erroneous1 or misleading     
statement1 action1 omission1 or         
intimation made directly or indirectly  
to a student1 a prospective student1 the
 public1 an accrediting agency1 a ,state
 agency1 or to the ,secretary by an     
eligible institution1 one of its        
representatives1 or any person with whom
 the institution has an agreement to    
provide educational programs1 marketing1
 advertising1 recruiting or admissions  
services4  7,c7 ,the term substantial   
misrepresentation means                 
misrepresentation in which the person to
 whom it was made could reasonably be   
expected to rely1 or has reasonably     
relied1 to that person's detriment4  7c7
 ,limitation on certain commissions1    
bonuses1 and other incentive payments   
,an educational institution with a      
course or program of education approved 
under this chapter1 and an entity that  
owns such an educational institution1   
shall not provide any commission1 bonus1

 or other incentive payment based       
directly or indirectly on success in    
securing enrollments or financial aid to
 any persons or entities engaged in any 
student recruiting or admission         
activities or in making decisions       
regarding the award of student financial
 assistance4  7d7 ,requirement to       
maintain records  7#a7 ,to ensure       
compliance with this section1 any       
educational institution offering courses
 approved for the enrollment of eligible
 persons or veterans shall maintain a   
complete record of all advertising1     
sales1 or enrollment materials 7and     
copies thereof7 utilized by or on behalf
 of the institution during the preceding
 two-year period4 ,such record shall be 
available for inspection by the ,state  
approving agency or the ,secretary4     
7#b7 ,such materials shall include but  
are not limited to any direct mail      
pieces1 brochures1 printed literature   
used by sales persons1 films1 video     
tapes1 and audio tapes disseminated     

through broadcast media1 material       
disseminated through print1 digital1 or 
electronic media1 tear sheets1 leaflets1
 handbills1 fliers1 and any sales or    
recruitment manuals used to instruct    
sales personnel1 agents1 or             
representatives of such institution4    
7e7 ,agreement with ,federal ,trade     
,commission  7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall1
 pursuant to section #cfid of this      
title1 enter into an agreement with the 
,federal ,trade ,commission to utilize1 
where appropriate1 its services and     
facilities1 consistent with its         
available resources1 in carrying out    
investigations and making the ,under    
,secretary of ,benefit's preliminary    
findings under subsection 7g77#a74  7#b7
 ,such agreement shall provide that     
cases arising under subsection 7a7 of   
this section or any similar matters with
 respect to any of the requirements of  
this chapter or chapters #cd and #ce of 
this title may be referred to the       
,federal ,trade ,commission which in its

 discretion will conduct an             
investigation and make preliminary      
findings4  7#c7 ,the findings and       
results of any investigation under      
paragraph 7#b7 shall be referred to the 
,under ,secretary for ,benefits1 who    
shall take appropriate action under     
subsection 7g7 in such cases not later  
than #fj days after the date of such    
referral4  7f7 ,final judgments from    
other ,federal agencies ,whenever the   
,secretary becomes aware of a final     
judgment by a ,federal agency against an
 educational institution or owner of an 
educational institution pertaining to   
substantial misrepresentation described 
in subsection 7b7 or of other credible  
evidence relating to a violation of     
subsection 7a71 the ,secretary1 in      
partnership with the applicable ,state  
approving agency1 shall-- 7#a7 within   
#cj days1 alert the educational         
institution or owner that it is at risk 
of losing approval under this chapter of
 its courses or programs of education2  

7#b7 provide the educational institution
 or owner #fj days to provide any       
information it wishes to the ,secretary2
  7#c7 require the educational          
institution or owner to submit to the   
,secretary a report prepared by an      
approved third-party auditor of the     
advertising and enrollment practices of 
the educational institution or owner2   
and  7#d7 refer the matter to the ,under
 ,secretary of ,benefits1 who may       
thereafter make a preliminary finding   
under subsection 7g74  7g7 ,preliminary 
findings1 final determinations1 and     
processes  7#a7 ,the ,under ,secretary  
for ,benefits shall make preliminary    
findings and final determinations on    
violations of subsections 7a71 7c71 and 
7d74  7#b7 7,a7 ,the ,under ,secretary  
shall establish a process for making    
preliminary findings and final          
determinations under paragraph 7#a74    
7,b7 ,the process established under     
subparagraph 7,a7 shall-- 7i7 clearly   
define what triggers an oversight visit 

by the ,under ,secretary for purposes of
 enforcing subsections 7a71 7c71 and    
7d72  7ii7 set forth factors an         
educational institution1 or the owner of
 the educational institution1 must meet 
in order to retain approval status under
 this section1 including with respect to
 the factors set forth under subsection 
7h77#b72  7iii7 include a process for   
the provision of notice to an           
educational institution1 or the owner of
 the educational institution1 that the  
,under ,secretary has made a preliminary
 finding under paragraph 7#a7 that the  
education institution or owner has      
violated subsection 7a71 7c71 or 7d71   
which the ,under ,secretary shall       
provide to the educational institution  
or owner within such period after making
 the preliminary finding as the ,under  
,secretary shall establish for purposes 
of this clause1 except that1 in every   
case1 such period shall end before the  
date on which the ,under ,secretary     
makes a final determination under such  

paragraph2 and  7iv7 include-- 7,i7 a   
process for receipt of findings from a  
third-party pertinent to this section2  
and  7,,ii7 a process for an educational
 institution or an owner to provide such
 information as the educational         
institution or owner determines         
appropriate to the ,secretary1 including
 information about corrective actions   
the educational institution or owner may
 have taken in response to preliminary  
findings under paragraph 7#a74  7,c7    
,the process established under          
subparagraph 7,a7 shall not prohibit a  
,state approving agency from-- 7i7      
independently investigating a potential 
violation of subsection 7a71 7c71 or    
7d72 or  7ii7 taking action if the      
,state approving agency finds a         
violation of subsection 7a71 7c71 or    
7d74  7#c7 ,upon a preliminary finding  
under this subsection of a violation of 
subsection 7a71 7c71 or 7d7 by an       
educational institution1 or the owner of
 an educational institution1 the ,under 

,secretary shall require the educational
 institution or owner to submit to the  
,under ,secretary a report prepared by  
an approved third-party auditor of the  
advertising and enrollment practices of 
the educational institution or owner4   
7#d7 7,a7 ,before making a final        
determination under this subsection     
regarding a violation of subsection 7a71
 7c71 or 7d7 by an educational          
institution or owner of an educational  
institution1 the ,under ,secretary      
shall-- 7i7 review the practices of the 
educational institution or owner that   
pertain to activities and practices     
covered by subsections 7a71 7c71 and    
7d72  7ii7 consider the results of a    
risk-based survey conducted by a ,state 
approving agency1 if available2 and     
7iii7 review-- 7,i7 the findings and    
information received pursuant to the    
processes established under paragraph   
7#b77;,b77iii72  7,,ii7 in a case in    
which a report was submitted under      
subsection 7f77#c71 such report2        

7,,iii7 the report submitted under      
paragraph 7#c77;,b7 of this subsection2 
7,,iv7 any findings and results         
submitted under subsection 7e77#c72     
7,v7 the marketing and outreach material
 of the educational institution and the 
contractors of the educational          
institution4  7,b7 ,the ,under          
,secretary may not make a final         
determination under this subsection     
solely based on preliminary findings4   
7#e7 ,the ,under ,secretary may not     
delegate authority to make a final      
determination under this subsection1    
including to any employee of the        
,department or to the ,federal ,trade   
,commission4  7h7 ,enforcement  7#a7    
7,a7 ,upon a final determination by the 
,under ,secretary for ,benefits under   
subsection 7g7 that an educational      
institution or the owner of an          
educational institution violated        
subsection 7a71 7c71 or 7d71 the ,under 
,secretary shall1 but subject to        
subparagraphs 7,b71 7,c71 and 7,d7 of   

this paragraph1 take one of the         
following actions independent of any    
actions taken under section #cfij of    
this title3 7i7 ,publish a caution flag 
on the ,,gi ,bill ,comparison ,tool1 or 
successor tool1 about that educational  
institution and alert its currently     
enrolled eligible veterans and eligible 
persons4  7ii7 ,suspend the approval of 
the courses and programs of education   
offered by the educational institution  
by disapproving new enrollments of      
eligible veterans and eligible persons  
in each course or program of education  
offered by that educational institution4
  7iii7 ,revoke the approval of the     
courses and programs of education       
offered by the educational institution  
by disapproving all enrollments of      
eligible veterans and eligible persons  
in each course or program of education  
offered by that educational institution4
  7,b7 ,in deciding upon a course of    
action under subparagraph 7,a71 for the 
first violation of this section1 the    

,secretary shall consider the factors   
set forth in paragraph 7#b74  7,c7      
,subject to subsection 7i71 any repeat  
violation and final finding within five 
years of the first violation of this    
section shall result in-- 7i7 a         
suspension of approval of new           
enrollments as described in subparagraph
 7,a77ii7 of this paragraph until       
reinstatement under subsection 7j72 or  
7ii7 a revocation of approval under this
 chapter as described in subparagraph   
7,a77iii7 of this paragraph until       
reinstatement under subsection 7j74     
7,d7 ,subject to subsection 7i71 any    
third violation within three years of   
the second violation of this section    
shall result in revocation of approval  
under this chapter as described in      
subparagraph 7,a77iii7 of this paragraph
 until reinstatement under subsection   
7j74  7,e7 ,any action taken under      
subparagraph 7,a7 of this paragraph     
regarding a violation of subsection 7a71
 7c71 or 7d7 by an educational          

institution or the owner of an          
educational institution shall be taken  
on or before the date that is #ahj days 
after the date on which the ,under      
,secretary provided notice to the       
educational institution or owner        
regarding the violation in accordance   
with the process established under      
subsection 7g77#b77;,b77iii74  7#b7 ,the
 factors set forth in this paragraph are
 the following3 7,a7 ,that the          
,secretary's action brings sufficient   
deterrence for future fraud against     
students and the programs of education  
carried out under this title4 ,fraud    
against veterans must be met with a     
repercussion strong enough to send a    
deterrent message to this and other     
educational institutions and owners4    
7,b7 ,that the educational institution  
has secured an approved third-party     
auditor to verify the educational       
institution's1 or owner's1 advertising  
and enrollment practices for at least   
three years going forward4  7,c7 ,that  

the educational institution or owner has
 repudiated the deceptive practices and 
has communicated to all employees that  
deceptive practices will not be         
tolerated1 and has instituted strong    
governance procedures to prevent        
recurrence4  7,d7 ,that the educational 
institution has taken steps to remove   
any pressure on its enrollment          
recruiters1 including by removing       
enrollment quotas and incentives for    
enrollment4  7,e7 ,that the ,state      
approving agency or the ,secretary      
acting in the role of the ,state        
approving agency1 has completed a       
risk-based survey and determined the    
educational institution is worthy of    
serving eligible veterans and eligible  
persons4  7#c7 ,enforcement action under
 this section shall not preclude        
enforcement action under section #cfij  
of this title4  7#d7 ,no action may be  
carried out under this subsection with  
respect to a final determination by the 
,under ,secretary under subsection 7g7  

while such final determination is       
pending review under subsection 7i74    
7i7 ,appeals  7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall
 establish a process by which an        
educational institution or the owner of 
an educational institution that is the  
subject of more than one final          
determination by the ,under ,secretary  
under subsection 7g77#a7 that the       
educational institution or owner        
violated subsection 7a71 may request a  
review of the most recent final         
determination4  7#b7 7,a7 ,the          
,secretary shall-- 7i7 review each final
 determination for which a review is    
requested under paragraph 7#a72 and     
7ii7 pursuant to such review1 issue a   
final decision sustaining1 modifying1 or
 overturning the final determination4   
7,b7 ,the ,secretary may not delegate   
any decision under subparagraph 7,a74   
7,c7 7i7 ,review under subparagraph     
7,a77i7 of this paragraph shall be the  
exclusive avenue for review of a final  
determination under subsection 7g77#a74 

7ii7 ,a decision issued pursuant to a   
review under subparagraph 7,a77i7 may   
not be appealed to the ,secretary for   
review under section #gajd7;a7 of this  
title4  7#c7 7,a7 ,not later than #cj   
days after the date on which the        
,secretary issues a final decision under
 paragraph 7#b77;,a77ii71 the ,secretary
 shall submit to ,congress a report on  
such final decision4  7,b7 ,a report    
submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall 
include the following3 7i7 ,an outline  
of the decisionmaking process of the    
,secretary that led to the final        
decision described in subparagraph 7,a74
  7ii7 ,any relevant material used to   
make the final decision under paragraph 
7#b77;,a77ii71 including risk-based     
surveys and documentation from the      
educational institution or the owners of
 the educational institution4  7iii7    
,materials that were submitted to the   
,secretary after the date of the final  
determination under subsection 7g7 that 
was the subject of the final decision   

under paragraph 7#b77;,a77ii7 of this   
subsection and before the date on which 
the ,secretary issued such final        
decision4  7j7 ,reinstatement of        
approval  7#a7 ,if an educational       
institution or the owner of an          
educational institution has had the     
approval of the courses or programs of  
education of the educational institution
 suspended as described in clause 7ii7  
of subsection 7h77#a77;,a7 or revoked as
 described in clause 7iii7 of such      
subsection for a violation of subsection
 7a71 7c71 or 7d7 pursuant to           
subparagraph 7,c7 or 7,d7 of subsection 
7h77#a71 the educational institution or 
owner may submit to the applicable      
,state approving agency or the          
,secretary when acting as a ,state      
approving agency an application for     
reinstatement of approval under this    
subsection4  7#b7 ,approval under this  
chapter may not be reinstated under this
 subsection until-- 7,a7 the educational
 institution or owner submits to the    

applicable ,state approving agency or   
the ,secretary when acting as a ,state  
approving agency an application for     
reinstatement of approval under         
paragraph 7#a72  7,b7 the date that is  
#edj days after the date of the most    
recent suspension or revocation         
described in paragraph 7#a7 of the      
educational institution or owner2  7,c7 
the educational institution submits a   
report by an approved third-party       
auditor on the advertising and          
enrollment practices of the educational 
institution1 including those of its     
third-party contractors2  7,d7          
procedures are in place to prevent any  
future violation of subsection 7a71 7c71
 or 7d72  7,e7 that the educational     
institution has met all factors set     
forth in subsection 7h77#b72 and  7,f7  
the ,secretary agrees to such           
reinstatement4  7k7 ,rule of            
construction regarding ,state approving 
agencies and risk-based surveys ,nothing
 in this section shall be construed to  

prohibit a ,state approving agency from 
conducting any risk-based survey the    
,state approving agency considers       
appropriate at any educational          
institution that it considers           
appropriate for oversight purposes4  7l7
 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7    
,the term approved third-party auditor  
means an independent third-party auditor
 that is approved by the ,secretary for 
purposes of third-party audits under    
this section4  7#b7 ,the term risk-based
 survey means the risk-based survey     
developed under section #cfgc;,a of this
 title4  4  7#b7 ,clerical amendment    
,the table of sections at the beginning 
of chapter #cf of such title is amended 
by striking the item relating to section
 #cfif and inserting the following new  
item3  #cfif4 ,prohibition on certain   
advertising1 sales1 and enrollment      
practices4  4  7b7 ,requirements for    
nonaccredited courses ,paragraph 7#aj7  
of section #cfgf7;c7 of such title is   
amended to read as follows3  7#aj7 ,the 

institution1 and any entity that owns   
the institution1 does not engage in     
substantial misrepresentation described 
in section #cfif7;e7 of this title4 ,the
 institution shall not be deemed to have
 met this requirement until the ,state  
approving agency-- 7,a7 has ascertained 
that no ,federal department or agency   
has taken a punitive action1 not        
including a settlement agreement1       
against the school for misleading or    
deceptive practices2  7,b7 has1 if such 
an order has been issued1 given due     
weight to that fact2 and  7,c7 has      
reviewed the complete record of         
advertising1 sales1 or enrollment       
materials 7and copies thereof7 used by  
or on behalf of the institution during  
the preceding #ab-month period4  4  7c7 
,application date ,the amendments made  
by this section shall take effect on    
,august #a1 #bjba4  #ajba4 ,charge to   
entitlement to educational assistance   
for individuals who do not transfer     
credits from certain closed or          

disapproved programs of education  7a7  
,in general ,subsection 7c7 of section  
#cfii of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 is amended to read as follows3   
7c7 ,period not charged  7#a7 ,the      
period for which1 by reason of this     
subsection1 educational assistance is   
not charged against entitlement or      
counted toward the applicable aggregate 
period under section #cfie of this title
 shall not exceed the aggregate of--    
7,a7 the portion of the period of       
enrollment in the course from which the 
individual did not receive credit or    
with respect to which the individual    
lost training time1 as determined under 
subsection 7b77#b72 and  7,b7 the period
 by which a monthly stipend is extended 
under section #cfhj7;a77#b77;,b7 of this
 title4  7#b7 7,a7 ,an individual       
described in subparagraph 7,b7 who      
transfers fewer than #ab credits from a 
program of education that is closed or  
disapproved as described in subsection  
7b77#a7 shall be deemed to be an        

individual who did not receive such     
credits1 as described in subsection     
7b77#b71 except that the period for     
which such individual's entitlement is  
not charged shall be the entire period  
of the individual's enrollment in the   
program of education4 ,in carrying out  
this subparagraph1 the ,secretary1 in   
consultation with the ,secretary of     
,education1 shall establish procedures  
to determine whether the individual     
transferred credits to a comparable     
course or program of education4  7,b7   
,an individual described in this        
subparagraph is an individual who is    
enrolled in a course or program of      
education closed or discontinued as     
described in subsection 7b77#a7 during  
the period beginning on the date that is
 #abj days before the date of such      
closure or discontinuance and ending on 
the date of such closure or             
discontinuance1 as the case may be4     
7,c7 ,this paragraph shall apply with   
respect to a course or program of       

education closed or discontinued before 
,september #cj1 #bjbc4  4  7b7          
,effective date ,the amendment made by  
subsection 7a7 shall take effect on     
,august #a1 #bjba4  #ajbb4 ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs treatment of      
for-profit educational institutions     
converted to nonprofit educational      
institutions  7a7 ,in general           
,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #cf of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new  
section3  #cfii;,b4 ,treatment of       
certain for-profit educational          
institutions  7a7 ,in general ,in the   
case of any for-profit educational      
institution that is converted to a      
nonprofit educational institution1 the  
,state approving agency or the          
,secretary when acting as a ,state      
approving agency shall conduct annual   
risk-based surveys of the institution   
during the three-year period beginning  
on the date on which the educational    
institution is so converted4  7b7       

,risk-based survey defined ,in this     
section1 the term risk-based survey     
means the risk-based survey developed   
under section #cfgc;,a of this title4  4
  7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of 
sections at the beginning of such       
chapter is amended by inserting after   
the item relating to section #cfii;,a   
the following new item3  #cfii;,b4      
,treatment of certain for-profit        
educational institutions4  4  7c7       
,applicability ,section #cfii;,b of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as    
added by subsection 7a71 shall apply    
with respect to the conversion of a     
for-profit educational institution to a 
nonprofit educational institution that  
occurs on or after the date of the      
enactment of this ,act4  #ajbc4         
,authority of ,state approving agencies 
to conduct outreach activities ,section 
#cfgc of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 as amended by section #ajad of   
this title1 is further amended by adding
 at the end the following new           

subsection3  7f7 ,outreach activities   
7#a7 ,a ,state approving agency may     
conduct outreach activities if-- 7,a7   
the ,state approving agency has properly
 conducted its enforcement and approval 
of courses and programs of education    
under this chapter2 and  7,b7 funds are 
still available to do so4  7#b7 ,for    
purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,a71 a      
,state approving agency shall be        
considered to have properly conducted   
its enforcement and approval of courses 
and programs of education under this    
chapter if the ,state approving agency  
has-- 7,a7 met fulfilled its            
requirements pursuant to the applicable 
cooperative agreements between the      
,state approving agency and the         
,department relating to the oversight   
and approval of courses and programs of 
education under this chapter2 and  7,b7 
completed a risk-based survey of any    
course or program of education          
determined to be of questionable quality
 or at risk by any ,federal or ,state   

agency or any accrediting agency4  7#c7 
,outreach activities conducted under    
paragraph 7#a7 shall be carried out     
using amounts derived from amounts not  
specifically appropriated to carry out  
this subsection4  4  #ajbd4 ,limitation 
on colocation and administration of     
,state approving agencies  7a7 ,in      
general ,section #cfga of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
adding at the end the following new     
subsection3  7c7 ,a ,state department or
 agency may not be recognized as a      
,state approving agency designated under
 this section if such ,state department 
or agency is administered at or         
colocated with a university or          
university system whose courses or      
programs of education would be subject  
to approval under this chapter by the   
,state approving agency in that ,state4 
4  7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment   
made by subsection 7a7 shall take effect
 on the date that is #ahj days after the
 date of the enactment of this ,act4    

#ajbe4 ,elimination of period of        
eligibility for training and            
rehabilitation for certain veterans with
 service-connected disabilities  7a7 ,in
 general ,section #cajc of title #ch1   
,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7
 in subsection 7a71 by striking or 7e7  
and inserting 7e71 or 7g72 and  7#b7 by 
adding at the end the following new     
subsection3  7g7 ,subsection 7a7 shall  
not apply to a veteran who was          
discharged or released from active      
military1 naval1 or air service on or   
after ,january #a1 #bjac4  4  7b7       
,conforming amendment ,section #f7;c7 of
 the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus     
,response ,act of #bjbj 7#acd ,stat4    
#fcc2 ,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is amended 
by striking paragraph 7#a74  ,b         
,pandemic assistance  #aaja4            
,definitions ,in this subtitle3 7#a7    
,covered program of education ,the term 
covered program of education means a    
program of education 7as defined in     
section #cjjb of title #ch1 ,united     

,states ,code7 approved by a ,state     
approving agency1 or the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs when acting in the   
role of a ,state approving agency4  7#b7
 ,,covid-#ai emergency ,the term        
,,covid-#ai emergency means the public  
health emergency declared pursuant to   
section #cai of the ,public ,health     
,service ,act on ,january #ca1 #bjbj1   
entitled ,determination that a ,public  
,health ,emergency ,exists ,nationwide  
as the ,result of the #bjai ,novel      
,coronavirus4  7#c7 ,educational        
institution ,the term educational       
institution has the meaning given that  
term in section #cdeb7;c7 of title #ch1 
,united ,states ,code1 and includes an  
institution of higher learning 7as      
defined in such section74  7#d7 ,state  
approving agency ,the term ,state       
approving agency has the meaning given  
that term in section #cfga of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code4  7#e7 ,training 
establishment ,the term training        
establishment has the meaning given that

 term in section #cdeb7;e7 of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code4  7#f7 ,training 
,the term training includes on-job      
training and apprenticeship programs and
 vocational rehabilitation programs4    
#aajb4 ,continuation of ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs educational          
assistance benefits during ,,covid-#ai  
emergency  7a7 ,authority ,if the       
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs        
determines under subsection 7c7 that an 
individual is negatively affected by the
 ,,covid-#ai emergency1 the ,secretary  
may provide educational assistance to   
that individual under the laws          
administered by the ,secretary as if    
such negative effects did not occur4    
,the authority under this section is in 
addition to the authority provided under
 section #a of ,public ,law #aaf-abh    
7#ch ,u4,s4,c4 #cjja note prec471 but in
 no case may the ,secretary provide more
 than a total of four weeks of          
additional educational assistance by    
reason of section #d of the ,student    

,veteran ,coronavirus ,response ,act of 
#bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-adj2 #ch       
,u4,s4,c4 #cfhj note7 and this section4 
7b7 ,housing and allowances ,in         
providing educational assistance to an  
individual pursuant to subsection 7a71  
the ,secretary may-- 7#a7 continue to   
pay a monthly housing stipend under     
chapter #cc of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code1 during a month the       
individual would have been enrolled in a
 program of education or training but   
for the ,,covid-#ai emergency at the    
same rate such stipend would have been  
payable if the individual had not been  
negatively affected by the ,,covid-#ai  
emergency1 except that the total number 
of weeks for which stipends may continue
 to be so payable may not exceed four   
weeks2 and  7#b7 continue to pay        
payments or subsistence allowances under
 chapters #cj1 #ca1 #cb1 #cc1 and #ce of
 such title and chapter #afjf of title  
#aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 during a    
month for a period of time that the     

individual would have been enrolled in a
 program of education or training but   
for the ,,covid-#ai emergency1 except   
that the total number of weeks for which
 payments or allowances may continue to 
be so payable may not exceed four weeks4
  7c7 ,determination of negative effects
 ,the ,secretary shall determine that an
 individual was negatively affected by  
the ,,covid-#ai emergency if-- 7#a7 the 
individual is enrolled in a covered     
program of education of an educational  
institution or enrolled in training at a
 training establishment and is pursuing 
such program or training using          
educational assistance under the laws   
administered by the ,secretary2  7#b7   
the educational institution or training 
establishment certifies to the          
,secretary that such program or training
 is truncated1 delayed1 relocated1      
canceled1 partially canceled1 converted 
from being on-site to being offered by  
distance learning1 or otherwise modified
 or made unavailable by reason of the   

,,covid-#ai emergency2 and  7#c7 the    
,secretary determines that the          
modification to such program or training
 specified under paragraph 7#b7 would   
reduce the amount of educational        
assistance 7including with respect to   
monthly housing stipends1 payments1 or  
subsistence allowances7 that would be   
payable to the individual but for the   
,,covid-#ai emergency4  7d7 ,effect on  
entitlement period ,if the ,secretary   
determines that an individual who       
received assistance under this section  
did not make progress toward the        
completion of the program of education  
in which the individual is enrolled     
during the period for which the         
individual received such assistance1 any
 assistance provided pursuant to this   
section shall not be counted for        
purposes of determining the total amount
 of an individual's entitlement to      
educational assistance1 housing         
stipends1 or payments or subsistence    
allowances under chapters #cj1 #ca1 #cb1

 and #ce of such title and chapter #afjf
 of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4   
7e7 ,applicability period ,this section 
shall apply during the period beginning 
on ,march #a1 #bjbj1 and ending on      
,december #ba1 #bjba4  #aajc4 ,effects  
of closure of educational institution   
and modification of courses by reason of
 ,,covid-#ai emergency  7a7 ,closure or 
disapproval ,any payment of educational 
assistance described in subsection 7b7  
shall not-- 7#a7 be charged against any 
entitlement to educational assistance of
 the individual concerned2 or  7#b7 be  
counted against the aggregate period for
 which section #cfie of title #ch1      
,united ,states ,code1 limits the       
receipt of educational assistance by    
such individual4  7b7 ,educational      
assistance described ,subject to        
subsection 7d71 the payment of          
educational assistance described in this
 subsection is the payment of such      
assistance to an individual for pursuit 
of a course or program of education at  

an educational institution under chapter
 #cj1 #ca1 #cb1 #cc1 or #ce of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 or chapter  
#afjf of title #aj1 ,united ,states     
,code1 if the ,secretary determines that
 the individual-- 7#a7 was unable to    
complete such course or program as a    
result of-- 7,a7 the closure of the     
educational institution1 or the full or 
partial cancellation of a course or     
program of education1 by reason of the  
,,covid-#ai emergency2 or  7,b7 the     
disapproval of the course or a course   
that is a necessary part of that program
 under chapter #cf of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 because the course was  
modified by reason of such emergency2   
and  7#b7 did not receive credit or lost
 training time1 toward completion of the
 program of education being so pursued4 
7c7 ,housing assistance ,in this        
section1 educational assistance         
includes1 as applicable-- 7#a7 monthly  
housing stipends payable under chapter  
#cc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1

 for any month the individual would have
 been enrolled in a course or program of
 education2 and  7#b7 payments or       
subsistence allowances under chapters   
#cj1 #ca1 #cb1 and #ce of such title and
 chapter #afjf of title #aj1 ,united    
,states ,code1 during a month the       
individual would have been enrolled in a
 course or program of education4  7d7   
,period not charged ,the period for     
which1 by reason of this subsection1    
educational assistance is not charged   
against entitlement or counted toward   
the applicable aggregate period under   
section #cfie of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 shall not exceed the     
aggregate of-- 7#a7 the portion of the  
period of enrollment in the course from 
which the individual did not receive    
credit or with respect to which the     
individual lost training time1 as       
determined under subsection 7b77#b72 and
  7#b7 the period by which a monthly    
stipend is extended under section       
#cfhj7;a77#b77;,b7 of title #ch1 ,united

 ,states ,code4  7e7 ,continuing pursuit
 of disapproved courses  7#a7 ,in       
general ,the ,secretary may treat a     
course of education that is disapproved 
under chapter #cf of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 as being approved under  
such chapter with respect to an         
individual described in paragraph 7#b7  
if the ,secretary determines1 on a      
programmatic basis1 that-- 7,a7 such    
disapproval is the result of an action  
described in subsection 7b77#a77;,b72   
and  7,b7 continuing pursuing such      
course is in the best interest of the   
individual4  7#b7 ,individual described 
,an individual described in this        
paragraph is an individual who is       
pursuing a course of education at an    
educational institution under chapter   
#cj1 #ca1 #cb1 #cc1 or #ce of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 or chapter #afjf
 of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 as
 of the date on which the course is     
disapproved as described in subsection  
7b77#a77;,b74  7f7 ,status as full-,time

 student for purposes of housing stipend
 calculation ,in the case of an         
individual who1 as of the first day of  
the ,,covid-#ai emergency was enrolled  
on a full-time basis in a program of    
education and was receiving educational 
assistance under chapter #cc of title   
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 or          
subsistence allowance under chapter #ca 
of such title1 and for whom the         
,secretary makes a determination under  
subsection 7b71 the individual shall be 
treated as an individual enrolled in a  
program of education on a full-time     
basis for the purpose of calculating    
monthly housing stipends payable under  
chapter #cc of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code1 or subsistence allowance 
payable under chapter #ca of such title1
 for any month the individual is        
enrolled in the program of education on 
a part-time basis to complete any course
 of education that was partially or     
fully canceled by reason of the         
,,covid-#ai emergency4  7g7 ,notice of  

closures ,not later than #e business    
days after the date on which the        
,secretary receives notice that an      
educational institution will close or is
 closed by reason of the ,,covid-#ai    
emergency1 the ,secretary shall provide 
to each individual who is enrolled in a 
course or program of education at such  
educational institution using           
entitlement to educational assistance   
under chapter #cj1 #ca1 #cb1 #cc1 or #ce
 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 or
 chapter #afjf of title #aj1 ,united    
,states ,code1 notice of-- 7#a7 such    
closure and the date of such closure2   
and  7#b7 the effect of such closure on 
the individual's entitlement to         
educational assistance pursuant to this 
section4  7h7 ,applicability ,this      
section shall apply with respect to the 
closure of an educational institution1  
or the cancellation or modification of a
 course or program of education1 that   
occurs during the period beginning on   
,march #a1 #bjbj1 and ending on         

,december #ba1 #bjba4  #aajd4 ,payment  
of educational assistance in cases of   
withdrawal  7a7 ,in general ,in the case
 of any individual who withdraws from a 
program of education or training1 other 
than a program by correspondence1 in an 
educational institution under chapter   
#ca1 #cd1 or #ce of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code1 for a covered reason     
during the period beginning on ,march   
#a1 #bjbj1 and ending on ,december #ba1 
#bjba1 the ,secretary of ,veterans      
,affairs shall find mitigating          
circumstances for purposes of section   
#cfhj7;a77#a77;,c77ii7 of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code4  7b7 ,covered    
reason ,in this section1 the term       
covered reason means any reason related 
to the ,,covid-#ai emergency1           
including-- 7#a7 illness1 quarantine1 or
 social distancing requirements2  7#b7  
issues associated with ,,covid-#ai      
testing accessibility2  7#c7 access or  
availability of childcare2  7#d7        
providing care for a family member or   

cohabitants2  7#e7 change of location or
 residence due to ,,covid-#ai or        
associated school closures2  7#f7       
employment changes or financial         
hardship2 and  7#g7 issues associated   
with changes in format or medium of     
instruction4  #aaje4 ,modification of   
time limitations on use of entitlement  
7a7 ,montgomery ,,gi bill ,the          
subsection 7i7 temporarily added to     
section #cjca of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 by subsection 7a7 of     
section #f of the ,student ,veteran     
,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj    
7,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is amended--    
7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking the 
period the individual is so prevented   
from pursuing such program and inserting
 the period beginning on ,march #a1     
#bjbj1 and ending on ,december #ba1     
#bjba2 and  7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by  
striking the first day after the        
individual is able to resume pursuit of 
a program of education with educational 
assistance under this chapter and       

inserting ,december #bb1 #bjba4  7b7    
,vocational rehabilitation and training 
,the subsection 7g7 temporarily added to
 section #cajc of title #ch1 ,united    
,states ,code1 by subsection 7c7 of such
 section #f is amended-- 7#a7 in        
paragraph 7#a71 by striking the period  
the individual is so prevented from     
participating such program and inserting
 the period beginning on ,march #a1     
#bjbj1 and ending on ,december #ba1     
#bjba2 and  7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by  
striking the first day after the        
individual is able to resume            
participation in such program and       
inserting ,december #bb1 #bjba4  #aajf4 
,apprenticeship or on-job training      
requirements  7a7 ,in general ,during   
the period described in subsection 7b71 
subsection 7e7 of section #cfhg of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall be   
applied by substituting the following   
for paragraph 7#b73  7#b7 7,a7 ,subject 
to subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 for any 
month in which an individual fails to   

complete #abj hours of training1 the    
entitlement otherwise chargeable under  
paragraph 7#a7 shall be reduced in the  
same proportion as the monthly training 
assistance allowance payable is reduced 
under subsection 7b77#c74  7,b7 ,in the 
case of an individual who is unemployed 
during any month1 the #abj-;hour        
requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 for 
that month shall be reduced             
proportionately to reflect the          
individual's period of unemployment1    
except that the amount of monthly       
training assistance otherwise payable to
 the individual under subsection 7b77#c7
 shall not be reduced4  7,c7 ,any period
 during which an individual is          
unemployed shall not-- 7i7 be charged   
against any entitlement to educational  
assistance of the individual2 or  7ii7  
be counted against the aggregate period 
for which section #cfie of this title   
limits the receipt of educational       
assistance by such individual4  7,d7    
,any amount by which the entitlement of 

an individual is reduced under          
subparagraph 7,a7 shall not-- 7i7 be    
charged against any entitlement to      
educational assistance of the           
individual2 or  7ii7 be counted against 
the aggregate period for which section  
#cfie of this title limits the receipt  
of educational assistance by such       
individual4  7,e7 ,in the case of an    
individual who fails to complete #abj   
hours of training during a month1 but   
who completed more than #abj hours of   
training during the preceding month1 the
 individual may apply the number of     
hours in excess of #abj that the        
individual completed for that month to  
the month for which the individual      
failed to complete #abj hours4 ,if the  
addition of such excess hours results in
 a total of #abj hours or more1 the     
individual shall be treated as an       
individual who has completed #abj hours 
of training for that month4 ,any excess 
hours applied to a different month under
 this subparagraph may only be applied  

to one such month4  7,f7 ,this paragraph
 applies to amounts described in section
 #ccac7;g77#c77;,b77iv7 and section     
#cjcb7;c77#b7 of this title and section 
#afaca7;d77#b7 of title #aj4  7,g7 ,in  
this paragraph3 7i7 ,the term unemployed
 includes being furloughed or being     
scheduled to work zero hours4  7ii7 ,the
 term fails to complete #abj hours of   
training means1 with respect to an      
individual1 that during any month1 the  
individual completes at least one hour1 
but fewer than #abj hours1 of training1 
including in a case in which the        
individual is unemployed for part of1   
but not the whole1 month4  4  7b7       
,applicability period ,the period       
described in this section is the period 
beginning on ,march #a1 #bjbj1 and      
ending on ,december #ba1 #bjba4  #aajg4 
,inclusion of training establishments in
 certain provisions related to          
,,covid-#ai emergency  7a7 ,continuation
 of benefits ,section #a of ,public ,law
 #aaf-abh is amended-- 7#a7 in          

subsection 7a71 by inserting or a       
training establishment after an         
educational institution2 and  7#b7 in   
subsection 7c71 by adding at the end the
 following new paragraph3  7#d7         
,training establishment ,the term       
training establishment has the meaning  
given such term in section #cdeb7;e7 of 
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  4    
7b7 ,payment of allowances ,section     
#d7;a77#a7 of the ,student ,veteran     
,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj    
7,public ,law #aaf-adj2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4   
#cfhj note7 is amended by inserting or a
 training establishment after           
educational institution4  7c7           
,prohibition of charge to entitlement   
,the subparagraph 7,c7 temporarily added
 to section #cfii7;b77#a7 of title #ch1 
,united ,states ,code1 by section #e of 
the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus      
,response ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law   
#aaf-adj2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #cfii note7 is  
amended by inserting or training        
establishment after educational         

institution4  7d7 ,extension of time    
limitations  7#a7 ,,mgib ,the subsection
 7i7 temporarily added to section #cjca 
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 by 
subsection 7a7 of section #f of the     
,student ,veteran ,coronavirus ,response
 ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-adj71 
as amended by section #aaje of this     
title1 is further amended by inserting  
or training establishment after         
educational institution4  7#b7 ,transfer
 period ,the subparagraph 7,c7          
temporarily added to section            
#ccai7;h77#e7 of such title by section  
#f of the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus
 ,response ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law  
#aaf-adj7 is amended by inserting or    
training establishment after educational
 institution4  #aajh4 ,treatment of     
payment of allowances under ,student    
,veteran ,coronavirus ,response ,act    
,section #d of the ,student ,veteran    
,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj    
7,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is amended--    
7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 by        

striking may not exceed four weeks4 and 
inserting may not exceed the shorter of 
the following32 and  7,b7 by adding at  
the end the following new paragraphs3   
7#a7 ,the period of time that the       
eligible veteran or eligible person     
would have been enrolled in a program of
 education or training but for the      
emergency situation4  7#b7 ,four weeks4 
2 and  7#b7 by adding at the end the    
following new subsection3  7e7          
,entitlement not charged ,any payment of
 allowances under this section shall    
not-- 7#a7 be charged against any       
entitlement to educational assistance of
 the eligible veteran or eligible person
 concerned2 or  7#b7 be counted against 
the aggregate period for which section  
#cfie of this title #ch1 ,united ,states
 ,code1 limits the receipt of           
educational assistance by such eligible 
veteran or eligible person4  4  ,,ii    
,benefits  ,a ,benefits generally       
#bjja4 ,revision of definition of       
,vietnam era for purposes of the laws   

administered by the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs ,section             
#aja7bi77;,a7 of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 is amended by striking   
,february #bh1 #aifa and inserting      
,november #a1 #aiee4  #bjjb4 ,matters   
relating to ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs medical disability examinations
  7a7 ,temporary clarification of       
licensure requirements for contractor   
medical professionals to perform medical
 disability examinations for the        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs under 
pilot program for use of contract       
physicians for disability examinations  
7#a7 ,in general ,subsection 7c7 of     
section #ejd of the ,veterans' ,benefits
 ,improvements ,act of #aiif 7,public   
,law #ajd-bge2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #eaja note7
 is amended to read as follows3  7c7    
,licensure of contract health care      
professionals  7#a7 ,in general         
,notwithstanding any law regarding the  
licensure of health care professionals1 
a health care professional described in 

paragraph 7#b7 may conduct an           
examination pursuant to a contract      
entered into under subsection 7a7 at any
 location in any ,state1 the ,district  
of ,columbia1 or a ,commonwealth1       
territory1 or possession of the ,united 
,states1 so long as the examination is  
within the scope of the authorized      
duties under such contract4  7#b7       
,health care professional described ,a  
health care professional described in   
this paragraph is a physician1 physician
 assistant1 nurse practitioner1         
audiologist1 or psychologist1 who-- 7,a7
 has a current unrestricted license to  
practice the health care profession of  
the physician1 physician assistant1     
nurse practitioner1 audiologist1 or     
psychologist1 as the case may be2  7,b7 
is not barred from practicing such      
health care profession in any ,state1   
the ,district of ,columbia1 or a        
,commonwealth1 territory1 or possession 
of the ,united ,states2 and  7,c7 is    
performing authorized duties for the    

,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
pursuant to a contract entered into     
under subsection 7a74  4  7#b7 ,purpose 
,the purpose of the amendment made by   
paragraph 7#a7 is to expand the license 
portability for physicians assistants1  
nurse practitioners1 audiologists1 and  
psychologists to supplement the capacity
 of employees of the ,department to     
provide medical examinations described  
in subsection 7b74  7#c7 ,rule of       
construction ,the amendment made by     
paragraph 7#a7 shall not be construed to
 affect the license portability for     
physicians in effect under section      
#ejd7;c7 of such ,act as in effect on   
the day before the date of the enactment
 of this ,act4  7#d7 ,sunset ,on the    
date that is three years after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act1          
subsection 7c7 of such section shall    
read as it read on the day before the   
date of the enactment of this ,act4  7b7
 ,temporary halt on elimination of      
medical examiner positions in           

,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,the  
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
temporarily suspend the efforts of the  
,secretary in effect on the day before  
the date of the enactment of this ,act  
to eliminate medical examiner positions 
in the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 until the number of individuals        
awaiting a medical examination with     
respect to medical disability of the    
individuals for benefits under laws     
administered by the ,secretary that are 
carried out through the ,under          
,secretary for ,benefits is equal to or 
less than the number of such individuals
 who were awaiting such a medical       
examination with respect to such        
purposes on ,march #a1 #bjbj4  7c7      
,report on provision of 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          
appropriate committees of ,congress a   
report on the provision of medical      

examinations described in subsection 7b7
 by the ,department4  7#b7 ,contents    
,the report submitted under paragraph   
7#a7 shall cover the following3 7,a7    
,how the ,secretary will increase the   
capacity1 efficiency1 and timeliness of 
physician assistants1 nurse             
practitioners1 audiologists1 and        
psychologists of the ,veterans ,health  
,administration with respect to         
completing medical examinations         
described in subsection 7b74  7,b7 ,the 
total number of full-time equivalent    
employees among all physician           
assistants1 nurse practitioners1        
audiologists1 and psychologists needed  
for the increases described in          
subparagraph 7,a74  7,c7 ,an assessment 
regarding the importance of retaining a 
critical knowledge base within the      
,department for performing medical      
examinations for veterans filing claims 
for compensation under chapters #aa and 
#ac of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1
 including with respect to military     

sexual trauma1 post-traumatic stress    
disorder1 traumatic brain injury1 and   
toxic exposure4  7#c7 ,collaboration    
,the ,secretary shall collaborate with  
the veterans community and stakeholders 
in the preparation of the report        
required by paragraph 7#a74  7#d7       
,appropriate committees of ,congress    
defined ,in this subsection1 the term   
appropriate committees of ,congress     
means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee  
on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and  
7,b7 the ,committee on ,veterans'       
,affairs and the ,committee on          
,appropriations of the ,house of        
,representatives4  7d7 ,comptroller     
,general of the ,united ,states review  
7#a7 ,review required ,not later than   
#cfj days after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller
 ,general of the ,united ,states shall  
commence a review of the implementation 
of the pilot program authorized under   
subsection 7a7 of section #ejd of the   

,veterans' ,benefits ,improvements ,act 
of #aiif 7,public ,law #ajd-bge2 #ch    
,u4,s4,c4 #eaja note74  7#b7 ,elements  
,the review conducted under paragraph   
7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7  
,an assessment of the use of subsection 
7c7 of section #ejd of such ,act1 as    
amended by subsection 7a77#a7 of this   
section4  7,b7 ,efforts to retain and   
recruit medical examiners as employees  
of the ,department4  7,c7 ,use of       
telehealth for medical examinations     
described in subsection 7b7 that are    
administered by the ,department4  7e7   
,briefing on recommendations of         
,comptroller ,general of the ,united    
,states ,not later than #fj days after  
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,secretary shall provide to the     
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a briefing on how the  
,secretary will implement the           
recommendations of the ,comptroller     

,general of the ,united ,states         
regarding-- 7#a7 the monitoring of the  
training of providers of examinations   
pursuant to contracts under section #ejd
 of the ,veterans' ,benefits            
,improvements ,act of #aiif 7,public    
,law #ajd-bge2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #eaja      
note72 and  7#b7 ensuring such providers
 receive such training4  7f7 ,holding   
underperforming contract medical        
examiners accountable ,the ,secretary   
shall take such actions as may be       
necessary to hold accountable the       
providers of medical examinations       
pursuant to contracts under section #ejd
 of the ,veterans' ,benefits            
,improvements ,act of #aiif 7,public    
,law #ajd-bge2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #eaja note7
 who are underperforming in the meeting 
of the needs of veterans through the    
performance of medical examinations     
pursuant to such contracts4  #bjjc4     
,medal of ,honor special pension for    
surviving spouses  7a7 ,codification of 
current rate of special pension         

,subsection 7a7 of section #aefb of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended by striking #a1jjj and inserting
 #a1chh4fh4  7b7 ,special pension for   
surviving spouses  7#a7 ,surviving      
spouse benefit ,such subsection is      
further amended-- 7,a7 by inserting 7#a7
 after 7a72 and  7,b7 by adding at the  
end the following new paragraph3  7#b7  
7,a7 ,except as provided in             
subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 the        
,secretary shall pay special pension    
under this section to the surviving     
spouse of a person whose name has been  
entered on the ,army1 ,navy1 ,air       
,force1 and ,coast ,guard ,medal of     
,honor ,roll and a copy of whose        
certificate has been delivered to the   
,secretary under section #aacd;a7d7 of  
title #aj4  7,b7 ,no special pension    
shall be paid to a surviving spouse of a
 person under this section unless such  
surviving spouse was married to such    
person-- 7i7 for one year or more prior 
to the veteran's death2 or  7ii7 for any

 period of time if a child was born of  
the marriage1 or was born to them before
 the marriage4  7,c7 ,no special pension
 shall be paid to a surviving spouse of 
a person under this section if such     
surviving spouse is receiving benefits  
under section #acaa or #acah of this    
title4  4  7#b7 ,conforming amendments  
7,a7 ,in general ,such section is       
amended-- 7i7 in subsection 7d71 by     
inserting or married to more than one   
person who has been awarded a medal of  
honor1 after honor12 and  7ii7 in       
subsection 7f77#a71 by striking this    
section and inserting paragraph 7#a7 of 
subsection 7a71 or under paragraph 7#b7 
of such subsection in the case of a     
posthumous entry on the ,army1 ,navy1   
,air ,force1 and ,coast ,guard ,medal of
 ,honor ,roll14  7,b7 ,special          
provisions relating to marriages        
,section #ajc7;d77#e7 of such title is  
amended by adding at the end the        
following new subparagraph3  7,e7       
,section #aefb7;a77#b71 relating to     

,medal of ,honor special pension4  4    
7#c7 ,effective date ,the amendments    
made by this subsection shall apply with
 respect to payment of pension under    
section #aefb of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 for months beginning     
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act4  #bjjd4 ,modernization of         
service-disabled veterans insurance  7a7
 ,establishment of modernized program   
7#a7 ,in general ,chapter #ai of title  
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended  
by inserting after section #aibb;,a the 
following new section3  #aibb;,b4       
,service-disabled veterans insurance    
7a7 ,insurance  7#a7 ,beginning ,january
 #a1 #bjbc1 the ,secretary shall carry  
out a service-disabled veterans         
insurance program under which a veteran 
is granted insurance by the ,united     
,states against the death of such       
individual occurring while such         
insurance is in force4  7#b7 ,the       
,secretary may only issue whole-life    
policies under the insurance program    

under paragraph 7#a74  7#c7 ,the        
,secretary may not grant insurance to a 
veteran under paragraph 7#a7 unless--   
7,a7 the veteran submits the application
 for such insurance before the veteran  
attains #ha years of age2 or  7,b7 with 
respect to a veteran who has attained   
#ha years of age-- 7i7 the veteran filed
 a claim for compensation under chapter 
#aa of this title before attaining such 
age2  7ii7 based on such claim1 and     
after the veteran attained such age1 the
 ,secretary first determines that the   
veteran has a service-connected         
disability2 and  7iii7 the veteran      
submits the application for such        
insurance during the two-year period    
following the date of such              
determination4  7#d7 7,a7 ,a veteran    
enrolled in the insurance program under 
paragraph 7#a7 may elect to be insured  
in any of the following amounts3 7i7    
#aj1jjj4  7ii7 #bj1jjj4  7iii7 #cj1jjj4 
7iv7 #dj1jjj4  7v7 ,in accordance with  
subparagraph 7,b71 a maximum amount     

greater than #dj1jjj4  7,b7 ,the        
,secretary may establish a maximum      
amount to be insured under paragraph    
7#a7 that is greater than #dj1jjj if the
 ,secretary-- 7i7 determines that such  
maximum amount and the premiums for such
 amount-- 7,i7 are administratively and 
actuarially sound for the insurance     
program under paragraph 7#a72 and       
7,,ii7 will not result in such program  
operating at a loss2 and  7ii7 publishes
 in the ,federal ,register1 and submits 
to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs
 of the ,senate and the ,committee on   
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives1 such maximum amount   
and determination4  7#e7 7,a7 7i7       
,insurance granted under this section   
shall be on a nonparticipating basis and
 all premiums and other collections     
therefor shall be credited directly to a
 revolving fund in the ,treasury of the 
,united ,states4  7ii7 ,any payments on 
such insurance shall be made directly   
from such fund4  7,b7 7i7 ,the          

,secretary of the ,treasury may invest  
in and sell and retire special          
interest-bearing obligations of the     
,united ,states for the account of the  
revolving fund under subparagraph 7,a74 
7ii7 ,such obligations issued for that  
purpose shall-- 7,i7 have maturities    
fixed with due regard for the needs of  
the fund2 and  7,,ii7 bear interest at a
 rate equal to the average market yield 
7computed by the ,secretary of the      
,treasury on the basis of market        
quotations as of the end of the calendar
 month preceding the date of issue7 on  
all marketable interest-bearing         
obligations of the ,united ,states then 
forming a part of the public debt which 
are not due or callable until after the 
expiration of four years from the end of
 such calendar month2 except that where 
such average market yield is not a      
multiple of one-eighth of one per       
centum1 the rate of interest of such    
obligation shall be the multiple of     
one-eighth of one per centum nearest    

such market yield4  7#f7 7,a7           
,administrative support financed by the 
appropriations for ,general ,operating  
,expenses1 ,department of ,veterans     
,affairs and ,information ,technology   
,systems1 ,department of ,veterans      
,affairs for the insurance program under
 paragraph 7#a7 shall be paid from      
premiums credited to the fund under     
paragraph 7#e74  7,b7 ,such payment for 
administrative support shall be         
reimbursed for that fiscal year from    
funds that are available on such        
insurance after claims have been paid4  
7b7 ,eligibility ,a veteran is eligible 
to enroll in the insurance program under
 subsection 7a77#a7 if the veteran has a
 service-connected disability1 without  
regard to-- 7#a7 whether such disability
 is compensable under chapter #aa of    
this title2 or  7#b7 whether the veteran
 meets standards of good health required
 for other life insurance policies4  7c7
 ,enrollment and waiting period  7#a7   
,an eligible veteran may enroll in the  

insurance program under subsection      
7a77#a7 at any time4  7#b7 ,the life    
insurance policy of a veteran who       
enrolls in the insurance program under  
subsection 7a77#a7 does not go into     
force unless-- 7,a7 a period of two     
years elapses following the date of such
 enrollment2 and  7,b7 the veteran pays 
the premiums required during such       
two-year period4  7#c7 7,a7 ,if a       
veteran dies during the two-year period 
described in paragraph 7#b71 the        
,secretary shall pay to the beneficiary 
of the veteran the amount of premiums   
paid by the veteran under this section1 
plus interest4  7,b7 ,the ,secretary--  
7i7 for the initial year of the         
insurance program under subsection      
7a77#a7-- 7,i7 shall set such interest  
at a rate of one percent2 and  7,,ii7   
may adjust such rate during such year   
based on program experience1 except that
 the interest rate may not be less than 
zero percent2  7ii7 for the second and  
each subsequent year of the program1    

shall calculate such interest at an     
annual rate equal to the rate of return 
on the revolving fund under subsection  
7a77#e7 for the calendar year preceding 
the year of the veteran's death1 except 
that the interest rate may not be less  
than zero percent2 and  7iii7 on an     
annual basis1 shall publish on the      
internet website of the ,department the 
average interest rate calculated under  
clause 7ii7 for the preceding calendar  
year4  7d7 ,premiums  7#a7 ,the         
,secretary shall establish a schedule of
 basic premium rates by age per #aj1jjj 
of insurance under subsection 7a77#a7   
consistent with basic premium rates     
generally charged for guaranteed        
acceptance life insurance policies by   
private life insurance companies4  7#b7 
,the ,secretary may adjust such schedule
 after the first policy year in a manner
 consistent with the general practice of
 guaranteed acceptance life insurance   
policies issued by private life         
insurance companies4  7#c7 ,section     

#aiab of this title shall not apply to  
life insurance policies under subsection
 7a77#a71 and the ,secretary may not    
otherwise waive premiums for such       
insurance policies4  7e7 ,beneficiaries 
7#a7 ,a veteran who enrolls in the      
insurance program under subsection      
7a77#a7 may designate a beneficiary of  
the life insurance policy4  7#b7 ,if a  
veteran enrolled in the insurance       
program under subsection 7a77#a7 does   
not designate a beneficiary under       
paragraph 7#a7 before the veteran dies1 
or if a designated beneficiary          
predeceases the veteran1 the ,secretary 
shall determine the beneficiary in the  
following order3 7,a7 ,the surviving    
spouse of the veteran4  7,b7 ,the       
children of the veteran and descendants 
of deceased children by representation4 
7,c7 ,the parents of the veteran or the 
survivors of the parents4  7,d7 ,the    
duly appointed executor or administrator
 of the estate of the veteran4  7,e7    
,other next of kin of the veteran       

entitled under the laws of domicile of  
the veteran at the time of the death of 
the veteran4  7f7 ,claims  7#a7 ,if the 
deceased veteran designated a           
beneficiary under subsection 7e77#a7--  
7,a7 the designated beneficiary is the  
only person who may file a claim for    
payment under subsection 7g7 during the 
one-year period beginning on the date of
 the death of the veteran2 and  7,b7 if 
the designated beneficiary does not file
 a claim for the payment during the     
period described in paragraph 7#a71 or  
if payment to the designated beneficiary
 within that period is prohibited by    
,federal statute or regulation1 a       
beneficiary described in subsection     
7e77#b7 may file a claim for such       
payment during the one-year period      
following the period described in       
subparagraph 7,a7 as if the designated  
beneficiary had predeceased the veteran4
  7#b7 ,if the deceased veteran did not 
designate a beneficiary under subsection
 7e77#a71 or if the designated          

beneficiary predeceased the veteran1 a  
beneficiary described in subsection     
7e77#b7 may file a claim for payment    
under subsection 7g7 during the two-year
 period beginning on the date of the    
death of the veteran4  7#c7 ,if1 on the 
date that is two years after the date of
 the death of the veteran1 no claim for 
payment has been filed by any           
beneficiary pursuant to paragraph 7#a7  
or 7#b71 and the ,secretary has not     
received notice that any such claim will
 be so filed during the subsequent      
one-year period1 the ,secretary may make
 the payment to a claimant whom the     
,secretary determines to be equitably   
entitled to such payment4  7g7 ,payments
  7#a7 ,in a case described in          
subsection 7f7-- 7,a7 in paragraph      
7#a77;,a71 the ,secretary shall pay the 
designated beneficiary not later than   
#ij days after the designated           
beneficiary files a complete and valid  
claim for payment2  7,b7 in paragraph   
7#a77;,b7 or 7#b71 the ,secretary shall 

make any payment not later than one year
 after the end of the period described  
in the applicable such paragraph1 if the
 ,secretary receives a complete and     
valid claim for payment in accordance   
with the applicable such paragraph2 or  
7,c7 in paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary  
shall make any payment not later than   
one year after the end of the period    
described in such paragraph1 if the     
,secretary receives a complete and valid
 claim for payment4  7#b7 ,in a case    
where the ,secretary has not made an    
insurance payment under this section    
during the applicable period specified  
in paragraph 7#a7 by reason of a        
beneficiary not yet having filed a      
claim1 or the ,secretary not yet making 
a determination under subsection        
7f77#c71 the ,secretary may make the    
payment after such applicable period4   
7#c7 ,notwithstanding section #aiag of  
this title1 the ,secretary shall make an
 insurance payment under this section in
 a lump sum4  7#d7 ,the ,secretary may  

not make an insurance payment under this
 section if such payment will escheat to
 a ,state4  7#e7 ,any payment under this
 subsection shall be a bar to recovery  
by any other person4  4  7#b7 ,clerical 
amendment ,the table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to    
section #aibb;,a the following new item3
  #aibb;,b4 ,service-disabled veterans  
insurance4  4  7b7 ,sunset of previous  
program and transition  7#a7 ,s-,,dvi   
,section #aibb of such title is amended 
by adding at the end the following new  
subsection3  7d7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary   
may not accept any application by a     
veteran to be insured under this section
 after ,december #ca1 #bjbb4  7#b7 7,a7 
,during the period beginning ,january   
#a1 #bjbc1 and ending ,december #ca1    
#bjbe1 a veteran who is insured under   
this section may elect to instead be    
insured under section #aibb;,b of this  
title based on the age of the veteran at
 the time of such election4  7,b7 7i7 ,a

 veteran who elects under subparagraph  
7,a7 to be insured under section        
#aibb;,b of this title shall be subject 
to the two-year waiting period specified
 in subsection 7c7 of such section4     
7ii7 ,if the veteran dies during such   
period1 the ,secretary shall pay the    
beneficiary under this section1 and1 if 
applicable1 under section #aibb;,a1 plus
 the amount of premiums paid by the     
veteran under such section #aibb;,b1    
plus interest4  7#c7 ,except as provided
 by paragraph 7#b77;,b71 a veteran may  
not be insured under this section and   
section #aibb;,b simultaneously4  4     
7#b7 ,supplemental ,s-,,dvi ,section    
#aibb;,a7b7 of such title is amended by 
adding after the period at the end the  
following3 ,the ,secretary may not      
accept any such application after       
,december #ca1 #bjbb4 ,except as        
provided by section #aibb7;d77#b77;,b71 
a veteran may not have supplemental     
insurance under this section and be     
insured under section #aibb;,b          

simultaneously44  7c7 ,conforming       
amendments ,chapter #ai of such title is
 amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading  
of section #aibb1 by striking ,service  
and inserting ,legacy service2  7#b7 in 
the section heading of section #aibb;,a1
 by striking ,supplemental and inserting
 ,legacy supplemental2 and  7#c7 in the 
table of sections at the beginning of   
such chapter by striking the items      
relating to sections #aibb and #aibb;,a 
and inserting the following new items3  
#aibb4 ,legacy service disabled         
veterans' insurance4 #aibb;,a4 ,legacy  
supplemental service disabled veterans' 
insurance for totally disabled veterans4
  4  #bjje4 ,denial of claims for       
traumatic injury protection under       
,servicemembers' ,group ,life ,insurance
 ,section #aihj;,a of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection3   
7l7 7#a7 ,if a claim for benefits under 
this section is denied1 the ,secretary  
concerned shall provide to the member at

 the same time as the member is informed
 of such denial a description of the    
following3 7,a7 ,each reason for that   
denial1 including a description of all  
the information upon which the denial is
 based and a description of the         
applicable laws1 regulations1 or        
policies1 with appropriate citations1   
and an explanation of how such laws1    
regulations1 or policies affected the   
denial4  7,b7 ,each finding that is     
favorable to the member4  7#b7 ,any     
finding favorable to the member as      
described in paragraph 7#a77;,b7 shall  
be binding on all subsequent reviews or 
appeals of the denial of the claim1     
unless clear and convincing evidence is 
shown to the contrary to rebut such     
favorable finding4  4  #bjjf4           
,publication and acceptance of          
disability benefit questionnaire forms  
of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs    
7a7 ,in general ,section #eaja of title 
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--
 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7d7 as

 subsection 7e72 and  7#b7 by inserting 
after subsection 7c7 the following new  
subsection 7d73  7d7 7#a7 ,the          
,secretary shall publish in a central   
location on the internet website of the 
,department-- 7,a7 the disability       
benefit questionnaire forms of the      
,department for the submittal of        
evidence from non-,department medical   
providers regarding a disability of a   
claimant1 including any form or process 
that replaces any such disability       
benefit questionnaire form2 and  7,b7   
details about the process used by the   
,department for submittal of evidence   
described in subparagraph 7,a74  7#b7   
,subject to section #fajc of this title1
 if the ,secretary updates a form       
described in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the   
,secretary shall-- 7,a7 accept the      
previous version of the form filed by a 
claimant if-- 7i7 the claimant provided 
to the non-,department medical provider 
the previous version of the form before 
the date on which the updated version of

 the form was made available2 and  7ii7 
the claimant files the previous version 
of the form during the one-year period  
following the date the form was         
completed by the non-,department medical
 provider2  7,b7 request from the       
claimant 7or from a non-,department     
medical provider if the claimant has    
authorized the provider to share health 
information with the ,secretary7 any    
other information that the updated      
version of the form requires2 and  7,c7 
apply the laws and regulations required 
to adjudicate the claim as if the       
claimant filed the updated version of   
the form4  7#c7 ,the ,secretary may     
waive any interagency approval process  
required to approve a modification to a 
disability benefit questionnaire form if
 such requirement only applies by reason
 of the forms being made public4  4  7b7
 ,reports by ,inspector ,general of the 
,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,not  
less frequently than once each year     
through #bjbc1 the ,inspector ,general  

of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 shall submit to ,congress a report on  
the findings of the ,inspector ,general 
with respect to the use of the forms    
published under section #eaja7;d77#a7 of
 such title1 as added by subsection 7a74
  7c7 ,initial form ,the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs shall begin carrying 
out section #eaja7;d77#a7 of such title1
 as added by subsection 7a71 by         
publishing1 as described in such        
section1 the form described in such     
section that was in effect on ,january  
#a1 #bjbj4  7d7 ,alternate process  7#a7
 ,assessment and report  7,a7 ,in       
general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 not 
later than #ahj days after the date of  
the enactment of this act1 the          
,secretary shall-- 7i7 assess the       
feasibility and advisability of         
replacing disability benefit            
questionnaire forms that are used by    
non-,department medical providers to    
submit to the ,secretary evidence       
regarding a disability of a claimant for

 benefits under laws administered by the
 ,secretary1 with another consistent    
process that considers evidence equally1
 whether provided by a ,department or a 
non-,department medical provider2 and   
7ii7 submit to ,congress-- 7,i7 a report
 on the findings of the ,secretary with 
respect to the assessment conducted     
under clause 7i72 and  7,,ii7 if the    
report submitted under subclause 7,i7 of
 this clause includes a finding that    
replacing the disability benefit        
questionnaire forms described in clause 
7i7 as described in such clause is      
feasible and advisable1 a plan to       
replace such forms as described in such 
clause4  7,b7 ,collaboration required   
,if1 in carrying out the assessment     
required by clause 7i7 of subparagraph  
7,a71 the ,secretary determines that    
replacing the disability benefit        
questionnaire forms described in such   
clause as described in such clause is   
feasible and advisable1 the ,secretary  
shall collaborate with1 partner with1   

and consider the advice of veterans     
service organizations1 and such other   
stakeholders as the ,secretary considers
 appropriate1 on the replacement forms  
and process for submitting such forms4  
7#b7 ,requirements ,the ,secretary may  
only determine under paragraph 7#a77;,a7
 that replacing the forms described in  
such paragraph is feasible and advisable
 if the ,secretary certifies that-- 7,a7
 it is in the best interest of veterans 
to do so2  7,b7 the replacement process 
would include all the medical           
information needed to adjudicate a claim
 for benefits under laws administered by
 the ,secretary2 and  7,c7 the new      
process will ensure that all medical    
information provided will be considered 
equally1 whether it is provided by a    
,department medical provider or a       
non-,department medical provider4  7#c7 
,implementation  7,a7 ,in general       
,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 if the   
,secretary determines under paragraph   
7#a77;,a7 that replacing the forms as   

described in such paragraph is feasible 
and advisable1 the ,secretary shall1 not
 later than two years after the date on 
which the ,secretary submits the report 
under paragraph 7#a77;,b77i7-- 7i7      
replace the forms as described in       
paragraph 7#a77;,a72  7ii7 publish such 
replacement pursuant to subparagraph    
7,a7 of section #eaja7;d77#a71 as added 
by subsection 7a77#b72 and  7iii7 update
 the details under subparagraph 7,b7 of 
such section4  7,b7 ,reports by         
,inspector ,general of the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs ,if the ,secretary
 replaces the forms under subparagraph  
7,a71 the ,inspector ,general of the    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall1
 not later than one year after the date 
that the ,secretary replaces such forms 
and not less frequently than once each  
year thereafter until the date that is  
three years after the date on which the 
,secretary replaces such forms1 submit  
to ,congress a report on the process    
that replaced such forms that ascertains

 whether the process properly protects  
veterans4  7#d7 ,limitation ,the        
,secretary may not discontinue the use  
of the disability benefit questionnaire 
forms described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7  
until a replacement form or process is  
implemented4  7e7 ,rule of construction 
,nothing in this section or section     
#eaja7;d7 of such title1 as added by    
subsection 7a71 may be construed to     
require the ,secretary to develop any   
new information technology system or    
otherwise require the ,secretary to make
 any significant changes to the internet
 website of the ,department4  #bjjg4    
,threshold for reporting debts to       
consumer reporting agencies  7a7 ,in    
general ,chapter #ec of title #ch1      
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
adding after section #ecai the following
 new section3  #ecbj4 ,threshold for    
reporting debts to consumer reporting   
agencies ,the ,secretary shall prescribe
 regulations that establish the minimum 
amount of a claim or debt1 arising from 

a benefit administered by the ,under    
,secretary for ,benefits or ,under      
,secretary for ,health1 that the        
,secretary will report to a consumer    
reporting agency under section #cgaa of 
title #ca4  4  7b7 ,clerical amendment  
,the table of sections at the beginning 
of such chapter is amended by adding    
after the item relating to section #ecai
 the following new item3                
#ecbj4,threshold for reporting debts to 
consumer reporting agencies4  4  7c7    
,deadline ,the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs shall prescribe regulations    
under section #ecbj of such title1 as   
added by subsection 7a71 not later than 
#ahj days after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act4  #bjjh4 ,removal
 of dependents from award of            
compensation or pension ,beginning not  
later than #ij days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
ensure that-- 7#a7 the recipient of an  
award of compensation or pension may    

remove any dependent from an award of   
compensation or pension to the          
individual using the e,benefits system  
of the ,department of ,veterans         
,affairs1 or a successor system2 and    
7#b7 such removal takes effect not later
 than #fj days after the date on which  
the recipient elects such removal4      
#bjji4 ,eligibility for dependency and  
indemnity compensation for surviving    
spouses who remarry after age #ee       
,section #ajc7;d77#b77;,b7 of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended in   
the second sentence by inserting chapter
 #ac or after benefits under4  #bjaj4   
,study on exposure by members of the    
,armed ,forces to toxicants at          
,karshi-,khanabad ,air ,base in         
,uzbekistan  7a7 ,agreement and study   
,not later than #fj days after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act1 the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
enter into an agreement with the        
,administrator of the ,agency for ,toxic
 ,substances and ,disease ,registry for 

the ,administrator to complete1 not     
later than #aj years after the date of  
the enactment of this ,act1 a study to  
identify-- 7#a7 incidents of cancer and 
other diseases or illnesses experienced 
by individuals who served in the active 
military1 naval1 or air service 7as     
defined in section #aja of title #ch1   
,united ,states ,code7 in the covered   
location set forth under subsection 7b7 
during the corresponding period set     
forth under such subsection2 and  7#b7 a
 list of toxic substances1 chemicals1   
ionizing radiation1 and airborne hazards
 such individuals may have been exposed 
to during such service4  7b7 ,covered   
location and corresponding period ,the  
covered location and corresponding      
period set forth under this subsection  
are ,karshi-,khanabad 7,k#b7 ,air ,base 
in ,uzbekistan and the period beginning 
on ,october #a1 #bjja1 and ending on    
,september #cj1 #bjje4  7c7 ,elements   
,the study conducted under subsection   
7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7   

,an assessment regarding the conditions 
of the covered location set forth under 
subsection 7b71 including an            
identification of toxic substances1     
chemicals1 ionizing radiation1 and      
airborne hazards contaminating such     
covered location during such            
corresponding period4  7#b7 ,an         
epidemiological study of the health     
consequences of the service described in
 subsection 7a7 to the individuals      
described in such subsection4  7d7      
,support for study  7#a7 ,in general    
,the ,secretary shall provide the       
,administrator with assistance in       
carrying out the study required by      
subsection 7a71 including by gathering  
such information as the ,administrator  
may consider useful in carrying out the 
study4  7#b7 ,obtaining information     
concerning exposure ,assistance under   
paragraph 7#a7 provided by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
include compiling information on        
exposure described in subsection 7a77#b7

 and the ,secretary of ,defense shall   
provide to the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs such information concerning    
such exposure as the ,secretary of      
,veterans ,affairs considers appropriate
 for purposes of the study required by  
subsection 7a71 including environmental 
sampling data relative to any location  
covered by the study4  7e7 ,biennial    
updates ,no later than the date that is 
two years after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act and not less     
frequently than once every two years    
thereafter until the date on which the  
study required by subsection 7a7 is     
completed1 the ,administrator shall     
submit to the appropriate committees of 
,congress updates on the status of the  
matters covered by such study1 including
 any preliminary findings of the        
,administrator4  7f7 ,final report ,not 
later than #fj days after the date on   
which the study required by subsection  
7a7 is completed1 the ,administrator    
shall submit to the appropriate         

committees of ,congress a report on the 
findings of the ,administrator with     
respect to such study4  7g7 ,inclusion  
of ,uzbekistan in certain registries and
 programs ,section #bja7;c77#b7 of the  
,dignified ,burial and ,other ,veterans'
 ,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjab   
7,public ,law #aab-bfj2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4   
#ebg note7 is amended1 in the matter    
preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking
 ,afghanistan or ,iraq and inserting    
,afghanistan1 ,iraq1 or ,uzbekistan4    
7h7 ,depleted ,uranium ,follow-up       
,programs ,the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs shall ensure that any          
individual who deployed as a member of  
the ,armed ,forces to the covered       
location set forth in subsection 7b7    
during the corresponding period set     
forth in such subsection is covered by  
the ,depleted ,uranium ,follow-up       
,programs of the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs4  7i7 ,appropriate   
committees of ,congress defined ,in this
 section1 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  #bjaa4 ,comptroller  
,general briefing and report on         
repealing manifestation period for      
presumptions of service connection for  
certain diseases associated with        
exposure to certain herbicide agents    
7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the 
,united ,states shall provide to the    
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,senate and the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a briefing on          
preliminary observations of the         
,comptroller ,general1 and not later    
than #bdj days after the date of such   
briefing1 provide such committees a     
briefing and submit to such committees a

 final report1 on the efforts of the    
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to     
provide benefits1 including compensation
 and health care1 to veterans-- 7#a7 who
 during active military1 naval1 or air  
service1 served in the ,republic of     
,vietnam during the period beginning on 
,january #i1 #aifb1 and ending on ,may  
#g1 #aige2 and  7#b7 in whom chloracne1 
porphyria cutanea tarda1 or acute or    
subacute peripheral neuropathy have     
manifested4  7b7 ,elements ,the report  
required by subsection 7a7 shall include
 the following3 7#a7 ,a description of  
how the ,secretary establishes a service
 connection for a diseases described in 
paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7a7        
manifesting in veterans1 including the  
number of veterans described in         
paragraph 7#a7 of such subsection who   
have filed a claim for a benefit        
associated with a disease described in  
paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection4  7#b7
 ,a description of how claims           
adjudicators of the ,department of      

,veterans ,affairs determine service    
connection for a disease described in   
subparagraph 7,c7 or 7,e7 of section    
#aaaf7;a77#b7 of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 when documentation       
proving the presence of the disease     
during the manifestation period set     
forth in such subparagraphs for the     
disease is not available4  7#c7 ,a      
description of the expected effect of   
repealing the manifestation period from 
such subparagraphs1 including the       
expected effect on the number of claims 
for benefits the ,department will       
receive1 an estimate of the cost to the 
,department of such repeal1 and a review
 of the scientific evidence regarding   
such repeal4  7#d7 ,a review of all     
claims submitted to the ,secretary for  
compensation under chapter #aa of such  
title that are associated with a disease
 described in subsection 7a77#b71       
including the type of proof presented to
 establish a service connection for the 
manifestation of the disease based on   

exposure to a herbicide agent4  7#e7    
,recommendations on how the ,department 
can better adjudicate claims for        
benefits1 including compensation1       
submitted to the ,department that are   
associated with a disease described in  
paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7a7 for    
veterans described in paragraph 7#a7 of 
such subsection4  7#f7 ,an assessment of
 such other areas as the ,comptroller   
,general considers appropriate to study4
  7c7 ,administrative action ,not later 
than #abj days after the date on which  
the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united
 ,states submits the report required    
under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary    
shall commence carrying out the         
recommendations submitted under         
subsection 7b77#e7 to the degree that   
the ,secretary is authorized to carry   
out the recommendations by a statute    
that was in effect on the day before the
 date of the enactment of this ,act4    
7d7 ,herbicide agent defined ,in this   
section1 the term herbicide agent has   

the meaning given such term in section  
#aaaf7;a77#c7 of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  #bjab4 ,extension of    
authority of ,secretary of ,veterans    
,affairs to use income information from 
other agencies ,section #ecag7;g7 of    
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended by striking ,september #cj1     
#bjbg and inserting ,september #cj1     
#bjcj4  #bjac4 ,extension on certain    
limits on payments of pension ,section  
#eejc7;d77#g7 of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 is amended by striking   
,september #cj1 #bjbh and inserting     
,october #cj1 #bjbh4  ,b ,housing       
#baja4 ,eligibility of certain members  
of the reserve components of the ,armed 
,forces for home loans from the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7   
,expansion of definition of veteran for 
purposes of home loans ,section         
#cgja7;b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code1 is amended by adding at the end  
the following new paragraph3  7#g7 ,the 
term veteran also includes1 for purposes

 of home loans1 an individual who       
performed full-time ,national ,guard    
duty 7as that term is defined in section
 #aja of title #aj7 for a period-- 7,a7 
of not less than #ij cumulative days2   
and  7,b7 that includes #cj consecutive 
days4  4  7b7 ,expansion of eligibility 
,section #cgjb7;a77#b7 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the        
following new subparagraph3  7,g7 ,each 
individual described in section         
#cgja7;b77#g7 of this title4  4  7c7    
,retroactive applicability ,the         
amendments made by this section shall   
apply with respect to full-time         
,national ,guard duty 7as defined in    
section #aja of title #aj1 ,united      
,states ,code7 performed before1 on1 or 
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act4  #bajb4 ,reducing loan fees for   
certain veterans affected by major      
disasters ,section #cgbi7;b77#d7 of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended-- 7#a7 by amending subparagraph 
7,d7 to read as follows3  7,d7 7i7 ,the 

term initial loan means a loan to a     
veteran guaranteed under section #cgaj  
or made under section #cgaa of this     
title if the veteran has never obtained 
a loan guaranteed under section #cgaj or
 made under section #cgaa of this title4
  7ii7 ,if a veteran has obtained a loan
 guaranteed under section #cgaj or made 
under section #cgaa of this title and   
the dwelling securing such loan was     
substantially damaged or destroyed by a 
major disaster declared by the          
,president under section #dja of the    
,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief 
and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db    
,u4,s4,c4 #eagj71 the ,secretary shall  
treat as an initial loan1 as defined in 
clause 7i71 the next loan the ,secretary
 guarantees or makes to such veteran    
under section #cgaj or #cgaa1           
respectively1 if-- 7,i7 such loan is    
guaranteed or made before the date that 
is three years after the date on which  
the dwelling was substantially damaged  
or destroyed2 and  7,,ii7 such loan is  

only for repairs or construction of the 
dwelling1 as determined by the          
,secretary4  2 and  7#b7 in subparagraph
 7,e71 by striking if the veteran has   
previously obtained a loan guaranteed   
under section #cgaj or made under       
section #cgaa of this title and         
inserting that is not an initial loan4  
#bajc4 ,extension of certain housing    
loan fees ,section #cgbi7;b77#b7 of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended by striking ,october #a1 #bjbi  
each place it appears and inserting     
,october #a1 #bjcj4  #bajd4 ,collection 
of overpayments of specially adapted    
housing assistance ,section #bajb of    
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended by adding at the end the        
following new subsection3  7g7 7#a7     
,whenever the ,secretary finds that an  
overpayment has been made to1 or on     
behalf of1 a person described in        
paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall    
determine-- 7,a7 the amounts to recover1
 if any2 and  7,b7 who is liable to the 

,united ,states for such overpayment4   
7#b7 ,a person described in this        
paragraph is any of the following3 7,a7 
,an individual who applied for          
assistance-- 7i7 under this chapter2 or 
7ii7 under chapter #ca of this title who
 is pursuing a rehabilitation program   
under such chapter in acquiring         
adaptations to a residence4  7,b7 ,an   
owner or seller of real estate used1 or 
intended to be used1 in connection with 
assistance under this chapter4  7,c7 ,a 
builder1 contractor1 supplier1          
tradesperson1 corporation1 trust1       
partnership1 or other person1 who       
provided services or goods relating to  
assistance under this chapter4  7,d7 ,an
 attorney1 escrow agent1 or financial   
institution1 that receives1 or holds in 
escrow1 funds relating to assistance    
under this chapter4  7,e7 ,a surviving  
spouse1 heir1 assignee1 or successor in 
interest of or to1 any person described 
in this paragraph4  7#c7 7,a7 ,any      
overpayment referred to in this         

subsection may be recovered in the same 
manner as any other debt due the ,united
 ,states4  7,b7 ,in recovering the      
overpayment1 the ,secretary may charge  
administrative costs1 fees1 and         
interest1 as appropriate1 in a manner   
similar to the authority under section  
#ecae of this title4  7#d7 7,a7 ,the    
recovery of any overpayment referred to 
in this subsection may be waived by the 
,secretary4  7,b7 ,waiver of any such   
overpayment as to a person described in 
paragraph 7#b7 shall in no way release  
any other person described in such      
paragraph from liability4  7#e7 ,the    
,secretary shall waive recovery under   
this subsection of any overpayment to a 
person described in paragraph 7#b77;,a71
 or a dependent or survivor of such     
person1 that arises from administrative 
error described in paragraph 7#g77;,a74 
7#f7 ,nothing in this subsection shall  
be construed as precluding the          
imposition of any civil or criminal     
liability under this title or any other 

law4  7#g7 ,the ,secretary shall        
prescribe in regulations what           
constitutes an overpayment for the      
purposes of this subsection1 which1 at a
 minimum1 shall include-- 7,a7          
administrative error that results in an 
individual receiving assistance to which
 that individual is not entitled2  7,b7 
the failure of any person described in  
paragraph 7#b7 to-- 7i7 perform or allow
 to be performed any act relating to    
assistance under this chapter2 or  7ii7 
compensate any party performing services
 or supplying goods relating to         
assistance under this chapter2 and  7,c7
 any disbursement of funds relating to  
assistance under this chapter1 that1 in 
the sole discretion of the ,secretary1  
constitutes a misuse of such assistance4
  7#h7 ,prior to collecting an          
overpayment under this subsection1 the  
,secretary shall provide to the person  
whom the ,secretary has determined      
liable for such overpayment-- 7,a7      
notice of the finding by the ,secretary 

of such overpayment2  7,b7 a reasonable 
opportunity for such person to remedy   
the circumstances that effectuated the  
overpayment2 and  7,c7 a reasonable     
opportunity for such person to present  
evidence to the ,secretary that an      
overpayment was not made4  7#i7 ,for the
 purposes of section #eaa of this title1
 a decision to collect an overpayment   
from a person other than a person       
described in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 or a  
dependent or survivor of such person1   
may not be treated as a decision that   
affects the provision of benefits4  4   
,c ,burial matters  #bbja4              
,transportation of deceased veterans to 
veterans' cemeteries  7a7 ,in general   
,subsection 7a7 of section #bcjh of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended by striking in a national       
cemetery and inserting in a national    
cemetery or a covered veterans'         
cemetery4  7b7 ,covered veterans'       
cemetery defined ,section #bcjh of such 
title is amended by adding at the end   

the following new subsection3  7c7      
,covered veterans' cemetery defined ,in 
this section1 the term covered veterans'
 cemetery means a veterans' cemetery--  
7#a7 in which a deceased veteran        
described in subsection 7b7 is eligible 
to be buried2  7#b7 that-- 7,a7 is owned
 by a ,state2 or  7,b7 is on trust land 
owned by1 or held in trust for1 a tribal
 organization2 and  7#c7 for which the  
,secretary has made a grant under       
section #bdjh of this title4  4  7c7    
,conforming amendment ,section #bcjh of 
such title is amended in the section    
heading by adding at the end the        
following3 or a covered veterans'       
cemetery4  7d7 ,clerical amendment ,the 
table of sections at the beginning of   
chapter #bc of such title is amended by 
striking the item relating to section   
#bcjh and inserting the following new   
item3  #bcjh4 ,transportation of        
deceased veteran to a national cemetery 
or a covered veterans' cemetery4  4  7e7
 ,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  #bbjb4    
,increase in certain funeral benefits   
under laws administered by the          
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7   
,funeral expenses for                   
non-service-connected disabilities      
,chapter #bc of title #ch1 ,united      
,states ,code1 is amended as follows3   
7#a7 ,by transferring subsection 7b7 of 
section #bcjb to the end of section     
#bcjc and redesignating such subsection 
as subsection 7d74  7#b7 ,by striking   
section #bcjb4  7#c7 ,in section #bcjc--
 7,a7 in the section heading1 by        
striking ,death in ,department facility 
and inserting ,death from               
non-service-connected disability2 and   
7,b7 in subsection 7a7-- 7i7 in         
paragraph 7#a71 by striking a veteran   
dies in a facility described in         
paragraph 7#b7 and inserting a veteran  
described in paragraph 7#b7 dies2  7ii7 
by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting

 the following new paragraph 7#b73  7#b7
 ,a veteran described in this paragraph 
is a deceased veteran who is not covered
 by section #bcjg of this title and who 
meets any of the following criteria3    
7,a7 ,the deceased veteran dies in-- 7i7
 a facility of the ,department 7as      
defined in section #agja7c7 of this     
title7 to which the deceased veteran was
 properly admitted for hospital1 nursing
 home1 or domiciliary care under section
 #agaj or #agaa7;a7 of this title2 or   
7ii7 an institution at which the        
deceased veteran was1 at the time of    
death1 receiving-- 7,i7 hospital care in
 accordance with sections #agjc;,a1     
#haaa1 and #haec of this title2  7,,ii7 
nursing home care under section #agbj of
 this title2 or  7,,iii7 nursing home   
care for which payments are made under  
section #agda of this title4  7,b7 ,at  
the time of death1 the deceased veteran 
7including a person who died during a   
period deemed to be active military1    
naval1 or air service under section     

#ajf7;c7 of this title7 is in receipt of
 compensation under chapter #aa of this 
title 7or but for the receipt of        
retirement pay would have been entitled 
to such compensation7 or was in receipt 
of pension under chapter #ae of this    
title4  7,c7 ,the ,secretary            
determines-- 7i7 the deceased veteran   
7including a person who died during a   
period deemed to be active military1    
naval1 or air service under section     
#ajf7;c7 of this title7 has no next of  
kin or other person claiming the body of
 the deceased veteran2 and  7ii7 that   
there are not available sufficient      
resources to cover burial and funeral   
expenses4  2  7iii7 in subsection 7b7-- 
7,i7 in the matter preceding paragraph  
7#a71 by striking section #bcjb of this 
title and2 and  7,,ii7 in paragraph     
7#b71 by striking under section #bcjb of
 this title or2 and  7iv7 in subsection 
7d71 as added by paragraph 7#a7 of this 
subsection1 by striking ,except as and  
inserting ,with respect to a deceased   

veteran described in subparagraph 7,b7  
or 7,c7 of subsection 7a77#b71 except   
as4  7b7 ,conforming amendments  7#a7   
,title #ch ,such title is amended as    
follows3 7,a7 ,in section #bcjd1 by     
striking ,applications for payments     
under section #bcjb of this title and   
inserting ,applications for payments    
under section #bcjc of this title       
regarding veterans described in         
subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,c7 of subsection 
7a77#b7 of such section4  7,b7 ,in      
section #bcjg1 by striking sections     
#bcjb and #bcjc7;a77#a7 and 7b77#b7 of  
this title and inserting subsections    
7a77#a7 and 7b77#b7 of section #bcjc of 
this title4  7,c7 ,in section #bcjh--   
7i7 in subsection 7a71 by striking      
pursuant to section #bcjb or #bcjg of   
this title1 and inserting pursuant to   
section #bcjc of this title regarding   
veterans described in subparagraph 7,b7 
or 7,c7 of subsection 7a77#b7 of such   
section1 or pursuant to section #bcjg of
 this title12 and  7ii7 in subsection   

7b77#c7-- 7,i7 by striking section #bcjb
 and inserting section #bcjc2 and       
7,,ii7 by striking subsection           
7a77#b77;,a7 and inserting subsection   
7a77#b77;,c74  7,d7 ,in section         
#aac7;c77#a71 by striking #bcjb14  7,e7 
,in section #eaja7;a77#a77;,b77i71 by   
striking #bcjb and inserting #bcjc4     
7#b7 ,emergency medical care ,section   
#aa of the ,military ,selective ,service
 ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #chaj7 is amended  
by striking section #bcjb7;a7 of title  
#ch and inserting section #bcjc of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 regarding  
veterans described in subparagraph 7,b7 
or 7,c7 of subsection 7a77#b7 of such   
section4  7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the  
table of sections at the beginning of   
chapter #bc of such title is amended by 
striking the items relating to sections 
#bcjb and #bcjc and inserting the       
following new item3  #bcjc4 ,death from 
non-service-connected disability2 plot  
allowance4  4  7d7 ,effective date ,the 
amendments made by this section shall   

apply to deaths that occur on or after  
the date that is two years after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act4     
#bbjc4 ,outer burial receptacles for    
each new grave in cemeteries that are   
the subjects of certain grants made by  
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs    
7a7 ,in general ,section #bcjf7;e7 of   
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 
in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking  
shall and inserting may2 and  7ii7 by   
inserting 1 or in a cemetery that is the
 subject of a grant to a ,state or a    
tribal organization under section #bdjh 
of this title1 after ,national ,cemetery
 ,administration2 and  7,b7 in          
subparagraph 7,c71 by striking shall and
 inserting may2 and  7#b7 by striking   
paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the        
following new paragraph 7#b73  7#b7 7,a7
 ,the use of outer burial receptacles in
 a cemetery under the control of the    
,national ,cemetery ,administration or  
in a cemetery that is the subject of a  

grant to a ,state or a tribal           
organization under section #bdjh of this
 title shall be in accordance with      
regulations or procedures approved by   
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4   
7,b7 ,the use of outer burial           
receptacles in ,arlington ,national     
,cemetery shall be in accordance with   
regulations or procedures approved by   
the ,secretary of the ,army4  7,c7 ,the 
use of outer burial receptacles in a    
national cemetery administered by the   
,national ,park ,service shall be in    
accordance with regulations or          
procedures approved by the ,secretary of
 the ,interior4  4  7b7 ,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  #bbjd4         
,provision of inscriptions for spouses  
and children on certain headstones and  
markers furnished by the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,in general     
,section #bcjf of title #ch1 ,united    

,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by     
redesignating subsection 7i7 as         
subsection 7j72 and  7#b7 by inserting  
after subsection 7h7 the following new  
subsection 7i73  7i7 7#a7 ,in addition  
to any other authority under this       
section1 in the case of an individual   
whose grave is not in a covered cemetery
 7as that term is defined in subsection 
7f77#b77 and for whom the ,secretary has
 furnished a headstone or marker under  
subsection 7a7 or 7d71 the ,secretary1  
if feasible and upon request1 may       
replace the headstone or marker to add  
an inscription for the surviving spouse 
or eligible dependent child of such     
individual following the death of the   
surviving spouse or eligible dependent  
child4  7#b7 ,if the spouse or eligible 
dependent child of an individual        
referred to in paragraph 7#a7           
predeceases the individual1 the         
,secretary may1 if feasible and upon    
request1 include an inscription for the 
spouse or dependent child on the        

headstone or marker furnished for the   
individual under subsection 7a7 or 7d74 
4  7b7 ,application ,subsection 7i7 of  
section #bcjf of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 as added by subsection   
7a71 shall apply with respect to an     
individual who dies on or after ,october
 #a1 #bjai4  #bbje4 ,aid to counties for
 establishment1 expansion1 and          
improvement of veterans' cemeteries  7a7
 ,in general ,section #bdjh of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--
 7#a7 by inserting or county after      
,state each place it appears2  7#b7 in  
subsection 7a77#a71 in the matter       
preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking
 subsection 7b7 and inserting           
subsections 7b71 7c71 7d71 and 7g72     
7#c7 by adding at the end the following 
new subsection3  7g7 7#a7 ,the          
,secretary may make a grant to a county 
under this section only if-- 7,a7 7i7   
the ,state in which the county is       
located does not have a veterans'       
cemetery owned by the ,state2  7ii7 the 

,state is not in receipt of a grant     
under this section for the construction 
of a new veterans' cemetery to be owned 
by the ,state2  7iii7 the ,state did not
 apply for a grant under this section   
during the previous year2  7iv7 no      
tribal organization from the ,state in  
which the county is located has a       
veterans' cemetery on trust land owned  
by1 or held in trust for1 the tribal    
organization2  7v7 no such tribal       
organization is in receipt of a grant   
under this section for the construction 
of a new veterans' cemetery to be       
located on such land2 and  7vi7 no such 
tribal organization applied for a grant 
under this section during the previous  
year2 and  7,b7 the county demonstrates 
in the application under subsection     
7a77#b71 to the satisfaction of the     
,secretary1 that the county has the     
resources necessary to operate and      
maintain the veterans' cemetery owned by
 the county4  7#b7 7,a7 ,if a county and
 the ,state in which the county is      

located both apply for a grant under    
this section for the same year1 the     
,secretary shall give priority to the   
,state4  7,b7 ,if a county and a tribal 
organization from the ,state in which   
the county is located both apply for a  
grant under this section for the same   
year1 the ,secretary shall give priority
 to the tribal organization4  7#c7 ,the 
,secretary shall prescribe regulations  
to carry out this subsection4  2 and    
7#d7 in subsection 7f7-- 7,a7 by        
redesignating paragraph 7#c7 as         
subsection 7h72  7,b7 by moving such    
subsection1 as so redesignated1 to the  
location after subsection 7g71 as added 
by paragraph 7#c72  7,c7 in subsection  
7h71 as so redesignated and moved1 by   
redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 and    
7,b7 as paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71       
respectively2 and  7,d7 in the matter   
preceding paragraph 7#a71 as so         
redesignated1 by striking this          
subsection and inserting this section4  
7b7 ,clerical amendments  7#a7 ,section 

heading ,the heading of such section is 
amended by inserting 1 counties1 and    
tribal organizations after ,states4     
7#b7 ,table of sections ,the table of   
sections at the beginning of chapter #bd
 of such title is amended by striking   
the item relating to section #bdjh and  
inserting the following new item3       
#bdjh4 ,aid to ,states1 counties1 and   
tribal organizations for establishment1 
expansion1 and improvement of veterans' 
cemeteries4  4  7c7 ,effective date ,the
 amendments made by this section shall  
take on effect on the date that is two  
years after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act4  #bbjf4 ,increase in maximum
 amount of grants to ,states1 counties1 
and tribal organizations for operating  
and maintaining veterans' cemeteries    
,section #bdjh7;e77#b7 of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
striking #e1jjj1jjj and inserting       
#aj1jjj1jjj4  #bbjg4 ,provision of urns 
and commemorative plaques for remains of
 certain veterans whose cremated remains

 are not interred in certain cemeteries 
7a7 ,in general ,section #bcjf of title 
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended  
by section #bbjd of this title1 is      
further amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating 
subsections 7h71 7i71 and 7j7 as        
subsections 7i71 7j71 and 7k71          
respectively2 and  7#b7 by inserting    
after subsection 7g7 the following new  
subsection 7h73  7h7 7#a7 ,in lieu of   
furnishing a headstone or marker under  
this section for a deceased individual  
described in paragraph 7#c71 the        
,secretary shall furnish1 upon request  
and at the expense of the ,united       
,states-- 7,a7 an urn made of any       
material to signify the individual's    
status as a veteran1 in which the       
remains of such individual may be placed
 at private expense2 or  7,b7 a         
commemorative plaque signifying the     
individual's status as a veteran4  7#b7 
,if the ,secretary furnishes an urn or  
commemorative plaque for an individual  
under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary may

 not provide for such individual-- 7,a7 
a headstone or marker under this        
section2 or  7,b7 any burial benefit    
under section #bdjb of this title4  7#c7
 ,a deceased individual described in    
this paragraph is an individual-- 7,a7  
who served in the ,armed ,forces on or  
after ,april #f1 #aiag2  7,b7 who is    
eligible for a headstone or marker      
furnished under subsection 7d7 7or would
 be so eligible but for the date of the 
death of the individual72 and  7,c7     
whose remains were cremated and not     
interred in a national cemetery1 a      
,state veterans' cemetery1 a tribal     
cemetery1 a county cemetery1 or a       
private cemetery4  7#d7 7,a7 ,any urn or
 commemorative plaque furnished under   
this subsection shall be the personal   
property of the next of kin or such     
other individual as the ,secretary      
considers appropriate4  7,b7 ,the       
,federal ,government shall not be liable
 for any damage to an urn or            
commemorative plaque furnished under    

this subsection that occurs after the   
date on which the urn or commemorative  
plaque is so furnished4  7#e7 ,the      
,secretary shall prescribe regulations  
to carry out this subsection4  4  7b7   
,effective date ,the amendments made by 
this section shall take on effect on the
 date that is two years after the date  
of the enactment of this ,act4  #bbjh4  
,training of ,state and tribal veterans'
 cemetery personnel by ,national        
,cemetery ,administration  7a7 ,in      
general ,section #bdjh of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code1 as amended by    
sections #bbje and #bbjf of this title1 
is further amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 
7b77#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7--   
7i7 by striking and 7ii7 the cost and   
inserting 7ii7 the cost2 and  7ii7 by   
inserting 2 and 7iii7 training costs    
described in subsection 7c77#a7 before  
the semicolon2 and  7,b7 in subparagraph
 7,b7-- 7i7 by striking and 7ii7 the    
cost and inserting 7ii7 the cost2 and   
7ii7 by inserting 2 and 7iii7 training  

costs described in subsection 7c77#a7   
before the period2  7#b7 by             
redesignating subsections 7c7 through   
7h7 as subsections 7d7 through 7i71     
respectively2 and  7#c7 by inserting    
after subsection 7b7 the following new  
subsection 7c73  7c7 7#a7 ,a grant under
 this section for a purpose described in
 subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of subsection
 7a77#a7 may be used1 solely or in part1
 for training costs1 including travel   
expenses and up to four weeks of lodging
 expenses1 associated with attendance by
 employees of a veterans' cemetery owned
 by a ,state or on trust land owned by1 
or held in trust for1 a tribal          
organization at training provided by the
 ,national ,cemetery ,administration4   
7#b7 ,any employee described in         
paragraph 7#a7 who participates in      
training described in such paragraph    
shall fulfill a service requirement as  
determined by the ,secretary4  7#c7 ,the
 ,secretary may by regulation prescribe 
such additional terms and conditions for

 grants used for training costs under   
this subsection as the ,secretary       
considers appropriate4  4  7b7 ,reports 
7#a7 ,in general ,not later than each of
 two years and five 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 
training provided by the ,national      
,cemetery ,administration under         
subsection 7c7 of section #bdjh of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by
 subsection 7a74  7#b7 ,elements ,the   
report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall 
include the following3 7,a7 ,the        
attrition rate with respect to          
individuals who participate in the      
training described in paragraph 7#a74   
7,b7 ,a description of how ,state and   
tribal veterans' cemeteries that used   
grants awarded under section #bdjh of   
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for   

training costs under subsection 7c7 of  
such section1 as added by subsection    
7a71 have improved as a result of the   
training1 according to the              
administrators of such cemeteries4  7,c7
 ,an identification of how many ,state  
and tribal veterans' cemeteries used the
 authority provided by subsection 7c7 of
 section #bdjh of title #ch1 ,united    
,states ,code1 as added by subsection   
7a71 in order to train individuals4     
7,d7 ,the amount obligated or expended  
as a result of the authority described  
in subparagraph 7,c74  ,,iii ,health    
care  ,a ,health care generally  #cjja4 
,expansion of modifications to ,veteran 
,directed ,care program ,section #bjjjf 
of the ,coronavirus ,aid1 ,relief1 and  
,economic ,security ,act 7,public ,law  
#aaf-acf7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking 
,during a public health emergency each  
place it appears and inserting ,during  
the period specified in subsection 7f72 
7#b7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in the    
matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by     

striking during a public health         
emergency and inserting during the      
period specified in subsection 7f72 and 
7,b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking an  
area agency on aging and inserting a    
covered provider2 and  7#c7 by striking 
subsection 7e7 and inserting the        
following new subsections3  7e7         
,transfer of certain veterans to the    
,program ,during the period specified in
 subsection 7f71 the ,secretary shall   
allow a veteran residing in an area     
covered by the ,program to be           
transferred to the ,program for the     
duration of such period if-- 7#a7 the   
veteran had been receiving extended care
 services paid for by the ,department1  
such as adult day services or homemaker 
or home health aide services1           
immediately preceding such period2 and  
7#b7 those services are no longer       
available due to a public health        
emergency4  7f7 ,period specified ,the  
period specified in this subsection is  
the period beginning on the date on     

which a public health emergency was     
first declared and ending on the date   
that is #fj days after the date on which
 a public health emergency is no longer 
in effect4  7g7 ,covered provider       
defined ,in this section1 the term      
covered provider means a provider       
participating in the ,program1          
including-- 7#a7 an ,aging and          
,disability ,resource ,center1 an area  
agency on aging1 or a ,state agency 7as 
those terms are defined in section #ajb 
of the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife  
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjb772 or  7#b7 a      
center for independent living 7as       
defined in section #gjb of the          
,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi      
,u4,s4,c4 #gif;a774  4  #cjjb4          
,prohibition on collection of a health  
care copayment by the ,secretary of     
,veterans ,affairs from a veteran who is
 a member of an ,indian tribe  7a7 ,in  
general ,section #agcj;,a of title #ch1 
,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7
 in the heading1 by striking            

catastrophically disabled and inserting 
certain2  7#b7 by inserting 7a7         
,prohibition4-- before ,notwithstanding2
  7#c7 by striking a veteran who is     
catastrophically disabled1 as defined by
 the ,secretary1 and inserting a covered
 veteran2 and  7#d7 by adding at the end
 the following new subsection3  7b7     
,covered veteran defined ,in this       
section1 the term covered veteran means 
a veteran who-- 7#a7 is catastrophically
 disabled1 as defined by the ,secretary2
 or  7#b7 is an ,indian or urban ,indian
 7as those terms are defined in section 
#d of the ,indian ,health ,care         
,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4        
#afjc774  4  7b7 ,technical amendment   
,the table of sections at the beginning 
of chapter #ag of such title is amended 
by striking the item relating to section
 #agcj;,a and inserting the following3  
#agcj;,a4 ,prohibition on collection of 
copayments from certain veterans4  4    
7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made
 by this section shall take effect on   

the day that is one year after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act4  #cjjc4  
,oversight for ,state homes regarding   
,,covid-#ai infections1 response        
capacity1 and staffing levels  7a7      
,reporting  7#a7 ,in general ,during a  
covered public health emergency1 each   
,state home shall submit weekly to the  
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the
 ,national ,healthcare ,safety ,network 
of the ,centers for ,disease ,control   
and ,prevention1 through an electronic  
medium and in a standardized format     
specified by the ,secretary1 a report on
 the emergency4  7#b7 ,elements ,each   
report required by paragraph 7#a7 for a 
,state home shall include the following3
 7,a7 ,the number of suspected and      
confirmed ,,covid-#ai infections among  
residents and staff1 including residents
 previously treated for ,,covid-#ai1    
disaggregated by-- 7i7 veteran1 spouse  
of a veteran1 staff1 and other2  7ii7   
race and ethnicity2  7iii7 gender2 and  
7iv7 age4  7,b7 ,the number of total    

deaths and ,,covid-#ai deaths among     
residents and staff1 disaggregated by-- 
7i7 veteran1 spouse of a veteran1 staff1
 and other2  7ii7 race and ethnicity2   
7iii7 gender2 and  7iv7 age4  7,c7 ,an  
assessment of the supply of personal    
protective equipment and hand hygiene   
supplies4  7,d7 ,an assessment of       
ventilator capacity and supplies4  7,e7 
,the number of resident beds and the    
occupancy rate1 disaggregated by        
veteran1 spouse of a veteran1 and other4
  7,f7 ,an assessment of the access of  
residents to testing for ,,covid-#ai4   
7,g7 ,an assessment of staffing         
shortages1 if any4  7,h7 ,such other    
information as the ,secretary may       
specify4  7b7 ,publication of total     
infections and deaths  7#a7 ,in general 
,not later than #cj days after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act1 and not  
less frequently than weekly thereafter1 
the ,secretary shall post on a publicly 
available website of the ,department of 
,veterans ,affairs-- 7,a7 the total     

number of residents and staff of ,state 
homes who are infected with ,,covid-#ai2
 and  7,b7 the total number of such     
residents and staff who have died from  
,,covid-#ai4  7#b7 ,information on      
residents and staff ,the ,secretary     
shall disaggregate information on       
residents and staff published under     
paragraph 7#a7 by veteran1 staff1 and   
other4  7c7 ,definitions ,in this       
section3 7#a7 ,covered public health    
emergency ,the term covered public      
health emergency means an emergency with
 respect to ,,covid-#ai declared by a   
,federal1 ,state1 or local authority4   
7#b7 ,state home ,the term ,state home  
has the meaning given that term in      
section #aja7ai7 of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code4  #cjjd4 ,grants for      
,state homes located on tribal lands    
7a7 ,state home defined ,section        
#aja7ai7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states  
,code1 is amended by inserting or       
,indian tribe 7as defined in section #d 
of the ,indian ,self-,determination and 

,education ,assistance ,act 7#be        
,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd77 after 7other than a   
possession74  7b7 ,payments to ,state   
homes ,section #agda of title #ch1      
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
adding at the end the following new     
subsection3  7g7 ,in this subchapter1   
the term ,state means each of the       
several ,states and each ,indian tribe  
7as defined in section #d of the ,indian
 ,self-,determination and ,education    
,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd774
  4  7c7 ,state home construction  7#a7 
,in general ,section #haca7b7 of title  
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended  
by inserting includes each ,indian tribe
 7as defined in section #d of the       
,indian ,self-,determination and        
,education ,assistance ,act 7#be        
,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd77 but before does not4  
7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section     
#hacb of such title is amended by       
striking several4  7d7 ,additional      
legislative or administrative action    
7#a7 ,consultation with ,indian tribes  

,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act1 the     
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
consult with ,indian tribes to determine
 if any legislative or administrative   
action is necessary to modify the ,state
 home program to function efficiently in
 support of ,state homes operated by    
,indian tribes pursuant to the          
amendments made by this section4  7#b7  
,report to ,congress ,not later than #ij
 days after completing consultations    
under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary    
shall submit to the appropriate         
committees of ,congress a report        
recommending legislative action that the
 ,secretary considers appropriate to    
modify the ,state home program described
 in such paragraph in light of those    
consultations4  7#c7 ,modifications ,not
 later than #ahj days after completing  
consultations under paragraph 7#a71 the 
,secretary shall make any modifications 
to regulations implementing the ,state  
home program1 for which legislative     

action is not necessary1 as the         
,secretary considers appropriate in     
light of those consultations4  7e7      
,technical support and assistance ,the  
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
provide technical support and assistance
 to ,indian tribes in carrying out the  
,state home program at ,state homes     
operated by ,indian tribes pursuant to  
the amendments made by this section4    
7f7 ,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 ,indian ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 
7,b7 the ,committee on ,veterans'       
,affairs and the ,subcommittee for      
,indigenous ,peoples of the ,united     
,states of the ,committee on ,natural   
,resources of the ,house of             
,representatives4  7#b7 ,indian tribe   
,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning 
given that term in section #d of the    
,indian ,self-,determination and        

,education ,assistance ,act 7#be        
,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74  7#c7 ,state home ,the
 term ,state home has the meaning given 
that term in section #aja7ai7 of title  
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#d7 ,state
 home program ,the term ,state home     
program means the program of the        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs for   
which payments are made under subchapter
 ,v of chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 and assistance is       
provided under subchapter ,,iii of      
chapter #ha of such title4  #cjje4      
,continuation of ,women's ,health       
,transition ,training program of        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,duration ,the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs shall carry out the ,women's   
,health ,transition ,training program of
 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs  
7in this section referred to as the     
,program7 until at least one year after 
the date of the enactment of this ,act4 
7b7 ,report ,not later than one year and
 ten days after the date of the         

enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,defense and the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs shall jointly submit 
to the appropriate congressional        
committees a report on the ,program that
 includes the following3 7#a7 ,the      
number of women members of the ,armed   
,forces1 disaggregated by military      
department 7with respect to the         
,department of the ,navy1 disaggregated 
by the ,navy and ,marine ,corps71 who   
participated in the ,program4  7#b7 ,the
 number of courses held under the       
,program4  7#c7 ,the locations at which 
such courses were held1 the number of   
seats available for such courses1 and   
the number of participants at each such 
location4  7#d7 ,with respect to the    
number of members of the ,armed ,forces 
who participated in the ,program as     
specified under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7   
the number who enrolled in the health   
care system of the ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs under section        
#agje7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 

,code2 and  7,b7 the number who attended
 at least one health care appointment at
 a medical facility of the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs4  7#e7 ,data      
relating to-- 7,a7 satisfaction with    
courses held under the ,program2  7,b7  
improved awareness of health care       
services administered by the ,secretary 
of ,veterans ,affairs2 and  7,c7 any    
other available statistics regarding the
 ,program4  7#f7 ,a discussion of       
regulatory1 legal1 or resource barriers 
to-- 7,a7 making the ,program permanent 
to enable access to services provided   
under the ,program by a greater number  
of women members of the ,armed ,forces  
at locations throughout the ,united     
,states2  7,b7 offering the ,program    
online for women members of the ,armed  
,forces who are unable to attend courses
 held under the ,program in person2 and 
7,c7 the feasability of automatically   
enrolling ,program participants in the  
health care system of the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs under section       

#agje7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code4  7c7 ,appropriate congressional  
committees defined ,in this section1 the
 term appropriate congressional         
committees 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  #cjjf4 ,authority for
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to    
furnish medically necessary             
transportation for newborn children of  
certain women veterans  7a7 ,in general 
,section #aghf of title #ch1 ,united    
,states ,code1 as amended by section    
#iajb of the ,william ,m4 7,mac7        
,thornberry ,national ,defense          
,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year   
#bjba1 is further amended-- 7#a7 in     
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in the matter     
before paragraph 7#a71 by inserting and 
transportation necessary to receive such
 services after described in subsection 

7b72  7,b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by        
striking or2  7,c7 in paragraph 7#b71 by
 striking the period at the end and     
inserting 2 or2 and  7,d7 by adding at  
the end the following new paragraph3    
7#c7 another location1 including a      
health care facility1 if the veteran    
delivers the child before arriving at a 
facility described in paragraph 7#a7 or 
7#b74  2  7#b7 in subsection 7b71 by    
inserting before the period at the end  
the following3 1 including necessary    
health care services provided by a      
facility other than the facility where  
the newborn child was delivered         
7including a specialty pediatric        
hospital7 that accepts transfer of the  
newborn child and responsibility for    
treatment of the newborn child2 and     
7#c7 by adding at the end the following 
new subsections3  7d7 ,transportation   
7#a7 ,transportation furnished under    
subsection 7a7 to1 from1 or between care
 settings to meet the needs of a newborn
 child includes costs for either or both

 the newborn child and parents4  7#b7   
,transportation furnished under         
subsection 7a7 includes transportation  
by ambulance1 including air ambulance1  
or other appropriate medically staffed  
modes of transportation-- 7,a7 to       
another health care facility 7including 
a specialty pediatric hospital7 that    
accepts transfer of the newborn child or
 otherwise provides post-delivery care  
services when the treating facility is  
not capable of furnishing the care or   
services required2 or  7,b7 to a health 
care facility in a medical emergency of 
such nature that a prudent layperson    
reasonably expects that delay in seeking
 immediate medical attention would be   
hazardous to life or health4  7#c7      
,amounts paid by the ,department for    
transportation under this section shall 
be derived from the ,medical ,services  
appropriations account of the           
,department4  7e7 ,reimbursement or     
payment for health care services or     
transportation  7#a7 ,pursuant to       

regulations the ,secretary shall        
prescribe to establish rates of         
reimbursement and any limitations       
thereto under this section1 the         
,secretary shall directly reimburse a   
covered entity for health care services 
or transportation services provided     
under this section1 unless the cost of  
the services or transportation is       
covered by an established agreement or  
contract4 ,if such an agreement or      
contract exists1 its negotiated payment 
terms shall apply4  7#b7 7,a7           
,reimbursement or payment by the        
,secretary under this section on behalf 
of an individual to a covered entity    
shall1 unless rejected and refunded by  
the covered entity within #cj days of   
receipt1 extinguish any liability on the
 part of the individual for the health  
care services or transportation covered 
by such payment4  7,b7 ,neither the     
absence of a contract or agreement      
between the ,secretary and a covered    
entity nor any provision of a contract1 

agreement1 or assignment to the contrary
 shall operate to modify1 limit1 or     
negate the requirements of subparagraph 
7,a74  7#c7 ,in this subsection1 the    
term covered entity means any           
individual1 transportation carrier1     
organization1 or other entity that      
furnished or paid for health care       
services or transportation under this   
section4  4  7b7 ,treatment of certain  
expenses already incurred  7#a7 ,in     
general ,pursuant to such regulations as
 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall prescribe1 with respect to        
transportation furnished in order for a 
newborn child of a veteran to receive   
health care services under section #aghf
 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1   
during the period specified in paragraph
 7#b71 the ,secretary may-- 7,a7 waive a
 debt owed by the veteran to the        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs or    
reimburse expenses already paid by the  
veteran to the ,department for such     
transportation2  7,b7 reimburse the     

veteran for expenses already paid by the
 veteran to a covered entity for such   
transportation2 or  7,c7 reimburse a    
covered entity for the costs of such    
transportation4  7#b7 ,period specified 
,the period specified in this paragraph 
is the period beginning on ,may #e1     
#bjaj1 and ending on the date of the    
enactment of this ,act4  7#c7 ,covered  
entity defined ,in this subsection1 the 
term covered entity has the meaning     
given that term in section #aghf7;e77#c7
 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as
 added by subsection 7a74  #cjjg4       
,waiver of requirements of ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs for receipt of per
 diem payments for domiciliary care at  
,state homes and modification of        
eligibility for such payments  7a7      
,waiver of requirements ,notwithstanding
 section #agda of title #ch1 ,united    
,states ,code 7as amended by subsection 
7b771 the ,secretary of ,veterans       
,affairs shall modify section #ea4ea7;b7
 of title #ch1 ,code of ,federal        

,regulations 7or successor regulations71
 to provide the ,secretary the authority
 to waive the requirements under such   
section #ea4ea7;b7 for a veteran to be  
eligible for per diem payments for      
domiciliary care at a ,state home if--  
7#a7 the veteran has met not fewer than 
four of the requirements set forth in   
such section2 or  7#b7 such waiver would
 be in the best interest of the veteran4
  7b7 ,modification of eligibility      
,section #agda7;a77#a7 of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code1 is amended1 in   
the flush text following subparagraph   
7,b71 by striking in a ,department      
facility and inserting under the laws   
administered by the ,secretary4  7c7    
,state home defined ,in this section1   
the term ,state home has the meaning    
given that term in section #aja7ai7 of  
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4       
#cjjh4 ,expansion of quarterly update of
 information on staffing and vacancies  
at facilities of the ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs to include           

information on duration of hiring       
process  7a7 ,quarterly update          
,subsection 7a77#a7 of section #eje of  
the ,,va ,,mission ,act of #bjah        
7,public ,law #aae-ahb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4   
#cja note7 is amended by adding at the  
end the following new subparagraph3     
7,e7 ,beginning with any update under   
paragraph 7#c7 on or after the date of  
the enactment of the ,johnny ,isakson   
and ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans   
,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement
 ,act of #bjbj1 the following3 7i7 ,for 
employees appointed under paragraphs    
7#a7 and 7#c7 of section #gdja of title 
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 the number  
of employees for which the duration of  
the process from validation of vacancy  
to receipt of official offer and        
notification of actual start date       
exceeds the metrics laid out in the     
,time to ,hire ,model of the ,veterans  
,health ,administration1 or successor   
model4  7ii7 ,the percentage of         
employees who are described in clause   

7i7 compared to all employees appointed 
under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#c7 of       
section #gdja of such title during the  
same period4  7iii7 ,the average number 
of days potential hires or new hires    
appointed under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#c7
 of section #gdja of such title spent in
 each phase of the ,time to ,hire       
,model1 or successor model4  4  7b7     
,annual report ,subsection 7b7 of such  
section is amended1 in the first        
sentence1 by adding before the period at
 the end the following3 and to improve  
the onboard timeline for facilities for 
which the duration of the onboarding    
process exceeds the metrics laid out in 
the ,time to ,hire ,model of the        
,veterans ,health ,administration1 or   
successor model4  #cjji4 ,requirement   
for certain ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs medical facilities to have     
physical location for the disposal of   
controlled substances medications  7a7  
,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans
 ,affairs shall ensure that each covered

 ,department medical facility has a     
physical location where patients may    
dispose of controlled substances        
medications4  7b7 ,covered ,department  
medical facility ,in this section1 the  
term covered ,department medical        
facility means a medical facility of the
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs with 
an onsite pharmacy or a physical        
location dedicated for law enforcement  
purposes4  7c7 ,effective date ,this    
section shall take effect on ,january   
#a1 #bjbb4  #cjaj4 ,department of       
,veterans ,affairs pilot program for    
clinical observation by undergraduate   
students  7a7 ,establishment ,the       
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
carry out a pilot program for a one-year
 period1 beginning not later than       
,august #ae1 #bjba1 to provide certain  
students described in subsection 7d7 a  
clinical observation experience at      
medical centers of the ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs4  7b7 ,medical center
 selection ,the ,secretary shall carry  

out the pilot program under this section
 at not fewer than five medical centers 
of the ,department4 ,in selecting such  
medical centers1 the ,secretary shall   
ensure regional diversity among such    
selected medical centers4  7c7 ,clinical
 observation sessions  7#a7 ,frequency  
and ,duration ,in carrying out the pilot
 program1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7   
provide at least one and not more than  
three clinical observation sessions at  
each medical center selected during each
 calendar year2  7,b7 ensure that each  
clinical observation session-- 7i7 lasts
 between four and six months2 and  7ii7 
to the extent practicable1 begins and   
ends concurrently with one or more      
academic terms of an institution of     
higher education 7as defined in section 
#aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of  
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja772 and  7,c7 
ensure that the clinical observation    
sessions provided at a medical center   
have minimal overlap4  7#b7 ,sessions   
,the ,secretary shall ensure that the   

pilot program consists of clinical      
observation sessions as follows3 7,a7   
,each session shall allow for not fewer 
than five students nor greater than #ae 
students to participate in the session4 
7,b7 ,each session shall consist of not 
fewer than #bj observational hours nor  
greater than #dj observational hours4   
7,c7 ,a majority of the observational   
hours shall be spent observing a health 
professional4 ,the other observational  
hours shall be spent in a manner that   
ensures a robust1 well rounded          
experience that exposes the students to 
a variety of aspects of medical care and
 health care administration4  7,d7 ,each
 session shall provide a diverse        
clinical observation experience4  7d7   
,students  7#a7 ,selection ,the         
,secretary shall select to participate  
in the pilot program under subsection   
7a7 students who are-- 7,a7 nationals of
 the ,united ,states2  7,b7 enrolled in 
an accredited program of study at an    
institution of higher education2 and    

7,c7 referred by their institution of   
higher education following an internal  
application process4  7#b7 ,priority ,in
 making such selection1 the ,secretary  
shall give priority to each of the      
following five categories of students3  
7,a7 ,students who1 at the time of the  
completion of their secondary education1
 resided in a health professional       
shortage area 7as defined in section    
#ccb of the ,public ,health ,service    
,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;e774  7,b7     
,first generation college students 7as  
defined in section #djb;,a7h77#c7 of the
 ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj  
,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a7774  7,c7 ,students  
who have been referred by               
minority-serving institutions 7as       
defined in section #cga7;a7 of the      
,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj   
,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a7774  7,d7 ,veterans  
7as defined in section #aja of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code74  7,e7      
,students who indicate an intention to  
specialize in a health professional     

occupation identified by the ,inspector 
,general of the ,department under       
section #gdab of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 as having a staffing     
shortage4  7#c7 ,assignment to medical  
centers ,the ,secretary shall assign    
students selected under paragraph 7#a7  
to medical centers selected under       
subsection 7b7 without regard for       
whether such medical centers have       
staffing shortages in any health        
professional occupation pursuant to     
section #gdab of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code4  7e7 ,other matters ,in  
carrying out the pilot program under    
this section1 the ,secretary shall--    
7#a7 establish a formal status to       
facilitate the access to medical centers
 of the ,department by student observers
 participating in the pilot program2    
7#b7 establish standardized legal1      
privacy1 and ethical requirements for   
the student observers1 including with   
respect to-- 7,a7 ensuring that no      
student observer provides any care to   

patients while participating as an      
observer2 and  7,b7 ensuring the        
suitability of a student to participate 
in the pilot program to ensure that the 
student poses no risk to patients2  7#c7
 develop and implement a partnership    
strategy with minority-serving          
institutions to encourage referrals2    
7#d7 create standardized procedures for 
student observers2  7#e7 create an      
online information page about the pilot 
program on the internet website of the  
,department2  7#f7 publish on the online
 information page created under         
paragraph 7#e7 the locations of such    
centers1 and other information on the   
pilot program1 not later than #ahj days 
before the date on which applications   
are required to be submitted by         
potential student observers2  7#g7      
identify medical centers and specific   
health professionals participating in   
the pilot program2 and  7#h7 notify the 
,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of   
the ,house of ,representatives and the  

,senate of the medical centers selected 
under subsection 7c7 within #cj days of 
selection1 to facilitate program        
awareness4  7f7 ,report ,not later than 
#ahj days after the completion of the   
pilot program under subsection 7a71 the 
,secretary shall submit to the          
,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of   
the ,house of ,representatives and the  
,senate a report on the results of the  
pilot program1 including-- 7#a7 the     
number and demographics of all          
applicants1 those accepted to           
participate in the pilot program1 and   
those who completed the pilot program2  
and  7#b7 if participating institutions 
of higher education choose to administer
 satisfaction surveys that assess the   
experience of those who completed the   
pilot program1 the results of any such  
satisfaction surveys1 provided at the   
discretion of the institution of higher 
education4  7g7 ,sense of ,congress     
regarding ,department of ,veterans      
,affairs pilot program for clinical     

observation by undergraduate students   
,it is the sense of ,congress that the  
pilot program described in subsection   
7a7 should be designed to-- 7#a7        
increase the awareness1 knowledge1 and  
empathy of future health professionals  
toward the health conditions common to  
veterans2  7#b7 increase the diversity  
of the recruitment pool of future       
physicians of the ,department2 and  7#c7
 expand clinical observation            
opportunities for all students by       
encouraging students of all backgrounds 
to consider a career in the health      
professions4  7h7 ,no additional funds  
authorized ,no additional funds are     
authorized to be appropriated to carry  
out the requirements of this section4   
,such requirements shall be carried out 
using amounts otherwise authorized to be
 appropriated4  ,b ,scheduling and      
consult management  #caja4 ,process and 
requirements for scheduling appointments
 for health care from ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs and non-,department  

health care  7a7 ,process and           
requirements  7#a7 ,in general ,not     
later than #fj days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall--
 7,a7 establish a process and           
requirements for scheduling appointments
 for-- 7i7 health care from the         
,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 and  
7ii7 health care furnished through the  
,veterans ,community ,care ,program     
under section #agjc of title #ch1       
,united ,states ,code1 by a             
non-,department health care provider2   
and  7,b7 submit to the ,committee on   
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and  
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,house of ,representatives a       
description of such process and         
requirements4  7#b7 ,elements of        
description ,the description of the     
process and requirements for scheduling 
appointments for health care required to
 be submitted under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 
shall include-- 7,a7 information on how 

such process and requirements take into 
account the access standards established
 under section #agjc;,b of title #ch1   
,united ,states ,code2 and  7,b7 the    
maximum number of days allowed to       
complete each step of such process4     
7#c7 ,periodic revision  7,a7 ,in       
general ,the ,secretary may revise the  
process and requirements required under 
paragraph 7#a7 as the ,secretary        
considers necessary4  7,b7 ,submittal to
 ,congress ,not later than #cj days     
before revising the process and         
requirements under subparagraph 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 description of such  
revised process and requirements1       
including a description of any          
modifications to the certification and  
training under subsection 7b74  7b7     
,certification and training on process  
and requirements  7#a7 ,certification   

,not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act1 the      
,secretary shall require each individual
 involved in the scheduling of          
appointments for health care from the   
,department or health care described in 
subsection 7a77#a77;,a77ii71 including  
schedulers1 clinical coordinators1 and  
supervisors1 to certify to the          
,secretary that the individual          
understands the process and requirements
 established under subsection 7a71      
including the maximum number of days    
allowed to complete each step of such   
process4  7#b7 ,new employees ,the      
,secretary shall require each employee  
hired by the ,department on or after the
 date of the enactment of this ,act who 
is to be involved in the scheduling of  
appointments for health care from the   
,department or health care described in 
subsection 7a77#a77;,a77ii7-- 7,a7 to   
undergo training on the process and     
requirements established under          
subsection 7a7 as part of training for  

the position for which the employee has 
been hired2 and  7,b7 to make the       
certification to the ,secretary required
 under paragraph 7#a74  7c7 ,method to  
monitor compliance  7#a7 ,in general    
,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act1 the     
,secretary shall establish or maintain a
 method or tool-- 7,a7 to enable        
monitoring of the compliance of the     
,department with the process and        
requirements established under          
subsection 7a71 including compliance    
with policies of the ,department        
relating to the maximum number of days  
allowed to complete each step of such   
process2 and  7,b7 to ensure that each  
medical facility of the ,department     
complies with such process and          
requirements4  7#b7 ,use throughout     
,department  7,a7 ,in general ,the      
,secretary shall require each medical   
facility of the ,department to use the  
method or tool described in paragraph   
7#a74  7,b7 ,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 indicating    
whether each medical facility of the    
,department is using the method or tool 
described in paragraph 7#a74  7d7       
,comptroller ,general report ,not later 
than two years after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 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 
the compliance of the ,secretary with   
the requirements of this section4       
#cajb4 ,audits regarding scheduling of  
appointments and management of          
consultations for health care from      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
non-,department health care  7a7 ,in    
general ,not later than each of one year

 and two years after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall provide for 
the conduct of a facility-level audit of
 the scheduling of appointments and the 
management of consultations for health  
care under the laws administered by the 
,secretary4  7b7 ,application  7#a7     
,first audit ,the first audit required  
under subsection 7a7 shall apply to each
 medical facility of the ,department of 
,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7 ,second audit 
,the second audit required under        
subsection 7a7 shall apply to only those
 medical facilities of the ,department  
that are in need of corrective action   
based on the first audit1 as determined 
by the ,secretary4  7c7 ,elements ,each 
audit conducted under subsection 7a7    
shall include the following3 7#a7 ,with 
respect to each medical center of the   
,department covered by the audit1 an    
assessment of any scheduling or         
consultation management issues at that  
medical center1 including the following3

 7,a7 ,an assessment of noncompliance   
with policies of the ,veterans ,health  
,administration relating to scheduling  
appointments and managing consultations4
  7,b7 ,an assessment of the extent to  
which appointments or consultations are 
not timely processed4  7,c7 ,a          
description of any backlogs in          
appointments or consultations that are  
awaiting action4  7,d7 ,an assessment of
 whether consultations are appropriately
 processed4  7,e7 ,data with respect to 
consultations as follows3 7i7           
,consultations that were scheduled      
within the request window4  7ii7        
,duplicate consultation requests4  7iii7
 ,consultations that were discontinued4 
7iv7 ,delays in consultations4  7v7     
,consultations that were not properly   
closed or discontinued1 including a     
description of remediation attempts4    
7,f7 ,a review for accuracy with respect
 to consultation management as follows3 
7i7 ,a review of the accuracy of the    
type of service1 either administrative  

or clinical1 that is inputted in the    
electronic health record4  7ii7 ,a      
review of the accuracy of the type of   
consultation setting1 either impatient  
or outpatient1 that is inputted in the  
electronic health record4  7iii7 ,a     
review of the appropriateness of the    
level of urgency of the consultation    
that is inputted in the electronic      
health record4  7iv7 ,a review of any   
delayed or unresolved consultations4    
7#b7 ,an identification of such         
recommendations for corrective action as
 the ,secretary considers necessary1    
including additional training1 increased
 personnel1 and other resources4  7#c7  
,a certification that the director of   
each medical center of the ,department  
covered by the audit is in compliance   
with the process and requirements       
established under section #caja7;a7 and 
such other requirements relating to the 
scheduling of appointments and          
management of consultations as the      
,secretary considers appropriate4  7#d7 

,with respect to referrals for health   
care between health care providers or   
facilities of the ,department1 a        
measurement of1 for each medical        
facility of the ,department covered by  
the audit-- 7,a7 the period of time     
between-- 7i7 the date that a clinician 
of the ,department determines that a    
veteran requires care from another      
health care provider or facility and the
 date that the referral for care is sent
 to the other health care provider or   
facility2  7ii7 the date that the       
referral for care is sent to the other  
health care provider or facility and the
 date that the other health care        
provider or facility accepts the        
referral2  7iii7 the date that the other
 health care provider or facility       
accepts the referral and the date that  
the appointment with the other health   
care provider or at the other facility  
is made2 and  7iv7 the date that the    
appointment with the other health care  
provider or at the other facility is    

made and the date of the appointment    
with the other health care provider or  
at the other facility2 and  7,b7 any    
other period of time that the ,secretary
 determines necessary to measure4  7#e7 
,with respect to referrals for          
non-,department health care originating 
from medical facilities of the          
,department1 a measurement of1 for each 
such facility covered by the audit--    
7,a7 the period of time between-- 7i7   
the date that a clinician of the        
,department determines that a veteran   
requires care1 or a veteran presents to 
the ,department requesting care1 and the
 date that the referral for care is sent
 to a non-,department health care       
provider2  7ii7 the date that the       
referral for care is sent to a          
non-,department health care provider and
 the date that a non-,department health 
care provider accepts the referral2     
7iii7 the date that a non-,department   
health care provider accepts the        
referral and the date that the referral 

to a non-,department health care        
provider is completed2  7iv7 the date   
that the referral to a non-,department  
health care provider is completed and   
the date that an appointment with a     
non-,department health care provider is 
made2 and  7v7 the date that an         
appointment with a non-,department      
health care provider is made and the    
date that an appointment with a         
non-,department health care provider    
occurs2 and  7,b7 any other period of   
time that the ,secretary determines     
necessary to measure4  7d7 ,conduct of  
audit by third party ,each audit        
conducted under subsection 7a7 with     
respect to a medical facility of the    
,department shall be conducted by an    
individual or entity that is not        
affiliated with the facility4  7e7      
,transmittal to ,,vha ,each audit       
conducted under subsection 7a7 shall be 
transmitted to the ,under ,secretary for
 ,health of the ,department so that the 
,under ,secretary can-- 7#a7 strengthen 

oversight of the scheduling of          
appointments and management of          
consultations throughout the            
,department2  7#b7 monitor national     
policy on such scheduling and           
management2 and  7#c7 develop a         
remediation plan to address issues      
uncovered by those audits4  7f7 ,annual 
report  7#a7 ,in general ,not later than
 ,december #ca of each year in which an 
audit is conducted under 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 on the audit  
conducted during that year4  7#b7       
,elements ,the ,secretary shall include 
in each report required by paragraph    
7#a7-- 7,a7 the nationwide results of   
the audit conducted under subsection    
7a72  7,b7 the results of such audit    
with respect to each medical facility of
 the ,department covered by such audit2 
7,c7 an assessment of how the           

,department strengthened oversight of   
the scheduling of appointments and      
management of consultations at each such
 facility as a result of the audit2     
7,d7 an assessment of how the audit     
informed the national policy of the     
,department with respect to the         
scheduling of appointments and          
management of consultations2 and  7,e7 a
 description of any remediation plans to
 address issues raised by the audit that
 was completed4  #cajc4 ,administration 
of non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 health care  7a7 ,certification of     
proper administration of non-,department
 care  7#a7 ,review  7,a7 ,in general   
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall conduct a review of the staffing1 
training1 and other requirements        
necessary to administer section #agjc of
 title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7,b7
 ,elements ,the review conducted under  
subparagraph 7,a7 shall include1 with   
respect to each medical facility of the 
,department of ,veterans ,affairs-- 7i7 

an assessment of the type of positions  
required to be staffed at the medical   
facility2  7ii7 the number of such      
positions authorized2  7iii7 the number 
of such positions funded2  7iv7 the     
number of such positions filled2 and    
7v7 the number of additional such       
positions required to be authorized4    
7#b7 ,submittal to ,congress ,not later 
than #ahj days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 and every #ahj  
days 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-- 7,a7 the  
results of the review conducted under   
paragraph 7#a72 and  7,b7 a             
certification that the ,secretary has   
established all staffing1 training1 and 
other requirements required to be       
reviewed under such paragraph4  7b7     
,scheduling of appointments  7#a7       
,measurement of timeliness for each     
facility ,not later than #abj days after

 the date of the enactment of this ,act1
 the ,secretary shall measure1 with     
respect to referrals for non-,department
 health care originating from medical   
facilities of the ,department1 for each 
such facility-- 7,a7 the period of time 
between-- 7i7 the date that a clinician 
of the ,department determines that a    
veteran requires care1 or a veteran     
presents to the ,department requesting  
care1 and the date that the referral for
 care is sent to a non-,department      
health care provider2  7ii7 the date    
that the referral for care is sent to a 
non-,department health care provider and
 the date that a non-,department health 
care provider accepts the referral2     
7iii7 the date that a non-,department   
health care provider accepts the        
referral and the date that the referral 
to a non-,department health care        
provider is completed2  7iv7 the date   
that the referral to a non-,department  
health care provider is completed and   
the date that an appointment with a     

non-,department health care provider is 
made2 and  7v7 the date that an         
appointment with a non-,department      
health care provider is made and the    
date that an appointment with a         
non-,department health care provider    
occurs2 and  7,b7 any other period of   
time that the ,secretary determines     
necessary to measure4  7#b7 ,submissions
 to ,congress  7,a7 ,in general ,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 the data measured under
 paragraph 7#a71 disaggregated by       
medical facility4  7,b7 ,update ,not    
less frequently than biweekly1 the      
,secretary shall update the data        
submitted under subparagraph 7,a74  7c7 
,comptroller ,general report  7#a7      
,review ,beginning not later than one   
year after the date of the enactment of 

this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of 
the ,united ,states shall review        
compliance by the ,secretary with the   
requirements of this section1 including 
a review of the validity and reliability
 of data submitted by the ,secretary    
under subsection 7b77#b74  7#b7 ,report 
,not later than three 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 the results of the     
review conducted under paragraph 7#a74  
#cajd4 ,examination of health care      
consultation and scheduling positions of
 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7 
,proper grading of consultation and     
scheduling positions  7#a7 ,in general  
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall conduct an examination of health  
care positions of the ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs to determine whether 
health care positions involved in the   

consultation and scheduling processes   
are appropriately graded4  7#b7         
,consultation ,in conducting the        
examination under paragraph 7#a71 the   
,secretary shall consult with health    
care staffing experts in the ,federal   
,government and the private sector4     
7#c7 ,submittal to ,congress ,not later 
than #abj days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall submit to the appropriate         
committees of ,congress the results of  
the examination conducted under         
paragraph 7#a74  7b7 ,review of         
onboarding process ,not later than #ahj 
days after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit  
to the appropriate committees of        
,congress-- 7#a7 a review of the        
onboarding process of individuals in    
health care positions described in      
subsection 7a71 including how long it   
takes to hire those individuals2 and    
7#b7 a description of any changes that  
the ,secretary has made or plans to make

 to improve that process4  7c7          
,appropriate committees of ,congress    
defined ,in this section1 the term      
appropriate committees of ,congress     
means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on          
,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee  
on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and  
7#b7 the ,committee on ,veterans'       
,affairs and the ,committee on          
,appropriations of the ,house of        
,representatives4  ,,iv ,navy ,,seal    
,bill ,mulder  #djja4 ,short title ,this
 title may be cited as the ,navy ,,seal 
,bill ,mulder ,act of #bjbj4  ,a        
,service-connection and ,,covid-#ai     
#daja4 ,presumptions of                 
service-connection for members of ,armed
 ,forces who contract ,coronavirus      
,disease #bjai under certain            
circumstances  7a7 ,in general          
,subchapter ,,vi of chapter #aa of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new  
section3  #aafd4 ,presumptions of       
service-connection for ,coronavirus     

,disease #bjai  7a7 ,presumptions       
generally  7#a7 ,for purposes of laws   
administered by the ,secretary and      
subject to section #aaac of this title1 
if symptoms of ,coronavirus ,disease    
#bjai 7in this section referred to as   
,,covid-#ai7 described in subsection 7d7
 manifest within one of the             
manifestation periods described in      
paragraph 7#b7 in an individual who     
served in a qualifying period of duty   
described in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7      
infection with severe acute respiratory 
syndrome coronavirus #b 7in this section
 referred to as ,,sars-,co,v-#b7 shall  
be presumed to have occurred during the 
qualifying period of duty2  7,b7        
,,covid-#ai shall be presumed to have   
been incurred during the qualifying     
period of duty2 and  7,c7 if the        
individual becomes disabled or dies as a
 result of ,,covid-#ai1 it shall be     
presumed that the individual became     
disabled or died during the qualifying  
period of duty for purposes of          

establishing that the individual served 
in the active military1 naval1 or air   
service4  7#b7 7,a7 ,the manifestation  
periods described in this paragraph are 
the following3 7i7 ,during a qualifying 
period of duty described in subsection  
7b71 if that period of duty was more    
than #dh continuous hours in duration4  
7ii7 ,within #ad days after the         
individual's completion of a qualifying 
period of duty described in subsection  
7b74  7iii7 ,an additional period       
prescribed under subparagraph 7,b74     
7,b7 7i7 ,if the ,secretary determines  
that a manifestation period of more than
 #ad days after completion of a         
qualifying period of service is         
appropriate for the presumptions under  
paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary may      
prescribe that additional period by     
regulation4  7ii7 ,a determination under
 clause 7i7 shall be made in            
consultation with the ,director of the  
,centers for ,disease ,control and      
,prevention4  7b7 ,qualifying period of 

duty described ,a qualifying period of  
duty described in this subsection is--  
7#a7 a period of active duty performed--
 7,a7 during the national emergency     
declared by the ,president under the    
,national ,emergencies ,act 7#ej        
,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq472 and  7,b7     
before the date that is three years     
after the date of the enactment of the  
,johnny ,isakson and ,david ,p4 ,roe1   
,m4,d4 ,veterans ,health ,care and      
,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjbj2 or
  7#b7 training duty under title #aj or 
full-time ,national ,guard duty 7as     
defined in section #aja of title #aj71  
performed under orders issued on or     
after ,march #ac1 #bjbj-- 7,a7 during   
the national emergency declared by the  
,president under the ,national          
,emergencies ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afja  
et seq472 and  7,b7 before the date that
 is three years after the date of the   
enactment of the ,johnny ,isakson and   
,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans       
,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement

 ,act of #bjbj4  7c7 ,application of    
presumptions for training duty ,when1   
pursuant to subsection 7a71 ,,covid-#ai 
is presumed to have been incurred during
 a qualifying period of duty described  
in subsection 7b77#b7-- 7#a7 ,,covid-#ai
 shall be deemed to have been incurred  
in the line of duty during a period of  
active military1 naval1 or air service2 
and  7#b7 where entitlement to benefits 
under this title is predicated on the   
individual who was disabled or died     
being a veteran1 benefits for disability
 or death resulting from ,,covid-#ai as 
described in subsection 7a7 shall be    
paid or furnished as if the individual  
was a veteran1 without regard to whether
 the period of duty would constitute    
active military1 naval1 or air service  
under section #aja of this title4  7d7  
,symptoms of ,,covid-#ai ,for purposes  
of subsection 7a71 symptoms of          
,,covid-#ai are those symptoms that     
competent medical evidence demonstrates 
are experienced by an individual        

affected and directly related to        
,,covid-#ai4  7e7 ,medical examinations 
and opinions ,if there is a question of 
whether the symptoms experienced by an  
individual described in paragraph 7#a7  
of subsection 7a7 during a manifestation
 period described in paragraph 7#b7 of  
such subsection are attributable to     
,,covid-#ai resulting from infection    
with ,,sars-,co,v-#b during the         
qualifying period of duty1 in           
determining whether a medical           
examination or medical opinion is       
necessary to make a decision on the     
claim within the meaning of section     
#eajc;,a7d7 of this title1 a qualifying 
period of duty described in subsection  
7b7 of this section shall be treated as 
if it were active military1 naval1 or   
air service for purposes of section     
#eajc;,a7d77#b77;,b7 of this title4  4  
7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of   
sections at the beginning of such       
subchapter is amended by adding at the  
end the following new item3  #aafd4     

,presumptions of service-connection for 
,coronavirus ,disease #bjai4  4  ,b     
,assistance for homeless veterans       
#dbja4 ,flexibility for the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs in caring for     
homeless veterans during a covered      
public health emergency  7a7 ,general   
support  7#a7 ,use of funds ,during a   
covered public health emergency1 the    
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may use
 amounts appropriated or otherwise made 
available to the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs to carry out sections
 #bjaa1 #bjab1 #bjca1 and #bjfa of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to provide 
to homeless veterans and veterans       
participating in the program carried out
 under section #h7o77#ai7 of the ,united
 ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db    
,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77#ai77 7commonly    
referred to as ,,hud-,,vash71 as the    
,secretary determines is needed1 the    
following3 7,a7 ,assistance required for
 safety and survival 7such as food1     
shelter1 clothing1 blankets1 and hygiene

 items74  7,b7 ,transportation required 
to support stability and health 7such as
 for appointments with service          
providers1 conducting housing searches1 
and obtaining food and supplies74  7,c7 
,communications equipment and services  
7such as tablets1 smartphones1          
disposable phones1 and related service  
plans7 required to support stability and
 health 7such as maintaining contact    
with service providers1 prospective     
landlords1 and family74  7,d7 ,such     
other assistance as the ,secretary      
determines is needed4  7#b7 ,homeless   
veterans on land of the ,department     
7,a7 ,collaboration ,during a covered   
public health emergency1 to the extent  
possible1 the ,secretary may collaborate
 with one or more organizations to      
manage use of land of the ,department   
for homeless veterans for living and    
sleeping4  7,b7 ,elements ,collaboration
 under subparagraph 7,a7 may include the
 provision by either the ,secretary or  
the organization of food services and   

security for property1 buildings1 and   
other facilities owned or controlled by 
the ,department4  7b7 ,grant and ,per   
,diem ,program  7#a7 ,limits on rates   
for per diem payments ,section          
#bjjac7;b7 of the ,coronavirus ,aid1    
,relief1 and ,economic ,security ,act   
7#ch ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa note2 ,public ,law 
#aaf-acf7 is amended-- 7,a7 by          
redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7  
as subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71         
respectively2  7,b7 in the matter       
preceding subparagraph 7,a71 as so      
redesignated1 by inserting 7#a7 before  
,in the case2 and  7,c7 by adding at the
 end the following3  7#b7 ,if the       
,secretary waives any limit on grant    
amounts or rates for per diem payments  
under paragraph 7#a71 notwithstanding   
section #bjab7;a77#b77;,b7 of such      
title1 the maximum rate for per diem    
payments described in paragraph         
7#a77;,b7 shall be three times the rate 
authorized for ,state homes for         
domiciliary care under section #agda of 

such title4  4  7#b7 ,modification of   
funding limits for grants ,subsection   
7c77#b7 of section #bjaa of title #ch1  
,united ,states ,code1 shall not apply  
to any grant awarded during a covered   
public health emergency under such      
section for a project described in      
subsection 7b77#a7 of such section4     
7#c7 ,use of per diem payments ,during a
 covered public health emergency1 a     
recipient of a grant or an eligible     
entity under the grant and per diem     
program of the ,department 7in this     
subsection referred to as the program7  
may use per diem payments under sections
 #bjab and #bjfa of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code1 to provide assistance    
required for safety and survival 7such  
as food1 shelter1 clothing1 blankets1   
and hygiene items7 for-- 7,a7 homeless  
veterans2 and  7,b7 formerly homeless   
veterans residing in a facility operated
 wholly or in part by such a recipient  
or eligible entity receiving per diem   
payments under section #bjab of such    

title4  7#d7 ,additional transitional   
housing  7,a7 ,in general ,during a     
covered public health emergency1 under  
the program1 the ,secretary may provide 
amounts for additional transitional     
housing beds to facilitate access to    
housing and services provided to        
homeless veterans4  7,b7 ,notice2       
competition2 period of performance ,the 
,secretary may provide amounts under    
subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 without notice  
or competition2 and  7ii7 for a period  
of performance determined by the        
,secretary4  7#e7 ,inspections and ,life
 ,safety ,code requirements  7,a7 ,in   
general ,during a covered public health 
emergency1 the ,secretary may waive any 
requirement under subsection 7b7 or 7c7 
of section #bjab of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code1 in order to allow the    
recipient of a grant or an eligible     
entity under the program-- 7i7 to       
quickly identify temporary alternate    
sites of care for homeless veterans that
 are suitable for habitation2  7ii7 to  

facilitate social distancing or         
isolation needs2 or  7iii7 to facilitate
 activation or continuation of a program
 for which a grant has been awarded4    
7,b7 ,limitation ,the ,secretary may    
waive a requirement pursuant to the     
authority provided by subparagraph 7,a7 
with respect to a facility of a         
recipient of a grant or an eligible     
entity under the program only if the    
facility meets applicable local safety  
requirements1 including fire safety     
requirements4  7#f7 ,disposition of     
property relating to grants ,during a   
covered public health emergency1 if the 
recipient of a grant awarded before or  
during such emergency under section     
#bjaa of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 for a project described in       
subsection 7b77#a7 of such section is no
 longer providing services in accordance
 with the terms of the grant1 the       
recipient shall not be subject during   
such emergency to any property          
disposition requirements relating to the

 grant under subsection 7c7 or 7f7 of   
section #fa4fg of title #ch1 ,code of   
,federal ,regulations1 section          
#bjj4caa7;c7 of title #b1 ,code of      
,federal ,regulations1 or successor     
regulations4  7c7 ,inspection and ,life 
,safety ,code requirements for          
therapeutic housing  7#a7 ,in general   
,during a covered public health         
emergency1 the ,secretary may waive any 
inspection or life safety code          
requirement under subsection 7c7 of     
section #bjcb of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code-- 7,a7 to allow quick     
identification of temporary alternate   
sites of care for homeless veterans that
 are suitable for habitation2  7,b7 to  
facilitate social distancing or         
isolation needs2 or  7,c7 to facilitate 
the operation of housing under such     
section4  7#b7 ,limitation ,the         
,secretary may waive a requirement      
pursuant to the authority provided by   
paragraph 7#a7 with respect to a        
residence or facility referred to in    

such section #bjcb only if the residence
 or facility1 as the case may be1 meets 
applicable local safety requirements1   
including fire safety requirements4  7d7
 ,access to ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs telehealth services ,to the    
extent practicable1 during a covered    
public health emergency1 the ,secretary 
shall ensure that veterans participating
 in or receiving services from a program
 under chapter #bj of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code1 have access to          
telehealth services to which such       
veterans are eligible under the laws    
administered by the ,secretary1         
including by ensuring that telehealth   
capabilities are available to-- 7#a7    
such veterans2  7#b7 case managers of   
the ,department of programs for homeless
 veterans authorized under such chapter2
 and  7#c7 community-based service      
providers for homeless veterans         
receiving funds from the ,department    
through grants or contracts4  7e7       
,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7     

,covered public health emergency ,the   
term covered public health emergency    
means an emergency with respect to      
,,covid-#ai declared by a ,federal1     
,state1 or local authority4  7#b7       
,homeless veteran2 veteran ,the terms   
homeless veteran and veteran have the   
meanings given those terms in section   
#bjjb of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code4  7#c7 ,telehealth  7,a7 ,in      
general ,the term telehealth means the  
use of electronic information and       
telecommunications technologies to      
support and promote long-distance       
clinical health care1 patient and       
professional health-related education1  
public health1 and health               
administration4  7,b7 ,technologies ,for
 purposes of subparagraph 7,a71         
telecommunications technologies include 
video conferencing1 the internet1       
streaming media1 and terrestrial and    
wireless communications4  #dbjb4 ,legal 
services for homeless veterans and      
veterans at risk for homelessness  7a7  

,in general ,subchapter ,,iii of 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 shall award 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 on trust lands1 and  
in the territories and possessions of   
the ,united ,states2 and  7,b7 consult  
with organizations that have experience 
in providing services to homeless       
veterans1 including-- 7i7 veterans      
service organizations2  7ii7 the ,equal 
,justice ,works ,ameri,corps ,veterans  
,legal ,corps2 and  7iii7 such other    
organizations as the ,secretary         
determines appropriate4  7c7 ,eligible  
entities ,the ,secretary may award 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 relating to housing1 including 
eviction defense1 representation in     
landlord-tenant cases1 and              
representation in foreclosure cases4    
7#b7 ,legal services relating to family 
law1 including assistance in court      
proceedings for child support1 divorce1 
estate planning1 and family             
reconciliation4  7#c7 ,legal services   
relating to income support1 including   
assistance in obtaining public benefits4
  7#d7 ,legal services relating 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 relating 
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  
,locations ,to the extent practicable1  
the ,secretary shall award grants under 
this section to eligible entities in a  
manner that is equitably distributed    
across the geographic regions of the    
,united ,states1 including with respect 
to-- 7#a7 rural communities2  7#b7 trust
 lands 7as defined in section #cgfe of  
this title72  7#c7 ,native ,americans2  
and  7#d7 tribal organizations 7as      

defined in section #d of the ,indian    
,self-,determination and ,education     
,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd774
  7g7 ,biennial reports  7#a7 ,not less 
frequently than once every two years1   
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 grants     
awarded under this section4  7#b7 ,to   
the extent feasible1 each report        
required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include
 the following with respect to the      
period 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 chapter #bj of such title 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 and publish in the ,federal   
,register the criteria and requirements 
pursuant to subsection 7b77#a7 of       
section #bjbb;,a of title #ch1 ,united  
,states ,code1 as added by subsection   
7a74  #dbjc4 ,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
  #dbjd4 ,improvements to grants awarded
 by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs
 to entities that provide services to   
homeless veterans  7a7 ,increase in per 
diem payments ,paragraph 7#b7 of        
subsection 7a7 of section #bjab of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended 
to read as follows3  7#b7 7,a7 7i7      
,except as otherwise provided in        
subparagraph 7,b71 the rate for such per
 diem payments shall be the daily cost  
of care estimated by the grant recipient
 or eligible entity adjusted by the     
,secretary under clause 7ii74  7ii7 7,i7
 ,the ,secretary shall adjust the rate  
estimated by the grant recipient or     

eligible entity under clause 7i7 to     
exclude other sources of income         
described in subclause 7,,iii7 that the 
grant recipient or eligible entity      
certifies to be correct4  7,,ii7 ,each  
grant recipient or eligible entity shall
 provide to the ,secretary such         
information with respect to other       
sources of income as the ,secretary may 
require to make the adjustment under    
subclause 7,i74  7,,iii7 ,the other     
sources of income referred to in        
subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii7 are payments 
to the grant recipient or eligible      
entity for furnishing services to       
homeless veterans under programs other  
than under this subchapter1 including   
payments and grants from other          
departments and agencies of the ,united 
,states1 from departments or agencies of
 ,state or local government1 and from   
private entities or organizations4      
7iii7 ,for purposes of calculating the  
rate for per diem payments under clause 
7i71 in the case of a homeless veteran  

who has care of a minor dependent while 
receiving services from the grant       
recipient or eligible entity1 the daily 
cost of care of the homeless veteran    
shall be the sum of the daily cost of   
care of the homeless veteran determined 
under clause 7i7 plus1 for each such    
minor dependent1 an amount that equals  
#ej percent of such daily cost of care4 
7,b7 7i7 7,i7 ,except as provided in    
clause 7ii71 and subject to the         
availability of appropriations1 the     
,secretary may adjust the rate for per  
diem payments under this paragraph1 as  
the ,secretary considers appropriate4   
7,,ii7 ,any adjustment made under this  
clause-- 7aa7 may not result in a rate  
that-- 7,,aa7 is lower than the rate in 
effect under this paragraph as in effect
 immediately preceding the date of the  
enactment of the ,navy ,,seal ,bill     
,mulder ,act of #bjbj2 or 7,,bb7 exceeds
 the rate that is #aae percent of the   
rate authorized for ,state homes for    
domiciliary care under subsection       

7a77#a77;,a7 of section #agda of this   
title1 as the ,secretary may increase   
from time to time under subsection 7c7  
of that section2 and  7bb7 may be       
determined on the basis of locality4    
7ii7 ,in the case of services furnished 
to a homeless veteran who is placed in  
housing that will become permanent      
housing for the veteran upon termination
 of the furnishing of such services to  
such veteran1 the maximum rate of per   
diem authorized under this section is   
#aej percent of the rate authorized for 
,state homes for domiciliary care under 
subsection 7a77#a77;,a7 of section #agda
 of this title1 as the ,secretary may   
increase from time to time under        
subsection 7c7 of that section4  4  7b7 
,reimbursement of certain fees ,such    
section is further amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection3   
7e7 ,reimbursement of entities for      
certain fees ,the ,secretary may        
reimburse a recipient of a grant under  
section #bjaa1 #bjac1 or #bjfa of this  

title or a recipient of per diem        
payments under this section for fees    
charged to that grant or per diem       
payment recipient for the use of the    
homeless management information system  
described in section #djb7;f7 of the    
,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance 
,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacfj;a7f77-- 7#a7 
in amounts the ,secretary determines to 
be reasonable2 and  7#b7 if the         
,secretary determines that the grant or 
per diem payment recipient is unable to 
obtain information contained in such    
system through other means and at no    
cost to the grant or per diem payment   
recipient4  4  #dbje4 ,repeal of sunset 
on authority to carry out program of    
referral and counseling services for    
veterans at risk for homelessness who   
are transitioning from certain          
institutions  7a7 ,in general ,section  
#bjbc of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking    
subsection 7d72 and  7#b7 by            
redesignating subsection 7e7 as         

subsection 7d74  7b7 ,conforming        
amendment ,section #bjba7;a77#d7 of such
 title is amended by striking section   
#bjbc7;e7 and inserting section         
#bjbc7;d74  #dbjf4 ,coordination of case
 management services for veterans       
receiving housing vouchers under ,tribal
 ,housing and ,urban                    
,development-,veterans ,affairs         
,supportive ,housing program ,section   
#bjjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states     
,code1 is amended by adding at the end  
the following new subsection3  7c7      
,memorandum of understanding on         
assistance from ,indian ,health ,service
 ,the ,secretary may enter into a       
memorandum of understanding with the    
,secretary of ,health and ,human        
,services under which case managers of  
the ,indian ,health ,service may provide
 case management assistance to veterans 
who receive housing vouchers under the  
,tribal ,housing and ,urban             
,development-,veterans ,affairs         
,supportive ,housing 7,tribal           

,,hud-,,vash7 program of the ,department
 of ,housing and ,urban ,development4  4
  #dbjg4 ,contracts relating to case    
managers for homeless veterans in       
supported housing program  7a7 ,in      
general ,section #cjd of the ,honoring  
,america's ,veterans and ,caring for    
,camp ,lejeune ,families ,act of #bjab  
7,public ,law #aab-aed2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4   
#bjda note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in        
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by inserting 7#a7 
before ,the ,secretary2  7,b7 by adding 
at the end the following new paragraphs3
  7#b7 7,a7 ,the director of each       
covered medical center shall seek to    
enter into one or more contracts or     
agreements described in paragraph 7#a74 
7,b7 ,any contract or agreement under   
subparagraph 7,a7 may require that each 
case manager employed by an eligible    
entity who performs services under the  
contract or agreement has credentials   
equivalent to the credentials required  
for a case manager of the ,department4  
7,c7 7i7 ,the ,secretary may waive the  

requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 with
 respect to a covered medical center if 
the ,secretary determines that          
fulfilling such requirement is          
infeasible4  7ii7 ,if the ,secretary    
grants a waiver under clause 7i71 the   
,secretary shall1 not later than #ij    
days after granting such waiver1 submit 
to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs
 of the ,senate and the ,committee on   
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of    
,representatives a report containing--  
7,i7 an explanation of the determination
 made under clause 7i72  7,,ii7 a plan  
to increase the number of case managers 
of the ,department2 and  7,,iii7 a plan 
for the covered medical center to       
increase use of housing vouchers        
allocated to that medical center under  
the program described in paragraph 7#a74
  7,d7 ,in this paragraph1 the term     
covered medical center means a medical  
center of the ,department with respect  
to which the ,secretary determines      
that-- 7i7 more than #ae percent of all 

housing vouchers allocated to that      
medical center under the program        
described in paragraph 7#a7 during the  
fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in
 which such determination was made were 
unused due to a lack of case management 
services provided by the ,secretary2 and
  7ii7 one or more case manager         
positions have been vacant for at least 
nine consecutive months immediately     
preceding the date of such              
determination4  2 and  7#b7 in          
subsection 7b77#b7-- 7,a7 in the matter 
before subparagraph 7,a71 by striking 1 
including because-- and inserting a     
period2 and  7,b7 by striking           
subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c74  7b7
 ,effective date ,the amendments made by
 this section shall take effect on the  
first day of the first fiscal year that 
begins after the date of the enactment  
of this ,act4  #dbjh4 ,report on        
staffing of ,department of ,housing and 
,urban ,development-,department of      
,veterans ,affairs supported housing    

program ,not later than #ahj days after 
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
and every three years 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    
that includes the following3 7#a7 ,an   
assessment of the hiring needs of the   
program carried out under section       
#h7o77#ai7 of the ,united ,states       
,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4   
#adcg;f7o77#ai77 7in this section       
referred to as the ,,hud-,,vash         
program71 including-- 7,a7 an           
identification of the number of case    
managers of the ,,hud-,,vash program as 
of the date of the report including--   
7i7 the total number of vacancies2 and  
7ii7 the vacancies at each medical      
center of the ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs2  7,b7 the number of case      
managers of the ,,hud-,,vash program    
that the ,secretary of ,veterans        

,affairs and the ,secretary of ,housing 
and ,urban ,development jointly         
determine necessary to meet the needs of
 the ,department and the program2 and   
7,c7 the amount of turnover among case  
managers of the ,,hud-,,vash program and
 whether the turnover was planned or    
unexpected4  7#b7 ,an assessment of how 
compensation1 including recruitment and 
retention incentives1 for case managers 
of the ,,hud-,,vash program affects     
turnover1 and what percentage of        
retention compensation is provided to   
such case managers at each medical      
center of the ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs 7compared to other positions74 
7#c7 ,a comparison of compensation      
described in paragraph 7#b7 with the    
compensation provided to ,state1 local1 
and nongovernmental housing employees at
 comparable training and experience     
levels4  7#d7 ,examples of how the      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
the ,department of ,housing and ,urban  
,development have worked with           

non-,federal partners 7such as local    
governments1 nongovernmental            
organizations1 veterans service         
organizations1 and employee unions7 to  
meet the staffing needs of the          
,,hud-,,vash program4  7#e7 ,examples of
 how medical centers of the ,department 
of ,veterans ,affairs with high         
retention rates for case managers of the
 ,,hud-,,vash program have been able to 
maintain staffing levels4  ,c           
,retraining assistance for veterans     
#dcja4 ,access for the ,secretaries of  
,labor and ,veterans ,affairs to the    
,federal directory of new hires ,section
 #dec;,a7h7 of the ,social ,security    
,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fec;a7h77 is       
amended by adding at the end the        
following new paragraph3  7#d7 ,veteran 
employment ,the ,secretaries of ,labor  
and of ,veterans ,affairs shall have    
access to information reported by       
employers pursuant to subsection 7b7 of 
this section for purposes of tracking   
employment of veterans4  4  #dcjb4      

,expansion of eligible class of         
providers of high technology programs of
 education for veterans ,section #aaf of
 the ,harry ,w4 ,colmery ,veterans      
,educational ,assistance ,act of #bjag  
7,public ,law #aae-dh2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4    
#cjja note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in        
subsection 7b71 by adding at the end the
 following3 ,the ,secretary shall treat 
an individual as an eligible veteran if 
the ,secretary determines that the      
individual shall become an eligible     
veteran fewer than #ahj days after the  
date of such determination4 ,if an      
individual treated as an eligible       
veteran by reason of the preceding      
sentence does anything to make the      
veteran ineligible during the #ahj-;day 
period referred to in such sentence1 the
 ,secretary may require the veteran to  
repay any benefits received by such     
veteran by reason of such sentence42    
7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in        
paragraph 7#c77;,a71 by striking has    
been operational for at least #b years  

and inserting employs instructors whom  
the ,secretary determines are experts in
 their respective fields in accordance  
with paragraph 7#f72 and  7,b7 by adding
 at the end the following new paragraph3
  7#f7 ,experts ,the ,secretary shall   
determine whether instructors are       
experts under paragraph 7#c77;,a7 based 
on evidence furnished to the ,secretary 
by the provider regarding the ability of
 the instructors to-- 7,a7 identify     
professions in need of new employees to 
hire1 tailor the programs to meet market
 needs1 and identify the employers      
likely to hire graduates2  7,b7         
effectively teach the skills offered to 
eligible veterans2  7,c7 provide        
relevant industry experience in the     
fields of programs offered to incoming  
eligible veterans2 and  7,d7 demonstrate
 relevant industry experience in such   
fields of programs4  2  7#c7 in         
subsection 7d71 in the matter preceding 
paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 by inserting 7not 
including an individual described in the

 second sentence of subsection 7b77     
after each eligible veteran2 and  7,b7  
by inserting or part-time after         
full-time2  7#d7 in subsection 7g71 by  
striking #ae1jjj1jjj and inserting      
#de1jjj1jjj2 and  7#e7 by adding at the 
end the following new subsection 7i73   
7i7 ,prohibition on certain accounting  
of assistance ,the ,secretary may not   
consider enrollment in a high technology
 program of education under this section
 to be assistance under a provision of  
law referred to in section #cfie of     
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  4    
#dcjc4 ,pilot program for off-base      
transition training for veterans and    
spouses  7a7 ,extension of pilot program
 ,subsection 7a7 of section #cja of the 
,dignified ,burial and ,other ,veterans'
 ,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjab   
7,public ,law #aab-bfj2 #aj ,u4,s4,c4   
#aadd note7 is amended-- 7#a7 by        
striking ,during the two-year period    
beginning on the date of the enactment  
of this ,act and inserting ,during the  

five-year period beginning on the date  
of the enactment of the ,navy ,,seal    
,bill ,mulder ,act of #bjbj2 and  7#b7  
by striking to assess the feasibility   
and advisability of providing such      
program to eligible individuals at      
locations other than military           
installations4  7b7 ,locations          
,subsection 7c7 of such section is      
amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 
in the paragraph heading1 by striking   
,states and inserting locations2 and    
7,b7 by striking not less than three and
 not more than five ,states and         
inserting not fewer than #ej locations  
in ,states 7as defined in section #aja  
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code72   
7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking at  
least two and inserting at least #bj2   
and  7#c7 by adding at the end the      
following new paragraphs3  7#e7         
,preferences ,in selecting ,states for  
participation in the pilot program1 the 
,secretary shall provide a preference   
for any ,state with-- 7,a7 a high rate  

of usage of unemployment benefits for   
recently separated members of the ,armed
 ,forces2 or  7,b7 a labor force or     
economy that has been significantly     
impacted by a covered public health     
emergency4  7#f7 ,covered public health 
emergency defined ,in this subsection1  
the term covered public health emergency
 means-- 7,a7 the public health         
emergency declared by the ,secretary of 
,health and ,human ,services under      
section #cai of the ,public ,health     
,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 on 
,january #ca1 #bjbj1 with respect to    
,coronavirus ,disease #bjai             
7,,covid-#ai72 or  7,b7 a domestic      
emergency declared1 based on an outbreak
 of ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai         
7,,covid-#ai71 by the ,president1 the   
,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 or a 
,state or local authority4  4  7c7      
,annual report ,subsection 7e7 of such  
section is amended by adding at the end 
the following new sentence3 ,each such  
report shall include information about  

the employment outcomes of the eligible 
individuals who received such training  
during the year covered by the report44 
7d7 ,conforming repeal ,subsection 7f7  
of such section is repealed4  #dcjd4    
,grants for provision of transition     
assistance to members of the ,armed     
,forces after separation1 retirement1 or
 discharge  7a7 ,in general ,the        
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
make grants to eligible organizations   
for the provision of transition         
assistance to members of the ,armed     
,forces who are separated1 retired1 or  
discharged from the ,armed ,forces1 and 
spouses of such members4  7b7 ,use of   
funds ,the recipient of a grant under   
this section shall use the grant to     
provide to members of the ,armed ,forces
 and spouses described in subsection 7a7
 resume assistance1 interview training1 
job recruitment training1 and related   
services leading directly to successful 
transition1 as determined by the        
,secretary4  7c7 ,eligible organizations

 ,to be eligible for a grant under this 
section1 an organization shall submit to
 the ,secretary an application          
containing such information and         
assurances as the ,secretary1 in        
consultation with the ,secretary of     
,labor1 may require4  7d7 ,priority ,in 
making grants under this section1 the   
,secretary shall give priority to an    
organization that-- 7#a7 provides       
multiple forms of services described in 
subsection 7b72 or  7#b7 is located in a
 ,state with-- 7,a7 a high rate of      
unemployment among veterans2  7,b7 a    
high rate of usage of unemployment      
benefits for recently separated members 
of the ,armed ,forces2 or  7,c7 a labor 
force or economy that has been          
significantly impacted by a covered     
public health emergency 7as such term is
 defined in section #aca7n774  7e7      
,amount of grant ,a grant under this    
section shall be in an amount that does 
not exceed #ej percent of the amount    
required by the organization to provide 

the services described in subsection    
7b74  7f7 ,deadline ,the ,secretary     
shall carry out this section not later  
than #ahj days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act4  7g7            
,termination ,the authority to provide a
 grant under this section shall         
terminate on the date that is five years
 after the date on which the ,secretary 
implements the grant program under this 
section4  #dcje4 ,one-year independent  
assessment of the effectiveness of      
,transition ,assistance ,program  7a7   
,independent assessment ,not later than 
#ij days after the date of the enactment
 of this ,act1 the ,secretary of        
,veterans ,affairs1 in consultation with
 the covered officials1 shall enter into
 an agreement with an appropriate entity
 with experience in adult education to  
carry out a one-year independent        
assessment of the ,transition           
,assistance ,program under sections     
#aadb and #aadd of title #aj1 ,united   
,states ,code 7,,tap71 including-- 7#a7 

the effectiveness of the ,transition    
,assistance ,program for members of each
 military department during the entire  
military life cycle2  7#b7 the          
appropriateness of the career readiness 
standards of the ,transition ,assistance
 ,program2  7#c7 a review of information
 that is provided to the ,department of 
,veterans ,affairs under the ,transition
 ,assistance ,program1 including mental 
health data2  7#d7 whether the          
,transition ,assistance ,program        
effectively addresses the challenges    
veterans face entering the civilian     
workforce and in translating experience 
and skills from military service to the 
job market2  7#e7 whether the           
,transition ,assistance ,program        
effectively addresses the challenges    
faced by the families of veterans making
 the transition to civilian life2  7#f7 
appropriate metrics regarding outcomes  
of the ,transition ,assistance ,program 
for members of the ,armed ,forces one   
year after separation1 retirement1 or   

discharge from the ,armed ,forces2  7#g7
 what the ,secretary1 in consultation   
with the covered officials and veterans 
service organizations1 determine to be  
successful outcomes for the ,transition 
,assistance ,program2  7#h7 whether     
members of the ,armed ,forces achieve   
successful outcomes for the ,transition 
,assistance ,program1 as determined     
under paragraph 7#g72  7#i7 how the     
,secretary and the covered officials    
provide feedback to each other regarding
 such outcomes2  7#aj7 recommendations  
for the ,secretaries of the military    
departments regarding how to improve    
outcomes for members of the ,armed      
,forces after separation1 retirement1   
and discharge2 and  7#aa7 other topics  
the ,secretary and the covered officials
 determine would aid members of the     
,armed ,forces as they transition to    
civilian life4  7b7 ,report ,not later  
than #ij days after the completion of   
the independent assessment under        
subsection 7a71 the ,secretary and the  

covered officials shall jointly submit  
to the appropriate committees of        
,congress-- 7#a7 the findings and       
recommendations 7including recommended  
legislation7 of the independent         
assessment prepared by the entity       
described in subsection 7a72 and  7#b7  
responses of the ,secretary and the     
covered officials to the findings and   
recommendations described in paragraph  
7#a74  7c7 ,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 ,covered        
officials ,the term covered officials   
means-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of ,defense2
  7,b7 the ,secretary of ,labor2  7,c7  
the ,administrator of the ,small        
,business ,administration2 and  7,d7 the

 ,secretaries of the military           
departments4  7#c7 ,military department 
,the term military department has the   
meaning given that term in section #aja 
of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4    
#dcjf4 ,longitudinal study on changes to
 ,transition ,assistance ,program  7a7  
,study ,not later than #ij days after   
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in
 consultation with the ,secretary of    
,defense1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 and 
the ,administrator of the ,small        
,business ,administration1 shall conduct
 a five-year longitudinal study         
regarding the ,transition ,assistance   
,program under sections #aadb and #aadd 
of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code     
7,,tap71 on three separate cohorts of   
members of the ,armed ,forces who have  
separated from the ,armed ,forces1      
including-- 7#a7 a cohort that has      
attended counseling under the           
,transition ,assistance ,program as     
implemented on the date of the enactment

 of this ,act2  7#b7 a cohort that      
attends counseling under the ,transition
 ,assistance ,program after the         
,secretary of ,defense and the          
,secretary of ,labor implement changes  
recommended in the report under section 
#acf7;b72 and  7#c7 a cohort that has   
not attended counseling under the       
,transition ,assistance ,program4  7b7  
,progress reports ,not later than #ij   
days after the date that is one year    
after the date of the initiation of the 
study under subsection 7a71 and annually
 thereafter for the three subsequent    
years1 the ,secretary of ,veterans      
,affairs1 the ,secretary of ,defense1   
the ,secretary of ,labor1 and the       
,administrator of the ,small ,business  
,administration shall jointly submit to 
the appropriate committees of ,congress 
a progress report of activities under   
the study during the immediately        
preceding year4  7c7 ,final report  7#a7
 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days  
after the completion of the study under 

subsection 7a71 the ,secretary of       
,veterans ,affairs1 the ,secretary of   
,defense1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 and 
the ,administrator of the ,small        
,business ,administration shall jointly 
submit to the appropriate committees of 
,congress a report of final findings and
 recommendations based on the study4    
7#b7 ,elements ,the final report under  
paragraph 7#a7 shall include information
 regarding the following3 7,a7 ,the     
percentage of each cohort that received 
unemployment benefits during the study  
under subsection 7a74  7,b7 ,the numbers
 of months members of each cohort were  
employed during the study4  7,c7 ,annual
 starting and ending salaries of members
 of each cohort who were employed during
 the study4  7,d7 ,how many members of  
each cohort enrolled in an institution  
of higher learning1 as that term is     
defined in section #cdeb7;f7 of title   
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7,e7 ,the  
academic credit hours1 degrees1 and     
certificates obtained by members of each

 cohort during the study4  7,f7 ,the    
annual income of members of each cohort4
  7,g7 ,the total household income of   
members of each cohort4  7,h7 ,how many 
members of each cohort own their        
principal residences4  7,i7 ,how many   
dependents members of each cohort have4 
7,j7 ,the percentage of each cohort that
 achieves a successful outcome for the  
,transition ,assistance ,program1 as    
determined under section #acf7;a77#g74  
7,k7 ,other criteria the ,secretaries   
and the ,administrator of the ,small    
,business ,administration determine     
appropriate4  7d7 ,appropriate          
committees of ,congress defined ,in this
 section1 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  ,v ,deborah ,sampson 
#ejja4 ,short title ,this title may be  

cited as the ,deborah ,sampson ,act of  
#bjbj4  ,a ,improving access for women  
veterans to the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs  #eaja4 ,office of ,women's   
,health in ,department of ,veterans     
,affairs  7a7 ,chief ,officer of        
,women's ,health ,subsection 7a7 of     
section #gcjf of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 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 ,chief     
,officer of ,women's ,health4  4  7b7   
,organization of office and annual      
reports  7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i
 of chapter #gc of title #ch1 ,united   
,states ,code1 is amended by adding at  
the end of the following new sections3  
#gcaj4 ,office of ,women's ,health  7a7 
,establishment  7#a7 ,the ,under        
,secretary for ,health shall establish  
and operate in the ,veterans ,health    
,administration the ,office of ,women's 
,health 7in this section referred to as 

the ,office74  7#b7 ,the ,office shall  
be located at the ,central ,office of   
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4  
7#c7 7,a7 ,the head of the ,office is   
the ,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health 
7in this section referred to as the     
,chief ,officer74  7,b7 ,the ,chief     
,officer shall report to the ,under     
,secretary for ,health4  7#d7 ,the      
,under ,secretary for ,health shall     
provide the ,office with such staff and 
other support as may be necessary for   
the ,office to carry out effectively the
 functions of the ,office under this    
section4  7#e7 ,the ,under ,secretary   
for ,health may reorganize existing     
offices within the ,veterans ,health    
,administration as of the date of the   
enactment of this section in order to   
avoid duplication with the functions of 
the ,office4  7b7 ,functions ,the       
functions of the ,office include the    
following3 7#a7 ,to provide a central   
office for monitoring and encouraging   
the activities of the ,veterans ,health 

,administration with respect to the     
provision1 evaluation1 and improvement  
of health care services provided to     
women veterans by the ,department4  7#b7
 ,to develop and implement standards of 
care for the provision of health care   
for women veterans by the ,department4  
7#c7 ,to monitor and identify           
deficiencies in standards of care for   
the provision of health care for women  
veterans by the ,department1 to provide 
technical assistance to medical         
facilities of the ,department to address
 and remedy deficiencies1 and to perform
 oversight of implementation of such    
standards of care4  7#d7 ,to monitor and
 identify deficiencies in standards of  
care for the provision of health care   
for women veterans provided through the 
community pursuant to this title and to 
provide recommendations to the          
appropriate office to address and remedy
 any deficiencies4  7#e7 ,to oversee    
distribution of resources and           
information related to health           

programming for women veterans under    
this title4  7#f7 ,to promote the       
expansion and improvement of clinical1  
research1 and educational activities of 
the ,veterans ,health ,administration   
with respect to the health care of women
 veterans4  7#g7 ,to provide1 as part of
 the annual budgeting process1          
recommendations with respect to the     
amounts to be requested for furnishing  
hospital care and medical services to   
women veterans pursuant to chapter #ag  
of this title1 including1 at a minimum1 
recommendations that ensure that such   
amounts either reflect or exceed the    
proportion of veterans enrolled in the  
system of patient enrollment of the     
,department established and operated    
under section #agje7;a7 of this title   
who are women4  7#h7 ,to provide        
recommendations to the ,under ,secretary
 for ,health with respect to modifying  
the ,veterans ,equitable ,resource      
,allocation system1 or successor system1
 to ensure that resource allocations    

under such system1 or successor system1 
reflect the health care needs of women  
veterans4  7#i7 ,to carry out such other
 duties as the ,under ,secretary for    
,health may require4  7c7               
,recommendations  7#a7 ,if the ,under   
,secretary for ,health determines not to
 implement any recommendation made by   
the ,chief ,officer with respect to the 
allocation of resources to address the  
health care needs of women veterans1 the
 ,secretary shall notify the appropriate
 congressional committees of such       
determination by not later than #cj days
 after the date on which the ,under     
,secretary for ,health receives the     
recommendation4  7#b7 ,each notification
 under paragraph 7#a7 relating to a     
determination with respect to a         
recommendation shall include the        
following3 7,a7 ,the reasoning of the   
,under ,secretary for ,health in making 
the determination4  7,b7 ,an            
alternative1 if one is selected1 to the 
recommendation that the ,under          

,secretary for ,health will carry out to
 fulfill the health care needs of women 
veterans4  7d7 ,standards of care ,for  
purposes of carrying out the functions  
of the ,office under this section1 the  
standards of care for the provision of  
health care for women veterans from the 
,department shall include1 at a minimum1
 the following3 7#a7 ,a requirement     
for-- 7,a7 at least one designated      
women's health primary care provider at 
each medical center of the ,department  
whose duties include1 to the extent     
practicable1 providing training to other
 health care providers of the           
,department with respect to the needs of
 women veterans2 and  7,b7 at least one 
designated women's health primary care  
provider at each community-based        
outpatient clinic of the ,department who
 may serve women patients as a          
percentage of the total duties of the   
provider4  7#b7 ,other requirements as  
determined by the ,under ,secretary for 
,health4  7e7 ,outreach ,the ,chief     

,officer shall ensure that-- 7#a7 not   
less frequently than biannually1 each   
medical facility of the ,department     
holds a public forum for women veterans 
that occurs outside of regular business 
hours2 and  7#b7 not less frequently    
than quarterly1 each medical facility of
 the ,department convenes a focus group 
of women veterans that includes a       
discussion of harassment occurring at   
such facility4  7f7 ,definitions ,in    
this section3 7#a7 ,the term appropriate
 congressional committees has the       
meaning given that term in section      
#gcaj;,a7h7 of this title4  7#b7 ,the   
term facility of the ,department has the
 meaning given the term facilities of   
the ,department in section #agja7c7 of  
this title4  7#c7 ,the term ,veterans   
,equitable ,resource ,allocation system 
means the resource allocation system    
established pursuant to section #dbi of 
the ,departments of ,veterans ,affairs  
and ,housing and ,urban ,development1   
and ,independent ,agencies              

,appropriations ,act1 #aiig 7,public    
,law #ajd-bjd2 #aaj ,stat4 #bibi74      
#gcaj;,a4 ,annual reports on women's    
health  7a7 ,annual reports ,not later  
than ,december #a of each year1 the     
,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health     
shall submit to the appropriate         
congressional committees a report       
containing the matters under subsections
 7b7 through 7g74  7b7 ,office of       
,women's ,health ,each report under     
subsection 7a7 shall include a          
description of-- 7#a7 actions taken by  
the ,office of ,women's ,health         
established under section #gcaj of this 
title in the preceding fiscal year to   
improve the provision of health care by 
the ,department to women veterans2  7#b7
 any identified deficiencies related to 
the provision of health care by the     
,department to women veterans and the   
standards of care established in such   
section and the plan of the ,department 
to address such deficiencies2  7#c7 the 
funding and personnel provided to the   

,office and whether additional funding  
or personnel are needed to meet the     
requirements of such section2 and  7#d7 
other information that would be of      
interest to the appropriate             
congressional committees with respect to
 oversight of the provision of health   
care by the ,department to women        
veterans4  7c7 ,access to               
gender-specific services  7#a7 ,each    
report under subsection 7a7 shall       
include an analysis of the access of    
women veterans to gender-specific       
services under contracts1 agreements1 or
 other arrangements with non-,department
 medical providers entered into by the  
,secretary for the provision of hospital
 care or medical services to veterans4  
7#b7 ,the analysis under paragraph 7#a7 
shall include data and performance      
measures for the availability of        
gender-specific services described in   
such paragraph1 including-- 7,a7 the    
average wait time between the preferred 
appointment date of the veteran and the 

date on which the appointment is        
completed2  7,b7 the average driving    
time required for veterans to attend    
appointments2 and  7,c7 reasons why     
appointments could not be scheduled with
 non-,department medical providers4  7d7
 ,models of care  7#a7 ,each report     
under subsection 7a7 shall include an   
analysis of the use by the ,department  
of general primary care clinics1        
separate but shared spaces1 and women's 
health centers as delivery of care      
models for women veterans4  7#b7 ,the   
analysis under paragraph 7#a7 shall     
include the following3 7,a7 ,the number 
of facilities of the ,department that   
fall into each delivery of care model   
described in such paragraph1            
disaggregated by ,veterans ,integrated  
,service ,network and ,state4  7,b7 ,a  
description of the criteria used by the 
,department to determine which such     
model is most appropriate for each      
facility of the ,department4  7,c7 ,an  
assessment of how the ,department       

decides to make investments to modify   
facilities to a different model4  7,d7  
,a description of what1 if any1 plans   
the ,department has to modify facilities
 from general primary care clinics to   
another model4  7,e7 ,an assessment of  
whether any facilities could be modified
 to a separate but shared space for a   
women's health center within planned    
investments under the strategic capital 
investment planning process of the      
,department4  7,f7 ,an assessment of    
whether any facilities could be modified
 to a separate or shared space or a     
women's health center with minor        
modifications to existing plans under   
the strategic capital investment        
planning process of the ,department4    
7,g7 ,an assessment of whether the      
,department has a goal for how many     
facilities should fall into each such   
model4  7e7 ,staffing ,each report under
 subsection 7a7 shall include an        
analysis of the staffing of the         
,department relating to the treatment of

 women1 including the following1        
disaggregated by ,veterans ,integrated  
,service ,network and ,state 7except    
with respect to paragraph 7#d773 7#a7   
,the number of women's health centers4  
7#b7 ,the number of patient aligned care
 teams of the ,department relating to   
women's health4  7#c7 ,the number of    
full- and part-time gynecologists of the
 ,department4  7#d7 ,the number of      
designated women's health care providers
 of the ,department1 disaggregated by   
facility of the ,department4  7#e7 ,the 
number of health care providers of the  
,department who have completed a        
mini-residency for women's health care  
through the ,women ,veterans ,health    
,care ,mini-,residency ,program of the  
,department during the one-year period  
preceding the submittal of the report   
and the number of mini-residency        
training slots for such program that are
 available during the one-year period   
following such date4  7#f7 ,the number  
of designated women's health care       

providers of the ,department who have   
sufficient women patient loads or case  
complexities to retain their            
competencies and proficiencies4  7f7    
,accessibility and treatment options    
,each report under subsection 7a7 shall 
include an analysis of the accessibility
 and treatment options for women        
veterans1 including the following3 7#a7 
,an assessment of wheelchair            
accessibility of women's health centers 
of the ,department1 including1 with     
respect to each such center1 an         
assessment of accessibility for each    
kind of treatment provided at the       
center1 including with respect to       
radiology and mammography1 that         
addresses all relevant factors1         
including door sizes1 hoists1 and       
equipment4  7#b7 ,the options for women 
veterans to access mental health        
providers and primary care providers who
 are women4  7#c7 ,the options for women
 veterans at medical facilities of the  
,department with respect to clothing    

sizes1 including for gowns1 drawstring  
pants1 and pajamas4  7g7 ,definitions   
,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term        
appropriate congressional committees    
means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on          
,appropriations and the ,committee on   
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 
7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations  
and the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,house of               
,representatives4  7#b7 ,the term       
gender-specific services means          
mammography1 obstetric care1            
gynecological care1 and such other      
services as the ,secretary determines   
appropriate4  4  7#b7 ,references to    
health care and services ,the references
 to health care and the references to   
services in sections #gcaj and #gcaj;,a 
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as 
added by paragraph 7#a71 are references 
to the health care and services included
 in the medical benefits package        
provided by the ,department as in effect
 on the day before the date of the      

enactment of this ,act4  7#c7 ,clerical 
amendment ,the table of sections for    
such chapter is amended by inserting    
after the item relating to section      
#gcji;,a the following new items3       
#gcaj4 ,office of ,women's              
,health4#gcaj;,a4 ,annual reports on    
women's health4  4  7c7 ,initial report 
,the ,chief ,officer of ,women's ,health
 of the ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs shall submit the initial report
 under section #gcaj;,a of title #ch1   
,united ,states ,code1 as added by      
subsection 7b71 by not later than one   
year after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act4  #eajb4 ,women veterans      
retrofit initiative  7a7 ,in general    
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall prioritize the retrofitting of    
existing medical facilities of the      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs with  
fixtures1 materials1 and other          
outfitting measures to support the      
provision of care to women veterans at  
such facilities4  7b7 ,plan  7#a7 ,in   

general ,not later than one year after  
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,secretary shall submit to          
,congress1 the ,committee on ,veterans' 
,affairs of the ,senate1 and the        
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a plan to   
address deficiencies in environment of  
care for women veterans at medical      
facilities of the ,department4  7#b7    
,elements ,the plan required by         
paragraph 7#a7 shall include the        
following3 7,a7 ,an explanation of the  
specific environment of care            
deficiencies that need correcting4  7,b7
 ,an assessment of how the ,secretary   
prioritizes retrofitting existing       
medical facilities to support provision 
of care to women veterans in comparison 
to other requirements4  7,c7 ,a         
five-year strategic plan and cost       
projection for retrofitting medical     
facilities of the ,department to support
 the provision of care to women veterans
 as required under subsection 7a74  7c7 

,authorization of appropriations        
,subject to appropriations and the plan 
under 7b71 there is authorized to be    
appropriated to the ,secretary          
#bj1jjj1jjj to carry out subsection 7a7 
in addition to amounts otherwise made   
available to the ,secretary for the     
purposes set forth in such subsection4  
#eajc4 ,establishment of environment of 
care standards and inspections at       
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
medical centers  7a7 ,in general ,the   
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
establish a policy under which the      
environment of care standards and       
inspections at medical centers of the   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
include-- 7#a7 an alignment of the      
requirements for such standards and     
inspections with the women's health     
handbook of the ,veterans ,health       
,administration2  7#b7 a requirement for
 the frequency of such inspections2     
7#c7 delineation of the roles and       
responsibilities of staff at each       

medical center who are responsible for  
compliance2  7#d7 the requirement that  
each medical center submit to the       
,secretary and make publicly available a
 report on the compliance of the medical
 center with the standards2 and  7#e7 a 
remediation plan4  7b7 ,report ,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 certifying in 
writing that the policy required by     
subsection 7a7 has been finalized and   
disseminated to all medical centers of  
the ,department4  #eajd4 ,provision of  
reintegration and readjustment services 
to veterans and family members in group 
retreat settings  7a7 ,in general       
,section #agab;,a of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in     
subsection 7a77#a77;,b7-- 7,a7 in clause
 7ii71 by redesignating subclauses 7,i7 

and 7,,ii7 as items 7aa7 and 7bb72  7,b7
 by redesignating clauses 7i7 and 7ii7  
as subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii72  7,c7 in 
the matter preceding subclause 7,i71 as 
redesignated by subparagraph 7,b71 by   
striking ,counseling and inserting 7i7  
,counseling2 and  7,d7 by adding at the 
end the following new clause3  7ii7 7,i7
 ,except as provided in subclauses      
7,,iv7 and 7,v71 counseling furnished to
 an individual under subparagraph 7,a7  
may include reintegration and           
readjustment services described in      
subclause 7,,ii7 furnished in group     
retreat settings4  7,,ii7 ,reintegration
 and readjustment services described in 
this subclause are the following3 7aa7  
,information on reintegration of the    
individual into family1 employment1 and 
community4  7bb7 ,financial counseling4 
7cc7 ,occupational counseling4  7dd7    
,information and counseling on stress   
reduction4  7ee7 ,information and       
counseling on conflict resolution4  7ff7
 ,such other information and counseling 

as the ,secretary considers appropriate 
to assist the individual in             
reintegration into family1 employment1  
and community4  7,,iii7 ,in furnishing  
reintegration and readjustment services 
under subclause 7,i71 the ,secretary    
shall offer women the opportunity to    
receive such services in group retreat  
settings in which the only participants 
are women4  7,,iv7 ,an individual       
described in subparagraph 7,c77v7 may   
receive reintegration and readjustment  
services under subclause 7,i7 of this   
clause only if the individual receives  
such services with a family member      
described in subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of
 such subparagraph4  7,v7 ,in each of   
fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe1 the   
maximum number of individuals to whom   
integration and readjustment services   
may be furnished in group retreat       
settings under this subclause 7,i7 shall
 not exceed #a1bjj individuals4  4  7b7 
,request for services ,subsection       
7a77#b7 of such section is amended--    

7#a7 by striking ,upon and inserting    
7,a7 ,upon2  7#b7 by striking paragraph 
7#a77;,b7 and inserting paragraph       
7#a77;,b77i72 and  7#c7 by adding at the
 end the following new subparagraph3    
7,b7 ,upon the request of an individual 
described in paragraph 7#a77;,c71 the   
,secretary shall furnish the individual 
reintegration and readjustment services 
in group retreat settings under         
paragraph 7#a77;,b77ii7 if the          
,secretary determines the experience    
will be therapeutically appropriate4  4 
#eaje4 ,provision of legal services for 
women veterans  7a7 ,agreement required 
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall enter into one or more agreements 
with public or private entities to      
provide legal services to women         
veterans4  7b7 ,focus ,the focus of an  
agreement entered into under subsection 
7a7 shall be to address the following   
unmet needs of women veterans as set    
forth in the most recently completed    
,community ,homelessness ,assessment1   

,local ,education and ,networking       
,groups for ,veterans 7,,chaleng for    
,veterans7 survey3 7#a7 ,child support4 
7#b7 ,prevention of eviction and        
foreclosure4  7#c7 ,discharge upgrades4 
7#d7 ,financial guardianship4  7#e7     
,credit counseling4  7#f7 ,family       
reconciliation assistance4  #eajf4      
,comptroller ,general surveys and report
 on supportive services provided for    
very low-income women veterans  7a7     
,surveys  7#a7 ,survey of women veterans
 ,the ,comptroller ,general of the      
,united ,states shall survey women      
veterans who have received or are       
receiving supportive services provided  
under section #bjdd of title #ch1       
,united ,states ,code1 to determine     
satisfaction with the ability of such   
services to meet the specific needs of  
such veterans4  7#b7 ,survey of eligible
 entities ,the ,comptroller ,general    
shall survey eligible entities receiving
 financial assistance under such section
 and other partners of the ,department  

of ,veterans ,affairs1 including        
veterans service organizations and the  
,national ,coalition of ,homeless       
,veterans1 on the view of such entities 
and partners regarding-- 7,a7 whether   
the ,department is meeting the needs of 
women veterans through the provision of 
supportive services under such section2 
and  7,b7 any additional supportive     
services that may be required to meet   
such needs4  7b7 ,report  7#a7 ,in      
general ,not later than #ah months after
 the date of the enactment of this ,act1
 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 the efforts
 of the ,department of ,veterans        
,affairs to provide supportive services 
to women veterans under section #bjdd of
 title #ch1 ,united ,states4  7#b7      
,elements ,the report required by       
paragraph 7#a7 shall include the        

following3 7,a7 ,a review of how the    
,department determines which categories 
of supportive services would be         
beneficial to women veterans who receive
 services under such section4  7,b7 ,a  
description of the challenges women     
veterans who have children face in      
accessing supportive services under such
 section1 including with respect to     
accessing-- 7i7 homeless shelters with  
their children2  7ii7 homeless shelters 
that have restrictions on male children2
 and  7iii7 affordable child care4  7,c7
 ,a description of how the ,department  
identifies eligible entities under such 
section that can provide supportive     
services to meet the needs of women     
veterans1 including eligible entities   
with experience in-- 7i7 intimate       
partner violence2  7ii7 legal matters   
pertaining especially to women veterans1
 including temporary restraining orders 
and child care orders2  7iii7 supportive
 services for children2 and  7iv7 the   
evaluation of which categories of       

services would be beneficial to women   
veterans who receive such services under
 such section4  7,d7 ,a description of  
how much the ,department spends1 from   
funds appropriated to carry out such    
section and funds provided under the    
,coronavirus ,aid1 ,relief1 and         
,economic ,security ,act 7,public ,law  
#aaf-acf71 on supportive services       
specifically for women veterans1 and in 
particular1 on the services described in
 subparagraph 7,a74  7,e7 ,the results  
of the surveys conducted under          
subsection 7a74  7,f7 ,a review of the  
resources and programming offered to    
woman veterans under such section4  7,g7
 ,an assessment of such other areas as  
the ,comptroller ,general considers     
appropriate4  #eajg4 ,programs 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 of title #ch1 ,united      
,states ,code1 is amended by adding at  

the end the following new section3      
#agji;,c4 ,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   
7c77#b74  7b7 ,limitation on period of  
payments ,assistance may be provided to 
a qualified veteran under this section  
for receipt of child care only during   
the period that the qualified veteran-- 
7#a7 receives the types of health care  
services described in subsection 7c77#b7
 at a facility of the ,department2 and  
7#b7 requires travel to and return 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--  
7#a7 is the primary caretaker of a child
 or children2 and  7#b7 7,a7 receives   

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 is 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 ,not later than five     
years after the date of the enactment of
 the ,deborah ,sampson ,act of #bjbj1   
the ,secretary shall carry out the      
program at each medical center of the   
,department4  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 a      
licensed child care center 7either      

directly or through a voucher program7  
that 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
 agencies4  7,e7 ,such other forms of   
assistance as the ,secretary considers  
appropriate4  7#b7 ,in providing child  
care assistance under this section1 the 
child care needs of the local area shall
 be considered and the head of each     
medical center may select the type of   
care that is most appropriate or        
feasible for such medical center4  7#c7 
,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 ,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 striking ,september 
#cj1 #bjbj and inserting the date of the
 enactment of the ,deborah ,sampson ,act
 of #bjbj4  7#c7 ,clerical amendment    
,the table of sections at the beginning 
of chapter #ag of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to 
section #agji;,b the following new item3
  #agji;,c4 ,assistance for child care  
for certain veterans receiving health   
care1  4  7b7 ,pilot program on         
assistance for child care for certain   
veterans receiving readjustment         
counseling and related mental health    
services  7#a7 ,in general ,the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
carry out a pilot program to assess the 
feasibility and advisability of         

providing1 subject to paragraph 7#b71   
assistance to qualified veterans        
described in paragraph 7#c7 to obtain   
child care so that such veterans can    
receive readjustment counseling and     
related mental health services4  7#b7   
,limitation on period of payments       
,assistance may be provided to a        
qualified veteran under the pilot       
program for receipt of child care only  
during the period that the qualified    
veteran receives readjustment counseling
 and related health care services at a  
,vet ,center4  7#c7 ,qualified veterans 
,for purposes of this subsection1 a     
qualified veteran is a veteran who--    
7,a7 is the primary caretaker of a child
 or children2 and  7,b7 7i7 receives    
from the ,department regular            
readjustment counseling and related     
mental health services2 or  7ii7 is in  
need of regular 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  7#d7 ,locations ,the      
,secretary shall carry out the pilot    
program in not fewer than three         
,readjustment ,counseling ,service      
,regions selected by the ,secretary for 
purposes of the pilot program4  7#e7    
,forms of child care assistance  7,a7   
,in general ,child care assistance under
 the pilot program may include the      
following3 7i7 ,stipends for the payment
 of child care offered by a licensed    
child care center 7either directly or   
through a voucher program7 that 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  7ii7  
,payments to private child care         
agencies4  7iii7 ,collaboration with    
facilities or programs of other ,federal
 agencies4  7iv7 ,such other forms of   

assistance as the ,secretary considers  
appropriate4  7,b7 ,local area ,in      
providing child care assistance under   
the pilot program1 the child care needs 
of the local area shall be considered   
and the head of each ,vet ,center may   
select the type of care that is most    
appropriate or feasible for such ,vet   
,center4  7,c7 ,use of stipend ,in the  
case that child care assistance under   
the pilot program is provided as a      
stipend under subparagraph 7,a77i71 such
 stipend shall cover the full cost of   
such child care4  7#f7 ,duration ,the   
pilot program shall be carried out      
during the two-year period beginning on 
the date of the commencement of the     
pilot program4  7#g7 ,report  7,a7 ,in  
general ,not later than #ahj days after 
the completion of the pilot program1 the
 ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a 
report on the pilot program4  7,b7      
,elements ,the report required by       
subparagraph 7,a7 shall include the     
findings and conclusions of the         

,secretary regarding the pilot program1 
and shall include such recommendations  
for the continuation or expansion of the
 pilot program as the ,secretary        
considers appropriate4  7#h7 ,vet center
 defined ,in this subsection1 the term  
,vet ,center has the meaning given that 
term in section #agab;,a7h7 of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  #eajh4     
,availability of prosthetics for women  
veterans from ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs  7a7 ,access at each medical   
facility ,section #agad7;a7 of title    
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--
 7#a7 by striking 7a7 ,any veteran and  
inserting 7a77#a7 ,any veteran2 and     
7#b7 by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph3  7#b7 ,in furnishing     
prosthetic appliances under paragraph   
7#a71 the ,secretary shall ensure women 
veterans are able to access clinically  
appropriate prosthetic appliances       
through each medical facility of the    
,department4  4  7b7 ,report  7#a7 ,in  
general ,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 availability from the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs of    
prosthetics made for women veterans1    
including an assessment of the          
availability of such prosthetics at     
medical facilities of the ,department4  
7#b7 ,elements ,the report required by  
paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a   
list of all devices classified by the   
,department as prosthetic devices1      
including a breakdown of whether a      
device is considered gender-neutral or  
gender-specific2  7,b7 for              
gender-neutral devices1 a breakdown of  
sizing2  7,c7 the average time it takes 
for a woman veteran to receive a        
prosthetic device after it is           
prescribed1 disaggregated by ,veterans  
,integrated ,service ,network and       

medical center of the ,department2  7,d7
 the total number of women veterans     
utilizing the ,department for prosthetic
 services1 disaggregated by facility of 
the ,department2  7,e7 an assessment of 
efforts by the ,department on research1 
development1 and employment of additive 
manufacture technology 7commonly        
referred to as #c;,d printing7 to       
provide prosthetic items for women      
veterans2  7,f7 the results of a survey 
with a representative sample of not     
fewer than #ej1jjj veterans 7of which   
women shall be overrepresented7 in an   
amputee care program on satisfaction    
with prosthetics furnished or procured  
by the ,department that replace         
appendages or their function2 and  7,g7 
such other information as the ,secretary
 considers appropriate4  #eaji4         
,requirement to improve ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs women veterans call  
center ,the ,secretary of ,veterans     
,affairs shall enhance the capabilities 
of the women veterans call center of the

 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to   
respond to requests by women veterans   
for assistance with accessing health    
care and benefits furnished under the   
laws administered by the ,secretary4    
#eaaj4 ,study on infertility services   
furnished at ,department of ,veterans   
,affairs  7a7 ,study required ,the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
conduct a study on the infertility      
services offerings at the ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs4  7b7 ,elements ,the
 study conducted under subsection 7a7   
shall include the following3 7#a7 ,an   
assessment of the following3 7,a7 ,the  
availability of infertility services at 
facilities of the ,department and       
through laws administered by the        
,secretary for the provision of         
non-,department care4  7,b7 ,the demand 
for such services from eligible         
individuals4  7#b7 ,identification of   
potential challenges in accessing       
infertility services for eligible       
individuals4  7#c7 ,an analysis of      

,department resources for the furnishing
 of infertility services1 including     
analysis of ,department workforce and   
non-,department providers4  7#d7        
,development of recommendations for the 
improvement of infertility services     
under laws administered by the          
,secretary to improve eligible          
individuals' access1 delivery of        
services1 and health outcomes4  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 the study  
conducted under subsection 7a74  7d7    
,eligible individual defined ,in this   
section1 the term eligible individual   
means an individual who is a veteran who
 is eligible for and enrolled in the    
health care system of the ,department   
under section #agje7;a7 of title #ch1   
,united ,states ,code4  #eaaa4 ,sense of

 ,congress on access to facilities of   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs by    
reservists for counseling and treatment 
relating to military sexual trauma  7a7 
,in general ,it is the sense of         
,congress that members of the reserve   
components of the ,armed ,forces1       
including members of the ,national      
,guard1 should be able to access all    
health care facilities of the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 not  
just ,vet ,centers1 to receive          
counseling and treatment relating to    
military sexual trauma4  7b7            
,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7     
,military sexual trauma ,the term       
military sexual trauma has the meaning  
given such term in section #aafd7;c7 of 
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as    
added by section #eeja7;a7 of this      
title4  7#b7 ,vet center ,the term ,vet 
,center has the meaning given that term 
in section #agab;,a7h7 of such title4   
,b ,increasing staff cultural competency
  #ebja4 ,staffing of women's health    

primary care providers at medical       
facilities of ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs ,the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs shall ensure that each medical 
facility of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs has not fewer than one        
full-time or part-time women's health   
primary care provider whose duties      
include1 to the extent possible1        
providing training to other health care 
providers of the ,department on the     
needs of women veterans4  #ebjb4        
,additional funding for primary care and
 emergency care clinicians in ,women    
,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency
 ,program  7a7 ,in general ,there is    
authorized to be appropriated to the    
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs        
#a1jjj1jjj for each fiscal years #bjba  
through #bjbe to provide opportunities  
for participation in the ,women         
,veterans ,health ,care ,mini-,residency
 ,program of the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs for primary care and 
emergency care clinicians4  7b7         

,treatment of amounts ,the amounts      
authorized to be appropriated under     
subsection 7a7 shall be in addition to  
amounts otherwise made available to the 
,secretary for the purposes set forth in
 such subsection4  #ebjc4 ,establishment
 of women veteran training module for   
non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
health care providers  7a7 ,in general  
,not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act1 the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
establish and make available to         
community providers a training module   
that is specific to women veterans4  7b7
 ,training materials provided ,under the
 training module established and made   
available to community providers under  
subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall    
provide to community providers the same 
training materials relating to treatment
 of women veterans that is provided to  
health care providers of the ,department
 of ,veterans ,affairs to ensure that   
all health care providers treating women

 veterans have access to the same       
materials to support competency         
throughout the community4  7c7          
,administration of training module ,the 
,secretary shall administer the training
 module established under subsection 7a7
 to community providers through an      
internet website of the ,department4    
7d7 ,annual report ,not later than one  
year after the establishment of the     
training module under subsection 7a71   
and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary 
shall submit to ,congress a report on-- 
7#a7 the utilization by community       
providers of the training module2 and   
7#b7 the effectiveness of the training  
module4  7e7 ,definitions ,in this      
section3 7#a7 ,community provider ,the  
term community provider means a         
non-,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
health care provider who provides       
preauthorized health care to veterans   
under the laws administered by the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7 
,preauthorized health care ,the term    

preauthorized health care means health  
care provided to a veteran that is      
authorized by the ,secretary before     
being provided4  #ebjd4 ,study on       
staffing of women veteran program       
manager program at medical centers of   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
training of staff  7a7 ,study ,the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
conduct a study on the use of the ,women
 ,veteran ,program ,manager program of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to
 determine-- 7#a7 if the program is     
appropriately staffed at each medical   
center of the ,department2  7#b7 whether
 each medical center of the ,department 
is staffed with a ,women ,veteran       
,program ,manager2 and  7#c7 whether it 
would be feasible and advisable to have 
a ,women ,veteran ,program ,ombudsman at
 each medical center of the ,department4
  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 study  
conducted under subsection 7a74  7c7    
,training ,the ,secretary shall ensure  
that all ,women ,veteran ,program       
,managers and ,women ,veteran ,program  
,ombudsmen receive the proper training  
to carry out their duties4  #ebje4      
,study on ,women ,veteran ,coordinator  
program  7a7 ,study and report required 
,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of the enactment of this ,act1 the     
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall--
 7#a7 complete a study on the ,women    
,veteran ,coordinator program of the    
,veterans ,benefits ,administration of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2  
and  7#b7 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 ,secretary with 
respect to the study completed under    
paragraph 7#a74  7b7 ,elements ,the     

study required by subsection 7a77#a7    
shall identify the following3 7#a7 ,if  
the program described in such subsection
 is appropriately staffed at each       
regional benefits office of the         
,department4  7#b7 ,whether each        
regional benefits office of the         
,department is staffed with a ,women    
,veteran ,coordinator4  7#c7 ,the       
position description of the ,women      
,veteran ,coordinator4  7#d7 ,whether an
 individual serving in the ,women       
,veteran ,coordinator position          
concurrently serves in any other        
position1 and if so1 the allocation of  
time the individual spends in each such 
position4  7#e7 ,a description of the   
metrics the ,secretary uses to determine
 the job performance and effectiveness  
of the ,women ,veteran ,coordinator4    
#ebjf4 ,staffing improvement plan for   
peer specialists of ,department of      
,veterans ,affairs who are women  7a7   
,assessment of capacity  7#a7 ,in       
general ,not later than #ij days after  

the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in
 consultation with the ,inspector       
,general of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs1 shall commence an assessment 
of the capacity of peer specialists of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
who are women4  7#b7 ,elements ,the     
assessment required by paragraph 7#a7   
shall include an assessment of the      
following3 7,a7 ,the geographical       
distribution of peer specialists of the 
,department who are women4  7,b7 ,the   
geographical distribution of women      
veterans4  7,c7 ,the number and         
proportion of women peer specialists who
 specialize in peer counseling on mental
 health or suicide prevention4  7,d7    
,the number and proportion of women peer
 specialists who specialize in peer     
counseling on non-mental health related 
matters4  7b7 ,report ,not later than   
one year after the assessment required  
by subsection 7a7 has commenced1 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 detailing the 
findings of the assessment4  7c7        
,staffing improvement plan  7#a7 ,in    
general ,not later than #ahj days after 
submitting the report under subsection  
7b71 the ,secretary1 in consultation    
with the ,inspector ,general1 shall     
submit to the ,committee on ,veterans'  
,affairs of the ,senate and the         
,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the
 ,house of ,representatives a plan1     
based on the results of the assessment  
required by subsection 7a71 to hire     
additional qualified peer specialists   
who are women1 with special             
consideration for areas that lack peer  
specialists who are women4  7#b7        
,elements ,the peer specialist positions
 included in the plan required by       
paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 shall be          
non-volunteer1 paid positions2 and  7,b7
 may be part-time positions4  ,c        

,eliminating harassment and assault     
#ecja4 ,expansion of coverage by        
,department of ,veterans ,affairs of    
counseling and treatment for sexual     
trauma  7a7 ,expansion of eligibility   
for counseling and treatment ,section   
#agbj;,d of title #ch1 ,united ,states  
,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection  
7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by        
striking active duty1 active duty for   
training1 or inactive duty training and 
inserting duty1 regardless of duty      
status or line of duty determination 7as
 that term is used in section #abcbc of 
title #aj72 and  7,b7 in paragraph      
7#b77;,a71 by striking active duty1     
active duty for training1 or inactive   
duty training and inserting duty1       
regardless of duty status or line of    
duty determination 7as that term is used
 in section #abcbc of title #aj72  7#b7 
by striking veteran each place it       
appears and inserting former member of  
the ,armed ,forces2  7#c7 by striking   
veterans each place it appears and      

inserting former members of the ,armed  
,forces2 and  7#d7 by adding at the end 
the following new subsection3  7g7 ,in  
this section1 the term former member of 
the ,armed ,forces includes the         
following3 7#a7 ,a veteran4  7#b7 ,an   
individual described in section         
#agbj;,i7b7 of this title4  4  7b7      
,inclusion of treatment for physical    
health conditions ,such section is      
further amended-- 7#a7 in subsection    
7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by   
inserting 1 to include care for physical
 health conditions1 as appropriate1     
after counseling and appropriate care   
and services2  7ii7 by striking overcome
 psychological trauma and inserting     
treat a condition2 and  7iii7 by        
striking mental health professional and 
inserting health care professional2 and 
7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking
 overcome psychological trauma and      
inserting treat a condition2 and  7#b7  
in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 in paragraph   
7#a71 by inserting and other health care

 professionals after mental health      
professionals2 and  7,b7 in paragraph   
7#b77;,a71 by inserting and other health
 care professionals after mental health 
professionals4  #ecjb4 ,assessment of   
effects of intimate partner violence on 
women veterans by ,advisory ,committee  
on ,women ,veterans ,section            
#edb7;c77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united      
,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in     
subparagraph 7,b71 by striking and at   
the end2  7#b7 by redesignating         
subparagraph 7,c7 as subparagraph 7,d72 
and  7#c7 by inserting after            
subparagraph 7,b7 the following new     
subparagraph 7,c73  7,c7 an assessment  
of the effects of intimate partner      
violence on women veterans2 and  4      
#ecjc4 ,anti-harassment and anti-sexual 
assault policy of ,department of        
,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,in general     
,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #e of title 
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended  
by adding at the end the following new  
section3  #ecc4 ,anti-harassment and    

anti-sexual assault policy  7a7         
,establishment  7#a7 ,the ,secretary1   
acting through the ,office of ,assault  
and ,prevention of the ,veterans ,health
 ,administration1 shall establish a     
comprehensive policy to end harassment  
and sexual assault1 including sexual    
harassment and gender-based harassment1 
throughout the ,department4  7#b7 ,the  
policy required by paragraph 7#a7 shall 
include the following3 7,a7 ,a process  
for employees and contractors of the    
,department to respond to reported      
incidents of harassment and sexual      
assault committed by any non-,department
 individual within a facility of the    
,department1 including with respect to  
accountability or disciplinary measures4
  7,b7 ,a process for employees and     
contractors of the ,department to       
respond to reported incidents of        
harassment and sexual assault of any    
non-,department individual within a     
facility of the ,department4  7,c7 ,a   
process for any non-,department         

individual to report harassment and     
sexual assault described in subparagraph
 7,a71 including an option for          
confidential reporting1 and for the     
,secretary to respond to and address    
such reports4  7,d7 ,clear mechanisms   
for non-,department individuals to      
readily identify to whom and how to     
report incidents of harassment and      
sexual assault committed by another     
non-,department individual4  7,e7 ,clear
 mechanisms for employees and           
contractors of the ,department to       
readily identify to whom and how to     
report incidents of harassment and      
sexual assault and how to refer         
non-,department individuals with respect
 to reporting an incident of harassment 
or sexual assault4  7,f7 ,a process for1
 and mandatory reporting requirement    
applicable to1 any employee or          
contractor of the ,department who       
witnesses harassment or sexual assault  
described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7  
within a facility of the ,department1   

regardless of whether the individual    
affected by such harassment or sexual   
assault wants to report such harassment 
or sexual assault4  7,g7 ,the actions   
possible1 including disciplinary        
actions1 for employees or contractors of
 the ,department who fail to report     
incidents of harassment and sexual      
assault described in subparagraph 7,a7  
or 7,b7 that the employees or           
contractors witness4  7,h7 ,on an annual
 or more frequent basis1 mandatory      
training for employees and contractors  
of the ,department regarding how to     
report and address harassment and sexual
 assault described in subparagraphs 7,a7
 and 7,b71 including bystander          
intervention training4  7,i7 ,on an     
annual or more frequent basis1 the      
distribution of the policy under this   
subsection and anti-harassment and      
anti-sexual assault educational         
materials by mail or email to each      
individual receiving a benefit under a  
law administered by the ,secretary4     

7,j7 ,the prominent display of          
anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault 
messages in each facility of the        
,department1 including how              
non-,department individuals may report  
harassment and sexual assault described 
in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 at such  
facility and the points of contact under
 subsection 7b74  7,k7 ,the posting on  
internet websites of the ,department1   
including the main internet website     
regarding benefits of the ,department   
and the main internet website regarding 
health care of the ,department1 of      
anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault 
banners specifically addressing         
harassment and sexual assault described 
in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74  7b7    
,points of contact ,the ,secretary shall
 designate1 as a point of contact to    
receive reports of harassment and sexual
 assault described in subparagraphs 7,a7
 and 7,b7 of subsection 7a77#b7-- 7#a7  
at least one individual1 in addition to 
law enforcement1 at each facility of the

 ,department 7including ,vet ,centers   
under section #agab;,a of this title71  
with regard to that facility2  7#b7 at  
least one individual employed in each   
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network1
 with regard to facilities in that      
,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network2
  7#c7 at least one individual employed 
in each regional benefits office2  7#d7 
at least one individual employed at each
 location of the ,national ,cemetery    
,administration2 and  7#e7 at least one 
individual employed at the ,central     
,office of the ,department to track     
reports of such harassment and sexual   
assault across the ,department1         
disaggregated by facility4  7c7         
,accountability  7#a7 ,the ,secretary   
shall establish a policy to ensure that 
each facility of the ,department and    
each director of a ,veterans ,integrated
 ,service ,network is responsible for   
addressing harassment and sexual assault
 at the facility and the ,network4  7#b7
 ,the policy required by paragraph 7#a7 

shall include-- 7,a7 a remediation plan 
for facilities that experience five or  
more incidents of sexual harassment1    
sexual assault1 or combination thereof1 
during any single fiscal year2 and  7,b7
 taking appropriate actions under       
chapter #g or subchapter ,v of chapter  
#gd of this title4  7d7 ,data ,the      
,secretary shall ensure that the in-take
 process for veterans at medical        
facilities of the ,department includes a
 survey to collect the following        
information3 7#a7 ,whether the veteran  
feels safe at the facility and whether  
any events occurred at the facility that
 affect such feeling4  7#b7 ,whether the
 veteran wants to be contacted later by 
the ,department with respect to such    
safety issues4  7e7 ,working group  7#a7
 ,the ,secretary shall establish a      
working group to assist the ,secretary  
in implementing policies to carry out   
this section4  7#b7 ,the working group  
established under paragraph 7#a7 shall  
consist of representatives from-- 7,a7  

veterans service organizations2  7,b7   
,state1 local1 and ,tribal veterans     
agencies2 and  7,c7 other persons the   
,secretary determines appropriate4  7#c7
 ,the working group established under   
paragraph 7#a7 shall develop1 and the   
,secretary shall carry out-- 7,a7 an    
action plan for addressing changes at   
the local level to reduce instances of  
harassment and sexual assault2  7,b7    
standardized media for veterans service 
organizations and other persons to use  
in print and on the internet with       
respect to reducing harassment and      
sexual assault2 and  7,c7 bystander     
intervention training for veterans4     
7#d7 ,the working group established     
under paragraph 7#a7 shall not be       
subject to the requirements of the      
,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e  
,u4,s4,c4 ,app474  7f7 ,annual reports  
7#a7 ,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 annual report on    
harassment and sexual assault described 
in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of       
subsection 7a77#b7 in facilities of the 
,department4  7#b7 ,each report         
submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall    
include the following3 7,a7 ,results of 
harassment and sexual assault           
programming1 including the ,end         
,harassment program4  7,b7 ,results of  
studies from the ,women's ,health       
,practice-,based ,research ,network of  
the ,department relating to harassment  
and sexual assault4  7,c7 ,data         
collected on incidents of sexual        
harassment and sexual assault4  7,d7 ,a 
description of any actions taken by the 
,secretary during the year preceding the
 date of the report to stop harassment  
and sexual assault at facilities of the 
,department4  7,e7 ,an assessment of the
 implementation of the training required
 in subsection 7a77#b77;,h74  7,f7 ,a   
list of resources the ,secretary        
determines necessary to prevent         

harassment and sexual assault at        
facilities of the ,department4  7g7     
,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the
 term non-,department individual means  
any individual present at a facility of 
the ,department who is not an employee  
or contractor of the ,department4  7#b7 
,the term sexual harassment means       
unsolicited verbal or physical contact  
of a sexual nature which is threatening 
in character4  4  7b7 ,clerical         
amendment ,the table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by 
adding after the item relating to       
section #ecb the following new item3    
#ecc4 ,anti-harassment and anti-sexual  
assault policy4  4  7c7 ,definition of  
sexual harassment ,section #agbj;,d7f7  
of such title is amended by striking    
repeated14  7d7 ,deadline ,the          
,secretary shall commence carrying out  
section #ecc of such title1 as added by 
subsection 7a71 not later than #ahj days
 after the date of enactment of this    
,act4  #ecjd4 ,pilot program on         

assisting veterans who experience       
intimate partner violence or sexual     
assault  7a7 ,pilot program required    
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall carry out a pilot program to      
assess the feasibility and advisability 
of assisting former members of the      
,armed ,forces who have experienced or  
are experiencing intimate partner       
violence or sexual assault in accessing 
benefits from the ,department of        
,veterans ,affairs1 including           
coordinating access to medical treatment
 centers1 housing assistance1 and other 
benefits from the ,department4  7b7     
,duration ,the ,secretary shall carry   
out the pilot program under subsection  
7a7 during the two-year period beginning
 on the date of the commencement of the 
pilot program4  7c7 ,collaboration ,the 
,secretary shall carry out the pilot    
program under subsection 7a7 in         
collaboration with-- 7#a7 intimate      
partner violence shelters and programs2 
7#b7 rape crisis centers2  7#c7 ,state  

intimate partner violence and sexual    
assault coalitions2 and  7#d7 such other
 health care or other service providers 
that serve intimate partner violence or 
sexual assault victims as determined by 
the ,secretary1 particularly those      
providing emergency services or housing 
assistance4  7d7 ,authorized activities 
,in carrying out the pilot program under
 subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may     
conduct the following activities3 7#a7  
,training for community-based intimate  
partner violence or sexual assault      
service providers on-- 7,a7 identifying 
former members of the ,armed ,forces who
 have been victims of1 or are currently 
experiencing1 intimate partner violence 
or sexual assault2  7,b7 coordinating   
with local service providers of the     
,department2 and  7,c7 connecting former
 members of the ,armed ,forces with     
appropriate housing1 mental health1     
medical1 and other financial assistance 
or benefits from the ,department4  7#b7 
,assistance to service providers to     

ensure access of veterans to intimate   
partner violence and sexual assault     
emergency services1 particularly in     
underserved areas1 including services   
for ,native ,american veterans 7as      
defined in section #cgfe of title #ch1  
,united ,states ,code74  7#c7 ,such     
other outreach and assistance as the    
,secretary determines necessary for the 
provision of assistance under subsection
 7a74  7e7 ,intimate partner violence   
and sexual assault outreach coordinators
  7#a7 ,in general ,in order to         
effectively assist veterans who have    
experienced intimate partner violence or
 sexual assault1 the ,secretary may     
establish local coordinators to provide 
outreach under the pilot program        
required by subsection 7a74  7#b7 ,local
 coordinator knowledge ,the ,secretary  
shall ensure that each coordinator      
established under paragraph 7#a7 is     
knowledgeable about-- 7,a7 the dynamics 
of intimate partner violence and sexual 
assault1 including safety concerns1     

legal protections1 and the need for the 
provision of confidential services2     
7,b7 the eligibility of veterans for    
services and benefits from the          
,department that are relevant to        
recovery from intimate partner violence 
and sexual assault1 particularly        
emergency housing assistance1 mental    
health care1 other health care1 and     
disability benefits2 and  7,c7 local    
community resources addressing intimate 
partner violence and sexual assault4    
7#c7 ,local coordinator assistance ,each
 coordinator established under paragraph
 7#a7 shall assist intimate partner     
violence shelters and rape crisis       
centers in providing services to        
veterans4  7f7 ,report  7#a7 ,in general
 ,not later than #ahj days after the    
completion of the pilot program under   
subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall    
submit to ,congress a report on the     
pilot program4  7#b7 ,contents ,the     
report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall 
include the following3 7,a7 ,the        

findings and conclusions of the         
,secretary with respect to the pilot    
program4  7,b7 ,such recommendations for
 continuing or expanding the pilot      
program as the ,secretary considers     
appropriate4  7g7 ,definitions ,in this 
section3 7#a7 ,intimate partner  7,a7   
,in general ,the term intimate partner  
means a person with whom one has a close
 personal relationship that may be      
characterized by the partners' emotional
 connectedness1 regular contact1 ongoing
 physical contact and sexual behavior1  
identity as a couple1 and familiarity   
and knowledge about each other's lives4 
7,b7 ,close personal relationships ,in  
this paragraph1 the term close personal 
relationships includes the following3   
7i7 ,a relationship between married     
spouses4  7ii7 ,a relationship between  
common-law spouses4  7iii7 ,a           
relationship between civil union        
spouses4  7iv7 ,a relationship between  
domestic partners4  7v7 ,a relationship 
between dating partners4  7vi7 ,a       

relationship between ongoing sexual     
partners4  7#b7 ,intimate partner       
violence ,the term intimate partner     
violence includes physical violence1    
sexual violence1 stalking1 and          
psychological aggression1 including     
coercive tactics by a current or former 
intimate partner4  #ecje4 ,study and    
task force on veterans experiencing     
intimate partner violence or sexual     
assault  7a7 ,national baseline study   
7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one    
year after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs1 in consultation with the      
,attorney ,general1 shall conduct a     
national baseline study to examine the  
scope of the problem of intimate partner
 violence and sexual assault among      
veterans and spouses and intimate       
partners of veterans4  7#b7 ,matters    
included ,the study under paragraph 7#a7
 shall-- 7,a7 include a literature      
review of all relevant research on      
intimate partner violence and sexual    

assault among veterans and spouses and  
intimate partners of veterans2  7,b7    
examine the prevalence of the experience
 of intimate partner violence among--   
7i7 women veterans2  7ii7 veterans who  
are minority group members 7as defined  
in section #edd of title #ch1 ,united   
,states ,code1 and including other      
minority populations as the ,secretary  
determines appropriate72  7iii7 urban   
and rural veterans2  7iv7 veterans who  
are enrolled in a program under section 
#agbj;,g of title #ch1 ,united ,states  
,code2  7v7 veterans who are in intimate
 relationships with other veterans2 and 
7vi7 veterans who are described in more 
than one clause of this subparagraph2   
7,c7 examine the prevalence of the      
perpetration of intimate partner        
violence by veterans2 and  7,d7 include 
recommendations to address the findings 
of the study4  7#c7 ,report ,not later  
than #cj days after the date on which   
the ,secretary completes the study 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 study4  7b7 ,task force  7#a7 ,in  
general ,not later than #ij days after  
the date on which the ,secretary        
completes the study under subsection    
7a71 the ,secretary1 in consultation    
with the ,attorney ,general and the     
,secretary of ,health and ,human        
,services1 shall establish a national   
task force 7in this section referred to 
as the ,task ,force7 to develop a       
comprehensive national program1         
including by integrating facilities1    
services1 and benefits of the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs into  
existing networks of community-based    
intimate partner violence and sexual    
assault services1 to address intimate   
partner violence and sexual assault     
among veterans4  7#b7 ,leadership ,the  
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  
lead the ,task ,force in collaboration  

with the ,attorney ,general and the     
,secretary of ,health and ,human        
,services4  7c7 ,consultation with      
stakeholders ,in carrying out this      
section1 the ,task ,force shall consult 
with-- 7#a7 representatives from veteran
 service organizations and military     
service organizations2  7#b7            
representatives from not fewer than     
three national organizations or ,state  
coalitions with demonstrated expertise  
in intimate partner violence prevention1
 response1 or advocacy2 and  7#c7       
representatives from not fewer than     
three national organizations or ,state  
coalitions1 particularly those          
representing underserved and ethnic     
minority communities1 with demonstrated 
expertise in sexual assault prevention1 
response1 or advocacy4  7d7 ,duties ,the
 duties of the ,task ,force shall       
include the following3 7#a7 ,to review  
existing services and policies of the   
,department and develop a comprehensive 
national program to be carried out by   

the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in
 collaboration with the heads of        
relevant ,federal agencies1 to address  
intimate partner violence and sexual    
assault prevention1 response1 and       
treatment4  7#b7 ,to review the         
feasibility and advisability of         
establishing an expedited process to    
secure emergency1 temporary benefits1   
including housing or other benefits1 for
 veterans who are experiencing intimate 
partner violence or sexual assault4     
7#c7 ,to review and make recommendations
 regarding the feasibility and          
advisability of establishing dedicated1 
temporary housing assistance for        
veterans experiencing intimate partner  
violence or sexual assault4  7#d7 ,to   
identify any requirements regarding     
intimate partner violence assistance or 
sexual assault response and services    
that are not being met by the           
,department and make recommendations on 
how the ,department can meet such       
requirements4  7#e7 ,to review and make 

recommendations regarding the           
feasibility and advisability of         
providing direct services or contracting
 for community-based services for       
veterans in response to a sexual        
assault1 including through the use of   
sexual assault nurse examiners1         
particularly in underserved or remote   
areas1 including services for ,native   
,american veterans4  7#f7 ,to review the
 availability of counseling services    
provided by the ,department and through 
peer network support1 and to provide    
recommendations for the enhancement of  
such services1 to address-- 7,a7 the    
perpetration of intimate partner        
violence and sexual assault2 and  7,b7  
the recovery of veterans1 particularly  
women veterans1 from intimate partner   
violence and sexual assault4  7#g7 ,to  
review and make recommendations to      
expand services available for veterans  
at risk of perpetrating intimate partner
 violence4  7e7 ,report ,not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment

 of this ,act1 and not less frequently  
than annually thereafter by ,october #a 
of each year1 the ,task ,force shall    
submit to the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs and ,congress a report on the  
activities of the ,task ,force1         
including any recommendations for       
legislative or administrative action4   
7f7 ,nonapplicability of ,,faca ,the    
,task ,force shall not be subject to the
 requirements of the ,federal ,advisory 
,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474   
7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 
,native ,american veteran ,the term     
,native ,american veteran has the       
meaning given that term in section #cgfe
 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4   
7#b7 ,state ,the term ,state has the    
meaning given that term in section #aja 
of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  ,d
 ,data collection and reporting  #edja4 
,requirement for collection and analysis
 of data on ,department of ,veterans    
,affairs benefits and services and      
disaggregation of such data by gender1  

race1 and ethnicity ,the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs shall-- 7#a7 collect 
and analyze data on each program of the 
,department of ,veterans ,affairs that  
provides a service or benefit to a      
veteran1 including the program carried  
out under section #aadd of title #aj1   
,united ,states ,code2  7#b7            
disaggregate such data by gender1 race1 
and ethnicity1 when the data lends      
itself to such disaggregation2 and  7#c7
 publish the data collected and analyzed
 under paragraph 7#a71 except for such  
cases in which the ,secretary determines
 that some portions of the data would   
undermine the anonymity of a veteran4   
#edjb4 ,study on barriers for women     
veterans to receipt of health care from 
,department of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7  
,study required ,the ,secretary of      
,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a      
comprehensive study of the barriers to  
the provision of health care by the     
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
encountered by women who are veterans4  

7b7 ,survey ,in conducting the study    
required by subsection 7a71 the         
,secretary shall-- 7#a7 survey women    
veterans who seek or receive hospital   
care or medical services provided by the
 ,department as well as women veterans  
who do not seek or receive such care or 
services2  7#b7 administer the survey to
 a representative sample of women       
veterans from each ,veterans ,integrated
 ,service ,network2 and  7#c7 ensure    
that the sample of women veterans       
surveyed is of sufficient size for the  
study results to be statistically       
significant and is a larger sample than 
that of the study specified in          
subsection 7c77#a74  7c7 ,use of        
previous studies ,in conducting the     
study required by subsection 7a71 the   
,secretary shall build on the work of   
the studies of the ,department titled-- 
7#a7 ,national ,survey of ,women        
,veterans in ,fiscal ,year #bjjg-bjjh2  
and  7#b7 ,study of ,barriers for ,women
 ,veterans to ,,va ,health ,care #bjae4 

7d7 ,elements of study ,in conducting   
the study required by subsection 7a71   
the ,secretary shall conduct research on
 the effects of the following on the    
women veterans surveyed in the study3   
7#a7 ,the barriers associated with      
seeking mental health care services1    
including with respect to provider      
availability1 telehealth access1 and    
family1 work1 and school obligations4   
7#b7 ,the effect of driving distance or 
availability of other forms of          
transportation to the nearest medical   
facility on access to care4  7#c7 ,the  
effect of access to care from           
non-,department providers4  7#d7 ,the   
availability of child care4  7#e7 ,the  
satisfaction of such veterans with the  
provision by the ,department of         
integrated primary care1 women's health 
clinics1 or both1 including perceptions 
of quality of care1 safety1 and comfort4
  7#f7 ,the understanding and perceived 
accessibility among such veterans of    
eligibility requirements for1 and the   

scope of services available under1      
hospital care and medical services4     
7#g7 ,the perception of such veterans of
 personal safety and comfort in         
inpatient1 outpatient1 and behavioral   
health facilities4  7#h7 ,the gender    
sensitivity of health care providers and
 staff to issues that particularly      
affect women4  7#i7 ,the effectiveness  
of outreach for health care services    
available to women veterans4  7#aj7 ,the
 location and operating hours of health 
care facilities that provide services to
 women veterans4  7#aa7 ,the perception 
of such veterans of the motto of the    
,department4  7#ab7 ,such other         
significant barriers as the ,secretary  
considers appropriate4  7e7 ,discharge  
by contract ,the ,secretary shall enter 
into a contract with a qualified        
independent entity or organization to   
carry out the study and research        
required under this section4  7f7       
,mandatory review of data by certain    
,department divisions  7#a7 ,review     

7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall  
ensure that the head of each division of
 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs  
specified in paragraph 7#b7 reviews the 
results of the study conducted under    
this section4  7,b7 ,submittal of       
findings ,the head of each division     
specified in paragraph 7#b7 shall submit
 findings with respect to the study     
under this section to the ,under        
,secretary of the ,department with      
responsibilities relating to health care
 services for women veterans4  7#b7     
,specified divisions ,the divisions of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
specified in this paragraph are the     
following3 7,a7 ,the ,office of the     
,under ,secretary for ,health4  7,b7    
,the ,office of ,women's ,health        
established under section #gcaj of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7,c7 ,the 
,center for ,women ,veterans under      
section #cah of such title4  7,d7 ,the  
,advisory ,committee on ,women ,veterans
 established under section #edb of such 

title4  7g7 ,report  7#a7 ,in general   
,not later than #cj months after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act1 the 
,secretary shall submit to ,congress a  
report on the study required under this 
section4  7#b7 ,elements ,the report    
under paragraph 7#a7 shall include--    
7,a7 the findings of the head of each   
division of the ,department specified   
under subsection 7f77#b72 and  7,b7     
recommendations for such administrative 
and legislative action as the ,secretary
 considers appropriate4  #edjc4 ,study  
on feasibility and advisability of      
offering ,parenting ,,stair program at  
all medical centers of ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,in general ,the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall 
conduct a study on the feasibility and  
advisability of expanding the ,parenting
 ,,stair program to all medical centers 
of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs
 and including such program as part of  
care for military sexual trauma for     
affected members and former members of  

the ,armed ,forces4  7b7 ,elements ,in  
conducting the study under subsection   
7a71 the ,secretary shall assess-- 7#a7 
staffing needed to offer the ,parenting 
,,stair program at all medical centers  
of the ,department2  7#b7 any additional
 infrastructure or resources 7such as   
child care during the program7 needed   
for the expansion of the program2 and   
7#c7 such other factors relevant to the 
expansion of the program as the         
,secretary considers appropriate4  7c7  
,reports to ,congress  7#a7 ,interim    
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 detailing--   
7,a7 the current number and locations of
 all facilities of the ,department      
offering the ,parenting ,,stair program2
 and  7,b7 the number of veterans served
 by such program in the most recent     

fiscal year or calendar year for which  
data is available4  7#b7 ,final report  
,not later than three years 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 detailing--   
7,a7 the results of the study conducted 
under subsection 7a72  7,b7 an update on
 how many veterans have used the        
,parenting ,,stair program since its    
development in fiscal year #bjag1       
disaggregated by year1 including the    
locations in which veterans have used   
such program2 and  7,c7 a determination 
on the feasibility and advisability of  
expanding the ,parenting ,,stair program
 to all medical facilities of the       
,department offering care for military  
sexual trauma4  7d7 ,definitions ,in    
this section3 7#a7 ,affected members and
 former members of the ,armed ,forces   
,the term affected members and former   

members of the ,armed ,forces means     
members and former members of the ,armed
 ,forces who are parents and have       
experienced military sexual trauma4     
7#b7 ,military sexual trauma ,the term  
military sexual trauma has the meaning  
given such term in section #aafd7;c7 of 
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as    
added by section #eeja7;a7 of this      
title4  7#c7 ,parenting stair program   
,the term ,parenting ,,stair program    
means the program of the ,department of 
,veterans ,affairs that consists of a   
five-session1 parenting-specific        
treatment protocol based on skills      
training in affective and interpersonal 
regulation 7commonly referred to as     
,,stair71 which is a cognitive          
behavioral therapy that has been        
identified as a promising practice for  
treating post-traumatic stress disorder1
 including chronic and complicated      
forms1 among individuals with           
co-occurring disorders4  ,e ,benefits   
matters  #eeja4 ,evaluation of          

service-connection of mental health     
conditions relating to military sexual  
trauma  7a7 ,specialized teams to       
evaluate claims involving military      
sexual trauma  7#a7 ,in general         
subchapter ,,vi of chapter #aa of such  
title is amended by adding at the end   
the following new section3  #aafd4      
,specialized teams to evaluate claims   
involving military sexual trauma  7a7   
,in general ,the ,secretary shall       
establish specialized teams to process  
claims for compensation for a covered   
mental health condition based on        
military sexual trauma experienced by a 
veteran during active military1 naval1  
or air service4  7b7 ,training ,the     
,secretary shall ensure that members of 
teams established under subsection 7a7  
are trained to identify markers         
indicating military sexual trauma4  7c7 
,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the
 term covered mental health condition   
means post-traumatic stress disorder1   
anxiety1 depression1 or other mental    

health diagnosis described in the       
current version of the ,diagnostic and  
,statistical ,manual of ,mental         
,disorders published by the ,american   
,psychiatric ,association that the      
,secretary determines to be related to  
military sexual trauma4  7#b7 ,the term 
military sexual trauma means1 with      
respect to a veteran1 a physical assault
 of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual
 nature1 or sexual harassment during    
active military1 naval1 or air service4 
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  #aafd4         
,specialized teams to evaluate claims   
involving military sexual trauma4  4    
7b7 ,annual reports on claims for       
disabilities incurred or aggravated by  
military sexual trauma  7#a7 ,reports   
required ,not later than ,march #a1     
#bjba1 and not less frequently than once
 each year thereafter through #bjbg1 the
 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall 

submit to ,congress a report on covered 
claims submitted during the previous    
fiscal year to identify and track the   
consistency of decisions across regional
 offices of the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs4  7#b7 ,elements ,each report 
under paragraph 7#a7 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 listed under subparagraph
 7,a71 the number and percentage of such
 claims-- 7i7 submitted by each sex2    
7ii7 that were approved1 including the  
number and percentage of such approved  
claims submitted by each sex2  7iii7    
that were denied1 including the number  
and percentage of such denied claims    
submitted by each sex2 and  7iv7 that   
were developed and reviewed by a        
specialized team established under      
section #aafd7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 as added by subsection   
7a74  7,c7 ,of the covered claims listed

 under subparagraph 7,a7 that were      
approved1 the number and percentage1    
disaggregated by sex1 of claims assigned
 to each rating percentage4  7,d7 ,of   
the covered claims listed under         
subparagraph 7,a7 that were denied-- 7i7
 the three most common reasons given by 
the ,secretary under section            
#eajd7;b77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united     
,states ,code1 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,e7 
,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,f7 ,for the fiscal year     
covered by the report1 the average      
number of days that covered claims take 
to complete1 beginning on the date on   
which the claim is submitted4  7,g7 ,a  
description of the training that the    
,secretary provides to employees of the 
,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 or 

such contractors or other individuals as
 the ,secretary considers appropriate1  
specifically with respect to covered    
claims1 including the frequency1 length1
 and content of such training4  7,h7    
,whether all covered claims are subject 
to second level review until the        
individual rater of the ,veterans       
,benefits ,administration adjudicating  
such covered claims achieves an accuracy
 rate of #ij percent on decisions of    
such covered claims4  7#c7 ,definitions 
,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,covered      
claims ,the term covered claims means   
claims for disability compensation      
submitted to the ,secretary based on a  
covered mental health condition alleged 
to have been incurred or aggravated by  
military sexual trauma4  7,b7 ,covered  
mental health condition ,the term       
covered mental health condition has the 
meaning given such term in section      
#aafd7;c7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states 
,code4  7,c7 ,military sexual trauma    
,the term military sexual trauma has the

 meaning given such term in such        
section4  #eejb4 ,choice of sex of      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
medical examiner for assessment of      
claims for compensation relating to     
disability resulting from physical      
assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a
 sexual nature1 or sexual harassment    
7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,vi of     
chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code1 as amended by section    
#eeja of this title1 is further amended 
by inserting after section #aafd1 as    
added by section #eeja1 the following   
new section3  #aafe4 ,choice of sex of  
medical examiner for certain            
disabilities  7a7 ,in general ,the      
,secretary shall ensure that a veteran  
who requires a medical examination from 
a covered medical provider in support of
 a claim for compensation under this    
chapter for a mental or physical health 
condition that resulted from a physical 
assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a
 sexual nature1 or sexual harassment may

 designate the sex of the medical       
provider who provides such medical      
examination4  7b7 ,covered medical      
providers ,for purposes of this section1
 a covered medical provider is any      
medical provider who is employed by the 
,department or is under any contract    
with the ,department to provide a       
medical examination or a medical opinion
 when such an examination or opinion is 
necessary to make a decision on a claim4
  7c7 ,notice ,before providing any     
medical examination for a veteran in    
support for a claim described in        
subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall    
notify the veteran of the veteran's     
rights under subsection 7a74  4  7b7    
,clerical amendment ,the table of       
sections at the beginning of chapter #aa
 of such title1 as amended by section   
#eeja of this title1 is further amended 
by inserting after the item relating to 
section #aafd the following new item3   
#aafe4 ,choice of sex of medical        
examiner for certain disabilities4  4   

#eejc4 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 
report on implementing recommendations  
of ,inspector ,general of ,department of
 ,veterans ,affairs in certain report on
 denied posttraumatic stress disorder   
claims related to military sexual trauma
 ,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 a report on the progress of the 
,secretary in implementing the          
recommendations from the report of the  
,inspector ,general of the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs entitled ,denied  
,posttraumatic ,stress ,disorder ,claims
 ,related to ,military ,sexual ,trauma  
7#ag-jebdh-bda74  ,,vi ,representation  
and financial exploitation matters      
#fjja4 ,short title ,this title may be  
cited as the ,financial ,refuge for     
,every ,elderly ,veteran ,act of #bjbj  
or the ,,free ,veteran ,act of #bjbj4   

#fjjb4 ,plan to address the financial   
exploitation of veterans receiving      
pension from the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,development of 
method for solicitation and collection  
of information ,not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans       
,affairs shall develop a method for     
systematically soliciting and collecting
 information on complaints received1    
referrals made1 and actions taken by the
 pension management centers of the      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs and   
any other relevant components of the    
,department1 in cases of potential      
financial exploitation of individuals   
receiving pension under chapter #ae of  
title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7b7  
,plan ,to assess and address financial  
exploitation of veterans  7#a7 ,in      
general ,the ,secretary shall develop   
and periodically update a plan-- 7,a7 to
 regularly assess the information       
solicited and collected under subsection

 7a7 to identify trends of potential    
financial exploitation of the           
individuals described in subsection 7a7 
across the ,department2 and  7,b7 to    
outline actions that the ,department can
 take to improve education and training 
to address those trends4  7#b7          
,submission of plan ,not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act and not less frequently than  
once every two years thereafter until   
the date that is six years after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act1 the 
,secretary shall submit the plan most   
recently developed or updated under     
paragraph 7#a7 to-- 7,a7 the            
,comptroller ,general of the ,united    
,states2 and  7,b7 the ,committee on    
,veterans' ,affairs and the ,special    
,committee on ,aging of the ,senate and 
the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of
 the ,house of ,representatives4  #fjjc4
 ,overpayments of pension to veterans   
receiving pension from the ,department  
of ,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,guidance and

 training for claims processors ,as the 
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs        
considers necessary1 but not less       
frequently than once every three years  
until the date that is #aj years after  
the date of the enactment of this ,act1 
the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
shall update guidance and training      
curriculum for the processors of claims 
for pension under chapter #ae of title  
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 regarding   
the evaluation of questionable medical  
expenses on applications for pension1   
including by updating such guidance with
 respect to what constitutes a          
questionable medical expense and by     
including examples of such expenses4    
7b7 ,identification and tracking ,the   
,under ,secretary shall develop a method
 for identifying and tracking the number
 of individuals who have received       
overpayments of pension under chapter   
#ae of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4
  7c7 ,annual report ,not later than one

 year after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act and not later than ,october  
#ca of each fiscal year beginning       
thereafter until the date that is four  
years after the date of the enactment of
 this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall 
submit to ,congress a report that       
includes1 for the period covered by the 
report1 the following3 7#a7 ,the number 
of individuals who received overpayments
 of pension under chapter #ae of title  
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code4  7#b7 ,the  
five most common reasons for            
overpayments described in paragraph     
7#a74  7#c7 ,the number of veterans who 
had to repay overpayments described in  
paragraph 7#a74  7#d7 ,the number of    
veterans for whom the ,secretary waived 
a requirement to repay an overpayment   
described in paragraph 7#a74  7#e7 ,the 
total dollar amount of overpayments     
described in paragraph 7#a74  7#f7 ,the 
total dollar amount of repayments of    
veterans for overpayments described in  
paragraph 7#a74  7#g7 ,the average      

dollar amount of repayments described in
 paragraph 7#f74  #fjjd4 ,evaluation of 
additional actions for verifying direct 
deposit information provided by veterans
 on applications for veterans pension   
7a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary  
for ,benefits of the ,department of     
,veterans ,affairs shall-- 7#a7 conduct 
an evaluation of the feasibility and    
advisability of requiring the processors
 of claims for pension under chapter #ae
 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to
 take additional actions to verify that 
the direct deposit information provided 
by an individual on an application for  
pension is for the appropriate          
recipient2 and  7#b7 identify such      
legislative or administrative actions as
 the ,under ,secretary considers        
appropriate to ensure that payments of  
pension are provided to the correct     
recipients4  7b7 ,submission to         
,congress  7#a7 ,in general ,not later  
than #bdj days after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,under      

,secretary shall submit to ,congress a  
report on the evaluation and            
identification under subsection 7a74    
7#b7 ,contents ,the report required by  
paragraph 7#a7 shall include the        
following3 7,a7 ,the findings of the    
,under ,secretary with respect to the   
evaluation conducted under subsection   
7a77#a74  7,b7 ,the actions identified  
under subsection 7a77#b74  7,c7 ,a plan 
for implementing any administrative     
actions identified under subsection     
7a77#b74  7,d7 ,a rationale for not     
implementing any actions evaluated under
 paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7a7 but   
not identified under paragraph 7#b7 of  
such subsection4  #fjje4 ,annual report 
on efforts of ,department of ,veterans  
,affairs to address the financial       
exploitation of veterans receiving      
pension  7a7 ,in general ,not later than
 one year after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act and not less     
frequently than once each year          
thereafter until the date that is four  

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 efforts to 
address the financial exploitation of   
individuals receiving pension under     
chapter #ae of title #ch1 ,united       
,states ,code4  7b7 ,contents ,each     
report required by subsection 7a7 shall 
include1 for the period covered by the  
report1 the following3 7#a7 ,the number 
of individuals who received pension     
under chapter #ae of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 who have been referred by
 any component of the ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs to the ,office of    
,inspector ,general of the ,department  
as likely or proven victims of financial
 exploitation4  7#b7 ,the number of     
referrals and reports relating to the   
financial exploitation of such          
individuals made by the ,department of  

,veterans ,affairs to-- 7,a7 the        
,consumer ,sentinel ,network of the     
,federal ,trade ,commission2 and  7,b7  
the ,department of ,justice4  7#c7 ,a   
description of the actions taken as a   
result of such referrals and reports    
against-- 7,a7 individuals recognized by
 the ,secretary as agents or attorneys  
under section #eijd of title #ch1       
,united ,states ,code2 and  7,b7        
individuals not so recognized4  #fjjf4  
,notice regarding fees charged in       
connection with filing an application   
for veterans pension ,the ,under        
,secretary for ,benefits of the         
,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall 
ensure that every paper or electronic   
document relating to the receipt of     
pension under chapter #ae of title #ch1 
,united ,states ,code1 that is available
 to individuals who apply for such      
pension1 including educational forms    
about or applications for such pension1 
includes a notice that the ,department  
does not charge any fee in connection   

with the filing of an application for   
such pension4  #fjjg4 ,outreach plan for
 educating vulnerable veterans about    
potential financial exploitation        
relating to the receipt of pension  7a7 
,development of plan ,the ,under        
,secretary for ,benefits of the         
,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall 
develop1 in collaboration with veterans 
service organizations1 an outreach plan 
for educating vulnerable individuals    
about potential financial exploitation  
relating to the receipt of pension under
 chapter #ae of title #ch1 ,united      
,states ,code4  7b7 ,submission to      
,congress ,not later than #ahj days     
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit
 to the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs and the ,special ,committee on 
,aging of the ,senate and the ,committee
 on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of
 ,representatives the plan developed    
under subsection 7a74  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  ,,vii ,other matters  ,a        
,administrative and other matters       
#gjja4 ,medical examination protocol for
 volunteer drivers participating in     
program of transportation services for  
veterans ,section #aaa;,a7b7 of title   
#ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--
 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 ,not later than #ij days after the 
date of the enactment of the ,johnny    
,isakson and ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4    
,veterans ,health ,care and ,benefits   
,improvement ,act of #bjbj1 the         
,secretary shall develop and establish a
 national protocol for the              
administration of medical examinations  
for volunteer drivers to participate in 

the program described in paragraph 7#a74
  7,b7 ,in developing the protocol      
required by subparagraph 7,a71 the      
,secretary shall consult with such      
persons as the ,secretary determines    
have an interest in the program         
described in paragraph 7#a74  7,c7 7i7  
,the ,secretary shall implement the     
protocol by first conducting a one-year 
pilot program using the protocol4  7ii7 
,after conducting the pilot program     
required by clause 7i71 the ,secretary  
shall assess the pilot program and make 
such changes to the protocol as the     
,secretary considers appropriate4  7iii7
 ,after making changes to the protocol  
under clause 7ii71 the ,secretary shall 
implement the protocol in phases during 
the course of one year4  4  #gjjb4      
,department of ,veterans ,affairs       
,advisory ,committee on ,tribal and     
,indian ,affairs  7a7 ,establishment of 
advisory committee  7#a7 ,in general    
,subchapter ,,iii of chapter #e of title
 #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended 

by adding at the end the following new  
section3  #edg4 ,advisory ,committee on 
,tribal and ,indian ,affairs  7a7       
,establishment  7#a7 ,the ,secretary    
shall establish an advisory committee to
 provide advice and guidance to the     
,secretary on matters relating to       
,indian tribes1 tribal organizations1   
and ,native ,american veterans4  7#b7   
,the advisory committee established     
under paragraph 7#a7 shall be known as  
the ,advisory ,committee on ,tribal and 
,indian ,affairs 7in this section       
referred to as the ,committee74  7#c7   
,the ,committee shall facilitate1 but   
not supplant1 government-to-government  
consultation between the ,department and
 ,indian tribes or tribal organizations4
  7#d7 ,the ,secretary shall consult    
with ,indian tribes or tribal           
organizations in developing a charter   
for the ,committee4  7b7 ,membership    
7#a7 ,the ,committee shall be comprised 
of #ae voting members selected by the   
,secretary from among individuals       

nominated as specified under this       
subsection4  7#b7 ,in selecting members 
under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary    
shall ensure that-- 7,a7 at least one   
member of each of the #ab service areas 
of the ,indian ,health ,service is      
represented in the membership of the    
,committee nominated by ,indian tribes  
or tribal organizations2  7,b7 at least 
one member of the ,committee represents 
the ,native ,hawaiian veteran community 
nominated by a ,native ,hawaiian        
,organization2  7,c7 at least one member
 of the ,committee represents urban     
,indian organizations nominated by a    
national urban ,indian organization2 and
  7,d7 not fewer than half of the       
members are veterans1 unless the        
,secretary determines that an           
insufficient number of qualified        
veterans were nominated under paragraph 
7#a74  7#c7 ,no member of the ,committee
 may be an employee of the ,federal     
,government4  7c7 ,terms2 vacancies     
7#a7 ,a member of the ,committee shall  

be appointed for a term of two years4   
7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall fill a       
vacancy in the ,committee in the same   
manner as the original appointment      
within #ahj days4  7d7 ,meetings  7#a7  
7,a7 ,except as provided in subparagraph
 7,b71 the ,committee shall meet        
in-person with the ,secretary1 or the   
,secretary's designee1 not less         
frequently than twice each year and hold
 monthly conference calls as necessary4 
7,b7 ,during a public health emergency  
7as defined in section #bjjjc of the    
,coronavirus ,aid1 ,relief1 and         
,economic ,security ,act 7,public ,law  
#aaf-acf771 meetings under subparagraph 
7,a7 may be conducted virtually4  7#b7  
7,a7 ,representatives of relevant       
,federal agencies may attend meetings of
 the ,committee and provide information 
to the ,committee4  7,b7 ,one           
representative of the ,office of ,tribal
 ,government ,relations of the          
,department shall attend at each meeting
 of the ,committee4  7,c7               

,representatives attending meetings     
under this paragraph shall not be       
considered voting members of the        
,committee4  7,d7 ,a representative     
attending a meeting or providing        
information under this paragraph may not
 receive additional compensation for    
services performed with respect to the  
,committee4  7e7 ,subcommittees  7#a7   
,the ,committee may establish           
subcommittees4  7#b7 ,the ,secretary    
may1 in consultation with the           
,committee1 appoint a member to a       
subcommittee established under paragraph
 7#a7 who is not a member of the        
,committee4  7#c7 ,such subcommittees   
may enhance the function of the         
,committee1 but may not supersede the   
authority of the ,committee or provide  
direct advice or work products to the   
,department4  7f7 ,duties ,the duties of
 the ,committee are as follows3 7#a7 ,to
 advise the ,secretary on ways the      
,department can improve the programs and
 services of the ,department to better  

serve ,native ,american veterans4  7#b7 
,to identify for the ,department        
evolving issues of relevance to ,indian 
tribes1 tribal organizations1 and       
,native ,american veterans relating to  
programs and services of the            
,department4  7#c7 ,to propose          
clarifications1 recommendations1 and    
solutions to address issues raised at   
tribal1 regional1 and national levels1  
especially regarding any tribal         
consultation reports4  7#d7 ,to provide 
a forum for ,indian tribes1 tribal      
organizations1 urban ,indian            
organizations1 ,native ,hawaiian        
organizations1 and the ,department to   
discuss issues and proposals for changes
 to ,department regulations1 policies1  
and procedures4  7#e7 ,to identify      
priorities and provide advice on        
appropriate strategies for tribal       
consultation and urban ,indian          
organizations conferring on issues at   
the tribal1 regional1 or national       
levels4  7#f7 ,to ensure that pertinent 

issues are brought to the attention of  
,indian tribes1 tribal organizations1   
urban ,indian organizations1 and ,native
 ,hawaiian organizations in a timely    
manner1 so that feedback can be         
obtained4  7#g7 ,to encourage the       
,secretary to work with other ,federal  
agencies and ,congress so that ,native  
,american veterans are not denied the   
full benefit of their status as both    
,native ,americans and veterans4  7#h7  
,to highlight contributions of ,native  
,american veterans in the ,armed        
,forces4  7#i7 ,to make recommendations 
on the consultation policy of the       
,department on tribal matters4  7#aj7   
,to support a process to develop an     
urban ,indian organization confer policy
 to ensure the ,secretary confers1 to   
the maximum extent practicable1 with    
urban ,indian organizations4  7#aa7 ,to 
conduct other duties as recommended by  
the ,committee4  7g7 ,reports  7#a7 ,not
 less frequently than once each year1   
the ,committee shall submit to the      

,secretary and the appropriate          
committees of ,congress such            
recommendations as the ,committee may   
have for legislative or administrative  
action for the upcoming year4  7#b7 ,not
 later than #ij days after the date on  
which the ,secretary receives a         
recommendation under paragraph 7#a71 the
 ,secretary shall submit to the         
appropriate committees of ,congress a   
written response to the recommendation4 
7#c7 ,not less frequently than once     
every two years1 the ,committee shall   
submit to the ,secretary and the        
appropriate committees of ,congress a   
report describing the activities of the 
,committee during the previous two      
years4  7#d7 ,the ,secretary shall make 
publicly available on an ,internet      
website of the ,department-- 7,a7 each  
recommendation the ,secretary receives  
under paragraph 7#a72  7,b7 each        
response the ,secretary submits under   
paragraph 7#b72 and  7,c7 each report   
the ,secretary receives under paragraph 

7#c74  7h7 ,committee personnel matters 
,a member of the ,committee shall be    
allowed travel expenses1 including per  
diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates   
authorized for an employee of an agency 
under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of   
title #e while away from the home or    
regular place of business of the member 
in the performance of the duties of the 
,committee4  7i7 ,federal ,advisory     
,committee ,act exemption ,section #ad  
of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee    
,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 shall not     
apply to the ,committee4  7j7           
,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the
 term appropriate committees of         
,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on
 ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee 
on ,indian ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 
7,b7 the ,committee on ,veterans'       
,affairs and the ,committee on ,natural 
,resources of the ,house of             
,representatives4  7#b7 ,the term       
,indian tribe has the meaning given such
 term in section #d of the ,indian      

,self-,determination and ,education     
,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 
7#c7 ,the term ,native ,hawaiian        
organization means any organization     
that-- 7,a7 serves the interests of     
,native ,hawaiians2  7,b7 has ,native   
,hawaiians in substantive and           
policymaking positions within the       
organization2  7,c7 has demonstrated    
experience working with ,native         
,hawaiian veterans2 and  7,d7 shall     
include the ,office of ,hawaiian        
,affairs4  7#d7 ,the term ,native       
,american veteran has the meaning given 
such term in section #cgfe of this      
title4  7#e7 ,the term ,office of       
,hawaiian ,affairs means the ,office of 
,hawaiian ,affairs established by the   
constitution of the ,state of ,hawaii4  
4  7#f7 ,the term tribal organization   
has the meaning given such term in      
section #cgfe of this title4  7#g7 ,the 
term urban ,indian organization has the 
meaning given such term in section #d of
 the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement 

,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afjc74  4  7#b7    
,clerical amendment ,the table of       
sections at the beginning of chapter #e 
of such title is amended by inserting   
after the item relating to section #edf 
the following new item3  #edg4 ,advisory
 ,committee on ,tribal and ,indian      
,affairs4  4  7b7 ,deadline for         
establishment ,the ,secretary of        
,veterans ,affairs shall establish the  
advisory committee required by section  
#edg of title #ch1 ,united ,states      
,code1 as added by subsection 7a77#a71  
not later than #ahj days after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act4  7c7     
,deadline for initial appointments ,not 
later than #ij days after the date on   
which the ,secretary establishes the    
advisory committee required by such     
section1 the ,secretary shall appoint   
members under subsection 7b77#a7 of such
 section4  7d7 ,initial meeting ,not    
later than #ij days after the date on   
which the ,secretary establishes the    
advisory committee required by such     

section1 such advisory committee shall  
hold its first meeting4  7e7 ,report on 
relation to office of tribal and        
government relations  7#a7 ,in general  
,not later than two years after the date
 of the first meeting held by the       
advisory committee required by such     
section1 the ,secretary shall submit to 
,congress a report on whether and to    
what extent the activities of the       
advisory committee improve the function 
of the ,office of ,tribal and           
,government ,relations of the           
,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 aid  
the decisions of the ,secretary1 and    
whether and to what extent the          
activities of the advisory committee    
duplicate function of the ,department   
performed before the enactment of this  
,act4  7#b7 ,review by advisory         
committee ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7  
give the advisory committee an          
opportunity to review the report        
required by paragraph 7#a7 before       
submitting the report under such        

paragraph2 and  7,b7 include in the     
report submitted under such paragraph   
such comments as the advisory committee 
considers appropriate regarding the     
views of the advisory committee with    
respect to the report4  #gjjc4          
,preference for offerors employing      
veterans  7a7 ,in general ,subchapter   
,,ii of chapter #ha of title #ch1       
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
adding after section #habh the following
 new section3  #habi4 ,preference for   
offerors employing veterans  7a7        
,preference  7#a7 ,in awarding a        
contract for the procurement of goods or
 services1 the ,secretary may give a    
preference to offerors that employ      
veterans on a full-time basis4  7#b7    
,the ,secretary shall determine such    
preference based on the percentage of   
the full-time employees of the offeror  
who are veterans4  7b7 ,enforcement     
penalties for misrepresentation  7#a7   
,any offeror that is determined by the  
,secretary to have willfully and        

intentionally misrepresented the veteran
 status of the employees of the offeror 
for purposes of subsection 7a7 may be   
debarred from contracting with the      
,department for a period of not less    
than five years4  7#b7 ,if the          
,secretary carries out a debarment under
 paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall-- 
7,a7 commence debarment action against  
the offeror by not later than #cj days  
after determining that the offeror      
willfully and intentionally             
misrepresented the veteran status of the
 employees of the offeror as described  
in paragraph 7#a72 and  7,b7 complete   
debarment actions against such offeror  
by not later than #ij days after such   
determination4  7#c7 ,the debarment of  
an offeror under paragraph 7#a7 includes
 the debarment of all principals in the 
offeror for a period of not less than   
five years4  4  7b7 ,clerical amendment 
,the table of sections at the beginning 
of chapter #ha of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to 

section #habh the following new item3   
#habi4 ,preference for offerors         
employing veterans4  4  #gjjd4          
,extension of certain employment and    
reemployment rights to members of the   
,national ,guard who perform ,state     
active duty ,section #dcjc of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--    
7#a7 in paragraph 7#ac71 by inserting   
,state active duty for a period of #ad  
days or more1 ,state active duty in     
response to a national emergency        
declared by the ,president under the    
,national ,emergencies ,act 7#ej        
,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq471 ,state active 
duty in response to a major disaster    
declared by the ,president under section
 #dja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford      
,disaster ,relief and ,emergency        
,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj71 
after full-time ,national ,guard duty12 
7#b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#ae7 as
 paragraph 7#af72 and  7#c7 by inserting
 after paragraph 7#ad7 the following new
 paragraph 7#ae73  7#ae7 ,the term      

,state active duty means training or    
other duty1 other than inactive duty1   
performed by a member of the ,national  
,guard of a ,state-- 7,a7 not under     
section #ejb of title #cb or under title
 #aj2  7,b7 in service to the ,governor 
of a ,state2 and  7,c7 for which the    
member is not entitled to pay from the  
,federal ,government4  4  #gjje4        
,repayment of misused benefits  7a7 ,in 
general ,section #fajg7;b7 of title #ch1
 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--    
7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,in 
any case in which a fiduciary described 
in paragraph 7#b7 and inserting ,in any 
case not covered by subsection 7a7 in   
which a fiduciary2  7#b7 by striking    
paragraph 7#b72 and  7#c7 by            
redesignating paragraph 7#c7 as         
paragraph 7#b74  7b7 ,application ,the  
amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall 
apply with respect to any determination 
by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs 
made on or after the date of the        
enactment of this ,act regarding the    

misuse of benefits by a fiduciary4      
#gjjf4 ,exemption of certain transfers  
,section #gcfd7;b77#a7 of title #ch1    
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
adding at the end the following new     
sentence3 ,any amounts so transferred   
after ,september #cj1 #bjaf1 shall be   
available without regard to fiscal year 
limitations1 notwithstanding section    
#aece7;d7 of title #ca44  #gjjg4 ,report
 and planned actions of the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs to address certain
 high-risk areas of the ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,report required
 ,not later than #ahj days after the    
date of the enactment of this ,act1 the 
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in    
consultation with the ,comptroller      
,general of the ,united ,states1 shall  
submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' 
,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of   
,representatives a report outlining the 
plan the ,secretary has developed and   
the actions the ,secretary has taken to 
address the areas of concern identified 

by the ,comptroller ,general for the    
,department of ,veterans ,affairs in the
 #bjai ,high-,risk ,list of the         
,government ,accountability ,office     
7,,gao-#ai-aeg,,sp7 regarding-- 7#a7    
acquisition management2 and  7#b7       
managing risks and improving health     
care4  7b7 ,elements ,the report under  
subsection 7a7 shall include each of the
 following3 7#a7 ,root causes of the    
areas of concern described in paragraphs
 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7a74  7#b7 
,corrective actions and specific steps  
to address each root cause1 including-- 
7,a7 the progress of the ,secretary in  
implementing those actions and steps2   
and  7,b7 timelines and milestones the  
,secretary determines feasible to       
complete each corrective action4  7#c7  
,resources the ,secretary determines are
 necessary to implement corrective      
actions1 including-- 7,a7 funding2  7,b7
 stakeholders2  7,c7 technology2 and    
7,d7 senior officials responsible for   
implementing the corrective actions and 

reporting results4  7#d7 ,metrics for   
assessing progress in addressing the    
areas of concern described in paragraphs
 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7a74  7#e7 
,key outcomes that demonstrate progress 
in addressing the areas of concern      
described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of
 subsection 7a74  7#f7 ,obstacles to    
implementation of the plan that the     
,secretary identifies4  7#g7            
,recommendations of the ,secretary      
regarding legislation or funding the    
,secretary determines necessary to      
implement the plan4  7#h7 ,any other    
information the ,secretary determines is
 relevant to understanding the progress 
of the ,department toward the removal of
 the areas of concern from the ,high    
,risk ,list4  7c7 ,annual updates  7#a7 
,update required ,not less than once    
each year during the implementation     
period under paragraph 7#b71 the        
,secretary shall submit to ,congress an 
update regarding implementation of each 
element of the plan under subsection    

7b74  7#b7 ,implementation period ,the  
implementation period described in this 
paragraph begins on the date on which   
the ,secretary submits the report       
required under subsection 7a7 and ends  
on the earlier of the following dates3  
7,a7 ,the date on which the ,comptroller
 ,general removes the last area of      
concern for the ,department from the    
most recent ,high-,risk ,list of the    
,government ,accountability ,office4    
7,b7 ,the date that is #h years after   
the date on which the ,secretary submits
 the plan required under subsection 7a74
  #gjjh4 ,annual report by ,secretary of
 ,veterans ,affairs on implementation of
 priority recommendations of            
,comptroller ,general of the ,united    
,states pertaining to ,department of    
,veterans ,affairs  7a7 ,annual report  
required ,not later than #bgj days after
 the date of the enactment of this ,act1
 and not less than once during each of  
the subsequent #c years1 the ,secretary 
of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to   

the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs  
of the ,senate and ,house of            
,representatives and to the ,comptroller
 ,general of the ,united ,states a      
report on the implementation of priority
 recommendations of the ,comptroller    
,general that pertain to the ,department
 of ,veterans ,affairs4  7b7 ,contents  
,each report submitted under subsection 
7a7 shall include1 for the period       
covered by the report1 the following3   
7#a7 ,the progress of the ,secretary in 
implementing all open priority          
recommendations of the ,comptroller     
,general for the ,department of         
,veterans ,affairs4  7#b7 ,an           
explanation for each instance where the 
,secretary has decided not to implement1
 or has not fully implemented1 an open  
priority recommendation of the          
,comptroller ,general for the           
,department4  7#c7 ,a summary of the    
corrective actions taken and remaining  
steps the ,secretary plans to take to   
implement open priority recommendations 

of the ,comptroller ,general4  7c7      
,supplement not supplant certain        
required reports or written statements  
,the report under this section shall not
 be construed to supplant any report or 
written statement required under section
 #gbj of title #ca1 ,united ,states     
,code4  #gjji4 ,clarification of methods
 used to monitor compliance with certain
 limitations on subcontracting ,section 
#habg7k77#c77;,a7 of title #ch1 ,united 
,states ,code1 is amended by striking   
and any other and inserting or any      
other4  #gjaj4 ,department of ,veterans 
,affairs requirement to provide certain 
notice to persons filing claims for     
damage1 injury1 or death on ,standard   
,form #ie ,not later than #ij days after
 the date on which a person submits to  
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs a  
claim for damage1 injury1 or death on   
,standard ,form #ie1 or any successor   
form1 the ,secretary shall provide to   
such person notice of each of the       
following3 7#a7 ,the benefit of         

obtaining legal advice concerning such  
claim4  7#b7 ,the employment status of  
any individual listed on the form4  7#c7
 ,if the claim involves a contractor    
that entered into an agreement with the 
,secretary1 the importance of obtaining 
legal advice as to the statute of       
limitations regarding the claim in the  
,state in which the claim arose4  ,b    
,matters relating to the ,chief         
,financial ,officer of ,department of   
,veterans ,affairs  #gaja4 ,definitions 
,in this subtitle3 7#a7 ,appropriate    
congressional committees ,the term      
appropriate congressional committees    
means the ,committees on ,veterans'     
,affairs of the ,senate and the ,house  
of ,representatives and the ,committees 
on ,appropriations of the ,senate and   
the ,house of ,representatives4  7#b7   
,subordinate chief financial officer    
,the term subordinate chief financial   
officer-- 7,a7 includes-- 7i7 the chief 
financial officer of the ,veterans      
,health ,administration1 the chief      

financial officer of the ,office of     
,community ,care within the ,veterans   
,health ,administration1 and all chief  
financial officers of ,veterans         
,integrated ,service ,networks within   
the ,veterans ,health ,administration2  
7ii7 the chief financial officer of the 
,veterans ,benefits ,administration and 
all chief financial officers of         
organizational subdivisions representing
 business lines within the ,veterans    
,benefits ,administration2  7iii7 the   
chief financial officer of the ,national
 ,cemetery ,administration2 and  7iv7   
the chief financial officer of the      
,office of ,information and ,technology2
 and  7,b7 does not include the         
,inspector ,general4  #gajb4 ,plans for 
addressing material weaknesses and      
providing sufficient authority to ,chief
 ,financial ,officer of ,department of  
,veterans ,affairs ,not later than #ahj 
days after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 and annually thereafter for  
each of the three subsequent years1 the 

,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 acting
 through the ,chief ,financial ,officer 
of the ,department of ,veterans         
,affairs1 shall submit to the           
appropriate congressional committees--  
7#a7 an action plan1 including steps1   
related timelines1 costs1 progress1     
status of implementation1 and any       
updates for fully addressing the        
material weaknesses of the ,department  
discussed in the ,management's          
,discussion and ,analysis section of the
 financial statements of the ,department
 submitted to ,congress under section   
#ceae of title #ca1 ,united ,states     
,code for the year preceding the year   
during which the report is submitted2   
and  7#b7 a plan outlining the steps the
 ,secretary plans to take to address the
 recommendations of auditors related to 
entity-level internal controls and to   
provide sufficient authority to the     
,chief ,financial ,officer of the       
,department to carry out the            
requirements of section #ijb of title   

#ca1 ,united ,states ,code4  #gajc4     
,chief ,financial ,officer attestation  
,concurrent with the submittal to       
,congress of the ,president's budget    
request under section #aaje of title    
#ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 for fiscal  
year #bjbb and each of the next three   
subsequent fiscal years1 the ,chief     
,financial ,officer of the ,department  
of ,veterans affairs shall submit to the
 appropriate congressional committees   
each of the following3 7#a7 ,a          
certification of the responsibility of  
the ,chief ,financial ,officer for      
internal financial controls of the      
,department4  7#b7 ,an attestation that 
the ,chief ,financial ,officer has      
collaborated sufficiently with the      
subordinate chief financial officers of 
the ,department to be confident in the  
financial projections included the      
budget request and supporting materials4
  #gajd4 ,chief ,financial ,officer     
responsibility for subordinate chief    
financial officers  7a7 ,in general ,in 

accordance with the responsibilities of 
the ,chief ,financial ,officer of the   
,department of ,veterans ,affairs for   
the recruitment1 selection1 and training
 of personnel to carry out agency       
financial management functions pursuant 
to section #ijb7;a77#e77;,c7 of title   
#ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,chief  
,financial ,officer or the designee of  
the ,chief ,financial ,officer within   
the ,office of ,management of the       
,department shall-- 7#a7 participate in 
the interview and selection panels of   
all subordinate chief financial         
officers2 and  7#b7 give input into the 
performance plans and performance       
evaluations of all subordinate chief    
financial officers4  7b7 ,termination   
,the requirements under subsection 7a7  
shall terminate on the date that is five
 years after the date of the enactment  
of this ,act4  ,c ,servicemembers civil 
relief  #gbja4 ,clarification of        
delivery of notice of termination of    
leases of premises and motor vehicles   

for purposes of relief under            
,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act  7a7
 ,in general ,section #cje7;c77#b7 of   
the ,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act 
7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #ciee7;c77#b77 is        
amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by 
striking or at the end2  7#b7 in        
subparagraph 7,c71 by striking the      
period and inserting 2 or2 and  7#c7 by 
adding at the end the following new     
subparagraph3  7,d7 by electronic means1
 including-- 7i7 the direct delivery of 
material to an electronic address       
designated by the lessor 7or the        
lessor's grantee7 or the lessor's agent 
7or the agent's grantee72  7ii7 the     
posting of material to a website or     
other internet or electronic-based      
information repository to which access  
has been granted to the lessee1 the     
lessor 7or the lessor's grantee71 or the
 lessor's agent 7or the agent's         
grantee72 and  7iii7 other electronic   
means reasonably calculated to ensure   
actual receipt of the material by the   

lessor 7or the lessor's grantee7 or the 
lessor's agent 7or the agent's grantee74
  4  7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments
 made by subsection 7a7 shall apply to  
delivery of notice of lease terminations
 on or after the date the enactment of  
this ,act4  #gbjb4 ,technical correction
 regarding extension of lease           
protections for servicemembers under    
stop movement orders in response to     
local1 national1 or global emergency    
7a7 ,in general ,section #cje7;b7 of the
 ,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act    
7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #ciee7;b771 as amended by
 ,public ,law #aaf-aeh1 is further      
amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph             
7#a77;,c77ii71 by striking ,secretary of
 ,defense and inserting ,secretary      
concerned2 and  7#b7 in paragraph       
7#b77;,c77ii71 by striking ,secretary of
 ,defense and inserting ,secretary      
concerned4  7b7 ,retroactive application
 ,the amendments made by this section   
shall apply to stop movement orders     
issued on or after ,march #a1 #bjbj4    

,secretary