#aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gaje ,,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 purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,dependable ,employment and ,living ,improvements for ,veterans ,economic ,recovery ,act or the ,,deliver ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,title ,i--,assistance for homeless veterans ,sec4 #aja4 ,flexibility for the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs in caring for homeless veterans during a covered public health emergency4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,expansion of eligibility for ,,hud-,,vash4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,gap analysis of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,improvements to grants and agreements between the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and entities that provide services to homeless veterans4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,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 #ajg4 ,coordination of case management services for veterans receiving housing vouchers under ,tribal ,,hud-,,vash program4 ,sec4 #ajh4 ,contracting for ,,hud-,,vash case managers4 ,sec4 #aji4 ,report on ,,hud-,,vash staffing1 training1 and data systems4 ,title ,,ii--,retraining assistance for veterans ,sec4 #bja4 ,,covid-#ai ,veteran ,rapid ,retraining ,assistance ,program4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,access for the ,secretaries of ,labor and ,veterans ,affairs to the ,federal directory of new hires4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,expansion of eligible class of providers of high technology programs of education for veterans4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,pilot program for off-base transition training for veterans and spouses4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,grants for provision of transition assistance to members of the ,armed ,forces after separation1 retirement1 or discharge4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,one-year independent assessment of the effectiveness of ,transition ,assistance ,program4 ,sec4 #bjg4 ,longitudinal study on changes to ,,tap4 ,sec4 #bjh4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs loan fees4 ,i ,assistance for homeless veterans #aja4 ,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,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 ,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#c7 ,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#d7 ,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 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 7f7 ,emergency designations 7#a7 ,in general ,this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7#b7 ,designation in ,senate ,in the ,senate1 this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4 #ajb4 ,expansion of eligibility for ,,hud-,,vash 7a7 ,,hud provisions ,section #h7o77#ai7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77#ai77 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 ,veteran defined ,in this paragraph1 the term veteran has the meaning given that term in section #bjjb7;b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 4 7b7 ,,vha case managers ,subsection 7b7 of section #bjjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,in the case of vouchers provided under the ,,hud-,,vash program under section #h7o77#ai7 of such ,act1 for purposes of the preceding sentence1 the term veteran shall have the meaning given such term in section #bjjb7;b7 of this title44 7c7 ,annual report 7#a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once each year1 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 homelessness services provided under programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including services under 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-,,vash74 7#b7 ,included information ,each such annual report shall include1 with respect to the year preceding the submittal of the report-- 7,a7 a statement of the number of eligible individuals who were furnished such homelessness services2 7,b7 the number of individuals furnished such services under each such program1 disaggregated by the number of men who received such services and the number of women who received such services2 and 7,c7 such other information the ,secretary determines appropriate4 #ajc4 ,legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #bj of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #bjbb the following new section3 #bjbb;,a4 ,legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness 7a7 ,grants ,subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall make grants to eligible entities that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness4 7b7 ,criteria 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 establish criteria and requirements for grants under this section1 including criteria for entities eligible to receive such grants2 and 7,b7 publish such criteria and requirements in the ,federal ,register4 7#b7 ,in establishing criteria and requirements under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 take into consideration any criteria and requirements needed with respect to carrying out this section in rural communities1 ,tribal lands1 and the territories and possessions of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 consult with organizations that have experience in providing services to homeless veterans1 including veterans service organizations1 the ,equal ,justice ,works ,ameri,corps ,veterans ,legal ,corps1 and other organizations the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7c7 ,eligible entities ,the ,secretary may make a grant under this section to an entity applying for such a grant only if the applicant for the grant-- 7#a7 is a public or nonprofit private entity with the capacity 7as determined by the ,secretary7 to effectively administer a grant under this section2 7#b7 demonstrates that adequate financial support will be available to carry out the services for which the grant is sought consistent with the application2 7#c7 agrees to meet the applicable criteria and requirements established under subsection 7b77#a72 and 7#d7 has1 as determined by the ,secretary1 demonstrated the capacity to meet such criteria and requirements4 7d7 ,use of funds ,grants under this section shall be used to provide homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness the following legal services3 7#a7 ,legal services related to housing1 including eviction defense1 representation in landlord-tenant cases1 and representation in foreclosure cases4 7#b7 ,legal services related to family law1 including assistance in court proceedings for child support1 divorce1 estate planning1 and family reconciliation4 7#c7 ,legal services related to income support1 including assistance in obtaining public benefits4 7#d7 ,legal services related to criminal defense1 including defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness1 such as outstanding warrants1 fines1 and driver's license revocation1 to reduce recidivism and facilitate the overcoming of reentry obstacles in employment or housing4 7#e7 ,legal services related to requests to upgrade the characterization of a discharge or dismissal of a former member of the ,armed ,forces under section #aeec of title #aj4 7#f7 ,such other legal services as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7e7 ,funds for women veterans ,for any fiscal year1 not less than #aj percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section shall be used to provide legal services described in subsection 7d7 to women veterans4 7f7 ,locations ,to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall make 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 ,tribal lands2 7#c7 ,native ,americans2 and 7#d7 ,tribal organizations4 7g7 ,reports ,on a biennial basis1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate a report on grants under this section4 ,to the extent feasible1 each such report shall include the following with respect to the year covered by the report3 7#a7 ,the number of homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness assisted4 7#b7 ,a description of the legal services provided4 7#c7 ,a description of the legal matters addressed4 7#d7 ,an analysis by the ,secretary with respect to the operational effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the services provided4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #bjbb the following new item3 #bjbb;,a4 ,legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness4 4 7c7 ,criteria ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish the criteria and requirements in the ,federal ,register pursuant to subsection 7b77#a7 of section #bjbb;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a74 #ajd4 ,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 #aje4 ,improvements to grants and agreements between the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and entities that provide services to homeless veterans 7a7 ,increase in per diem payments ,subsection 7a77#b77;,b7 of section #bjab of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking clause 7i7 and inserting the following3 7i7 ,except as provided in clause 7ii7 or 7iii7 and subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary shall determine the rate under this paragraph1 which-- 7,i7 may not-- 7aa7 be lower than the amount in effect under this clause as in effect immediately preceding the enactment of the ,dependable ,employment and ,living ,improvements for ,veterans ,economic ,recovery ,act2 or 7bb7 exceed the amount 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 7,,ii7 may be determined on the basis of locality4 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7iii7 ,with respect to 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 shall be the sum of the daily cost of care determined under subparagraph 7,a7 plus1 for each such minor dependent1 an amount that equals #ej percent of such daily cost of care4 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 the recipient of a grant under section #bjaa1 #bjab1 #bjac1 or #bjfa of this title for fees charged to that grant recipient for the use of the homeless management information system described in section #djb of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7,public ,law #ajj-gg2 #db ,u4,s4,c4 #aafcj;a7-- 7#a7 in amounts the ,secretary determines to be reasonable2 and 7#b7 if the ,secretary determines that the grant recipient is unable to obtain information contained in such system through other means and at no cost to the grant recipient4 4 #ajf4 ,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 ,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 #ajg4 ,coordination of case management services for veterans receiving housing vouchers under ,tribal ,,hud-,,vash program ,section #bjjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,,mou on ,,ihs assistance ,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 ,,hud-,,vash program of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 4 #ajh4 ,contracting for ,,hud-,,vash case managers 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 ,subject to subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 the director of a covered medical center shall seek to enter into a contract or agreement described in paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,a contract or agreement under subparagraph 7,a7 may require that a case manager employed by an eligible entity have credentials equivalent to those of a case manager of the ,department4 7,c7 ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 if the ,secretary determines that fulfilling such requirement is infeasible4 ,if the ,secretary grants such a waiver1 the ,secretary shall submit1 not later than #ij days after granting such waiver1 to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives1 a report containing-- 7i7 an explanation of that determination2 7ii7 a plan to increase the number of case managers of the ,department2 and 7iii7 a plan for the covered medical center to increase use of such vouchers4 7,d7 ,in this paragraph1 the term covered medical center means a medical center of the ,department that the ,secretary determines-- 7i7 had more than #ae percent of all vouchers allocated to that medical center under the program described in paragraph 7#a7 through the fiscal year preceding such determination go unused due to a lack of case management services provided by the ,secretary2 and 7ii7 has a case manager position that has 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 to begin on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #aji4 ,report on ,,hud-,,vash staffing1 training1 and data systems ,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 ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate 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 7commonly referred to as ,,hud-,,vash71 including-- 7,a7 identification of the number of ,,hud-,,vash case managers 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 ,,hud-,,vash case managers that the ,secretaries of ,veterans ,affairs and ,housing and ,urban ,development determine necessary to meet the needs of the ,department and program2 and 7,c7 the amount of turnover among ,,hud-,,vash case managers and whether the turnover was planned or unexpected4 7#b7 ,an assessment of how compensation1 including recruitment and retention incentives1 for ,,hud-,,vash case managers affects turnover1 and what percentage of retention compensation is provided to 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 ,departments 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 ,,hud-,,vash case managers have been able to maintain their staffing levels4 ,,ii ,retraining assistance for veterans #bja4 ,,covid-#ai ,veteran ,rapid ,retraining ,assistance ,program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall carry out a program under which the ,secretary shall provide up to #ab months of retraining assistance to an eligible veteran for the pursuit of a covered program of education4 ,such retraining assistance shall be in addition to any other entitlement to educational assistance or benefits for which a veteran is1 or has been1 eligible4 7b7 ,eligible veterans 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of this section1 the term eligible veteran means a veteran who-- 7,a7 as of the date of the receipt by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs of the application for assistance under this section1 is at least #bb years of age but not more than #ff years of age2 7,b7 as of such date1 is unemployed by reason of the covered public health emergency1 as certified by the veteran2 7,c7 as of such date1 is not eligible to receive educational assistance under chapter #cj1 #ca1 #cb1 #cc1 or #ce of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 or chapter #afjf of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code2 7,d7 is not enrolled in any ,federal or ,state jobs program2 7,e7 is not in receipt of compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling by reason of unemployability2 and 7,f7 will not be in receipt of unemployment compensation 7as defined in section #he7;b7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf71 including any cash benefit received pursuant to subtitle ,a of title ,,ii of division ,a of the ,,cares ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-acf71 as of the first day on which the veteran would receive a housing stipend payment under this section4 7#b7 ,treatment of veterans who transfer entitlement ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,c71 a veteran who has transferred all of the veteran's entitlement to educational assistance under section #ccai of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall be considered to be a veteran who is not eligible to receive educational assistance under chapter #cc of such title4 7#c7 ,failure to complete ,a veteran who receives retraining assistance under this section to pursue a program of education and who fails to complete the program of education shall not be eligible to receive additional assistance under this section4 7c7 ,covered programs of education 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of this section1 a covered program of education is a program of education 7as such term is defined in section #cdeb7;b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code7 for training1 pursued on a full-time or part-time basis-- 7,a7 that-- 7i7 is approved under chapter #cf of such title2 7ii7 does not lead to a bachelors or graduate degree2 and 7iii7 is designed to provide training for a high-demand occupation1 as determined under paragraph 7#c72 or 7,b7 that is a high technology program of education offered by a qualified provider1 under the meaning given such terms in section #aaf of the ,harry ,w4 ,colmery ,veterans ,educational ,assistance ,act of #bjag 7,public ,law #aae-dh2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #cjja note74 7#b7 ,accredited programs ,in the case of an accredited program of education1 the program of education shall not be considered a covered program of education under this section if the program has received a show cause order from the accreditor of the program during the five-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,determination of high-demand occupations 7,a7 ,initial implementation ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall use the list of high-demand occupations compiled by the ,commissioner of ,labor ,statistics until the final list under subparagraph 7,c7 is complete4 7,b7 ,study required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development corporation or another appropriate non-,department entity for the conduct of a study to determine which occupations are high-demand occupations4 ,such study shall be completed not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7,c7 ,final list ,the ,secretary-- 7i7 may add or remove occupation from the list in use pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7 during the #ij-;day period following the completion of the study required by subparagraph 7,b72 7ii7 shall issue a final list of high-demand occupations for use under this section by not later than #ij days after the date of the completion of the study2 and 7iii7 shall make such final list publicly available on a website of the ,department4 7,d7 ,use of list ,the ,secretary shall use the list developed under this paragraph in order to apply the requirement that retraining assistance under this section is used for training for a high-demand occupation1 but the ,secretary may remove occupations from the list as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#d7 ,full-time defined ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term full-time has the meaning given such term under section #cfhh of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,amount of assistance 7#a7 ,retraining assistance ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall provide to an eligible veteran pursuing a covered program of education under the retraining assistance program under this section an amount equal to the amount of educational assistance payable under section #ccac7;c77#a77;,a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for each month the veteran pursues the covered program of education4 ,such amount shall be payable directly to the educational institution offering the covered program of education pursued by the veteran as follows3 7,a7 #ej percent of the total amount payable shall be paid when the eligible veteran begins the program of education4 7,b7 #be percent of the total amount payable shall be paid when the eligible veteran completes the program of education4 7,c7 #be percent of the total amount payable shall be paid when the eligible veteran finds employment in a field related to the program of education4 7#b7 ,failure to complete 7,a7 ,pro-rated payments ,in the case of a veteran who pursues a covered program of education under the retraining assistance program under this section1 but who does not complete the program of education1 the ,secretary shall pay to the educational institution offering such program of education a pro-rated amount based on the number of months the veteran pursued the program of education in accordance with this paragraph4 7,b7 ,payment otherwise due upon completion of program ,the ,secretary shall pay to the educational institution a pro-rated amount under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 when the veteran provides notice to the educational institution that the veteran no longer intends to pursue the program of education4 7,c7 ,nonrecovery from veteran ,in the case of a veteran referred to in subparagraph 7,a71 the educational institution may not seek payment from the veteran for any amount that would have been payable under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 had the veteran completed the program of education4 7,d7 ,payment due upon employment 7i7 ,veterans who find employment ,in the case of a veteran referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 who finds employment in a field related to the program of education during the #ahj-;day period beginning on the date on which the veteran withdraws from the program of education1 the ,secretary shall pay to the educational institution a pro-rated amount under paragraph 7#a77;,c7 when the veteran finds such employment4 7ii7 ,veterans who do not find employment ,in the case of a veteran referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 who does not find employment in a field related to the program of education during the #ahj-;day period beginning on the date on which the veteran withdraws from the program of education-- 7,i7 the ,secretary shall not make a payment to the educational institution under paragraph 7#a77;,c72 and 7,,ii7 the educational institution may not seek payment from the veteran for any amount that would have been payable under paragraph 7#a77;,c7 had the veteran found employment during such #ahj-;day period4 7#c7 ,housing stipend ,for each month that an eligible veteran pursues a covered program of education under the retraining assistance program under this section1 the ,secretary shall pay to the veteran a monthly housing stipend in an amount equal to-- 7,a7 in the case of a covered program of education leading to a degree1 or a covered program of education not leading to a degree1 at an institution of higher learning 7as that term is defined in section #cdeb7;f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code7 pursued on more than a half-time basis1 the amount specified under subsection 7c77#a77;,b7 of section #ccac of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 7,b7 in the case of a covered program of education other than a program of education leading to a degree at an institution other than an institution of higher learning pursued on more than a half-time basis1 the amount specified under subsection 7g77#c77;,a77ii7 of such section2 or 7,c7 in the case of a covered program of education pursued on less than a half-time basis1 or a covered program of education pursued solely through distance learning on more than a half-time basis1 the amount specified under subsection 7c77#a77;,b77iii7 of such section4 7#d7 ,failure to find employment ,the ,secretary shall not make a payment under paragraph 7#a77;,c7 with respect to an eligible veteran who completes or fails to complete a program of education under the retraining assistance program under this section if the veteran fails to find employment in a field related to the program of education within the #ahj-period beginning on the date on which the veteran withdraws from or completes the program4 7e7 ,no transferability ,retraining assistance provided under this section may not be transferred to another individual4 7f7 ,employment assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,labor shall contact each veteran who pursues a covered program of education under this section-- 7,a7 not later than #cj days after the date on which the veteran begins the program of education to notify the veteran of the availability of employment placement services upon completion of the program2 and 7,b7 not later than #ad days after the date on which the veteran completes1 or terminates participation in1 such program to facilitate the provision of employment placement services to such veteran4 7#b7 ,provision of information ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall provide to the ,secretary of ,labor such information as may be necessary to carry out paragraph 7#a74 7g7 ,nonprofit organization 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one or more qualified nonprofit organizations for the purpose of facilitating the employment of veterans who participate in the retraining assistance program under this section4 7#b7 ,qualified nonprofit organization ,for purposes of this subsection1 a qualified nonprofit organization is a nonprofit organization that-- 7,a7 is an association of businesses2 and 7,b7 has at least two years of experience providing job placement services for veterans4 7h7 ,follow up outreach ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,labor shall contact each veteran who completes a covered program of education under the retraining assistance program under this section #cj1 #fj1 #ij1 and #ahj days after the veteran completes such program of education to ask the veteran about the experience of the veteran in the retraining assistance program and the veteran's employment status4 7i7 ,quarterly reports ,not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and quarterly thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,labor shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives a report containing the following information about veterans who participate in the retraining assistance program under this section3 7#a7 ,the percentage of such veterans who found employment before the end of the second calendar quarter after exiting the program4 7#b7 ,the percentage of such veterans who found employment before the end of the fourth calendar quarter after exiting the program4 7#c7 ,the median earnings of all such veterans for the second quarter after exiting the program4 7#d7 ,the percentage of such veterans who attain a recognized postsecondary credential during the #ab-month period after exiting the program4 7j7 ,limitation ,not more than #ag1bej eligible veterans may receive retraining assistance under this section4 7k7 ,termination ,no retraining assistance may be paid under this section after the date that is #ba months after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7l7 ,,gao report ,not later than #ahj days after the termination of the retraining assistance program under subsection 7k71 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives a report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the program4 7m7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term covered public health emergency means the declaration-- 7,a7 of a public health emergency1 based on an outbreak of ,,covid-#ai by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d72 or 7,b7 of a domestic emergency1 based on an outbreak of ,,covid-#ai by the ,president1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 or ,state1 or local authority4 7#b7 ,the term veteran means-- 7,a7 a person who served in the active military1 naval1 or air service1 and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable2 or 7,b7 a member of a reserve component of the ,armed ,forces who performs active service for a period of #cj days or longer by reason of the covered public health emergency4 7#c7 ,the term active service has the meaning given such term in section #aja of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7n7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,for each fiscal year for which the ,secretary provides retraining assistance under this section1 such sums as may be necessary shall be made available for such assistance from funds appropriated to1 or otherwise made available to1 the ,department for the payment of readjustment benefits4 7#b7 ,administrative costs ,there is authorized to be appropriated #ae1jjj1jjj to carry out administrative functions of this section4 7o7 ,initiation of payments ,the ,secretary may begin providing retraining assistance under this section on the date that is #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #bjb4 ,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 #bjc4 ,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 #bjd4 ,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 #e-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the ,dependable ,employment and ,living ,improvements for ,veterans ,economic ,recovery ,act2 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#a71 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 the covered public health emergency4 7#f7 ,covered public health emergency ,in this subsection1 the term covered public health emergency means the declaration-- 7,a7 of a public health emergency1 based on an outbreak of ,,covid-#ai by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d72 or 7,b7 of a domestic emergency1 based on an outbreak of ,,covid-#ai by the ,president1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 or ,state1 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 #bje4 ,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 veteran unemployment2 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 the covered public health emergency 7as such term is defined in section #bja7l77#a774 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 six months after the effective date 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 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated #aj1jjj1jjj to carry out this section4 #bjf4 ,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 7in this section referred to as ,,tap71 including-- 7#a7 the effectiveness of ,,tap for members of each military department during the entire military life cycle2 7#b7 the appropriateness of the ,,tap career readiness standards2 7#c7 a review of information that is provided to the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs under ,,tap1 including mental health data2 7#d7 whether ,,tap 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 ,,tap effectively addresses the challenges faced by the families of veterans making the transition to civilian life2 7#f7 appropriate metrics regarding ,,tap outcomes 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 organizations determine to be successful outcomes for ,,tap2 7#h7 whether members of the ,armed ,forces achieve successful outcomes for ,,tap1 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 officials1 shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,armed ,services of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives-- 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 ,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#b7 ,the term military department has the meaning given that term in section #aja of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4 #bjg4 ,longitudinal study on changes to ,,tap 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 ,secretaries of ,defense and ,labor 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 7in this section referred to as ,,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 ,,tap counseling as implemented on the date of the enactment of this ,act2 7#b7 a cohort that attends ,,tap counseling after the ,secretaries of ,defense and ,labor implement changes recommended in the report under section #bjf7;b72 and 7#c7 a cohort that has not attended ,,tap counseling4 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 7a7 and annually thereafter for the three subsequent years1 the ,secretaries of ,veterans ,affairs1 ,defense1 and ,labor1 and the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration1 shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,armed ,services of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives a progress report of activities under the study during the immediately preceding year4 7c7 ,final report ,not later than #ahj days after the completion of the study under subsection 7a71 the ,secretaries of ,veterans ,affairs1 ,defense1 and ,labor1 and the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration1 shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,armed ,services of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives a report of final findings and recommendations based on the study4 7d7 ,elements ,the final report under subsection 7c7 shall include information regarding the following3 7#a7 ,the percentage of each cohort that received unemployment benefits during the study4 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 that members of each cohort have4 7#aj7 ,the percentage of each cohort that achieves a successful outcome for ,,tap1 as determined under section #bjf7;a77#g74 7#aa7 ,other criteria the ,secretaries and the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration determine appropriate4 #bjh4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs loan fees ,the loan fee table in section #cgbi7;b77#b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subparagraph 7,e7 and inserting the following3 7,e77i7 ,interest rate reduction refinancing loan issued before ,january #a1 #bjbaj4ejj4ej,,na 7,e77ii7 ,interest rate reduction refinancing loan issued on or after ,january #a1 #bjba1 and before ,january #ae1 #bjbgj4hej4he,,na 7,e77iii7 ,interest rate reduction refinancing loan issued on or after ,january #ae1 #bjbgj4ejj4ej,,na ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,september #bc1 #bjbj4;,clerk4