,i #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gici ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #c1 #bjbb,mr4 ,levin of ,california 7for himself and ,ms4 ,mace7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,armed ,services1 andthe ,budget1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to make permanent certain educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs in the case of changes to courses of education by reason of emergency situations1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,student ,veteran ,emergency ,relief ,act of #bjbb4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,educational assistance benefits during emergency situations4,sec4 #c4 ,extension of time limitations for use of entitlement4,sec4 #d4 ,extension of payment of vocational rehabilitation subsistence allowances4,sec4 #e4 ,payment of work-study allowances during emergency situations4,sec4 #f4 ,payment of allowances to veterans enrolled in educational institutions closed for emergency situations4,sec4 #g4 ,apprenticeship or on-job training requirements4,sec4 #h4 ,prohibition of charge to entitlement of students unable to pursue a program of education due to an emergency situation4,sec4 #i4 ,emergency designations4 #b4 ,educational assistance benefits during emergency situations 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #cf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subchapters ,i and ,,ii as subchapters ,,ii and ,,iii1 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting before subchapter ,,ii1 as so redesignated1 the following new subchapter3 ,i ,emergency ,situations #cfja4 ,definition of emergency situation ,in this chapter1 the term emergency situation means a situation that-- 7#a7 the ,president declares is an emergency2 and 7#b7 the ,secretary determines is an emergency for purposes of the laws administered by the ,secretary4 #cfjb4 ,continuation of educational assistance benefits during emergency situations 7a7 ,authority ,if the ,secretary determines under subsection 7c7 that an individual is negatively affected by an emergency situation1 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 other authorities of the ,secretary to provide benefits in emergency situations1 but in no case may the ,secretary provide more than a total of four weeks of additional educational assistance by reason of any other such authority 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 this title1 during a month the individual would have been enrolled in a program of education or training but for the emergency situation at the same rate such stipend would have been payable if the individual had not been negatively affected by the emergency situation1 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 this title and chapter #afjf of title #aj 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 emergency situation1 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 an emergency situation 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 emergency situation2 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 emergency situation4 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 this title and chapter #afjf of title #aj4 #cfjc4 ,continuation of educational assistance benefits for certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergency situations ,in the case of a program of education approved by a ,state approving agency1 or the ,secretary when acting in the role of a ,state approving agency1 that is converted from being offered on-site at an educational institution or training establishment to being offered by distance learning by reason of an emergency or health-related situation1 as determined by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary may continue to provide educational assistance under the laws administered by the ,secretary without regard to such conversion1 including with respect to paying any-- 7#a7 monthly housing stipends under chapter #cc of this title2 or 7#b7 payments or subsistence allowances under chapters #cj1 #ca1 #cb1 and #ce of this title and chapters #afjf and #afjg of title #aj4 #cfjd4 ,effects of closure of educational institution and modification of courses by reason of emergency situation 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 this title 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 this title or chapter #afjf of title #aj1 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 an emergency situation2 or 7,b7 the disapproval of the course or a course that is a necessary part of that program under this chapter 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 this title 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 this title and chapter #afjf of title #aj 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 section1 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 7e7 ,continuing pursuit of disapproved courses 7#a7 ,the ,secretary may treat a course of education that is disapproved under this chapter as being approved under this 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 ,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 this title or chapter #afjf of title #aj1 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 an emergency situation was enrolled on a full-time basis in a program of education and was receiving educational assistance under chapter #cc of this title or subsistence allowance under chapter #ca of this 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 this title1 or subsistence allowance payable under chapter #ca of this 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 emergency situation4 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 an emergency situation1 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 this title1 or chapter #afjf of title #aj 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 #cfje4 ,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 this title for a covered reason during the period of an emergency situation1 the ,secretary shall find mitigating circumstances for purposes of section #cfhj7;a77#a77;,c77ii7 of this title4 7b7 ,covered reason ,in this section1 the term covered reason means any reason related to an emergency situation1 including-- 7#a7 illness1 quarantine1 or social distancing requirements2 7#b7 issues associated with 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 the emergency situation or associated school closures2 7#f7 employment changes or financial hardship2 and 7#g7 issues associated with changes in format or medium of instruction4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the item relating to subchapter ,,ii and inserting the following new item3 ,subchapter ,,iii-,miscellaneous ,provisions 2 7#b7 by striking the item relating to subchapter ,i and inserting the following new item3 ,subchapter ,,ii-,state ,approving ,agencies 2 and 7#c7 by inserting before the item relating to subchapter ,,ii the following new items3 ,subchapter ,i-,emergency ,situations#cfja4 ,definition of emergency situation4#cfjb4 ,continuation of educational assistance benefits during emergency situations4#cfjc4 ,continuation of educational assistance benefits for certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergency situations4#cfjd4 ,effects of closure of educational institution and modification of courses by reason of emergency situation4#cfje4 ,payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal4 4 7c7 ,conforming repeals ,the following provisions of law are repealed3 7#a7 ,sections #aajb1 #aajc1 and #aajd of the ,johnny ,isakson and ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans ,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-cae74 7#b7 ,public ,law #aaf-abh4 #c4 ,extension of time limitations for use of entitlement 7a7 ,montgomery ,,gi bill ,section #cjca of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7i7 ,in the case of an individual eligible for educational assistance under this chapter who is prevented from pursuing the individual's chosen program of education before the expiration of the #aj-year period for the use of entitlement under this chapter otherwise applicable under this section because the educational institution or training establishment closed 7temporarily or permanently7 under an established policy based on an ,executive order of the ,president or due to an emergency situation1 such #aj-year period-- 7#a7 shall not run during the period the individual is so prevented from pursuing such program2 and 7#b7 shall again begin running on the first day after the individual is able to resume pursuit of a program of education with educational assistance under this chapter4 4 7b7 ,post-#i_/aa educational assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,section #ccba7;b77#a7 of such title is amended-- 7,a7 by inserting 7,a7 before ,subsections2 and 7,b7 by striking and 7d7 and inserting 7d71 and 7i72 and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,b7 ,subsection 7i7 of section #cjca shall apply with respect to the running of the #ae-year period described in paragraphs 7#d77;,a7 and 7#e77;,a7 of this subsection in the same manner as such subsection applies under section #cjca with respect to the running of the #aj-year period described in section #cjca7;a74 4 7#b7 ,transfer period ,section #ccai7;h77#e7 of such title is amended-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7 by inserting or 7,c7 after subparagraph 7,b72 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 ,emergency situations ,in any case in which the ,secretary determines that an individual to whom entitlement is transferred under this section has been prevented from pursuing the individual's chosen program of education before the individual attains the age of #bf years because the educational institution or training establishment closed 7temporarily or permanently7 under an established policy based on an ,executive order of the ,president or due to an emergency situation1 the ,secretary shall extend the period during which the individual may use such entitlement for a period equal to the number of months that the individual was so prevented from pursuing the program of education1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7c7 ,vocational rehabilitation and training 7#a7 ,period for use ,section #cajc of such title 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 7h7 ,in any case in which the ,secretary determines that a veteran has been prevented from participating in a vocational rehabilitation program under this chapter within the twelve-year period of eligibility prescribed in subsection 7a7 due to an emergency situation1 such twelve-year period-- 7#a7 shall not run during the period the individual is so prevented from participating such program2 and 7#b7 shall again begin running on the first day after the individual is able to resume participation in such program4 4 7#b7 ,duration of program ,section #caje7;b7 of such title is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 7,a7 ,in any case in which the ,secretary determines that a veteran has been prevented from participating in counseling and placement and postplacement services described in section #cajd7;a77#b7 and 7#e7 of this title due to an emergency situation1 the ,secretary shall extend the period during which the ,secretary may provide such counseling and placement and postplacement services for the veteran for a period equal to the number of months that the veteran was so prevented from participating in such counseling and services1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,in any case in which the ,secretary determines that a veteran has been prevented from participating in a vocational rehabilitation program under this chapter due to an emergency situation1 the ,secretary shall extend the period of the veteran's vocational rehabilitation program for a period equal to the number of months that the veteran was so prevented from participating in the vocational rehabilitation program1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7d7 ,educational assistance for members of the selected reserve ,section #afacc7;b7 of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,in any case in which the ,secretary concerned determines that a person entitled to educational assistance under this chapter has been prevented from using such person's entitlement due to an emergency situation1 the ,secretary concerned shall extend the period of entitlement prescribed in subsection 7a7 for a period equal to the number of months that the person was so prevented from using such entitlement1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7e7 ,emergency situation defined 7#a7 ,post-#i_/aa ,educational ,assistance ,program ,section #ccja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,the term emergency situation has the meaning given such term in section #cfja of this title4 4 7#b7 ,,mgib ,section #cjjb of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#i7 ,the term emergency situation has the meaning given such term in section #cfja of this title4 4 7#c7 ,vocational rehabilitation and training ,section #caja of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#aj7 ,the term emergency situation has the meaning given such term in section #cfja of this title4 4 7#d7 ,educational assistance for members of the selected reserve ,section #afacc of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,the term emergency situation has the meaning given such term in section #cfja of title #ch4 4 7f7 ,conforming repeal ,section #f of the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is repealed4 #d4 ,extension of payment of vocational rehabilitation subsistence allowances 7a7 ,in general ,section #cajd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 ,in the case of any veteran whom the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs determines is satisfactorily following a program of employment services provided under subsection 7a77#e7 during the period of an emergency situation1 the ,secretary may pay the veteran a subsistence allowance1 as prescribed in section #cajh of this title for full-time training for the type of program that the veteran was pursuing1 for two additional months1 if the ,secretary determines that the veteran is negatively affected by the emergency situation4 4 7b7 ,conforming repeal ,section #h of the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is repealed4 #e4 ,payment of work-study allowances during emergency situations 7a7 ,in general ,section #cdhe of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 7#a7 ,in case of an individual who is in receipt of work-study allowance pursuant to an agreement described in subsection 7a77#c7 as of the date on which an emergency situation occurs and who is unable to continue to perform qualifying work-study activities described in subsection 7a77#d7 by reason of the emergency situation-- 7,a7 the ,secretary may continue to pay work-study allowance under this section or make deductions described in subsection 7e77#a7 during the period of such emergency situation1 notwithstanding the inability of the individual to perform such work-study activities by reason of such emergency situation2 and 7,b7 at the option of the individual1 the ,secretary shall extend the agreement described in subsection 7a77#c7 with the individual for any subsequent period of enrollment initiated during the emergency situation1 notwithstanding the inability of the individual to perform work-study activities described in subsection 7a77#d7 by reason of such emergency situation4 7#b7 ,the amount of work-study allowance payable to an individual under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 during the period of an emergency situation shall be an amount determined by the ,secretary but may not exceed the amount that would be payable under subsection 7a77#b7 if the individual worked #be hours per week paid during such period4 7#c7 ,the term emergency situation has the meaning given that term in section #cfja of this title4 4 7b7 ,conforming repeal ,section #c of the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is repealed4 #f4 ,payment of allowances to veterans enrolled in educational institutions closed for emergency situations 7a7 ,in general ,section #cfhj of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7h7 ,payments during emergency situations 7#a7 ,the ,secretary may pay allowances to an eligible veteran or eligible person under subsection 7a77#b77;,a71 if the veteran or person is enrolled in a program or course of education that-- 7,a7 is provided by an educational institution or training establishment that is closed by reason of an emergency situation2 or 7,b7 is suspended by reason of an emergency situation4 7#b7 ,the total number of weeks for which allowances may be paid by reason of this subsection may not exceed four weeks4 7#c7 ,any amount paid under this subsection shall not be counted for purposes of the limitation on allowances under subsection 7a77#b77;,a74 4 7b7 ,conforming repeal ,section #d of the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is repealed4 #g4 ,apprenticeship or on-job training requirements 7a7 ,in general ,section #cfhg7;e7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following new 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 by reason of an emergency situation 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 by reason of an emergency situation 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 ,conforming repeal ,section #aajf of the ,johnny ,isakson and ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans ,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-cae7 is repealed4 #h4 ,prohibition of charge to entitlement of students unable to pursue a program of education due to an emergency situation 7a7 ,permanent applicability ,section #cfii7;b77#a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking or at the end2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b77ii71 by striking and at the end and inserting or2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 the temporary closure of an educational institution or training establishment or the temporary closure or termination of a course or program of education by reason of an emergency situation2 and 4 7b7 ,conforming repeal ,section #e of the ,student ,veteran ,coronavirus ,response ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-adj7 is repealed4 #i4 ,emergency designations 7a7 ,in general ,this ,act 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 7b7 ,designation in senate ,in the ,senate1 this ,act 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