[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1711 Reported in Senate (RS)]





                                                       Calendar No. 625

104th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1711

                          [Report No. 104-371]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

   To establish a commission to evaluate the programs of the Federal 
  Government that assist members of the Armed Forces and veterans in 
         readjusting to civilian life, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

           September 24 (legislative day, September 20), 1996

        Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title





                                                       Calendar No. 625
104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1711

                          [Report No. 104-371]

   To establish a commission to evaluate the programs of the Federal 
  Government that assist members of the Armed Forces and veterans in 
         readjusting to civilian life, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 29, 1996

   Mr. Dole introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

           September 24 (legislative day, September 20), 1996

  Reported by Mr. Simpson, with an amendment and an amendment to the 
                                 title
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To establish a commission to evaluate the programs of the Federal 
  Government that assist members of the Armed Forces and veterans in 
         readjusting to civilian life, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to 
be known as the Commission on Service Members and Veterans Transition 
Assistance (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'').</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed 
        of 12 members appointed from among private United States 
        citizens with appropriate and diverse veterans, military, 
        organizational, and management experiences and historical 
        perspectives, of whom--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) four shall be appointed by the 
                Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
                Senate, in consultation with the Ranking Member of that 
                committee;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) four shall be appointed by the 
                Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
                House of Representatives, in consultation with the 
                Ranking Member of that committee;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) two shall be appointed by the Chairman 
                of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, in 
                consultation with the Ranking Member of that committee; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) two shall be appointed by the Chairman 
                of the Committee on National Security of the House of 
                Representatives, in consultation with the Ranking 
                Member of that committee.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) VSO members.--One member of the Commission 
        appointed under each of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph 
        (1) shall be a representative of a veterans service 
        organization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Date.--The appointments of the members of the 
        Commission shall be made not later than 45 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be 
appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission 
shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as 
the original appointment.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the 
date on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
Commission shall hold its first meeting.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
hearings.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Chairman and Vice Chairman.--The Commission shall 
select a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of 
the Chairman.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (h) Panels.--The Commission may establish panels composed 
of less than the full membership of the Commission for the purpose of 
carrying out the Commission's duties under this Act. The actions of 
such panels shall be subject to the review and control of the 
Commission. Any findings and determinations made by such a panel shall 
not be considered the findings and determinations of the Commission 
unless approved by the Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (i) Authority of Individuals To Act for Commission.--Any 
member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, 
take any action which the Commission is authorized to take under this 
Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Commission shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) review the efficacy and appropriateness of 
        veterans transition and assistance programs in providing 
        assistance to members of the Armed Forces in making the 
        transition and adjustment to civilian life upon their 
        separation from the Armed Forces and in providing assistance to 
        veterans in adjusting to civilian life;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) evaluate proposals for improving such 
        programs, including proposals to consolidate, streamline, and 
        enhance the provision of such assistance and proposals for 
        alternative means of providing such assistance; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding 
        means of ensuring the continuing utility of such programs and 
        assistance and of otherwise improving such programs and the 
        provision of such assistance.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Review of Programs To Assist Members of the Armed 
Forces at Separation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--While carrying out the general 
        duties specified in subsection (a), the members of the 
        Commission appointed under subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 
        1(b)(1) shall review primarily programs intended to assist 
        members of the Armed Forces at the time of their separation 
        from service in the Armed Forces, including programs designed 
        to assist families of such members in preparing for the 
        transition of such members from military life to civilian life 
        and to facilitate that transition.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Specific requirements.--In carrying out the 
        review, such members of the Commission shall determine--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the adequacy of the programs referred 
                to in paragraph (1) for their purposes;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the adequacy of the support of the 
                Armed Forces for such programs;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the effect, if any, of the existence 
                of such programs on combat readiness;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the extent to which such programs 
                provide members of the Armed Forces with job-search 
                skills;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) the extent to which such programs 
                prepare such members for employment in the private 
                sector and in the public sector;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) the effectiveness of such programs in 
                assisting such members in finding employment in the 
                public sector; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) the means by which such programs could 
                be improved in order to assist such members in securing 
                meaningful employment in the private sector upon their 
                separation from service.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Review of Programs To Assist Veterans.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--While carrying out the general 
        duties specified in subsection (a), the members of the 
        Commission appointed under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 
        1(b)(1) shall review primarily the adequacy of programs 
        intended to assist veterans (including disabled veterans, 
        homeless veterans, and economically disadvantaged veterans), 
        including the programs referred to in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Covered programs.--The programs referred to in 
        paragraph (1) are the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Educational assistance 
                programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Job counseling, job training, and job 
                placement services programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Rehabilitation and training 
                programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Housing loan programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) Small business loan and small business 
                assistance programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) Employment and employment training 
                programs for employment in the public sector and the 
                private sector.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) Federal Government personnel policies 
                (including veterans' preference policies) and the 
                enforcement of such policies.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (H) Programs that prepare the families of 
                veterans for their transition from military life to 
                civilian life and facilitate that transition.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Implementing plan.--Not later than 90 days 
        after the date on which all members of the Commission have been 
        appointed, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on 
        Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the Senate and the 
        Committees on Veterans' Affairs and National Security of the 
        House of Representatives a report setting forth a plan for the 
        work of the Commission. The Commission shall develop the plan 
        in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs, and the heads of other appropriate 
        departments and agencies of the Federal Government.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Final report.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Requirement.--Not later than one year 
                after the date of the first meeting of the Commission, 
                the Commission shall submit to the committees referred 
                to in paragraph (1), and to the Secretary of Defense, 
                the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of 
                Labor, and the Secretary of Education, a report setting 
                forth the activities, findings, and recommendations of 
                the Commission, including any recommendations for 
                legislative action and administrative action as the 
                Commission considers appropriate.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Executive comment.--Not later than 90 
                days after receiving the report referred to in 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Defense and the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to 
                Congress a report setting forth the comments of such 
                Secretaries with respect to the report.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. POWERS OF COMMISSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out the 
purposes of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may 
secure directly from the Department of Defense, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and any other department or agency of the Federal 
Government such information as the Commission considers necessary to 
carry out its duties under this Act. Upon request of the Chairman of 
the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish 
such information expeditiously to the Commission.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use and dispose of 
gifts or donations of services or property.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Miscellaneous Administrative Support.--The Secretary 
of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, upon the 
request of the Chairman of the Commission, furnish the Commission, on a 
reimbursable basis, any administrative and support services as the 
Commission may require.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the 
Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government 
shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the 
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each 
day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in 
performing the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission 
who are officers or employees of the United States shall serve without 
compensation in addition to that received for their services as 
officers or employees of the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Travel and Travel Expenses.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Travel.--Members and personnel of the 
        Commission may travel on military aircraft, military vehicles, 
        or other military conveyances when travel is necessary in the 
        performance of a responsibility of the Commission except when 
        the cost of commercial transportation is less 
        expensive.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall 
        be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
        in the performance of services for the Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Staff.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Chairman of the Commission 
        may, without regard to civil service laws and regulations, 
        appoint and terminate an executive director and such other 
        additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the 
        Commission to perform its duties. In appointing an individual 
        as executive director, the Chairman shall, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, attempt to appoint an individual who is a 
        veteran. The employment of an executive director shall be 
        subject to confirmation by the Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Compensation.--The Chairman of the Commission 
        may fix the compensation of the executive director and other 
        personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
        subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, 
        relating to classification of positions and General Schedule 
        pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive 
        director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable 
        for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
        such title.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the 
Chairman of the Commission, the head of any department or agency of the 
Federal Government may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any 
personnel of the department or agency to the Commission to assist the 
Commission in carrying out its duties.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--
The Chairman of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent 
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 
for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual 
rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of such title.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on 
which the Commission submits its report under section 
2(d)(2).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    For the purposes of this Act--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) The term ``veterans transition and assistance 
        program'' means any program of the Federal Government, 
        including the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, the Department of Labor, and the Department of 
        Education, the purpose of which is--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to assist, by rehabilitation or other 
                means, members of the Armed Forces in readjusting or 
                otherwise making the transition to civilian life upon 
                their separation from service in the Armed Forces; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to assist veterans in civilian 
                life.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) The term ``members of the Armed Forces'' 
        includes individuals serving in the reserve components of the 
        Armed Forces.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States 
        Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) The term ``veterans service organization'' 
        means any organization covered by section 5902(a) of title 38, 
        United States Code.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. FUNDING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall, upon the 
request of the Chairman of the Commission, make available to the 
Commission such amounts as the Commission may require to carry out its 
duties under this Act. The Secretary shall make such amounts available 
from amounts appropriated for the Department of Defense.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Availability.--Any sums made available to the 
Commission under subsection (a) shall remain available, without fiscal 
year limitation, until the termination of the Commission.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Benefits 
Improvements Act of 1996''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.

              TITLE I--COMMISSION ON TRANSITION ASSISTANCE

Sec. 101. Establishment of commission.
Sec. 102. Duties of commission.
Sec. 103. Powers of commission.
Sec. 104. Miscellaneous administrative provisions.
Sec. 105. Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 106. Termination of commission.
Sec. 107. Definitions.
Sec. 108. Funding.

                   TITLE II--LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Removal of gender references with respect to Servicemen's 
                            Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 203. Conversion of retired reservist Servicemembers' Group Life 
                            Insurance to Veterans' Group Life Insurance 
                            and extension of Veterans' Group Life 
                            Insurance to members of the Ready Reserves.
Sec. 204. Conversion of SGLI and VGLI to commercial life insurance.
Sec. 205. Technical amendment.

                     TITLE III--BENEFITS PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Expansion of period of Vietnam era for certain veterans.
Sec. 302. Revision of authority relating to centers for minority 
                            veterans and women veterans.
Sec. 303. Outer burial receptacles.
Sec. 304. Clarification of eligibility of minors for burial in national 
                            cemeteries.
Sec. 305. Extension of authority to treat alternative teacher 
                            certification programs as educational 
                            institutions for certain educational 
                            assistance purposes.
Sec. 306. Direct loans to refinance loans under Native American Veteran 
                            Housing Loan Pilot Program.
Sec. 307. Clothing allowance for incarcerated veterans.
Sec. 308. Appointment of veterans service organizations as claimants' 
                            representatives.
Sec. 309. Provision of copies of Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions.
Sec. 310. Extension of certain authorities for services for homeless 
                            veterans.

    TITLE IV--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                           UNIFORMED SERVICES

Sec. 401. Purposes.
Sec. 402. Definitions.
Sec. 403. Discrimination against persons who serve in the uniformed 
                            services and acts of reprisal prohibited.
Sec. 404. Reemployment rights of persons who serve in the uniformed 
                            services.
Sec. 405. Reemployment positions.
Sec. 406. Leave.
Sec. 407. Health plans.
Sec. 408. Employee pension benefit plans.
Sec. 409. Enforcement of employment or reemployment rights.
Sec. 410. Enforcement of rights with respect to a State or private 
                            employer.
Sec. 411. Enforcement of rights with respect to Federal executive 
                            agencies.
Sec. 412. Enforcement of rights with respect to certain Federal 
                            agencies.
Sec. 413. Conduct of investigation; subpoenas.
Sec. 414. Transition rules and effective dates.
Sec. 415. Effective dates.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to or repeal 
of a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States 
Code.

              TITLE I--COMMISSION ON TRANSITION ASSISTANCE

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the Commission on Service Members and Veterans Transition Assistance 
(hereafter in this title referred to as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Membership.--(1) The Commission shall be composed of 12 members 
appointed from among private United States citizens with appropriate 
and diverse experiences, expertise, and historical perspectives on 
veterans, military, organizational, and management matters, of whom--
            (A) four shall be appointed by the Chairman of the 
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, in consultation 
        with the Ranking Member of that committee;
            (B) four shall be appointed by the Chairman of the 
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
        in consultation with the Ranking Member of that committee;
            (C) two shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee 
        on Armed Services of the Senate, in consultation with the 
        Ranking Member of that committee; and
            (D) two shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee 
        on National Security of the House of Representatives, in 
        consultation with the Ranking Member of that committee.
    (2)(A) One member of the Commission appointed under each of 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) shall be a representative of 
a veterans service organization.
    (B) To the maximum extent practicable, the individuals appointed as 
members of the Commission shall be veterans.
    (C) Not more than seven of the members of the Commission may be 
members of the same political party.
    (3) The appointments of members of the Commission shall, to the 
maximum extent practicable, be made after consultation with 
representatives of veterans service organizations.
    (4) The appointments of the members of the Commission shall be made 
not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be appointed 
for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not 
affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment.
    (d) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission 
shall hold its first meeting.
    (e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
    (f) Chairman and Vice Chairman.--The Commission shall select a 
Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members.
    (g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairman of the Commission.
    (h) Panels.--The Commission may establish panels composed of less 
than the full membership of the Commission for the purpose of carrying 
out the Commission's duties. The actions of such panels shall be 
subject to the review and control of the Commission. Any findings and 
determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered the 
findings and determinations of the Commission unless approved by the 
Commission.
    (i) Authority of Individuals To Act for Commission.--Any member or 
agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any 
action which the Commission is authorized to take under this title.

SEC. 102. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
            (1) review the efficacy and appropriateness of veterans 
        transition and assistance programs in providing assistance to 
        members of the Armed Forces in making the transition and 
        adjustment to civilian life upon their separation from the 
        Armed Forces and in providing assistance to veterans in making 
        the transition to, and adjusting to, civilian life;
            (2) review the allocation under law of responsibility for 
        the administration of veterans transition and assistance 
        programs among the various departments and agencies of the 
        Federal Government and determine the feasibility and 
        desirability of consolidating such administration in one such 
        department or agency;
            (3) evaluate proposals for improving such programs, 
        including proposals to consolidate, streamline, and enhance the 
        provision of such assistance and proposals for alternative 
        means of providing such assistance; and
            (4) make recommendations to Congress regarding means of 
        ensuring the continuing utility of such programs and assistance 
        and of otherwise improving such programs and the provision of 
        such assistance.
    (b) Review of Programs To Assist Members of the Armed Forces at 
Separation.--(1) While carrying out the general duties specified in 
subsection (a), the members of the Commission appointed under 
subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 101(b)(1) shall review primarily 
the programs intended to assist members of the Armed Forces at the time 
of their separation from service in the Armed Forces, including 
programs designed to assist families of such members in preparing for 
the transition of such members from military life to civilian life and 
to facilitate that transition.
    (2) In carrying out the review, such members of the Commission 
shall determine--
            (A) the adequacy of the programs referred to in paragraph 
        (1) for their purposes;
            (B) the adequacy of the support of the Armed Forces for 
        such programs;
            (C) the effect, if any, of the existence of such programs 
        on military readiness;
            (D) the extent to which such programs provide members of 
        the Armed Forces with job-search skills;
            (E) the extent to which such programs prepare such members 
        for employment in the private sector and in the public sector;
            (F) the effectiveness of such programs in assisting such 
        members in finding employment in the public sector upon their 
        separation from service; and
            (G) the ways in which such programs could be improved in 
        order to assist such members in securing meaningful employment 
        in the private sector upon their separation from service.
    (c) Review of Programs To Assist Veterans.--(1) While carrying out 
the general duties specified in subsection (a), the members of the 
Commission appointed under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 
101(b)(1) shall--
            (A) review the adequacy of programs intended to assist 
        veterans (including disabled veterans, homeless veterans, and 
        economically disadvantaged veterans) in adjusting to civilian 
        life, including the programs referred to in paragraph (2); and
            (B) consider--
                    (i) whether the scope, focus, or content of such 
                programs should be changed as a result of the 
                conversion of the Armed Forces to an all-volunteer 
                force; and
                    (ii) whether responsibility for administration of 
                such programs should be transferred to a department or 
                agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs as 
                a result of such conversion and, if so, the department 
                or agency to which the administration should be 
                transferred.
    (2) The programs referred to in paragraph (1)(A) are the following:
            (A) Educational assistance programs.
            (B) Job counseling, job training, and job placement 
        services programs.
            (C) Rehabilitation and training programs.
            (D) Housing loan programs.
            (E) Small business loan and small business assistance 
        programs.
            (F) Employment and employment training programs for 
        employment in the public sector and the private sector, 
        including employer training programs and union apprenticeship 
        programs.
            (G) Federal Government personnel policies (including 
        veterans' preference policies) and the enforcement of such 
        policies.
            (H) Programs that prepare the families of members of the 
        Armed Forces for their transition from military life to 
        civilian life and facilitate that transition.
    (d) Reports.--(1) Not later than 90 days after the date on which 
all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the 
Senate and the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and National Security of 
the House of Representatives a report setting forth a plan for the work 
of the Commission. The Commission shall develop the plan in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, and the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies of 
the Federal Government.
    (2)(A) Not later than one year after the date of the first meeting 
of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the committees 
referred to in paragraph (1), and to the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Labor, and the 
Secretary of Education, a report setting forth the activities, 
findings, and recommendations of the Commission, including any 
recommendations for legislative action and administrative action as the 
Commission considers appropriate.
    (B) Not later than 90 days after receiving the report referred to 
in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall jointly transmit the report to Congress, 
together with the Secretaries' comments on the report.

SEC. 103. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act 
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out the 
purposes of this title.
    (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure 
directly from the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and any other department or agency of the Federal Government 
such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out its 
duties under this title. Upon request of the Chairman of the 
Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such 
information expeditiously to the Commission.

SEC. 104. MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States 
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
    (b) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or 
donations of services or property.
    (c) Miscellaneous Administrative Support.--The Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, upon the request of the 
Chairman of the Commission, furnish the Commission, on a reimbursable 
basis, any administrative and support services as the Commission may 
require.

SEC. 105. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission shall 
be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual 
rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day 
(including travel time) during which such member is engaged in 
performing the duties of the Commission.
    (b) Travel and Travel Expenses.--(1) Members and personnel of the 
Commission may travel on military aircraft, military vehicles, or other 
military conveyances when travel is necessary in the performance of a 
duty of the Commission except when the cost of commercial 
transportation is less expensive.
    (2) The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for 
employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
business in the performance of services for the Commission.
    (c) Staff.--(1) The Chairman of the Commission may, without regard 
to civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an 
executive director and such other additional personnel as may be 
necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. In appointing 
an individual as executive director, the Chairman shall, to the maximum 
extent practicable, attempt to appoint an individual who is a veteran. 
The employment of an executive director shall be subject to 
confirmation by the Commission.
    (2) The Chairman of the Commission may fix the compensation of the 
executive director and other personnel without regard to the provisions 
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United 
States Code, relating to classification of positions and General 
Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive 
director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level 
V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
    (d) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the Chairman 
of the Commission, the head of any department or agency of the Federal 
Government may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any personnel of the 
department or agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in 
carrying out its duties.
    (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The 
Chairman of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent 
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 
for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual 
rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of such title.

SEC. 106. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the 
Commission submits its report under section 102(d)(2).

SEC. 107. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this title--
            (1) The term ``veterans transition and assistance program'' 
        means any program of the Federal Government, including the 
        Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
        Department of Labor, and the Department of Education, the 
        purpose of which is--
                    (A) to assist, by rehabilitation or other means, 
                members of the Armed Forces in readjusting or otherwise 
                making the transition to civilian life upon their 
                separation from service in the Armed Forces; or
                    (B) to assist veterans in making the transition to 
                civilian life.
            (2) The term ``Armed Forces'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101(10) of title 38, United States Code.
            (3) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.
            (4) The term ``veterans service organization'' means any 
        organization covered by section 5902(a) of title 38, United 
        States Code.

SEC. 108. FUNDING.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall, upon the request 
of the Chairman of the Commission, make available to the Commission 
such amounts as the Commission may require to carry out its duties 
under this title. The Secretary shall make such amounts available from 
amounts appropriated for the Department of Defense.
    (b) Availability.--Any sums made available to the Commission under 
subsection (a) shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, 
until the termination of the Commission.

                   TITLE II--LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Veterans' Insurance Reform Act of 
1996''.

SEC. 202. REMOVAL OF GENDER REFERENCES WITH RESPECT TO SERVICEMEN'S 
              GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--The following provisions are amended by striking 
out ``Servicemen's Group Life Insurance'' each place it appears and 
inserting in lieu thereof ``Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance'':
            (1) Subsections (a), (c), and (e) of section 1967.
            (2) Subsections (a) through (d) of section 1969.
            (3) Subsections (a), (f), and (g) of section 1970.
            (4) Section 1971(b).
            (5) Section 1973.
            (6) The text of section 1974(a).
            (7) Subsections (a) (other than the third and fourth 
        sentences), (d), and (g) of section 1977.
            (8) Section 3017(a)(2)(A)(i).
            (9) Section 3224(1).
    (b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--(1) Section 1315(f)(1)(F) 
is amended by striking out ``servicemen's group life insurance'' and 
inserting in lieu thereof ``servicemembers' group life insurance''.
    (2)(A) The heading of subchapter III of chapter 19 is amended to 
read as follows:

       ``SUBCHAPTER III--SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE''.

    (B) The item relating to such subchapter in the table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended to read as follows:

       ``Subchapter III--Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance''.

    (3)(A) The section head of section 1974 is amended to read as 
follows:
``Sec. 1974. Advisory Council on Servicemembers' Group Life 
              Insurance''.
    (B) The item relating to such section in the table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 19 is amended to read as follows:

``1974. Advisory Council on Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.''.
    (d) References.--(1) Any reference to Servicemen's Group Life 
Insurance in any Federal law, Executive order, regulation, delegation 
of authority, or other document of the Federal Government shall be 
deemed to refer to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
    (2) Any reference to the Advisory Council on Servicemen's Group 
Life Insurance in any Federal law, Executive order, regulation, 
delegation of authority, or other document of the Federal Government 
shall be deemed to refer to the Advisory Council on Servicemembers' 
Group Life Insurance.

SEC. 203. CONVERSION OF RETIRED RESERVIST SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE 
              INSURANCE TO VETERANS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE AND EXTENSION 
              OF VETERANS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE READY 
              RESERVES.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 1965(5) is amended--
            (1) by adding ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
            (2) by striking out subparagraphs (C) and (D); and
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (C).
    (b) Persons Insured.--Section 1967 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by adding ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
                    (B) by striking out paragraphs (3) and (4); and
                    (C) in the full sentence in the matter following 
                paragraph (2), by striking out ``or the first day a 
                member of the Reserves, whether or not assigned to the 
                Retired Reserve of a uniformed service, meets the 
                qualifications of section 1965(5)(C) of this title, or 
                the first day a member of the Reserves meets the 
                qualifications of section 1965(5)(D) of this title,'';
            (2) by striking out subsection (d); and
            (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).
    (c) Duration and Termination of Coverage.--Section 1968(a) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking out ``subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of 
        section 1965(5)'' in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``section 1965(5)(B)'';
            (2) by striking out paragraph (4) and inserting in lieu 
        thereof the following new paragraph (4):
            ``(4) with respect to a member of the Ready Reserve of a 
        uniformed service who meets the qualifications set forth in 
        section 1965(5)(B) of this title, one hundred and twenty days 
        after separation or release from such assignment, unless on the 
        date of such separation or release the member is totally 
        disabled, under criteria established by the Secretary, in which 
        event the insurance shall cease one year after the date of 
        separation or release from such assignment, or on the date the 
        insured ceases to be totally disabled, whichever is the earlier 
        date, but in no event prior to the expiration of one hundred 
and twenty days after separation or release from such assignment.''; 
and
            (3) by striking out paragraphs (5) and (6).
    (d) Deductions.--Section 1969 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking out ``is assigned to 
        the Reserve (other than the Retired Reserve)'' and all that 
        follows through ``section 1965(5)(D) of this title,'';
            (2) by striking out subsection (e); and
            (3) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
        (e) and (f), respectively.
    (e) Conversion of SGLI to VGLI.--The Servicemembers' Group Life 
Insurance of any member of the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service 
shall be converted to Veterans' Group Life Insurance effective 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 204. CONVERSION OF SGLI AND VGLI TO COMMERCIAL LIFE INSURANCE.

    (a) Option To Convert SGLI.--Subsection (b) of section 1968 is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(b)(1) Each policy purchased under this subchapter shall contain 
a provision, in terms approved by the Secretary, that, except as 
hereinafter provided, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance which is 
continued in force after expiration of the period of duty or travel 
under section 1967(b) or 1968(a) of this title, effective the day after 
the date such insurance would cease, shall, at the election of the 
member or former member concerned--
            ``(A) be automatically converted to Veterans' Group Life 
        Insurance subject to (i) the timely payment of the initial 
        premium under terms prescribed by the Secretary, and (ii) the 
        terms and conditions set forth in section 1977 of this title; 
        or
            ``(B) be converted to an individual policy of insurance as 
        described in section 1977(e) of this title upon written 
        application for conversion made to the participating company 
        selected by the member and payment of the required premiums.
    ``(2) Automatic conversion under paragraph (1)(A) shall be 
effective only in the case of an otherwise eligible member or former 
member who is separated or released from a period of active duty or 
active duty for training or inactive duty training on or after the date 
on which the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program (provided for under 
section 1977 of this title) becomes effective.''.
    (b) Conversion of VGLI.--Section 1977 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking out the fourth and fifth 
        sentences and inserting in lieu thereof the following sentence: 
        ``If any person insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance 
        again becomes insured under Servicemembers' Group Life 
        Insurance but dies before terminating or converting such 
        person's Veterans' Group Life Insurance to Servicemembers' 
        Group Life Insurance, Veterans' Group Life Insurance will be 
        payable only if such person is insured for less than $200,000 
        under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and then only in an 
        amount which when added to the amount of Servicemembers' Group 
        Life Insurance payable shall not exceed $200,000.''; and
            (2) in subsection (e), by striking out the third sentence 
        and inserting in lieu thereof the following new sentence: ``A 
        Veterans' Group Life Insurance policy converted to an 
        individual policy under this subsection shall terminate on the 
        date before the date on which the individual policy becomes 
        effective.''.

SEC. 205. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.

    Section 1977(a) is amended by striking out ``and (e)'' each place 
it appears in the first and second sentences.

                     TITLE III--BENEFITS PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF PERIOD OF VIETNAM ERA FOR CERTAIN VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 101(29) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(29) The term `Vietnam era' means the following:
            ``(A) The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending 
        on May 7, 1975, in the case of a veteran who served in the 
        Republic of Vietnam during such period.
            ``(B) The period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on 
        May 7, 1975, in all other cases.''.
    (b) Limited Expansion for Specific Purposes.--(1)(A) Paragraphs 
(1)(B) and (3) of section 1116(a) of such title are each amended by 
striking out ``during the Vietnam era'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
``during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 
1975,''.
    (B) Paragraphs (1)(A), (2)C), (2)(E), (2)(F), and (4) of such 
section are each amended by striking out ``during the Vietnam era'' and 
inserting in lieu thereof ``during the period beginning on January 9, 
1962, and ending on May 7, 1975''.
    (2) Section 1710(e)(1)(A) of such title is amended--
            (A) in clause (i), by striking out ``during the Vietnam 
        era,'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``during the period 
        beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975,''; and
            (B) in clause (ii), by striking out ``such era'' and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``such period''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on January 1, 1997. No benefit may be paid or provided by reason 
of such amendments for any period before such date.

SEC. 302. REVISION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO CENTERS FOR MINORITY 
              VETERANS AND WOMEN VETERANS.

    (a) SES Status of Directors.--Sections 317(b) and 318(b) are each 
amended by inserting ``career or'' before ``noncareer''.
    (b) Additional Functions of Center for Minority Veterans.--Section 
317(d) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (12); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new 
        paragraphs (10) and (11):
            ``(10) Advise the Secretary and other appropriate officials 
        on the effectiveness of the Department's efforts to accomplish 
        the goals of section 492B of the Public Health Service Act (42 
        U.S.C. 289a-2) with respect to the inclusion of minorities in 
        clinical research and on particular health conditions affecting 
        the health of members of minority groups which should be 
        studied as part of the Department's medical research program 
        and promote cooperation between the Department and other 
        sponsors of medical research of potential benefit to veterans 
        who are minorities.
            ``(11) Provide support and administrative services to the 
        Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans provided for under 
        section 544 of this title.''.
    (c) Definition of Minority Veterans.--Section 317 is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) In this section--
            ``(1) The term `veterans who are minorities' means veterans 
        who are minority group members.
            ``(2) The term `minority group member' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 544(d) of this title.''.
    (d) Clarification of Functions of Center for Women Veterans.--
Section 318(d)(10) is amended by striking out ``(relating to'' and all 
that follows through ``and of'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``(42 
U.S.C. 289a-2) with respect to the inclusion of women in clinical 
research and on''.
    (e) Additional Functions of Advisory Committees.--(1) Section 
542(b) is amended by inserting ``, including the Center for Women 
Veterans'' before the period at the end.
    (2) Section 544(b) is amended by inserting ``, including the Center 
for Minority Veterans'' before the period at the end.
    (f) Termination Date of Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.--
Section 544(e) is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1997'' and 
inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1999''.

SEC. 303. OUTER BURIAL RECEPTACLES.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 2306 is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking out ``a grave liner'' 
        each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``an outer 
        burial receptacle'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking out ``grave liners'' and inserting 
                in lieu thereof ``outer burial receptacles''; and
                    (B) by striking out ``specifications and 
                procedures'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
                ``regulations or procedures''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) Regulations or procedures under paragraph (2) may specify 
that--
            ``(A) an outer burial receptacle other than a grave liner 
        be provided in lieu of a grave liner at the election of the 
        survivors of the interred veteran; and
            ``(B) if an outer burial receptacle other than a grave 
        liner is provided in lieu of a grave liner upon an election of 
        such survivors, such survivors be required--
                    ``(i) to pay the amount by which the cost of the 
                outer burial receptacle exceeds the cost of the grave 
                liner that would otherwise have been provided in the 
                absence of the election; and
                    ``(ii) to pay the amount of the administrative 
                costs incurred by the Secretary concerned in providing 
                the outer burial receptacle in lieu of such grave 
                liner.
    ``(4) Regulations or procedures under paragraph (2) may provide for 
the use of a voucher system, or other system of reimbursement approved 
by the Secretary concerned, for payment for outer burial receptacles 
other than grave liners provided under such regulations or 
procedures.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) The section heading of such section 
is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 2306. Headstones, markers, and burial receptacles''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 23 is amended 
by striking out the item relating to section 2306 and inserting in lieu 
thereof the following new item:

``2306. Headstones, markers, and burial receptacles.''.

SEC. 304. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF MINORS FOR BURIAL IN NATIONAL 
              CEMETERIES.

    Section 2402(5) is amended by inserting after ``minor child'' the 
following: ``(which for purposes of this chapter includes a child under 
21 years of age, or under 23 years of age if pursuing a course of 
instruction at an approved educational institution)''.

SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO TREAT ALTERNATIVE TEACHER 
              CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR 
              CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PURPOSES.

    Section 3452(c) is amended in the second sentence by striking out 
``September 30, 1996'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 
1998''.

SEC. 306. DIRECT LOANS TO REFINANCE LOANS UNDER NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN 
              HOUSING LOAN PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Authority.--Section 3762 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new 
        subsection (h):
    ``(h)(1) The Secretary may make direct loans to Native American 
veterans in order to enable such veterans to refinance existing loans 
made under this section.
    ``(2)(A) The Secretary may not make a loan under this subsection 
unless the loan meets the requirements set forth in subparagraphs (B), 
(C), and (E) of paragraph (1) of section 3710(e) of this title.
    ``(B) The Secretary may not make a loan under this subsection 
unless the loan will bear an interest rate at least one percentage 
point less than the interest rate borne by the loan being refinanced.
    ``(C) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of such section 3710(e) shall apply to 
any loan made under this subsection, except that for the purposes of 
this subsection the reference to subsection (a)(8) of section 3710 of 
this title in such paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be deemed to be a 
reference to this subsection.''.
    (b) Loan Fee.--Section 3729(a)(2)(E) of such title is amended by 
striking out ``or 3712(a)(1)(F)'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
``3712(a)(1)(F), or 3762(h)''.

SEC. 307. CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR INCARCERATED VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 53 is amended by inserting after section 
5313 the following new section:
``Sec. 5313A. Limitation on payment of clothing allowance to 
              incarcerated veterans
    ``In the case of a veteran incarcerated in a Federal, State, or 
local penal institution for a period in excess of sixty days and 
furnished clothing without charge by the institution, the amount of any 
clothing allowance payable to the veteran under section 1162 of this 
title shall be reduced by an amount equal to \1/365\th of the amount of 
the allowance otherwise payable under that section for each day during 
the 12-month period preceding the date of the payment of the allowance 
on which the veteran was so incarcerated.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
5313 the following new item:

``5313A.  Limitation on payment of clothing allowance to incarcerated 
                            veterans.''

SEC. 308. APPOINTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AS CLAIMANTS' 
              REPRESENTATIVES.

    (a) Power of Attorney Naming a Veterans Service Organization.--
Section 5902 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection (c):
    ``(c)(1) Unless a claimant specifically indicates in a power of 
attorney filed with the Department a desire to appoint only a 
recognized representative of an organization listed in or approved 
under subsection (a), the Secretary may, for any purpose, treat the 
power of attorney naming such an organization, a specific office of 
such an organization, or a recognized representative of such an 
organization as the claimant's representative as an appointment of the 
entire organization as the claimant's representative.
    ``(2) Whenever the Secretary is required or permitted to notify a 
claimant's representative, and the claimant has named in a power of 
attorney an organization listed in or approved under subsection (a), a 
specific office of such an organization, or a recognized representative 
of such an organization without specifically indicating a desire to 
appoint only a recognized representative of the organization, the 
Secretary shall notify the organization at the address designated by 
the organization for the purpose of receiving the notification 
concerned.''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section apply to 
any power of attorney filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
regardless of the date of its execution.

SEC. 309. PROVISION OF COPIES OF BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS DECISIONS.

    Section 7104(e) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e)(1) After reaching a decision on a case, the Board shall 
promptly mail a copy of its written decision to the claimant at the 
last known address of the claimant.
    ``(2) If the claimant has an authorized representative, the Board 
shall--
            ``(A) mail a copy of its written decision to the authorized 
        representative at the last known address of the authorized 
        representative; or
            ``(B) send a copy of its written decision to the authorized 
        representative by any means reasonably likely to provide the 
        authorized representative with a copy of the decision within 
        the same time a copy would be expected to reach the authorized 
        representative if sent by first-class mail.''.

SEC. 310. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES FOR SERVICES FOR HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Authority for Community-Based Residential Care for Homeless 
Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans and Other Veterans.--Section 115(d) 
of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (38 U.S.C. 1712 
note) is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1997'' and inserting in 
lieu thereof ``December 31, 1998''.
    (b) Authorizations of Appropriations for Homeless Veterans 
Reintegration Projects.--Section 738(e)(1) of the Stewart B. McKinney 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11448(e)(1)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
            ``(E) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.
            ``(F) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.''.

    TITLE IV--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                           UNIFORMED SERVICES

SEC. 401. PURPOSES.

    Section 4301(a)(2) is amended by striking out ``under honorable 
conditions''.

SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 4303(16) is amended by inserting ``national'' before 
``emergency''.

SEC. 403. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WHO SERVE IN THE UNIFORMED 
              SERVICES AND ACTS OF REPRISAL PROHIBITED.

    Section 4311 is amended by striking out subsections (b) and (c) and 
inserting in lieu thereof the following:
    ``(b) An employer may not discriminate in employment against or 
take any adverse employment action against any person because such 
person (1) has taken an action to enforce a protection afforded any 
person under this chapter, (2) has testified or otherwise made a 
statement in or in connection with any proceeding under this chapter, 
(3) has assisted or otherwise participated in an investigation under 
this chapter, or (4) has exercised a right provided for in this 
chapter. This subsection shall apply with respect to a person 
regardless of whether the person has performed service in the uniformed 
services.
    ``(c) An employer shall be considered to have engaged in actions 
prohibited--
            ``(1) under subsection (a), if the person's membership, 
        application for membership, service, application for service, 
        or obligation for service in the uniformed services is a 
        motivating factor in the employer's action, unless the employer 
        can prove that the action would have been taken in the absence 
        of such membership, application for membership, service, 
        application for service, or obligation for service; or
            ``(2) under subsection (b), if the person's (A) action to 
        enforce a protection afforded any person under this chapter, 
        (B) testimony or making of a statement in or in connection with 
        any proceeding under this chapter, (C) assistance or other 
        participation in an investigation under this chapter, or (D) 
        exercise of a right provided for in this chapter, is a 
        motivating factor in the employer's action, unless the employer 
can prove that the action would have been taken in the absence of such 
person's enforcement action, testimony, statement, assistance, 
participation, or exercise of a right.
    ``(d) The prohibitions in subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to 
any position of employment, including a position covered by section 
4312(d)(1)(C).''.

SEC. 404. REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF PERSONS WHO SERVE IN THE UNIFORMED 
              SERVICES.

    (a) Inclusion of Preparation and Travel Time Prior to Service.--
Section 4312(a) is amended by striking out ``who is absent from a 
position of employment'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``whose absence 
from a position of employment is necessitated''.
    (b) Limitation on Service Exemption to War or National Emergency.--
Section 4312(c)(4)(B) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) ordered to or retained on active duty (other 
                than for training) under any provision of law because 
                of a war or national emergency declared by the 
                President or the Congress, as determined by the 
                Secretary concerned;''.
    (c) Brief, Nonrecurrent Periods of Service.--Section 4312(d)(2)(C) 
is amended by striking out ``is brief or for a nonrecurrent period and 
without a reasonable expectation'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``is 
for a brief, nonrecurrent period and there is no reasonable 
expectation''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments to Redesignations in Title 10.--Section 
4312(c) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking out ``section 270'' and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``section 10147''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking out ``section 672(a), 672(g), 673, 
                673b, 673c, or 688'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting 
                in lieu thereof ``section 688, 12301(a), 12301(g), 
                12302, 12304, or 12305'';
                    (B) by striking out ``section 673b'' in 
                subparagraph (C) and inserting in lieu thereof 
                ``section 12304''; and
                    (C) by striking out ``section 3500 or 8500'' in 
                subparagraph (E) and inserting in lieu thereof 
                ``section 12406''.

SEC. 405. REEMPLOYMENT POSITIONS.

    Section 4313(a)(4) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``uniform services'' in subparagraph 
        (A)(ii) and inserting in lieu thereof ``uniformed services''; 
        and
            (2) by striking out ``of lesser status and pay which'' and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``which is the nearest approximation 
        to a position referred to first in clause (A)(i) and then in 
        clause (A)(ii) which''.

SEC. 406. LEAVE.

    Section 4316(d) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentence: ``No employer may require any such person to use vacation, 
annual, or similar leave during such period of service.''.

SEC. 407. HEALTH PLANS.

    Section 4317(a) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``(a)(1)(A) Subject to paragraphs (2) 
        and (3), in'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``(a)(1) In'';
            (2) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1) 
        (as amended by paragraph (1) of this section) as subparagraphs 
        (A) and (B), respectively;
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as paragraph (2); and
            (4) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as paragraph (3), and 
        in that paragraph by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and by redesignating 
        subclauses (I) and (II) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively.

SEC. 408. EMPLOYEE PENSION BENEFIT PLANS.

    The last sentence of section 4318(b)(2) is amended by striking out 
``services,'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``services, such payment 
period''.

SEC. 409. ENFORCEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT OR REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS.

    (a) Technical Amendment.--The second sentence of section 4322(d) is 
amended by inserting ``attempt to'' before ``resolve''.
    (b) Notification.--Section 4322(e) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking out 
        ``with respect to a complaint under subsection (d) are 
        unsuccessful,'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``with respect to 
        any complaint filed under subsection (a) do not resolve the 
        complaint,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or the Office of 
        Personnel Management'' after ``Federal executive agency''.

SEC. 410. ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO A STATE OR PRIVATE 
              EMPLOYER.

    Section 4323(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking out ``of an unsuccessful 
        effort to resolve a complaint''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking out ``regarding the 
        complaint under section 4322(c)'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
        ``under section 4322(a)''.

SEC. 411. ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO FEDERAL EXECUTIVE 
              AGENCIES.

    (a) Referral.--Section 4324(a)(1) is amended by striking out ``of 
an unsuccessful effort to resolve a complaint relating to a Federal 
executive agency''.
    (b) Alternative Submission of Complaint.--Section 4324(b) is 
amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
        ``or the Office of Personnel Management'' after ``Federal 
        executive agency''; and
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking out ``regarding a 
        complaint under section 4322(c)'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
        ``under section 4322(a)''.
    (c) Relief.--Section 4324(c)(2) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or the Office of Personnel Management'' 
        after ``Federal executive agency''; and
            (2) by striking out ``employee'' and inserting in lieu 
        thereof ``Office''.

SEC. 412. ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FEDERAL 
              AGENCIES.

    Section 4325(d)(1) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``, alternative employment in the 
        Federal Government under this chapter,''; and
            (2) by striking out ``employee'' the last place it appears 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``employees''.

SEC. 413. CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATION; SUBPOENAS.

    Section 4326(a) is amended by inserting ``have reasonable access to 
and the right to interview persons with information relevant to the 
investigation and shall'' after ``at all reasonable times,''.

SEC. 414. TRANSITION RULES AND EFFECTIVE DATES.

    (a) Reemployment.--Section 8(a) of the Uniformed Services 
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-353; 108 
Stat. 3175; 38 U.S.C. 4301 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end thereof the 
        following: ``Any service begun up to 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, which is served up to 60 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act pursuant to orders issued under 
        section 502(f) of title 32, United States Code, shall be 
        considered under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, as 
        in effect on the day before such date of enactment. Any service 
        pursuant to orders issued under such section 502(f) served 
        after 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
        regardless of when begun, shall be considered under the 
        amendments made by this Act.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking out ``such period'' and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``such 60-day period''.
    (b) Insurance.--Section 8(c)(2) of such Act is amended by striking 
out ``person on active duty'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``person 
serving a period of service in the uniformed services''.

SEC. 415. EFFECTIVE DATES.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
amendments made by this title shall take effect as of October 13, 1994.
    (b) Reorganized Title 10 References.--The amendments made by 
section 404(d) of this Act shall take effect as of December 1, 1994.
    Amend the title to read as follows: ``To amend title 38, United 
States Code, to improve the benefits programs administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to provide for a study of the Federal 
programs for veterans, and for other purposes.''.