[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4110 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.4110

                       One Hundred Fifth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-
                                  eight


                                 An Act


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services 
   provided to Persian Gulf War veterans, to provide a cost-of-living 
   adjustment in rates of compensation paid to veterans with service-
   connected disabilities, to enhance programs providing health care, 
compensation, education, insurance, and other benefits for veterans, and 
                           for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Programs 
Enhancement Act of 1998''.
    (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--PROVISIONS RELATING TO VETERANS OF PERSIAN GULF WAR AND FUTURE 
                                CONFLICTS

Sec. 101. Agreement with National Academy of Sciences regarding 
          evaluation of health consequences of service in Southwest Asia 
          during the Persian Gulf War.
Sec. 102. Health care for veterans of Persian Gulf War and future 
          conflicts.
Sec. 103. National center on war-related illnesses and post-deployment 
          health issues.
Sec. 104. Coordination of activities.
Sec. 105. Improving effectiveness of care of Persian Gulf War veterans.
Sec. 106. Contract for independent recommendations on research and for 
          development of curriculum on care of Persian Gulf War 
          veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension and improvement of evaluation of health status of 
          spouses and children of Persian Gulf War veterans.

                   TITLE II--EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

                      Subtitle A--Education Matters

Sec. 201. Calculation of reporting fee based on total veteran enrollment 
          during a calendar year.
Sec. 202. Election of advance payment of work-study allowance.
Sec. 203. Alternative to twelve semester hour equivalency requirement.
Sec. 204. Medical evidence for flight training requirements.
Sec. 205. Waiver of wage increase and minimum payment rate requirements 
          for Government job training program approval.
Sec. 206. Expansion of education outreach services.
Sec. 207. Information on minimum requirements for education benefits for 
          members of the Armed Forces discharged early from duty for the 
          convenience of the Government.

 Subtitle B--Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act 
                               Amendments

Sec. 211. Enforcement of rights with respect to a State as an employer.
Sec. 212. Protection of extraterritorial employment and reemployment 
          rights of members of the uniformed services.
Sec. 213. Complaints relating to reemployment of members of the 
          uniformed services in Federal service.

             TITLE III--COMPENSATION, PENSION, AND INSURANCE

Sec. 301. Medal of Honor special pension.
Sec. 302. Accelerated death benefit for Servicemembers' Group Life 
          Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance participants.
Sec. 303. Assessment of effectiveness of insurance and survivor benefits 
          programs for survivors of veterans with service-connected 
          disabilities.
Sec. 304. National Service Life Insurance program.

                       TITLE IV--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

Sec. 401. Commemoration of individuals whose remains are unavailable for 
          interment.
Sec. 402. Merchant mariner burial and cemetery benefits.
Sec. 403. Redesignation of National Cemetery System and establishment of 
          Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
Sec. 404. State cemetery grants program.

                   TITLE V--COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS

       Subtitle A--Administrative Provisions Relating to the Court

Sec. 501. Continuation in office of judges pending confirmation for 
          second term.
Sec. 502. Exemption of retirement fund from sequestration orders.
Sec. 503. Adjustments for survivor annuities.
Sec. 504. Reports on retirement program modifications.

                      Subtitle B--Renaming of Court

Sec. 511. Renaming of the Court of Veterans Appeals.
Sec. 512. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 513. Effective date.

                            TITLE VI--HOUSING

Sec. 601. Loan guarantee for multifamily transitional housing for 
          homeless veterans.
Sec. 602. Veterans housing benefit program fund account consolidation.
Sec. 603. Extension of eligibility of members of Selected Reserve for 
          veterans housing loans.
Sec. 604. Applicability of procurement law to certain contracts of 
          Department of Veterans Affairs.

             TITLE VII--CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MATTERS

Sec. 701. Authorization of major medical facility projects.
Sec. 702. Authorization of major medical facility leases.
Sec. 703. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 704. Increase in threshold for major medical facility leases for 
          purposes of congressional authorization.
Sec. 705. Threshold for treatment of parking facility project as a major 
          medical facility project.
Sec. 706. Parking fees.
Sec. 707. Master plan regarding use of Department of Veterans Affairs 
          lands at West Los Angeles Medical Center, California.
Sec. 708. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
          Aspinwall, Pennsylvania.
Sec. 709. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
          Gainesville, Florida.
Sec. 710. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient 
          clinic, Columbus, Ohio.

         TITLE VIII--HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 801. Short title.
Sec. 802. Scholarship program for Department of Veterans Affairs 
          employees receiving education or training in the health 
          professions.
Sec. 803. Education debt reduction program for Veterans Health 
          Administration health professionals.
Sec. 804. Repeal of prohibition on payment of tuition loans.
Sec. 805. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 806. Coordination with appropriations provision.

    TITLE IX--MISCELLANEOUS MEDICAL CARE AND MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION 
                               PROVISIONS

Sec. 901. Examinations and care associated with certain radiation 
          treatment.
Sec. 902. Extension of authority to counsel and treat veterans for 
          sexual trauma.
Sec. 903. Management of specialized treatment and rehabilitative 
          programs.
Sec. 904. Authority to use for operating expenses of Department of 
          Veterans Affairs medical facilities amounts available by 
          reason of the limitation on pension for veterans receiving 
          nursing home care.
Sec. 905. Report on nurse locality pay.
Sec. 906. Annual report on program and expenditures of Department of 
          Veterans Affairs for domestic response to weapons of mass 
          destruction.
Sec. 907. Interim appointment of Under Secretary for Health.

                         TITLE X--OTHER MATTERS

Sec.1001.Requirement for naming of Department property.
Sec.1002.Members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Sec.1003.Flexibility in docketing and hearing of appeals by Board of 
          Veterans' Appeals.
Sec.1004.Disabled veterans outreach program specialists.
Sec.1005.Technical amendments.

            TITLE XI--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

Sec.1101.Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency and 
          indemnity compensation.
Sec.1102.Publication of adjusted rates.

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--PROVISIONS RELATING TO VETERANS OF PERSIAN GULF WAR AND FUTURE 
                               CONFLICTS

SEC. 101. AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING 
              EVALUATION OF HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF SERVICE IN SOUTHWEST 
              ASIA DURING THE PERSIAN GULF WAR.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide for the 
National Academy of Sciences, an independent nonprofit scientific 
organization with appropriate expertise which is not a part of the 
Federal Government, to review and evaluate the available scientific 
evidence regarding associations between illness and service in the 
Persian Gulf War.
    (b) Agreement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to 
enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for the 
Academy to perform the activities covered by this section. The 
Secretary shall seek to enter into the agreement not later than 2 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (2)(A) If the Secretary is unable within the time period set forth 
in paragraph (1) to enter into an agreement with the Academy for the 
purposes of this section on terms acceptable to the Secretary, the 
Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement for purposes of this 
section with another appropriate scientific organization that is not 
part of the Federal Government, operates as a not-for-profit entity, 
and has expertise and objectivity comparable to that of the Academy.
    (B) If the Secretary enters into an agreement with another 
organization under this paragraph, any reference in this section to the 
National Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a reference to such 
other organization.
    (c) Review of Scientific Evidence.--(1) Under the agreement under 
subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a 
comprehensive review and evaluation of the available scientific and 
medical information regarding the health status of Gulf War veterans 
and the health consequences of exposures to risk factors during service 
in the Persian Gulf War. In conducting such review and evaluation, the 
Academy shall--
        (A) identify the biological, chemical, or other toxic agents, 
    environmental or wartime hazards, or preventive medicines or 
    vaccines (including the agents specified in subsection (d)(1)) to 
    which members of the Armed Forces who served in the Southwest Asia 
    theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War may have been 
    exposed by reason of such service;
        (B) identify the illnesses associated with the agents, hazards, 
    or medicines or vaccines identified under subparagraph (A); and
        (C) identify the illnesses (including diagnosed illnesses and 
    undiagnosed illnesses) for which there is scientific evidence of a 
    higher prevalence among populations of Gulf War veterans when 
    compared with other appropriate populations of individuals.
    (2) In identifying illnesses under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of 
paragraph (1), the Academy shall review and summarize the relevant 
scientific evidence regarding illnesses, including symptoms, adverse 
reproductive health outcomes, and mortality, among the members 
described in paragraph (1)(A) and among other appropriate populations 
of individuals.
    (3) In conducting the review and evaluation under paragraph (1), 
the Academy shall, for each illness identified under subparagraph (B) 
or (C) of that paragraph, assess the latency period, if any, between 
service or exposure to any potential risk factor (including an agent, 
hazard, or medicine or vaccine identified under subparagraph (A) of 
that paragraph) and the manifestation of such illness.
    (d) Specified Agents.--(1) In identifying under subsection 
(c)(1)(A) the agents, hazards, or preventive medicines or vaccines to 
which members of the Armed Forces may have been exposed, the National 
Academy of Sciences shall consider the following:
        (A) The following organophosphorous pesticides:
            (i) Chlorpyrifos.
            (ii) Diazinon.
            (iii) Dichlorvos.
            (iv) Malathion.
        (B) The following carbamate pesticides:
            (i) Proxpur.
            (ii) Carbaryl.
            (iii) Methomyl.
        (C) The carbamate pyridostigmine bromide used as nerve agent 
    prophylaxis.
        (D) The following chlorinated hydrocarbons and other pesticides 
    and repellents:
            (i) Lindane.
            (ii) Pyrethrins.
            (iii) Permethrins.
            (iv) Rodenticides (bait).
            (v) Repellent (DEET).
        (E) The following low-level nerve agents and precursor 
    compounds at exposure levels below those which produce immediately 
    apparent incapacitating symptoms:
            (i) Sarin.
            (ii) Tabun.
        (F) The following synthetic chemical compounds:
            (i) Mustard agents at levels below those which cause 
        immediate blistering.
            (ii) Volatile organic compounds.
            (iii) Hydrazine.
            (iv) Red fuming nitric acid.
            (v) Solvents.
        (G) The following sources of radiation:
            (i) Depleted uranium.
            (ii) Microwave radiation.
            (iii) Radio frequency radiation.
        (H) The following environmental particulates and pollutants:
            (i) Hydrogen sulfide.
            (ii) Oil fire byproducts.
            (iii) Diesel heater fumes.
            (iv) Sand micro-particles.
        (I) Diseases endemic to the region (including the following):
            (i) Leishmaniasis.
            (ii) Sandfly fever.
            (iii) Pathogenic escherichia coli.
            (iv) Shigellosis.
        (J) Time compressed administration of multiple live, 
    ``attenuated'', and toxoid vaccines.
    (2) The consideration of agents, hazards, and medicines and 
vaccines under paragraph (1) shall not preclude the Academy from 
identifying other agents, hazards, or medicines or vaccines to which 
members of the Armed Forces may have been exposed for purposes of any 
report under subsection (h).
    (3) Not later than 6 months after entry into the agreement under 
subsection (b), the Academy shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
specifying the agents, hazards, and medicines and vaccines considered 
under paragraph (1).
    (e) Scientific Determinations Concerning Illnesses.--(1) For each 
illness identified under subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (c)(1), 
the National Academy of Sciences shall determine (to the extent 
available scientific evidence permits) whether there is scientific 
evidence of an association of that illness with Gulf War service or 
exposure during Gulf War service to one or more agents, hazards, or 
medicines or vaccines. In making those determinations, the Academy 
shall consider--
        (A) the strength of scientific evidence, the replicability of 
    results, the statistical significance of results, and the 
    appropriateness of the scientific methods used to detect the 
    association;
        (B) in any case where there is evidence of an apparent 
    association, whether there is reasonable confidence that that 
    apparent association is not due to chance, bias, or confounding;
        (C) the increased risk of the illness among human or animal 
    populations exposed to the agents, hazards, or medicines or 
    vaccines;
        (D) whether a plausible biological mechanism or other evidence 
    of a causal relationship exists between exposure to the agents, 
    hazards, or medicines or vaccines and the illnesses;
        (E) in any case where information about exposure levels is 
    available, whether the evidence indicates that the levels of 
    exposure of the studied populations were of the same magnitude as 
    the estimated likely exposures of Gulf War veterans; and
        (F) whether there is an increased risk of illness among Gulf 
    War veterans in comparison with appropriate peer groups.
    (2) The Academy shall include in its reports under subsection (h) a 
full discussion of the scientific evidence and reasoning that led to 
its conclusions under this subsection.
    (f) Recommendations for Additional Scientific Studies.--(1) Under 
the agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences 
shall make any recommendations that it considers appropriate for 
additional scientific studies (including studies relating to treatment 
models) to resolve areas of continuing scientific uncertainty relating 
to the health consequences of service in the Persian Gulf War or 
exposure to toxic agents, environmental or wartime hazards, or 
preventive medicines or vaccines associated with Gulf War service.
    (2) In making recommendations for additional studies, the Academy 
shall consider the available scientific data, the value and relevance 
of the information that could result from such studies, and the cost 
and feasibility of carrying out such studies.
    (g) Subsequent Reviews.--(1) Under the agreement under subsection 
(b), the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct on a periodic and 
ongoing basis additional reviews of the evidence and data relating to 
its activities under this section.
    (2) As part of each review under this subsection, the Academy 
shall--
        (A) conduct as comprehensive a review as is practicable of the 
    information referred to in subsection (c), the evidence referred to 
    in subsection (e), and the data referred to in subsection (f) that 
    became available since the last review of such information, 
    evidence, and data under this section; and
        (B) make determinations under the subsections referred to in 
    subparagraph (A) on the basis of the results of such review and all 
    other reviews previously conducted for purposes of this section.
    (h) Reports by Academy.--(1) Under the agreement under subsection 
(b), the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs periodic written reports regarding 
the Academy's activities under the agreement.
    (2) The first report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted not 
later than 2 years after entry into the agreement under subsection (b). 
That report shall include--
        (A) the determinations and discussion referred to in subsection 
    (e); and
        (B) any recommendations of the Academy under sub section (f).
    (3) Reports shall be submitted under this subsection at least once 
every 2 years, as measured from the date of the report under paragraph 
(2).
    (4) In any report under this subsection (other than the report 
under paragraph (2)), the Academy may specify an absence of meaningful 
developments in the scientific or medical community with respect to the 
activities of the Academy under this section during the 2-year period 
ending on the date of such report.
    (i) Reports by Secretary.--(1) The Secretary shall review each 
report from the Academy under subsection (h). As part of such review, 
the Secretary shall seek comments on, and evaluation of, the Academy's 
report from the heads of other affected departments and agencies of the 
United States.
    (2) Based upon a review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report on the available scientific and 
medical information regarding the health consequences of Persian Gulf 
War service and of exposures to risk factors during service in the 
Persian Gulf War. The Secretary shall include in the report the 
Secretary's recommendations as to whether there is sufficient evidence 
to warrant a presumption of service-connection for the occurrence of a 
specified condition in Gulf War veterans. In determining whether to 
make such a recommendation, the Secretary shall consider the matters 
specified in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of subsection (e)(1).
    (3) The report under this subsection shall be submitted not later 
than 120 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the report 
from the Academy.
    (j) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective 11 years 
after the last day of the fiscal year in which the National Academy of 
Sciences enters into an agreement with the Secretary under subsection 
(b).
    (k) Definition.--In this section, the term ``toxic agent, 
environmental or wartime hazard, or preventive medicine or vaccine 
associated with Gulf War service'' means a biological, chemical, or 
other toxic agent, environmental or wartime hazard, or preventive 
medicine or vaccine that is known or presumed to be associated with 
service in the Armed Forces in the Southwest Asia theater of operations 
during the Persian Gulf War, whether such association arises as a 
result of single, repeated, or sustained exposure and whether such 
association arises through exposure singularly or in combination.

SEC. 102. HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS OF PERSIAN GULF WAR AND FUTURE 
              CONFLICTS.

    (a) Authority.--Section 1710(e) is amended--
        (1) by adding at the end of paragraph (1) the following new 
    subparagraph:
    ``(D) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a veteran who served on 
active duty in a theater of combat operations (as determined by the 
Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a 
period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a 
hostile force during a period of hostilities (as defined in section 
1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title) after the date of the enactment of this 
subparagraph, is eligible for hospital care, medical services, and 
nursing home care under subsection (a)(2)(F) for any illness, 
notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude 
that such condition is attributable to such service.'';
        (2) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``or (1)(D)'' after 
    ``paragraph (1)(C)'';
        (3) in paragraph (3)--
            (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
            (B) by striking ``December 31, 1998.'' in subparagraph (B) 
        and inserting ``December 31, 2001; and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
        ``(C) in the case of care for a veteran described in paragraph 
    (1)(D), after a period of 2 years beginning on the date of the 
    veteran's discharge or release from active military, naval, or air 
    service.''; and
        (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(5) When the Secretary first provides care for veterans using the 
authority provided in paragraph (1)(D), the Secretary shall establish a 
system for collection and analysis of information on the general health 
status and health care utilization patterns of veterans receiving care 
under that paragraph. Not later than 18 months after first providing 
care under such authority, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on the experience under that authority. The Secretary shall 
include in the report any recommendations of the Secretary for 
extension of that authority.''.
    (b) Implementation Report.--Not later than October 1, 1999, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
on the Secretary's plan for establishing and operating the system for 
collection and analysis of information required by paragraph (5) of 
section 1710(e) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a)(4).

SEC. 103. NATIONAL CENTER ON WAR-RELATED ILLNESSES AND POST-DEPLOYMENT 
              HEALTH ISSUES.

    (a) Assessment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to 
enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, or 
another appropriate independent organization, under which such entity 
shall assist in developing a plan for the establishment of a national 
center or national centers for the study of war-related illnesses and 
post-deployment health issues. The purposes of such a center may 
include--
        (1) carrying out and promoting research regarding the 
    etiologies, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of war-related 
    illnesses and post-deployment health issues; and
        (2) promoting the development of appropriate health policies, 
    including monitoring, medical recordkeeping, risk communication, 
    and use of new technologies.
    (b) Recommendations and Report.--With respect to such a center, an 
agreement under this section shall provide for the Academy (or other 
entity) to--
        (1) make recommendations regarding: (A) design of an 
    organizational structure or structures, operational scope, staffing 
    and resource needs, establishment of appropriate databases, the 
    advantages of single or multiple sites, mechanisms for implementing 
    recommendations on policy, and relationship to academic or 
    scientific entities; (B) the role or roles that relevant Federal 
    departments and agencies should have in the establishment and 
    operation of any such center or centers; and (C) such other matters 
    as it considers appropriate; and
        (2) report to the Secretary, the Secretaries of Defense and 
    Health and Human Services, and the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
    of the Senate and House of Representatives, not later than 1 year 
    after the date of the enactment of this Act, on its 
    recommendations.
    (c) Report on Establishment of National Center.--Not later than 60 
days after receiving the report under subsection (b), the Secretaries 
specified in subsection (b)(2) shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the Senate and the Committees 
on Veterans' Affairs and Natoinal Security of the House of 
Representatives a joint report on the findings and recommendations 
contained in that report. Such report may set forth an operational plan 
for carrying out any recommendation in that report to establish a 
national center or centers for the study of war-related illnesses. No 
action to carry out such plan may be taken after the submission of such 
report until the end of a 90-day period following the date of the 
submission.

SEC. 104. COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES.

    Section 707 of the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Health Status Act 
(title VII of Public Law 102-585; 38 U.S.C. 527 note) is amended--
        (1) in the heading, by striking ``government activities on 
    health-related research'' and inserting the following: ``health-
    related government activities'';
        (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``research''; and
        (3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Public Advisory Committee.--Not later than January 1, 1999, 
the head of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) 
shall establish an advisory committee consisting of members of the 
general public, including Persian Gulf War veterans and representatives 
of such veterans, to provide advice to the head of that department or 
agency on proposed research studies, research plans, or research 
strategies relating to the health consequences of military service in 
the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. 
The department or agency head shall consult with such advisory 
committee on a regular basis.
    ``(c) Reports.--(1) Not later than March 1 of each year, the head 
of the department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on--
        ``(A) the status and results of all such research activities 
    undertaken by the executive branch during the previous year; and
        ``(B) research priorities identified during that year.
    ``(2)(A) Not later than 120 days after submission of the 
epidemiological research study conducted by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs entitled `VA National Survey of Persian Gulf Veterans--Phase 
III', the head of the department or agency designated under subsection 
(a) shall submit to the congressional committees specified in paragraph 
(1) a report on the findings under that study and any other pertinent 
medical literature.
    ``(B) With respect to any findings of that study and any other 
pertinent medical literature which identify scientific evidence of a 
greater relative risk of illness or illnesses in family members of 
veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War theater of operations than 
in family members of veterans who did not so serve, the head of the 
department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall seek to 
ensure that appropriate research studies are designed to follow up on 
such findings.
    ``(d) Public Availability of Research Findings.--The head of the 
department or agency designated under subsection (a) shall ensure that 
the findings of all research conducted by or for the executive branch 
relating to the health consequences of military service in the Persian 
Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War (including 
information pertinent to improving provision of care for veterans of 
such service) are made available to the public through peer-reviewed 
medical journals, the World Wide Web, and other appropriate media.
    ``(e) Outreach.--The head of the department or agency designated 
under subsection (a) shall ensure that the appropriate departments 
consult and coordinate in carrying out an ongoing program to provide 
information to those who served in the Southwest Asia theater of 
operations during the Persian Gulf War relating to: (1) the health 
risks, if any, resulting from any risk factors associated with such 
service; and (2) any services or benefits available with respect to 
such health risks.''.

SEC. 105. IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS OF CARE OF PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS.

    (a) Assessment by National Academy of Sciences.--Not later than 
April 1, 1999, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a 
contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review the available 
scientific data in order to--
        (1) assess whether a methodology could be used by the 
    Department of Veterans Affairs for determining the efficacy of 
    treatments furnished to, and health outcomes (including functional 
    status) of, Persian Gulf War veterans who have been treated for 
    illnesses which may be associated with their service in the Persian 
    Gulf War; and
        (2) identify, to the extent feasible, with respect to each 
    undiagnosed illness prevalent among such veterans and for any other 
    chronic illness that the Academy determines to warrant such review, 
    empirically valid models of treatment for such illness which employ 
    successful treatment modalities for populations with similar 
    symptoms.
    (b) Action on Report.--(1) After receiving the final report of the 
National Academy of Sciences under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, 
if a reasonable and scientifically feasible methodology is identified 
by the Academy, develop an appropriate mechanism to monitor and study 
the effectiveness of treatments furnished to, and health outcomes of, 
Persian Gulf War veterans who suffer from diagnosed and undiagnosed 
illnesses which may be associated with their service in the Persian 
Gulf War.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 
implementation of paragraph (1).
    (3) The Secretary shall carry out paragraphs (1) and (2) not later 
than 180 days after receiving the final report of the National Academy 
of Sciences under subsection (a).

SEC. 106. CONTRACT FOR INDEPENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS ON RESEARCH AND FOR 
              DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULUM ON CARE OF PERSIAN GULF WAR 
              VETERANS.

    Section 706 of the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Health Status Act 
(title VII of Public Law 102-585; 38 U.S.C. 527 note) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Research Review and Development of Medical Education 
Curriculum.--(1) In order to further understand the health consequences 
of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during 
the Persian Gulf War and of new research findings with implications for 
improving the provision of care for veterans of such service, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall seek 
to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under 
which the Institute of Medicine of the Academy would--
        ``(A) develop a curriculum pertaining to the care and treatment 
    of veterans of such service who have ill-defined or undiagnosed 
    illnesses for use in the continuing medical education of both 
    general and specialty physicians who provide care for such 
    veterans; and
        ``(B) on an ongoing basis, periodically review and provide 
    recommendations regarding the research plans and research 
    strategies of the Departments relating to the health consequences 
    of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations 
    during the Persian Gulf War.
    ``(2) Recommendations to be provided under paragraph (1)(B) include 
any recommendations that the Academy considers appropriate for 
additional scientific studies (including studies related to treatment 
models) to resolve areas of continuing scientific uncertainty relating 
to the health consequences of any aspects of such military service. In 
making recommendations for additional studies, the Academy shall 
consider the available scientific data, the value and relevance of the 
information that could result from such studies, and the cost and 
feasibility of carrying out such studies.
    ``(3) Not later than 9 months after the Institute of Medicine 
provides the Secretaries the curriculum developed under paragraph 
(1)(A), the Secretaries shall provide for the conduct of continuing 
education programs using that curriculum. Those programs shall include 
instruction which seeks to emphasize use of appropriate protocols of 
diagnosis, referral, and treatment of such veterans.''.

SEC. 107. EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF EVALUATION OF HEALTH STATUS OF 
              SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS.

    (a) One-Year Extension.--Subsection (b) of section 107 of the 
Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits Act (title I of Public Law 103-446; 
38 U.S.C. 1117 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 1998'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 1999''.
    (b) Termination of Certain Testing and Evaluation Requirements.--
Subsection (a) of such section is amended--
        (1) by striking ``the'' after ``Secretary of'';
        (2) by striking ``study'' both places it appears and inserting 
    ``program''; and
        (3) by striking the sentence following paragraph (3).
    (c) Enhanced Flexibility in Examinations.--Subsection (d) of such 
section is amended--
        (1) by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''; and
        (2) by inserting ``, including fee arrangements described in 
    section 1703 of title 38, United States Code'' after 
    ``arrangements''.
    (d) Outreach.--Subsection (g) of such section is amended--
        (1) by striking ``to ensure'' and all that follows through the 
    period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ``for the purposes 
    of the program.''; and
        (2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``In 
    conducting such outreach activities, the Secretary shall advise 
    that medical treatment is not available under the program.''.
    (e) Report to Congress.--Subsection (i) of such section is amended 
to read as follows:
    ``(i) Report to Congress.--Not later than July 31, 1999, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on activities with respect 
to the program, including the provision of services under subsection 
(d).''.

                   TITLE II--EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
                     Subtitle A--Education Matters

SEC. 201. CALCULATION OF REPORTING FEE BASED ON TOTAL VETERAN 
              ENROLLMENT DURING A CALENDAR YEAR.

    (a) In General.--The second sentence of section 3684(c) is amended 
by striking ``on October 31'' and all that follows through the period 
and inserting ``during the calender year.''.
    (b) Funding.--Section 3684(c), as amended by subsection (a), is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The 
reporting fee payable under this subsection shall be paid from amounts 
appropriated for readjustment benefits.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to calendar years beginning after December 31, 1998.

SEC. 202. ELECTION OF ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE.

    (a) In General.--The third sentence of section 3485(a)(1) is 
amended by striking ``An individual shall be paid in advance'' and 
inserting ``An individual may elect, in a manner prescribed by the 
Secretary, to be paid in advance''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to agreements entered into under section 3485 of 
title 38, United States Code, on or after January 1, 1999.

SEC. 203. ALTERNATIVE TO TWELVE SEMESTER HOUR EQUIVALENCY REQUIREMENT.

    (a) In General.--The following sections of chapter 30 are each 
amended by striking ``successfully completed'' each place it appears 
and inserting ``successfully completed (or otherwise received academic 
credit for)'': sections 3011(a)(2), 3012(a)(2), 3018(b)(4)(ii), 
3018A(a)(2), 3018B(a)(1)(B), 3018B(a)(2)(B), and 3018C(a)(3).
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 1998.

SEC. 204. MEDICAL EVIDENCE FOR FLIGHT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Title 38, United States Code.--Sections 3034(d)(2) and 
3241(b)(2) are each amended--
        (1) by striking ``pilot's license'' each place it appears and 
    inserting ``pilot certificate''; and
        (2) by inserting ``, on the day the individual begins a course 
    of flight training,'' after ``meets''.
    (b) Title 10, United States Code.--Section 16136(c)(2) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended--
        (1) by striking ``pilot's license'' each place it appears and 
    inserting ``pilot certificate''; and
        (2) by inserting ``, on the day the individual begins a course 
    of flight training,'' after ``meets''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to courses of flight training beginning on or after 
October 1, 1998.

SEC. 205. WAIVER OF WAGE INCREASE AND MINIMUM PAYMENT RATE REQUIREMENTS 
              FOR GOVERNMENT JOB TRAINING PROGRAM APPROVAL.

    (a) In General.--Section 3677(b) is amended--
        (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)'';
        (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs 
    (A) and (B), respectively;
        (3) in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking 
    ``(A)'' and ``(B)'' and inserting ``(i)'' and ``(ii)'', 
    respectively; and
        (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The requirement under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall not apply 
with respect to a training establishment operated by the United States 
or by a State or local government.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to approval of programs of training on the job under 
section 3677 of title 38, United States Code, on or after October 1, 
1998.

SEC. 206. EXPANSION OF EDUCATION OUTREACH SERVICES.

    (a) Expansion of Education Outreach Services to Members of the 
Armed Forces.--Section 3034 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) In the case of a member of the Armed Forces who 
participates in basic educational assistance under this chapter, the 
Secretary shall furnish the information described in paragraph (2) to 
each such member. The Secretary shall furnish such information as soon 
as practicable after the basic pay of the member has been reduced by 
$1,200 in accordance with section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title and 
at such additional times as the Secretary determines appropriate.
    ``(2) The information referred to in paragraph (1) is information 
with respect to the benefits, limitations, procedures, eligibility 
requirements (including time-in-service requirements), and other 
important aspects of the basic educational assistance program under 
this chapter, including application forms for such basic educational 
assistance under section 5102 of this title.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall furnish the forms described in paragraph 
(2) and other educational materials to educational institutions, 
training establishments, and military education personnel, as the 
Secretary determines appropriate.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall use amounts appropriated for readjustment 
benefits to carry out this subsection and section 5102 of this title 
with respect to application forms under that section for basic 
educational assistance under this chapter.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall take 
effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 207. INFORMATION ON MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION BENEFITS 
              FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES DISCHARGED EARLY FROM 
              DUTY FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

    (a) Active Duty Program.--Section 3011 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection:
    ``(i) The Secretary concerned shall inform any member of the Armed 
Forces who has not completed that member's initial obligated period of 
active duty (as described in subsection (a)(1)(A)) and who indicates 
the intent to be discharged or released from such duty for the 
convenience of the Federal Government of the minimum active duty 
requirements for entitlement to educational assistance benefits under 
this chapter. Such information shall be provided to the member in a 
timely manner.''.
    (b) Reserve Program.--Section 3012 is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection:
    ``(g)(1) The Secretary concerned shall inform any member of the 
Armed Forces who has not completed that member's initial service (as 
described in paragraph (2)) and who indicates the intent to be 
discharged or released from such service for the convenience of the 
Federal Government of the minimum service requirements for entitlement 
to educational assistance benefits under this chapter. Such information 
shall be provided to the member in a timely manner.
    ``(2) The initial service referred to in paragraph (1) is the 
initial obligated period of active duty (described in subparagraphs 
(A)(i) or (B)(i) of subsection (a)(1)) or the period of service in the 
Selected Reserve (described in subparagraphs (A)(ii) or (B)(ii) of 
subsection (a)(1)).''.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Section 3036(b)(1) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``and (B)'' and inserting ``(B)''; and
        (2) by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``, and 
    (C) describing the efforts under sections 3011(i) and 3012(g) of 
    this title to inform members of the Armed Forces of the minimum 
    service requirements for entitlement to educational assistance 
    benefits under this chapter and the results from such efforts''.
    (d) Effective Dates.--(1) The amendments made by subsections (a) 
and (b) shall take effect 120 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
    (2) The amendments made by subsection (c) shall apply with respect 
to reports to Congress submitted by the Secretary of Defense under 
section 3036 of title 38, United States Code, on or after January 1, 
2000.

 Subtitle B--Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act 
                               Amendments

SEC. 211. ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO A STATE AS AN EMPLOYER.

    (a) In General.--Section 4323 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 4323. Enforcement of rights with respect to a State or private 
            employer

    ``(a) Action for Relief.--(1) A person who receives from the 
Secretary a notification pursuant to section 4322(e) of this title of 
an unsuccessful effort to resolve a complaint relating to a State (as 
an employer) or a private employer may request that the Secretary refer 
the complaint to the Attorney General. If the Attorney General is 
reasonably satisfied that the person on whose behalf the complaint is 
referred is entitled to the rights or benefits sought, the Attorney 
General may appear on behalf of, and act as attorney for, the person on 
whose behalf the complaint is submitted and commence an action for 
relief under this chapter for such person. In the case of such an 
action against a State (as an employer), the action shall be brought in 
the name of the United States as the plaintiff in the action.
    ``(2) A person may commence an action for relief with respect to a 
complaint against a State (as an employer) or a private employer if the 
person--
        ``(A) has chosen not to apply to the Secretary for assistance 
    under section 4322(a) of this title;
        ``(B) has chosen not to request that the Secretary refer the 
    complaint to the Attorney General under paragraph (1); or
        ``(C) has been refused representation by the Attorney General 
    with respect to the complaint under such paragraph.
    ``(b) Jurisdiction.--(1) In the case of an action against a State 
(as an employer) or a private employer commenced by the United States, 
the district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction over 
the action.
    ``(2) In the case of an action against a State (as an employer) by 
a person, the action may be brought in a State court of competent 
jurisdiction in accordance with the laws of the State.
    ``(3) In the case of an action against a private employer by a 
person, the district courts of the United States shall have 
jurisdiction of the action.
    ``(c) Venue.--(1) In the case of an action by the United States 
against a State (as an employer), the action may proceed in the United 
States district court for any district in which the State exercises any 
authority or carries out any function.
    ``(2) In the case of an action against a private employer, the 
action may proceed in the United States district court for any district 
in which the private employer of the person maintains a place of 
business.
    ``(d) Remedies.--(1) In any action under this section, the court 
may award relief as follows:
        ``(A) The court may require the employer to comply with the 
    provisions of this chapter.
        ``(B) The court may require the employer to compensate the 
    person for any loss of wages or benefits suffered by reason of such 
    employer's failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
        ``(C) The court may require the employer to pay the person an 
    amount equal to the amount referred to in subparagraph (B) as 
    liquidated damages, if the court determines that the employer's 
    failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter was willful.
    ``(2)(A) Any compensation awarded under subparagraph (B) or (C) of 
paragraph (1) shall be in addition to, and shall not diminish, any of 
the other rights and benefits provided for under this chapter.
    ``(B) In the case of an action commenced in the name of the United 
States for which the relief includes compensation awarded under 
subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1), such compensation shall be 
held in a special deposit account and shall be paid, on order of the 
Attorney General, directly to the person. If the compensation is not 
paid to the person because of inability to do so within a period of 3 
years, the compensation shall be covered into the Treasury of the 
United States as miscellaneous receipts.
    ``(3) A State shall be subject to the same remedies, including 
prejudgment interest, as may be imposed upon any private employer under 
this section.
    ``(e) Equity Powers.--The court may use its full equity powers, 
including temporary or permanent injunctions, temporary restraining 
orders, and contempt orders, to vindicate fully the rights or benefits 
of persons under this chapter.
    ``(f) Standing.--An action under this chapter may be initiated only 
by a person claiming rights or benefits under this chapter under 
subsection (a) or by the United States under subsection (a)(1).
    ``(g) Respondent.--In any action under this chapter, only an 
employer or a potential employer, as the case may be, shall be a 
necessary party respondent.
    ``(h) Fees, Court Costs.--(1) No fees or court costs may be charged 
or taxed against any person claiming rights under this chapter.
    ``(2) In any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of this 
chapter by a person under subsection (a)(2) who obtained private 
counsel for such action or proceeding, the court may award any such 
person who prevails in such action or proceeding reasonable attorney 
fees, expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses.
    ``(i) Inapplicability of State Statute of Limitations.--No State 
statute of limitations shall apply to any proceeding under this 
chapter.
    ``(j) Definition.--In this section, the term `private employer' 
includes a political subdivision of a State.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--(1) Section 4323 of title 38, United States 
Code, as amended by subsection (a), shall apply to actions commenced 
under chapter 43 of such title on or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and shall apply to actions commenced under such chapter 
before the date of the enactment of this Act that are not final on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, without regard to when the cause of 
action accrued.
    (2) In the case of any such action against a State (as an employer) 
in which a person, on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
Act, is represented by the Attorney General under section 4323(a)(1) of 
such title as in effect on such day, the court shall upon motion of the 
Attorney General, substitute the United States as the plaintiff in the 
action pursuant to such section as amended by subsection (a).

SEC. 212. PROTECTION OF EXTRATERRITORIAL EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT 
              RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.

    (a) Definition of Employee.--Section 4303(3) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new sentence: ``Such term includes any person 
who is a citizen, national, or permanent resident alien of the United 
States employed in a workplace in a foreign country by an employer that 
is an entity incorporated or otherwise organized in the United States 
or that is controlled by an entity organized in the United States, 
within the meaning of section 4319(c) of this title.''.
    (b) Foreign Countries.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 43 is amended 
by inserting after section 4318 the following new section:

``Sec. 4319. Employment and reemployment rights in foreign countries

    ``(a) Liability of Controlling United States Employer of Foreign 
Entity.--If an employer controls an entity that is incorporated or 
otherwise organized in a foreign country, any denial of employment, 
reemployment, or benefit by such entity shall be presumed to be by such 
employer.
    ``(b) Inapplicability to Foreign Employer.--This subchapter does 
not apply to foreign operations of an employer that is a foreign person 
not controlled by an United States employer.
    ``(c) Determination of Controlling Employer.--For the purpose of 
this section, the determination of whether an employer controls an 
entity shall be based upon the interrelations of operations, common 
management, centralized control of labor relations, and common 
ownership or financial control of the employer and the entity.
    ``(d) Exemption.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
subchapter, an employer, or an entity controlled by an employer, shall 
be exempt from compliance with any of sections 4311 through 4318 of 
this title with respect to an employee in a workplace in a foreign 
country, if compliance with that section would cause such employer, or 
such entity controlled by an employer, to violate the law of the 
foreign country in which the workplace is located.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 43 is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 4318 the following new 
item:
``4319. Employment and reemployment rights in foreign countries.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply only with respect to causes of action arising after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 213. COMPLAINTS RELATING TO REEMPLOYMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE 
              UNIFORMED SERVICES IN FEDERAL SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--The first sentence of paragraph (1) of section 
4324(c) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: ``, without regard as to whether the complaint accrued 
before, on, or after October 13, 1994''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to complaints filed with the Merit Systems Protection Board on or 
after October 13, 1994.

            TITLE III--COMPENSATION, PENSION, AND INSURANCE

SEC. 301. MEDAL OF HONOR SPECIAL PENSION.

    (a) Increase.--Section 1562(a) is amended by striking ``$400'' and 
inserting ``$600''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on the first day of the first month beginning on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 302. ACCELERATED DEATH BENEFIT FOR SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE 
              INSURANCE AND VETERANS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE 
              PARTICIPANTS.

    (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter III of chapter 19 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 1980. Option to receive accelerated death benefit

    ``(a) For the purpose of this section, a person shall be considered 
to be terminally ill if the person has a medical prognosis such that 
the life expectancy of the person is less than a period prescribed by 
the Secretary. The maximum length of such period may not exceed 12 
months.
    ``(b)(1) A terminally ill person insured under Servicemembers' 
Group Life Insurance or Veterans' Group Life Insurance may elect to 
receive in a lump-sum payment a portion of the face value of the 
insurance as an accelerated death benefit reduced by an amount 
necessary to assure that there is no increase in the actuarial value of 
the benefit paid, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall prescribe the maximum amount of the 
accelerated death benefit available under this section that the 
Secretary finds to be administratively practicable and actuarially 
sound, but in no event may the amount of the benefit exceed the amount 
equal to 50 percent of the face value of the person's insurance in 
force on the date the election of the person to receive the benefit is 
approved.
    ``(3) A person making an election under this section may elect to 
receive an amount that is less than the maximum amount prescribed under 
paragraph (2). The Secretary shall prescribe the increments in which a 
reduced amount under this paragraph may be elected.
    ``(c) The portion of the face value of insurance which is not paid 
in a lump sum as an accelerated death benefit under this section shall 
remain payable in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
    ``(d) Deductions under section 1969 of this title and premiums 
under section 1977(c) of this title shall be reduced, in a manner 
consistent with the percentage reduction in the face value of the 
insurance as a result of payment of an accelerated death benefit under 
this section, effective with respect to any amounts which would 
otherwise become due on or after the date of payment under this 
section.
    ``(e) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this 
section. Such regulations shall include provisions regarding--
        ``(1) the form and manner in which an application for an 
    election under this section shall be made; and
        ``(2) the procedures under which any such application shall be 
    considered.
    ``(f)(1) An election to receive a benefit under this section shall 
be irrevocable.
    ``(2) A person may not make more than one election under this 
section, even if the election of the person is to receive less than the 
maximum amount of the benefit available to the person under this 
section.
    ``(g) If a person insured under Servicemembers' Group Life 
Insurance elects to receive a benefit under this section and the 
person's Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance is thereafter converted 
to Veterans' Group Life Insurance as provided in section 1968(b) of 
this title, the amount of the benefit paid under this section shall 
reduce the amount of Veterans' Group Life Insurance available to the 
person under section 1977(a) of this title.
    ``(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount of the 
accelerated death benefit received by a person under this section shall 
not be considered income or resources for purposes of determining 
eligibility for or the amount of benefits under any Federal or 
federally-assisted program or for any other purpose.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1979 the 
following new item:

``1980. Option to receive accelerated death benefit.''.

    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1970(g) is amended in the first 
sentence--
        (1) by striking ``Payments of benefits'' and inserting ``Any 
    payments''; and
        (2) by inserting ``an insured or'' after ``or on account of,''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 303. ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS OF INSURANCE AND SURVIVOR 
              BENEFITS PROGRAMS FOR SURVIVORS OF VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
              CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    (a) Report on Assessment.--Not later than October 1, 1999, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
report containing an assessment of the adequacy of the insurance and 
survivor benefits programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(including the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation under 
chapter 13 of title 38, United States Code) in meeting the needs of 
survivors of veterans with service-connected disabilities, including 
survivors of catastrophically disabled veterans who cared for those 
veterans.
    (b) Report Elements.--The report on the assessment under subsection 
(a) shall include the following:
        (1) An identification of the characteristics that make a 
    disabled veteran catastrophically disabled.
        (2) A statement of the number of veterans with service-
    connected disabilities who participate in insurance programs 
    administered by the Department.
        (3) A statement of the number of survivors of veterans with 
    service-connected disabilities who receive dependency and indemnity 
    compensation under chapter 13 of title 38, United States Code.
        (4) Data on veterans with service-connected disabilities that 
    are relevant to the insurance programs administered by the 
    Department, and an assessment how such data might be used to better 
    determine the cost above standard premium rates of insuring 
    veterans with service-connected disabilities under such programs.
        (5) An analysis of various methods of accounting and providing 
    for the additional cost of insuring the lives of veterans with 
    service-connected disabilities under the insurance programs 
    administered by the Department.
        (6) An assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the 
    current insurance programs and dependency and indemnity 
    compensation programs of the Department in meeting the needs of 
    survivors of severely disabled or catastrophically disabled 
    veterans.
        (7) An analysis of various methods of meeting the transitional 
    financial needs of survivors of veterans with service-connected 
    disabilities immediately after the deaths of such veterans.
        (8) Such recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate 
    regarding means of improving the benefits available to survivors of 
    veterans with service-connected disabilities under programs 
    administered by the Department.

SEC. 304. NATIONAL SERVICE LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Eligibility of Certain Veterans for Dividends Under NSLI 
Program.--Section 1919(b) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``sections 602(c)(2) and'' and inserting 
    ``section''; and
        (2) by striking ``sections'' after ``under such'' and inserting 
    ``section''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

                       TITLE IV--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

SEC. 401. COMMEMORATION OF INDIVIDUALS WHOSE REMAINS ARE UNAVAILABLE 
              FOR INTERMENT.

    (a) Memorial Headstones or Markers for Certain Members of the Armed 
Forces and Spouses.--Subsection (b) of section 2306 is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall furnish, when requested, an 
appropriate memorial headstone or marker for the purpose of 
commemorating an eligible individual whose remains are unavailable. 
Such a headstone or marker shall be furnished for placement in a 
national cemetery area reserved for that purpose under section 2403 of 
this title, a veterans' cemetery owned by a State, or, in the case of a 
veteran, in a State, local, or private cemetery.
    ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible individual is any 
of the following:
        ``(A) A veteran.
        ``(B) The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran.
    ``(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the remains of an individual 
shall be considered to be unavailable if the individual's remains--
        ``(A) have not been recovered or identified;
        ``(B) were buried at sea, whether by the individual's own 
    choice or otherwise;
        ``(C) were donated to science; or
        ``(D) were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment 
    of any portion of the ashes.
    ``(4) For purposes of this subsection:
        ``(A) The term `veteran' includes an individual who dies in the 
    active military, naval, or air service.
        ``(B) The term `surviving spouse' includes an unremarried 
    surviving spouse whose subsequent remarriage was terminated by 
    death or divorce.''.
    (b) Alternative Commemoration for Certain Spouses.--Such section is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) When the Secretary has furnished a headstone or marker 
under subsection (a) for the unmarked grave of an individual, the 
Secretary shall, if feasible, add a memorial inscription to that 
headstone or marker rather than furnishing a separate headstone or 
marker under that subsection for the surviving spouse of such 
individual.
    ``(2) When the Secretary has furnished a memorial headstone or 
marker under subsection (b) for purposes of commemorating a veteran or 
an individual who died in the active military, naval, or air service, 
the Secretary shall, if feasible, add a memorial inscription to that 
headstone or marker rather than furnishing a separate memorial 
headstone or marker under that subsection for the surviving spouse of 
such individual.''.
    (c) Memorial Areas.--Section 2403(b) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, group 
memorials may be placed to honor the memory of groups of individuals 
referred to in subsection (a), and appropriate memorial headstones and 
markers may be placed to honor the memory of individuals referred to in 
subsection (a) and section 2306(b) of this title.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) 
shall apply to deaths occurring after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.

SEC. 402. MERCHANT MARINER BURIAL AND CEMETERY BENEFITS.

    (a) Benefits.--Part G of subtitle II of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 111 the following new 
chapter:

                ``CHAPTER 112--MERCHANT MARINER BENEFITS

``Sec.
``11201. Eligibility for veterans' burial and cemetery benefits.
``11202. Qualified service.
``11203. Documentation of qualified service.
``11204. Processing fees.

``Sec. 11201. Eligibility for veterans' burial and cemetery benefits

    ``(a) Eligibility.--
        ``(1) In general.--The qualified service of a person referred 
    to in paragraph (2) shall be considered to be active duty in the 
    Armed Forces during a period of war for purposes of eligibility for 
    benefits under the following provisions of title 38:
            ``(A) Chapter 23 (relating to burial benefits).
            ``(B) Chapter 24 (relating to interment in national 
        cemeteries).
        ``(2) Covered individuals.--Paragraph (1) applies to a person 
    who--
            ``(A) receives an honorable service certificate under 
        section 11203 of this title; and
            ``(B) is not eligible under any other provision of law for 
        benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs.
    ``(b) Reimbursement for Benefits Provided.--The Secretary shall 
reimburse the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the value of benefits 
that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides for a person by reason 
of eligibility under this section.
    ``(c) Applicability.--
        ``(1) General rule.--Benefits may be provided under the 
    provisions of law referred to in subsection (a)(1) by reason of 
    this chapter only for deaths occurring after the date of the 
    enactment of this chapter.
        ``(2) Burials, etc. in national cemeteries.--Notwithstanding 
    paragraph (1), in the case of an initial burial or columbarium 
    placement after the date of the enactment of this chapter, benefits 
    may be provided under chapter 24 of title 38 by reason of this 
    chapter (regardless of the date of death), and in such a case 
    benefits may be provided under section 2306 of such title.

``Sec. 11202. Qualified service

    ``For purposes of this chapter, a person shall be considered to 
have engaged in qualified service if, between August 16, 1945, and 
December 31, 1946, the person--
        ``(1) was a member of the United States merchant marine 
    (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport 
    Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was--
            ``(A) operated by the War Shipping Administration or the 
        Office of Defense Transportation (or an agent of the 
        Administration or Office);
            ``(B) operated in waters other than inland waters, the 
        Great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United 
        States;
            ``(C) under contract or charter to, or property of, the 
        Government of the United States; and
            ``(D) serving the Armed Forces; and
        ``(2) while so serving, was licensed or otherwise documented 
    for service as a crewmember of such a vessel by an officer or 
    employee of the United States authorized to license or document the 
    person for such service.

``Sec. 11203. Documentation of qualified service

    ``(a) Record of Service.--The Secretary, or in the case of 
personnel of the Army Transport Service or the Naval Transport Service, 
the Secretary of Defense, shall, upon application--
        ``(1) issue a certificate of honorable service to a person who, 
    as determined by that Secretary, engaged in qualified service of a 
    nature and duration that warrants issuance of the certificate; and
        ``(2) correct, or request the appropriate official of the 
    Federal Government to correct, the service records of that person 
    to the extent necessary to reflect the qualified service and the 
    issuance of the certificate of honorable service.
    ``(b) Timing of Documentation.--A Secretary receiving an 
application under subsection (a) shall act on the application not later 
than 1 year after the date of that receipt.
    ``(c) Standards Relating to Service.--In making a determination 
under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary acting on the application shall 
apply the same standards relating to the nature and duration of service 
that apply to the issuance of honorable discharges under section 
401(a)(1)(B) of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (38 U.S.C. 106 
note).
    ``(d) Correction of Records.--An official who is requested under 
subsection (a)(2) to correct the service records of a person shall make 
such correction.

``Sec. 11204. Processing fees

    ``(a) Collection of Fees.--The Secretary, or in the case of 
personnel of the Army Transport Service or the Naval Transport Service, 
the Secretary of Defense, shall collect a fee of $30 from each 
applicant for processing an application submitted under section 
11203(a) of this title.
    ``(b) Treatment of Fees Collected.--Amounts received by the 
Secretary under this section shall be deposited in the General Fund of 
the Treasury as offsetting receipts of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating and ascribed to Coast Guard activities. 
Amounts received by the Secretary of Defense under this section shall 
be deposited in the General Fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts 
of the Department of Defense. In either case, such amounts shall be 
available, subject to appropriation, for the administrative costs of 
processing applications under section 11203 of this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters at the beginning of 
subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to chapter 111 the following new item:

``112. Merchant Mariner Benefits................................11201''.

SEC. 403. REDESIGNATION OF NATIONAL CEMETERY SYSTEM AND ESTABLISHMENT 
              OF UNDER SECRETARY FOR MEMORIAL AFFAIRS.

    (a) Redesignation as National Cemetery Administration.--(1) The 
National Cemetery System of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall 
hereafter be known and designated as the National Cemetery 
Administration. The position of Director of the National Cemetery 
System is hereby redesignated as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
for Memorial Affairs.
    (2) Section 301(c)(4) is amended by striking ``National Cemetery 
System'' and inserting ``National Cemetery Administration''.
    (3) Section 307 is amended--
        (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``a Director of the 
    National Cemetery System'' and inserting ``an Under Secretary for 
    Memorial Affairs''; and
        (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``The Director'' and 
    all that follows through ``National Cemetery System'' and inserting 
    ``The Under Secretary is the head of the National Cemetery 
    Administration''.
    (b) Pay Rate for Under Secretary.--Chapter 53 of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended--
        (1) in section 5314, by inserting after the item relating to 
    the Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans 
    Affairs the following new item:
        ``Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Department of Veterans 
    Affairs.''; and
        (2) in section 5315, by striking ``Director of the National 
    Cemetery System.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
        (1)(A) The heading of section 307 is amended to read as 
    follows:

``Sec. 307. Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs''.

        (B) The item relating to section 307 in the table of sections 
    at the beginning of chapter 3 is amended to read as follows:

``307. Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.''.

        (2) Section 2306(d) is amended by striking ``within the 
    National Cemetery System'' each place such term appears and 
    inserting ``under the control of the National Cemetery 
    Administration''.
        (3) Section 2400 is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a)--
                (i) by striking ``National Cemetery System'' and 
            inserting ``National Cemetery Administration responsible''; 
            and
                (ii) in the second sentence, by striking ``Such 
            system'' and all that follows through ``National Cemetery 
            System'' and inserting ``The National Cemetery 
            Administration shall be headed by the Under Secretary for 
            Memorial Affairs'';
            (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``National Cemetery 
        System'' and inserting ``national cemeteries and other 
        facilities under the control of the National Cemetery 
        Administration''; and
            (C) by amending the heading to read as follows:

``Sec. 2400. Establishment of National Cemetery Administration; 
            composition of Administration''.

        (4) The item relating to section 2400 in the table of sections 
    at the beginning of chapter 24 is amended to read as follows:
``2400. Establishment of National Cemetery Administration; composition 
          of Administration.''.

        (5) Section 2402 is amended in the matter preceding paragraph 
    (1) by striking ``in the National Cemetery System'' and inserting 
    ``under the control of the National Cemetery Administration''.
        (6) Section 2403(c) is amended by striking ``in the National 
    Cemetery System created by this chapter'' and inserting ``under the 
    control of the National Cemetery Administration''.
        (7) Section 2405(c) is amended--
            (A) by striking ``within the National Cemetery System'' and 
        inserting ``under the control of the National Cemetery 
        Administration''; and
            (B) by striking ``within such System'' and inserting 
        ``under the control of such Administration''.
        (8) Section 2408(c)(1) is amended by striking ``in the National 
    Cemetery System'' and inserting ``under the control of the National 
    Cemetery Administration''.
    (d) References.--
        (1) Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
    or other record of the United States to the National Cemetery 
    System shall be deemed to be a reference to the National Cemetery 
    Administration.
        (2) Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
    or other record of the United States to the Director of the 
    National Cemetery System shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
    Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs.

SEC. 404. STATE CEMETERY GRANTS PROGRAM.

    (a) Amount of Grant Relative to Project Cost.--(1) Paragraphs (1) 
and (2) of section 2408(b) are amended to read as follows:
        ``(1) The amount of a grant under this section may not exceed--
            ``(A) in the case of the establishment of a new cemetery, 
        the sum of: (i) the cost of improvements to be made on the land 
        to be converted into a cemetery; and (ii) the cost of initial 
        equipment necessary to operate the cemetery; and
            ``(B) in the case of the expansion or improvement of an 
        existing cemetery, the sum of: (i) the cost of improvements to 
        be made on any land to be added to the cemetery; and (ii) the 
        cost of any improvements to be made to the existing cemetery.
        ``(2) If the amount of a grant under this section is less than 
    the amount of costs referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
    paragraph (1), the State receiving the grant shall contribute the 
    excess of such costs over the grant.''.
    (2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to 
grants under section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, made after 
the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations Without Fiscal Year 
Limitation.--The first sentence of section 2408(e) is amended by 
striking ``shall remain available until the end of the second fiscal 
year following the fiscal year for which they are appropriated'' and 
inserting ``shall remain available until expended''.
    (c) Extension of Authorization of Appropriations for Grant 
Program.--Paragraph (2) of section 2408(a) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(2) There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for fiscal year 1999 and for each succeeding fiscal year 
through fiscal year 2004 for the purpose of making grants under 
paragraph (1).''.

                   TITLE V--COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS
      Subtitle A--Administrative Provisions Relating to the Court

SEC. 501. CONTINUATION IN OFFICE OF JUDGES PENDING CONFIRMATION FOR 
              SECOND TERM.

    Section 7253(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentence: ``A judge who is nominated by the President for appointment 
to an additional term on the Court without a break in service and whose 
term of office expires while that nomination is pending before the 
Senate may continue in office for up to 1 year while that nomination is 
pending.''.

SEC. 502. EXEMPTION OF RETIREMENT FUND FROM SEQUESTRATION ORDERS.

    Section 7298 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(g) For purpose of section 255(g)(1)(B) of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 905(g)(1)(B)), the 
retirement fund shall be treated in the same manner as the Claims 
Judges' Retirement Fund.''.

SEC. 503. ADJUSTMENTS FOR SURVIVOR ANNUITIES.

    Subsection (o) of section 7297 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(o) Each survivor annuity payable from the retirement fund shall 
be increased at the same time as, and by the same percentage by which, 
annuities payable from the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund are 
increased pursuant to section 376(m) of title 28.''.

SEC. 504. REPORTS ON RETIREMENT PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS.

    (a) Report on Judges' Retirement System.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the chief judge of the 
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report on the feasibility and desirability of merging 
the retirement plan of the judges of that court with retirement plans 
of other Federal judges.
    (b) Report on Survivor Annuities Plan.--Not later than 6 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the chief judge of the 
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report on the feasibility and desirability of 
allowing judges of that court to participate in the survivor annuity 
programs available to other Federal judges.

                     Subtitle B--Renaming of Court

SEC. 511. RENAMING OF THE COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS.

    (a) In General.--The United States Court of Veterans Appeals is 
hereby renamed as, and shall hereafter be known and designated as, the 
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
    (b) Section 7251.--Section 7251 is amended by striking ``United 
States Court of Veterans Appeals'' and inserting ``United States Court 
of Appeals for Veterans Claims''.

SEC. 512. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Conforming Amendments to Title 38, United States Code.--
        (1) The following sections are amended by striking ``Court of 
    Veterans Appeals'' each place it appears and inserting ``Court of 
    Appeals for Veterans Claims'': sections 5904, 7101(b), 7252(a), 
    7253, 7254, 7255, 7256, 7261, 7262, 7263, 7264, 7266(a)(1), 
    7267(a), 7268(a), 7269, 7281(a), 7282(a), 7283, 7284, 7285(a), 
    7286, 7291, 7292, 7296, 7297, and 7298.
        (2)(A) The heading of section 7286 is amended to read as 
    follows:

``Sec. 7286. Judicial Conference of the Court''.

        (B) The heading of section 7291 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 7291. Date when Court decision becomes final''.

        (C) The heading of section 7298 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 7298. Retirement Fund''.

        (3) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 72 is 
    amended as follows:
            (A) The item relating to section 7286 is amended to read as 
        follows:
``7286. Judicial Conference of the Court.''.

            (B) The item relating to section 7291 is amended to read as 
        follows:
``7291. Date when Court decision becomes final.''.

            (C) The item relating to section 7298 is amended to read as 
        follows:
``7298. Retirement Fund.''.

        (4)(A) The heading of chapter 72 is amended to read as follows:

  ``CHAPTER 72--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS''.

        (B) The item relating to chapter 72 in the table of chapters at 
    the beginning of title 38, United States Code, and the item 
    relating to such chapter in the table of chapters at the beginning 
    of part V are amended to read as follows:

``72. United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims..........
                                                                 7251''.

    (b) Conforming Amendments to Other Laws.--
        (1) The following provisions of law are amended by striking 
    ``Court of Veterans Appeals'' each place it appears and inserting 
    ``Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims'':
            (A) Section 8440d of title 5, United States Code.
            (B) Section 2412 of title 28, United States Code.
            (C) Section 906 of title 44, United States Code.
            (D) Section 109 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
        U.S.C. App.).
        (2)(A) The heading of section 8440d of title 5, United States 
    Code, is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 8440d. Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
            Claims''.

        (B) The item relating to such section in the table of sections 
    at the beginning of chapter 84 of such title is amended to read as 
    follows:

``8440d. Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
          Claims.''.

    (c) Other Legal References.--Any reference in a law, regulation, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United 
States Court of Veterans Appeals shall be deemed to be a reference to 
the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

SEC. 513. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This subtitle, and the amendments made by this subtitle, shall take 
effect on the first day of the first month beginning more than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

                           TITLE VI--HOUSING

SEC. 601. LOAN GUARANTEE FOR MULTIFAMILY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR 
              HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 37 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subchapter:

 ``SUBCHAPTER VI--LOAN GUARANTEE FOR MULTIFAMILY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING 
                         FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

``Sec. 3771. Definitions

    ``For purposes of this subchapter:
        ``(1) The term `veteran' has the meaning given such term by 
    paragraph (2) of section 101.
        ``(2) The term `homeless veteran' means a veteran who is a 
    homeless individual.
        ``(3) The term `homeless individual' has the meaning given such 
    term by section 103 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance 
    Act (42 U.S.C. 11302).

``Sec. 3772. General authority

    ``(a) The Secretary may guarantee the full or partial repayment of 
a loan that meets the requirements of this subchapter.
    ``(b)(1) Not more than 15 loans may be guaranteed under subsection 
(a), of which not more than five such loans may be guaranteed during 
the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
subchapter.
    ``(2) A guarantee of a loan under subsection (a) shall be in an 
amount that is not less than the amount necessary to sell the loan in a 
commercial market.
    ``(3) Not more than an aggregate amount of $100,000,000 in loans 
may be guaranteed under subsection (a).
    ``(c) A loan may not be guaranteed under this subchapter unless, 
before closing such loan, the Secretary has approved the loan.
    ``(d)(1) The Secretary shall enter into contracts with a qualified 
nonprofit organization, or other qualified organization, that has 
experience in underwriting transitional housing projects to obtain 
advice in carrying out this subchapter, including advice on the terms 
and conditions necessary for a loan that meets the requirements of 
section 3773 of this title.
    ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), a nonprofit organization is an 
organization that is described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection 
(c) of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt 
from tax under subsection (a) of such section.
    ``(e) The Secretary may carry out this subchapter in advance of the 
issuance of regulations for such purpose.
    ``(f) The Secretary may guarantee loans under this subchapter 
notwithstanding any requirement for prior appropriations for such 
purpose under any provision of law.

``Sec. 3773. Requirements

    ``(a) A loan referred to in section 3772 of this title meets the 
requirements of this subchapter if each of the following requirements 
is met:
        ``(1) The loan--
            ``(A) is for--
                ``(i) construction of, rehabilitation of, or 
            acquisition of land for a multifamily transitional housing 
            project described in subsection (b), or more than one of 
            such purposes; or
                ``(ii) refinancing of an existing loan for such a 
            project; and
            ``(B) may also include additional reasonable amounts for--
                ``(i) financing acquisition of furniture, equipment, 
            supplies, or materials for the project; or
                ``(ii) in the case of a loan made for purposes of 
            subparagraph (A)(i), supplying the organization carrying 
            out the project with working capital relative to the 
            project.
        ``(2) The loan is made in connection with funding or the 
    provision of substantial property or services for such project by 
    either a State or local government or a nongovernmental entity, or 
    both.
        ``(3) The maximum loan amount does not exceed the lesser of--
            ``(A) that amount generally approved (utilizing prudent 
        underwriting principles) in the consideration and approval of 
        projects of similar nature and risk so as to assure repayment 
        of the loan obligation; and
            ``(B) 90 percent of the total cost of the project.
        ``(4) The loan is of sound value, taking into account the 
    creditworthiness of the entity (and the individual members of the 
    entity) applying for such loan.
        ``(5) The loan is secured.
        ``(6) The loan is subject to such terms and conditions as the 
    Secretary determines are reasonable, taking into account other 
    housing projects with similarities in size, location, population, 
    and services provided.
    ``(b) For purposes of this subchapter, a multifamily transitional 
housing project referred to in subsection (a)(1) is a project that--
        ``(1) provides transitional housing to homeless veterans, which 
    housing may be single room occupancy (as defined in section 8(n) of 
    the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(n)));
        ``(2) provides supportive services and counselling services 
    (including job counselling) at the project site with the goal of 
    making such veterans self-sufficient;
        ``(3) requires that each such veteran seek to obtain and 
    maintain employment;
        ``(4) charges a reasonable fee for occupying a unit in such 
    housing; and
        ``(5) maintains strict guidelines regarding sobriety as a 
    condition of occupying such unit.
    ``(c) Such a project--
        ``(1) may include space for neighborhood retail services or job 
    training programs; and
        ``(2) may provide transitional housing to veterans who are not 
    homeless and to homeless individuals who are not veterans if--
            ``(A) at the time of taking occupancy by any such veteran 
        or homeless individual, the transitional housing needs of 
        homeless veterans in the project area have been met;
            ``(B) the housing needs of any such veteran or homeless 
        individual can be met in a manner that is compatible with the 
        manner in which the needs of homeless veterans are met under 
        paragraph (1); and
            ``(C) the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of 
        subsection (b) are met.
    ``(d) In determining whether to guarantee a loan under this 
subchapter, the Secretary shall consider--
        ``(1) the availability of Department of Veterans Affairs 
    medical services to residents of the multifamily transitional 
    housing project; and
        ``(2) the extent to which needs of homeless veterans are met in 
    a community, as assessed under section 107 of Public Law 102-405.

``Sec. 3774. Default

    ``(a) The Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to 
obtain repayment on any loan that is in default and that is guaranteed 
under this subchapter.
    ``(b) Upon default of a loan guaranteed under this subchapter and 
terminated pursuant to State law, a lender may file a claim under the 
guarantee for an amount not to exceed the lesser of--
        ``(1) the maximum guarantee; or
        ``(2) the difference between--
            ``(A) the total outstanding obligation on the loan, 
        including principal, interest, and expenses authorized by the 
        loan documents, through the date of the public sale (as 
        authorized under such documents and State law); and
            ``(B) the amount realized at such sale.

``Sec. 3775. Audit

    ``During each of the first 3 years of operation of a multifamily 
transitional housing project with respect to which a loan is guaranteed 
under this subchapter, there shall be an annual, independent audit of 
such operation. Such audit shall include a detailed statement of the 
operations, activities, and accomplishments of such project during the 
year covered by such audit. The party responsible for obtaining such 
audit (and paying the costs therefor) shall be determined before the 
Secretary issues a guarantee under this subchapter.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 37 is amended by adding at the end the following new items:

``SUBCHAPTER VI--LOAN GUARANTEE FOR MULTIFAMILY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR 
                            HOMELESS VETERANS

``3771. Definitions.
``3772. General authority.
``3773. Requirements.
``3774. Default.
``3775. Audit.''.

SEC. 602. VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND ACCOUNT CONSOLIDATION.

    (a) Consolidation of Housing Loan Revolving Funds.--Subchapter III 
of chapter 37 is amended--
        (1) by striking sections 3723, 3724, and 3725; and
        (2) by inserting after section 3721 the following new section:

``Sec. 3722. Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund

    ``(a) There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United 
States a fund known as the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund 
(hereafter in this section referred to as the `Fund').
    ``(b) The Fund shall be available to the Secretary, without fiscal 
year limitation, for all housing loan operations under this chapter, 
other than administrative expenses, consistent with the Federal Credit 
Reform Act of 1990.
    ``(c) There shall be deposited into the Fund the following, which 
shall constitute the assets of the Fund:
        ``(1) Any amount appropriated to the Fund.
        ``(2) Amounts paid into the Fund under section 3729 of this 
    title or any other provision of law or regulation established by 
    the Secretary imposing fees on persons or other entities 
    participating in the housing loan programs under this chapter.
        ``(3) All other amounts received by the Secretary on or after 
    October 1, 1998, incident to housing loan operations under this 
    chapter, including--
            ``(A) collections of principal and interest on housing 
        loans made by the Secretary under this chapter;
            ``(B) proceeds from the sale, rental, use, or other 
        disposition of property acquired under this chapter;
            ``(C) proceeds from the sale of loans pursuant to sections 
        3720(h) and 3733(a)(3) of this title; and
            ``(D) penalties collected pursuant to section 3710(g)(4)(B) 
        of this title.
    ``(d) Amounts deposited into the Fund under paragraphs (2) and (3) 
of subsection (c) shall be deposited in the appropriate financing or 
liquidating account of the Fund.
    ``(e) For purposes of this section, the term `housing loan' shall 
not include a loan made pursuant to subchapter V of this chapter.''.
    (b) Transfers of Amounts into Veterans Housing Benefit Program 
Fund.--All amounts in the following funds are hereby transferred to the 
Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund:
        (1) The Direct Loan Revolving Fund, as such fund was continued 
    under section 3723 of title 38, United States Code (as such section 
    was in effect on the day before the effective date of this title).
        (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Revolving 
    Fund, as established by section 3724 of such title (as such section 
    was in effect on the day before the effective date of this title).
        (3) The Guaranty and Indemnity Fund, as established by section 
    3725 of such title (as such section was in effect on the day before 
    the effective date of this title).
    (c) Repeal of Authority to Sell Participation Certificates and of 
Obsolete Requirement to Credit Proceeds.--
        (1) Repeal of authority to sell participation certificates.--
    Section 3720 is amended by striking subsection (e).
        (2) Repeal of obsolete requirement to credit proceeds.--Section 
    3733 is amended by striking subsection (e).
    (d) Submission of Summary Financial Statement on Housing 
Programs.--Section 3734 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection:
    ``(c) The information submitted under subsection (a) shall include 
a statement that summarizes the financial activity of each of the 
housing programs operated under this chapter. The statement shall be 
presented in a form that is simple, concise, and readily 
understandable, and shall not include references to financing accounts, 
liquidating accounts, or program accounts.''.
    (e) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--
        (1) Conforming amendments to chapter 37.--Chapter 37 is amended 
    as follows:
            (A) Section 3703(e)(1) is amended by striking 
        ``3729(c)(1)'' and inserting ``3729(c)''.
            (B) Section 3711(k) is amended by striking ``and section 
        3723 of this title'' both places it appears.
            (C) Section 3727(c) is amended by striking ``funds 
        established pursuant to sections 3723 and 3724 of this title, 
        as applicable'' and inserting ``fund established pursuant to 
        section 3722 of this title''.
            (D) Section 3729 is amended--
                (i) in subsection (c)--

                    (I) by striking ``(c)(1)'' and inserting ``(c)''; 
                and
                    (II) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and

                (ii) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``(c)(1)'' and 
            inserting ``(c)''.
            (E) Section 3733(a)(6) is amended by striking ``Department 
        of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Revolving Fund established by 
        section 3724(a)'' and inserting ``Veterans Housing Benefit 
        Program Fund established by section 3722(a)''.
            (F) Section 3734, as amended by subsection (d), is further 
        amended--
                (i) in subsection (a)--

                    (I) by striking ``Loan Guaranty Revolving Fund and 
                the Guaranty and Indemnity Fund'' in paragraph (1) and 
                inserting ``Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund''; 
                and
                    (II) by striking ``funds,'' in paragraph (2) and 
                inserting ``fund,'';

                (ii) in subsection (b), by striking ``each fund'' in 
            the matter preceding paragraph (1) and inserting ``the 
            fund''; and
                (iii) in subsection (b)(2)--

                    (I) by striking subparagraph (B);
                    (II) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), 
                (F), and (G) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), and 
                (F), respectively; and
                    (III) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, by 
                striking ``subsections (a)(3) and (c)(2) of section 
                3729'' and inserting ``section 3729(a)(3)''.

            (G) Section 3735(a)(3)(A)(i) is amended by striking ``Loan 
        Guaranty Revolving Fund and the Guaranty and Indemnity Fund'' 
        and inserting ``Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund''.
        (2) Other conforming amendment.--Section 2106(e) is amended by 
    striking ``, as appropriate, deposited in either the direct loan or 
    loan guaranty revolving fund established by section 3723 or 3724 of 
    this title, respectively'' and inserting ``deposited in the 
    Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund established by section 3722 
    of this title''.
        (3) Technical and clerical amendments.--(A) The heading for 
    section 3734 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 3734. Annual submission of information on the Veterans Housing 
            Benefit Program Fund and housing programs''.

        (B) The heading for section 3763 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 3763. Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account''.

        (C) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 37 is 
    amended--
            (i) by inserting after the item relating to section 3721 
        the following new item:
``3722. Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund.'';

            (ii) by striking the items relating to sections 3723, 3724, 
        and 3725;
            (iii) by striking the item relating to section 3734 and 
        inserting the following:
``3734. Annual submission of information on the Veterans Housing Benefit 
          Program Fund and housing programs.'';

        and
            (iv) by striking the item relating to section 3763 and 
        inserting the following:
``3763. Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account.''.

    (f) Effective Date.--This title and the amendments made by this 
title shall take effect on October 1, 1998.

SEC. 603. EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF SELECTED RESERVE FOR 
              VETERANS HOUSING LOANS.

    (a) Extension.--Section 3702(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking 
``October 27, 1999,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2003,''.
    (b) One-Year Extension of Fee Provision.--Section 3729(a)(4) is 
amended--
        (1) by striking ``With respect to a loan closed after September 
    30, 1993, and before October 1, 2002,'' and inserting ``(A) With 
    respect to a loan closed during the period specified in 
    subparagraph (B)''; and
        (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(B) The specified period for purposes of subparagraph (A) is the 
period beginning on October 1, 1993, and ending on September 30, 2002, 
except that in the case of a loan described in subparagraph (D) of 
paragraph (2), such period ends on September 30, 2003.''.

SEC. 604. APPLICABILITY OF PROCUREMENT LAW TO CERTAIN CONTRACTS OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3720(b) is amended by striking ``; 
however'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``, except 
that title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act 
of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251 et seq.) shall apply to any contract for 
services or supplies on account of any property acquired pursuant to 
this section.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to contracts entered into under section 3720 of 
title 38, United States Code, after the end of the 60-day period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

             TITLE VII--CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MATTERS

SEC. 701. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out 
the following major medical facility projects, with each project to be 
carried out in the amount specified for that project:
        (1) Alterations and demolition at the Department of Veterans 
    Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, California, in an amount not to 
    exceed $23,200,000.
        (2) Construction and seismic work at the Department of Veterans 
    Affairs Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an amount not to 
    exceed $50,000,000.
        (3) Outpatient clinic expansion at the Department of Veterans 
    Affairs Medical Center, Washington, D.C., in an amount not to 
    exceed $29,700,000.
        (4) Construction of a psychogeriatric care building and 
    demolition of a seismically unsafe building at the Department of 
    Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, in an 
    amount not to exceed $22,400,000.
        (5) Construction of an ambulatory care addition and renovations 
    for ambulatory care at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
    Center, Cleveland (Wade Park), Ohio, in an amount not to exceed 
    $28,300,000, of which $7,500,000 shall be derived from funds 
    appropriated for a fiscal year before fiscal year 1999 that remain 
    available for obligation.
        (6) Construction of an ambulatory care addition at the 
    Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona, in 
    an amount not to exceed $35,000,000.
        (7) Construction of an addition for psychiatric care at the 
    Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, in an 
    amount not to exceed $24,200,000.
        (8) Outpatient clinic projects at Auburn and Merced, 
    California, as part of the Northern California Healthcare Systems 
    Project, in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000, to be derived only 
    from funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
    fiscal year before fiscal year 1999 that remain available for 
    obligation.
        (9) Renovations to a nursing home care unit at the Department 
    of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in an 
    amount not to exceed $9,500,000.
        (10) Construction of a spinal cord injury center at the 
    Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tampa, Florida, in 
    an amount not to exceed $46,300,000, of which $20,000,000 shall be 
    derived from funds appropriated for a fiscal year before fiscal 
    year 1999 that remain available for obligation.
    (b) Construction of Parking Facility.--The Secretary may construct 
a parking structure at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center, Denver, Colorado, in an amount not to exceed $13,000,000, of 
which $11,900,000 shall be derived from funds in the Parking Revolving 
Fund.

SEC. 702. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into leases for 
satellite outpatient clinics as follows:
        (1) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in an amount not to exceed 
    $1,800,000.
        (2) Daytona Beach, Florida, in an amount not to exceed 
    $2,600,000.
        (3) Oakland Park, Florida, in an amount not to exceed 
    $4,100,000.

 SEC. 703. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1999 and for fiscal year 
2000--
        (1) for the Construction, Major Projects, account $241,100,000 
    for the projects authorized in section 701(a); and
        (2) for the Medical Care account, $8,500,000 for the leases 
    authorized in section 702.
    (b) Limitation.--(1) The projects authorized in section 701(a) may 
only be carried out using--
        (A) funds appropriated for fiscal year 1999 or fiscal year 2000 
    pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (a);
        (B) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
    fiscal year before fiscal year 1999 that remain available for 
    obligation; and
        (C) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for 
    fiscal year 1999 for a category of activity not specific to a 
    project.
    (2) The project authorized in section 701(b) may only be carried 
out using funds appropriated for a fiscal year before fiscal year 
1999--
        (A) for the Parking Revolving Fund; or
        (B) for Construction, Major Projects, for a category of 
    activity not specific to a project.

SEC. 704. INCREASE IN THRESHOLD FOR MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES FOR 
              PURPOSES OF CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION.

    Section 8104(a)(3)(B) is amended by striking ``$300,000'' and 
inserting ``$600,000''.

SEC. 705. THRESHOLD FOR TREATMENT OF PARKING FACILITY PROJECT AS A 
              MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT.

    Section 8109(i)(2) is amended by striking ``$3,000,000'' and 
inserting ``$4,000,000''.

SEC. 706. PARKING FEES.

    (a) Limitation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not 
establish or collect any parking fee at any parking facility associated 
with the Spark M. Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and 
Regional Office Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
    (b) Report.--Not later than September 15, 1999, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report regarding the Department's experience in 
exercising and administering the authority of the Secretary to charge 
parking fees under subsections (d) and (e) of section 8109 of title 38, 
United States Code. The report shall include--
        (1) the results of a survey which shall describe the parking 
    facilities and number of parking spaces available to employees of 
    the Department at each medical facility of the Department with more 
    than 50 employees;
        (2) an analysis of the means by which the Secretary could 
    implement in a cost-effective manner the authority of the Secretary 
    under subsection (e) of section 8109 of title 38, United States 
    Code; and
        (3) recommendations for amending section 8109 of such title--
            (A) to address the applicability of parking fees to 
        employees of the Secretary who are employed at a regional 
        office which is co-located with a medical facility;
            (B) to address the applicability of parking fees to persons 
        using parking facilities at Department of Veterans Affairs 
        medical centers co-located with facilities of the Department of 
        Defense;
            (C) to link any schedule of applicable fees to applicable 
        commercial rates; and
            (D) to achieve any other purpose.

SEC. 707. MASTER PLAN REGARDING USE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              LANDS AT WEST LOS ANGELES MEDICAL CENTER, CALIFORNIA.

    (a) Report.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
Congress a report on the master plan of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs relating to the use of Department lands at the West Los Angeles 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, California.
    (b) Report Elements.--The report under subsection (a) shall set 
forth the following:
        (1) The master plan referred to in that subsection, if such a 
    plan currently exists.
        (2) A current assessment of the master plan.
        (3) Any proposal of the Department for a veterans park on the 
    lands referred to in subsection (a), and an assessment of such 
    proposals.
        (4) Any proposal to use a portion of those lands as dedicated 
    green space, and an assessment of such proposals.
    (c) Alternative Report Element.--If a master plan referred to in 
subsection (a) does not exist as of the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall set forth in the report under that subsection, 
in lieu of the matters specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
subsection (b), a plan for the development of a master plan for the use 
of the lands referred to in subsection (a) over the next 25 years and 
over the next 50 years.

SEC. 708. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, 
              ASPINWALL, PENNSYLVANIA.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Aspinwall, 
Pennsylvania, is hereby designated as the ``H. John Heinz III 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any reference to that 
medical center in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other 
paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the 
H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

SEC. 709. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, 
              GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Gainesville, 
Florida, is hereby designated as the ``Malcom Randall Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any reference to that medical center 
in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the 
United States shall be considered to be a reference to the Malcom 
Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

SEC. 710. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT 
              CLINIC, COLUMBUS, OHIO.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Columbus, 
Ohio, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and 
designated as the ``Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic''. Any 
reference to that outpatient clinic in any law, regulation, map, 
document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be 
considered to be a reference to the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans 
Outpatient Clinic.

        TITLE VIII--HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs 
Health Care Personnel Incentive Act of 1998''.

SEC. 802. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              EMPLOYEES RECEIVING EDUCATION OR TRAINING IN THE HEALTH 
              PROFESSIONS.

    (a) Program Authority.--Chapter 76 is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subchapter:

        ``SUBCHAPTER VI--EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

``Sec. 7671. Authority for program

    ``As part of the Educational Assistance Program, the Secretary may 
carry out a scholarship program under this subchapter. The program 
shall be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Incentive 
Scholarship Program (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the 
`Program'). The purpose of the Program is to assist, through the 
establishment of an incentive program for individuals employed in the 
Veterans Health Administration, in meeting the staffing needs of the 
Veterans Health Administration for health professional occupations for 
which recruitment or retention of qualified personnel is difficult.

``Sec. 7672. Eligibility; agreement

    ``(a) Eligibility.--To be eligible to participate in the Program, 
an individual must be an eligible Department employee who is accepted 
for enrollment or enrolled (as described in section 7602 of this title) 
as a full-time or part-time student in a field of education or training 
described in subsection (c).
    ``(b) Eligible Department Employees.--For purposes of subsection 
(a), an eligible Department employee is any employee of the Department 
who, as of the date on which the employee submits an application for 
participation in the Program, has been continuously employed by the 
Department for not less than 2 years.
    ``(c) Qualifying Fields of Education or Training.--A scholarship 
may be awarded under the Program only for education and training in a 
field leading to appointment or retention in a position under section 
7401 of this title.
    ``(d) Award of Scholarships.--Notwithstanding section 7603(d) of 
this title, the Secretary, in selecting participants in the Program, 
may award a scholarship only to applicants who have a record of 
employment with the Veterans Health Administration which, in the 
judgment of the Secretary, demonstrates a high likelihood that the 
applicant will be successful in completing such education or training 
and in employment in such field.
    ``(e) Agreement.--(1) An agreement between the Secretary and a 
participant in the Program shall (in addition to the requirements set 
forth in section 7604 of this title) include the following:
        ``(A) The Secretary's agreement to provide the participant with 
    a scholarship under the Program for a specified number (from one to 
    three) of school years during which the participant pursues a 
    course of education or training described in subsection (c) that 
    meets the requirements set forth in section 7602(a) of this title.
        ``(B) The participant's agreement to serve as a full-time 
    employee in the Veterans Health Administration for a period of time 
    (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the `period of 
    obligated service') determined in accordance with regulations 
    prescribed by the Secretary of up to three calendar years for each 
    school year or part thereof for which the participant was provided 
    a scholarship under the Program, but for not less than 3 years.
        ``(C) The participant's agreement to serve under subparagraph 
    (B) in a Department facility selected by the Secretary.
    ``(2) In a case in which an extension is granted under section 
7673(c)(2) of this title, the number of years for which a scholarship 
may be provided under the Program shall be the number of school years 
provided for as a result of the extension.
    ``(3) In the case of a participant who is a part-time student, the 
period of obligated service shall be reduced in accordance with the 
proportion that the number of credit hours carried by such participant 
in any such school year bears to the number of credit hours required to 
be carried by a full-time student in the course of training being 
pursued by the participant, but in no event to less than 1 year.

``Sec. 7673. Scholarship

    ``(a) Scholarship.--A scholarship provided to a participant in the 
Program for a school year shall consist of payment of the tuition (or 
such portion of the tuition as may be provided under subsection (b)) of 
the participant for that school year and payment of other reasonable 
educational expenses (including fees, books, and laboratory expenses) 
for that school year.
    ``(b) Amounts.--The total amount of the scholarship payable under 
subsection (a)--
        ``(1) in the case of a participant in the Program who is a 
    full-time student, may not exceed $10,000 for any 1 year; and
        ``(2) in the case of a participant in the Program who is a 
    part-time student, shall be the amount specified in paragraph (1) 
    reduced in accordance with the proportion that the number of credit 
    hours carried by the participant in that school year bears to the 
    number of credit hours required to be carried by a full-time 
    student in the course of education or training being pursued by the 
    participant.
    ``(c) Limitation on Years of Payment.--(1) Subject to paragraph 
(2), a participant in the Program may not receive a scholarship under 
subsection (a) for more than three school years.
    ``(2) The Secretary may extend the number of school years for which 
a scholarship may be awarded to a participant in the Program who is a 
part-time student to a maximum of six school years if the Secretary 
determines that the extension would be in the best interest of the 
United States.
    ``(d) Payment of Educational Expenses by Educational 
Institutions.--The Secretary may arrange with an educational 
institution in which a participant in the Program is enrolled for the 
payment of the educational expenses described in subsection (a). Such 
payments may be made without regard to subsections (a) and (b) of 
section 3324 of title 31.

``Sec. 7674. Obligated service

    ``(a) In General.--Each participant in the Program shall provide 
service as a full-time employee of the Department for the period of 
obligated service provided in the agreement of the participant entered 
into under section 7603 of this title. Such service shall be provided 
in the full-time clinical practice of such participant's profession or 
in another health-care position in an assignment or location determined 
by the Secretary.
    ``(b) Determination of Service Commencement Date.--(1) Not later 
than 60 days before a participant's service commencement date, the 
Secretary shall notify the participant of that service commencement 
date. That date is the date for the beginning of the participant's 
period of obligated service.
    ``(2) As soon as possible after a participant's service 
commencement date, the Secretary shall--
        ``(A) in the case of a participant who is not a full-time 
    employee in the Veterans Health Administration, appoint the 
    participant as such an employee; and
        ``(B) in the case of a participant who is an employee in the 
    Veterans Health Administration but is not serving in a position for 
    which the participant's course of education or training prepared 
    the participant, assign the participant to such a position.
    ``(3)(A) In the case of a participant receiving a degree from a 
school of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry, the 
participant's service commencement date is the date upon which the 
participant becomes licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, 
dentistry, optometry, or podiatry, as the case may be, in a State.
    ``(B) In the case of a participant receiving a degree from a school 
of nursing, the participant's service commencement date is the later 
of--
        ``(i) the participant's course completion date; or
        ``(ii) the date upon which the participant becomes licensed as 
    a registered nurse in a State.
    ``(C) In the case of a participant not covered by subparagraph (A) 
or (B), the participant's service commencement date is the later of--
        ``(i) the participant's course completion date; or
        ``(ii) the date the participant meets any applicable licensure 
    or certification requirements.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe the service 
commencement date for participants who were part-time students. Such 
regulations shall prescribe terms as similar as practicable to the 
terms set forth in paragraph (3).
    ``(c) Commencement of Obligated Service.--(1) Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), a participant in the Program shall be considered to have 
begun serving the participant's period of obligated service--
        ``(A) on the date, after the participant's course completion 
    date, on which the participant (in accordance with subsection (b)) 
    is appointed as a full-time employee in the Veterans Health 
    Administration; or
        ``(B) if the participant is a full-time employee in the 
    Veterans Health Administration on such course completion date, on 
    the date thereafter on which the participant is assigned to a 
    position for which the participant's course of training prepared 
    the participant.
    ``(2) A participant in the Program who on the participant's course 
completion date is a full-time employee in the Veterans Health 
Administration serving in a capacity for which the participant's course 
of training prepared the participant shall be considered to have begun 
serving the participant's period of obligated service on such course 
completion date.
    ``(d) Course Completion Date Defined.--In this section, the term 
`course completion date' means the date on which a participant in the 
Program completes the participant's course of education or training 
under the Program.

``Sec. 7675. Breach of agreement: liability

    ``(a) Liquidated Damages.--A participant in the Program (other than 
a participant described in subsection (b)) who fails to accept payment, 
or instructs the educational institution in which the participant is 
enrolled not to accept payment, in whole or in part, of a scholarship 
under the agreement entered into under section 7603 of this title shall 
be liable to the United States for liquidated damages in the amount of 
$1,500. Such liability is in addition to any period of obligated 
service or other obligation or liability under the agreement.
    ``(b) Liability During Course of Education or Training.--(1) Except 
as provided in subsection (d), a participant in the Program shall be 
liable to the United States for the amount which has been paid to or on 
behalf of the participant under the agreement if any of the following 
occurs:
        ``(A) The participant fails to maintain an acceptable level of 
    academic standing in the educational institution in which the 
    participant is enrolled (as determined by the educational 
    institution under regulations prescribed by the Secretary).
        ``(B) The participant is dismissed from such educational 
    institution for disciplinary reasons.
        ``(C) The participant voluntarily terminates the course of 
    education or training in such educational institution before the 
    completion of such course of education or training.
        ``(D) The participant fails to become licensed to practice 
    medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or optometry in a State, 
    fails to become licensed as a registered nurse in a State, or fails 
    to meet any applicable licensure requirement in the case of any 
    other health-care personnel who provide either direct patient-care 
    services or services incident to direct patient-care services, 
    during a period of time determined under regulations prescribed by 
    the Secretary.
        ``(E) In the case of a participant who is a part-time student, 
    the participant fails to maintain employment, while enrolled in the 
    course of training being pursued by the participant, as a 
    Department employee.
    ``(2) Liability under this subsection is in lieu of any service 
obligation arising under a participant's agreement.
    ``(c) Liability During Period of Obligated Service.--(1) Except as 
provided in subsection (d), if a participant in the Program breaches 
the agreement by failing for any reason to complete such participant's 
period of obligated service, the United States shall be entitled to 
recover from the participant an amount determined in accordance with 
the following formula:


    ``(2) In such formula:
        ``(A) `A' is the amount the United States is entitled to 
    recover.
        ``(B) `<greek-PH>' is the sum of--
            ``(i) the amounts paid under this subchapter to or on 
        behalf of the participant; and
            ``(ii) the interest on such amounts which would be payable 
        if at the time the amounts were paid they were loans bearing 
        interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by 
        the Treasurer of the United States.
        ``(C) `t' is the total number of months in the participant's 
    period of obligated service, including any additional period of 
    obligated service in accordance with section 7673(c)(2) of this 
    title.
        ``(D) `s' is the number of months of such period served by the 
    participant in accordance with section 7673 of this title.
    ``(d) Limitation on Liability for Reductions-in-Force.--Liability 
shall not arise under subsection (b)(1)(E) or (c) in the case of a 
participant otherwise covered by the subsection concerned if the 
participant fails to maintain employment as a Department employee due 
to a staffing adjustment.
    ``(e) Period for Payment of Damages.--Any amount of damages which 
the United States is entitled to recover under this section shall be 
paid to the United States within the 1-year period beginning on the 
date of the breach of the agreement.

``Sec. 7676. Expiration of program

    ``The Secretary may not furnish scholarships to individuals who 
have not commenced participation in the Program before December 31, 
2001.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new items:

         ``SUBCHAPTER VI--EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

``7671. Authority for program.
``7672. Eligibility; agreement.
``7673. Scholarship.
``7674. Obligated service.
``7675. Breach of agreement: liability.
``7676. Expiration of program.''.

SEC. 803. EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM FOR VETERANS HEALTH 
              ADMINISTRATION HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

    (a) Program Authority.--Chapter 76 (as amended by section 802(a)), 
is further amended by adding after subchapter VI the following new 
subchapter:

           ``SUBCHAPTER VII--EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM

``Sec. 7681. Authority for program

    ``(a) In General.--(1) As part of the Educational Assistance 
Program, the Secretary may carry out an education debt reduction 
program under this subchapter. The program shall be known as the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Education Debt Reduction Program 
(hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the `Education Debt 
Reduction Program').
    ``(2) The purpose of the Education Debt Reduction Program is to 
assist in the recruitment of qualified health care professionals for 
positions in the Veterans Health Administration for which recruitment 
or retention of an adequate supply of qualified personnel is difficult.
    ``(b) Relationship to Educational Assistance Program.--Education 
debt reduction payments under the Education Debt Reduction Program may 
be in addition to other assistance available to individuals under the 
Educational Assistance Program.

``Sec. 7682. Eligibility

    ``(a) Eligibility.--An individual is eligible to participate in the 
Education Debt Reduction Program if the individual--
        ``(1) is a recently appointed employee in the Veterans Health 
    Administration serving under an appointment under section 7402(b) 
    of this title in a position for which recruitment or retention of 
    qualified health-care personnel (as determined by the Secretary) is 
    difficult; and
        ``(2) owes any amount of principal or interest under a loan, 
    the proceeds of which were used by or on behalf of that individual 
    to pay costs relating to a course of education or training which 
    led to a degree that qualified the individual for the position 
    referred to in paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Covered Costs.--For purposes of subsection (a)(2), costs 
relating to a course of education or training include--
        ``(1) tuition expenses;
        ``(2) all other reasonable educational expenses, including 
    expenses for fees, books, and laboratory expenses; and
        ``(3) reasonable living expenses.
    ``(c) Recently Appointed Individuals.--For purposes of subsection 
(a), an individual shall be considered to be recently appointed to a 
position if the individual has held that position for less than 6 
months.

``Sec. 7683. Education debt reduction

    ``(a) In General.--Education debt reduction payments under the 
Education Debt Reduction Program shall consist of payments to 
individuals selected to participate in the program of amounts to 
reimburse such individuals for payments by such individuals of 
principal and interest on loans described in section 7682(a)(2) of this 
title.
    ``(b) Frequency of Payment.--(1) The Secretary may make education 
debt reduction payments to any given participant in the Education Debt 
Reduction Program on a monthly or annual basis, as determined by the 
Secretary.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall make such payments at the end of the 
period determined by the Secretary under paragraph (1).
    ``(c) Performance Requirement.--The Secretary may make education 
debt reduction payments to a participant in the Education Debt 
Reduction Program for a period only if the Secretary determines that 
the individual maintained an acceptable level of performance in the 
position or positions served by the participant during the period.
    ``(d) Maximum Annual Amount.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the 
amount of education debt reduction payments made to a participant for a 
year under the Education Debt Reduction Program may not exceed--
        ``(A) $6,000 for the first year of the participant's 
    participation in the Program;
        ``(B) $8,000 for the second year of the participant's 
    participation in the Program; and
        ``(C) $10,000 for the third year of the participant's 
    participation in the Program.
    ``(2) The total amount payable to a participant in such Program for 
any year may not exceed the amount of the principal and interest on 
loans referred to in subsection (a) that is paid by the individual 
during such year.

``Sec. 7684. Expiration of program

    ``The Secretary may not make education debt reduction payments to 
individuals who have not commenced participation in the Education Debt 
Reduction Program before December 31, 2001.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter (as amended by section 802(b)) is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new items:

           ``SUBCHAPTER VII--EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM

``7681. Authority for program.
``7682. Eligibility.
``7683. Education debt reduction.
``7684. Expiration of program.''.

SEC. 804. REPEAL OF PROHIBITION ON PAYMENT OF TUITION LOANS.

    Section 523(b) of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (Public Law 
102-585; 106 Stat. 4959; 38 U.S.C. 7601 note) is repealed.

SEC. 805. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    Chapter 76 is amended as follows:
        (1) Section 7601(a) is amended--
            (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
            (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
        ``(4) the employee incentive scholarship program provided for 
    in subchapter VI of this chapter; and''; and
        ``(5) the education debt reduction program provided for in 
    subchapter VII of this chapter.''.
        (2) Section 7602 is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a)(1)--
                (i) by striking ``subchapter I or II'' and inserting 
            ``subchapter II, III, or VI'';
                (ii) by striking ``or for which'' and inserting ``, for 
            which''; and
                (iii) by inserting before the period at the end the 
            following: ``, or for which a scholarship may be awarded 
            under subchapter VI of this chapter, as the case may be''; 
            and
            (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``subchapter I or II'' 
        and inserting ``subchapter II, III, or VI''.
        (3) Section 7603 is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a)--
                (i) by striking ``To apply to participate in the 
            Educational Assistance Program,'' and inserting ``(1) To 
            apply to participate in the Educational Assistance Program 
            under subsection II, III, V, or VI of this chapter,''; and
                (ii) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) To apply to participate in the Educational Assistance Program 
under subchapter VII of this chapter, an individual shall submit to the 
Secretary an application for such participation.''; and
            (B) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``(if required)'' 
        before the period at the end.
        (4) Section 7604 is amended by striking ``subchapter II, III, 
    or V'' in paragraphs (1)(A), (2)(D), and (5) and inserting 
    ``subchapter II, III, V, or VI''.
        (5) Section 7632 is amended--
            (A) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) by striking ``and the Tuition Reimbursement 
            Program'' and inserting ``, the Tuition Reimbursement 
            Program, the Employee Incentive Scholarship Program, and 
            the Education Debt Reduction Program''; and
                (ii) by inserting ``(if any)'' after ``number of 
            students'';
            (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(if any)'' after 
        ``education institutions''; and
            (C) in paragraph (4)--
                (i) by striking ``and per participant'' and inserting 
            ``, per participant''; and
                (ii) by inserting ``, per participant in the Employee 
            Incentive Scholarship Program, and per participant in the 
            Education Debt Reduction Program'' before the period at the 
            end.
        (6) Section 7636 is amended by striking ``or a stipend'' and 
    inserting ``a stipend, or education debt reduction''.

SEC. 806. COORDINATION WITH APPROPRIATIONS PROVISION.

    This title shall be considered to be the authorizing legislation 
referred to in the third proviso under the heading ``Veterans Health 
Administration--medical care'' in title I of the Departments of 
Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, and the reference in that proviso to 
the ``Primary Care Providers Incentive Act'' shall be treated as 
referring to this title.

    TITLE IX--MISCELLANEOUS MEDICAL CARE AND MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION 
                               PROVISIONS

SEC. 901. EXAMINATIONS AND CARE ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN RADIATION 
              TREATMENT.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 17 is amended by inserting after section 
1720D the following new section:

``Sec. 1720E. Nasopharyngeal radium irradiation

    ``(a) The Secretary may provide any veteran a medical examination, 
and hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care, which the 
Secretary determines is needed for the treatment of any cancer of the 
head or neck which the Secretary finds may be associated with the 
veteran's receipt of nasopharyngeal radium irradiation treatments in 
active military, naval, or air service.
    ``(b) The Secretary shall provide care and services to a veteran 
under subsection (a) only on the basis of evidence in the service 
records of the veteran which document nasopharyngeal radium irradiation 
treatment in service, except that, notwithstanding the absence of such 
documentation, the Secretary may provide such care to a veteran who--
        ``(1) served as an aviator in the active military, naval, or 
    air service before the end of the Korean conflict; or
        ``(2) underwent submarine training in active naval service 
    before January 1, 1965.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1720D the following new item:
``1720E. Nasopharyngeal radium irradiation.''.

SEC. 902. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO COUNSEL AND TREAT VETERANS FOR 
              SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    Section 1720D(a) is amended by striking ``December 31, 1998'' in 
paragraphs (1) and (3) and inserting ``December 31, 2001''.

SEC. 903. MANAGEMENT OF SPECIALIZED TREATMENT AND REHABILITATIVE 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Standards of Job Performance.--Section 1706(b) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``April 1, 1997, April 1, 
    1998, and April 1, 1999'' and inserting ``April 1, 1999, April 1, 
    2000, and April 1, 2001''; and
        (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) To ensure compliance with paragraph (1), the Under 
Secretary for Health shall prescribe objective standards of job 
performance for employees in positions described in subparagraph (B) 
with respect to the job performance of those employees in carrying out 
the requirements of paragraph (1). Those job performance standards 
shall include measures of workload, allocation of resources, and 
quality-of-care indicators.
    ``(B) Positions described in this subparagraph are positions in the 
Veterans Health Administration that have responsibility for allocating 
and managing resources applicable to the requirements of paragraph (1).
    ``(C) The Under Secretary shall develop the job performance 
standards under subparagraph (A) in consultation with the Advisory 
Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs and the 
Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans.''.
    (b) Deadline for Prescribing Standards.--The standards of job 
performance required by paragraph (3) of section 1706(b) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall be prescribed not 
later than January 1, 1999.

SEC. 904. AUTHORITY TO USE FOR OPERATING EXPENSES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES AMOUNTS AVAILABLE BY 
              REASON OF THE LIMITATION ON PENSION FOR VETERANS 
              RECEIVING NURSING HOME CARE.

    (a) In General.--Section 5503(a)(1)(B) is amended by striking 
``Effective through September 30, 1997, any'' in the second sentence 
and inserting ``Any''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect as of October 1, 1997.

SEC. 905. REPORT ON NURSE LOCALITY PAY.

    (a) Report Required.--(1) Not later than February 1, 1999, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
report assessing the system of locality-based pay for nurses 
established under the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Pay Act of 
1990 (Public Law 101-366) and now set forth in section 7451 of title 
38, United States Code.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit with the report under paragraph (1) 
a copy of the report on the locality pay system prepared by the 
contractor pursuant to a contract with Systems Flow, Inc., that was 
entered into on May 22, 1998.
    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The report of the Secretary under 
subsection (a)(1) shall include the following:
        (1) An assessment of the effects of the locality-based pay 
    system, including information, shown by facility and grade level, 
    regarding the frequency and percentage increases, if any, in the 
    rate of basic pay under that system of nurses employed in the 
    Veterans Health Administration.
        (2) An assessment of the manner in which that system is being 
    applied.
        (3) Plans and recommendations of the Secretary for 
    administrative and legislative improvements or revisions to the 
    locality pay system.
        (4) An explanation of the reasons for any decision not to adopt 
    any recommendation in the report referred to in subsection (a)(2).
    (c) Updated Report.--Not later than February 1, 2000, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report updating the report submitted under 
subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 906. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRAM AND EXPENDITURES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR DOMESTIC RESPONSE TO WEAPONS OF MASS 
              DESTRUCTION.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:

``Sec. 530. Annual report on program and expenditures for domestic 
            response to weapons of mass destruction

    ``(a) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an annual report, to 
be submitted each year at the time that the President submits the 
budget for the next fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31, on the 
activities of the Department relating to preparation for, and 
participation in, a domestic medical response to an attack involving 
weapons of mass destruction.
    ``(b) Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following:
        ``(1) A statement of the amounts of funds and the level of 
    personnel resources (stated in terms of full-time equivalent 
    employees) expected to be used by the Department during the next 
    fiscal year in preparation for a domestic medical response to an 
    attack involving weapons of mass destruction, including the 
    anticipated source of those funds and any anticipated shortfalls in 
    funds or personnel resources to achieve the tasks assigned the 
    Department by the President in connection with preparation for such 
    a response.
        ``(2) A detailed statement of the funds expended and personnel 
    resources (stated in terms of full-time equivalent employees) used 
    during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year during which the 
    report is submitted in preparation for a domestic medical response 
    to an attack involving weapons of mass destruction or in response 
    to such an attack, including identification of the source of those 
    funds and a description of how those funds were expended.
        ``(3) A detailed statement of the funds expended and expected 
    to be expended, and the personnel resources (stated in terms of 
    full-time equivalent employees) used and expected to be used, 
    during the fiscal year during which the report is submitted in 
    preparation for a domestic medical response to an attack involving 
    weapons of mass destruction or in response to such an attack, 
    including identification of the source of funds expended and a 
    description of how those funds were expended.
    ``(c) This section shall expire on January 1, 2009.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
529 the following new item:
``530. Annual report on program and expenditures for domestic response 
          to weapons of mass destruction.''.

SEC. 907. INTERIM APPOINTMENT OF UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH.

    The President may appoint to the position of Under Secretary for 
Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs, for service through June 
30, 1999, the individual whose appointment to that position under 
section 305 of title 38, United States Code, expired on September 28, 
1998.

                         TITLE X--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 1001. REQUIREMENT FOR NAMING OF DEPARTMENT PROPERTY.

    (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 5, as amended by 
section 906(a), is further amended by adding at the end the following 
new section:

``Sec. 531. Requirement relating to naming of Department property

    ``Except as expressly provided by law, a facility, structure, or 
real property of the Department, and a major portion (such as a wing or 
floor) of any such facility, structure, or real property, may be named 
only for the geographic area in which the facility, structure, or real 
property is located.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 530, as added 
by section 906(b), the following new item:

``531. Requirement relating to naming of Department property.''.

    (b) Effective Date.--Section 531 of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to the 
assignment or designation of the name of a facility, structure, or real 
property of the Department of Veterans Affairs (or of a major portion 
thereof) after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1002. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS.

    (a) Requirement for Board Members To Be Attorneys.--Section 
7101A(a) is amended--
        (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; and
        (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) Each member of the Board shall be a member in good standing 
of the bar of a State.''.
    (b) Employment Reversion Rights.--Paragraph (2) of section 7101A(d) 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2)(A) Upon removal from the Board under paragraph (1) of a 
member of the Board who before appointment to the Board served as an 
attorney in the civil service, the Secretary shall appoint that member 
to an attorney position at the Board, if the removed member so 
requests. If the removed member served in an attorney position at the 
Board immediately before appointment to the Board, appointment to an 
attorney position under this paragraph shall be in the grade and step 
held by the removed member immediately before such appointment to the 
Board.
    ``(B) The Secretary is not required to make an appointment to an 
attorney position under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that 
the member of the Board removed under paragraph (1) is not qualified 
for the position.''.

SEC. 1003. FLEXIBILITY IN DOCKETING AND HEARING OF APPEALS BY BOARD OF 
              VETERANS' APPEALS.

    (a) Flexibility in Order of Consideration and Determination.--
Subsection (a) of section 7107 is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``in paragraphs (2) and (3) 
    and'' after ``Except as provided'';
        (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the second sentence and 
    inserting the following: ``Any such motion shall set forth 
    succinctly the grounds upon which the motion is based. Such a 
    motion may be granted only--
        ``(A) if the case involves interpretation of law of general 
    application affecting other claims;
        ``(B) if the appellant is seriously ill or is under severe 
    financial hardship; or
        ``(C) for other sufficient cause shown.''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) A case referred to in paragraph (1) may be postponed for 
later consideration and determination if such postponement is necessary 
to afford the appellant a hearing.''.
    (b) Scheduling of Field Hearings.--Subsection (d) of such section 
is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``in the order'' and all that 
    follows through the end and inserting ``in accordance with the 
    place of the case on the docket under subsection (a) relative to 
    other cases on the docket for which hearings are scheduled to be 
    held within that area.''; and
        (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following new 
    paragraph (3):
    ``(3) A hearing to be held within an area served by a regional 
office of the Department may, for cause shown, be advanced on motion 
for an earlier hearing. Any such motion shall set forth succinctly the 
grounds upon which the motion is based. Such a motion may be granted 
only--
        ``(A) if the case involves interpretation of law of general 
    application affecting other claims;
        ``(B) if the appellant is seriously ill or is under severe 
    financial hardship; or
        ``(C) for other sufficient cause shown.''.

SEC. 1004. DISABLED VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM SPECIALISTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4103A(a)(1) is amended--
        (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``for each 6,900 
    veterans residing in such State'' through the period and inserting 
    ``for each 7,400 veterans who are between the ages of 20 and 64 
    residing in such State.'';
        (2) in the third sentence, by striking ``of the Vietnam era''; 
    and
        (3) by striking the fourth sentence.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to appointments of disabled veterans' outreach 
program specialists under section 4103A of title 38, United States 
Code, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1005. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Section Redesignation.--Section 1103, as added by section 
8031(a) of the Veterans Reconciliation Act of 1997 (title VIII of 
Public Law 105-33), is redesignated as section 1104, and the item 
relating to that section in the table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 11 is revised to reflect that redesignation.
    (b) Other Amendments to Title 38, United States Code.--
        (1) Section 712(a) is amended by striking ``the date of 
    enactment of this section'' and inserting ``November 2, 1994,''.
        (2) Section 1706(b)(1) is amended by striking ``the date of the 
    enactment of this section'' at the end of the first sentence and 
    inserting ``October 9, 1996''.
        (3) Section 1710(e)(2)(A)(ii) is amended by striking ``section 
    2'' and inserting ``section 3''.
        (4) Section 1803(c)(2) is amended by striking ``who furnishes 
    health care that the Secretary determines authorized'' and 
    inserting ``furnishing health care services that the Secretary 
    determines are authorized''.
        (5) Section 2408(d)(1) is amended--
            (A) by striking ``the date of the enactment of this 
        subsection'' and inserting ``November 21, 1997,''; and
            (B) by striking ``on the condition described in'' and 
        inserting ``subject to the condition specified in''.
        (6) Section 3018B(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ``before the 
    one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
    section,'' and inserting ``before October 23, 1993,''.
        (7) Section 3231(a)(2) is amended by striking ``subsection 
    (f)'' and inserting ``subsection (e)''.
        (8) Section 3674A(b)(1) is amended by striking ``after the 18-
    month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
    section''.
        (9) Section 3680A(d)(2)(C) is amended by striking ``section''.
        (10) Section 3714(f)(1)(B) is amended by striking ``more than 
    45 days after the date of the enactment of the Veterans' Benefits 
    and Programs Improvement Act of 1988'' and inserting ``after 
    January 1, 1989''.
        (11) Section 3727(a) is amended by striking ``the date of 
    enactment of this section'' and inserting ``May 7, 1968''.
        (12) Section 3730(a) is amended by striking ``Within'' and all 
    that follows through ``steps to'' and inserting ``The Secretary 
    shall''.
        (13) Section 4102A(e)(1) is amended by striking the second 
    sentence and inserting the following: ``A person may not be 
    assigned after October 9, 1996, as such a Regional Administrator 
    unless the person is a veteran.''.
        (14) Section 4110A is amended--
            (A) by striking subsection (b); and
            (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) of subsection (a) as 
        subsection (b) and striking ``paragraph (1)'' therein and 
        inserting ``subsection (a)''.
        (15) Section 5303A(d) is amended--
            (A) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``on or after the date 
        of the enactment of this subsection'' and inserting ``after 
        October 13, 1982,''; and
            (B) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by striking ``on or after the 
        date of the enactment of this subsection,'' and inserting 
        ``after October 13, 1982,''.
        (16) Section 5313(d)(1) is amended by striking ``the date of 
    the enactment of this section,'' and inserting ``October 7, 
    1980,''.
        (17) Section 5315(b)(1) is amended by striking ``the date of 
    the enactment of this section,'' and inserting ``October 17, 
    1980,''.
        (18) Section 8107(b)(3)(E) is amended by striking ``section 
    7305'' and inserting ``section 7306(f)(1)(A)''.
    (c) Public Law 104-275.--The Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 
1996 (Public Law 104-275) is amended as follows:
        (1) Section 303(b) (110 Stat. 3332; 38 U.S.C. 4104 note) is 
    amended by striking ``sections 4104(b)(1) and (c)'' and inserting 
    ``subsections (b)(1) and (c) of section 4104''.
        (2) Section 705(e) (110 Stat. 3350; 38 U.S.C. 545 note) is 
    amended by striking ``section 5316'' and inserting ``section 
    5315''.

            TITLE XI--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

SEC. 1101. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY 
              AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

    (a) Rate Adjustment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
effective on December 1, 1998, increase the dollar amounts in effect 
for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity 
compensation by the Secretary, as specified in subsection (b).
    (b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be increased 
pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
        (1) Compensation.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect under 
    section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
        (2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the dollar 
    amounts in effect under section 1115(1) of such title.
        (3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount in effect under 
    section 1162 of such title.
        (4) New dic rates.--The dollar amounts in effect under 
    paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1311(a) of such title.
        (5) Old dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect under 
    section 1311(a)(3) of such title.
        (6) Additional dic for surviving spouses with minor children.--
    The dollar amount in effect under section 1311(b) of such title.
        (7) Additional dic for disability.--The dollar amounts in 
    effect under sections 1311(c) and 1311(d) of such title.
        (8) DIC for dependent children.--The dollar amounts in effect 
    under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.
    (c) Determination of Increase.--(1) The increase under subsection 
(a) shall be made in the dollar amounts specified in subsection (b) as 
in effect on November 30, 1998.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), each such amount shall be 
increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit 
amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1, 1998, as a result of a 
determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
    (3) Each dollar amount increased pursuant to paragraph (2) shall, 
if not a whole dollar amount, be rounded down to the next lower whole 
dollar amount.
    (d) Special Rule.--The Secretary may adjust administratively, 
consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of 
disability compensation payable to persons within the purview of 
section 10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who are not in receipt 
of compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United 
States Code.

SEC. 1102. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

    At the same time as the matters specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be 
published by reason of a determination made under section 215(i) of 
such Act during fiscal year 1998, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in 
subsection (b) of section 1101, as increased pursuant to that section.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.