[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2716 Reported in House (RH)]






                                                 Union Calendar No. 145
107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2716

                      [Report No. 107-241, Part I]

    To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and 
   consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for 
                           homeless veterans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 2, 2001

   Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Buyer, and Mr. Simmons) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
   Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial 
Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

                            October 16, 2001

   Additional sponsors: Mr. Simpson, Mr. Filner, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. 
McKeon, Ms. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Shows, and 
                               Mr. Snyder

                            October 16, 2001

   Reported from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

                            October 16, 2001

 Referral to the Committee on Financial Services extended for a period 
                 ending not later than October 16, 2001

                            October 16, 2001

Committee on Financial Services discharged; committed to the Committee 
 of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on August 
                                2, 2001]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and 
   consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for 
                           homeless veterans.

    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; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, 
              UNITED STATES CODE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Stuart Collick--
Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references to title 38, United 
                            States Code.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. National goal to end homelessness among veterans.
Sec. 4. Sense of the Congress regarding the needs of homeless veterans 
                            and the responsibility of Federal agencies.
Sec. 5. Consolidation and improvement of provisions of law relating to 
                            homeless veterans.
Sec. 6. Evaluation of homeless programs.
Sec. 7. Study of outcome effectiveness of grant program for homeless 
                            veterans with special needs.
Sec. 8. Additional programmatic expansions.
Sec. 9. Coordination of employment services.
Sec. 10. Use of real property.
Sec. 11. Meetings of Interagency Council on Homeless.
Sec. 12. Rental assistance vouchers for HUD Veterans Affairs Supported 
                            Housing program.
    (c) 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.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) The term ``homeless veteran'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 2002 of title 38, United States Code, as 
        added by section 5(a)(1).
            (2) The term ``grant and per diem provider'' means an 
        entity in receipt of a grant under section 2011 or 2012 of 
        title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL GOAL TO END HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS.

    (a) National Goal.--Congress hereby declares it to be a national 
goal to end chronic homelessness among veterans within a decade of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (b) Cooperative Efforts Encouraged.--Congress hereby encourages all 
departments and agencies of Federal, State, and local governments, 
quasi-governmental organizations, private and public sector entities, 
including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and 
individuals to work cooperatively to end chronic homelessness among 
veterans within a decade.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS 
              AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) homelessness is a significant problem in the veterans 
        community and veterans are disproportionately represented among 
        homeless men;
            (2) While many effective programs assist homeless veterans 
        to again become productive and self-sufficient members of 
        society, current resources provided to such programs and other 
        activities that assist homeless veterans are inadequate to 
        provide all needed essential services, assistance, and support 
        to homeless veterans;
            (3) the most effective programs for the assistance of 
        homeless veterans should be identified and expanded;
            (4) federally funded programs for homeless veterans should 
        be held accountable for achieving clearly defined results;
            (5) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should 
        include prevention of homelessness; and
            (6) Federal agencies, particularly the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban 
        Development, should cooperate more fully to address the problem 
        of homelessness among veterans.

SEC. 5. CONSOLIDATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO 
              HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--(1) Part II is amended by inserting after chapter 
19 the following new chapter:

              ``CHAPTER 20--BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

      ``subchapter i--purpose; definitions; administrative matters

``Sec.
``2001. Purpose.
``2002. Definitions.
``2003. Staffing requirements.
``2004. Employment assistance.

            ``subchapter ii--comprehensive service programs

``2011. Grants.
``2012. Per diem payments.
``2013. Authorization of appropriations.

                ``subchapter iii--training and outreach

``2021. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs.
``2022. Coordination of outreach services for veterans at risk of 
                            homelessness.
``2023. Demonstration program relating to referral and counseling for 
                            veterans transitioning from certain 
                            institutions who are at risk for 
                            homelessness.

 ``subchapter iv--treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally 
                       ill and homeless veterans

``2031. General treatment.
``2032. Therapeutic housing.
``2033. Additional services at certain locations.
``2034. Coordination with other agencies and organizations.

                   ``subchapter v--housing assistance

``2041. Housing assistance for homeless veterans.
``2042. Supported housing for veterans participating in compensated 
                            work therapies.
``2043. Domiciliary care programs.

  ``subchapter vi--loan guarantee for multifamily transitional housing

``2051. General authority.
``2052. Requirements.
``2053. Default.
``2054. Audit.

                   ``subchapter vii--other provisions

``2061. Grant program for homeless veterans with special needs.
``2062. Dental care.
``2063. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based 
                            groups.
``2064. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans.
``2065. Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.

      ``SUBCHAPTER I--PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS; ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

``Sec. 2001. Purpose
    ``The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the special needs 
of homeless veterans.
``Sec. 2002. Definitions
    ``In this chapter:
            ``(1) The term `homeless veteran' means a veteran who--
                    ``(A) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate 
                nighttime residence; or
                    ``(B) has a primary nighttime residence that is--
                            ``(i) a supervised publicly or privately 
                        operated shelter designed to provide temporary 
                        living accommodations (including welfare 
                        hotels, congregate shelters, grant per diem 
                        shelters and transitional housing for the 
                        mentally ill);
                            ``(ii) an institution that provides a 
                        temporary residence for individuals intended to 
                        be institutionalized; or
                            ``(iii) a public or private place not 
                        designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular 
                        sleeping accommodation for human beings.
            ``(2) The term `grant and per diem provider' means an 
        entity in receipt of a grant under section 2011 or 2012 of this 
        title.
``Sec. 2003. Staffing requirements
    ``(a) VBA Staffing at Regional Offices.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that there is assigned at each Veterans Benefits Administration 
regional office at least one employee assigned specifically to oversee 
and coordinate homeless veterans programs in that region. In any such 
regional office with at least 140 employees, there shall be at least 
one full-time employee assigned to such functions. The programs covered 
by such oversight and coordination include the following:
            ``(1) The housing program for veterans supported by the 
        Department of Housing and Urban Development.
            ``(2) Housing programs supported by the Secretary under 
        this title or any other provision of law.
            ``(3) The homeless veterans reintegration program of the 
        Department of Labor under section 2021 of this title.
            ``(4) The programs under section 2033 of this title.
            ``(5) The assessments required by section 2034 of this 
        title.
            ``(6) Such other duties relating to homeless veterans as 
        may be assigned.
    ``(b) VHA Case Managers.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
number of case managers in the Veterans Health Administration is 
sufficient to assure that every veteran who is provided a housing 
voucher through section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
(42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is assigned to, and is able to be seen as needed 
by, a case manager.
``Sec. 2004. Employment assistance
    ``The Secretary may authorize homeless veterans receiving care 
through vocational rehabilitation programs to participate in the 
compensated work therapy program under section 1718 of this title.

            ``SUBCHAPTER II--COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS

``Sec. 2011. Grants
    ``(a) Authority To Make Grants.--(1) Subject to the availability of 
appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary shall make 
grants to assist eligible entities in establishing programs to furnish, 
and expanding or modifying existing programs for furnishing, the 
following to homeless veterans:
            ``(A) Outreach.
            ``(B) Rehabilitative services.
            ``(C) Vocational counseling and training
            ``(D) Transitional housing assistance.
    ``(2) The authority of the Secretary to make grants under this 
section expires on September 30, 2005.
    ``(b) Criteria for Award of Grants.--The Secretary shall establish 
criteria and requirements for the award of a grant under this section, 
including criteria for entities eligible to receive such grants, and 
shall publish such criteria and requirements in the Federal Register. 
The criteria established under this section shall include the 
following:
            ``(1) Specification as to the kinds of projects for which 
        such grant support is available, which shall include--
                    ``(A) expansion, remodeling, or alteration of 
                existing buildings, or acquisition of facilities, for 
                use as service centers, transitional housing, or other 
                facilities to serve homeless veterans; and
                    ``(B) procurement of vans for use in outreach to, 
                and transportation for, homeless veterans to carry out 
                the purposes set forth in subsection (a).
            ``(2) Specification as to the number of projects for which 
        grant support is available.
            ``(3) Appropriate criteria for the staffing for the 
        provision of the services for which a grant under this section 
        is furnished.
            ``(4) Provisions to ensure that the award of grants under 
        this section--
                    ``(A) shall not result in duplication of ongoing 
                services; and
                    ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, shall 
                reflect appropriate geographic dispersion and an 
                appropriate balance between urban and nonurban 
                locations.
            ``(5) Provisions to ensure that an entity receiving a grant 
        shall meet fire and safety requirements established by the 
        Secretary, which shall include--
                    ``(A) such State and community requirements that 
                may apply; and
                    ``(B) the fire and safety requirements applicable 
                under the Life Safety Code of the National Fire 
                Protection Association.
            ``(6) Specifications as to the means by which an entity 
        receiving a grant may contribute in-kind services to the start-
        up costs of any project for which support is sought and the 
        methodology for assigning a cost to that contribution for 
        purposes of subsection (c).
    ``(c) Funding Limitations.--A grant under this section may not be 
used to support operational costs. The amount of a grant under this 
section may not exceed 65 percent of the estimated cost of the 
expansion, remodeling, alteration, acquisition, or procurement provided 
for under this section.
    ``(d) Eligible Entities.--The Secretary may make a grant under this 
section to an entity applying for such a grant only if the applicant 
for the grant--
            ``(1) is a public or nonprofit private entity with the 
        capacity (as determined by the Secretary) to effectively 
        administer a grant under this section;
            ``(2) has demonstrated that adequate financial support will 
        be available to carry out the project for which the grant has 
        been sought consistent with the plans, specifications, and 
        schedule submitted by the applicant; and
            ``(3) has agreed to meet the applicable criteria and 
        requirements established under subsections (b) and (g) (and the 
        Secretary has determined that the applicant has demonstrated 
        the capacity to meet those criteria and requirements).
    ``(e) Application Requirement.--An entity described in subsection 
(d) desiring to receive assistance under this section shall submit to 
the Secretary an application. The application shall set forth the 
following:
            ``(1) The amount of the grant requested with respect to a 
        project.
            ``(2) A description of the site for such project.
            ``(3) Plans, specifications, and the schedule for 
        implementation of such project in accordance with requirements 
        prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (b).
            ``(4) Reasonable assurance that upon completion of the work 
        for which assistance is sought, the program will become 
        operational and the facilities will be used principally to 
        provide to veterans the services for which the project was 
        designed, and that not more than 25 percent of the services 
        provided will serve clients who are not receiving such services 
        as veterans.
    ``(f) Program Requirements.--The Secretary may not make a grant to 
an applicant under this section unless the applicant, in the 
application for the grant, agrees to each of the following 
requirements:
            ``(1) To provide the services for which the grant is 
        furnished at locations accessible to homeless veterans.
            ``(2) To maintain referral networks for, and aid homeless 
        veterans in, establishing eligibility for assistance, and 
        obtaining services, under available entitlement and assistance 
        programs.
            ``(3) To ensure the confidentiality of records maintained 
        on homeless veterans receiving services under the grant.
            ``(4) To establish such procedures for fiscal control and 
        fund accounting as may be necessary to ensure proper 
        disbursement and accounting with respect to the grant and to 
        such payments as may be made under section 2012 of this title.
            ``(5) To seek to employ homeless veterans and formerly 
        homeless veterans in positions created for purposes of the 
        grant for which those veterans are qualified.
    ``(g) Service Center Requirements.--In addition to criteria 
established under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, in the case of 
an application for a grant for a service center for homeless veterans, 
require each of the following:
            ``(1) That such center provide services to homeless 
        veterans during such hours as the Secretary may specify and be 
        open to such veterans on an as-needed, unscheduled basis.
            ``(2) That space at such center will be made available, as 
        mutually agreeable, for use by staff of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and other 
        appropriate agencies and organizations in assisting homeless 
        veterans served by such center.
            ``(3) That such center be equipped and staffed to provide, 
        or to assist in providing, health care, mental health services, 
        hygiene facilities, benefits and employment counseling, meals, 
        transportation assistance, and such other services as the 
        Secretary determines necessary.
            ``(4) That such center may be equipped and staffed to 
        provide, or to assist in providing, job training and job 
        placement services (including job readiness, job counseling, 
        and literacy and skills training), as well as any outreach and 
        case management services that may be necessary to carry out 
        this paragraph.
    ``(h) Recovery of Unused Grant Funds.--(1) If a grant recipient (or 
entity eligible for such a grant) under this section does not establish 
a program in accordance with this section or ceases to furnish services 
under such a program for which the grant was made, the United States 
shall be entitled to recover from such recipient or entity the total of 
all unused grant amounts made under this section to such recipient or 
entity in connection with such program.
    ``(2) Any amount recovered by the United States under paragraph (1) 
may be obligated by the Secretary without fiscal year limitation to 
carry out provisions of this subchapter.
    ``(3) An amount may not be recovered under paragraph (1) as an 
unused grant amount before the end of the three-year period beginning 
on the date on which the grant is awarded.
``Sec. 2012. Per diem payments
    ``(a) Per Diem Payments for Furnishing Services to Homeless 
Veterans.--(1) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided 
for such purpose, the Secretary, pursuant to such criteria as the 
Secretary shall prescribe, shall provide to a recipient of a grant 
under section 2011 of this title (or an entity eligible to receive a 
grant under that section which after November 10, 1992, establishes a 
program that the Secretary determines carries out the purposes 
described in that section) per diem payments for services furnished to 
any homeless veteran--
            ``(A) whom the Secretary has referred to the grant 
        recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant); or
            ``(B) for whom the Secretary has authorized the provision 
        of services.
    ``(2) The rate for such per diem payments shall be the rate 
authorized for State homes for domiciliary care under section 
1741(a)(1)(A) of this title.
    ``(3) In a case in which the Secretary has authorized the provision 
of services, per diem payments under paragraph (1) may be paid 
retroactively for services provided not more than three days before the 
authorization was provided.
    ``(b) Inspections.--The Secretary may inspect any facility of an 
entity eligible for payments under subsection (a) at such times as the 
Secretary considers necessary. No per diem payment may be made to an 
entity under this section unless the facilities of that entity meet 
such standards as the Secretary shall prescribe.
    ``(c) Life Safety Code.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
per diem payment may not be provided under this section to a grant 
recipient unless the facilities of the grant recipient meet the fire 
and safety requirements applicable under the Life Safety Code of the 
National Fire Protection Association.
    ``(2) During the five-year period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this section, paragraph (1) shall not apply to an entity 
that received a grant under section 3 of the Homeless Veterans 
Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-590; 38 
U.S.C. 7721 note) before that date if the entity meets fire and safety 
requirements established by the Secretary.
    ``(3) From amounts available for purposes of this section, not less 
than $5,000,000 shall be used only for grants to assist entities 
covered by paragraph (2) in meeting the Life Safety Code of the 
National Fire Protection Association.
``Sec. 2013. Authorization of appropriations
    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
subchapter amounts as follows:
            ``(1) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
            ``(2) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
            ``(3) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
            ``(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.

                ``SUBCHAPTER III--TRAINING AND OUTREACH

``Sec. 2021. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs
    ``(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations 
provided for under subsection (d) and made available for such purpose, 
the Secretary of Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or 
contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to 
provide job training, counseling, and placement services to expedite 
the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.
    ``(b) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1) The 
Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as the Secretary 
considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the distribution and 
expenditure of funds appropriated to carry out this section. The 
information shall include data with respect to the results or outcomes 
of the services provided to each homeless veteran under this section.
    ``(2) The information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished to the 
Secretary of Labor in such form as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(c) Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary of Labor shall carry 
out this section through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
Employment and Training.
    ``(d) Annual Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
submit to Congress an annual report that evaluates services furnished 
to veterans under this section, and includes an analysis of the 
information collected under subsection (c).
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section amounts as follows:
            ``(A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
            ``(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
            ``(C) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
            ``(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
            ``(E) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
    ``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall remain 
available until expended. Funds obligated in any fiscal year to carry 
out this section may be expended in that fiscal year and the succeeding 
fiscal year.
``Sec. 2022. Coordination of outreach services for veterans at risk of 
              homelessness
    ``(a) Outreach Plan.--The Secretary, acting through the Under 
Secretary for Health, shall provide for appropriate officials of the 
Mental Health Service and the Readjustment Counseling Service of the 
Veterans Health Administration to initiate a coordinated plan for joint 
outreach to veterans at risk of homelessness, including particularly 
veterans who are being discharged from institutions (including 
discharges from inpatient psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment 
programs, and penal institutions).
    ``(b) Matters To Be Included.--The outreach plan under subsection 
(a) shall include the following:
            ``(1) Strategies to identify and collaborate with external 
        entities used by veterans who have not traditionally used 
        Department services to further outreach efforts.
            ``(2) Strategies to ensure that mentoring programs, 
        recovery support groups, and other appropriate support networks 
        are optimally available to veterans.
            ``(3) Appropriate programs or referrals to family support 
        programs.
            ``(4) Means to increase access to case management services.
            ``(5) Plans for making additional employment services 
        accessible to veterans.
            ``(6) Appropriate referral sources for mental health and 
        substance abuse services.
    ``(c) Cooperative Relationships.--The plan shall identify 
strategies for the Department to enter into formal cooperative 
relationships with entities outside the Department to facilitate making 
services and resources optimally available to veterans.
    ``(d) Review of Plan.--The Secretary shall submit the plan under 
subsection (a) to the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans for its 
review and consultation.
    ``(e) Outreach Program.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out an 
outreach program to provide information to homeless veterans and 
veterans at risk of homelessness. The program shall include at a 
minimum--
            ``(A) provision of information about benefits available to 
        eligible veterans from the Department; and
            ``(B) contact information for local Department facilities, 
        including medical facilities, regional offices, and veterans 
        centers.
    ``(2) In developing and carrying out the program under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consult with 
appropriate public and private organizations, including the Bureau of 
Prisons, State social service agencies, the Department of Defense, and 
mental health, veterans, and homeless advocates--
            ``(A) for assistance in identifying and contacting veterans 
        who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
            ``(B) to coordinate appropriate outreach activities with 
        those organizations; and
            ``(C) to coordinate services provided to veterans with 
        services provided by those organizations.
    ``(f) Submission of Report.--Not later than two years after the 
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report on the Secretary's plan under subsection (a), 
including goals and time lines for implementation of the plan for 
particular facilities and service networks.
``Sec. 2023. Demonstration program relating to referral and counseling 
              for veterans transitioning from certain institutions who 
              are at risk for homelessness
    ``(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary and the Secretary of Labor 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Secretaries') shall 
carry out a demonstration program for the purpose of determining the 
costs and benefits of providing referral and counseling services to 
eligible veterans with respect to benefits and services available to 
such veterans under this title and under State law.
    ``(b) Location of Demonstration Program.--The demonstration program 
shall be carried out in at least six locations. One location shall be a 
penal institution under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Prisons.
    ``(c) Scope of Program.--(1) To the extent practicable, the 
demonstration program shall provide both referral and counseling, and 
in the case of counseling, shall include counseling with respect to job 
training and placement, housing, health care, and such other benefits 
to assist the eligible veteran in the transition from institutional 
living.
    ``(2)(A) To the extent that referral or counseling services are 
provided at a location under the program, referral services shall be 
provided in person during the 60-day period that precedes the date of 
release or discharge of the eligible veteran under subsection 
(f)(1)(B), and counseling services shall be furnished after such date.
    ``(B) The Secretaries may furnish to officials of penal 
institutions outreach information with respect to referral and 
counseling services for presentation to veterans in the custody of such 
officials during the 18-month period that precedes such date of release 
or discharge.
    ``(3) The Secretaries may enter into contracts to carry out the 
counseling required under the demonstration program with entities or 
organizations that meet such requirements as the Secretaries may 
establish.
    ``(4) In developing the demonstration program, the Secretaries 
shall consult with officials of the Bureau of Prisons, officials of 
penal institutions of States and political subdivisions of States, and 
such other officials as the Secretaries determine appropriate.
    ``(d) Report.--(1) Not later than two years after the commencement 
of the demonstration program, the Secretary (after consultation with 
the Secretary of Labor) shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the 
program.
    ``(2) The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
            ``(A) A description of the implementation and operation of 
        the program.
            ``(B) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.
            ``(C) Recommendations, if any, regarding an extension of 
        the program.
    ``(e) Duration.--The authority of the Secretaries to provide 
counseling services under the demonstration program shall cease on the 
date that is four years after the date of the commencement of the 
demonstration program.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `eligible veteran' means a veteran who--
                    ``(A) is a resident of a penal institution or an 
                institution that provides long-term care for mental 
                illness;
                    ``(B) is expected to be imminently released or 
                discharged (as the case may be) from the facility or 
                institution; and
                    ``(C) is at risk for homelessness absent referral 
                and counseling services provided under the program (as 
                determined under guidelines established by the 
                Secretaries).
            ``(2) The term `imminent' means, with respect to a release 
        or discharge under paragraph (1)(B), the 60-day period that 
        ends on the date of such release or discharge.

                   ``SUBCHAPTER V--HOUSING ASSISTANCE

``Sec. 2042. Supported housing for veterans participating in 
              compensated work therapies
    ``The Secretary may authorize homeless veterans in the compensated 
work therapy program to be provided housing through the therapeutic 
residence program under section 2032 of title or through grant and per 
diem providers under subchapter II of this chapter.
``Sec. 2043. Domiciliary care programs
    ``(a) Authority.--The Secretary may establish up to 10 programs 
under section 1710(b) of this title (in addition to any such program 
that is established as of the date of the enactment of this section) to 
provide domiciliary services under such section to homeless veterans.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 
and 2004 to establish the programs referred to in subsection (a).

                   ``SUBCHAPTER VII--OTHER PROVISIONS

``Sec. 2061. Grant program for homeless veterans with special needs
    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to 
make grants to health care facilities of the Department and to grant 
and per diem providers in order to encourage development by those 
facilities and providers of programs targeted at meeting special needs 
within the population of homeless veterans.
    ``(b) Special Needs.--For purposes of this section, homeless 
veterans with special needs include homeless veterans who--
            ``(1) are women;
            ``(2) are 50 years of age or older;
            ``(3) are substance abusers;
            ``(4) are persons with post-traumatic stress disorder;
            ``(5) are terminally ill;
            ``(6) are chronically mentally ill; or
            ``(7) have care of minor dependents or other family 
        members.
    ``(c) Funding.--(1) From amounts appropriated to the Department for 
`Medical Care' for each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005, the 
amount of $10,000,000 shall be available for the purposes of the 
program under this section.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that funds for grants under this 
section are designated for the first three years of operation of the 
program under this section as a special purpose program for which funds 
are not allocated through the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation 
system.
``Sec. 2062. Dental care
    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 1712(a)(1)(H) of this 
title, outpatient dental services and treatment of a dental condition 
or disability of a veteran described in subsection (b) shall be 
considered to be medically necessary, subject to subsection (c), if--
            ``(1) the dental services and treatment are necessary for 
        the veteran to successfully gain or regain employment;
            ``(2) the dental services and treatment are necessary to 
        alleviate pain; or
            ``(3) the dental services and treatment are necessary for 
        treatment of moderate, severe, or severe and complicated 
        gingival and periodontal pathology.
    ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--Subsection (a) applies to a veteran who 
is--
            ``(1) enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this 
        title; and
            ``(2) who is receiving care (directly or by contract) in 
        any of the following settings:
                    ``(A) A domiciliary under section 1710 of this 
                title.
                    ``(B) A therapeutic residence under section 2032 of 
                this title.
                    ``(C) Community residential care coordinated by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 1730 of 
                this title.
                    ``(D) A setting for which the Secretary provides 
                funds for a grant and per diem provider.
    ``(c) Limitation.--Dental benefits provided by reason of this 
section shall be a one-time course of dental care provided in the same 
manner as the dental benefits provided to a newly discharged veteran.
``Sec. 2063. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based 
              groups
    ``(a) Grant Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to 
make technical assistance grants to nonprofit community-based groups 
with experience in providing assistance to homeless veterans in order 
to assist such groups in applying for grants under this chapter and 
other grants relating to addressing problems of homeless veterans.
    ``(b) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary the amount of $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 
2005 to carry out the program under this section.
``Sec. 2064. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans
    ``(a) Annual Report.--Not later than April 15 of each year, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the activities of the 
Department during the calendar year preceding the report under programs 
of the Department under this chapter and other programs of the 
Department for the provision of assistance to homeless veterans.
    ``(b) General Contents of Report.--Each report under subsection (a) 
shall include the following:
            ``(1) The number of homeless veterans provided assistance 
        under those programs.
            ``(2) The cost to the Department of providing such 
        assistance under those programs.
            ``(3) Any other information on those programs and on the 
        provision of such assistance that the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
            ``(4) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of 
        the programs of the Department (including residential work-
        therapy programs, programs combining outreach, community-based 
        residential treatment, and case-management, and contract care 
        programs for alcohol and drug-dependence or use disabilities) 
        in providing assistance to homeless veterans.
            ``(5) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of 
        programs established by recipients of grants under section 2011 
        of this title and a description of the experience of those 
        recipients in applying for and receiving grants from the 
        Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to serve primarily 
        homeless persons who are veterans.
    ``(c) Health Care Contents of Report.--Each report under subsection 
(a) shall include the following with respect to programs of the 
Department addressing health care needs of homeless veterans:
            ``(1) Information about expenditures, costs, and workload 
        under the program of the Department known as the Health Care 
        for Homeless Veterans program (HCHV).
            ``(2) Information about the veterans contacted through that 
        program.
            ``(3) Information about processes under that program.
            ``(4) Information about program treatment outcomes under 
        that program.
            ``(5) Information about supported housing programs.
            ``(6) Information about the Department's grant and per diem 
        provider program under subchapter II of this chapter.
            ``(7) Other information the Secretary considers relevant in 
        assessing the program.
``Sec. 2065. Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans
    ``(a)(1) There is established in the Department the Advisory 
Committee on Homeless Veterans (hereinafter in this section referred to 
as the `Committee').
    ``(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 15 members 
appointed by the Secretary from among the following:
            ``(A) Veterans service organizations.
            ``(B) Advocates of homeless veterans and other homeless 
        individuals.
            ``(C) Community-based providers of services to homeless 
        individuals.
            ``(D) Previously homeless veterans.
            ``(E) State veterans affairs officials.
            ``(F) Experts in the treatment of individuals with mental 
        illness.
            ``(G) Experts in the treatment of substance use disorders.
            ``(H) Experts in the development of permanent housing 
        alternatives for lower income populations.
            ``(I) Experts in vocational rehabilitation.
            ``(J) Such other organizations or groups as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate.
    ``(3) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members--
            ``(A) the Secretary of Labor (or a representative of the 
        Secretary selected after consultation with the Assistant 
        Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment);
            ``(B) the Secretary of Defense (or a representative of the 
        Secretary);
            ``(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or a 
        representative of the Secretary); and
            ``(D) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or a 
        representative of the Secretary).
    ``(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service and pay 
and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a term of 
service may not exceed three years. The Secretary may reappoint any 
member for additional terms of service.
    ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and 
seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the provision by the 
Department of benefits and services to homeless veterans.
    ``(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this 
subsection, the Committee shall--
            ``(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs 
        of homeless veterans;
            ``(ii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness 
        of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the 
        Department in assisting homeless veterans; and
            ``(iii) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate 
        means of providing assistance to homeless veterans.
    ``(3) The Committee shall--
            ``(A) review the continuum of services provided by the 
        Department directly or by contract in order to define cross-
        cutting issues and to improve coordination of all services with 
        the Department that are involved in addressing the special 
        needs of homeless veterans;
            ``(B) identify (through the annual assessments under 
        section 2034 of this title and other available resources) gaps 
        in programs of the Department in serving homeless veterans, 
        including identification of geographic areas with unmet needs, 
        and provide recommendations to address those program gaps;
            ``(C) identify gaps in existing information systems on 
        homeless veterans, both within and outside of the Department, 
        and provide recommendations about redressing problems in data 
        collection;
            ``(D) identify barriers under existing laws and policies to 
        effective coordination by the Department with other Federal 
agencies and with State and local agencies addressing homeless 
populations;
            ``(E) identify opportunities for increased liaison by the 
        Department with nongovernmental organizations and individual 
        groups addressing homeless populations;
            ``(F) with appropriate officials of the Department 
        designated by the Secretary, participate with the Interagency 
        Council on the Homeless under title II of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11311 et seq.);
            ``(G) recommend appropriate funding levels for specialized 
        programs for homeless veterans provided or funded by the 
        Department;
            ``(H) recommend appropriate placement options for veterans 
        who, because of advanced age, frailty, or severe mental 
        illness, may not be appropriate candidates for vocational 
        rehabilitation or independent living; and
            ``(I) perform such other functions as the Secretary may 
        direct.
    ``(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the Committee shall 
submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the 
Department that relate to homeless veterans. Each such report shall 
include--
            ``(A) an assessment of the needs of homeless veterans;
            ``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the 
        Department designed to meet such needs;
            ``(C) a review of the activities of the Committee; and
            ``(D) such recommendations (including recommendations for 
        administrative and legislative action) as the Committee 
        considers appropriate.
    ``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of a report under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of 
the report, together with any comments and recommendations concerning 
the report that the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other 
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted 
to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all 
reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary 
since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to 
that section.
    ``(d) The Committee shall cease to exist December 31, 2006.''.
    (2) The tables of chapters before part I and at the beginning of 
part II are each amended by inserting after the item relating to 
chapter 19 the following new item:

``20. Benefits for Homeless Veterans........................    2001''.
    (b) Health Care.--(1) Subchapter VII of chapter 17 is transferred 
to chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)), inserted after section 2023 
(as so added), and redesignated as subchapter IV, and sections 1771, 
1772, 1773, and 1774 therein are redesignated as sections 2031, 2032, 
2033, and 2034, respectively.
    (2) Subsection (a)(3) of section 2031, as so transferred and 
redesignated, is amended by striking ``section 1772 of this title'' and 
inserting ``section 2032 of this title''.
    (c) Housing Assistance.--Section 3735 is transferred to chapter 20 
(as added by subsection (a)), inserted after the heading for subchapter 
V, and redesignated as section 2041.
    (d) Multifamily Transitional Housing.--(1) Subchapter VI of chapter 
37 (other than section 3771) is transferred to chapter 20 (as added by 
subsection (a)) and inserted after section 2043 (as added by subsection 
(a)), and sections 3772, 3773, 3774, and 3775 therein are redesignated 
as sections 2051, 2052, 2053, and 2054, respectively.
    (2) Such subchapter is amended--
            (A) in the heading, by striking ``FOR HOMELESS VETERANS'';
            (B) in subsection (d)(1) of section 2051, as so transferred 
        and redesignated, by striking ``section 3773 of this title'' 
        and inserting ``section 2052 of this title''; and
            (C) in subsection (a) of section 2052, as so transferred 
        and redesignated, by striking ``section 3772 of this title'' 
        and inserting ``section 2051 of this title''.
    (3) Section 3771 is repealed.
    (e) Repeal of Codified Provisions.--The following provisions of law 
are repealed:
            (1) Sections 3, 4, and 12 of the Homeless Veterans 
        Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-590; 
        38 U.S.C. 7721 note).
            (2) Section 1001 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act 
        of 1994 (Public Law 103-446; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note).
            (3) Section 4111.
            (4) Section 738 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 11448).
    (f) Extension of Expiring Authorities.--Subsection (b) of section 
2031, as redesignated by subsection (b)(1), and subsection (d) of 
section 2033, as so redesignated, are amended by striking ``December 
31, 2001'' and inserting ``December 31, 2006''.
    (g) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 is 
        amended by striking the item relating to subchapter VII and the 
        items relating to sections 1771, 1772, 1773, and 1774.
            (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 37 is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to section 3735; 
                and
                    (B) by striking the item relating to subchapter VI 
                and the items relating to sections 3771, 3772, 3773, 
                3774, and 3775.
            (3) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 is 
        amended by striking the item relating to section 4111.

SEC. 6. EVALUATION OF HOMELESS PROGRAMS.

    (a) Evaluation Centers.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
support the continuation within the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
at least one center for evaluation to monitor the structure, process, 
and outcome of programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs that 
address homeless veterans.
    (b) Annual Program Assessment.--Section 2034(b), as transferred and 
redesignated by section 5(b)(1), is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``annual'' in paragraph (1) after ``to 
        make an''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(6) The Secretary shall review each annual assessment under this 
subsection and shall consolidate the findings and conclusions of those 
assessments into an annual report to be submitted to Congress.''.

SEC. 7. STUDY OF OUTCOME EFFECTIVENESS OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS 
              VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study 
of the effectiveness during fiscal year 2002 through fiscal year 2004 
of the grant program under section 2061 of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by section 5(a), in meeting the needs of homeless 
veterans with special needs (as specified in that section). As part of 
the study, the Secretary shall compare the results of programs carried 
out under that section, in terms of veterans' satisfaction, health 
status, reduction in addiction severity, housing, and encouragement of 
productive activity, with results for similar veterans in programs of 
the Department or of grant and per diem providers that are designed to 
meet the general needs of homeless veterans.
    (b) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2005, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report setting forth the results of the study 
under subsection (a).

SEC. 8. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMATIC EXPANSIONS.

    (a) Access to Mental Health Services.--Section 1706 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) The Secretary shall develop standards to ensure that mental 
health services are available to veterans in a manner similar to the 
manner in which primary care is available to veterans who require 
services by ensuring that each primary care health care facility of the 
Department has a mental health treatment capacity.''.
    (b) Comprehensive Homeless Services Program.--Subsection (b) of 
section 2033, as transferred and redesignated by section 5(b)(1), is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``not fewer'' in the first sentence and all 
        that follows through ``services) at''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The 
        Secretary shall carry out the program under this section in 
        sites in at least each of the 20 largest metropolitan 
        statistical areas.''.
    (c) Opioid Substitution Therapy.--Section 1720A is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) The Secretary shall ensure that opioid substitution therapy 
is available at each Department medical center.''.

SEC. 9. COORDINATION OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.

    (a) Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program.--Section 4103A(c) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(11) Coordination of services provided to veterans with 
        training assistance provided to veterans by entities receiving 
        financial assistance under section 2021 of this title.''.
    (b) Local Veterans' Employment Representatives.--Section 4104(b) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(13) Coordinate services provided to veterans with 
        training assistance for veterans provided by entities receiving 
        financial assistance under section 2021 of this title.''.

SEC. 10. USE OF REAL PROPERTY.

    (a) Limitation on Declaring Property Excess to the Needs of the 
Department.--Section 8122(d) is amended by inserting before the period 
at the end the following: ``and is not suitable for use for the 
provision of services to homeless veterans by the Department or by 
another entity under an enhanced-use lease of such property under 
section 8162 of this title''.
    (b) Waiver of Competitive Selection Process for Enhanced-Use Leases 
for Properties Used To Serve Homeless Veterans.--Section 8162(b)(1) is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(b)(1)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(B) In the case of a property that the Secretary determines is 
appropriate for use as a facility to furnish services to homeless 
veterans under chapter 20 of this title, the Secretary may enter into 
an enhanced-use lease without regard to the selection procedures 
required under subparagraph (A).''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (b) shall 
apply to leases entered into on or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 11. MEETINGS OF INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESS.

    Section 202(c) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 11312(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of its 
Chairperson or a majority of its members, but not less often than 
annually.''.

SEC. 12. RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS FOR HUD VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTED 
              HOUSING PROGRAM.

    Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
1437f(o)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(19) Rental vouchers for veterans affairs supported 
        housing program.--
                    ``(A) Set aside.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the 
                Secretary shall set aside, from amounts made available 
                for rental assistance under this subsection, the 
                amounts specified in subparagraph (B) for use only for 
                providing such assistance through a supported housing 
                program administered in conjunction with the Department 
                of Veterans Affairs. Such program shall provide rental 
                assistance on behalf of homeless veterans who have 
                chronic mental illnesses or chronic substance use 
                disorders, shall require agreement of the veteran to 
                continued treatment for such mental illness or 
                substance use disorder as a condition of receipt of 
                such rental assistance, and shall ensure such treatment 
and appropriate case management for each veteran receiving such rental 
assistance.
                    ``(B) Amount.--The amount specified in this 
                subparagraph is--
                            ``(i) for fiscal year 2003, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 500 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection;
                            ``(ii) for fiscal year 2004, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 1,000 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection;
                            ``(iii) for fiscal year 2005, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 1,500 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection; and
                            ``(iv) for fiscal year 2006, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 2,000 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection.
                    ``(C) Funding through incremental assistance.--In 
                any fiscal year, to the extent that this paragraph 
                requires the Secretary to set aside rental assistance 
                amounts for use under this paragraph in an amount that 
                exceeds that set aside in the preceding fiscal year, 
                such requirement shall be effective only to such extent 
                or in such amounts as are or have been provided in 
                appropriation Acts for such fiscal year for incremental 
                rental assistance under this subsection.''.




                                                 Union Calendar No. 145

107th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 2716

                      [Report No. 107-241, Part I]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

    To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and 
   consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for 
                           homeless veterans.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            October 16, 2001

   Reported from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs with an amendment

                            October 16, 2001

 Referral to the Committee on Financial Services extended for a period 
                 ending not later than October 16, 2001

                            October 16, 2001

Committee on Financial Services discharged; committed to the Committee 
 of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed