[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2699 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2699
To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal authority for
adjustments to per diem payments to homeless veterans service centers
for receipt of other sources of income, to extend authorities for
certain programs to benefit homeless veterans, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 13, 2007
Mr. Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. Walz of
Minnesota, and Mr. Arcuri) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal authority for
adjustments to per diem payments to homeless veterans service centers
for receipt of other sources of income, to extend authorities for
certain programs to benefit homeless 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. REPEAL OF AUTHORITY FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO PER DIEM PAYMENTS TO
HOMELESS VETERANS SERVICE CENTERS FOR RECEIPT OF OTHER
SOURCES OF INCOME.
Section 2012(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D); and
(2) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``The rate'' and inserting ``Except
as provided in subparagraph (B), the rate'';
(B) by striking ``adjusted by the Secretary under
subparagraph (B)''; and
(C) by designating the second sentence as
subparagraph (B) and indenting the margin of such
subparagraph, as so designated, two ems from the left
margin.
SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON PREVENTING VETERANS AT-RISK OF
HOMELESSNESS FROM BECOMING HOMELESS.
(a) Demonstration Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
carry out (subject to the availability of appropriations) a
demonstration program for the purpose of--
(1) identifying members of the Armed Forces on active duty
who are at risk of becoming homeless after they are discharged
or released from active duty; and
(2) providing referral, counseling, and supportive
services, as appropriate, to help prevent such members, upon
becoming veterans, from becoming homeless.
(b) Program Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the
demonstration program in at least three locations.
(c) Identification Criteria.--In developing and implementing the
criteria to identify members of the Armed Forces, who upon becoming
veterans, are at-risk of becoming homeless, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall consult with the Secretary of Defense and such other
officials and experts as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(d) Contracts.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into
contracts to provide the referral, counseling, and supportive services
required under the demonstration program with entities or organizations
that meet such requirements as the Secretary may establish.
(e) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary under subsection (a)
shall expire on September 30, 2011.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $2,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out the provisions
of this section.
SEC. 3. EXPANSION AND EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PROGRAM OF REFERRAL
AND COUNSELING SERVICES FOR AT-RISK VETERANS
TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Program Authority.--Subsection (a) of section 2023 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``a demonstration program
for the purpose of determining the costs and benefits of providing''
and inserting ``a program of''.
(b) Scope of Program.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended--
(1) by striking ``Demonstration'' in the subsection
heading;
(2) by striking ``demonstration''; and
(3) by striking ``in at least six locations'' and inserting
``in at least 12 locations''.
(c) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (d) of such section is
amended by striking ``shall cease'' and all that follows and inserting
``shall cease on September 30, 2011.''.
(d) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Subsection (c)(1) of such section is amended by
striking ``demonstration''.
(2) The heading of such section is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 2023. Referral and counseling services: veterans at risk of
homelessness who are transitioning from certain
institutions''.
(3) Section 2022(f)(2)(C) of such title is amended by
striking ``demonstration''.
(e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to
section 2023 and inserting the following:
``2023. Referral and counseling services: veterans at risk of
homelessness who are transitioning from
certain institutions.''.
SEC. 4. AVAILABILITY OF GRANT FUNDS TO SERVICE CENTERS FOR PERSONNEL.
Section 2011 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(i) Availability of Grant Funds for Service Center Personnel.--A
grant under this section for a service center for homeless veterans may
be used to provide funding for staff as necessary in order for the
center to meet the service availability requirements of subsection
(g)(1).''.
SEC. 5. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR DOMICILIARY SERVICES FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS AND ENHANCEMENT OF CAPACITY OF DOMICILIARY CARE
PROGRAMS FOR FEMALE VETERANS.
Subsection (b) of section 2043 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(b) Enhancement of Capacity of Domiciliary Care Programs for
Female Veterans.--The Secretary shall take appropriate actions to
ensure that the domiciliary care programs of the Department are
adequate, with respect to capacity and with respect to safety, to meet
the needs of veterans who are women.''.
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