[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2874 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2874

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in 
   the provision of health care to veterans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 27, 2007

Mr. Michaud (for himself, Mr. Filner, Mr. Hall of New York, Ms. Corrine 
Brown of Florida, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Herseth Sandlin, Ms. 
    Berkley, Mr. Mahoney of Florida, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Boswell, Mr. 
   McNerney, Mr. Arcuri, Mr. Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mr. 
Donnelly, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Walz of Minnesota, and Mr. Hare) introduced 
 the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in 
   the provision of health care to 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' Health 
Care Improvement Act of 2007''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                TITLE I--MATTERS RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Grants for support of therapeutic readjustment programs for 
                            veterans.
Sec. 102. Transportation grants for rural veterans service 
                            organizations.
Sec. 103. Permanent treatment authority for participants in Department 
                            of Defense chemical and biological testing 
                            conducted by Deseret Test Center (including 
                            Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense).
Sec. 104. Readjustment and mental health services for Operation 
                            Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi 
                            Freedom veterans.
               TITLE II--MATTERS RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

Sec. 201. Staffing requirements for coordination of homeless veterans 
                            programs.
Sec. 202. Availability of grant funds to service centers for personnel.
Sec. 203. Improvement of payments for providing services to homeless 
                            veterans.
Sec. 204. Emergency grants for replacement or repair of homeless 
                            veteran facilities.
Sec. 205. Expansion and extension of authority for program of referral 
                            and counseling services for at-risk 
                            veterans transitioning from certain 
                            institutions.
Sec. 206. Demonstration program on preventing veterans at-risk of 
                            homelessness from becoming homeless.
Sec. 207. Permanent authority for domiciliary services for homeless 
                            veterans and enhancement of capacity of 
                            domiciliary care programs for female 
                            veterans.
Sec. 208. Pilot program for provision of permanent housing for homeless 
                            veterans.
Sec. 209. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
                            income veteran families in permanent 
                            housing.
Sec. 210. Expansion of eligibility for dental care.
                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 301. Technical amendments.

                TITLE I--MATTERS RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

SEC. 101. GRANTS FOR SUPPORT OF THERAPEUTIC READJUSTMENT PROGRAMS FOR 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 521 the following new section:
``Sec. 521A. Assistance to therapeutic readjustment programs
    ``(a) Grant Program.--The Secretary may make grants to qualified 
entities described in subsection (b) to conduct workshop programs in 
the performing arts, public speaking, writing, and culinary arts in 
order to further the readjustment of veterans.
    ``(b) Qualified Entities.--A qualified entity described in this 
subsection is a private nonprofit entity that has expertise in 
conducting workshop programs or that the Secretary determines offers a 
program that is likely to improve the readjustment of veterans.
    ``(c) Amount of Grant; Use of Funds.--A grant under this section 
shall not exceed $100,000 for any calendar year and shall be used 
exclusively for the benefit of veterans.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $2,000,000 to carry out this section for each fiscal 
year.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
521 the following new item:

``521A. Grants for therapeutic readjustment programs.''.

SEC. 102. TRANSPORTATION GRANTS FOR RURAL VETERANS SERVICE 
              ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Grant Program.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1708. Grants for provision of transportation to Department 
              medical facilities for veterans in remote rural areas
    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a grant 
        program to provide innovative transportation options to 
        veterans in remote rural areas.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--Grants awarded under this section may 
        be used by State veterans' service agencies, veterans service 
        organizations, and private nonprofit entities to assist 
        veterans in remote rural areas to travel to Department medical 
        facilities.
            ``(3) Maximum amount.--The amount of a grant under this 
        section may not exceed $50,000.
            ``(4) No matching requirement.--The recipient of a grant 
        under this section shall not be required to provide matching 
        funds as a condition for receiving such grant.
    ``(b) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for--
            ``(1) evaluating grant applications under this section; and
            ``(2) otherwise administering the program established by 
        this section.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to 
carry out this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1707 the following new item:

``1708. Grants for provision of transportation to Department medical 
                            facilities for veterans in remote rural 
                            areas.''.

SEC. 103. PERMANENT TREATMENT AUTHORITY FOR PARTICIPANTS IN DEPARTMENT 
              OF DEFENSE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL TESTING CONDUCTED BY 
              DESERET TEST CENTER (INCLUDING PROJECT SHIPBOARD HAZARD 
              AND DEFENSE).

    Section 1710(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a period; and
            (3) by striking subparagraph (D).

SEC. 104. READJUSTMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OPERATION 
              ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS.

    (a) Provision of Readjustment Counseling and Mental Health 
Services.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting after section 1712B the following new section:
``Sec. 1712C. Provision of readjustment counseling and mental health 
              services for veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom or 
              Operation Iraqi Freedom
    ``(a) Program Required.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out a 
program to provide peer outreach services, peer support services, and 
readjustment and mental health services to veterans of Operation 
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, with special emphasis on 
veterans who served in such operations while in the National Guard and 
the Reserves.
    ``(2) In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall contract with community mental health centers and other 
qualified entities to provide the services described in that paragraph 
in areas the Secretary determines are not adequately served by health 
care facilities of the Department. Such contracts shall require each 
community health center or other entity--
            ``(A) to the extent practicable, to employ veterans trained 
        under paragraph (3);
            ``(B) to the extent practicable, to use telehealth services 
        for the provision of such services;
            ``(C) to participate in the training program under 
        paragraph (4);
            ``(D) to comply with applicable protocols of the Department 
        before incurring any liability on behalf of the Department for 
        the provision of such the services;
            ``(E) to submit annual reports to the Secretary containing, 
        with respect to the program required by paragraph (1) and for 
        the last full calendar year ending before the submission of 
        such report--
                    ``(i) the number of veterans served, veterans 
                diagnosed, and courses of treatment provided to 
                veterans as part of the program required by paragraph 
                (1); and
                    ``(ii) demographic information for such services, 
                diagnoses, and courses of treatment;
            ``(F) to provide to the Secretary such clinical summary 
        information as the Secretary may require for each veteran for 
        whom the center or entity provides mental health services under 
        the contract; and
            ``(G) to meet such other requirements as the Secretary may 
        require.
    ``(3) In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall contract with a nonprofit mental health organization to 
carry out a program to train veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom to provide peer outreach and peer support 
services.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall conduct a training program for clinicians 
of community mental health centers or other entities that have entered 
into contracts with the Secretary under paragraph (2) to ensure that 
such clinicians are able to provide the services required by paragraph 
(1) in a manner that--
            ``(A) recognizes factors that are unique to the experience 
        of veterans who served on active duty in Operation Iraqi 
        Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom (including the combat and 
        military training experiences of such veterans); and
            ``(B) utilizes best practices and technologies.
    ``(b) Support and Assistance to Immediate Family Members.--(1) The 
Secretary shall establish a program to provide support and assistance 
to the immediate family members of veterans of Operation Enduring 
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Under the program, the Secretary 
shall provide to such a family member--
            ``(A) educational materials, including educational 
        materials designed for children, and classes on mental health 
        issues, including signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress 
        disorder; and
            ``(B) individual counseling and mental health services, if 
        requested, for a period not to exceed three years beginning on 
        the date on which family member first seeks such services.
    ``(c) Pilot Program To Assist Returning Veterans at Risk of Not 
Seeking Mental Health Services.--(1) The Secretary shall establish and 
carry out a pilot program to provide confidential readjustment 
counseling and mental health services to veterans described in section 
1710(e)(1)(D) of this title at facilities other than Department 
facilities.
    ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall issue to an eligible veteran a non-
currency form of payment medium that may be used to provide for full 
payment for up to three visits to any mental health provider on the 
list established under subparagraph (B). The veteran seeking such 
services, in consultation with a provider on such list, shall choose 
the location and time of such visits.
    ``(B) The Secretary shall compile and maintain a list of mental 
health care providers who have entered into an agreement with the 
Secretary to accept the non-currency form of payment medium issued 
under subparagraph (A) as payment in full for up to three visits to the 
provider for mental health counseling.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in at least 
four Veterans Integrated Service Networks, and may expand the program 
to include additional Veterans Integrated Service Networks, as the 
Secretary determines is appropriate.
    ``(4) The authority of the Secretary to carry out a pilot program 
under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is five years 
after the date of enactment of this section.
    ``(5) Not later than 90 days after the last day of any fiscal year 
during which the Secretary carries out the pilot program under this 
section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 
pilot program for that fiscal year. Each such report shall include each 
of the following:
            ``(A) A description of the number of units of the non-
        currency form of payment medium issued by the Secretary during 
        the fiscal year covered by the report.
            ``(B) The list of providers maintained by the Secretary 
        under paragraph (2)(B).
            ``(C) The amount expended to carry out the pilot program 
        during that fiscal year.
            ``(D) Any recommendations of the Secretary to improve the 
        pilot program.
    ``(d) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report on the operation of the programs 
under this section during the preceding year, including information on 
the number of veterans receiving services, the types of services, and 
the cost of providing such services as part of the program.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1712B the following new item:

``1712C. Provision of readjustment counseling and mental health 
                            services for veterans of Operation Enduring 
                            Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.''.
    (c) Report on Implementation Required.--Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report containing the plan of the Secretary for 
implementing section 1712C of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a).

               TITLE II--MATTERS RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

SEC. 201. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR COORDINATION OF HOMELESS VETERANS 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 2003 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) VHA Staffing at VISN Level.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
at least one full-time employee of the Veterans Health Administration 
is assigned to oversee and coordinate homeless veterans programs at the 
office of each of the regional health delivery networks (referred to as 
Veterans Integrated Service Networks) of that Administration.''.

SEC. 202. 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. 203. IMPROVEMENT OF PAYMENTS FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Improvement of Payments.--Section 2012 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``per diem'' and wherever it appears;
            (2) in subsection (a)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``daily cost of care'' and 
                        inserting ``annual cost of furnishing 
                        services''; and
                            (ii) by striking the second sentence;
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
                following new subparagraph (B):
    ``(B) The Secretary shall annually increase the rate of payment 
under subparagraph (A) to reflect anticipated changes in the cost of 
furnishing services and to take into account the cost of providing 
services in a particular geographic area. The Secretary may set a 
maximum amount payable to a grant recipient under this section.'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``other 
                sources of income'' and all that follows through the 
                period at the end and inserting ``the cost of services 
                provided to the grant recipient as the Secretary may 
                require to assist the Secretary in making the 
                determination under subparagraph (A)'';
                    (D) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
                following new subparagraph (D):
    ``(D) In making the determination under subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary may consider the availability of other sources of income, 
including payments to the grant recipient or eligible entity for 
furnishing services to homeless veterans under programs other than 
under this subchapter, payments or grants from other departments or 
agencies of the United States, from departments or agencies of State or 
local governments, or from private entities or organizations.''; and
                    (E) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following new paragraph (3):
    ``(3) Payments under this subsection to a grant recipient or 
eligible entity may be used to match, or in combination with, other 
payments or grants for which the recipient or entity is eligible.''; 
and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2).
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Section heading.--The section heading for such section 
        is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 2012. Payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans'';
            (2) Subsection heading.--The heading for subsection (a) of 
        such section is amended by striking ``Per Diem''.
            (3) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking 
        the item relating to section 2012 and inserting the following 
        new item:

``2012. Payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans.''.

SEC. 204. EMERGENCY GRANTS FOR REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF HOMELESS 
              VETERAN FACILITIES.

    (a) Emergency Grant Authority.--Subchapter II of chapter 20 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 2013 as section 2014; and
            (2) by inserting after section 2012 the following new 
        section 2013:
``Sec. 2013. Emergency grants for repair or replacement of homeless 
              veteran facilities
    ``(a) Authority.--The Secretary may make an emergency grant to an 
eligible entity that provides care for homeless veterans for the 
purpose of repairing or replacing facilities used to provide such care, 
if such facilities are damaged or destroyed by a disaster.
    ``(b) Establishment of Criteria and Requirements.--The Secretary 
shall establish criteria and requirements for grants under this section 
and shall publish such criteria and requirements in the Federal 
Register.
    ``(c) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            ``(1) The term `eligible entity' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 2011(d) of this title.
            ``(2) The term `disaster' means--
                    ``(A) a major disaster or emergency declared by the 
                President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
                and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); 
                or
                    ``(B) a disaster or emergency in which the National 
                Disaster Medical System established pursuant to section 
                2811(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
                300hh-11(b)) is activated by the Secretary of Health 
                and Human Services under paragraph (3)(A) of that 
                section or as otherwise authorized by law.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by striking the item relating to section 2013 
and inserting after the item relating to section 2012 the following new 
items:

``2013. Emergency grants for repair or replacement of homeless veteran 
                            facilities.
``2014. Authorization of appropriations.''.

SEC. 205. 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) Scope of program.--Subsection (c)(1) of such section is 
        amended by striking ``demonstration''.
            (2) Section heading.--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 heading.--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. 206. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON PREVENTING VETERANS AT-RISK OF 
              HOMELESSNESS FROM BECOMING HOMELESS.

    (a) Demonstration Program.--Subchapter III of chapter 20 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item:
``Sec. 2024. Demonstration program on preventing veterans at-risk of 
              homelessness from becoming homeless
    ``(a) Demonstration Program.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary shall carry out 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 under subsection (a) in at least three geographic 
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 shall consult 
with the Secretary of Defense and such other officials and experts as 
the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(d) Contracts.--The Secretary may enter into contracts with 
entities or organizations that meet such requirements as the Secretary 
may establish to provide the referral, counseling, and supportive 
services required under the demonstration program under subsection (a).
    ``(e) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary under subsection 
(a) shall terminate on September 30, 2011.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011 $2,000,000 to 
carry out this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
2023 the following new item:

``2024. Demonstration program on preventing veterans at-risk of 
                            homelessness from becoming homeless.''.

SEC. 207. 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 safety, to meet the needs of 
veterans who are women.''.

SEC. 208. PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROVISION OF PERMANENT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Pilot Program.--Subchapter V of Chapter 20 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2044. Pilot program for provision of permanent housing for 
              homeless veterans
    ``(a) Pilot Program.--To improve access to affordable permanent 
housing for homeless veterans, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot 
program to--
            ``(1) make grants to public or nonprofit private entities 
        for the purpose of acquiring and operating single-room 
        occupancy housing solely for the benefit of homeless veterans; 
        and
            ``(2) provide rental assistance on behalf of homeless 
        veterans to public or nonprofit private entities with 
        established single-room occupancy facilities.
    ``(b) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out a 
pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is 
five years after the date of enactment of this section.
    ``(c) Reporting Requirements.--Not later than 90 days after the end 
of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
section, and annually thereafter until the termination of the 
Secretary's authority under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit 
to the committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report on the pilot program during that period. Each 
such report shall include--
            ``(1) a description of the grants made during the period 
        covered by the report including the location of each facility 
        receiving a grant;
            ``(2) a list of the public and nonprofit private entities 
        seeking grants under the pilot program and the amount requested 
        by each such entity;
            ``(3) the number of veterans receiving assistance under the 
        pilot program during the period covered by the report and the 
        total number of veterans who have received such assistance 
        since the inception of the pilot program; and
            ``(4) the recommendations of the Secretary concerning 
        improvements to the pilot program and a description of the 
        Secretary's findings as to the effectiveness of the pilot 
        program in reducing homelessness among veterans.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year 
$10,000,000 to carry out this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
2043 the following new item:

``2044. Pilot program for provision of permanent housing for homeless 
                            veterans.''.

SEC. 209. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-
              INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to facilitate the 
provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families 
in permanent housing.
    (b) Authorization of Financial Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter V of chapter 20 of title 38, 
        United States Code, as amended by section 208, is further 
        amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2045. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
              income veteran families residing in permanent housing
    ``(a) Distribution of Financial Assistance.--(1) The Secretary 
shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities approved under 
this section to provide and coordinate the provision of the supportive 
services for very low-income veteran families residing in permanent 
housing.
    ``(2)(A) Financial assistance under this section shall consist of 
payments for each such family for which an approved eligible entity 
provides or coordinates the provision of supportive services.
    ``(B) The Secretary shall establish a formula for determining the 
rate of payments provided to a very low-income veteran family receiving 
supportive services under this section. The rate shall be adjusted not 
less than once annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. In 
calculating the payment formula under this subparagraph, the Secretary 
may consider geographic cost of living variances, family size, and the 
cost of services provided.
    ``(3) In providing financial assistance under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall give preference to an entity that provides or 
coordinates the provision of supportive services for very low-income 
veteran families who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent 
housing.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, 
financial assistance under this subsection is equitably distributed 
across geographic regions, including rural communities and tribal 
lands.
    ``(5) Each entity receiving financial assistance under this section 
to provide supportive services to a very low-income veteran family 
shall notify the family that such services are being paid for, in whole 
or in part, by the Department.
    ``(6) The Secretary may require an entity receiving financial 
assistance under this section to submit a report to the Secretary 
describing the supportive services provided with such financial 
assistance.
    ``(b) Application for Financial Assistance.--(1) An eligible entity 
seeking financial assistance under subsection (a) shall submit to the 
Secretary an application in such form, in such manner, and containing 
such commitments and information as the Secretary determines to be 
necessary.
    ``(2) An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain--
            ``(A) a description of the supportive services proposed to 
        be provided by the eligible entity;
            ``(B) a description of the types of very low-income veteran 
        families proposed to be provided such services;
            ``(C) an estimate of the number of very low-income veteran 
        families proposed to be provided such services;
            ``(D) evidence of the experience of the eligible entity in 
        providing supportive services to very low-income veteran 
        families; and
            ``(E) a description of the managerial capacity of the 
        eligible entity to--
                    ``(i) coordinate the provision of supportive 
                services with the provision of permanent housing, by 
                the eligible entity or by other organizations;
                    ``(ii) continuously assess the needs of very low-
                income veteran families for supportive services;
                    ``(iii) coordinate the provision of supportive 
                services with the services of the Department;
                    ``(iv) tailor supportive services to the needs of 
                very low-income veteran families; and
                    ``(v) continuously seek new sources of assistance 
                to ensure the long-term provision of supportive 
                services to very low-income veteran families.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of 
eligible entities to receive financial assistance under this section.
    ``(c) Technical Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall provide 
training and technical assistance to eligible entities that receive 
financial assistance under this section with respect to the planning, 
development, and provision of supportive services to very low-income 
veteran families occupying permanent housing.
    ``(2) The Secretary may provide the training described in paragraph 
(1) directly or through grants or contracts with appropriate public or 
nonprofit private entities.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated, for each fiscal year, $25,000,000, to carry out this 
section, of which not more than $750,000 for each fiscal year may be 
used to provide technical assistance under subsection (c).
    ``(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            ``(1) The term `very low-income veteran family' means a 
        veteran family whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the 
        median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary in 
        accordance with this paragraph, except that--
                    ``(A) the Secretary shall make appropriate 
                adjustments to the income requirement under 
                subparagraph (A) based on family size; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary may establish an income ceiling 
                higher or lower than 50 percent of the median income 
                for an area if the Secretary determines that such 
                variations are necessary because the area has unusually 
                high or low construction costs, fair market rents (as 
                determined under section 8 of the United States Housing 
                Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)), or family incomes.
            ``(2) The term `veteran family' includes a veteran who is a 
        single person and a family in which the head of household or 
        the spouse of the head of household is a veteran.
            ``(3) The term `consumer cooperative' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 
        1701q).
            ``(4) The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) a private nonprofit organization; or
                    ``(B) a consumer cooperative.
            ``(5) The term `homeless' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 11302)).
            ``(6) The term `permanent housing' means community-based 
        housing without a designated length of stay.
            ``(7) The term `private nonprofit organization' means--
                    ``(A) any incorporated private institution or 
                foundation--
                            ``(i) no part of the net earnings of which 
                        inures to the benefit of any member, founder, 
                        contributor, or individual;
                            ``(ii) which has a governing board that is 
                        responsible for the operation of the supportive 
                        services provided under this section; and
                            ``(iii) which is approved by the Secretary 
                        as to financial responsibility;
                    ``(B) a for-profit limited partnership, the sole 
                general partner of which is an organization meeting the 
                requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of 
                subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) a corporation wholly owned and controlled by 
                an organization meeting the requirements of clauses 
                (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(D) a tribally designated housing entity (as 
                defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing 
                Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 
                U.S.C. 4103)).
            ``(8) The term `supportive services' means the following:
                    ``(A) Services provided by an eligible entity or 
                subcontractors that address the needs of very low-
                income veteran families occupying permanent housing, 
                including--
                            ``(i) outreach services;
                            ``(ii) health care services, including 
                        diagnosis, treatment, and counseling for mental 
                        health and substance abuse disorders and for 
                        post-traumatic stress disorder, if such 
                        services are not readily available through the 
                        Department of Veterans Affairs medical center 
                        serving the geographic area in which the 
                        veteran family is housed;
                            ``(iii) habilitation and rehabilitation 
                        services;
                            ``(iv) case management services;
                            ``(v) daily living services;
                            ``(vi) personal financial planning;
                            ``(vii) transportation services;
                            ``(viii) vocational counseling;
                            ``(ix) employment and training;
                            ``(x) educational services;
                            ``(xi) assistance in obtaining veterans 
                        benefits and other public benefits, including 
                        health care provided by the Department;
                            ``(xii) assistance in obtaining income 
                        support;
                            ``(xiii) assistance in obtaining health 
                        insurance;
                            ``(xiv) fiduciary and representative payee 
                        services;
                            ``(xv) legal services to assist the veteran 
                        family with reconsiderations or appeals of 
                        veterans and public benefit claim denials and 
                        to resolve outstanding warrants that interfere 
                        with the family's ability to obtain or retain 
                        housing or supportive services;
                            ``(xvi) child care;
                            ``(xvii) housing counseling;
                            ``(xviii) other services necessary for 
                        maintaining independent living; and
                            ``(xix) coordination of services described 
                        in this paragraph.
                    ``(B) Services provided by an eligible entity or 
                subcontractors, including services described in clauses 
                (i) through (xix) of subparagraph (A), that are 
                delivered to very low-income veteran families who are 
                homeless and who are scheduled to become residents of 
                permanent housing within 90 days of the date on which 
                the service is provided pending the location or 
                development of housing suitable for permanent housing.
                    ``(C) Services provided by an eligible entity or 
                subcontractors, including services described in clauses 
                (i) through (xix) of subparagraph (A), for very low-
                income veteran families who have voluntarily chosen to 
                seek other housing after a period of tenancy in 
                permanent housing, that are provided, for a period of 
                90 days beginning on the date on which such a family 
                exits permanent housing or until such a family 
                commences receipt of other housing services adequate to 
                meet the needs of the family, but only to the extent 
                that services under this paragraph are designed to 
                support such a family in the choice to transition into 
                housing that is responsive to the individual needs and 
                preferences of the family.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 208, is 
        further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
        2044 the following new item:

``2045. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
                            income veteran families in permanent 
                            housing.''.

SEC. 210. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DENTAL CARE.

    Section 2062(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, for a period of 60 
        consecutive days,''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (3).

                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 301. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    Title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in each of sections 1708(d), 7314(f), 7320(j)(2), 
        7325(i)(2), and 7328(i)(2), by striking ``medical care 
        account'' and inserting ``medical services account'';
            (2) in section 1710A--
                    (A) by striking subsection (g);
                    (B) by redesignating subsections (d) through (i) as 
                subsections (c) through (f), respectively; and
                    (C) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by 
                striking ``(including a Resource Center designated 
                under subsection (h)(3)(A) of this section)'';
            (3) in section 2065(b)(3), by striking ``)'';
            (4) in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
        36, by striking the item relating to section 3684A and 
        inserting the following new item:

``3684A. Procedures relating to computer matching program.'';
            (5) in section 3684(a)(1), by striking ``34,,'' and 
        inserting ``34,'';
            (6) in section 4110(c)(1), by striking ``15'' and inserting 
        ``16'';
            (7) in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
        51, by striking the item relating to section 5121 and inserting 
        the following new item:

``5121. Payment of certain accrued benefits upon death of a 
                            beneficiary.'';
            (8) in section 7458(b)(2), by striking ``pro rated'' and 
        inserting ``pro-rated''; and
            (9) in section 8117(a)(1), by striking ``such such'' and 
        inserting ``such''.
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