1.This Act may be cited as the
Veterans' Medical Personnel
Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008
.
2.Enhancement of
authorities for retention of medical professionals
(a)Secretarial
authority To extend title 38 status to additional positions
(1)Paragraph (3) of section 7401 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking and blind rehabilitation outpatient
specialists.
and inserting the following: “blind rehabilitation
outpatient specialists, and such other classes of health care occupations as
the Secretary considers necessary for the recruitment and retention needs of
the Department subject to the following requirements:
(A)Not later than 45
days before the Secretary appoints any personnel for a class of health care
occupations that is not specifically listed in this paragraph, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Office of
Management and Budget notice of such appointment.
(B)Before submitting
notice under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall solicit comments from any
labor organization representing employees in such class and include such
comments in such
notice.
.
(2)Appointment of
nurse assistantsSuch paragraph is further amended by inserting
nurse assistants,
after licensed practical or vocational
nurses,
.
(b)Probationary
periods for nursesSection 7403(b) of such title is
amended—
(1)in paragraph (1),
by striking Appointments
and inserting Except as
otherwise provided in this subsection, appointments
;
(2)by redesignating
paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and
(3)by inserting after
paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs:
(2)An appointment of
a nurse under this chapter, whether on a full-time basis or a part-time basis,
shall be for a probationary period ending upon the completion by the person so
appointed of 4,180 hours of work pursuant to such appointment.
(3)An appointment
described in subsection (a) on a part-time basis of a person who has previously
served on a full-time basis for the probationary period for the position
concerned shall be without a probationary
period.
.
(c)Prohibition on
temporary part-time nurse appointments in excess of 4,180
hoursSection 7405(f)(2) of such title is amended by inserting
after year
the following: , except that a part-time
appointment of a nurse shall not exceed 4,180 hours
.
(d)Waiver of offset
from pay for certain reemployed annuitants
(1)Section 7405 of such title is amended by adding at the
end the following:
(g)(1)The Secretary may waive
the application of sections 8344 and 8468 of title 5 (relating to annuities and
pay on reemployment) or any other similar provision of law under a Government
retirement system on a case-by-case basis for an annuitant reemployed on a
temporary basis under the authority of subsection (a) in a position described
under paragraph (1) of that subsection.
(2)An annuitant to
whom a waiver under paragraph (1) is in effect shall not be considered an
employee for purposes of any Government retirement system.
(3)An annuitant to
whom a waiver under paragraph (1) is in effect shall be subject to the
provisions of chapter 71 of title 5 (including all labor authority and labor
representative collective bargaining agreements) applicable to the position to
which appointed.
(4)In this
subsection:
(A)The term
annuitant means an annuitant under a Government retirement
system.
(B)The term
employee has the meaning under section 2105 of title 5.
(C)The term
Government retirement system means a retirement system established
by law for employees of the Government of the United
States.
.
(2)The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the
date that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall
apply to pay periods beginning on or after such effective date.
(e)Minimum rate of
basic pay for appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health set to
lowest rate of basic pay payable for a Senior Executive Service
position
(1)Section 7404(a) of such title is amended—
(A)by striking
The annual
and inserting (1) The annual
;
(B)by striking
The pay
and inserting the following:
(2)The
pay
;
(C)by striking
under the preceding sentence
and inserting under
paragraph (1)
; and
(D)by adding at the
end the following:
(3)The minimum rate
of basic pay for a position to which an Executive order applies under paragraph
(1) and is not described by paragraph (2) may not be less than the lowest rate
of basic pay payable for a Senior Executive Service position under section 5382
of title
5.
.
(2)The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on
the first day of the first pay period beginning after the day that is 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(f)Comparability
pay program for appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for
HealthSection 7410 of such title is amended—
(1)by striking
The Secretary may
and inserting (a)
In general.—The
Secretary may
; and
(2)by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
(b)Comparability
pay for appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for
Health(1)The Secretary may
authorize the Under Secretary for Health to provide comparability pay of not
more than $100,000 per year to individuals of the Veterans Health
Administration appointed under section 7306 of this title who are not
physicians or dentists to achieve annual pay levels for such individuals that
are comparable with annual pay levels of individuals with similar positions in
the private sector.
(2)Comparability pay
under paragraph (1) for an individual is in addition to all other pay, awards,
and performance bonuses paid to such individual under this title.
(3)Except as provided
in paragraph (4), comparability pay under paragraph (1) for an individual shall
be considered basic pay for all purposes, including retirement benefits under
chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, and other benefits.
(4)Comparability pay
under paragraph (1) for an individual shall not be considered basic pay for
purposes of adverse actions under subchapter V of this chapter.
(5)Comparability pay
under paragraph (1) may not be awarded to an individual in an amount that would
result in an aggregate amount of pay (including bonuses and awards) received by
such individual in a year under this title that is greater than the annual pay
of the
President.
.
(g)Special
incentive pay for Department pharmacist executivesSection 7410
of such title, as amended by subsection (f), is further amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
(c)Special
incentive pay for Department pharmacist executives(1)In order to recruit and
retain highly qualified Department pharmacist executives, the Secretary may
authorize the Under Secretary for Health to pay special incentive pay of not
more than $40,000 per year to an individual of the Veterans Health
Administration who is a pharmacist executive.
(2)In determining
whether and how much special pay to provide to such individual, the Under
Secretary shall consider the following:
(A)The grade and step
of the position of the individual.
(B)The scope and
complexity of the position of the individual.
(C)The personal
qualifications of the individual.
(D)The
characteristics of the labor market concerned.
(E)Such other factors
as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3)Special incentive
pay under paragraph (1) for an individual is in addition to all other pay
(including basic pay) and allowances to which the individual is
entitled.
(4)Except as provided
in paragraph (5), special incentive pay under paragraph (1) for an individual
shall be considered basic pay for all purposes, including retirement benefits
under chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, and other benefits.
(5)Special incentive
pay under paragraph (1) for an individual shall not be considered basic pay for
purposes of adverse actions under subchapter V of this chapter.
(6)Special incentive pay under paragraph (1)
may not be awarded to an individual in an amount that would result in an
aggregate amount of pay (including bonuses and awards) received by such
individual in a year under this title that is greater than the annual pay of
the
President.
.
(h)Pay for
physicians and dentists
(1)Non-foreign cost
of living adjustment allowanceSection 7431(b) of such title is
amended by adding at the end the following:
(5)The non-foreign
cost of living adjustment allowance authorized under section 5941 of title 5
for physicians and dentists whose pay is set under this section shall be
determined as a percentage of base pay
only.
.
(2)Market pay
determinations for physicians and dentists in administrative or executive
leadership positionsSection 7431(c)(4)(B)(i) of such title is
amended by adding at the end the following: The Secretary may exempt
physicians and dentists occupying administrative or executive leadership
positions from the requirements of the previous sentence.
.
(3)Exception to
prohibition on reduction of market paySection 7431(c)(7) of such
title is amended by striking concerned.
and inserting
concerned, unless there is a change in board certification or reduction
of privileges.
.
(i)Adjustment of
pay cap for nursesSection 7451(c)(2) of such title is amended by
striking title 5
and inserting title 5 or the level of
GS–15 as prescribed under section 5332 of such title, whichever is
greater
.
(j)Exemption for
certified registered nurse anesthetists from limitation on authorized
competitive paySection 7451(c)(2) of such title is further
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: The maximum
rate of basic pay for a grade for the position of certified registered nurse
anesthetist pursuant to an adjustment under subsection (d) may exceed the
maximum rate otherwise provided in the preceding sentence.
.
(k)Locality pay
scale computations
(1)Education,
training, and support for facility directors in wage
surveysSection 7451(d)(3) of such title is amended by adding at
the end the following new subparagraph:
(F)The Under
Secretary for Health shall provide appropriate education, training, and support
to directors of Department health-care facilities in the conduct and use of
surveys under this
paragraph.
.
(2)Information on
methodology used in wage surveysSection 7451(e)(4) of such title
is amended—
(A)by redesignating
subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and
(B)by inserting after
subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph (D):
(D)In any case in
which the director conducts such a wage survey during the period covered by the
report and makes adjustment in rates of basic pay applicable to one or more
covered positions at the facility, information on the methodology used in
making such adjustment or
adjustments.
.
(3)Disclosure of
information to persons in covered positionsSection 7451(e) of
such title is further amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
(6)(A)Upon the request of an
individual described in subparagraph (B) for a report provided under paragraph
(4) with respect to a Department health-care facility, the Under Secretary for
Health or the director of such facility shall provide to the individual the
most current report for such facility provided under such paragraph.
(B)An individual
described in this subparagraph is—
(i)an individual in a
covered position at a Department health-care facility; or
(ii)a representative
of the labor organization representing that individual who is designated by
that individual to make the
request.
.
(l)Increased
limitation on special pay for nurse executivesSection 7452(g)(2)
of such title is amended by striking $25,000
and inserting
$100,000
.
(m)Eligibility of
part-time nurses for additional nurse pay
(1)Section 7453 of such title is amended—
(A)in subsection (a),
by striking a nurse
and inserting a full-time nurse or
part-time nurse
;
(B)in subsection
(b)—
(i)in the first
sentence—
(I)by striking
on a tour of duty
;
(II)by striking
on such tour
; and
(III)by striking
of such tour
and inserting of such service
;
and
(ii)in the second
sentence, by striking of such tour
and inserting of such
service
;
(C)in subsection
(c)—
(i)by striking
on a tour of duty
; and
(ii)by striking
on such tour
; and
(D)in subsection
(e)—
(i)in paragraph (1),
by striking eight hours in a day
and inserting eight
consecutive hours
; and
(ii)in paragraph
(5)(A), by striking tour of duty
and inserting period of
service
.
(2)Exclusion of
application of additional nurse pay provisions to certain additional
employeesSection 7454(b)(3) of such title is amended to read as
follows:
(3)Employees
appointed under section 7408 of this title performing service on a tour of
duty, any part of which is within the period commencing at midnight Friday and
ending at midnight Sunday, shall receive additional pay in addition to the rate
of basic pay provided such employees for each hour of service on such tour at a
rate equal to 25 percent of such employee's hourly rate of basic
pay.
.
(n)Exemption of
additional nurse positions from limitation on increase in rates of basic
paySection 7455(c)(1) of such title is amended by inserting
after nurse anesthetists,
the following: licensed
practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and nursing positions otherwise
covered by title 5,
.
3.Limitations on
overtime duty, weekend duty, and alternative work schedules for nurses
(a)
(1)Subchapter IV of chapter 74 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
7459.Nurses:
special rules for overtime duty
(a)Except
as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary may not require a nurse to work
more than 40 hours (or 24 hours if such nurse is covered under section 7456) in
an administrative work week or more than eight consecutive hours (or 12 hours
if such nurse is covered under section 7456 or 7456A).
(b)(1)A nurse may on a
voluntary basis elect to work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection
(a).
(2)The refusal of a
nurse to work hours prohibited by subsection (a) shall not be grounds to
discriminate (within the meaning of section 704(a) of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–3(a))) against the nurse, dismissal or discharge of the
nurse, or any other adverse personnel action against the nurse.
(c)Overtime under
emergency circumstances(1)Subject to paragraph
(2), the Secretary may require a nurse to work hours otherwise prohibited by
subsection (a) if—
(A)the work is a
consequence of an emergency that could not have been reasonably
anticipated;
(B)the emergency is
non-recurring and is not caused by or aggravated by the inattention of the
Secretary or lack of reasonable contingency planning by the Secretary;
(C)the Secretary has
exhausted all good faith, reasonable attempts to obtain voluntary
workers;
(D)the nurse has
critical skills and expertise that are required for the work; and
(E)the work involves
work for which the standard of care for a patient assignment requires
continuity of care through completion of a case, treatment, or
procedure.
(2)A nurse may not be
required to work hours under this subsection after the requirement for a direct
role by the nurse in responding to medical needs resulting from the emergency
ends.
(d)In this section, the term nurse includes the
following;
(1)A registered
nurse.
(2)A licensed
practical or vocational nurse.
(3)A nurse assistant
appointed under this chapter or title 5.
(4)Any other nurse
position designated by the Secretary for purposes of this
section.
.
(2)The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7458 the
following new item:
7459. Nurses: special rules for overtime
duty.
.
(b)Section 7456 of such title is amended—
(1)in subsection (a)
by striking regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty
and
inserting scheduled 12-hour periods of service
;
(2)in subsection
(b)—
(A)in paragraph (2),
by striking service performed as part of a regularly scheduled 12-hour
tour of duty
and inserting any service performed
;
and
(B)in paragraph
(3)—
(i)in subparagraph
(A), by striking regularly scheduled two 12-hour tours of duty
and inserting scheduled 12-hour period of service
;
(ii)in subparagraph
(B), by striking regularly scheduled two 12-hour tour of duty
and inserting scheduled 12-hour period of service
; and
(iii)in subparagraph
(C), by striking regularly scheduled two 12-hour tours of duty
and inserting scheduled two 12-hour periods of service
;
(3)by striking
subsection (c); and
(4)by redesignating
subsection (d) as (c).
(c)
(1)Section 7456A(b)(1)(A) of such title is amended by
striking three regularly scheduled
and all that follows through
the period at the end and inserting six regularly scheduled 12-hour
periods of service within a pay period shall be considered for all purposes to
have worked a full 80-hour pay period.
.
(2)Section 7456A(b) of such title is amended—
(A)in the subsection
heading, by striking 36/40
and inserting 72/80
;
(B)in paragraph
(2)—
(i)in subparagraph
(A), by striking 40-hour basic work week
and inserting
80-hour pay period
;
(ii)in subparagraph
(B), by striking regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within the
work week
and inserting scheduled 72-hour period of service
within the bi-weekly pay period
;
(iii)in subparagraph
(C)—
(I)in clause (i), by
striking regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within an
administrative work week
and inserting scheduled 72-hour period
of service within an administrative pay period
;
(II)in clause (ii),
by striking regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty
and
inserting scheduled 12-hour period of service
; and
(III)in clause (iii),
by striking regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty work week
and inserting scheduled 72-hour period of service pay period
;
and
(iv)in subparagraph
(D), by striking regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty
and
inserting scheduled 12-hour period of service
; and
(C)in paragraph (3),
by striking regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty
and
inserting scheduled 12-hour period of service
.
4.Improvements to
certain educational assistance programs
(a)Reinstatement of
health professionals educational assistance scholarship program
(1)Section 7618 of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking December 31, 1998
and inserting December 31,
2013
.
(2)Expansion of
eligibility requirementsParagraph (2) of section 7612(b) of such
title is amended by striking (under section
and all that follows
through the period at the end and inserting the following: as an
appointee under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 7401 of this
title.
.
(b)Improvements to
education debt reduction program
(1)Inclusion of
employee retention as purpose of programSection 7681(a)(2) of
such title is amended by inserting and retention
after
recruitment
the first time it appears.
(2)Section
7682 of such title is amended—
(A)in subsection
(a)(1), by striking a recently appointed
and inserting
an
; and
(B)by striking
subsection (c).
(3)Maximum amounts
of assistanceSection 7683(d)(1) of such title is amended—
(A)by striking
$44,000
and inserting $60,000
; and
(B)by striking
$10,000
and inserting $12,000
.
(c)Loan repayment
program for clinical researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds
(1)The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, in consultation
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, utilize the authorities
available in section 487E of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 288–5)
for the repayment of the principal and interest of educational loans of
appropriately qualified health professionals who are from disadvantaged
backgrounds in order to secure clinical research by such professionals for the
Veterans Health Administration.
(2)The
exercise by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the authorities referred to in
paragraph (1) shall be subject to the conditions and limitations specified in
paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 487E(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 288–5(2) and (3)).
(3)Amounts
for the repayment of principal and interest of educational loans under this
subsection shall be derived from amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans
for the Veterans Health Administration for Medical Services.
1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Veterans Health Care
Authorization Act of 2008
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States
Code.
TITLE I—Department personnel
matters
Sec. 101. Enhancement of authorities for
retention of medical professionals.
Sec. 102. Limitations on overtime duty, weekend
duty, and alternative work schedules for nurses.
Sec. 103. Improvements to certain educational
assistance programs.
Sec. 104. Standards for appointment and
practice of physicians in Department of Veterans Affairs medical
facilities.
TITLE II—Health care
matters
Sec. 201. Repeal of sunset on inclusion of
noninstitutional extended care services in definition of medical
services.
Sec. 202. Extensions of certain
authorities.
Sec. 203. Permanent authority for provision of
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who
participated in certain chemical and biological testing conducted by the
Department of Defense.
Sec. 204. Repeal of certain annual reporting
requirements.
Sec. 205. Modifications to annual Gulf War
research report.
Sec. 206. Payment for care furnished to CHAMPVA
beneficiaries.
Sec. 207. Payor provisions for care furnished
to certain children of Vietnam veterans.
Sec. 208. Disclosures from certain medical
records.
Sec. 209. Disclosure to Secretary of
health-plan contract information and Social Security number of certain veterans
receiving care.
Sec. 210. Enhancement of quality
assurance.
Sec. 211. Reports on improvements to Department
health care quality assurance.
Sec. 212. Pilot program on training and
certification for family caregiver personal care attendants for veterans and
members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury.
Sec. 213. Pilot program on provision of respite
care to members of the Armed Forces and veterans with traumatic brain injury by
students in graduate programs of education related to mental health or
rehabilitation.
Sec. 214. Pilot program on use of
community-based organizations and local and State government entities to ensure
that veterans receive care and benefits for which they are
eligible.
Sec. 215. Specialized residential care and
rehabilitation for certain veterans.
Sec. 216. Exemption from copayment requirement
for veterans receiving hospice care.
Sec. 217. Repeal of limitation on authority to
conduct widespread HIV testing program.
Sec. 218. Authority to disclose medical records
to third party for collection of charges for provision of certain
care.
Sec. 219. Expanded study on the health impact
of Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense.
Sec. 220. Use of non-Department facilities for
rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injury.
Sec. 221. Inclusion of federally recognized
tribal organizations in certain programs for State veterans homes.
Sec. 222. Extension of pilot program on
caregiver assistance services.
Sec. 223. Pilot program on provision of dental
insurance plans to veterans and survivors and dependents of
veterans.
TITLE III—Women veterans health
care
Sec. 301. Report on barriers to receipt of
health care for women veterans.
Sec. 302. Plan to improve provision of health
care services to women veterans.
Sec. 303. Independent study on health
consequences of women veterans of military service in Operation Iraqi Freedom
and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sec. 304. Training and certification for mental
health care providers on care for veterans suffering from sexual
trauma.
Sec. 305. Pilot program on counseling in
retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service in the Armed
Forces.
Sec. 306. Report on full-time women veterans
program managers at medical centers.
Sec. 307. Service on certain advisory
committees of women recently separated from service in the Armed
Forces.
Sec. 308. Pilot program on subsidies for child
care for certain veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 309. Care for newborn children of women
veterans receiving maternity care.
TITLE IV—Mental health
care
Sec. 401. Eligibility of members of the Armed
Forces who serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom for
counseling and services through Readjustment Counseling Service.
Sec. 402. Restoration of authority of
Readjustment Counseling Service to provide referral and other assistance upon
request to former members of the Armed Forces not authorized
counseling.
Sec. 403. Study on suicides among
veterans.
Sec. 404. Transfer of funds to Secretary of
Health and Human Services for Graduate Psychology Education
program.
TITLE V—Homeless
veterans
Sec. 501. Pilot program on financial support
for entities that coordinate the provision of supportive services to formerly
homeless veterans residing on certain military property.
Sec. 502. Pilot program on financial support of
entities that coordinate the provision of supportive services to formerly
homeless veterans residing in permanent housing.
Sec. 503. Pilot program on financial support of
entities that provide outreach to inform certain veterans about pension
benefits.
Sec. 504. Pilot program on financial support of
entities that provide transportation assistance, child care assistance, and
clothing assistance to veterans entitled to a rehabilitation
program.
Sec. 505. Assessment of pilot
programs.
Sec. 506. Increased authorization of
appropriations for comprehensive service programs.
TITLE VI—Nonprofit research and
education corporations
Sec. 601. General authorities on establishment
of corporations.
Sec. 602. Clarification of purposes of
corporations.
Sec. 603. Modification of requirements for
boards of directors of corporations.
Sec. 604. Clarification of powers of
corporations.
Sec. 605. Redesignation of section 7364A of
title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 606. Improved accountability and oversight
of corporations.
Sec. 607. Repeal of sunset.
TITLE
VII—Construction
Sec. 701. Authorization of fiscal year 2009
major medical facility projects.
Sec. 702. Extension of authorization for
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, major
medical facility construction project already authorized.
Sec. 703. Authorization of fiscal year 2009
major medical facility leases.
Sec. 704. Authorization of
appropriations.
Sec. 705. Increase in threshold for major
medical facility leases requiring Congressional approval.
Sec. 706. Conveyance of certain non-Federal
land by City of Aurora, Colorado, to Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
construction of veterans medical facility.
TITLE VIII—Miscellaneous
provisions
Sec. 801. Expansion of authority for Department
of Veterans Affairs police officers.
Sec. 802. Uniform allowance for Department of
Veterans Affairs police officers.
Sec. 803. Conditions for treatment of veterans,
their surviving spouses, and their children as adjudicated mentally incompetent
for certain purposes.
2.References to title 38,
United States CodeExcept as
otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is
expressed in terms of an amendment or repeal to 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.
<enum>I</enum><header>Department personnel
matters</header>
<section id="id90b571e1-932d-4995-8622-7cb2b11171a6"><enum>101.</enum><header>Enhancement of
authorities for retention of medical professionals</header>
<subsection id="id6f1d4485-53f0-46a6-b232-5a32382222df"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Secretarial authority
To extend title 38 status to additional positions</header>
<paragraph id="id121fb5e7-40c3-4665-a45e-b6087b27bfd1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Paragraph (3) of section 7401 is amended by striking
<quote>and blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists.</quote> and inserting
the following: “blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists, and such other
classes of health care occupations as the Secretary considers necessary for the
recruitment and retention needs of the Department subject to the following
requirements:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide8ad425f-12c1-465f-9ee1-66e73f39054c" style="USC">
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id0faeb8d5-f469-4a07-986f-c8459f17f753" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Not later than 45 days
before the Secretary appoints any personnel for a class of health care
occupations that is not specifically listed in this paragraph, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Office of
Management and Budget notice of such appointment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id614f8d46-50a4-408f-9166-47d5d9c2b782" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Before submitting notice
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall solicit comments from any labor
organization representing employees in such class and include such comments in
such
notice.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id46d01d45-63ab-4585-81d0-d0279aa1ac19"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Appointment of nurse
assistants</header><text>Such paragraph is further amended by inserting
<quote>nurse assistants,</quote> after <quote>licensed practical or vocational
nurses,</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ida7720be8-6e1b-41bb-8aca-b81d5571fb04"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Probationary periods
for registered nurses</header><text>Section 7403(b) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idbb2f9731-c865-462a-aa59-211386320246"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by
striking <quote>Appointments</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as otherwise
provided in this subsection, appointments</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idf536339d-6e34-4df8-9dd7-f2e4f1982bae"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating
paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idb8bea06a-b337-4b3c-9494-d0033abfb00d"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after
paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf3da2a74-6d2f-4e07-8fbc-aeb549b0fe77" style="USC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ida9bd1296-557b-4e75-be6c-6a14106e8582" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An appointment of a
registered nurse under this chapter, whether on a full-time basis or a
part-time basis, shall be for a probationary period ending upon the completion
by the person so appointed of a number of hours of work pursuant to such
appointment that the Secretary considers appropriate for such appointment but
not more than 4,180 hours.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idc435b69b-6ffb-414d-b285-d41c78e1b2d4" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An appointment described
in subsection (a) on a part-time basis of a person who has previously served on
a full-time basis for the probationary period for the position concerned shall
be without a probationary
period.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc0ff4cb8-1291-46ed-80d4-480b122376ff"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibition on
temporary part-time registered nurse appointments in excess of 4,180
hours</header><text>Section 7405 is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id924C6CECE1504EA2A8BC8B3F4D90DCE4" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id5FFCCACB95B4469E98A287D0D502E343" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(g)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idE685811EBBD449CBA7DA8EFE28ABF1DD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Employment of a
registered nurse on a temporary part-time basis under subsection (a)(1) shall
be for a probationary period ending upon the completion by the person so
employed of a number of hours of work pursuant to such employment that the
Secretary considers appropriate for such employment but not more than 4,180
hours.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id651639A04A044EB38D4D9F41D9D9CD1B" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Upon completion by a
registered nurse of the probationary period described in paragraph (1)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id1AF60CA0AC1D42EB9B4791893A6AD002"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the employment of such
nurse shall—</text>
<clause id="id596F9FDCF1B14B40B8733003AEBFE115"><enum>(i)</enum><text>no longer be considered
temporary; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id2C5507CE4FA84BC08D151A02E4F7DE0F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>be considered an
appointment described in section 7403(a) of this title; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1B6011D61F4B44C99DFE573C648F2ECC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the nurse shall be
considered to have served the probationary period required by section
7403(b).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id18754d7f-76bc-4773-ba09-4b3055b3d4ff"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Waiver of offset from
pay for certain reemployed annuitants</header>
<paragraph id="idb27229d9-cbbd-47bd-af9e-c70cd752e18a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7405, as amended by subsection (c), is further
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcbc9cbee-1da0-4dc4-a26e-67fd405f9381" style="USC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idfdce65ec-e5e3-43ba-a9c1-8bbf2a6e01aa" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(h)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="iddf2436f1-692c-42fb-b470-79f7bd0fe3f0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary may
waive the application of sections 8344 and 8468 of title 5 (relating to
annuities and pay on reemployment) or any other similar provision of law under
a Government retirement system on a case-by-case basis for an annuitant
reemployed on a temporary basis under the authority of subsection (a) in a
position described under paragraph (1) of that subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id84e3ca2d-8d77-4b8a-9aa3-eb2cbe7b773b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An annuitant to whom a
waiver under paragraph (1) is in effect shall not be considered an employee for
purposes of any Government retirement system.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id2a1b341e-1ac7-4264-982a-a3e840d5f3ce" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An annuitant to whom a
waiver under paragraph (1) is in effect shall be subject to the provisions of
chapter 71 of title 5 (including all labor authority and labor representative
collective bargaining agreements) applicable to the position to which
appointed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idb9725723-9964-4185-8907-10bfa9ef9296" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>In this
subsection:</text>
<subparagraph id="idf4d7a518-895a-4e3a-b639-25ffd916db41"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The term
<term>annuitant</term> means an annuitant under a Government retirement
system.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf1d83aff-4b0e-419d-a034-6b3c20192537"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The term
<term>employee</term> has the meaning under section 2105 of title 5.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2a751762-9ff6-4cdd-ab3a-2ec37f235e78"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The
term <term>Government retirement system</term> means a retirement system
established by law for employees of the Government of the United
States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id27a06da2-06c3-45ee-a41c-f6118f92ef00"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the
date that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall
apply to pay periods beginning on or after such effective date.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idaf57ccb6-9c27-4946-8d2d-6d9fa4d9fb64"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Rate of basic pay for
appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health set to rate of basic
pay for Senior Executive Service positions</header>
<paragraph id="id96e205e1-b8a5-4452-9adc-a0593af80ae2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7404(a) is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id80f14296-a0da-4e69-91b2-54b5bb3d8e88"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The
annual</quote> and inserting <quote>(1) The annual</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc52e4770-c989-492c-8be5-63568429dcc6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The
pay</quote> and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf44fd7cb-d27b-43c1-9985-22abd5196be4" style="OLC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id21efc0b6-bbaf-4500-8352-e6d7a40d17db" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The
pay</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idaed6c90a-4e56-42e5-ba11-f0576cfc3d1e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking <quote>under
the preceding sentence</quote> and inserting <quote>under paragraph
(1)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd082e59b-e708-4a70-a2d9-dfb603920e3c"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd5e86913-2098-4dac-927a-052399b73642" style="OLC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idc63aaeef-a550-416e-91b8-1ed3c9727b47" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The rate of basic pay for
a position to which an Executive order applies under paragraph (1) and is not
described by paragraph (2) shall be set in accordance with section 5382 of
title 5 as if such position were a Senior Executive Service position (as such
term is defined in section 3132(a) of title
5).</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idc5cb3877-5cba-4191-aa65-55607e730ae5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on
the first day of the first pay period beginning after the day that is 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5423353f-0251-4a96-9319-599d2a37518b"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Comparability pay
program for appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for
Health</header><text>Section 7410 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id290071d7-02bf-44e2-b47d-88e0c388d2e5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The
Secretary may</quote> and inserting <quote>(a)
<header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">In general</header-in-text>.—The
Secretary may</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id99dfdbcd-8c25-4ab7-884b-8bc2047aad2e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida2592ecf-aa84-4ecf-ac5c-66b02a2a1279" style="USC">
<subsection changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idc30d979a-1cf3-4cc5-9c4e-0ef0b81a245a" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Comparability pay for
appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id76a4be6d-4c23-4606-92ba-b99aac812e22"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary may
authorize the Under Secretary for Health to provide comparability pay of not
more than $100,000 per year to individuals of the Veterans Health
Administration appointed under section 7306 of this title who are not
physicians or dentists and to individuals who are appointed to Senior Executive
Service positions (as such term is defined in section 3132(a) of title 5) to
achieve annual pay levels for such individuals that are comparable with annual
pay levels of individuals with similar positions in the private sector.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ida787d214-a6ec-4c4f-a0df-26bd1952d5be" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Comparability pay under
paragraph (1) for an individual is in addition to all other pay, awards, and
performance bonuses paid to such individual under this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ideb08f3b3-6baa-46e3-9fda-76053797fa16" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Except as provided in
paragraph (4), comparability pay under paragraph (1) for an individual shall be
considered basic pay for all purposes, including retirement benefits under
chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, and other benefits.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id4f1fa904-ee3e-4e95-99b3-2102208f3a68" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Comparability pay under
paragraph (1) for an individual shall not be considered basic pay for purposes
of adverse actions under subchapter V of this chapter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idb52dc33d-16e3-458e-9a46-21264af96b4c" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Comparability pay under
paragraph (1) may not be awarded to an individual in an amount that would
result in an aggregate amount of pay (including bonuses and awards) received by
such individual in a year under this title that is greater than the annual pay
of the
President.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idfe11d787-9edd-48da-90d8-0c25ae730223"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Special incentive pay
for Department pharmacist executives</header><text>Section 7410, as amended by
subsection (f) of this section, is further amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01e90af1-ba4d-444a-8e7e-f83458f93d48" style="USC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id57c9f751-8662-48db-ace7-254746b5d92c" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Special incentive pay
for Department pharmacist executives</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idae5016fc-23b2-49d7-9bfe-d6d91fd32feb"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In order to recruit
and retain highly qualified Department pharmacist executives, the Secretary may
authorize the Under Secretary for Health to pay special incentive pay of not
more than $40,000 per year to an individual of the Veterans Health
Administration who is a pharmacist executive.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idfcf1f2e5-6bd6-4b76-bed9-ef007ca4b15a" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In determining whether
and how much special pay to provide to such individual, the Under Secretary
shall consider the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="ida0f0b2f7-5748-4d7d-95b4-c01aec911308"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The grade and step of the
position of the individual.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd9b64e41-a3cf-4f1a-b3e0-17d7f2f03d0d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The scope and complexity
of the position of the individual.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id28a0f917-5540-4e6c-93c2-fc5e1cdbc43f"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The personal
qualifications of the individual.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="iddcb08131-6665-4372-a6b3-d1a5cde7e1cb"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The characteristics of
the labor market concerned.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc3426443-9c94-42a4-ba16-38ffe67b5064"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Such other factors as the
Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idd9bf0028-d9d2-472f-bc58-574405a56a55" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Special incentive pay
under paragraph (1) for an individual is in addition to all other pay
(including basic pay) and allowances to which the individual is
entitled.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id66c640f1-6ca8-4a92-a00f-9fd33b604f9b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Except as provided in
paragraph (5), special incentive pay under paragraph (1) for an individual
shall be considered basic pay for all purposes, including retirement benefits
under chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, and other benefits.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida6738b37-4b1a-4125-b117-98ad027c7d9d" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Special incentive pay
under paragraph (1) for an individual shall not be considered basic pay for
purposes of adverse actions under subchapter V of this chapter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida7532f8b-e34c-463e-b66a-faca3c93dc7b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Special incentive pay under paragraph (1)
may not be awarded to an individual in an amount that would result in an
aggregate amount of pay (including bonuses and awards) received by such
individual in a year under this title that is greater than the annual pay of
the
President.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idb31798b9-84bb-41aa-93d8-26e275d8e7ed"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Pay for physicians and
dentists</header>
<paragraph id="id468e223c-3d6f-4247-a39b-c1dba3c92fea"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Non-foreign cost of
living adjustment allowance</header><text>Section 7431(b) is amended by adding
at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf2d59d81-f5e0-48df-b6cd-31aeba0e8e8b" style="USC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id639ac70a-0ce9-404c-b3da-ea9c9120353c" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The non-foreign cost of
living adjustment allowance authorized under section 5941 of title 5 for
physicians and dentists whose pay is set under this section shall be determined
as a percentage of base pay
only.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id688d79f5-e625-4b2c-87c8-b654815fbb55"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Market pay
determinations for physicians and dentists in administrative or executive
leadership positions</header><text>Section 7431(c)(4)(B)(i) is amended by
adding at the end the following: <quote>The Secretary may exempt physicians and
dentists occupying administrative or executive leadership positions from the
requirements of the previous sentence.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8f95d10f-3ecc-447d-8aea-f0e3baaf7ba4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Exception to
prohibition on reduction of market pay</header><text>Section 7431(c)(7) is
amended by striking <quote>concerned.</quote> and inserting <quote>concerned,
unless there is a change in board certification or reduction of
privileges.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id444cc19b-55d7-4804-85e9-d2f471f0573d"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Adjustment of pay cap
for nurses</header><text>Section 7451(c)(2) is amended by striking <quote>level
V</quote> and inserting <quote>level IV</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idfde6435a-e81f-484c-a6d4-b09d4131f496"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Exemption for certified
registered nurse anesthetists from limitation on authorized competitive
pay</header><text>Section 7451(c)(2) is further amended by adding at the end
the following new sentence: <quote>The maximum rate of basic pay for a grade
for the position of certified registered nurse anesthetist pursuant to an
adjustment under subsection (d) may exceed the maximum rate otherwise provided
in the preceding sentence.</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id6e9deeba-b1bd-415d-8562-127bf8e2e11b"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Locality pay scale
computations</header>
<paragraph id="id3665a0a3-fdbc-4059-93f0-38880ce72940"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Education, training,
and support for facility directors in wage surveys</header><text>Section
7451(d)(3) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcfbf3a53-d6fa-4306-ab39-7a2946e305ac" style="USC">
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id3e1021f8-029d-40dc-8668-e8ba8ff32e95" indent="up2" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Under Secretary for
Health shall provide appropriate education, training, and support to directors
of Department health care facilities in the conduct and use of surveys,
including the use of third-party surveys, under this
paragraph.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idc929664c-2321-42d9-8ec7-fa44df5855d4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Information on
methodology used in wage surveys</header><text>Section 7451(e)(4) is
amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id80a441cc-4209-4c19-a60f-9bbbbbe0a6a2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating
subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id20f6aa24-7fb1-400e-82c4-d79c6b41226d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after
subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph (D):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc84c05c9-35ff-403b-9881-5891305273ea" style="USC">
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id1fea2090-ecd4-4cd5-a0eb-a67e617c3207" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><text>In any case in which the
director conducts such a wage survey during the period covered by the report
and makes adjustment in rates of basic pay applicable to one or more covered
positions at the facility, information on the methodology used in making such
adjustment or
adjustments.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8e877993-149e-4e22-918f-994a6234a8c5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Disclosure of
information to persons in covered positions</header><text>Section 7451(e), as
amended by paragraph (2) of this subsection, is further amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida8975160-b94d-45e7-af05-999373cd56e2" style="USC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id00e1a24b-a182-4c3a-93d2-8981c0e10e5b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(6)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idf659232a-5e66-4a5c-9375-84b830aaeb92"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Upon the request of
an individual described in subparagraph (B) for a report provided under
paragraph (4) with respect to a Department health-care facility, the Under
Secretary for Health or the director of such facility shall provide to the
individual the most current report for such facility provided under such
paragraph.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id1f94ac5c-e77f-4fc3-bf7e-aad8f0f0720e" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An individual described
in this subparagraph is—</text>
<clause id="idcf5a1cf8-3228-4554-a63b-a5647ffdfa6a"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an individual in a
covered position at a Department health-care facility; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idbc9fb12b-94fd-4666-9f43-445841c60e2b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a representative of the
labor organization representing that individual who is designated by that
individual to make the
request.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id81fc73d5-9848-4876-a9bc-ef1efc51579a"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Increased limitation on
special pay for nurse executives</header><text>Section 7452(g)(2) is amended by
striking <quote>$25,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$100,000</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id19624401-f1a6-4682-a268-33185e14fa84"><enum>(m)</enum><header>Eligibility of
part-time nurses for additional nurse pay</header>
<paragraph id="ida6ab0b02-540f-4bd4-8d6c-3284eee14431"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7453 is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id7f12987f-e78e-4072-b38b-70c9b553bd83"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by
striking <quote>a nurse</quote> and inserting <quote>a full-time nurse or
part-time nurse</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id942a1fba-0fcd-46b4-a050-28cadcfd026b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text>
<clause id="idefa448c2-fdaa-45c2-8911-e898ae048971"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the first
sentence—</text>
<subclause id="id0dccb06d-598b-4867-b9a7-591bc8d18bfb"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking <quote>on a
tour of duty</quote>;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id7db3d3c9-0752-4a9a-b281-c9008b70cef3"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>service on such tour</quote> and inserting <quote>such service</quote>;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id67ed3064-031c-405f-abfb-314d1fcc41c1"><enum>(III)</enum><text>by striking <quote>of
such tour</quote> and inserting <quote>of such service</quote>; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id4fe00767-49a5-4c33-91de-3a069e36c7b4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the second sentence,
by striking <quote>of such tour</quote> and inserting <quote>of such
service</quote>;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id63fee406-5ce8-4c39-a053-3b32ded76ed3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection (c)—</text>
<clause id="idaa16785a-f66c-4f3b-9458-56d2e244eb0d"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>on a
tour of duty</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb1dcba95-17ed-4c4b-a7cf-f05e6108f031"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>service on such tour</quote> and inserting <quote>such service</quote>;
and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id05f338c9-b457-492d-9dc6-da0dfcc4e10c"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in subsection (e)—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddef62601-4177-4cab-80b5-98d0380be48e"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by
striking <quote>eight hours in a day</quote> and inserting <quote>eight
consecutive hours</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idee61d51e-a86a-43ee-8ce7-f43270f23e60"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in paragraph (5)(A), by
striking <quote>tour of duty</quote> and inserting <quote>period of
service</quote>.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfd816157-3775-4b5e-ae4e-20f92192140c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exclusion of
application of additional nurse pay provisions to certain additional
employees</header><text>Paragraph (3) of section 7454(b) is amended to read as
follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd601e1e5-26ff-4d7c-9c30-23dbcc9595a2" style="USC">
<paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idedcb45cd-bcec-41be-ae57-32dcfea4ab4d" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Employees appointed under
section 7408 of this title performing service on a tour of duty, any part of
which is within the period commencing at midnight Friday and ending at midnight
Sunday, shall receive additional pay in addition to the rate of basic pay
provided such employees for each hour of service on such tour at a rate equal
to 25 percent of such employee's hourly rate of basic
pay.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id88d08a3b-1048-429c-aa58-33573553ed16"><enum>(n)</enum><header>Exemption of additional
nurse positions from limitation on increase in rates of basic
pay</header><text>Section 7455(c)(1) is amended by inserting after <quote>nurse
anesthetists,</quote> the following: <quote>licensed practical nurses, licensed
vocational nurses, and nursing positions otherwise covered by title
5,</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idec5ee5ce-f002-4436-843b-3ab81e1005b8"><enum>102.</enum><header>Limitations on
overtime duty, weekend duty, and alternative work schedules for nurses</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb8b29906-67c3-440e-89a0-7b74ebb7ad91"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Overtime duty</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id96c55551-eda8-479f-8189-c81d8ec2aac1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subchapter IV of chapter 74 is amended by adding at the
end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id962df9b0-ed49-4f18-8b3e-5f24962c1b0e" style="USC">
<section changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4306ca23-e2c4-4a69-b574-8b7d81c03269" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>7459.</enum><header>Nursing staff:
special rules for overtime duty</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id19248c07-def5-4b5d-90a0-62ec7d007f26"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Except
as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary may not require nursing staff to
work more than 40 hours (or 24 hours if such staff is covered under section
7456 of this title) in an administrative work week or more than eight
consecutive hours (or 12 hours if such staff is covered under section 7456 or
7456A of this title).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7be93076-e1fc-4bcf-b8ff-d285bd7949f1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Voluntary
overtime</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id1a3db5d5-8c60-4eef-946d-8076da1abeee"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Nursing staff may
on a voluntary basis elect to work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection
(a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb773322e-3da4-449e-ad7b-bcef72b897fa" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The
refusal of nursing staff to work hours prohibited by subsection (a) shall not
be grounds to discriminate (within the meaning of section 704(a) of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–3(a))) against the staff, dismissal or
discharge of the staff, or any other adverse personnel action against the
staff.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9f789705-253e-49eb-8b68-6e9bb75170df"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Overtime under
emergency circumstances</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id66c4e53c-2ba4-438e-809f-75fe1b78de0e"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to
paragraph (2), the Secretary may require nursing staff to work hours otherwise
prohibited by subsection (a) if—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5cb9596f-03bb-4a86-98ea-31d1fad38d8f" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the
work is a consequence of an emergency that could not have been reasonably
anticipated;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida07e5077-62c9-4ac8-b23c-4005539dcd7f" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the
emergency is non-recurring and is not caused by or aggravated by the
inattention of the Secretary or lack of reasonable contingency planning by the
Secretary;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3274fc30-b103-4f5b-b6b6-08a4a43ae2be" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the
Secretary has exhausted all good faith, reasonable attempts to obtain voluntary
workers;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id493f84ea-19f4-43a0-b8d8-242d2490afa3" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the
nurse staff have critical skills and expertise that are required for the work;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id478411d5-f442-4397-b798-dce3f0371124" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the
work involves work for which the standard of care for a patient assignment
requires continuity of care through completion of a case, treatment, or
procedure.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0c2f37f4-a6e1-4b97-9085-aa9c24d1a9c8" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Nursing staff may not be
required to work hours under this subsection after the requirement for a direct
role by the staff in responding to medical needs resulting from the emergency
ends.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id970cc0ce-1d55-4d9d-acc4-e11e92c8e7e0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Nursing staff
defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>nursing staff</term>
includes the following;</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3d3e6823-7c4a-4e46-81d7-7ea82fbd945b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A registered
nurse.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1b17b036-6cb1-4139-b789-970ede93dbf0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A licensed practical or
vocational nurse.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5c5c73b3-ba42-48d9-9dfd-f3890239c692"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A nurse assistant
appointed under this chapter or title 5.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id60b7ce62-b60c-4bda-b491-15f07f84523a"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Any other nurse position
designated by the Secretary for purposes of this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb2247990-6eb2-4aad-b9a6-f35c9d833d60"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7458 the following new
item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" id="id18e1b96e-6124-4dd4-bd93-b1c1d773fbda" style="USC">
<toc changed="not-changed">
<toc-entry changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" idref="idE694D62124D84BE48E8CBC3C3F6F9BB5" level="section" reported-display-style="italic">7459. Nursing staff: special rules for overtime
duty.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbdc41333-46b5-4027-bbd7-424d67568aca"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Weekend
duty</header><text>Section 7456 is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6376edd2-cac7-4ba4-be4c-6d8fb01866bf"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking subsection
(c); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id87837dd3-4bdc-4667-a7b2-a89c038ecb1a"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (d) as subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id09c90e3e-eb0f-4956-8a7a-5bccba105c1e"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Alternate work
schedules</header>
<paragraph id="ide1a8e425-e005-4551-a19e-2172e2964760"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7456A(b)(1)(A) is amended by striking
<quote>three regularly scheduled</quote> and all that follows through the
period at the end and inserting <quote>six regularly scheduled 12-hour periods
of service within a pay period shall be considered for all purposes to have
worked a full 80-hour pay period.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9592eee8-9efb-471b-93b3-d4509ba4fa05"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming
amendments</header><text>Section 7456A(b) is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="idef1b2ea6-b2ca-4522-8527-1bb9cdaca353"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the subsection
heading, by striking <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">36/40</header-in-text></quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">72/80</header-in-text></quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1f5067fa-1ec7-45d4-a4bb-c8ee90a1c29e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text>
<clause id="id3263083e-b5a9-4676-8083-f8a1b8cf9752"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by
striking <quote>40-hour basic work week</quote> and inserting <quote>80-hour
pay period</quote>;</text>
</clause><clause id="idf7363b86-01af-4ac6-8aac-25896f8491d7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by
striking <quote>regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within the work
week</quote> and inserting <quote>scheduled 72-hour period of service within
the bi-weekly pay period</quote>;</text>
</clause><clause id="ideb06ae36-20d6-4c6d-8dd3-7d2755b683f4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(C)—</text>
<subclause id="id73a6b67d-5e07-4089-8986-4f55d7fda560"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in clause (i), by
striking <quote>regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within an
administrative work week</quote> and inserting <quote>scheduled 72-hour period
of service within an administrative pay period</quote>;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id631aeac6-12d9-4f35-90d7-1fc14faa3cb8"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in clause (ii), by
striking <quote>regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty</quote> and inserting
<quote>scheduled 12-hour period of service</quote>; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id15744186-458a-44e2-82be-3374af2842da"><enum>(III)</enum><text>in clause (iii), by
striking <quote>regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty work week</quote> and
inserting <quote>scheduled 72-hour period of service pay period</quote>;
and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idf6521d4d-3567-4ed4-a148-b8c5777210ce"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>in subparagraph (D), by
striking <quote>regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty</quote> and inserting
<quote>scheduled 12-hour period of service</quote>; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="iddcb3272e-df3f-4269-a648-ea124277be3f"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), by
striking <quote>regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty</quote> and inserting
<quote>scheduled 12-hour period of service</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idac399251-5e87-42f1-b3ff-a9f32f0fb22d"><enum>103.</enum><header>Improvements to
certain educational assistance programs</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id026b1005-845f-4ca1-bb38-5131e4963c80"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reinstatement of health
professionals educational assistance scholarship program</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id150ed953-0efb-4074-94e1-2cbdd2d9a477"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7618 is amended by striking <quote>December 31,
1998</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2013</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7ca6461a-31a5-46c1-94b7-66b7481084d9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Expansion of
eligibility requirements</header><text>Section 7612(b)(2) is amended by
striking <quote>(under section</quote> and all that follows through <quote>or
vocational nurse.</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>as an appointee
under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 7401 of this title.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id941438a8-2dcf-44c1-9ffc-58b01d4ef175"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Improvements to
education debt reduction program</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4b395b08-e179-4d09-9eba-fb98bc6aa828"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Inclusion of employee
retention as purpose of program</header><text>Section 7681(a)(2) is amended by
inserting <quote>and retention</quote> after <quote>recruitment</quote> the
first time it appears.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf011f45d-d734-4673-b891-87e37ede4bc4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>Section
7682 is amended—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8e5967dd-2500-45d6-b199-0bfb4c38a900"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), by
striking <quote>a recently appointed</quote> and inserting <quote>an</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2b77be1c-bcfd-431e-bd38-44c0d32dd71f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking subsection
(c).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9974a66f-72d1-41e9-bbaf-3e481a9c8148"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Maximum amounts of
assistance</header><text>Section 7683(d)(1) is amended—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida45c7278-54fc-480e-8fca-6f4c212a6aaa"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>$44,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$60,000</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id88d57297-5e6c-44bf-8038-4b4031ea2875"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>$10,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$12,000</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida8315b5d-b2cb-4302-bdfd-7b888ba577d5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Loan repayment program
for clinical researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8a1cd578-f092-446f-9c91-344591c46e9f"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, in consultation
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, utilize the authorities
available in section 487E of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 288–5)
for the repayment of the principal and interest of educational loans of
appropriately qualified health professionals who are from disadvantaged
backgrounds in order to secure clinical research by such professionals for the
Veterans Health Administration.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id32fbb149-3edf-47ab-b60c-a4164462a5a2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>The
exercise by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the authorities referred to in
paragraph (1) shall be subject to the conditions and limitations specified in
paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 487E(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 288–5(2) and (3)).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id31dfcac3-5f8c-400d-aaec-8e839146450a"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Amounts
for the repayment of principal and interest of educational loans under this
subsection shall be derived from amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans
for the Veterans Health Administration for Medical Services.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID5d6f5b7d1cf14452a228f36e3ea68750"><enum>104.</enum><header>Standards for
appointment and practice of physicians in Department of Veterans Affairs
medical facilities</header>
<subsection id="idCA7B620AEFD54A18A520168F520F9FDB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Standards</header>
<paragraph id="idA19A621CD724413188EAB67C16BCF659"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subchapter I of chapter 74 is amended by inserting after
section 7402 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id596F8D352CC4438F806762833D8304E0" style="USC">
<section changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id405D30A33C4E4FD79FF07CCBC7BC7F10" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>7402A.</enum><header>Appointment and
practice of physicians: standards</header>
<subsection id="id4053CE93101442648F937CD1B0FA9552"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall, acting through the Under Secretary
for Health, prescribe standards to be met by individuals in order to qualify
for appointment in the Veterans Health Administration in the position of
physician and to practice as a physician in medical facilities of the
Administration. The standards shall incorporate the requirements of this
section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idEE6CCB81E3D9415BB451F3EDD63FCEAA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Disclosure of certain
information before appointment</header><text>Each individual seeking
appointment in the Veterans Health Administration in the position of physician
shall do the following:</text>
<paragraph id="id324A1DDCB8714A34BBC04D9877C31EE7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Provide the Secretary a
full and complete explanation of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id3A43E793925D48C7A940E37EA753DFC4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Each lawsuit, civil
action, or other claim (whether open or closed) brought against the individual
for medical malpractice or negligence (other than a lawsuit, action, or claim
closed without any judgment against or payment by or on behalf of the
individual).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id482CA64FE8254091965D085EA0E730B8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Each payment made by or
on behalf of the individual to settle any lawsuit, action, or claim covered by
subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB3DDD5781D1B4C838849C9F28156988C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Each investigation or
disciplinary action taken against the individual relating to the individual's
performance as a physician.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idF935712229F644279E318DDB05B29F6A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Submit a written request
and authorization to the State licensing board of each State in which the
individual holds or has held a license to practice medicine to disclose to the
Secretary any information in the records of such State on the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id126A2B06D59B4F42BF92FAF3A9C0BE50"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Each lawsuit, civil
action, or other claim brought against the individual for medical malpractice
or negligence covered by paragraph (1)(A) that occurred in such State.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id08AA28DB8B4A4E1BA9DCF3F27DF5B64F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Each payment made by or
on behalf of the individual to settle any lawsuit, action, or claim covered by
subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF0D2BFFBFA9C4B0D9905E3EC2DC1A4CE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Each medical malpractice
judgment against the individual by the courts or administrative agencies or
bodies of such State.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCB96C3DB6B974FA7A885FCB2ED78A39A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Each disciplinary action
taken or under consideration against the individual by an administrative agency
or body of such State.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8A21311EB5FD4872863A27279F58CDAB"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Any change in the status
of the license to practice medicine issued the individual by such State,
including any voluntary or nondisciplinary surrendering of such license by the
individual.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7C87D4AB1368480D8F767970F7C38EC0"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Any open investigation of
the individual by an administrative agency or body of such State, or any
outstanding allegation against the individual before such an administrative
agency or body.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEF97B33CA49F4B1FA6F36FFA27894508"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Any written notification
by the State to the individual of potential termination of a license for cause
or otherwise.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE4688AE56C024F1281C72E95EF711C76"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Disclosure of certain
information following appointment</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id4A82428E648141AB8FD6D9498F2A288E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Each individual
appointed in the Veterans Health Administration in the position of physician
after the date of the enactment of this section shall, as a condition of
service under the appointment, disclose to the Secretary, not later than 30
days after the occurrence of such event, the following:</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id799BC974A3D3448A8A0193EB9A1F3C8E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A judgment against the
individual for medical malpractice or negligence.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id793EBE614BDD481D97209D2CE9BE5B97" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A payment made by or on
behalf of the individual to settle any lawsuit, action, or claim disclosed
under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id4B3D02CCC01D4D93B4954EB6F24B3545" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Any disposition of or
material change in a matter disclosed under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection
(b).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id5441D257A66F4F60B11AFE1EF4FD1C00" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Each individual appointed
in the Veterans Health Administration in the position of physician as of the
date of the enactment of this section shall do the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id46876E716F18478795C675EECC8B8E3E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Not later than the end of
the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of that Act and as a
condition of service under the appointment after the end of that period, submit
the request and authorization described in subsection (b)(2).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB4A070C749614E2BB2D35D2E73064979"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Agree, as a condition of
service under the appointment, to disclose to the Secretary, not later than 30
days after the occurrence of such event, the following:</text>
<clause id="id106ADCB5D23246EC8408317CDD3255F6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A judgment against the
individual for medical malpractice or negligence.</text>
</clause><clause id="idD1AFE27E17134EFEAF4CC77DA4FDC60F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A payment made by or on
behalf of the individual to settle any lawsuit, action, or claim disclosed
pursuant to subparagraph (A) or under this subparagraph.</text>
</clause><clause id="idA6589266B7B5483FA0287B69D9F6D666"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any disposition of or
material change in a matter disclosed pursuant to subparagraph (A) or under
this subparagraph.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id40361B38E9564FEEA1E2D36EBA3DAC62" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Each individual appointed
in the Veterans Health Administration in the position of physician shall, as
part of the biennial review of the performance of the physician under the
appointment, submit the request and authorization described in subsection
(b)(2). The requirement of this paragraph is in addition to the requirements of
paragraph (1) or (2), as applicable.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCD7774D1A1A74E55AD7DEA4A1B5D8D55"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Investigation of
disclosed matters</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idB04CF4F8327046CA9E15BFD5D5802D08"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Director of the
Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) in which an individual is seeking
appointment in the Veterans Health Administration in the position of physician
shall perform an investigation (in such manner as the standards required by
this section shall specify) of each matter disclosed under subsection (b) with
respect to the individual.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idF6B2CD715CD24123BEB2AB641348D201" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Director of the
Veterans Integrated Services Network in which an individual is appointed in the
Veterans Health Administration in the position of physician shall perform an
investigation (in a manner so specified) of each matter disclosed under
subsection (c) with respect to the individual.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id4CC858BF0429442FAF6D145EA54A659E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The results of each
investigation performed under this subsection shall be fully documented.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9DFA20E6C58543029AAF6E6C40A3380B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Approval of
appointments by Directors of VISNs</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id9F6C16A8280B4450BA26ECE20A6B0CD3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An individual may not
be appointed in the Veterans Health Administration in the position of physician
without the approval of the Director of the Veterans Integrated Services
Network in which the individual will first serve under the appointment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id5B8068C7848E469EAAF362FCC973BA44" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In approving the
appointment under this subsection of an individual for whom any matters have
been disclosed under subsection (b), a Director shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id99633D04F0B944D59C4343981ACFF6BE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>certify in writing the
completion of the performance of the investigation under subsection (d)(1) of
each such matter, including the results of such investigation; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9730A2465CC845E3804C3559257FA70F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide a written
justification why any matters raised in the course of such investigation do not
disqualify the individual from appointment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8CF32D19287147DAA0C82C95E1A51C25"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Enrollment of
physicians with practice privileges in Proactive Disclosure
Service</header><text>Each medical facility of the Department at which
physicians are extended the privileges of practice shall enroll each physician
extended such privileges in the Proactive Disclosure Service of the National
Practitioner Data Bank.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id3359F95C9F884850A12258C03590691B"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Encouraging hiring of
physicians with board certification</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id5902EC2BFE924BB29B7D49241B58003C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall,
for each performance contract with a Director of a Veterans Integrated Services
Network (VISN), include in such contract a provision that encourages such
director to hire physicians who are board eligible or board certified in the
specialty in which the physicians will practice.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id5652AB9E48A94EDDA82750B89BD6C92D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary may
determine the nature and manner of the provision described in paragraph
(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block></after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2DD5AFD5026E4A7A89509C5E8B9AE1B5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7402 the following new
item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" id="id552f051e-7340-4d48-a51a-15f282d4c67d" style="USC">
<toc changed="not-changed">
<toc-entry changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" idref="id405D30A33C4E4FD79FF07CCBC7BC7F10" level="section" reported-display-style="italic">7402A. Appointment and practice of physicians:
standards.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id27F2AD2D9C8D4FD9B45CBCF92CD89663"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date and
applicability</header>
<paragraph id="idC315BA0B03F240BB98BBC5F029AA149E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments
made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA35CF4398AA34538AB02E15A2A55DECD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Applicability of
certain requirements to physicians practicing on effective
date</header><text>In the case of an individual appointed to the Veterans
Health Administration in the position of physician as of the date of the
enactment of this Act, the requirements of section 7402A(f) of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section, shall take effect on
the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3B25685C822F482893159B6AD67CD267"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Applicability of requirements related to
hiring of physicians with board certification</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirement of section 7402A(g) of such
title, as added by subsection (a), shall begin with the first cycle of
performance contracts for directors of Veterans Integrated Services Networks
beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Health care
matters</header>
<section id="idE64EA1940B3A47C2818DFECC46769E00"><enum>201.</enum><header>Repeal of sunset on
inclusion of noninstitutional extended care services in definition of medical
services</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1701 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idF70FA102BF5F4114AA723E0E4BC631BF"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking paragraph (10); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id32B4FC7A100345129FF978BC6B2F9838"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (6)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id9059058FAC274F3C882DEBADB3FA5C4E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating
subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id646BE0773E094DBBA40C90178925F802"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after
subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph (E):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80128055E003472BB500864C758463B9" style="OLC">
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id0892BE9617F842CD9902F8536BCF2A5E" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Noninstitutional extended
care services, including alternatives to institutional extended care which the
Secretary may furnish directly, by contract, or through provision of case
management by another provider or
payor.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="id0306E1BB650F49D2BF8FAE4AF2BA642B"><enum>202.</enum><header>Extensions of certain
authorities</header>
<subsection id="id7B3A05B3EBBB4BBF8E848591411EE047"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Nursing home
care</header><text>Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking <quote>December 31,
2008</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2013</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idDCD7AF155F6B46A9BB498269B6E5D913"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recovery
audits</header><text>Section 1703(d)(4) is amended by striking <quote>September
30, 2008</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2013</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idB6D5F539E0684BBE9235A0B8BEB99D3C"><enum>203.</enum><header>Permanent authority
for provision of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to
veterans who participated in certain chemical and biological testing conducted
by the Department of Defense</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1710(e)(3) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idD9D1DECA048D46BEBD1857D63CA7BA39"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by
adding <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA8E25038C5E4453691A3B971E1D3E56E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (C)(ii),
by striking <quote>; and</quote> and inserting a period; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDAAB3C65F0CC4B27A437BDA2D2C34B4E"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking subparagraph (D).</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="id39C8B64C5A3840799369360A0EDA77EA"><enum>204.</enum><header>Repeal of certain
annual reporting requirements</header>
<subsection id="id1BE9AD16ED294A89B639692B9125D7B4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Nurse pay
report</header><text>Section 7451 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id0AFD59A8F8E24864B2A9BFFB2644DBF8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking subsection
(f); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEA7C209D98BE41D9B5B37C95CD8FC0E0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (g) as subsection (f).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBB1763EF165F45DEA173E39F5C8908B0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Long-term planning
report</header>
<paragraph id="id64F8E1DEBDDE40FD9A284C71AC250F08"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 8107 is repealed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3A607657A1B7435E81F8C2242A60B551"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 8107.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idAF1F03AAC11748C48818F7961E0ED6DE"><enum>205.</enum><header>Modifications to
annual Gulf War research report</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 707(c)(1) of the Persian Gulf War
Veterans' Health Status Act (title VII of Public Law 102–585; 38 U.S.C. 527
note) is amended by striking <quote>Not later than March 1 of each year</quote>
and inserting <quote>Not later than July 1, 2008, and July 1 of each of the
five following years</quote>.</text>
</section><section id="id51633127A0594238AF58434349F00845"><enum>206.</enum><header>Payment for care
furnished to CHAMPVA beneficiaries</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1781 is amended at the end by adding
the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3C969D636AEC443ABA8CB006F7BEF8C5" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id0419B1A556554331A6A02B2AAFE17EF9" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(e)</enum><text>Payment by the Secretary
under this section on behalf of a covered beneficiary for medical care shall
constitute payment in full and extinguish any liability on the part of the
beneficiary for that
care.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="idE012F2F9B7304270BE4B51F53035EF2E"><enum>207.</enum><header>Payor provisions for
care furnished to certain children of Vietnam veterans</header>
<subsection id="idB7F0DA4D83DE42A4AC2A49EB323E73A8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Children of Vietnam
veterans born with Spina Bifida</header><text>Section 1803 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id243C3B87AC11477EB80985F813EE6D3F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (d); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF5A13ED164DF4686B6BA2585E9F01877"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1A4BB5C488E34C0893D7F9442AE5CD40" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id376DC77D3B4343FB81850B4703808E91" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Where payment by the
Secretary under this section is less than the amount of the charges billed, the
health care provider or agent of the health care provider may seek payment for
the difference between the amount billed and the amount paid by the Secretary
from a responsible third party to the extent that the provider or agent thereof
would be eligible to receive payment for such care or services from such third
party, but—</text>
<paragraph id="id27E9135178704A9182F96862DB4CE891"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the health care provider
or agent for the health care provider may not impose any additional charge on
the beneficiary who received the medical care, or the family of such
beneficiary, for any service or item for which the Secretary has made payment
under this section;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id400383D8F9EB4CE59EBCC0B527E036C7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the total amount of
payment a provider or agent of the provider may receive for care and services
furnished under this section may not exceed the amount billed to the Secretary;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB6F78F603DF245B0BCF3CAE15CEA317A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Secretary, upon
request, shall disclose to such third party information received for the
purposes of carrying out this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id645FE8FB9B6F4B4BB673D87CD8F1776B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Children of women
Vietnam veterans born with birth defects</header><text>Section 1813 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idC1807CB1B1CF4EFFB91E2EF05183CBE1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (d); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC8481B2D0F644F178FD27702C25EDF17"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF620378A2F9C483FBCFAA4FD37B33275" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idFC635E9FE891406099E6BFC92FFDA517" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Seeking payment from
third parties</header><text>Where payment by the Secretary under this section
is less than the amount of the charges billed, the health care provider or
agent of the health care provider may seek payment for the difference between
the amount billed and the amount paid by the Secretary from a responsible third
party to the extent that the health care provider or agent thereof would be
eligible to receive payment for such care or services from such third party,
but—</text>
<paragraph id="id3E95B40853D34FC18AC292AAB284B2F0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the health care provider
or agent for the health care provider may not impose any additional charge on
the beneficiary who received medical care, or the family of such beneficiary,
for any service or item for which the Secretary has made payment under this
section;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4A0A1750527D41CCAEE66B1C15F537D4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the total amount of
payment a provider or agent of the provider may receive for care and services
furnished under this section may not exceed the amount billed to the Secretary;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9C9D9062117F4D10863BC14AE1799D68"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Secretary, upon
request, shall disclose to such third party information received for the
purposes of carrying out this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id23FBC006F764415C981D113F4C800ED6"><enum>208.</enum><header>Disclosures from
certain medical records</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 7332(b)(2) is amended by adding at
the end the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1DABC16040714CE99A311C6FBD59BA4D" style="OLC">
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id520EFAB7618F428EA1AE91D13FF9BD90" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(F)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id1610B955EEAB431290D08C2099767440"><enum>(i)</enum><text>To a representative of
a patient who lacks decision-making capacity, when a practitioner deems the
content of the given record necessary for that representative to make an
informed decision regarding the patient's treatment.</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id62CC3D2CF8D4476392496202102A6493" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>In this subparagraph,
the term <term>representative</term> means an individual, organization, or
other body authorized under section 7331 of this title and its implementing
regulations to give informed consent on behalf of a patient who lacks
decision-making
capacity.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="id7EA6E45F8D4D42EEBE67A0A859368B32"><enum>209.</enum><header>Disclosure to
Secretary of health-plan contract information and Social Security number of
certain veterans receiving care</header>
<subsection id="id8B4550F549BC4AD3B713FFE1B034084B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter I of
chapter 17 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7534FF7EA7A941E996DADF913285A200" style="USC">
<section changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID12c4e63a736d4c9796964ff832b687d3" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>1709.</enum><header>Disclosure to
Secretary of health-plan contract information and social security number of
certain veterans receiving care</header>
<subsection id="idE358C4BB85F044AF93C49E0F1EB177CD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Required disclosure of
health-plan contracts</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idC16BAF2E0B95416BA20B7F3C1358C72D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Any individual who
applies for or is in receipt of care described in paragraph (2) shall, at the
time of such application, or otherwise when requested by the Secretary, submit
to the Secretary such current information as the Secretary may require to
identify any health-plan contract (as defined in section 1729(i) of this title)
under which such individual is covered, to include, as applicable—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idE1390187BA0143F78CC6A8324762D7E1" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the name, address, and
telephone number of such health-plan contract;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id23B6E76A1C9D409EA7474A6DAEEC6A71" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the name of the
individual's spouse, if the individual's coverage is under the spouse's
health-plan contract;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id2CE25B36517546B39CD49EC4885BB238" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the plan number;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id7EB1D5274EAA4A7DA1DA461BD3F2E9FF" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the plan's group
code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID7d73f43774864246b47218c1db67a8d5" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The care described in
this paragraph is—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID236187d21a2d4dadba7906e92b3f6df7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>hospital, nursing home,
or domiciliary care;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDda8f68fcdc934ea1913c9dc76944cd0a"><enum>(B)</enum><text>medical, rehabilitative,
or preventive health services; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd9231913778b4b5d8bfa28e53bd94fcc"><enum>(C)</enum><text>other medical care under
laws administered by the Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID76585240fc154cf09a7c7c7e647aec37"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Required disclosure of
social security number</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idB9D5E94A806B472FAFBC1CABF0AC9C40"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Any individual who
applies for or is in receipt of care described in paragraph (2) shall, at the
time of such application, or otherwise when requested by the Secretary, submit
to the Secretary—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID113e62f4f5474512ac30c71a62bac370" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the individual's Social
Security number; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID924e83a469f64d6f8b1b9ad9d0ee2fcf" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Social Security
number of any dependent or Department beneficiary on whose behalf, or based
upon whom, such individual applies for or is in receipt of such care.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID000375016c674340bf1bd036bf89d208" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The care described in
this paragraph is—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID95ef52a6611a48ee8ecc80bb7192f55e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>hospital, nursing home,
or domiciliary care;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDaf48eca0f6a148469da64c86ea7c339a"><enum>(B)</enum><text>medical, rehabilitative,
or preventive health services; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0568bb27857e4eb1803dbe5ddf40d550"><enum>(C)</enum><text>other medical care under
laws administered by the Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID2a6b835075fb40b4b807ae89bbeacea7" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>This subsection does not
require an individual to furnish the Secretary with a Social Security number
for any individual to whom a Social Security number has not been
assigned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0803241adc5c467d95d3a78dc1079bc8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Failure to disclose
social security number</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id7AA107982B0F40E4AA33F7D58282C90C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall
deny an individual's application for, or may terminate an individual's
enrollment in, the system of patient enrollment established by the Secretary
under section 1705 of this title, if such individual does not provide the
Social Security number required or requested to be submitted pursuant to
subsection (b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID964691c4387b4e8aa9eaa33c33045d2e" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Following a denial or
termination under paragraph (1) with respect to an individual, the Secretary
may, upon receipt of the information required or requested under subsection
(b), approve such individual's application or reinstate such individual's
enrollment (if otherwise in order), for such medical care and services provided
on and after the date of such receipt of information.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6a8d8cb1de20475c93277735e386ea9b"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing
in this section shall be construed as authority to deny medical care and
treatment to an individual in a medical
emergency.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id30475F5E38A741968AB771196D52A6A5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
17 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1708 the
following new item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0B69763833A44C0FBE1ACC649BFD8EE2" style="OLC">
<toc changed="not-changed">
<toc-entry bold="off" changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" level="section" reported-display-style="italic">1709. Disclosure to Secretary
of health-plan contract information and Social Security number of certain
veterans receiving
care.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="ID65a668605fe34868a92c29260419aa7a"><enum>210.</enum><header>Enhancement of quality
assurance</header>
<subsection id="idE90C128398F94754B5E54418A3EA4D2C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Enhancement of quality
assurance through quality assurance officers</header>
<paragraph id="id78CD1012B6264290958704D90FCB2B71"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after
section 7311 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC6C7F2E6799B41E8A070EE640C13A6EB" style="USC">
<section changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id837AC8CCE1664EC58FE880580D9E0362" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>7311A.</enum><header>Quality assurance
officers</header>
<subsection id="IDa992ceb310d848408c3d20317851a771"><enum>(a)</enum><header>National Quality
Assurance Officer</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idAD4547EA27C04F4BBEC8285147DBF173"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Under Secretary for
Health shall designate an official of the Veterans Health Administration to act
as the principal quality assurance officer for the quality assurance program
required by section 7311 of this title. The official so designated may be known
as the <term>National Quality Assurance Officer of the Veterans Health
Administration</term> (in this section referred to as the <term>National
Quality Assurance Officer</term>).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idC8470DB82BAE45719D97149DDDDDF103" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The National Quality
Assurance Officer shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Health in
the discharge of responsibilities and duties of the Officer under this
section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id829CBCEF716247A8B97F562687AAD4F1" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The National Quality
Assurance Officer shall be the official within the Veterans Health
Administration who is principally responsible for the quality assurance program
referred to in paragraph (1). In carrying out that responsibility, the Officer
shall be responsible for—</text>
<subparagraph id="idC44A0FA97128473B86A451D00896203D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>establishing and
enforcing the requirements of that program; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4FD58E06EFEF42828C43A2D250F445D3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>carrying out such other
responsibilities and duties relating to quality assurance in the Veterans
Health Administration as the Under Secretary for Health shall specify.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idFB90435574F341EAA3AE6E61668AF5E2" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The requirements under
paragraph (3) shall include requirements regarding the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="idA7714A94237342BF84C85FC9ED287CF0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A confidential system for
the submittal of reports by Veterans Health Administration personnel regarding
quality assurance at Department facilities.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA12FAA2CEFB9476CA3FFBE32FFC72D22"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Mechanisms for the peer
review of the actions of individuals appointed in the Veterans Health
Administration in the position of physician.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id135C03DEC7FA49CFA58E9220E80A9051"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Mechanisms for the
accountability of the facility director and chief medical officer of each
Veterans Health Administration medical facility for the actions of physicians
in such facility.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7ED080664D08409B91CEE06C6536BBB5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Quality assurance
officers for VISNs</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id73BDD6D69D224C2EBCDD31AD7EA42C48"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Regional Director
of each Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) shall appoint an official
of the Network to act as the quality assurance officer of the Network.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id0C71BCE943AF4B05A7C53159D6142976" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The quality assurance
officer for a Veterans Integrated Services Network shall report to the Regional
Director of the Veterans Integrated Services Network, and to the National
Quality Assurance Officer, regarding the discharge of the responsibilities and
duties of the officer under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id66D7896CC10E4F3E8EB3736CE328AA5F" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The quality assurance
officer for a Veterans Integrated Services Network shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF09F870C73EF45778C9B57E285E502E7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>direct the quality
assurance office in the Network; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id161CC25B0C66417F9A6AF19D560E2221"><enum>(B)</enum><text>coordinate, monitor, and
oversee the quality assurance programs and activities of the Administration
medical facilities in the Network in order to ensure the thorough and uniform
discharge of quality assurance requirements under such programs and activities
throughout such facilities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8C765F25B4CB412CB81FC765EBB4625D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Quality assurance
officers for medical facilities</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id70EAB7C6ADF34F529603BC3C87B596E3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The director of each
Veterans Health Administration medical facility shall appoint a quality
assurance officer for that facility.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idFCE41FB81C224DDAB4F889C26F0A720A" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The official appointed as
a quality assurance officer for a facility under this subsection shall be a
practicing physician at the facility. If the official appointed as quality
assurance officer for a facility has other clinical or administrative duties,
the director of the facility shall ensure that those duties are sufficiently
limited in scope so as to ensure that those duties do not prevent the officer
from effectively discharging the responsibilities and duties of quality
assurance officer at the facility.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id14A21C4C15FB44CDB1738FFB8030B8CD" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The quality assurance
officer for a facility shall report directly to the director of the facility,
and to the quality assurance officer of the Veterans Integrated Services
Network in which the facility is located, regarding the discharge of the
responsibilities and duties of the quality assurance officer under this
section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id3A52955248B04E8881501276E9116431" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The quality assurance
officer for a facility shall be responsible for designing, disseminating, and
implementing quality assurance programs and activities for the facility that
meet the requirements established by the National Quality Assurance Officer
under subsection
(a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id509FC4EC37974EE482DE375AA5EA7749"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7311 the following new
item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" id="id750456b5-1f4c-4e11-99fd-9192d82eff15" style="USC">
<toc changed="not-changed">
<toc-entry changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" idref="id837AC8CCE1664EC58FE880580D9E0362" level="section" reported-display-style="italic">7311A. Quality assurance
officers.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4F10AB50B95A421AAD24ED8C1AB498F2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reports on quality
concerns under quality assurance program</header><text>Section 7311(b) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id485DB6CC987E4D4CB29EC680B994485E" style="OLC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idF7FE8C9DD447423187BE1F2EA99A7A16" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>As part of the quality
assurance program, the Under Secretary for Health shall establish mechanisms
through which employees of Veterans Health Administration facilities may submit
reports, on a confidential basis, on matters relating to quality of care in
Veterans Health Administration facilities to the quality assurance officers of
such facilities under section 7311A(b) of this title. The mechanisms shall
provide for the prompt and thorough review of any reports so submitted by the
receiving
officials.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idDA5CBA0B98D84CF5A76274087747D2F9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review of current
health care quality safeguards</header>
<paragraph id="id60BCC04871194542899B3D2F409A8D57"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a
comprehensive review of all current policies and protocols of the Department of
Veterans Affairs for maintaining health care quality and patient safety at
Department medical facilities. The review shall include a review and assessment
of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), including an
assessment of—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4D0D29FAAB904828A335E8B85EE7BF8B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the efficacy of the
quality indicators under the program;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id88C26499E023421684A4E6A035FC9406"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the efficacy of the data
collection methods under the program;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id223ABF0BBA104DBC9ABDA781BE41F5D8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the efficacy of the
frequency with which regular data analyses are performed under the program;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFFF402EC37E04C2FA1F97996F97C527A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the extent to which the
resources allocated to the program are adequate to fulfill the stated function
of the program.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0916D377E000440AB03506AE7747AB26"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the review conducted under paragraph (1),
including the findings of the Secretary as a result of the review and such
recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the
review.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID330e4937a74246cb8a33b83fc72f7c6e"><enum>211.</enum><header>Reports on
improvements to Department health care quality assurance</header>
<subsection id="idA62ECBB865FD438DBD3E7FCA238C6D1E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than December 15, 2009, and each
year thereafter through 2012, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
the congressional veterans affairs committees a report on the implementation of
sections 104 and 210 of this Act and the amendments made by such sections
during the preceding fiscal year. Each report shall include, for the fiscal
year covered by such report, the following:</text>
<paragraph id="IDfd990e23da2243e39644cd9b21506e4d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A comprehensive
description of the implementation of sections 104 and 210 of this Act and the
amendments made by such sections.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id94674875D6394C268C2427BED94B4644"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Such recommendations as
the Secretary considers appropriate for legislative or administrative action to
improve the authorities and requirements in such sections and the amendments
made by such sections or to otherwise improve the quality of health care and
the quality of the physicians in the Veterans Health Administration.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB0F7775CA8114705AA138BB142238AD1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Congressional veterans
affairs committees defined</header><text>In this section, the term
<term>congressional veterans affairs committees</term> means—</text>
<paragraph id="idF299C6DD658C46A1BB91B832D7EDCBF4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA0B6C44E344D4507A962CB4DC963D6CB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idF39425A0510D4C85B4D185BCA7868310"><enum>212.</enum><header>Pilot program on
training and certification for family caregiver personal care attendants for
veterans and members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury</header>
<subsection id="id5F3FE941C4FE47DCA56E487B63C211E1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
authorized</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in
collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, carry out a pilot program to
assess the feasibility and advisability of providing training and certification
for family caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces with
traumatic brain injury as personal care attendants of such veterans and
members.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idD42A4C713FC04FEC9386C0802AE6801C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duration of
program</header><text>The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall be
carried out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the
commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id59459526C61A434FA82F44398EEDECC0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Locations</header>
<paragraph id="id18C1B387D04B41979B87BA7F276AA490"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The pilot program under this section shall be carried
out—</text>
<subparagraph id="id3A57272F6FE94BCCA12D1BF54EDEC6D5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in three medical
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC6718915221F4BD6ACC8A4C2C12F4106"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if determined appropriate
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense, one medical
facility of the Department of Defense.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id09E1EC8F25BB4208ACD697EADB49DC38"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Emphasis on polytrauma
centers</header><text>In selecting the locations of the pilot program at
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall give special emphasis to the polytrauma centers of the Department
of Veterans Affairs designated as Tier I polytrauma centers.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE4C14CAB5F884BEDB3FE8A49B204C09A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Training
curricula</header>
<paragraph id="idD8E4E98EB38C4FA18CF1874EF2FDDD7E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop curricula
for the training of personal care attendants under the pilot program under this
section. Such curricula shall incorporate—</text>
<subparagraph id="id6B2F8E3FBBA140F7B6E7C26698D60E81"><enum>(A)</enum><text>applicable standards and
protocols utilized by certification programs of national brain injury care
specialist organizations; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2544EA9CE27049E69CC00ED0DB6E9CEE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>best practices recognized
by caregiving organizations.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idF6C884100F7D43D79E5252EC9B7C458F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of existing
curricula</header><text>In developing the curricula required by paragraph (1),
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent practicable, utilize and
expand upon training curricula developed pursuant to section 744(b) of the John
Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law
109–364; 120 Stat. 2308).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4EBD4EBDA1634BFFA7761604A1647B89"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Participation in
programs</header>
<paragraph id="idC1ED6BA7EAC84D099325B19CE5E0AB30"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine the
eligibility of a family member of a veteran or member of the Armed Forces for
participation in the pilot program under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3BC5C05E46A94CC5B63A761E8315D215"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Basis for
determination</header><text>A determination made under paragraph (1) shall be
based on the needs of the veteran or member of the Armed Forces concerned, as
determined by the physician of such veteran or member.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id6EDF3940AEB54CFF847CB29DB3FB30BE"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Eligibility for
compensation</header><text>A family caregiver of a veteran or member of the
Armed Forces who receives certification as a personal care attendant under the
pilot program under this section shall be eligible for compensation from the
Department of Veterans Affairs for care provided to such veteran or
member.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id96EF948D3A02407DAFFCD0BE74591AE5"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Costs of
training</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id599B38E7DB65417488A3EAD0E94AB693"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Training of families of
veterans</header><text>Any costs of training provided under the pilot program
under this section for family members of veterans shall be borne by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id3F348E4977FC41F98DF94E2710D6F214"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Training of families of
members of the Armed Forces</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall
reimburse the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for any costs of training provided
under the pilot program for family members of members of the Armed
Forces.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idE91B447CCEF24BBAB524DE5573FE1C34"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Assessment of family
caregiver needs</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id26876D7AE36C4820AC83A5BF9F4ADF09"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide to a family
caregiver who receives training under a pilot program under this
section—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id031CEEBA3EDA4995BA148496207AC4AE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of their
needs with respect to their role as a family caregiver; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id48D287BD41E54274B9D927CC41F69355"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a referral to services
and support that—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="id13A4314D9D7A4967979FF72A06023FE4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>are relevant to any needs
identified in such assessment; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idF15E2FED9D374B4CBE913F02575E796D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>are provided in the
community where the family caregiver resides, including such services and
support provided by community-based organizations, publicly-funded programs,
and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id306748B327B74DCF8732B24572F9A254"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of existing
tools</header><text>In developing and administering an assessment under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, use and expand
upon caregiver assessment tools already developed and in use by the
Department.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idAF179DB99116434DA4A56096782C7C8F"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program
carried out under this section, including the recommendations of the Secretary
with respect to expansion or modification of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8B8230B7ABF04E28AD9B758BB6A73DE4"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing
in this section shall be construed—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71E9E0BFAAD04BE9878B5D22D3F172A6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish a mandate or
right for a family caregiver to be trained and certified under this section;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD941EC782426494EB2116FC2F9E5F342"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to prohibit the Secretary
from considering or adopting the preference of a veteran or member of the Armed
Forces for services provided by a personal care attendant who is not a family
caregiver.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD5E88384B80447539DE2CD0DCFFAA2CE"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Family caregiver
defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, with
respect to member of the Armed Forces or a veteran with traumatic brain injury,
the term <term>family caregiver</term> means a family member of such member or
veteran, or such other individual of similar affinity to such member or veteran
as the Secretary proscribes, who is providing care to such member or veteran
for such traumatic brain injury.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id18E192C0DF8B4FFF86AD0D1968744860"><enum>213.</enum><header>Pilot program on
provision of respite care to members of the Armed Forces and veterans with
traumatic brain injury by students in graduate programs of education related to
mental health or rehabilitation</header>
<subsection id="idB2D70D4BCA8A4B548B304699A533F974"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
authorized</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in
collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, carry out a pilot program to
assess the feasibility and advisability of providing respite care to members of
the Armed Forces and veterans described in subsection (c) through students
enrolled in graduate programs of education described in subsection (d)(1) to
provide—</text>
<paragraph id="ID465c87f983df4f239f7ef0e32069c122"><enum>(1)</enum><text>relief to the family
caregivers of such members and veterans from the responsibilities associated
with providing care to such members and veterans; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id00CCC4C38B8548CBA73E7A89D92B0035"><enum>(2)</enum><text>socialization and
cognitive skill development to such members and veterans.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id07A5EF3241BE41A2ADB4A69560E3D37E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duration of
program</header><text>The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall be
carried out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the
commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id7950BDC47CB14C9196D3E3783119487E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Covered members and
veterans</header><text>The members of the Armed Forces and veterans described
in this subsection are the individuals as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="id0B02F4B6576B423E812E161DA72A3EBB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Members of the Armed
Forces who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, including
limitations of ambulatory mobility, cognition, and verbal abilities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id41734A4E5BAA49098D2F23A4A0DE7C41"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Veterans who have been so
diagnosed.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD6339ADF3F6C4EA59AA40ABF1C6FAE8D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Program
locations</header>
<paragraph id="id3F93691F31DE4B5E96A04BA772F327EF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The pilot program shall be carried out at not more than
10 locations selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for purposes of the
pilot program. Each location so selected shall be a medical facility of the
Department of Veterans Affairs that is in close proximity to, or that has a
relationship, affiliation, or established partnership with, an institution of
higher education that has a graduate program in an appropriate mental health or
rehabilitation related field, such as social work, nursing, psychology,
occupational therapy, physical therapy, or interdisciplinary training
programs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA38F70F0EE9B4C13B1FD1E65E7C891B1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In
selecting medical facilities of the Department for the pilot program, the
Secretary shall give special consideration to the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id523637A1430D44829C5F5E90DB56ECEE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The polytrauma centers of
the Department designated as Tier I polytrauma centers.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id65220D3877054AE287147D74C2E60DD1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Facilities of the
Department in regions with a high concentration of veterans with traumatic
brain injury.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD975A06A638A483DB24935A7437A86A2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Scope of
assistance</header>
<paragraph id="idB6D15B1130CE4FAFBAC1331B61D4BB6D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Use of graduate
students</header><text>In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary
shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id5DBD8AB900274EDFBB7F163118E1ADC7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>recruit students enrolled
in a graduate program of education selected by the Secretary under subsection
(d)(1) to provide respite care to the members of the Armed Forces and veterans
described in subsection (c);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1AB790D8E9A8402C92CBCEF1F76DC294"><enum>(B)</enum><text>train such students to
provide respite care to such members and veterans; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id06DE4BD1DDAE4AB28C17E49BB0E82C89"><enum>(C)</enum><text>match such students with
such members and veterans in the student's local area for the provision of
individualized respite care to such members and veterans.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id71C59AB88DFE437DBB8669809F21793D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Determinations in
conjunction with heads of graduate programs of education</header><text>The
Secretary shall determine, in collaboration with the head of the graduate
program of education chosen to participate in the pilot program under
subsection (d)(1), the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id3EE71A43BFAF44E7BD0077BE2DE1C74F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The amount of training
that a student shall complete before providing respite care under the pilot
program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4FB155B1FAE240E18953007BC4C06B81"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The number of hours of
respite care to be provided by the students who participate in the pilot
program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id66872D6644E94DAA882FB6809AE5A42F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The requirements for
successful participation by a student in the pilot program.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA8F0002788B2429F9336B3E0CE98D0D4"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Training standards and
best practices</header><text>In providing training under subsection (e)(1)(B),
the Secretary shall use—</text>
<paragraph id="id3B491ED79CDE43F08141DDAAD45A01FA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>applicable standards and
protocols used by certification programs of national brain injury care
specialist organizations in the provision of respite care training; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFE75FDB95FC94768939474535355A6A2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>best practices recognized
by caregiving organizations.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5F79C2BCE22146359442B674C938121B"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text>
<paragraph id="idA824CED151B143A4A2E19A5268ED88C9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Family
caregiver</header><text>With respect to member of the Armed Forces or a veteran
with traumatic brain injury, the term <term>family caregiver</term> means a
relative, partner, or friend of such member or veteran who is providing care to
such member or veteran for such traumatic brain injury.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9E8D419EAF4D4BDEB2C93D7254679743"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Respite
care</header><text>The term <term>respite care</term> means the temporary
provision of care to an individual to provide relief to the regular caregiver
of the individual from the ongoing responsibility of providing care to such
individual.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idCCF66B8012CA4CEDA7BECAB61885EA46" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>214.</enum><header>Pilot program on use
of community-based organizations and local and State government entities to
ensure that veterans receive care and benefits for which they are
eligible</header>
<subsection id="idF7B39E7AE816444CBCE3ABD35FEFB5AB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
required</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using
community-based organizations and local and State government entities—</text>
<paragraph id="id65D32F80ECDA4972884122B45634873D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to increase the
coordination of community, local, State, and Federal providers of health care
and benefits for veterans to assist veterans who are transitioning from
military service to civilian life in such transition;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE0F2A992ACCC45C2ABAA8C64AFE1299D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to increase the
availability of high quality medical and mental health services to veterans
transitioning from military service to civilian life;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc63f4ff164a84d0c9736080a1c55f31e"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to provide assistance to
families of veterans who are transitioning from military service to civilian
life to help such families adjust to such transition; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC83D98E8EAA24118871398C3798747D6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to provide outreach to
veterans and their families to inform them about the availability of benefits
and connect them with appropriate care and benefit programs.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id27B7FB294B204BAC8F109A5B4C60E0CE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duration of
program</header><text>The pilot program shall be carried out during the
two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idA20BABE609AB4A16BAB6D5ADAA6A8A77"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Program
locations</header>
<paragraph id="idC5F5E35B20E148BD9111811B47F2BE0C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The pilot program shall be carried out at five locations
selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAD7A9B6038BA4EA99CF0F2D0557110BC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In
selecting locations for the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider the
advisability of selecting locations in—</text>
<subparagraph id="id8AA1A85CDE324DAF87722D4005B8AD44"><enum>(A)</enum><text>rural areas;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4F283ECA664B40E6B4E8ECD3ACB61846"><enum>(B)</enum><text>areas with populations
that have a high proportion of minority group representation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB5159B6898C447DF81570BE5832AC9CA"><enum>(C)</enum><text>areas with populations
that have a high proportion of individuals who have limited access to health
care; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC0F459E2E7244BB4B063AA81ECB6442D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>areas that are not in
close proximity to an active duty military installation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3A6566713E794FE5BA2DE4384DAB0228"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Grants</header><text>The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program through the award of grants to
community-based organizations and local and State government entities.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id474EF613D41A473995B30C0F7CDCDC1A"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Selection of grant
recipients</header>
<paragraph id="id7676FBBF1232432B828C9D4835FE4D3E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A community-based organization or local or State
government entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs an application therefor in such form and in such
manner as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBFAB18EFCA904FA088BF5387DE48753E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each
application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id6429D13A49F34A1C87CAE06E237C61FF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A description of how the
proposal was developed in consultation with the Department of Veterans
Affairs.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id89F1355A51724DFCAE1EC957DC5B8822"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A plan to coordinate
activities under the pilot program, to the greatest extent possible, with the
local, State, and Federal providers of services for veterans to reduce
duplication of services and to the increase effect of such services.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1EC5D3C1CA804664B7CD0171852657B7"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Use of grant
funds</header><text>The Secretary shall prescribe appropriate uses of grant
funds received under the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idDD664B57F6F340A3ABF9CF0566434F80"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Report on
program</header>
<paragraph id="id293392D1F3A64E22ADA455884956C6A3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot
program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot
program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFD4C042DF25C42F8A82F816053926D0F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID38a01a6c42c647349e158b45480d25fa"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The findings and
conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDec7fb53a04c34720a9cd0775528d1092"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An assessment of the
benefits to veterans of the pilot program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa6951e649e0447fb81f13d49a3d1bb66"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The recommendations of
the Secretary as to the advisability of continuing the pilot program.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id069E5D6AB71C440B8C0F85124590DF2C"><enum>215.</enum><header>Specialized
residential care and rehabilitation for certain veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1720 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id210E33BA896542CF84F6FA5F0EAB5BE0" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id1F3DFC2CA5194982AEFC6CDC693E7B46" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(g)</enum><text>The Secretary may
contract with appropriate entities to provide specialized residential care and
rehabilitation services to a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation
Iraqi Freedom who the Secretary determines suffers from a traumatic brain
injury, has an accumulation of deficits in activities of daily living and
instrumental activities of daily living, and because of these deficits, would
otherwise require admission to a nursing home even though such care would
generally exceed the veteran's nursing
needs.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="idC9D69EBB48BD48ACBDA7F96637790573"><enum>216.</enum><header>Exemption from
copayment requirement for veterans receiving hospice care</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1710 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idFD1FFB8401AC48EBAFAD09B1F39408A7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (f)(1), by inserting
<quote>(except if such care constitutes hospice care)</quote> after
<quote>nursing home care</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB8F754229AF44E2B84A47D0CE2EE739F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (g)(1), by
inserting <quote>(except if such care constitutes hospice care)</quote> after
<quote>medical services</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="id2C99D5FF74B64D41BDE4EFDF36693C11"><enum>217.</enum><header>Repeal of limitation
on authority to conduct widespread HIV testing program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 124 of the Veterans' Benefits and
Services Act of 1988 (title I of Public Law 100–322, as amended; 38 U.S.C. 7333
note) is repealed.</text>
</section><section id="id82F9B82142794D1280E8573B4BF6B91E"><enum>218.</enum><header>Authority to disclose
medical records to third party for collection of charges for provision of
certain care</header>
<subsection id="idF49431EBE3FE4BEE8AC2BE51D1A7DDA3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Limited exception to
confidentiality of medical records</header><text>Section 5701 is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD103FD7178E3490CB2A2A34CE906C2D3" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id753F1DD2A4E14D36B4A7FD6DECCCEBAB" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(l)</enum><text>Under regulations that
the Secretary shall prescribe, the Secretary may disclose the name or address,
or both, of any individual who is a present or former member of the Armed
Forces, or who is a dependent of a present or former member of the Armed
Forces, to a third party, as defined in section 1729(i)(3)(D) of this title, in
order to enable the Secretary to collect reasonable charges under section
1729(a)(2)(E) of this title for care or services provided for a
non-service-connected
disability.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idA95FE018EC024C54AF21B6EFDB4DCB16"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Disclosures from
certain medical records</header><text>Section 7332(b)(2), as amended by section
208 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCB917C7C9DC7473B981E64C95920E542" style="OLC">
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id12FF96BADA344BEA94FA460B1728AAD8" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(G)</enum><text>To a third party, as
defined in section 1729(i)(3)(D) of this title, to collect reasonable charges
under section 1729(a)(2)(E) of this title for care or services provided for a
non-service-connected
disability.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id40BD4F6FF894481FB0319FC4FE177041"><enum>219.</enum><header>Expanded study on the
health impact of Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense</header>
<subsection id="idFA2F54F7AFB1407C9BF24B0A5B3C81C1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine of the
National Academies to conduct an expanded study on the health impact of Project
Shipboard Hazard and Defense (Project SHAD).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id6E52B22FEB3D4F1B9E7881193D53FDD2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered
veterans</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The study required
by subsection (a) shall include, to the extent practicable, all veterans who
participated in Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFD71BBDCE0F14FCB949A40306050B179"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Utilization of existing
studies</header><text>The study required by subsection (a) may use results from
the study covered in the report entitled <quote>Long-Term Health Effects of
Participation in Project SHAD</quote> of the Institute of Medicine of the
National Academies.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7D03428B0EB94DE2B31374B7933DE425"><enum>220.</enum><header>Use of non-Department
facilities for rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain
injury</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1710E is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4B7DD77660DE401086E1035AEBBF612C"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (b) as
subsection (c);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id829CC656EC934920BF7B230794344B84"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id08785EE740DD40EB842C03A4A844C9FC" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA89060D527C04F10A9F4246103946AC8" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered
individuals</header><text>The care and services provided under subsection (a)
shall be made available to an individual—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id44B16F5BF4564955A0927EA5A10DAE5A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>who is described in
section 1710C(a) of this title; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7314B13A76F144A9A3762ED9DCDEF419"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idCF38BDA665134FE2AF7EAB302C9B8492"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to whom the Secretary
is unable to provide such treatment or services at the frequency or for the
duration prescribed in such plan; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id983AB1A677BD42C58D9F25BA0F1BBCFB" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for
whom the Secretary determines that it is optimal with respect to the recovery
and rehabilitation for such individual.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4B7D66D2954345E5838329D9AE2595CE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id17CD0CB4845E44A48FC8E99E2159E13A" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7D7677A19FDE499A90746F0707C100FA" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Standards</header><text>The
Secretary may not provide treatment or services as described in subsection (a)
at a non-Department facility under such subsection unless such facility
maintains standards for the provision of such treatment or services established
by an independent, peer-reviewed organization that accredits specialized
rehabilitation programs for adults with traumatic brain
injury.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="id47CFF3769B3F48E6B783A30C353876E4"><enum>221.</enum><header>Inclusion of federally
recognized tribal organizations in certain programs for State veterans
homes</header>
<subsection id="id003FDFE164C54F2DA0A1CEF73CEDECD5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Treatment of tribal
organization health facilities as State homes</header><text>Section 8138 is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id29C1C7C0C4594BD28F58F3A54AA06B15"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (e) as subsection (f); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAB887F95A5F74524AB84597C1A96253B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (d) the following new subsection (e):</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id94D73CAD9D404058994A9F3234C7354D" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="idFF80D3DA80C64F809B3433AE302F520C"><enum>(e)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id6722CB29F6A14CA590D7DEDC56728570"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A health facility (or
certain beds in a health facility) of a tribal organization is treatable as a
State home under subsection (a) in accordance with the provisions of that
subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id897F5A1A8A724E68AB46416F63477212" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Except as provided in
paragraph (3), the provisions of this section shall apply to a health facility
(or certain beds in such facility) treated as a State home under subsection (a)
by reason of this subsection to the same extent as health facilities (or beds)
treated as a State home under subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id9CAE966EF35F44599723ED30C50A5437" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Subsection (f) shall not
apply to the treatment of health facilities (or certain beds in such
facilities) of tribal organizations as a State home under subsection
(a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF48AAC95461146BFA3AC0BEB8303B6AA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>State home facilities
for domiciliary, nursing, and other care</header>
<paragraph id="id6B0C66A9E97E40A2A13146EEEE6E9D8A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 81 is further amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="idE8F51CC4CC4B43BE9B4850B149B2EBF8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in section 8131, by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDE0C12D57C9E42C49C8F4ABA9BAA27CB" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id0CA051D7B7F34119958665F0C1E16201"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The term <term>tribal
organization</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3765 of this
title.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id22E03C45181B458FB4BF1EF8A45A558B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in section 8132, by
inserting <quote>and tribal organizations</quote> after <quote>the several
States</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE05C9FFF814F42419A666E0D4E969F97"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by inserting after
section 8133 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC9F40989917B48758D9A2A9B76A5CFF4" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC">
<section id="idD58FA2111A0045C39AADE79B47604F72"><enum>8133A.</enum><header>Tribal
organizations</header>
<subsection id="id22BCD3165BA642C7A6FB82DB15BC9649"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authority to award
grants</header><text>The Secretary may award a grant to a tribal organization
under this subchapter in order to carry out the purposes of this
subchapter.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idBD85C5F869C0422CACB4571A158ECBDF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Manner and condition of
grant awards</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idAD9F2A544C0A4FD5BE3F087A2786F067"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Grants to tribal
organizations under this section shall be awarded in the same manner, and under
the same conditions, as grants awarded to the several States under the
provisions of this subchapter, subject to such exceptions as the Secretary
shall prescribe for purposes of this subchapter to take into account the unique
circumstances of tribal organizations.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id5B19022196444536B24AD172D43A2727" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>For purposes of according
priority under subsection (c)(2) of section 8135 of this title to an
application submitted under subsection (a) of such section, an application
submitted under such subsection (a) by a tribal organization of a State that
has previously applied for award of a grant under this subchapter for
construction or acquisition of a State nursing home shall be considered under
subparagraph (C) of such subsection (c)(2) an application from a tribal
organization that has not previously applied for such a
grant.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idC77EABD29A9249F8911CB29DDCC28804"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8133 the following new
item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id0b7b01ea-6316-46ee-acd7-4296d0eff966" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC">
<toc changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" reported-display-style="italic">
<toc-entry idref="idD58FA2111A0045C39AADE79B47604F72" level="section">8133A. Tribal
organizations.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id4699E811F454494B9ACF64F64B51247D"><enum>222.</enum><header>Extension of pilot
program on caregiver assistance services</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 214(d) of the Veterans Benefits,
Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–461; 38
U.S.C. 1710B note) is amended by striking <quote>each of fiscal years 2007 and
2008</quote> and inserting <quote>each of the fiscal years 2007 through
2009</quote>.</text>
</section><section id="idD0B8CD3E66D64729BA6112AFBA2D0F25" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>223.</enum><header>Pilot program on
provision of dental insurance plans to veterans and survivors and dependents of
veterans</header>
<subsection id="HC6C90C8196C542C1915F4CD6DB94C465"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
required</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing a dental
insurance plan to veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans described
in subsection (b).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA4552B99197E4BD8873EEA7085F4336"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered veterans and
survivors and dependents</header><text>The veterans and survivors and
dependents of veterans described in this subsection are as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="H58F5070A25F84F43B7426E6BC470E824"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Any veteran who is
enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment under section 1705 of this
title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7183BD806F974395AB2CF45DC1BCDD6C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Any survivor or dependent
of a veteran who is eligible for medical care under section 1781 of this
title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id092E271008544002BAD906215F48EAA7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duration of
program</header><text>The pilot program shall be carried out during the
three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idD8CC2C578F414182A393045E3B401BA6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Pilot program
locations</header><text>The pilot program shall be carried out in not less than
two and not more than four Veterans Integrated Services Networks (VISNs)
selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for purposes of the pilot
program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id1205FAF20AB14B129BC608BF62A84717"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Administration</header><text>The
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall contract with a dental insurer to
administer the dental plan provided under the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0ABCFE5EA2414A95B8B7454E21C572D"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Benefits</header><text>The
dental insurance plan under the pilot program shall provide such benefits for
dental care and treatment as the Secretary considers appropriate for the dental
insurance plan, including diagnostic services, preventative services,
endodontics and other restorative services, surgical services, and emergency
services.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3FD03278C16E4B5AA87C1431C8F2A51F"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Enrollment</header>
<paragraph id="idBC2E336BD3D9483DB26235DA520E040F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Voluntary</header><text>Enrollment
in the dental insurance plan under this section shall be voluntary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF50DC213C66F4EBE928462855507008E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Minimum
period</header><text>Enrollment in the dental insurance plan shall be for such
minimum period as the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H3A583E92260F436896BEED03BB8CE5E"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Premiums</header>
<paragraph id="id27354038749A47D99E6B46D4205BE0E8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Premiums for coverage under the dental insurance plan
under the pilot program shall be in such amount or amounts as the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall prescribe to cover all costs associated with the pilot
program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H564ACA9F774A4E24812C4920D63F53F2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Annual
adjustment</header><text>The Secretary shall adjust the premiums payable under
the pilot program for coverage under the dental insurance plan on an annual
basis. Each individual covered by the dental insurance plan at the time of such
an adjustment shall be notified of the amount and effective date of such
adjustment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF0BC5D2A96D4422AA67EB328ED587B00"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Responsibility for
payment</header><text>Each individual covered by the dental insurance plan
shall pay the entire premium for coverage under the dental insurance plan, in
addition to the full cost of any copayments.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1014163FAC2041BCA501A4973EB7575B"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Voluntary
disenrollment</header>
<paragraph id="id14248AFA89AC49EE9D8F0375C80F9DDB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>With respect to enrollment in the dental insurance plan
under the pilot program, the Secretary shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H648CC92D546045B4807E7F7386D3E324"><enum>(A)</enum><text>permit the voluntary
disenrollment of an individual in the dental insurance plan if the
disenrollment occurs during the 30-day period beginning on the date of the
enrollment of the individual in the dental insurance plan; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAD6DA006031A4281AF33F802443BE3A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>permit the voluntary
disenrollment of an individual in the dental insurance plan for such
circumstances as the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this subsection,
but only to the extent such disenrollment does not jeopardize the fiscal
integrity of the dental insurance plan.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3E17F3485AB24653A6C1262E52F20048"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Allowable
circumstances</header><text>The circumstances prescribed under paragraph (1)(B)
shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H455D3F275B8D48F7B628E36D8B000839"><enum>(A)</enum><text>If an individual enrolled
in the dental insurance plan relocates to a location outside the jurisdiction
of the dental insurance plan that prevents utilization of the benefits under
the dental insurance plan.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF66FB83F4D28474E83848D506BC2BB00"><enum>(B)</enum><text>If an individual enrolled
in the dental insurance plan is prevented by a serious medical condition from
being able to obtain benefits under the dental insurance plan.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7CCBD81E56EC487E934F7DA8B4B9E57D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such other circumstances
as the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7CA8D04B3EBA4B4FA0C0671000413108"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Establishment of
procedures</header><text>The Secretary shall establish procedures for
determinations on the permissibility of voluntary disenrollments under
paragraph (1)(B). Such procedures shall ensure timely determinations on the
permissibility of such disenrollments.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFE19F751965E448090130081832035E8"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Relationship to dental
care provided by Secretary</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section shall affect the
responsibility of the Secretary to provide dental care under section 1712 of
title 38, United States Code, and the participation of an individual in the
dental insurance plan under the pilot program shall not affect the individual’s
entitlement to outpatient dental services and treatment, and related dental
appliances, under that section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H84F22F168D3C47F3AC6C7935DDD21581"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
dental insurance plan under the pilot program shall be administered under such
regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Women veterans health
care</header>
<section id="ID21a3da45b90545cbaee467d4a5c1f36e"><enum>301.</enum><header>Report on barriers to
receipt of health care for women veterans</header>
<subsection id="ID773109d96a3e4e27950b6d4a139c8d2e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than June 1, 2009, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the barriers to the receipt
of comprehensive health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs that
are encountered by women veterans, especially veterans of Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID75f27f99a09c4e2f95d443a82afd4468"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="idC97BB3A83072498C98AF7CC5B4422329"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An identification and
assessment of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="IDfcdf14ca5fbe4b8fa5db33b73bb1158e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Any stigma perceived or
associated with seeking mental health care services through the Department of
Veterans Affairs.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1d8048e480c04564b32760aa39725835"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The effect on access to
care through the Department of driving distance or availability of other forms
of transportation to the nearest appropriate facility of the Department.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5adb106ec8b64e2d94cef97bba2b7f20"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The availability of child
care.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDea67afad0ab049e9ac28331db077c5bd"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The receipt of health
care through women's health clinics, integrated primary care clinics, or
both.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID53c21143ac114cee9830c8641b35bd96"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The extent of
comprehension of eligibility requirements for health care through the
Department, and the scope of health care services available through the
Department.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1c128171c9d44c369b227dc7e56b7303"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The quality and nature of
the reception of women veterans by Department health care providers and other
staff.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID281d855bbe8749628473f9d695e229f4"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The perception of
personal safety and comfort of women veterans in inpatient, outpatient, and
behavioral health facilities of the Department.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID021060a097d84ab19952fe0f88647eb2"><enum>(H)</enum><text>The sensitivity of
Department health care providers and other staff to issues that particularly
affect women.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID70d807e9ab224adfac7e9bba58822559"><enum>(I)</enum><text>The effectiveness of
outreach on health care services of the Department that are available to women
veterans.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID89f2605219af4a8a9393c00843214cf6"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Such other matters as the
Secretary identifies for purposes of the assessment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id003A241ABEFB45F4A7B7B1D97D878024"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Such recommendations for
administrative and legislative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in
light of the report.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID099eece0512a46728a6976f954216799"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Facility of the
Department defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>facility of
the Department</term> has the meaning given that term in section 1701 of title
38, United States Code.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDf346c24272ae4a3c9133ae542612501f"><enum>302.</enum><header>Plan to improve
provision of health care services to women veterans</header>
<subsection id="IDdeada639afb247fab4b33eef79d98e12"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plan To improve
services</header>
<paragraph id="idA0DE0C5C86BA49FEBE8713D34BD08109"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a plan
to—</text>
<subparagraph id="id921820E2EFD34529A766F3586D3E1DDD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>improve the provision of
health care services to women veterans; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFE6ACF5EB3584D09B682D68A8DC49EAD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>plan appropriately for
the future health care needs, including mental health care needs, of women
serving on active duty in the Armed Forces in the combat theaters of Operation
Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9240DD29E6B848F3AEADCC92ED0C3136"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Required
actions</header><text>In developing the plan required by this subsection, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="idCE445A9A106C4EF688A1209E4A99338F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify the types of
health care services to be available to women veterans at each Department of
Veterans Affairs medical center; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD796854770D54DF9BFA651206284FF91"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify the personnel
and other resources required to provide such services to women veterans under
the plan at each such medical center.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5d7d363a54834b14ab4750a0705c6993"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Submittal of plan to
Congress</header><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives the plan required by this section, along with such
recommendations for administrative and legislative action as the Secretary
considers appropriate in light of the plan.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID7f2d24788a5f46038d9e8ae73d73b14d"><enum>303.</enum><header> Independent study on
health consequences of women veterans of military service in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom</header>
<subsection id="ID404bce248a034ab4925267a5db16566a"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study
required</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an
agreement with a non-Department of Veterans Affairs entity for the purpose of
conducting a study on health consequences for women veterans of service on
active duty in the Armed Forces in deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6517e7e2aacb477b85addf9ff41383c2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Specific matters
studied</header><text>The study under subsection (a) shall include the
following:</text>
<paragraph id="idA8129CB80135446F8FCFF4AF482A2DA7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A determination of any
association of environmental and occupational exposures and combat in Operation
Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom with the general health, mental
health, or reproductive health of women who served on active duty in the Armed
Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id107B25A5E8984EB6885293AC61058B15"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A review and analysis of
published literature on environmental and occupational exposures of women while
serving in the Armed Forces, including combat trauma, military sexual trauma,
and exposure to potential teratogens associated with reproductive problems and
birth defects.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID87bfde60638e46c8bf5571d17a94a8e4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header>
<paragraph id="id518F49D123444502AFE7DAE78C893DFA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 18 months after entering into the
agreement for the study under subsection (a), the entity described in
subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to
Congress a report on the study containing such findings and determinations as
the entity considers appropriate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb267f273fbdc4e488001e2f054c59cf9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Responsive
report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the receipt of the report
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report setting
forth the response of the Secretary to the findings and determinations of the
entity described in subsection (a) in the report under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID55576d0812b64074947d350691024652"><enum>304.</enum><header>Training and
certification for mental health care providers on care for veterans suffering
from sexual trauma</header>
<subsection id="IDbaf244aa46cf4a74b334d0fbdc4f8108"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Program
required</header><text>Section 1720D is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID435927ace8cf4da9899f275e0088f1f5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (d) as subsection (f); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb0551cf6a27f4e9ca9d6cac7164bd5ab"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (c) the following new subsections:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD5EB10F93FAE4AB89ABE3FC50849E283" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID0db59516374e40eab07381e5a5360cbe" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(d)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2BF86A98C2E2453288981B0A9CF54989"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall
implement a program for education, training, certification, and continuing
medical education for mental health professionals to specialize in the
provision of counseling and care to veterans eligible for services under
subsection (a). In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall ensure that
all such mental health professionals have been trained in a consistent manner
and that such training includes principles of evidence-based treatment and care
for sexual trauma.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID1ca8d5107c0649bfa826006116b9cfa5" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary shall
determine the minimum qualifications necessary for mental health professionals
certified by the program under paragraph (1) to provide evidence-based
treatment and therapy to veterans eligible for services under subsection (a) in
facilities of the Department.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID4a21233f071547d3bbcaf98d82131342" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(e)</enum><text>The Secretary shall
submit to Congress each year a report on the counseling and care and services
provided to veterans under this section. Each report shall include data for the
preceding year with respect to the following:</text>
<paragraph id="IDa1ec48efd2ab48cfad0fae86aa2dab4b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of mental
health professionals and primary care providers who have been certified under
the program under subsection (d), and the amount and nature of continuing
medical education provided under such program to professionals and providers
who have been so certified.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa99cecf89c0b4317839f4d1656f11561"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The number of women
veterans who received counseling and care and services under subsection (a)
from professionals and providers who have been trained or certified under the
program under subsection (d).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID22d8a69636644c18b3bc2ca244317f6f"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The number of training,
certification, and continuing medical education programs operating under
subsection (d).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd364aaf5aaea4f0fb9a43dffd50c963b"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The number of trained
full-time equivalent employees required in each facility of the Department to
meet the needs of veterans requiring treatment and care for sexual
trauma.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID276d65fb7a7a45939a3189e6a677d340"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Such other information as
the Secretary considers
appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDe04ad746136e48d6b847363627abcb88"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Standards for personnel
providing treatment for sexual trauma</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall establish education, training, certification, and staffing
standards for Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facilities for
full-time equivalent employees who are trained to provide treatment and care to
veterans for sexual trauma.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID401813b123704c91905f5724ea2ac454"><enum>305.</enum><header>Pilot program on
counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service
in the Armed Forces</header>
<subsection id="ID78a152550072417dae67cce904c2ddce"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
required</header>
<paragraph id="id63D922C7C6974C009858874F6CF3954D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out,
through the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health
Administration, a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of
providing reintegration and readjustment services described in subsection (b)
in group retreat settings to women veterans who are recently separated from
service in the Armed Forces after a prolonged deployment.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID338dadd079604b3fa964aa945947e228"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Participation at
election of veteran</header><text>The participation of a veteran in the pilot
program under this section shall be at the election of the veteran.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0253b6c81dc440e39554f4d14b2fa792"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered
services</header><text>The services provided to a women veteran under the pilot
program shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="ID6ab7ced14a0844b4ab5d20dad6b41196"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Information on
reintegration into the veteran’s family, employment, and community.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4896b7dbae8f4957a1fef92b0ea35251"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Financial
counseling.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDab393d631f954c9b870e51b7954bd9ad"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Occupational
counseling.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID56ee4da9bcd84da7be30f521b908e173"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Information and
counseling on stress reduction.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7e7deb1f4ded4e9190f91da633e5dc2f"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Information and
counseling on conflict resolution.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDe32d733eb239498bae9ed8403c82b275"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Such other information
and counseling as the Secretary considers appropriate to assist women veterans
under the pilot program in reintegration into the veteran's family and
community.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5211db446c5e4eab931e0a3961283ed6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Locations</header><text>The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than five locations
selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8f2dfdc05cc84b218edbe404c1e7647b"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
pilot program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the
date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDc97c968a1f2b4580b49b7b41ef9781be"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. The report shall
contain the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the pilot
program, and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or
expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID70b695fc8b414250ad910448c8f28878"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010,
$2,000,000 to carry out the pilot program.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDbda21bdd73f04c0395c9f77a47887ca5"><enum>306.</enum><header>Report on full-time
women veterans program managers at medical centers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The
Secretary shall, acting through the Under Secretary for Health, submit to
Congress a report on employment of full-time women veterans program managers at
Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to ensure that health care needs
of women veterans are met. Such report should include an assessment of whether
there is at least one full-time employee at each Department medical center who
is a full-time women veterans program manager.</text>
</section><section id="IDcc854e029733468ca3807c098c1e5613"><enum>307.</enum><header>Service on certain
advisory committees of women recently separated from service in the Armed
Forces</header>
<subsection id="ID2541d87c3e9645ca98d5018d4fb2f37b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Advisory Committee on
Women Veterans</header><text>Section 542(a)(2)(A) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="IDab1e2d4bc52043348ea37a070a7831c7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (ii), by
striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8b599562d008401f9943673ac7268126"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (iii), by
striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID15ca4c4e47b54256a005effad7918efe"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after clause
(iii) the following new clause:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50830CD6975149349FB28887F67839BA" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<clause id="IDa38bdea65ed8406fb917b089d3b11b31" indent="up2"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>women veterans who are
recently separated from service in the Armed
Forces.</text>
</clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID470df77180a34b939d4ec8ac18449b4b"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Advisory Committee on
Minority Veterans</header><text>Section 544(a)(2)(A) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID45172b2f1c4b4f26944edf23b6e3c4c2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (iii), by
striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa3b8583aa7e84a7c9a2fe013b4f3e7ac"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (iv), by
striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID335fdc1e2f4941f2897a746f401c098e"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after clause
(iv) the following new clause:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25D3B266CB5C422A8A22C2C8CE55FC20" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<clause id="ID59a8e90bce81464abdad89665d58451a" indent="up2"><enum>(v)</enum><text>women veterans who are
minority group members and are recently separated from service in the Armed
Forces.</text>
</clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3948d8e76c7b4d17a9c9dd629d400c5d"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to
appointments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID03121ed09246487b81c22d6b70153b42"><enum>308.</enum><header>Pilot program on
subsidies for child care for certain veterans receiving health care</header>
<subsection id="ID702d90c3e87f436cb642cd3af340991c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
required</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing, subject
to subsection (b), subsidies to qualified veterans described in subsection (c)
to obtain child care so that such veterans can receive health care services
described in such subsection.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8162b4852fac4b3d844021e21405b476"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation on period of
payments</header><text>A subsidy may only be provided to a qualified veteran
under the pilot program for receipt of child care during the period that the
qualified veteran—</text>
<paragraph id="IDc2cc6357937741e18994b2806e758257"><enum>(1)</enum><text>receives the types of
health care services referred to in subsection (c) at a facility of the
Department; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID28c2d0f4f96c4c90b9655757767d4dd7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>requires to travel to and
return from such facility for the receipt of such health care services.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDe0a52cfbb6354be69aa071de5fa5d48a"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Qualified
veterans</header><text>In this section, the term <term>qualified veteran</term>
means a veteran who is the primary caretaker of a child or children and who is
receiving from the Department one or more of the following health care
services:</text>
<paragraph id="IDec89bb1a48dc4d24997d12f59b711caf"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Regular mental health
care services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID88830611ece447a48eb7002fb99038b1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Intensive mental health
care services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4095f69102644b47b0daa0a44f0bffa0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Such other intensive
health care services that the Secretary determines that payment to the veteran
for the provision of child care would improve access to those health care
services by the veteran.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8ad88a7d34124af7ae0a2f2dd88d5ab5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Locations</header><text>The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in no fewer than three Veterans
Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) selected by the Secretary for purposes of
the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID1a647b9899404844894b6ed3a7e2f224"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
pilot program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the
date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id733FC6922FF548E59932FA8D2134E572"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Existing
model</header><text>To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall model the
pilot program after the Department of Veterans Affairs Child Care Subsidy
Program that was established pursuant to section 630 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107–67; 115 Stat. 552),
using the same income eligibility standards and payment structure.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDc1d8035ae27b43538dd6cea173aa36f4"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than six months after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. The report shall
include the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the pilot
program, and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or
expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0e4cfa82c5f94e738be529609e6f1c63"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010,
$1,500,000 to carry out the pilot program.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id18A20EB4C0FC4DD3B332C99848B52309"><enum>309.</enum><header>Care for newborn
children of women veterans receiving maternity care</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3F78E93659014558A2CAE25A58FDF57E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended by adding at the
end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA5300A7D17AF4C2D99A83E0228A48B60" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id16E6F7AC6D7B4356A380BB09F9F3003B"><enum>1786.</enum><header>Care for newborn
children of women veterans receiving maternity care</header>
<subsection id="ID48e7c31aab00420e8558751855e3542c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary may furnish health care services described
in subsection (b) to a newborn child of a woman veteran who is receiving
maternity care furnished by the Department for not more than 7 days after the
birth of the child if the veteran delivered the child in—</text>
<paragraph id="id79B2FB17BE83409CB90E02233120B014"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a facility of the
Department; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE2986B0EE0E641CDA8778BABCEAD9BF6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>another facility pursuant
to a Department contract for services relating to such delivery.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID15c9d50d97ee41c89244cdc26a8d803e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered health care
services</header><text>Health care services described in this subsection are
all post-delivery care services, including routine care services, that a
newborn
requires.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id7E9B442D3AFC4A3BB353369DDCEA1CBA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1785 the following new
item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id0DED7866C127450BAC268D6019702C22" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC">
<toc changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" reported-display-style="italic">
<toc-entry idref="idD58FA2111A0045C39AADE79B47604F72" level="section">1786. Care for newborn children of women
veterans receiving maternity
care.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Mental health
care</header>
<section id="idEB28D60D37E3403DBC0D0A5D5D9D90F6" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>401.</enum><header>Eligibility of
members of the Armed Forces who serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation
Enduring Freedom for counseling and services through Readjustment Counseling
Service</header>
<subsection id="id6D94184B6CA84A808D0A0448983E176F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any member of the
Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserve, who serves
on active duty in the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation
Enduring Freedom is eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental
health services under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, through
the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health
Administration.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id6EE510CB0ABC42E89BB0F78ED754F6BF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>No requirement for
current active duty service</header><text>A member of the Armed Forces who
meets the requirements for eligibility for counseling and services under
subsection (a) is entitled to counseling and services under that subsection
regardless of whether or not the member is currently on active duty in the
Armed Forces at the time of receipt of counseling and services under that
subsection.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idF96570263B3B48EEA1DE12DAA9E81F28"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
eligibility of members of the Armed Forces for counseling and services under
subsection (a) shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly prescribe for purposes of
this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id08BDD34C65D443A1BF86D34BABD1A711"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Subject to availability
of appropriations</header><text>The provision of counseling and services under
subsection (a) shall be subject to the availability of appropriations for such
purpose.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idDCBE3C0A1533422EA721C8DBD9CEE83A" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>402.</enum><header>Restoration of
authority of Readjustment Counseling Service to provide referral and other
assistance upon request to former members of the Armed Forces not authorized
counseling</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1712A is
amended by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5D45C5B00BEC489F933FA3A9242DF3A7" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id27F46DD7D4A54F7BAEDC808513C9EC9D" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Upon receipt of a request
for counseling under this section from any individual who has been discharged
or released from active military, naval, or air service but who is not
otherwise eligible for such counseling, the Secretary shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id0AD7F5DA60AB4C5CB86D28CB73E252FF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide referral services
to assist such individual, to the maximum extent practicable, in obtaining
mental health care and services from sources outside the Department; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFE7F2EA4F3954AC4985AEA523E41509B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>if pertinent, advise such
individual of such individual’s rights to apply to the appropriate military,
naval, or air service, and to the Department, for review of such individual’s
discharge or release from such
service.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="HAEB17AEA021A4FE1AA0100DBD5939232"><enum>403.</enum><header>Study on suicides
among veterans</header>
<subsection id="H9718B5B722694652B5675427DD945E04"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study
required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who
died by suicide between January 1, 1997, and the date of the enactment of this
Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF5B99B8CB2584DB1B8B9DE0072B725B9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>In
carrying out the study under subsection (b) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall coordinate with—</text>
<paragraph id="H129DB09C1EA44D31BF8951EF79A3B1C3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Defense;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9A9064E1C78640C5AA95E2064000D2AB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Veterans Service
Organizations;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD21FEBE248A7448F86F10327EF77E546"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8E005DD3BCA645B20078C54E7396F3D3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>State public health
offices and veterans agencies.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1F0F7D8D15A24DFAA62B6CE68E026CA0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report to
Congress</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the study required under
subsection (b) and the findings of the Secretary.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H09AA94DA14D5479CAB772881CBA1FA5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71000797301E410AAFEE233E84C50A0D"><enum>404.</enum><header>Transfer of funds to
Secretary of Health and Human Services for Graduate Psychology Education
program</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id89116B7095D248208EEA1B7B9D86823D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Transfer of
funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than
September 30, 2009, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transfer $5,000,000
from accounts of the Veterans Health Administration to the Secretary of Health
and Human Services for the Graduate Psychology Education program established
under section 755(b)(1)(J) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
294e(b)(1)(J)).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8A26B8979FEE4E3CAA6139E4D2577322"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of funds
transferred</header><text>Funds transferred under subsection (a) shall be used
to award grants to support the training of psychologists in the treatment of
veterans with post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other
combat-related disorders.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9FFAC4BF307C40E591C93F6C1079BFE9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Preference for
Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities</header><text>In the
awarding of grants under subsection (b), the Graduate Psychology Education
program shall give preference to health care facilities of the Department of
Veterans Affairs and graduate programs of education that are affiliated with
such facilities.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>V</enum><header>Homeless
veterans</header>
<section id="idFD8DC89340AB45B294B2F54C56243626"><enum>501.</enum><header>Pilot program on
financial support for entities that coordinate the provision of supportive
services to formerly homeless veterans residing on certain military
property</header>
<subsection id="id9112529060BD4B988FAE30494F8291E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="idD4EBE00BAD5141D4BD79A4F649038C15"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to the availability of appropriations for such
purpose, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a pilot program to
make grants to public and nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and
community organizations) to coordinate the provision of supportive services
available in the local community to very low income, formerly homeless veterans
residing in permanent housing that is located on qualifying property described
in subsection (b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id684D0E7245344194A9142472A2E8671C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Number of
grants</header><text>The Secretary may make grants at up to 10 qualifying
properties under the pilot program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id756F4B85C9214C5AA76426708A58FD8C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Qualifying
property</header><text>Qualifying property described in this subsection is
property that—</text>
<paragraph id="idC25814D4923F464295DF82173F00DE33"><enum>(1)</enum><text>was part of a military
installation that was closed in accordance with—</text>
<subparagraph id="idDC4DB0098C084A2DA4A4ED6A223844F5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>decisions made as part of
the 2005 round of defense base closure and realignment under the Defense Base
Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law
101–510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id47532745C7E84B199ACDECD392B28E77"><enum>(B)</enum><text>subchapter III of chapter
5 of title 40, United States Code; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1F94411166CC45EAA1A8E28A34C76B01"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Secretary of Defense
determines, after considering any redevelopment plans of any local
redevelopment authority relating to such property, may be used to assist the
homeless in accordance with such redevelopment plan.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF9523D3AE62842C4BD07E442F28D712E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criteria for
grants</header><text>The Secretary shall prescribe criteria and requirements
for grants under this section and shall publish such criteria and requirements
in the Federal Register.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idD4E3774CEF334954ABC39D32BD8AB3C5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duration of
program</header><text>The authority of the Secretary to provide grants under a
pilot program under this section shall cease on the date that is five years
after the date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id2F68BB6A21FB419B97BCC77BC392ABCA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Very low income
defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>very low income</term>
has the meaning given that term in the Resident Characteristics Report issued
annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id1645F80AB5DF480E8F5ADB7DA5A267D1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated from
amounts made available under the heading <quote>General Operating
Expenses</quote>, not more than $3,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 through
2013 to carry out the purposes of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="idF5059730610C4612B167949F3A081040"><enum>502.</enum><header>Pilot program on
financial support of entities that coordinate the provision of supportive
services to formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing</header>
<subsection id="id46FF72A87D434786B34F929C892F743C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of pilot
program</header>
<paragraph id="id4A6C854EAF51418CB1B4B17A2CB8825D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to the availability of appropriations for such
purpose, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a pilot program to
make grants to public and nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and
community organizations) to coordinate the provision of supportive services
available in the local community to very low income, formerly homeless veterans
residing in permanent housing.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0D16060042B04067B7F10D0A4F87DC6D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Number of
grants</header><text>The Secretary may make grants at up to 10 qualifying
properties under the pilot program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id67FA831E8A96427AA792E6408F0E5ACD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Qualifying
property</header><text>Any property in the United States on which permanent
housing is provided or afforded to formerly homeless veterans, as determined by
the Secretary.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idB832D49B428D4B8EB981416A56EB5CE8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criteria for
grants</header><text>The Secretary shall prescribe criteria and requirements
for grants under this section and shall publish such criteria and requirements
in the Federal Register.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id7EE07B57028647DFA21BF4875FDF43FB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duration of pilot
program</header><text>The authority of the Secretary to provide grants under a
pilot program under this section shall cease on the date that is five years
after the date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7F2FDD57A3BF4989A26CAB6BE2F8DE45"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Very low income defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>very low
income</term> has the meaning given that term in the Resident Characteristics
Report issued annually by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id0CC60D36760D4D20AC65FD3AB38D378B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated from
amounts made available under the heading <quote>General Operating
Expenses</quote>, not more than $3,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 through
2013 to carry out the purposes of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id8921E99489F24A7AB2EBA4AE73FEAEAF"><enum>503.</enum><header>Pilot program on
financial support of entities that provide outreach to inform certain veterans
about pension benefits</header>
<subsection id="id2FD59C7068D7468888F1B27A0D1BE790"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authority To make
grants</header><text>In addition to the outreach authority provided to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs by section 6303 of title 38 United States Code,
the Secretary may carry out a pilot program to make grants to public and
nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and community organizations) for
services to provide outreach to inform low-income and elderly veterans and
their spouses who reside in rural areas of benefits for which they may be
eligible under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idA5F55416014E412BA0A33824EB1975B8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Criteria for
grants</header><text>The Secretary shall prescribe criteria and requirements
for grants under this section and shall publish such criteria and requirements
in the Federal Register.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idB99A9C2F6C0F448D8A819EEE832A1927"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duration of pilot
program</header><text>The authority of the Secretary to provide grants under a
pilot program under this section shall cease on the date that is five years
after the date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id69B903D266DC480FA3F5E8861F6C8DF6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated from
amounts made available under the heading <quote>General Operating
Expenses</quote>, not more than $1,275,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 through
2013 to carry out the purposes of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" id="id5E656346EC9D4D249F7870A01B9EABE5"><enum>504.</enum><header>Pilot program on
financial support of entities that provide transportation assistance, child
care assistance, and clothing assistance to veterans entitled to a
rehabilitation program</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="id22943FF9D3814FA0B88C867230077F6F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
authorized</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id538BC807116846129228CA7899B49DE7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to the availability of appropriations authorized
under subsection (g), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a pilot
program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing financial
assistance to eligible entities to establish new programs or activities, or
expand or modify existing programs or activities, to provide to each eligible
transitioning individual who is entitled and eligible for a rehabilitation
program under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, the following
assistance:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id1DC6E0227728403198A11BAF7A8172F8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Transportation assistance
to facilitate such eligible transitioning individual's participation in such
rehabilitation program or related activity. Such assistance may include—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="idD5159DDF7AB044738B0452C4FC11046D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>providing
transportation;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idE5D8B8AA04F84776B985BD04244332C6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>paying for or
reimbursing transportation costs; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idE3A05A20BEEA45999CCB12D48B899389"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>paying for or
reimbursing other transportation-related expenses (including orientation on the
use of transportation) .</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id37E4B3B43F124C13ACD4945E37199DC7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Child care assistance to
facilitate such eligible transitioning individual's participation in such
rehabilitation program or related activity. Such assistance may include—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="idDE79FC0E04D34C7FA5513A05B35D2B3C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>child care services;
or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="id4B742868DFBA40A685AE085BB1344A0E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>reimbursement of
expenses related to child care.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id94454ACD34764448B32D9C2E9D9C1265"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Clothing assistance,
which may include personal services in selecting, and payment of a monetary
allowance to cover the cost of purchasing, clothing and accessories suitable
for a job interview or related activity consistent with such eligible
transitioning individual's participation in such rehabilitation program or
related activity.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id0689216C751A40E88DE8AF4A8F3A5657"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligible transitioning
individual</header><text>For purposes of this section, an eligible
transitioning individual is a person—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idA448230A7D5D435099687748FF28FC0A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>described in section 3102
of title 38, United States Code; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id838484D783F042C8B2992420CE44CA06"><enum>(B)</enum><text>who was separated or
released from active duty in the Armed Forces on or after October 1, 2006,
because of a service-connected disability.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id1DA4DBB03C384047B319375314BA6FC0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duration of
program</header><text>The authority of the Secretary to provide grants under a
pilot program established under subsection (a)(1) shall cease on the date that
is three years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD13853B0F4E741338E8D163855A4159B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grants</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id611C20C1A1D14E4C8136A1CDC65082E7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out the
pilot program through the award of grants to eligible entities to establish new
programs or activities, or to expand or modify existing programs or activities,
as described in subsection (a)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id3195123770984BD6BDE8B2379390007E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Grant criteria</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idC62C13BB30084E0BA6EDF38B685563BC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish criteria and requirements
for grants under the pilot program, including criteria for eligible entities to
receive such grants. The criteria established under this subparagraph shall
include the following:</text>
<clause commented="no" id="id262C85F99BFF437683CB128B64C40F03"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Specification as to the
kinds of projects or activities for which grants are available.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idEE2C077B531E4B4E8F81D8B7A9714BC6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Specification as to the
number of projects or activities for which grants are available.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCEF412663E484A4089124C36C0FF444A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Provisions to ensure
that grants awarded under the pilot program do not result in duplication of
ongoing services.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6B2BF211273C460FA363A50837F3F815"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Publication of criteria
in Federal Register</header><text>The Secretary shall publish the criteria and
requirements established under subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id951EB7E7EC8943EB9B03183B3975A308"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funding limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A grant under the pilot program may not be
used to support the operational costs of an eligible entity.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idEAC46F70702C48CC9AEAE1E4117059A1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Eligible
entities</header><text>For purposes of this section, an eligible entity is a
public or nonprofit organization (including a faith-based or community
organization) that—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id53922EE33F9F4CBBA8C5A57072609C65"><enum>(1)</enum><text>has the capacity to
administer effectively a grant under the pilot program, as determined by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id9966FEA1757940DE8BAB1495BA56715B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>demonstrates that
adequate financial support will be available to establish new programs or
activities, or to expand or modify existing programs or activities, as
described in subsection (a)(1) consistent with the plans, specifications, and
schedule submitted by the applicant to the Secretary under subsection
(e)(2);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id10718BB3ECD040A29EB26026A91F8006"><enum>(3)</enum><text>agrees to meet the
applicable criteria and requirements established under subsection (c)(2) and
described in subsection (e)(2)(C); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8F9752F767E74BE6AB58D573EE97E046"><enum>(4)</enum><text>has the capacity, as
determined by the Secretary, to meet the criteria and requirements described in
paragraph (3).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idA1173FEE53D44413AF158D09E4DF2D4F"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Selection of grant
recipients</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id406A8C8DC3E14C1E8D3016D4C061FC9E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Application</header><text>An
eligible entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs an application therefor in such form and in such
manner as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idC0047B3A03064A1B929C39ACE2A620B7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each
application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idFE6D7DAE02964CAB816CC21F0F4F2A28"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The amount of the grant
sought for the project or activity.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id302606992E6A41419C19BE8C1522238E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Plans, specifications,
and the schedule for implementation of the project or activity in accordance
with criteria and requirements prescribed by the Secretary under subsection
(c)(2).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id37C5D6BB46284D2D9E44ADDC61DFB7F2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An agreement—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="id1BE9A5DAC542454684863F5215CDCE5E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to provide the services
for which the grant is sought at locations accessible to eligible transitioning
individuals;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="id8BB0A1B92A3946D6AA294082A1011039"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to ensure the
confidentiality of records maintained on eligible transitioning individuals
receiving services through the pilot program; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="id06C2AA43B09C42E1817376CF4FF42916"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>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 this section.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB8CACC501E2145CC90026A137A58DF47"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Applicant agreement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may not select an eligible
entity for a grant under the pilot program unless the eligible entity agrees to
the provisions listed in paragraph (2)(C).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id23A882D5BB1E4590B908AD706F49BE31"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Recovery of unused
grant amounts</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="idF8D85045D9454DD69A9C33DE83752E6C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The United States shall be entitled to recover from a
grant recipient under this section the total of all unused grant amounts made
under this section to such recipient in connection with such program if such
grant recipient—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id868212D317E94D288EDEADB976566D61"><enum>(A)</enum><text>does not establish a
program or activity in accordance with this section; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id7F75D31C4AD14932B323E3E982D00493"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ceases to furnish
services under such a program for which the grant was made.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id1993DEB4C78E4E25B216587A48FC440C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Obligation</header><text>Any
amount recovered by the United States under paragraph (1) may be obligated by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs without fiscal year limitation to carry out
provisions of this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id9AD32DA375E342BBA9CE14776FB9D284"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitation on
recovery</header><text>An amount may not be recovered under paragraph (1)(A) as
an unused grant amount before the end of the three-year period beginning on the
date on which the grant is made.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id8107C074D4B34F3082CB217443150F8C"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated from
amounts made available under the heading <quote>General Operating
Expenses</quote>, not more than $5,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 through
2011 to carry out this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id108F2888AC8E4C10AD4B6BF234B0EED6"><enum>505.</enum><header>Assessment of pilot
programs</header>
<subsection id="id79EC4D0F6B7F48108C801CC295EF7CFB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Progress
reports</header><text>Not less than one year before the expiration of the
authority to carry out a pilot program authorized by sections 501 through 504,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a progress report on
such pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id05649FACEF144F56B9F34F8E9050C0A4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Each
progress report submitted for a pilot program under subsection (a) shall
include the following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2A3F1B23D42C42038F3A538911513BAC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The lessons learned by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to such pilot program that can
be applied to other programs with similar purposes.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD57325F14A7D407F8A52AC94D2260BF9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The recommendations of
the Secretary on whether to continue such pilot program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id115734141F9A4A4BAE13055E088EEB96"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The number of veterans
and dependents served by such pilot program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id10B27D10F04A44C2815B77C31B93F009"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An assessment of the
quality of service provided to veterans and dependents under such pilot
program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB8C71D3BA70B470C888DB0A712F0E58F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The amount of funds
provided to grant recipients under such pilot program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id358C4D1DDAA04D61B0DA2A6BA2EF1A7A"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The names of
organizations that have received grants under such pilot program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0C11E9301B554083A49DDA8A57CB0C48"><enum>506.</enum><header>Increased
authorization of appropriations for comprehensive service
programs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2013 is
amended by striking <quote>$130,000,000</quote> and inserting
<quote>$200,000,000</quote>.</text>
</section><enum>VI</enum><header>Nonprofit research and
education corporations</header>
<section id="ID2d6ae4d683344ccb988378e00b1be4eb"><enum>601.</enum><header>General authorities on
establishment of corporations</header>
<subsection id="ID5cb79fe6acfb45aaa77cdecbc1c6781b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization of
multi-medical center research corporations</header>
<paragraph id="id5C9159B88EEA4D4A80B1BA7898D1DE38"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7361 is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID0ed95ed7b35e4707b785fdd20fa3408b"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (b) as subsection (e); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDb143245c36a64ba78f32be1590de7e7e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD8CB2966D77C45B19A269C0A378AB1C9" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id57DCB3846C60487A8656328346999966" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(b)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id6E5CB1A6AC734E9DA1A13B7E3430931D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to paragraph
(2), a corporation established under this subchapter may facilitate the conduct
of research, education, or both at more than one medical center. Such a
corporation shall be known as a <quote>multi-medical center research
corporation</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idD59FC4B98E9040D1A134B8F66895DB87" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The board of directors of
a multi-medical center research corporation under this subsection shall include
the official at each Department medical center concerned who is, or who carries
out the responsibilities of, the medical center director of such center as
specified in section 7363(a)(1)(A)(i) of this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id9FCF95EC747E4C2B9218AFBDCA7F0708" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In facilitating the
conduct of research, education, or both at more than one Department medical
center under this subchapter, a multi-medical center research corporation may
administer receipts and expenditures relating to such research, education, or
both, as applicable, performed at the Department medical centers
concerned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1E70DDE3B5C846AEAEDC5BD1F499CB80"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Expansion of existing
corporations to multi-medical center research corporations</header><text>Such
section is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id11CE2152DA7E4945BFEE6C87FFCB0FBA" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id9EDA9FD2C44446948C5F12ABE65291C0" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(f)</enum><text>A corporation established
under this subchapter may act as a multi-medical center research corporation
under this subchapter in accordance with subsection (b) if—</text>
<paragraph id="id85CD07B308D442CBBB7E1A00D3DB2956"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the board of directors of
the corporation approves a resolution permitting facilitation by the
corporation of the conduct of research, education, or both at the other
Department medical center or medical centers concerned; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID260414c6050b4890bbdc01bd1bc9bf4e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Secretary approves
the resolution of the corporation under paragraph
(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDd53fe6df2c7a460e8eddadaa909b07d2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Restatement and
modification of authorities on applicability of State law</header>
<paragraph id="idF1D71F4EB403480EB658A6783783B917"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7361, as amended by subsection (a) of this
section, is further amended by inserting after subsection (b) the following new
subsection (c):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id14AB30F24FE247668D66A3ECCB5486A9" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id121AF0C56AD24D1081095EC01A83AEE0" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Any corporation
established under this subchapter shall be established in accordance with the
nonprofit corporation laws of the State in which the applicable Department
medical center is located and shall, to the extent not inconsistent with any
Federal law, be subject to the laws of such State. In the case of any
multi-medical center research corporation that facilitates the conduct of
research, education, or both at Department medical centers located in different
States, the corporation shall be established in accordance with the nonprofit
corporation laws of the State in which one of such Department medical centers
is
located.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC14B95E030964BA28E671582241D1064"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming
amendment</header><text>Section 7365 is repealed.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0dbb85ccb1014c9f885846b52127f569"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clarification of status
of corporations</header><text>Section 7361, as amended by this section, is
further amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID23c4ce00a28848a6954c9c0dd44cc1d0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by
striking the second sentence; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id51EFBE7395DE42A3821F2B5B56013DE0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (c) the following new subsection (d):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD43EE0AD8B954DC2BDC83A00F3A61A3E" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idC1B7D0851D814FB5A814D0364C3C28DC" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(d)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD86E61FA6D2F4ACA943493DCA2547E50"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Except as otherwise
provided in this subchapter or under regulations prescribed by the Secretary,
any corporation established under this subchapter, and its officers, directors,
and employees, shall be required to comply only with those Federal laws,
regulations, and executive orders and directives that apply generally to
private nonprofit corporations.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idC0C6508027F44DFEA099894E42D73933" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A corporation under this
subchapter is not—</text>
<subparagraph id="id82848C08551E412A94160172963595B6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>owned or controlled by
the United States; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC12C98FCD1DE47A19945891C75BF6B53"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an agency or
instrumentality of the United
States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID69d81b1c2502493fac39f05b0b18c760"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reinstatement of
requirement for 501(c)(3) status of corporations</header><text>Subsection (e)
of section 7361, as redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is
further amended by inserting <quote>section 501(c)(3) of</quote> after
<quote>exempt from taxation under</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDbb4f1fd6b192437ba2d40a504f6fdc00"><enum>602.</enum><header>Clarification of
purposes of corporations</header>
<subsection id="ID02dbc4213afb4f2eae5d20a89ccc195b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Clarification of
purposes</header><text>Subsection (a) of section 7362 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID7d3edcdac8094d6bbaec2da4da74f4cf"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the first
sentence—</text>
<subparagraph id="idADA85E419DAC4267B85A9F00AC7EA989"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Any
corporation</quote> and all that follows through <quote>facilitate</quote> and
inserting <quote>A corporation established under this subchapter shall be
established to provide a flexible funding mechanism for the conduct of approved
research and education at one or more Department medical centers and to
facilitate functions related to the conduct of</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2ea7e4b32f2d4101a4d6db0416cbcfcd"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting before the
period at the end the following: <quote>or centers</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id851B8AE04FDE4AC885CD8EEA61042213"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the second sentence,
by inserting <quote>or centers</quote> after <quote>at the medical
center</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD00365C75FDA4BC585BD8E76D700DF9B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Modification of defined
term relating to education and training</header><text>Subsection (b) of such
section is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking <quote>the
term <term>education and training</term></quote> and inserting <quote>the term
<term>education</term> includes education and training and</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDfe1cbd8398124c3987ca2d6d34dfe35d"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Repeal of role of
corporations with respect to fellowships</header><text>Paragraph (1) of
subsection (b) of such section is amended by striking the flush matter
following subparagraph (C).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id7695584A05354985B6D0FC3720B6EB89"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Availability of
education for families of veteran patients</header><text>Paragraph (2) of
subsection (b) of such section is amended by striking <quote>to patients and to
the families</quote> and inserting <quote>and includes education and training
for patients and families</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID5a3095ab8f7645d5bde7c6c773ab7c94"><enum>603.</enum><header>Modification of
requirements for boards of directors of corporations</header>
<subsection id="ID69e61dcb1f464c1385db8a1225bfe8d5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements for
department board members</header><text>Paragraph (1) of section 7363(a) is
amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id26BF48C955F44FFD838DA5B2DE335EE7" style="OLC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID79398614d5544288b3864e5e0ec83e44" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(1)</enum><text>with respect to the
Department medical center—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID483e015efe10420ea148842ab61b4e0f"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id595DDF1D98E74A8F84472312A3C543A6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the director (or
directors of each Department medical center, in the case of a multi-medical
center research corporation);</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID0a48e7e30f4d40a5919a336e8ffbd13b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the chief of staff;
and</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="IDc2cb6e01f13b4806b160cbe5db3392d8" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>as appropriate for the
activities of such corporation, the associate chief of staff for research and
the associate chief of staff for education; or</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd0f3d464d2964028b11a8bcc08c1b086"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of a
Department medical center at which one or more of the positions referred to in
subparagraph (A) do not exist, the official or officials who are responsible
for carrying out the responsibilities of such position or positions at the
Department medical center;
and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID2c2e4f1ea5c14f9e968858b91d219966"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements for
non-department board members</header><text>Paragraph (2) of such section is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID3fea6521e55e4950925b5588aa483d44"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>not
less than two</quote> before <quote>members</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID061e1f4460de4ab9a346173fc3396ba8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and
who</quote> and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting
<quote>and who have backgrounds, or business, legal, financial, medical, or
scientific expertise, of benefit to the operations of the
corporation.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID46b1a9c6d61a4250ab7bc244bd72dc41"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conflicts of
interest</header><text>Subsection (c) of section 7363 is amended by striking
<quote>, employed by, or have any other financial relationship with</quote> and
inserting <quote>or employed by</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID1bc6bccabc2e461e94e1744e689a51a8"><enum>604.</enum><header>Clarification of
powers of corporations</header>
<subsection id="ID86ac27616ea6465495a584d0fcbf579e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7364 is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id21E1FC845449410583C0E12F228069A9" style="USC">
<section changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idEF12CD5053864D56B999530809BB09EF" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>7364.</enum><header>General
powers</header>
<subsection id="IDf02ffaeb12ea4151951be2339e3a81a5"><enum>(a)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id646C99361970445DAE149D0BEE85A139"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A corporation
established under this subchapter may, solely to carry out the purposes of this
subchapter—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID6dca629dc50c412196f5ec3b2f2744a7" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>accept, administer,
retain, and spend funds derived from gifts, contributions, grants, fees,
reimbursements, and bequests from individuals and public and private
entities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID6056b5325ca1434e8dbad22c8a4646ca" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>enter into contracts and
agreements with individuals and public and private entities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID4d6648d021514611a1b11020ba02b0bd" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>subject to paragraph (2),
set fees for education and training facilitated under section 7362 of this
title, and receive, retain, administer, and spend funds in furtherance of such
education and training;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID1c2e197a5dae4e788d8dba2a71a8956e" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><text>reimburse amounts to the
appropriation account of the Department for the Office of General Counsel for
any expenses of that Office in providing legal services attributable to
research and education agreements under this subchapter; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID1eb04d6374f54742aa65a3bbab7bd4fe" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(E)</enum><text>employ such employees as
the corporation considers necessary for such purposes and fix the compensation
of such employees.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ID02be576091ab4f11a4a6d856110433ba" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Fees charged under
paragraph (1)(C) for education and training described in that paragraph to
individuals who are officers or employees of the Department may not be paid for
by any funds appropriated to the Department.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idDF11AAEA9A83400A9182787746DED010" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Amounts reimbursed to the
Office of General Counsel under paragraph (1)(D) shall be available for use by
the Office of the General Counsel only for staff and training, and related
travel, for the provision of legal services described in that paragraph.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id020F61D563C348DDA8BB97DCC0D6FC66"><enum>(b)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id773CD3862C4A412D8799D13E83F0F2B0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Except as provided in
paragraph (2), any funds received by the Secretary for the conduct of research
or education at a Department medical center or centers, other than funds
appropriated to the Department, may be transferred to and administered by a
corporation established under this subchapter for such purposes.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="IDb3f904e0a6fc4896815f2df4f4e90a06" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A Department medical
center may reimburse the corporation for all or a portion of the pay, benefits,
or both of an employee of the corporation who is assigned to the Department
medical center if the assignment is carried out pursuant to subchapter VI of
chapter 33 of title 5.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idAF12724B68B145C49C42A962B7D211D1"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Except for reasonable and
usual preliminary costs for project planning before its approval, a corporation
established under this subchapter may not spend funds for a research project
unless the project is approved in accordance with procedures prescribed by the
Under Secretary for Health for research carried out with Department funds. Such
procedures shall include a scientific review process.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idBBE446813E764736A83CC117ADA4EB98"><enum>(d)</enum><text>Except for reasonable and
usual preliminary costs for activity planning before its approval, a
corporation established under this subchapter may not spend funds for an
education activity unless the activity is approved in accordance with
procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary for Health.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDade744ca2c154cce92e49636d73d4159"><enum>(e)</enum><text>The Under Secretary for
Health may prescribe policies and procedures to guide the spending of funds by
corporations established under this subchapter that are consistent with the
purpose of such corporations as flexible funding mechanisms and with Federal
and State laws and regulations, and executive orders, circulars, and directives
that apply generally to the receipt and expenditure of funds by nonprofit
organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of
1986.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id23640CAD84DB42D8877F3EFD6A2B2606"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming
amendment</header><text>Section 7362(a) of such title, as amended by section
602(a)(1) of this Act, is further amended by striking the last sentence.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDb4d379f99f6c4bf9bfe4487e63ef364d"><enum>605.</enum><header>Redesignation of
section 7364A of title 38, United States Code</header>
<subsection id="ID5fac21edbbbb474989171bd890e68262"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Redesignation</header><text>Section
7364A is redesignated as section 7365.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID97b3fb6307ff4c5e97c54442f6998229"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendments</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73
is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID06b827a6bf3944158895da032c6759d5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking the item
relating to section 7364A; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd59b730212d648fd8b85a4ade2a1b75e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the item
relating to section 7365 and inserting the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC927E439CE2E4AD496B80C8F29D1F56D" style="OLC">
<toc changed="not-changed">
<toc-entry bold="off" changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" level="section" reported-display-style="italic">7365. Coverage of employees
under certain Federal tort claims
laws.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID1b2f020f5c444f5098ebbd6a07eb6b04"><enum>606.</enum><header>Improved
accountability and oversight of corporations</header>
<subsection id="IDa48424839b904c45808a4c5f869a2f7d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Additional information
in annual reports</header><text>Subsection (b) of section 7366 is amended to
read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0E3AFA35D3EB47638ABD43B412E4DACB" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idBE1BEF75B5B5446CBCA72BE682D7BC44" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(b)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id69ACD150ADB94B21919D6486488433F8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Each corporation shall
submit to the Secretary each year a report providing a detailed statement of
the operations, activities, and accomplishments of the corporation during that
year.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idB3A9C1FE6F4743B4B9B7F22B1E87C656" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id4FFC9536EBB043C18194F098DC4B77E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A corporation with
revenues in excess of $300,000 for any year shall obtain an audit of the
corporation for that year.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id3A78C3CBE18E44D58FBDD903A433DC6D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A corporation with annual
revenues between $10,000 and $300,000 shall obtain an audit of the corporation
at least once every three years.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idAB404D76628A40159A79E6D4CB06ECB2" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Any audit under this
paragraph shall be performed by an independent auditor.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idC1FB38B0043B443881FAD292615D67B8" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The corporation shall
include in each report to the Secretary under paragraph (1) the
following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id68428219795448ECA7D6AD8C2B904DD7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The most recent audit of
the corporation under paragraph (2).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6CB57532BE944E268D26BF7D060F5BA6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The most recent Internal
Revenue Service Form 990 <quote>Return of Organization Exempt from Income
Tax</quote> or equivalent and the applicable schedules under such
form.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="IDf0e900bc0e3843e096709a4ba5e5d349"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Confirmation of
application of conflict of interest regulations to appropriate corporation
positions</header><text>Subsection (c) of such section is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idD4B55F15EA3746DFAEA8864833F73A66"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>laws
and</quote> each place it appears;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID387659d378cd45c289505744ecdcace2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID1e80f523395449b09101890d157325be"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>each
officer and</quote> after <quote>under this subchapter,</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID685592fccc2f47cd9b2837d974c3af5b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>, and
each employee of the Department</quote> and all that follows through
<quote>during any year</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDe3ce6ce58ca94a11a87e5e7ee4c342d7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDe699442445c74ec3a2605a2bfafe234b"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>officer,</quote> after <quote>verifying that each</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID537b8955fdd84d4bababa0d1e35fc61d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>in the
same manner</quote> and all that follows before the period at the end.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDf779933e172341f6988883383743a890"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Establishment of
appropriate payee reporting threshold</header><text>Subsection (d)(3)(C) of
such section is amended by striking <quote>$35,000</quote> and inserting
<quote>$50,000</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDfe0dcc4be237448b8d046504a3f7637d"><enum>607.</enum><header>Repeal of
sunset</header>
<subsection id="ID91083e4468ff467bba1675e0e50ea1dd"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repeal</header><text>Section
7368 is repealed.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7de9faf5a64349aabdd2d05fd526a34c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 7368.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>VII</enum><header>Construction</header>
<section id="id9574EBCB700B4E06B87B5B5175A8C3C1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>701.</enum><header>Authorization of
fiscal year 2009 major medical facility projects</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry
out the following major medical facility projects in fiscal year 2009, with
each project to be carried out in the amount specified for each project:</text>
<paragraph id="ID2ea1348f9b54445b8285227bfc07af9a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Construction of an 80-bed
replacement facility in Palo Alto, California, to replace a seismically unsafe
acute psychiatric inpatient building, in an amount not to exceed
$54,000,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID06bacaf5ae25464385f038b9c683e993"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Construction of an
outpatient clinic to meet the increased demand for diagnostic procedures,
ambulatory surgery, and specialty care in Lee County, Florida, in an amount not
to exceed $131,800,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2f0e808939b54e9787473739698513a2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Seismic corrections to
Building 1 at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Juan,
Puerto Rico, in an amount not to exceed $225,900,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8c68a55f2b7e4eec9860fb66df0498bb"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Construction of a
facility for a state-of-the-art polytrauma healthcare and rehabilitation center
in San Antonio, Texas, in an amount not to exceed $66,000,000.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID1a2ae69a54a448c4a20a40f3234a6588"><enum>702.</enum><header>Extension of
authorization for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans,
Louisiana, major medical facility construction project already
authorized</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs may carry out in fiscal year 2009 the restoration, new
construction, or replacement of the medical center facility for the Department
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, due to damage from
Hurricane Katrina, as originally authorized by section 801 of the Veterans
Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law
109–461; 120 Stat. 3442), in an amount not to exceed $625,000,000.</text>
</section><section id="ID7ef20edc4dfc43268ed779dbcb89f75f"><enum>703.</enum><header>Authorization of
fiscal year 2009 major medical facility leases</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry
out the following major medical facility leases in fiscal year 2009 at the
locations specified, and in an amount for each lease not to exceed the amount
shown for each such location:</text>
<paragraph id="IDd0ab8455d12844aaafb173ad19a38898"><enum>(1)</enum><text>For an outpatient clinic,
Brandon, Florida, $4,326,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id008E2BE9F39446608672F67CD3C4076F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>For a community-based
outpatient clinic, Colorado Springs, Colorado, $10,300,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID55e105beb45e445b9987208d291e5ec1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>For an outpatient clinic,
Eugene, Oregon, $5,826,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4b3505e679e44436b6a91e087e1a67db"><enum>(4)</enum><text>For expansion of an
outpatient clinic, Green Bay, Wisconsin, $5,891,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4c89e99a3cc345d695f85fd692b89038"><enum>(5)</enum><text>For an outpatient clinic,
Greenville, South Carolina, $3,731,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1b2151b1efa943978ee344967f323ec5"><enum>(6)</enum><text>For a community-based
outpatient clinic, Mansfield, Ohio, $2,212,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDe4c6f09a517b4cb99cc7e9d03dd9a9a0"><enum>(7)</enum><text>For a satellite
outpatient clinic, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, $6,276,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa12717368b3e4c3aacb51a16e552fb75"><enum>(8)</enum><text>For a community-based
outpatient clinic for Southeast Phoenix, Mesa, Arizona, $5,106,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8a8b4ce94fa04702b4b02ec7687a417b"><enum>(9)</enum><text>For interim research
space, Palo Alto, California, $8,636,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6ce035310428497e96e6d0e5a262132f"><enum>(10)</enum><text>For expansion of a
community-based outpatient clinic, Savannah, Georgia, $3,168,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb6e771b658ae48bba1c8ef03b85e26bc"><enum>(11)</enum><text>For a community-based
outpatient clinic for Northwest Phoenix, Sun City, Arizona, $2,295,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd86c476842f74dd9b45369217ef3c6f4"><enum>(12)</enum><text>For a primary care
annex, Tampa, Florida, $8,652,000.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="IDa12191bbcf55475ab03e5fc72c8bfce5"><enum>704.</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header>
<subsection id="ID50f5c82557b242818dcac64ca6e589e6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations for major medical facility projects</header><text>There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal
year 2009 for the Construction, Major Projects, account—</text>
<paragraph id="IDafcecfbabdd543ba92c4f1ce31395dda"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$477,700,000 for the
projects authorized in section 701; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID775b92cc9a78411c8447edb5e50a8d1d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$625,000,000 for the
project whose authorization is extended by section 702.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDe14ea800621c476ebe6711deb030a67a"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations for medical facility leases</header><text>There is authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2009 for
the Medical Facilities account, $66,419,000 for the leases authorized in
section 703.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID59ea87446343458ea03d7bc22e3e7fd4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
projects authorized in sections 701 and 702 may only be carried out
using—</text>
<paragraph id="IDeb7ae0f7d5234918829b3bc688c10413"><enum>(1)</enum><text>funds appropriated for
fiscal year 2009 pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection
(a) of this section;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID75b6c7c0af6241b7886660771d8f5668"><enum>(2)</enum><text>funds available for
Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2009 that
remain available for obligation;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc89eeddfbb0f43b1a95e96cceea631eb"><enum>(3)</enum><text>funds available for
Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2009 that
remain available for obligation;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1ec16b074ec645f6a671802d89f5c540"><enum>(4)</enum><text>funds appropriated for
Construction, Major Projects, for fiscal year 2009 for a category of activity
not specific to a project;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2306fb3841ae4148abf75909f04af518"><enum>(5)</enum><text>funds appropriated for
Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year before 2009 for a category of
activity not specific to a project; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID11726179a1124f729bec97cd3973e4d0"><enum>(6)</enum><text>funds appropriated for
Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year after 2009 for a category of
activity not specific to a project.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id91B3CD3DA1A64BB79F50C94E2684C1C6" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>705.</enum><header>Increase in
threshold for major medical facility leases requiring Congressional
approval</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 8104(a)(3)(B)
is amended by striking <quote>$600,000</quote> and inserting
<quote>$1,000,000</quote>.</text>
</section><section id="idD7966753E5A3429EBC133AD5CB90281E" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>706.</enum><header>Conveyance of
certain non-Federal land by City of Aurora, Colorado, to Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for construction of veterans medical facility</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 410 of title IV of division I of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 2276) is
amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id84E69BC4D39146B6B7B008F23F632221" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<section id="id9DE5778207224791B697BF240022B4BD" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>410.</enum><header>Conveyance of
certain non-Federal land</header>
<subsection id="idB5363C780EBD42E993C4A2E708213AF3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text>
<paragraph id="idE1B9C2B329334081854D851AC4A2590E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>City</header><text>The
term <term>City</term> means the City of Aurora, Colorado.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2f8d48b900be4843ab955de5820144b9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deed</header><text>The
term <term>deed</term> means the quitclaim deed—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID515385f646c147288ca7408b639c5f33"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conveyed to the City by
the Secretary (acting through the Director of the National Park Service);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2e02b2670ab84e6db95a0833b6256c2e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>dated May 24,
1999.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDa5250e26f85945d59ed9e8a6a2bf4541"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Non-Federal
land</header><text>The term <term>non-Federal land</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDd891581128fa41a4821e255a5d14258e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>parcel I of the former
United States Army Garrison Fitzsimons, Adams County, Colorado, as more
specifically described in the deed; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID242ee502737f4d4d840316546f0fdc99"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the parcel of land
described in the deed.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDddb6835fb29b4379bf6fc1c8a7e1811c"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The
term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of the Interior.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE3610E5DB1E94F499F3CE8A97D00BED9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duty of
Secretary</header><text>To allow the City to convey by donation to the United
States the non-Federal land to be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
the construction of a veterans medical facility, not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall execute each
instrument that is necessary to release all rights, conditions, and
restrictions retained by the United States in and to the non-Federal land
conveyed in the
deed.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><enum>VIII</enum><header>Miscellaneous
provisions</header>
<section id="id0807B702C1CC4FA2AC9FF1D987170AC4"><enum>801.</enum><header>Expansion of authority
for Department of Veterans Affairs police officers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section
902 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idDBAD846262FD494588C375B5B6ECB595"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF0F4BD4868CF44D6AC2FDC6FA7738B00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by amending paragraph (1)
to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBC147EE8F8EA4F7382DBC6057BA87BFB" style="OLC">
<paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idAF279E1DB54144DFAF31B289F3CD2347" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Employees of the
Department who are Department police officers shall, with respect to acts
occurring on Department property—</text>
<subparagraph id="id24B39279371A478A9AE30052C1491850"><enum>(A)</enum><text>enforce Federal
laws;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA7BE165CCED348B5B3E14C896F5CDDC8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>enforce the rules
prescribed under section 901 of this title;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id18A6BE088E1D4DF0A181FC7E2AEDCCDE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>enforce traffic and motor
vehicle laws of a State or local government (by issuance of a citation for
violation of such laws) within the jurisdiction of which such Department
property is located as authorized by an express grant of authority under
applicable State or local law;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCA0BDE244C46416F9F08BF187D6CC026"><enum>(D)</enum><text>carry the appropriate
Department-issued weapons, including firearms, while off Department property in
an official capacity or while in an official travel status;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF9D3FF6D0C024DB0BFDA42E5F2B82530"><enum>(E)</enum><text>conduct investigations,
on and off Department property, of offenses that may have been committed on
property under the original jurisdiction of Department, consistent with
agreements or other consultation with affected local, State, or Federal law
enforcement agencies; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id478F553CEB4F4789942D5D029BD4A1F5"><enum>(F)</enum><text>carry out, as needed and
appropriate, the duties described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this
paragraph when engaged in duties authorized by other Federal
statutes.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4DD4449A90194C43A431AF7506461732"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (2)
and redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDA811FB581D74F1BBA20C32F246ADFBD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), as
redesignated by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, by inserting <quote>, and
on any arrest warrant issued by competent judicial authority</quote> before the
period; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idFA7FABD2EFCC400C87E901346C15A89C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by amending subsection
(c) to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF94AD7354E1E4A72A08E49E60C5D3DAB" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id8325066659AC47619FCD10CAE733C47A" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(c)</enum><text>The powers granted to
Department police officers designated under this section shall be exercised in
accordance with guidelines approved by the Secretary and the Attorney
General.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="idF30EADBBCC33485BB10DA932693B07FB"><enum>802.</enum><header>Uniform allowance for
Department of Veterans Affairs police officers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 903 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id329EAA55356F4F8085FE27B90BAA5920"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by amending subsection
(b) to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id36470F63397948BDB071F2DFFF4A5B71" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idA0F78436C0CA45D4BAE94ED91D43DF51" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(b)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idE1C8664B09F9412890E12EC8018D86ED"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The amount of the
allowance that the Secretary may pay under this section is the lesser
of—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id04CA1C35C8574C3F809F281F752998D0" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount currently
allowed as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id0DBDA6394D50474E99FF3CF065392A53" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>estimated costs or actual
costs as determined by periodic surveys conducted by the Department.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="id16B1EF94F66E46DD9DE857B391423BE2" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>During any fiscal year no
officer shall receive more for the purchase of a uniform described in
subsection (a) than the amount established under this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE5CBC0D0AC3A48FAA24F1EFDFCD15742"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subsection
(c) and inserting the following new subsection (c):</text>
<quoted-block changed="not-changed" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC33117C121484A3C9C65FDE06EF96B21" style="OLC">
<subsection changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="idC566F5AB55584AAC9E8BEA91B1F5D6C0" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(c)</enum><text>The allowance established
under subsection (b) shall be paid at the beginning of a Department police
officer's employment for those appointed on or after October 1, 2008. In the
case of any other Department police officer, an allowance in the amount
established under subsection (b) shall be paid upon the request of the
officer.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="id07190252E7D64DA2916CA4F74F8711B3" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>803.</enum><header>Conditions for
treatment of veterans, their surviving spouses, and their children as
adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes</header>
<subsection id="id826991F987BF423F8706158BF396C1E5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 55 is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC2CE899F1E1F4796A2751A0540956668" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC">
<section id="id41655ED6AD2D43E9BF62F76C009BF1F7"><enum>5511.</enum><header>Conditions for
treatment of veterans, surviving spouses, and children as adjudicated mentally
incompetent for certain purposes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In any case arising out of the
administration by the Secretary of laws and benefits under this title, a
veteran, surviving spouse, or child who is mentally incapacitated, deemed
mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness shall
not be considered adjudicated as a mental defective under subsection (d)(4) or
(g)(4) of section 922 of title 18 without the order or finding of a judge,
magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such
veteran, surviving spouse, or child is a danger to him- or herself or
others.</text>
</section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idD62ED17429F04688BEDFD05B19EA3424"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" id="ide14af80f-185a-470c-a277-faddb70a0f0c" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC">
<toc changed="added" committee-id="SSVA00" reported-display-style="italic">
<toc-entry idref="id41655ED6AD2D43E9BF62F76C009BF1F7" level="section">5511. Conditions for treatment of veterans,
their surviving spouses, and their children as adjudicated mentally incompetent
for certain
purposes.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section>Amend the title so as to read:
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of
the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other
critical health-care professionals, to improve the provision of health care to
veterans, and for other purposes.
.
September 18 (legislative day, September 17),
2008
Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the
title