II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3000 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 8, 2008 Mr. Akaka (for himself and Mr. Inouye) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to include federally recognized tribal organizations in certain grant programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the several States and territories, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Native American Veterans Access Act of 2008.

2.

Inclusion of Federally recognized tribal organizations in certain grant programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the States and territories

(a)

Treatment of tribal organization health facilities as State homes

Section 8138 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2)by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection (e): (e)(1)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. (2)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). (3)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). (4)In this subsection, the term tribal organization has the meaning given such term in section 3764(4) of this title. . (b)

State home facilities for domiciliary, nursing, and other care

(1)

In general

Chapter 81 of such title is further amended— (A)in section 8131, by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5)The term tribal organization has the meaning given such term in section 3764(4) of this title. ; (B)in section 8132, by inserting and tribal organizations after the several States; and (C)by inserting after section 8133 the following new section:

8133A.

Tribal organizations

(a)The Secretary may make grants to tribal organizations under this subchapter in order to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. (b)Grants to tribal organizations under this section shall be made in the same manner, and under the same conditions, as grants made 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.

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8133 the following new item: 8133A. Tribal organizations. . (c)

Job counseling, training, and placement services for veterans

Section 4101 of such title is amended— (1)in paragraph (6), by inserting tribal organizations, after to the extent determined necessary and feasible,; and (2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9)The term tribal organization has the meaning given such term in section 3764(4) of this title. .