[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5360 Reported in House (RH)]

                                                 Union Calendar No. 366
111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5360

                          [Report No. 111-626]

To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the standard of visual 
     acuity required for eligibility for specially adapted housing 
       assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 20, 2010

   Ms. Herseth Sandlin (for herself and Mr. Boozman) introduced the 
   following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
                                Affairs

                           September 28, 2010

           Additional sponsors: Mr. Teague and Ms. Slaughter

                           September 28, 2010

Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House 
          on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]


_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the standard of visual 
     acuity required for eligibility for specially adapted housing 
       assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.


 


    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Blinded Veterans Adaptive 
Housing Improvement Act of 2010''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF STANDARD OF VISUAL ACUITY REQUIRED FOR 
              ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE 
              PROVIDED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 2101(b)(2)(A) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``5/200 visual acuity or less'' and 
inserting ``20/200 best corrected visual acuity or less or a peripheral 
field of 20 degrees or less''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to specially adapted housing assistance 
provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Housing, 
Employment, and Living Programs for Veterans Act of 2010'' or the 
``HELP Veterans Act of 2010''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--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.
Sec. 3. Modification of standard of visual acuity required for 
                            eligibility for specially adapted housing 
                            assistance provided by the Secretary of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 4. Authorities regarding housing loans guaranteed by the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 5. Reauthorization and improvement of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs small business loan program.
Sec. 6. Assistance for flight training.
Sec. 7. Seven-year increase in amount of assistance for individuals 
                            pursuing internships or on-job training.
Sec. 8. Extension of authority for certain qualifying work-study 
                            activities for purposes of the educational 
                            assistance programs of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 9. Expansion of work-study allowance to include certain outreach 
                            services conducted through congressional 
                            offices.
Sec. 10. Temporary reduction of required amount of wages for on-the-job 
                            training programs.
Sec. 11. Reauthorization of Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
Sec. 12. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
                            reintegration grant program.
Sec. 13. Technology review and grant program.
Sec. 14. Child care; President's Budget.
Sec. 15. Increase in amount of reporting fee payable to educational 
                            institutions that enroll veterans receiving 
                            educational assistance.
Sec. 16. Modification of advance payment of initial educational 
                            assistance or subsistence allowance.
Sec. 17. Increase in amount of subsistence allowance payable to 
                            veterans participating in vocational 
                            rehabilitation program.
Sec. 18. Expansion of availability of employment assistance allowance 
                            for veterans using employment services.
Sec. 19. Promoting jobs for service-disabled veterans teaching in rural 
                            areas.
Sec. 20. Promoting jobs for veterans through the establishment of an 
                            internship program.
Sec. 21. Promoting jobs for veterans through the use of sole source 
                            contracts by Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            for purposes of meeting the contracting 
                            goals and preferences of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs for small business 
                            concerns owned and controlled by veterans.
Sec. 22. Veterans entrepreneurial development summit.
Sec. 23. Increase in the maximum amount of specially adapted housing 
                            assistance authorized to be provided by the 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 24. Department of Veterans Affairs housing loans for construction 
                            of energy efficient dwellings.
Sec. 25. Pilot program on specially adapted housing assistance for 
                            veterans residing temporarily in housing 
                            owned by a family member.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a 
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be 
considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, 
United States Code.

SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF STANDARD OF VISUAL ACUITY REQUIRED FOR 
              ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE 
              PROVIDED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 2101(b)(2)(A) is amended by striking 
``with 5/200'' and all that follows through the period and inserting 
the following: ``with central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the 
better eye with the use of standard correcting lenses (for purposes of 
this subparagraph, an eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the 
fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field 
subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be treated as having 
a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to specially adapted housing assistance provided on 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. AUTHORITIES REGARDING HOUSING LOANS GUARANTEED BY THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Covenants and Liens in Response to Disaster-relief 
Assistance.--Paragraph (3) of section 3703(d) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(3)(A) Any real estate housing loan (other than for repairs, 
alterations, or improvements) shall be secured by a first lien on the 
realty. In determining whether a loan is so secured, the Secretary may 
either disregard or allow for subordination to a superior lien that--
            ``(i) is created by a duly recorded covenant running with 
        the realty in favor of--
                    ``(I) a public entity that provides assistance in 
                response to a major disaster as determined by the 
                President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
                and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); 
                or
                    ``(II) a private entity to secure an obligation to 
                such entity for the homeowner's share of the costs of 
                the management, operation, or maintenance of property, 
                services, or programs within and for the benefit of the 
                development or community in which the veteran's realty 
                is located; and
            ``(ii) the Secretary determines will not prejudice the 
        interests of the veteran borrower and of the Government by the 
        operation of such a covenant.
    ``(B) In respect to a superior lien described by subparagraph (A) 
that is created after June 6, 1969, the Secretary's determination must 
have been made prior to the recordation of the covenant.''.
    (b) Extension of Authority to Pool Loans.--Paragraph (2) of section 
3720(h) is amended by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2016''.

SEC. 5. REAUTHORIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) Reauthorization.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 37 is amended by striking section 
        3751.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 3751.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 3749 is amended by 
        striking subsection (e).
    (b) Expansion of Eligibility for Small Business Loans.--Chapter 37 
is further amended--
            (1) in section 3741--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (B) by striking ``this subchapter--'' and all that 
                follows through ```disabled veteran''' and inserting 
                ``this subchapter, the term `disabled veteran'''; and
            (2) in section 3742(a)(3)(A), by striking ``veterans of the 
        Vietnam era or''.
    (c) Repeal of Authority To Make Direct Loans.--Chapter 37, as 
amended by subsections (a) and (b), is further amended--
            (1) in section 3742--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(A) 
                        loan guaranties, or (B) direct loans'' and 
                        inserting ``loan guaranties''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``and 
                        that at least 51 percent of a business concern 
                        must be owned by disabled veterans in order for 
                        such concern to qualify for a direct loan'';
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (1) and 
                        redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as 
                        paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
                        by striking ``make or'';
                    (C) in subsection (c), by striking ``made or'';
                    (D) in subsection (d)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (2);
                            (ii) by striking ``(1) Except as provided 
                        in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the'' and 
                        inserting ``The''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``make or''; and
                    (E) in subsection (e)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1)--
                                    (I) in the first sentence, by 
                                striking ``or, if the loan was a direct 
                                loan made by the Secretary, may suspend 
                                such obligation''; and
                                    (II) in the second sentence, by 
                                striking ``or while such obligation is 
                                suspended'';
                            (ii) by striking ``or suspend'' each place 
                        it appears;
                            (iii) by striking ``or suspension'' each 
                        place it appears;
                            (iv) by striking ``or suspends'' each place 
                        it appears; and
                            (v) by striking ``or suspended'' each place 
                        it appears;
            (2) in section 3743--
                    (A) by striking ``that is provided a direct loan 
                under this subchapter, or'';
                    (B) by striking the comma between ``subchapter'' 
                and ``shall'';
                    (C) by striking ``direct or''; and
                    (D) by striking ``for the amount of such direct 
                loan or, in the case of a guaranteed loan,'';
            (3) in section 3746, by striking ``made or'' both places it 
        appears;
            (4) in section 3749(b), by striking ``and direct loan''; 
        and
            (5) in section 3750, by striking ``made or''.
    (d) Authority to Enter Into a Contract.--Section 3742, as amended 
by subsection (c), is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(f) The Secretary shall enter into a contract with an appropriate 
entity for the purpose of carrying out the program under this 
subchapter.''.
    (e) Loan Fee.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 37 is further amended by inserting 
        after section 3749 the following new section:
``Sec. 3749A. Loan Fee
    ``(a) Requirement of Fee.--(1) The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) collect a fee from each veterans' small business 
        concern obtaining a loan guaranteed under this subchapter; and
            ``(B) deposit such fee in the fund established under 
        section 3749 of this title.
    ``(2) No loan may be guaranteed under this subchapter until the fee 
payable under this section has been remitted to the Secretary.
    ``(3) The fee may be included in the loan guaranteed under this 
subchapter and paid from the proceeds thereof.
    ``(b) Determination of Fee.--The amount of the fee shall be an 
amount necessary to ensure the solvency of the fund established under 
section 3749 of this title, as determined by the Secretary.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 3749 the following new item:

``3749A. Loan fee.''.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 3749(c) 
        is amended by inserting ``, fees collected under section 3749A 
        of this title,'' after ``principal and interest''.

SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE FOR FLIGHT TRAINING.

     Subsection (e)(1) of section 3032 is amended by striking ``60 
percent'' and inserting ``75 percent''.

SEC. 7. SEVEN-YEAR INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS 
              PURSUING INTERNSHIPS OR ON-JOB TRAINING.

    During the seven-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall apply--
            (1) section 3032(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by substituting ``80 
                percent'' for ``75 percent'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by substituting ``60 
                percent'' for ``55 percent''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by substituting ``40 
                percent'' for ``35 percent'';
            (2) section 3233(a) of such title--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by substituting ``80 
                percent'' for ``75 percent'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by substituting ``60 
                percent'' for ``55 percent''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by substituting ``40 
                percent'' for ``35 percent'';
            (3) section 3687(b)(2) of such title--
                    (A) by substituting ``$603'' for ``$574'';
                    (B) by substituting ``$450'' for ``$429''; and
                    (C) by substituting ``$299'' for ``$285''; and
            (4) section 16131(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by substituting ``80 
                percent'' for ``75 percent'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by substituting ``60 
                percent'' for ``55 percent''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by substituting ``40 
                percent'' for ``35 percent''.

SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING WORK-STUDY 
              ACTIVITIES FOR PURPOSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Paragraph (4) of section 3485(a) is amended by striking ``June 30, 
2010'' each place it appears and inserting ``June 30, 2020''.

SEC. 9. EXPANSION OF WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE TO INCLUDE CERTAIN OUTREACH 
              SERVICES CONDUCTED THROUGH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES.

     Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph:
            ``(G) The following activities carried out at the offices 
        of Members of Congress for such Members:
                    ``(i) The distribution of information to members of 
                the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents about 
                the benefits and services under laws administered by 
                the Secretary and other appropriate governmental and 
                non-governmental programs.
                    ``(ii) The provision of assistance in ascertaining 
                the status of claims (including appeals) for benefits 
                under laws administered by the Secretary, as well as 
                other constituent services for veterans as the 
                Secretary determines appropriate.''.

SEC. 10. TEMPORARY REDUCTION OF REQUIRED AMOUNT OF WAGES FOR ON-THE-JOB 
              TRAINING PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Reducing requirement.--Section 3677(b)(1)(A)(ii) is 
        amended by striking ``85 per centum'' and inserting ``60 
        percent''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall take effect on October 1, 2010, and shall apply to a 
        veteran who enrolls in a program of training on the job 
        approved under section 3677 of title 38, United States Code, on 
        or after such date.
    (b) Sunset.--
            (1) Reversion.--Effective October 1, 2013, section 
        3677(b)(1)(A)(ii) of such title, as amended by subsection (a) 
        of this section, is amended by striking ``60 percent'' and 
        inserting ``85 percent''.
            (2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall 
        apply to a veteran who enrolls in a program of training on the 
        job approved under section 3677 of title 38, United States 
        Code, on or after October 1, 2013.
    (c) GAO Report.--Not later than October 1, 2013, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
a report on the effects of eliminating the requirement under section 
3677(b)(1)(A)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, for a private 
employer to provide wage increases to veterans enrolled in a program of 
training on the job approved under section 3677 of such title.

SEC. 11. REAUTHORIZATION OF VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

    Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2009'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2020''.

SEC. 12. HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN 
              REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Grant Program.--Chapter 20 is amended by inserting after 
section 2021 the following new section:
``Sec. 2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with 
              children reintegration grant program
    ``(a) Grants.--Subject to the availability of appropriations 
provided for such purpose, the Secretary of Labor shall make grants to 
programs and facilities that the Secretary determines provide dedicated 
services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with 
children.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants under this section shall be used to 
provide job training, counseling, placement services (including job 
readiness and literacy and skills training) and child care services to 
expedite the reintegration of homeless women veterans and homeless 
veterans with children into the labor force.
    ``(c) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1) The 
Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as that Secretary 
considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the distribution and 
expenditure of funds appropriated to carry out this section. The 
information shall include data with respect to the results or outcomes 
of the services provided to each homeless veteran under this section.
    ``(2) Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in such 
form and manner as the Secretary of Labor may specify.
    ``(d)  Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary of Labor shall carry 
out this section through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
Employment and Training.
    ``(e) Biennial Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
include as part of the report required under section 2021(d) of this 
title an evaluation of the grant program under this section, which 
shall include an evaluation of services furnished to veterans under 
this section and an analysis of the information collected under 
subsection (c).
    ``(f) Appropriated Funds.--(1) In addition to any amount authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out section 2021 of this title, there is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016.
    ``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall remain 
available until expended. Funds obligated in any fiscal year to carry 
out this section may be expended in that fiscal year and the succeeding 
fiscal year.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
2021 the following new item:

``2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
                            reintegration grant program.''.

SEC. 13. TECHNOLOGY REVIEW AND GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Review and Evaluation of New Technology.--The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall establish a team of individuals from appropriate 
disciplines to be responsible for reviewing new technologies, 
processes, and products and for determining which such technologies, 
processes, and products may be beneficial to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs or to the veterans served by the Department. Upon completion of 
the review under this subsection, the team shall submit the review to 
the Secretary, who shall disseminate the review within the Department, 
as appropriate.
    (b) Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 21 is amended by adding at the end 
        the following new section:
``Sec. 2108. Specially adapted housing assistive technology grant 
              program
    ``(a) Authority to Make Grants.--The Secretary shall make grants to 
encourage the development of new assistive technologies for specially 
adapted housing.
    ``(b) Application.--A person or entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant in 
such form and manner as the Secretary shall specify.
    ``(c) Grant Funds.--Each grant awarded under this section shall be 
in an amount of not more than $250,000 per year.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--The recipient of a grant under this section 
shall use the grant to develop assistive technologies for use in 
specially adapted housing.
    ``(e) Report.--Not later than March 1 of each year following a year 
in which the Secretary makes a grant, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report containing information related to each grant awarded 
under this section during the preceding calendar year, including--
            ``(1) the name of the grant recipient;
            ``(2) the amount of the grant; and
            ``(3) the goal of the grant.
    ``(f) Funding.--From amounts authorized to be appropriated to the 
Department for each fiscal year for which the Secretary is authorized 
to make a grant under this section, $1,500,000 shall be available for 
that fiscal year for the purposes of the program under this section.
    ``(g) Termination.--The authority to make a grant under this 
section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date 
of the enactment of this section.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new item:

``2108. Specially adapted housing assistive technology grant 
                            program.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall begin making grants under section 2108 of title 38, 
        United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), by not later 
        than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 14. CHILD CARE; PRESIDENT'S BUDGET.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 31 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new sections:
``Sec. 3123. Child care assistance for single parents
    ``(a) In General.--Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary shall provide 
reimbursements for the actual cost of child care provided by a licensed 
provider to a veteran who--
            ``(1) is participating in a vocational rehabilitation 
        program under this chapter;
            ``(2) is the sole caretaker of a child; and
            ``(3) would not otherwise be able to afford such child 
        care.
    ``(b) Amount and Duration.--The amount of the reimbursement for the 
actual cost for child care under this section shall be not more than 
$2,000 per month for each month the veteran is participating in a 
vocational rehabilitation program under this chapter.
``Sec. 3124. Information included in support of President's budget
    ``The Secretary shall include in documents submitted to Congress by 
the Secretary in support of the President's budget for each fiscal year 
submitted under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the 
following:
            ``(1) For the calendar year preceding the submission--
                    ``(A) the percentage of veterans receiving 
                assistance under this chapter who became employed; and
                    ``(B) the percentage of veterans receiving 
                assistance under this chapter who achieved independence 
                in daily living.
            ``(2) Any changes made by the Secretary in measuring or 
        calculating the performance of the department under this 
        chapter.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

``3123. Child care assistance for single parents.
``3124. Information included in support of President's budget.''.

SEC. 15. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF REPORTING FEE PAYABLE TO EDUCATIONAL 
              INSTITUTIONS THAT ENROLL VETERANS RECEIVING EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Increase in Amount of Fee.--Subsection (c) of section 3684 is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``$7'' and inserting ``$16''; and
            (2) by striking ``$11'' and inserting ``$16''.
    (b) Technical Correction.--Subsection (a) of such section is 
amended by striking the second comma after ``34''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) 
shall take effect on January 1, 2011.

SEC. 16. MODIFICATION OF ADVANCE PAYMENT OF INITIAL EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE OR SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE.

    (a) Modification.--Section 3680(d)(2) is amended by inserting after 
the third sentence the following new sentence: ``For purposes of the 
entitlement to educational assistance of the veteran or person 
receiving an advance payment under this subsection, the advance payment 
shall be charged against the final month of the entitlement of the 
person or veteran and, if necessary, the penultimate such month. In no 
event may any veteran or person receive more than one advance payment 
under this subsection during any academic year.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to an advance payment of educational assistance made 
on or after September 1, 2010.

SEC. 17. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO 
              VETERANS PARTICIPATING IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Increase in Subsistence Allowance.--Section 3108(b)(1) is 
amended by striking the table and inserting the following new table:


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 ``Column  I                  Column  II    Column   Column  IV              Column V
---------------------------------------------------------    III    --------------------------------------------
                                                         -----------
              Type of   program                   No         One         Two        More than  two dependents
                                              dependents  dependent  dependents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              ..........  .........  ..........  The amount in column IV, plus
                                                                                  the following for each
                                                                                  dependent in excess of two:
Full-time...................................     $576.01    $714.50     $841.98  $61.37
Three-quarter time..........................     $432.80    $536.65     $629.50  $47.19
Half-time...................................     $289.59    $358.81     $421.77  $31.49''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to a payment made for the third month beginning 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and each subsequent month.

SEC. 18. EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE 
              FOR VETERANS USING EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.

    Paragraph (2) of section 3108(a) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2) In the case of a veteran with a service-connected disability 
who the Secretary determines has reached a point of employability and 
who is participating only in a program of employment services provided 
under section 3104(a)(5) of this title, the Secretary shall pay the 
veteran a subsistence allowance as prescribed in this section for three 
months while the veteran is satisfactorily pursuing such program.''.

SEC. 19. PROMOTING JOBS FOR SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS TEACHING IN RURAL 
              AREAS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 36 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 3698. Assistance allowance for rural veteran teachers
    ``(a) Reducing Administrative Burden.--The Secretary may pay to a 
rural veteran teacher a monthly assistance allowance of $500.
    ``(b) Duration.--The aggregate period for which the Secretary may 
pay a rural veteran teacher a monthly assistance allowance under 
subsection (a) may not exceed 24 months.
    ``(c) Rural Veteran Teacher Defined.--In this section, the term 
`rural veteran teacher' means a veteran who--
            ``(1) is discharged from service in the Armed Forces under 
        honorable conditions;
            ``(2) is employed to teach full-time at an accredited 
        elementary or secondary school that is located in a rural area 
        (as determined by the Bureau of the Census);
            ``(3) on the date on which the veteran applies for a 
        monthly assistance allowance under subsection (a), is enrolled 
        in an accredited course leading to certification as a teacher;
            ``(4) has not been previously employed to teach full-time 
        at an accredited elementary or secondary school; and
            ``(5) is entitled to compensation under section 1110 of 
        this title.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 
and each fiscal year thereafter.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
3697A the following new item:

``3698. Assistance allowance for rural veteran teachers.''.

SEC. 20. PROMOTING JOBS FOR VETERANS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN 
              INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 7 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 712. Internship program
    ``(a) Internship Program.--The Secretary may carry out an 
internship program through which the Secretary shall award internships 
to up to 2,000 veterans each year in accordance with this section. The 
recipient of an internship under this section shall be employed in the 
Veterans Benefits Administration for the duration of the internship.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an internship under 
this section a veteran shall have completed a rehabilitation program 
under chapter 31 of this title. In awarding internships under this 
section, the Secretary shall give a preference to a veteran who has 
completed a program of long-term education or training, as determined 
by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Salary; Benefits.--(1) Each recipient of an internship under 
this section shall be paid at a rate determined by the Secretary, 
except that such rate shall be at least the maximum annual rate of 
basic pay payable for grade GS-3 of the General Schedule under section 
5332 of title 5, United States Code, and shall not exceed the maximum 
annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-5 of such schedule. 
Payments under this paragraph shall be derived from amounts available 
in the `General operating expenses' account of the Department.
    ``(2) Each such recipient shall be entitled to leave on the same 
basis as employees of the Department who are paid at the same annual 
rate, except that such recipient may not be reimbursed for any unused 
leave at the end of the internship.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall furnish hospital care, medical services, 
and nursing home care to each recipient of an internship under this 
section on the same basis as a veteran described in subsection (B) of 
paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of section 1710 of this title unless 
the recipient is eligible for such care and services under subparagraph 
(A) of such paragraph or under paragraph (1) of such subsection.
    ``(4) The recipient of an internship under this section may receive 
an allowance under section 3108 of this title if such recipient is 
entitled to such an allowance.
    ``(d) Duration.--No internship under this section shall exceed 12 
months in duration.
    ``(e) Outreach.--The Secretary shall notify each participant in a 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title of the internship 
program under this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
711 the following new item:

``712. Internship program.''.

SEC. 21. PROMOTING JOBS FOR VETERANS THROUGH THE USE OF SOLE SOURCE 
              CONTRACTS BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR PURPOSES 
              OF MEETING THE CONTRACTING GOALS AND PREFERENCES OF THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR SMALL BUSINESS 
              CONCERNS OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 8127(c) is amended by striking ``may'' and 
inserting ``shall''.
    (b) Deadline for Interim Policy Guidance.--By not later than 30 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall issue interim policy guidance to carry out the 
amendment made by subsection (a).

SEC. 22. VETERANS ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 81 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 8129. Veterans entrepreneurial development summit
    ``(a) Veterans Entrepreneurial Development Summit.--The Secretary 
may hold an event, once every year, to provide networking 
opportunities, outreach, education, training, and support to small 
business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, veterans service 
organizations, and other entities as determined appropriate by the 
Secretary.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2011 and 2021.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to 
subchapter II the following:

``8129. Veterans entrepreneurial development summit.''.

SEC. 23. INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
              ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED TO BE PROVIDED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 2102 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``$12,000'' and 
        inserting ``$13,756''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$60,000'' and 
                inserting ``$65,780''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$12,000'' and 
                inserting ``$13,756''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to assistance furnished after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 24. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOANS FOR CONSTRUCTION 
              OF ENERGY EFFICIENT DWELLINGS.

    (a) Loans Authorized.--Section 3710(d) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting 
                ``(A) The Secretary'';
                    (B) by striking ``for the acquisition of'' and all 
                that follows through the end and inserting ``for any of 
                the following purposes:'';
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
            ``(i) The acquisition of an existing dwelling and the cost 
        of making energy efficiency improvements to the dwelling.
            ``(ii) The construction of a new dwelling and the cost of 
        making energy efficiency improvements to the dwelling.
            ``(iii) Energy efficiency improvements to a dwelling owned 
        and occupied by a veteran.''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraphs:
    ``(B) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a loan may 
be guaranteed under this subsection only if it meets the requirements 
of this chapter.
    ``(C) The Secretary shall determine appropriate energy efficiency 
standards for purposes of this subsection and shall require that 
dwellings purchased, constructed, or improved using a loan guaranteed 
under this subsection meet such standards.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
        and inserting the following new subparagraphs (A) and (B):
            ``(A) five percent of the total established value of the 
        property, dwelling, and improvements; or
            ``(B) $6,000, or a higher amount specifically provided by 
        the Secretary.''.
    (b) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance on appraising 
the value of energy efficiency improvements for purposes of section 
3710(d) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this Act.
    (c) Regulations.--
            (1) Interim policy guidance.--Not later than 90 days after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall prescribe interim policy guidance on 
        energy efficiency audits and the conditions under which the 
        performance of such audits may be included in the amount 
        guaranteed by the Secretary under section 3710(d) of title 38, 
        United States Code, as amended by subsection (a).
            (2) Regulations.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe 
        regulations to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a).
            (3) Energy efficiency audit defined.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, the term ``energy efficiency audit'' means a 
        measurement of the effects of an improvement made to a dwelling 
        for the purpose of reducing energy consumption or increasing 
        energy efficiency that is carried out by a certified 
        professional auditor, as determined by the Secretary.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) 
shall apply with respect to a loan secured on or after January 1, 2011.

SEC. 25. PILOT PROGRAM ON SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR 
              VETERANS RESIDING TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A 
              FAMILY MEMBER.

    (a) Treatment of Certain Limitations.--Notwithstanding subsection 
(d) of section 2102 of title 38, United States Code, and subject to 
subsection (b), a grant under section 2102A of such title shall not 
count toward the dollar amount limitations specified in that 
subsection.
    (b) Termination.--Subsection (a) shall apply only to the first 25 
grants made during fiscal year 2011.
            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to amend title 38, 
        United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws 
        administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for 
        other purposes.''.
                                                 Union Calendar No. 366

111th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 5360

                          [Report No. 111-626]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the standard of visual 
     acuity required for eligibility for specially adapted housing 
       assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           September 28, 2010

Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House 
          on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed