I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3350 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 3, 2011 Mr. Griffin of Arkansas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the waiver period with respect to a deductible made by a veteran for certain travel costs necessary to receive treatment at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Travel Benefits Modernization Act.

2.

Waiver period for deductible required by veterans to receive certain travel costs

(a)

In general

Section 111(c)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (4)(A)The Secretary may waive the deduction requirement of paragraph (1) in the case of the travel of any veteran for whom the imposition of the deduction would cause severe financial hardship. Except as provided by subparagraph (C), any waiver granted under this subparagraph shall be valid until the date that is the earlier of— (i)the date that is one year after the date on which the waiver is granted; or (ii)the date on which the Secretary determines that the deduction would no longer cause the veteran severe financial hardship. (B)The Secretary shall prescribe in regulations the conditions under which a finding of severe financial hardship is warranted for purposes of this paragraph. (C)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any waiver granted under this paragraph to a veteran between the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on June 1, 2012, shall be deemed to be valid until the date that is the earlier of— (i)the birthday of the veteran occurring after June 1, 2012; or (ii)the date on which the Secretary determines that the deduction would no longer cause the veteran severe financial hardship. . (b)

Clarification in Veterans Health Administration handbook

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall revise the Veterans Health Administration Handbook to clarify the waiver period of waivers granted under section 111(c)(4) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a). (c)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to waivers granted under section 111(c)(4) of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.