[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 914 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 188
112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 914

                          [Report No. 112-88]

 To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the waiver of the 
  collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of 
                   veterans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 9, 2011

 Mr. Begich (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Tester) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                           Veterans' Affairs

                            October 11, 2011

               Reported by Mrs. Murray, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the waiver of the 
  collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of 
                   veterans, and for other purposes.

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

<DELETED>SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
              TELEHEALTH AND TELEMEDICINE VISITS OF VETERANS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1722A the 
following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments 
              for telehealth and telemedicine visits of 
              veterans</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``The Secretary may waive the imposition or collection of 
copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans under the 
laws administered by the Secretary.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 1722A the following new item:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments for 
                            telehealth and telemedicine visits of 
                            veterans.''.

</DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Programs 
Improvement Act of 2011''.
    (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.

                      TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

Sec. 101. Authority to waive collection of copayments for telehealth 
                            and telemedicine visits of veterans.
Sec. 102. Teleconsultation, teleretinal imaging, and telemedicine.
Sec. 103. Payments and allowances for beneficiary travel in connection 
                            with veterans receiving care from Vet 
                            Centers.
Sec. 104. Use of service dogs on property of the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 105. Rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain 
                            injury.
Sec. 106. Centers of excellence for rural health research, education, 
                            and clinical activities.
Sec. 107. Provision of chiropractic services to veterans enrolled in 
                            health care system of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 108. Reimbursement rate for ambulance services.
Sec. 109. Increased flexibility in establishing payment rates for 
                            nursing home care provided by State homes.
Sec. 110. Access to State prescription monitoring programs.
Sec. 111. Improvements for recovery and collection of amounts for 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care 
                            Collections Fund.

                  TITLE II--HOMELESS VETERANS MATTERS

Sec. 201. Enhancement of comprehensive service programs.
Sec. 202. Modification of grant program for homeless veterans with 
                            special needs.
Sec. 203. Modification of authority for provision of treatment and 
                            rehabilitation to certain veterans to 
                            include provision of treatment and 
                            rehabilitation to homeless veterans who are 
                            not seriously mentally ill.
Sec. 204. Plan to end veteran homelessness.
Sec. 205. Extension of certain authorities relating to homeless 
                            veterans.
Sec. 206. Reauthorization of appropriations for homeless veterans 
                            reintegration program.
Sec. 207. Reauthorization of appropriations for financial assistance 
                            for supportive services for very low-income 
                            veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 208. Reauthorization of appropriations for grant program for 
                            homeless veterans with special needs.
Sec. 209. Collaboration in provision of case management services to 
                            homeless veterans in supported housing 
                            program.

                       TITLE III--HOUSING MATTERS

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Extended period of protections for members of uniformed 
                            services relating to mortgages, mortgage 
                            foreclosure, and eviction.
Sec. 303. Occupancy of property by dependent child of veteran for 
                            purposes of meeting occupancy requirement 
                            for Department of Veterans Affairs housing 
                            loans.
Sec. 304. Waiver of loan fee for individuals with disability ratings 
                            issued during pre-discharge programs.
Sec. 305. Improvements to assistance for disabled veterans residing in 
                            housing owned by a family member.
Sec. 306. Expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing 
                            assistance for veterans with vision 
                            impairment.
Sec. 307. Revised limitations on assistance furnished for acquisition 
                            and adaptation of housing for disabled 
                            veterans.

               TITLE IV--COMPENSATION AND PENSION MATTERS

Sec. 401. Increase in rate of pension for disabled veterans married to 
                            one another and both of whom require 
                            regular aid and attendance.
Sec. 402. Authority for retroactive effective date for awards of 
                            disability compensation in connection with 
                            applications that are fully-developed at 
                            submittal.
Sec. 403. Modification of month of death benefit for surviving spouses 
                            of veterans who die while entitled to 
                            compensation or pension.
Sec. 404. Automatic waiver of agency of original jurisdiction review of 
                            new evidence.

            TITLE V--MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND CEMETERY MATTERS

Sec. 501. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former 
                            members of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 502. Codification of prohibition against reservation of gravesites 
                            at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sec. 503. Expansion of eligibility for presidential memorial 
                            certificates to persons who died in the 
                            active military, naval, or air service.

                     TITLE VI--CONSTRUCTION MATTERS

Sec. 601. Authorization of fiscal year 2012 major medical facility 
                            projects.
Sec. 602. Modification of authorization for certain major medical 
                            facility construction projects previously 
                            authorized.
Sec. 603. Authorization of fiscal year 2012 major medical facility 
                            leases.
Sec. 604. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 605. Limitation on authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
                            use bid savings on major medical facility 
                            projects to expand purpose of major medical 
                            facility projects.
Sec. 606. Designation of George H. O'Brien, Jr., Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 607. Designation of Major William Edward Adams Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs Clinic.

          TITLE VII--OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AND BENEFITS MATTERS

Sec. 701. Assistance to veterans affected by natural disasters.
Sec. 702. Aggregate amount of educational assistance available to 
                            individuals who receive both survivors' and 
                            dependents educational assistance and other 
                            veterans and related educational 
                            assistance.
Sec. 703. Department of Veterans Affairs enforcement penalties for 
                            misrepresentation of a business concern as 
                            a small business concern owned and 
                            controlled by veterans or as a small 
                            business concern owned and controlled by 
                            service-disabled veterans.
Sec. 704. Authority for certain persons to sign claims filed with 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs on behalf of 
                            claimants.
Sec. 705. Improvement of process for filing jointly for social security 
                            and dependency and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 706. Parity between part-time and full-time students under 
                            employee incentive scholarship program.
Sec. 707. Report on pay-for-performance compensation under health care 
                            services contracts.
Sec. 708. Extension of authority to obtain information from Secretary 
                            of Treasury and Commissioner of Social 
                            Security for income verification purposes.
Sec. 709. Extension of authority for regional office of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs in Republic of the 
                            Philippines.
Sec. 710. Report on establishment of a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center 
                            or Polytrauma Network Site of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs in the 
                            northern Rockies or Dakotas.
Sec. 711. Modification of loan guaranty fee for certain initial loans.

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 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.

                      TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

SEC. 101. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR TELEHEALTH 
              AND TELEMEDICINE VISITS OF VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 is amended by 
inserting after section 1722A the following new section:
``Sec. 1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments for 
              telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans
    ``The Secretary may waive the imposition or collection of 
copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans under the 
laws administered by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1722A the following new item:

``1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments for telehealth 
                            and telemedicine visits of veterans.''.

SEC. 102. TELECONSULTATION, TELERETINAL IMAGING, AND TELEMEDICINE.

    (a) Teleconsultation.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1709. Teleconsultation
    ``(a) Teleconsultation.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out a 
program of teleconsultation for the provision of remote mental health 
and traumatic brain injury assessments in facilities of the Department 
that are not otherwise able to provide such assessments without 
contracting with third party providers or reimbursing providers through 
a fee basis system.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate 
professional societies, promulgate technical and clinical care 
standards for the use of teleconsultation services within facilities of 
the Department.
    ``(b) Teleconsultation Defined.--In this section, the term 
`teleconsultation' means the use by a health care specialist of 
telecommunications to assist another health care provider in rendering 
a diagnosis or treatment.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
        item related to section 1708 the following new item:

``1709. Teleconsultation.''.
    (b) Training in Telemedicine.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall offer medical residents opportunities in training in telemedicine 
to the extent such facilities offering residency programs have and 
utilize telemedicine and shall make such opportunities available 
consistent with standards established by the Accreditation Council for 
Graduate Medical Education for medical residency programs.
    (c) Enhancement of VERA.--
            (1) Incentives for provision of teleconsultation, 
        teleretinal imaging, telemedicine, and telehealth services.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
                shall modify the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation 
                (VERA) system to include teleconsultation, teleretinal 
                imaging, telemedicine, and telehealth coordination 
                services.
                    (B) Assessment.--Not later than one year after the 
                date on which the Secretary modifies the Veterans 
                Equitable Resource Allocation system as required by 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall assess--
                            (i) the effect of such modification on the 
                        utilization of teleconsultation, teleretinal 
                        imaging, telemedicine, and telehealth 
                        coordination services; and
                            (ii) whether additional incentives are 
                        required to promote the utilization of such 
                        services throughout the Department of Veterans 
                        Affairs.
            (2) Inclusion of telemedicine visits in workload 
        reporting.--The Secretary shall modify the Veterans Equitable 
        Resource Allocation system to require the inclusion of all 
        telemedicine visits in the calculation of facility workload.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Teleconsultation.--The term ``teleconsultation'' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 1709 of title 38, United 
        States Code, as added by subsection (a).
            (2) Telehealth.--The term ``telehealth'' means the use of 
        telecommunications to collect patient data remotely and send 
        data to a monitoring station for interpretation.
            (3) Telemedicine.--The term ``telemedicine'' means the use 
        by a health care provider of telecommunications to assist in 
        the diagnosis or treatment of a patient's medical condition.
            (4) Teleretinal imaging.--The term ``teleretinal imaging'' 
        means the use by a health care specialist of 
        telecommunications, digital retinal imaging, and remote image 
        interpretation to provide eye care.

SEC. 103. PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION 
              WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS.

    (a) Clarification of Existing Authority.--The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs may pay the actual necessary expense of travel or an allowance 
for travel to or from a Vet Center under section 111(a) of title 38, 
United States Code.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
        Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of paying 
        the actual necessary expenses of travel or allowances for 
        travel to or from Vet Centers under such section.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) A description of the veterans who benefit from 
                payment as described in subsection (a).
                    (B) A description of any impediments to the 
                Secretary in paying such expenses or allowances.
                    (C) A description of any impediments encountered by 
                veterans in receiving such payments.
                    (D) An assessment of the feasibility and 
                advisability of paying such expenses or allowances.
                    (E) Such recommendations for legislative or 
                administrative action as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate with respect to the payment of such 
                expenses or allowances.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to pay 
expenses and allowances as described in subsection (a) during the one-
year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``Vet Center'' 
means a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health 
services for veterans under section 1712A of such title.

SEC. 104. USE OF SERVICE DOGS ON PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    Section 1714 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(e)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall admit 
service animals described in paragraph (2) to any building or property 
of the Department on the same terms and conditions, and subject to the 
same regulations, as otherwise generally govern the admission of the 
public to such buildings or properties.
    ``(2) The service animals described in this paragraph are service 
dogs provided under subsection (c) and other guide dogs or service 
animals that accompany individuals with disabilities and that are 
especially trained and educated to accompany such individuals.
    ``(3) The Secretary may prohibit service animals described in 
paragraph (2) from running free in or roaming buildings or properties 
described in paragraph (1) and may require such service animals to 
adorn guiding harnesses or leashes and be under the control of an 
individual at all times while in such buildings or on such 
properties.''.

SEC. 105. REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN 
              INJURY.

    (a) Rehabilitation Services in Plans for Rehabilitation and 
Reintegration.--Section 1710C is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting before the semicolon 
        the following: ``with the goal of maximizing the individual's 
        independence'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``(and sustaining 
                        improvement in)'' after ``improving''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``behavioral,'' after 
                        ``cognitive,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``rehabilitative 
                services and'' before ``rehabilitative components''; 
                and
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking ``treatments'' the first 
                        place it appears and inserting ``services''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``treatments and'' the 
                        second place it appears; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(h) Rehabilitative Services Defined.--For purposes of this 
section, and sections 1710D and 1710E of this title, the term 
`rehabilitative services' includes--
            ``(1) rehabilitative services, as such term is defined in 
        section 1701 of this title;
            ``(2) treatment and services (which may be of ongoing 
        duration) to sustain, and prevent loss of, functional gains 
        that have been achieved; and
            ``(3) any other rehabilitative services or supports that 
        may contribute to maximizing an individual's independence.''.
    (b) Rehabilitation Services in Comprehensive Program for Long-Term 
Rehabilitation.--Section 1710D(a) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and rehabilitative services (as defined 
        in section 1710C of this title)'' after ``long-term care''; and
            (2) by striking ``treatment''.
    (c) Rehabilitation Services in Authority for Cooperative Agreements 
for Use of Non-Department Facilities for Rehabilitation.--Section 
1710E(a) is amended by inserting ``, including rehabilitative services 
(as defined in section 1710C of this title),'' after ``medical 
services''.
    (d) Technical Amendment.--Section 1710C(c)(2)(S) is amended by 
striking ``opthamologist'' and inserting ``ophthalmologist''.

SEC. 106. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR RURAL HEALTH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, 
              AND CLINICAL ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Centers of Excellence.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 7330B. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR RURAL HEALTH RESEARCH, 
              EDUCATION, AND CLINICAL ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall, through the Director of 
the Office of Rural Health, establish and operate centers of excellence 
for rural health research, education, and clinical activities.
    ``(b) Activities.--Each center established and operated under 
subsection (a) shall carry out one or more of the following:
            ``(1) Collaboration with the Office of Research and 
        Development of the Veterans Health Administration on research 
        relating to the furnishing of health services in rural areas.
            ``(2) Development of specific models to be used by the 
        Department in furnishing health services to veterans in rural 
        areas.
            ``(3) Provision of education and training for health care 
        professionals of the Department on the furnishing of health 
        services to veterans in rural areas.
            ``(4) Development and implementation of innovative clinical 
        activities and systems of care for the Department for the 
        furnishing of health services to veterans in rural areas.
    ``(c) Designation.--The Secretary may designate a rural health 
resource of the Office of Rural Health as a center of excellence for 
purposes of this section, including a rural health resource center 
described in section 7308(d) of this title, if such resource or center 
engages in one or more of the activities described in subsection (b).
    ``(d) Funding.--Activities of clinical and scientific investigation 
at each center operated under this section shall be eligible to compete 
for the award of funding from funds appropriated for the Medical and 
Prosthetics Research Account.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 7330A the following new item:

``7330B. Centers of excellence for rural health research, education, 
                            and clinical activities.''.
    (b) Recognition of Rural Health Resource Centers in Office of Rural 
Health.--Section 7308 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(d) Rural Health Resource Centers.--(1) There are in the Office 
veterans rural health resource centers that serve as satellite offices 
for the Office.
    ``(2) The veterans rural health resource centers have purposes as 
follows:
            ``(A) To improve the understanding of the Office of the 
        challenges faced by veterans living in rural areas.
            ``(B) To identify disparities in the availability of health 
        care to veterans living in rural areas.
            ``(C) To formulate practices or programs to enhance the 
        delivery of health care to veterans living in rural areas.
            ``(D) To develop special practices and products for the 
        benefit of veterans living in rural areas and for 
        implementation of such practices and products in the Department 
        systemwide.''.
    (c) Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 
Fargo, North Dakota, as a Center of Excellence for Rural Health 
Research, Education, and Clinical Activities.--In consideration of 
ongoing initiatives through the Office of Rural Health located at the 
University of North Dakota and the Department of Veterans Affairs 
medical center in Fargo, North Dakota, such medical center shall be 
designated under section 7330B(c) of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a), as a center of excellence for rural health 
research, education, and clinical activities.

SEC. 107. PROVISION OF CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES TO VETERANS ENROLLED IN 
              HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Comprehensive Policy on Chiropractic Services.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than June 1, 2012, the Secretary 
        of Veterans Affairs shall develop and implement a comprehensive 
        policy on the provision of chiropractic services provided at 
        the expense of the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans 
        enrolled in the health care system of the Department.
            (2) Scope of policy.--The policy required by paragraph (1) 
        shall cover each of the following:
                    (A) The Department-wide protocols governing 
                referrals for chiropractic services.
                    (B) The Department-wide protocols governing direct 
                access to chiropractic services.
                    (C) The Department-wide protocols governing the 
                scope of practice of chiropractic practitioners.
                    (D) The definition of chiropractic services to be 
                provided.
                    (E) The assurance of prompt and appropriate 
                chiropractic services by the Department, system-wide, 
                when medically appropriate.
                    (F) Department programs of education and training 
                for health care personnel of the Department regarding 
                the benefits of chiropractic services.
                    (G) Department programs of patient education for 
                veterans suffering from back pain and related 
                disorders.
            (3) Updates.--The Secretary shall revise the policy 
        required by paragraph (1) on a periodic basis in accordance 
        with experience and evolving best practice guidelines.
            (4) Consultation.--The Secretary shall develop the policy 
        required by paragraph (1), and revise such policy under 
        paragraph (3), in consultation with veterans service 
        organizations and other organizations with expertise regarding 
        the benefits of chiropractic services.
    (b) Locations for Provision of Chiropractic Services.--In carrying 
out the policy required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide 
chiropractic services at--
            (1) not less than two locations in each Veterans Integrated 
        Service Network (VISN); and
            (2) such locations as the Secretary considers appropriate 
        based on the Secretary's assessment of demand for chiropractic 
        services provided by the Department, including consideration of 
        the following:
                    (A) The average time a veteran seeking chiropractic 
                services from the Department is required to wait for 
                such services.
                    (B) Rates of fee-based care.
                    (C) Such other considerations as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
    (c) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the completion and initial implementation of the policy 
        required by subsection (a)(1) and on October 1 of every fiscal 
        year thereafter through fiscal year 2020, the Secretary 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 implementation of the policy 
        required by subsection (a)(1).
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) A description of the policy developed and 
                implemented under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and 
                any revisions to such policy under paragraph (3) of 
                such subsection.
                    (B) A description of the performance measures used 
                to determine the effectiveness of such policy in 
                improving the availability of chiropractic services for 
                veterans system-wide.
                    (C) An assessment of the adequacy of Department 
                chiropractic services based on a survey of patients 
                managed in Department clinics.
                    (D) An assessment of the training provided to 
                Department health care personnel with respect to the 
                benefits of chiropractic services and the appropriate 
                referral of patients for chiropractic services.
                    (E) An assessment of the patient pain care 
                education programs of the Department.
                    (F) The number of episodes of chiropractic services 
                (including referrals for chiropractic services to non-
                Department providers) granted in the preceding fiscal 
                year, disaggregated by facility.
    (d) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``veterans service organization'' means any organization 
recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under 
section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 108. REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.

    Section 111(b)(3) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
    ``(C) In the case of transportation of a person under subparagraph 
(B) by ambulance, the Secretary may pay the provider of the 
transportation the lesser of the actual charge for the transportation 
or the amount determined by the fee schedule established under section 
1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) unless the 
Secretary has entered into a contract for that transportation with the 
provider.''.

SEC. 109. INCREASED FLEXIBILITY IN ESTABLISHING PAYMENT RATES FOR 
              NURSING HOME CARE PROVIDED BY STATE HOMES.

    (a) In General.--Section 1745(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The Secretary shall pay 
        each State home for nursing home care at the rate determined 
        under paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``The Secretary shall enter 
        into a contract (or agreement under section 1720(c)(1) of this 
        title) with each State home for payment by the Secretary for 
        nursing home care provided in the home''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
        new paragraph (2):
    ``(2) Payment under each contract (or agreement) between the 
Secretary and a State home under paragraph (1) shall be based on a 
methodology, developed by the Secretary in consultation with the State 
home, to adequately reimburse the State home for the care provided by 
the State home under the contract (or agreement).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to care provided on or after January 1, 2012.

SEC. 110. ACCESS TO STATE PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAMS.

    (a) Exception With Respect to Confidential Nature of Claims.--
Section 5701 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(l) Under regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, the 
Secretary may disclose information about a veteran or the dependent of 
a veteran to a State controlled substance monitoring program, including 
a program approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under 
section 399O of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3), to 
the extent necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription 
medicines.''.
    (b) Exception With Respect to Confidentiality of Certain Medical 
Records.--Section 7332(b)(2) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph:
            ``(G) To a State controlled substance monitoring program, 
        including a program approved by the Secretary of Health and 
        Human Services under section 399O of the Public Health Service 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3), to the extent necessary to prevent 
        misuse and diversion of prescription medicines.''.

SEC. 111. IMPROVEMENTS FOR RECOVERY AND COLLECTION OF AMOUNTS FOR 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CARE COLLECTIONS 
              FUND.

    (a) Development and Implementation of Plan for Recovery and 
Collection.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall develop and implement a plan to ensure the recovery and 
        collection of amounts under the provisions of law described in 
        section 1729A(b) of title 38, United States Code, for deposit 
        in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections 
        Fund.
            (2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) An effective process to identify billable fee 
                claims.
                    (B) Effective and practicable policies and 
                procedures that ensure recovery and collection of 
                amounts described in section 1729A(b) of such title.
                    (C) The training of employees of the Department, on 
                or before December 1, 2011, who are responsible for the 
                recovery or collection of such amounts to enable such 
                employees to comply with the process required by 
                subparagraph (A) and the policies and procedures 
                required by subparagraph (B).
                    (D) Fee revenue goals for the Department.
                    (E) An effective monitoring system to ensure 
                achievement of goals described in subparagraph (D) and 
                compliance with the policies and procedures described 
                in subparagraph (B).
    (b) Monitoring of Third Party Collections.--The Secretary shall 
monitor the recovery and collection of amounts from third parties (as 
defined in section 1729(i) of such title) for deposit in such fund.

                  TITLE II--HOMELESS VETERANS MATTERS

SEC. 201. ENHANCEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS.

    (a) Enhancement of Grants.--Section 2011 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``expansion, 
        remodeling, or alteration of existing buildings, or acquisition 
        of facilities,'' and inserting ``new construction of 
        facilities, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing 
        facilities, or acquisition of facilities''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``A grant'' 
                and inserting ``(1) A grant'';
                    (B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1), as 
                designated by subparagraph (A), by striking ``The 
                amount'' and inserting the following:
    ``(2) The amount''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary may not deny an application from an entity 
that seeks a grant under this section to carry out a project described 
in subsection (b)(1)(A) solely on the basis that the entity proposes to 
use funding from other private or public sources, if the entity 
demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide 
oversight and site control for the project.
    ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `private nonprofit organization' 
means the following:
            ``(i) An incorporated private institution, organization, or 
        foundation--
                    ``(I) that has received, or has temporary clearance 
                to receive, tax-exempt status under paragraph (2), (3), 
                or (19) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code 
                of 1986;
                    ``(II) for which no part of the net earnings of the 
                institution, organization, or foundation inures to the 
                benefit of any member, founder, or contributor of the 
                institution, organization, or foundation; and
                    ``(III) that the Secretary determines is 
                financially responsible.
            ``(ii) A for-profit limited partnership or limited 
        liability company, the sole general partner or manager of which 
        is an organization that is described by subclauses (I) through 
        (III) of clause (i).
            ``(iii) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an 
        organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III) 
        of clause (i).''.
    (b) Grant and Per Diem Payments.--
            (1) Study and development of fiscal controls and payment 
        method.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall--
                    (A) complete a study of all matters relating to the 
                method used by the Secretary to make per diem payments 
                under section 2012(a) of title 38, United States Code, 
                including changes anticipated by the Secretary in the 
                cost of furnishing services to homeless veterans and 
                accounting for costs of providing such services in 
                various geographic areas;
                    (B) develop more effective and efficient procedures 
                for fiscal control and fund accounting by recipients of 
                grants under sections 2011, 2012, and 2061 of such 
                title; and
                    (C) develop a more effective and efficient method 
                for adequately reimbursing recipients of grants under 
                section 2011 of such title for services furnished to 
                homeless veterans.
            (2) Consideration.--In developing the method required by 
        paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary may consider payments and 
        grants received by recipients of grants described in such 
        paragraph from other departments and agencies of Federal and 
        local governments and from private entities.
            (3) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
        report on--
                    (A) the findings of the Secretary with respect to 
                the study required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
                (1);
                    (B) the methods developed under subparagraphs (B) 
                and (C) of such paragraph; and
                    (C) any recommendations of the Secretary for 
                revising the method described in subparagraph (A) of 
                such paragraph and any legislative action the Secretary 
                considers necessary to implement such method.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2013 is amended by 
striking ``subchapter'' and all that follows through the period and 
inserting the following: ``subchapter amounts as follows:
            ``(1) $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 
        2009.
            ``(2) $175,100,000 for fiscal year 2010.
            ``(3) $217,700,000 for fiscal year 2011.
            ``(4) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            ``(5) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal 
        year thereafter.''.

SEC. 202. MODIFICATION OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH 
              SPECIAL NEEDS.

    (a) Inclusion of Entities Eligible for Comprehensive Service 
Program Grants and Per Diem Payments for Services to Homeless 
Veterans.--Subsection (a) of section 2061 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``to grant and per diem providers'' and 
        inserting ``to entities eligible for grants and per diem 
        payments under sections 2011 and 2012 of this title''; and
            (2) by striking ``by those facilities and providers'' and 
        inserting ``by those facilities and entities''.
    (b) Inclusion of Male Homeless Veterans With Minor Dependents.--
Subsection (b) of such section is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, including women who 
        have care of minor dependents'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or'';
            (3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) individuals who have care of minor dependents.''.
    (c) Authorization of Provision of Services to Dependents.--Such 
section is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection (c):
    ``(c) Provision of Services to Dependents.--A recipient of a grant 
under subsection (a) may use amounts under the grant to provide 
services directly to a dependent of a homeless veteran with special 
needs who is under the care of such homeless veteran while such 
homeless veteran receives services from the grant recipient under this 
section.''.

SEC. 203. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR PROVISION OF TREATMENT AND 
              REHABILITATION TO CERTAIN VETERANS TO INCLUDE PROVISION 
              OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION TO HOMELESS VETERANS WHO 
              ARE NOT SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL.

    Section 2031(a) is amended in the matter before paragraph (1) by 
striking ``, including'' and inserting ``and to''.

SEC. 204. PLAN TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans.
    (b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) An analysis of programs of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs and other departments and agencies of the Federal 
        Government that are designed to prevent homelessness among 
        veterans and assist veterans who are homeless.
            (2) An evaluation of whether and how coordination between 
        the programs described in paragraph (1) would contribute to 
        ending homelessness among veterans.
            (3) Recommendations for improving the programs described in 
        paragraph (1), enhancing coordination between such programs, or 
        eliminating programs that are no longer effective.
            (4) Recommendations for new programs to prevent and end 
        homelessness among veterans, including an estimate of the cost 
        of such programs.
            (5) A timeline for implementing the plan, including 
        milestones to track the implementation of the plan.
            (6) Benchmarks to measure the effectiveness of the plan and 
        the efforts of the Secretary to implement the plan.
            (7) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
        necessary.
    (c) Consideration of Veterans Located in Rural Areas.--The 
analysis, evaluation, and recommendations included in the report 
required by subsection (a) shall include consideration of the 
circumstances and requirements that are unique to veterans located in 
rural areas.

SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES RELATING TO HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Health Care for Homeless Veterans.--Section 2031(b) is amended 
by striking ``December 31, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2012''.
    (b) Centers for Provision of Comprehensive Services to Homeless 
Veterans.--Section 2033(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2011'' 
and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.
    (c) Property Transfers for Housing Assistance for Homeless 
Veterans.--Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2011'' 
and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.
    (d) Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.--Section 2066(d) is 
amended by striking ``December 31, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 
2013''.

SEC. 206. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
              REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

    Section 2021(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph:
            ``(G) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.''.

SEC. 207. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
              FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN 
              FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

    (a) In General.--Section 2044(e) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following 
        new subparagraph:
            ``(D) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2011'' and inserting 
        ``2012''.
    (b) Technical Amendment.--Paragraph (1) of such section is further 
amended by striking ``carry out subsection (a), (b), and (c)'' and 
inserting ``carry out subsections (a), (b), and (c)''.

SEC. 208. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR 
              HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(d)(1), as redesignated by section 202(c)(1), is 
amended by striking ``2011'' and inserting ``2013''.

SEC. 209. COLLABORATION IN PROVISION OF CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO 
              HOMELESS VETERANS IN SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider 
entering into contracts or agreements, under sections 513 and 8153 of 
title 38, United States Code, with eligible entities to collaborate 
with the Secretary in the provision of case management services to 
covered veterans as part of the supported housing program carried out 
under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) to ensure that the homeless veterans facing the 
most significant difficulties in obtaining suitable housing receive the 
assistance they require to obtain such housing.
    (b) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a covered 
veteran is any veteran who--
            (1) is eligible to receive a housing voucher under such 
        section 8(o)(19);
            (2) requires the assistance of a case manager in obtaining 
        suitable housing with such voucher; and
            (3) is having difficulty obtaining the amount of such 
        assistance the veteran requires, including because--
                    (A) the veteran resides in an area that has a 
                shortage of low-income housing and because of such 
                shortage the veteran requires more assistance from a 
                case manager than the Secretary otherwise provides;
                    (B) the location in which the veteran resides is 
                located at such distance from facilities of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs as makes the provision 
                of case management services by the Secretary to such 
                veteran impractical; or
                    (C) the veteran resides in an area where veterans 
                who receive case management services from the Secretary 
                under such section have a significantly lower average 
                rate of successfully obtaining suitable housing than 
                the average rate of successfully obtaining suitable 
                housing for all veterans receiving such services.
    (c) Eligible Entities.--For purposes of this section, an eligible 
entity is any State or local government agency, tribal organization (as 
such term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)), or nonprofit organization 
that--
            (1) under a contract or agreement described in subsection 
        (a), agrees--
                    (A) to ensure access to case management services by 
                covered veterans on an as-needed basis;
                    (B) to maintain referral networks for covered 
                veterans for purposes of assisting covered veterans in 
                demonstrating eligibility for assistance and additional 
                services under entitlement and assistance programs 
                available for covered veterans, and to otherwise aid 
                covered veterans in obtaining such assistance and 
                services;
                    (C) to ensure the confidentiality of records 
                maintained by the entity on covered veterans receiving 
                services through the supported housing program 
                described in subsection (a);
                    (D) to establish such procedures for fiscal control 
                and fund accounting as the Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs considers appropriate to ensure proper 
                disbursement and accounting of funds under a contract 
                or agreement entered into by the entity as described in 
                subsection (a);
                    (E) to submit to the Secretary each year, in such 
                form and such manner as the Secretary may require, a 
                report on the collaboration undertaken by the entity 
                under a contract or agreement described in such 
                subsection during the most recent fiscal year, 
                including a description of, for the year covered by the 
                report--
                            (i) the services and assistance provided to 
                        covered veterans as part of such collaboration;
                            (ii) the process by which covered veterans 
                        were referred to the entity for such services 
                        and assistance;
                            (iii) the specific goals jointly set by the 
                        entity and the Secretary for the provision of 
                        such services and assistance and whether the 
                        entity achieved such goals; and
                            (iv) the average length of time taken by a 
                        covered veteran who received such services and 
                        assistance to successfully obtain suitable 
                        housing and the average retention rate of such 
                        a veteran in such housing; and
                    (F) to meet such other requirements as the 
                Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of 
                providing assistance to covered veterans in obtaining 
                suitable housing; and
            (2) has demonstrated experience in--
                    (A) identifying and serving homeless veterans, 
                especially those who have the greatest difficulty 
                obtaining suitable housing;
                    (B) working collaboratively with the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs or the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    (C) conducting outreach to, and maintaining 
                relationships with, landlords to encourage and 
                facilitate participation by landlords in supported 
                housing programs similar to the supported housing 
                program described in subsection (a);
                    (D) mediating disputes between landlords and 
                veterans receiving assistance under such supported 
                housing program; and
                    (E) carrying out such other activities as the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate.
    (d) Consultation.--In considering entering into contracts or 
agreements as described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall consult with--
            (1) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and
            (2) third parties that provide services as part of the 
        Department of Housing and Urban Development continuum of care.
    (e) Technical Assistance for Collaborating Entities.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may provide training and 
        technical assistance to entities with whom the Secretary 
        collaborates in the provision of case management services to 
        veterans as part of the supported housing program described in 
        subsection (a).
            (2) Grants.--The Secretary may provide training and 
        technical assistance under paragraph (1) through the award of 
        grants or contracts to appropriate public and nonprofit private 
        entities.
            (3) Funding.--From amounts appropriated or otherwise made 
        available to the Secretary in the Medical Services account in a 
        year, $500,000 shall be available to the Secretary in that year 
        to carry out this subsection.
    (f) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 545 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once 
        each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        submit to Congress a report on the collaboration between the 
        Secretary and eligible entities in the provision of case 
        management services as described in subsection (a) during the 
        most recently completed fiscal year.
            (2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
                    (A) A discussion of each case in which a contract 
                or agreement described in subsection (a) was considered 
                by the Secretary, including a description of whether or 
                not and why the Secretary chose or did not choose to 
                enter into such contract or agreement.
                    (B) The number and types of eligible entities with 
                whom the Secretary has entered into a contract or 
                agreement as described in subsection (a).
                    (C) A description of the geographic regions in 
                which such entities provide case management services as 
                described in such subsection.
                    (D) A description of the number and types of 
                covered veterans who received case management services 
                from such entities under such contracts or agreements.
                    (E) An assessment of the performance of each 
                eligible entity with whom the Secretary entered into a 
                contract or agreement as described in subsection (a).
                    (F) An assessment of the benefits to covered 
                veterans of such contracts and agreements.
                    (G) A discussion of the benefits of increasing the 
                ratio of case managers to recipients of vouchers under 
                the supported housing program described in such 
                subsection to veterans who reside in rural areas.
                    (H) Such recommendations for legislative or 
                administrative action as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate for the improvement of collaboration in the 
                provision of case management services under such 
                supported housing program.

                       TITLE III--HOUSING MATTERS

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Andrew Connolly Veterans' Housing 
Act''.

SEC. 302. EXTENDED PERIOD OF PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF UNIFORMED 
              SERVICES RELATING TO MORTGAGES, MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE, AND 
              EVICTION.

    (a) Stay of Proceedings and Period of Adjustment of Obligations 
Relating to Real or Personal Property.--Section 303(b) of the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533(b)) is amended by 
striking ``within 9 months'' and inserting ``within 12 months''.
    (b) Period of Relief From Sale, Foreclosure, or Seizure.--Section 
303(c) of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533(c)) is amended by striking 
``within 9 months'' and inserting ``within 12 months''.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 540 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall submit to Congress a report on the 
        protections provided under section 303 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 
        App 533) during the five-year period ending on the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include, for the period described in such paragraph, the 
        following:
                    (A) An assessment of the effects of such section on 
                the long-term financial well-being of servicemembers 
                and their families.
                    (B) The number of servicemembers who faced 
                foreclosure during a 90-day period, 270-day period, or 
                365-day period beginning on the date on which the 
                servicemembers completed a period of military service.
                    (C) The number of servicemembers who applied for a 
                stay or adjustment under subsection (b) of such 
                section.
                    (D) A description and assessment of the effect of 
                applying for a stay or adjustment under such subsection 
                on the financial well-being of the servicemembers who 
                applied for such a stay or adjustment.
                    (E) An assessment of the Secretary of Defense's 
                partnerships with public and private sector entities 
                and recommendations on how the Secretary should modify 
                such partnerships to improve financial education and 
                counseling for servicemembers in order to assist them 
                in achieving long-term financial stability.
            (3) Period of military service and servicemember defined.--
        In this subsection, the terms ``period of military service'' 
        and ``servicemember'' have the meanings given such terms in 
        section 101 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 511).

SEC. 303. OCCUPANCY OF PROPERTY BY DEPENDENT CHILD OF VETERAN FOR 
              PURPOSES OF MEETING OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT 
              OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOANS.

    Paragraph (2) of section 3704(c) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2) In any case in which a veteran is in active-duty status as a 
member of the Armed Forces and is unable to occupy a property because 
of such status, the occupancy requirements of this chapter shall be 
considered to be satisfied if--
            ``(A) the spouse of the veteran occupies or intends to 
        occupy the property as a home and the spouse makes the 
        certification required by paragraph (1) of this subsection; or
            ``(B) a dependent child of the veteran occupies or will 
        occupy the property as a home and the veteran's attorney-in-
        fact or legal guardian of the dependent child makes the 
        certification required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.''.

SEC. 304. WAIVER OF LOAN FEE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY RATINGS 
              ISSUED DURING PRE-DISCHARGE PROGRAMS.

    Paragraph (2) of section 3729(c) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2)(A) A veteran described in subparagraph (B) shall be treated 
as receiving compensation for purposes of this subsection as of the 
date of the rating described in such subparagraph without regard to 
whether an effective date of the award of compensation is established 
as of that date.
    ``(B) A veteran described in this subparagraph is a veteran who is 
rated eligible to receive compensation--
            ``(i) as the result of a pre-discharge disability 
        examination and rating; or
            ``(ii) based on a pre-discharge review of existing medical 
        evidence (including service medical and treatment records) that 
        results in the issuance of a memorandum rating.''.

SEC. 305. IMPROVEMENTS TO ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS RESIDING IN 
              HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER.

    (a) Increased Assistance.--Subsection (b) of section 2102A is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$14,000'' and inserting 
        ``$28,000''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting 
        ``$5,000''.
    (b) Indexing of Levels of Assistance.--Such subsection is further 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
            (2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated 
        by paragraph (1), by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):
    ``(2) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2012), the 
Secretary shall use the same percentage calculated pursuant to section 
2102(e) of this title to increase the amounts described in paragraph 
(1) of this subsection.''.
    (c) Extension of Authority for Assistance.--Subsection (e) of such 
section is amended by striking ``December 31, 2011'' and inserting 
``December 31, 2021''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with 
respect to payments made in accordance with section 2102A of title 38, 
United States Code, on or after that date.

SEC. 306. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
              ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS WITH VISION IMPAIRMENT.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2101(b) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran is 
entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this title for a service-
connected disability that meets any of the following criteria:
            ``(A) The disability is due to blindness in both eyes, 
        having central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better 
        eye with the use of a standard correcting lens. For the 
        purposes of this subparagraph, an eye with 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 
        considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less.
            ``(B) A permanent and total disability that includes the 
        anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.
            ``(C) A permanent and total disability that is due to a 
        severe burn injury (as so determined).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 2012.

SEC. 307. REVISED LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE FURNISHED FOR ACQUISITION 
              AND ADAPTATION OF HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

    Section 2102(d) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``under sections 2101(a) 
        and 2102A'' and inserting ``under section 2101(a)''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``under sections 2101(b) 
        and 2102A'' and inserting ``under section 2101(b)''.

               TITLE IV--COMPENSATION AND PENSION MATTERS

SEC. 401. INCREASE IN RATE OF PENSION FOR DISABLED VETERANS MARRIED TO 
              ONE ANOTHER AND BOTH OF WHOM REQUIRE REGULAR AID AND 
              ATTENDANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 1521(f)(2) is amended by striking 
``$30,480'' and inserting ``$31,305''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 402. AUTHORITY FOR RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AWARDS OF 
              DISABILITY COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION WITH APPLICATIONS 
              THAT ARE FULLY-DEVELOPED AT SUBMITTAL.

    Section 5110(b) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
        (3) and (4), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
        paragraph (2):
    ``(2)(A) The effective date of an award of disability compensation 
to a veteran who submits an application therefor that sets forth a 
claim that is fully-developed (as prescribed by the Secretary for 
purposes of this paragraph) as of the date of submittal shall be fixed 
in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the 
date that is one year before the date of receipt of the application.
    ``(B) Subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the date of the 
enactment of this paragraph and shall not apply with respect to claims 
filed after September 30, 2012.''.

SEC. 403. MODIFICATION OF MONTH OF DEATH BENEFIT FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES 
              OF VETERANS WHO DIE WHILE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION OR 
              PENSION.

    (a) Surviving Spouse Benefit for Month of Veteran's Death.--
Subsections (a) and (b) of section 5310 are amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--(1) A surviving spouse of a veteran is entitled 
to a benefit for the month of the veteran's death if--
            ``(A) at the time of the veteran's death, the veteran was 
        receiving compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of 
        this title; or
            ``(B) the veteran is determined for purposes of section 
        5121 or 5121A of this title as having been entitled to receive 
        compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of this title 
        for the month of the veteran's death.
    ``(2) The amount of the benefit under paragraph (1) is the amount 
that the veteran would have received under chapter 11 or 15 of this 
title, as the case may be, for the month of the veteran's death had the 
veteran not died.
    ``(b) Claims Pending Adjudication.--If a claim for entitlement to 
compensation or additional compensation under chapter 11 of this title 
or pension or additional pension under chapter 15 of this title is 
pending at the time of a veteran's death and the check or other payment 
issued to the veteran's surviving spouse under subsection (a) is less 
than the amount of the benefit the veteran would have been entitled to 
for the month of death pursuant to the adjudication of the pending 
claim, an amount equal to the difference between the amount to which 
the veteran would have been entitled to receive under chapter 11 or 15 
of this title for the month of the veteran's death had the veteran not 
died and the amount of the check or other payment issued to the 
surviving spouse shall be treated in the same manner as an accrued 
benefit under section 5121 of this title.''.
    (b) Month of Death Benefit Exempt From Delayed Commencement of 
Payment.--Section 5111(c)(1) is amended by striking ``apply to'' and 
all that follows through ``death occurred'' and inserting the 
following: ``not apply to payments made pursuant to section 5310 of 
this title''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with 
respect to deaths that occur on or after that date.

SEC. 404. AUTOMATIC WAIVER OF AGENCY OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION REVIEW OF 
              NEW EVIDENCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 7105 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) If, either at the time or after the agency of original 
jurisdiction receives a substantive appeal, the claimant or the 
claimant's representative, if any, submits evidence to either the 
agency of original jurisdiction or the Board of Veterans' Appeals for 
consideration in connection with the issue or issues with which 
disagreement has been expressed, such evidence shall be subject to 
initial review by the Board unless the claimant or the claimant's 
representative, as the case may be, requests in writing that the agency 
of original jurisdiction initially review such evidence.
    ``(2) A request for review of evidence under paragraph (1) shall 
accompany the submittal of the evidence.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (e) of such section, as added by 
subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to 
claims for which a substantive appeal is filed on or after the date 
that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

            TITLE V--MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND CEMETERY MATTERS

SEC. 501. PROHIBITION ON DISRUPTIONS OF FUNERALS OF MEMBERS OR FORMER 
              MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Purpose and Authority.--
            (1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide 
        necessary and proper support for the recruitment and retention 
        of the Armed Forces and militia employed in the service of the 
        United States by protecting the dignity of the service of the 
        members of such Forces and militia, and by protecting the 
        privacy of their immediate family members and other attendees 
        during funeral services for such members.
            (2) Constitutional authority.--Congress finds that this 
        section is a necessary and proper exercise of its powers under 
        the Constitution, article I, section 8, paragraphs 1, 12, 13, 
        14, 16 and 18, to provide for the common defense, raise and 
        support armies, provide and maintain a navy, make rules for the 
        government and regulation of the land and naval forces, and 
        provide for organizing and governing such part of the militia 
        as may be employed in the service of the United States.
    (b) Amendment to Title 18.--Section 1388 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1388. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or 
              former members of the Armed Forces
    ``(a) Prohibition.--For any funeral of a member or former member of 
the Armed Forces that is not located at a cemetery under the control of 
the National Cemetery Administration or part of Arlington National 
Cemetery, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in an activity 
during the period beginning 120 minutes before and ending 120 minutes 
after such funeral, any part of which activity--
            ``(1)(A) takes place within the boundaries of the location 
        of such funeral or takes place within 300 feet of the point of 
        the intersection between--
                    ``(i) the boundary of the location of such funeral; 
                and
                    ``(ii) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress 
                to or egress from the location of such funeral; and
            ``(B) includes any individual willfully making or assisting 
        in the making of any noise or diversion--
                    ``(i) that is not part of such funeral and that 
                disturbs or tends to disturb the peace or good order of 
                such funeral; and
                    ``(ii) with the intent of disturbing the peace or 
                good order of such funeral;
            ``(2)(A) is within 500 feet of the boundary of the location 
        of such funeral; and
            ``(B) includes any individual--
                    ``(i) willfully and without proper authorization 
                impeding or tending to impede the access to or egress 
                from such location; and
                    ``(ii) with the intent to impede the access to or 
                egress from such location; or
            ``(3) is on or near the boundary of the residence, home, or 
        domicile of any surviving member of the deceased person's 
        immediate family and includes any individual willfully making 
        or assisting in the making of any noise or diversion--
                    ``(A) that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace 
                of the persons located at such location; and
                    ``(B) with the intent of disturbing such peace.
    ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be 
fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.
    ``(c) Civil Remedies.--
            ``(1) District courts.--The district courts of the United 
        States shall have jurisdiction--
                    ``(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this 
                section; and
                    ``(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief 
                under this section.
            ``(2) Attorney general.--The Attorney General may institute 
        proceedings under this section.
            ``(3) Claims.--Any person, including a surviving member of 
        the deceased person's immediate family, who suffers injury as a 
        result of conduct that violates this section may--
                    ``(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States 
                district court or in any court of competent 
                jurisdiction; and
                    ``(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) 
                and the cost of the suit, including reasonable 
                attorneys' fees.
            ``(4) Estoppel.--A final judgment or decree rendered in 
        favor of the United States in any criminal proceeding brought 
        by the United States under this section shall estop the 
        defendant from denying the essential allegations of the 
        criminal offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by 
        a person or by the United States.
    ``(d) Actual and Statutory Damages.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to any penalty imposed under 
        subsection (b), a violator of this section is liable in an 
        action under subsection (c) for actual or statutory damages as 
        provided in this subsection.
            ``(2) Actions by private persons.--A person bringing an 
        action under subsection (c)(3) may elect, at any time before 
        final judgment is rendered, to recover the actual damages 
        suffered by him or her as a result of the violation or, instead 
        of actual damages, an award of statutory damages for each 
        violation involved in the action.
            ``(3) Actions by attorney general.--In any action under 
        subsection (c)(2), the Attorney General is entitled to recover 
        an award of statutory damages for each violation involved in 
        the action notwithstanding any recovery under subsection 
        (c)(3).
            ``(4) Statutory damages.--A court may award, as the court 
        considers just, statutory damages in a sum of not less than 
        $25,000 or more than $50,000 per violation.
    ``(e) Rebuttable Presumption.--It shall be a rebuttable presumption 
that the violation was committed willfully for purposes of determining 
relief under this section if the violator, or a person acting in 
concert with the violator, did not have reasonable grounds to believe, 
either from the attention or publicity sought by the violator or other 
circumstance, that the conduct of such violator or person would not 
disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good order of such funeral, 
impede or tend to impede the access to or egress from such funeral, or 
disturb or tend to disturb the peace of any surviving member of the 
deceased person's immediate family who may be found on or near the 
residence, home, or domicile of the deceased person's immediate family 
on the date of the service or ceremony.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `Armed Forces' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101 of title 10 and includes members and former 
        members of the National Guard who were employed in the service 
        of the United States; and
            ``(2) the term `immediate family' means, with respect to a 
        person, the immediate family members of such person, as such 
        term is defined in section 115 of this title.''.
    (c) Amendment to Title 38.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2413 is amended to read as 
        follows:
``Sec. 2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at 
              cemeteries under control of the National Cemetery 
              Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery
    ``(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person--
            ``(1) to carry out a demonstration on the property of a 
        cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery 
        Administration or on the property of Arlington National 
        Cemetery unless the demonstration has been approved by the 
        cemetery superintendent or the director of the property on 
        which the cemetery is located; or
            ``(2) with respect to such a cemetery, to engage in a 
        demonstration during the period beginning 120 minutes before 
        and ending 120 minutes after a funeral, memorial service, or 
        ceremony is held, any part of which demonstration--
                    ``(A)(i) takes place within the boundaries of such 
                cemetery or takes place within 300 feet of the point of 
                the intersection between--
                            ``(I) the boundary of such cemetery; and
                            ``(II) a road, pathway, or other route of 
                        ingress to or egress from such cemetery; and
                    ``(ii) includes any individual willfully making or 
                assisting in the making of any noise or diversion--
                            ``(I) that is not part of such funeral, 
                        memorial service, or ceremony and that disturbs 
                        or tends to disturb the peace or good order of 
                        such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; 
                        and
                            ``(II) with the intent of disturbing the 
                        peace or good order of such funeral, memorial 
                        service, or ceremony; or
                    ``(B)(i) is within 500 feet of the boundary of such 
                cemetery; and
                    ``(ii) includes any individual--
                            ``(I) willfully and without proper 
                        authorization impeding or tending to impede the 
                        access to or egress from such cemetery; and
                            ``(II) with the intent to impede the access 
                        to or egress from such cemetery.
    ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be 
fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
    ``(c) Civil Remedies.--(1) The district courts of the United States 
shall have jurisdiction--
            ``(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; 
        and
            ``(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 
        this section.
    ``(2) The Attorney General of the United States may institute 
proceedings under this section.
    ``(3) Any person, including a surviving member of the deceased 
person's immediate family, who suffers injury as a result of conduct 
that violates this section may--
            ``(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States 
        district court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; and
            ``(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) and the 
        cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
    ``(4) A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United 
States in any criminal proceeding brought by the United States under 
this section shall estop the defendant from denying the essential 
allegations of the criminal offense in any subsequent civil proceeding 
brought by a person or by the United States.
    ``(d) Actual and Statutory Damages.--(1) In addition to any penalty 
imposed under subsection (b), a violator of this section is liable in 
an action under subsection (c) for actual or statutory damages as 
provided in this subsection.
    ``(2) A person bringing an action under subsection (c)(3) may 
elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered, to recover the 
actual damages suffered by him or her as a result of the violation or, 
instead of actual damages, an award of statutory damages for each 
violation involved in the action.
    ``(3) In any action brought under subsection (c)(2), the Attorney 
General is entitled to recover an award of statutory damages for each 
violation involved in the action notwithstanding any recovery under 
subsection (c)(3).
    ``(4) A court may award, as the court considers just, statutory 
damages in a sum of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 per 
violation.
    ``(e) Rebuttable Presumption.--It shall be a rebuttable presumption 
that the violation of subsection (a) was committed willfully for 
purposes of determining relief under this section if the violator, or a 
person acting in concert with the violator, did not have reasonable 
grounds to believe, either from the attention or publicity sought by 
the violator or other circumstance, that the conduct of such violator 
or person would not--
            ``(1) disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good order of 
        such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; or
            ``(2) impede or tend to impede the access to or egress from 
        such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `demonstration' includes--
                    ``(A) any picketing or similar conduct;
                    ``(B) any oration, speech, use of sound 
                amplification equipment or device, or similar conduct 
                that is not part of a funeral, memorial service, or 
                ceremony;
                    ``(C) the display of any placard, banner, flag, or 
                similar device, unless such a display is part of a 
                funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; and
                    ``(D) the distribution of any handbill, pamphlet, 
                leaflet, or other written or printed matter other than 
                a program distributed as part of a funeral, memorial 
                service, or ceremony; and
            ``(2) the term `immediate family' means, with respect to a 
        person, the immediate family members of such person, as such 
        term is defined in section 115 of title 18.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 24 is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 2413 and inserting the following new item:

``2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at 
                            cemeteries under control of the National 
                            Cemetery Administration and at Arlington 
                            National Cemetery.''.

SEC. 502. CODIFICATION OF PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF GRAVESITES 
              AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 24 is amended by inserting after section 
2410 the following new section:
``Sec. 2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative matters
    ``(a) One Gravesite.--(1) Not more than one gravesite may be 
provided at Arlington National Cemetery to a veteran or member of the 
Armed Forces who is eligible for interment or inurnment at such 
cemetery.
    ``(2) The Secretary of the Army may waive the prohibition in 
paragraph (1) as the Secretary of the Army considers appropriate.
    ``(b) Prohibition Against Reservation of Gravesites.--A gravesite 
at Arlington National Cemetery may not be reserved for an individual 
before the death of such individual.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
2410 the following new item:

``2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative matters.''.
    (c) Applicability.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        section 2410A of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
        subsection (a), shall apply with respect to all interments at 
        Arlington National Cemetery after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act.
            (2) Exception.--Subsection (b) of such section, as so 
        added, shall not apply with respect to the interment of an 
        individual for whom a request for a reserved gravesite was 
        approved by the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 1962.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
        submit to Congress a report on reservations made for interment 
        at Arlington National Cemetery.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The number of requests for reservation of a 
                gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery that were 
                submitted to the Secretary of the Army before January 
                1, 1962.
                    (B) The number of gravesites at such cemetery that, 
                on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
                Act, were reserved in response to such requests.
                    (C) The number of such gravesites that, on the day 
                before the date of the enactment of this Act, were 
                unoccupied.
                    (D) A list of all reservations for gravesites at 
                such cemetery that were extended by individuals 
                responsible for management of such cemetery in response 
                to requests for such reservations made on or after 
                January 1, 1962.
                    (E) A description of the measures that the 
                Secretary is taking to improve the accountability and 
                transparency of the management of gravesite 
                reservations at Arlington National Cemetery.
                    (F) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
                for legislative action as the Secretary considers 
                necessary to improve such accountability and 
                transparency.

SEC. 503. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL 
              CERTIFICATES TO PERSONS WHO DIED IN THE ACTIVE MILITARY, 
              NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE.

    Section 112(a) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and persons who died in the active 
        military, naval, or air service,'' after ``under honorable 
        conditions,''; and
            (2) by striking ``veteran's'' and inserting ``deceased 
        individual's''.

                     TITLE VI--CONSTRUCTION MATTERS

SEC. 601. AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2012 MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
              PROJECTS.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major 
medical facility projects in fiscal year 2012, with each project to be 
carried out in the amount specified for each project:
            (1) Construction of seismic corrections for Building 100 at 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle, 
        Washington, in an amount not to exceed $51,800,000.
            (2) Construction of seismic corrections and renovation of 
        various buildings to include Building 209 for housing 
        facilities for homeless veterans at the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs Medical Center in West Los Angeles, California, in an 
        amount not to exceed $35,500,000.

SEC. 602. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL 
              FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.

    (a) Modification of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2007 Major Medical 
Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 
Fayetteville, Arkansas.--Section 803(3) of the Veterans Benefits, 
Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
461) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and a parking garage'' after ``clinical 
        addition''; and
            (2) by striking ``$56,163,000'' and inserting 
        ``$90,600,000''.
    (b) Modification of Extension of Authorization for Major Medical 
Facility Construction Project in Orlando, Florida, Previously 
Authorized in Connection With Capital Asset Realignment Initiative.--
Section 802(11) of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information 
Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-461), as amended by section 
702(b)(4) of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements 
Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 122 Stat. 4137), is amended by 
inserting ``, including a Simulation, Learning, Education, and Research 
Network Center,'' after ``Florida, area''.
    (c) Increase in Amount of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2008 Major 
Medical Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center in Palo Alto, California.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
carry out the major medical facility project at the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Palo, Alto, California, for which 
amounts were appropriated under chapter 3 of title I of the 
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 122 Stat. 
2326) under the heading ``construction, major projects'' under the 
heading ``DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS'' in an amount not to exceed 
$716,600,000.
    (d) Increase in Amount of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2009 Major 
Medical Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.--Section 701(3) of the Veterans' Mental 
Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 122 
Stat. 4137) is amended by striking ``$225,900,000'' and inserting 
``$277,000,000''.
    (e) Increase in Amount of Authorization of Fiscal Year 2007 Major 
Medical Facility Project at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center, St. Louis, Missouri.--Section 803(5) of the Veterans Benefits, 
Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
461) is amended by striking ``$69,053,000'' and inserting 
``$346,300,000''.

SEC. 603. AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2012 MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
              LEASES.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following 
fiscal year 2012 major medical facility leases at the locations 
specified, in an amount not to exceed the amount shown for each such 
location:
            (1) Columbus, Georgia, Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 
        in an amount not to exceed $5,335,000.
            (2) Fort Wayne, Indiana, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount 
        not to exceed $2,845,000.
            (3) Mobile, Alabama, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount not to 
        exceed $6,565,000.
            (4) Rochester, New York, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount 
        not to exceed $9,232,000.
            (5) Salem, Oregon, Community Based Outpatient Clinic, in an 
        amount not to exceed $2,549,000.
            (6) San Jose, California, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount 
        not to exceed $9,546,000.
            (7) South Bend, Indiana, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount 
        not to exceed $6,731,000.
            (8) Springfield, Missouri, Community Based Outpatient 
        Clinic, in an amount not to exceed $6,489,000.

SEC. 604. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Construction.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
fiscal year 2012 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the 
Construction, Major Projects, account--
            (1) $87,300,000 for the projects authorized in section 601; 
        and
            (2) $850,070,000 for the increased amounts authorized for 
        projects whose authorizations are modified by section 602.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Facility Leases.--
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for fiscal year 2012 or the year in which funds are 
appropriated for the Medical Facilities account $49,292,000 for the 
leases authorized in section 603.
    (c) Limitation.--The projects authorized in sections 601, 602, and 
603 may only be carried out using--
            (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2012 pursuant to the 
        authorization of appropriations in subsection (a) of this 
        section;
            (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
        fiscal year before fiscal year 2012 that remain available for 
        obligation;
            (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
        fiscal year after fiscal year 2012 that remain available for 
        obligation;
            (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
        for fiscal year 2012 for a category of activity not specific to 
        a project;
            (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
        for a fiscal year before 2012 for a category of activity not 
        specific to a project; and
            (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
        for a fiscal year after 2012 for a category of activity not 
        specific to a project.

SEC. 605. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
              USE BID SAVINGS ON MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS TO 
              EXPAND PURPOSE OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS.

    Section 8104(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(C) The Secretary may not obligate an amount under subparagraph 
(A) to expand the purpose of a major medical facility project except 
pursuant to a provision of law enacted after the date on which the 
Secretary submits to the committees described in subparagraph (B) 
notice of the following:
            ``(i) The major medical facility project that is the source 
        of the bid savings.
            ``(ii) The major medical facility project for which the 
        Secretary intends to expand the purpose.
            ``(iii) A description of such expansion of purpose.
            ``(iv) The amounts the Secretary intends to obligate to 
        expand the purpose.''.

SEC. 606. DESIGNATION OF GEORGE H. O'BRIEN, JR., DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER.

    (a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center 
located in Big Spring, Texas, shall after the date of the enactment of 
this Act be known and designated as the ``George H. O'Brien, Jr., 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
    (b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the medical 
center referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to be a 
reference to the George H. O'Brien, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center.

SEC. 607. DESIGNATION OF MAJOR WILLIAM EDWARD ADAMS DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS CLINIC.

    (a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs telehealth 
clinic in Craig, Colorado, shall after the date of the enactment of 
this Act be known and designated as the ``Major William Edward Adams 
Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''.
    (b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the clinic 
referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to be a reference to 
the Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.

          TITLE VII--OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AND BENEFITS MATTERS

SEC. 701. ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS.

    (a) Additional Grants for Disabled Veterans for Specially Adapted 
Housing.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 21 is amended by adding at the end 
        the following new section:
``Sec. 2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by natural 
              disasters
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2102 
of this title, the Secretary may award a grant to a veteran whose home 
was previously adapted with assistance of a grant under this chapter in 
the event the adapted home which was being used and occupied by the 
veteran was destroyed or substantially damaged in a natural or other 
disaster, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--A grant awarded under subsection (a) shall be 
available to acquire a suitable housing unit with special fixtures or 
moveable facilities made necessary by the veteran's disability, and 
necessary land therefor.
    ``(c) Limitations.--The amount of the grant awarded under 
subsection (a) may not exceed the lesser of--
            ``(1) the reasonable cost, as determined by the Secretary, 
        of repairing or replacing the damaged or destroyed home in 
        excess of the available insurance coverage on such home; or
            ``(2) the maximum grant amount to which the veteran would 
        have been entitled under subsection (a) or (b) of section 2102 
        of this title had the veteran not obtained the prior grant.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 2108 the following new item:

``2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by natural 
                            disasters.''.
    (b) Extension of Subsistence Allowance for Veterans Completing 
Vocational Rehabilitation Program.--Section 3108(a)(2) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``In''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a veteran 
described in subparagraph (A) has been displaced as the result of a 
natural or other disaster while being paid a subsistence allowance 
under that subparagraph, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary 
may extend the payment of a subsistence allowance under such 
subparagraph for up to an additional two months while the veteran is 
satisfactorily following a program of employment services described in 
such subparagraph.''.
    (c) Waiver of Limitation on Program of Independent Living Services 
and Assistance.--Section 3120(e) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Programs''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The limitation in paragraph (1) shall not apply in any case 
in which the Secretary determines that a veteran described in 
subsection (b) has been displaced as the result of, or has otherwise 
been adversely affected in the areas covered by, a natural or other 
disaster, as determined by the Secretary.''.
    (d) Covenants and Liens Created by Public Entities 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 created 
by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty in favor of either 
of the following:
            ``(i) A public entity that has provided or will provide 
        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.).
            ``(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, if the 
        Secretary determines that the interests of the veteran borrower 
        and of the Government will not be prejudiced by the operation 
        of such covenant.
    ``(B) With respect to any superior lien described in subparagraph 
(A) created after June 6, 1969, the Secretary's determination under 
clause (ii) of such subparagraph shall have been made prior to the 
recordation of the covenant.''.
    (e) Automobiles and Other Conveyances for Certain Disabled Veterans 
and Members of the Armed Forces.--Section 3903(a) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``No'' and inserting ``(1) Except as 
        provided in paragraph (2), no''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The Secretary may provide or assist in providing an eligible 
person with a second automobile or other conveyance under this chapter 
if--
            ``(A) the Secretary receives satisfactory evidence that the 
        automobile or other conveyance previously purchased with 
        assistance under this chapter was destroyed--
                    ``(i) as a result of a natural or other disaster, 
                as determined by the Secretary; and
                    ``(ii) through no fault of the eligible person; and
            ``(B) the eligible person does not otherwise receive from a 
        property insurer compensation for the loss.''.
    (f) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Each year, the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the assistance 
        provided or action taken by the Secretary in the last fiscal 
        year pursuant to the authorities added by the amendments made 
        by this section.
            (2) Elements.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following for the fiscal year covered by the 
        report:
                    (A) A description of each natural disaster for 
                which assistance was provided or action was taken as 
                described in paragraph (1).
                    (B) The number of cases or individuals, as the case 
                may be, in which or to whom the Secretary provided 
                assistance or took action as described in paragraph 
                (1).
                    (C) For each such case or individual, a description 
                of the type or amount of assistance or action taken, as 
                the case may be.

SEC. 702. AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO 
              INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE BOTH SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER VETERANS AND RELATED 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Aggregate Amount Available.--Section 3695 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ``35,''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) The aggregate period for which any person may receive 
assistance under chapter 35 of this title, on the one hand, and any of 
the provisions of law referred to in subsection (a), on the other hand, 
may not exceed 81 months (or the part-time equivalent thereof).''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take 
effect on October 1, 2011, and shall not operate to revive any 
entitlement to assistance under chapter 35 of title 38, United States 
Code, or the provisions of law referred to in section 3695(a) of such 
title, as in effect on the day before such date, that was terminated by 
reason of the operation of section 3695(a) of such title, as so in 
effect, before such date.
    (c) Revival of Entitlement Reduced by Prior Utilization of Chapter 
35 Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of 
        an individual whose period of entitlement to assistance under a 
        provision of law referred to in section 3695(a) of title 38, 
        United States Code (other than chapter 35 of such title), as in 
        effect on September 30, 2011, was reduced under such section 
        3695(a), as so in effect, by reason of the utilization of 
        entitlement to assistance under chapter 35 of such title before 
        October 1, 2011, the period of entitlement to assistance of 
        such individual under such provision shall be determined 
        without regard to any entitlement so utilized by the individual 
        under chapter 35 of such title.
            (2) Limitation.--The maximum period of entitlement to 
        assistance of an individual under paragraph (1) may not exceed 
        81 months.

SEC. 703. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ENFORCEMENT PENALTIES FOR 
              MISREPRESENTATION OF A BUSINESS CONCERN AS A SMALL 
              BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY VETERANS OR AS A 
              SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-
              DISABLED VETERANS.

    Subsection (g) of section 8127 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Any business'' and inserting ``(1) Any 
        business'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), as so designated--
                    (A) by inserting ``deliberately'' before 
                ``misrepresented''; and
                    (B) by striking ``a reasonable period of time, as 
                determined by the Secretary'' and inserting ``a period 
                of not less than five years''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
    ``(2) In the case of a debarment under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall commence debarment action against the business concern by not 
later than 30 days after determining that the concern misrepresented 
the status of the concern as described in paragraph (1) and shall 
complete debarment actions against such concern by not later than 90 
days after such determination.
    ``(3) The debarment of a business concern under paragraph (1) 
includes the debarment of all principals in the business concern for a 
period of not less than five years.''.

SEC. 704. AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONS TO SIGN CLAIMS FILED WITH 
              SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF CLAIMANTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 5101 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``A specific'' and inserting ``(1) 
                A specific''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(2) If an individual has not attained the age of 18 years, is 
mentally incompetent, or is physically unable to sign a form, a form 
filed under paragraph (1) for the individual may be signed by a court-
appointed representative, a person who is responsible for the care of 
the individual, including a spouse or other relative, or an attorney in 
fact or agent authorized to act on behalf of the individual under a 
durable power of attorney. If the individual is in the care of an 
institution, the manager or principal officer of the institution may 
sign the form.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, signs a form on behalf 
                        of an individual to apply for,'' after ``who 
                        applies for''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, or TIN in the case 
                        that the person is not an individual,'' after 
                        ``of such person''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or TIN'' after 
                ``social security number'' each place it appears; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) In this section:
            ``(1) The term `mentally incompetent' with respect to an 
        individual means that the individual lacks the mental 
        capacity--
                    ``(A) to provide substantially accurate information 
                needed to complete a form; or
                    ``(B) to certify that the statements made on a form 
                are true and complete.
            ``(2) The term `TIN' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 7701(a)(41) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to claims filed on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 705. IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESS FOR FILING JOINTLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY 
              AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

    Section 5105 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``shall'' the first place it 
                appears and inserting ``may''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Each such form'' and inserting 
                ``Such forms''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``on such a form'' and 
        inserting ``on any document indicating an intent to apply for 
        survivor benefits''.

SEC. 706. PARITY BETWEEN PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME STUDENTS UNDER 
              EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    Section 7675(b)(1) is amended by striking subparagraph (E) and 
inserting the following new subparagraph (E):
            ``(E) In the case of a participant who is employed as an 
        employee of the Department while enrolled in the course of 
        training being pursued by the participant, the participant 
        fails to maintain employment as a Department employee during 
        such course of training.''.

SEC. 707. REPORT ON PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE COMPENSATION UNDER HEALTH CARE 
              SERVICES CONTRACTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days 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 a report on the 
use by the Department of Veterans Affairs of pay-for-performance 
compensation mechanisms in the provision of health care services in 
contracts which compensate contractors of the Department for the 
provision of health care services through community based outpatient 
clinics.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of 
        utilizing pay-for-performance compensation mechanisms in the 
        provision of health care services by the Department in 
        contracts described in subsection (a).
            (2) The number of community based outpatient clinics of the 
        Department that were operating under a pay-for-performance 
        compensation mechanism in the provision of health care services 
        on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act and the 
        impact such mechanisms have had with respect to--
                    (A) providing incentives for community based 
                outpatient clinics to provide high quality health care; 
                and
                    (B) providing incentives to better assure patient 
                satisfaction.
    (c) Incorporation of Views and Experiences of Private Health Care 
Systems.--In meeting the requirements of this section the Secretary 
shall incorporate the views and experiences of representatives of at 
least two private health care systems that have utilized pay-for-
performance compensation mechanisms in the operation of medical clinics 
to ascertain whether such mechanisms have had an effect on the delivery 
of quality, timely, medical care in the private sector.

SEC. 708. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM SECRETARY 
              OF TREASURY AND COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY FOR 
              INCOME VERIFICATION PURPOSES.

    Section 5317(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2011'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2013''.

SEC. 709. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REGIONAL OFFICE OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS IN REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

    Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2011'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2012''.

SEC. 710. REPORT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLYTRAUMA REHABILITATION CENTER 
              OR POLYTRAUMA NETWORK SITE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS IN THE NORTHERN ROCKIES OR DAKOTAS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of 
establishing a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network 
Site for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the northern Rockies or 
the Dakotas. One of the locations evaluated as a potential location for 
the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site, as the 
case may be, shall be the Fort Harrison Department of Veterans Affairs 
hospital in Lewis and Clark County, Montana.
    (b) Requirements.--The report required by this subsection shall 
include the following:
            (1) An assessment of the adequacy of existing Department of 
        Veterans Affairs facilities in the northern Rockies and the 
        Dakotas to address matters that are otherwise addressed by 
        Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers and Polytrauma Network Sites.
            (2) A comparative assessment of the effectiveness of 
        rehabilitation programs for individuals with traumatic brain 
        injuries in urban areas with the effectiveness of such programs 
        for individuals with traumatic brain injuries in rural and 
        frontier communities.
            (3) An assessment whether the low cost of living in the 
        northern Rockies and the Dakotas could reduce the financial 
        stress faced by veterans receiving care for traumatic brain 
        injury and their families and thereby improve the effectiveness 
        of such care.
            (4) An assessment whether therapies that can prevent or 
        remediate the development of secondary neurologic conditions 
        related to traumatic brain injury can be interrupted by stress 
        caused by living in an urban area.
    (c) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with appropriate 
State and local government agencies in the northern Rockies and the 
Dakotas in preparing the report required by subsection (a).

SEC. 711. MODIFICATION OF LOAN GUARANTY FEE FOR CERTAIN INITIAL LOANS.

    Section 3729(b)(2)(A) is amended--
            (1) by striking clauses (i) and (ii);
            (2) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (i);
            (3) by inserting after clause (i), as redesignated, the 
        following new clause (ii):


 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``(A)(ii) Initial loan described          1.50         1.75        NA'';
 in section 3710(a) to purchase
 or construct a dwelling with 0-
 down, or any other initial loan
 described in section 3710(a)
 other than with 5-down or 10-
 down (closed on or after October
 1, 2011, and before October 1,
 2012)...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

            (4) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (iii); and
            (5) in clause (iii), as redesignated by paragraph (4), by 
        striking ``October 1, 2011'' and inserting ``October 1, 2012''.
                                                       Calendar No. 188

112th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 914

                          [Report No. 112-88]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the waiver of the 
  collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of 
                   veterans, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            October 11, 2011

                       Reported with an amendment