[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 944 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 258
113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 944

                          [Report No. 113-123]

To amend title 38, United States Code, to require courses of education 
 provided by public institutions of higher education that are approved 
for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program 
  and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to charge veterans tuition and 
       fees at the in-State tuition rate, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 14, 2013

 Mr. Sanders (for himself and Mr. Burr) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

                            December 9, 2013

  Reported by Mr. Sanders, with an amendment and an amendment to the 
                                 title
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require courses of education 
 provided by public institutions of higher education that are approved 
for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program 
  and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to charge veterans tuition and 
       fees at the in-State tuition rate, 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. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Putting Our Veterans Back 
to Work Act of 2013''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION PROVIDED BY PUBLIC 
              INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR PURPOSES OF ALL-
              VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND POST-
              9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE CONDITIONAL ON IN-STATE 
              TUITION RATE FOR VETERANS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 3679 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
chapter and subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), the Secretary shall 
disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of 
higher education to a covered individual pursuing a course of education 
with educational assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while 
living in the State in which the public institution of higher education 
is located if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course 
for the covered individual at a rate that is higher than the rate the 
institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents 
of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of the 
covered individual's State of residence.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered 
individual is any individual as follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) A veteran who was discharged or released 
        from a period of not fewer than 180 days of service in the 
        active military, naval, or air service less than two years 
        before the date of enrollment in the course 
        concerned.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) An individual who is entitled to assistance 
        under section 3311(b)(9) or 3319 of this title by virtue of 
        such individual's relationship to a veteran described in 
        subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) It shall not be grounds to disapprove a course of 
education under paragraph (1) if a public institution of higher 
education requires a covered individual pursuing a course of education 
at the institution to demonstrate an intent to establish residency in 
the State in which the institution is located in order to be charged 
tuition and fees for that course at a rate that is equal to or less 
than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that 
course for residents of the State.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(4) The Secretary may waive such requirements of 
paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(5) Disapproval under paragraph (1) shall apply only 
with respect to educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of this 
title.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (c) of section 3679 of 
title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a) of this 
section) shall apply with respect to educational assistance provided 
for pursuit of programs of education during academic terms that begin 
after July 1, 2015.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Health 
and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013''.
    (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--SURVIVOR AND DEPENDENT MATTERS

Sec. 101. Extension of initial period for increased dependency and 
                            indemnity compensation for surviving 
                            spouses with children.
Sec. 102. Eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation, 
                            educational assistance, and housing loans 
                            for surviving spouses who remarry after age 
                            55.
Sec. 103. Extension of marriage delimiting date for surviving spouses 
                            of Persian Gulf War veterans to qualify for 
                            death pension.
Sec. 104. Expansion of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry 
                            Scholarship.
Sec. 105. Expansion of Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement 
                            Program.
Sec. 106. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans 
                            born with spina bifida.
Sec. 107. Program on assisted living for children of Vietnam veterans 
                            and certain Korea service veterans born 
                            with spina bifida.
Sec. 108. Program on grief counseling in retreat settings for surviving 
                            spouses of members of the Armed Forces who 
                            die while serving on active duty in the 
                            Armed Forces.
Sec. 109. Program evaluation on survivors' and dependents' educational 
                            assistance authorities.

                      TITLE II--EDUCATION MATTERS

Sec. 201. Approval of courses of education provided by public 
                            institutions of higher learning for 
                            purposes of All-Volunteer Force Educational 
                            Assistance Program and Post-9/11 
                            Educational Assistance conditional on in-
                            State tuition rate for veterans.
Sec. 202. Extension and expansion of authority for certain qualifying 
                            work-study activities for purposes of the 
                            educational assistance programs of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 203. Report on debt management and collection.
Sec. 204. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.

                     TITLE III--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

      Subtitle A--Expansion and Improvements of Benefits Generally

Sec. 301. Expansion of provision of chiropractic care and services to 
                            veterans.
Sec. 302. Modification of commencement date of period of service at 
                            Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for 
                            eligibility for hospital care and medical 
                            services in connection with exposure to 
                            contaminated water.
Sec. 303. Expansion of eligibility for sexual trauma counseling and 
                            treatment to veterans on inactive duty 
                            training.
Sec. 304. Extension of sunset date regarding transportation of 
                            individuals to and from facilities of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs and 
                            requirement of report.
Sec. 305. Program on health promotion for overweight and obese veterans 
                            through support of fitness center 
                            memberships.
Sec. 306. Program on health promotion for veterans through 
                            establishment of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs fitness facilities.

                 Subtitle B--Health Care Administration

Sec. 311. Extension of Department of Veterans Affairs Health 
                            Professional Scholarship Program.
Sec. 312. Expansion of availability of prosthetic and orthotic care for 
                            veterans.
Sec. 313. Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            Medical Center.

           Subtitle C--Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Sec. 321. Expansion of research and education on and delivery of 
                            complementary and alternative medicine to 
                            veterans.
Sec. 322. Program on integration of complementary and alternative 
                            medicine within Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs medical centers.
Sec. 323. Studies of barriers encountered by veterans in receiving, and 
                            administrators and clinicians in providing, 
                            complementary and alternative medicine 
                            services furnished by the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 324. Program on use of wellness programs as complementary approach 
                            to mental health care for veterans and 
                            family members of veterans.

        TITLE IV--ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 401. Administration of Veterans Integrated Service Networks.
Sec. 402. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service 
                            Networks.
Sec. 403. Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs Medical Facilities.
Sec. 404. Public access to Department of Veterans Affairs research and 
                            data sharing between Departments.
Sec. 405. Budget transparency for outreach activities of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 406. Comptroller general report on advisory committees of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.

     TITLE V--IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESSING OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION

           Subtitle A--Claims Based on Military Sexual Trauma

Sec. 501. Medical examination and opinion for disability compensation 
                            claims based on military sexual trauma.
Sec. 502. Case representative officers for military sexual trauma 
                            support.
Sec. 503. Report on standard of proof for service-connection of mental 
                            health conditions related to military 
                            sexual trauma.
Sec. 504. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by 
                            military sexual trauma.

              Subtitle B--Agency of Original Jurisdiction

Sec. 511. Working group to improve employee work credit and work 
                            management systems of Veterans Benefits 
                            Administration in an electronic 
                            environment.
Sec. 512. Task force on retention and training of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs claims processors and 
                            adjudicators.
Sec. 513. Reports on requests by the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
                            records of other Federal agencies.
Sec. 514. Recognition of representatives of Indian tribes in the 
                            preparation, presentation, and prosecution 
                            of claims under laws administered by the 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 515. Program on participation of local and tribal governments in 
                            improving quality of claims for disability 
                            compensation submitted to Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 516. Quarterly reports on progress of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs in eliminating backlog of claims 
                            for compensation that have not been 
                            adjudicated.
Sec. 517. Reports on use of existing authorities to expedite benefits 
                            decisions.
Sec. 518. Reports on Department disability medical examinations and 
                            prevention of unnecessary medical 
                            examinations.

    Subtitle C--Board of Veterans' Appeals and Court of Appeals for 
                            Veterans Claims

Sec. 521. Treatment of certain misfiled documents as a notice of appeal 
                            to the Court of Appeals for Veterans 
                            Claims.
Sec. 522. Modification of filing period for notice of disagreement to 
                            initiate appellate review of decisions of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 523. Determination of manner of appearance for hearings before 
                            Board of Veterans' Appeals.

                       TITLE VI--OUTREACH MATTERS

Sec. 601. Program to increase coordination of outreach efforts between 
                            the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
                            Federal, State, and local agencies and 
                            nonprofit organizations.
Sec. 602. Cooperative agreements between Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
                            and States on outreach activities.
Sec. 603. Advisory committee on outreach activities of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 604. Advisory boards on outreach activities of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs relating to health care.
Sec. 605. Modification of requirement for periodic reports to Congress 
                            on outreach activities of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.

               TITLE VII--EMPLOYMENT AND RELATED MATTERS

                     Subtitle A--Employment Matters

Sec. 701. Employment of veterans with the Federal Government.
Sec. 702. State recognition of military experience of veterans in 
                            issuing licenses and credentials to 
                            veterans.
Sec. 703. Report on unified Government Internet portal for veterans on 
                            jobs available through the Federal 
                            Government.
Sec. 704. Information on disability-related employment and education 
                            protections in Transition Assistance 
                            Program.

                   Subtitle B--Small Business Matters

Sec. 711. Expansion of contracting goals and preferences of Department 
                            of Veterans Affairs to include 
                            conditionally owned small business concerns 
                            100 percent owned by veterans.
Sec. 712. Modification of treatment under contracting goals and 
                            preferences of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs for small businesses owned by 
                            veterans of small businesses after death of 
                            disabled veteran owners.
Sec. 713. Treatment of businesses after deaths of servicemember-owners 
                            for purposes of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs contracting goals and preferences.
Sec. 714. Special rule for treatment under contracting goals and 
                            preferences of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs of small business concerns licensed 
                            in community property States.

                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 801. Consideration by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of resources 
                            disposed of for less than fair market value 
                            by individuals applying for pension.
Sec. 802. Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special 
                            Events.
Sec. 803. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of 
                            the Armed Forces through United States 
                            Olympic Committee.
Sec. 804. Making effective date provision consistent with provision for 
                            benefits eligibility of a veteran's child 
                            based upon termination of remarriage by 
                            annulment.
Sec. 805. Extended period for scheduling of medical exams for veterans 
                            receiving temporary disability ratings for 
                            severe mental disorders.
Sec. 806. Authority to issue Veterans ID Cards.
Sec. 807. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in 
                            the reserve components of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 808. Extension of authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
                            issue and guarantee certain loans.
Sec. 809. Review of determination of certain service in Philippines 
                            during World War II.
Sec. 810. Report on Laotian military support of Armed Forces of the 
                            United States during Vietnam War.
Sec. 811. Report on assistance for veterans in obtaining training on 
                            purchasing and operating a franchise.
Sec. 812. Limitation on aggregate amount of bonuses payable to 
                            personnel of the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs during fiscal year 2014.

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--SURVIVOR AND DEPENDENT MATTERS

SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF INITIAL PERIOD FOR INCREASED DEPENDENCY AND 
              INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES WITH 
              CHILDREN.

    (a) In General.--Section 1311(f)(2) is amended by striking ``two-
year'' and inserting ``three-year''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect as of September 30, 2014, and shall apply to any surviving 
spouse who was eligible for or in receipt of benefits under section 
1311(f) of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 102. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION, 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, AND HOUSING LOANS FOR SURVIVING 
              SPOUSES WHO REMARRY AFTER AGE 55.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2)(B) of section 103(d) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(B) The remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a 
veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph 
(5) to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (5) of such section is amended 
by striking ``Paragraphs (2)(A)'' and inserting ``Paragraphs (2)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF MARRIAGE DELIMITING DATE FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES 
              OF PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS TO QUALIFY FOR DEATH 
              PENSION.

    Section 1541(f)(1)(E) is amended by striking ``January 1, 2001'' 
and inserting ``the date that is 10 years and one day after the date on 
which the Persian Gulf War was terminated, as prescribed by 
Presidential proclamation or by law''.

SEC. 104. EXPANSION OF MARINE GUNNERY SERGEANT JOHN DAVID FRY 
              SCHOLARSHIP.

    (a) Expansion of Entitlement.--Subsection (b)(9) of section 3311 is 
amended by inserting ``or spouse'' after ``child''.
    (b) Limitation and Election on Certain Benefits.--Subsection (f) of 
such section is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
        paragraphs:
            ``(2) Limitation.--The entitlement of an individual to 
        assistance under subsection (a) pursuant to paragraph (9) of 
        subsection (b) because the individual was a spouse of a person 
        described in such paragraph shall expire on the earlier of--
                    ``(A) the date that is 15 years after the date on 
                which the person died; and
                    ``(B) the date on which the individual remarries.
            ``(3) Election on receipt of certain benefits.--A surviving 
        spouse entitled to assistance under subsection (a) pursuant to 
        paragraph (9) of subsection (b) who is also entitled to 
        educational assistance under chapter 35 of this title may not 
        receive assistance under both this section and such chapter, 
        but shall make an irrevocable election (in such form and manner 
        as the Secretary may prescribe) under which section or chapter 
        to receive educational assistance.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3321(b)(4) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``an individual'' and inserting ``a 
        child''; and
            (2) by striking ``such individual's'' each time it appears 
        and inserting ``such child's''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF YELLOW RIBBON G.I. EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 3317(a) is amended by striking ``in 
paragraphs (1) and (2)'' and inserting ``in paragraphs (1), (2), and 
(9)''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to academic terms beginning after July 1, 2015.

SEC. 106. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF CERTAIN THAILAND SERVICE VETERANS 
              BORN WITH SPINA BIFIDA.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 18 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans 
              born with spina bifida
    ``(a) Benefits Authorized.--The Secretary may provide to any child 
of a veteran of covered service in Thailand who is suffering from spina 
bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and 
monetary allowance required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran 
who is suffering from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter 
as if such child of a veteran of covered service in Thailand were a 
child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under 
such subchapter.
    ``(b) Spina Bifida Conditions Covered.--This section applies with 
respect to all forms and manifestations of spina bifida, except spina 
bifida occulta.
    ``(c) Veteran of Covered Service in Thailand.--For purposes of this 
section, a veteran of covered service in Thailand is any individual, 
without regard to the characterization of that individual's service, 
who--
            ``(1) served in the active military, naval, or air service 
        in Thailand, as determined by the Secretary in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Defense, during the period beginning on 
        January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975; and
            ``(2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with 
        the Secretary of Defense, to have been exposed to a herbicide 
        agent during such service in Thailand.
    ``(d) Herbicide Agent.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`herbicide agent' means a chemical in a herbicide used in support of 
United States and allied military operations in Thailand, as determined 
by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, during 
the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment to Definition of ``Child''.--Section 
1831(1) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) by striking ``subchapter III of this chapter'' 
                and inserting ``section 1821 of this title''; and
                    (B) in clause (i), by striking ``section 1821 of 
                this title'' and inserting ``that section''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(C) For purposes of section 1822 of this title, an 
        individual, regardless of age or marital status, who--
                    ``(i) is the natural child of a veteran of covered 
                service in Thailand (as determined for purposes of that 
                section); and
                    ``(ii) was conceived after the date on which that 
                veteran first entered service described in subsection 
                (c) of that section.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Subchapter heading.--The heading for subchapter III of 
        chapter 18 is amended by inserting ``AND THAILAND'' after 
        ``KOREA''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 18 is amended--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to subchapter III 
                and inserting the following new item:

   ``subchapter iii--children of certain korea and thailand service 
                   veterans born with spina bifida'';

        and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                1821 the following new item:

``1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born 
                            with spina bifida.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 107. PROGRAM ON ASSISTED LIVING FOR CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS 
              AND CERTAIN KOREA SERVICE VETERANS BORN WITH SPINA 
              BIFIDA.

    (a) Program.--Commencing not later than 180 days after the date on 
which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of 
providing assisted living, group home care, or similar services in lieu 
of nursing home care to covered individuals.
    (b) Covered Individuals.--For purposes of this section, a covered 
individual is any individual who is entitled to health care under 
subchapter I or III of chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code.
    (c) Duration.--
            (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
        subsection, the program shall be carried out during the three-
        year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the 
        program.
            (2) Continuation.--Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary 
        may continue the program for an additional two-year period as 
        the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (3) Termination.--The program may not operate after the 
        date that is five years after the date of the commencement of 
        the program.
    (d) Scope of Services and Program.--Under the program, the 
Secretary shall provide covered individuals with integrated, 
comprehensive services, including the following:
            (1) Assisted living, group home care, or such other similar 
        services as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (2) Transportation services.
            (3) Such other services as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate for the care of covered individuals under the 
        program.
    (e) Program Requirements.--In carrying out the program, the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) inform all covered individuals of the services 
        available under the program;
            (2) enter into agreements with appropriate providers of 
        assisted living, group home care, or other similar services for 
        provision of services under the program; and
            (3) determine the appropriate number of covered individuals 
        to be enrolled in the program and criteria for such enrollment.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Preliminary reports.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
                date of the commencement of the program and, if the 
                program is continued under subsection (c)(2), not later 
                than three years after the date of the commencement of 
                the program, 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 program.
                    (B) Contents.--Each report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) A description of the implementation and 
                        operation of the program.
                            (ii) The number of covered individuals 
                        receiving benefits under the program.
                            (iii) An analysis that compares the costs 
                        of furnishing assisted living, group home care, 
                        or similar service with the costs of furnishing 
                        nursing home care.
                            (iv) An analysis of the costs and benefits 
                        under the program.
                            (v) The findings and conclusions of the 
                        Secretary with respect to the program.
                            (vi) Such recommendations for the 
                        continuation or expansion of the program as the 
                        Secretary may have.
            (2) Final report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                completion of the program, 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 program.
                    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) The findings and conclusions of the 
                        Secretary with respect to the program.
                            (ii) Such recommendations for the 
                        continuation or expansion of the program as the 
                        Secretary may have.
    (g) Funding.--Amounts to carry out the program shall be derived 
from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for the 
furnishing of nursing home care under chapter 18 of title 38, United 
States Code.
    (h) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 108. PROGRAM ON GRIEF COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR SURVIVING 
              SPOUSES OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO DIE WHILE 
              SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Program Required.--
            (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 180 days after 
        the date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall carry out, through the Readjustment 
        Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a 
        program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing 
        grief counseling services described in subsection (b) in group 
        retreat settings to surviving spouses of members of the Armed 
        Forces who die while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces 
        who would, as determined by the Readjustment Counseling 
        Service, benefit from the services provided under the program.
            (2) Participation at election of surviving spouse.--The 
        participation of a surviving spouse in the program under this 
        section shall be at the election of the surviving spouse.
    (b) Covered Services.--The services provided to a surviving spouse 
under the program shall include the following:
            (1) Information and counseling on coping with grief.
            (2) Information about benefits and services available to 
        surviving spouses under laws administered by the Secretary.
            (3) Such other information and counseling as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate to assist a surviving spouse under the 
        program with adjusting to the death of a spouse.
    (c) Events.--The Secretary shall carry out the program at not fewer 
than six events as follows:
            (1) Three events at which surviving spouses with dependent 
        children are encouraged to bring their children.
            (2) Three events at which surviving spouses with dependent 
        children are not encouraged to bring their children.
    (d) Duration.--The program shall be carried out during the two-year 
period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program.
    (e) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        completion of the first year of the program and not later than 
        180 days after the completion of the program, the Secretary 
        shall submit to Congress a report on the program.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall contain the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as 
        a result of the program, and shall include such recommendations 
        for the continuation or expansion of the program as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``active duty'', 
``Armed Forces'', and ``surviving spouse'' have the meanings given such 
terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
    (g) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 109. PROGRAM EVALUATION ON SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE AUTHORITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into 
a contract with an appropriate private sector entity to conduct a 
program evaluation of the authorities for survivors' and dependents' 
educational assistance under chapter 35 of title 38, United States 
Code.
    (b) Report.--Not later than six months after the entry into the 
contract required by subsection (a), 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 setting 
forth the results of the program evaluation conducted pursuant to the 
contract, together with such comments on the results of the program 
evaluation as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

                      TITLE II--EDUCATION MATTERS

SEC. 201. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION PROVIDED BY PUBLIC 
              INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR PURPOSES OF ALL-
              VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND POST-
              9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE CONDITIONAL ON IN-STATE 
              TUITION RATE FOR VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3679 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and 
subject to paragraphs (3) through (6), the Secretary shall disapprove a 
course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning 
to a covered individual pursuing a course of education with educational 
assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the 
State in which the public institution of higher learning is located if 
the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for the 
covered individual at a rate that is higher than the rate the 
institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents 
of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of the 
covered individual's State of residence.
    ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any 
individual as follows:
            ``(A) A veteran who was discharged or released from a 
        period of not fewer than 90 days of service in the active 
        military, naval, or air service less than three years before 
        the date of enrollment in the course concerned.
            ``(B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under 
        section 3311(b)(9) or 3319 of this title by virtue of such 
        individual's relationship to a veteran described in 
        subparagraph (A).
    ``(3) If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject 
to disapproval under paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (2)(A) or 
(2)(B) a covered individual pursues one or more courses of education at 
the same public institution of higher learning while remaining 
continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks 
between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution of higher 
learning, any course so pursued by the covered individual at that 
institution of higher learning while so continuously enrolled shall 
also be subject to disapproval under paragraph (1).
    ``(4) It shall not be grounds to disapprove a course of education 
under paragraph (1) if a public institution of higher learning requires 
a covered individual pursuing a course of education at the institution 
to demonstrate an intent, by means other than satisfying a physical 
presence requirement, to establish residency in the State in which the 
institution is located, or to satisfy other requirements not relating 
to the establishment of residency, in order to be charged tuition and 
fees for that course at a rate that is equal to or less than the rate 
the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for 
residents of the State.
    ``(5) The Secretary may waive such requirements of paragraph (1) as 
the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(6) Disapproval under paragraph (1) shall apply only with respect 
to educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of this title.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (c) of section 3679 of title 38, 
United States Code (as added by subsection (a) of this section), shall 
apply with respect to educational assistance provided for pursuit of 
programs of education during academic terms that begin after July 1, 
2015, through courses of education that commence on or after that date.

SEC. 202. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING 
              WORK-STUDY ACTIVITIES FOR PURPOSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) Extension of Expiring Current Authority.--Section 3485(a)(4) is 
amended by striking ``June 30, 2013'' each place it appears and 
inserting ``June 30, 2015''.
    (b) Expansion to Outreach Services Provided Through Congressional 
Offices.--Such section is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph:
            ``(K) During the period beginning on June 30, 2013, and 
        ending on June 30, 2015, the following activities carried out 
        at the offices of Members of Congress for such Members:
                    ``(i) The distribution of information to members of 
                the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents about 
                the benefits and services under laws administered by 
                the Secretary and other appropriate governmental and 
                nongovernmental programs.
                    ``(ii) The preparation and processing of papers and 
                other documents, including documents to assist in the 
                preparation and presentation of claims for benefits 
                under laws administered by the Secretary.''.
    (c) Annual Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than June 30 of 2014 and 2015, 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a 
        report on the work-study allowances paid under paragraph (1) of 
        section 3485(a) of title 38, United States Code, during the 
        most recent one-year period for qualifying work-study 
        activities described in paragraph (4) of such section, as 
        amended by subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include, for the year covered by such report, the 
        following:
                    (A) A description of the recipients of such work-
                study allowances.
                    (B) A list of the locations where qualifying work-
                study activities were carried out.
                    (C) A description of the outreach conducted by the 
                Secretary to increase awareness of the eligibility of 
                such work-study activities for such work-study 
                allowances.

SEC. 203. REPORT ON DEBT MANAGEMENT AND COLLECTION.

    (a) Report.--Not later than one year after the effective date 
specified in subsection (c), the Comptroller General of the United 
States 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 processes used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
identify and resolve cases of incorrect payments associated with 
educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United 
States Code.
    (b) Issues Addressed.--The report required by subsection (a) shall, 
to the extent possible, address the following:
            (1) The effectiveness of the processes referred to in 
        subsection (a) in identifying and resolving incorrect payments 
        associated with educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 
        of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) The accuracy of overpayment information provided to 
        veterans by the Education Service and Debt Management Center of 
        the Department.
            (3) How well the Debt Management Center of the Department 
        communicates and works with veterans to resolve disputed debt 
        amounts.
            (4) How the payment and debt collection processes of the 
        Department compare to comparable programs in other Federal 
        agencies.
            (5) Any recommendations to improve the payment and debt 
        collection processes of the Department that the Comptroller 
        General considers appropriate.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 204. RESTORATION OF PRIOR REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

    Section 3684(c) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``$12'' and inserting ``$7''; and
            (2) by striking ``$15'' and inserting ``$11''.

                     TITLE III--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

      Subtitle A--Expansion and Improvements of Benefits Generally

SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF PROVISION OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND SERVICES TO 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Program for Provision of Chiropractic Care and Services to 
Veterans.--Section 204(c) of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health 
Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-135; 115 Stat. 
2459; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The program''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The program shall be carried out at not fewer than two 
medical centers or clinics in each Veterans Integrated Service Network 
by not later than one year after the effective date specified in 
section 301(c) of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 
2013, and at not fewer than 50 percent of all medical centers in each 
Veterans Integrated Service Network by not later than two years after 
such effective date.''.
    (b) Expanded Chiropractor Services Available to Veterans.--
            (1) Medical services.--Paragraph (6) of section 1701 is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) Chiropractic services.''.
            (2) Rehabilitative services.--Paragraph (8) of such section 
        is amended by inserting ``chiropractic,'' after 
        ``counseling,''.
            (3) Preventive health services.--Paragraph (9) of such 
        section is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (K) 
                as subparagraphs (G) through (L), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the 
                following new subparagraph (F):
            ``(F) periodic and preventive chiropractic examinations and 
        services;''.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 302. MODIFICATION OF COMMENCEMENT DATE OF PERIOD OF SERVICE AT 
              CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR 
              HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH 
              EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINATED WATER.

    (a) Modification.--Section 1710(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking 
``January 1, 1957,'' and inserting ``August 1, 1953 (or such earlier 
date for the commencement of exposure to contaminated water at Camp 
Lejeune as the Secretary, in consultation with the Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry, shall specify),''.
    (b) Publication.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish 
in the Federal Register a notice of any earlier date for the 
commencement of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North 
Carolina, for purposes of section 1710(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by subsection (a).

SEC. 303. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA COUNSELING AND 
              TREATMENT TO VETERANS ON INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING.

    Section 1720D(a)(1) is amended by striking ``or active duty for 
training'' and inserting ``, active duty for training, or inactive duty 
training''.

SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF SUNSET DATE REGARDING TRANSPORTATION OF 
              INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REQUIREMENT OF REPORT.

    (a) Extension of Sunset Date.--Subsection (a)(2) of section 111A is 
amended by striking ``the date that is one year after the date of the 
enactment of this section'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
    (b) Funding Available.--Such section is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Funding.--There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for 
each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 for the Department, $4,000,000 to 
carry out this section.''.
    (c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, 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--
            (1) the efforts of the Secretary to carry out the 
        transportation services required by section 111A(a) of title 
        38, United States Code;
            (2) the utilization of those services by covered veterans; 
        and
            (3) the feasibility and advisability of the continuation of 
        the provision of such services after September 30, 2015.

SEC. 305. PROGRAM ON HEALTH PROMOTION FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE VETERANS 
              THROUGH SUPPORT OF FITNESS CENTER MEMBERSHIPS.

    (a) Program Required.--Commencing not later than 180 days after the 
date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall, through the National Center for Preventive Health, carry 
out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of promoting 
health in covered veterans, including achieving a healthy weight and 
reducing risks of chronic disease, through support for fitness center 
membership.
    (b) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a covered 
veteran is any veteran who--
            (1) is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment 
        established and operated by the Secretary under section 1705 of 
        title 38, United States Code;
            (2) is determined by a clinician of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs to be overweight or obese as of the date of 
        the commencement of the program; and
            (3) resides in a location that is more than 15 minutes 
        driving distance from a fitness center at a facility of the 
        Department that would otherwise be available to the veteran for 
        at least eight hours per day during five or more days per week.
    (c) Duration of Program.--The program shall be carried out during 
the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the 
program.
    (d) Locations.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
        shall select--
                    (A) not less than five medical centers of the 
                Department at which the Secretary shall cover the full 
                reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for 
                covered veterans within the catchment area of such 
                centers; and
                    (B) not less than five medical centers of the 
                Department at which the Secretary shall cover half the 
                reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for 
                covered veterans within the catchment area of such 
                centers.
            (2) Considerations.--In selecting locations for the 
        program, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and 
        advisability of selecting locations in the following areas:
                    (A) Rural areas.
                    (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an 
                active duty military installation.
                    (C) Areas in different geographic locations.
    (e) Participation.--
            (1) Maximum number of participants.--The number of covered 
        veterans who may participate in the program at each location 
        selected under subsection (d) may not exceed 100.
            (2) Voluntary participation.--The participation of a 
        covered veteran in the program shall be at the election of the 
        covered veteran in consultation with a clinician of the 
        Department.
    (f) Membership Payment.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
        carrying out the program, the Secretary shall pay the 
        following:
                    (A) The full reasonable cost of a fitness center 
                membership for covered veterans within the catchment 
                area of centers selected under subsection (d)(1)(A) who 
                are participating in the program.
                    (B) Half the reasonable cost of a fitness center 
                membership for covered veterans within the catchment 
                area of centers selected under subsection (d)(1)(B) who 
                are participating in the program.
            (2) Limitation.--Payment for a fitness center membership of 
        a covered veteran may not exceed $50 per month of membership.
    (g) Reports.--
            (1)  Periodic reports.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently 
        than once every 90 days thereafter, 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 activities carried out to implement the program, 
        including outreach activities to veterans and community 
        organizations.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the completion of the program, 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 program detailing--
                    (A) the findings and conclusions of the Secretary 
                as a result of the program; and
                    (B) recommendations for the continuation or 
                expansion of the program.
    (h) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 306. PROGRAM ON HEALTH PROMOTION FOR VETERANS THROUGH 
              ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FITNESS 
              FACILITIES.

    (a) Program Required.--Commencing not later than 180 days after the 
date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a program to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of promoting health in covered veterans, including 
achieving a healthy weight, through establishment of Department of 
Veterans Affairs fitness facilities.
    (b) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a covered 
veteran is any veteran who is enrolled in the system of annual patient 
enrollment established and operated by the Secretary under section 1705 
of title 38, United States Code.
    (c) Duration of Program.--The program shall be carried out during 
the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the 
program.
    (d) Locations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the program 
        by establishing fitness facilities in Department facilities as 
        follows:
                    (A) In not fewer than five Department of Veterans 
                Affairs medical centers selected by the Secretary for 
                purposes of the program.
                    (B) In not fewer than five outpatient clinics of 
                the Department selected by the Secretary for purposes 
                of the program.
            (2) Considerations.--In selecting locations for the 
        program, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and 
        advisability of selecting locations in the following areas:
                    (A) Rural areas.
                    (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an 
                active duty military installation.
                    (C) Areas in different geographic locations.
    (e) Limitation on Expenses.--In establishing and supporting a 
fitness facility in a facility of the Department under the program, the 
Secretary may expend amounts as follows:
            (1) For establishment and support of a fitness facility in 
        a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, not more than 
        $60,000.
            (2) For establishment and support of a fitness facility in 
        an outpatient clinic of the Department, not more than $40,000.
    (f) Repurposing of Physical Space and Purchases of Equipment.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary 
        may, in carrying out the program, repurpose existing physical 
        space of the Department and purchase such fitness equipment and 
        supplies as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of 
        the program.
            (2) Repurposing exception.--Existing physical space used 
        for the direct delivery of health care to patients may not be 
        repurposed under paragraph (1).
    (g) Prohibition on Assessment of User Fees.--The Secretary may not 
assess a fee upon a covered veteran for use of a fitness facility 
established under the program.
    (h) Voluntary Participation.--The participation of a covered 
veteran in the program shall be at the election of the covered veteran.
    (i) Reports.--
            (1) Periodic reports.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently 
        than once every 90 days thereafter, 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 activities carried out to implement the program, 
        including outreach activities to veterans and community 
        organizations.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the completion of the program, 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 program detailing--
                    (A) the findings and conclusions of the Secretary 
                as a result of the program; and
                    (B) recommendations for the continuation or 
                expansion of the program.
    (j) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

                 Subtitle B--Health Care Administration

SEC. 311. EXTENSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH 
              PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    Section 7619 is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2019''.

SEC. 312. EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC CARE FOR 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Establishment or Expansion of Advanced Degree Programs To 
Expand Availability of Provision of Care.--The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall work with institutions of higher education to develop 
partnerships for the establishment or expansion of programs of advanced 
degrees in prosthetics and orthotics in order to improve and enhance 
the availability of high quality prosthetic and orthotic care for 
veterans.
    (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, 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 setting forth a plan for 
carrying out subsection (a). The Secretary shall develop the plan in 
consultation with veterans service organizations, institutions of 
higher education with accredited degree programs in prosthetics and 
orthotics, and representatives of the prosthetics and orthotics field.
    (c) Funding.--
            (1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is hereby 
        authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2015 for the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs, $10,000,000 to carry out this 
        section.
            (2) Availability.--The amount authorized to be appropriated 
        by paragraph (1) shall remain available for expenditure until 
        September 30, 2017.

SEC. 313. CORPORAL MICHAEL J. CRESCENZ DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              MEDICAL CENTER.

    (a) Designation.--The medical center of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs located at 3900 Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and 
designated as the ``Corporal Michael J. Crescenz 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 Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center.

           Subtitle C--Complementary and Alternative Medicine

SEC. 321. EXPANSION OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ON AND DELIVERY OF 
              COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE TO VETERANS.

    (a) Development of Plan To Expand Research, Education, and 
Delivery.--Not later than six months after the effective date specified 
in subsection (f), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a 
plan to expand materially and substantially the scope of research and 
education on, and delivery and integration of, complementary and 
alternative medicine services into the health care services provided to 
veterans.
    (b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall provide 
for the following:
            (1) Research on the following:
                    (A) The comparative effectiveness of various 
                complementary and alternative medicine therapies.
                    (B) Approaches to integrating complementary and 
                alternative medicine services into other health care 
                services provided by the Department.
            (2) Education and training for health care professionals of 
        the Department on the following:
                    (A) Complementary and alternative medicine services 
                selected by the Secretary for purposes of the plan.
                    (B) Appropriate uses of such services.
                    (C) Integration of such services into the delivery 
                of health care to veterans.
            (3) Research, education, and clinical activities on 
        complementary and alternative medicine at centers of innovation 
        at Department medical centers.
            (4) Identification or development of metrics and outcome 
        measures to evaluate the provision and integration of 
        complementary and alternative medicine services into the 
        delivery of health care to veterans.
            (5) Integration and delivery of complementary and 
        alternative medicine services with other health care services 
        provided by the Department.
    (c) Consultation.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Secretary shall consult with the following:
                    (A) The Director of the National Center on 
                Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National 
                Institutes of Health.
                    (B) The Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
                    (C) Institutions of higher education, private 
                research institutes, and individual researchers with 
                extensive experience in complementary and alternative 
                medicine and the integration of complementary and 
                alternative medicine practices into the delivery of 
                health care.
                    (D) Nationally recognized providers of 
                complementary and alternative medicine.
                    (E) Such other officials, entities, and individuals 
                with expertise on complementary and alternative 
                medicine as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (2) Scope of consultation.--The Secretary shall undertake 
        consultation under paragraph (1) in carrying out subsection (a) 
        with respect to the following:
                    (A) To develop the plan.
                    (B) To identify specific complementary and 
                alternative medicine practices that, on the basis of 
                research findings or promising clinical interventions, 
                are appropriate to include as services to veterans.
                    (C) To identify barriers to the effective provision 
                and integration of complementary and alternative 
                medicine services into the delivery of health care to 
                veterans, and to identify mechanisms for overcoming 
                such barriers.
    (d) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
    (e) Complementary and Alternative Medicine Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``complementary and alternative medicine'' shall have 
the meaning given that term in regulations the Secretary shall 
prescribe for purposes of this section, which shall, to the degree 
practicable, be consistent with the meaning given such term by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    (f) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 322. PROGRAM ON INTEGRATION OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE 
              MEDICINE WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL 
              CENTERS.

    (a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
            (1) carry out, through the Office of Patient Centered Care 
        and Cultural Transformation of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, a program to assess the feasibility and advisability 
        of integrating the delivery of complementary and alternative 
        medicine services selected by the Secretary with other health 
        care services provided by the Department for veterans with 
        mental health conditions, chronic pain conditions, other 
        chronic conditions, and such other conditions as the Secretary 
        determines appropriate; and
            (2) in developing the program, identify and resolve 
        barriers to the provision of complementary and alternative 
        medicine services selected by the Secretary and the integration 
        of those services with other health care services provided by 
        the Department.
    (b) Duration of Program.--The program shall be carried out during 
the three-year period beginning on the effective date specified in 
subsection (j).
    (c) Locations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the program 
        at not fewer than 15 separate Department medical centers.
            (2) Polytrauma centers.--Not less than two of the medical 
        centers designated under paragraph (1) shall be located at 
        polytrauma rehabilitation centers of the Department.
            (3) Selection of locations.--In carrying out the program, 
        the Secretary shall select locations that include the following 
        areas:
                    (A) Rural areas.
                    (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an 
                active duty military installation.
                    (C) Areas representing different geographic 
                locations, such as census tracts established by the 
                Bureau of the Census.
    (d) Provision of Services.--Under the program, the Secretary shall 
provide covered services to covered veterans by integrating 
complementary and alternative medicine services with other services 
provided by the Department at the medical centers designated under 
subsection (c)(1).
    (e) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of the program, a covered 
veteran is any veteran who--
            (1) has a mental health condition diagnosed by a clinician 
        of the Department;
            (2) experiences chronic pain; or
            (3) has a chronic condition being treated by a clinician of 
        the Department.
    (f) Covered Services.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of the program, covered 
        services are services consisting of complementary and 
        alternative medicine as selected by the Secretary.
            (2) Administration of services.--Covered services shall be 
        administered under the program as follows:
                    (A) Covered services shall be administered by 
                clinicians employed by the Secretary for purposes of 
                this section who, to the extent practicable, shall 
                provide services consisting of complementary and 
                alternative medicine, including those clinicians who 
                solely provide such services.
                    (B) Covered services shall be included as part of 
                the Patient Aligned Care Teams initiative of the Office 
                of Patient Care Services, Primary Care Program Office, 
                in coordination with the Office of Patient Centered 
                Care and Cultural Transformation.
                    (C) Covered services shall be made available to 
                both--
                            (i) covered veterans with mental health 
                        conditions, pain conditions, or chronic 
                        conditions described in subsection (e) who have 
                        received conventional treatments from the 
                        Department for such conditions; and
                            (ii) covered veterans with mental health 
                        conditions, pain conditions, or chronic 
                        conditions described in subsection (e) who have 
                        not received conventional treatments from the 
                        Department for such conditions.
    (g) Voluntary Participation.--The participation of a veteran in the 
program shall be at the election of the veteran and in consultation 
with a clinician of the Department.
    (h) Reports to Congress.--
            (1) Quarterly reports.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently 
        than once every 90 days thereafter for the duration of the 
        program, 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 efforts 
        of the Secretary to carry out the program, including a 
        description of the outreach conducted by the Secretary to 
        veterans and community organizations to inform such 
        organizations about the program.
            (2) Final report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                completion of the program, 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 program.
                    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) The findings and conclusions of the 
                        Secretary with respect to the program, 
                        including with respect to--
                                    (I) the utilization and efficacy of 
                                the complementary and alternative 
                                medicine services established under the 
                                program;
                                    (II) an assessment of the benefit 
                                of the program to covered veterans in 
                                mental health diagnoses, pain 
                                management, and treatment of chronic 
                                illness; and
                                    (III) the comparative effectiveness 
                                of various complementary and 
                                alternative medicine therapies.
                            (ii) Barriers identified under subsection 
                        (a)(2) that were not resolved.
                            (iii) Such recommendations for the 
                        continuation or expansion of the program as the 
                        Secretary considers appropriate.
    (i) Complementary and Alternative Medicine Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``complementary and alternative medicine'' shall have 
the meaning given that term in section 321(e) of this Act.
    (j) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 323. STUDIES OF BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY VETERANS IN RECEIVING, AND 
              ADMINISTRATORS AND CLINICIANS IN PROVIDING, COMPLEMENTARY 
              AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE SERVICES FURNISHED BY THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Studies Required.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        conduct comprehensive studies of the barriers encountered by 
        veterans in receiving, and administrators and clinicians in 
        providing, complementary and alternative medicine services 
        furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Studies conducted.--
                    (A) Veterans.--In conducting the study of veterans, 
                the Secretary shall--
                            (i) survey veterans who seek or receive 
                        hospital care or medical services furnished by 
                        the Department, as well as veterans who do not 
                        seek or receive such care or services;
                            (ii) administer the survey to a 
                        representative sample of veterans from each 
                        Veterans Integrated Service Network; and
                            (iii) ensure that the sample of veterans 
                        surveyed is of sufficient size for the study 
                        results to be statistically significant.
                    (B) Administrators and clinicians.--In conducting 
                the study of clinicians and administrators, the 
                Secretary shall--
                            (i) survey administrators of the Department 
                        who are involved in the provision of health 
                        care services;
                            (ii) survey clinicians that have provided 
                        complementary and alternative medicine services 
                        through the program established under section 
                        322 of this Act, after those clinicians have 
                        provided those services through such program 
                        for at least 90 days; and
                            (iii) administer the survey to 
                        administrators under clause (i)--
                                    (I) before the introduction of 
                                complementary and alternative medicine 
                                services through such program; and
                                    (II) not earlier than 90 days after 
                                the introduction of complementary and 
                                alternative medicine services through 
                                such program.
    (b) Elements of Studies.--
            (1) Veterans.--In conducting the study of veterans required 
        by subsection (a), the Secretary shall study the following:
                    (A) The perceived barriers associated with 
                obtaining complementary and alternative medicine 
                services from the Department.
                    (B) The satisfaction of veterans with complementary 
                and alternative medicine services in primary care.
                    (C) The degree to which veterans are aware of 
                eligibility requirements for, and the scope of services 
                available under, complementary and alternative medicine 
                services furnished by the Department.
                    (D) The effectiveness of outreach to veterans on 
                the availability of complementary and alternative 
                medicine for veterans.
                    (E) Such other barriers as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
            (2) Administrators and clinicians.--In conducting the study 
        of administrators and clinicians required by subsection (a), 
        the Secretary shall study the following:
                    (A) The extent of the integration of complementary 
                and alternative medicine services within the services 
                provided by the Department.
                    (B) The perception by administrators and clinicians 
                of the structural and attitudinal barriers to the 
                delivery of high quality complementary and alternative 
                medicine services by the Department.
                    (C) Strategies that have been used to reduce or 
                eliminate such barriers and the results of such 
                strategies.
                    (D) The satisfaction of administrators and 
                clinicians regarding the integration of complementary 
                and alternative medicine services within the services 
                provided by the Department.
                    (E) The perception by administrators and clinicians 
                of the value of specific complementary and alternative 
                medicine services for inpatient and outpatient veteran 
                populations.
    (c) Discharge by Contract.--The Secretary shall enter into a 
contract with a qualified independent entity or organization to carry 
out the studies required by this section.
    (d) Mandatory Review of Data by the National Research Advisory 
Council.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the head 
        of the National Research Advisory Council reviews the results 
        of the studies conducted under this section.
            (2) Submittal of findings.--The head of the National 
        Research Advisory Council shall submit findings with respect to 
        the studies to the Under Secretary for Health and to other 
        pertinent program offices within the Department with 
        responsibilities relating to health care services for veterans.
    (e) Reports.--
            (1) Report on implementation.--Not later than one year 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
        shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the 
        implementation of this section.
            (2) Report on study.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the 
                date of the completion of the study, the Secretary 
                shall submit to Congress a report on the study required 
                by subsection (a).
                    (B) Contents.--The report required by subparagraph 
                (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) Recommendations for such administrative 
                        and legislative proposals and actions as the 
                        Secretary considers appropriate.
                            (ii) The findings of the head of the 
                        National Research Advisory Council and of the 
                        Under Secretary for Health.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for fiscal year 2015 for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, $2,000,000 to carry out this section.
    (g) Complementary and Alternative Medicine Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``complementary and alternative medicine'' shall have 
the meaning given that term in section 321(e) of this Act.

SEC. 324. PROGRAM ON USE OF WELLNESS PROGRAMS AS COMPLEMENTARY APPROACH 
              TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Program Required.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        carry out a program through the award of grants to public or 
        private nonprofit entities to assess the feasibility and 
        advisability of using wellness programs to complement the 
        provision of mental health care to veterans and family members 
        eligible for counseling under section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 
        38, United States Code.
            (2) Matters to be addressed.--The program shall be carried 
        out so as to assess the following:
                    (A) Means of improving coordination between 
                Federal, State, local, and community providers of 
                health care in the provision of mental health care to 
                veterans and family members described in paragraph (1).
                    (B) Means of enhancing outreach, and coordination 
                of outreach, by and among providers of health care 
                referred to in subparagraph (A) on the mental health 
                care services available to veterans and family members 
                described in paragraph (1).
                    (C) Means of using wellness programs of providers 
                of health care referred to in subparagraph (A) as 
                complements to the provision by the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs of mental health care to veterans and 
                family members described in paragraph (1).
                    (D) Whether wellness programs described in 
                subparagraph (C) are effective in enhancing the quality 
                of life and well-being of veterans and family members 
                described in paragraph (1).
                    (E) Whether wellness programs described in 
                subparagraph (C) are effective in increasing the 
                adherence of veterans described in paragraph (1) to the 
                primary mental health services provided such veterans 
                by the Department.
                    (F) Whether wellness programs described in 
                subparagraph (C) have an impact on the sense of 
                wellbeing of veterans described in paragraph (1) who 
                receive primary mental health services from the 
                Department.
                    (G) Whether wellness programs described in 
                subparagraph (C) are effective in encouraging veterans 
                receiving health care from the Department to adopt a 
                more healthy lifestyle.
    (b) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the program for a 
period of three years beginning on the date that is one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the program at 
facilities of the Department providing mental health care services to 
veterans and family members described in subsection (a)(1).
    (d) Grant Proposals.--
            (1) In general.--A public or private nonprofit entity 
        seeking the award of a grant under this section shall submit an 
        application therefor to the Secretary in such form and in such 
        manner as the Secretary may require.
            (2) Application contents.--Each application submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    (A) A plan to coordinate activities under the 
                program, to the extent possible, with the Federal, 
                State, and local providers of services for veterans to 
                enhance the following:
                            (i) Awareness by veterans of benefits and 
                        health care services provided by the 
                        Department.
                            (ii) Outreach efforts to increase the use 
                        by veterans of services provided by the 
                        Department.
                            (iii) Educational efforts to inform 
                        veterans of the benefits of a healthy and 
                        active lifestyle.
                    (B) A statement of understanding from the entity 
                submitting the application that, if selected, such 
                entity will be required to report to the Secretary 
                periodically on standardized data and other performance 
                data necessary to evaluate individual outcomes and to 
                facilitate evaluations among entities participating in 
                the program.
                    (C) Other requirements that the Secretary may 
                prescribe.
    (e) Grant Uses.--
            (1) In general.--A public or private nonprofit entity 
        awarded a grant under this section shall use the award for 
        purposes prescribed by the Secretary.
            (2) Eligible veterans and family.--In carrying out the 
        purposes prescribed by the Secretary in paragraph (1), a public 
        or private nonprofit entity awarded a grant under this section 
        shall use the award to furnish services only to individuals 
        specified in section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States 
        Code.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Periodic reports.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of the commencement of the program, and every 180 
                days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
                a report on the program.
                    (B) Report elements.--Each report required by 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) The findings and conclusions of the 
                        Secretary with respect to the program during 
                        the 180-day period preceding the report.
                            (ii) An assessment of the benefits of the 
                        program to veterans and their family members 
                        during the 180-day period preceding the report.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after the end of 
        the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
        detailing the recommendations of the Secretary as to the 
        advisability of continuing or expanding the program.
    (g) Wellness Defined.--In this section, the term ``wellness'' has 
the meaning given that term in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

        TITLE IV--ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 401. ADMINISTRATION OF VETERANS INTEGRATED SERVICE NETWORKS.

    (a) Veterans Integrated Service Networks.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 73 is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7310. Veterans Integrated Service Networks
    ``(a) Organization.--(1) The Secretary shall organize the Veterans 
Health Administration in geographically defined Veterans Integrated 
Service Networks.
    ``(2) Each Veterans Integrated Service Network shall be organized 
in consideration of the following:
            ``(A) The size of the veteran population of the region of 
        the network.
            ``(B) The complexity of the medical needs of the veterans 
        in such region.
            ``(C) Patient referral patterns.
            ``(D) The availability of a full continuum of health care 
        services.
            ``(E) The ability of the Department to furnish health care 
        efficiently.
            ``(F) Partnerships with non-Department health care 
        entities.
    ``(b) Staffing Model.--(1) The Secretary shall establish a staffing 
model for each Veterans Integrated Service Network that--
            ``(A) is appropriate for the mission and responsibilities 
        of the Veterans Integrated Service Network; and
            ``(B) accounts for the specific health care needs of 
        differing populations in the Veterans Integrated Service 
        Network.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated 
Service Network complies with the staffing model established by the 
Secretary under paragraph (1) for such Veterans Integrated Service 
Network.
    ``(c) Integrated Health Care System.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that each Veterans Integrated Service Network maintains a regional 
integrated healthcare system by--
            ``(1) implementing alliances with such other governmental, 
        public, and private health care organizations and practitioners 
        as the Secretary considers appropriate to meet the needs of 
        veterans in the Network;
            ``(2) providing oversight and management of, and taking 
        responsibility for, a regional budget for the activities of the 
        Veterans Health Administration in the geographic area of the 
        Network that is--
                    ``(A) aligned with the budget guidelines of the 
                Department and the Veterans Health Administration;
                    ``(B) balanced at the end of each fiscal year; and
                    ``(C) sufficient to provide high-quality health 
                care to veterans within the region and to meet any 
                unique needs of the veterans of the region;
            ``(3) using national metrics to develop systems to provide 
        effective, efficient, and safe delivery of health care; and
            ``(4) ensuring high-quality clinical programs and services 
        are rendered in and through--
                    ``(A) the medical centers and outpatient clinics of 
                the Department that are located in the Network; and
                    ``(B) other non-Department clinical or health care 
                delivery settings located in the Network.
    ``(d) Reduction in Duplicate Functions.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that the Veterans Integrated Service Networks identify and reduce, 
whenever practicable, the duplication of functions in clinical, 
administrative, and operational processes and practices of the Veterans 
Health Administration.
    ``(e) Collaboration and Cooperation.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that each Veterans Integrated Service Network--
            ``(1) works to achieve maximum effectiveness in patient 
        care and safety, graduate medical education, and research; and
            ``(2) assesses the consolidation or realignment of 
        institutional functions, including capital asset, safety, and 
        operational support functions, in collaboration and cooperation 
        with other Veterans Integrated Service Networks and the 
        following offices or entities within the geographical area of 
        the Network:
                    ``(A) The offices of the Veterans Benefits 
                Administration and the National Cemetery 
                Administration.
                    ``(B) The offices, installations, and facilities of 
                the Department of Defense, including the offices, 
                installations, and facilities of each branch of the 
                Armed Forces and the reserve components of the Armed 
                Forces.
                    ``(C) The offices, installations, and facilities of 
                the Coast Guard.
                    ``(D) Offices of State and local agencies that have 
                a mission to provide assistance to veterans.
                    ``(E) Medical schools and other affiliates.
                    ``(F) Offices of Congress, offices of State and 
                local elected officials, and other government offices.
                    ``(G) Federal, State, and local emergency 
                preparedness organizations.
                    ``(H) Community and nonprofit organizations.
                    ``(I) Such other entities of the Federal Government 
                as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(f) Headquarters.--(1) The Secretary shall ensure that each 
Veterans Integrated Service Network has only one headquarters office.
    ``(2) The location of a headquarters office for a Veterans 
Integrated Service Network shall be determined by the Secretary and co-
located with a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary may employ or contract for the services of 
such full time equivalent employees and contractors at the headquarters 
of each Veterans Integrated Service Network as the Secretary considers 
appropriate in accordance with the staffing models established under 
subsection (b).
    ``(B) Not later than December 31 each year, 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 employment at the headquarters of Veterans Integrated Service 
Networks during the most recently completed fiscal year.
    ``(C) Each report submitted under subparagraph (B) shall include 
the following for the year covered by the report:
            ``(i) The number of individuals employed at each 
        headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network.
            ``(ii) The number of individuals employed by the Veterans 
        Health Administration in each Veterans Integrated Service 
        Network who are not employed at the same location as the 
        headquarters of the Network.
            ``(iii) The title for each position of employment at a 
        headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network.
            ``(iv) The title for each position of employment with the 
        Veterans Health Administration in each Veterans Integrated 
        Service Network that is not at the same location as the 
        headquarters of the Network.
            ``(v) An assessment of the impact on the budget of the 
        Department by the employment of individuals at the headquarters 
        of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.
    ``(g) Triennial Structure Review, Reassessment, and Report.--(1) 
Beginning three years after the date of the enactment of this section 
and not less frequently than once every three years thereafter, the 
Secretary shall conduct a review and assessment of the structure and 
operations of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks in order to 
identify recommendations--
            ``(A) for streamlining and reducing costs associated with 
        the operation of each headquarters of a Veterans Integrated 
        Service Network; and
            ``(B) for reducing costs of health care within the Veterans 
        Health Administration.
    ``(2) Not later than 180 days after conducting a review and 
assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee of Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on such 
review and assessment, which shall include such recommendations for 
legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers 
appropriate to improve the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item 
        relating to section 7309 the following new item:

``7310. Veterans Integrated Service Networks.''.
    (b) Relocation of Headquarters.--
            (1) In general.--In the case of a headquarters office of a 
        Veterans Integrated Service Network that on the day before the 
        date of the enactment of this Act was in a location that was 
        not co-located with a Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
        center and the Secretary is engaged in a lease for such 
        location, the Secretary may--
                    (A) relocate such headquarters upon the expiration 
                of such lease so that such headquarters is co-located 
                as required by section 7310(f)(2) of title 38, United 
                States Code (as added by subsection (a)(1)); or
                    (B) notwithstanding such section 7310(f)(2) (as so 
                added), renew such lease or enter into a new lease to 
                keep such headquarters in such location.
            (2) Report.--If the Secretary renews a lease or engages in 
        a new lease under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall submit 
        to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
        before renewing such lease or engaging in such lease, a report 
        describing the reasons for such renewal or engagement. Such 
        report shall include the following:
                    (A) A list of Department of Veterans Affairs 
                medical centers in the Veterans Integrated Service 
                Network of the headquarters with underutilized 
                buildings, the number of such buildings, and the total 
                underutilized square footage for each such medical 
                center.
                    (B) The cost of the current lease (the annual 
                amount of rent, the total cost over the life of the 
                lease, and the total cost per square foot) and the 
                current square footage being leased.
                    (C) The cost of the new lease (the annual amount of 
                rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and 
                the total cost per square foot) and the square footage 
                to be leased.
    (c) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
require any change in the location or type of medical care or service 
provided by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, a 
Department community based outpatient clinic, a center for readjustment 
counseling and related mental health services for veterans under 
section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (known as a ``vet 
center''), or other facility that provides direct care or services 
under a law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    (d) Effective Date.--This section, and the amendments made by this 
section, shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 402. REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTERS FOR VETERANS INTEGRATED SERVICE 
              NETWORKS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 73, as amended by section 
401(a)(1) of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 7310A. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service 
              Networks
    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish not more than 
four regional support centers within the Veterans Health Administration 
to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the Veterans Integrated 
Service Networks. The head of each regional support center shall report 
to the Under Secretary of Health.
    ``(b) Functions.--The functions of the regional support centers 
established under subsection (a) are as follows:
            ``(1) To assess the quality of work performed within 
        finance operations and other compliance related activities of 
        the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.
            ``(2) To assess how effectively and efficiently each 
        Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts outreach to 
        veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation 
        Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, or any other contingency 
        operation (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10).
            ``(3) To assess how effectively and efficiently each 
        Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts programs for the 
        benefit of women veterans.
            ``(4) To assess how effectively and efficiently each 
        Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts programs that 
        address homelessness among veterans.
            ``(5) To assess how effectively and efficiently each 
        Veterans Integrated Service Network consumes energy.
            ``(6) To assess such other matters concerning the 
        operations and activities of the Veterans Integrated Service 
        Networks as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(c) Staff.--The Secretary may hire such employees and contractors 
as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the functions of 
the regional support centers.
    ``(d) Location of Regional Support Centers.--(1) Except as provided 
in paragraph (2), the location of each regional support center 
established under subsection (a) shall be determined by the Secretary 
and co-located with a medical center of the Department.
    ``(2) The Secretary may choose a location for a regional support 
center established under subsection (a) that is not co-located with a 
medical center of the Department if the Secretary submits to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, before entering into 
a contract for a location that is not co-located with a medical center, 
a report describing the reasons for choosing a location for the 
regional support center that is not co-located with a medical center of 
the Department. Such report shall include the following:
            ``(A) A list of medical centers of the Department in the 
        Veterans Integrated Service Network of the regional support 
        center with underutilized buildings, the number of all Veterans 
        Health Administration buildings in such Network, and the total 
        underutilized square footage for each medical center of the 
        Department in such Network.
            ``(B) The estimated cost of such lease (the annual amount 
        of rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and the 
        total cost per square foot) and the square footage to be 
        leased.''.
    (b) Initial Staffing.--In providing for the initial staff of each 
regional support center established under section 7310A(a) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall, to the degree practicable, transfer employees 
from headquarters of Veterans Integrated Service Networks to regional 
support centers who were employed in positions at such headquarters 
that covered functions similar to those described in section 7310A(b) 
of such title, as so added.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 73, as amended by section 401(a)(2) of this Act, is further 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7310 the 
following new item:

``7310A. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service 
                            Networks.''.
    (d) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
require any change in the location or type of medical care or service 
provided by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, a 
Department community based outpatient clinic, a center for readjustment 
counseling and related mental health services for veterans under 
section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (known as a ``vet 
center''), or other facility that provides direct care or services 
under a law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section, and the amendments made by this 
section, shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 403. COMMISSION ON CAPITAL PLANNING FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES.

    (a) Establishment of Commission.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established the Commission on 
        Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
        Facilities (in this section referred to as the ``Commission'').
            (2) Membership.--
                    (A) Voting members.--The Commission shall, subject 
                to subparagraph (B), be composed of 10 voting members 
                as follows:
                            (i) 1 shall be appointed by the President.
                            (ii) 1 shall be appointed by the 
                        Administrator of General Services.
                            (iii) 3 shall be appointed by the Secretary 
                        of Veterans Affairs, of whom--
                                    (I) 1 shall be an employee of the 
                                Veterans Health Administration;
                                    (II) 1 shall be an employee of the 
                                Office of Asset Enterprise Management 
                                of the Department of Veterans Affairs; 
                                and
                                    (III) 1 shall be an employee of the 
                                Office of Construction and Facilities 
                                Management of the Department of 
                                Veterans Affairs.
                            (iv) 1 shall be appointed by the Secretary 
                        of Defense from among employees of the Army 
                        Corps of Engineers.
                            (v) 1 shall be appointed by the majority 
                        leader of the Senate.
                            (vi) 1 shall be appointed by the minority 
                        leader of the Senate.
                            (vii) 1 shall be appointed by the Speaker 
                        of the House of Representatives.
                            (viii) 1 shall be appointed by the minority 
                        leader of the House of Representatives.
                    (B) Requirement relating to certain appointments of 
                voting members.--Of the members appointed pursuant to 
                clause (i), (ii), and (iv) through (viii) of 
                subparagraph (A), all shall have expertise in capital 
                leasing, construction, or health facility management 
                planning.
                    (C) Non-voting members.--The Commission shall be 
                assisted by 10 non-voting members, appointed by the 
                vote of a majority of members of the Commission under 
                subparagraph (A), of whom--
                            (i) 6 shall be representatives of veterans 
                        service organizations recognized by the 
                        Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
                            (ii) 4 shall be individuals from outside 
                        the Department of Veterans Affairs with 
                        experience and expertise in matters relating to 
                        management, construction, and leasing of 
                        capital assets.
                    (D) Date of appointment of voting members.--The 
                appointments of the members of the Commission under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be made not later than 60 days 
                after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--Members shall be 
        appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the 
        Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in 
        the same manner as the original appointment.
            (4) Initial meeting.--Not later than 15 days after the date 
        on which 7 members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
        Commission shall hold its first meeting.
            (5) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
        Chair.
            (6) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
        hold hearings.
            (7) Chair and vice chair.--The Commission shall select a 
        Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
    (b) Duties of Commission.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall undertake a 
        comprehensive evaluation and assessment of various options for 
        capital planning for Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
        facilities, including an evaluation and assessment of the 
        mechanisms by which the Department currently selects means for 
        the delivery of health care, whether by major construction, 
        major medical facility leases, sharing agreements with the 
        Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, and Federally 
        Qualified Health Clinics under section 330 of the Public Health 
        Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b), contract care, multisite care, 
        telemedicine, extended hours for care, or other means.
            (2) Context of evaluation and assessment.--In undertaking 
        the evaluation and assessment, the Commission shall consider--
                    (A) the importance of access to health care through 
                the Department, including associated guidelines of the 
                Department on access to, and drive time for, health 
                care;
                    (B) limitations and requirements applicable to the 
                construction and leasing of medical facilities for the 
                Department, including applicable laws, regulations, and 
                costs as determined by both the Congressional Budget 
                Office and the Office of Management and Budget;
                    (C) the nature of capital planning for Department 
                medical facilities in an era of fiscal uncertainty;
                    (D) projected future fluctuations in the population 
                of veterans; and
                    (E) the extent to which the Department was able to 
                meet the mandates of the Capital Asset Realignment for 
                Enhanced Services Commission.
            (3) Particular considerations.--In undertaking the 
        evaluation and assessment, the Commission shall address, in 
        particular, the following:
                    (A) The Major Medical Facility Lease Program of the 
                Department, including an identification of potential 
                improvements to the lease authorization processes under 
                that Program.
                    (B) The management processes of the Department for 
                its Major Medical Facility Construction Program, 
                including processes relating to contract award and 
                management, project management, and processing of 
                change orders.
                    (C) The overall capital planning program of the 
                Department for medical facilities, including an 
                evaluation and assessment of--
                            (i) the manner in which the Department 
                        determines whether to use capital or non-
                        capital means to expand access to health care;
                            (ii) the manner in which the Department 
                        determines the disposition of under-utilized 
                        and un-utilized buildings on campuses of 
                        Department medical centers, and any barriers to 
                        disposition;
                            (iii) the effectiveness of the facility 
                        master planning initiative of the Department; 
                        and
                            (iv) the extent to which sustainable 
                        attributes are planned for to decrease 
                        operating costs for Department medical 
                        facilities.
                    (D) The current backlog of construction projects 
                for Department medical facilities, including an 
                identification of the most effective means to quickly 
                secure the most critical repairs required, including 
                repairs relating to facility condition deficiencies, 
                structural safety, and compliance with the Americans 
                With Disabilities Act of 1990.
            (4) Reports.--Subject to paragraph (5), the Commission 
        shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to the 
        Committee Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, reports as 
        follows:
                    (A) Not later than six months after its initial 
                meeting under subsection (a)(4), a report on the Major 
                Medical Facility Lease Program and the Congressional 
                lease authorization process.
                    (B) Not later than one year after its initial 
                meeting, a report--
                            (i) on the management processes of the 
                        Department for the construction of Department 
                        medical facilities; and
                            (ii) setting forth an update of any matters 
                        covered in the report under subparagraph (A).
                    (C) Not later than 18 months after its initial 
                meeting, a report--
                            (i) on the overall capital planning program 
                        of the Department for medical facilities; and
                            (ii) setting forth an update of any matters 
                        covered in earlier reports under this 
                        paragraph.
                    (D) Not later than two years after its initial 
                meeting, a report--
                            (i) on the current backlog of construction 
                        projects for Department medical facilities;
                            (ii) setting forth an update of any matters 
                        covered in earlier reports under this 
                        paragraph; and
                            (iii) including such other matters relating 
                        to the duties of the Commission that the 
                        Commission considers appropriate.
                    (E) Not later than 27 months after its initial 
                meeting, a report on the implementation by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to subsection 
                (g) of the recommendations included pursuant to 
                paragraph (5) in the reports under this paragraph.
            (5) Recommendations.--Each report under paragraph (4) shall 
        include, for the aspect of the capital asset planning process 
        of the Department covered by such report, such recommendations 
        as the Commission considers appropriate for the improvement and 
        enhancement of such aspect of the capital asset planning 
        process.
    (c) Powers of Commission.--
            (1) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
        and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
        receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to 
        carry out this section.
            (2) Information from federal agencies.--The Commission may 
        secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
        information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out 
        this section. Upon request of the Chair of the Commission, the 
        head of such department or agency shall furnish such 
        information to the Commission.
    (d) Commission Personnel Matters.--
            (1) Compensation of members.--Each member of the Commission 
        who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government 
        shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of 
        the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
        Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
        Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such 
        member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
        Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or 
        employees of the United States shall serve without compensation 
        in addition to that received for their services as officers or 
        employees of the United States.
            (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Commission shall 
        be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
        in the performance of services for the Commission.
            (3) Staff.--
                    (A) In general.--The Chair of the Commission may, 
                without regard to the civil service laws and 
                regulations, appoint and terminate an executive 
                director and such other additional personnel as may be 
                necessary to enable the Commission to perform its 
                duties. The employment of an executive director shall 
                be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
                    (B) Compensation.--The Chair of the Commission may 
                fix the compensation of the executive director and 
                other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and 
                subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States 
                Code, relating to classification of positions and 
                General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay 
                for the executive director and other personnel may not 
                exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive 
                Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
            (4) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government 
        employee may be detailed to the Commission without 
        reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or 
        loss of civil service status or privilege.
            (5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
        The Chair of the Commission may procure temporary and 
        intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
        States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the 
        daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for 
        level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such 
        title.
    (e) Termination of Commission.--The Commission shall terminate 60 
days after the date on which the Commission submits its report under 
subsection (b)(4)(E).
    (f) Funding.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make 
available to the Commission such amounts as the Secretary and the Chair 
of the Commission jointly consider appropriate for the Commission to 
perform its duties under this section.
    (g) Action on Recommendations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        implement each recommendation included in a report under 
        subsection (b)(4) that the Secretary considers feasible and 
        advisable and can be implemented without further legislative 
        action.
            (2) Reports.--Not later than 120 days after receipt of a 
        report under subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection 
        (b)(4), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee Veterans' 
        Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
        the House of Representatives a report setting forth the 
        following:
                    (A) An assessment of the feasibility and 
                advisability of each recommendation contained in such 
                report.
                    (B) For each recommendation assessed as feasible 
                and advisable--
                            (i) if such recommendation does not require 
                        further legislative action for implementation, 
                        a description of the actions taken, and to be 
                        taken, by the Secretary to implement such 
                        recommendation; and
                            (ii) if such recommendation requires 
                        further legislative action for implementation, 
                        recommendations for such legislative action.

SEC. 404. PUBLIC ACCESS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RESEARCH AND 
              DATA SHARING BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS.

    (a) Establishment of Internet Website.--The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall make available on an Internet website of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs available to the public the following:
            (1) Data files that contain information on research of the 
        Department.
            (2) A data dictionary on each data file.
            (3) Instructions for how to obtain access to each data file 
        for use in research.
    (b) Public Access to Manuscripts on Department Funded Research.--
            (1) In general.--Beginning not later than 540 days after 
        the effective date specified in subsection (e), the Secretary 
        shall require, as a condition on the use of any data gathered 
        or formulated from research funded by the Department, that any 
        final, peer-reviewed manuscript prepared for publication that 
        uses such data be submitted to the Secretary for deposit in the 
        digital archive under paragraph (2) and publication under 
        paragraph (3).
            (2) Digital archive.--Not later than 540 days after the 
        effective date specified in subsection (e), the Secretary 
        shall--
                    (A) establish a digital archive consisting of 
                manuscripts described in paragraph (1); or
                    (B) partner with another executive agency to 
                compile such manuscripts in a digital archive.
            (3) Public availability.--
                    (A) Availability of archive.--The Secretary shall 
                ensure that the digital archive under paragraph (2) and 
                the contents of such archive are available to the 
                public via a publicly accessible Internet website at no 
                cost to the public.
                    (B) Availability of manuscripts.--The Secretary 
                shall ensure that each manuscript submitted to the 
                Secretary under paragraph (1) is available to the 
                public under subparagraph (A) not later than one year 
                after the official date on which the manuscript is 
                otherwise published.
            (4) Consistent with copyright law.--The Secretary shall 
        carry out this subsection in a manner consistent with 
        applicable copyright law.
            (5) Annual report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
                date the Secretary begins making manuscripts available 
                to the public under this subsection and not less 
                frequently than once each year thereafter, 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 this subsection during the most 
                recent one-year period.
                    (B) Contents.--Each report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include for the period of the 
                report:
                            (i) The number of manuscripts submitted 
                        under paragraph (1).
                            (ii) The titles of such manuscripts.
                            (iii) The authors of such manuscripts.
                            (iv) For each such manuscript, the name and 
                        issue number or volume number, as the case may 
                        be, of the journal or other publication in 
                        which such manuscript was published.
    (c) Recommendations for Data Sharing Between Department of Veterans 
Affairs and Department of Defense.--Not later than one year after the 
effective date specified in subsection (e), the Department of Veterans 
Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee established by 
section 320(a) of title 38, United States Code, shall submit to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense options and 
recommendations for the establishment of a program for long-term 
cooperation and data sharing between and within the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to facilitate research 
on outcomes of military service, readjustment after combat deployment, 
and other topics of importance to the following:
            (1) Veterans.
            (2) Members of the Armed Forces.
            (3) Family members of veterans.
            (4) Family members of members of the Armed Forces.
            (5) Members of communities that have a significant 
        population of veterans or members of the Armed Forces.
    (d) Executive Agency Defined.--In this section, the term 
``executive agency'' has the meaning given that term in section 133 of 
title 41, United States Code.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 405. BUDGET TRANSPARENCY FOR OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 63 is amended by inserting after section 
6308 the following new section:
``Sec. 6309. Budget transparency
    ``(a) Budget Requirements.--In the budget justification materials 
submitted to Congress in support of the Department budget for a fiscal 
year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 
1105(a) of title 31), the Secretary shall include a separate statement 
of the amount requested for such fiscal year for activities of the 
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs as follows:
            ``(1) For outreach activities of the Department in 
        aggregate.
            ``(2) For outreach activities of each element of the 
        Department specified in subsection (b)(1).
    ``(b) Procedures for Effective Coordination and Collaboration.--(1) 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Veterans 
Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013, the Secretary shall 
establish and maintain procedures for the Office of Public and 
Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure the effective coordination and 
collaboration of outreach activities of the Department between and 
among the following:
            ``(A) Office of the Secretary.
            ``(B) Veterans Health Administration.
            ``(C) Veterans Benefits Administration.
            ``(D) National Cemetery Administration.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) beginning after the date on which the Secretary 
        establishes procedures under paragraph (1), not less frequently 
        than once every two years conduct a review of the procedures 
        established and maintained under paragraph (1) to ensure that 
        such procedures meet the requirements of such paragraph;
            ``(B) make such modifications to such procedures as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate based upon reviews conducted 
        under subparagraph (A) in order to better meet such 
        requirements; and
            ``(C) not later than 45 days after completing a review 
        under subparagraph (A), submit to Congress a report on the 
        findings of such review.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 63 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
6308 the following new item:

``6309. Budget transparency.''.

SEC. 406. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES OF THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the effective date 
specified in subsection (c), the Comptroller General 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 
advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a)--
            (1) shall include--
                    (A) recommendations or proposals for continuing, 
                modifying, or terminating certain advisory committees, 
                including noting areas of overlap and duplication among 
                the advisory committees; and
                    (B) such other information as the Comptroller 
                General considers appropriate; and
            (2) may include--
                    (A) a description of each advisory committee, 
                including with respect to each committee--
                            (i) the purpose of the committee;
                            (ii) the commencement date of the 
                        committee; and
                            (iii) the anticipated termination date of 
                        the committee;
                    (B) a summary of the anticipated expenses and the 
                actual expenses incurred for each advisory committee 
                during the most recent three fiscal years ending before 
                the date of the enactment of this Act; and
                    (C) with respect to meetings held by each advisory 
                committee--
                            (i) the frequency with which each committee 
                        has met during the shorter of--
                                    (I) the most recent three fiscal 
                                years ending before the date of the 
                                enactment of this Act; and
                                    (II) the life of the committee;
                            (ii) the date of the most recent meeting 
                        held by the committee before such date of 
                        enactment; and
                            (iii) the date of the most recent report or 
                        other written product developed by the 
                        committee before such date of enactment.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     TITLE V--IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESSING OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION

           Subtitle A--Claims Based on Military Sexual Trauma

SEC. 501. MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND OPINION FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
              CLAIMS BASED ON MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    (a) In General.--Section 5103A(d) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) In the case of a claim for disability compensation based 
on a mental health condition related to military sexual trauma, the 
Secretary shall treat an examination or opinion as being necessary to 
make a decision on a claim for purposes of paragraph (1) if the 
evidence of record before the Secretary, taking into consideration all 
information and lay or medical evidence (including statements of the 
claimant)--
            ``(i)(I) contains competent evidence that the claimant has 
        a current disability, or persistent or recurrent symptoms of 
        disability; and
            ``(II) indicates that the disability or symptoms may be 
        associated with the claimant's active military, naval, or air 
        service; but
            ``(ii) does not contain a diagnosis or opinion by a mental 
        health professional that may assist in corroborating the 
        occurrence of a military sexual trauma stressor related to a 
        diagnosable mental health condition.
    ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `military sexual trauma' shall 
have the meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this 
paragraph, and shall include `sexual harassment' (as so specified).''.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 
number of examinations and opinions conducted by the Secretary pursuant 
to paragraph (3) of section 5103A(d) of title 38, United States Code 
(as added by subsection (a)), including the following:
            (1) The number of examinations conducted using a 
        standardized disability assessment.
            (2) The number of examinations conducted using a non-
        standardized clinical interview.

SEC. 502. CASE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICERS FOR MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA 
              SUPPORT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assign to 
each individual seeking compensation under the laws administered by the 
Secretary based on military sexual trauma a case representative officer 
who shall provide advice and general information to such individual on 
the claims process for such compensation. Each case representative 
officer so assigned shall be assigned from among current personnel of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Liaison.--A case representative officer assigned to an 
individual under subsection (a) shall be responsible for serving as a 
liaison between the individual, an authorized agent or attorney of the 
individual under section 5904 of title 38, United States Code, or an 
otherwise accredited representative of the individual, and the 
Department of Veterans Affairs on matters relating to the claim of the 
individual for compensation under the laws administered by the 
Secretary.
    (c) Case Representative Officer Requirements.--
            (1) Competence and knowledge.--Each case representative 
        officer assigned under subsection (a) shall be competent and 
        knowledgeable about the following:
                    (A) The claims adjudication process and applicable 
                laws, regulations, and other authority applicable to 
                the adjudication of disability claims based on military 
                sexual trauma.
                    (B) Such other services to victims of sexual trauma 
                as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (2) Limitation on number of individuals to which 
        assigned.--A case representative officer may not be assigned to 
        more individuals described in subsection (a) than, as 
        determined by the Secretary, is appropriate for the provision 
        of individual case management assistance by such officer.
    (d) Information on Benefits and Programs Relating to Military 
Sexual Trauma.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall make available to the 
        public information on the availability of case representative 
        officers under subsection (a) to assist in the application for 
        benefits based on military sexual trauma. The Secretary shall 
        revise and update the information so made available in order to 
        ensure that the information is as current as possible.
            (2) Individuals separating from military service.--The 
        Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, 
        ensure that individuals who are being separated from the active 
        military, naval, or air service are provided appropriate 
        information about programs, requirements, and procedures for 
        applying for benefits based on military sexual trauma and the 
        availability of case representative officers under subsection 
        (a).
    (e) Information on Training for Agents and Representatives of 
Individuals Assigned Case Representative Officer.--The Secretary shall 
make available to the authorized agent or attorney of an individual 
assigned a case representative under subsection (a), or to the 
otherwise accredited representative of the individual, any relevant 
materials used to train such case representative officer for the duties 
of such position.
    (f) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans Consideration of 
Mechanisms To Enhance Coordination Between VBA and VHA on Benefits for 
Military Sexual Trauma.--The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans 
established under section 542 of title 38, United States Code, shall 
undertake actions to identify mechanisms to enhance coordination 
between the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health 
Administration in the provision of benefits based on military sexual 
trauma, including the identification of barriers to the appropriate 
provision of benefits for military sexual trauma by such 
Administrations and of means of eliminating or reducing such barriers.
    (g) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than annually, 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 setting forth the following:
            (1) A certification whether or not the case representative 
        officers assigned under subsection (a) during the preceding 
        year met the requirements specified in subsection (c).
            (2) A description of the current training the Secretary 
        provides to employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration 
        on claims for benefits based on military sexual trauma, 
        including the frequency, length, and content of such training.
            (3) A description of current policies and procedures on the 
        training the Secretary provides to case representative 
        officers, including the current position descriptions for case 
        representative officers.
            (4) A description of current efforts to coordinate 
        activities and assistance provided to individuals who seek care 
        or benefits for military sexual trauma between the Veterans 
        Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration, 
        including the efforts of the Advisory Committee on Women 
        Veterans under subsection (f).
    (h) Sunset.--
            (1) In general.--No case representative officer may be 
        assigned under subsection (a) after December 31, 2018.
            (2) Continuation of duties after sunset date.--Paragraph 
        (1) shall not be construed to prohibit any case representative 
        officer assigned to an individual before the date specified in 
        that paragraph from performing duties pursuant to this section 
        after that date with respect to a claim for which that case 
        representative officer was assigned to such individual before 
        that date.
    (i) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Active military, naval, or air service.--The term 
        ``active military, naval, or air service'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Military sexual trauma.--The term ``military sexual 
        trauma'' shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for 
        purposes of this section, and shall include ``sexual 
        harassment'' (as so specified).

SEC. 503. REPORT ON STANDARD OF PROOF FOR SERVICE-CONNECTION OF MENTAL 
              HEALTH CONDITIONS RELATED TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 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 
current standard of proof for service-connection under chapter 11 of 
title 38, United States Code, for covered mental health conditions 
based on military sexual trauma.
    (b) Recommendations.--The Secretary shall include in the report 
under subsection (a) any recommendations the Secretary considers 
appropriate to improve the adjudication of claims for compensation 
based on military sexual trauma, including--
            (1) recommendations for an appropriate standard of proof 
        for such claims if the Secretary considers such recommendations 
        advisable; and
            (2) recommendations for legislative action, if necessary, 
        to carry out such improvement.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Active military, naval, or air service.--The term 
        ``active military, naval, or air service'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Covered mental health condition.--The term ``covered 
        mental health condition'' means post-traumatic stress disorder, 
        anxiety, depression, or other mental health diagnosis that the 
        Secretary determines to be related to military sexual trauma.
            (3) Military sexual trauma.--The term ``military sexual 
        trauma'' shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for 
        purposes of this section, and shall include ``sexual 
        harassment'' (as so specified).

SEC. 504. REPORTS ON CLAIMS FOR DISABILITIES INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED BY 
              MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    (a) Reports.--Not later than December 1, 2014, and each year 
thereafter through 2018, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to Congress a report on the covered claims submitted to the Secretary 
during the previous fiscal year.
    (b) Elements.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include the 
following:
            (1) The number of covered claims submitted to or considered 
        by the Secretary during the fiscal year covered by the report.
            (2) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1), the number 
        and percentage of such claims--
                    (A) submitted by each gender;
                    (B) that were approved, including the number and 
                percentage of such approved claims submitted by each 
                gender; and
                    (C) that were denied, including the number and 
                percentage of such denied claims submitted by each 
                gender.
            (3) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
        approved, the number and percentage, listed by each gender, of 
        claims assigned to each rating percentage of disability.
            (4) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
        denied--
                    (A) the three most common reasons given by the 
                Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of title 38, United 
                States Code, for such denials; and
                    (B) the number of denials that were based on the 
                failure of a veteran to report for a medical 
                examination.
            (5) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
        resubmitted to the Secretary after denial in a previous 
        adjudication--
                    (A) the number of such claims submitted to or 
                considered by the Secretary during the fiscal year 
                covered by the report;
                    (B) the number and percentage of such claims--
                            (i) submitted by each gender;
                            (ii) that were approved, including the 
                        number and percentage of such approved claims 
                        submitted by each gender; and
                            (iii) that were denied, including the 
                        number and percentage of such denied claims 
                        submitted by each gender;
                    (C) the number and percentage, listed by each 
                gender, of claims assigned to each rating percentage of 
                disability; and
                    (D) of such claims that were again denied--
                            (i) the three most common reasons given by 
                        the Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of such 
                        title for such denials; and
                            (ii) the number of denials that were based 
                        on the failure of a veteran to report for a 
                        medical examination.
            (6) The number of covered claims that, as of the end of the 
        fiscal year covered by the report, are pending and, separately, 
        the number of such claims on appeal.
            (7) For the fiscal year covered by the report, the average 
        number of days that covered claims take to complete beginning 
        on the date on which the claim is submitted.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Active military, naval, or air service.--The term 
        ``active military, naval, or air service'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Covered claims.--The term ``covered claims'' means 
        claims for disability compensation submitted to the Secretary 
        based on post traumatic stress disorder alleged to have been 
        incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma.
            (3) Military sexual trauma.--The term ``military sexual 
        trauma'' shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for 
        purposes of this section, and shall include ``sexual 
        harassment'' (as so specified).

              Subtitle B--Agency of Original Jurisdiction

SEC. 511. WORKING GROUP TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE WORK CREDIT AND WORK 
              MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION IN 
              AN ELECTRONIC ENVIRONMENT.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish a working group to assess and develop recommendations for the 
improvement of the employee work credit and work management systems of 
the Veterans Benefits Administration in an electronic environment.
    (b) Composition.--The working group shall be composed of the 
following:
            (1) The Secretary or the Secretary's designee.
            (2) Individuals selected by the Secretary from among 
        employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who handle 
        claims for compensation and pension benefits and are 
        recommended to the Secretary by a labor organization for 
        purposes of this section, including at least one of each of the 
        following individuals:
                    (A) A veterans service representative.
                    (B) A rating veterans service representative.
                    (C) A decision review officer.
            (3) Not fewer than three individuals selected by the 
        Secretary to represent different organizations recognized by 
        the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 
        5902 of title 38, United States Code.
            (4) Individuals selected by the Secretary--
                    (A) that are not employees of the Department; and
                    (B) that are experts in work credit and work 
                management systems.
    (c) Duties.--The duties of the working group are to assess and 
develop recommendations for the following:
            (1) The improvement of the employee work credit and work 
        management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration in 
        an electronic environment.
            (2) A scientific, data based methodology to be used in 
        revising the employee work credit system of the Department to 
        improve the quality and quantity of work produced by employees 
        of the Department.
            (3) The improvement of the resource allocation model of the 
        Veterans Benefits Administration, with a focus on the 
        processing of claims in an electronic environment.
            (4) A schedule by which the revisions referred to in 
        paragraph (2) will be implemented by the Department.
    (d) Review and Incorporation of Findings From Prior Study.--In 
carrying out its duties under subsection (c), the working group shall 
review the findings and conclusions of previous studies of the employee 
work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration.
    (e) Role of the Secretary.--The Secretary shall consider the 
recommendations of the working group and implement such recommendations 
as the Secretary determines appropriate.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Interim report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the establishment of the working group, the working group 
        shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the 
        working group.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than one year after the date 
        of the establishment of the working group, the Secretary shall 
        submit to Congress the methodology described in subsection 
        (c)(2) and the schedule described in subsection (c)(4) that the 
        Secretary has decided to implement pursuant to subsection (e).
    (g) Implementation of Methodology and Schedule.--After submitting 
the report under subsection (f), the Secretary shall take such actions 
as may be necessary to apply the methodology described in subsection 
(c)(2) and the schedule described in subsection (c)(4) that the 
Secretary has decided to implement pursuant to subsection (e).

SEC. 512. TASK FORCE ON RETENTION AND TRAINING OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS CLAIMS PROCESSORS AND ADJUDICATORS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish a task force to assess retention and training of claims 
processors and adjudicators that are employed by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and other departments and agencies of the Federal 
Government.
    (b) Composition.--The task force shall be composed of the 
following:
            (1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs or designee.
            (2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management or 
        designee.
            (3) The Commissioner of Social Security or designee.
            (4) An individual selected by the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs who represents an organization recognized by the 
        Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 
        of title 38, United States Code.
            (5) Such other individuals selected by the Secretary who 
        represent such other organizations and institutions as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Duration.--The task force established under subsection (a) 
shall terminate not later than two years after the date on which the 
task force is established under such subsection.
    (d) Duties.--The duties of the task force are as follows:
            (1) To identify key skills required by claims processors 
        and adjudicators to perform the duties of claims processors and 
        adjudicators in the various claims processing and adjudication 
        positions throughout the Federal Government.
            (2) To identify reasons for employee attrition from claims 
        processing positions.
            (3) To coordinate with educational institutions to develop 
        training and programs of education for members of the Armed 
        Forces to prepare such members for employment in claims 
        processing and adjudication positions in the Federal 
        Government.
            (4) To identify and coordinate offices of the Department of 
        Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs located 
        throughout the United States to provide information about, and 
        promotion of, available claims processing positions to members 
        of the Armed Forces transitioning to civilian life and to 
        veterans with disabilities.
            (5) To establish performance measures to evaluate the 
        effectiveness of the task force.
            (6) Not later than one year after the date of the 
        establishment of the task force, to develop a Government-wide 
        strategic and operational plan for promoting employment of 
        veterans in claims processing positions in the Federal 
        Government.
            (7) To establish performance measures to assess the plan 
        developed under paragraph (6), to assess the implementation of 
        such plan, and to revise such plan as the task force considers 
        appropriate.
    (e) Reports.--
            (1) Submittal of plan.--Not later than one year after the 
        date of the establishment of the task force, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the plan 
        developed by the task force under subsection (d)(6).
            (2) Assessment of implementation.--Not later than 120 days 
        after the termination of the task force, the Secretary shall 
        submit to Congress a report that assesses the implementation of 
        the plan developed by the task force under subsection (d)(6).

SEC. 513. REPORTS ON REQUESTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR 
              RECORDS OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    (a) Reports Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter through the 
date that is 910 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 attempts of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain records necessary to 
adjudicate claims for benefits from another department or agency of the 
Federal Government during the 180-day period ending on the date of such 
report.
    (b) Elements.--
            (1) In general.--Each report shall set forth the following:
                    (A) For the period covered by such report, the 
                following:
                            (i) The total number of requests made by 
                        the Department.
                            (ii) The types of records requested.
                            (iii) The number of requests made before 
                        the receipt of each record.
                            (iv) The amount of time between the initial 
                        request for each record and the receipt of each 
                        record.
                            (v) The number of occurrences of the 
                        receipt of a record after the adjudication of 
                        the claim for which the record was sought.
                            (vi) A description of the efforts of the 
                        Secretary to expedite the delivery of records 
                        to the Department from other departments and 
                        agencies of the Federal Government.
                    (B) Such recommendations for legislative or 
                administrative action as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate in light of such report.
            (2) Presentation.--The information in a report under clause 
        (i) through (v) of paragraph (1)(A) shall be set forth 
        separately for each department and agency of the Federal 
        Government covered by such report.

SEC. 514. RECOGNITION OF REPRESENTATIVES OF INDIAN TRIBES IN THE 
              PREPARATION, PRESENTATION, AND PROSECUTION OF CLAIMS 
              UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    Section 5902(a)(1) is amended by inserting ``, including Indian 
tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b))'' after ``as the Secretary 
may approve''.

SEC. 515. PROGRAM ON PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS IN 
              IMPROVING QUALITY OF CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
              SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of 
entering into memoranda of understanding with local governments and 
tribal organizations--
            (1) to improve the quality of claims submitted to the 
        Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United 
        States Code, and pension under chapter 15 of such title; and
            (2) to provide assistance to veterans who may be eligible 
        for such compensation or pension in submitting such claims.
    (b) Minimum Number of Participating Tribal Organizations.--In 
carrying out the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall enter into, or maintain existing, memoranda of understanding with 
at least--
            (1) two tribal organizations; and
            (2) 10 State or local governments.
    (c) Duration.--The program shall be carried out during the two-year 
period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) Initial report.--Not later than one year after the date 
        of the commencement of the program, 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 that includes the following:
                    (A) A description of the implementation and 
                operation of the program, including a description of 
                outreach conducted by the Secretary to tribal 
                organizations and State and local governments.
                    (B) An evaluation of the program, including the 
                total number of memoranda of understanding entered into 
                or maintained by the Secretary.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        termination of the program, 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 
        that includes the following:
                    (A) A description of the implementation and 
                operation of the program, including a description of 
                outreach conducted by the Secretary to tribal 
                organizations and State and local governments.
                    (B) An evaluation of the program, including the 
                total number of memoranda of understanding entered into 
                or maintained by the Secretary.
                    (C) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary 
                with respect to the program.
                    (D) Such recommendations for continuation or 
                expansion of the program as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
    (e) Tribal Organization Defined.--In this section, the term 
``tribal organization'' has the meaning given that term in section 3765 
of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 516. QUARTERLY REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS IN ELIMINATING BACKLOG OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION 
              THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUDICATED.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and not less frequently than quarterly thereafter 
through calendar year 2015, 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 backlog of claims filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for compensation that have not been adjudicated by the Department.
    (b) Contents.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            (1) For each month through calendar year 2015, a projection 
        of the following:
                    (A) The number of claims completed.
                    (B) The number of claims received.
                    (C) The number of claims on backlog at the end of 
                the month.
                    (D) The number of claims pending at the end of the 
                month.
                    (E) The number of appeals pending at the end of the 
                month.
                    (F) A description of the status of the 
                implementation of initiatives carried out by the 
                Secretary to address the backlog, including the 
                expected impact of those initiatives on accuracy and 
                timeliness of adjudication of claims.
            (2) For each quarter through calendar year 2015, a 
        projection of the average accuracy of disability determinations 
        for compensation claims that require a disability rating (or 
        disability decision).
            (3) For each month during the most recently completed 
        quarter, the following:
                    (A) The number of claims completed.
                    (B) The number of claims received.
                    (C) The number of claims on backlog at the end of 
                the month.
                    (D) The number of claims pending at the end of the 
                month.
                    (E) The number of appeals pending at the end of the 
                month.
                    (F) A description of the status of the 
                implementation of initiatives carried out by the 
                Secretary to address the backlog, including the impact 
                of those initiatives on accuracy and timeliness of 
                adjudication of claims.
                    (G) An assessment of the accuracy of disability 
                determinations for compensation claims that require a 
                disability rating (or disability decision).
            (4) For the most recently completed quarter--
                    (A) the number of cases physically received at the 
                Board of Veterans' Appeals and docketed;
                    (B) the number of cases pending at the Board of 
                Veterans' Appeals at the end of the quarter;
                    (C) the number of cases physically at the Board of 
                Veterans' Appeals at the end of the quarter;
                    (D) the number of notices of disagreement and 
                appeals filed to the agency of original jurisdiction 
                referred to in section 7105(b)(1) of title 38, United 
                States Code; and
                    (E) the number of decisions made by the Board of 
                Veterans' Appeals and the percentage of such decisions 
                that were allowed, remanded, denied, or otherwise 
                disposed of.
    (c) Availability to Public.--The Secretary shall make each report 
submitted under subsection (a) available to the public.
    (d) On Backlog and Pending Defined.--In this section, the terms 
``on backlog'' and ``pending'', with respect to a claim for 
compensation received by the Secretary, shall have the meaning 
specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section.

SEC. 517. REPORTS ON USE OF EXISTING AUTHORITIES TO EXPEDITE BENEFITS 
              DECISIONS.

    (a) Report on Current Use of Temporary, Intermediate, and 
Provisional Rating Decisions.--
            (1) Report required.--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 of temporary, 
        intermediate, and provisional rating decisions to expedite the 
        benefits decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Report elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) With respect to temporary and intermediate 
                rating decisions, the following:
                            (i) The number of temporary and 
                        intermediate rating decisions issued by the 
                        Department during each of fiscal years 2011, 
                        2012, and 2013.
                            (ii) A description of any reasons or 
                        obstacles that prevent use of existing 
                        authorities to issue temporary or intermediate 
                        rating decisions.
                            (iii) A description of the Quick Pay 
                        Disability initiative, including the rationale 
                        for not expanding the initiative beyond pilot 
                        program status.
                    (B) With respect to provisional rating decisions, 
                the following:
                            (i) The number of provisional rating 
                        decisions issued by the Department during the 
                        oldest claims first initiative.
                            (ii) Of the provisional rating decisions 
                        issued during the oldest claims first 
                        initiative--
                                    (I) the number of such decisions 
                                that involved a claim granted;
                                    (II) the number of such decisions 
                                that involved a claim denied; and
                                    (III) the number of such decisions 
                                that involved a claim granted in part 
                                or a claim denied in part.
                            (iii) A statement of the most common 
                        reasons claims were not granted earlier under 
                        the oldest claims first initiative when there 
                        was sufficient evidence to render an award of 
                        benefits in the provisional rating decision.
                            (iv) The average number of days to issue a 
                        provisional rating decision under the oldest 
                        claims first initiative.
                            (v) Of the total number of decisions that 
                        were completed under the oldest claims first 
                        initiative--
                                    (I) the number that were Category 1 
                                claims and received a final rating 
                                decision; and
                                    (II) the number that were Category 
                                2 claims and received a provisional 
                                rating decision.
                            (vi) The number of rating decisions issued 
                        during the oldest claims first imitative that 
                        involved a brokered claim, set forth by number 
                        of such claims by Regional Office of the 
                        Department, including--
                                    (I) the number of brokered claims 
                                received by each Regional Office; and
                                    (II) the number of brokered claims 
                                issued by each Regional Office.
                            (vii) The number of provisional rating 
                        decisions issued during the oldest claims first 
                        initiative with respect to which the veteran 
                        requested that the provisional decision become 
                        final in order to appeal.
                            (viii) The number of provisional rating 
                        decisions issued during the oldest claims first 
                        initiative with respect to which the veteran 
                        requested an appeal after the expiration of the 
                        1-year period beginning on the date of 
                        notification of the provisional rating 
                        decision.
                            (ix) An assessment of the accuracy of 
                        provisional rating decisions issued during the 
                        oldest claims first initiative, set forth by 
                        Category 1 claims and Category 2 claims.
                    (C) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate for purposes of the report.
            (3) Supplemental information.--If the Secretary continues 
        to obtain information on rating decisions under clauses (vii) 
        and (viii) of paragraph (2)(B) after the date of the submittal 
        of the report required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
        submit to the committees of Congress referred to in paragraph 
        (1) a report on such information that supplements the 
        information on such clauses in the report under paragraph (1) 
        when the Secretary completes accumulation of such information.
    (b) Plan for Increase in Use of Temporary or Intermediate Rating 
Decisions.--
            (1) Report on plan required.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 setting forth a plan to increase the 
        use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions to expedite 
        benefit decisions of the Department when the record contains 
        sufficient evidence to grant any claim at issue, including 
        service connection.
            (2) Plan elements.--The plan required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) Mechanisms to overcome obstacles to the use of 
                temporary or intermediate rating decisions, including 
                mechanisms (such as upgrades) to assure the ability of 
                the Veterans Benefits Management System to facilitate 
                the issuance of temporary or intermediate rating 
                decisions.
                    (B) Mechanisms to ensure that appropriate claimant 
                populations, such as claimants who file complex or 
                multi-issue disability compensation claims, benefit 
                from the availability of temporary or intermediate 
                rating decisions.
                    (C) Mechanisms to provide for the use of temporary 
                or intermediate rating decisions, including mechanisms 
                to resolve whether a request by a claimant or claimant 
                representative should trigger use of a temporary or 
                intermediate rating decision depending on the 
                circumstances of the claimant.
                    (D) Mechanisms to prevent the use of temporary or 
                intermediate rating decisions in lieu of a final rating 
                decision when a final rating decision could be made 
                with little or no additional claim development.
                    (E) Such recommendations for legislative or 
                administrative action as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate to increase the use of temporary or 
                intermediate rating decisions to expedite benefit 
                decisions of the Department.

SEC. 518. REPORTS ON DEPARTMENT DISABILITY MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND 
              PREVENTION OF UNNECESSARY MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.

    (a) Report on Disability Medical Examinations Furnished by 
Department of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) 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 furnishing of general medical 
        and specialty medical examinations by the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs for purposes of adjudicating claims for 
        benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The number of general medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating 
                claims for benefits under laws administered by the 
                Secretary.
                    (B) The number of general medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a 
                claim in which a comprehensive joint examination was 
                conducted, but for which no disability relating to a 
                joint, bone, or muscle had been asserted as an issue in 
                the claim.
                    (C) The number of specialty medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a 
                claim.
                    (D) The number of specialty medical examinations 
                furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal 
                years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a 
                claim in which one or more joint examinations were 
                conducted.
                    (E) A summary with citations to any medical and 
                scientific studies that provide a basis for determining 
                that three repetitions is adequate to determine the 
                effect of repetitive use on functional impairments.
                    (F) The names of all examination reports, including 
                general medical examinations and Disability Benefits 
                Questionnaires, used for evaluation of compensation and 
                pension disability claims which require measurement of 
                repeated ranges of motion testing and the number of 
                examinations requiring such measurements which were 
                conducted in fiscal year 2012.
                    (G) The average amount of time taken by an 
                individual conducting a medical examination to perform 
                the three repetitions of movement of each joint.
                    (H) A discussion of whether there are more 
                efficient and effective scientifically reliable methods 
                of testing for functional loss on repetitive use of an 
                extremity other than the three time repetition 
                currently used by the Department.
                    (I) Recommendations as to the continuation of the 
                practice of measuring functional impairment by using 
                three repetitions of movement of each joint during the 
                examination as a criteria for evaluating the effect of 
                repetitive motion on functional impairment with 
                supporting rationale.
    (b) Report and Plan to Prevent the Ordering of Unnecessary Medical 
Examinations.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, 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 efforts of the Secretary in reducing the necessity for 
        in-person disability examinations and other efforts to comply 
        with the provisions of section 5125 of title 38, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) Criteria used by the Secretary to determine if 
                a claim is eligible for the Acceptable Clinical 
                Evidence initiative.
                    (B) The number of claims determined to be eligible 
                for the Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative during 
                the period beginning on the date of the initiation of 
                the initiative and ending on the date of the enactment 
                of this Act, disaggregated--
                            (i) by fiscal year; and
                            (ii) by claims determined eligible based in 
                        whole or in part on medical evidence provided 
                        by a private health care provider.
                    (C) The total number of claims determined to be 
                eligible for the Acceptable Clinical Evidence 
                initiative that required an employee of the Department 
                to supplement the evidence with information obtained 
                during a telephone interview with a claimant or health 
                care provider.
                    (D) Information on any other initiatives or 
                efforts, including disability benefits questionnaires, 
                of the Department to further encourage the use of 
                medical evidence provided by a private health care 
                provider and reliance upon reports of a medical 
                examination administered by a private physician if the 
                report is sufficiently complete to be adequate for the 
                purposes of adjudicating a claim.
                    (E) A plan--
                            (i) to measure, track, and prevent the 
                        ordering of unnecessary medical examinations 
                        when the provision by a claimant of a medical 
                        examination administered by a private physician 
                        in support of a claim for benefits under 
                        chapter 11 or 15 of title 38, United States 
                        Code, is adequate for the purpose of making a 
                        decision on that claim; and
                            (ii) that includes the actions the 
                        Secretary will take to eliminate any request by 
                        the Department for a medical examination in the 
                        case of a claim for benefits under chapter 11 
                        or 15 of such title in support of which a 
                        claimant submits medical evidence or a medical 
                        opinion provided by a private health care 
                        provider that is competent, credible, 
                        probative, and otherwise adequate for purposes 
                        of making a decision on that claim.

    Subtitle C--Board of Veterans' Appeals and Court of Appeals for 
                            Veterans Claims

SEC. 521. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN MISFILED DOCUMENTS AS A NOTICE OF APPEAL 
              TO THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

    Section 7266 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(e)(1) If a person adversely affected by a final decision of the 
Board, who has not filed a notice of appeal with the United States 
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims under subsection (a), misfiles a 
document with the Board or the agency of original jurisdiction referred 
to in section 7105(b)(1) of this title that expresses disagreement with 
such decision and a clear intent to seek review of such decision by the 
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, not later than 120 
days after the date of such decision, such document shall be treated as 
timely filed under subsection (a).
    ``(2) The treatment of misfiled documents under paragraph (1) does 
not limit equitable relief that may be otherwise available to a person 
described in that paragraph.''.

SEC. 522. MODIFICATION OF FILING PERIOD FOR NOTICE OF DISAGREEMENT TO 
              INITIATE APPELLATE REVIEW OF DECISIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Filing of Notice of Disagreement by Claimants.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 7105(b) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``one year'' and inserting ``180 
                days'' in the first sentence; and
                    (B) by striking ``one-year'' and inserting ``180-
                day'' in the third sentence.
            (2) Electronic filing.--Such paragraph is further amended 
        by inserting ``or transmitted by electronic means'' after 
        ``postmarked''.
            (3) Good cause exception for untimely filing of notices of 
        disagreement.--Such section 7105(b) is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) A notice of disagreement not filed within the time prescribed 
by paragraph (1) shall be treated by the Secretary as timely filed if--
            ``(A) the Secretary determines that the claimant, legal 
        guardian, or other accredited representative, attorney, or 
        authorized agent filing the notice had good cause for the lack 
        of filing within such time; and
            ``(B) the notice of disagreement is filed not later than 
        186 days after the expiration of the period prescribed by 
        paragraph (1).''.
    (b) Application by Department for Review on Appeal.--Section 7106 
is amended in the first sentence by striking ``one-year period 
described in section 7105'' and inserting ``period described in section 
7105(b)(1)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to claims for benefits under laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs filed with the Secretary after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 523. DETERMINATION OF MANNER OF APPEARANCE FOR HEARINGS BEFORE 
              BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7107 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``in subsection (f)'' 
        and inserting ``in subsection (g)'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
            (3) by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the 
        following new subsections:
    ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a hearing before the 
Board shall be conducted through picture and voice transmission, by 
electronic or other means, in such a manner that the appellant is not 
present in the same location as the members of the Board during the 
hearing.
    ``(2)(A) A hearing before the Board shall be conducted in person 
upon the request of an appellant.
    ``(B) In the absence of a request under subparagraph (A), a hearing 
before the Board may also be conducted in person as the Board considers 
appropriate.
    ``(e)(1) In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be 
held as described in subsection (d)(1), the Secretary shall provide 
suitable facilities and equipment to the Board or other components of 
the Department to enable an appellant located at an appropriate 
facility within the area served by a regional office to participate as 
so described.
    ``(2) Any hearing conducted as described in subsection (d)(1) shall 
be conducted in the same manner as, and shall be considered the 
equivalent of, a personal hearing.
    ``(f)(1) In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be 
held as described in subsection (d)(2), the appellant may request that 
the hearing be held at the principal location of the Board or at a 
facility of the Department located within the area served by a regional 
office of the Department.
    ``(2) A hearing to be held within an area served by a regional 
office of the Department shall (except as provided in paragraph (3)) be 
scheduled to be held in accordance with the place of the case on the 
docket under subsection (a) relative to other cases on the docket for 
which hearings are scheduled to be held within that area.
    ``(3) A hearing to be held within an area served by a regional 
office of the Department may, for cause shown, be advanced on motion 
for an earlier hearing. Any such motion shall set forth succinctly the 
grounds upon which the motion is based. Such a motion may be granted 
only--
            ``(A) if the case involves interpretation of law of general 
        application affecting other claims;
            ``(B) if the appellant is seriously ill or is under severe 
        financial hardship; or
            ``(C) for other sufficient cause shown.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to cases received by the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
pursuant to notices of disagreement submitted on or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

                       TITLE VI--OUTREACH MATTERS

SEC. 601. PROGRAM TO INCREASE COORDINATION OF OUTREACH EFFORTS BETWEEN 
              THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND FEDERAL, STATE, 
              AND LOCAL AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using 
State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations--
            (1) to increase awareness of veterans regarding benefits 
        and services for veterans; and
            (2) to improve coordination of outreach activities 
        regarding such benefits and services between the Secretary and 
        Federal, State, and local government and nonprofit providers of 
        health care and benefit services for veterans.
    (b) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the program for a two-
year period.
    (c) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the program 
        through the competitive award of grants to State and local 
        government agencies and nonprofit organizations--
                    (A) to increase the awareness of veterans regarding 
                benefits and services for veterans; and
                    (B) to improve coordination of outreach activities 
                regarding such benefits and services between the 
                Secretary and Federal, State, and local government and 
                nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services 
                for veterans.
            (2) Application.--
                    (A) In general.--A State or local government agency 
                or nonprofit organization seeking a grant under the 
                program shall submit to the Secretary an application 
                therefor in such form and in such manner as the 
                Secretary considers appropriate.
                    (B) Elements.--Each application submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) A description of the consultations, if 
                        any, with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
                        the development of any proposal under the 
                        application.
                            (ii) A description of the project for which 
                        the applicant is seeking a grant under the 
                        program, including a plan to coordinate under 
                        the program, to the greatest extent possible, 
                        the outreach activities of Federal, State, and 
                        local government agencies that provide health 
                        care, benefits, and services for veterans and 
                        nonprofit organizations that provide such care, 
                        benefits, and services to enhance the awareness 
                        and availability of such care, benefits, and 
                        services.
                            (iii) An agreement to report to the 
                        Secretary standardized data and other 
                        performance measures necessary for the 
                        Secretary to evaluate the program and to 
                        facilitate evaluation of projects for which 
                        grants are awarded under the program.
                            (iv) Such other information as the 
                        Secretary may require.
            (3) Considerations.--
                    (A) In general.--In awarding grants under the 
                program to carry out projects, the Secretary shall 
                consider--
                            (i) where the projects will be carried out 
                        and which populations are targeted; and
                            (ii) the likelihood that each potential 
                        grantee will successfully carry out the grant 
                        proposal.
                    (B) Considerations regarding location and target 
                population.--In taking the matters specified in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii) into consideration, the Secretary 
                shall consider in particular the advisability of 
                awarding grants for projects--
                            (i) carried out in areas with populations 
                        that have a high proportion of veteran 
                        representation;
                            (ii) carried out in a variety of geographic 
                        areas, including urban, rural, and highly rural 
                        areas; and
                            (iii) that target a variety of veteran 
                        populations, including racial and ethnic 
                        minorities, low-income populations, and older 
                        populations.
            (4) Use of funds.--The Secretary shall establish 
        appropriate uses of grant amounts received under the program.
            (5) Oversight of use of funds.--The Secretary shall 
        establish appropriate mechanisms for oversight of the use of 
        grant amounts received under the program, including the 
        evidence grantees must submit to demonstrate use of grant 
        amounts and procedures for the recovery of grant amounts that 
        were improperly used.
            (6) Limitation.--In a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent 
        of all grant amounts awarded in that fiscal year may be awarded 
        to a single State entity.
    (d) State Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may not make a grant 
to a State under subsection (c) unless that State agrees that, with 
respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the 
program or projects for which the grant was awarded, the State will 
make available (directly or through donations from public or private 
entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 50 percent of 
Federal funds provided under the grant.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section the following:
            (1) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2015.
            (2) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2016.
    (f) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        completion of the first calendar year beginning after the date 
        of the commencement of the program, and not less frequently 
        than once every year thereafter for the duration of the 
        program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
        evaluating the program and the projects supported by grants 
        awarded under the program.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary 
                with respect to the program.
                    (B) An assessment of the benefit to veterans of the 
                program.
                    (C) The performance measures used by the Secretary 
                for purposes of the program and data showing the 
                performance of grantees under the program under such 
                measures.
                    (D) The recommendations of the Secretary as to the 
                feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding 
                or modifying the program.
    (g) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 602. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              AND STATES ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 63 is amended by inserting after section 
6306 the following new section:
``Sec. 6306A. Cooperative agreements with States
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative 
agreements and arrangements with various State agencies and State 
departments to carry out this chapter and to otherwise carry out, 
coordinate, improve, or enhance outreach activities of the Department 
and the States.
    ``(b) Report.--The Secretary shall include in each report submitted 
under section 6308 of this title a description of the agreements and 
arrangements entered into by the Secretary under subsection (a).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 63 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
6306 the following new item:

``6306A. Cooperative agreements with States.''.

SEC. 603. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish an advisory committee on outreach activities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Membership.--The advisory committee shall be composed of 
individuals selected by the Secretary from among the following:
            (1) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals who are 
        eminent in their respective fields of public relations.
            (2) Representatives of organizations with offices that 
        focus on communications and distribute messages through major 
        media news outlets and social media.
            (3) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with 
        experience communicating financial results and business 
        strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image.
            (4) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with 
        experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating 
        publicity for a particular product or service.
            (5) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have 
        experience in press and public relations.
    (c) Duties.--The advisory committee shall advise the Assistant 
Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs--
            (1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is 
        strategically and effectively--
                    (A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders 
                to increase awareness nationally regarding all benefits 
                and services furnished by the Department;
                    (B) explaining new or changing policies of the 
                Department;
                    (C) improving the image and reputation of the 
                Department; and
                    (D) coordinating and collaborating with national 
                community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State 
                and local government agencies;
            (2) to assist the Secretary in conducting such other press 
        or public relations activities relating to outreach activities 
        of the Department as the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary 
        for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs consider appropriate; 
        and
            (3) to ensure coordination and collaboration on efforts 
        within the Department for the development, implementation, and 
        review of local outreach with respect to benefits that include 
        the following:
                    (A) Compensation and pension benefits.
                    (B) Insurance benefits.
                    (C) Burial and memorial benefits.
                    (D) Education benefits.
                    (E) Vocational rehabilitation and employment 
                benefits.
                    (F) Readjustment counseling benefits.
                    (G) Loan guarantee benefits.
                    (H) Such other benefits as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
    (d) Location of Meetings.--Each meeting of the advisory committee 
shall take place at a location that is property of the Department and 
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use teleconference 
technology.
    (e) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with and seek the 
advice of the advisory committee not less frequently than quarterly on 
matters relating to the duties of the advisory committee under 
subsection (c).
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every 90 
        days for the first year and semiannually thereafter, the 
        advisory committee shall submit to Congress and to the 
        Secretary a report on outreach activities of the Department.
            (2) Recommendations.--Each report submitted under paragraph 
        (1) shall include such recommendations for legislative and 
        administrative action as the advisory committee considers 
        appropriate to improve the press and public relations of the 
        Department relating to outreach.
    (g) Termination.--The advisory committee shall terminate on October 
1, 2015, and the requirements and authorities under this section shall 
terminate on such date.
    (h) Outreach Defined.--In this section, the term ``outreach'' has 
the meaning given the term in section 6301 of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 604. ADVISORY BOARDS ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--For each entity described in paragraph 
        (2), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, acting through 
        the director of that entity, establish not later than 180 days 
        after the effective date specified in subsection (h) an 
        advisory board at that entity on matters relating to outreach 
        activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs at that 
        entity.
            (2) Entity described.--An entity described in this 
        paragraph is--
                    (A) a healthcare system of the Department; or
                    (B) a Veterans Integrated System Network, if such 
                Veterans Integrated System Network does not contain a 
                healthcare system.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--Each advisory board established under 
        subsection (a)(1) shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        composed of individuals selected by the Secretary from among 
        the following:
                    (A) Individuals who are eminent in their respective 
                fields of public relations.
                    (B) Representatives of organizations with offices 
                that focus on communications and distribute messages 
                through major media news outlets and social media.
                    (C) Individuals with experience communicating 
                financial results and business strategy for purposes of 
                shaping a confident brand image.
                    (D) Individuals with experience with consumer and 
                lifestyle imaging and creating publicity for a 
                particular product or service.
                    (E) Employees of the Department who are involved in 
                press and public relations strategy for an entity 
                described in subsection (a)(2).
                    (F) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who 
                have experience in press and public relations.
            (2) Voluntary participation.--The participation of an 
        individual selected under paragraph (1) shall be at the 
        election of the individual.
    (c) Duties.--Each advisory board established under subsection 
(a)(1) at an entity described in subsection (a)(2) shall advise the 
Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs--
            (1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is 
        strategically and effectively--
                    (A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders 
                to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and 
                services furnished by the Department;
                    (B) explaining new or changing policies of the 
                Department;
                    (C) improving the image and reputation of the 
                Department;
                    (D) coordinating and collaborating with national 
                community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State 
                and local government agencies; and
                    (E) coordinating and collaborating on efforts 
                within the Department for the development, 
                implementation, and review of local outreach with 
                respect to benefits that include--
                            (i) compensation and pension benefits;
                            (ii) insurance benefits;
                            (iii) burial and memorial benefits;
                            (iv) education benefits;
                            (v) vocational rehabilitation and 
                        employment benefits;
                            (vi) readjustment counseling benefits;
                            (vii) loan guarantee benefits; and
                            (viii) such other benefits as the Secretary 
                        considers appropriate; and
            (2) to assist the director of that entity in conducting 
        such other press or public relations activities relating to 
        outreach activities of the Department as that advisory board 
        considers appropriate.
    (d) Meeting Location.--
            (1) In general.--If teleconference technology is not used, 
        meetings of each advisory board established under subsection 
        (a)(1) shall be held at a location that is property of the 
        Department.
            (2) Teleconference technology.--Each advisory board shall 
        use, to the maximum extent practicable, teleconference 
        technology.
    (e) Consultation.--Each director of an entity described in 
subsection (a)(2) shall consult with and seek the advice of the 
advisory board established at such entity not less frequently than once 
every two months on matters relating to the duties of the advisory 
board under subsection (c).
    (f) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than each year, each 
advisory board established under subsection (a)(1) shall submit to the 
Secretary a report with such information as may be beneficial to the 
Secretary in preparing the reports required by section 6308 of title 
38, United States Code.
    (g) Termination.--Each advisory board established under subsection 
(a)(1) and the authorities and requirements of this section shall 
terminate three years after the effective date specified in subsection 
(h).
    (h) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 605. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR PERIODIC REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
              ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 6308 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``even-numbered''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``biennial'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``for 
                legislative and administrative action'' after 
                ``Recommendations''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) Recommendations that such administrative actions as 
        may be taken--
                    ``(A) to maximize resources for outreach activities 
                of the Department; and
                    ``(B) to focus outreach efforts on activities that 
                are proven to be more effective.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Section heading.--The heading for section 6308 is 
        amended by striking ``Biennial'' and inserting ``Annual''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 63 is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 6308 and inserting the following new item:

``6308. Annual report to Congress.''.

               TITLE VII--EMPLOYMENT AND RELATED MATTERS

                     Subtitle A--Employment Matters

SEC. 701. EMPLOYMENT OF VETERANS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 4214 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
    ``(4)(A) The requirement under this paragraph is in addition to the 
appointment of qualified covered veterans under the authority under 
paragraph (1) by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department 
of Defense.
    ``(B) The head of each agency, in consultation with the Director of 
the Office of Personnel Management, shall develop a plan for exercising 
the authority specified in subparagraph (C) during the five-year period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and 
Benefits Improvement Act of 2013.
    ``(C) The authority specified in this subparagraph is the authority 
as follows:
            ``(i) The authority under paragraph (1).
            ``(ii) The authority available to the agency concerned 
        under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (Public 
        Law 105-339) and the amendments made by that Act.
    ``(D) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall 
ensure that under the plans developed under subparagraph (B) agencies 
shall appoint to existing vacancies not fewer than 15,000 qualified 
covered veterans during the five-year period beginning on the date of 
the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 
2013. For purposes of complying with this subparagraph, an appointment 
pursuant to the authority referred to in subparagraph (C)(ii) shall not 
count toward the number required by this subparagraph unless the 
appointment is to a vacancy in a full-time, permanent position.'';
            (2) in subsection (d), in the third sentence, by inserting 
        ``(including, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of 
        the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement 
        Act of 2013, the development and implementation by each agency 
        of the plan required under subsection (b)(4), which shall 
        include information regarding the grade or pay level of 
        appointments by the agency under the plan and whether the 
        appointments are, or are converted to, career or career-
        conditional appointments)'' after ``subsection (b) of this 
        section''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter before subparagraph (A), 
                        by striking ``to the Congress'' and inserting 
                        ``to the appropriate committees of Congress''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                        ``(including, during the 5-year period 
                        beginning on the date of the enactment of the 
                        Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 
                        2013, the development and implementation by the 
                        agency of the plan required under subsection 
                        (b)(4), which shall include information 
                        regarding the grade or pay level of 
                        appointments by the agency under the plan and 
                        whether the appointments are, or are converted 
                        to, permanent appointments)'' before the 
                        period; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(3) In this subsection, the term `appropriate committees of 
Congress' means--
            ``(A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee 
        on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
        and
            ``(B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee 
        on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
        Representatives.''.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress (as defined under 
section 4214(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by 
subsection (a)) regarding the development of a plan to carry out the 
amendments made by subsection (a).

SEC. 702. STATE RECOGNITION OF MILITARY EXPERIENCE OF VETERANS IN 
              ISSUING LICENSES AND CREDENTIALS TO VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4102A(c) is amended by striking paragraph 
(9) and inserting the following new paragraph (9):
    ``(9)(A) As a condition of a grant or contract under which funds 
are made available to a State under subsection (b)(5) in order to carry 
out section 4103A or 4104 of this title, the State shall--
            ``(i) establish a program under which the State administers 
        an examination to each veteran seeking a license or credential 
        issued by the State and issues such license or credential to 
        such veteran without requiring such veteran to undergo any 
        training or apprenticeship if the veteran--
                    ``(I) receives a satisfactory score on completion 
                of such examination, as determined by the State;
                    ``(II) has been awarded a military occupational 
                specialty that is substantially equivalent to or 
                exceeds the requirements of the State for the issuance 
                of such license or credential;
                    ``(III) has engaged in the active practice of the 
                occupation for which the veteran is seeking such 
                license or credential for at least two of the five 
                years preceding the date of application; and
                    ``(IV) pays any customary or usual fees required by 
                the State for such license or credential; and
            ``(ii) submit each year to the Secretary a report on the 
        exams administered under clause (i) during the most recently 
        completed 12-month period that includes, for the period covered 
        by the report the number of veterans who completed an exam 
        administered by the State under clause (i) and a description of 
        the results of such exams, disaggregated by occupational field.
    ``(B) The Secretary may waive the requirement under subparagraph 
(A) that a State establish a program described in that subparagraph as 
a condition of a grant or contract if the State certifies to the 
Secretary that the State--
            ``(i) takes into account previous military training for the 
        purposes of issuing licenses or credentials;
            ``(ii) permits veterans to completely satisfy through 
        examination any training or testing requirements for a license 
        or credential with respect to which a veteran has previously 
        completed military training; and
            ``(iii) for any credential or license for which a veteran 
        is unable to completely satisfy such requirements through 
        examination, the State substantially reduces training time 
        required to satisfy such requirement based on the military 
        training received by the veteran.
    ``(C) Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress and the Secretary of Defense a report summarizing 
the information received by the Secretary under subparagraph 
(A)(ii).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--
            (1) Exams.--Subparagraph (A) of section 4102A(c)(9) of 
        title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall 
        take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to grants 
        and contracts described in such subparagraph awarded after such 
        date.
            (2) Reports.--Subparagraph (B) of such section 4102A(c)(9), 
        as so added, shall take effect on the date that is one year 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act and the Secretary 
        of Labor shall submit the first report under such subparagraph 
        not later than two years after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act.

SEC. 703. REPORT ON UNIFIED GOVERNMENT INTERNET PORTAL FOR VETERANS ON 
              JOBS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

    (a) Identification of Internet Websites and Applications That Can 
Assist Veterans Seeking Employment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor shall, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the 
        Secretary of Defense, and other appropriate public and private 
        entities, take appropriate actions to identify Internet 
        websites and applications that can assist veterans in seeking 
        employment.
            (2) Priority in identification of certain websites and 
        applications.--In identifying websites and applications 
        pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall place a 
        particular priority on identifying websites and applications 
        that do the following:
                    (A) Match veterans seeking employment with 
                available jobs based on the skills the veterans 
                acquired as members of the Armed Forces.
                    (B) Permit employers to post information about 
                available jobs.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the effective date 
specified in subsection (c), the Secretary of Labor 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 
actions of the Secretary under subsection (a). The report shall include 
an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of creating a single, 
unified Internet-based employment portal for the Federal Government for 
use by veterans regarding employment through the Federal Government, 
including the cost of creating the portal, the collaboration with other 
Federal agencies required to create the portal, and the anticipated use 
of the portal.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 704. INFORMATION ON DISABILITY-RELATED EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION 
              PROTECTIONS IN TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 1144(b) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) Provide information about disability-related 
        employment and education protections.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

                   Subtitle B--Small Business Matters

SEC. 711. EXPANSION OF CONTRACTING GOALS AND PREFERENCES OF DEPARTMENT 
              OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE CONDITIONALLY OWNED SMALL 
              BUSINESS CONCERNS 100 PERCENT OWNED BY VETERANS.

    Section 8127(l) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``unconditionally'' 
        before ``owned by'' each place it appears; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) The term `unconditionally owned' includes, with 
        respect to ownership of a small business concern, conditional 
        ownership of such small business concern if such business 
        concern is 100 percent owned by one or more veterans.''.

SEC. 712. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT UNDER CONTRACTING GOALS AND 
              PREFERENCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR SMALL 
              BUSINESSES OWNED BY VETERANS OF SMALL BUSINESSES AFTER 
              DEATH OF DISABLED VETERAN OWNERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 8127(h) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``rated as'' and all that 
        follows through ``disability.'' and inserting a period; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (C) to read 
        as follows:
            ``(C) The date that--
                    ``(i) in the case of a surviving spouse of a 
                veteran with a service-connected disability rated as 
                100 percent disabling or who dies as a result of a 
                service-connected disability, is 10 years after the 
                date of the veteran's death; or
                    ``(ii) in the case of a surviving spouse of a 
                veteran with a service-connected disability rated as 
                less than 100 percent disabling who does not die as a 
                result of a service-connected disability, is three 
                years after the date of the veteran's death.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made 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 applications 
received pursuant to section 8127(f)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, that are verified on or after such date.

SEC. 713. TREATMENT OF BUSINESSES AFTER DEATHS OF SERVICEMEMBER-OWNERS 
              FOR PURPOSES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              CONTRACTING GOALS AND PREFERENCES.

    (a) In General.--Section 8127 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (i) through (l) as 
        subsections (j) through (m), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following new 
        subsection (i):
    ``(i) Treatment of Businesses After Death of Servicemember-Owner.--
(1) If a member of the Armed Forces owns at least 51 percent of a small 
business concern and such member is killed in line of duty in the 
active military, naval, or air service, the surviving spouse or 
dependent child of such member who acquires such ownership rights in 
such small business concern shall, for the period described in 
paragraph (2), be treated as if the surviving spouse or dependent child 
were a veteran with a service-connected disability for purposes of 
determining the status of the small business concern as a small 
business concern owned and controlled by veterans for purposes of 
contracting goals and preferences under this section.
    ``(2) The period referred to in paragraph (1) is the period 
beginning on the date on which the member of the Armed Forces dies and 
ending on the date as follows:
            ``(A) In the case of a surviving spouse, the earliest of 
        the following dates:
                    ``(i) The date on which the surviving spouse 
                remarries.
                    ``(ii) The date on which the surviving spouse 
                relinquishes an ownership interest in the small 
                business concern and no longer owns at least 51 percent 
                of such small business concern.
                    ``(iii) The date that is ten years after the date 
                of the member's death.
            ``(B) In the case of a dependent child, the earliest of the 
        following dates:
                    ``(i) The date on which the surviving dependent 
                child relinquishes an ownership interest in the small 
                business concern and no longer owns at least 51 percent 
                of such small business concern.
                    ``(ii) The date that is ten years after the date of 
                the member's death.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (i) of section 8127 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to 
the deaths of members of the Armed Forces occurring on or after such 
date.

SEC. 714. SPECIAL RULE FOR TREATMENT UNDER CONTRACTING GOALS AND 
              PREFERENCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF SMALL 
              BUSINESS CONCERNS LICENSED IN COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATES.

    Section 8127, as amended by section 713 of this Act, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(n) Special Rule for Community Property States.--Whenever the 
Secretary assesses, for purposes of this section, the degree of 
ownership by an individual of a small business concern licensed in a 
community property State, the Secretary shall also assess what that 
degree of ownership would be if such small business concern had been 
licensed in a State other than a community property State. If the 
Secretary determines that such individual would have had a greater 
degree of ownership of the small business concern had such small 
business concern been licensed in a State other than a community 
property State, the Secretary shall treat, for purposes of this 
section, such small business concern as if it had been licensed in a 
State other than a community property State.''.

                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 801. CONSIDERATION BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF RESOURCES 
              DISPOSED OF FOR LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE BY 
              INDIVIDUALS APPLYING FOR PENSION.

    (a) Veterans.--Section 1522 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(2)(A) If a veteran otherwise eligible for payment of pension 
under section 1513 or 1521 of this title or the spouse of such veteran 
disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value on or 
after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the 
Secretary shall deny or discontinue the payment of pension to such 
veteran under section 1513 or 1521 of this title, as the case may be, 
for months during the period beginning on the date described in 
subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months calculated as 
provided in subparagraph (E).
    ``(B)(i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any 
resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the veteran or, 
if the veteran has a spouse, the corpus of the estates of the veteran 
and of the veteran's spouse, that the Secretary considers that under 
all the circumstances, if the veteran or spouse had not disposed of 
such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource (or some 
portion of the resource) be consumed for the veteran's maintenance.
    ``(ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, 
in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a 
transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, 
trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a 
covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the veteran or, if 
the veteran has a spouse, the corpus of the estates of the veteran and 
of the veteran's spouse, that the Secretary considers, under all the 
circumstances, would be reasonable to be consumed for the veteran's 
maintenance.
    ``(C)(i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that 
is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii).
    ``(ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the 
veteran applies for pension under section 1513 or 1521 of this title 
or, if later, the date on which the veteran (or the spouse of the 
veteran) disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value.
    ``(D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of 
the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of 
for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other 
period of ineligibility under this paragraph.
    ``(E) The number of months calculated under this subparagraph shall 
be equal to--
            ``(i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the 
        portion of covered resources so disposed of by the veteran (or 
        the spouse of the veteran) on or after the look-back date 
        described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines 
        would reasonably have been consumed for the veteran's 
        maintenance; divided by
            ``(ii) the maximum amount of monthly pension that is 
        payable to a veteran under section 1513 or 1521 of this title, 
        including the maximum amount of increased pension payable under 
        such sections on account of family members, but not including 
        any amount of pension payable under such sections because a 
        veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance or is 
        permanently housebound,
rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, 
but shall not in any case exceed 36 months.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(2)(A) If a veteran otherwise eligible for payment of increased 
pension under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 1521 of this 
title on account of a child, the spouse of the veteran, or the child 
disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value on or 
after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the 
Secretary shall deny or discontinue payment of such increased pension 
for months during the period beginning on the date described in 
subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months calculated as 
provided in subparagraph (E).
    ``(B)(i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any 
resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the child that 
the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, if the 
veteran, the spouse of the veteran, or the child had not disposed of 
such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource (or some 
portion of the resource) be consumed for the child's maintenance.
    ``(ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, 
in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a 
transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, 
trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a 
covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the child that the 
Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be reasonable 
to be consumed for the child's maintenance.
    ``(C)(i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that 
is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii).
    ``(ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the 
veteran applies for payment of increased pension under subsection (c), 
(d), (e), or (f) of section 1521 of this title on account of a child 
or, if later, the date on which the veteran, the spouse of the veteran, 
or the child disposes of covered resources for less than fair market 
value.
    ``(D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of 
the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of 
for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other 
period of ineligibility under this paragraph.
    ``(E) The number of months calculated under this subparagraph shall 
be equal to--
            ``(i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the 
        portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the veteran, 
        the spouse of the veteran, or the child on or after the look-
        back date described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary 
        determines would reasonably have been consumed for the child's 
        maintenance; divided by
            ``(ii) the maximum amount of increased monthly pension that 
        is payable to a veteran under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) 
        of section 1521 of this title on account of a child,
rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, 
but shall not in any case exceed 36 months.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1)(A) The Secretary shall not deny or discontinue payment of 
pension under section 1513 or 1521 of this title or payment of 
increased pension under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 
1521 of this title on account of a child by reason of the application 
of subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of this section to the disposal of 
resources by an individual--
            ``(i) if--
                    ``(I) a satisfactory showing is made to the 
                Secretary (in accordance with regulations promulgated 
                by the Secretary) that all resources disposed of for 
                less than fair market value have been returned to the 
                individual who disposed of the resources; or
                    ``(II) the Secretary determines, under procedures 
                established by the Secretary in accordance with 
                subparagraph (B), that the denial or discontinuance of 
                payment would work an undue hardship; or
            ``(ii) to the extent that any portion of the resources 
        disposed of for less than fair market value have been returned 
        to the individual who disposed of the resources.
    ``(B) Undue hardship would be worked by the denial or 
discontinuance of payment for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(II) if 
the denial or discontinuance of payment would deprive the individual 
during the period of denial or discontinuance--
            ``(i) of medical care such that the individual's life or 
        health would be endangered;
            ``(ii) of necessary food or clothing, or other necessities 
        of life; or
            ``(iii) on such other basis as the Secretary shall specify 
        in the procedures required by subparagraph (A)(i)(II).
    ``(C) If payment of pension or increased pension that would 
otherwise be denied or discontinued by reason of the application of 
subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) is denied or discontinued only in part by 
reason of the return of resources as described in subparagraph (A)(ii), 
the period of the denial or discontinuance as determined pursuant to 
subparagraph (E) of subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2), as applicable, shall 
be recalculated to take into account such return of resources.
    ``(2) At the time a veteran applies for pension under section 1513 
or 1521 of this title or increased pension under subsection (c), (d), 
(e), or (f) of section 1521 of this title on account of a child, and at 
such other times as the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary 
shall--
            ``(A) inform such veteran of the provisions of subsections 
        (a)(2) and (b)(2) providing for a period of ineligibility for 
        payment of pension under such sections for individuals who make 
        certain dispositions of resources for less than fair market 
        value, including the exception for hardship from such period of 
        ineligibility;
            ``(B) obtain from such veteran information which may be 
        used in determining whether or not a period of ineligibility 
        for such payments would be required by reason of such 
        subsections; and
            ``(C) provide such veteran a timely process for determining 
        whether or not the exception for hardship shall apply to such 
        veteran.''.
    (b) Surviving Spouses and Children.--Section 1543 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
                (3);
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following 
                new paragraph (2):
    ``(2)(A) If a surviving spouse otherwise eligible for payment of 
pension under section 1541 of this title disposes of covered resources 
for less than fair market value on or after the look-back date 
described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall deny or 
discontinue the payment of pension to such surviving spouse under 
section 1541 of this title for months during the period beginning on 
the date described in subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of 
months calculated as provided in subparagraph (E).
    ``(B)(i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any 
resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the surviving 
spouse that the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, 
if the surviving spouse had not disposed of such resource, it would be 
reasonable that the resource (or some portion of the resource) be 
consumed for the surviving spouse's maintenance.
    ``(ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, 
in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a 
transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, 
trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a 
covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the surviving spouse 
that the Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be 
reasonable to be consumed for the surviving spouse's maintenance.
    ``(C)(i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that 
is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii).
    ``(ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the 
surviving spouse applies for pension under section 1541 of this title 
or, if later, the date on which the surviving spouse disposes of 
covered resources for less than fair market value.
    ``(D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of 
the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of 
for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other 
period of ineligibility under this paragraph.
    ``(E) The number of months calculated under this subparagraph shall 
be equal to--
            ``(i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the 
        portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the 
        surviving spouse on or after the look-back date described in 
        subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines would 
        reasonably have been consumed for the surviving spouse's 
        maintenance; divided by
            ``(ii) the maximum amount of monthly pension that is 
        payable to a surviving spouse under section 1541 of this title, 
        including the maximum amount of increased pension payable under 
        such section on account of a child, but not including any 
        amount of pension payable under such section because a 
        surviving spouse is in need of regular aid and attendance or is 
        permanently housebound,
rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, 
but shall not in any case exceed 36 months.'';
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(4)(A) If a surviving spouse otherwise eligible for payment of 
increased pension under subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of 
this title on account of a child or the child disposes of covered 
resources for less than fair market value on or after the look-back 
date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall deny or 
discontinue payment of such increased pension for months during the 
period beginning on the date described in subparagraph (D) and equal to 
the number of months calculated as provided in subparagraph (E).
    ``(B)(i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any 
resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the child that 
the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, if the 
surviving spouse or the child had not disposed of such resource, it 
would be reasonable that the resource (or some portion of the resource) 
be consumed for the child's maintenance.
    ``(ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, 
in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a 
transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, 
trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a 
covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the child that the 
Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be reasonable 
to be consumed for the child's maintenance.
    ``(C)(i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that 
is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii).
    ``(ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the 
surviving spouse applies for payment of increased pension under 
subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of 
a child or, if later, the date on which the surviving spouse (or the 
child) disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value.
    ``(D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of 
the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of 
for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other 
period of ineligibility under this paragraph.
    ``(E) The number of months calculated under this clause shall be 
equal to--
            ``(i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the 
        portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the 
        surviving spouse (or the child) on or after the look-back date 
        described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines 
        would reasonably have been consumed for the child's 
        maintenance; divided by
            ``(ii) the maximum amount of increased monthly pension that 
        is payable to a surviving spouse under subsection (c), (d), or 
        (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of a child,
rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, 
but shall not in any case exceed 36 months.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(2)(A) If a child otherwise eligible for payment of pension under 
section 1542 of this title or any person with whom such child is 
residing who is legally responsible for such child's support disposes 
of covered resources for less than fair market value on or after the 
look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall 
deny or discontinue the payment of pension to such child under section 
1542 of this title for months during the period beginning on the date 
described in subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months 
calculated as provided in subparagraph (E).
    ``(B)(i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any 
resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the child or 
the corpus of the estate of any person with whom such child is residing 
who is legally responsible for such child's support that the Secretary 
considers that under all the circumstances, if the child or person had 
not disposed of such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource 
(or some portion of the resource) be consumed for the child's 
maintenance.
    ``(ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, 
in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a 
transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, 
trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a 
covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer 
reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate described in clause (i) 
that the Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be 
reasonable to be consumed for the child's maintenance.
    ``(C)(i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that 
is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii).
    ``(ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the 
child applies for pension under section 1542 of this title or, if 
later, the date on which the child (or person described in subparagraph 
(B)) disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value.
    ``(D) The date described in this clause is the first day of the 
first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of for 
less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other 
period of ineligibility under this paragraph.
    ``(E) The number of months calculated under this clause shall be 
equal to--
            ``(i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the 
        portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the child 
        (or person described in subparagraph (B)) on or after the look-
        back date described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary 
        determines would reasonably have been consumed for the child's 
        maintenance; divided by
            ``(ii) the maximum amount of monthly pension that is 
        payable to a child under section 1542 of this title,
rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, 
but shall not in any case exceed 36 months.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1)(A) The Secretary shall not deny or discontinue payment of 
pension under section 1541 or 1542 of this title or payment of 
increased pension under subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of 
this title on account of a child by reason of the application of 
subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), or (b)(2) of this section to the disposal of 
resources by an individual--
            ``(i) if--
                    ``(I) a satisfactory showing is made to the 
                Secretary (in accordance with regulations promulgated 
                by the Secretary) that all resources disposed of for 
                less than fair market value have been returned to the 
                individual who disposed of the resources; or
                    ``(II) the Secretary determines, under procedures 
                established by the Secretary in accordance with 
                subparagraph (B), that the denial or discontinuance of 
                payment would work an undue hardship; or
            ``(ii) to the extent that any portion of the resources 
        disposed of for less than fair market value have been returned 
        to the individual who disposed of the resources.
    ``(B) Undue hardship would be worked by the denial or 
discontinuance of payment for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(II) if 
the denial or discontinuance of payment would deprive the individual 
during the period of denial or discontinuance--
            ``(i) of medical care such that the individual's life or 
        health would be endangered;
            ``(ii) of necessary food or clothing, or other necessities 
        of life; or
            ``(iii) on such other basis as the Secretary shall specify 
        in the procedures required by subparagraph (A)(i)(II).
    ``(C) If payment of pension or increased pension that would 
otherwise be denied or discontinued by reason of the application of 
subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), or (b)(2) is denied or discontinued only in 
part by reason of the return of resources as described in subparagraph 
(A)(ii), the period of the denial or discontinuance as determined 
pursuant to subparagraph (E) of subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), or (b)(2), 
as applicable, shall be recalculated to take into account such return 
of resources.
    ``(2) At the time a surviving spouse or child applies for pension 
under section 1541 or 1542 of this title or increased pension under 
subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of 
a child, and at such other times as the Secretary considers 
appropriate, the Secretary shall--
            ``(A) inform such surviving spouse or child of the 
        provisions of subsections (a)(2), (a)(4), and (b)(2), as 
        applicable, providing for a period of ineligibility for payment 
        of pension or increased pension under such sections for 
        individuals who make certain dispositions of resources for less 
        than fair market value, including the exception for hardship 
        from such period of ineligibility;
            ``(B) obtain from such surviving spouse or child 
        information which may be used in determining whether or not a 
        period of ineligibility for such payments would be required by 
        reason of such subsections; and
            ``(C) provide such surviving spouse or child a timely 
        process for determining whether or not the exception for 
        hardship shall apply to such surviving spouse or child.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--Subsections (a)(2), (b)(2), and (c) of section 
1522 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and 
subsections (a)(2), (a)(4), (b)(2), and (c) of section 1543 of such 
title, as added by subsection (b), shall take effect on the date that 
is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply 
with respect to payments of pension and increased pension applied for 
after such date and to payments of pension and increased pension for 
which eligibility is redetermined after such date, except that no 
reduction in pension shall be made under such subsections because of 
any disposal of covered resources made before such date.
    (d) Annual Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 30 months after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once 
        each year thereafter through 2018, the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
        a report on the administration of subsections (a)(2), (b)(2), 
        and (c) of section 1522 of title 38, United States Code, as 
        added by subsection (a), and subsections (a)(2), (a)(4), 
        (b)(2), and (c) of section 1543 of such title, as added by 
        subsection (b), during the most recent 12-month period.
            (2) Elements.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following, for the period covered by the 
        report:
                    (A) The number of individuals who applied for 
                pension under chapter 15 of such title.
                    (B) The number of individuals who received pension 
                under such chapter.
                    (C) The number of individuals with respect to whom 
                the Secretary denied or discontinued payment of pension 
                under the subsections referred to in paragraph (1).
                    (D) A description of any trends identified by the 
                Secretary regarding pension payments that have occurred 
                as a result of the amendments made by this section.
                    (E) Such other information as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
            (3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Select Committee on Aging of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
                of Representatives.

SEC. 802. OFFICE OF NATIONAL VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL 
              EVENTS.

    (a) Reauthorization and Use of Certain Funds.--Subsection (d)(4) of 
section 322 is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(4)'';
            (2) by striking ``2013'' and inserting ``2018''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) Any amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry 
out this subsection that the Secretary determines are unnecessary to 
carry out this subsection may be used by the Secretary to carry out 
this section.''.
    (b) Cooperation With Organization.--Subsection (b)(4) of such 
section is amended by striking ``shall, to the extent feasible,'' and 
inserting ``may''.
    (c) Substitution of USOC in Responsibility for United States 
Paralympics, Inc.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(4)--
                    (A) by striking ``United States Paralympics, 
                Inc.,'' each place it appears and inserting ``United 
                States Olympic Committee''; and
                    (B) by striking ``sporting'' and inserting 
                ``paralympic''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``United States 
        Paralympics, Inc.,'' each place it appears and inserting 
        ``United States Olympic Committee''.

SEC. 803. ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF 
              THE ARMED FORCES THROUGH UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE.

    (a) Authorization of Program.--Subsection (a) of section 521A is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Adaptive Sports Program.--(1) The Secretary may plan, 
develop, manage, and implement an integrated adaptive sports program 
for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
    ``(2) The Secretary may award grants to the United States Olympic 
Committee to carry out paragraph (1).''.
    (b) Additional Application Requirements.--Subsection (c)(2) of such 
section is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(C) a statement that includes a detailed description of--
                    ``(i) the anticipated personnel, travel, and 
                administrative costs that will be paid for by the 
                United States Olympic Committee with funds provided 
                under this section;
                    ``(ii) the financial controls implemented by the 
                United States Olympic Committee, including methods to 
                track expenditures of funds provided under this 
                section;
                    ``(iii) the performance metrics to be used by the 
                United States Olympic Committee to evaluate the 
                effectiveness of the activities to be carried out with 
                the funds provided under this section; and
                    ``(iv) the anticipated personnel, travel, and 
                administrative costs that will be paid for by 
                subgrantees with funds provided under this section.''.
    (c) Funding.--Subsection (g) of such section is amended by striking 
``2013'' and inserting ``2015''.
    (d) Exception to Prohibition on Commingling of Funds.--Subsection 
(h) of such section is amended by inserting before the period at the 
end the following: ``, except that funds appropriated to carry out this 
section may be used by the Department to carry out subsections (a), 
(b), and (c) of section 322 of this title''.
    (e) Substitution of USOC in Responsibility for United States 
Paralympics, Inc.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) by striking ``United States Paralympics, Inc.,'' each 
        place it appears (other than in subsection (d)) and inserting 
        ``United States Olympic Committee''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``United States 
                        Paralympics, Inc., with the assistance'' and 
                        inserting ``United States Olympic Committee, 
                        with the assistance''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``United States 
                        Paralympics, Inc., has entered'' and inserting 
                        ``United States Olympic Committee has 
                        entered'';
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``United States 
                Paralympics, Inc.'' and inserting ``United States 
                Olympic Committee''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``United States 
                Paralympics, Inc.,'' and inserting ``United States 
                Olympic Committee''.
    (f) Comptroller General Report.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (m); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (k) the following new 
        subsection (l):
    ``(l) Comptroller General Report.--(1) Not later than two years 
after the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2013, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report on the use of grants, if any, awarded 
to the United States Olympic Committee, under this section during the 
two-year period preceding the report.
    ``(2) The report required under paragraph (1) shall contain the 
following:
            ``(A) An assessment of how the Department, the United 
        States Olympic Committee, and subgrantees of the United States 
        Olympic Committee, have provided adaptive sports opportunities 
        to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through grants 
        awarded under this section.
            ``(B) An assessment of how the Department oversees the use 
        of funds provided under this section by the United States 
        Olympic Committee and subgrantees of the United States Olympic 
        Committee.
            ``(C) A description of the benefit provided to veterans and 
        members of the Armed Forces through programs and activities 
        developed through grants awarded under this section.''.
    (g) Extension of Sunset.--Subsection (m) of such section, as 
redesignated by subsection (f) of this section, is amended by striking 
``2013'' and inserting ``2015''.
    (h) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Section heading amendment.--The heading of such section 
        is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members 
              of the Armed Forces through the United States Olympic 
              Committee''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 5 is amended by striking the item relating 
        to section 521A and inserting the following new item:

``521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of 
                            the Armed Forces through the United States 
                            Olympic Committee''.

SEC. 804. MAKING EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISION CONSISTENT WITH PROVISION FOR 
              BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY OF A VETERAN'S CHILD BASED UPON 
              TERMINATION OF REMARRIAGE BY ANNULMENT.

    Section 5110(l) is amended by striking ``, or of an award or 
increase of benefits based on recognition of a child upon termination 
of the child's marriage by death or divorce,''.

SEC. 805. EXTENDED PERIOD FOR SCHEDULING OF MEDICAL EXAMS FOR VETERANS 
              RECEIVING TEMPORARY DISABILITY RATINGS FOR SEVERE MENTAL 
              DISORDERS.

    Section 1156(a)(3) is amended by striking ``six months'' and 
inserting ``18 months''.

SEC. 806. AUTHORITY TO ISSUE VETERANS ID CARDS.

    (a) Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
        issue a card to a veteran that identifies the veteran as a 
        veteran and includes a photo of the veteran and the name of the 
        veteran.
            (2) No requirement for enrollment or receipt of benefits.--
        The Secretary may issue a card under paragraph (1) to a 
        veteran, whether or not such veteran is--
                    (A) enrolled in the system of annual patient 
                enrollment established under section 1705(a) of title 
                38, United States Code; or
                    (B) in receipt of educational assistance, 
                compensation, or pension under laws administered by the 
                Secretary.
            (3) Designation.--A card issued under paragraph (1) may be 
        known as a ``Veterans ID Card''.
    (b) Recognition of Veterans ID Cards for Reduced Pricing of 
Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Products, and Services.--The Secretary may 
work with national retail chains that offer reduced prices on 
pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and services to veterans to ensure 
that such retail chains recognize cards issued under subsection (a)(1) 
for purposes of offering reduced prices on pharmaceuticals, consumer 
products, and services.
    (c) Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``veteran'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
    (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 807. HONORING AS VETERANS CERTAIN PERSONS WHO PERFORMED SERVICE IN 
              THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    Any person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of title 10, United 
States Code, to retired pay for nonregular service or, but for age, 
would be entitled under such chapter to retired pay for nonregular 
service shall be honored as a veteran but shall not be entitled to any 
benefit by reason of this honor.

SEC. 808. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
              ISSUE AND GUARANTEE CERTAIN LOANS.

    Section 3729(b)(2) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``October 1, 
                2017'' and inserting ``May 1, 2018''; and
                    (B) in clause (iv), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' 
                and inserting ``May 1, 2018'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' 
                and inserting ``May 1, 2018''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' 
                and inserting ``May 1, 2018'';
            (3) in subparagraph (C)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' 
                and inserting ``May 1, 2018''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' 
                and inserting ``May 1, 2018''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (D)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' 
                and inserting ``May 1, 2018''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' 
                and inserting ``May 1, 2018''.

SEC. 809. REVIEW OF DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN SERVICE IN PHILIPPINES 
              DURING WORLD WAR II.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Defense and such military historians as the 
Secretary of Defense recommends, shall review the process used to 
determine whether a covered individual served in support of the Armed 
Forces of the United States during World War II in accordance with 
section 1002(d) of title X of Division A of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5; 38 U.S.C. 107 note) for 
purposes of determining whether such covered individual is eligible for 
payments described in such section.
    (b) Covered Individuals.--In this section, a covered individual is 
any individual who timely submitted a claim for benefits under 
subsection (c) of section 1002 of title X of Division A of the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5; 38 U.S.C. 107 
note) based on service as described in subsection (d) of that section.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 90 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 detailing 
any findings, actions taken, or recommendations for legislative action 
with respect to the review conducted under subsection (a).
    (d) Prohibition on Benefits for Disqualifying Conduct Under New 
Process Pursuant to Review.--If pursuant to the review conducted under 
subsection (a) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to 
establish a new process for the making of payments as described in that 
subsection, the process shall include mechanisms to ensure that 
individuals are not treated as covered individuals for purposes of such 
payments if such individuals engaged in any disqualifying conduct 
during service described in that subsection, including collaboration 
with the enemy or criminal conduct.

SEC. 810. REPORT ON LAOTIAN MILITARY SUPPORT OF ARMED FORCES OF THE 
              UNITED STATES DURING VIETNAM WAR.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the effective date 
specified in subsection (c), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and such agencies and 
individuals as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate, 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on--
            (1) the extent to which Laotian military forces provided 
        combat support to the Armed Forces of the United States between 
        February 28, 1961, and May 15, 1975;
            (2) whether the current classification by the Civilian/
        Military Service Review Board of the Department of Defense of 
        service by individuals of Hmong ethnicity is appropriate; and
            (3) any recommendations for legislative action.
    (b) Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In this section, the term 
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 811. REPORT ON ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS IN OBTAINING TRAINING ON 
              PURCHASING AND OPERATING A FRANCHISE.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the effective 
date specified in subsection (c), the Secretary of Labor shall, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator 
of the Small Business Administration, and other appropriate entities, 
submit to Congress a report on the assistance available to veterans to 
obtain training necessary to purchase and operate a franchise.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) A description of the assistance available for veterans 
        through the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, the Small Business Administration, or any other agency 
        of the Federal Government in order to obtain training necessary 
        to purchase or operate a franchise.
            (2) Information on the number of veterans who have sought 
        and obtained the training described in paragraph (1) during the 
        five calendar years preceding the report.
            (3) A description of any barriers encountered by veterans 
        in obtaining the training described in paragraph (1).
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 812. LIMITATION ON AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF BONUSES PAYABLE TO 
              PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DURING 
              FISCAL YEAR 2014.

    The aggregate amount of bonuses and awards payable to personnel of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs under chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, 
United States Code, or any other provision of such title, during fiscal 
year 2014 may not exceed $368,000,000.
            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to improve the 
        provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for 
        other purposes.''.
                                                       Calendar No. 258

113th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 944

                          [Report No. 113-123]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to require courses of education 
 provided by public institutions of higher education that are approved 
for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program 
  and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to charge veterans tuition and 
       fees at the in-State tuition rate, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            December 9, 2013

        Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title