[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6062 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6062

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in 
  the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 15, 2016

  Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on 
 Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, Energy and Commerce, 
Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, Small 
      Business, the Budget, and the Judiciary, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in 
  the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for 
                            other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting, 
Employing, and Recognizing Veterans in Communities Everywhere Act'' or 
the ``SERVICE Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                        TITLE I--ACCOUNTABILITY

                 Subtitle A--Whistleblower Protections

Sec. 101. Treatment of whistleblower complaints in Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
                         Subtitle B--Employees

Sec. 111. Removal of employees of Department of Veterans Affairs based 
                            on performance or misconduct.
Sec. 112. Suspension and removal of Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            employees for performance or misconduct 
                            that is a threat to public health or 
                            safety.
Sec. 113. Authority to recoup bonuses or awards paid to employees of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 114. Authority to recoup relocation expenses paid to or on behalf 
                            of employees of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
             Subtitle C--Supervisors and Senior Executives

Sec. 121. Reduction of benefits for members of the Senior Executive 
                            Service within the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs convicted of certain crimes.
Sec. 122. Improved authorities of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
                            improve accountability of senior 
                            executives.
                       Subtitle D--Other Matters

Sec. 131. Annual report on performance of regional offices of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
                         TITLE II--HEALTH CARE

                       Subtitle A--Access to Care

Sec. 201. Authorization of agreements between the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs and non-Department health 
                            care providers.
Sec. 202. Modification of authority to enter into agreements with State 
                            homes to provide nursing home care.
Sec. 203. Requirement for advance appropriations for the Care in the 
                            Community account of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 204. Annual transfer of amounts within Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs to pay for health care from non-
                            Department providers.
Sec. 205. Elimination of requirement to act as secondary payer for care 
                            relating to non-service-connected 
                            disabilities under Choice Program.
Sec. 206. Authorization of use of certain amounts appropriated to the 
                            Veterans Choice Fund for other non-
                            Department of Veterans Affairs care.
Sec. 207. Modification of process through which Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs records obligations for non-
                            Department care.
Sec. 208. Authority to disclose certain medical records of veterans who 
                            receive non-Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            health care.
Sec. 209. Child care assistance for veterans receiving mental health 
                            care and other intensive health care 
                            services provided by the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
                     Subtitle B--Expansion of Care

Sec. 211. In vitro fertilization for certain disabled veterans.
Sec. 212. Adoption assistance for certain disabled veterans.
Sec. 213. Expansion of eligibility for participation in and services 
                            provided under family caregiver program of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 214. Authority to transfer entitlement to Post-9/11 educational 
                            assistance to family members by seriously 
                            injured veterans in need of personal care 
                            services.
Sec. 215. Enhancement of special compensation for members of the 
                            uniformed services with injuries or 
                            illnesses requiring assistance in everyday 
                            living.
Sec. 216. Flexible work arrangements for certain Federal employees.
Sec. 217. Lifespan respite care.
Sec. 218. Interagency working group on caregiver policy.
Sec. 219. Studies on post-September 11, 2001, veterans and seriously 
                            injured veterans.
Sec. 220. Increase of maximum age for children eligible for medical 
                            care under CHAMPVA program.
Sec. 221. Expansion of reimbursement of veterans for emergency 
                            treatment and urgent care.
Sec. 222. Provision of rehabilitative equipment and human-powered 
                            vehicles to certain disabled veterans.
                    Subtitle C--Health Care Quality

Sec. 231. Establishment of Office of Health Care Quality in Veterans 
                            Health Administration.
                     Subtitle D--Medical Workforce

Sec. 241. Disregard of resident slots that include VA training against 
                            the Medicare graduate medical education 
                            limitations.
Sec. 242. Extension of period for increase in graduate medical 
                            education residency positions at medical 
                            facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 243. Recruitment of physicians in Department of Veterans Affairs.
                     Subtitle E--Mental Health Care

Sec. 251. Standard of proof for service-connection of mental health 
                            conditions related to military sexual 
                            trauma.
             Subtitle F--Opioid Therapy and Pain Management

Sec. 261. Findings; sense of Congress.
Sec. 262. Pilot program to improve treatment for veterans suffering 
                            from opioid addiction and chronic pain.
Sec. 263. Assessment of Department and non-Department capabilities to 
                            treat opioid dependency and ensure access 
                            to needed health care services.
Sec. 264. Increased access to naloxone and other treatments for 
                            reversing opioid overdose.
                       Subtitle G--Toxic Exposure

Sec. 271. Center of excellence in prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, 
                            treatment, and rehabilitation of health 
                            conditions relating to exposure to burn 
                            pits and other environmental exposures.
                          TITLE III--EDUCATION

                     Subtitle A--GI Bill Oversight

Sec. 301. Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General heightened 
                            scrutiny of programs of education.
Sec. 302. Department of Veterans Affairs disapproval of courses of 
                            education offered by institutions of higher 
                            learning accused of certain deceptive or 
                            misleading practices.
Sec. 303.  Interagency working group on programs of education employing 
                            deceptive or misleading practices.
Sec. 304. Approval of courses for purposes of educational assistance 
                            programs administered by Secretary of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 305. Program participation agreements for proprietary institutions 
                            of higher education.
Sec. 306. Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            actions on ineligibility of certain 
                            proprietary institutions of higher 
                            education for participation in programs of 
                            educational assistance.
               Subtitle B--Supports for Student Veterans

Sec. 311. Restoration of entitlement to educational assistance and 
                            other relief for veterans affected by 
                            closures of educational institutions.
Sec. 312. Work-study allowance.
Sec. 313. Costs of applying to institution of higher learning.
Sec. 314. Grant program to establish, maintain, and improve veteran 
                            student centers.
Sec. 315. Continuation of awards.
Sec. 316. Department of Veterans Affairs grants to educational 
                            institutions for provision of child care 
                            services.
Sec. 317. Pilot program to provide educational assistance to physician 
                            assistants to be employed at the Department 
                            of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 318. Establishment of standards for the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs for using educational assistance 
                            programs to educate and hire physician 
                            assistants.
Sec. 319. Establishment of pay grades for physician assistants of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs and 
                            requirement to provide competitive pay.
                        Subtitle C--Eligibility

Sec. 321. Consideration of eligibility for post-9/11 educational 
                            assistance for certain time on active duty 
                            in reserve components of armed forces.
Sec. 322. Clarification of eligibility for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John 
                            David Fry Scholarship.
Sec. 323. Consideration of eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational 
                            Assistance for certain time on active duty 
                            in reserve components of Armed Forces.
Sec. 324. Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain 
                            members of reserve components of Armed 
                            Forces who lost entitlement to educational 
                            assistance under Reserve Educational 
                            Assistance Program.
             TITLE IV--DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION

Sec. 401. Appeals reform.
Sec. 402. Treatment of medical evidence provided by non-Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs medical professionals in 
                            support of claims for disability 
                            compensation.
Sec. 403. Report on progress of Acceptable Clinical Evidence 
                            initiative.
Sec. 404. Annual report.
Sec. 405. Board of Veterans' Appeals video hearings.
Sec. 406. Expedited payment of survivor's benefits.
Sec. 407. Definition of spouse for purposes of veteran benefits to 
                            reflect new State definitions of spouse.
Sec. 408. Concurrent receipt of both retired pay and veterans' 
                            disability compensation for military 
                            retirees with compensable service-connected 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 409. Extension of certain authorities of Secretary of Veterans 
                            Affairs regarding associations between 
                            diseases and exposure to dioxin and other 
                            chemical compounds in herbicides.
                   TITLE V--HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Sec. 501. Five-year extension of homeless veterans reintegration 
                            programs.
Sec. 502. Clarification of eligibility for services under homeless 
                            veterans reintegration programs.
Sec. 503. Special assistant for Veterans Affairs in the Department of 
                            Housing and Urban Development.
Sec. 504. Annual supplemental report on veterans homelessness.
Sec. 505. Establishment of pilot grant program for homeless veterans.
Sec. 506. Expansion of definition of homeless veteran for purposes of 
                            benefits under the laws administered by the 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
                   TITLE VI--EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Sec. 601. Direct employment pilot program for members of the National 
                            Guard and Reserve and veterans of the Armed 
                            Forces.
Sec. 602. Preference for offerors employing veterans.
Sec. 603. Veterans Manufacturing Employment Program.
Sec. 604. Modification of treatment under contracting goals and 
                            preferences of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 605. Access to excess or surplus property for veteran-owned small 
                            businesses.
                   TITLE VII--CONSTRUCTION AND LEASES

Sec. 701. Congressional approval of Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            major medical facility leases.
Sec. 702. Program for the construction of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs major medical facility projects by 
                            non-Federal entities under partnership 
                            agreements.
Sec. 703. Pilot program to accept medical facilities and related 
                            property.
Sec. 704. Authority to enter into certain leases at the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus.
Sec. 705. Authorization of major medical facility lease in Oxnard, 
                            California.
                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 801. Provision of status under law by honoring certain members of 
                            the reserve components as veterans.
Sec. 802. Return of noncitizen veterans removed from the United States; 
                            status for noncitizen veterans in the 
                            United States.
Sec. 803. Review of discharge characterization.
Sec. 804. Historical review of discharges from the Armed Forces due to 
                            sexual orientation.
Sec. 805. Modification of Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military 
                            Justice.
Sec. 806. Exemption from immigrant visa limit.
Sec. 807. Certain service in the organized military forces of the 
                            Philippines and the Philippine Scouts 
                            deemed to be active service.
Sec. 808. Eligibility for interment in national cemeteries.

                        TITLE I--ACCOUNTABILITY

                 Subtitle A--Whistleblower Protections

SEC. 101. TREATMENT OF WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS IN DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:

               ``SUBCHAPTER II--WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS

``Sec. 741. Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department an 
office to be known as the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower 
Protection (in this section referred to as the `Office').
    ``(b) Head of Office.--(1) The head of the Office shall be 
responsible for the functions of the Office and shall be appointed by 
the President pursuant to section 308(a) of this title.
    ``(2) The head of the Office shall be known as the `Assistant 
Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection'.
    ``(3) The Assistant Secretary shall report directly to the 
Secretary on all matters relating to the Office.
    ``(4) Notwithstanding section 308(b) of this title, the Secretary 
may only assign to the Assistant Secretary responsibilities relating to 
the functions of the Office set forth in subsection (c).
    ``(c) Functions.--(1) The functions of the Office are as follows:
            ``(A) Advising the Secretary on all matters of the 
        Department relating to accountability, including accountability 
        of employees of the Department, retaliation against 
        whistleblowers, and such matters as the Secretary considers 
        similar and affect public trust in the Department.
            ``(B) Issuing reports and providing recommendations related 
        to the duties described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(C) Receiving whistleblower disclosures.
            ``(D) Referring whistleblower disclosures received under 
        subparagraph (C) for investigation to the Office of the Medical 
        Inspector, the Office of Inspector General, or other 
        investigative entity, as appropriate, if the Assistant 
        Secretary has reason to believe the whistleblower disclosure is 
        evidence of a violation of a provision of law, mismanagement, 
        gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and 
        specific danger to public health and safety.
            ``(E) Receiving and referring disclosures from the Special 
        Counsel for investigation to the Medical Inspector of the 
        Department, the Inspector General of the Department, or such 
        other person with investigatory authority, as the Assistant 
        Secretary considers appropriate.
            ``(F) Recording, tracking, reviewing, and confirming 
        implementation of recommendations from audits and 
        investigations carried out by the Inspector General of the 
        Department, the Medical Inspector of the Department, the 
        Special Counsel, and the Comptroller General of the United 
        States, including the imposition of disciplinary actions and 
        other corrective actions contained in such recommendations.
            ``(G) Analyzing data from the Office and the Office of 
        Inspector General telephone hotlines, other whistleblower 
        disclosures, disaggregated by facility and area of health care 
        if appropriate, and relevant audits and investigations to 
        identify trends and issue reports to the Secretary based on 
        analysis conducted under this subparagraph.
            ``(H) Receiving, reviewing, and investigating allegations 
        of misconduct, retaliation, or poor performance involving--
                    ``(i) an individual in a senior executive position 
                (as defined in section 713(d) of this title) in the 
                Department;
                    ``(ii) an individual employed in a confidential, 
                policy-making, policy-determining, or policy-advocating 
                position in the Department; or
                    ``(iii) a supervisory employee, if the allegation 
                involves retaliation against an employee for making a 
                whistleblower disclosure.
            ``(I) Making such recommendations to the Secretary for 
        disciplinary action as the Assistant Secretary considers 
        appropriate after substantiating any allegation of misconduct 
        or poor performance pursuant to an investigation carried out as 
        described in subparagraph (F) or (H).
    ``(2) In carrying out the functions of the Office, the Assistant 
Secretary shall ensure that the Office maintains a toll-free telephone 
number and Internet website to receive anonymous whistleblower 
disclosures.
    ``(3) In any case in which the Assistant Secretary receives a 
whistleblower disclosure from an employee of the Department under 
paragraph (1)(C), the Assistant Secretary may not disclose the identity 
of the employee without the consent of the employee, except in 
accordance with the provisions of section 552a of title 5, or as 
required by any other applicable provision of Federal law.
    ``(d) Staff and Resources.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
Assistant Secretary has such staff, resources, and access to 
information as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the 
Office.
    ``(e) Relation to Office of General Counsel.--The Office shall not 
be established as an element of the Office of the General Counsel and 
the Assistant Secretary may not report to the General Counsel.
    ``(f) Reports.--(1)(A) Not later than June 30 of each calendar 
year, beginning with June 30, 2017, the Assistant 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 activities of the Office during the calendar year in which the 
report is submitted.
    ``(B) Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include, 
for the period covered by the report, the following:
            ``(i) A full and substantive analysis of the activities of 
        the Office, including such statistical information as the 
        Assistant Secretary considers appropriate.
            ``(ii) Identification of any issues reported to the 
        Secretary under subsection (c)(1)(G), including such data as 
        the Assistant Secretary considers relevant to such issues and 
        any trends the Assistant Secretary may have identified with 
        respect to such issues.
            ``(iii) Identification of such concerns as the Assistant 
        Secretary may have regarding the size, staffing, and resources 
        of the Office and such recommendations as the Assistant 
        Secretary may have for legislative or administrative action to 
        address such concerns.
            ``(iv) Such recommendations as the Assistant Secretary may 
        have for legislative or administrative action to improve--
                    ``(I) the process by which concerns are reported to 
                the Office; and
                    ``(II) the protection of whistleblowers within the 
                Department.
            ``(v) Such other matters as the Assistant Secretary 
        considers appropriate regarding the functions of the Office or 
        other matters relating to the Office.
    ``(2) If the Secretary receives a recommendation for disciplinary 
action under subsection (c)(1)(I) and does not take or initiate the 
recommended disciplinary action before the date that is 60 days after 
the date on which the Secretary received the recommendation, 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 detailed justification for not taking or initiating 
such disciplinary action.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `supervisory employee' means an employee of 
        the Department who is a supervisor as defined in section 
        7103(a) of title 5.
            ``(2) The term `whistleblower' means one who makes a 
        whistleblower disclosure.
            ``(3) The term `whistleblower disclosure' means any 
        disclosure of information by an employee of the Department or 
        individual applying to become an employee of the Department 
        which the employee or individual reasonably believes 
        evidences--
                    ``(A) a violation of a provision of law; or
                    ``(B) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, 
                an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific 
                danger to public health or safety.
``Sec. 742. Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of 
              supervisors
    ``(a) Development and Use of Criteria Required.--The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Accountability and 
Whistleblower Protection, shall develop criteria that--
            ``(1) the Secretary shall use as a critical element in any 
        evaluation of the performance of a supervisory employee; and
            ``(2) promotes the protection of whistleblowers.
    ``(b) Principles for Protection of Whistleblowers.--The criteria 
required by subsection (a) shall include principles for the protection 
of whistleblowers, such as the degree to which supervisory employees 
respond constructively when employees of the Department report 
concerns, take responsible action to resolve such concerns, and foster 
an environment in which employees of the Department feel comfortable 
reporting concerns to supervisory employees or to the appropriate 
authorities.
    ``(c) Supervisory Employee and Whistleblower Defined.--In this 
section, the terms `supervisory employee' and `whistleblower' have the 
meanings given such terms in section 323 of this title.
``Sec. 743. Training regarding whistleblower disclosures
    ``(a) Training.--Not less frequently than once every two years, the 
Secretary, in coordination with the Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman 
designated under section 3(d)(1)(C) of the Inspector General Act of 
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), shall provide to each employee of the Department 
training regarding whistleblower disclosures, including--
            ``(1) an explanation of each method established by law in 
        which an employee may file a whistleblower disclosure;
            ``(2) the right of the employee to petition Congress 
        regarding a whistleblower disclosure in accordance with section 
        7211 of title 5;
            ``(3) an explanation that the employee may not be 
        prosecuted or reprised against for disclosing information to 
        Congress, the Inspector General, or another investigatory 
        agency in instances where such disclosure is permitted by law, 
        including under sections 5701, 5705, and 7732 of this title, 
        under section 552a of title 5 (commonly referred to as the 
        Privacy Act), under chapter 93 of title 18, and pursuant to 
        regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health 
        Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public 
        Law 104-191);
            ``(4) an explanation of the language that is required to be 
        included in all nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements 
        pursuant to section 115(a)(1) of the Whistleblower Protection 
        Enhancement Act of 2012 (5 U.S.C. 2302 note); and
            ``(5) the right of contractors to be protected from 
        reprisal for the disclosure of certain information under 
        section 4705 or 4712 of title 41.
    ``(b) Manner Training Is Provided.--The Secretary shall ensure, to 
the maximum extent practicable, that training provided under subsection 
(a) is provided in person.
    ``(c) Certification.--Not less frequently than once every two 
years, the Secretary shall provide training on merit system protection 
in a manner that the Special Counsel certifies as being satisfactory.
    ``(d) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish on the Internet 
website of the Department, and display prominently at each facility of 
the Department, the rights of an employee to make a whistleblower 
disclosure, including the information described in paragraphs (1) 
through (5) of subsection (a).
    ``(e) Whistleblower Disclosure Defined.--In this section, the term 
`whistleblower disclosure' has the meaning given such term in section 
323 of this title.
``Sec. 744. Congressional testimony by employees: treatment as official 
              duty
    ``(a) Congressional Testimony.--An employee of the Department is 
performing official duty during the period with respect to which the 
employee is testifying in an official capacity in front of either 
chamber of Congress, a committee of either chamber of Congress, or a 
joint or select committee of Congress.
    ``(b) Travel Expenses.--The Secretary shall provide travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, to 
any employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs performing official 
duty described under subsection (a).''.
    (b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Conforming amendment.--Such chapter is further amended 
        by inserting before section 701 the following:

              ``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL EMPLOYEE MATTERS''.

            (2) Clerical amendments.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended--
                    (A) by inserting before the item relating to 
                section 701 the following new item:

               ``subchapter i--general employee matters'';

                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new items:

                ``subchapter ii--whistleblower complaints

``741. Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection.
``742. Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of 
                            supervisors.
``743. Training regarding whistleblower disclosures.
``744. Congressional testimony by employees; treatment as official 
                            duty.''.
    (c) Report on Methods Used To Investigate Employees of Department 
of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than 540 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs for Accountability and Whistleblower 
        Protection under section 741 of title 38, United States Code, 
        as added by subsection (a), shall submit to the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on methods used to investigate 
        employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and whether 
        such methods are used to retaliate against whistleblowers.
            (2) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of the use of administrative 
                investigation boards, peer review, searches of medical 
                records, and other methods for investigating employees 
                of the Department.
                    (B) A determination of whether and to what degree 
                the methods described in paragraph (1) are being used 
                to retaliate against whistleblowers.
                    (C) Recommendations for legislative or 
                administrative action to implement safeguards to 
                prevent the retaliation described in paragraph (2).
            (3) Whistleblower defined.--In this section, the term 
        ``whistleblower'' has the meaning given such term in section 
        741 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
        (a).

                         Subtitle B--Employees

SEC. 111. REMOVAL OF EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BASED 
              ON PERFORMANCE OR MISCONDUCT.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is 
further amended by inserting after section 713 the following new 
section:
``Sec. 714. Employees: removal based on performance or misconduct
    ``(a) In General.--(1) The Secretary may remove a covered 
individual who is an employee of the Department if the Secretary 
determines that--
            ``(A) the performance or misconduct of the covered 
        individual warrants such removal; and
            ``(B) in the case of removal for performance, a portion of 
        such performance occurred during the two-year period ending on 
        the date of the determination.
    ``(2) If the Secretary removes a covered individual under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary may remove the covered individual from the civil 
service (as defined in section 2101 of title 5).
    ``(3) Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize a 
finalized performance appraisal of an employee to be retroactively 
amended.
    ``(b) Notice to Congress.--Not later than 30 days after removing a 
covered individual under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives notice in writing of such removal and the reason for 
such removal.
    ``(c) Procedure.--(1) An employee removed under subsection (a) is 
entitled, before removal, to--
            ``(A) at least 10 business days written notice (which, in 
        the case of removal for performance, shall identify specific 
        instances as described in clause (i) of section 4303(b)(1)(A) 
        of title 5 and critical elements as described in clause (ii) of 
        such section), unless there is reasonable cause to believe that 
        the employee committed a crime for which a sentence of 
        imprisonment can be imposed--
                    ``(i) stating the specific reasons for the proposed 
                action; and
                    ``(ii) including a file containing all evidence in 
                support of the proposed action;
            ``(B) 10 business days to answer the charges orally and in 
        writing and to furnish affidavits and other documentary 
        evidence in support of the answer;
            ``(C) be represented by an attorney or other 
        representative;
            ``(D) a review of the case by the Secretary before a 
        decision adverse to the employee is made final;
            ``(E) as soon as practicable, a decision of the Secretary 
        with respect to the charges of the employee; and
            ``(F) a written statement of the decision of the Secretary 
        that--
                    ``(i) includes the specific reasons of the 
                decision; and
                    ``(ii) in the case of a removal based on 
                performance, complies with section 4303(b)(1)(D) of 
                title 5.
    ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B) and subsection (e), any final 
decision of the Secretary regarding removal under subsection (a) may be 
appealed to the Merit Systems Protection Board.
    ``(B) An appeal under subparagraph (A) of a removal may only be 
made if such appeal is made not later than 10 business days after the 
date of such removal.
    ``(C)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the decision of the Secretary 
shall be sustained under subparagraph (A) only if the Secretary's 
decision--
            ``(I) in the case of an action based on performance, is 
        supported by substantial evidence; or
            ``(II) in any other case, is supported by a preponderance 
        of the evidence.
    ``(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), the Secretary's decision may not 
be sustained under subparagraph (A) if the covered individual--
            ``(I) shows harmful error in the application of the 
        Secretary's procedures in arriving at such decision;
            ``(II) shows that the decision was based on any prohibited 
        personnel practice described in section 2302(b) of title 5; or
            ``(III) shows that the decision was not in accordance with 
        law.
    ``(3) The procedures under section 7513(b) of title 5 and chapter 
43 of such title shall not apply to a removal under this section.
    ``(d) Expedited Review.--(1) The Merit Systems Protection Board 
shall promulgate such rules as the Board considers appropriate to 
expedite appeals under subsection (c)(2).
    ``(2) The Board shall ensure that a final decision on an appeal 
described in paragraph (1) is issued not later than 90 days after the 
appeal is made.
    ``(3) During the period beginning on the date on which a covered 
individual appeals a removal from the civil service under subsection 
(c)(2) and ending on the date that the Board issues a final decision on 
such appeal, such covered individual may not receive any pay, awards, 
bonuses, incentives, allowances, differentials, student loan 
repayments, special payments, or benefits.
    ``(4) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
provide to the Merit Systems Protection Board such information and 
assistance as may be necessary to ensure an appeal under subsection 
(c)(2) is expedited.
    ``(e) Relation to Title 5.--The authority provided by this section 
is in addition to the authority provided by subchapter V of chapter 75 
of title 5 and chapter 43 of such title.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `covered individual' means an individual 
        occupying a position at the Department but does not include--
                    ``(A) an individual, as that term is defined in 
                section 713(d); or
                    ``(B) a political appointee.
            ``(2) The term `misconduct' includes a violation of 
        paragraph (8) or (9) of section 2302(b) of title 5, neglect of 
        duty, malfeasance, or failure to accept a directed reassignment 
        or to accompany a position in a transfer of function.
            ``(3) The term `political appointee' means an individual 
        who is--
                    ``(A) employed in a position described under 
                sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5 (relating to the 
                Executive Schedule);
                    ``(B) a limited term appointee, limited emergency 
                appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior 
                Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), 
                (6), and (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of title 
                5; or
                    ``(C) employed in a position of a confidential or 
                policy-determining character under schedule C of 
                subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal 
                Regulations.''.
    (b) Clerical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Clerical.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
        such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
        section 713 the following new item:

``714. Employees: removal based on performance or misconduct.''.
            (2) Conforming.--
                    (A) Title 5.--Section 4303(f) of title 5, United 
                States Code, is amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``, or''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) any removal under section 714 of title 38.''.
                    (B) Title 38.--Subchapter V of chapter 74 of title 
                38, United States Code, is amended--
                            (i) in section 7461(b)(1), by striking ``If 
                        the'' and inserting ``Except as provided in 
                        section 714 of this title, if the''; and
                            (ii) in section 7462--
                                    (I) in subsection (a)(1), by 
                                striking ``Disciplinary'' and inserting 
                                ``Except as provided in section 714 of 
                                this title, the Disciplinary''; and
                                    (II) in subsection (b)(1), by 
                                striking ``In any case'' and inserting 
                                ``Except as provided in section 714 of 
                                this title, in any case''.

SEC. 112. SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              EMPLOYEES FOR PERFORMANCE OR MISCONDUCT THAT IS A THREAT 
              TO PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding after section 714 the following new section:
``Sec. 715. Employees: suspension and removal for performance or 
              misconduct that is a threat to public health or safety
    ``(a) Suspension and Removal.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), 
the Secretary may--
            ``(1) suspend without pay an employee of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs if the Secretary determines the performance or 
        misconduct of the employee is a threat to public health or 
        safety, including the health and safety of veterans; and
            ``(2) remove an employee suspended under paragraph (1) 
        when, after such investigation and review as the Secretary 
        considers necessary, the Secretary determines that removal is 
        necessary in the interests of public health or safety.
    ``(b) Procedure.--An employee suspended under subsection (a)(1) is 
entitled, after suspension and before removal, to--
            ``(1) within 30 days after suspension, a written statement 
        of the specific charges against the employee, which may be 
        amended within 30 days thereafter;
            ``(2) an opportunity within 30 days thereafter, plus an 
        additional 30 days if the charges are amended, to answer the 
        charges and submit affidavits;
            ``(3) a hearing, at the request of the employee, by a 
        Department authority duly constituted for this purpose;
            ``(4) a review of the case by the Secretary, before a 
        decision adverse to the employee is made final; and
            ``(5) written statement of the decision of the Secretary.
    ``(c) Relation to Other Disciplinary Rules.--The authority provided 
under this section shall be in addition to the authority provided under 
section 713 and title 5 with respect to disciplinary actions for 
performance or misconduct.
    ``(d) Back Pay for Whistleblowers.--If any employee of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs is subject to a suspension or removal 
under this section and such suspension or removal is determined by an 
appropriate authority under applicable law, rule, regulation, or 
collective bargaining agreement to be a prohibited personnel practice 
described under section 2302(b)(8) or (9) of title 5, such employee 
shall receive back pay equal to the total amount of basic pay that such 
employee would have received during the period that the suspension and 
removal (as the case may be) was in effect, less any amounts earned by 
the employee through other employment during that period.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section, the term `employee' means any 
individual occupying a position within the Department of Veterans 
Affairs under a permanent or indefinite appointment and who is not 
serving a probationary or trial period.''.
    (b) Clerical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Clerical.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
        such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to 
        section 714 the following new item:

``715. Employees: suspension and removal for performance or misconduct 
                            that is a threat to public health or 
                            safety.''.
            (2) Conforming.--Section 4303(f) of title 5, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (2);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (3) and inserting ``, or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) any suspension or removal under section 715 of title 
        38.''.
    (c) Report on Suspensions and Removals.--Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report on suspensions and removals of employees of the Department made 
under section 715 of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a). Such report shall include, with respect to the period 
covered by the report, the following:
            (1) The number of employees who were suspended under such 
        section.
            (2) The number of employees who were removed under such 
        section.
            (3) A description of the threats to public health or safety 
        that caused such suspensions and removals.
            (4) The number of such suspensions or removals, or proposed 
        suspensions or removals, that were of employees who filed a 
        complaint regarding--
                    (A) an alleged prohibited personnel practice 
                committed by an officer or employee of the Department 
                and described in section 2302(b)(8) or 
                2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B), (C), or (D) of title 5, United 
                States Code; or
                    (B) the safety of a patient at a medical facility 
                of the Department.
            (5) Of the number of suspensions and removals listed under 
        paragraph (4), the number that the Inspector General considers 
        to be retaliation for whistleblowing.
            (6) The number of such suspensions or removals that were of 
        an employee who was the subject of a complaint made to the 
        Department regarding the health or safety of a patient at a 
        medical facility of the Department.
            (7) Any recommendations by the Inspector General, based on 
        the information described in paragraphs (1) through (6), to 
        improve the authority to make such suspensions and removals.

SEC. 113. AUTHORITY TO RECOUP BONUSES OR AWARDS PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Such chapter is further amended by inserting after 
section 715, as added by section 111, the following new section:
``Sec. 717. Recoupment of bonuses or awards paid to employees of 
              Department
    ``(a) Recoupment.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary may issue an order directing an employee of the Department to 
repay the amount, or a portion of the amount, of any award or bonus 
paid to the employee under title 5, including under chapter 45 or 53 of 
such title, or this title if--
            ``(1) the Secretary determines--
                    ``(A) the employee has committed an act of fraud, 
                waste, or malfeasance;
                    ``(B) but for such act, the award or bonus would 
                have been paid at a lower amount or would not have 
                occurred; and
                    ``(C) such repayment is appropriate pursuant to 
                regulations prescribed under subsection (c); and
            ``(2) before such repayment, the employee is afforded 
        notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another 
        department or agency of the Federal Government.
    ``(b) Review.--(1) Upon the issuance of an order by the Secretary 
under subsection (a), the employee shall be afforded--
            ``(A) notice of the order and an opportunity to respond to 
        the order; and
            ``(B) consistent with paragraph (2), an opportunity to 
        appeal the order to another department or agency of the Federal 
        Government.
    ``(2) If a final decision on an appeal made under paragraph (1)(B) 
is not made by the applicable department or agency of the Federal 
Government within 30 days after receiving such appeal, the order of the 
Secretary under subsection (a) shall be final and not subject to 
further appeal.
    ``(c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to 
carry out this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter, as amended by section 111, is further amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 715 the following new 
item:

``717. Recoupment of bonuses or awards paid to employees of 
                            Department.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--Section 717 of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to acts of fraud, 
waste, or malfeasance occurring on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.
    (d) Construction.--Nothing in this title or the amendments made by 
this title may be construed to modify the certification issued by the 
Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget 
regarding the performance appraisal system of the Senior Executive 
Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 114. AUTHORITY TO RECOUP RELOCATION EXPENSES PAID TO OR ON BEHALF 
              OF EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Such chapter is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new section:
``Sec. 719. Recoupment of relocation expenses paid on behalf of 
              employees of Department
    ``(a) Recoupment.--(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the Secretary may direct an employee of the Department to repay the 
amount, or a portion of the amount, paid to or on behalf of the 
employee under title 5 for relocation expenses, including any expenses 
under section 5724 or 5724a of such title, or this title if--
            ``(A) the Secretary determines that--
                    ``(i) the employee has committed an act of fraud, 
                waste, or malfeasance;
                    ``(ii) but for such act, the expenses would have 
                been paid at a lower amount or would not have occurred; 
                and
                    ``(iii) such repayment is appropriate pursuant to 
                regulations prescribed under subsection (c); and
            ``(B) before such repayment is ordered, the individual is 
        afforded--
                    ``(i) notice of the determination of the Secretary 
                and an opportunity to respond to the determination; and
                    ``(ii) consistent with paragraph (2), an 
                opportunity to appeal the determination to another 
                department or agency of the Federal Government.
    ``(2) If a final decision on an appeal made under paragraph 
(1)(B)(ii) is not made by the applicable department or agency of the 
Federal Government within 30 days after receiving such appeal, the 
order of the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be final and not 
subject to further appeal.
    ``(b) Review.--A decision regarding a repayment by an employee 
pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii) is final and may not be reviewed 
by any department, agency, or court.
    ``(c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to 
carry out this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
item:

``719. Recoupment of relocation expenses paid to or on behalf of 
                            employees of Department.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--Section 719 of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to acts of fraud, 
waste, or malfeasance occurring on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.
    (d) Construction.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made 
by this section may be construed to modify the certification issued by 
the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and 
Budget regarding the performance appraisal system of the Senior 
Executive Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

             Subtitle C--Supervisors and Senior Executives

SEC. 121. REDUCTION OF BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE 
              SERVICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES.

    (a) Reduction of Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, 
        is further amended by inserting after section 719, as added by 
        section 113, the following new section:
``Sec. 721. Senior executives: reduction of benefits of individuals 
              convicted of certain crimes
    ``(a) Reduction of Annuity for Removed Employee.--(1) The Secretary 
shall order that the covered service of an individual removed from a 
senior executive position for performance or misconduct under section 
713 of this title, chapter 43 or subchapter V of chapter 75 of title 5, 
or any other provision of law shall not be taken into account for 
purposes of calculating an annuity with respect to such individual 
under chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, if--
            ``(A) such performance or misconduct included offenses 
        committed by the individual for which the individual is 
        convicted of a felony (and the conviction is final), as 
        determined by the Director of the Office of Personnel 
        Management; and
            ``(B) before such order is made, the individual is 
        afforded--
                    ``(i) notice of the order and an opportunity to 
                respond to the order; and
                    ``(ii) consistent with paragraph (2), an 
                opportunity to appeal the order to another department 
                or agency of the Federal Government.
    ``(2) If a final decision on an appeal made under paragraph 
(1)(B)(ii) is not made by the applicable department or agency of the 
Federal Government within 30 days after receiving such appeal, the 
order of the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be final and not 
subject to further appeal.
    ``(b) Reduction of Annuity for Retired Employee.--(1) The Secretary 
may order that the covered service of an individual who is subject to a 
removal or transfer action for performance or misconduct under section 
713 of this title, chapter 43 or subchapter V of chapter 75 of title 5, 
or any other provision of law but who leaves employment at the 
Department prior to the issuance of a final decision with respect to 
such action shall not be taken into account for purposes of calculating 
an annuity with respect to such individual under chapter 83 or chapter 
84 of title 5, if--
            ``(A) the individual is convicted of a felony that 
        influenced the individual's performance while employed in the 
        senior executive position; and
            ``(B) before such order is made, the individual is afforded 
        notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another 
        department or agency of the Federal Government.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall make such an order not later than seven 
days after the date of the conclusion of a hearing referred to in 
paragraph (1)(B) that determines that such order is lawful.
    ``(c) Administrative Requirements.--(1) Not later than 30 days 
after the Secretary issues an order under subsection (a) or (b), the 
Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall recalculate the 
annuity of the individual.
    ``(2) A decision regarding whether the covered service of an 
individual shall be taken into account for purposes of calculating an 
annuity under subsection (a) or (b) is final and may not be reviewed by 
any department or agency or any court.
    ``(d) Lump-Sum Annuity Credit.--Any individual with respect to whom 
an annuity is reduced under subsection (a) or (b) shall be entitled to 
be paid so much of such individual's lump-sum credit as is attributable 
to the period of covered service.
    ``(e) Spouse or Children Exception.--The Secretary, in consultation 
with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall 
prescribe regulations that may provide for the payment to the spouse or 
children of any individual referred to in subsection (a) or (b) of any 
amounts which (but for this subsection) would otherwise have been 
nonpayable by reason of such subsections. Any such regulations shall be 
consistent with the requirements of sections 8332(o)(5) and 8411(l)(5) 
of title 5, as the case may be.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `covered service' means, with respect to an 
        individual subject to a removal or transfer for performance or 
        misconduct under section 713 of this title, chapter 43 or 
        subchapter V of chapter 75 of title 5, or any other provision 
        of law, the period of service beginning on the date that the 
        Secretary determines under such applicable provision that the 
        individual engaged in activity that gave rise to such action 
        and ending on the date that the individual is removed or 
        transferred from the senior executive position or leaves 
        employment at the Department prior to the issuance of a final 
        decision with respect to such action, as the case may be.
            ``(2) The term `lump-sum credit' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 8331(8) or section 8401(19) of title 5, as the 
        case may be.
            ``(3) The term `senior executive position' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 713(g)(3) of this title.
            ``(4) The term `service' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 8331(12) or section 8401(26) of title 5, as the case 
        may be.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 719, as added by section 
        113, the following new item:

``721. Senior executives: reduction of benefits of individuals 
                            convicted of certain crimes.''.
    (b) Application.--Section 721 of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply to any action of removal or 
transfer under section 713 of title 38, United States Code, relating to 
performance or misconduct occurring on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 122. IMPROVED AUTHORITIES OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
              IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES.

    (a) Accountability of Senior Executives.--
            (1) In general.--Section 713 of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 713. Accountability of senior executives
    ``(a) Authority.--(1) The Secretary may, as provided in this 
section, reprimand or suspend, involuntarily reassign, demote, or 
remove a covered individual from a senior executive position at the 
Department if the Secretary determines that the misconduct or 
performance of the covered individual warrants such action.
    ``(2) If the Secretary so removes such an individual, the Secretary 
may remove the individual from the civil service (as defined in section 
2101 of title 5).
    ``(b) Rights and Procedures.--(1) A covered individual who is the 
subject of an action under subsection (a) is entitled to--
            ``(A) be represented by an attorney or other representative 
        of the covered individual's choice;
            ``(B) not fewer than 10 business days advance written 
        notice of the charges and evidence supporting the action and an 
        opportunity to respond, in a manner prescribed by the 
        Secretary, before a decision is made regarding the action; and
            ``(C) grieve the action in accordance with an internal 
        grievance process that the Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower 
        Protection, shall establish for purposes of this subsection.
    ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall ensure that the grievance process 
established under paragraph (1)(C) takes fewer than 21 days.
    ``(B) The Secretary shall ensure that, under the process 
established pursuant to paragraph (1)(C), grievances are reviewed only 
by employees of the Department.
    ``(3) A decision or grievance decision under paragraph (1)(C) shall 
be final and conclusive.
    ``(4) A covered individual adversely affected by a final decision 
under paragraph (1)(C) may obtain judicial review of the decision.
    ``(5) In any case in which judicial review is sought under 
paragraph (4), the court shall review the record and may set aside any 
Department action found to be--
            ``(A) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or 
        otherwise not in accordance with a provision of law;
            ``(B) obtained without procedures required by a provision 
        of law having been followed; or
            ``(C) unsupported by substantial evidence.
    ``(c) Relation to Other Provisions of Law.--(1) The authority 
provided by subsection (a) is in addition to the authority provided by 
section 3592 or subchapter V of chapter 75 of title 5.
    ``(2) Section 3592(b)(1) of title 5 and the procedures under 
section 7543(b) of such title do not apply to an action under 
subsection (a).
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `covered individual' means--
                    ``(A) a career appointee (as that term is defined 
                in section 3132(a)(4) of title 5); or
                    ``(B) any individual who occupies an administrative 
                or executive position and who was appointed under 
                section 7306(a) or section 7401(1) of this title.
            ``(2) The term `misconduct' includes neglect of duty, 
        malfeasance, or failure to accept a directed reassignment or to 
        accompany a position in a transfer of function.
            ``(3) The term `senior executive position' means--
                    ``(A) with respect to a career appointee (as that 
                term is defined in section 3132(a) of title 5), a 
                Senior Executive Service position (as such term is 
                defined in such section); and
                    ``(B) with respect to a covered individual 
                appointed under section 7306(a) or section 7401(1) of 
                this title, an administrative or executive position.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 7461(c)(1) of such title 
        is amended by inserting ``employees in senior executive 
        positions (as defined in section 713(d) of this title) and'' 
        before ``interns''.
    (b) Performance Management.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        establish a performance management system for employees in 
        senior executive positions, as defined in section 713(d) of 
        title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), 
        that ensures performance ratings and awards given to such 
        employees--
                    (A) meaningfully differentiate extraordinary from 
                satisfactory contributions; and
                    (B) substantively reflect organizational 
                achievements over which the employee has responsibility 
                and control.
            (2) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
        to carry out paragraph (1).

                       Subtitle D--Other Matters

SEC. 131. ANNUAL REPORT ON PERFORMANCE OF REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Section 7734 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by inserting before the period 
        the following: ``and on the performance of any regional office 
        that fails to meet its administrative goals'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
        paragraph (3):
            ``(3) in the case of any regional office that, for the year 
        covered by the report, did not meet the administrative goal of 
        no claim pending for more than 125 days and an accuracy rating 
        of 98 percent--
                    ``(A) a signed statement prepared by the individual 
                serving as director of the regional office as of the 
                date of the submittal of the report containing--
                            ``(i) an explanation for why the regional 
                        office did not meet the goal;
                            ``(ii) a description of the additional 
                        resources needed to enable the regional office 
                        to reach the goal; and
                            ``(iii) a description of any additional 
                        actions planned for the subsequent year that 
                        are proposed to enable the regional office to 
                        meet the goal; and
                    ``(B) a statement prepared by the Under Secretary 
                for Benefits explaining how the failure of the regional 
                office to meet the goal affected the performance 
                evaluation of the director of the regional office; 
                and''.

                         TITLE II--HEALTH CARE

                       Subtitle A--Access to Care

SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON-DEPARTMENT HEALTH CARE 
              PROVIDERS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1703A the following 
new section:
``Sec. 1703B. Veterans Care Agreements
    ``(a) Agreements To Furnish Care.--(1) If the Secretary is not 
feasibly able to furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended 
care under this chapter at facilities of the Department or under 
contracts or sharing agreements entered into under authorities other 
than this section, the Secretary may furnish such care and services by 
entering into agreements under this section with eligible providers 
that are certified under subsection (c). An agreement entered into 
under this section may be referred to as a `Veterans Care Agreement'.
    ``(2) The Secretary is not feasibly able to furnish care or 
services as described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that 
the medical condition of the veteran, the travel involved, the nature 
of the care or services required, or a combination of those factors 
make the use of facilities of the Department, contracts, or sharing 
agreements impracticable or inadvisable.
    ``(3) Eligibility of a veteran under this section for the care or 
services described in paragraph (1) shall be determined as if such care 
or services were furnished in a facility of the Department and 
provisions of this title applicable to veterans receiving such care or 
services in a facility of the Department shall apply to veterans 
receiving such care or services under this section.
    ``(b) Eligible Providers.--For purposes of this section, an 
eligible provider is one of the following:
            ``(1) A provider of services that has enrolled and entered 
        into a provider agreement under section 1866(a) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)).
            ``(2) A physician or supplier that has enrolled and entered 
        into a participation agreement under section 1842(h) of such 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)).
            ``(3) A provider of items and services receiving payment 
        under a State plan under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 
        et seq.) or a waiver of such a plan.
            ``(4) A provider that is--
                    ``(A) an Aging and Disability Resource Center, an 
                area agency on aging, or a State agency (as defined in 
                section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
                U.S.C. 3002)); or
                    ``(B) a center for independent living (as defined 
                in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
                U.S.C. 796a)).
            ``(5) Such other health care providers as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate for purposes of this section.
    ``(c) Certification of Eligible Providers.--(1) The Secretary shall 
establish a process for the certification of eligible providers under 
this section that shall, at a minimum, set forth the following:
            ``(A) Procedures for the submittal of applications for 
        certification and deadlines for actions taken by the Secretary 
        with respect to such applications.
            ``(B) Standards and procedures for approval and denial of 
        certification, duration of certification, revocation of 
        certification, and recertification.
            ``(C) Procedures for assessing eligible providers based on 
        the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse of such providers similar 
        to the level of screening under section 1866(j)(2)(B) of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)(2)(B)) and the 
        standards set forth under section 9.104 of title 48, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall deny or revoke certification to an 
eligible provider under this subsection if the Secretary determines 
that the eligible provider is currently--
            ``(A) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
        program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 1128A of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 1320a-7a); or
            ``(B) identified as an excluded source on the list 
        maintained in the System for Award Management, or any successor 
        system.
    ``(d) Terms of Agreements.--Each agreement entered into with an 
eligible provider under this section shall include provisions requiring 
the eligible provider to do the following:
            ``(1) To accept payment for care and services furnished 
        under this section at rates established by the Secretary for 
        purposes of this section, which shall be, to the extent 
        practicable, the rates paid by the United States for such care 
        and services to providers of services and suppliers under the 
        Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
            ``(2) To accept payment under paragraph (1) as payment in 
        full for care and services furnished under this section and to 
        not seek any payment for such care and services from the 
        recipient of such care and services.
            ``(3) To furnish under this section only the care and 
        services authorized by the Department under this section unless 
        the eligible provider receives prior written consent from the 
        Department to furnish care or services outside the scope of 
        such authorization.
            ``(4) To bill the Department for care and services 
        furnished under this section in accordance with a methodology 
        established by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
            ``(5) Not to seek to recover or collect from a health-plan 
        contract or third party, as those terms are defined in section 
        1729 of this title, for any care or services for which payment 
        is made by the Department under this section.
            ``(6) To provide medical records for veterans furnished 
        care or services under this section to the Department in a 
        timeframe and format specified by the Secretary for purposes of 
        this section.
            ``(7) To meet such other terms and conditions, including 
        quality of care assurance standards, as the Secretary may 
        specify for purposes of this section.
    ``(e) Termination of Agreements.--(1) An eligible provider may 
terminate an agreement with the Secretary under this section at such 
time and upon such notice to the Secretary as the Secretary may specify 
for purposes of this section.
    ``(2) The Secretary may terminate an agreement with an eligible 
provider under this section at such time and upon such notice to the 
eligible provider as the Secretary may specify for purposes of this 
section, if the Secretary--
            ``(A) determines that the eligible provider failed to 
        comply substantially with the provisions of the agreement or 
        with the provisions of this section and the regulations 
        prescribed thereunder;
            ``(B) determines that the eligible provider is--
                    ``(i) excluded from participation in a Federal 
                health care program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of 
                the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under 
                section 1128 or 1128A of the Social Security Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 1320a-7a); or
                    ``(ii) identified as an excluded source on the list 
                maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
                successor system;
            ``(C) ascertains that the eligible provider has been 
        convicted of a felony or other serious offense under Federal or 
        State law and determines that the continued participation of 
        the eligible provider would be detrimental to the best 
        interests of veterans or the Department; or
            ``(D) determines that it is reasonable to terminate the 
        agreement based on the health care needs of a veteran or 
        veterans.
    ``(f) Periodic Review of Certain Agreements.--(1) Not less 
frequently than once every two years, the Secretary shall review each 
Veterans Care Agreement of material size entered into during the two-
year period preceding the review to determine whether it is feasible 
and advisable to furnish the hospital care, medical services, or 
extended care furnished under such agreement at facilities of the 
Department or through contracts or sharing agreements entered into 
under authorities other than this section.
    ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a Veterans Care Agreement is 
of material size as determined by the Secretary for purposes of this 
section.
    ``(B) A Veterans Care Agreement entered into after September 30, 
2016, for the purchase of extended care services is of material size if 
the purchase of such services under the agreement exceeds $1,000,000 
annually. The Secretary may adjust such amount to account for changes 
in the cost of health care based upon recognized health care market 
surveys and other available data and shall publish any such adjustments 
in the Federal Register.
    ``(g) Exclusion of Certain Federal Contracting Provisions.--(1) An 
agreement under this section may be entered into without regard to any 
law that would require the Secretary to use competitive procedures in 
selecting the party with which to enter into the agreement.
    ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and unless 
otherwise provided in this section or in regulations prescribed 
pursuant to this section, an eligible provider that enters into an 
agreement under this section is not subject to, in the carrying out of 
the agreement, any law to which providers of services and suppliers 
under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) are not subject.
    ``(B) An eligible provider that enters into an agreement under this 
section is subject to--
            ``(i) all laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that 
        subject a person to civil or criminal penalties; and
            ``(ii) all laws that protect against employment 
        discrimination or that otherwise ensure equal employment 
        opportunities.
    ``(h) Monitoring of Quality of Care.--The Secretary shall establish 
a system or systems, consistent with survey and certification 
procedures used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and 
State survey agencies to the extent practicable--
            ``(1) to monitor the quality of care and services furnished 
        to veterans under this section; and
            ``(2) to assess the quality of care and services furnished 
        by an eligible provider for purposes of determining whether to 
        renew an agreement under this section with the eligible 
        provider.
    ``(i) Dispute Resolution.--(1) The Secretary shall establish 
administrative procedures for eligible providers with which the 
Secretary has entered an agreement under this section to present any 
dispute arising under or related to the agreement.
    ``(2) Before using any dispute resolution mechanism under chapter 
71 of title 41 with respect to a dispute arising under an agreement 
under this section, an eligible provider must first exhaust the 
administrative procedures established by the Secretary under paragraph 
(1).''.
    (b) Regulations.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe 
an interim final rule to carry out section 1703B of such title, as 
added by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item related 
to section 1703A the following new item:

``1703B. Veterans Care Agreements.''.

SEC. 202. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH STATE 
              HOMES TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE.

    (a) Use of Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 
        1745 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in the matter 
        preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``a contract (or 
        agreement under section 1720(c)(1) of this title)'' and 
        inserting ``an agreement''.
            (2) Payment.--Paragraph (2) of such subsection is amended 
        by striking ``contract (or agreement)'' each place it appears 
        and inserting ``agreement''.
    (b) Exclusion of Certain Federal Contracting Provisions.--Such 
subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
    ``(4)(A) An agreement under this section may be entered into 
without regard to any law that would require the Secretary to use 
competitive procedures in selecting the party with which to enter into 
the agreement.
    ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) and unless otherwise 
provided in this section or in regulations prescribed pursuant to this 
section, a State home that enters into an agreement under this section 
is not subject to, in the carrying out of the agreement, any law to 
which providers of services and suppliers under the Medicare program 
under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) 
are not subject.
    ``(ii) A State home that enters into an agreement under this 
section is subject to--
            ``(I) all laws regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that 
        subject a person to civil or criminal penalties; and
            ``(II) all laws that protect against employment 
        discrimination or that otherwise ensure equal employment 
        opportunities.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
        apply to agreements entered into under section 1745 of such 
        title on and after the date on which the regulations prescribed 
        by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement such 
        amendments take effect.
            (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the date 
        described in paragraph (1) in the Federal Register not later 
        than 30 days before such date.

SEC. 203. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CARE IN THE 
              COMMUNITY ACCOUNT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 117(c) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Veterans Health Administration, Care in the 
        Community.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1105(a)(37) of title 31, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(G) Veterans Health Administration, Care in the 
                Community.''.
    (c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply 
to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 2016.

SEC. 204. ANNUAL TRANSFER OF AMOUNTS WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE FROM NON-DEPARTMENT 
              PROVIDERS.

    Section 106 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act 
of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Annual Transfer of Amounts.--
            ``(1) In general.--At the beginning of each fiscal year, 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transfer to the Chief 
        Business Office of the Veterans Health Administration an amount 
        equal to the amount estimated to be required to furnish 
        hospital care, medical services, and other health care through 
        non-Department of Veterans Affairs providers during that fiscal 
        year.
            ``(2) Adjustments.--During a fiscal year, the Secretary may 
        make adjustments to the amount transferred under paragraph (1) 
        for that fiscal year to accommodate any variances in demand for 
        hospital care, medical services, or other health care through 
        non-Department providers.''.

SEC. 205. ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT TO ACT AS SECONDARY PAYER FOR CARE 
              RELATING TO NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES UNDER 
              CHOICE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 101(e) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3);
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
        paragraph (2):
            ``(2) Responsibility for costs of certain care.--In any 
        case in which an eligible veteran is furnished hospital care or 
        medical services under this section for a non-service-connected 
        disability described in subsection (a)(2) of section 1729 of 
        title 38, United States Code, the Secretary may recover or 
        collect reasonable charges for such care or services from a 
        health-care plan described in paragraph (3) in accordance with 
        such section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (1) of such section is amended 
by striking ``paragraph (4)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)''.

SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED TO THE 
              VETERANS CHOICE FUND FOR OTHER NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS CARE.

    (a) In General.--Section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``Except as provided by 
                        paragraph (3), any'' and inserting ``Any''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``by the Secretary of 
                        Veterans Affairs'' and all that follows through 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``by the 
                        Secretary of Veterans Affairs--
                    ``(A) to carry out section 101, including, subject 
                to paragraph (2), any administrative requirements of 
                such section;
                    ``(B) to furnish health care to individuals under 
                chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, at non-
                Department facilities, including pursuant to authority 
                other than the authority under section 101; and
                    ``(C) to furnish disability examinations conducted 
                by health care providers that are not health care 
                providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following new paragraphs:
            ``(3) Treatment of amounts.--Amounts made available to the 
        Secretary under this subsection shall be used to supplement, 
        not supplant, amounts made available to the Secretary in the 
        Medical Services account of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            ``(4) Non-department facilities defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term `non-Department facilities' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 1701 of title 38, United 
        States Code.''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``only for the 
        program'' and all that follows through the period at the end 
        and inserting ``only for the purposes specified in subsection 
        (c)(1).''.
    (b) Emergency Designations.--
            (1) In general.--This section is designated as an emergency 
        requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-
        You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)).
            (2) Designation in senate.--In the Senate, this section is 
        designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
        403(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent 
        resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010.

SEC. 207. MODIFICATION OF PROCESS THROUGH WHICH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS RECORDS OBLIGATIONS FOR NON-DEPARTMENT CARE.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1730B. Recording obligations for care at non-Department 
              facilities
    ``The Secretary may record as an obligation of the United States 
Government amounts owed for hospital care or medical services furnished 
under this chapter at non-Department facilities on the date on which a 
claim by a health care provider for payment is approved rather than on 
the date that the hospital care or medical services are authorized by 
the Secretary.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1730A the following new item:

``1730B. Recording obligations for care at non-Department 
                            facilities.''.

SEC. 208. AUTHORITY TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN MEDICAL RECORDS OF VETERANS WHO 
              RECEIVE NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE.

    Section 7332(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(H) To a non-Department entity (including private 
        entities and other departments or agencies of the Federal 
        Government) that provides hospital care or medical treatment to 
        veterans.''.

SEC. 209. CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH 
              CARE AND OTHER INTENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY 
              THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:
``Sec. 1730C. Child care assistance for veterans receiving mental 
              health care and other intensive health care services
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide child care 
assistance to an eligible veteran for any period that the veteran--
            ``(1) receives covered health care services at a facility 
        of the Department; and
            ``(2) is required travel to and return from such facility 
        for the receipt of such health care services.
    ``(b) Child Care Assistance.--(1) Child care assistance provided 
under this section may include any of the following:
            ``(A) A stipend for the payment of child care offered by a 
        licensed child care center (either directly or through a 
        voucher program) which shall be, to the extent practicable, 
        modeled after the Department of Veterans Affairs Child Care 
        Subsidy Program established pursuant to section 590 of title 
        40.
            ``(B) Direct provision of child care at an on-site facility 
        of the Department.
            ``(C) A payment made directly to a private child care 
        agency.
            ``(D) A collaboration with a facility or program of another 
        Federal department or agency.
            ``(E) Such other form of assistance as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate.
    ``(2) In the case that child care assistance under this section is 
provided as a stipend under paragraph (1)(A), such stipend shall cover 
the full cost of such child care.
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `eligible veteran' means a veteran who--
                    ``(A) is the primary caretaker of a child or 
                children; and
                    ``(B) is--
                            ``(i) receiving covered health care 
                        services from the Department; or
                            ``(ii) in need of covered health care 
                        services, and but for lack of child care 
                        services, would receive such covered health 
                        care services from the Department.
            ``(2) The term `covered health care services' means--
                    ``(A) regular mental health care services;
                    ``(B) intensive mental health care services; or
                    ``(C) such other intensive health care services 
                that the Secretary determines that provision of 
                assistance to the veteran to obtain child care would 
                improve access to such health care services by the 
                veteran.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1730B, as added by section 207, the following new item:

``1730C. Child care for veterans receiving mental health care and other 
                            intensive health care services.''.

                     Subtitle B--Expansion of Care

SEC. 211. IN VITRO FERTILIZATION FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1720H. In vitro fertilization for certain disabled veterans
    ``(a) In General.--In addition to any fertility treatment otherwise 
furnished by the Secretary under this title, if the Secretary 
determines that in vitro fertilization is medically necessary, the 
Secretary shall furnish in vitro fertilization to the covered 
individual upon the joint request of the covered individual and the 
spouse of the covered individual.
    ``(b) Limitation on Cycles and Attempts.--In furnishing in vitro 
fertilization to a covered individual under this section, the Secretary 
may provide not more than three in vitro fertilization cycles that 
result in a total of not more than six implantation attempts.
    ``(c) Storage and Disposition of Gametes, Zygotes, and Embryos.--
(1) In carrying out this section, the Secretary may provide for 
cryogenic storage of the gametes, zygotes, and embryos of a covered 
individual only for a period not to exceed three years.
    ``(2) During the period of cryogenic storage of the gametes, 
zygotes, or embryos of a covered individual under paragraph (1)--
            ``(A) any determination regarding the disposition of the 
        gametes, zygotes, or embryos shall be made by the covered 
        individual in accordance with the laws of the State in which 
        the gametes, zygotes, or embryos are located; and
            ``(B) the Secretary shall ensure that any activities 
        relating to the custody or disposition of the gametes, zygotes, 
        or embryos are carried out in accordance with the laws of the 
        State in which the gametes, zygotes, or embryos are located.
    ``(3) After the period of cryogenic storage of the gametes, 
zygotes, or embryos of a covered individual under paragraph (1), the 
covered individual--
            ``(A) shall be solely responsible for--
                    ``(i) the custody of the gametes, zygotes, or 
                embryos; and
                    ``(ii) the payment of any costs relating to the 
                cryogenic storage of the gametes, zygotes, or embryos; 
                and
            ``(B) shall, with respect to any action or inaction by the 
        covered individual relating to custody under subparagraph 
        (A)(i) or costs under subparagraph (A)(ii), be subject to the 
        laws of the State in which the gametes, zygotes, or embryos are 
        located.
    ``(4) The Secretary may not possess or store the gametes, zygotes, 
or embryos of a covered individual at a facility of the Department.
    ``(d) Prohibitions.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
may not--
            ``(1) provide any benefits or services relating to 
        surrogacy;
            ``(2) furnish in vitro fertilization that includes 
        mitochondrial donation;
            ``(3) assist with obtaining a donation of gametes, zygotes, 
        or embryos from a third party; or
            ``(4) use gametes, zygotes, or embryos for research or 
        cloning.
    ``(e) Acknowledgment of Requirements.--The Secretary may not 
furnish in vitro fertilization to a covered individual under this 
section unless the covered individual acknowledges, in writing--
            ``(1) the limitation described in subsection (b); and
            ``(2) the period of cryogenic storage of gametes, zygotes, 
        and embryos described in subsection (c)(1) and the 
        responsibilities of the covered individual under subsection 
        (c)(3) after such period.
    ``(f) Annual Report.--(1) Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of the Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 
2015, and not less frequently than annually 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 in vitro fertilization furnished to covered individuals under 
this section.
    ``(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the 
following:
            ``(A) With respect to the year preceding the submittal of 
        the report, the following:
                    ``(i) The number of covered individuals who sought 
                in vitro fertilization under this section.
                    ``(ii) An identification, in aggregate form and 
                excluding individually identifying information, of the 
                service-connected conditions described in subsection 
                (g)(1)(A)(ii) of such covered individuals.
                    ``(iii) The cost of furnishing in vitro 
                fertilization under this section and a comparison of 
                such cost to the cost to a covered individual of 
                obtaining in vitro fertilization through the private 
                sector without assistance from the Department.
                    ``(iv) The number of successful implantations or 
                births that occurred through the use of in vitro 
                fertilization furnished under this section.
                    ``(v) The number of individuals that the Secretary 
                determined were ineligible for in vitro fertilization 
                furnished under this section, including the reasons for 
                such ineligibility.
            ``(B) The total number, in aggregate form and excluding 
        individually identifying information, of in vitro fertilization 
        cycles and implantation attempts furnished to covered 
        individuals under this section and the total number of such 
        cycles and attempts that such covered individuals have 
        remaining.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `covered individual' means--
                    ``(A) a veteran, regardless of sex, who--
                            ``(i) is enrolled in the system of annual 
                        patient enrollment established and operated by 
                        the Secretary under section 1705(a) of this 
                        title; and
                            ``(ii) has a service-connected condition 
                        and such condition results in the veteran being 
                        unable to procreate without the use of in vitro 
                        fertilization; and
                    ``(B) a spouse of a veteran described in 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) The term `service-connected condition' means a 
        condition that was incurred or aggravated in line of duty in 
        the active military, naval, or air service.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1720G the following new item:

``1720H. In vitro fertilization for certain disabled veterans.''.

SEC. 212. ADOPTION ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:
``Sec. 1720I. Adoption assistance for certain disabled veterans
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may pay an amount, not to exceed 
the limitation amount, to assist a covered veteran and the spouse of 
the covered veteran, if any, in the adoption of one or more children.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `covered veteran' means a veteran, 
        regardless of sex, who--
                    ``(A) is enrolled in the system of annual patient 
                enrollment established and operated by the Secretary 
                under section 1705(a) of this title; and
                    ``(B) has a service-connected condition and such 
                condition results in the veteran being unable to 
                procreate without the use of in vitro fertilization.
            ``(2) The term `limitation amount' means the amount equal 
        to the cost the Department would incur by paying the expenses 
        of three adoptions by covered veterans, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(3) The term `service-connected condition' means a 
        condition that was incurred or aggravated in line of duty in 
        the active military, naval, or air service.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is further amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1720H the following new item:

``1720I. Adoption assistance for certain disabled veterans.''.

SEC. 213. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN AND SERVICES 
              PROVIDED UNDER FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Family Caregiver Program.--
            (1) Expansion of eligibility.--Subsection (a)(2)(B) of 
        section 1720G of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
        striking ``on or after September 11, 2001''.
            (2) Clarification of eligibility for illness.--Such 
        subsection is further amended by inserting ``or illness'' after 
        ``serious injury''.
            (3) Expansion of needed services in eligibility criteria.--
        Subsection (a)(2)(C) of such section is amended--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``; or'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); 
                and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following 
                new clause (iii):
                    ``(iii) a need for regular or extensive instruction 
                or supervision without which the ability of the veteran 
                to function in daily life would be seriously impaired; 
                or''.
            (4) Expansion of services provided.--Subsection 
        (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended--
                    (A) in subclause (IV), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in subclause (V), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subclauses:
                    ``(VI) child care services or a monthly stipend for 
                such services if such services are not readily 
                available from the Department;
                    ``(VII) financial planning services relating to the 
                needs of injured and ill veterans and their caregivers; 
                and
                    ``(VIII) legal services, including legal advice and 
                consultation, relating to the needs of injured and ill 
                veterans and their caregivers.''.
            (5) Expansion of respite care provided.--Subsection 
        (a)(3)(B) of such section is amended by striking ``shall be'' 
        and all that follows through the period at the end and 
        inserting ``shall--
            ``(i) be medically and age-appropriate;
            ``(ii) include in-home care; and
            ``(iii) include peer-oriented group activities.''.
            (6) Modification of stipend calculation.--Subsection 
        (a)(3)(C) of such section is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); 
                and
                    (B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following 
                new clause (iii):
    ``(iii) In determining the amount and degree of personal care 
services provided under clause (i) with respect to an eligible veteran 
whose need for personal care services is based in whole or in part on a 
need for supervision or protection under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or 
regular instruction or supervision under paragraph (2)(C)(iii), the 
Secretary shall take into account the following:
            ``(I) The assessment by the family caregiver of the needs 
        and limitations of the veteran.
            ``(II) The extent to which the veteran can function safely 
        and independently in the absence of such supervision, 
        protection, or instruction.
            ``(III) The amount of time required for the family 
        caregiver to provide such supervision, protection, or 
        instruction to the veteran.''.
            (7) Periodic evaluation of need for certain services.--
        Subsection (a)(3) of such section is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(D) In providing instruction, preparation, and training under 
subparagraph (A)(i)(I) and technical support under subparagraph 
(A)(i)(II) to each family caregiver who is approved as a provider of 
personal care services for an eligible veteran under paragraph (6), the 
Secretary shall periodically evaluate the needs of the eligible veteran 
and the skills of the family caregiver of such veteran to determine if 
additional instruction, preparation, training, or technical support 
under those subparagraphs is necessary.''.
            (8) Use of primary care teams.--Subsection (a)(5) of such 
        section is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
        by inserting ``(in collaboration with the primary care team for 
        the eligible veteran to the maximum extent practicable)'' after 
        ``evaluate''.
            (9) Eligibility of and assistance for family caregivers.--
        Subsection (a) of such section is amended by adding at the end 
        the following new paragraphs:
    ``(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, a 
family caregiver of an eligible veteran who is eligible under paragraph 
(2) solely because of a serious injury or illness (including traumatic 
brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred 
or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air 
service before September 11, 2001, is eligible for assistance under 
this subsection as follows:
            ``(A) Not earlier than October 1, 2016, if the family 
        caregiver would merit a monthly personal caregiver stipend 
        under paragraph (3)(A)(ii)(V) in an amount that is in the 
        highest tier specified in the schedule established by the 
        Secretary under paragraph (3)(C)(i).
            ``(B) Not earlier than October 1, 2018, if the family 
        caregiver would merit such a stipend in an amount that is in 
        the middle tier specified in such schedule.
            ``(C) Not earlier than October 1, 2020, if the family 
        caregiver would merit such a stipend in an amount that is in 
        the lowest tier specified in such schedule.
    ``(12)(A) In providing assistance under this subsection to family 
caregivers of eligible veterans, the Secretary may enter into 
contracts, provider agreements, and memoranda of understanding with 
Federal agencies, States, and private, nonprofit, and other entities to 
provide such assistance to such family caregivers.
    ``(B) The Secretary may provide assistance under this paragraph 
only if such assistance is reasonably accessible to the family 
caregiver and is substantially equivalent or better in quality to 
similar services provided by the Department.
    ``(C) The Secretary may provide fair compensation to Federal 
agencies, States, and other entities that provide assistance under this 
paragraph.
    ``(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall work with 
the interagency working group on policies relating to caregivers of 
veterans and members of the Armed Forces established under section 7 of 
the Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015.''.
    (b) Termination of General Caregiver Support Program.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended 
        by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(6) The authority of the Secretary to provide support services 
for caregivers of covered veterans under this subsection shall 
terminate on October 1, 2020.''.
            (2) Continuation of certain assistance.--The Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any activities carried out 
        under subsection (b) of such section on September 30, 2020, are 
        continued under subsection (a) of such section on and after 
        October 1, 2020.
    (c) Modification of Definition of Family Member.--Subparagraph (B) 
of subsection (d)(3) of such section is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) is not a member of the family of the veteran 
                and does not provide care to the veteran on a 
                professional basis.''.
    (d) Modification of Definition of Personal Care Services.--
Subsection (d)(4) of such section is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``independent'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
        and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
        subparagraphs:
                    ``(B) Supervision or protection based on symptoms 
                or residuals of neurological or other impairment or 
                injury.
                    ``(C) Regular or extensive instruction or 
                supervision without which the ability of the veteran to 
                function in daily life would be seriously impaired.''.
    (e) Annual Evaluation Report.--Paragraph (2) of section 101(c) of 
the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public 
Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 1720G note) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Contents.--Each report required by paragraph (1) 
        after the date of the enactment of the Military and Veteran 
        Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015 shall include the 
        following with respect to the program of comprehensive 
        assistance for family caregivers required by subsection (a)(1) 
        of such section 1720G:
                    ``(A) The number of family caregivers that received 
                assistance under such program.
                    ``(B) The cost to the Department of providing 
                assistance under such program.
                    ``(C) A description of the outcomes achieved by, 
                and any measurable benefits of, carrying out such 
                program.
                    ``(D) An assessment of the effectiveness and the 
                efficiency of the implementation of such program, 
                including a description of any barriers to accessing 
                and receiving care and services under such program.
                    ``(E) A description of the outreach activities 
                carried out by the Secretary under such program.
                    ``(F) An assessment of the manner in which 
                resources are expended by the Secretary under such 
                program, particularly with respect to the provision of 
                monthly personal caregiver stipends under subsection 
                (a)(3)(A)(ii)(V) of such section 1720G.
                    ``(G) An evaluation of the sufficiency and 
                consistency of the training provided to family 
                caregivers under such program in preparing family 
                caregivers to provide care to veterans under such 
                program.
                    ``(H) Such recommendations, including 
                recommendations for legislative or administrative 
                action, as the Secretary considers appropriate in light 
                of carrying out such program.''.

SEC. 214. AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT TO POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE TO FAMILY MEMBERS BY SERIOUSLY INJURED 
              VETERANS IN NEED OF PERSONAL CARE SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 33 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3319A. Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family 
              members by seriously injured veterans
    ``(a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this section, the 
Secretary may permit an individual described in subsection (b) who is 
entitled to educational assistance under this chapter to elect to 
transfer to one or more of the dependents specified in subsection (c) a 
portion of such individual's entitlement to such assistance, subject to 
the limitation under subsection (d).
    ``(b) Eligible Individuals.--An individual referred to in 
subsection (a) is any individual who is described in paragraph (2) of 
section 1720G(a) of this title and who is participating in the program 
established under paragraph (1) of such section.
    ``(c) Eligible Dependents.--An individual approved to transfer an 
entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer 
the individual's entitlement as follows:
            ``(1) To the individual's spouse.
            ``(2) To one or more of the individual's children.
            ``(3) To a combination of the individuals referred to in 
        paragraphs (1) and (2).
    ``(d) Limitation on Months of Transfer.--(1) The total number of 
months of entitlement transferred by an individual under this section 
may not exceed 36 months.
    ``(2) The Secretary may prescribe regulations that would limit the 
months of entitlement that may be transferred under this section to no 
less than 18 months.
    ``(e) Designation of Transferee.--An individual transferring an 
entitlement to educational assistance under this section shall--
            ``(1) designate the dependent or dependents to whom such 
        entitlement is being transferred;
            ``(2) designate the number of months of such entitlement to 
        be transferred to each such dependent; and
            ``(3) specify the period for which the transfer shall be 
        effective for each dependent designated under paragraph (1).
    ``(f) Time for Transfer; Revocation and Modification.--(1) Transfer 
of entitlement to educational assistance under this section shall be 
subject to the time limitation for use of entitlement under section 
3321 of this title.
    ``(2)(A) An individual transferring entitlement under this section 
may modify or revoke at any time the transfer of any unused portion of 
the entitlement so transferred.
    ``(B) The modification or revocation of the transfer of entitlement 
under this paragraph shall be made by the submittal of written notice 
of the action to the Secretary.
    ``(3) Entitlement transferred under this section may not be treated 
as marital property, or the asset of a marital estate, subject to 
division in a divorce or other civil proceeding.
    ``(g) Commencement of Use.--A dependent child to whom entitlement 
to educational assistance is transferred under this section may not 
commence the use of the transferred entitlement until either--
            ``(1) the completion by the child of the requirements of a 
        secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate); or
            ``(2) the attainment by the child of 18 years of age.
    ``(h) Additional Administrative Matters.--(1) The use of any 
entitlement to educational assistance transferred under this section 
shall be charged against the entitlement of the individual making the 
transfer at the rate of one month for each month of transferred 
entitlement that is used.
    ``(2) Except as provided under subsection (e)(2) and subject to 
paragraphs (5) and (6), a dependent to whom entitlement is transferred 
under this section is entitled to educational assistance under this 
chapter in the same manner as the individual from whom the entitlement 
was transferred.
    ``(3) The monthly rate of educational assistance payable to a 
dependent to whom entitlement referred to in paragraph (2) is 
transferred under this section shall be payable at the same rate as 
such entitlement would otherwise be payable under this chapter to the 
individual making the transfer.
    ``(4) The death of an individual transferring an entitlement under 
this section shall not affect the use of the entitlement by the 
dependent to whom the entitlement is transferred.
    ``(5)(A) A child to whom entitlement is transferred under this 
section may use the benefits transferred without regard to the 15-year 
delimiting date specified in section 3321 of this title, but may not, 
except as provided in subparagraph (B), use any benefits so transferred 
after attaining the age of 26 years.
    ``(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), in the case of a child who, before 
attaining the age of 26 years, is prevented from pursuing a chosen 
program of education by reason of acting as the primary provider of 
personal care services for a veteran or member of the Armed Forces 
under section 1720G(a) of this title, the child may use the benefits 
beginning on the date specified in clause (iii) for a period whose 
length is specified in clause (iv).
    ``(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to the period of an 
individual as a primary provider of personal care services if the 
period concludes with the revocation of the individual's designation as 
such a primary provider under section 1720G(a)(7)(D) of this title.
    ``(iii) The date specified in this clause for the beginning of the 
use of benefits by a child under clause (i) is the later of--
            ``(I) the date on which the child ceases acting as the 
        primary provider of personal care services for the veteran or 
        member concerned as described in clause (i);
            ``(II) the date on which it is reasonably feasible, as 
        determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, for 
        the child to initiate or resume the use of benefits; or
            ``(III) the date on which the child attains the age of 26 
        years.
    ``(iv) The length of the period specified in this clause for the 
use of benefits by a child under clause (i) is the length equal to the 
length of the period that--
            ``(I) begins on the date on which the child begins acting 
        as the primary provider of personal care services for the 
        veteran or member concerned as described in clause (i); and
            ``(II) ends on the later of--
                    ``(aa) the date on which the child ceases acting as 
                the primary provider of personal care services for the 
                veteran or member as described in clause (i); or
                    ``(bb) the date on which it is reasonably feasible, 
                as so determined, for the child to initiate or resume 
                the use of benefits.
    ``(6) The purposes for which a dependent to whom entitlement is 
transferred under this section may use such entitlement shall include 
the pursuit and completion of the requirements of a secondary school 
diploma (or equivalency certificate).
    ``(7) The administrative provisions of this chapter shall apply to 
the use of entitlement transferred under this section, except that the 
dependent to whom the entitlement is transferred shall be treated as 
the eligible individual for purposes of such provisions.
    ``(i) Overpayment.--In the event of an overpayment of educational 
assistance with respect to a dependent to whom entitlement is 
transferred under this section, the dependent and the individual making 
the transfer shall be jointly and severally liable to the United States 
for the amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 of this 
title.
    ``(j) Regulations.--(1) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
to carry out this section.
    ``(2) Such regulations shall specify--
            ``(A) the manner of authorizing the transfer of 
        entitlements under this section;
            ``(B) the eligibility criteria in accordance with 
        subsection (b); and
            ``(C) the manner and effect of an election to modify or 
        revoke a transfer of entitlement under subsection (f)(2).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Transfers by members of armed forces.--The heading of 
        section 3319 of such title is amended by inserting ``by members 
        of the Armed Forces'' after ``family members''.
            (2) Bar to duplication of educational assistance 
        benefits.--Section 3322(e) of such title is amended by 
        inserting ``or 3319A'' after ``and 3319''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 33 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 3319 and inserting the following new items:

``3319. Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family 
                            members by members of the Armed Forces.
``3319A. Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family 
                            members by seriously injured veterans.''.

SEC. 215. ENHANCEMENT OF SPECIAL COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE 
              UNIFORMED SERVICES WITH INJURIES OR ILLNESSES REQUIRING 
              ASSISTANCE IN EVERYDAY LIVING.

    (a) Expansion of Covered Members.--Subsection (b) of section 439 of 
title 37, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (1) through (3) and inserting 
        the following new paragraphs:
            ``(1) has a serious injury or illness that was incurred or 
        aggravated in the line of duty;
            ``(2) is in need of personal care services (including 
        supervision or protection or regular instruction or 
        supervision) as a result of such injury or illness; and''; and
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3).
    (b) Nontaxability of Special Compensation.--Such section is further 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h) as 
        subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
        subsection (e):
    ``(e) Nontaxability of Compensation.--Monthly special compensation 
paid under subsection (a) shall not be included in income for purposes 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
    (c) Provision of Assistance to Family Caregivers.--Such section is 
further amended by inserting after subsection (e), as amended by 
subsection (b) of this section, the following new subsection (f):
    ``(f) Assistance for Family Caregivers.--(1) The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall provide family caregivers of a member in receipt 
of monthly special compensation under subsection (a) the assistance 
required to be provided to family caregivers of eligible veterans under 
section 1720G(a)(3)(A) of title 38 (other than the monthly personal 
caregiver stipend provided for in clause (ii)(V) of such section). For 
purposes of the provision of such assistance under this subsection, the 
definitions in section 1720G(d) of title 38 shall apply, except that 
any reference in such definitions to a veteran or eligible veteran 
shall be deemed to be a reference to the member concerned.
    ``(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide assistance 
under this subsection--
            ``(A) in accordance with a memorandum of understanding 
        entered into by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
        Secretary of Defense; and
            ``(B) in accordance with a memorandum of understanding 
        entered into by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security (with respect to members of the 
        Coast Guard).''.
    (d) Expansion of Covered Injuries and Illnesses.--Subsection (i) of 
such section, as redesignated by subsection (b)(1) of this section, is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(i) Serious Injury or Illness Defined.--In this section, the term 
`serious injury or illness' means an injury, disorder, or illness 
(including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other 
mental disorder) that--
            ``(1) renders the afflicted person unable to carry out one 
        or more activities of daily living;
            ``(2) renders the afflicted person in need of supervision 
        or protection due to the manifestation by such person of 
        symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or 
        injury;
            ``(3) renders the afflicted person in need of regular or 
        extensive instruction or supervision in completing two or more 
        instrumental activities of daily living; or
            ``(4) otherwise impairs the afflicted person in such manner 
        as the Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security, with respect to the Coast Guard) prescribes for 
        purposes of this section.''.
    (e) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Heading amendment.--The heading for such section is 
        amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 439. Special compensation: members of the uniformed services 
              with serious injuries or illnesses requiring assistance 
              in everyday living''.
            (2) Table of sections amendment.--The table of sections at 
        the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by striking 
        the item relating to section 439 and inserting the following 
        new item:

``439. Special compensation: members of the uniformed services with 
                            serious injuries or illnesses requiring 
                            assistance in everyday living.''.

SEC. 216. FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS FOR CERTAIN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

    (a) Definition of Covered Employee.--In this section, the term 
``covered employee'' means an employee (as defined in section 2105 of 
title 5, United States Code) who--
            (1) is a caregiver, as defined in section 1720G of title 
        38, United States Code; or
            (2) is a caregiver of an individual who receives 
        compensation under section 439 of title 37, United States Code.
    (b) Authority To Allow Flexible Work Arrangements.--The Director of 
the Office of Personnel Management may promulgate regulations under 
which a covered employee may--
            (1) use a flexible schedule or compressed schedule in 
        accordance with subchapter II of chapter 61 of title 5, United 
        States Code; or
            (2) telework in accordance with chapter 65 of title 5, 
        United States Code.

SEC. 217. LIFESPAN RESPITE CARE.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 2901 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300ii) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
                as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and 
                realigning the margins accordingly;
                    (B) by striking ``who requires care or supervision 
                to--'' and inserting ``who--
                    ``(A) requires care or supervision to--'';
                    (C) by striking the period and inserting ``; or''; 
                and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) is a veteran participating in the program of 
                comprehensive assistance for family caregivers under 
                section 1720G(a) of title 38, United States Code.''; 
                and
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``or another unpaid 
        adult,'' and inserting ``another unpaid adult, or a family 
        caregiver as defined in section 1720G of title 38, United 
        States Code, who receives compensation under such section,''.
    (b) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--Section 2902(c) of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ii-1(c)) is amended by 
inserting ``and the interagency working group on policies relating to 
caregivers of veterans established under section 7 of the Military and 
Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015'' after ``Human 
Services''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2905 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ii-4) is amended by striking ``There 
are'' and all that follows through ``2011.'' and inserting ``There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $15,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.''.

SEC. 218. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON CAREGIVER POLICY.

    (a) Establishment.--There shall be established in the executive 
branch an interagency working group on policies relating to caregivers 
of veterans and members of the Armed Forces (in this section referred 
to as the ``working group'').
    (b) Composition.--
            (1) In general.--The working group shall be composed of the 
        following:
                    (A) A chair selected by the President.
                    (B) A representative from each of the following 
                agencies or organizations selected by the head of such 
                agency or organization:
                            (i) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
                            (ii) The Department of Defense.
                            (iii) The Department of Health and Human 
                        Services.
                            (iv) The Department of Labor.
                            (v) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
                        Services.
            (2) Advisors.--The chair may select any of the following 
        individuals that the chair considers appropriate to advise the 
        working group in carrying out the duties of the working group:
                    (A) Academic experts in fields relating to 
                caregivers.
                    (B) Clinicians.
                    (C) Caregivers.
                    (D) Individuals in receipt of caregiver services.
    (c) Duties.--The duties of the working group are as follows:
            (1) To regularly review policies relating to caregivers of 
        veterans and members of the Armed Forces.
            (2) To coordinate and oversee the implementation of 
        policies relating to caregivers of veterans and members of the 
        Armed Forces.
            (3) To evaluate the effectiveness of policies relating to 
        caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces, 
        including programs in each relevant agency, by developing and 
        applying specific goals and performance measures.
            (4) To develop standards of care for caregiver services and 
        respite care services provided to a caregiver, veteran, or 
        member of the Armed Forces by a nonprofit or private sector 
        entity.
            (5) To ensure the availability of mechanisms for agencies, 
        and entities affiliated with or providing services on behalf of 
        agencies, to enforce the standards described in paragraph (4) 
        and conduct oversight on the implementation of such standards.
            (6) To develop recommendations for legislative or 
        administrative action to enhance the provision of services to 
        caregivers, veterans, and members of the Armed Forces, 
        including eliminating gaps in such services and eliminating 
        disparities in eligibility for such services.
            (7) To coordinate with State and local agencies and 
        relevant nonprofit organizations on maximizing the use and 
        effectiveness of resources for caregivers of veterans and 
        members of the Armed Forces.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2015, and 
        annually thereafter, the chair of the working group shall 
        submit to Congress a report on policies and services relating 
        to caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces.
            (2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of the policies relating to 
                caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces 
                and services provided pursuant to such policies as of 
                the date of submittal of the report.
                    (B) A description of any steps taken by the working 
                group to improve the coordination of services for 
                caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces 
                among the entities specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) 
                and eliminate barriers to effective use of such 
                services, including aligning eligibility criteria.
                    (C) An evaluation of the performance of the 
                entities specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) in providing 
                services for caregivers of veterans and members of the 
                Armed Forces.
                    (D) An evaluation of the quality and sufficiency of 
                services for caregivers of veterans and members of the 
                Armed Forces available from nongovernmental 
                organizations.
                    (E) A description of any gaps in care or services 
                provided by caregivers to veterans or members of the 
                Armed Forces identified by the working group, and steps 
                taken by the entities specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) 
                to eliminate such gaps or recommendations for 
                legislative or administrative action to address such 
                gaps.
                    (F) Such other matters or recommendations as the 
                chair considers appropriate.

SEC. 219. STUDIES ON POST-SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, VETERANS AND SERIOUSLY 
              INJURED VETERANS.

    (a) Longitudinal Study on Post-9/11 Veterans.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        provide for the conduct of a longitudinal study on members of 
        the Armed Forces who commenced service in the Armed Forces 
        after September 11, 2001.
            (2) Grant or contract.--The Secretary shall award a grant 
        to, or enter into a contract with, an appropriate entity 
        unaffiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct 
        the study required by paragraph (1).
            (3) Plan.--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 plan for 
        the conduct of the study required by paragraph (1).
            (4) Reports.--Not later than October 1, 2019, and not less 
        frequently than once every four years 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 results of the study required 
        by paragraph (1) as of the date of such report.
    (b) Comprehensive Study on Seriously Injured Veterans and Their 
Caregivers.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        provide for the conduct of a comprehensive study on the 
        following:
                    (A) Veterans who have incurred a serious injury or 
                illness, including a mental health injury.
                    (B) Individuals who are acting as caregivers for 
                veterans.
            (2) Elements.--The comprehensive study required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include the following with respect to each 
        veteran included in such study:
                    (A) The health of the veteran and, if applicable, 
                the impact of the caregiver of such veteran on the 
                health of such veteran.
                    (B) The employment status of the veteran and, if 
                applicable, the impact of the caregiver of such veteran 
                on the employment status of such veteran.
                    (C) The financial status and needs of the veteran.
                    (D) The use by the veteran of benefits available to 
                such veteran from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
                    (E) Any other information that the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
            (3) Grant or contract.--The Secretary shall award a grant 
        to, or enter into a contract with, an appropriate entity 
        unaffiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct 
        the study required by paragraph (1).
            (4) Report.--Not later than two years 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 results of the study required by paragraph (1).

SEC. 220. INCREASE OF MAXIMUM AGE FOR CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL 
              CARE UNDER CHAMPVA PROGRAM.

    (a) Increase.--Section 1781(c) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``twenty-three'' and inserting ``twenty-
        six''; and
            (2) by striking ``twenty-third birthday'' and inserting 
        ``twenty-sixth birthday''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to medical care provided on or after the date of the 
enactment of this title.

SEC. 221. EXPANSION OF REIMBURSEMENT OF VETERANS FOR EMERGENCY 
              TREATMENT AND URGENT CARE.

    (a) In General.--Section 1725 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent care
    ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, 
the Secretary shall reimburse a veteran described in subsection (b) for 
the reasonable value of emergency treatment or urgent care furnished 
the veteran in a non-Department facility.
    ``(2) In any case in which reimbursement of a veteran is authorized 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary may, in lieu of reimbursing the 
veteran, make payment of the reasonable value of the furnished 
emergency treatment or urgent care directly--
            ``(A) to the hospital or other health care provider that 
        furnished the treatment or care; or
            ``(B) to the person or organization that paid for such 
        treatment or care on behalf of the veteran.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--A veteran described in this subsection is an 
individual who--
            ``(1) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the 
        Department established and operated under section 1705 of this 
        title; and
            ``(2) has received care under this chapter during the 24-
        month period preceding the furnishing of the emergency 
        treatment or urgent care for which reimbursement is sought 
        under this section.
    ``(c) Emergency Transportation.--Notwithstanding section 111 of 
this title, reimbursement of emergency treatment or urgent care under 
this section shall include reimbursement for the reasonable value of 
emergency transportation.
    ``(d) Responsibility for Payment.--The Secretary shall be primarily 
responsible for reimbursing or otherwise paying the reasonable value of 
emergency treatment or urgent care under this section.
    ``(e) Limitations on Payment.--(1) The Secretary, in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
section, shall--
            ``(A) establish the maximum amount payable under subsection 
        (a); and
            ``(B) delineate the circumstances under which such payments 
        may be made, including such requirements on requesting 
        reimbursement as the Secretary may establish.
    ``(2)(A) Payment by the Secretary under this section on behalf of a 
veteran to a provider of emergency treatment or urgent care shall, 
unless rejected and refunded by the provider within 30 days of 
receipt--
            ``(i) constitute payment in full for the emergency 
        treatment or urgent care provided; and
            ``(ii) extinguish any liability on the part of the veteran 
        for that treatment or care.
    ``(B) Neither the absence of a contract or agreement between the 
Secretary and a provider of emergency treatment or urgent care nor any 
provision of a contract, agreement, or assignment to the contrary shall 
operate to modify, limit, or negate the requirements of subparagraph 
(A).
    ``(C) A provider of emergency treatment or urgent care may not seek 
to recover from any third party the cost of emergency treatment or 
urgent care for which the provider has received payment from the 
Secretary under this section.
    ``(f) Recovery.--The United States has the right to recover or 
collect reasonable charges for emergency treatment or urgent care 
furnished under this section in accordance with the provisions of 
section 1729 of this title.
    ``(g) Copayments.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
veteran shall pay to the Department a copayment (in an amount 
prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this section) for each 
episode of emergency treatment or urgent care for which reimbursement 
is provided to the veteran under this section.
    ``(2) The requirement under paragraph (1) to pay a copayment does 
not apply to a veteran who--
            ``(A) would not be required to pay to the Department a 
        copayment for emergency treatment or urgent care furnished at 
        facilities of the Department;
            ``(B) meets an exemption specified by the Secretary in 
        regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this 
        section; or
            ``(C) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or 
        observation following, and in connection with, the emergency 
        treatment or urgent care for which the veteran is provided 
        reimbursement under this section.
    ``(3) The requirement that a veteran pay a copayment under this 
section shall apply notwithstanding the authority of the Secretary to 
offset such a requirement with amounts recovered from a third party 
under section 1729 of this title.
    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `emergency treatment' means medical care or 
        services furnished, in the judgment of the Secretary--
                    ``(A) when such care or services are rendered in a 
                medical emergency of such nature that a prudent 
                layperson reasonably expects that delay in seeking 
                immediate medical attention would be hazardous to life 
                or health; and
                    ``(B) until--
                            ``(i) such time as the veteran can be 
                        transferred safely to a Department facility or 
                        community care provider authorized by the 
                        Secretary and such facility or provider is 
                        capable of accepting such transfer; or
                            ``(ii) such time as a Department facility 
                        or community care provider authorized by the 
                        Secretary accepts such transfer if--
                                    ``(I) at the time the veteran could 
                                have been transferred safely to such a 
                                facility or provider, no such facility 
                                or provider agreed to accept such 
                                transfer; and
                                    ``(II) the non-Department facility 
                                in which such medical care or services 
                                was furnished made and documented 
                                reasonable attempts to transfer the 
                                veteran to a Department facility or 
                                community care provider.
            ``(2) The term `health-plan contract' includes any of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) An insurance policy or contract, medical or 
                hospital service agreement, membership or subscription 
                contract, or similar arrangement under which health 
                services for individuals are provided or the expenses 
                of such services are paid.
                    ``(B) An insurance program described in section 
                1811 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c) or 
                established by section 1831 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1395j).
                    ``(C) A State plan for medical assistance approved 
                under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
                    ``(D) A workers' compensation law or plan described 
                in section 1729(a)(2)(A) of this title.
            ``(3) The term `third party' means any of the following:
                    ``(A) A Federal entity.
                    ``(B) A State or political subdivision of a State.
                    ``(C) An employer or an employer's insurance 
                carrier.
                    ``(D) An automobile accident reparations insurance 
                carrier.
                    ``(E) A person or entity obligated to provide, or 
                to pay the expenses of, health services under a health-
                plan contract.
            ``(4) The term `urgent care' shall have the meaning given 
        that term by the Secretary in regulations prescribed by the 
        Secretary for purposes of this section.''.
    (b) Repeal of Superseded Authority.--Section 1728 of such title is 
repealed.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended--
            (1) by striking the item relating to section 1725 and 
        inserting the following new item:

``1725. Reimbursement for emergency treatment and urgent care.'';
        and
            (2) by striking the item relating to section 1728.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Medical care for survivors and dependents.--Section 
        1781(a)(4) of such title is amended by striking ``(as defined 
        in section 1725(f) of this title)'' and inserting ``(as defined 
        in section 1725(h) of this title)''.
            (2) Health care of family members of veterans stationed at 
        camp lejeune, north carolina.--Section 1787(b)(3) of such title 
        is amended by striking ``(as defined in section 1725(f) of this 
        title)'' and inserting ``(as defined in section 1725(h) of this 
        title)''.
    (e) Regulations.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to 
carry out the amendments made by this section.
    (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 222. PROVISION OF REHABILITATIVE EQUIPMENT AND HUMAN-POWERED 
              VEHICLES TO CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

    Section 1714(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Any veteran'' and inserting ``(1) Any 
        veteran''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2)(A) The Secretary may furnish rehabilitative equipment to any 
veteran who is entitled to a prosthetic appliance.
    ``(B) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may modify 
non-rehabilitative equipment owned by a veteran only if the veteran 
elects for such modification.
    ``(C) The Secretary shall annually submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report on rehabilitative equipment furnished to veterans under 
subparagraph (A). Each such report shall include, with respect to the 
year covered by the report--
            ``(i) the number of veterans eligible to receive such 
        rehabilitative equipment;
            ``(ii) the number of veterans who received such 
        rehabilitative equipment;
            ``(iii) the number of veterans who elected to receive 
        modified equipment pursuant to subparagraph (B); and
            ``(iv) any recommendations of the Secretary to improve 
        furnishing veterans with rehabilitative equipment.
    ``(D) In this paragraph, the term `rehabilitative equipment' 
means--
            ``(i) rehabilitative equipment, including recreational 
        sports equipment that provide an adaption or accommodation for 
        the veteran, regardless of whether such equipment is 
        intentionally designed to be adaptive equipment; and
            ``(ii) includes hand cycles, recumbent bicycles, medically 
        adapted upright bicycles, and upright bicycles.''.

                    Subtitle C--Health Care Quality

SEC. 231. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY IN VETERANS 
              HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 73 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7310. Office of Health Care Quality
    ``(a) Establishment.--There is in the Veterans Health 
Administration an Office of Health Care Quality (hereinafter in this 
section referred to as the `Office'). The Office shall oversee the 
implementation and dissemination across all medical facilities of the 
Department of best practices, quality improvements, corrective actions, 
and Inspector General recommendations.
    ``(b) Director.--(1) The head of the Office shall be a Director, 
who shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Health (without 
delegation).
    ``(2) Any person appointed as Director shall be--
            ``(A) an established expert in the field of health care 
        quality, administration of medical facilities, or similar 
        fields; and
            ``(B) qualified to carry out the duties of the Office based 
        on demonstrated experience and expertise.
    ``(c) Functions.--The functions of the Office are as follows:
            ``(1) To develop and maintain a system to provide notice to 
        all medical facilities of the Department of any applicable best 
        practices, quality improvements, corrective actions, and 
        Inspector General recommendations.
            ``(2) To monitor the compliance of such medical facilities 
        with such best practices, quality improvements, corrective 
        actions, and Inspector General recommendations.
    ``(d) Resources.--The Secretary shall ensure that the Director has 
sufficient resources to carry out the responsibilities of the Director 
in a timely manner.
    ``(e) Report.--The Director shall submit to Congress an annual 
report on the progress of the medical facilities of the Department in 
implementing applicable best practices, quality improvements, 
corrective actions, and Inspector General recommendations.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
7309 the following new item:

``7310. Office of Health Care Quality.''.
    (c) Deadline for Implementation.--Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Health 
Care Quality, as established under section 7310 of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall develop an initial 
system for proving the notice required under such section 7310.

                     Subtitle D--Medical Workforce

SEC. 241. DISREGARD OF RESIDENT SLOTS THAT INCLUDE VA TRAINING AGAINST 
              THE MEDICARE GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION LIMITATIONS.

    (a) Direct GME.--Section 1886(h)(4)(F) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395ww(h)(4)(F)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new clause:
                            ``(iii) Disregard of certain resident slots 
                        that include va training.--For portions of cost 
                        reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 
                        2016, in applying the limitations regarding the 
                        total number of full-time equivalent residents 
                        in the field of allopathic or osteopathic 
                        medicine under clause (i) in a hospital's 
                        approved medical residency training program, 
                        the Secretary shall not take into account any 
                        resident within such program that counts 
                        towards meeting the obligation of the Secretary 
                        of Veterans Affairs under section 301(b)(2) of 
                        the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability 
                        Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 7302 
                        note).''.
    (b) Indirect GME.--Section 1886(d)(5)(B)(v) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(B)(v)) is amended, in the second sentence, 
by striking ``subsection (h)(4)(F)(ii)'' and inserting ``clauses (ii) 
and (iii) of subsection (h)(4)(F)''.

SEC. 242. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR INCREASE IN GRADUATE MEDICAL 
              EDUCATION RESIDENCY POSITIONS AT MEDICAL FACILITIES OF 
              THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 301(b) of the Veterans 
Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 
U.S.C. 7302 note) is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Five-year'' and 
        inserting ``Ten-year''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``5-year period'' and 
        inserting ``10-year period''.
    (b) Report.--Paragraph (3)(A) of such section is amended by 
striking ``2019'' and inserting ``2024''.

SEC. 243. RECRUITMENT OF PHYSICIANS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7402(b)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or to be offered a contingent 
        appointment to such position,'' after ``position,''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
        following new subparagraph (B):
            ``(B)(i) have completed a residency program satisfactory to 
        the Secretary; or
            ``(ii) with respect to an offer for a contingent 
        appointment upon the completion of a post-graduate training 
        program, complete such a residency program by not later than 
        two years after the date of such offer; and''.
    (b) Oversight of Graduate Medical Education Programs.--The 
Secretary shall--
            (1) ensure that a recruiter or other similar official of 
        each Veterans Integrated Service Network visits, not less than 
        annually, each allopathic and osteopathic teaching institution 
        with a graduate medical education program within the Network to 
        recruit individuals to be appointed to positions in the 
        Veterans Health Administration; and
            (2) submit to Congress an annual report on the 
        implementation of paragraph (1), including the success of such 
        recruiting efforts.

                     Subtitle E--Mental Health Care

SEC. 251. STANDARD OF PROOF FOR SERVICE-CONNECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH 
              CONDITIONS RELATED TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    (a) Standard of Proof.--Section 1154 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1) In the case of any veteran who claims that a covered 
mental health condition was incurred in or aggravated by military 
sexual trauma during active military, naval, or air service, the 
Secretary shall accept as sufficient proof of service-connection a 
diagnosis of such mental health condition by a mental health 
professional together with satisfactory lay or other evidence of such 
trauma and an opinion by the mental health professional that such 
covered mental health condition is related to such military sexual 
trauma, if consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships 
of such service, notwithstanding the fact that there is no official 
record of such incurrence or aggravation in such service, and, to that 
end, shall resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. 
Service-connection of such covered mental health condition may be 
rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. The reasons 
for granting or denying service-connection in each case shall be 
recorded in full.
    ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, in the absence of clear and 
convincing evidence to the contrary, and provided that the claimed 
military sexual trauma is consistent with the circumstances, 
conditions, or hardships of the veteran's service, the veteran's lay 
testimony alone may establish the occurrence of the claimed military 
sexual trauma.
    ``(3) In this subsection:
            ``(A) The term `covered mental health condition' means 
        post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or other 
        mental health diagnosis described in the current version of the 
        Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published 
        by the American Psychiatric Association that the Secretary 
        determines to be related to military sexual trauma.
            ``(B) The term `military sexual trauma' means, with respect 
        to a veteran, psychological trauma, which in the judgment of a 
        mental health professional, resulted from a physical assault of 
        a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual 
        harassment which occurred during active military, naval, or air 
        service.''.
    (b) Annual Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter VI of chapter 11 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new section:

``SEC. 1164. REPORTS ON CLAIMS FOR DISABILITIES INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED 
              BY MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    ``(a) Reports.--Not later than December 1, 2016, and each year 
thereafter through 2020, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on covered claims submitted 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 listed under paragraph (1), the 
        number and percentage of such claims--
                    ``(A) submitted by each sex;
                    ``(B) that were approved, including the number and 
                percentage of such approved claims submitted by each 
                sex; and
                    ``(C) that were denied, including the number and 
                percentage of such denied claims submitted by each sex.
            ``(3) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1) that 
        were approved, the number and percentage, listed by each sex, 
        of claims assigned to each rating percentage.
            ``(4) Of the covered claims listed under paragraph (1) that 
        were denied--
                    ``(A) the three most common reasons given by the 
                Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of this title 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) 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.
            ``(6) 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.
            ``(7) A description of the training that the Secretary 
        provides to employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration 
        specifically with respect to covered claims, including the 
        frequency, length, and content of such training.
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `covered claims' means claims for disability 
        compensation submitted to the Secretary based on a covered 
        mental health condition alleged to have been incurred or 
        aggravated by military sexual trauma.
            ``(2) The term `covered mental health condition' has the 
        meaning given that term in subparagraph (A) of section 
        1154(c)(3) of this title.
            ``(3) The term `military sexual trauma' has the meaning 
        given that term in subparagraph (B) of such section.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new item:

``1164. Annual reports on claims for disabilities incurred or 
                            aggravated by military sexual trauma.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--Subsection (c) of section 1154 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with 
respect to any claim for disability compensation under laws 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which no final 
decision has been made before the date of the enactment of this Act.

             Subtitle F--Opioid Therapy and Pain Management

SEC. 261. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Many veterans and their families have been affected by 
        the national opioid epidemic caused in part by the prescription 
        of opioid medication to manage pain.
            (2) Prescription opioid overdose rates for veterans 
        receiving medical care furnished by the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs are twice the national average.
            (3) More than 50 percent of veterans receiving such care 
        are suffering from chronic pain.
            (4) Almost one in three veterans receiving such care are 
        prescribed opioids to manage pain.
            (5) Many veterans prescribed opioids for the management of 
        chronic pain are at risk of developing a dependency on opioids.
            (6) Many veterans receive health care from both the 
        Department and community providers but the lack of care 
        coordination among the Department and community providers when 
        veterans receive purchased care places veterans at risk for 
        poor health outcomes and results in inefficient use of finite 
        health care resources.
            (7) Veteran-centric care coordination is associated with 
        improved patient outcomes, as Department and non-Department 
        health care teams coordinate and collaborate to provide the 
        best care for veterans.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) veterans suffering from opioid dependency should 
        receive timely access to treatment and social services at 
        Department of Veterans Affairs facilities or through qualified 
        community providers and should have care and services managed 
        and coordinated by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
            (2) veterans who are authorized by the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs to receive opioid addiction treatment in the 
        community must not lose the high-quality, safety, care 
        coordination, and other veteran-centric elements that the 
        health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        provides; and
            (3) if the Secretary purchases care for veterans from a 
        community provider, such care must be secured in a cost-
        effective manner, in a way that complements the larger health 
        care system of the Department by using industry standards for 
        care and costs.

SEC. 262. PILOT PROGRAM TO IMPROVE TREATMENT FOR VETERANS SUFFERING 
              FROM OPIOID ADDICTION AND CHRONIC PAIN.

    (a) In General.--Beginning not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary provides health and 
social services and coordination of care and case management to covered 
veterans in need of treatment for opioid addiction and chronic pain 
through facilities of the Department and through qualified non-
Department health care providers.
    (b) Program Locations.--
            (1) In general.--The pilot program shall be carried out 
        within at least five areas within different States.
            (2) Selection.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall select five 
                States with Department medical facilities to 
                participate in the pilot program. Each of the five 
                Department facilities selected shall be located in 
                States that demonstrate--
                            (i) the need for additional resources to 
                        provide health care services, including mental 
                        health, chronic pain management and social 
                        services to veterans in need of treatment for 
                        opioid abuse based upon the community 
                        assessment in subsection (a) of this section;
                            (ii) demographic, population, and census 
                        data showing the highest rates per capita of 
                        opioid addiction in the United States or 
                        greater demand in the veteran patient 
                        population than capacity in facilities of the 
                        Department for treatment for opioid addiction; 
                        and
                            (iii) lack of sufficient Department 
                        capacity to meet the demand of all patients in 
                        need of treatment for opioid addiction.
                    (B) Other requirements.--In addition to the 
                requirements in subparagraph (A), not fewer than four 
                of the five selected States shall include--
                            (i) at least one highly rural county, as 
                        determined by the Secretary upon consideration 
                        of the most recent decennial census with the 
                        highest per capita rate of opioid addiction;
                            (ii) an urban county as determined by the 
                        Secretary upon consideration of the most recent 
                        decennial census with the largest population 
                        per capita of opioid addiction;
                            (iii) a county as determined by the 
                        Secretary in a State with one of the highest 
                        statistically significant drug and opioid 
                        overdose death rate increases from 2013 to 2014 
                        according to the Centers for Disease Control 
                        and Prevention and a low expenditure of funding 
                        per capita on substance abuse treatment in 
                        comparison to other States; and
                            (iv) a county as determined by the 
                        Secretary in a State with a high rate per 
                        capita of veterans diagnosed with chronic pain 
                        and prescribed prescription opioids.
    (c) Provision of Services Through Contract.--The Secretary may 
provide health care services to veterans under the pilot program by 
entering into contracts with non-Department health care providers which 
are qualified to provide such services, as determined by the Secretary.
    (d) Exchange of Medical Information.--In conducting the pilot 
program under this section, the Secretary shall develop and use a 
functional capability to provide for the exchange of appropriate 
medical information between the Department and any non-Department 
provider with which the Secretary enters into a contract under 
subsection (c).
    (e) Report.--Not later than the 30 days after the end of each year 
in which the pilot program under this section is conducted, 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 which includes--
            (1) the assessment of the Secretary of the pilot program 
        during the preceding year, including its cost, volume, quality, 
        patient satisfaction, benefit to veterans, and such other 
        findings and conclusions with respect to the pilot program as 
        the Secretary considers appropriate; and
            (2) such recommendations as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate regarding--
                    (A) the continuation of the pilot program;
                    (B) extension of the pilot program to additional 
                Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department; 
                and
                    (C) making the pilot program permanent.
    (f) Covered Veteran.--In this section, the term ``covered veteran'' 
means a veteran who--
            (1) is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment 
        established under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States 
        Code, as of the date of the commencement of the pilot program 
        under subsection (a)(2);
            (2) is eligible for health care under section 1710(e)(3)(C) 
        of title 38, United States Code; or
            (3) is determined by the Secretary to be in need of 
        treatment for opioid addiction and chronic pain.
    (g) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under 
this section shall terminate on the date that is three years after the 
date of the commencement of the pilot program.

SEC. 263. ASSESSMENT OF DEPARTMENT AND NON-DEPARTMENT CAPABILITIES TO 
              TREAT OPIOID DEPENDENCY AND ENSURE ACCESS TO NEEDED 
              HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

    (a) Assessment of Department Capabilities.--The Secretary shall 
conduct an assessment of the capabilities of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, using such data, including demographic data and patient access 
data, as the Secretary determines necessary to provide--
            (1) health care services related to the treatment of opioid 
        dependency and abuse, including mental health, opioid agonist 
        treatment, social services, and non-opioid chronic pain 
        management necessary for treating opioid addiction nationally, 
        regionally, and locally;
            (2) management of chronic pain without the long-term use of 
        opioids, including alternative therapies such as physical 
        therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, exercise 
        programs, and other such evidence-based and experimental 
        treatments;
            (3) evidence-based methods for safely reducing the dose and 
        duration of the prescription of opioids for patients;
            (4) methods by which health care services are coordinated 
        by the Department when care is provided by community providers; 
        and
            (5) the manner by which the Department ensures placement of 
        veterans in need of treatment for opioid dependency in 
        treatment programs within a clinically sufficient time period 
        according to published practice guidelines for the treatment of 
        patients with opioid dependency.
    (b) Assessment of Non-Department Capabilities.--In addition to the 
assessment required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
concurrently conduct an assessment of community providers to provide 
health care, mental health, social services, and alternative chronic 
pain management treatments necessary for the treatment of veterans 
diagnosed with an opioid addiction and for the treatment of veterans 
suffering from chronic pain.
    (c) Community Providers.--In this section, the term ``community 
provider'' means a non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care 
provider or social services provider determined by the Secretary as 
capable of providing health care services related to the treatment of 
opioid dependency and abuse, including mental health, opioid agonist 
treatment, social services, and non-opioid chronic pain management.
    (d) Report.--At the conclusion of the assessments conducted under 
this section, and not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
comprehensive summary of the results of the assessments, including any 
implementation plans resulting from such assessments, and any 
recommendations for ways to better enable the Department to provide 
health care services within the programs and facilities of the 
Department and in coordination with community providers to veterans 
needing treatment for pain management and opioid addiction.

SEC. 264. INCREASED ACCESS TO NALOXONE AND OTHER TREATMENTS FOR 
              REVERSING OPIOID OVERDOSE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall require 
all appropriate health care facilities of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and all Vet Centers and other Department facilities providing 
mental health and social services to veterans, to have a supply of 
naloxone or other medication for reversing opioid overdose.
    (b) Training on Use of Medication.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
all appropriate employees of the Department who are employed at 
facilities referred to in subsection (a) receive training on the 
administration of naloxone or other medication for reversing opioid 
overdose.

                       Subtitle G--Toxic Exposure

SEC. 271. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, MITIGATION, 
              TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION OF HEALTH CONDITIONS 
              RELATING TO EXPOSURE TO BURN PITS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL 
              EXPOSURES.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs a center of 
excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and 
rehabilitation of health conditions relating to exposure to burn pits 
and other environmental exposures to carry out the responsibilities 
specified in subsection (d). Such center shall be established using--
            (1) the directives, policies, and Comptroller General and 
        Inspector General recommendations in effect as of the date of 
        the enactment of this Act; and
            (2) guidance issued pursuant to section 313 of the National 
        Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-
        239; 126 Stat. 1692; 10 U.S.C. 1074 note).
    (b) Selection of Sites.--In selecting the site for the center of 
excellence established under subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall consider entities that--
            (1) are equipped with the specialized equipment needed to 
        study, diagnose, and treat health conditions relating to 
        exposure to burn pits and other environmental exposures;
            (2) have a publication track record of post-deployment 
        health exposures among veterans who served in the Armed Forces 
        in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
        Freedom;
            (3) have collaborated with a geosciences department that 
        has a medical geology division;
            (4) have developed animal models and in vitro models of 
        dust immunology and lung injury consistent with the injuries of 
        members of the Armed Forces who served in support of Operation 
        Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
            (5) have expertise in allergy and immunology, pulmonary 
        diseases, and industrial and management engineering.
    (c) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall ensure that the center of 
excellence collaborates, to the maximum extent practicable, with the 
Secretary of Defense, institutions of higher education, and other 
appropriate public and private entities (including international 
entities) to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection 
(d).
    (d) Responsibilities.--The center of excellence shall have the 
following responsibilities:
            (1) To provide for the development, testing, and 
        dissemination within the Department of Veterans Affairs of best 
        practices for the treatment of health conditions relating to 
        exposure to burn pits and other environmental exposures.
            (2) To provide guidance for the health system of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense in 
        determining the personnel required to provide quality health 
        care for members of the Armed Forces and veterans with health 
        conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and other 
        environmental exposures.
            (3) To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive 
        program to train health professionals of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense in the treatment 
        of health conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and 
        other environmental exposures.
            (4) To facilitate advancements in the study of the short-
        term and long-term effects of exposure to burn pits and other 
        environmental exposures.
            (5) To disseminate within the military medical treatment 
        facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs best practices 
        for training health professionals with respect to health 
        conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and other 
        environmental exposures.
            (6) To conduct basic science and translational research on 
        health conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and other 
        environmental exposures for the purposes of understanding the 
        etiology of such conditions and developing preventive 
        interventions and new treatments.
            (7) To provide medical treatment to all veterans identified 
        as part of the burn pits registry established under section 201 
        of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits 
        Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 
        note).
    (e) Use of Burn Pits Registry Data.--In carrying out its 
responsibilities under subsection (d), the center shall have access to 
and make use of the data accumulated by the burn pits registry 
established under section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other 
Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-260; 38 
U.S.C. 527 note).
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``burn pit'' means an area of land located in 
        Afghanistan or Iraq that--
                    (A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense to be 
                used for disposing solid waste by burning in the 
                outdoor air; and
                    (B) does not contain a commercially manufactured 
                incinerator or other equipment specifically designed 
                and manufactured for the burning of solid waste.
            (2) The term ``other environmental exposures'' means 
        exposure to environmental hazards, including burn pits, dust or 
        sand, hazardous materials, and waste at any site in Afghanistan 
        or Iraq that emits smoke containing pollutants present in the 
        environment or smoke from fires or explosions.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 through 2021.

                          TITLE III--EDUCATION

                     Subtitle A--GI Bill Oversight

SEC. 301. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS INSPECTOR GENERAL HEIGHTENED 
              SCRUTINY OF PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3699. Inspector General heightened scrutiny of programs of 
              education
    ``(a) Heightened Scrutiny Required.--The Inspector General of the 
Department shall apply heightened scrutiny to any program of education 
if any Federal or State agency has made a final determination or 
settlement that the program of education used deceptive or misleading 
practices that are potentially in violation of section 3696 of this 
title.
    ``(b) Notice to Students.--(1) Upon commencement of heightened 
scrutiny with respect to a program of education under this section, the 
Secretary shall provide notice of the heightened scrutiny and the 
reasons for such heightened scrutiny to any individual who--
            ``(A) is enrolled in a course of education approved under 
        this chapter provided by the program of education; and
            ``(B) is entitled to educational assistance under the laws 
        administered by the Secretary.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall provide to any individual who receives 
notice under this subsection advice that the individual--
            ``(A) request a copy of the individual's transcript; and
            ``(B) seek counseling from an appropriate advisor about 
        transferring any credits earned at the program of education.
    ``(c) Monitoring of Allegations.--The Secretary shall monitor 
allegations of deceptive and misleading practices made against programs 
of education offering courses of education approved for purposes of 
this chapter, including Federal and State investigations. The Secretary 
shall include information about any such allegation on the GI Bill 
Comparison Tool, or any similar Internet website of the Department.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to 
subchapter II the following new item:

``3699. Inspector General heightened scrutiny of programs of 
                            education.''.

SEC. 302. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DISAPPROVAL OF COURSES OF 
              EDUCATION OFFERED BY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING 
              ACCUSED OF CERTAIN DECEPTIVE OR MISLEADING PRACTICES.

    Section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d)(1) The Secretary shall disapprove a course of education 
provided by an institution of higher learning if the Secretary 
determines pursuant to heightened scrutiny applied by the Inspector 
General under section 3699 of this title that the institution of higher 
learning has engaged in practices that are in violation of section 3696 
of this title.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall provide counseling services to 
individuals enrolled in a course of education disapproved under 
paragraph (1) to assist such individuals in transferring to another 
institution of higher learning.''.

SEC. 303. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION EMPLOYING 
              DECEPTIVE OR MISLEADING PRACTICES.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the 
Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Defense, the Commissioner of 
the Federal Trade Commission, the Commissioner of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission, and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer 
Financial Protection, shall establish an interagency working group to--
            (1) share information regarding programs of education that 
        employ deceptive or misleading practices; and
            (2) enter into memorandum of understanding under which the 
        Inspector Generals of each relevant department or agency agree 
        to share information to determine if funds from other Federal 
        programs are affected when one department or agency takes 
        action to investigate a program of education for deceptive or 
        misleading practices.

SEC. 304. APPROVAL OF COURSES FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Approval of Non-Accredited Courses.--Subsection (c) of section 
3676 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new 
        paragraphs:
            ``(14) In the case of a program designed to prepare an 
        individual for licensure or certification in a State, the 
        program meets any instructional curriculum licensure or 
        certification requirements of such State.
            ``(15) In the case of a program designed to prepare an 
        individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a 
        board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires 
        approval or licensure, the program is approved or licensed by 
        such board or agency of the State.''.
    (b) Exceptions.--Such section is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection:
    ``(f)(1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (14) 
or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a program of education offered 
by an educational institution if the Secretary determines all of the 
following:
            ``(A) The educational institution is not accredited by an 
        agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education.
            ``(B) The program did not meet the requirements of such 
        paragraph at any time during the two-year period preceding the 
        date of the waiver.
            ``(C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational 
        assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would 
        further the education interests of individuals eligible for 
        assistance under such programs.
            ``(D) The educational institution does not provide any 
        commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or 
        indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid 
        to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or 
        admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award 
        of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of 
        foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not 
        eligible to receive Federal student assistance.
    ``(2) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary issues a waiver 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of 
the waiver and the justification of the Secretary for issuing the 
waiver.''.
    (c) Approval of Accredited Programs.--Section 3675(b)(3) of such 
title is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and (3)'' and inserting ``(3), (14), and 
        (15)''; and
            (2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
        following: ``(or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and 
        (15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived 
        pursuant to subsection (f) of section 3676)''.
    (d) Disapproval of Courses.--Section 3679 of such title is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the 
Secretary shall disapprove a course of education described in section 
3676(c)(14) or (15) unless the educational institution providing the 
course of education publicly discloses any conditions or additional 
requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to 
obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of 
education is designed to provide preparation.''.
    (e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3672(b)(2)(A)(i) of such title 
is amended by striking ``An accredited'' and inserting ``Except as 
provided in paragraphs (14) and (15) of section 3676(c) of this title, 
an accredited''.
    (f) Applicability.--If after enrollment in a course of education 
that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made by this 
Act, an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same 
educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled (other 
than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or 
terms) at that institution, any course so pursued by the individual at 
that institution while so continuously enrolled shall not be subject to 
disapproval by reason of such amendment.

SEC. 305. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS FOR PROPRIETARY INSTITUTIONS 
              OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

    Section 487 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(24)--
                    (A) by inserting ``that receives funds provided 
                under this title'' before ``, such institution''; and
                    (B) by striking ``other than funds provided under 
                this title, as calculated in accordance with subsection 
                (d)(1)'' and inserting ``other than Federal educational 
                assistance, as defined in subsection (d)(5) and 
                calculated in accordance with subsection (d)(1)''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Non-
                Title IV'' and inserting ``Non-Federal Educational'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by inserting ``that receives funds 
                        provided under this title'' before ``shall'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by striking 
                                ``assistance under this title'' and 
                                inserting ``Federal educational 
                                assistance''; and
                                    (II) in clause (ii)(I), by 
                                inserting ``, or on a military base if 
                                the administering Secretary for a 
                                program of Federal educational 
                                assistance under clause (ii), (iii), or 
                                (iv) of paragraph (5)(B) has authorized 
                                such location'' before the semicolon;
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``program under this title'' and inserting 
                        ``program of Federal educational assistance'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
                        ``funds received under this title'' and 
                        inserting ``Federal educational assistance''; 
                        and
                            (v) in subparagraph (F)--
                                    (I) in clause (iii), by striking 
                                ``under this title'' and inserting ``of 
                                Federal educational assistance''; and
                                    (II) in clause (iv), by striking 
                                ``under this title'' and inserting ``of 
                                Federal educational assistance'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (A) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(A) Ineligibility.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any 
                        other provision of law, a proprietary 
                        institution of higher education receiving funds 
                        provided under this title that fails to meet a 
                        requirement of subsection (a)(24) for two 
                        consecutive institutional fiscal years shall be 
                        ineligible to participate in or receive funds 
                        under any program of Federal educational 
                        assistance for a period of not less than two 
                        institutional fiscal years.
                            ``(ii) Regaining eligibility.--To regain 
                        eligibility to participate in or receive funds 
                        under any program of Federal educational 
                        assistance after being ineligible pursuant to 
                        clause (i), a proprietary institution of higher 
                        education shall demonstrate compliance with all 
                        eligibility and certification requirements for 
                        the program for a minimum of two consecutive 
                        institutional fiscal years after the 
                        institutional fiscal year in which the 
                        institution became ineligible. In order to 
                        regain eligibility to participate in any 
                        program of Federal educational assistance under 
                        this title, such compliance shall include 
                        meeting the requirements of section 498 for 
                        such 2-year period.
                            ``(iii) Notification of ineligibility.--The 
                        Secretary of Education shall determine when a 
                        proprietary institution of higher education 
                        that receives funds under this title is 
                        ineligible under clause (i) and shall notify 
                        all other administering Secretaries of the 
                        determination.
                            ``(iv) Enforcement.--Each administering 
                        Secretary for a program of Federal educational 
                        assistance shall enforce the requirements of 
                        this subparagraph for the program concerned 
                        upon receiving notification under clause (iii) 
                        of a proprietary institution of higher 
                        education's ineligibility.''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding clause 
                                (i)--
                                            (aa) by striking ``In 
                                        addition'' and all that follows 
                                        through ``education fails'' and 
                                        inserting ``Notwithstanding any 
                                        other provision of law, in 
                                        addition to such other means of 
                                        enforcing the requirements of a 
                                        program of Federal educational 
                                        assistance as may be available 
                                        to the administering Secretary, 
                                        if a proprietary institution of 
                                        higher education that receives 
                                        funds provided under this title 
                                        fails''; and
                                            (bb) by striking ``the 
                                        programs authorized by this 
                                        title'' and inserting ``all 
                                        programs of Federal educational 
                                        assistance''; and
                                    (II) in clause (i), by inserting 
                                ``with respect to a program of Federal 
                                educational assistance under this 
                                title,'' before ``on the expiration 
                                date'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``sources 
                under this title'' and inserting ``Federal educational 
                assistance''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Administering secretary.--The term 
                `administering Secretary' means the Secretary of 
                Education, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
                or the Secretary of a military department responsible 
                for administering the Federal educational assistance 
                concerned.
                    ``(B) Federal educational assistance.--The term 
                `Federal educational assistance' means funds provided 
                under any of the following provisions of law:
                            ``(i) This title.
                            ``(ii) Chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of 
                        title 38, United States Code.
                            ``(iii) Chapter 101, 105, 106A, 1606, 1607, 
                        or 1608 of title 10, United States Code.
                            ``(iv) Section 1784a of title 10, United 
                        States Code.''.

SEC. 306. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              ACTIONS ON INELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PROPRIETARY 
              INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN 
              PROGRAMS OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Department of Defense.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 101 of title 10, United States 
        Code, is amended by inserting after section 2008 the following 
        new section:
``Sec. 2008a. Ineligibility of certain proprietary institutions of 
              higher education for participation in Department of 
              Defense programs of educational assistance
    ``(a) In General.--Upon receipt of a notice from the Secretary of 
Education under clause (iii) of section 487(d)(2)(A) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(d)(2)(A)) that a proprietary 
institution of higher education is ineligible for participation in or 
receipt of funds under any program of Federal educational assistance by 
reason of such section, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that no 
educational assistance under the provisions of law specified in 
subsection (b) is available or used for education at the institution 
for the period of institutional fiscal years covered by such notice.
    ``(b) Covered Assistance.--The provisions of law specified in this 
subsection are the provisions of law on educational assistance through 
the Department of Defense as follows:
            ``(1) This chapter.
            ``(2) Chapters 105, 106A, 1606, 1607, and 1608 of this 
        title.
            ``(3) Section 1784a of this title.
    ``(c) Notice on Ineligibility.--(1) The Secretary of Defense shall 
take appropriate actions to notify persons receiving or eligible for 
educational assistance under the provisions of law specified in 
subsection (b) of the application of the limitations in section 
487(d)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to particular proprietary 
institutions of higher education.
    ``(2) The actions taken under this subsection with respect to a 
proprietary institution shall include publication, on the Internet 
website of the Department of Defense that provides information to 
persons described in paragraph (1), of the following:
            ``(A) The name of the institution.
            ``(B) The extent to which the institution failed to meet 
        the requirements of section 487(a)(24) of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965.
            ``(C) The length of time the institution will be ineligible 
        for participation in or receipt of funds under any program of 
        Federal educational assistance by reason of section 
        487(d)(2)(A) of that Act.
            ``(D) The nonavailability of educational assistance through 
        the Department for enrollment, attendance, or pursuit of a 
        program of education at the institution by reason of such 
        ineligibility.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 101 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 2008 the following new item:

``2008a. Ineligibility of certain proprietary institutions of higher 
                            education for participation in Department 
                            of Defense programs of educational 
                            assistance.''.
    (b) Department of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3681 
        the following new section:
``Sec. 3681A. Ineligibility of certain proprietary institutions of 
              higher education for participation in Department of 
              Veterans Affairs programs of educational assistance
    ``(a) In General.--Upon receipt of a notice from the Secretary of 
Education under clause (iii) of section 487(d)(2)(A) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(d)(2)(A)) that a proprietary 
institution of higher education is ineligible for participation in or 
receipt of funds under any program of Federal educational assistance by 
reason of such section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure 
that no educational assistance under the provisions of law specified in 
subsection (b) is available or used for education at the institution 
for the period of institutional fiscal years covered by such notice.
    ``(b) Covered Assistance.--The provisions of law specified in this 
subsection are the provisions of law on educational assistance through 
the Department under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 of this title.
    ``(c) Notice on Ineligibility.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall take appropriate actions to notify persons receiving or 
eligible for educational assistance under the provisions of law 
specified in subsection (b) of the application of the limitations in 
section 487(d)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to particular 
proprietary institutions of higher education.
    ``(2) The actions taken under this subsection with respect to a 
proprietary institution shall include publication, on the Internet 
website of the Department that provides information to persons 
described in paragraph (1), of the following:
            ``(A) The name of the institution.
            ``(B) The extent to which the institution failed to meet 
        the requirements of section 487(a)(24) of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965.
            ``(C) The length of time the institution will be ineligible 
        for participation in or receipt of funds under any program of 
        Federal educational assistance by reason of section 
        487(d)(2)(A) of that Act.
            ``(D) The nonavailability of educational assistance through 
        the Department for enrollment, attendance, or pursuit of a 
        program of education at the institution by reason of such 
        ineligibility.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 3681 the following new item:

``3681A. Ineligibility of certain proprietary institutions of higher 
                            education for participation in Department 
                            of Veterans Affairs programs of educational 
                            assistance.''.

               Subtitle B--Supports for Student Veterans

SEC. 311. RESTORATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND 
              OTHER RELIEF FOR VETERANS AFFECTED BY CLOSURES OF 
              EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Educational Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3312 of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(d) Discontinuation of Education Due to Closure of Educational 
Institution.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any payment of educational assistance 
        described in paragraph (2) shall not--
                    ``(A) be charged against any entitlement to 
                educational assistance of the individual concerned 
                under this chapter; or
                    ``(B) be counted against the aggregate period for 
                which section 3695 of this title limits the 
                individual's receipt of educational assistance under 
                this chapter.
            ``(2) Description of payment of educational assistance.--
        Subject to paragraph (3), the payment of educational assistance 
        described in this paragraph is the payment of such assistance 
        to an individual for pursuit of a course or courses under this 
        chapter if the Secretary finds that the individual--
                    ``(A) was forced to discontinue such course pursuit 
                as a result of a permanent closure of an educational 
                institution; and
                    ``(B) did not receive credit, or lost training 
                time, toward completion of the program of education 
                being pursued at the time of such closure.
            ``(3) Period for which payment not charged.--The period for 
        which, by reason of this subsection, educational assistance is 
        not charged against entitlement or counted toward the 
        applicable aggregate period under section 3695 of this title 
        shall not exceed the aggregate of--
                    ``(A) the portion of the period of enrollment in 
                the course or courses from which the individual failed 
                to receive credit or with respect to which the 
                individual lost training time, as determined under 
                paragraph (2)(B), and
                    ``(B) the period by which monthly stipend is 
                extended under section 3680(a)(2)(B) of this title.''.
            (2) Applicability.--Subsection (d) of such section, as 
        added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to courses and 
        programs of education discontinued as described in subparagraph 
        (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) of such subsection in fiscal year 
        2015 or any fiscal year thereafter.
    (b) Monthly Housing Stipend.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3680(a) of such title is amended--
                    (A) by striking the matter after paragraph (3)(B);
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by redesignating 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), 
                respectively;
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
                subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively;
                    (D) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as 
                redesignated, in the first sentence, by striking 
                ``Payment of'' and inserting ``(1) Except as provided 
                in paragraph (2), payment of''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph (2):
    ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may, pursuant to 
such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, continue to pay 
allowances to eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled in 
courses set forth in paragraph (1)(A)--
            ``(A) during periods when schools are temporarily closed 
        under an established policy based on an Executive order of the 
        President or due to an emergency situation, except that the 
        total number of weeks for which allowances may continue to be 
        so payable in any 12-month period may not exceed four weeks; or
            ``(B) solely for the purpose of awarding a monthly housing 
        stipend described in section 3313 of this title, during periods 
        following a permanent school closure, except that payment of 
        such a stipend may only be continued until the earlier of--
                    ``(i) the date of the end of the term, quarter, or 
                semester during which the school closure occurred; and
                    ``(ii) the date that is 4 months after the date of 
                the school closure.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (1)(C)(ii) of such 
        section, as redesignated, is amended by striking ``described in 
        subclause (A) of this clause'' and inserting ``described in 
        clause (ii)''.

SEC. 312. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE.

    Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``June 30, 2013'' each place it appears and inserting ``June 
30, 2020''.

SEC. 313. COSTS OF APPLYING TO INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 3315A the following new section:
``Sec. 3315B. Costs of applying to institution of higher learning
    ``(a) In General.--An individual entitled to educational assistance 
under this chapter shall also be entitled to educational assistance for 
the application fee required to apply to an approved program of 
education at an institution of higher learning.
    ``(b) Amount.--The total amount of educational assistance payable 
under this chapter to an individual for applications described in 
subsection (a) is the lesser of--
            ``(1) the total application fees charged to the individual 
        by the institutions of higher learning; or
            ``(2) $750.
    ``(c) Charge Against Entitlement.--The number of months (and any 
fraction thereof) of entitlement charged an individual under this 
chapter for an application described in subsection (a) shall be 
determined at the rate of one month for each amount that equals the 
amount determined under section 3315A(c)(2) of this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
3315A the following new item:

``3315B. Costs of applying to institution of higher learning.''.

SEC. 314. GRANT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE VETERAN 
              STUDENT CENTERS.

    Title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended by 
striking part T (20 U.S.C. 1161t) and inserting the following:

              ``PART T--GRANTS FOR VETERAN STUDENT CENTERS

``SEC. 873. GRANTS FOR VETERAN STUDENT CENTERS.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations under subsection (i), the Secretary shall award grants 
to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of 
higher education to assist in the establishment, maintenance, 
improvement, and operation of Veteran Student Centers. The Secretary 
shall award not more than 30 grants under this subsection.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--
            ``(1) Application.--An institution or consortium seeking a 
        grant under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Criteria.--The Secretary may award a grant under 
        subsection (a) to an institution or a consortium if the 
        institution or consortium meets each of the following criteria:
                    ``(A) The institution or consortium enrolls in 
                undergraduate or graduate courses--
                            ``(i) a significant number of veteran 
                        students, members of the Armed Forces serving 
                        on active duty, and members of a reserve 
                        component of the Armed Forces; or
                            ``(ii) a significant percentage of veteran 
                        students,
                as measured by comparing the overall enrollment of the 
                institution or consortium to the number, for the most 
                recent academic year for which data are available, of 
                veteran students, members of the Armed Forces serving 
                on active duty, and members of a reserve component of 
                the Armed Forces who are enrolled in undergraduate or 
                graduate courses at the institution or consortium.
                    ``(B) The institution or consortium presents a 
                sustainability plan to demonstrate that its Veteran 
                Student Center will be maintained and will continue to 
                operate after the grant period of the grant received 
                under subsection (a) has ended.
            ``(3) Additional criteria.--In awarding grants under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall consider institutions or consortia 
                representing a broad spectrum of sectors and sizes, 
                including institutions or consortia from urban, 
                suburban, and rural regions of the United States; and
                    ``(B) may provide consideration to institutions or 
                consortia that meet one or more of the following 
                criteria:
                            ``(i) The institution or consortium is 
                        located in a region or community that has a 
                        significant population of veterans.
                            ``(ii) The institution or consortium 
                        carries out programs or activities that assist 
                        veterans in the local community and the spouses 
                        of veteran students.
                            ``(iii) The institution or consortium 
                        partners in its veteran-specific programming 
                        with nonprofit veteran service organizations, 
                        local workforce development organizations, or 
                        institutions of higher education.
                            ``(iv) The institution or consortium 
                        commits to hiring a staff at the Veteran 
                        Student Center that includes veterans 
                        (including veteran student volunteers and 
                        veteran students participating in a Federal 
                        work-study program under part C of title IV, a 
                        work-study program administered by the 
                        Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or a State work-
                        study program).
                            ``(v) The institution or consortium commits 
                        to using a portion of the grant received under 
                        this section to develop an early-warning 
                        veteran student retention program carried out 
                        by the Veteran Student Center.
                            ``(vi) The institution or consortium 
                        commits to providing mental health counseling 
                        to its veteran students and their spouses.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An institution or consortium that is 
        awarded a grant under subsection (a) shall use such grant to 
        establish, maintain, improve, or operate a Veteran Student 
        Center.
            ``(2) Other allowable uses.--An institution or consortium 
        receiving a grant under subsection (a) may use a portion of 
        such funds to carry out supportive instruction services for 
        student veterans, including--
                    ``(A) assistance with special admissions and 
                transfer of credit from previous postsecondary 
                education or experience; and
                    ``(B) any other support services the institution or 
                consortium determines to be necessary to ensure the 
                success of veterans on campus in achieving education 
                and career goals.
    ``(d) Amounts Awarded.--
            ``(1) Duration.--Each grant awarded under subsection (a) 
        shall be for a 4-year period.
            ``(2) Total amount of grant and schedule.--Each grant 
        awarded under subsection (a) may not exceed a total of 
        $500,000. The Secretary shall disburse to an institution or 
        consortium the amounts awarded under the grant in such amounts 
        and at such times during the grant period as the Secretary 
        determines appropriate.
    ``(e) Report.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out this 
section, and not later than 3 years after the date on which the first 
grant is awarded under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report on the grant program established under subsection 
(a), including--
            ``(1) the number of grants awarded;
            ``(2) the institutions of higher education and consortia 
        that have received grants;
            ``(3) with respect to each such institution of higher 
        education and consortium--
                    ``(A) the amounts awarded;
                    ``(B) how such institution or consortium used such 
                amounts;
                    ``(C) a description of the students to whom 
                services were offered as a result of the award; and
                    ``(D) data enumerating whether the use of the 
                amounts awarded helped veteran students at the 
                institution or consortium toward completion of a 
                degree, certificate, or credential;
            ``(4) best practices for veteran student success, 
        identified by reviewing data provided by institutions and 
        consortia that received a grant under this section; and
            ``(5) a determination by the Secretary with respect to 
        whether the grant program under this section should be extended 
        or expanded.
    ``(f) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out the 
grant program established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the 
date that is 4 years after the date on which the first grant is awarded 
under subsection (a).
    ``(g) Department of Education Best Practices Website.--Subject to 
the availability of appropriations under subsection (i) and not later 
than 3 years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and implement a website for 
veteran student services at institutions of higher education, which 
details best practices for serving veteran students at institutions of 
higher education.
    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101.
            ``(2) Veteran student center.--The term `Veteran Student 
        Center' means a dedicated space on a campus of an institution 
        of higher education that provides students who are veterans or 
        members of the Armed Forces with the following:
                    ``(A) A lounge or meeting space for such veteran 
                students, their spouses or partners, and veterans in 
                the community.
                    ``(B) A centralized office for veteran services 
                that--
                            ``(i) is a single point of contact to 
                        coordinate comprehensive support services for 
                        veteran students;
                            ``(ii) is staffed by trained employees and 
                        volunteers, which includes veterans and at 
                        least one full-time employee or volunteer who 
                        is trained as a veterans' benefits counselor;
                            ``(iii) provides veteran students with 
                        assistance relating to--
                                    ``(I) transitioning from the 
                                military to student life;
                                    ``(II) transitioning from the 
                                military to the civilian workforce;
                                    ``(III) networking with other 
                                veteran students and veterans in the 
                                community;
                                    ``(IV) understanding and obtaining 
                                benefits provided by the institution of 
                                higher education, Federal Government, 
                                and State for which such students may 
                                be eligible;
                                    ``(V) understanding how to succeed 
                                in the institution of higher education, 
                                including by understanding academic 
                                policies, the course selection process, 
                                and institutional policies and 
                                practices related to the transfer of 
                                academic credits; and
                                    ``(VI) understanding their 
                                disability-related rights and 
                                protections under the Americans with 
                                Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                                12101 et seq.) and section 504 of the 
                                Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
                                794); and
                            ``(iv) provides comprehensive academic and 
                        tutoring services for veteran students, 
                        including peer-to-peer tutoring and academic 
                        mentorship.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this part such sums as may be necessary for 
fiscal year 2016 and each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.''.

SEC. 315. CONTINUATION OF AWARDS.

    An institution of higher education that received a grant under 
section 873 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161t) 
before the date of enactment of this Act, as such section 873 (20 
U.S.C. 1161t) was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of 
this Act, shall continue to receive funds in accordance with the terms 
and conditions of such grant.

SEC. 316. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS GRANTS TO EDUCATIONAL 
              INSTITUTIONS FOR PROVISION OF CHILD CARE SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3699. Grants to educational institutions for provision of child 
              care services
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make a grant to an eligible 
educational institution for the purpose of providing child care 
services on the campus of the educational institution to students 
enrolled in courses of education offered by the educational 
institution.
    ``(b) Eligible Educational Institution.--To be eligible for a grant 
under this section, an educational institution shall--
            ``(1) offer a course of education that is approved as 
        provided in this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title 
        by the State approving agency where the educational institution 
        is located; and
            ``(2) submit to the Secretary an application containing 
        such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--(1) An educational institution that receives a 
grant under this section shall use the grant to--
            ``(A) establish or expand a child care center on the campus 
        of the educational institution; or
            ``(B) pay the costs of providing child care services to 
        students enrolled in courses of education offered by the 
        educational institution at a child care center located on the 
        campus of the educational institution.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall require, as a condition of a grant under 
this section, that the educational institution that receives the grant 
provides at least 75 percent of the new child care services funded by 
the grant to students who are veterans.
    ``(d) Limitation.--The Secretary may not make more than 50 grants 
under this section for fiscal year 2016.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 
section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting at the end of the items relating 
to subchapter II the following new item:

``3699. Grants to educational institutions for provision of child care 
                            services.''.

SEC. 317. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO PHYSICIAN 
              ASSISTANTS TO BE EMPLOYED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) Pilot Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        carry out a pilot program to be known as the ``Grow Our Own 
        Directive'' or ``G.O.O.D.'' pilot program (in this section 
        referred to as the ``pilot program'') to provide educational 
        assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for 
        education and training as physician assistants of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Information on pilot program.--The Secretary shall 
        provide information on the pilot program to eligible 
        individuals under subsection (b), including information on 
        application requirements and a list of entities with which the 
        Secretary has partnered under subsection (g).
    (b) Eligible Individuals.--An individual is eligible to participate 
in the pilot program if the individual--
            (1) has medical or military health experience gained while 
        serving as a member of the Armed Forces;
            (2) has received a certificate, associate degree, 
        baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or postbaccalaureate 
        training in a science relating to health care;
            (3) has participated in the delivery of health care 
        services or related medical services, including participation 
        in military training relating to the identification, 
        evaluation, treatment, and prevention of diseases and 
        disorders; and
            (4) does not have a degree of doctor of medicine, doctor of 
        osteopathy, or doctor of dentistry.
    (c) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the 
five-year period beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Selection.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall select not less than 
        250 eligible individuals under subsection (b) to participate in 
        the pilot program.
            (2) Priority for selection.--In selecting individuals to 
        participate in the pilot program under paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall give priority to the following individuals:
                    (A) Individuals who participated in the 
                Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program of the 
                Department that was carried out by the Secretary 
                between January 2011 and February 2015.
                    (B) Individuals who agree to be employed as a 
                physician assistant for the Veterans Health 
                Administration at a medical facility of the Department 
                located in a community that--
                            (i) is designated as a medically 
                        underserved population under section 
                        330(b)(3)(A) of the Public Health Service Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)(A)); and
                            (ii) is in a State with a per capita 
                        population of veterans of more than 9 percent 
                        according to the National Center for Veterans 
                        Analysis and Statistics and the United States 
                        Census Bureau.
    (e) Educational Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
        Secretary shall provide educational assistance to individuals 
        participating in the pilot program, including through the use 
        of scholarships, to cover the costs to such individuals of 
        obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or a 
        similar master's degree.
            (2) Use of existing programs.--In providing educational 
        assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Educational 
        Assistance Program under chapter 76 of title 38, United States 
        Code, and such other educational assistance programs of the 
        Department as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (3) Use of scholarships.--The Secretary shall provide not 
        less than 35 scholarships under the pilot program to 
        individuals participating in the pilot program during each year 
        in which the pilot program is carried out.
    (f) Period of Obligated Service.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into an 
        agreement with each individual participating in the pilot 
        program in which such individual agrees to be employed as a 
        physician assistant for the Veterans Health Administration for 
        a period of obligated service specified in paragraph (2).
            (2) Period specified.--With respect to each individual 
        participating in the pilot program, the period of obligated 
        service specified in this paragraph for the individual is--
                    (A) if the individual is participating in the pilot 
                program through a program described in subsection 
                (e)(2) that specifies a period of obligated service, 
                the period specified with respect to such program; or
                    (B) if the individual is participating in the pilot 
                program other than through a program described in such 
                subsection, or if such program does not specify a 
                period of obligated service, a period of three years or 
                such other period as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate for purposes of the pilot program.
    (g) Breach.--
            (1) Liability.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an 
        individual who participates in the pilot program and fails to 
        satisfy the period of obligated service under subsection (f) 
        shall be liable to the United States, in lieu of such obligated 
        service, for the amount that has been paid or is payable to or 
        on behalf of the individual under the pilot program, reduced by 
        the proportion that the number of days served for completion of 
        the period of obligated service bears to the total number of 
        days in the period of obligated service of such individual.
            (2) Exception.--If an individual is participating in the 
        pilot program through a program described in subsection (e)(2) 
        that specifies a period of obligated service, the liability of 
        the individual for failing to satisfy the period of obligated 
        service under subsection (f) shall be determined as specified 
        with respect to such program.
    (h) Mentors.--The Secretary shall ensure that a physician assistant 
mentor or mentors are available for individuals participating in the 
pilot program at each facility of the Veterans Health Administration at 
which a participant in the pilot program is employed.
    (i) Partnerships.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary 
shall seek to partner with the following:
            (1) Not less than 15 institutions of higher education 
        that--
                    (A) offer a master's degree program in physician 
                assistant studies or a similar area of study that is 
                accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on 
                Education for the Physician Assistant; and
                    (B) agree--
                            (i) to guarantee seats in such master's 
                        degree program for individuals participating in 
                        the pilot program who meet the entrance 
                        requirements for such master's degree program; 
                        and
                            (ii) to provide individuals participating 
                        in the pilot program with information on 
                        admissions criteria and the admissions process.
            (2) Other institutions of higher education that offer 
        programs in physician assistant studies or other similar areas 
        of studies that are accredited by the Accreditation Review 
        Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
            (3) The Transition Assistance Program of the Department of 
        Defense.
            (4) The Veterans' Employment and Training Service of the 
        Department of Labor.
            (5) Programs carried out under chapter 41 of title 38, 
        United States Code, for the purpose of marketing and 
        advertising the pilot program to veterans and members of the 
        Armed Forces who may be interested in the pilot program.
    (j) Administration of Pilot Program.--For purposes of carrying out 
the pilot program, the Secretary shall appoint or select within the 
Office of Physician Assistant Services of the Veterans Health 
Administration the following:
            (1) A Deputy Director for Education and Career Development 
        of Physician Assistants who--
                    (A) is a physician assistant, a veteran, and 
                employed by the Department as of the date of the 
                enactment of this Act;
                    (B) is responsible for--
                            (i) overseeing the pilot program;
                            (ii) recruiting candidates to participate 
                        in the pilot program;
                            (iii) coordinating with individuals 
                        participating in the pilot program and 
                        assisting those individuals in applying and 
                        being admitted to a master's degree program 
                        under the pilot program; and
                            (iv) providing information to eligible 
                        individuals under subsection (b) with respect 
                        to the pilot program; and
                    (C) may be employed in the field at a medical 
                center of the Department.
            (2) A Deputy Director of Recruitment and Retention who--
                    (A) is a physician assistant, a veteran, and 
                employed by the Department as of the date of the 
                enactment of this Act;
                    (B) is responsible for--
                            (i) identifying and coordinating the needs 
                        of the pilot program and assist the Secretary 
                        in providing mentors under subsection (h) to 
                        participants in the pilot program; and
                            (ii) coordinating the staff of facilities 
                        of the Veterans Health Administration with 
                        respect to identifying employment positions and 
                        mentors under subsection (h) for participants 
                        in the pilot program; and
                    (C) may be employed in the field at a medical 
                center of the Department.
            (3) A recruiter who--
                    (A) reports directly to the Deputy Director of 
                Recruitment and Retention; and
                    (B) works with the Workforce Management and 
                Consulting Office and the Healthcare Talent Management 
                Office of the Veterans Health Administration to develop 
                and implement national recruiting strategic plans for 
                the recruitment and retention of physician assistants 
                within the Department.
            (4) An administrative assistant, compensated at a rate not 
        less than level GS-6 of the General Schedule, or equivalent, 
        who assists with administrative duties relating to the pilot 
        program in the Office of Physician Assistant Services and such 
        other duties as determined by the Secretary to ensure that the 
        Office runs effectively and efficiently.
    (k) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
        in collaboration with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of 
        Defense, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall 
        submit to Congress a report on the pilot program.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The extent to which the pilot program is 
                effective in improving the ability of eligible 
                individuals under subsection (b) to become physician 
                assistants.
                    (B) An examination of whether the pilot program is 
                achieving the goals of--
                            (i) enabling individuals to build on 
                        medical skills gained as members of the Armed 
                        Forces by entering into the physician assistant 
                        workforce of the Department; and
                            (ii) helping to meet the shortage of 
                        physician assistants employed by the 
                        Department.
                    (C) An identification of such modifications to the 
                pilot program as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the 
                Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services consider 
                necessary to meet the goals described in subparagraph 
                (B).
                    (D) An assessment of whether the pilot program 
                could serve as a model for other programs of the 
                Department to assist individuals in obtaining 
                certification and employment in other health care 
                fields.
    (l) Source of Amounts.--Not less than $8,000,000 of the amount 
necessary to carry out the pilot program shall be derived from amounts 
appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 318. ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS FOR USING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO 
              EDUCATE AND HIRE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish 
standards described in subsection (b) to improve the use by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program under chapter 76 of 
title 38, United States Code, and other educational assistance programs 
of the Department, including the pilot program under section 2, to 
educate and hire physician assistants of the Department.
    (b) Standards.--The standards described in this subsection are the 
following:
            (1) Holding directors of medical centers of the Department 
        accountable for failure to use the educational assistance 
        programs described in subsection (a) and other incentives--
                    (A) to advance employees of the Department in their 
                education as physician assistants; and
                    (B) to improve recruitment and retention of 
                physician assistants.
            (2) Ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Education Debt Reduction Program under subchapter VII of 
        chapter 76 of such title is available for participants in the 
        pilot program under section 2 to fill vacant physician 
        assistant positions at the Department, including by--
                    (A) including in all vacancy announcements for 
                physician assistant positions the availability of the 
                Education Debt Reduction Program; and
                    (B) informing applicants to physician assistant 
                positions of their eligibility for the Education Debt 
                Reduction Program.
            (3) Monitoring compliance with the application process for 
        educational assistance programs described in subsection (a) to 
        ensure that such programs are being fully utilized to carry out 
        this section.
            (4) Creating programs, including through the use of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Incentive Scholarship 
        Program under subchapter VI of chapter 76 of such title, to 
        encourage employees of the Department to apply to accredited 
        physician assistant programs.
    (c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as 
the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out this section.

SEC. 319. ESTABLISHMENT OF PAY GRADES FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS OF THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE 
              COMPETITIVE PAY.

    (a) Establishment of Pay Grades.--Section 7404(b) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCHEDULE
``Physician Assistant IV.
``Physician Assistant III.
``Physician Assistant II.
``Physician Assistant I.''.
    (b) Competitive Pay.--Section 7451(a)(2) of such title is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
        subparagraph (B):
                    ``(B) Physician assistant.''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph (1), 
        by striking ``and registered nurse'' and inserting ``registered 
        nurse, and physician assistant''.
    (c) National Strategic Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        implement a national strategic plan for the retention and 
        recruitment of physician assistants of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs that includes the establishment and adoption 
        of standards for the provision of competitive pay to physician 
        assistants of the Department in comparison to the pay of 
        physician assistants in the private sector.
            (2) 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 the implementation of the national strategic plan under 
        paragraph (1).

                        Subtitle C--Eligibility

SEC. 321. CONSIDERATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN TIME ON ACTIVE DUTY IN RESERVE 
              COMPONENTS OF ARMED FORCES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3301(1)(B) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``12302, or 12304'' and inserting 
``12301(h), 12302, 12304, 12304a, or 12304b''.
    (b) Effective Date and Applicability.--The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall--
            (1) take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act;
            (2) apply with respect to assistance provided under chapter 
        33 of such title on and after the date that is one year after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (3) apply with respect to any member of a reserve component 
        of the Armed Forces who serves or has served on active duty 
        under section 12301(h), 12304a, or 12304b of title 10, United 
        States Code, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act.

SEC. 322. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MARINE GUNNERY SERGEANT JOHN 
              DAVID FRY SCHOLARSHIP.

    (a) In General.--Section 701(d) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 128 Stat. 1796; 38 
U.S.C. 3311 note) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Applicability.--
            ``(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section 
        shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as 
        applicable, commencing on or after January 1, 2015.
            ``(2) Deaths that occurred between september 11, 2001, and 
        december 31, 2005.--For purposes of section 3311(f)(2) of title 
        38, United States Code, any member of the Armed Forces who died 
        during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending 
        on December 31, 2005, is deemed to have died on January 1, 
        2006.''.
    (b) Election on Receipt of Certain Benefits.--Section 3311(f) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``A surviving spouse'' 
        and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (4), a 
        surviving spouse'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
        paragraph (4):
            ``(4) Exception for certain elections.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An election made under paragraph 
                (3) by a spouse described in subparagraph (B) may not 
                be treated as irrevocable if such election occurred 
                before the date of the enactment of this paragraph.
                    ``(B) Eligible surviving spouse.--A spouse 
                described in this subparagraph is an individual--
                            ``(i) who is entitled to assistance under 
                        subsection (a) pursuant to paragraph (9) of 
                        subsection (b); and
                            ``(ii) who was the spouse of a member of 
                        the Armed Forces who died during the period 
                        beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on 
                        December 31, 2005.''.
    (c) Technical Amendment.--Paragraph (5) of subsection (f) of 
section 3311 of title 38, United States Code, as redesignated by 
subsection (b)(2), is amended by striking ``that paragraph'' and 
inserting ``paragraph (9) of subsection (b)''.
    (d) Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program.--Section 
3317(a) of such title is amended by striking ``paragraphs (1) and (2) 
of section 3311(b)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1), (2), and (9) of 
section 3311(b) of this title''.

SEC. 323. CONSIDERATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN TIME ON ACTIVE DUTY IN RESERVE 
              COMPONENTS OF ARMED FORCES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3301(1)(B) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``12302, or 12304'' and inserting 
``12301(h), 12302, 12304, 12304a, or 12304b''.
    (b) Effective Date and Applicability.--The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall--
            (1) take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act;
            (2) apply with respect to assistance provided under chapter 
        33 of such title on and after the date that is one year after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (3) apply with respect to any member of a reserve component 
        of the Armed Forces who serves or has served on active duty 
        under section 12301(h), 12304a, or 12304b of title 10, United 
        States Code, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act.

SEC. 324. ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN 
              MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPONENTS OF ARMED FORCES WHO LOST 
              ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER RESERVE 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Election.--Section 16167 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.--A member 
who loses eligibility for benefits under this chapter pursuant to 
subsection (b) shall be allowed to elect (in such form and manner as 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may prescribe) to have such service 
previously credited toward this chapter credited towards establishing 
eligibility for educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, 
United States Code, notwithstanding the provisions of section 16163(e) 
of this title or section 3322(h)(1) of title 38.''.
    (b) Qualification of Service.--Section 3301(1) of title 38, United 
States Code, shall be construed to include, in the case of a member of 
a reserve component of the Armed Forces who, before November 25, 2015, 
established eligibility for educational assistance under chapter 1607 
of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to section 16163(a)(1) of 
such title, but lost eligibility for such educational assistance 
pursuant to section 16167(b) of such title, service on active duty (as 
defined in section 101 of such title) that satisfies the requirements 
of section 16163(a)(1) of such title.
    (c) Entitlement.--Section 3311(b)(8) of title 38, United States 
Code, shall be construed to include an individual who, before November 
25, 2015, established eligibility for educational assistance under 
chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to section 
16163(b) of such title, but lost such eligibility pursuant to section 
16167(b) of such title.
    (d) Duration.--Notwithstanding section 3312 of title 38, United 
States Code, an individual who establishes eligibility for educational 
assistance under chapter 33 of such title by crediting towards such 
chapter service previously credited towards chapter 1607 of title 10, 
United States Code, is only entitled to a number of months of 
educational assistance under section 3313 of title 38, United States 
Code, equal to the number of months of entitlement remaining under 
chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, at the time of conversion 
to chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code.

             TITLE IV--DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION

SEC. 401. APPEALS REFORM.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(34) The term `Agency of Original Jurisdiction' means the 
        activity which entered the original determination with regard 
        to a claim for benefits under this title.
            ``(35) The term `relevant evidence' means evidence that 
        tends to prove or disprove a matter in issue.''.
    (b) Notice of Supplemental Claims.--Section 5103 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) by striking ``, a claim for 
        reopening a prior decision on a claim, or a claim for an 
        increase in benefits;'' and inserting ``or a supplemental 
        claim;''; and
            (2) in subsection (b) by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(6) Nothing in this section shall require notice to be 
        sent for a supplemental claim that is filed within the 
        timeframe set forth in subsections (a)(2)(B) and (a)(2)(D) of 
        section 5110 of this title.''.
    (c) Disallowed Claims.--Subsection (f) of section 5103A of title 
38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f) Rule With Respect to Disallowed Claims.--Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to require the Secretary to readjudicate a 
claim that has been disallowed except when new and relevant evidence is 
presented or secured, as described in section 5108 of this title.''.
    (d) Duty To Assist.--Chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding the following new sections:
``Sec. 5103B. Applicability of duty to assist
    ``(a) The Secretary's duty to assist under section 5103A of this 
title shall apply only to a claim, or supplemental claim, for a benefit 
under a law administered by the Secretary until the time that a 
claimant is provided notice of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's 
decision with respect to such claim, or supplemental claim, under 
section 5104 of this title.
    ``(b) The Secretary's duty to assist under section 5103A of this 
title shall not apply to higher-level review by the Agency of Original 
Jurisdiction, pursuant to section 5104B of this title, or to review on 
appeal by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
    ``(c) Correction of Duty To Assist Errors.--
            ``(1) Higher-level review.--If, during review of the Agency 
        of Original Jurisdiction's decision under section 5104B of this 
        title, the higher-level reviewer identifies an error on the 
        part of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction to satisfy its 
        duties under section 5103A of this title, and that error 
        occurred prior to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's 
        decision being reviewed, unless the claim can be granted in 
        full, the higher-level reviewer shall return the claim for 
        correction of such error and readjudication.
            ``(2) Board of veterans' appeals.--If the Board, during 
        review on appeal of an Agency of Original Jurisdiction 
        decision, identifies an error on the part of the Agency of 
        Original Jurisdiction to satisfy its duties under section 5103A 
        of this title, and that error occurred prior to the Agency of 
        Original Jurisdiction decision on appeal, unless the claim can 
        be granted in full, the Board shall remand the claim to the 
        Agency of Original Jurisdiction for correction of such error 
        and readjudication. Remand for correction of such error may 
        include directing the Agency of Original Jurisdiction to obtain 
        an advisory medical opinion under section 5109 of this title.
``Sec. 5104A. Binding nature of favorable findings
    ``Any finding favorable to the claimant as described in section 
5104(b)(4) of this title shall be binding on all subsequent 
adjudicators within the department, unless clear and convincing 
evidence is shown to the contrary to rebut such favorable finding.
``Sec. 5104B. Higher-level review by the Agency of Original 
              Jurisdiction
    ``(a) In General.--The claimant may request a review of the 
decision of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction by a higher-level 
adjudicator within the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.
    ``(b) Time and Manner of Request.--A request for higher-level 
review by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction must be in writing in the 
form prescribed by the Secretary and made within one year of the notice 
of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's decision. Such request may 
specifically indicate whether such review is requested by a higher-
level adjudicator at the same office within the Agency of Original 
Jurisdiction or by an adjudicator at a different office of the Agency 
of Original Jurisdiction.
    ``(c) Decision.--Notice of a higher-level review decision under 
this section shall be provided in writing.
    ``(d) Evidentiary Record for Review.--The evidentiary record before 
the higher-level reviewer shall be limited to the evidence of record in 
the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's decision being reviewed.
    ``(e) De Novo Review.--Higher-level review under this section shall 
be de novo.''.
    (e) Denial of Benefits Sought.--Section 5104(b) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) In any case where the Secretary denies a benefit sought, the 
notice required by subsection (a) shall also include--
            ``(1) identification of the issues adjudicated;
            ``(2) a summary of the evidence considered by the 
        Secretary;
            ``(3) a summary of the applicable laws and regulations;
            ``(4) identification of findings favorable to the claimant;
            ``(5) identification of elements not satisfied leading to 
        the denial;
            ``(6) an explanation of how to obtain or access evidence 
        used in making the decision; and
            ``(7) if applicable, identification of the criteria that 
        must be satisfied to grant service connection or the next 
        higher level of compensation.''.
    (f) Supplemental Claims.--Section 5108 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5108. Supplemental claims
    ``If new and relevant evidence is presented or secured with respect 
to a supplemental claim, the Secretary shall readjudicate the claim 
taking into consideration any evidence added to the record prior to the 
former disposition of the claim.''.
    (g) Section 5109 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) The Board of Veterans' Appeals may remand a claim to direct 
the Agency of Original Jurisdiction to obtain an advisory medical 
opinion under this section to correct an error on the part of the 
Agency of Original Jurisdiction to satisfy its duties under section 
5103A of this title when such error occurred prior to the Agency of 
Original Jurisdiction's decision on appeal. The Board's remand 
instructions shall include the questions to be posed to the independent 
medical expert providing the advisory medical opinion.''.
    (h) Effective Dates of Awards.--Section 5110 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a)(1) In General.--Unless specifically provided otherwise in 
this chapter, the effective date of an award based on an initial claim, 
or a supplemental claim, of compensation, dependency and indemnity 
compensation, or pension, shall be fixed in accordance with the facts 
found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of application 
therefor.
    ``(2) Effect of Continuous Pursuit of a Claim on Effective Date of 
Award.--For purposes of applying the effective date rules in this 
section, the date of application shall be considered the date of the 
filing of the initial application for a benefit provided that the claim 
is continuously pursued by filing any of the following either alone or 
in succession--
            ``(A) a request for higher-level review under section 5104B 
        of this title within one year of an Agency of Original 
        Jurisdiction decision;
            ``(B) a supplemental claim under section 5108 of this title 
        within one year of an Agency of Original Jurisdiction decision;
            ``(C) a notice of disagreement within one year of an Agency 
        of Original Jurisdiction decision; or
            ``(D) a supplemental claim under section 5108 of this title 
        within one year of a decision of the Board of Veterans' 
        Appeals.
    ``(3) Supplemental Claims Received More Than One Year After an 
Agency of Original Jurisdiction Decision or Decision by the Board of 
Veterans' Appeals.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, for 
supplemental claims received more than one year after an Agency of 
Original Jurisdiction decision or a decision by the Board of Veterans' 
Appeals, the effective date shall be fixed in accordance with the facts 
found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of the 
supplemental claim.''; and
            (2) in subsection (i) by--
                    (A) striking ``reopened'' and replacing it with 
                ``readjudicated'';
                    (B) striking ``material'' and replacing it with 
                ``relevant''; and
                    (C) striking ``reopening'' and replacing it with 
                ``readjudication''.
    (i) Commencement of Period of Payment.--Section 5111(d)(1) of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``or reopened award;'' 
and replacing it with ``award or award based on a supplemental 
claim;''.
    (j) Recognition of Agents and Attorneys.--Section 5904 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1) by striking ``notice of 
        disagreement is filed'' and replacing it with ``claimant is 
        provided notice of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's 
        initial decision under section 5104 of this title''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(2) by striking ``notice of 
        disagreement is filed'' and replacing it with ``claimant is 
        provided notice of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's 
        initial decision under section 5104 of this title''.
    (k) Reconsideration; Correction of Obvious Errors.--Section 
7103(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``heard'' and replacing 
        it with ``decided''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``heard'' and replacing 
        it with ``decided''.
    (l) Prohibition on Readjudication of Disallowed Claims by Board.--
Section 7104(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``reopened'' and replacing it with ``readjudicated''.
    (m) Appellate Review Forms.--Section 7105 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking the first sentence and replacing it 
                with ``Appellate review will be initiated by the filing 
                of a notice of disagreement in the form prescribed by 
                the Secretary.''; and
                    (B) by striking ``hearing and'';
            (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b)(1) Except in the case of simultaneously contested claims, 
notice of disagreement shall be filed within one year from the date of 
the mailing of notice of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's decision 
under section 5104, 5104B, or 5108. A notice of disagreement postmarked 
before the expiration of the one-year period will be accepted as timely 
filed. A question as to timeliness or adequacy of the notice of 
disagreement shall be decided by the Board.
    ``(2) Notices of disagreement must be in writing, must set out 
specific allegations of error of fact or law, and may be filed by the 
claimant, the claimant's legal guardian, or such accredited 
representative, attorney, or authorized agent as may be selected by the 
claimant or legal guardian. Not more than one recognized organization, 
attorney, or agent will be recognized at any one time in the 
prosecution of a claim. Notices of disagreement must be filed with the 
Board.
    ``(3) The notice of disagreement shall indicate whether the 
claimant requests a hearing before the Board, requests an opportunity 
to submit additional evidence without a Board hearing, or requests 
review by the Board without a hearing or submission of additional 
evidence. If the claimant does not expressly request a Board hearing in 
the notice of disagreement, no Board hearing will be held.'';
            (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) If no notice of disagreement is filed in accordance with this 
chapter within the prescribed period, the Agency of Original 
Jurisdiction's action or decision shall become final and the claim will 
not thereafter be readjudicated or allowed, except as may otherwise be 
provided by section 5104B or 5108 of this title or regulations not 
inconsistent with this title.'';
            (4) by striking subsections (d)(1) through (d)(5);
            (5) by adding a new subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) The Board of Veterans' Appeals may dismiss any appeal which 
fails to allege specific error of fact or law in the decision being 
appealed.''; and
            (6) by striking subsection (e).
    (n) Notice of Disagreement in Simultaneously Contested Claims.--
Section 7105A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(b) The substance of the notice of disagreement will be 
communicated to the other party or parties in interest and a period of 
thirty days will be allowed for filing a brief or argument in response 
thereto. Such notice shall be forwarded to the last known address of 
record of the parties concerned, and such action shall constitute 
sufficient evidence of notice.''.
    (o) Administrative Appeals.--Strike section 7106 of title 38, 
United States Code.
    (p) Appeals, Dockets; Hearings.--Section 7107 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) The Board shall maintain two separate dockets. A non-hearing 
option docket shall be maintained for cases in which no Board hearing 
is requested and no additional evidence will be submitted. A separate 
and distinct hearing option docket shall be maintained for cases in 
which a Board hearing is requested in the notice of disagreement or in 
which no Board hearing is requested, but the appellant requests, in the 
notice of disagreement, an opportunity to submit additional evidence. 
Except as provided in subsection (b), each case before the Board will 
be decided in regular order according to its respective place on the 
Board's non-hearing option docket or the hearing option docket.'';
            (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b) Advancement on the Docket.--A case on either the Board's non-
hearing option docket or hearing option docket, may, for cause shown, 
be advanced on motion for earlier consideration and determination. Any 
such motion shall set forth succinctly the grounds upon which the 
motion is based. Such a motion may be granted only--
            ``(1) if the case involves interpretation of law of general 
        application affecting other claims;
            ``(2) if the appellant is seriously ill or is under severe 
        financial hardship; or
            ``(3) for other sufficient cause shown.'';
            (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) Manner and Scheduling of Hearings for Cases on Board Hearing 
Option Docket.--(1) For cases on the Board hearing option docket in 
which a hearing is requested in the notice of disagreement, the Board 
shall notify the appellant whether a Board hearing will be held--
            ``(A) at its principal location, or
            ``(B) by picture and voice transmission at a facility of 
        the Department where the Secretary has provided suitable 
        facilities and equipment to conduct such hearings.
    ``(2)(A) Upon notification of a Board hearing at the Board's 
principal location as described in subsection (c)(1)(A) of this 
section, the appellant may alternatively request a hearing as described 
in subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section. If so requested, the Board 
shall grant such request.
    ``(B) Upon notification of a Board hearing by picture and voice 
transmission as described in subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section, the 
appellant may alternatively request a hearing as described in 
subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section. If so requested, the Board shall 
grant such request.''; and
            (4) by striking subsections (d) and (e) and redesignating 
        subsection (f) as subsection (d).
    (q) Independent Medical Opinions.--Strike section 7109 of title 38, 
United States Code.
    (r) Submittal of Certain Requests to Board.--Section 7111(e) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``merits, without 
referral to any adjudicative or hearing official acting on behalf of 
the Secretary.'' and replacing it with ``merits.''.
    (s) Evidentiary Record Before Board.--Chapter 71 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding the following new section:
``Sec. 7113. Evidentiary record before the Board
    ``(a) Non-Hearing Option Docket.--For cases in which a Board 
hearing is not requested in the notice of disagreement, the evidentiary 
record before the Board shall be limited to the evidence of record at 
the time of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction decision on appeal.
    ``(b) Hearing Option Docket.--
            ``(1) Hearing requested.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (2) of this subsection, for cases on the hearing option docket 
        in which a hearing is requested in the notice of disagreement, 
        the evidentiary record before the Board shall be limited to the 
        evidence of record at the time of the Agency of Original 
        Jurisdiction decision on appeal.
            ``(2) Exceptions.--The evidentiary record before the Board 
        for cases on the hearing option docket in which a hearing is 
        requested, shall include each of the following, which the Board 
        shall consider in the first instance--
                    ``(A) evidence submitted by the appellant and his 
                or her representative, if any, at the Board hearing; 
                and
                    ``(B) evidence submitted by the appellant and his 
                or her representative, if any, within 90 days following 
                the Board hearing.
            ``(3) Hearing not requested.--(A) Except as provided in 
        subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, for cases on the hearing 
        option docket in which a hearing is not requested in the notice 
        of disagreement, the evidentiary record before the Board shall 
        be limited to the evidence considered by the Agency of Original 
        Jurisdiction in the decision on appeal.
            ``(B) The evidentiary record before the Board for cases on 
        the hearing option docket in which a hearing is not requested, 
        shall include each of the following, which the Board shall 
        consider in the first instance--
                    ``(i) evidence submitted by the appellant and his 
                or her representative, if any, with the notice of 
                disagreement; and
                    ``(ii) evidence submitted by the appellant and his 
                or her representative, if any, within 90 days following 
                receipt of the notice of disagreement.''.
    (t) Conforming Amendment.--The heading of section 7105 is amended 
by striking ``notice of disagreement and''.
    (u) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Chapter 51.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
        chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                5103A the following new item:

``5103B. Applicability of duty to assist.'';
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                5104 the following new items:

``5104A. Binding nature of favorable findings.
``5104B. Higher-level review by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.'';
                and
                    (C) in the item relating to section 5108, by 
                striking ``Reopening disallowed claims.'' and inserting 
                ``Supplemental claims.''.
            (2) Chapter 71.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
        chapter 71 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to section 7106;
                    (B) by striking the item relating to section 7109;
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new item:

``7113. The evidentiary record before the Board.'';
                and
                    (D) in the item relating to section 7105, by 
                striking ``notice of disagreement and''.

SEC. 402. TREATMENT OF MEDICAL EVIDENCE PROVIDED BY NON-DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN SUPPORT OF 
              CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION.

    (a) Acceptance of Reports of Private Physician Examinations.--
Section 5125 of such title is amended--
            (1) by striking ``For purposes'' and inserting ``(a) In 
        General.--'';
            (2) by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Sufficiently Complete Defined.--For purposes of a report 
described in subsection (a), the term `sufficiently complete' means 
competent, credible, probative, and containing such information as may 
be required to make a decision on the claim for which the report is 
provided.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to medical evidence submitted after the date that is 
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 403. REPORT ON PROGRESS OF ACCEPTABLE CLINICAL EVIDENCE 
              INITIATIVE.

    (a) 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 progress of the 
Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs 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, as amended by section 2.
    (b) Contents of Report.--The report required by subsection (a) 
shall include the following:
            (1) The number of claims eligible for the Acceptable 
        Clinical Evidence initiative during the period beginning on the 
        date of the commencement of the initiative and ending on the 
        date of the submittal of the report, disaggregated by fiscal 
        year.
            (2) The total number of claims eligible for the Acceptable 
        Clinical Evidence initiative that required a medical examiner 
        of the Department to supplement the evidence with information 
        obtained during a telephone interview with a claimant.
            (3) Information on any other initiatives or efforts of the 
        Department to further encourage the use of private medical 
        evidence 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.
            (4) The anticipated impact on the timeline and accuracy of 
        a decision on a claim for benefits under chapter 11 or 15 of 
        title 38, United States Code, if the Secretary were prohibited 
        from requesting a medical examination in the case of a claim in 
        support of which a claimant submits medical evidence and a 
        medical opinion provided by a private physician that is 
        competent, credible, probative, and otherwise adequate for the 
        purpose of making a decision on that claim.
            (5) Recommendations on how the Department can 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.

SEC. 404. ANNUAL REPORT.

    Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report that includes, for the 
calendar year preceding the year in which the report is submitted, the 
following for each regional office of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs:
            (1) The number of times a veteran who submitted private 
        medical evidence in support of a claim for compensation or 
        pension under the laws administered by the Secretary was 
        scheduled for an examination performed by Department personnel 
        because the private medical evidence submitted was determined 
        to be unacceptable.
            (2) The most common reasons why private medical evidence 
        submitted in support of claims for benefits under the laws 
        administered by the Secretary was determined to be 
        unacceptable.
            (3) The types of disabilities for which claims for benefits 
        under the laws administered by the Secretary were most commonly 
        denied when private medical evidence was submitted.

SEC. 405. BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS VIDEO HEARINGS.

    Section 7107 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
        follows:
    ``(1)(A) Upon request for a hearing, the Board shall determine, for 
purposes of scheduling the hearing for the earliest possible date, 
whether a hearing before the Board will be held at its principal 
location or at a facility of the Department or other appropriate 
Federal facility located within the area served by a regional office of 
the Department. The Board shall also determine whether to provide a 
hearing through the use of the facilities and equipment described in 
subsection (e)(1) or by the appellant personally appearing before a 
Board member or panel.
    ``(B) The Board shall notify the appellant of the determinations of 
the location and type of hearing made under subparagraph (A). Upon 
notification, the appellant may request a different location or type of 
hearing as described in such subparagraph. If so requested, the Board 
shall grant such request and ensure that the hearing is scheduled at 
the earliest possible date without any undue delay or other prejudice 
to the appellant.''; and
            (2) in subsection (e), by amending paragraph (2) to read as 
        follows:
    ``(2) Any hearing provided through the use of the facilities and 
equipment described in paragraph (1) shall be conducted in the same 
manner as, and shall be considered the equivalent of, a personal 
hearing.''.

SEC. 406. EXPEDITED PAYMENT OF SURVIVOR'S BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Section 5101(a)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``A specific'' and inserting ``(A) Except 
        as provided in subparagraph (B), a specific''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B)(i) The Secretary may pay benefits under chapters 13 and 15 
and sections 2302, 2307, and 5121 of this title to a survivor of a 
veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the Secretary determines 
that the record contains sufficient evidence to establish the 
entitlement of the survivor to such benefits.
    ``(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph and section 5110 of this 
title, the date on which a survivor of a veteran notifies the Secretary 
of the death of the veteran shall be treated as the date of the receipt 
of the survivor's application for benefits described in clause (i).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to claims for benefits based on a death occurring on 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 407. DEFINITION OF SPOUSE FOR PURPOSES OF VETERAN BENEFITS TO 
              REFLECT NEW STATE DEFINITIONS OF SPOUSE.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``of the opposite sex''; 
        and
            (2) in paragraph (31), by striking ``of the opposite sex 
        who is a wife or husband'' and inserting ``in a marriage 
        recognized under section 103 of this title''.
    (b) Determination.--Subsection (c) of section 103 of such title is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(c)(1) For the purposes of all laws administered by the 
Secretary, the Secretary shall recognize a marriage based on the law of 
the State where the marriage occurred. In the case of a marriage that 
occurred outside a State, the Secretary shall recognize the marriage if 
the marriage was lawful in the place where it occurred and could have 
been entered into under the laws of any State. Except in the case of a 
purported marriage deemed valid under subsection (a), the Secretary may 
not recognize more than one marriage for any person at the same time.
    ``(2) In this subsection, the term `State' has the meaning given 
that the term in section 101(20) of this title, except that such term 
also includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.

SEC. 408. CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF BOTH RETIRED PAY AND VETERANS' 
              DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR MILITARY RETIREES WITH 
              COMPENSABLE SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    (a) Inclusion of Retirees With Service-Connected Disabilities Rated 
Less Than 50 Percent.--Subsection (a) of section 1414 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Compensation'' in the subsection heading 
        and all that follows through ``Subject'' and inserting 
        ``Compensation.--Subject'';
            (2) by striking ``qualifying service-connected disability'' 
        and inserting ``service-connected disability''; and
            (3) by striking paragraph (2).
    (b) Inclusion of Disability Retirees With Less Than 20 Years of 
Service.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``member retired'' and 
        inserting ``qualified retiree who is retired''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(2) Disability retirees with less than 20 years of 
        service.--The retired pay of a qualified retiree who is retired 
        under chapter 61 of this title with fewer than 20 years of 
        creditable service is subject to reduction under sections 5304 
        and 5305 of title 38, but only by the amount (if any) by which 
        the amount of the member's retired pay under such chapter 
        exceeds the amount equal to 2\1/2\ percent of the member's 
        years of creditable service multiplied by the member's retired 
        pay base under section 1406(b)(1) or 1407 of this title, 
        whichever is applicable to the member.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments Reflecting End of Concurrent Receipt 
Phase-In Period.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), as amended by subsection (a) of this 
        section, by striking the final sentence;
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating 
        subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), 
        respectively; and
            (3) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by striking 
        paragraphs (3) and (4).
    (d) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Section heading.--The heading for such section is 
        amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1414. Members eligible for retired pay who are also eligible for 
              veterans' disability compensation: concurrent payment of 
              retired pay and disability compensation''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The item relating to such section 
        in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 71 of such 
        title is amended to read as follows:

``1414. Members eligible for retired pay who are also eligible for 
                            veterans' disability compensation: 
                            concurrent payment of retired pay and 
                            disability compensation.''.
    (e) Conforming Amendment Reflecting Subsection Redesignation.--
Section 1413a(f) of such title is amended by striking ``Subsection 
(d)'' and inserting ``Subsection (c)''.
    (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the first day of the first month beginning after the date of 
the enactment of this Act and shall apply to payments for months 
beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS REGARDING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND 
              EXPOSURE TO DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN 
              HERBICIDES.

    (a) Use of Information To Provide for Presumption of Service 
Connection.--Section 1116(e) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 
30, 2017''.
    (b) Agreement With National Academy of Sciences.--Section 3(i) of 
the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is 
amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 
2017''.

                   TITLE V--HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

SEC. 501. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2020''.

SEC. 502. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES UNDER HOMELESS 
              VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

    Subsection (a) of section 2021 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor 
force.'' and inserting the following:
    ``reintegration into the labor force of--
            ``(1) homeless veterans;
            ``(2) veterans participating in the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs supported housing program for which rental assistance 
        provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the United States 
        Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)); and
            ``(3) veterans who are transitioning from being 
        incarcerated.''.

SEC. 503. SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Transfer of Position to Office of the Secretary.--Section 4 of 
the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(h) Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs.--
            ``(1) Position.--There shall be in the Office of the 
        Secretary a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs, who shall 
        report directly to the Secretary.
            ``(2) Appointment.--The Special Assistant for Veterans 
        Affairs shall be appointed based solely on merit and shall be 
        covered under the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
        governing appointments in the competitive service.
            ``(3) Responsibilities.--The Special Assistant for Veterans 
        Affairs shall be responsible for--
                    ``(A) ensuring veterans have fair access to housing 
                and homeless assistance under each program of the 
                Department providing either such assistance;
                    ``(B) coordinating all programs and activities of 
                the Department relating to veterans;
                    ``(C) serving as a liaison for the Department with 
                the Department of Veterans Affairs, including 
                establishing and maintaining relationships with the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
                    ``(D) serving as a liaison for the Department, and 
                establishing and maintaining relationships with the 
                United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and 
                officials of State, local, regional, and 
                nongovernmental organizations concerned with veterans;
                    ``(E) providing information and advice regarding--
                            ``(i) sponsoring housing projects for 
                        veterans assisted under programs administered 
                        by the Department; or
                            ``(ii) assisting veterans in obtaining 
                        housing or homeless assistance under programs 
                        administered by the Department;
                    ``(F) coordinating with the Secretary of Housing 
                and Urban Development and the Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs in carrying out section 3 of the Homes for 
                Heroes Act of 2015; and
                    ``(G) carrying out such other duties as may be 
                assigned to the Special Assistant by the Secretary or 
                by law.''.
    (b) Transfer of Position in Office of Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Special Needs.--On the date that the initial Special Assistant for 
Veterans Affairs is appointed pursuant to section 4(h)(2) of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development Act, as added by subsection 
(a) of this section, the position of Special Assistant for Veterans 
Programs in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special 
Needs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development shall be 
terminated.

SEC. 504. ANNUAL SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT ON VETERANS HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the United 
States Interagency Council on Homelessness, shall submit annually to 
the Committees of the Congress specified in subsection (b), together 
with the annual reports required by such Secretaries under section 
203(c)(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
11313(c)(1)), a supplemental report that includes the following 
information with respect to the preceding year:
            (1) The same information, for such preceding year, that was 
        included with respect to 2010 in the report by the Secretary of 
        Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs entitled ``Veterans Homelessness: A Supplemental Report 
        to the 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress''.
            (2) Information regarding the activities of the Department 
        of Housing and Urban Development relating to veterans during 
        such preceding year, as follows:
                    (A) The number of veterans provided assistance 
                under the housing choice voucher program for Veterans 
                Affairs supported housing (VASH) under section 8(o)(19) 
                of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
                1437f(o)(19)), the socioeconomic characteristics of 
                such homeless veterans, and the number, types, and 
                locations of entities contracted under such section to 
                administer the vouchers.
                    (B) A summary description of the special 
                considerations made for veterans under public housing 
                agency plans submitted pursuant to section 5A of the 
                United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1) 
                and under comprehensive housing affordability 
                strategies submitted pursuant to section 105 of the 
                Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 
                U.S.C. 12705).
                    (C) A description of the activities of the Special 
                Assistant for Veterans Affairs of the Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development.
                    (D) A description of the efforts of the Department 
                of Housing and Urban Development and the other members 
                of the United States Interagency Council on 
                Homelessness to coordinate the delivery of housing and 
                services to veterans.
                    (E) The cost to the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development of administering the programs and 
                activities relating to veterans.
                    (F) Any other information that the Secretary of 
                Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs consider relevant in assessing the 
                programs and activities of the Department of Housing 
                and Urban Development relating to veterans.
    (b) Committees.--The Committees of the Congress specified in this 
subsection are as follows:
            (1) The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
        the Senate.
            (2) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
            (3) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
            (4) The Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (5) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (6) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives.

SEC. 505. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) Establishment.--In addition to any other programs carried out 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding providing housing to 
homeless veterans, not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall commence a pilot grant 
program to assess the feasibility and advisability of awarding grants 
to eligible entities to purchase and renovate abandoned homes for 
homeless veterans.
    (b) Grants.--
            (1) Award.--In carrying out the pilot program under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall award grants to eligible 
        entities to purchase and renovate abandoned homes for homeless 
        veterans.
            (2) Maximum amount.--The amount of a single grant awarded 
        under paragraph (1) shall not exceed $1,000,000.
            (3) Number.--The Secretary may award to an eligible entity 
        more than one grant under paragraph (1).
    (c) Eligible Entities.--The Secretary may award a grant under 
subsection (b)(1) to any of the following:
            (1) A veterans service agency.
            (2) A veterans service organization.
            (3) Homeless organizations.
            (4) Any other nongovernmental organization.
    (d) Selection of Grant Recipients.--
            (1) Application.--Any eligible entity seeking a grant under 
        subsection (b)(1) shall submit to the Secretary an application 
        therefore in such form and in such manner as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate.
            (2) Selection priority.--
                    (A) Communities with greatest need.--Subject to 
                subparagraph (B), in accordance with regulations the 
                Secretary shall prescribe, the Secretary shall give 
                priority in the awarding of grants under subsection 
                (b)(1) to eligible entities who serve communities that 
                the Secretary determines have the greatest need of 
                homeless services.
                    (B) Geographic distribution.--The Secretary may 
                give priority in the awarding of grants under 
                subsection (b)(1) to achieve a fair distribution, as 
                determined by the Secretary, among homeless veterans in 
                different geographical regions.
                    (C) Other agreements.--In awarding a grant under 
                subsection (b)(1) to an eligible entity in a location 
                determined pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), the 
                Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities 
                that are entered into an agreement with the Secretary 
                under section 2041 of title 38, United States Code.
                    (D) Other authorities.--Except as provided by 
                subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall award a grant 
                under subsection (b)(1) without regard to whether the 
                eligible entity has received any other grant or benefit 
                from the Federal Government relating to providing 
                housing to homeless veterans.
    (e) Use of Grant Funds.--
            (1) Purposes.--A grantee may use amounts of a grant awarded 
        to the grantee under subsection (b)(1) to purchase or renovate 
        abandoned homes, including homes that have been foreclosed.
            (2) Maximum purchase amount.--Not more than $300,000 of the 
        amount of a grant awarded under subsection (b)(1) may be used 
        for the purchase of a single home.
            (3) Payment program.--
                    (A) The United States shall not have any ownership 
                interest in a home that is purchased by a grantee using 
                amounts of a grant awarded under subsection (b)(1).
                    (B) Each grantee shall ensure that, beginning one 
                year after the date on which a veteran begins to reside 
                in a home purchased or renovated by the grantee using a 
                grant awarded under subsection (b)(1), the veteran 
                makes monthly payments to the grantee in an amount 
                determined appropriate by the grantee that is not less 
                than 85 percent of the fair market rent for such home.
                    (C) Each grantee shall determine whether payments 
                made by a veteran under subparagraph (B) shall be 
                treated as rent or as a mortgage for the home for which 
                the veteran is making such payments. The Secretary, in 
                coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
                Development, shall determine the requirements for such 
                payments.
                    (D) Each grantee shall pay to the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs not less than 80 percent of each 
                payment received under subparagraph (B).
                    (E) The Secretary may conduct an audit of any 
                grantee to ensure that the grantee carries out this 
                paragraph.
            (4) Veterans homelessness grant fund.--
                    (A) There is established in the Treasury a fund to 
                be known as the ``Veterans Homelessness Grant Fund'' 
                (in this paragraph referred to as the ``Fund'').
                    (B) The Secretary shall deposit into the Fund the 
                payments collected by the Secretary under paragraph 
                (3)(D).
                    (C) Amounts deposited into the Fund pursuant to 
                subparagraph (B) shall be available to the Secretary to 
                carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) 
                without further appropriation and such amounts shall 
                remain available until expended. The Secretary may not 
                use such amounts from the Fund for any other purpose 
                unless pursuant to a specific provision of law.
    (f) Responsibilities of Secretary.--In carrying out the pilot 
program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure the following:
            (1) Proper oversight.
            (2) The protection of veterans from returning to 
        homelessness.
            (3) The ability of the Secretary to respond to disputes.
    (g) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
under subsection (a) during the three-year period beginning on the date 
of the commencement of the pilot program.
    (h) Annual Reports.--During each year in which the Secretary 
carries out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report that details, with respect to the year 
covered by the report, the number of grants awarded, the amounts so 
awarded, the progress of home purchase and renovation made by eligible 
entities using such grants, and the number of tenants currently paying 
rent towards such homes.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary a total of $25,000,000 to carry out the 
pilot program under subsection (a) and any such amounts appropriated 
shall remain available until expended.
    (j) Homeless Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``homeless 
veteran'' has the meaning given that term in section 2002 of title 38, 
United States Code.

SEC. 506. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR PURPOSES OF 
              BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Section 2002(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting ``or (b)'' after ``section 103(a)''.

                   TITLE VI--EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

SEC. 601. DIRECT EMPLOYMENT PILOT PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL 
              GUARD AND RESERVE AND VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Program Authority.--The Secretary of Defense may carry out a 
pilot program to enhance the efforts of the Department of Defense to 
provide job placement assistance and related employment services 
directly to members of the National Guard and Reserves and veterans of 
the Armed Forces.
    (b) Administration.--The pilot program shall be offered to, and 
administered by, the adjutants general appointed under section 314 of 
title 32, United States Code.
    (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--As a condition on the provision of 
funds under this section to a State to support the operation of the 
pilot program in the State, the State must agree to contribute an 
amount, derived from non-Federal sources, equal to at least 30 percent 
of the funds provided by the Secretary of Defense to the State under 
this section.
    (d) Direct Employment Program Model.--The pilot program should 
follow a job placement program model that focuses on working one-on-one 
with a member of a reserve component to cost-effectively provide job 
placement services, including services such as identifying unemployed 
and underemployed members and veterans, job matching services, resume 
editing, interview preparation, and post-employment follow up. 
Development of the pilot program should be informed by State direct 
employment programs for members and veterans, such as the programs 
conducted in California and South Carolina.
    (e) Evaluation.--The Secretary of Defense shall develop outcome 
measurements to evaluate the success of the pilot program.
    (f) Reporting Requirements.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than March 1, 2019, the 
        Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense 
        committees a report describing the results of the pilot 
        program. The Secretary shall prepare the report in coordination 
        with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
            (2) Elements of report.--A report under paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) A description and assessment of the 
                effectiveness and achievements of the pilot program, 
                including the number of members of the reserve 
                components and veterans of the Armed Forces hired and 
                the cost-per-placement of participating members and 
                veterans.
                    (B) An assessment of the impact of the pilot 
                program and increased reserve component employment 
                levels on the readiness of members of the reserve 
                components.
                    (C) A comparison of the pilot program to other 
                programs conducted by the Department of Defense and 
                Department of Veterans Affairs to provide unemployment 
                and underemployment support to members of the reserve 
                components and veterans of the Armed Forces.
                    (D) Any other matters considered appropriate by the 
                Secretary.
    (g) Limitation on Total Fiscal-Year Obligations.--The total amount 
obligated by the Secretary of Defense to carry out the pilot program 
for any fiscal year may not exceed $20,000,000.
    (h) Duration of Authority.--The authority to carry out the pilot 
program expires on September 30, 2018, except that the Secretary may 
extend the pilot program for not more than two additional fiscal years.

SEC. 602. PREFERENCE FOR OFFERORS EMPLOYING VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 81 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding after section 8128 the following new 
section:
``Sec. 8129. Preference for offerors employing veterans
    ``(a) Preference.--In awarding a contract (or task order) for the 
procurement of goods or services, the Secretary may give a preference 
to offerors that employ veterans on a full-time basis. The Secretary 
shall determine such preference based on the percentage of the full-
time employees of the offeror who are veterans.
    ``(b) Enforcement Penalties for Misrepresentation.--(1) Any offeror 
that is determined by the Secretary to have willfully and intentionally 
misrepresented the veteran status of the employees of the offeror for 
purposes of subsection (a) shall be debarred from contracting with the 
Department for a period of not less than 5 years.
    ``(2) In the case of a debarment under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall commence debarment action against the offeror by not later than 
30 days after determining that the offeror willfully and intentionally 
misrepresented the veteran status of the employees of the offeror as 
described in paragraph (1) and shall complete debarment actions against 
such offeror by not later than 90 days after such determination.
    ``(3) The debarment of an offeror under paragraph (1) includes the 
debarment of all principals in the offeror for a period of not less 
than 5 years.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
8128 the following new item:

``8129. Preference for offerors employing veterans.''.

SEC. 603. VETERANS MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--To encourage the employment of 
eligible veterans in manufacturing, the Secretary of Labor, as part of 
the Veteran's Workforce Investment Program, shall carry out a pilot 
program to be known as the ``Veterans Manufacturing Employment 
Program''. Under the pilot program, the Secretary shall award 
competitive grants to three States for the establishment and 
administration of a State program to make grants to manufacturing 
employers and labor-management organizations that provide covered 
training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes 
to eligible veterans. Such a program shall be known as a ``State 
Manufacturing Employment Program''.
    (b) Eligibility for Grants.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
under the pilot program, a State shall submit to the Secretary an 
application that includes each of the following:
            (1) A proposal for the expenditure of grant funds to 
        establish and administer a public-private partnership program 
        designed to provide covered training, on-job training, 
        apprenticeships, and certification classes to a significant 
        number of eligible veterans and ensure lasting and sustainable 
        employment in well-paying jobs in manufacturing.
            (2) Evidence that the State has--
                    (A) a population of eligible veterans of an 
                appropriate size to carry out the State program;
                    (B) a robust and diverse manufacturing industry; 
                and
                    (C) the ability to carry out the State program 
                described in the proposal under paragraph (1).
            (3) Such other information and assurances as the Secretary 
        may require.
    (c) Use of Funds.--A State that is the recipient of a grant under 
this section shall use the grant for the following purposes:
            (1) Making grants to manufacturing employers and labor-
        management organizations to reimburse such employers and 
        organizations for the cost of providing covered training, on-
        job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to 
        eligible veterans.
            (2) Conducting outreach to inform manufacturing employers, 
        labor-management organizations, and veterans, including 
        veterans in rural areas, of their eligibility or potential 
        eligibility for participation in the State program.
    (d) Conditions.--Under the pilot program, each grant to a State 
shall be subject to the following conditions:
            (1) The State shall repay to the Secretary, on such date as 
        shall be determined by the Secretary, any amount received under 
        the pilot program that is not used for the purposes described 
        in subsection (c).
            (2) The State shall submit to the Secretary, at such times 
        and containing such information as the Secretary shall require, 
        reports on the use of grant funds.
    (e) Employer Requirements.--In order to receive a grant made by a 
State under the pilot program, a manufacturing employer shall--
            (1) submit to the administrator of the State Manufacturing 
        Employment Program an application that includes--
                    (A) the rate of pay for each eligible veteran 
                proposed to be trained using grant funds;
                    (B) the average rate of pay for an individual 
                employed by the manufacturing employer in a similar 
                position who is not an eligible veteran; and
                    (C) such other information and assurances as the 
                administrator may require; and
            (2) agree to submit to the administrator, for each quarter, 
        a report containing such information as the Secretary may 
        specify.
    (f) Limitation.--None of the funds made available to a 
manufacturing employer through a grant under the pilot program may be 
used to provide training of any kind to a person who is not an eligible 
veteran.
    (g) Report to Congress.--Together with the report required to be 
submitted annually under section 4107(c) of title 38, United States 
Code, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot 
program for the year covered by such report. The report on the pilot 
program shall include a detailed description of activities carried out 
under this section and an evaluation of the program.
    (h) Administrative and Reporting Costs.--Of the amounts 
appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under 
subsection (j), 2 percent shall be made available to the Secretary for 
administrative costs associated with implementing and evaluating the 
pilot program under this section and for preparing and submitting the 
report required under subsection (f). The Secretary shall determine the 
appropriate maximum amount of each grant awarded under this section 
that may be used by the recipient for administrative and reporting 
costs.
    (i) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            (1) The term ``covered training, on-job training, 
        apprenticeships, and certification classes'' means training, 
        on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes 
        that are--
                    (A) designed to provide the veteran with skills 
                that are particular to manufacturing and not directly 
                transferable to employment in another industry; and
                    (B) approved as provided in paragraph (1) or (2), 
                as appropriate, of subsection (a) of section 3687 of 
                title 38, United States Code.
            (2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran, as that 
        term is defined in section 101(3) of title 38, United States 
        Code, who is employed by a manufacturing employer and enrolled 
        or participating in a covered training, on-job training, 
        apprenticeship, or certification class.
            (3) The term ``manufacturing employer'' means a business 
        concern--
                    (A) that employs individuals in a trade or business 
                in manufacturing;
                    (B) the production facilities of which are located 
                in the United States; and
                    (C) the primary business of which is classified in 
                sector 31, 32, or 33 of the North American Industrial 
                Classification System.
    (j) Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020, for 
the purpose of carrying out the pilot program.

SEC. 604. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT UNDER CONTRACTING GOALS AND 
              PREFERENCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 8127(h) of title 38, United States Code, 
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 3 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 contracts awarded 
on or after such date.

SEC. 605. ACCESS TO EXCESS OR SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL 
              BUSINESSES.

    Subparagraph (B) of section 32(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 657b(c)(3)(B)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (v), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in clause (vi), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by inserting at the end the following new clause:
                            ``(vii) providing access to and managing 
                        the distribution of excess or surplus property 
                        owned by the United States to small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by veterans, 
                        pursuant to a memorandum of understanding 
                        between the task force and the head of the 
                        appropriate State agency for surplus 
                        property.''.

                   TITLE VII--CONSTRUCTION AND LEASES

SEC. 701. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.

    (a) In General.--Section 8104(a)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``No funds'' and inserting ``(A) No 
        funds'';
            (2) by striking ``or any major medical facility lease'';
            (3) by striking ``or lease''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) No funds may be appropriated for any fiscal year for any 
major medical facility lease unless the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
of the Senate and House of Representatives adopt resolutions approving 
the lease.''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to a lease entered into after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 702. PROGRAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS BY NON-FEDERAL 
              ENTITIES UNDER PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out 
a program under which the Secretary shall enter into partnership 
agreements on a competitive basis with appropriate non-Federal entities 
for the construction of major construction projects authorized by law.
    (b) Selection of Projects.--The Secretary shall select major 
construction projects for completion by non-Federal entities under the 
program. Each project selected shall be a major medical facility 
project authorized by law for the construction of a new facility for 
which--
            (1) Congress has appropriated any funds;
            (2) the design and development phase is complete; and
            (3) construction has not begun, as of the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (c) Agreements.--Each partnership agreement for a construction 
project under the program shall provide that--
            (1) the non-Federal entity shall obtain any permits 
        required pursuant to Federal and State laws before beginning to 
        carry out construction; and
            (2) if requested by the non-Federal entity, the Secretary 
        shall provide technical assistance for obtaining any necessary 
        permits for the construction project.
    (d) Application.--To be eligible to participate in the program 
established under subsection (a), a non-Federal entity shall submit to 
the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the 
following:
            (1) A description of the project manager of each major 
        construction project for which the Secretary enters into a 
        partnership agreement under the program.
            (2) A description of the non-Federal contributions to the 
        project and how future funding will be secured.
            (3) A description of the project management plan that the 
        non-Federal entity will use to ensure concise and consistent 
        communication of all parties involved in the project.
            (4) A description of metrics to monitor change order 
        process times, with the intent of expediting any change order.
            (5) Expected costs associated with the project.
            (6) A description of construction timelines and milestones 
        association with the project.
            (7) Such other information as the Secretary may require.
    (e) Matching Funds.--The Department of Veterans Affairs shall 
provide matching funds under this program.
            (1) In general.--For any fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
        provide to a non-Federal entity that enters into a partnership 
        agreement with the Secretary under the program established 
        under subsection (a) matching funds in an amount that does not 
        exceed 50 percent of the amount expended by the non-Federal 
        entity.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Paragraph (1) shall not be 
        construed as a limitation on the amount that may be expended by 
        a non-Federal entity for a fiscal year for a construction 
        project covered by a partnership agreement under the program.
    (f) Comptroller General Report.--The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to Congress a biennial report on the 
partnership agreements entered into under the program.
    (g) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary shall begin 
implementing the program under this section by not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 703. PILOT PROGRAM TO ACCEPT MEDICAL FACILITIES AND RELATED 
              PROPERTY.

    (a) Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry 
out a pilot program under which the Secretary may accept the donation 
by a covered person of any of the following properties:
            (1) Real property that includes a constructed medical 
        facility (including structures and equipment associated 
        therewith).
            (2) Real property (including structures and equipment 
        associated therewith) to be used as the site of a medical 
        facility constructed by the Secretary pursuant to chapter 81 of 
        title 38, United States Code.
            (3) A medical facility constructed by the covered person on 
        real property of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Location.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at 
one location selected in accordance with subsection (c).
    (c) Requirements.--The Secretary shall only accept donated property 
under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the donation 
meets the following requirements:
            (1) With respect to the location of the donated property, 
        either--
                    (A) a major medical facility project has been 
                authorized for such location pursuant to section 8104 
                of title 38, United States Code, and funds have been 
                appropriated for such project; or
                    (B) a proposed medical facility project at such 
                location is listed on the Major Construction Strategic 
                Capital Investment Planning priority list of the 
                Department, as submitted in the materials submitted to 
                Congress in support of the budget of the Department for 
                the fiscal year in which the donation will occur.
            (2) Each medical facility and other structure included in 
        the donation meets the applicable structural requirements of 
        the Secretary, including pursuant to section 8105 of title 38, 
        United States Code.
            (3) The donation is made without condition or restriction.
            (4) Except as provided by subsection (e), the donation is 
        made at no cost to the United States.
    (d) Prohibition on Lease-Back.--The Secretary may not enter into 
any lease of property donated under subsection (a), including as 
described in appendix B of Office of Management and Budget Circular A-
11.
    (e) Use of Certain Funds.--
            (1) Prior funds.--With respect to the donation of real 
        property under subsection (a) that is related to a major 
        medical facility project authorized pursuant to section 8104 of 
        title 38, United States Code, the Secretary may use funds that 
        have been appropriated for such project before the date of the 
        donation for activities required to carry out such donation. 
        The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the covered 
        person to define the requirements for the use of such funds for 
        such activities.
            (2) No authorization of appropriations.--Nothing in this 
        section shall be construed to authorize the appropriation of 
        additional funds to carry out a major medical facility project.
    (f) Application.--A covered person who seeks to make a donation 
under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require.
    (g) Information.--The Secretary shall ensure that a covered person 
who seeks to make a donation under subsection (a) is informed of the 
requirements of subsection (c), including with respect to the locations 
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of such 
subsection.
    (h) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans Affairs' of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report on the pilot program, including a description of the donations 
made under the pilot program and whether such pilot program should be 
expanded.
    (i) Covered Person Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered 
person'' means any person or entity that is not an element of the 
Federal Government, including a State or local government, a nonprofit 
organization exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a private corporation.
    (j) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the application of title VII of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 
40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Davis-Bacon 
Act''), or laws relating to the environment or historic preservation.

SEC. 704. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN LEASES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS WEST LOS ANGELES CAMPUS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out 
leases described in subsection (b) at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California (hereinafter 
in this section referred to as the ``Campus'').
    (b) Leases Described.--Leases described in this subsection are the 
following:
            (1) Any enhanced-use lease of real property under 
        subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, for 
        purposes of providing supportive housing, as that term is 
        defined in section 8161(3) of such title, that principally 
        benefit veterans and their families.
            (2) Any lease of real property for a term not to exceed 50 
        years to a third party to provide services that principally 
        benefit veterans and their families and that are limited to one 
        or more of the following purposes:
                    (A) The promotion of health and wellness, including 
                nutrition and spiritual wellness.
                    (B) Education.
                    (C) Vocational training, skills building, or other 
                training related to employment.
                    (D) Peer activities, socialization, or physical 
                recreation.
                    (E) Assistance with legal issues and Federal 
                benefits.
                    (F) Volunteerism.
                    (G) Family support services, including child care.
                    (H) Transportation.
                    (I) Services in support of one or more of the 
                purposes specified in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
            (3) A lease of real property for a term not to exceed 10 
        years to The Regents of the University of California, a 
        corporation organized under the laws of the State of 
        California, on behalf of its University of California, Los 
        Angeles (UCLA) campus (hereinafter in this section referred to 
        as ``The Regents''), if--
                    (A) the lease is consistent with the master plan 
                described in subsection (g);
                    (B) the provision of services to veterans is the 
                predominant focus of the activities of The Regents at 
                the Campus during the term of the lease;
                    (C) The Regents expressly agrees to provide, during 
                the term of the lease and to an extent and in a manner 
                that the Secretary considers appropriate, additional 
                services and support (for which The Regents is either 
                not compensated by the Secretary or is compensated 
                through an existing medical affiliation agreement) 
                that--
                            (i) principally benefit veterans and their 
                        families, including veterans that are severely 
                        disabled, women, aging, or homeless; and
                            (ii) may consist of activities relating to 
                        the medical, clinical, therapeutic, dietary, 
                        rehabilitative, legal, mental, spiritual, 
                        physical, recreational, research, and 
                        counseling needs of veterans and their families 
                        or any of the purposes specified in any of 
                        subparagraphs (A) through (I) of paragraph (1); 
                        and
                    (D) The Regents maintains records documenting the 
                value of the additional services and support that The 
                Regents provides pursuant to subparagraph (C) for the 
                duration of the lease and makes such records available 
                to the Secretary.
    (c) Limitation on Land-Sharing Agreements.--The Secretary may not 
carry out any land-sharing agreement pursuant to section 8153 of title 
38, United States Code, at the Campus unless such agreement--
            (1) provides additional health-care resources to the 
        Campus; and
            (2) benefits veterans and their families other than from 
        the generation of revenue for the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs.
    (d) Revenues From Leases at the Campus.--Any funds received by the 
Secretary under a lease described in subsection (b) shall be credited 
to the applicable Department medical facilities account and shall be 
available, without fiscal year limitation and without further 
appropriation, exclusively for the renovation and maintenance of the 
land and facilities at the Campus.
    (e) Easements.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
        (other than Federal laws relating to environmental and historic 
        preservation), pursuant to section 8124 of title 38, United 
        States Code, the Secretary may grant easements or rights-of-way 
        on, above, or under lands at the Campus to--
                    (A) any local or regional public transportation 
                authority to access, construct, use, operate, maintain, 
                repair, or reconstruct public mass transit facilities, 
                including, fixed guideway facilities and transportation 
                centers; and
                    (B) the State of California, county of Los Angeles, 
                city of Los Angeles, or any agency or political 
                subdivision thereof, or any public utility company 
                (including any company providing electricity, gas, 
                water, sewage, or telecommunication services to the 
                public) for the purpose of providing such public 
                utilities.
            (2) Improvements.--Any improvements proposed pursuant to an 
        easement or right-of-way authorized under paragraph (1) shall 
        be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate.
            (3) Termination.--Any easement or right-of-way authorized 
        under paragraph (1) shall be terminated upon the abandonment or 
        nonuse of the easement or right-of-way and all right, title, 
        and interest in the land covered by the easement or right-of-
        way shall revert to the United States.
    (f) Prohibition on Sale of Property.--Notwithstanding section 8164 
of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary may not sell or 
otherwise convey to a third party fee simple title to any real property 
or improvements to real property made at the Campus.
    (g) Consistency With Master Plan.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
each lease carried out under this section is consistent with the draft 
master plan approved by the Secretary on January 28, 2016, or successor 
master plans.
    (h) Compliance With Certain Laws.--
            (1) Laws relating to leases and land use.--If the Inspector 
        General of the Department of Veterans Affairs determines, as 
        part of an audit report or evaluation conducted by the 
        Inspector General, that the Department is not in compliance 
        with all Federal laws relating to leases and land use at the 
        Campus, or that significant mismanagement has occurred with 
        respect to leases or land use at the Campus, the Secretary may 
        not enter into any lease or land-sharing agreement at the 
        Campus, or renew any such lease or land-sharing agreement that 
        is not in compliance with such laws, until the Secretary 
        certifies to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, 
        the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the House of 
        Representatives who represents the area in which the Campus is 
        located that all recommendations included in the audit report 
        or evaluation have been implemented.
            (2) Compliance of particular leases.--Except as otherwise 
        expressly provided by this section, no lease may be entered 
        into or renewed under this section unless the lease complies 
        with chapter 33 of title 41, United States Code, and all 
        Federal laws relating to environmental and historic 
        preservation.
    (i) Community Veterans Engagement Board.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
        Community Veterans Engagement Board (in this subsection 
        referred to as the ``Board'') for the Campus to coordinate 
        locally with the Department of Veterans Affairs to--
                    (A) identify the goals of the community; and
                    (B) provide advice and recommendations to the 
                Secretary to improve services and outcomes for 
                veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and the families 
                of such veterans and members.
            (2) Members.--The Board shall be comprised of a number of 
        members that the Secretary determines appropriate, of which not 
        less than 50 percent shall be veterans. The nonveteran members 
        shall be family members of veterans, veteran advocates, service 
        providers, or stakeholders.
            (3) Community input.--In carrying out subparagraphs (A) and 
        (B) of paragraph (1), the Board shall--
                    (A) provide the community opportunities to 
                collaborate and communicate with the Board, including 
                by conducting public forums on the Campus; and
                    (B) focus on local issues regarding the Department 
                that are identified by the community, including with 
                respect to health care, benefits, and memorial services 
                at the Campus.
    (j) Notification and Reports.--
            (1) Congressional notification.--With respect to each lease 
        or land-sharing agreement intended to be entered into or 
        renewed at the Campus, the Secretary shall notify the Committee 
        on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' 
        Affairs of the House of Representatives, and each Member of the 
        Senate and the House of Representatives who represents the area 
        in which the Campus is located of the intent of the Secretary 
        to enter into or renew the lease or land-sharing agreement not 
        later than 45 days before entering into or renewing the lease 
        or land-sharing agreement.
            (2) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
        annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and each 
        Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives who 
        represents the area in which the Campus is located an annual 
        report evaluating all leases and land-sharing agreements 
        carried out at the Campus, including--
                    (A) an evaluation of the management of the revenue 
                generated by the leases; and
                    (B) the records described in subsection (b)(3)(D).
            (3) Inspector general report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than each of two years 
                and five years after the date of the enactment of this 
                Act, and as determined necessary by the Inspector 
                General of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                thereafter, the Inspector General shall submit to the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives, and each Member of the Senate and the 
                House of Representatives who represents the area in 
                which the Campus is located a report on all leases 
                carried out at the Campus and the management by the 
                Department of the use of land at the Campus, including 
                an assessment of the efforts of the Department to 
                implement the master plan described in subsection (g) 
                with respect to the Campus.
                    (B) Consideration of annual report.--In preparing 
                each report required by subparagraph (A), the Inspector 
                General shall take into account the most recent report 
                submitted to Congress by the Secretary under paragraph 
                (2).
    (k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as a limitation on the authority of the Secretary to enter 
into other agreements regarding the Campus that are authorized by law 
and not inconsistent with this section.
    (l) Principally Benefit Veterans and Their Families Defined.--In 
this section the term ``principally benefit veterans and their 
families'', with respect to services provided by a person or entity 
under a lease of property or land-sharing agreement--
            (1) means services--
                    (A) provided exclusively to veterans and their 
                families; or
                    (B) that are designed for the particular needs of 
                veterans and their families, as opposed to the general 
                public, and any benefit of those services to the 
                general public is ancillary to the intended benefit to 
                veterans and their families; and
            (2) excludes services in which the only benefit to veterans 
        and their families is the generation of revenue for the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (m) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Prohibition on disposal of property.--Section 224(a) of 
        the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related 
        Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 
        Stat. 2272) is amended by striking ``The Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs'' and inserting ``Except as authorized under the Los 
        Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2016, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs''.
            (2) Enhanced-use leases.--Section 8162(c) of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, other than an 
        enhanced-use lease under the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans 
        Leasing Act of 2016,'' before ``shall be considered''.

SEC. 705. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASE IN OXNARD, 
              CALIFORNIA.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a major medical 
facility lease for an outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, in an 
amount not to exceed $6,297,000 (not including any estimated 
cancellation costs).

                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 801. PROVISION OF STATUS UNDER LAW BY HONORING CERTAIN MEMBERS OF 
              THE RESERVE COMPONENTS AS VETERANS.

    (a) Veteran Status.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, 
        is amended by inserting after section 107 the following new 
        section:
``Sec. 107A. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service 
              in the reserve components
    ``Any person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of title 10 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 section.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 107 the following new item:

``107A. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in 
                            the reserve components.''.
    (b) Clarification Regarding Benefits.--No person may receive any 
benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs solely by reason of section 107A of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a).

SEC. 802. RETURN OF NONCITIZEN VETERANS REMOVED FROM THE UNITED STATES; 
              STATUS FOR NONCITIZEN VETERANS IN THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Duties of secretary.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) establish a program and application procedure 
                to permit--
                            (i) deported veterans who meet the 
                        requirements of subsection (b) to enter the 
                        United States as a noncitizen lawfully admitted 
                        for permanent residence; and
                            (ii) noncitizen veterans in the United 
                        States who meet the requirements of subsection 
                        (b) to adjust status to that of a noncitizen 
                        lawfully admitted for permanent residence; and
                    (B) cancel the removal of noncitizen veterans 
                ordered removed who meet the requirements of subsection 
                (b) and allow them to adjust status to that of a 
                noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
            (2) No numerical limitations.--Nothing in this section or 
        in any other law shall be construed to apply a numerical 
        limitation on the number of veterans who may be eligible to 
        receive benefits under paragraph (1).
    (b) Eligibility.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, including sections 212 and 237 of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182; 1227), a veteran shall be 
        eligible for the program established under subsection 
        (a)(1)(A), or cancellation of removal under subsection 
        (a)(1)(B), if the Secretary determines that the veteran--
                    (A) was not ordered removed, or removed, from the 
                United States due to a criminal conviction for--
                            (i) a crime of violence; or
                            (ii) a crime that endangers the national 
                        security of the United States for which the 
                        noncitizen has served a term of imprisonment of 
                        at least 5 years; and
                    (B) is not inadmissible to, or deportable from, the 
                United States due to such a conviction.
            (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive paragraph (1) for 
        humanitarian purposes, to assure family unity, due to 
        exceptional service in the United States Armed Forces, or if 
        such waiver otherwise is in the public interest.
    (c) Protecting Veterans and Service Members From Removal.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 237 of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227), a noncitizen who 
is a veteran or service member shall not be removed from the United 
States unless the noncitizen has a criminal conviction for a crime of 
violence.
    (d) Naturalization Through Service in the Armed Forces of the 
United States.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
noncitizen who has obtained the status of a noncitizen lawfully 
admitted for permanent residence pursuant to subsection (b) shall be 
eligible for naturalization through service in the Armed Forces of the 
United States under sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1439; 1440), except that--
            (1) the ground or grounds on which the noncitizen was 
        ordered removed, or removed, from the United States, or was 
        rendered inadmissible to, or deportable from, the United 
        States, shall be disregarded when determining whether the 
        noncitizen is a person of good moral character; and
            (2) any period of absence from the United States due to the 
        noncitizen having been removed, or being inadmissible, shall be 
        disregarded when determining if the noncitizen satisfies any 
        requirement relating to continuous residence or physical 
        presence.
    (e) Access to Military Benefits.--A noncitizen who has obtained the 
status of a noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence 
pursuant to subsection (b) shall be eligible for all military and 
veterans benefits for which the noncitizen would have been eligible if 
the noncitizen had never been ordered removed, been removed, or 
voluntarily departed, from the United States.
    (f) Implementation.--
            (1) Identification.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
        shall identify cases involving service members and veterans at 
        risk of removal from the United States by--
                    (A) inquiring of every noncitizen processed prior 
                to initiating removal proceedings whether the 
                noncitizen is serving, or has served, as a member of a 
                regular or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the 
                United States on active duty or as a member of a 
                reserve component of the Armed Forces in an active 
                status;
                    (B) requiring personnel to seek supervisory 
                approval prior to initiating removal proceedings 
                against a service member or veteran; and
                    (C) keeping records of service members and veterans 
                who have had removal proceedings against them 
                initiated, been detained, or been removed.
            (2) Record annotation.--When the Secretary has identified a 
        case under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall annotate all 
        immigration and naturalization records of the Department of 
        Homeland Security relating to the noncitizen involved so as to 
        reflect that identification and afford an opportunity to track 
        the outcomes for the noncitizen. Such annotation shall 
        include--
                    (A) the individual's branch of military service;
                    (B) whether or not the individual is serving, or 
                has served, during a period of military hostilities 
                described in section 329 of the Immigration and 
                Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1440);
                    (C) the individual's immigration status at the time 
                of enlistment;
                    (D) whether the individual is serving honorably or 
                was separated under honorable conditions; and
                    (E) the basis for which removal was sought; and, if 
                the basis for removal was a criminal conviction, the 
                crime or crimes for which conviction was obtained.
    (g) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to 
implement this section.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``crime of violence'' means an offense defined 
        in section 16 of title 18, United States Code, excluding a 
        purely political offense, for which the noncitizen has served a 
        term of imprisonment of at least 5 years.
            (2) The term ``deported veteran'' means a veteran who is a 
        noncitizen and who--
                    (A) was removed from the United States; or
                    (B) is abroad and is inadmissible under section 
                212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
                1182(a)).
            (3) The term ``noncitizen'' means an individual who is not 
        a national of the United States (as defined in section 
        101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
        1101(a)(22))).
            (4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security.
            (5) The term ``service member'' means an individual who is 
        serving as a member of a regular or reserve component of the 
        Armed Forces of the United States on active duty or as a member 
        of a reserve component of the Armed Forces in an active status.
            (6) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given such term 
        under section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 803. REVIEW OF DISCHARGE CHARACTERIZATION.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with this section, the appropriate 
discharge boards--
            (1) shall review the discharge characterization of covered 
        members at the request of the covered member; and
            (2) if such characterization is any characterization except 
        honorable, may change such characterization to honorable.
    (b) Criteria.--In changing the discharge characterization of a 
covered member to honorable under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary of 
Defense shall ensure that such changes are carried out consistently and 
uniformly across the military departments using the following criteria:
            (1) The original discharge must be based on Don't Ask Don't 
        Tell (in this Act referred to as ``DADT'') or a similar policy 
        in place prior to the enactment of DADT.
            (2) Such discharge characterization shall be so changed if, 
        with respect to the original discharge, there were no 
        aggravating circumstances, such as misconduct, that would have 
        independently led to a discharge characterization that was any 
        characterization except honorable. For purposes of this 
        paragraph, such aggravating circumstances may not include--
                    (A) an offense under section 925 of title 10, 
                United States Code (article 125 of the Uniform Code of 
                Military Justice), committed by a covered member 
                against a person of the same sex with the consent of 
                such person; or
                    (B) statements, consensual sexual conduct, or 
                consensual acts relating to sexual orientation or 
                identity, or the disclosure of such statements, 
                conduct, or acts, that were prohibited at the time of 
                discharge but after the date of such discharge became 
                permitted.
            (3) When requesting a review, a covered member, or their 
        representative, shall be required to provide either--
                    (A) documents consisting of--
                            (i) a copy of the DD-214 form of the 
                        member;
                            (ii) a personal affidavit of the 
                        circumstances surrounding the discharge; and
                            (iii) any relevant records pertaining to 
                        the discharge; or
                    (B) an affidavit certifying that the member, or 
                their representative, does not have the documents 
                specified in subparagraph (A).
            (4) If a covered member provides an affidavit described in 
        subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3)--
                    (A) the appropriate discharge board shall make 
                every effort to locate the documents specified in 
                subparagraph (A) of such paragraph within the records 
                of the Department of Defense; and
                    (B) the absence of such documents may not be 
                considered a reason to deny a change of the discharge 
                characterization under subsection (a)(2).
    (c) Request for Review.--The appropriate discharge board shall 
ensure the mechanism by which covered members, or their representative, 
may request to have the discharge characterization of the covered 
member reviewed under this section is simple and straightforward.
    (d) Review.--
            (1) In general.--After a request has been made under 
        subsection (c), the appropriate discharge board shall review 
        all relevant laws, records of oral testimony previously taken, 
        service records, or any other relevant information regarding 
        the discharge characterization of the covered member.
            (2) Additional materials.--If additional materials are 
        necessary for the review, the appropriate discharge board--
                    (A) may request additional information from the 
                covered member or their representative, in writing, and 
                specifically detailing what is being requested; and
                    (B) shall be responsible for obtaining a copy of 
                the necessary files of the covered member from the 
                member, or when applicable, from the Department of 
                Defense.
    (e) Change of Characterization.--The appropriate discharge board 
shall change the discharge characterization of a covered member to 
honorable if such change is determined to be appropriate after a review 
is conducted under subsection (d) pursuant to the criteria under 
subsection (b). A covered member, or the representative of the member, 
may appeal a decision by the appropriate discharge board to not change 
the discharge characterization by using the regular appeals process of 
the board.
    (f) Change of Records.--For each covered member whose discharge 
characterization is changed under subsection (e), or for each covered 
member who was honorably discharged but whose DD-214 form reflects the 
sexual orientation of the member, the Secretary of Defense shall 
reissue to the member or their representative a revised DD-214 form 
that reflects the following:
            (1) For each covered member discharged, the Separation 
        Code, Reentry Code, Narrative Code, and Separation Authority 
        shall not reflect the sexual orientation of the member and 
        shall be placed under secretarial authority. Any other similar 
        indication of the sexual orientation or reason for discharge 
        shall be removed or changed accordingly to be consistent with 
        this paragraph.
            (2) For each covered member whose discharge occurred prior 
        to the creation of general secretarial authority, the sections 
        of the DD-214 form referred to paragraph (1) shall be changed 
        to similarly reflect a universal authority with codes, 
        authorities, and language applicable at the time of discharge.
    (g) Status.--
            (1) In general.--Each covered member whose discharge 
        characterization is changed under subsection (e) shall be 
        treated without regard to the original discharge 
        characterization of the member, including for purposes of--
                    (A) benefits provided by the Federal Government to 
                an individual by reason of service in the Armed Forces; 
                and
                    (B) all recognitions and honors that the Secretary 
                of Defense provides to members of the Armed Forces.
            (2) Reinstatement.--In carrying out paragraph (1)(B), the 
        Secretary shall reinstate all recognitions and honors of a 
        covered member whose discharge characterization is changed 
        under subsection (e) that the Secretary withheld because of the 
        original discharge characterization of the member.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``appropriate discharge board'' means the 
        boards for correction of military records under section 1552 of 
        title 10, United States Code, or the discharge review boards 
        under section 1553 of such title, as the case may be.
            (2) The term ``covered member'' means any former member of 
        the Armed Forces who was discharged from the Armed Forces 
        because of the sexual orientation of the member.
            (3) The term ``discharge characterization'' means the 
        characterization under which a member of the Armed Forces is 
        discharged or released, including ``dishonorable'', 
        ``general'', ``other than honorable'', and ``honorable''.
            (4) The term ``Don't Ask Don't Tell'' means section 654 of 
        title 10, United States Code, as in effect before such section 
        was repealed pursuant to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act 
        of 2010 (Public Law 111-321).
            (5) The term ``representative'' means the surviving spouse, 
        next of kin, or legal representative of a covered member.
    (i) Reports.--
            (1) Review.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a 
        review of the consistency and uniformity of the reviews 
        conducted under this section.
            (2) Reports.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter for a 4-year 
        period, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the 
        reviews under subsection (a). Such reports shall include any 
        comments or recommendations for continued actions.

SEC. 804. HISTORICAL REVIEW OF DISCHARGES FROM THE ARMED FORCES DUE TO 
              SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

    The Secretary of each military department shall ensure that oral 
historians of the department--
            (1) review the facts and circumstances surrounding the 
        estimated 100,000 members of the Armed Forces discharged from 
        the Armed Forces between World War II and September 2011 
        because of the sexual orientation of the member; and
            (2) receive oral testimony of individuals who personally 
        experienced discrimination and discharge because of the actual 
        or perceived sexual orientation of the individual so that such 
        testimony may serve as an official record of these 
        discriminatory policies and their impact on American lives.

SEC. 805. MODIFICATION OF ARTICLE 125 OF THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY 
              JUSTICE.

    Section 925(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 125 of the 
Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended by striking ``with 
another person of the same or opposite sex''.

SEC. 806. EXEMPTION FROM IMMIGRANT VISA LIMIT.

    Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1151(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(F) Aliens who--
                    ``(i) are eligible for a visa under paragraph (1) 
                or (3) of section 203(a); and
                    ``(ii) have a parent (regardless of whether the 
                parent is living or dead) who was naturalized pursuant 
                to--
                            ``(I) section 405 of the Immigration Act of 
                        1990 (Public Law 101-649; 8 U.S.C. 1440 note); 
                        or
                            ``(II) title III of the Act of October 14, 
                        1940 (54 Stat. 1137, chapter 876), as added by 
                        section 1001 of the Second War Powers Act, 1942 
                        (56 Stat. 182, chapter 199).''.

SEC. 807. CERTAIN SERVICE IN THE ORGANIZED MILITARY FORCES OF THE 
              PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE SCOUTS DEEMED TO BE ACTIVE 
              SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Section 107 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``not'' after ``Army of the United 
                States, shall''; and
                    (B) by striking ``, except benefits 
                under--'' and all that follows in that subsection and 
                inserting a period;
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``not'' after ``Armed Forces 
                Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 shall''; and
                    (B) by striking ``except--'' and all that follows 
                in that subsection and inserting a period;
            (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) Determination of Eligibility.--(1) In determining the 
eligibility of the service of an individual under this section, the 
Secretary shall take into account any alternative documentation 
regarding such service, including documentation other than the Missouri 
List, that the Secretary determines relevant.
    ``(2) Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report that includes--
            ``(A) the number of individuals applying for benefits 
        pursuant to this section during the previous year; and
            ``(B) the number of such individuals that the Secretary 
        approved for benefits.''; and
            (4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Relation to Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.--
Section 1002(h) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
(title X of division A of Public Law 111-5; 123 Stat. 200; 38 U.S.C. 
107 note) shall not apply to an individual described in subsection (a) 
or (b) of this section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) The heading of such section is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 107. Certain service deemed to be active service: service in 
              organized military forces of the Philippines and in the 
              Philippine Scouts''.
    (2) The item relating to such section in the table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 1 of such title is amended to read as follows:

``107. Certain service deemed to be active service: service in 
                            organized military forces of the 
                            Philippines and in the Philippine 
                            Scouts.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
        take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) Applicability.--No benefits shall accrue to any person 
        for any period before the effective date of this section by 
        reason of the amendments made by this section.

SEC. 808. ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERMENT IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 2402(a) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(10) Any individual--
                    ``(A) who--
                            ``(i) was naturalized pursuant to section 
                        2(1) of the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act 
                        of 2000 (Public Law 106-207; 8 U.S.C. 1423 
                        note); and
                            ``(ii) at the time of the individual's 
                        death resided in the United States; or
                    ``(B) who--
                            ``(i) the Secretary determines served with 
                        a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces 
                        operating from a base in Laos in support of the 
                        Armed Forces of the United States at any time 
                        during the period beginning February 28, 1961, 
                        and ending May 7, 1975; and
                            ``(ii) at the time of the individual's 
                        death--
                                    ``(I) was a citizen of the United 
                                States or an alien lawfully admitted 
                                for permanent residence in the United 
                                States; and
                                    ``(II) resided in the United 
                                States.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
with respect to an individual dying on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
                                 <all>