[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6416 Engrossed in House (EH)]

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114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6416

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
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 ``Jeff Miller and 
Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 
2016''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
                TITLE I--DISABILITY COMPENSATION MATTERS

Sec. 101. Expedited payment of survivors' benefits.
Sec. 102. Board of Veterans' Appeals video hearings.
Sec. 103. Requirement that Secretary of Veterans Affairs publish the 
                            average time required to adjudicate early-
                            filed and later-filed appeals.
Sec. 104. Comptroller General review of claims processing performance 
                            of regional offices of Veterans Benefits 
                            Administration.
Sec. 105. Report on staffing levels at regional offices of Department 
                            of Veterans Affairs under National Work 
                            Queue.
Sec. 106. Inclusion in annual budget submission of information on 
                            capacity of Veterans Benefits 
                            Administration to process benefits claims.
Sec. 107. Report on plans of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce 
                            inventory of non-rating workload; sense of 
                            Congress regarding Monday Morning Workload 
                            Report.
Sec. 108. Annual report on progress in implementing Veterans Benefits 
                            Management System.
Sec. 109. Improvements to authority for performance of medical 
                            disabilities examinations by contract 
                            physicians.
Sec. 110. Independent review of process by which Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs assesses impairments that result 
                            from traumatic brain injury for purposes of 
                            awarding disability compensation.
Sec. 111. Reports on claims for disability compensation.
Sec. 112. Sense of Congress regarding American veterans disabled for 
                            life.
Sec. 113. Sense of Congress on submittal of information relating to 
                            claims for disabilities incurred or 
                            aggravated by military sexual trauma.
      TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

Sec. 201. Extension of temporary increase in number of judges on United 
                            States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
                            Claims.
Sec. 202. Life insurance program relating to judges of United States 
                            Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 203. Voluntary contributions to enlarge survivors' annuity.
Sec. 204. Selection of chief judge of United States Court of Appeals 
                            for Veterans Claims.
              TITLE III--BURIAL BENEFITS AND OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 301. Expansion of eligibility for headstones, markers, and 
                            medallions.
Sec. 302. Expansion of Presidential Memorial Certificate program.
Sec. 303. Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to 
                            burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in 
                            national cemeteries.
Sec. 304. Study on provision of interments in veterans' cemeteries 
                            during weekends.
Sec. 305. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in 
                            the reserve components of the Armed Forces.
     TITLE IV--EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Sec. 401. Clarification of eligibility for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John 
                            David Fry Scholarship.
Sec. 402. Approval of courses of education and training for purposes of 
                            the vocational rehabilitation program of 
                            the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 403. Authority to prioritize vocational rehabilitation services 
                            based on need.
Sec. 404. Reports on progress of students receiving Post-9/11 
                            Educational Assistance.
Sec. 405. Recodification and improvement of election process for Post-
                            9/11 Educational Assistance Program.
Sec. 406. Work-study allowance.
Sec. 407. Centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain 
                            groups, districts, and consortiums of 
                            educational institutions.
Sec. 408. Role of State approving agencies.
Sec. 409. Modification of requirements for approval for purposes of 
                            educational assistance provided by 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs of programs 
                            designed to prepare individuals for 
                            licensure or certification.
Sec. 410. Criteria used to approve courses.
Sec. 411. Compliance surveys.
Sec. 412. Modification of reductions in reporting fee multipliers for 
                            payments by Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
                            to educational institutions.
Sec. 413. Composition of Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
Sec. 414. Survey of individuals using their entitlement to educational 
                            assistance under the educational assistance 
                            programs administered by the Secretary of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 415. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of information on 
                            articulation agreements between 
                            institutions of higher learning.
Sec. 416. Retention of entitlement to educational assistance during 
                            certain additional periods of active duty.
Sec. 417. Technical amendment relating to in-state tuition rate for 
                            individuals to whom entitlement is 
                            transferred under all-volunteer force 
                            educational assistance program and post-9/
                            11 educational assistance.
Sec. 418. Study on the effectiveness of veterans transition efforts.
             TITLE V--SMALL BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

Sec. 501. Modification of treatment under contracting goals and 
                            preferences of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 502. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement 
                            service for veterans.
Sec. 503. Limitation on administrative leave for employees of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 504. Required coordination between Directors for Veterans' 
                            Employment and Training with State 
                            departments of labor and veterans affairs.
                     TITLE VI--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

                        Subtitle A--Medical Care

Sec. 601. Requirement for advance appropriations for the Medical 
                            Community Care account of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 602. Improved access to appropriate immunizations for veterans.
Sec. 603. Priority of medal of honor recipients in health care system 
                            of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 604. Requirement that Department of Veterans Affairs collect 
                            health-plan contract information from 
                            veterans.
Sec. 605. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in classified 
                            missions.
Sec. 606. Examination and treatment by Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            for emergency medical conditions and women 
                            in labor.
               Subtitle B--Veterans Health Administration

Sec. 611. Time period covered by annual report on Readjustment 
                            Counseling Service.
Sec. 612. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and 
                            furnishing of hospital care, medical 
                            services, and nursing home care.
Sec. 613. Expansion of qualifications for licensed mental health 
                            counselors of the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs to include doctoral degrees.
Sec. 614. Modification of hours of employment for physicians employed 
                            by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 615. Repeal of compensation panels to determine market pay for 
                            physicians and dentists.
Sec. 616. Clarification regarding liability for breach of agreement 
                            under Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            Employee Incentive Scholarship Program.
Sec. 617. Extension of period for increase in graduate medical 
                            education residency positions at medical 
                            facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 618. Report on public access to research by Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
Sec. 619. Authorization of certain major medical facility projects of 
                            the Department of Veterans Affairs.
                       Subtitle C--Toxic Exposure

Sec. 631. Definitions.
Sec. 632. National Academy of Medicine assessment on research relating 
                            to the descendants of individuals with 
                            toxic exposure.
Sec. 633. Advisory board on research relating to health conditions of 
                            descendants of veterans with toxic exposure 
                            while serving in the Armed Forces.
Sec. 634. Research relating to health conditions of descendants of 
                            veterans with toxic exposure while serving 
                            in the Armed Forces.
                    TITLE VII--HOMELESSNESS MATTERS

          Subtitle A--Access of Homeless Veterans to Benefits

Sec. 701. Expansion of definition of homeless veteran for purposes of 
                            benefits under the laws administered by the 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 702. Authorization to furnish certain benefits to homeless 
                            veterans with discharges or releases under 
                            other than honorable conditions.
Sec. 703. Waiver of minimum period of continuous active duty in Armed 
                            Forces for certain benefits for homeless 
                            veterans.
Sec. 704. Training of personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            and grant recipients.
Sec. 705. Regulations.
Sec. 706. Effective date.
                 Subtitle B--Other Homelessness Matters

Sec. 711. Increased per diem payments for transitional housing 
                            assistance that becomes permanent housing 
                            for homeless veterans.
Sec. 712. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly homeless 
                            veterans and veterans at risk of becoming 
                            homeless.
Sec. 713. Establishment of National Center on Homelessness Among 
                            Veterans.
Sec. 714. Requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs to assess 
                            comprehensive service programs for homeless 
                            veterans.
Sec. 715. Report on outreach relating to increasing the amount of 
                            housing available to veterans.
                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 801. Department of Veterans Affairs construction reforms.
Sec. 802. Technical and clerical amendments.

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

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

                TITLE I--DISABILITY COMPENSATION MATTERS

SEC. 101. EXPEDITED PAYMENT OF SURVIVORS' BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Section 5101(a)(1) 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 earlier of the following dates shall be treated as the date 
of the receipt of the survivor's application for benefits described in 
clause (i):
            ``(I) The date on which the survivor of a veteran (or the 
        representative of such a survivor) notifies the Secretary of 
        the death of the veteran through a death certificate or other 
        relevant evidence that establishes entitlement to survivors' 
        benefits identified in clause (i).
            ``(II) The head of any other department or agency of the 
        Federal Government notifies the Secretary of the death of the 
        veteran.
    ``(iii) In notifying the Secretary of the death of a veteran as 
described in clause (ii)(I), the survivor (or the representative of 
such a survivor) may submit to the Secretary additional documents 
relating to such death without being required to file a formal 
claim.''.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on benefits paid pursuant to covered 
        claims.
            (2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall include 
        the following:
                    (A) The number of covered claims adjudicated during 
                the 1-year period preceding the date of the report, 
                disaggregated by the following:
                            (i) Claims in which the claimant was 
                        entitled to benefits under chapters 13 or 15 or 
                        sections 2302, 2307, or 5121 of title 38, 
                        United States Code, on the basis of the 
                        claimant's status as the spouse of a deceased 
                        veteran.
                            (ii) Claims in which the claimant was 
                        entitled to such benefits on the basis of the 
                        claimant's status as the child of a deceased 
                        veteran.
                            (iii) Claims in which the claimant was 
                        entitled to such benefits on the basis of the 
                        claimant's status as the parent of a deceased 
                        veteran.
                    (B) The number of covered claims during such period 
                for which such benefits were not awarded, disaggregated 
                by clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (A).
                    (C) A comparison of the accuracy and timeliness of 
                covered claims adjudicated during such period with 
                noncovered claims filed by survivors of a veteran.
                    (D) The findings of the Secretary with respect to 
                adjudicating covered claims.
                    (E) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
                for legislative or administrative action to improve the 
                adjudication of claims submitted to the Secretary for 
                benefits under chapters 13 and 15 and sections 2302, 
                2307, and 5121 of title 38, United States Code.
            (3) Covered claim defined.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``covered claim'' means a claim covered by section 
        5101(a)(1)(B) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
        subsection (a).
    (c) 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. 102. BOARD OF VETERANS' APPEALS VIDEO HEARINGS.

    Section 7107 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
        follows:
    ``(1)(A)(i) 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.
    ``(ii) 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)(i) The Board shall notify the appellant of the determinations 
of the location and type of hearing made under subparagraph (A).
    ``(ii) Upon notification, the appellant may request a different 
location or type of hearing as described in such subparagraph.
    ``(iii) 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. 103. REQUIREMENT THAT SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PUBLISH THE 
              AVERAGE TIME REQUIRED TO ADJUDICATE EARLY-FILED AND 
              LATER-FILED APPEALS.

    (a) Publication Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--On an ongoing basis, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall make available to the public the 
        following:
                    (A) The average length of time to adjudicate an 
                early-filed appeal.
                    (B) The average length of time to adjudicate a 
                later-filed appeal.
            (2) Effective date.--Paragraph (1) shall take effect on the 
        date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act 
        and shall apply until the date that is 3 years after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 39 months 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 whether publication pursuant to subsection (a)(1) has had an 
        effect on the number of early-filed appeals filed.
            (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The number of appeals and early-filed appeals 
                that were filed during the 1-year period ending on the 
                effective date specified in subsection (a)(2).
                    (B) The number of appeals and early-filed appeals 
                that were filed during the 1-year period ending on the 
                date that is 2 years after the effective date specified 
                in subsection (a)(2).
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appeal.--The term ``appeal'' means a notice of 
        disagreement filed pursuant to section 7105(a) of title 38, 
        United States Code, in response to notice of the result of an 
        initial review or determination regarding a claim for a benefit 
        under a law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Early-filed.--The term ``early-filed'' with respect to 
        an appeal means that the notice of disagreement was filed not 
        more than 180 days after the date of mailing of the notice of 
        the result of the initial review or determination described in 
        paragraph (1).
            (3) Later-filed.--The term ``later-filed'' with respect to 
        an appeal means the notice of disagreement was filed more than 
        180 days after the date of mailing of the notice of the result 
        of the initial review or determination described in paragraph 
        (1).

SEC. 104. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF CLAIMS PROCESSING PERFORMANCE 
              OF REGIONAL OFFICES OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Review Required.--Not later than 15 months after the effective 
date specified in subsection (e), the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall complete a review of the regional offices of the Veterans 
Benefits Administration to help the Veterans Benefits Administration 
achieve more consistent performance in the processing of claims for 
disability compensation.
    (b) Elements.--The review required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) An identification of the following:
                    (A) The factors, including management practices, 
                that distinguish higher performing regional offices 
                from other regional offices with respect to claims for 
                disability compensation.
                    (B) The best practices employed by higher 
                performing regional offices that distinguish the 
                performance of such offices from other regional 
                offices.
                    (C) Such other management practices or tools as the 
                Comptroller General determines could be used to improve 
                the performance of regional offices.
            (2) An assessment of the effectiveness of communication 
        with respect to the processing of claims for disability 
        compensation between the regional offices and veterans service 
        organizations and caseworkers employed by Members of Congress.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 15 months after the effective date 
specified in subsection (e), the Comptroller General shall submit to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 
results of the review completed under subsection (a).
    (d) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``veterans service organization'' means any organization 
recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under 
section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 105. REPORT ON STAFFING LEVELS AT REGIONAL OFFICES OF DEPARTMENT 
              OF VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER NATIONAL WORK QUEUE.

    Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report on the criteria and procedures 
that the Secretary will use to determine appropriate staffing levels at 
the regional offices of the Department under the National Work Queue 
for the distribution of the claims processing workload.

SEC. 106. INCLUSION IN ANNUAL BUDGET SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ON 
              CAPACITY OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION TO PROCESS 
              BENEFITS CLAIMS.

    (a) In General.--Along with the supporting information included in 
the budget submitted to Congress by the President pursuant to section 
1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the President shall include 
information on the capacity of the Veterans Benefits Administration to 
process claims for benefits under the laws administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including information described in 
subsection (b), during the fiscal year covered by the budget with which 
the information is submitted.
    (b) Information Described.--The information described in this 
subsection is the following:
            (1) An estimate of the average number of claims for 
        benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary, 
        excluding such claims completed during mandatory overtime, that 
        a single full-time equivalent employee of the Administration 
        should be able to process in a year, based on the following:
                    (A) A time and motion study that the Secretary 
                shall conduct on the processing of such claims.
                    (B) Such other information relating to such claims 
                as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (2) A description of the actions the Secretary will take to 
        improve the processing of such claims.
            (3) An assessment of the actions identified by the 
        Secretary under paragraph (2) in the previous year and an 
        identification of the effects of those actions.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to any 
budget submitted as described in subsection (a) with respect to any 
fiscal year after fiscal year 2018.

SEC. 107. REPORT ON PLANS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO REDUCE 
              INVENTORY OF NON-RATING WORKLOAD; SENSE OF CONGRESS 
              REGARDING MONDAY MORNING WORKLOAD REPORT.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that 
details the plans of the Secretary to reduce the inventory of work 
items listed in the Monday Morning Workload Report under End Products 
130, 137, 173, 290, 400, 600, 607, 690, 930, and 960.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs should include in each Monday Morning 
Workload Report published by the Secretary the following:
            (1) With respect to each regional office of the Department 
        of Veterans Affairs, the following:
                    (A) The number of fully developed claims for 
                benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary 
                that have been received.
                    (B) The number of claims described in subparagraph 
                (A) that are pending a decision.
                    (C) The number of claims described in subparagraph 
                (A) that have been pending a decision for more than 125 
                days.
            (2) Enhanced information on appeals of decisions relating 
        to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the 
        Secretary that are pending, including information contained in 
        the reports of the Department entitled ``Appeals Pending'' and 
        ``Appeals Workload By Station''.

SEC. 108. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING VETERANS BENEFITS 
              MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than each of 1 year, 2 years, and 3 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in 
implementing the Veterans Benefits Management System.
    (b) Contents.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) An assessment of the current functionality of the 
        Veterans Benefits Management System.
            (2) Recommendations submitted to the Secretary by employees 
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are involved in 
        processing claims for benefits under the laws administered by 
        the Secretary, including veterans service representatives, 
        rating veterans service representatives, and decision review 
        officers, for such legislative or administrative action as the 
        employees consider appropriate to improve the processing of 
        such claims.
            (3) Recommendations submitted to the Secretary by veterans 
        service organizations who use the Veterans Benefits Management 
        System for such legislative or administrative action as the 
        veterans service organizations consider appropriate to improve 
        such system.
    (c) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``veterans service organization'' means any organization 
recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under 
section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 109. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
              DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.

    (a) Licensure of Contract Physicians.--
            (1) Temporary authority.--Section 704 of the Veterans 
        Benefits Act of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
                (e); and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following 
                new subsection (d):
    ``(d) Licensure of Contract Physicians.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any law regarding the 
        licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph (2) 
        may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into 
        under subsection (b) at any location in any State, the District 
        of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the 
        United States, so long as the examination is within the scope 
        of the authorized duties under such contract.
            ``(2) Physician described.--A physician described in this 
        paragraph is a physician who--
                    ``(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
                practice the health care profession of the physician;
                    ``(B) is not barred from practicing such health 
                care profession in any State, the District of Columbia, 
                or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the 
                United States; and
                    ``(C) is performing authorized duties for the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract 
                entered into under subsection (b).''.
            (2) Pilot program.--Section 504 of the Veterans' Benefits 
        Improvement Act of 1996 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as 
                subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following 
                new subsection (c):
    ``(c) Licensure of Contract Physicians.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any law regarding the 
        licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph (2) 
        may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into 
        under subsection (a) at any location in any State, the District 
        of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the 
        United States, so long as the examination is within the scope 
        of the authorized duties under such contract.
            ``(2) Physician described.--A physician described in this 
        paragraph is a physician who--
                    ``(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
                practice the health care profession of the physician;
                    ``(B) is not barred from practicing such health 
                care profession in any State, the District of Columbia, 
                or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the 
                United States; and
                    ``(C) is performing authorized duties for the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract 
                entered into under subsection (a).''.

SEC. 110. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PROCESS BY WHICH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS ASSESSES IMPAIRMENTS THAT RESULT FROM TRAUMATIC 
              BRAIN INJURY FOR PURPOSES OF AWARDING DISABILITY 
              COMPENSATION.

    (a) Agreement.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of 
        Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to perform the services 
        covered by this section.
            (2) Timing.--The Secretary shall seek to enter into the 
        agreement described in paragraph (1) not later than 9 months 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Comprehensive Review.--
            (1) In general.--Under an agreement between the Secretary 
        and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
        Medicine under this section, the National Academies of 
        Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall conduct a 
        comprehensive review of examinations furnished by the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs to individuals who submit claims 
        to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, 
        United States Code, for traumatic brain injury to assess the 
        impairments of such individuals relating to such injury.
            (2) Elements.--The comprehensive review carried out 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    (A) A determination of the adequacy of the tools 
                and protocols used by the Department to provide 
                examinations described in paragraph (1).
                    (B) A determination of which credentials are 
                necessary for health care specialists and providers to 
                perform such portions of such examinations that relate 
                to an assessment of all disabling effects.
            (3) Group of experienced health care providers.--In 
        carrying out the comprehensive review pursuant to paragraph 
        (1), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
        Medicine shall convene a group of relevant experts, including 
        experts in clinical neuropsychology, psychiatry, physiatry, 
        neurosurgery, and neurology.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 540 days after the date on 
        which the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection 
        (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
        report on the comprehensive review conducted under this 
        section.
            (2) Elements.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The findings of the National Academies of 
                Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with respect to the 
                comprehensive review conducted under this section.
                    (B) Such recommendations for legislative or 
                administrative action as the National Academies of 
                Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine may have for the 
                improvement of the adjudication of claims described in 
                subsection (b)(1).
    (d) Alternate Contract Organization.--
            (1) In general.--If the Secretary is unable within the 
        period prescribed in subsection (a)(2) to enter into an 
        agreement described in subsection (a)(1) with the National 
        Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on terms 
        acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary shall seek to enter 
        into such an agreement with another appropriate organization 
        that--
                    (A) is not part of the Government;
                    (B) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and
                    (C) has expertise and objectivity comparable to 
                that of the Health and Medicine Division of the 
                National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
                Medicine.
            (2) Treatment.--If the Secretary enters into an agreement 
        with another organization as described in paragraph (1), any 
        reference in this section to the National Academies of 
        Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall be treated as a 
        reference to the other organization.

SEC. 111. REPORTS ON CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION.

    (a) Report on Reasonably Raised Claims.--Not later than 540 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the policies of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to processing reasonably 
raised unrelated claims. Such report shall include--
            (1) any statistics on how frequently such unrelated claims 
        are identified by the Secretary;
            (2) how frequently the Secretary notifies claimants about 
        potential unrelated claims; and
            (3) how often the claimant later submits a claim for the 
        condition described by the unrelated claim.
    (b) Annual Reports on Complete and Incomplete Claims.--During the 
5-year period beginning on 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 annual reports on complete and 
incomplete claims for disability compensation submitted to the 
Secretary. Each such report shall include, for the 1-year period 
covered by the report--
            (1) the total number of claims submitted to the Secretary;
            (2) the total number of incomplete claims submitted to the 
        Secretary;
            (3) the total number of complete claims submitted to the 
        Secretary;
            (4) the total number of forms indicating an intent to file 
        a claim for benefits submitted to the Secretary;
            (5) the total number of electronically filed claims 
        submitted to the Secretary;
            (6) the total number of fully developed claims submitted to 
        the Secretary;
            (7) the total number of claims submitted to the Secretary 
        that are not complete claims but that the Secretary treats as a 
        request by the claimant for a form to file a claim; and
            (8) of the total number of claims identified under 
        paragraph (7), the percent for which the Secretary notified the 
        claimant of the need to file a complete claim.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``claimant'' has the meaning given such term 
        in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code, and includes a 
        representative of a claimant.
            (2) The term ``reasonably raised unrelated claim'' means a 
        claim for disability compensation under the laws administered 
        by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that, in addition to the 
        condition for which such claim is made, includes evidence of a 
        separate condition that is not specifically identified as part 
        of the claim but may be inferred or logically placed at issue 
        upon a sympathetic reading of the claim and the record 
        developed with respect to that claim.

SEC. 112. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AMERICAN VETERANS DISABLED FOR 
              LIFE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) There are at least 4,200,000 veterans currently living 
        with service-connected disabilities.
            (2) As a result of their service, many veterans are 
        permanently disabled throughout their lives and in many cases 
        must rely on the support of their families and friends when 
        these visible and invisible burdens become too much to bear 
        alone.
            (3) October 5, which is the anniversary of the dedication 
        of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, has been 
        recognized as an appropriate day on which to honor American 
        veterans disabled for life each year.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--Congress--
            (1) expresses its appreciation to the men and women left 
        permanently wounded, ill, or injured as a result of their 
        service in the Armed Forces;
            (2) supports the annual recognition of American veterans 
        disabled for life each year; and
            (3) encourages the American people to honor American 
        veterans disabled for life each year with appropriate programs 
        and activities.

SEC. 113. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION RELATING TO 
              CLAIMS FOR DISABILITIES INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED BY 
              MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    (a) In General.--It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs should submit to Congress information on the covered 
claims submitted to the Secretary during each fiscal year, including 
the information specified in subsection (b).
    (b) Elements.--The information specified in this subsection with 
respect to each fiscal year is the following:
            (1) The number of covered claims submitted to or considered 
        by the Secretary during such fiscal year.
            (2) Of the covered claims 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 under paragraph (1) that were 
        approved, the number and percentage, listed by each sex, of 
        claims assigned to each rating percentage of disability.
            (4) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
        denied--
                    (A) the three most common reasons given by the 
                Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of title 38, United 
                States Code, for such denials; and
                    (B) the number of denials that were based on the 
                failure of a veteran to report for a medical 
                examination.
            (5) The number of covered claims that, as of the end of 
        such fiscal year, are pending and, separately, the number of 
        such claims on appeal.
            (6) 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 mental 
        health condition alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by 
        military sexual trauma.
            (2) The term ``military sexual trauma'' shall have the 
        meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section 
        and shall include ``sexual harassment'' (as so specified).

      TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY INCREASE IN NUMBER OF JUDGES ON UNITED 
              STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7253(i)(2) is amended by striking 
``January 1, 2013'' and inserting ``January 1, 2021''.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than June 30, 2020, the chief 
        judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 
        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 temporary expansions of the 
        Court under section 7253 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of the effect of the expansions 
                on ensuring appeals are handled in a timely manner.
                    (B) A description of the ways in which the 
                complexity levels of the appeals acted on by the Court 
                may have changed based on service during recent 
                conflicts compared to those based on service from 
                previous eras.
                    (C) A recommendation on whether the number of 
                judges should be adjusted at the end of the temporary 
                expansion period, including statistics, projections, 
                trend analyses, and other information to support the 
                recommendation.

SEC. 202. LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM RELATING TO JUDGES OF UNITED STATES 
              COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7281 is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge who is in 
regular active service and a judge who is retired under section 7296 of 
this title or under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 shall be treated as an 
employee described in section 8701(a)(5) of title 5.
    ``(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Court may pay 
on behalf of its judges, who are age 65 or older, any increase in the 
cost of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance imposed after April 24, 
1999, including any expenses generated by such payments, as authorized 
by the chief judge of the Court in a manner consistent with such 
payment authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States 
pursuant to section 604(a)(5) of title 28.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to any payment made on or after the first day of the 
first applicable pay period beginning on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 203. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SURVIVORS' ANNUITY.

    Section 7297 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under subsection (b) 
may purchase, in 3-month increments, up to an additional year of 
service credit for each year of Federal judicial service completed, 
under the terms set forth in this section.
    ``(2) In this subsection, the term `covered judge' means any of the 
following:
            ``(A) A judge in regular active service.
            ``(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible retired 
        judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 of this title.
            ``(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eligible 
        retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 but 
        for--
                    ``(i) meeting the aggregate recall service 
                requirements under subsection (b)(3) of such section; 
                or
                    ``(ii) being permanently disabled as described by 
                subsection (b)(4) of such section.''.

SEC. 204. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS 
              FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7253(d) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following new subparagraph (B):
            ``(B) have at least 3 years remaining in term of office; 
        and''; and
            (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
    ``(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the Court in 
regular active service who meets the requirements under paragraph (1), 
the judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in 
commission and meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of 
paragraph (1) shall act as the chief judge.
    ``(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph in which 
there is no judge of the Court in regular active service who meets 
subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), the 
judge of the Court in regular active service who is senior in 
commission and meets subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to the selection of a chief judge occurring on or 
after January 1, 2020.

              TITLE III--BURIAL BENEFITS AND OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEADSTONES, MARKERS, AND 
              MEDALLIONS.

    Section 2306(d) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following 
        new paragraph:
    ``(4)(A) In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under this 
subsection to a deceased individual described in subparagraph (B), the 
Secretary may furnish, upon request, a medallion or other device of a 
design determined by the Secretary to signify the deceased individual's 
status as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished 
at private expense.
    ``(B) A deceased individual described in this subsection is an 
individual who--
            ``(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; 
        and
            ``(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished 
        under paragraph (1) (or would be so eligible but for the date 
        of the death of the individual).''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(5)(A) In carrying out this subsection with respect to a deceased 
individual described in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall furnish, 
upon request, a headstone or marker under paragraph (1) or a medallion 
under paragraph (4) that signifies the deceased's status as a medal of 
honor recipient.
    ``(B) If the Secretary furnished a headstone, marker, or medallion 
under paragraph (1) or (4) for a deceased individual described in 
subparagraph (C) that does not signify the deceased's status as a medal 
of honor recipient, the Secretary shall, upon request, replace such 
headstone, marker, or medallion with a headstone, marker, or medallion, 
as the case may be, that so signifies the deceased's status as a medal 
of honor recipient.
    ``(C) A deceased individual described in this subparagraph is a 
deceased individual who--
            ``(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917;
            ``(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished 
        under paragraph (1) or a medallion furnished under paragraph 
        (4) (or would be so eligible for such headstone, marker, or 
        medallion but for the date of the death of the individual); and
            ``(iii) was awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 
        6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14 (including 
        posthumously).
    ``(D) In this paragraph, the term `medal of honor recipient' means 
an individual who is awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 
6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14.''.

SEC. 302. EXPANSION OF PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 112(a) is amended by striking 
``veterans,'' and all that follows through ``service,'' and inserting 
the following: ``persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery by 
reason of any of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 2402(a) of 
this title,''.
    (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply 
with respect to the death of a person eligible for burial in a national 
cemetery by reason of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 
2402(a) of title 38, United States Code, occurring before, on, or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 303. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STUDY ON MATTERS RELATING TO 
              BURIAL OF UNCLAIMED REMAINS OF VETERANS IN NATIONAL 
              CEMETERIES.

    (a) Study and Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the 
effective date specified in subsection (d), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall--
            (1) complete a study on matters relating to the interring 
        of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under 
        the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and
            (2) 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 findings of the Secretary with 
        respect to the study required under paragraph (1).
    (b) Matters Studied.--The matters studied under subsection (a)(1) 
shall include the following:
            (1) Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed 
        remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of 
        unclaimed remains of veterans.
            (2) Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or 
        entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate 
        interment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national 
        cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery 
        Administration.
            (3) Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability 
        of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in 
        national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery 
        Administration.
            (4) Developing recommendations for such legislative or 
        administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Methodology.--
            (1) Number of unclaimed remains.--In estimating the number 
        of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection (b)(1), the 
        Secretary may review such subset of applicable entities as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset of funeral 
        homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed veterans 
        remains.
            (2) Assessment of state and local laws.--In assessing State 
        and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may 
        assess such sample of applicable State and local laws as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all 
        applicable State and local laws.
    (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 304. STUDY ON PROVISION OF INTERMENTS IN VETERANS' CEMETERIES 
              DURING WEEKENDS.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        conduct a study on the feasibility and the need for providing 
        increased interments in veterans' cemeteries on Saturdays and 
        Sundays to meet the needs of surviving family members to 
        properly honor the deceased.
            (2) Matters included.--The study under paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The number of requests made for interments in 
                veterans' cemeteries on a Saturday or a Sunday since 
                January 1, 2007.
                    (B) The number of requests identified under 
                subparagraph (A) that were granted.
                    (C) An estimate of the number of families that, 
                since January 1, 2007, would have selected a weekend 
                interment if such an interment would have been offered.
                    (D) A review of the practices relating to weekend 
                interments among non-veterans' cemeteries, including 
                private and municipal cemeteries.
                    (E) A comparison of the costs to veterans' 
                cemeteries with respect to providing regular interments 
                only during weekdays and such costs for providing 
                regular interments during the weekdays and at least 1 
                weekend day.
                    (F) Any other information the Secretary determines 
                appropriate.
            (3) Consultation.--In carrying out the study under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the following:
                    (A) Veterans who are eligible to be interred in a 
                veterans' cemetery.
                    (B) Family members of a deceased individual 
                interred in a veterans' cemetery.
                    (C) Veterans service organizations.
                    (D) Associations representing cemetery and funeral 
                home professionals.
                    (E) The heads of agencies of State governments 
                relating to veterans affairs.
                    (F) The directors of the veterans' cemeteries.
                    (G) Any other person the Secretary determines 
                appropriate.
    (b) Submission.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
    (c) Veterans' Cemeteries Defined.--In this section, the term 
``veterans' cemeteries'' means the cemeteries of the National Cemetery 
Administration, veterans' cemeteries owned by a State, and veterans' 
cemeteries owned by a tribal organization.

SEC. 305. HONORING AS VETERANS CERTAIN PERSONS WHO PERFORMED SERVICE IN 
              THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

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

     TITLE IV--EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

SEC. 401. 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) 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, as redesignated by subsection (b)(2), is amended by 
striking ``that paragraph'' and inserting ``paragraph (9) of subsection 
(b)''.

SEC. 402. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR PURPOSES OF 
              THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT 
              OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3104(b) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new sentences: ``To the maximum extent practicable, a 
course of education or training may be pursued by a veteran as part of 
a rehabilitation program under this chapter only if the course is 
approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title. The Secretary 
may waive the requirement under the preceding sentence to the extent 
the Secretary determines appropriate.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to a course of education or training pursued by a 
veteran who first begins a program of rehabilitation under chapter 31 
of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date that is 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 403. AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES 
              BASED ON NEED.

    Section 3104, as amended by section 402, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to administer this 
chapter by prioritizing the provision of services under this chapter 
based on need, as determined by the Secretary. In evaluating need for 
purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall consider disability 
ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a 
program of independent living, income, and any other factor the 
Secretary determines appropriate.
    ``(2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to the 
prioritization of the provision of services under this chapter as 
authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a plan describing such changes.''.

SEC. 404. REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF STUDENTS RECEIVING POST-9/11 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 33 is amended--
            (1) in section 3325(c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (4); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following 
                new paragraph (3):
            ``(3) the information received by the Secretary under 
        section 3326 of this title; and''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3326. Report on student progress
    ``As a condition of approval under chapter 36 of this title of a 
course offered by an educational institution (as defined in section 
3452 of this title), each year, each educational institution (as so 
defined) that received a payment in that year on behalf of an 
individual entitled to educational assistance under this chapter shall 
submit to the Secretary such information regarding the academic 
progress of the individual as the Secretary may require.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``3326. Report on student progress.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 405. RECODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTION PROCESS FOR POST-
              9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 33, as amended by 
section 404, is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:
``Sec. 3327. Election to receive educational assistance
    ``(a) Individuals Eligible To Elect Participation in Post-9/11 
Educational Assistance.--An individual may elect to receive educational 
assistance under this chapter if such individual--
            ``(1) as of August 1, 2009--
                    ``(A) is entitled to basic educational assistance 
                under chapter 30 of this title and has used, but 
                retains unused, entitlement under that chapter;
                    ``(B) is entitled to educational assistance under 
                chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 and has used, 
                but retains unused, entitlement under the applicable 
                chapter;
                    ``(C) is entitled to basic educational assistance 
                under chapter 30 of this title but has not used any 
                entitlement under that chapter;
                    ``(D) is entitled to educational assistance under 
                chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 but has not used 
                any entitlement under such chapter;
                    ``(E) is a member of the Armed Forces who is 
                eligible for receipt of basic educational assistance 
                under chapter 30 of this title and is making 
                contributions toward such assistance under section 
                3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; or
                    ``(F) is a member of the Armed Forces who is not 
                entitled to basic educational assistance under chapter 
                30 of this title by reason of an election under section 
                3011(c)(1) or 3012(d)(1) of this title; and
            ``(2) as of the date of the individual's election under 
        this paragraph, meets the requirements for entitlement to 
        educational assistance under this chapter.
    ``(b) Cessation of Contributions Toward GI Bill.--Effective as of 
the first month beginning on or after the date of an election under 
subsection (a) of an individual described by paragraph (1)(E) of that 
subsection, the obligation of the individual to make contributions 
under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as applicable, shall 
cease, and the requirements of such section shall be deemed to be no 
longer applicable to the individual.
    ``(c) Revocation of Remaining Transferred Entitlement.--
            ``(1) Election to revoke.--If, on the date an individual 
        described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of subsection (a) makes 
        an election under that subsection, a transfer of the 
        entitlement of the individual to basic educational assistance 
        under section 3020 of this title is in effect and a number of 
        months of the entitlement so transferred remain unutilized, the 
        individual may elect to revoke all or a portion of the 
        entitlement so transferred that remains unutilized.
            ``(2) Availability of revoked entitlement.--Any entitlement 
        revoked by an individual under this subsection shall no longer 
        be available to the dependent to whom transferred, but shall be 
        available to the individual instead for educational assistance 
        under chapter 33 of this title in accordance with the 
        provisions of this section.
            ``(3) Availability of unrevoked entitlement.--Any 
        entitlement described in paragraph (1) that is not revoked by 
        an individual in accordance with that paragraph shall remain 
        available to the dependent or dependents concerned in 
        accordance with the current transfer of such entitlement under 
        section 3020 of this title.
    ``(d) Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and except as 
        provided in subsection (e), an individual making an election 
        under subsection (a) shall be entitled to educational 
        assistance under this chapter in accordance with the provisions 
        of this chapter, instead of basic educational assistance under 
        chapter 30 of this title, or educational assistance under 
        chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable.
            ``(2) Limitation on entitlement for certain individuals.--
        In the case of an individual making an election under 
        subsection (a) who is described by paragraph (1)(A) of that 
        subsection, the number of months of entitlement of the 
        individual to educational assistance under this chapter shall 
        be the number of months equal to--
                    ``(A) the number of months of unused entitlement of 
                the individual under chapter 30 of this title, as of 
                the date of the election, plus
                    ``(B) the number of months, if any, of entitlement 
                revoked by the individual under subsection (c)(1).
    ``(e) Continuing Entitlement to Educational Assistance Not 
Available Under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the event educational assistance to 
        which an individual making an election under subsection (a) 
        would be entitled under chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 
        107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable, is not 
        authorized to be available to the individual under the 
        provisions of this chapter, the individual shall remain 
        entitled to such educational assistance in accordance with the 
        provisions of the applicable chapter.
            ``(2) Charge for use of entitlement.--The utilization by an 
        individual of entitlement under paragraph (1) shall be 
        chargeable against the entitlement of the individual to 
        educational assistance under this chapter at the rate of 1 
        month of entitlement under this chapter for each month of 
        entitlement utilized by the individual under paragraph (1) (as 
        determined as if such entitlement were utilized under the 
        provisions of chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606, 
        or 1607 of title 10, as applicable).
    ``(f) Additional Post-9/11 Assistance for Members Having Made 
Contributions Toward GI Bill.--
            ``(1) Additional assistance.--In the case of an individual 
        making an election under subsection (a) who is described by 
        subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that 
        subsection, the amount of educational assistance payable to the 
        individual under this chapter as a monthly stipend payable 
        under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this title, or 
        under paragraphs (2) through (7) of that section (as 
        applicable), shall be the amount otherwise payable as a monthly 
        stipend under the applicable paragraph increased by the amount 
        equal to--
                    ``(A) the total amount of contributions toward 
                basic educational assistance made by the individual 
                under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as of 
                the date of the election, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the fraction--
                            ``(i) the numerator of which is--
                                    ``(I) the number of months of 
                                entitlement to basic educational 
                                assistance under chapter 30 of this 
                                title remaining to the individual at 
                                the time of the election; plus
                                    ``(II) the number of months, if 
                                any, of entitlement under chapter 30 of 
                                this title revoked by the individual 
                                under subsection (c)(1); and
                            ``(ii) the denominator of which is 36 
                        months.
            ``(2) Months of remaining entitlement for certain 
        individuals.--In the case of an individual covered by paragraph 
        (1) who is described by subsection (a)(1)(E), the number of 
        months of entitlement to basic educational assistance remaining 
        to the individual for purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i)(II) shall 
        be 36 months.
            ``(3) Timing of payment.--The amount payable with respect 
        to an individual under paragraph (1) shall be paid to the 
        individual together with the last payment of the monthly 
        stipend payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of 
        section 3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs (2) through 
        (7) of that section (as applicable), before the exhaustion of 
        the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under 
        this chapter.
    ``(g) Continuing Entitlement to Additional Assistance for Critical 
Skills or Specialty and Additional Service.--An individual making an 
election under subsection (a)(1) who, at the time of the election, is 
entitled to increased educational assistance under section 3015(d) of 
this title, or section 16131(i) of title 10, or supplemental 
educational assistance under subchapter III of chapter 30 of this 
title, shall remain entitled to such increased educational assistance 
or supplemental educational assistance in the utilization of 
entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter, in an amount 
equal to the quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, equivalent of 
the monthly amount of such increased educational assistance or 
supplemental educational assistance payable with respect to the 
individual at the time of the election.
    ``(h) Alternative Election by Secretary.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of an individual who, on or 
        after January 1, 2017, submits to the Secretary an election 
        under this section that the Secretary determines is clearly 
        against the interests of the individual, or who fails to make 
        an election under this section, the Secretary may make an 
        alternative election on behalf of the individual that the 
        Secretary determines is in the best interests of the 
        individual.
            ``(2) Notice.--If the Secretary makes an election on behalf 
        of an individual under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        notify the individual by not later than seven days after making 
        such election and shall provide the individual with a 30-day 
        period, beginning on the date of the individual's receipt of 
        such notice, during which the individual may modify or revoke 
        the election made by the Secretary on the individual's behalf. 
        The Secretary shall include, as part of such notice, a clear 
        statement of why the alternative election made by the Secretary 
        is in the best interests of the individual as compared to the 
        election submitted by the individual. The Secretary shall 
        provide the notice required under this paragraph by electronic 
        means whenever possible.
    ``(i) Irrevocability of Elections.--An election under subsection 
(a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter, as amended by section 404, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

``3327. Election to receive educational assistance.''.
    (c) Conforming Repeal.--Subsection (c) of section 5003 of the Post-
9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 
38 U.S.C. 3301 note) is hereby repealed.

SEC. 406. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE.

    Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking ``June 30, 2013'' each 
place it appears and inserting ``June 30, 2013, or the period beginning 
on June 30, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2022''.

SEC. 407. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLLMENT BY CERTAIN 
              GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND CONSORTIUMS OF EDUCATIONAL 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3684(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``32, 33,'' after 
        ``31,''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term `educational 
institution' may include a group, district, or consortium of separately 
accredited educational institutions located in the same State that are 
organized in a manner that facilitates the centralized reporting of the 
enrollments in such group, district, or consortium of institutions.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 408. ROLE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.

    (a) Approval of Certain Courses.--Section 3672(b)(2)(A) is amended 
by striking ``the following'' and all that follows through the colon 
and inserting the following: ``a program of education is deemed to be 
approved for purposes of this chapter if a State approving agency, or 
the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, 
determines that the program is one of the following programs:''.
    (b) Approval of Other Courses.--Section 3675 of such title is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary or a State 
                approving agency'' and inserting ``A State approving 
                agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a 
                State approving agency,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``offered by proprietary for-profit 
                educational institutions'' and inserting ``not covered 
                by section 3672 of this title''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``the Secretary or the State approving 
                agency'' and inserting ``the State approving agency, or 
                the Secretary when acting in the role of a State 
                approving agency,''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the Secretary 
                or the State approving agency'' and inserting ``the 
                State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in 
                the role of a State approving agency''.

SEC. 409. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL FOR PURPOSES OF 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR 
              LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION.

    (a) Approval of Nonaccredited Courses.--Subsection (c) of section 
3676 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 course designed to prepare an 
        individual for licensure or certification in a State, the 
        course--
                    ``(A) meets all instructional curriculum licensure 
                or certification requirements of such State; and
                    ``(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare 
                an individual for licensure to practice law in a State, 
                is accredited by an accrediting agency or association 
                recognized by the Secretary of Education under subpart 
                2 of part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b).
            ``(15) In the case of a course 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, licensure, or certification, the course--
                    ``(A) meets such standards; and
                    ``(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare 
                an individual for licensure to practice law in a State, 
                is accredited by an accrediting agency or association 
                recognized by the Secretary of Education under subpart 
                2 of part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b).''.
    (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 course of education offered 
by an educational institution (either accredited or not accredited) 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 course did not meet the requirements of such 
        paragraph at any time during the 2-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 date on which the Secretary 
issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress notice of such waiver and a justification for issuing such 
waiver.''.
    (c) Approval of Accredited Courses.--Section 3675(b)(3) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and (3)'' and inserting ``(3), (14), 
        (15), and (16)''; 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)(1) of section 3676 of this title)''.
    (d) Approval of Accredited Standard College Degree Programs Offered 
at Public or Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions.--Section 
3672(b)(2) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``An accredited'' 
        and inserting ``Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an 
        accredited''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(C) A course that is described in both subparagraph (A)(i) of 
this paragraph and in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 3676(c) of this 
title shall not be deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter 
unless--
            ``(i) a State approving agency, or the Secretary when 
        acting in the role of a State approving agency, determines that 
        the course meets the applicable criteria in such paragraphs; or
            ``(ii) the Secretary issues a waiver for such course under 
        section 3676(f)(1) of this title.''.
    (e) Disapproval of Courses.--Section 3679 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the 
Secretary or the applicable State approving agency shall disapprove a 
course of education described in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 
3676(c) of this title unless the educational institution providing the 
course of education--
            ``(1) publicly discloses any conditions or additional 
        requirements, including training, experience, or examinations, 
        required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for 
        which the course of education is designed to provide 
        preparation; and
            ``(2) makes each disclosure required by paragraph (1) in a 
        manner that the Secretary considers prominent (as specified by 
        the Secretary in regulations prescribed for purposes of this 
        subsection).''.
    (f) Applicability.--If after enrollment in a course of education 
that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made by this 
section, 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. 410. CRITERIA USED TO APPROVE COURSES.

    (a) Nonaccredited Courses.--Paragraph (16) of section 3676(c), as 
redesignated by section 409, is amended by inserting before the period 
the following: ``if the Secretary, in consultation with the State 
approving agency and pursuant to regulations prescribed to carry out 
this paragraph, determines such criteria are necessary and treat 
public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions 
equitably''.
    (b) Accredited Courses.--Section 3675(b)(3) is amended by striking 
``and (3)'' and inserting ``(3), and (14)''.
    (c) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply 
with respect to--
            (1) criteria developed pursuant to paragraph (16) of 
        subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, 
        on or after January 1, 2013; and
            (2) an investigation conducted under such subsection that 
        is covered by a reimbursement of expenses paid by the Secretary 
        of Veterans Affairs to a State pursuant to section 3674 of such 
        title on or after October 1, 2015.

SEC. 411. COMPLIANCE SURVEYS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3693 is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
        new subsection (a):
    ``(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary shall 
conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions and 
training establishments offering one or more courses approved for the 
enrollment of eligible veterans or persons if at least 20 such veterans 
or persons are enrolled in any such course. The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) design the compliance surveys to ensure that such 
        institutions or establishments, as the case may be, and 
        approved courses are in compliance with all applicable 
        provisions of chapters 30 through 36 of this title;
            ``(B) survey each such educational institution and training 
        establishment not less than once during every 2-year period; 
        and
            ``(C) assign not fewer than 1 education compliance 
        specialist to work on compliance surveys in any year for each 
        40 compliance surveys required to be made under this section 
        for such year.
    ``(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the State approving 
agencies, shall--
            ``(A) annually determine the parameters of the surveys 
        required under paragraph (1); and
            ``(B) not later than September 1 of each year, make 
        available to the State approving agencies a list of the 
        educational institutions and training establishments that will 
        be surveyed during the fiscal year following the date of making 
        such list available.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) In this section, the terms `educational institution' and 
`training establishment' have the meanings given such terms in section 
3452 of this title.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (b) of such section is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``subsection (a) of this section for an 
        annual compliance survey'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(1) 
        for a compliance survey'';
            (2) by striking ``institution'' and inserting ``educational 
        institution or training establishment''; and
            (3) by striking ``institution's demonstrated record of 
        compliance'' and inserting ``record of compliance of such 
        institution or establishment''.

SEC. 412. MODIFICATION OF REDUCTIONS IN REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS FOR 
              PAYMENTS BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO EDUCATIONAL 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Through September 25, 2017.--During the period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act and ending on September 25, 2017, the 
second sentence of section 3684(c) of title 38, United States Code, 
shall be applied--
            (1) by substituting ``$6'' for ``$12''; and
            (2) by substituting ``$12'' for ``$15''.
    (b) September 26, 2017, Through September 25, 2026.--During the 
period beginning on September 26, 2017, and ending on September 25, 
2026, the second sentence of such section shall be applied--
            (1) by substituting ``$7'' for ``$12''; and
            (2) by substituting ``$12'' for ``$15''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 406 of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 
38 U.S.C. 3684 note), as amended by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Expiring Authorities Act of 2016, is amended by striking ``During the 
three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act'' 
and inserting ``During the period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this Act and ending on the day before the date of the 
enactment of the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health 
Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016''.

SEC. 413. COMPOSITION OF VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

    Section 3692(a) is amended in the second sentence by striking 
``veterans representative of World War II'' and all that follows 
through the period at the end of that sentence and inserting the 
following: ``a representative sample of veterans and other individuals 
who have used, or may in the future use, educational assistance 
benefits administered by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 414. SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS USING THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
              ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Survey Required.--By not later than 270 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
enter into a contract with a non-government entity for the conduct of a 
survey of a statistically valid sample of individuals who have used or 
are using their entitlement to educational assistance under chapters 
30, 32, 33, and 35 of title 38, United States Code, to pursue a program 
of education or training. The contract shall provide that--
            (1) not later than 1 month before the collection of data 
        under the survey begins, the survey shall be submitted to the 
        Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
        Representatives;
            (2) the non-government entity shall complete the survey and 
        submit to the Secretary the results of the survey by not later 
        than 180 days after entering into the contract; and
            (3) the survey shall be conducted by electronic means and 
        by any other means the non-government entity determines 
        appropriate.
    (b) Information To Be Collected.--The contract under subsection (a) 
shall provide that the survey shall be designed to collect the 
following types of information about each individual surveyed, where 
applicable:
            (1) Demographic information, including the highest level of 
        education completed by the individual, the military 
        occupational specialty or specialties of the individual while 
        serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces or as a 
        member of the National Guard or of a Reserve Component of the 
        Armed Forces, and whether the individual has a service-
        connected disability.
            (2) The opinion of the individual regarding participation 
        in the transition assistance program under section 1144 of 
        title 10, United States Code, and the effectiveness of the 
        program, including instruction on the use of the benefits under 
        laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (3) The resources the individual used to help the 
        individual--
                    (A) decide to use the individual's entitlement to 
                educational assistance to enroll in a program of 
                education or training; and
                    (B) choose the program of education or training the 
                individual pursued.
            (4) The individual's goal when the individual enrolled in 
        the program of education or training.
            (5) The nature of the individual's experience with the 
        education benefits processing system of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs.
            (6) The nature of the individual's experience with the 
        school certifying official of the educational institution where 
        the individual pursued the program of education or training who 
        processed the individual's claim.
            (7) Any services or benefits the educational institution or 
        program of education or training provided to veterans while the 
        individual pursued the program of education or training.
            (8) The type of educational institution at which the 
        individual pursued the program of education or training.
            (9) Whether the individual completed the program of 
        education or training or the number of credit hours completed 
        by the individual as of the time of the survey, and, if 
        applicable, any degree or certificate obtained by the 
        individual for completing the program.
            (10) The employment status of the individual and whether 
        such employment status differs from the employment status of 
        the individual prior to enrolling in the program of education 
        or training.
            (11) Whether the individual is or was enrolled in a program 
        of education on a full-time or part-time basis.
            (12) The opinion of the individual on the effectiveness of 
        the educational assistance program of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs under which the individual was entitled to 
        educational assistance.
            (13) Whether the individual was ever entitled to a 
        rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United States 
        Code, and whether the individual participated in such a 
        program.
            (14) A description of any circumstances that prevented the 
        individual from using the individual's entitlement to 
        educational assistance to pursue a desired career path or 
        degree.
            (15) Whether the individual is using the individual's 
        entitlement to educational assistance to pursue a program of 
        education or training or has transferred such an entitlement to 
        a dependent.
            (16) Such other matters as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after receiving the results of 
the survey required under this section, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report on the results of the survey and any 
recommendations of the Secretary relating to such results. Such report 
shall also include an unedited version of the results of the survey 
submitted by the non-government entity that conducted the survey.

SEC. 415. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON 
              ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
              LEARNING.

    (a) Information.--Department of Veterans Affairs counselors who 
provide educational or vocational counseling services pursuant to 
section 3697A of title 38, United States Code, shall provide to any 
eligible individual who requests such counseling services information 
about the articulation agreements of each institution of higher 
learning in which the individual is interested.
    (b) Certification of Eligibility.--When the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs provides to an individual a certification of eligibility for 
educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
the Secretary shall also include detailed information on such 
educational assistance, including information on requesting education 
counseling services and on articulation agreements.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``institution of higher learning'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 3452(f) of title 38, United 
        States Code.
            (2) The term ``articulation agreement'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 486A of the Higher Education Act of 
        1965 (Public Law 89-329; 20 U.S.C. 1093a).
    (d) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall implement this section not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 416. RETENTION OF ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE DURING 
              CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF ACTIVE DUTY.

    (a) Educational Assistance Allowance.--Section 16131(c)(3)(B)(i) of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``or 12304'' and 
inserting ``12304, 12304a, or 12304b''.
    (b) Expiration Date.--Section 16133(b)(4) of such title is amended 
by striking ``or 12304'' and inserting ``12304, 12304a, or 12304b''.

SEC. 417. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO IN-STATE TUITION RATE FOR 
              INDIVIDUALS TO WHOM ENTITLEMENT IS TRANSFERRED UNDER ALL-
              VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND POST-
              9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Technical Amendment.--Subparagraph (B) of section 3679(c)(2) is 
amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) An individual who is entitled to assistance 
                under--
                            ``(i) section 3311(b)(9) of this title; or
                            ``(ii) section 3319 of this title by virtue 
                        of the individual's relationship to--
                                    ``(I) a veteran described in 
                                subparagraph (A); or
                                    ``(II) a member of the uniformed 
                                services described in section 3319(b) 
                                of this title who is serving on active 
                                duty.''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to a course, semester, or term that begins after 
July 1, 2017.

SEC. 418. STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VETERANS TRANSITION EFFORTS.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with 
the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense, shall carry out a 
study to evaluate programs to assist veterans of the Armed Forces in 
their transition to civilian life. Such study shall be designed to 
determine the effectiveness of current programs, especially in regards 
to the unique challenges faced by women veterans, veterans with 
disabilities, Native American veterans (including Alaska Native 
veterans and Native Hawaiian veterans), veterans who are residents of a 
territory of the United States, veterans who are part of the indigenous 
population of a territory of the United States, and other groups of 
minority veterans identified by the Secretaries, including whether such 
programs--
            (1) effectively address the challenges veterans face in 
        pursuing higher education, especially the challenges faced by 
        such groups of minority veterans;
            (2) effectively address the challenges such veterans face 
        entering the civilian workforce and in translating experience 
        and skills from military service to the job market; and
            (3) effectively address the challenges faced by the 
        families of such veterans transitioning to civilian life.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report regarding the findings and recommendations of 
the study required under subsection (a).
    (c) Prohibition on Authorization of Appropriations.--No additional 
funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this section. 
Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise 
authorized.

             TITLE V--SMALL BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

SEC. 501. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT UNDER CONTRACTING GOALS AND 
              PREFERENCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (h) of section 8127 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. 502. LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND PLACEMENT 
              SERVICE FOR VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 41 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and 
              placement service for veterans
    ``(a) Study Required.--(1) The Secretary shall enter into a 
contract with a non-government entity to conduct a longitudinal study 
of a statistically valid sample of each of the groups of individuals 
described in paragraph (2). The contract shall provide for the study of 
each such group over a period of at least 5 years.
    ``(2) The groups of individuals described in this paragraph are the 
following:
            ``(A) Veterans who have received intensive services.
            ``(B) Veterans who did not receive intensive services but 
        who otherwise received services under this chapter.
            ``(C) Veterans who did not seek or receive services under 
        this chapter.
    ``(3) The study required by this subsection shall include the 
collection of the following information for each individual who 
participates in the study:
            ``(A) The average number of months such individual served 
        on active duty.
            ``(B) The disability ratings of such individual.
            ``(C) Any unemployment benefits received by such 
        individual.
            ``(D) The average number of months such individual was 
        employed during the year covered by the report.
            ``(E) The average annual starting and ending salaries of 
        any such individual who was employed during the year covered by 
        the report.
            ``(F) The average annual income of such individual.
            ``(G) The average total household income of such individual 
        for the year covered by the report.
            ``(H) The percentage of such individuals who own their 
        principal residences.
            ``(I) The employment status of such individual.
            ``(J) In the case of such an individual who received 
        services under this chapter, whether the individual believes 
        that any service provided by a disabled veterans' outreach 
        program specialist or local veterans' employment representative 
        helped the individual to become employed.
            ``(K) In the case of such an individual who believes such a 
        service helped the individual to become employed, whether--
                    ``(i) the individual retained the position of 
                employment for a period of 1 year or longer; and
                    ``(ii) the individual believes such a service 
                helped the individual to secure a higher wage or 
                salary.
            ``(L) The conditions under which such individual was 
        discharged or released from the Armed Forces.
            ``(M) Whether such individual has used any educational 
        assistance to which the individual is entitled under this 
        title.
            ``(N) Whether such individual has participated in a 
        rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title.
            ``(O) Whether such individual had contact with a One-Stop 
        Career Center employee while attending a workshop or job fair 
        under the Transition GPS Program of the Department of Defense.
            ``(P) Demographic information about such individual.
            ``(Q) Such other information as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.
    ``(b) Annual Report.--(1) By not later than July 1 of each year 
covered by the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on the outcomes of the study during the preceding year.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under 
paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(A) Information with respect to job fairs attended by 
        One-Stop Career Center employees at which the employees had 
        contact with a veteran, including, for the year preceding the 
        year in which the report is submitted, the following:
                    ``(i) The number of job fairs attended by One-Stop 
                Career Center employees at which the employees had 
                contact with a veteran.
                    ``(ii) The number of veterans contacted at each 
                such job fair.
            ``(B) Such information as the Secretary determines is 
        necessary to determine the long-term outcomes of the 
        individuals in the groups described in subsection (a)(2).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement 
                            service for veterans.''.

SEC. 503. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Limitation.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 7 is amended by inserting after 
        section 715 the following new section:
``Sec. 717. Limitation on administrative leave
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Secretary may not place any covered individual on administrative leave, 
or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for 
more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day period.
    ``(b) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the limitation under 
subsection (a) and extend the administrative leave or other paid non-
duty status without charge to leave of a covered individual placed on 
such leave or status under subsection (a) if the Secretary submits to 
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a detailed explanation of the reasons the individual 
was placed on administrative leave or other paid non-duty status 
without charge to leave and the reasons for the extension of such leave 
or status. Such explanation shall include the job title and grade of 
the covered individual and the location where the individual is 
employed.
    ``(c) Covered Individual.--In this section, the term `covered 
individual' means an employee of the Department--
            ``(1) who is subject to an investigation for purposes of 
        determining whether such individual should be subject to any 
        disciplinary action under this title or title 5; or
            ``(2) against whom any disciplinary action is proposed or 
        initiated under this title or title 5.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 715 the following new item:

``717. Limitation on administrative leave.''.
    (b) Application.--Section 717 of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any 365-day 
period beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 504. REQUIRED COORDINATION BETWEEN DIRECTORS FOR VETERANS' 
              EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR 
              AND VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4103 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(c) Coordination With State Departments of Labor and Veterans 
Affairs.--Each Director for Veterans' Employment and Training for a 
State shall coordinate the Director's activities under this chapter 
with the State department of labor and the State department of veterans 
affairs.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (c) of such section, as added by 
subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

                     TITLE VI--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

                        Subtitle A--Medical Care

SEC. 601. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE MEDICAL 
              COMMUNITY CARE ACCOUNT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 117(c) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Community 
        Care.''.
    (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, Medical 
                Community Care.''.
    (c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply 
to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 2017.

SEC. 602. IMPROVED ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE IMMUNIZATIONS FOR VETERANS.

    (a) Inclusion of Recommended Adult Immunizations as Medical 
Services.--
            (1) Covered benefit.--Subparagraph (F) of section 1701(9) 
        is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(F) immunizations against infectious diseases, 
                including each immunization on the recommended adult 
                immunization schedule at the time such immunization is 
                indicated on that schedule;''.
            (2) Recommended adult immunization schedule defined.--
        Section 1701 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(10) The term `recommended adult immunization schedule' 
        means the schedule established (and periodically reviewed and, 
        as appropriate, revised) by the Advisory Committee on 
        Immunization Practices established by the Secretary of Health 
        and Human Services and delegated to the Centers for Disease 
        Control and Prevention.''.
    (b) Inclusion of Recommended Adult Immunizations in Annual 
Report.--Section 1704(1)(A) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new 
        clause:
                            ``(iii) to provide veterans each 
                        immunization on the recommended adult 
                        immunization schedule at the time such 
                        immunization is indicated on that schedule.''.
    (c) Report to Congress.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the development and implementation 
        by the Department of Veterans Affairs of quality measures and 
        metrics, including targets for compliance, to ensure that 
        veterans receiving medical services under chapter 17 of title 
        38, United States Code, receive each immunization on the 
        recommended adult immunization schedule at the time such 
        immunization is indicated on that schedule.
            (2) Recommended adult immunization schedule defined.--In 
        this subsection, the term ``recommended adult immunization 
        schedule'' has the meaning given that term in section 1701(10) 
        of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(2).
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or the 
amendments made by this section may be construed to require a veteran 
to receive an immunization that the veteran does not want to receive.

SEC. 603. PRIORITY OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 
              OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Enrollment Priority.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1705(a) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting the following: ``and veterans who 
                were awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 
                6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 
                14.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``veterans who 
                were awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 
                6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 
                14,''.
            (2) Application.--The priority of enrollment of medal of 
        honor recipients in the system of annual patient enrollment 
        established and operated under section 1705(a) of such title, 
        as amended by paragraph (1), shall apply to each such 
        recipient, regardless of the date on which the medal is 
        awarded.
    (b) Eligibility.--Section 1710(a)(2)(D) is amended by inserting 
after ``war'' the following: ``, who was awarded the medal of honor 
under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 
14,''.
    (c) Extended Care Services.--Section 1710B(c)(2) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'';
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor under 
        section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 
        14.''.
    (d) Copayment for Medications.--Section 1722A(a)(3) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'';
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor under 
        section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 
        14.''.

SEC. 604. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COLLECT 
              HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by inserting 
after section 1705 the following new section:
``Sec. 1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-
              plan contracts
    ``(a) In General.--(1) Any individual who seeks hospital care or 
medical services under this chapter shall provide to the Secretary such 
current information as the Secretary may require to identify any 
health-plan contract under which such individual is covered.
    ``(2) The information required to be provided to the Secretary 
under paragraph (1) with respect to a health-plan contract shall 
include, as applicable, the following:
            ``(A) The name of the entity providing coverage under the 
        health-plan contract.
            ``(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract is in the 
        name of an individual other than the individual required to 
        provide information under this section, the name of the policy 
        holder of the health-plan contract.
            ``(C) The identification number for the health-plan 
        contract.
            ``(D) The group code for the health-plan contract.
    ``(b) Action To Collect Information.--The Secretary may take such 
action as the Secretary considers appropriate to collect the 
information required under subsection (a).
    ``(c) Effect on Services From Department.--The Secretary may not 
deny any services under this chapter to an individual solely due to the 
fact that the individual fails to provide information required under 
subsection (a).
    ``(d) Health-Plan Contract Defined.--In this section, the term 
`health-plan contract' has the meaning given that term in section 
1725(f) of this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1705 the following new item:

``1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan 
                            contracts.''.

SEC. 605. MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN CLASSIFIED 
              MISSIONS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that veterans 
who experience combat-related mental health wounds should have 
immediate, appropriate, and consistent access to comprehensive mental 
health care.
    (b) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in 
              classified missions
    ``(a) Establishment of Standards.--(1) The Secretary shall 
establish standards and procedures to ensure that each eligible veteran 
may access mental health care furnished by the Secretary in a manner 
that fully accommodates the obligation of the veteran to not improperly 
disclose classified information.
    ``(2) In establishing standards and procedures under paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Defense to ensure 
that such standards and procedures are consistent with the policies on 
classified information of the Department of Defense.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall disseminate guidance to employees of the 
Veterans Health Administration, including mental health professionals, 
on the standards and procedures established under paragraph (1) and how 
to best engage eligible veterans during the course of mental health 
treatment with respect to classified information.
    ``(b) Identification.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall ensure that a veteran may elect to identify as an eligible 
veteran on an appropriate form.
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `classified information' means any 
        information or material that has been determined by an official 
        of the United States pursuant to law to require protection 
        against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national 
        security.
            ``(2) The term `eligible veteran' means a veteran who--
                    ``(A) is eligible to receive health care furnished 
                by the Department under this title;
                    ``(B) is seeking mental health treatment; and
                    ``(C) in the course of serving in the Armed Forces, 
                participated in a sensitive mission or served in a 
                sensitive unit.
            ``(3) The term `sensitive mission' means a mission of the 
        Armed Forces that, at the time at which an eligible veteran 
        seeks treatment, is classified.
            ``(4) The term `sensitive unit' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 130b(c)(4) of title 10.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1720G the following new item:

``1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in classified 
                            missions.''.

SEC. 606. EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND WOMEN IN LABOR.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended by 
inserting after section 1784 the following new section:
``Sec. 1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency medical 
              conditions and women in labor
    ``(a) In General.--In the case of a hospital of the Department that 
has an emergency department, if any individual comes to the hospital or 
the campus of the hospital and a request is made on behalf of the 
individual for examination or treatment for a medical condition, the 
hospital must provide for an appropriate medical screening examination 
within the capability of the emergency department, including ancillary 
services routinely available to the emergency department, to determine 
whether or not an emergency medical condition exists.
    ``(b) Necessary Stabilizing Treatment for Emergency Medical 
Conditions and Labor.--(1) If any individual comes to a hospital of the 
Department that has an emergency department or the campus of such a 
hospital and the hospital determines that the individual has an 
emergency medical condition, the hospital must provide either--
            ``(A) within the staff and facilities available at the 
        hospital, for such further medical examination and such 
        treatment as may be required to stabilize the medical 
        condition; or
            ``(B) for transfer of the individual to another medical 
        facility in accordance with subsection (c).
    ``(2) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph 
(1)(A) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers the 
individual the further medical examination and treatment described in 
that paragraph and informs the individual (or a person acting on behalf 
of the individual) of the risks and benefits to the individual of such 
examination and treatment, but the individual (or a person acting on 
behalf of the individual) refuses to consent to the examination and 
treatment. The hospital shall take all reasonable steps to secure the 
written informed consent of the individual (or person) to refuse such 
examination and treatment.
    ``(3) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph 
(1)(B) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers to transfer 
the individual to another medical facility in accordance with 
subsection (c) and informs the individual (or a person acting on behalf 
of the individual) of the risks and benefits to the individual of such 
transfer, but the individual (or a person acting on behalf of the 
individual) refuses to consent to the transfer. The hospital shall take 
all reasonable steps to secure the written informed consent of the 
individual (or person) to refuse such transfer.
    ``(c) Restricting Transfers Until Individual Stabilized.--(1) If an 
individual at a hospital of the Department has an emergency medical 
condition that has not been stabilized, the hospital may not transfer 
the individual unless--
            ``(A)(i) the individual (or a legally responsible person 
        acting on behalf of the individual), after being informed of 
        the obligations of the hospital under this section and of the 
        risk of transfer, requests, in writing, transfer to another 
        medical facility;
            ``(ii) a physician of the Department has signed a 
        certification that, based upon the information available at the 
        time of transfer, the medical benefits reasonably expected from 
        the provision of appropriate medical treatment at another 
        medical facility outweigh the increased risks to the individual 
        and, in the case of labor, to the unborn child from effecting 
        the transfer; or
            ``(iii) if a physician of the Department is not physically 
        present in the emergency department at the time an individual 
        is transferred, a qualified medical person (as defined by the 
        Secretary for purposes of this section) has signed a 
        certification described in clause (ii) after a physician of the 
        Department, in consultation with the person, has made the 
        determination described in such clause, and subsequently 
        countersigns the certification; and
            ``(B) the transfer is an appropriate transfer to that 
        facility.
    ``(2) A certification described in clause (ii) or (iii) of 
paragraph (1)(A) shall include a summary of the risks and benefits upon 
which the certification is based.
    ``(3) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), an appropriate transfer to 
a medical facility is a transfer--
            ``(A) in which the transferring hospital provides the 
        medical treatment within its capacity that minimizes the risks 
        to the health of the individual and, in the case of a woman in 
        labor, the health of the unborn child;
            ``(B) in which the receiving facility--
                    ``(i) has available space and qualified personnel 
                for the treatment of the individual; and
                    ``(ii) has agreed to accept transfer of the 
                individual and to provide appropriate medical 
                treatment;
            ``(C) in which the transferring hospital sends to the 
        receiving facility all medical records (or copies thereof) 
        available at the time of the transfer relating to the emergency 
        medical condition for which the individual has presented, 
        including--
                    ``(i) observations of signs or symptoms;
                    ``(ii) preliminary diagnosis;
                    ``(iii) treatment provided;
                    ``(iv) the results of any tests; and
                    ``(v) the informed written request or certification 
                (or copy thereof) provided under paragraph (1)(A);
            ``(D) in which the transfer is effected through qualified 
        personnel and transportation equipment, including the use of 
        necessary and medically appropriate life support measures 
        during the transfer; and
            ``(E) that meets such other requirements as the Secretary 
        considers necessary in the interest of the health and safety of 
        the individual or individuals transferred.
    ``(d) Payment to the Department.--The Secretary shall charge for 
any care or services provided under this section in accordance with 
billing and reimbursement authorities available to the Secretary under 
other provisions of law.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `campus' means, with respect to a hospital 
        of the Department--
                    ``(A) the physical area immediately adjacent to the 
                main buildings of the hospital;
                    ``(B) other areas and structures that are not 
                strictly contiguous to the main buildings but are 
                located not more than 250 yards from the main 
                buildings; and
                    ``(C) any other areas determined by the Secretary 
                to be part of the campus of the hospital.
            ``(2) The term `emergency medical condition' means--
                    ``(A) a medical condition manifesting itself by 
                acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe 
                pain) such that the absence of immediate medical 
                attention could reasonably be expected to result in--
                            ``(i) placing the health of the individual 
                        (or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the 
                        health of the woman or her unborn child) in 
                        serious jeopardy;
                            ``(ii) serious impairment to bodily 
                        functions; or
                            ``(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily 
                        organ or part; or
                    ``(B) in the case of a pregnant woman, a stage of 
                labor that a medical provider determines indicates--
                            ``(i) that there is inadequate time to 
                        effect a safe transfer to another hospital 
                        before delivery; or
                            ``(ii) that transfer may pose a threat to 
                        the health or safety of the woman or the unborn 
                        child.
            ``(3)(A) The term `to stabilize' means--
                    ``(i) with respect to an emergency medical 
                condition described in paragraph (2)(A), to provide 
                such medical treatment of the condition as may be 
                necessary to assure, within reasonable medical 
                probability, that no material deterioration of the 
                condition is likely to result from or occur during the 
                transfer of the individual from a facility; or
                    ``(ii) with respect to an emergency medical 
                condition described in paragraph (2)(B), to deliver 
                (including the placenta).
            ``(B) The term `stabilized' means--
                    ``(i) with respect to an emergency medical 
                condition described in paragraph (2)(A), that no 
                material deterioration of the condition is likely, 
                within reasonable medical probability, to result from 
                or occur during the transfer of the individual from a 
                facility; or
                    ``(ii) with respect to an emergency medical 
                condition described in paragraph (2)(B), that the woman 
                has delivered (including the placenta).
            ``(4) The term `transfer' means the movement (including the 
        discharge) of an individual outside the facilities of a 
        hospital of the Department at the direction of any person 
        employed by (or affiliated or associated, directly or 
        indirectly, with) the hospital, but does not include such a 
        movement of an individual who--
                    ``(A) has been declared dead; or
                    ``(B) leaves the facility without the permission of 
                any such person.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
1784 the following new item:

``1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and 
                            women in labor.''.

               Subtitle B--Veterans Health Administration

SEC. 611. TIME PERIOD COVERED BY ANNUAL REPORT ON READJUSTMENT 
              COUNSELING SERVICE.

    Section 7309(e)(1) is amended by striking ``calendar year'' and 
inserting ``fiscal year''.

SEC. 612. ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND 
              FURNISHING OF HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND 
              NURSING HOME CARE.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and 
              furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and 
              nursing home care
    ``(a) Report Required.--Not later than March 1 of each of years 
2018 through 2022, 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, for the calendar year 
preceding the calendar year during which the report is submitted--
            ``(1) the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, 
        and nursing home care under the laws administered by the 
        Secretary; and
            ``(2) the administration of the furnishing of such care and 
        services by the Veterans Health Administration.
    ``(b) Elements.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include each of the following for the year covered by the report:
            ``(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
        Health Administration in increasing the access of veterans to 
        hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care 
        furnished by the Secretary for which such veterans are 
        eligible.
            ``(2) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
        Health Administration in improving the quality of health care 
        provided to veterans, without increasing the costs incurred for 
        such health care by the Federal Government or veterans, 
        including relevant information for each medical center and 
        Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department set forth 
        separately.
            ``(3) An assessment of--
                    ``(A) the workload of physicians and other 
                employees of the Veterans Health Administration;
                    ``(B) patient demographics and utilization rates;
                    ``(C) physician compensation;
                    ``(D) the productivity of physicians and other 
                employees of the Veterans Health Administration;
                    ``(E) the percentage of hospital care, medical 
                services, and nursing home care provided to veterans in 
                facilities of the Department and in non-Department 
                facilities and any changes in such percentages compared 
                to the year preceding the year covered by the report;
                    ``(F) pharmaceutical prices; and
                    ``(G) third-party health billings owed to the 
                Department, including the total amount of such billings 
                and the total amount collected by the Department, set 
                forth separately for claims greater than $1,000 and for 
                claims equal to or less than $1,000.
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `hospital care', 
`medical services', `nursing home care', `facilities of the 
Department', and `non-Department facilities' have the meanings given 
those terms in section 1701 of this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
7330A the following new item:

``7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing 
                            of hospital care, medical services, and 
                            nursing home care.''.

SEC. 613. EXPANSION OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH 
              COUNSELORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
              INCLUDE DOCTORAL DEGREES.

    Section 7402(b)(11)(A) is amended by inserting ``or doctoral 
degree'' after ``master's degree''.

SEC. 614. MODIFICATION OF HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR PHYSICIANS EMPLOYED 
              BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Section 7423(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) The hours'' and inserting ``(a)(1) 
        Except as provided in paragraph (2), the hours''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2)(A) Upon the advance written request of a covered physician, 
the Secretary may modify the hours of employment for a physician 
appointed in the Administration under any provision of this chapter on 
a full-time basis to be more or less than 80 hours in a biweekly pay 
period, subject to the requirements in subparagraph (B). For the 
purpose of determining pay, such a physician shall be deemed to have a 
biweekly schedule of 80 hours of employment.
    ``(B) A physician with an irregular work schedule established under 
subparagraph (A) shall be obligated to account for at least 2,080 hours 
of employment (through performance of work or use of leave or paid time 
off) in a calendar year.
    ``(C) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to implement this 
paragraph, including regulations making adjustments to address the 
annual hours requirement for physicians who are covered by this 
paragraph for only a portion of a calendar year.''.

SEC. 615. REPEAL OF COMPENSATION PANELS TO DETERMINE MARKET PAY FOR 
              PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS.

    Section 7431(c) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (4);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) as 
        paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
            (3) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking 
        ``under paragraph (6)'' and inserting ``under paragraph (5)''.

SEC. 616. CLARIFICATION REGARDING LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF AGREEMENT 
              UNDER DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE 
              SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    Section 7675(b)(1)(E) is amended by striking ``In the case of a 
participant who is a part-time student, the'' and inserting ``The''.

SEC. 617. 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. 618. REPORT ON PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than each of 180 days and 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on increasing public access to scientific 
publications and digital data from research funded by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Elements.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            (1) An identification of the location or locations in which 
        the public will be able to access the results of research 
        funded by the Department, whether on an Internet website of the 
        Department or through another source.
            (2) A description of the progress made by the Department in 
        meeting public access requirements set forth in the notice 
        entitled ``Policy and Implementation Plan for Public Access to 
        Scientific Publications and Digital Data from Research Funded 
        by the Department of Veterans Affairs'' (80 Fed. Reg. 60751), 
        including the following:
                    (A) Compliance of Department investigators with 
                requirements relating to ensuring that research funded 
                by the Department is accessible by the public.
                    (B) Ensuring data management plans of the 
                Department include provisions for long-term 
                preservation of the scientific data resulting from 
                research funded by the Department.
            (3) An explanation of the factors used to evaluate the 
        merit of data management plans of research funded by the 
        Veterans Health Administration.
            (4) An explanation of the process of the Department in 
        effect that enables stakeholders to petition a change to the 
        embargo period for a specific field and the factors considered 
        during such process.

SEC. 619. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS OF 
              THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out 
the following major medical facility projects, with each project to be 
carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount specified for that 
project:
            (1) Seismic, life safety, and utilities upgrades and 
        expansion of clinical services in Reno, Nevada, in an amount 
        not to exceed $213,800,000.
            (2) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community 
        living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not to 
        exceed $317,300,000.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2017 
or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major 
Projects, account $531,100,000 for the projects authorized in 
subsection (a).
    (c) Limitation.--The projects authorized in subsection (a) may only 
be carried out using--
            (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2017 or the year in 
        which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major 
        Projects, account pursuant to the authorization of 
        appropriations in subsection (b);
            (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
        fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 that remain available for 
        obligation;
            (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
        fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 that remain available for 
        obligation;
            (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
        for fiscal year 2017 for a category of activity not specific to 
        a project;
            (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
        for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 for a category of 
        activity not specific to a project; and
            (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
        for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 for a category of 
        activity not specific to a project.

                       Subtitle C--Toxic Exposure

SEC. 631. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Armed forces.--The term ``Armed Forces'' means the 
        United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast 
        Guard.
            (2) Descendant.--The term ``descendant'' means, with 
        respect to an individual, the biological child or grandchild of 
        that individual.
            (3) Toxic exposure.--The term ``toxic exposure'' means a 
        condition in which an individual inhaled or ingested an agent 
        determined to be hazardous to the health of the individual or 
        the agent came in contact with the skin or eyes of the 
        individual in a manner that could be hazardous to the health of 
        the individual.
            (4) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 632. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ASSESSMENT ON RESEARCH RELATING 
              TO THE DESCENDANTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Agreement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy 
        of Medicine under which the National Academy of Medicine 
        conducts an assessment on scientific research relating to the 
        descendants of individuals with toxic exposure.
            (2) Alternate organization.--
                    (A) In general.--If the Secretary is unable within 
                the period prescribed in paragraph (1) to enter into an 
                agreement described in such paragraph with the National 
                Academy of Medicine on terms acceptable to the 
                Secretary, the Secretary shall seek to enter into such 
                an agreement with another appropriate organization 
                that--
                            (i) is not part of the Federal Government;
                            (ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; 
                        and
                            (iii) has expertise and objectivity 
                        comparable to that of the National Academy of 
                        Medicine.
                    (B) Treatment.--If the Secretary enters into an 
                agreement with another organization as described in 
                subparagraph (A), any reference in this section to the 
                National Academy of Medicine shall be treated as a 
                reference to the other organization.
    (b) Elements.--The assessment conducted pursuant to the agreement 
entered into under subsection (a) shall include the following:
            (1) A scientific review of the scientific literature 
        regarding toxicological and epidemiological research on 
        descendants of individuals with toxic exposure.
            (2) An assessment of areas requiring further scientific 
        study relating to the descendants of veterans with toxic 
        exposure.
            (3) An assessment of the scope and methodology required to 
        conduct adequate scientific research relating to the 
        descendants of individuals with toxic exposure, including--
                    (A) the types of individuals to be studied, 
                including veterans with toxic exposure and the 
                descendants of those veterans;
                    (B) the number of veterans and descendants 
                described in subparagraph (A) to be studied;
                    (C) the potential alternatives for participation in 
                such a study, including whether it would be necessary 
                for participants to travel in order to participate;
                    (D) the approximate amount of time and resources 
                needed to prepare and conduct the research; and
                    (E) the appropriate Federal agencies to participate 
                in the research, including the Department of Defense 
                and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (4) The establishment of categories, including definitions 
        for each such category, to be used in assessing the evidence 
        that a particular health condition is related to toxic 
        exposure, such as--
                    (A) sufficient evidence of a causal relationship;
                    (B) sufficient evidence of an association;
                    (C) limited or suggestive evidence of an 
                association;
                    (D) inadequate or insufficient evidence to 
                determine whether an association exists; and
                    (E) limited or suggestive evidence of no 
                association.
            (5) An analysis of--
                    (A) the feasibility of conducting scientific 
                research to address the areas that require further 
                study as described under paragraph (2);
                    (B) the value and relevance of the information that 
                could result from such scientific research; and
                    (C) for purposes of conducting further research, 
                the feasibility and advisability of accessing 
                additional information held by a Federal agency that 
                may be sensitive.
            (6) An identification of a research entity or entities 
        with--
                    (A) expertise in conducting research on health 
                conditions of descendants of individuals with toxic 
                exposure; and
                    (B) an ability to conduct research on those health 
                conditions to address areas requiring further 
                scientific study as described under paragraph (2).
    (c) Report.--The agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall 
require the National Academy of Medicine to submit, not later than 2 
years after entering into such agreement, 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--
            (1) the results of the assessment conducted pursuant to 
        such agreement, including such recommendations as the National 
        Academy of Medicine considers appropriate regarding the scope 
        and methodology required to conduct adequate scientific 
        research relating to the descendants of veterans with toxic 
        exposure; and
            (2) a determination regarding whether the results of such 
        assessment indicate that it is feasible to conduct further 
        research regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans 
        with toxic exposure, including an explanation of the basis for 
        the determination.
    (d) Certification.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after receiving the 
        results of the assessment and determination under subsection 
        (c), 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 certification of the 
        understanding of the Secretary, based on such results and 
        determination, regarding the feasibility of conducting further 
        research regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans 
        with toxic exposure that is expressed by such results and 
        determination.
            (2) Basis for certification.--The certification submitted 
        under paragraph (1) shall include an explanation of the basis 
        for the certification.

SEC. 633. ADVISORY BOARD ON RESEARCH RELATING TO HEALTH CONDITIONS OF 
              DESCENDANTS OF VETERANS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE WHILE SERVING 
              IN THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Establishment.--Unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
certifies under section 632(d) that the results of the assessment and 
determination under section 632(c) indicate that it is not feasible to 
conduct further research regarding health conditions of descendants of 
veterans with toxic exposure, not later than 180 days after receiving 
such results and determination, the Secretary shall establish an 
advisory board (in this section referred to as the ``Advisory Board'') 
to advise the Secretary in the selection of a research entity or 
entities under section 634, advise such entity or entities in 
conducting research under such section, and advise the Secretary with 
respect to the activities of such entity or entities under such 
section.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
        National Academy of Medicine, the Director of the National 
        Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and such other 
        heads of Federal agencies as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate--
                    (A) shall select not more than 13 voting members of 
                the Advisory Board, of whom--
                            (i) not less than two shall be members of 
                        organizations exempt from taxation under 
                        section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code 
                        of 1986;
                            (ii) not less than two shall be descendants 
                        of veterans with toxic exposure while serving 
                        as members of the Armed Forces; and
                            (iii) not less than seven shall be health 
                        professionals, scientists, or academics who are 
                        not employees of the Federal Government and 
                        have expertise in--
                                    (I) birth defects;
                                    (II) developmental disabilities;
                                    (III) epigenetics;
                                    (IV) public health;
                                    (V) the science of environmental 
                                exposure or environmental exposure 
                                assessment;
                                    (VI) the science of toxic 
                                substances; or
                                    (VII) medical and research ethics; 
                                and
                    (B) may select not more than two nonvoting members 
                who are employees of the Federal Government and who are 
                otherwise described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
            (2) Chair.--The Secretary shall select a Chair from among 
        the members of the Advisory Board selected under paragraph 
        (1)(A).
            (3) Terms.--
                    (A) In general.--Each member of the Advisory Board 
                shall serve a term of 2 or 3 years as determined by the 
                Secretary.
                    (B) Reappointment.--At the end of the term of a 
                member of the Advisory Board, the Secretary may 
                reselect the member for another term, except that no 
                member may serve more than 4 consecutive terms.
    (c) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
            (1) advise the Secretary in the selection of a research 
        entity or entities to conduct research under section 634 from 
        among those identified under section 632(b)(6);
            (2) advise such entity or entities and assess the 
        activities of such entity or entities in conducting such 
        research;
            (3) develop a research strategy for such entity or entities 
        based on, but not limited to, the results of the assessment 
        conducted under section 632;
            (4) advise the Secretary with respect to the activities of 
        such entity or entities under section 634;
            (5) submit recommendations to be included by such entity or 
        entities in the report under section 634(d)(2)(C); and
            (6) not less frequently than semiannually, meet with the 
        Secretary and representatives of such entity or entities on the 
        research conducted by such entity or entities under section 
        634.
    (d) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of the 
Chair, but not less frequently than semiannually.
    (e) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory Board shall serve 
without compensation.
    (f) Expenses.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine 
the appropriate expenses of the Advisory Board.
    (g) Personnel.--
            (1) In general.--The Chair may, without regard to the civil 
        service laws and regulations, appoint an executive director of 
        the Advisory Board, who shall be a civilian employee of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs, and such other personnel as may 
        be necessary to enable the Advisory Board to perform its 
        duties.
            (2) Approval.--The appointment of an executive director 
        under paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the 
        Advisory Board.
            (3) Compensation.--The Chair may fix the compensation of 
        the executive director and other personnel without regard to 
        the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
        of title 5, United States Code, except that the rate of pay for 
        the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the 
        rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
        section 5316 of such title.

SEC. 634. RESEARCH RELATING TO HEALTH CONDITIONS OF DESCENDANTS OF 
              VETERANS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED 
              FORCES.

    (a) In General.--Unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs certifies 
under section 632(d) that the results of the assessment and 
determination under section 632(c) indicate that it is not feasible to 
conduct further research regarding health conditions of descendants of 
veterans with toxic exposure, not later than 1 year after receiving 
such results and determination, the Secretary shall (in consultation 
with the advisory board established under section 633 (in this section 
referred to as the ``Advisory Board'')) enter into an agreement with 
one or more research entities identified under section 632(b)(6) 
(excluding an entity of the Department of Veterans Affairs) to conduct 
research on health conditions of descendants of veterans with toxic 
exposure while serving as members of the Armed Forces (in this section 
referred to as the ``research entity or entities'').
    (b) Research.--
            (1) In general.--To the extent included in the research 
        strategy developed by the Advisory Board under section 
        633(c)(3), the research entity or entities shall conduct 
        research on health conditions of descendants of veterans with 
        toxic exposure while serving as members of the Armed Forces.
            (2) Studies.--In conducting research under paragraph (1), 
        the research entity or entities may study any veteran, at the 
        election of the veteran, identified under section 632(b)(3)(A) 
        as a type of individual to be studied in order to conduct 
        adequate scientific research relating to the descendants of 
        veterans with toxic exposure.
            (3) Categorization.--In conducting research under paragraph 
        (1), the research entity or entities shall assess, using the 
        categories established under section 632(b)(4), the extent to 
        which a health condition of a descendant of a veteran is 
        related to the toxic exposure of the veteran while serving as a 
        member of the Armed Forces.
    (c) Availability of Records.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs, and the head of each Federal agency 
        identified under section 632(b)(3)(E) shall make available to 
        the research entity or entities records held by the Department 
        of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Armed 
        Forces, that Federal agency, or any other source under the 
        jurisdiction of any such Federal agency or the Armed Forces, as 
        appropriate, that the research entity or entities determine are 
        necessary to carry out this section.
            (2) Mechanism for access.--The Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the head of each Federal 
        agency identified under section 632(b)(3)(E) shall jointly 
        establish a mechanism for access by the research entity or 
        entities to records made available under paragraph (1).
    (d) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after commencing the 
        conduct of research under this section, and not later than 
        September 30 each year thereafter, each research entity with 
        which the Secretary has entered into an agreement under 
        subsection (a) shall, in consultation with the Advisory Board, 
        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 the 
        functions of such entity under this section during the year 
        preceding the submittal of the report.
            (2) Elements.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) A summary of the research efforts that have 
                been completed during the year preceding the submittal 
                of the report and that are ongoing as of the date of 
                the submittal of the report.
                    (B) A description of any findings made during such 
                year in carrying out such research efforts.
                    (C) Recommendations for administrative or 
                legislative action made by the Advisory Board based on 
                such findings, which may include recommendations for 
                further research under this section.
            (3) Upon request.--Upon the request of any organization 
        exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal 
        Revenue Code of 1986, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
        transmit to such organization a copy of a report received by 
        the Secretary under paragraph (1).

                    TITLE VII--HOMELESSNESS MATTERS

          Subtitle A--Access of Homeless Veterans to Benefits

SEC. 701. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR PURPOSES OF 
              BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Section 2002 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``In this chapter'' and inserting ``(a) In 
        General.--In this chapter'';
            (2) by striking ``in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a))'' and inserting 
        ``in subsection (a) or (b) of section 103 of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Veteran Defined.--(1) Notwithstanding section 101(2) of this 
title and except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes of sections 
2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, and 2061 of this title, the term `veteran' 
means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air 
service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or 
released therefrom.
    ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `veteran' excludes a 
person who--
            ``(A) received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed 
        Forces; or
            ``(B) was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces by 
        reason of the sentence of a general court-martial.''.

SEC. 702. AUTHORIZATION TO FURNISH CERTAIN BENEFITS TO HOMELESS 
              VETERANS WITH DISCHARGES OR RELEASES UNDER OTHER THAN 
              HONORABLE CONDITIONS.

    Section 5303(d) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``not apply to any war-risk insurance, 
        Government (converted) or National Service Life Insurance 
        policy.'' and inserting the following: ``not apply to the 
        following:
            ``(1) Any war-risk insurance, Government (converted) or 
        National Service Life Insurance policy.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(2) Benefits under section 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, or 
        2061 of this title (except for benefits for individuals 
        discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces by reason of the 
        sentence of a general court-martial).''.

SEC. 703. WAIVER OF MINIMUM PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS ACTIVE DUTY IN ARMED 
              FORCES FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 5303A(b)(3) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as 
        subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new 
        subparagraph (F):
            ``(F) to benefits under section 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, or 
        2061 of this title;''.

SEC. 704. TRAINING OF PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              AND GRANT RECIPIENTS.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a program of 
training and education to ensure that the following persons are aware 
of and implement this title and the amendments made by this subtitle:
            (1) Personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are 
        supporting or administering a program under chapter 20 of title 
        38, United States Code.
            (2) Recipients of grants or other amounts for purposes of 
        carrying out such a program.

SEC. 705. REGULATIONS.

    Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe regulations, 
including such modifications to section 3.12 of title 38, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), as the Secretary 
considers appropriate, to ensure that the Department of Veterans 
Affairs is in full compliance with this title and the amendments made 
by this subtitle.

SEC. 706. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply 
to individuals seeking benefits under chapter 20 of title 38, United 
States Code, before, on, and after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.

                 Subtitle B--Other Homelessness Matters

SEC. 711. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING 
              ASSISTANCE THAT BECOMES PERMANENT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    Section 2012(a)(2) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as 
        subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
            (2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
        subparagraph (D)'' and inserting ``in subparagraph (E)'';
            (3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking 
        ``under subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``under subparagraph 
        (C)'';
            (4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
        subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting ``in subparagraphs 
        (C) and (D)'';
            (5) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``The rate'' and inserting ``Except 
                as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``under subparagraph (B)'' and all 
                that follows and inserting ``under subparagraph (C).''; 
                and
            (6) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
        subparagraph (B):
    ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may the rate 
determined under this paragraph exceed the rate authorized for State 
homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 
of this title, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under 
subsection (c) of that section.
    ``(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless veteran who 
is placed in housing that will become permanent housing for the veteran 
upon termination of the furnishing of such services to such veteran, 
the maximum rate of per diem authorized under this section is 150 
percent of the rate authorized for State homes for domiciliary care 
under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of this title, as the 
Secretary may increase from time to time under subsection (c) of that 
section.''.

SEC. 712. PROGRAM TO IMPROVE RETENTION OF HOUSING BY FORMERLY HOMELESS 
              VETERANS AND VETERANS AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.

    (a) Program Required.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 20 is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating section 2013 as section 2014; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting after section 2012 the following 
                new section 2013:
``Sec. 2013. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly 
              homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming 
              homeless
    ``(a) Program Required.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
under which the Secretary shall provide case management services to 
improve the retention of housing by veterans who were previously 
homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing and veterans who 
are at risk of becoming homeless.
    ``(b) Grants.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out the program 
through the award of grants.
    ``(2)(A) In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall give priority to organizations that demonstrate a capability to 
provide case management services as described in subsection (a), 
particularly organizations that are successfully providing or have 
successfully provided transitional housing services using amounts 
provided by the Secretary under sections 2012 and 2061 of this title.
    ``(B) In giving priority under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
shall give extra priority to an organization described in such 
subparagraph that--
            ``(i) voluntarily stops receiving amounts provided by the 
        Secretary under sections 2012 and 2061 of this title; and
            ``(ii) converts a facility that the organization used to 
        provide transitional housing services into a facility that the 
        organization uses to provide permanent housing that meets 
        housing quality standards established under section 8(o)(8)(B) 
        of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
        1437f(o)(8)(B)).
    ``(C) In any case in which a facility, with respect to which a 
person received a grant for construction, rehabilitation, or 
acquisition under section 2011 of this title, is converted as described 
in subparagraph (B)(ii), such conversion shall be considered to have 
been carried out pursuant to the needs of the Department and such 
person shall not be considered in noncompliance with the terms of such 
grant by reason of such conversion.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 2013 and inserting the following new items:

``2013. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly homeless 
                            veterans and veterans at risk of becoming 
                            homeless.
``2014. Authorization of appropriations.''.
    (b) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
prescribe regulations to carry out section 2013 of such title, as added 
by subsection (a)(1)(B).
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than June 1, 2020, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the program required by section 
        2013 of such title, as added by subsection (a)(1)(B).
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include assessments of the following:
                    (A) The percentage of veterans who received case 
                management services under the program who were able to 
                retain permanent housing by the end of the program, 
                disaggregated by each recipient of a grant under such 
                section.
                    (B) The percentage of veterans who received case 
                management services under the program who were not in 
                permanent housing at the end of the program, 
                disaggregated by housing status and reason for failing 
                to retain permanent housing under the program.
                    (C) The use by veterans, who received case 
                management services under the program, of housing 
                assistance furnished by the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs, including a comparison of the use of such 
                assistance by such veterans before and after receiving 
                such services.
                    (D) An assessment of the employment status of 
                veterans who received case management services under 
                the program, including a comparison of the employment 
                status of such veterans before and after receiving such 
                services.

SEC. 713. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CENTER ON HOMELESSNESS AMONG 
              VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter VII of chapter 20 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans
    ``(a) In General.--(1) The Secretary shall establish and operate a 
center to carry out the functions described in subsection (b).
    ``(2) The center established under paragraph (1) shall be known as 
the `National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans'.
    ``(3) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall operate the 
center established under paragraph (1) independently of the other 
programs of the Department that address homelessness among veterans.
    ``(b) Functions.--The functions described in this subsection are as 
follows:
            ``(1) To carry out and promote research into the causes and 
        contributing factors to veteran homelessness.
            ``(2) To assess the effectiveness of programs of the 
        Department to meet the needs of homeless veterans.
            ``(3) To identify and disseminate best practices with 
        regard to housing stabilization, income support, employment 
        assistance, community partnerships, and such other matters as 
        the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to addressing 
        veteran homelessness.
            ``(4) To integrate evidence-based and best practices, 
        policies, and programs into programs of the Department for 
        homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness and to 
        ensure that the staff of the Department and community partners 
        can implement such practices, policies, and programs.
            ``(5) To serve as a resource center for, and promote and 
        seek to coordinate the exchange of information regarding, all 
        research and training activities carried out by the Department 
        and by other Federal and non-Federal entities with respect to 
        veteran homelessness.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter 20 is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 2066 the following new item:

``2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.''.

SEC. 714. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSESS 
              COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
            (1) assess and measure the capacity of programs for which 
        entities receive grants under section 2011 of title 38, United 
        States Code, or per diem payments under section 2012 or 2061 of 
        such title; and
            (2) assess such programs with respect to--
                    (A) how well they achieve their stated goals at a 
                national level;
                    (B) placements in permanent housing;
                    (C) placements in employment; and
                    (D) increases in the regular income of participants 
                in the programs.
    (b) Assessment at National and Local Levels.--In assessing and 
measuring under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall develop and use 
tools to examine the capacity of programs described in such subsection 
at both the national and local level in order to assess the following:
            (1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs of 
        homeless veterans in each geographic area.
            (2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the 
        subpopulations of homeless veterans located in each geographic 
        area.
            (3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under 
        sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 2012 
        of such title have to provide services for which the recipients 
        are eligible to receive per diem under section 
        2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
        section 711(6).
    (c) Consideration of Other Resources.--In assessing and measuring 
programs under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall consider the 
availability to such programs of resources made available to such 
programs and to homeless veterans, including resources provided by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and by entities other than the 
Department.
    (d) Use of Information.--The Secretary shall use the information 
collected under this section as follows:
            (1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described 
        in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of homeless 
        veterans.
            (2) To assess whether programs described in subsection (a) 
        are meeting goals set under paragraph (1).
            (3) To inform funding allocations for programs described in 
        subsection (a).
            (4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to 
        programs described in subsection (a).
    (e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
assessment required by subsection (a) is completed, 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 such assessment and such recommendations for legislative and 
administrative action as the Secretary may have to improve the programs 
and per diem payments described in subsection (a).

SEC. 715. REPORT ON OUTREACH RELATING TO INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF 
              HOUSING AVAILABLE TO VETERANS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a 
report describing and assessing the outreach conducted by the Secretary 
to realtors, landlords, property management companies, and developers 
to educate them about the housing needs of veterans and the benefits of 
having veterans as tenants.

                       TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 801. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION REFORMS.

    (a) Application of Industry Standards; Assistance.--Section 8103 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(f) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall use 
industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying 
out the construction of medical facilities.
    ``(g) The Secretary shall ensure that each employee of the 
Department with responsibilities, as determined by the Secretary, 
relating to the infrastructure construction or alteration of medical 
facilities, including such construction or alteration carried out 
pursuant to contracts or agreements, undergoes a program of ongoing 
professional training and development. Such program shall be designed 
to ensure that employees maintain adequate expertise relating to 
industry standards and best practices for the acquisition of design and 
construction services. The Secretary may provide the program under this 
subsection directly or through a contract or agreement with a non-
Federal entity or with a non-Department Federal entity.''.
    (b) Forensic Audits of Certain Projects.--Subsection (c) of section 
8104 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Not less than 30 days'' and inserting 
        ``(1) Not less than 30 days''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) enter into a contract or agreement with an 
        appropriate non-department Federal entity with the ability to 
        conduct forensic audits on medical facility projects for the 
        conduct of an external forensic audit of the expenditures 
        relating to any major medical facility or super construction 
        project for which the total expenditures exceed the amount 
        requested in the initial budget request for the project 
        submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31 by more 
        than 25 percent; and
            ``(B) enter into a contract or agreement with an 
        appropriate non-department Federal entity with the ability to 
        conduct forensic audits on medical facility projects for the 
        conduct of an external audit of the medical center construction 
        project in Aurora, Colorado.''.
    (c) Use of Amounts From Bid Savings.--Subsection (d)(2)(B) of such 
section is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses 
        (iii) and (iv), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clause 
        (ii):
            ``(ii) If the major construction project that is the source 
        of the bid savings is not complete--
                    ``(I) the amount already obligated by the 
                Department or available in the project reserve for such 
                project;
                    ``(II) the percentage of such project that has been 
                completed; and
                    ``(III) the amount available to the Department to 
                complete such project.''; and
            (3) in clauses (iii) and (iv), as redesignated by paragraph 
        (1), strike ``amounts'' and inserting ``bid savings amounts'' 
        both places it appears.
    (d) Quarterly Report on Super Construction Projects.--
            (1) In general.--At the end of subchapter I of chapter 81 
        add the following new section:
``Sec. 8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects
    ``(a) Quarterly Reports Required.--Not later than 30 days after the 
last day of each fiscal quarter the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report on the super construction projects carried out 
by the appropriate non-Department Federal entity described in section 
8103(e)(1) of this title during such quarter. Each such report shall 
include, for each such project--
            ``(1) the budgetary and scheduling status of the project, 
        as of the last day of the quarter covered by the report; and
            ``(2) the actual cost and schedule variances of the 
        project, as of such day, compared to the planned cost and 
        schedules for the project.
    ``(b) Super Construction Project Defined.--In this section, the 
term `super construction project' has the meaning given such term in 
section 8103(e)(3) of this title.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of 
        the items relating to such subchapter the following new item:

``8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects.''.

SEC. 802. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

    Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
            (1) In section 735(a)(5), by striking ``(Public Law 104-
        191)'' and inserting ``(Public Law 104-191; 42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 
        note)''.
            (2) In the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
        17, by striking the items relating to sections 1710D and 1710E 
        and inserting the following new items:

``1710D. Traumatic brain injury: comprehensive program for long-term 
                            rehabilitation.
``1710E. Traumatic brain injury: use of non-Department facilities for 
                            rehabilitation.''.
            (3) In section 1710(e)(1)(F), by inserting a comma after 
        ``1953''.
            (4) In section 7412(b), by striking ``under paragraph (1)'' 
        and inserting ``under subsection (a)''.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 6, 2016.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
114th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 6416

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

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.