[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6416 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.6416

                     One Hundred Fourteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

           Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
           the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen


                                 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)''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.