[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4511 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 603
116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4511

To make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary 
 of Veterans Affairs relating to education, burial benefits, and other 
                    matters, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 6, 2020

   Mr. Moran (for himself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Boozman, Mr. 
     Daines, Ms. Collins, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Hoeven) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
                     Committee on Veterans' Affairs

                            December 8, 2020

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary 
 of Veterans Affairs relating to education, burial benefits, and other 
                    matters, and for other purposes.

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

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

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veteran 
Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2020''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                  <DELETED>TITLE I--EDUCATION MATTERS

<DELETED>Sec. 101. Expansion of eligibility for Fry Scholarship to 
                            children and spouses of certain deceased 
                            members of the Armed Forces.
<DELETED>Sec. 102. Period for election to receive benefits under All-
                            Volunteer Educational Assistance Program of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 103. Phase out of All-Volunteer Educational Assistance 
                            Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 104. Requirements for in-State tuition.
<DELETED>Sec. 105. Expansion of authority for certain qualifying work-
                            study activities for purposes of the 
                            educational assistance programs of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs to include 
                            outreach services provided through 
                            congressional offices.
                   <DELETED>TITLE II--BURIAL MATTERS

<DELETED>Sec. 201. Transportation of deceased veterans to veterans' 
                            cemeteries.
<DELETED>Sec. 202. Increase in certain funeral benefits under laws 
                            administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 203. Outer burial receptacles for each new grave in 
                            cemeteries that are the subjects of certain 
                            grants made by the Secretary of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 204. Provision of inscriptions for spouses and children 
                            on certain headstones and markers furnished 
                            by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
 <DELETED>TITLE III--REPRESENTATION AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION MATTERS

<DELETED>Sec. 301. Short title.
<DELETED>Sec. 302. Penalties for representing veterans as agents and 
                            attorneys without recognition by Secretary 
                            of Veterans Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 303. Plan to address the financial exploitation of 
                            veterans receiving pension from the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 304. Overpayments of pension to veterans receiving 
                            pension from the Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 305. Evaluation of additional actions for verifying 
                            direct deposit information provided by 
                            veterans on applications for veterans 
                            pension.
<DELETED>Sec. 306. Annual report on efforts of Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs to address the financial 
                            exploitation of veterans receiving pension.
<DELETED>Sec. 307. Notice regarding fees charged in connection with 
                            filing an application for veterans pension.
<DELETED>Sec. 308. Outreach plan for educating vulnerable veterans 
                            about potential financial exploitation 
                            relating to the receipt of pension.
                    <DELETED>TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

<DELETED>Sec. 401. Eligibility of certain members of the reserve 
                            components of the Armed Forces for home 
                            loans from the Secretary of Veterans 
                            Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 402. Extension of certain housing loan fees.
<DELETED>Sec. 403. Clarification of licensure requirements for 
                            contractor medical professionals to perform 
                            medical disability examinations for the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 404. Medal of Honor special pension for surviving 
                            spouses.
<DELETED>Sec. 405. Modernization of service-disabled veterans 
                            insurance.
<DELETED>Sec. 406. Publication and acceptance of disability benefit 
                            questionnaire forms of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
<DELETED>Sec. 407. Determination of budgetary effects.

             <DELETED>TITLE I--EDUCATION MATTERS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 101. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FRY SCHOLARSHIP TO 
              CHILDREN AND SPOUSES OF CERTAIN DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE 
              ARMED FORCES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 3311 of title 
38, United States Code, as amended by section 105 of the Harry W. 
Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-
48), is further amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph 
        (11); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following 
        new paragraphs (9) and (10):</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) An individual who is the child or spouse of 
        a person who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies in line of 
        duty while serving on duty other than active duty as a member 
        of the Armed Forces.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) An individual who is the child or spouse of 
        a member of the Selected Reserve who dies on or after September 
        11, 2001, while a member of the Selected Reserve from a 
        service-connected disability.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Subsection (f) of such section is amended by 
        striking ``paragraph (8)'' each place it appears and inserting 
        ``paragraphs (8), (9), and (10)''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) In section 3313(c)(1), by striking ``(8), or 
        (9)'' and inserting ``(8), (9), (10), or (11)''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) In section 3317(a), in the second sentence, by 
        striking ``paragraphs (1), (2), (8), and (9)'' and inserting 
        ``paragraphs (1), (2), (8), (9), (10), and (11)''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Section 3322 of such title is amended--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subsection (e), by striking both 
                ``sections 3311(b)(8) and 3319'' and inserting 
                ``section 3319 and paragraph (8), (9), or (10) of 
                section 3311 of this title'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (f), by striking 
                ``section 3311(b)(8)'' and inserting ``paragraph (8), 
                (9), or (10) of section 3311 of this title''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subsection (h)(2), by striking 
                ``either section 3311(b)(8) or chapter 35'' and 
                inserting ``either chapter 35 or paragraph (8), (9), or 
                (10) of section 3311''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Applicability Date.--The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect immediately after the amendments made by 
section 105 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act 
of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) take effect and shall apply with respect to 
a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after 
August 1, 2020.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 102. PERIOD FOR ELECTION TO RECEIVE BENEFITS UNDER ALL-
              VOLUNTEER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 3011 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``Any such 
        election shall be made at the time the individual initially 
        enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces'' and 
        inserting ``Any such election shall be made during the 90-day 
        period beginning on the day that is 180 days after the date on 
        which the individual initially enters initial training''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``that such 
        individual is entitled to such pay'' and inserting ``that begin 
        after the date that is 270 days after the date on which the 
        individual initially enters initial training''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 103. PHASE OUT OF ALL-VOLUNTEER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 3011 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by section 102, is further amended by striking 
``after June 30, 1985'' and inserting ``during the period beginning 
July 1, 1985, and ending September 30, 2030''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 104. REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-STATE TUITION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 3679(c) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``less than 
        three years before the date of enrollment in the course 
        concerned''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (4)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``It shall'' and inserting 
                ``(A) It shall''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall make 
publicly available on the internet website of the Department a database 
explaining any requirements described in subparagraph (A) that are 
established by a public institution of higher learning for an 
individual to be charged tuition and fees at a rate that is equal to or 
less than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for 
residents of the State in which the institution is located. The 
Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by such an 
institution that does not provide the Secretary--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(i) an initial explanation of such requirements; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) not later than 90 days after the date on 
        which any such requirements change, the updated 
        requirements.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Application.--The amendments made by this section 
shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as 
applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2020.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING WORK-
              STUDY ACTIVITIES FOR PURPOSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              TO INCLUDE OUTREACH SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH 
              CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(K) The following activities carried out at the 
        offices of Members of Congress for such Members:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) The distribution of information to 
                members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their 
                dependents about the benefits and services under laws 
                administered by the Secretary and other appropriate 
                governmental and nongovernmental programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) The preparation and processing of 
                papers and other documents, including documents to 
                assist in the preparation and presentation of claims 
                for benefits under laws administered by the 
                Secretary.''.</DELETED>

              <DELETED>TITLE II--BURIAL MATTERS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 201. TRANSPORTATION OF DECEASED VETERANS TO VETERANS' 
              CEMETERIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 2308 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``in a national 
cemetery'' and inserting ``in a national cemetery or a covered 
veterans' cemetery''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Covered Veterans' Cemetery Defined.--Section 2308 of 
such title is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Covered Veterans' Cemetery Defined.--In this 
section, the term `covered veterans' cemetery' means a veterans' 
cemetery--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) in which a deceased veteran described in 
        subsection (b) is eligible to be buried; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) for which the Secretary has made a grant 
        under section 2408 of this title.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2308 of such title is 
amended in the section heading by adding at the end the following: ``or 
a veterans' cemetery''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 23 of such title is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 2308 and inserting the following new 
item:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``2308. Transportation of deceased veteran to a national 
                            cemetery or a veterans' cemetery.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 202. INCREASE IN CERTAIN FUNERAL BENEFITS UNDER LAWS 
              ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Funeral Expenses for Non-Service-Connected 
Disabilities.--Chapter 23 of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
as follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) By transferring subsection (b) of section 2302 
        to the end of section 2303 and redesignating such subsection as 
        subsection (d).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) By striking section 2302.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) In section 2303--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the section heading, by striking 
                ``Death in Department facility'' and inserting ``Death 
                from non-service-connected disability''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                        ``a veteran dies in a facility described in 
                        paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``a veteran 
                        described in paragraph (2) dies'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking paragraph (2) and 
                        inserting the following new paragraph 
                        (2):</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) A veteran described in this paragraph is a deceased 
veteran who is not covered by section 2307 and who meets any of the 
following criteria:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) The deceased veteran dies in--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) a facility of the Department (as 
                defined in section 1701(3) of this title) to which the 
                deceased veteran was properly admitted for hospital, 
                nursing home, or domiciliary care under section 1710 or 
                1711(a) of this title; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) an institution at which the 
                deceased veteran was, at the time of death, receiving--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(I) hospital care in accordance 
                        with sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 of this 
                        title;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(II) nursing home care under 
                        section 1720 of this title; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(III) nursing home care for 
                        which payments are made under section 1741 of 
                        this title.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) At the time of death, the deceased veteran 
        (including a person who died during a period deemed to be 
        active military, naval, or air service under section 106(c) of 
        this title) is in receipt of compensation under chapter 11 of 
        this title (or but for the receipt of retirement pay would have 
        been entitled to such compensation) or was in receipt of 
        pension under chapter 15 of this title.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) The Secretary determines--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) the deceased veteran (including a 
                person who died during a period deemed to be active 
                military, naval, or air service under section 106(c) of 
                this title) has no next of kin or other person claiming 
                the body of the deceased veteran; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) that there are not available 
                sufficient resources to cover burial and funeral 
                expenses.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) in subsection (b)--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in the matter 
                                preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
                                ``section 2302 of this title and''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) in paragraph (2), by 
                                striking ``under section 2302 of this 
                                title or''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) in subsection (d), as added 
                        by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by 
                        striking ``Except as'' and inserting ``With 
                        respect to a deceased veteran described in 
                        subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2), 
                        except as''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Title 38.--Such title is amended as 
        follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In section 2304, by striking 
                ``Applications for payments under section 2302 of this 
                title'' and inserting ``Applications for payments under 
                section 2303 of this title regarding veterans described 
                in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) of such 
                section''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) In section 2307, by striking 
                ``sections 2302 and 2303(a)(1) and (b)(2) of this 
                title'' and inserting ``subsections (a)(1) and (b)(2) 
                of section 2303 of this title''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) In section 2308--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in subsection (a), by striking 
                        ``pursuant to section 2302 or 2307 of this 
                        title,'' and inserting ``pursuant to section 
                        2303 of this title regarding veterans described 
                        in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) 
                        of such section, or pursuant to section 2307 of 
                        this title,''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subsection (b)(3)--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) by striking ``section 
                                2302'' and inserting ``section 2303''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) by striking 
                                ``subsection (a)(2)(A)'' and inserting 
                                ``subsection (a)(2)(C)''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) In section 113(c)(1), by striking 
                ``2302,''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) In section 5101(a)(1)(B)(i), by 
                striking ``2302'' and inserting ``2303''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Emergency medical care.--Section 11 of the 
        Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3810) is amended by 
        striking ``section 2302(a) of title 38'' and inserting 
        ``section 2303 of title 38, United States Code, regarding 
        veterans described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection 
        (a)(2) of such section''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 23 of such title is amended by striking the items 
relating to sections 2302 and 2303 and inserting the following new 
item:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``2303. Death from non-service-connected disability; plot 
                            allowance.''.
<DELETED>    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall 
apply to deaths that occur on or after the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 203. OUTER BURIAL RECEPTACLES FOR EACH NEW GRAVE IN 
              CEMETERIES THAT ARE THE SUBJECTS OF CERTAIN GRANTS MADE 
              BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 2306(e) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``, or in a 
        cemetery that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal 
        organization under section 2408 of this title,'' after 
        ``National Cemetery Administration''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
        following new paragraph (2):</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2)(A) The use of outer burial receptacles in a cemetery 
under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or in a 
cemetery that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal 
organization under section 2408 of this title shall be in accordance 
with regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) The use of outer burial receptacles in Arlington 
National Cemetery shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures 
approved by the Secretary of the Army.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(C) The use of outer burial receptacles in a national 
cemetery administered by the National Park Service shall be in 
accordance with regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of 
the Interior.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 204. PROVISION OF INSCRIPTIONS FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN 
              ON CERTAIN HEADSTONES AND MARKERS FURNISHED BY THE 
              SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 2306 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(j)(1) In addition to any other authority under this 
section, in the case of an individual whose grave is not in a covered 
cemetery (as that term is defined in subsection (f)(2)) and for whom 
the Secretary has furnished a headstone or marker under subsection (a) 
or (d), the Secretary, if feasible and upon request, may replace the 
headstone or marker to add an inscription for the surviving spouse or 
eligible dependent child of such individual following the death of the 
surviving spouse or eligible dependent child.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) If the spouse or eligible dependent child of an 
individual referred to in paragraph (1) predeceases the individual, the 
Secretary may, if feasible and upon request, include an inscription for 
the spouse or dependent child on the headstone or marker furnished for 
the individual under subsection (a) or (d).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Application.--Subsection (j) of section 2306 of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with 
respect to an individual who dies on or after October 1, 
2021.</DELETED>

     <DELETED>TITLE III--REPRESENTATION AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION 
                           MATTERS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This title may be cited as the ``Financial Refuge for 
Every Elderly Veteran Act of 2020'' or the ``FREE Veteran Act of 
2020''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 302. PENALTIES FOR REPRESENTING VETERANS AS AGENTS AND 
              ATTORNEYS WITHOUT RECOGNITION BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Penalties.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 5905 of title 38, United 
        States Code, is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 5905. Penalty for certain acts</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--Whoever commits any of the following 
acts shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned for not more 
than one year, or both:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Undertakes or attempts to undertake any work 
        in furtherance of the preparation, presentation, or prosecution 
        of a claim under a law administered by the Secretary--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) without recognition by the Secretary 
                under sections 5902 through 5904 of this title; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) while suspended or excluded under 
                section 5904(b) of this title.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Unlawfully withholds from any claimant or 
        beneficiary any part of a benefit or claim under the laws 
        administered by the Secretary that is allowed and due to the 
        claimant or beneficiary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Seeking Recognition.--Subsection (a)(1)(A) shall not 
be construed to include the seeking of recognition from the Secretary 
to prepare, present, or prosecute a claim under a law administered by 
the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Legal Interns, Law Students, and Paralegals.--
Subsection (a)(1)(A) shall not apply to a legal intern, a law student, 
or a paralegal undertaking or attempting to undertake work in 
furtherance of the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim 
under a law administered by the Secretary to the degree that such legal 
intern, law student, or paralegal is doing so--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) on behalf of or under the supervision of an 
        attorney recognized by the Secretary under sections 5902 
        through 5904 of this title; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) in a manner that is consistent with the 
        Model Rules of Professional Conduct of the American Bar 
        Association.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by 
        subsection (a) shall apply with respect to acts committed after 
        the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Biennial Reviews by General Counsel of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs.--Section 5904 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Biennial Reviews by General Counsel.--(1) Not less 
frequently than once every two years, the General Counsel of the 
Department shall submit to Congress a report on activities under this 
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall 
include, for the period covered by the report, the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) A discussion of the rates generally charged 
        for services covered by this section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) A discussion of the requests made by 
        claimants under subsection (c)(3)(A).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) A discussion of the fees reduced under such 
        subsection.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(D) The number of claims for benefits under laws 
        administered by the Secretary that were prepared, presented, or 
        prosecuted by an individual acting as an agent or attorney who 
        did so while not recognized under this section.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 303. PLAN TO ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF 
              VETERANS RECEIVING PENSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Development of Method for Solicitation and Collection 
of Information.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop 
a method for systematically soliciting and collecting information on 
complaints received, referrals made, and actions taken by the pension 
management centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs and any other 
relevant components of the Department, in cases of potential financial 
exploitation of individuals receiving pension under chapter 15 of title 
38, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Plan To Assess and Address Financial Exploitation of 
Veterans.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and 
        periodically update a plan--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to regularly assess the information 
                solicited and collected under subsection (a) to 
                identify trends of potential financial exploitation of 
                the individuals described in subsection (a) across the 
                Department; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to outline actions that the Department 
                can take to improve education and training to address 
                those trends.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Submission of plan.--Not later than one year 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less 
        frequently than once every two years thereafter, the Secretary 
        shall submit the plan most recently developed or updated under 
        paragraph (1) to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the Comptroller General of the United 
                States; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
                the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 304. OVERPAYMENTS OF PENSION TO VETERANS RECEIVING 
              PENSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Guidance and Training for Claims Processors.--As the 
Secretary considers necessary, but not less frequently than once every 
three years, the Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall update guidance and training curriculum for the 
processors of claims for pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United 
States Code, regarding the evaluation of questionable medical expenses 
on applications for pension, including by updating such guidance with 
respect to what constitutes a questionable medical expense and by 
including examples of such expenses.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Identification and Tracking.--The Under Secretary 
shall develop a method for identifying and tracking the number of 
individuals who have received overpayments of pension under chapter 15 
of title 38, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and not later than October 31 of each 
fiscal year beginning thereafter, the Under Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report that includes, for the period covered by the report--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the number of individuals who received 
        overpayments of pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United 
        States Code; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the reason for each overpayment.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 305. EVALUATION OF ADDITIONAL ACTIONS FOR VERIFYING 
              DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY VETERANS ON 
              APPLICATIONS FOR VETERANS PENSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Benefits of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) conduct an evaluation of the feasibility and 
        advisability of requiring the processors of claims for pension 
        under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, to take 
        additional actions to verify that the direct deposit 
        information provided by an individual on an application for 
        pension is for the appropriate recipient; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) identify such legislative or administrative 
        actions as the Under Secretary considers appropriate to ensure 
        that payments of pension are provided to the correct 
        recipients.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Submission to Congress.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Not later than 240 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall 
        submit to Congress a report on the evaluation and 
        identification under subsection (a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph 
        (1) shall include the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) The findings of the Under Secretary 
                with respect to the evaluation conducted under 
                subsection (a)(1).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) The actions identified under 
                subsection (a)(2).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) A plan for implementing any 
                administrative actions identified under subsection 
                (a)(2).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) A rationale for not implementing any 
                actions evaluated under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) 
                but not identified under paragraph (2) of such 
                subsection.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 306. ANNUAL REPORT ON EFFORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS TO ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF VETERANS 
              RECEIVING PENSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Not less frequently than once each year, 
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 efforts to address the 
financial exploitation of individuals receiving pension under chapter 
15 of title 38, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Contents.--Each report required by subsection (a) 
shall include, for the period covered by the report, the 
following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) The number of individuals who received pension 
        under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, who have been 
        referred by any component of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        to the Office of Inspector General of the Department as likely 
        or proven victims of financial exploitation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) The number of referrals and reports relating 
        to the financial exploitation of such individuals made by the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the Consumer Sentinel Network of the 
                Federal Trade Commission; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the Department of Justice.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) A description of the actions taken as a result 
        of such referrals and reports against--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) individuals recognized by the 
                Secretary as agents or attorneys under section 5904 of 
                title 38, United States Code; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) individuals not so 
                recognized.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 307. NOTICE REGARDING FEES CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH 
              FILING AN APPLICATION FOR VETERANS PENSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall ensure that every paper or electronic document 
relating to the receipt of pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United 
States Code, that is available to individuals who apply for such 
pension, including educational forms about or applications for such 
pension, includes a notice that the Department does not charge any fee 
in connection with the filing of an application for such 
pension.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 308. OUTREACH PLAN FOR EDUCATING VULNERABLE VETERANS 
              ABOUT POTENTIAL FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION RELATING TO THE 
              RECEIPT OF PENSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Development of Plan.--The Under Secretary for Benefits 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall develop, in collaboration 
with veterans service organizations, an outreach plan for educating 
vulnerable individuals about potential financial exploitation relating 
to the receipt of pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United States 
Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Special Committee on 
Aging of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
of Representatives the plan developed under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``veterans service organization'' means an 
organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the 
representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United 
States Code.</DELETED>

               <DELETED>TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 401. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE 
              COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR HOME LOANS FROM THE 
              SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Expansion of Definition of Veteran for Purposes of 
Home Loans.--Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) The term `veteran' also includes, for 
        purposes of home loans, an individual who performed active 
        service (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10) 
        for a period--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) of not less than 90 cumulative days; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) that includes 30 consecutive 
                days.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Expansion of Eligibility.--Section 3702(a)(2) of such 
title is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(G) Each individual described in section 
        3701(b)(7) of this title.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``October 1, 2029'' each place it appears and 
inserting ``October 1, 2030''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 403. CLARIFICATION OF LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR 
              CONTRACTOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO PERFORM MEDICAL 
              DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Subsection (c) of section 504 of the Veterans' Benefits 
Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is 
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Licensure of Contract Health Care Professionals.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any law 
        regarding the licensure of health care professionals, a health 
        care professional 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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Health care professional described.--A 
        health care professional described in this paragraph is a 
        physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, 
        audiologist, or psychologist, who--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) has a current unrestricted license 
                to practice the health care profession of the 
                physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, 
                audiologist, or psychologist, as the case may 
                be;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) is performing authorized duties for 
                the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a 
                contract entered into under subsection 
                (a).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 404. MEDAL OF HONOR SPECIAL PENSION FOR SURVIVING 
              SPOUSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Codification of Current Rate of Special Pension.--
Subsection (a) of section 1562 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``$1,000'' and inserting ``$1,388.68''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Special Pension for Surviving Spouses.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Surviving spouse benefit.--Such subsection is 
        further amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), 
the Secretary shall pay special pension under this section to the 
surviving spouse of a person whose name has been entered on the Army, 
Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll and a copy of 
whose certificate has been delivered to the Secretary under section 
1134a(d) of title 10.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) No special pension shall be paid to a surviving 
spouse of a person under this section unless such surviving spouse was 
married to such person--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(i) for one year or more prior to the veteran's 
        death; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) for any period of time if a child was born 
        of the marriage, or was born to them before the 
        marriage.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(C) No special pension shall be paid to a surviving 
spouse of a person under this section if such surviving spouse is 
eligible for or receiving benefits under section 1311 or 1318 of this 
title.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Conforming amendments.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Such section is amended--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in subsection (d), by 
                        inserting ``or married to more than one person 
                        who has been awarded a medal of honor,'' after 
                        ``honor,''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subsection (f)(1), by 
                        striking ``this section'' and inserting 
                        ``paragraph (1) of subsection (a), or under 
                        paragraph (2) of such subsection in the case of 
                        a posthumous entry on the Army, Navy, Air 
                        Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor 
                        Roll,''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Special provisions relating to 
                marriages.--Section 103(d)(5) of such title is amended 
                by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(E) Section 1562(a)(2), relating to Medal of 
        Honor special pension.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this 
        subsection shall apply with respect to payment of pension under 
        section 1562 of title 38, United States Code, for months 
        beginning after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 405. MODERNIZATION OF SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS 
              INSURANCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment of Modernized Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Chapter 19 of title 38, United 
        States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1922A the 
        following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 1922B. Service-disabled veterans insurance</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Insurance.--(1) Beginning January 1, 2023, the 
Secretary shall carry out a service-disabled veterans insurance program 
under which a veteran is granted insurance by the United States against 
the death of such individual occurring while such insurance is in 
force.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) The Secretary may only issue whole-life policies 
under the insurance program under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) The Secretary may not grant insurance to a veteran 
under paragraph (1) unless--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) the veteran submits the application for such 
        insurance before the veteran attains 81 years of age; 
        or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) with respect to a veteran who has attained 
        81 years of age--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) the veteran filed a claim for 
                compensation under chapter 11 of this title before 
                attaining such age;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) based on such claim, and after the 
                veteran attained such age, the Secretary first 
                determines that the veteran has a service-connected 
                disability; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) the veteran submits the 
                application for such insurance during the two-year 
                period following the date of such 
                determination.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(4)(A) A veteran enrolled in the insurance program under 
paragraph (1) may elect to be insured in any of the following 
amounts:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) $10,000.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) $20,000.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) $30,000.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iv) $40,000.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(v) In accordance with subparagraph (B), 
                a maximum amount greater than $40,000.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) The Secretary may establish a maximum amount to be 
insured under paragraph (1) that is greater than $40,000 if the 
Secretary--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(i) determines that such maximum amount and the 
        premiums for such amount--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) are administratively and actuarially 
                sound for the insurance program under paragraph (1); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(II) will not result in such program 
                operating at a loss; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) publishes in the Federal Register, and 
        submits to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
        the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives, such maximum amount and 
        determination.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(5)(A)(i) Insurance granted under this section shall be 
on a nonparticipating basis and all premiums and other collections 
therefor shall be credited directly to a revolving fund in the Treasury 
of the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(ii) Any payments on such insurance shall be made 
directly from such fund.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B)(i) The Secretary of the Treasury may invest in and 
sell and retire special interest-bearing obligations of the United 
States for the account of the revolving fund under subparagraph 
(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(ii) Such obligations issued for that purpose shall--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(I) have maturities fixed with due regard for 
        the needs of the fund; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(II) bear interest at a rate equal to the 
        average market yield (computed by the Secretary of the Treasury 
        on the basis of market quotations as of the end of the calendar 
        month preceding the date of issue) on all marketable interest-
        bearing obligations of the United States then forming a part of 
        the public debt which are not due or callable until after the 
        expiration of four years from the end of such calendar month; 
        except that where such average market yield is not a multiple 
        of one-eighth of 1 per centum, the rate of interest of such 
        obligation shall be the multiple of one-eighth of 1 per centum 
        nearest such market yield.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(6)(A) Administrative support financed by the 
appropriations for `General Operating Expenses, Department of Veterans 
Affairs' and `Information Technology Systems, Department of Veterans 
Affairs' for the insurance program under paragraph (1) shall be paid 
from premiums credited to the fund under paragraph (5).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) Such payment for administrative support shall be 
reimbursed for that fiscal year from funds that are available on such 
insurance after claims have been paid.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Eligibility.--A veteran is eligible to enroll in the 
insurance program under subsection (a)(1) if the veteran has a service-
connected disability, without regard to--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) whether such disability is compensable under 
        chapter 11 of this title; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) whether the veteran meets standards of good 
        health required for other life insurance policies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Enrollment and Waiting Period.--(1) An eligible 
veteran may enroll in the insurance program under subsection (a)(1) at 
any time.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) The life insurance policy of a veteran who enrolls 
in the insurance program under subsection (a)(1) does not go into force 
unless--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) a period of two years elapses following the 
        date of such enrollment; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) the veteran pays the premiums required 
        during such two-year period.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3)(A) If a veteran dies during the two-year period 
described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall pay to the beneficiary 
of the veteran the amount of premiums paid by the veteran under this 
section, plus interest.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) The Secretary--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(i) for the initial year of the insurance 
        program under subsection (a)(1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) shall set such interest at a rate of 
                one percent; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(II) may adjust such rate during such 
                year based on program performance, except that the 
                interest rate may not be less than zero 
                percent;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) for the second and each subsequent year of 
        the program, shall calculate such interest at an annual rate 
        equal to the rate of return on the revolving fund under 
        subsection (a)(5) for the calendar year preceding the year of 
        the veteran's death, except that the interest rate may not be 
        less than zero percent; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(iii) on an annual basis, shall publish on the 
        internet website of the Department the average interest rate 
        calculated under clause (ii) for the preceding calendar 
        year.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Premiums.--(1) The Secretary shall establish a 
schedule of basic premium rates by age per $10,000 of insurance under 
subsection (a)(1) consistent with basic premium rates generally charged 
for guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies by private life 
insurance companies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) The Secretary may adjust such schedule after the 
first policy year in a manner consistent with the general practice of 
guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies issued by private life 
insurance companies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) Section 1912 of this title shall not apply to life 
insurance policies under subsection (a)(1), and the Secretary may not 
otherwise waive premiums for such insurance policies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Beneficiaries.--(1) A veteran who enrolls in the 
insurance program under subsection (a)(1) may designate a beneficiary 
of the life insurance policy.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) If a veteran enrolled in the insurance program under 
subsection (a)(1) does not designate a beneficiary under paragraph (1) 
before the veteran dies, or if a designated beneficiary predeceases the 
veteran, the Secretary shall determine the beneficiary in the following 
order:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) The surviving spouse of the 
        veteran.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) The children of the veteran and descendants 
        of deceased children by representation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) The parents of the veteran or the survivors 
        of the parents.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(D) The duly appointed executor or administrator 
        of the estate of the veteran.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(E) Other next of kin of the veteran entitled 
        under the laws of domicile of the veteran at the time of the 
        death of the veteran.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Claims.--(1) If the deceased veteran designated a 
beneficiary under subsection (e)(1)--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) the designated beneficiary is the only 
        person who may file a claim for payment under subsection (g) 
        during the one-year period beginning on the date of the death 
        of the veteran; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) if the designated beneficiary does not file 
        a claim for the payment during the period described in 
        paragraph (1), or if payment to the designated beneficiary 
        within that period is prohibited by Federal statute or 
        regulation, a beneficiary described in subsection (e)(2) may 
        file a claim for such payment during the one-year period 
        following the period described in subparagraph (A) as if the 
        designated beneficiary had predeceased the veteran.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) If the deceased veteran did not designate a 
beneficiary under subsection (e)(1), or if the designated beneficiary 
predeceased the veteran, a beneficiary described in subsection (e)(2) 
may file a claim for payment under subsection (g) during the two-year 
period beginning on the date of the death of the veteran.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) If, on the date that is two years after the date of 
the death of the veteran, no claim for payment has been filed by any 
beneficiary pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), and the Secretary has not 
received notice that any such claim will be so filed during the 
subsequent one-year period, the Secretary may make the payment to a 
claimant whom the Secretary determines to be equitably entitled to such 
payment.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Payments.--(1) In a case described in subsection 
(f)--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall pay 
        the designated beneficiary not later than 90 days after the 
        designated beneficiary files a complete and acceptable claim 
        for payment;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) in paragraph (1)(B) or (2), the Secretary 
        shall make any payment not later than one year after the end of 
        the period described in the applicable such paragraph, if the 
        Secretary receives a complete and acceptable claim for payment 
        in accordance with the applicable such paragraph; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall make 
        any payment not later than one year after the end of the period 
        described in such paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) In a case where the Secretary has not made an 
insurance payment under this section during the applicable period 
specified in paragraph (1) by reason of a beneficiary not yet having 
filed a claim, or the Secretary not yet making a determination under 
subsection (f)(3), the Secretary may make the payment after such 
applicable period.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) Notwithstanding section 1917 of this title, the 
Secretary shall make an insurance payment under this section in a lump 
sum.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(4) The Secretary may not make an insurance payment 
under this section if such payment will escheat to a State.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(5) Any payment under this subsection shall be a bar to 
recovery by any other person.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at 
        the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 1922A the following new 
        item:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``1922B. Service-disabled veterans insurance.''.
<DELETED>    (b) Sunset of Previous Program and Transition.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) S-DVI.--Section 1922 of such title is amended 
        by adding at the end the following new subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d)(1) The Secretary may not accept any application by a 
veteran to be insured under this section after December 31, 
2022.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2)(A) During the period beginning January 1, 2023, and 
ending December 31, 2025, a veteran who is insured under this section 
may elect to instead be insured under section 1922B of this title based 
on the age of the veteran at the time of such election.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B)(i) A veteran who elects under subparagraph (A) to be 
insured under section 1922B of this title shall be subject to the two-
year waiting period specified in subsection (c) of such 
section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(ii) If the veteran dies during such period, the 
Secretary shall pay the beneficiary under this section, and, if 
applicable, under section 1922A, plus the amount of premiums paid by 
the veteran under such section 1922B, plus interest.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) Except as provided by paragraph (2)(B), a veteran 
may not be insured under this section and section 1922B 
simultaneously.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Supplemental s-dvi.--Section 1922A(b) of such 
        title is amended by adding after the period the following: 
        ``The Secretary may not accept any such application after 
        December 31, 2022. Except as provided by section 1922(d)(2)(B), 
        a veteran may not have supplemental insurance under this 
        section and be insured under section 1922B 
        simultaneously.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 19 of such title is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the section heading of section 1922, by 
        striking ``Service'' and inserting ``Legacy 
        service'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in the section heading of section 1922A, by 
        striking ``Supplemental'' and inserting ``Legacy 
        supplemental''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in the table of sections at the beginning of 
        such chapter by striking the items relating to sections 1922 
        and 1922A and inserting the following new items:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``1922. Legacy service disabled veterans' insurance.
<DELETED>``1922A. Legacy supplemental service disabled veterans' 
                            insurance for totally disabled veterans.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 406. PUBLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF DISABILITY BENEFIT 
              QUESTIONNAIRE FORMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 5101 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
        (e); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
        following new subsection (d):</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d)(1) The Secretary shall publish in a central location 
on the internet website of the Department disability benefit 
questionnaire forms of the Department for the submittal of evidence 
from non-Department medical providers regarding a disability of a 
claimant.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) Subject to section 6103 of this title, if the 
Secretary updates a form described in paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) accept the previous version of the form 
        filed by a claimant if--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) the claimant provided to the non-
                Department medical provider the previous version of the 
                form before the date on which the updated version of 
                the form was made available; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) the claimant files the previous 
                version of the form during the one-year period 
                following the date the form was completed by the non-
                Department medical provider;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) request from the claimant any other 
        information that the updated version of the form requires; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) apply the laws and regulations required to 
        adjudicate the claim as if the claimant filed the updated 
        version of the form.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) The Secretary may waive any interagency approval 
process required to approve a modification to a disability benefit 
questionnaire form if such requirement only applies by reason of the 
forms being made public.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Reports by Inspector General of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.--Not less frequently than once each year through 
2023, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Inspector General 
with respect to the use of the forms published under section 5101(d)(1) 
of such title, as added by subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Initial Form.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
begin carrying out section 5101(d)(1) of such title, as added by 
subsection (a), by publishing, as described in such section, the form 
described in such section that was in effect on January 1, 
2020.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Alternate Process.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Assessment and report.--Subject to paragraph 
        (2), not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
        this act, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) assess the feasibility and 
                advisability of replacing disability benefit 
                questionnaire forms that are used by non-Department 
                medical providers to submit to the Secretary evidence 
                regarding a disability of a claimant for benefits under 
                laws administered by the Secretary, with another 
                consistent process that considers evidence equally, 
                whether provided by a Department or a non-Department 
                medical provider; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) submit to Congress--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) a report on the findings of 
                        the Secretary with respect to the assessment 
                        conducted under subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) a plan to replace the 
                        disability benefit questionnaire forms as 
                        described in subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Requirements.--The Secretary may only 
        determine under paragraph (1)(A) that replacing the forms 
        described in such paragraph is feasibility and advisable if the 
        Secretary certifies that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) it is in the best interest of veterans 
                to do so;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the replacement process would include 
                all the medical information needed to adjudicate a 
                claim for benefits under laws administered by the 
                Secretary; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the new process will ensure that all 
                medical information provided will be considered 
                equally, whether it is provided by a Department medical 
                provider or a non-Department medical 
                provider.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Implementation.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), if the Secretary determines under paragraph (1)(A) 
                that replacing the forms as described in such paragraph 
                is feasible and advisable, the Secretary shall, not 
                later than two years after the date on which the 
                Secretary submits the report under paragraph (1)(B)(i), 
                replace the forms as described in paragraph 
                (1)(A).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Reports by inspector general of the 
                department of veterans affairs.--If the Secretary 
                replaces the forms under subparagraph (A), the 
                Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                shall, not frequently than once each year, submit to 
                Congress an report on the process that replaced forms 
                that ascertains whether the process properly protects 
                veterans.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or 
section 5101(d) of such title, as added by subsection (a), may be 
construed to require the Secretary to develop any new information 
technology system or otherwise require the Secretary to make any 
significant changes to the internet website of the 
Department.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 407. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be 
determined by reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary 
Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in 
the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget 
Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the 
vote on passage.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veteran Benefits 
Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2020''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                       TITLE I--EDUCATION MATTERS

Sec. 101. Expansion of eligibility for Fry Scholarship to children and 
                            spouses of certain deceased members of the 
                            Armed Forces.
Sec. 102. Period for election to receive benefits under All-Volunteer 
                            Educational Assistance Program of 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 103. Phase out of All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program.
Sec. 104. Requirements for in-State tuition.
Sec. 105. Expansion of authority for certain qualifying work-study 
                            activities for purposes of the educational 
                            assistance programs of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs to include outreach 
                            services provided through congressional 
                            offices.
Sec. 106. Restoration of entitlement to rehabilitation programs for 
                            veterans affected by school closure or 
                            disapproval.
Sec. 107. Technical correction to clarify eligibility for participation 
                            in Yellow Ribbon Program of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.

                        TITLE II--BURIAL MATTERS

Sec. 201. Transportation of deceased veterans to veterans' cemeteries.
Sec. 202. Increase in certain funeral benefits under laws administered 
                            by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 203. Outer burial receptacles for each new grave in cemeteries 
                            that are the subjects of certain grants 
                            made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 204. Provision of inscriptions for spouses and children on certain 
                            headstones and markers furnished by the 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 205. Aid to counties for establishment, expansion, and improvement 
                            of veterans' cemeteries.
Sec. 206. Increase in maximum amount of grants to States, counties, and 
                            tribal organizations for operating and 
                            maintaining veterans' cemeteries.
Sec. 207. Provision of urns for remains of certain veterans whose 
                            cremated remains are not interred in 
                            certain cemeteries.

      TITLE III--REPRESENTATION AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION MATTERS

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Penalties for representing veterans as agents and attorneys 
                            without recognition by Secretary of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 303. Plan to address the financial exploitation of veterans 
                            receiving pension from the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 304. Overpayments of pension to veterans receiving pension from 
                            the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 305. Evaluation of additional actions for verifying direct deposit 
                            information provided by veterans on 
                            applications for veterans pension.
Sec. 306. Annual report on efforts of Department of Veterans Affairs to 
                            address the financial exploitation of 
                            veterans receiving pension.
Sec. 307. Notice regarding fees charged in connection with filing an 
                            application for veterans pension.
Sec. 308. Outreach plan for educating vulnerable veterans about 
                            potential financial exploitation relating 
                            to the receipt of pension.

                        TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 401. Eligibility of certain members of the reserve components of 
                            the Armed Forces for home loans from the 
                            Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 402. Reducing loan fees for certain veterans affected by major 
                            disasters.
Sec. 403. Extension of certain housing loan fees.
Sec. 404. Collection of overpayments of specially adapted housing 
                            assistance.
Sec. 405. Revision of definition of Vietnam era for purposes of the 
                            laws administered by the Secretary of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 406. Matters relating to Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
                            disability examinations.
Sec. 407. Medal of Honor special pension for surviving spouses.
Sec. 408. Modernization of service-disabled veterans insurance.
Sec. 409. Publication and acceptance of disability benefit 
                            questionnaire forms of Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 410. Preference for offerors employing veterans.
Sec. 411. Elimination of period of eligibility for training and 
                            rehabilitation for certain veterans with 
                            service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 412. Clarification of termination of leases of premises and motor 
                            vehicles of servicemembers who incur 
                            catastrophic injury or illness or die while 
                            in military service.
Sec. 413. Clarification of delivery of notice of termination of leases 
                            of premises and motor vehicles for purposes 
                            of relief under Servicemembers Civil Relief 
                            Act.
Sec. 414. Technical correction regarding extension of lease protections 
                            for servicemembers under stop movement 
                            orders in response to local, national, or 
                            global emergency.
Sec. 415. Termination of contracts for telephone, multichannel video 
                            programming, or internet access service by 
                            certain individuals under Servicemembers 
                            Civil Relief Act.
Sec. 416. Extension of certain employment and reemployment rights to 
                            members of the National Guard who perform 
                            State active duty.
Sec. 417. Repayment of misused benefits.
Sec. 418. Study regarding the accessibility of websites of the 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs to 
                            individuals with disabilities.
Sec. 419. Determination of budgetary effects.

                       TITLE I--EDUCATION MATTERS

SEC. 101. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FRY SCHOLARSHIP TO CHILDREN AND 
              SPOUSES OF CERTAIN DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 3311 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by section 105 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48), is further 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (11); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new 
        paragraphs (9) and (10):
            ``(9) An individual who is the child or spouse of a person 
        who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies in line of duty while 
        serving on duty other than active duty as a member of the Armed 
        Forces.
            ``(10) An individual who is the child or spouse of a member 
        of the Selected Reserve who dies on or after September 11, 
        2001, while a member of the Selected Reserve from a service-
        connected disability.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 38, United States Code, is 
amended as follows:
            (1) In section 3311(f), by striking ``paragraph (8)'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``paragraphs (8), (9), and 
        (10)''.
            (2) In section 3313(c)(1), by striking ``(8), or (9)'' and 
        inserting ``(8), (9), (10), or (11)''.
            (3) In section 3317(a), in the second sentence, by striking 
        ``paragraphs (1), (2), (8), and (9)'' and inserting 
        ``paragraphs (1), (2), (8), (9), (10), and (11)''.
            (4) In section 3322--
                    (A) in subsection (e), by striking both ``sections 
                3311(b)(8) and 3319'' and inserting ``section 3319 and 
                paragraph (8), (9), or (10) of section 3311 of this 
                title'';
                    (B) in subsection (f), by striking ``section 
                3311(b)(8)'' and inserting ``paragraph (8), (9), or 
                (10) of section 3311 of this title''; and
                    (C) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``either 
                section 3311(b)(8) or chapter 35'' and inserting 
                ``either chapter 35 or paragraph (8), (9), or (10) of 
                section 3311''.
    (c) Applicability Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
take effect immediately after the amendments made by section 105 of the 
Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public 
Law 115-48) take effect and shall apply with respect to a quarter, 
semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 
2021.

SEC. 102. PERIOD FOR ELECTION TO RECEIVE BENEFITS UNDER ALL-VOLUNTEER 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3011 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``Any such election 
        shall be made at the time the individual initially enters on 
        active duty as a member of the Armed Forces'' and inserting 
        ``Any such election shall be made during the 90-day period 
        beginning on the day that is 180 days after the date on which 
        the individual initially enters initial training''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``that such 
        individual is entitled to such pay'' and inserting ``that begin 
        after the date that is 270 days after the date on which the 
        individual initially enters initial training''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on the date that is two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 103. PHASE OUT OF ALL-VOLUNTEER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 3011 of title 38, United States 
Code, as amended by section 102, is further amended by striking ``after 
June 30, 1985'' and inserting ``during the period beginning July 1, 
1985, and ending September 30, 2030''.

SEC. 104. REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-STATE TUITION.

    (a) In General.--Section 3679(c) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``less than three 
        years before the date of enrollment in the course concerned''; 
        and
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``It shall'' and inserting ``(A) It 
                shall''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
    ``(B) To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall make publicly 
available on the internet website of the Department a database 
explaining any requirements described in subparagraph (A) that are 
established by a public institution of higher learning for an 
individual to be charged tuition and fees at a rate that is equal to or 
less than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for 
residents of the State in which the institution is located. The 
Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by such an 
institution that does not provide the Secretary--
            ``(i) an initial explanation of such requirements; and
            ``(ii) not later than 90 days after the date on which any 
        such requirements change, the updated requirements.''.
    (b) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall apply 
with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing 
on or after August 1, 2021.

SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING WORK-STUDY 
              ACTIVITIES FOR PURPOSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE 
              OUTREACH SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(K) The following activities carried out at the offices 
        of Members of Congress for such Members:
                    ``(i) The distribution of information to members of 
                the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents about 
                the benefits and services under laws administered by 
                the Secretary and other appropriate governmental and 
                nongovernmental programs.
                    ``(ii) The preparation and processing of papers and 
                other documents, including documents to assist in the 
                preparation and presentation of claims for benefits 
                under laws administered by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on August 1, 2021.

SEC. 106. RESTORATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR 
              VETERANS AFFECTED BY SCHOOL CLOSURE OR DISAPPROVAL.

    (a) Entitlement.--Section 3699 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``chapter 30,'' each time it appears and inserting 
``chapter 30, 31,''.
    (b) Payment of Subsistence Allowances.--Section 3680(a)(2)(B) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or a subsistence allowance described in 
        section 3108'' before ``, during''; and
            (2) by inserting ``or allowance'' after ``such a stipend''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 7 of the Student Veteran 
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 634; Public Law 116-140) is 
hereby repealed.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply as if included in the enactment of section 109 of the Harry W. 
Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48; 
131 Stat. 978).

SEC. 107. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO CLARIFY ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION 
              IN YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    Section 3317(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``the full cost of established charges (as 
        specified in section 3313)'' and inserting ``the full cost of 
        tuition and fees for a program of education''; and
            (2) by striking ``those established charges'' and inserting 
        ``such tuition and fees''.

                        TITLE II--BURIAL MATTERS

SEC. 201. TRANSPORTATION OF DECEASED VETERANS TO VETERANS' CEMETERIES.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 2308 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``in a national cemetery'' and 
inserting ``in a national cemetery or a covered veterans' cemetery''.
    (b) Covered Veterans' Cemetery Defined.--Section 2308 of such title 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Covered Veterans' Cemetery Defined.--In this section, the 
term `covered veterans' cemetery' means a veterans' cemetery--
            ``(1) in which a deceased veteran described in subsection 
        (b) is eligible to be buried;
            ``(2) that--
                    ``(A) is owned by a State; or
                    ``(B) is on trust land owned by, or held in trust 
                for, a tribal organization; and
            ``(3) for which the Secretary has made a grant under 
        section 2408 of this title.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2308 of such title is amended in 
the section heading by adding at the end the following: ``or a covered 
veterans' cemetery''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 23 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 2308 and inserting the following new item:

``2308. Transportation of deceased veteran to a national cemetery or a 
                            covered veterans' cemetery.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 202. INCREASE IN CERTAIN FUNERAL BENEFITS UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED 
              BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Funeral Expenses for Non-Service-Connected Disabilities.--
Chapter 23 of title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
            (1) By transferring subsection (b) of section 2302 to the 
        end of section 2303 and redesignating such subsection as 
        subsection (d).
            (2) By striking section 2302.
            (3) In section 2303--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking ``Death in 
                Department facility'' and inserting ``Death from non-
                service-connected disability''; and
                    (B) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``a 
                        veteran dies in a facility described in 
                        paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``a veteran 
                        described in paragraph (2) dies'';
                            (ii) by striking paragraph (2) and 
                        inserting the following new paragraph (2):
    ``(2) A veteran described in this paragraph is a deceased veteran 
who is not covered by section 2307 of this title and who meets any of 
the following criteria:
            ``(A) The deceased veteran dies in--
                    ``(i) a facility of the Department (as defined in 
                section 1701(3) of this title) to which the deceased 
                veteran was properly admitted for hospital, nursing 
                home, or domiciliary care under section 1710 or 1711(a) 
                of this title; or
                    ``(ii) an institution at which the deceased veteran 
                was, at the time of death, receiving--
                            ``(I) hospital care in accordance with 
                        sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 of this title;
                            ``(II) nursing home care under section 1720 
                        of this title; or
                            ``(III) nursing home care for which 
                        payments are made under section 1741 of this 
                        title.
            ``(B) At the time of death, the deceased veteran (including 
        a person who died during a period deemed to be active military, 
        naval, or air service under section 106(c) of this title) is in 
        receipt of compensation under chapter 11 of this title (or but 
        for the receipt of retirement pay would have been entitled to 
        such compensation) or was in receipt of pension under chapter 
        15 of this title.
            ``(C) The Secretary determines--
                    ``(i) the deceased veteran (including a person who 
                died during a period deemed to be active military, 
                naval, or air service under section 106(c) of this 
                title) has no next of kin or other person claiming the 
                body of the deceased veteran; and
                    ``(ii) that there are not available sufficient 
                resources to cover burial and funeral expenses.'';
                            (iii) in subsection (b)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                paragraph (1), by striking ``section 
                                2302 of this title and''; and
                                    (II) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                                ``under section 2302 of this title 
                                or''; and
                            (iv) in subsection (d), as added by 
                        paragraph (1) of this subsection, by striking 
                        ``Except as'' and inserting ``With respect to a 
                        deceased veteran described in subparagraph (B) 
                        or (C) of subsection (a)(2), except as''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Title 38.--Such title is amended as follows:
                    (A) In section 2304, by striking ``Applications for 
                payments under section 2302 of this title'' and 
                inserting ``Applications for payments under section 
                2303 of this title regarding veterans described in 
                subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) of such 
                section''.
                    (B) In section 2307, by striking ``sections 2302 
                and 2303(a)(1) and (b)(2) of this title'' and inserting 
                ``subsections (a)(1) and (b)(2) of section 2303 of this 
                title''.
                    (C) In section 2308--
                            (i) in subsection (a), by striking 
                        ``pursuant to section 2302 or 2307 of this 
                        title,'' and inserting ``pursuant to section 
                        2303 of this title regarding veterans described 
                        in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) 
                        of such section, or pursuant to section 2307 of 
                        this title,''; and
                            (ii) in subsection (b)(3)--
                                    (I) by striking ``section 2302'' 
                                and inserting ``section 2303''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``subsection 
                                (a)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``subsection 
                                (a)(2)(C)''.
                    (D) In section 113(c)(1), by striking ``2302,''.
                    (E) In section 5101(a)(1)(B)(i), by striking 
                ``2302'' and inserting ``2303''.
            (2) Emergency medical care.--Section 11 of the Military 
        Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3810) is amended by striking 
        ``section 2302(a) of title 38'' and inserting ``section 2303 of 
        title 38, United States Code, regarding veterans described in 
        subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) of such section''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 23 of such title is amended by striking the items relating to 
sections 2302 and 2303 and inserting the following new item:

``2303. Death from non-service-connected disability; plot allowance.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply to 
deaths that occur on or after the date that is two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 203. OUTER BURIAL RECEPTACLES FOR EACH NEW GRAVE IN CEMETERIES 
              THAT ARE THE SUBJECTS OF CERTAIN GRANTS MADE BY THE 
              SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 2306(e) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``, or in a cemetery 
        that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal 
        organization under section 2408 of this title,'' after 
        ``National Cemetery Administration''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
        new paragraph (2):
    ``(2)(A) The use of outer burial receptacles in a cemetery under 
the control of the National Cemetery Administration or in a cemetery 
that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal organization 
under section 2408 of this title shall be in accordance with 
regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs.
    ``(B) The use of outer burial receptacles in Arlington National 
Cemetery shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved 
by the Secretary of the Army.
    ``(C) The use of outer burial receptacles in a national cemetery 
administered by the National Park Service shall be in accordance with 
regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of the Interior.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 204. PROVISION OF INSCRIPTIONS FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN ON CERTAIN 
              HEADSTONES AND MARKERS FURNISHED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(j)(1) In addition to any other authority under this section, in 
the case of an individual whose grave is not in a covered cemetery (as 
that term is defined in subsection (f)(2)) and for whom the Secretary 
has furnished a headstone or marker under subsection (a) or (d), the 
Secretary, if feasible and upon request, may replace the headstone or 
marker to add an inscription for the surviving spouse or eligible 
dependent child of such individual following the death of the surviving 
spouse or eligible dependent child.
    ``(2) If the spouse or eligible dependent child of an individual 
referred to in paragraph (1) predeceases the individual, the Secretary 
may, if feasible and upon request, include an inscription for the 
spouse or dependent child on the headstone or marker furnished for the 
individual under subsection (a) or (d).''.
    (b) Application.--Subsection (j) of section 2306 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with 
respect to an individual who dies on or after October 1, 2019.

SEC. 205. AID TO COUNTIES FOR ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, AND IMPROVEMENT 
              OF VETERANS' CEMETERIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or county'' after ``State'' each place 
        it appears; and
            (2) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary may make a grant to a county under this 
section only if--
            ``(i)(I) the State in which the county is located does not 
        have a veterans' cemetery owned by the State; or
            ``(II) the State in which the county is located did not 
        apply for a grant under this section during the previous year; 
        and
            ``(ii) the county demonstrates in the application under 
        paragraph (2), to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the 
        county has the resources necessary to operate and maintain the 
        veterans' cemetery owned by the county.
    ``(B) If a county and the State in which the county is located both 
apply for a grant under this section for the same year, the Secretary 
shall give priority to the State.
    ``(C) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this 
paragraph.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is 
        amended by inserting ``, counties, and tribal organizations'' 
        after ``States''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 24 of such title is amended by striking 
        the item relating to section 2408 and inserting the following 
        new item:

``2408. Aid to States, counties, and tribal organizations for 
                            establishment, expansion, and improvement 
                            of veterans' cemeteries.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
on effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.

SEC. 206. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF GRANTS TO STATES, COUNTIES, AND 
              TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR OPERATING AND MAINTAINING 
              VETERANS' CEMETERIES.

    Section 2408(e)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``$5,000,000'' and inserting ``$10,000,000''.

SEC. 207. PROVISION OF URNS FOR REMAINS OF CERTAIN VETERANS WHOSE 
              CREMATED REMAINS ARE NOT INTERRED IN CERTAIN CEMETERIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, as 
amended by section 204, is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (h), (i), and (j) as 
        subsections (i), (j), and (k), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new 
        subsection (h):
    ``(h)(1) In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under this 
section to a deceased individual described in paragraph (3), the 
Secretary shall furnish, upon request and at the expense of the United 
States--
            ``(A) an urn made of any material to signify the 
        individual's status as a veteran, in which the remains of such 
        individual may be placed at private expense; or
            ``(B) a commemorative plaque signifying the individual's 
        status as a veteran.
    ``(2) If the Secretary provides an urn or commemorative plaque for 
a veteran under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such 
veteran--
            ``(A) a headstone or marker under this section; or
            ``(B) any burial benefit under section 2402 of this title.
    ``(3) A deceased individual described in this paragraph is an 
individual--
            ``(A) who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 
        1917;
            ``(B) who is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished 
        under subsection (d) (or would be so eligible but for the date 
        of the death of the individual); and
            ``(C) whose remains were cremated and not interred in a 
        national cemetery, a State veterans' cemetery, a tribal 
        cemetery, or a private cemetery.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
on effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.

      TITLE III--REPRESENTATION AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION MATTERS

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Financial Refuge for Every Elderly 
Veteran Act of 2020'' or the ``FREE Veteran Act of 2020''.

SEC. 302. PENALTIES FOR REPRESENTING VETERANS AS AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS 
              WITHOUT RECOGNITION BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Penalties.--
            (1) In general.--Section 5905 of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5905. Penalty for certain acts
    ``(a) In General.--Whoever commits any of the following acts shall 
be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned for not more than one 
year, or both:
            ``(1) Undertakes or attempts to undertake any work in 
        furtherance of the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of 
        a claim under a law administered by the Secretary--
                    ``(A) without recognition by the Secretary under 
                sections 5902 through 5904 of this title; or
                    ``(B) while suspended or excluded under section 
                5904(b) of this title.
            ``(2) Unlawfully withholds from any claimant or beneficiary 
        any part of a benefit or claim under the laws administered by 
        the Secretary that is allowed and due to the claimant or 
        beneficiary.
    ``(b) Seeking Recognition.--Subsection (a)(1)(A) shall not be 
construed to include the seeking of recognition from the Secretary to 
prepare, present, or prosecute a claim under a law administered by the 
Secretary.
    ``(c) Legal Interns, Law Students, and Paralegals.--Subsection 
(a)(1)(A) shall not apply to a legal intern, a law student, or a 
paralegal undertaking or attempting to undertake work in furtherance of 
the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim under a law 
administered by the Secretary to the degree that such legal intern, law 
student, or paralegal is doing so--
            ``(1) on behalf of or under the supervision of an attorney 
        recognized by the Secretary under sections 5902 through 5904 of 
        this title; and
            ``(2) in a manner that is consistent with the Model Rules 
        of Professional Conduct of the American Bar Association.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
        shall apply with respect to acts committed after the date that 
        is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Biennial Reports by General Counsel.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once 
        every two years thereafter until the date that is seven years 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act, the General 
        Counsel of the Department shall submit to Congress a report on 
        activities that are carried out by persons in violation of 
        section 5905(a) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by 
        subsection (a)(1).
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include, for the period covered by the report, the 
        following:
                    (A) A discussion of the rates generally charged for 
                services provided by persons in violation of section 
                5905(a) of title 38, United States Code.
                    (B) The number of claims for benefits under laws 
                administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that 
                were prepared, presented, or prosecuted by a person 
                acting as an agent or attorney in violation of such 
                section.

SEC. 303. PLAN TO ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF VETERANS 
              RECEIVING PENSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) Development of Method for Solicitation and Collection of 
Information.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a method 
for systematically soliciting and collecting information on complaints 
received, referrals made, and actions taken by the pension management 
centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs and any other relevant 
components of the Department, in cases of potential financial 
exploitation of individuals receiving pension under chapter 15 of title 
38, United States Code.
    (b) Plan To Assess and Address Financial Exploitation of 
Veterans.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and 
        periodically update a plan--
                    (A) to regularly assess the information solicited 
                and collected under subsection (a) to identify trends 
                of potential financial exploitation of the individuals 
                described in subsection (a) across the Department; and
                    (B) to outline actions that the Department can take 
                to improve education and training to address those 
                trends.
            (2) Submission of plan.--Not later than one year after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than 
        once every two years thereafter until the date that is six 
        years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        Secretary shall submit the plan most recently developed or 
        updated under paragraph (1) to--
                    (A) the Comptroller General of the United States; 
                and
                    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Special Committee on Aging of the Senate and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives.

SEC. 304. OVERPAYMENTS OF PENSION TO VETERANS RECEIVING PENSION FROM 
              THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Guidance and Training for Claims Processors.--As the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs considers necessary, but not less frequently than 
once every three years until the date that is 10 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Benefits of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs shall update guidance and training 
curriculum for the processors of claims for pension under chapter 15 of 
title 38, United States Code, regarding the evaluation of questionable 
medical expenses on applications for pension, including by updating 
such guidance with respect to what constitutes a questionable medical 
expense and by including examples of such expenses.
    (b) Identification and Tracking.--The Under Secretary shall develop 
a method for identifying and tracking the number of individuals who 
have received overpayments of pension under chapter 15 of title 38, 
United States Code.
    (c) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and not later than October 31 of each fiscal year 
beginning thereafter until the date that is three years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report that includes, for the period covered by the report, 
the following:
            (1) The number of individuals who received overpayments of 
        pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) The reason for each overpayment described in paragraph 
        (1).
            (3) The number of veterans who had to repay overpayments 
        described in paragraph (1).
            (4) The number of veterans for whom the Secretary waived a 
        requirement to repay an overpayment described in paragraph (1).
            (5) The total dollar amount of overpayments described in 
        paragraph (1).
            (6) The total dollar amount of repayments of veterans for 
        overpayments described in paragraph (1).
            (7) The average dollar amount of repayments described in 
        paragraph (6).

SEC. 305. EVALUATION OF ADDITIONAL ACTIONS FOR VERIFYING DIRECT DEPOSIT 
              INFORMATION PROVIDED BY VETERANS ON APPLICATIONS FOR 
              VETERANS PENSION.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs shall--
            (1) conduct an evaluation of the feasibility and 
        advisability of requiring the processors of claims for pension 
        under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, to take 
        additional actions to verify that the direct deposit 
        information provided by an individual on an application for 
        pension is for the appropriate recipient; and
            (2) identify such legislative or administrative actions as 
        the Under Secretary considers appropriate to ensure that 
        payments of pension are provided to the correct recipients.
    (b) Submission to Congress.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to 
        Congress a report on the evaluation and identification under 
        subsection (a).
            (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The findings of the Under Secretary with 
                respect to the evaluation conducted under subsection 
                (a)(1).
                    (B) The actions identified under subsection (a)(2).
                    (C) A plan for implementing any administrative 
                actions identified under subsection (a)(2).
                    (D) A rationale for not implementing any actions 
                evaluated under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) but not 
                identified under paragraph (2) of such subsection.

SEC. 306. ANNUAL REPORT ON EFFORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
              ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF VETERANS RECEIVING 
              PENSION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year 
thereafter until the date that is four 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 
efforts to address the financial exploitation of individuals receiving 
pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code.
    (b) Contents.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
            (1) The number of individuals who received pension under 
        chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, who have been 
        referred by any component of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        to the Office of Inspector General of the Department as likely 
        or proven victims of financial exploitation.
            (2) The number of referrals and reports relating to the 
        financial exploitation of such individuals made by the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs to--
                    (A) the Consumer Sentinel Network of the Federal 
                Trade Commission; and
                    (B) the Department of Justice.
            (3) A description of the actions taken as a result of such 
        referrals and reports against--
                    (A) individuals recognized by the Secretary as 
                agents or attorneys under section 5904 of title 38, 
                United States Code; and
                    (B) individuals not so recognized.

SEC. 307. NOTICE REGARDING FEES CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH FILING AN 
              APPLICATION FOR VETERANS PENSION.

    The Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs shall ensure that every paper or electronic document relating 
to the receipt of pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United States 
Code, that is available to individuals who apply for such pension, 
including educational forms about or applications for such pension, 
includes a notice that the Department does not charge any fee in 
connection with the filing of an application for such pension.

SEC. 308. OUTREACH PLAN FOR EDUCATING VULNERABLE VETERANS ABOUT 
              POTENTIAL FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION RELATING TO THE RECEIPT 
              OF PENSION.

    (a) Development of Plan.--The Under Secretary for Benefits of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs shall develop, in collaboration with 
veterans service organizations, an outreach plan for educating 
vulnerable individuals about potential financial exploitation relating 
to the receipt of pension under chapter 15 of title 38, United States 
Code.
    (b) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Special Committee on Aging of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives the plan developed under subsection (a).
    (c) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``veterans service organization'' means an organization recognized 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.

                        TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 401. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF 
              THE ARMED FORCES FOR HOME LOANS FROM THE SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Expansion of Definition of Veteran for Purposes of Home 
Loans.--Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) The term `veteran' also includes, for purposes of 
        home loans, an individual who performed full-time National 
        Guard duty (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10) 
        for a period--
                    ``(A) of not less than 90 cumulative days; and
                    ``(B) that includes 30 consecutive days.''.
    (b) Expansion of Eligibility.--Section 3702(a)(2) of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(G) Each individual described in section 3701(b)(7) of 
        this title.''.
    (c) Retroactive Applicability.--The amendments made by this section 
shall apply with respect to full-time National Guard duty (as defined 
in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) performed before, on, 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 402. REDUCING LOAN FEES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS AFFECTED BY MAJOR 
              DISASTERS.

    Section 3729(b)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
            ``(D)(i) The term `initial loan' means a loan to a veteran 
        guaranteed under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of 
        this title if the veteran has never obtained a loan guaranteed 
        under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this title.
            ``(ii) If a veteran has obtained a loan guaranteed under 
        section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this title and the 
        dwelling securing such loan was substantially damaged or 
        destroyed by a major disaster declared by the President under 
        section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Secretary shall 
        treat as an initial loan, as defined in clause (i), the next 
        loan the Secretary guarantees or makes to such veteran under 
        section 3710 or 3711, respectively, if--
                    ``(I) such loan is guaranteed or made before the 
                date that is three years after the date on which the 
                dwelling was substantially damaged or destroyed; and
                    ``(II) such loan is only for repairs or 
                construction of the dwelling, as determined by the 
                Secretary.''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``if the veteran has 
        previously obtained a loan guaranteed under section 3710 or 
        made under section 3711 of this title'' and inserting ``that is 
        not an initial loan''.

SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.

    Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``October 1, 2029'' each place it appears and inserting 
``October 1, 2030''.

SEC. 404. COLLECTION OF OVERPAYMENTS OF SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
              ASSISTANCE.

    Section 2102 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g)(1) Whenever the Secretary finds that an overpayment has been 
made to, or on behalf of, a person described in paragraph (2), the 
Secretary shall determine--
            ``(A) the amounts to recover, if any; and
            ``(B) who is liable to the United States for such 
        overpayment.
    ``(2) A person described in this paragraph is any of the following:
            ``(A) An individual who applied for assistance--
                    ``(i) under this chapter; or
                    ``(ii) under chapter 31 of this title who is 
                pursuing a rehabilitation program under such chapter in 
                acquiring adaptations to a residence.
            ``(B) An owner or seller of real estate used, or intended 
        to be used, in connection with assistance under this chapter.
            ``(C) A builder, contractor, supplier, tradesperson, 
        corporation, trust, partnership, or other person, who provided 
        services or goods relating to assistance under this chapter.
            ``(D) An attorney, escrow agent, or financial institution, 
        that receives, or holds in escrow, funds relating to assistance 
        under this chapter.
            ``(E) A surviving spouse, heir, assignee, or successor in 
        interest of or to, any person described in this paragraph.
    ``(3)(A) Any overpayment referred to in this subsection may be 
recovered in the same manner as any other debt due the United States.
    ``(B) In recovering the overpayment, the Secretary may charge 
administrative costs, fees, and interest, as appropriate, in a manner 
similar to the authority under section 5315 of this title.
    ``(4)(A) The recovery of any overpayment referred to in this 
subsection may be waived by the Secretary.
    ``(B) Waiver of any such overpayment as to a person described in 
paragraph (2) shall in no way release any other person described in 
such paragraph from liability.
    ``(5) The Secretary shall waive recovery under this subsection of 
any overpayment to a person described in paragraph (2)(A), or a 
dependent or survivor of such person, that arises from administrative 
error described in paragraph (7)(A).
    ``(6) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as precluding 
the imposition of any civil or criminal liability under this title or 
any other law.
    ``(7) The Secretary shall prescribe in regulations what constitutes 
an overpayment for the purposes of this subsection, which, at a 
minimum, shall include--
            ``(A) administrative error that results in an individual 
        receiving assistance to which that individual is not entitled;
            ``(B) the failure of any person described in paragraph (2) 
        to--
                    ``(i) perform or allow to be performed any act 
                relating to assistance under this chapter; or
                    ``(ii) compensate any party performing services or 
                supplying goods relating to assistance under this 
                chapter; and
            ``(C) any disbursement of funds relating to assistance 
        under this chapter, that, in the sole discretion of the 
        Secretary, constitutes a misuse of such assistance.
    ``(8) Prior to collecting an overpayment under this subsection, the 
Secretary shall provide to the person whom the Secretary has determined 
liable for such overpayment--
            ``(A) notice of the finding by the Secretary of such 
        overpayment;
            ``(B) a reasonable opportunity for such person to remedy 
        the circumstances that effectuated the overpayment; and
            ``(C) a reasonable opportunity for such person to present 
        evidence to the Secretary that an overpayment was not made.
    ``(9) For the purposes of section 511 of this title, a decision to 
collect an overpayment from a person other than a person described in 
paragraph (2)(A), or a dependent or survivor of such person, may not be 
treated as a decision that affects the provision of benefits.''.

SEC. 405. REVISION OF DEFINITION OF VIETNAM ERA FOR PURPOSES OF THE 
              LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Section 101(29)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``February 28, 1961'' and inserting ``November 1, 1955''.

SEC. 406. MATTERS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL 
              DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS.

    (a) Temporary Clarification of Licensure Requirements for 
Contractor Medical Professionals to Perform Medical Disability 
Examinations for the Department of Veterans Affairs Under Pilot Program 
for Use of Contract Physicians for Disability Examinations.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 504 of the 
        Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
        275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Licensure of Contract Health Care Professionals.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any law regarding the 
        licensure of health care professionals, a health care 
        professional 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) Health care professional described.--A health care 
        professional described in this paragraph is a physician, 
        physician assistant, nurse practitioner, audiologist, or 
        psychologist, who--
                    ``(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
                practice the health care profession of the physician, 
                physician assistant, nurse practitioner, audiologist, 
                or psychologist, as the case may be;
                    ``(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).''.
            (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the amendment made by 
        paragraph (1) is to expand the license portability for 
        physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and 
        psychologists to supplement the capacity of employees of the 
        Department to provide medical examinations described in 
        subsection (b).
            (3) Sunset.--On the date that is three years after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, subsection (c) of such section 
        shall read as it read on the day before the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (b) Temporary Halt on Elimination of Medical Examiner Positions in 
Department of Veterans Affairs.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall immediately suspend the efforts of the Secretary in effect on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act to eliminate medical 
examiner positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs until the 
number of individuals awaiting a medical examination with respect to 
medical disability of the individuals for benefits under laws 
administered by the Secretary that are carried out through the Under 
Secretary for Benefits is equal to or less than the number of such 
individuals who were awaiting such a medical examination with respect 
to such purposes on March 1, 2020.
    (c) Report on Provision of Medical Examinations.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report on the provision of 
        medical examinations described in subsection (b) by the 
        Department.
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall cover the following:
                    (A) How the Secretary will increase the capacity, 
                efficiency, and timeliness of medical examiners of the 
                Veterans Health Administration with respect to 
                completing medical examinations described in subsection 
                (a).
                    (B) The total number of full-time equivalent 
                employees among all medical and health care professions 
                needed for the increases described in subparagraph (A).
                    (C) An assessment regarding the importance of 
                retaining a critical knowledge base within the 
                Department for performing medical examinations for 
                veterans filing claims for compensation under chapters 
                11 and 13 of title 38, United States Code, including 
                with respect to military sexual trauma, post-traumatic 
                stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and toxic 
                exposure.
            (3) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall collaborate with 
        the veterans community and stakeholders in the preparation of 
        the report required by paragraph (1).
            (4) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.
    (d) Comptroller General of the United States Review.--
            (1) Review required.--Not later than 360 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
        the United States shall commence a review of the implementation 
        of the pilot program authorized under subsection (a) of section 
        504 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public 
        Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note).
            (2) Elements.--The review conducted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of the use of subsection (c) of 
                section 504 of such Act, as amended by subsection 
                (a)(1) of this section.
                    (B) Efforts to retain and recruit medical examiners 
                as employees of the Department.
                    (C) Use of telehealth for medical examinations 
                described in subsection (b) that are administered by 
                the Department.
    (e) Report on Recommendations of Comptroller General of the United 
States.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on how the Secretary will implement the 
recommendations of the Comptroller General of the United States 
regarding--
            (1) the monitoring of the training of providers of 
        examinations pursuant to contracts under section 504 of the 
        Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
        275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note); and
            (2) ensuring such providers receive such training.
    (f) Holding Underperforming Contract Medical Examiners 
Accountable.--The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
to hold accountable the providers of medical examinations pursuant to 
contracts under section 504 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act 
of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) who are 
underperforming in the meeting of the needs of veterans through the 
performance of medical examinations pursuant to such contracts.

SEC. 407. MEDAL OF HONOR SPECIAL PENSION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES.

    (a) Codification of Current Rate of Special Pension.--Subsection 
(a) of section 1562 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``$1,000'' and inserting ``$1,388.68''.
    (b) Special Pension for Surviving Spouses.--
            (1) Surviving spouse benefit.--Such subsection is further 
        amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the 
Secretary shall pay special pension under this section to the surviving 
spouse of a person whose name has been entered on the Army, Navy, Air 
Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll and a copy of whose 
certificate has been delivered to the Secretary under section 1134a(d) 
of title 10.
    ``(B) No special pension shall be paid to a surviving spouse of a 
person under this section unless such surviving spouse was married to 
such person--
            ``(i) for one year or more prior to the veteran's death; or
            ``(ii) for any period of time if a child was born of the 
        marriage, or was born to them before the marriage.
    ``(C) No special pension shall be paid to a surviving spouse of a 
person under this section if such surviving spouse is receiving 
benefits under section 1311 or 1318 of this title.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) In general.--Such section is amended--
                            (i) in subsection (d), by inserting ``or 
                        married to more than one person who has been 
                        awarded a medal of honor,'' after ``honor,''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in subsection (f)(1), by striking 
                        ``this section'' and inserting ``paragraph (1) 
                        of subsection (a), or under paragraph (2) of 
                        such subsection in the case of a posthumous 
                        entry on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast 
                        Guard Medal of Honor Roll,''.
                    (B) Special provisions relating to marriages.--
                Section 103(d)(5) of such title is amended by adding at 
                the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(E) Section 1562(a)(2), relating to Medal of Honor 
        special pension.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply with respect to payment of pension under section 
        1562 of title 38, United States Code, for months beginning 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 408. MODERNIZATION OF SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS INSURANCE.

    (a) Establishment of Modernized Program.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 19 of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended by inserting after section 1922A the following 
        new section:
``Sec. 1922B. Service-disabled veterans insurance
    ``(a) Insurance.--(1) Beginning January 1, 2023, the Secretary 
shall carry out a service-disabled veterans insurance program under 
which a veteran is granted insurance by the United States against the 
death of such individual occurring while such insurance is in force.
    ``(2) The Secretary may only issue whole-life policies under the 
insurance program under paragraph (1).
    ``(3) The Secretary may not grant insurance to a veteran under 
paragraph (1) unless--
            ``(A) the veteran submits the application for such 
        insurance before the veteran attains 81 years of age; or
            ``(B) with respect to a veteran who has attained 81 years 
        of age--
                    ``(i) the veteran filed a claim for compensation 
                under chapter 11 of this title before attaining such 
                age;
                    ``(ii) based on such claim, and after the veteran 
                attained such age, the Secretary first determines that 
                the veteran has a service-connected disability; and
                    ``(iii) the veteran submits the application for 
                such insurance during the two-year period following the 
                date of such determination.
    ``(4)(A) A veteran enrolled in the insurance program under 
paragraph (1) may elect to be insured in any of the following amounts:
                    ``(i) $10,000.
                    ``(ii) $20,000.
                    ``(iii) $30,000.
                    ``(iv) $40,000.
                    ``(v) In accordance with subparagraph (B), a 
                maximum amount greater than $40,000.
    ``(B) The Secretary may establish a maximum amount to be insured 
under paragraph (1) that is greater than $40,000 if the Secretary--
            ``(i) determines that such maximum amount and the premiums 
        for such amount--
                    ``(I) are administratively and actuarially sound 
                for the insurance program under paragraph (1); and
                    ``(II) will not result in such program operating at 
                a loss; and
            ``(ii) publishes in the Federal Register, and submits to 
        the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
        such maximum amount and determination.
    ``(5)(A)(i) Insurance granted under this section shall be on a 
nonparticipating basis and all premiums and other collections therefor 
shall be credited directly to a revolving fund in the Treasury of the 
United States.
    ``(ii) Any payments on such insurance shall be made directly from 
such fund.
    ``(B)(i) The Secretary of the Treasury may invest in and sell and 
retire special interest-bearing obligations of the United States for 
the account of the revolving fund under subparagraph (A).
    ``(ii) Such obligations issued for that purpose shall--
            ``(I) have maturities fixed with due regard for the needs 
        of the fund; and
            ``(II) bear interest at a rate equal to the average market 
        yield (computed by the Secretary of the Treasury on the basis 
        of market quotations as of the end of the calendar month 
        preceding the date of issue) on all marketable interest-bearing 
        obligations of the United States then forming a part of the 
        public debt which are not due or callable until after the 
        expiration of four years from the end of such calendar month; 
        except that where such average market yield is not a multiple 
        of one-eighth of one per centum, the rate of interest of such 
        obligation shall be the multiple of one-eighth of one per 
        centum nearest such market yield.
    ``(6)(A) Administrative support financed by the appropriations for 
`General Operating Expenses, Department of Veterans Affairs' and 
`Information Technology Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs' for 
the insurance program under paragraph (1) shall be paid from premiums 
credited to the fund under paragraph (5).
    ``(B) Such payment for administrative support shall be reimbursed 
for that fiscal year from funds that are available on such insurance 
after claims have been paid.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--A veteran is eligible to enroll in the 
insurance program under subsection (a)(1) if the veteran has a service-
connected disability, without regard to--
            ``(1) whether such disability is compensable under chapter 
        11 of this title; or
            ``(2) whether the veteran meets standards of good health 
        required for other life insurance policies.
    ``(c) Enrollment and Waiting Period.--(1) An eligible veteran may 
enroll in the insurance program under subsection (a)(1) at any time.
    ``(2) The life insurance policy of a veteran who enrolls in the 
insurance program under subsection (a)(1) does not go into force 
unless--
            ``(A) a period of two years elapses following the date of 
        such enrollment; and
            ``(B) the veteran pays the premiums required during such 
        two-year period.
    ``(3)(A) If a veteran dies during the two-year period described in 
paragraph (2), the Secretary shall pay to the beneficiary of the 
veteran the amount of premiums paid by the veteran under this section, 
plus interest.
    ``(B) The Secretary--
            ``(i) for the initial year of the insurance program under 
        subsection (a)(1)--
                    ``(I) shall set such interest at a rate of one 
                percent; and
                    ``(II) may adjust such rate during such year based 
                on program experience, except that the interest rate 
                may not be less than zero percent;
            ``(ii) for the second and each subsequent year of the 
        program, shall calculate such interest at an annual rate equal 
        to the rate of return on the revolving fund under subsection 
        (a)(5) for the calendar year preceding the year of the 
        veteran's death, except that the interest rate may not be less 
        than zero percent; and
            ``(iii) on an annual basis, shall publish on the internet 
        website of the Department the average interest rate calculated 
        under clause (ii) for the preceding calendar year.
    ``(d) Premiums.--(1) The Secretary shall establish a schedule of 
basic premium rates by age per $10,000 of insurance under subsection 
(a)(1) consistent with basic premium rates generally charged for 
guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies by private life insurance 
companies.
    ``(2) The Secretary may adjust such schedule after the first policy 
year in a manner consistent with the general practice of guaranteed 
acceptance life insurance policies issued by private life insurance 
companies.
    ``(3) Section 1912 of this title shall not apply to life insurance 
policies under subsection (a)(1), and the Secretary may not otherwise 
waive premiums for such insurance policies.
    ``(e) Beneficiaries.--(1) A veteran who enrolls in the insurance 
program under subsection (a)(1) may designate a beneficiary of the life 
insurance policy.
    ``(2) If a veteran enrolled in the insurance program under 
subsection (a)(1) does not designate a beneficiary under paragraph (1) 
before the veteran dies, or if a designated beneficiary predeceases the 
veteran, the Secretary shall determine the beneficiary in the following 
order:
            ``(A) The surviving spouse of the veteran.
            ``(B) The children of the veteran and descendants of 
        deceased children by representation.
            ``(C) The parents of the veteran or the survivors of the 
        parents.
            ``(D) The duly appointed executor or administrator of the 
        estate of the veteran.
            ``(E) Other next of kin of the veteran entitled under the 
        laws of domicile of the veteran at the time of the death of the 
        veteran.
    ``(f) Claims.--(1) If the deceased veteran designated a beneficiary 
under subsection (e)(1)--
            ``(A) the designated beneficiary is the only person who may 
        file a claim for payment under subsection (g) during the one-
        year period beginning on the date of the death of the veteran; 
        and
            ``(B) if the designated beneficiary does not file a claim 
        for the payment during the period described in paragraph (1), 
        or if payment to the designated beneficiary within that period 
        is prohibited by Federal statute or regulation, a beneficiary 
        described in subsection (e)(2) may file a claim for such 
        payment during the one-year period following the period 
        described in subparagraph (A) as if the designated beneficiary 
        had predeceased the veteran.
    ``(2) If the deceased veteran did not designate a beneficiary under 
subsection (e)(1), or if the designated beneficiary predeceased the 
veteran, a beneficiary described in subsection (e)(2) may file a claim 
for payment under subsection (g) during the two-year period beginning 
on the date of the death of the veteran.
    ``(3) If, on the date that is two years after the date of the death 
of the veteran, no claim for payment has been filed by any beneficiary 
pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), and the Secretary has not received 
notice that any such claim will be so filed during the subsequent one-
year period, the Secretary may make the payment to a claimant whom the 
Secretary determines to be equitably entitled to such payment.
    ``(g) Payments.--(1) In a case described in subsection (f)--
            ``(A) in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall pay the 
        designated beneficiary not later than 90 days after the 
        designated beneficiary files a complete and valid claim for 
        payment;
            ``(B) in paragraph (1)(B) or (2), the Secretary shall make 
        any payment not later than one year after the end of the period 
        described in the applicable such paragraph, if the Secretary 
        receives a complete and valid claim for payment in accordance 
        with the applicable such paragraph; or
            ``(C) in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall make any 
        payment not later than one year after the end of the period 
        described in such paragraph, if the Secretary receives a 
        complete and valid claim for payment.
    ``(2) In a case where the Secretary has not made an insurance 
payment under this section during the applicable period specified in 
paragraph (1) by reason of a beneficiary not yet having filed a claim, 
or the Secretary not yet making a determination under subsection 
(f)(3), the Secretary may make the payment after such applicable 
period.
    ``(3) Notwithstanding section 1917 of this title, the Secretary 
shall make an insurance payment under this section in a lump sum.
    ``(4) The Secretary may not make an insurance payment under this 
section if such payment will escheat to a State.
    ``(5) Any payment under this subsection shall be a bar to recovery 
by any other person.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 1922A the following new item:

``1922B. Service-disabled veterans insurance.''.
    (b) Sunset of Previous Program and Transition.--
            (1) S-DVI.--Section 1922 of such title is amended by adding 
        at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d)(1) The Secretary may not accept any application by a veteran 
to be insured under this section after December 31, 2022.
    ``(2)(A) During the period beginning January 1, 2023, and ending 
December 31, 2025, a veteran who is insured under this section may 
elect to instead be insured under section 1922B of this title based on 
the age of the veteran at the time of such election.
    ``(B)(i) A veteran who elects under subparagraph (A) to be insured 
under section 1922B of this title shall be subject to the two-year 
waiting period specified in subsection (c) of such section.
    ``(ii) If the veteran dies during such period, the Secretary shall 
pay the beneficiary under this section, and, if applicable, under 
section 1922A, plus the amount of premiums paid by the veteran under 
such section 1922B, plus interest.
    ``(3) Except as provided by paragraph (2)(B), a veteran may not be 
insured under this section and section 1922B simultaneously.''.
            (2) Supplemental s-dvi.--Section 1922A(b) of such title is 
        amended by adding after the period at the end the following: 
        ``The Secretary may not accept any such application after 
        December 31, 2022. Except as provided by section 1922(d)(2)(B), 
        a veteran may not have supplemental insurance under this 
        section and be insured under section 1922B simultaneously.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 19 of such title is amended--
            (1) in the section heading of section 1922, by striking 
        ``Service'' and inserting ``Legacy service'';
            (2) in the section heading of section 1922A, by striking 
        ``Supplemental'' and inserting ``Legacy supplemental''; and
            (3) in the table of sections at the beginning of such 
        chapter by striking the items relating to sections 1922 and 
        1922A and inserting the following new items:

``1922. Legacy service disabled veterans' insurance.
``1922A. Legacy supplemental service disabled veterans' insurance for 
                            totally disabled veterans.''.

SEC. 409. PUBLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF DISABILITY BENEFIT 
              QUESTIONNAIRE FORMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 5101 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
        subsection (d):
    ``(d)(1) The Secretary shall publish in a central location on the 
internet website of the Department disability benefit questionnaire 
forms of the Department for the submittal of evidence from non-
Department medical providers regarding a disability of a claimant.
    ``(2) Subject to section 6103 of this title, if the Secretary 
updates a form described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
            ``(A) accept the previous version of the form filed by a 
        claimant if--
                    ``(i) the claimant provided to the non-Department 
                medical provider the previous version of the form 
                before the date on which the updated version of the 
                form was made available; and
                    ``(ii) the claimant files the previous version of 
                the form during the one-year period following the date 
                the form was completed by the non-Department medical 
                provider;
            ``(B) request from the claimant any other information that 
        the updated version of the form requires; and
            ``(C) apply the laws and regulations required to adjudicate 
        the claim as if the claimant filed the updated version of the 
        form.
    ``(3) The Secretary may waive any interagency approval process 
required to approve a modification to a disability benefit 
questionnaire form if such requirement only applies by reason of the 
forms being made public.''.
    (b) Reports by Inspector General of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.--Not less frequently than once each year through 2023, the 
Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
Congress a report on the findings of the Inspector General with respect 
to the use of the forms published under section 5101(d)(1) of such 
title, as added by subsection (a).
    (c) Initial Form.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall begin 
carrying out section 5101(d)(1) of such title, as added by subsection 
(a), by publishing, as described in such section, the form described in 
such section that was in effect on January 1, 2020.
    (d) Alternate Process.--
            (1) Assessment and report.--Subject to paragraph (2), not 
        later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
        act, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) assess the feasibility and advisability of 
                replacing disability benefit questionnaire forms that 
                are used by non-Department medical providers to submit 
                to the Secretary evidence regarding a disability of a 
                claimant for benefits under laws administered by the 
                Secretary, with another consistent process that 
                considers evidence equally, whether provided by a 
                Department or a non-Department medical provider; and
                    (B) submit to Congress--
                            (i) a report on the findings of the 
                        Secretary with respect to the assessment 
                        conducted under subparagraph (A); and
                            (ii) a plan to replace the disability 
                        benefit questionnaire forms as described in 
                        subparagraph (A).
            (2) Requirements.--The Secretary may only determine under 
        paragraph (1)(A) that replacing the forms described in such 
        paragraph is feasible and advisable if the Secretary certifies 
        that--
                    (A) it is in the best interest of veterans to do 
                so;
                    (B) the replacement process would include all the 
                medical information needed to adjudicate a claim for 
                benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and
                    (C) the new process will ensure that all medical 
                information provided will be considered equally, 
                whether it is provided by a Department medical provider 
                or a non-Department medical provider.
            (3) Implementation.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), if 
                the Secretary determines under paragraph (1)(A) that 
                replacing the forms as described in such paragraph is 
                feasible and advisable, the Secretary shall, not later 
                than two years after the date on which the Secretary 
                submits the report under paragraph (1)(B)(i), replace 
                the forms as described in paragraph (1)(A).
                    (B) Reports by inspector general of the department 
                of veterans affairs.--If the Secretary replaces the 
                forms under subparagraph (A), the Inspector General of 
                the Department of Veterans Affairs shall, not less 
                frequently than once each year, submit to Congress a 
                report on the process that replaced such forms that 
                ascertains whether the process properly protects 
                veterans.
    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or section 
5101(d) of such title, as added by subsection (a), may be construed to 
require the Secretary to develop any new information technology system 
or otherwise require the Secretary to make any significant changes to 
the internet website of the Department.

SEC. 410. PREFERENCE FOR OFFERORS EMPLOYING VETERANS.

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

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

SEC. 411. ELIMINATION OF PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR TRAINING AND 
              REHABILITATION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
              CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3103 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``or (e)'' and inserting 
        ``(e), or (g)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a veteran who was 
discharged or released from active military, naval, or air service on 
or after January 1, 2013.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 6(c) of the Student Veteran 
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 633; Public Law 116-140) is 
amended by striking paragraph (1).

SEC. 412. CLARIFICATION OF TERMINATION OF LEASES OF PREMISES AND MOTOR 
              VEHICLES OF SERVICEMEMBERS WHO INCUR CATASTROPHIC INJURY 
              OR ILLNESS OR DIE WHILE IN MILITARY SERVICE.

    (a) Catastrophic Injuries and Illnesses.--Paragraph (4) of section 
305(a) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955(a)), as 
added by section 545 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92), is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) Catastrophic injury or illness of lessee.--
                    ``(A) Termination.--If the lessee on a lease 
                described in subsection (b) incurs a catastrophic 
                injury or illness during a period of military service 
                or while performing covered service, during the one-
                year period beginning on the date on which the lessee 
                incurs such injury or illness--
                            ``(i) the lessee may terminate the lease; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) in the case of a lessee who lacks 
                        the mental capacity to contract or to manage 
                        his or her own affairs (including disbursement 
                        of funds without limitation) due to such injury 
                        or illness, the spouse or dependent of the 
                        lessee may terminate the lease.
                    ``(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Catastrophic injury or illness.--The 
                        term `catastrophic injury or illness' has the 
                        meaning given that term in section 439(g) of 
                        title 37, United States Code.
                            ``(ii) Covered service.--The term `covered 
                        service' means full-time National Guard duty, 
                        active Guard and Reserve duty, or inactive-duty 
                        training (as such terms are defined in section 
                        101(d) of title 10, United States Code).''.
    (b) Deaths.--Paragraph (3) of such section is amended by striking 
``The spouse of the lessee'' and inserting ``The spouse or dependent of 
the lessee''.

SEC. 413. CLARIFICATION OF DELIVERY OF NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF LEASES 
              OF PREMISES AND MOTOR VEHICLES FOR PURPOSES OF RELIEF 
              UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT.

    (a) In General.--Section 305(c)(2) of the Servicemembers Civil 
Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955(c)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and 
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) by electronic means, including--
                            ``(i) the direct delivery of material to an 
                        electronic address designated by the lessor (or 
                        the lessor's grantee) or the lessor's agent (or 
                        the agent's grantee);
                            ``(ii) the posting of material to a website 
                        or other internet or electronic-based 
                        information repository to which access has been 
                        granted to the lessee, the lessor (or the 
                        lessor's grantee), or the lessor's agent (or 
                        the agent's grantee); and
                            ``(iii) other electronic means reasonably 
                        calculated to ensure actual receipt of the 
                        material by the lessor (or the lessor's 
                        grantee) or the lessor's agent (or the agent's 
                        grantee).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to delivery of notice of lease terminations on or after the date 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 414. TECHNICAL CORRECTION REGARDING EXTENSION OF LEASE PROTECTIONS 
              FOR SERVICEMEMBERS UNDER STOP MOVEMENT ORDERS IN RESPONSE 
              TO LOCAL, NATIONAL, OR GLOBAL EMERGENCY.

    (a) In General.--Section 305(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief 
Act (50 U.S.C. 3955(b)), as amended by Public Law 116-158, is further 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(C)(ii), by striking ``Secretary of 
        Defense'' and inserting ``Secretary concerned''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(C)(ii), by striking ``Secretary of 
        Defense'' and inserting ``Secretary concerned''.
    (b) Retroactive Application.--The amendments made by this section 
shall apply to stop movement orders issued on or after March 1, 2020.

SEC. 415. TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS FOR TELEPHONE, MULTICHANNEL VIDEO 
              PROGRAMMING, OR INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE BY CERTAIN 
              INDIVIDUALS UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT.

    Section 305A(a) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 
3956(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Additional individuals covered.--For purposes of this 
        section, the following individuals shall be treated as a 
        servicemember covered by paragraph (1):
                    ``(A) A spouse or dependent of a servicemember who 
                dies while in military service or a spouse or dependent 
                of a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces 
                who dies while performing duty described in 
                subparagraph (C).
                    ``(B) A spouse or dependent of a servicemember who 
                incurs a catastrophic injury or illness (as that term 
                is defined in section 439(g) of title 37, United States 
                Code), if the servicemember incurs the catastrophic 
                injury or illness while in military service or 
                performing duty described in subparagraph (C).
                    ``(C) A member of a reserve component of the Armed 
                Forces performing military service or performing full-
                time National Guard duty, active Guard and Reserve 
                duty, or inactive-duty training (as such terms are 
                defined in section 101(d) of title 10, United States 
                Code).''.

SEC. 416. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS TO 
              MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD WHO PERFORM STATE ACTIVE 
              DUTY.

    Section 4303 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (13), by inserting ``State active duty for 
        a period of 14 days or more, State active duty in response to a 
        national emergency declared by the President under the National 
        Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), State active duty in 
        response to a major disaster declared by the President under 
        section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170),'' after ``full-time 
        National Guard duty,'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (15) as paragraph (16); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following new 
        paragraph (15):
            ``(15) The term `State active duty' means training or other 
        duty, other than inactive duty, performed by a member of the 
        National Guard of a State--
                    ``(A) not under section 502 of title 32 or under 
                title 10;
                    ``(B) in service to the Governor of a State; and
                    ``(C) for which the member is not entitled to pay 
                from the Federal Government.''.

SEC. 417. REPAYMENT OF MISUSED BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Section 6107(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``In any case in which a 
        fiduciary described in paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``In any 
        case not covered by subsection (a) in which a fiduciary'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (2); and
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
    (b) Application.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply 
with respect to any determination by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act regarding the 
misuse of benefits by a fiduciary.

SEC. 418. STUDY REGARDING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF WEBSITES OF THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study of 
all websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine whether 
such websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities in 
accordance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
U.S.C. 794d).
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after completing 
        the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to 
        Congress a report on such study.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) A list of each website described in subsection 
                (a) that is not accessible to individuals with 
                disabilities in accordance with section 508 of the 
                Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d).
                    (B) For each website identified in the list under 
                paragraph (1)--
                            (i) a description of the barriers to 
                        bringing such website into compliance with the 
                        requirements of section 508 of the 
                        Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), 
                        including barriers relating to staffing; and
                            (ii) the plan of the Secretary to bring 
                        such website into compliance with the 
                        requirements of such section.
    (c) Website Defined.--In this section, the term ``website'' 
includes the following:
            (1) A file attached to a website.
            (2) A web-based application.
            (3) A kiosk at a medical facility of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs, the use of which is required to check in for 
        scheduled appointments.

SEC. 419. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying 
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by 
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO 
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional 
Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that 
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
                                                       Calendar No. 603

116th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 4511

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                                 A BILL

To make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary 
 of Veterans Affairs relating to education, burial benefits, and other 
                    matters, and for other purposes.

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                            December 8, 2020

                       Reported with an amendment