Availability of Department of Veterans Affairs temporary lodging to certain individuals

Section 1708 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (a), by striking in connection with and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting in accordance with this section.;(2)in subsection (b)—(A)in paragraph (2)—(i)by inserting described in paragraph (1) after family of a veteran; and(ii)by inserting such after accompany; and(B)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(3)On a space-available basis, a covered beneficiary who must travel a significant distance to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.(4)On a space-available basis, a member of the family of a covered beneficiary described in paragraph (3) and others who accompany such a covered beneficiary who is receiving care or services and provide the equivalent of familial support for such beneficiary when the covered beneficiary or the family member is traveling to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.(5)On a space-available basis, a veteran and a member of the family of a veteran and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of the veteran’s family to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.(6)On a space available basis, a covered beneficiary and a member of the family of a covered beneficiary and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of the covered beneficiary’s family to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.

;

(3)by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively;(4)in subsection (d), as so redesignated—(A)in paragraph (2), by striking subsection (d) and inserting subsection (c);(B)in paragraph (3), by striking under subsection (b)(2) and inserting or a covered beneficiary under subsection (b);(C)in paragraph (4), by striking and after the semicolon; (D)by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and(E)by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (5):

(5)establishing criteria for providing access to temporary lodging facilities on a space-available basis under paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (b); and

; and

(5)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(e)In this section:(1)The term covered beneficiary means a member of the uniformed services performing active duty.(2)The term Fisher house means a housing facility that—(A)is located at, or in proximity to, a Department medical facility;(B)is available for residential use on a temporary basis by patients of that facility and others described in subsection (b); and(C)is constructed by, and donated to the Secretary by, the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation or the Fisher House Foundation, Inc.