[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 16775-16778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HOMELESS VETERANS EXPANSION ACT

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the consideration of Calendar No. 197, S. 287.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 287) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
     expand the definition of a homeless veteran for purposes of 
     benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, with 
an amendment and an amendment to the title, as follows:

                                 S. 287

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Helping Homeless Veterans 
     Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR 
                   PURPOSES OF BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS 
                   ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       Section 2002(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento 
     Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a))'' and inserting 
     ``in subsection (a) or (b) of section 103 of the McKinney-
     Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)''.

     SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMPREHENSIVE 
                   SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) Modification of Authority To Provide Capital 
     Improvement Grants for Programs That Assist Homeless 
     Veterans.--Subsection (a) of section 2011 of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1)--
       (1) by striking ``or modifying'' and inserting ``, 
     modifying, or maintaining''; and
       (2) by inserting ``privately, safely, and securely,'' 
     before ``the following''.
       (b) Requirement That Recipients of Grants Meet Physical 
     Privacy, Safety, and Security Needs of Homeless Veterans.--
     Subsection (f) of such section is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) To meet the physical privacy, safety, and security 
     needs of homeless veterans receiving services through the 
     project.''.

     SEC. 4. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING 
                   ASSISTANCE THAT BECOMES PERMANENT HOUSING FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2012(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as 
     subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
     subparagraph (D)'' and inserting ``in subparagraph (E)'';
       (3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``under subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``under subparagraph 
     (C)'';
       (4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
     subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting ``in subparagraphs 
     (C) and (D)''; and
       (5) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) by striking ``The rate'' and inserting ``Except as 
     otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate''; and
       (B) by striking ``under subparagraph (B)'' and all that 
     follows through the end and inserting the following: ``under 
     subparagraph (C).

[[Page 16776]]

       ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may 
     the rate determined under this paragraph exceed the rate 
     authorized for State homes for domiciliary care under 
     subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of this title, as the 
     Secretary may increase from time to time under subsection (c) 
     of that section.
       ``(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless 
     veteran who is placed in housing that will become permanent 
     housing for the veteran upon termination of the furnishing of 
     such services to such veteran, the maximum rate of per diem 
     authorized under this section is 150 percent of the rate 
     described in clause (i).''.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR FURNISHING 
                   CARE TO DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN HOMELESS 
                   VETERANS.

       Subsection (a) of section 2012 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) Services for which a recipient of a grant under 
     section 2011 of this title (or an entity described in 
     paragraph (1)) may receive per diem payments under this 
     subsection may include furnishing care for a dependent of a 
     homeless veteran who is under the care of such homeless 
     veteran while such homeless veteran receives services from 
     the grant recipient (or entity).''.

     SEC. 6. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
                   ASSESS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall assess and measure the capacity of programs for which 
     entities receive grants under section 2011 of title 38, 
     United States Code, or per diem payments under section 2012 
     or 2061 of such title.
       (b) Assessment at National and Local Levels.--In assessing 
     and measuring under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
     develop and use tools to examine the capacity of programs 
     described in such subsection at both the national and local 
     level in order to assess the following:
       (1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs of 
     homeless veterans in each geographic area.
       (2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the 
     subpopulations of homeless veterans located in each 
     geographic area.
       (3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under 
     sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 
     2012 of such title have to provide services for which the 
     recipients are eligible to receive per diem under section 
     2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added 
     by section 4(5)(B).
       (c) Use of Information.--The Secretary shall use the 
     information collected under this section as follows:
       (1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described 
     in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of 
     homeless veterans.
       (2) To assess whether programs described in subsection (a) 
     are meeting goals set under paragraph (1).
       (3) To inform funding allocations for programs described in 
     subsection (a).
       (4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to 
     programs described in subsection (a).
       (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
     which the assessment required by subsection (b) is completed, 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the House of Representatives a report on such assessment 
     and such recommendations for legislative and administrative 
     action as the Secretary may have to improve the programs and 
     per diem payments described in subsection (a).

     SEC. 7. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AUTHORITY 
                   TO PROVIDE DENTAL CARE TO HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 2062(b) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--(1) Subsection (a) applies to a 
     veteran who--
       ``(A) is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this 
     title; and
       ``(B) for a period of 60 consecutive days, is receiving--
       ``(i) assistance under section 8(o) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)); or
       ``(ii) care (directly or by contract) in any of the 
     following settings:
       ``(I) A domiciliary under section 1710 of this title.
       ``(II) A therapeutic residence under section 2032 of this 
     title.
       ``(III) Community residential care coordinated by the 
     Secretary under section 1730 of this title.
       ``(IV) A setting for which the Secretary provides funds for 
     a grant and per diem provider.
       ``(V) A setting--

       ``(aa) in which the veteran is receiving transitional 
     housing assistance;
       ``(bb) for which funding is not provided for transitional 
     housing assistance under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(cc) for which the Secretary receives verification from 
     the provider of care that the veteran is receiving care for a 
     period of 60 consecutive days; and
       ``(dd) from which the Secretary determines that the veteran 
     cannot reasonably access comparable dental services at no 
     cost and in a reasonable period of time.

       ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), in determining whether 
     a veteran has received assistance or care for a period of 60 
     consecutive days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the 
     continuity of assistance or care for which the veteran is not 
     responsible.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 8. PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO 
                   PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS AND 
                   VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 2022 the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities 
       to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans 
       at risk of homelessness

       ``(a) Partnerships Authorized.--Subject to the availability 
     of funds for that purpose, the Secretary may enter into 
     partnerships with public or private entities to fund a 
     portion of the general legal services specified in subsection 
     (c) that are provided by such entities to homeless veterans 
     and veterans at risk of homelessness.
       ``(b) Locations.--The Secretary shall ensure that, to the 
     extent practicable, partnerships under this section are made 
     with entities equitably distributed across the geographic 
     regions of the United States, including rural communities, 
     tribal lands of the United States, Native Americans, and 
     tribal organizations (as defined in section 3765 of title 38, 
     United States Code).
       ``(c) Legal Services.--Legal services specified in this 
     subsection include legal services provided by public or 
     private entities that address the needs of homeless veterans 
     and veterans at risk of homelessness as follows:
       ``(1) Legal services related to housing, including eviction 
     defense and representation in landlord-tenant cases.
       ``(2) Legal services related to family law, including 
     assistance in court proceedings for child support, divorce, 
     and estate planning.
       ``(3) Legal services related to income support, including 
     assistance in obtaining public benefits.
       ``(4) Legal services related to criminal defense, including 
     defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness, such as 
     outstanding warrants, fines, and driver's license revocation, 
     to reduce recidivism and facilitate the overcoming of reentry 
     obstacles in employment or housing.
       ``(d) Consultation.--In developing and carrying out 
     partnerships under this section, the Secretary shall, to the 
     extent practicable, consult with public and private 
     entities--
       ``(1) for assistance in identifying and contacting 
     organizations capable of providing the legal services 
     described in subsection (c); and
       ``(2) to coordinate appropriate outreach relationships with 
     such organizations.
       ``(e) Reports.--The Secretary may require entities that 
     have entered into partnerships under this section to submit 
     to the Secretary periodic reports on legal services provided 
     to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness 
     pursuant to such partnerships.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding 
     after the item relating to section 2022 the following new 
     item:

``2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal 
              services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of 
              homelessness.''.

     SEC. 9. REQUESTS FOR DATA TO EVALUATE AND IMPROVE SERVICES 
                   PROVIDED TO VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

       Section 2022 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g);
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection (f):
       ``(f) Requests for Data To Evaluate and Improve Services 
     Provided to Veterans at Risk of Homelessness.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall from time to time request from the Federal 
     Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Prisons, the Bureau of 
     Justice Statistics, and other appropriate Federal law 
     enforcement agencies data in the possession of such agencies 
     useful for the evaluation and improvement of the services 
     provided to veterans at risk of homelessness under this 
     section and section 2023 of this title.
       ``(2) Such agencies shall make reasonable efforts to comply 
     with any such request by the Secretary.''.

     SEC. 10. REPEAL OF SUNSET ON AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT PROGRAM 
                   OF REFERRAL AND COUNSELING SERVICES FOR 
                   VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE 
                   TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 2023 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (b);
       (2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``To the extent 
     practical, the program'' and inserting ``The program'';
       (3) by striking subsection (d);
       (4) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``provided under the 
     demonstration program''; and
       (5) by redesignating subsections (c) and (e) as subsections 
     (b) and (c), respectively.

     SEC. 11. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORTS ON 
                   ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 2065 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is hereby repealed.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 2065.

[[Page 16777]]



     SEC. 12. EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Comprehensive Service Programs.--Section 2013 of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (4) 
     through (6) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 
     2014.
       ``(5) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent 
     fiscal year.''.
       (b) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs.--Section 
     2021(e)(1)(F) of such title is amended by striking ``2013'' 
     and inserting ``2014''.
       (c) Treatment and Rehabilitation for Seriously Mentally Ill 
     and Homeless Veterans.--Section 2031(b) of such title is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2014''.
       (d) Centers for the Provision of Comprehensive Services to 
     Homeless Veterans.--Section 2033(d) of such title is amended 
     by striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting ``December 
     31, 2014''.
       (e) Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans.--Section 
     2041(c) of such title is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2013'' and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.
       (f) Financial Assistance for Supportive Services for Very 
     Low-Income Veteran Families in Permanent Housing.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 2044(e) of such 
     title is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subparagraph (F):
       ``(F) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.''.
       (2) Training entities for provision of supportive 
     services.--Paragraph (3) of such section is amended by 
     striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2014''.
       (g) Grant Program for Homeless Veterans With Special 
     Needs.--Section 2061(d)(1) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``for each of'' through ``shall be available'' and 
     inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2014, 
     $5,000,000 shall be available''.
       (h) Technical Assistance Grants for Nonprofit Community-
     Based Groups.--Section 2064(b) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2014''.
       (i) Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.--Section 
     2066(d) of such title is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2013'' and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.

     SEC. 13. EXTENSION OF REDUCED PENSION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES 
                   FURNISHED BY NURSING FACILITIES.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (d)(7) of section 5503 of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 30, 
     2016'' and inserting ``March 31, 2018''.
       (b) Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) Section heading.--The section heading of such section 
     is amended to read as follows: ``Reduced pension for certain 
     hospitalized veterans and certain veterans receiving 
     domiciliary, nursing home, or nursing facility care''.
       (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 5503 and inserting the following 
     new item:

``5503. Reduced pension for certain hospitalized veterans and certain 
              veterans receiving domiciliary, nursing home, or nursing 
              facility care.''.

  Ms. HIRONO. I ask unanimous consent the committee-reported substitute 
amendment be considered, the Sanders amendment, which is at the desk, 
be agreed to, the committee-reported amendment, as amended, be agreed 
to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the 
committee-reported title amendment be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 2023) was agreed to, as follows:
       On page 11, strike line 25 and insert the following:
     lessness pursuant to such partnerships.
       ``(f) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to enter into 
     partnerships under this section as described in subsection 
     (a) shall expire on December 31, 2016.''.
       On page 13, strike lines 3 through 18 and insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 10. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PROGRAM OF REFERRAL AND 
                   COUNSELING SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF 
                   HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 2023 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (b);
       (2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``To the extent 
     practicable, the program'' and inserting ``The program'';
       (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``September 30, 2014'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2017'';
       (4) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``provided under the 
     demonstration program''; and
       (5) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as 
     subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively.
       On page 14, strike lines 2 through 14 and insert the 
     following:
       (a) Treatment and Rehabilitation for Seriously Mentally Ill 
     and Homeless Veterans.--Section 2031(b) of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``December 31,
       Beginning on page 14, strike line 24 and all that follows 
     through page 15, line 7, and insert the following:
       (f) Training Entities for Provision of Supportive Services 
     for Very Low-income Veteran Families in Permanent Housing.--
     Section 2044(e)(3) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``2012'' and inserting ``2014''.
       On page 15, strike lines 8 through 12.
       On page 16, line 7, strike ``March 31, 2018'' and insert 
     ``August 31, 2017''.

  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, 
was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 287), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                 S. 287

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Helping Homeless Veterans 
     Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR 
                   PURPOSES OF BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS 
                   ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       Section 2002(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento 
     Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a))'' and inserting 
     ``in subsection (a) or (b) of section 103 of the McKinney-
     Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)''.

     SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMPREHENSIVE 
                   SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) Modification of Authority To Provide Capital 
     Improvement Grants for Programs That Assist Homeless 
     Veterans.--Subsection (a) of section 2011 of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1)--
       (1) by striking ``or modifying'' and inserting ``, 
     modifying, or maintaining''; and
       (2) by inserting ``privately, safely, and securely,'' 
     before ``the following''.
       (b) Requirement That Recipients of Grants Meet Physical 
     Privacy, Safety, and Security Needs of Homeless Veterans.--
     Subsection (f) of such section is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) To meet the physical privacy, safety, and security 
     needs of homeless veterans receiving services through the 
     project.''.

     SEC. 4. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING 
                   ASSISTANCE THAT BECOMES PERMANENT HOUSING FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2012(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as 
     subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
     subparagraph (D)'' and inserting ``in subparagraph (E)'';
       (3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``under subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``under subparagraph 
     (C)'';
       (4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
     subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting ``in subparagraphs 
     (C) and (D)''; and
       (5) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) by striking ``The rate'' and inserting ``Except as 
     otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate''; and
       (B) by striking ``under subparagraph (B)'' and all that 
     follows through the end and inserting the following: ``under 
     subparagraph (C).
       ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may 
     the rate determined under this paragraph exceed the rate 
     authorized for State homes for domiciliary care under 
     subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of this title, as the 
     Secretary may increase from time to time under subsection (c) 
     of that section.
       ``(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless 
     veteran who is placed in housing that will become permanent 
     housing for the veteran upon termination of the furnishing of 
     such services to such veteran, the maximum rate of per diem 
     authorized under this section is 150 percent of the rate 
     described in clause (i).''.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR FURNISHING 
                   CARE TO DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN HOMELESS 
                   VETERANS.

       Subsection (a) of section 2012 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) Services for which a recipient of a grant under 
     section 2011 of this title (or an entity described in 
     paragraph (1)) may receive per diem payments under this 
     subsection may include furnishing care for a dependent of a 
     homeless veteran who is under the care of such homeless 
     veteran while such homeless veteran receives services from 
     the grant recipient (or entity).''.

[[Page 16778]]



     SEC. 6. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
                   ASSESS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall assess and measure the capacity of programs for which 
     entities receive grants under section 2011 of title 38, 
     United States Code, or per diem payments under section 2012 
     or 2061 of such title.
       (b) Assessment at National and Local Levels.--In assessing 
     and measuring under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
     develop and use tools to examine the capacity of programs 
     described in such subsection at both the national and local 
     level in order to assess the following:
       (1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs of 
     homeless veterans in each geographic area.
       (2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the 
     subpopulations of homeless veterans located in each 
     geographic area.
       (3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under 
     sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 
     2012 of such title have to provide services for which the 
     recipients are eligible to receive per diem under section 
     2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added 
     by section 4(5)(B).
       (c) Use of Information.--The Secretary shall use the 
     information collected under this section as follows:
       (1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described 
     in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of 
     homeless veterans.
       (2) To assess whether programs described in subsection (a) 
     are meeting goals set under paragraph (1).
       (3) To inform funding allocations for programs described in 
     subsection (a).
       (4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to 
     programs described in subsection (a).
       (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
     which the assessment required by subsection (b) is completed, 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the House of Representatives a report on such assessment 
     and such recommendations for legislative and administrative 
     action as the Secretary may have to improve the programs and 
     per diem payments described in subsection (a).

     SEC. 7. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AUTHORITY 
                   TO PROVIDE DENTAL CARE TO HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 2062(b) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--(1) Subsection (a) applies to a 
     veteran who--
       ``(A) is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this 
     title; and
       ``(B) for a period of 60 consecutive days, is receiving--
       ``(i) assistance under section 8(o) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)); or
       ``(ii) care (directly or by contract) in any of the 
     following settings:
       ``(I) A domiciliary under section 1710 of this title.
       ``(II) A therapeutic residence under section 2032 of this 
     title.
       ``(III) Community residential care coordinated by the 
     Secretary under section 1730 of this title.
       ``(IV) A setting for which the Secretary provides funds for 
     a grant and per diem provider.
       ``(V) A setting--

       ``(aa) in which the veteran is receiving transitional 
     housing assistance;
       ``(bb) for which funding is not provided for transitional 
     housing assistance under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary;
       ``(cc) for which the Secretary receives verification from 
     the provider of care that the veteran is receiving care for a 
     period of 60 consecutive days; and
       ``(dd) from which the Secretary determines that the veteran 
     cannot reasonably access comparable dental services at no 
     cost and in a reasonable period of time.

       ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), in determining whether 
     a veteran has received assistance or care for a period of 60 
     consecutive days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the 
     continuity of assistance or care for which the veteran is not 
     responsible.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 8. PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO 
                   PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS AND 
                   VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 2022 the 
     following new section:

  The title was amended so as to read:

       ``A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve 
     assistance to homeless veterans, and for other purposes.''.

                          ____________________