[115th Congress Public Law 62]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 131 STAT. 1159]]

Public Law 115-62
115th Congress

                                 An Act


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and 
      for other purposes. <<NOTE: Sept. 29, 2017 -  [H.R. 3819]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017. 38 USC 101 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for 
           hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to 
           certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance 
           and support services for caregivers.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of cost 
           of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan 
           contracts for non-service-connected disability.
Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for 
           child care for certain veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service 
           organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension of pilot program on community-based brain injury 
           rehabilitative care services for veterans with traumatic 
           brain injury.
Sec. 108. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
           retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from 
           service.
Sec. 109. Extension of temporary expansion of payments and allowances 
           for beneficiary travel in connection with veterans receiving 
           care from Vet Centers.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 201. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
           property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and 
           vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with 
           severe injuries or illnesses.

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration 
           programs.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and 
           homeless veterans with children reintegration program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority for referral and counseling services 
           for veterans at risk of homelessness transitioning from 
           certain institutions.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1160]]

Sec. 304. Extension and modification of authority to provide financial 
           assistance for supportive services for very low-income 
           veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 305. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans 
           with special needs.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
           Veterans.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation 
           services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans.

  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                 MATTERS

Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to 
           and from Department facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of 
           Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of 
           the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances under 
           the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special 
           Events.
Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress 
           regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative 
           error.
Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive 
           sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the 
           Armed Forces.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
           Veterans.
Sec. 407. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
           for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans 
           with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing assistive 
           technology grant program.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and 
           interest on certificates or other securities.
Sec. 410. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the 
           National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between 
           diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds 
           in herbicides.
Sec. 411. Modifications of reductions of reporting fee multipliers.

                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

Sec. 501. Technical corrections to Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational 
           Assistance Act of 2017.

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

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. SCORING 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 House Budget Committee, provided that such 
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
                        HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

    Section 1710(f)(2)(B) <<NOTE: 38 USC 1710.>>  is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1161]]

SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO 
                        CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
                        DISABILITIES.

    Section 1710A(d) <<NOTE: 38 USC 1710A.>>  is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                        ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 
                        CAREGIVERS.

    Section 1720G(e) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'';
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) $839,828,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 
        2019.''.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD PARTIES 
                        OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED TO 
                        VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR 
                        NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

    Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2019''.
SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE 
                        FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                        RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (e) of section 205 of the Caregivers and 
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 
Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such section 
is amended by striking ``and 2017'' and inserting ``2017, 2018, and 
2019''.
SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS 
                        SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION 
                        OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.

    Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1154; 38 U.S.C. 1710 
note) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting ``2019''.
SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY-BASED BRAIN 
                        INJURY REHABILITATIVE CARE SERVICES FOR 
                        VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (g) of section 1705 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 38 
U.S.C. 1710C note) is amended by striking ``October 6, 2017'' and 
inserting ``January 6, 2018''.
    (b) Final Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (e)(2)(A) of such 
section is amended by striking ``60 days after the completion of the 
pilot program'' and inserting ``December 6, 2017''.
    (c) <<NOTE: Deadline. 38 USC 1710C note.>>  Notification to 
Participants in Program.--Not later than December 6, 2017, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall notify veterans participating in the pilot 
program under such section regarding a plan for transition of care for 
such veterans.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1162]]

SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING 
                        IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS 
                        NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and 
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 
Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
    (b) Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (e) of such section is 
amended by striking ``180 days after the completion of the pilot 
program'' and inserting ``March 31, 2018''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such section 
is amended by striking ``and 2017'' and inserting ``2017, 2018, and 
2019''.
SEC. 109. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND 
                        ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN 
                        CONNECTION WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE 
                        FROM VET CENTERS.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (a) of section 104 of the Honoring 
America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 
(Public Law 112-154; 126 Stat. 1169) is amended by striking ``a three-
year initiative'' and inserting ``an initiative, to run through 
September 30, 2018,''.
    (b) Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (b)(1) of such section is 
amended by striking ``180 days after the date of the completion of the 
initiative'' and inserting ``March 31, 2018''.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL 
                        PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

    Section 3732(c)(11) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3732.>>  is amended by striking 
``October 1, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

    Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2017,'' 
        and inserting ``September 30, 2018,''.
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND 
                        VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE 
                        ARMED FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR 
                        ILLNESSES.

    Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1163]]

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
                        REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(e)(1)(F) <<NOTE: 38 USC 2021.>>  is amended by striking 
``2017'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND 
                        HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN 
                        REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

    Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2018''.
SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REFERRAL AND COUNSELING 
                        SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF 
                        HOMELESSNESS TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN 
                        INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE 
                        FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE 
                        SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN 
                        FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

    Section 2044(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
            ``(F) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
        2019.''.
SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS 
                        VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2019''.
SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                        HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.
SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION 
                        SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND 
                        HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
    (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is 
amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2019''.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1164]]

  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                 MATTERS

SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF INDIVIDUALS 
                        TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

    Section 111A(a)(2) <<NOTE: 38 USC 111A.>>  is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                        OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN 
                        MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

    Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCES 
                        UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL VETERANS 
                        SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

    Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2019''.
SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
                        REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE OF 
                        ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.

    Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2018''.
SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                        ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED 
                        VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    Section 521A is amended--
            (1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
        ``2019''; and
            (2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
        ``2019''.
SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                        MINORITY VETERANS.

    Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.
SEC. 407. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF 
                        ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
                        ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH 
                        DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY 
                        AMBULATING.

    Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2017'' 
        and inserting ``September 30, 2018''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
        ``2018''.
SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
                        ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1165]]

SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL 
                        AND INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER 
                        SECURITIES.

    Section 3720(h)(2) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3720.>>  is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.
SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE 
                        NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING 
                        ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE 
                        TO DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN 
                        HERBICIDES.

    Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 38 
U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.
SEC. 411. MODIFICATIONS OF REDUCTIONS OF REPORTING FEE 
                        MULTIPLIERS.

    (a) Through July 31, 2018.--
            (1) In general.--Section 412 of the Jeff Miller and Richard 
        Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 
        2016 (Public Law 114-315; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 25, 
                2017'' and inserting ``July 31, 2018''; and
                    (B) by striking subsection (b).
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The heading for subsection (a) of 
        such section is amended by striking ``September 25, 2017'' and 
        inserting ``July 31, 2018''.

    (b) <<NOTE: Time period. Applicability.>>  August 1, 2018, Through 
July 31, 2020.--During the period beginning on August 1, 2018, and 
ending on July 31, 2020, section 3684(c)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, as amended by section 304 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) shall be applied 
by substituting ``$15'' for ``$16''.

                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

SEC. 501. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO HARRY W. COLMERY VETERANS 
                        EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2017.

    (a) Use of State Approving Agencies for Oversight Activities.--
Section 3673(d) is amended by inserting ``compliance and'' before 
``risk-based surveys''.
    (b) Calculation of Monthly Housing Stipend Under Post-9/11 
Educational Assistance Program Based on Location of Campus Where Classes 
Are Attended.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3313(g)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) is amended 
        by striking ``the institution at which the individual is 
        enrolled'' and inserting ``the campus of the institution of 
        where the individual physically participates in a majority of 
        classes''.
            (2) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3313 note.>>  Effective date.--The 
        amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to 
        enrollment for a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, 
        commencing on or after August 1, 2018.
            (3) Additional technical correction.--Subsection (b) of 
        section 107 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational 
        Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3313 
        note.>>  is amended to read as follows:

[[Page 131 STAT. 1166]]

    ``(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to enrollment for a quarter, semester, or term, as 
applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.''.
    (c) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During Active Duty 
Service.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (j) of section 3313 <<NOTE: 38 
        USC 3313.>>  is amended to read as follows:

    ``(j) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During Active Duty 
Service.--For any month during which an individual who is entitled to a 
monthly housing stipend under this section is performing active duty 
service, the Secretary shall determine the amount of such stipend 
payable to such individual for such month on a pro rata basis for the 
period of such month during which the individual is not performing 
active duty service.''.
            (2) <<NOTE: Effective date. 38 USC 3313 note.>>  
        Applicability.--Such subsection, as amended by paragraph (1), 
        shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as 
        applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.

    (d) Special Application of School Closure Rule to Recently Enrolled 
Individuals.--Subparagraph (B) of section 109(c)(1) of the Harry W. 
Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-
48) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3699 note.>>  is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Special application.--
                          ``(i) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  In general.--
                      With respect to courses and programs of education 
                      discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 
                      38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
                      (a)(1), during the period beginning January 1, 
                      2015, and ending on the date of the enactment of 
                      this Act, an individual described in clause (ii) 
                      who does not transfer credits from such program of 
                      education shall be deemed to be an individual who 
                      did not receive such credits, as described in 
                      subsection (b)(2) of such section, except that the 
                      period for which such individual's entitlement is 
                      not charged shall be the entire period of the 
                      individual's enrollment in the program of 
                      education. <<NOTE: Consultation. Procedures.>>  In 
                      carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary of 
                      Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the 
                      Secretary of Education, shall establish procedures 
                      to determine whether the individual transferred 
                      credits to a comparable course or program of 
                      education.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1167]]

                          ``(ii) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  Individual 
                      described.--An individual described in this clause 
                      is an individual who is enrolled in a course or 
                      program of education discontinued as described in 
                      clause (i) during the period beginning on the date 
                      that is 120 days before the date of such 
                      discontinuance and ending on the date of such 
                      discontinuance.''.

    Approved September 29, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 3819:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
            Sept. 25, considered and passed House.
            Sept. 27, considered and passed Senate.

                                  <all>