    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 113-175
    113th 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. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
    SECTION 1. <>  SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF
    CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of
    Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014''.
    (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 requirement to provide nursing home care to
    certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.
    Sec. 102. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in
    retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from
    service in the Armed Forces.
    Sec. 103. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for
    child care for certain veterans receiving health care.
    Sec. 104. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service
    organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans.
    Sec. 105. Extension of requirement for report on activities of
    Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs
    Interagency Program Office.
    Sec. 106. Extension of authority for the performance of medical
    disabilities examinations by contract physicians.
    Sec. 107. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for
    hospital care and nursing home care.
    Sec. 108. 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.

    TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

    Sec. 201. Extension of current funding level for comprehensive service
    programs for homeless veterans.
    Sec. 202. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration
    programs.
    Sec. 203. Extension of authority to provide referral and counseling
    services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness.
    Sec. 204. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation
    services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans.
    Sec. 205. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for
    homeless veterans.
    Sec. 206. Extension of authority to provide financial assistance for
    supportive services for very low-income veteran families in
    permanent housing.
    Sec. 207. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans
    with special needs.
    Sec. 208. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless
    Veterans.

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

    Sec. 301. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on
    Education.

    [[Page 1902]]

    Sec. 302. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real
    property at time of foreclosure.
    Sec. 303. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.

    TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

    Sec. 401. Extension of authority to transport certain individuals to and
    from Department of Veterans Affairs 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 requirement to provide reports to Congress
    regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative
    error.
    Sec. 404. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority
    Veterans.
    Sec. 405. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility
    for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans
    with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
    Sec. 406. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
    Sec. 407. Extension of authority for agreement with National Academy of
    Sciences.
    Sec. 408. Health professionals education debt reduction.
    Sec. 409. Amendments to Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act
    of 2014.

    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 REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO
    CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED
    DISABILITIES.

    Section 1710A(d) <>  is amended by striking
    ``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
    SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING
    IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS
    NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE IN THE ARMED
    FORCES.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--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 to read as
    follows:
    ``(d) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under
    this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such section
    is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2010 and 2011'' and inserting
    ``fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2015''.

    [[Page 1903]]

    SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE
    FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS
    RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--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 to read as
    follows:
    ``(e) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under
    this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such section
    is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
    SEC. 104. 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 ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
    SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF
    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF
    VETERANS AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY PROGRAM
    OFFICE.

    Section 1635(h)(1) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public
    Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 460; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking
    ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
    SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL
    DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT
    PHYSICIANS.

    Section 704(c) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-
    183; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014''
    and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
    SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR
    HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

    Section 1710(f)(2)(B) <>  is amended by striking
    ``September 30, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
    SEC. 108. 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 by striking ``October 1, 2014'' and
    inserting ``October 1, 2015''.

    TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

    SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF CURRENT FUNDING LEVEL FOR COMPREHENSIVE
    SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$150,000,000'' and
    inserting ``$250,000,000''.

    [[Page 1904]]

    SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
    REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(e)(1)(F) <>  is amended by striking
    ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
    SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REFERRAL AND
    COUNSELING SERVICES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS
    AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (d) of section 2023 is
    amended by striking ``September 30, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30,
    2015''.
    (b) Technical Amendment.--Subsection (c)(3) of such section is
    amended by striking ``enter into contracts'' and inserting ``make
    grants''.
    SEC. 204. 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
    ``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
    (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is
    amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30,
    2015''.
    SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR
    HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and
    inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
    SEC. 206. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
    FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-
    INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT
    HOUSING.

    Section 2044(e)(1)(E) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2013 and
    2014'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2013 through 2015''.
    SEC. 207. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS
    VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting
    ``2015''.
    SEC. 208. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
    HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and
    inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

    SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY
    COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

    Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and
    inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
    SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL
    PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

    Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2014'' and
    inserting ``October 1, 2015''.

    [[Page 1905]]

    SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

    Section 3733(a)(7) <>  is amended--
    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
    ``September 30, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; and
    (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2014,''
    and inserting ``September 30, 2015,''.

    TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

    SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO TRANSPORT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS
    TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    FACILITIES.

    Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and
    inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
    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 ``December 31, 2014'' and
    inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
    SEC. 403. 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, 2014'' and
    inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
    SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
    MINORITY VETERANS.

    Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and
    inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
    SEC. 405. 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, 2014''
    and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; and
    (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``fiscal year 2014''
    and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015''.
    SEC. 406. <>  RESTORATION OF PRIOR
    REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

    During <>  the one-year period
    beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the second sentence
    of section 3684(c) shall be applied--
    (1) by substituting ``$9'' for ``$12''; and
    (2) by substituting ``$13'' for ``$15''.
    SEC. 407. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL
    ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

    Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 105
    Stat. 13; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``October 1,
    2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

    [[Page 1906]]

    SEC. 408. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION.

    Section 7683 <>  is amended--
    (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following
    new subsection:

    ``(a) In General.--Education debt reduction payments under the
    Education Debt Reduction Program shall consist of--
    ``(1) payments to individuals selected to participate in the
    program of principal and interest on loans described in section
    7682(a)(2) of this title; or
    ``(2) payments for the principal and interest on such loans
    of such individuals to the holders of such loans.'';
    (2) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking ``payments to''
    both places it appears and inserting ``payments to or for''; and
    (3) in subsection (d)--
    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``made to'' and
    inserting ``made to or for''; and
    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``payable to
    that'' and inserting ``payable to or for that''.
    SEC. 409. AMENDMENTS TO VETERANS ACCESS, CHOICE, AND
    ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2014.

    (a) Expanded Availability of Hospital Care and Medical Services.--
    Section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of
    2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
    (1) in subsection (c)--
    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``provide the
    veteran an appointment that exceeds the wait-time goals
    described in such subsection or'' before ``place such'';
    and
    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(or other
    digital channel)'' after ``website'';
    (2) in subsection (d)(1)(A), by adding at the end the
    following new sentences: <>  ``An agreement
    entered into pursuant to this subparagraph may not be treated as
    a Federal contract for the acquisition of goods or services and
    is not subject to any provision of law governing Federal
    contracts for the acquisition of goods or services. Before
    entering into an agreement pursuant to this subparagraph, the
    Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and
    consistent with the requirements of this section, furnish such
    care and services to such veterans under this section with such
    entities pursuant to sharing agreements, existing contracts
    entered into by the Secretary, or other processes available at
    medical facilities of the Department.'';
    (3) in subsection (l)(1), by inserting ``a copy of'' before
    ``any medical record''; and
    (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

    ``(t) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 of title
    44, United States Code, shall not apply in carrying out this section.''.
    (b) Collaboration Between VA and Indian Health Service.--Section 102
    of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public
    Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--

    [[Page 1907]]

    (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``The Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs shall establish'' and inserting the following:
    ``The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the
    Indian Health Service shall jointly establish and implement'';
    (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following
    new paragraph:
    ``(3) <> Entering into an agreement
    between the Department and the Indian Health Service described
    in paragraph (2)(A) with respect to the effect of such agreement
    on the priority access of any Indian to health care services
    provided through the Indian Health Service, the eligibility of
    any Indian to receive health services through the Indian Health
    Service, and the quality of health care services provided to any
    Indian through the Indian Health Service.''; and
    (3) by striking subsection (d).

    (c) Prompt Payment.--Section 105 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and
    Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is
    amended--
    (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``section 1315'' and
    inserting ``part 1315'';
    (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``chapter 39'' and
    inserting ``chapter 39 of title 31''; and
    (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``required by subsection
    (b)'' and inserting ``required by subsection (c)''.

    (d) Improvement of Access to Mobile Vet Centers.--Section 204 of the
    Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
    146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
    (1) in subsection (a)--
    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and
    readjustment counseling services'' after ``other health
    care''; and
    (B) in paragraph (2)--
    (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and
    events'' after ``locations''; and
    (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``and
    outreach contacts'' after ``appointments''; and
    (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
    (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
    inserting ``and readjustment counseling'' after
    ``telemedicine services''; and
    (ii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and
    outreach contacts'' after ``appointments'';
    (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and
    readjustment counseling'' after ``health care
    services''; and
    (C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``mobile vet
    centers and''.

    (e) Improved Transparency.--Section 206(b) of the Veterans Access,
    Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C.
    1701 note) is amended--
    (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``comprehensive database''
    and inserting ``comprehensive, machine-readable data set'';
    (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``notice in the database
    of the reason'' and inserting ``notice of the reason''; and
    (3) in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), by striking
    ``database'' each place it appears and inserting ``data''.

    (f) Information on Credentials.--Section 207 of the Veterans Access,
    Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-

    [[Page 1908]]

    146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking ``successor database''
    each place it appears and inserting ``successor data set''.
    (g) Report on Staffing Shortages.--Section 301(b)(3) of the Veterans
    Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
    146) <>  is amended--
    (1) <>  in subparagraph (A), by striking
    ``Not later'' and all that follows through ``2019'' and
    inserting the following: ``On October 1 of each year beginning
    in 2015 and ending in 2019''; and
    (2) in subparagraph (B)--
    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``at each'' and all
    that follows through the period at the end and inserting
    the following: ``or guidelines of the Department with
    respect to determining the ratio of residents to staff
    supervising residents.''; and
    (B) by striking clause (v) and inserting the
    following new clause:
    ``(v) Efforts of the Department, as of the
    date of the submittal of the report, to recruit
    and retain medical residents to work for the
    Veterans Health Administration as full-time
    employees.''.

    (h) Project ARCH.--Section 403(j) of the Veterans' Mental Health and
    Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703
    note) is amended--
    (1) by striking ``In carrying out'' and inserting
    ``Notwithstanding any provision of law relating to the use of
    competitive procedures in entering into contracts, in carrying
    out''; and
    (2) by inserting ``under this section'' after ``make use of
    contracts entered into''.

    (i) Clarification of Approval of Courses of Education Provided by
    Public Institutions of Higher Learning and In-State Tuition Rate for
    Veterans.--Paragraph (1) of section 3679(c) is amended to read as
    follows:
    ``(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and
    subject to paragraphs (3) through (6), the Secretary shall disapprove a
    course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning
    if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for covered
    individuals who are pursuing the course with educational assistance
    under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the State in which
    the institution is located at a rate that is higher than the rate the
    institution charges for tuition and

    [[Page 1909]]

    fees for that course for residents of the State in which the institution
    is located, regardless of the covered individual's State of
    residence.''.

    Approved September 26, 2014.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 5404:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
    Sept. 16, considered and passed House.
    Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate.