[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-228
114th 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
2016''.

(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 authority for pilot program on counseling in
retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from
service.
Sec. 108. Extension of deadline for report on pilot program on use of
community-based organizations and local and State government
entities to ensure that veterans receive care and benefits
for which they are eligible.

TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on
Education.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real
property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 204. 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.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for
homeless veterans.

[[Page 936]]

Sec. 305. Extension and modification of authority to provide financial
assistance for supportive services for very low-income
veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans
with special needs.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless
Veterans.
Sec. 308. 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. Modification to authorization of appropriations for
comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility
for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans
with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing assistive
technology grant program.
Sec. 410. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and
interest on certificates or other securities.
Sec. 411. 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. 412. Extension of authority for performance of medical disabilities
examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 413. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
Sec. 414. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of
Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program
Office.
Sec. 415. Extension of authority to approve courses of education in
cases of withdrawal of recognition of accrediting agency by
Secretary of Education.

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) is amended by striking
``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

[[Page 937]]

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

Section 1710A(d) <>  is amended by striking
``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR
CAREGIVERS.

Section 1720G(e) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) $734,628,000 for fiscal year 2017.''.
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, 2016'' and inserting ``October 1, 2017''.
SEC. 105. 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 by striking
``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such section
is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and inserting ``2016, and 2017''.
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 ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 107. 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) is amended
by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

(b) <>  Authorization of Appropriations.--
Subsection (f) of such section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and
inserting ``2016, and 2017''.

[[Page 938]]

SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM ON USE
OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL
AND STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO ENSURE
THAT VETERANS RECEIVE CARE AND BENEFITS
FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

Section 506(g)(1) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 523 note) is amended
by striking ``180 days after the completion of the pilot program'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

Section 3692(c) <>  is amended by striking
``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL
PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and
inserting ``October 1, 2017''.
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; and
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2016,''
and inserting ``September 30, 2017,''.
SEC. 204. 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, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

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

Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND
HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN
REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.

[[Page 939]]

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, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 305. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN
FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

Subparagraph (E) of section 2044(e)(1) is amended to read as
follows:
``(E) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through
2017.''.
SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 308. 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, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
(b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30,
2017''.

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) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
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, 2016'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

[[Page 940]]

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
``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
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, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
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 ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''; and
(2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
MINORITY VETERANS.

Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 407. MODIFICATION TO AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$250,000,000'' and
inserting ``$257,700,000''.
SEC. 408. 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, 2016''
and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.

Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL
AND INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER
SECURITIES.

Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

[[Page 941]]

SEC. 411. 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, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 412. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL
DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT
PHYSICIANS.

Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003
(38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 413. RESTORATION OF PRIOR REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring
Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note) is
amended by striking ``two-year'' and inserting ``three-year''.
SEC. 414. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORT ON DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
INTERAGENCY PROGRAM OFFICE.

Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by
striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 415. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO APPROVE COURSES OF EDUCATION
IN CASES OF WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION OF
ACCREDITING AGENCY BY SECRETARY OF
EDUCATION.

Section 3679(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``Any course'' and inserting ``(1) Except as
provided by paragraph (2), any course''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(2) <>  In the
case of a course of education that would be subject to disapproval under
paragraph (1) solely for the reason that the Secretary of Education
withdraws the recognition of the accrediting agency that accredited the
course, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the
Secretary of Education, and notwithstanding the withdrawal, may continue
to treat the course as an approved course of education under this
chapter for a period not to exceed 18 months from the date of the
withdrawal of recognition of the accrediting agency, unless the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate State approving agency
determines that there is evidence to support the disapproval of the
course under this chapter. <>  The Secretary shall
provide to any veteran enrolled in

[[Page 942]]

such a course of education notice of the status of the course of
education.''.

Approved September 29, 2016.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 5985:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016):
Sept. 13, considered and passed House.
Sept. 19, considered and passed Senate.