    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 115-177
    115th Congress

    An Act

    To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of
    veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, 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. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITIES FOR PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE
    FOR ADAPTATIONS OF RESIDENCES OF
    VETERANS IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 21 of title 38, United States Code, is
    amended by inserting after section 2102A the following new section:
    ``Sec. 2102B. <>  Adaptations to residences
    of veterans in rehabilitation programs

    ``(a) <>  In General.--Subject to subsections
    (b) and (c), the Secretary may assist a veteran who is entitled to
    services and assistance under chapter 31 of this title and is pursuing a
    rehabilitation program under such chapter in acquiring such adaptations
    to such veteran's residence as are determined necessary by the Secretary
    to accomplish the purposes of such rehabilitation program.

    ``(b) <>  Amount.--(1) The aggregate amount
    of assistance available to a veteran under subsection (a) may not exceed
    $77,307. <>  The Secretary may
    waive this limitation for a veteran if the Secretary determines a waiver
    is necessary for the rehabilitation program of the veteran.

    ``(2) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2017), the
    Secretary shall increase the amount described in paragraph (1) by the
    percentage calculated under section 2102(e)(2) of this title.
    ``(3) <>  Beginning on October 1, 2019, the
    Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
    Senate and House of Representatives a biennial report on the use of the
    waiver authority under paragraph (1).

    ``(c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations
    as may be necessary to carry out this section.
    ``(d) Rehabilitation Program Defined.--In this section, the term
    `rehabilitation program' has the meaning given such term in section 3101
    of this title.''.
    (b) <>  Regulations.--
    The Secretary may provide assistance under section 2102B of such title,
    as added by subsection (a), in advance of regulations by issuing notice
    specifying the criteria for the application, approval, and oversight
    processes relating to the provision of assistance under such section.

    [[Page 1377]]

    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
    (1) Scope of services and assistance for training and
    rehabilitation.--Section 3104 of such title is amended by adding
    at the end the following new subsection:

    ``(d) The Secretary may not assist a veteran in acquiring
    adaptations to the residence of the veteran under this chapter. Any such
    assistance may be furnished only under section 2102B of this title.''.
    (2) Members of the armed forces residing outside the united
    states.--Section 2101A of such title is amended--
    (A) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection
    (d); and
    (B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following
    new subsection (c):

    ``(c) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), this
    section shall not apply to the provision of assistance under section
    2102B of this title.''.
    (3) Benefits additional to benefits under other laws.--
    Section 2104 of such title is amended--
    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``; however'' and
    all that follows through ``once'';
    (B) in subsection (b), by striking the second
    sentence; and
    (C) by adding at the end the following new
    subsection:

    ``(c) <>  The Secretary may not provide
    assistance to a veteran under this chapter if the Secretary determines
    such assistance would result in a duplication of benefits under this
    title to the veteran.''.
    (4) Exception to mandatory life insurance.--Section 2106(a)
    of such title is amended to read as follows:

    ``(a) The Secretary shall insure any individual under 70 years of
    age who has received assistance under this chapter against the death of
    the individual except for an individual who--
    ``(1) elects in writing to not receive insurance under this
    section;
    ``(2) fails to respond in a timely manner to a request from
    the Secretary for information on which the premium for such
    insurance can be based; or
    ``(3) receives such assistance under section 2102B of this
    title.''.

    [[Page 1378]]

    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
    chapter 21 of such title <>  is amended by
    inserting after the item relating to section 2102A the following new
    item:

    ``2102B. Adaptations to residences of veterans in rehabilitation
    programs.''.

    Approved June 1, 2018.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 3562:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115-386 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs).
    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
    Vol. 163 (2017):
    Nov. 6, considered and passed House.
    Vol. 164 (2018):
    May 16, considered and passed
    Senate.