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

    Public Law 115-407
    115th Congress

    An Act

    To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs to provide certain burial benefits for spouses and
    children of veterans who are buried in tribal cemeteries, 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 ``Veterans Benefits
    and Transition Act of 2018''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
    follows:

    Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

    TITLE I--EDUCATION

    Sec. 101. Inclusion of certain additional periods of active duty service
    for purposes of suspension of charges to entitlement during
    periods of suspended participation in Department of Veterans
    Affairs vocational rehabilitation programs.
    Sec. 102. Provision of monthly housing stipend information under Post-9/
    11 Educational Assistance Program.
    Sec. 103. Disapproval for purposes of educational assistance programs of
    Department of Veterans Affairs of certain courses of
    education that do not permit individuals to attend or
    participate in courses pending payment.
    Sec. 104. Provision of information on required additional actions to
    allow individuals to stay enrolled in courses of education
    pending receipt of educational assistance from department of
    veterans affairs.
    Sec. 105. Calculation of monthly housing stipend under high technology
    pilot program based on location of campus where veteran
    attends classes.
    Sec. 106. Clarification regarding applicability of authority to use
    educational assistance to pursue independent study programs
    at certain educational institutions that are not institutions
    of higher learning.

    TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

    Sec. 201. Eligibility of spouses and children of veterans buried in
    tribal cemeteries for certain Department of Veterans Affairs
    burial benefits.
    Sec. 202. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of headstones and
    markers for, and interment in national cemeteries of, spouses
    and dependent children of members of the Armed Forces serving
    on active duty.

    TITLE III--CIVIL RELIEF

    Sec. 301. Termination of leases of premises of deceased servicemembers
    who die while in military service.
    Sec. 302. Residence of spouses of servicemembers for tax purposes.
    Sec. 303. Residence of spouses of servicemembers for voting.
    Sec. 304. Termination of multichannel video programming and internet
    access service contracts.

    TITLE IV--TRANSITION ASSISTANCE

    Sec. 401. Study of community-based transition assistance programs for
    members of the Armed Forces after separation, retirement, or
    discharge.

    [[Page 5369]]

    TITLE V--DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

    Sec. 501. Misuse of Department of Veterans Affairs purchase cards by
    Department employees.
    Sec. 502. Updating dependent information.
    Sec. 503. Oversight of Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.
    Sec. 504. Department of Veterans Affairs notice relating to debt
    collection activities.

    TITLE VI--MEDICAL FACILITIES

    Sec. 601. Authorization of major medical facility projects for fiscal
    year 2019.
    Sec. 602. Plans to improve medical facilities of the Department of
    Veterans Affairs.

    TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

    Sec. 701. Homeless veterans reintegration programs.
    Sec. 702. Technical corrections.
    Sec. 703. Medical Surgical Prime Vendor program.
    Sec. 704. Report on expanding access to dental care for veterans
    eligible for health care from the Department of Veterans
    Affairs.

    TITLE I--EDUCATION

    SEC. 101. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF ACTIVE DUTY
    SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF SUSPENSION OF
    CHARGES TO ENTITLEMENT DURING PERIODS OF
    SUSPENDED PARTICIPATION IN DEPARTMENT OF
    VETERANS AFFAIRS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
    PROGRAMS.

    Section 3105(e)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
    striking ``or 12304'' and inserting ``12304, 12304a, or 12304b''.
    SEC. 102. PROVISION OF MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND INFORMATION UNDER
    POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding
    at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(k) Provision of Housing Stipend Payment Information.--
    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall furnish to
    individuals receiving educational assistance under this chapter
    documentation that verifies the amount of the monthly housing
    stipend the individual receives under this section.
    ``(2) <>  Manner.--The Secretary shall
    make such documentation available to the individual using an
    internet website in the same manner the Secretary provides
    documentation verifying compensation and other benefits
    furnished by the Secretary to individuals.''.
    SEC. 103. DISAPPROVAL FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
    PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    OF CERTAIN COURSES OF EDUCATION THAT DO
    NOT PERMIT INDIVIDUALS TO ATTEND OR
    PARTICIPATE IN COURSES PENDING PAYMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, is
    amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) <>  Notwithstanding any other
    provision of this chapter, beginning on August 1, 2019, a State
    approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State
    approving agency, shall disapprove a course of education provided by an
    educational institution that has in effect a policy that is inconsistent
    with any of the following:
    ``(A) <>  A policy that permits
    any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of
    education during the period beginning on the date on which the
    individual provides to

    [[Page 5370]]

    the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for
    entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 of
    this title and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
    ``(i) The date on which the Secretary provides
    payment for such course of education to such
    institution.
    ``(ii) The date that is 90 days after the date on
    which the educational institution certifies for tuition
    and fees following receipt from the student such
    certificate of eligibility.
    ``(B) A policy that ensures that the educational institution
    will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late
    fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other
    institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered
    individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual
    because of the individual's inability to meet his or her
    financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed
    disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Secretary under
    chapter 31 or 33 of this title.

    ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any
    individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31 or
    33 of this title.
    ``(3) <>  The Secretary may waive such
    requirements of paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate.

    ``(4) It shall not be inconsistent with a policy described in
    paragraph (1) for an educational institution to require a covered
    individual to take the following additional actions:
    ``(A) <>  Submit a certificate of
    eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance not later
    than the first day of a course of education for which the
    individual has indicated the individual wishes to use the
    individual's entitlement to educational assistance.
    ``(B) Submit a written request to use such entitlement.
    ``(C) Provide additional information necessary to the proper
    certification of enrollment by the educational institution.''.

    (b) <>  Prompt Payments.--
    (1) <>  In general.--The Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs shall take such actions as may be necessary to
    ensure that the Secretary makes a payment to an educational
    institution on behalf of an individual, who is entitled to
    educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 of title 38,
    United States Code, and who is using such assistance to pursue a
    program of education at the educational institution, not later
    than 60 days after the date on which the educational institution
    certifies to the Secretary the applicable tuition and fees for
    the individual.
    (2) Semiannual reports.--Not later than May 1 and October 1
    of each year, 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 semiannual report
    summarizing any cases in which the Secretary failed to make a
    payment described in paragraph (1) within the period set forth
    in such paragraph and an explanation for each delayed
    disbursement of payment.

    (c) <>  Rule of Construction.--In a case in
    which an individual is unable to meet a financial obligation to an
    educational institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to
    be provided by the Secretary under chapter 31 or 33 of such title and
    the amount of such disbursement is less than anticipated, nothing

    [[Page 5371]]

    in section 3679(e) of such title, as added by subsection (a), shall be
    construed to prohibit an educational institution from requiring
    additional payment or imposing a fee for the amount that is the
    difference between the amount of the financial obligation and the amount
    of the disbursement.
    SEC. 104. PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON REQUIRED ADDITIONAL ACTIONS
    TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO STAY ENROLLED IN
    COURSES OF EDUCATION PENDING RECEIPT OF
    EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FROM DEPARTMENT OF
    VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    Section 3698(c)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
    (1) in clause (x), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
    semicolon;
    (2) in clause (xi), by striking the period at the end and
    inserting ``; and''; and
    (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
    ``(xii) information on whether the institution
    requires a covered individual to take additional action
    pursuant to section 3679(e)(4) of this title to stay
    enrolled in a course pending receipt of educational
    assistance under a law administered by the Secretary.''.
    SEC. 105. CALCULATION OF MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND UNDER HIGH
    TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM BASED ON LOCATION
    OF CAMPUS WHERE VETERAN ATTENDS CLASSES.

    Section 116(d)(1) of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational
    Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48, 38 U.S.C. 3001 (note)), is
    amended--
    (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the institution at
    which the individual is enrolled'' and inserting ``the campus of
    the institution where the individual physically participates in
    a majority of classes''; and
    (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``the amount payable''
    and all that follows through ``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting
    ``the national average of the monthly amount of the basic
    allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37,
    United States Code, for a member with dependents in pay grade E-
    5''.
    SEC. 106. CLARIFICATION REGARDING APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY TO
    USE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO PURSUE
    INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS AT CERTAIN
    EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE NOT
    INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.

    The section heading for section 302 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans
    Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48; 131 Stat. 990) is
    amended to read as follows (and the table of contents for such Act is
    conformed accordingly):

    [[Page 5372]]

    ``SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER
    ANY OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
    OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO
    PURSUE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS AT
    CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE
    NOT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.''.

    TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

    SEC. 201. ELIGIBILITY OF SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF VETERANS BURIED
    IN TRIBAL CEMETERIES FOR CERTAIN
    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BURIAL
    BENEFITS.

    Section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
    (1) in subsection (a)(4), by inserting ``or a veterans'
    cemetery owned by a tribal organization or on land owned by or
    held in trust for a tribal organization'' after ``State'';
    (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``, a veterans'
    cemetery of a tribal organization or on land owned by or held in
    trust for a tribal organization'' after ``owned by a State'';
    (3) in subsection (f)--
    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
    subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
    (B) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting
    ``(1) The Secretary'';
    (C) by striking ``a national cemetery or in a
    veterans cemetery of a State or tribal organization for
    which the Department has provided a grant under section
    2408 of this title'' and inserting ``a covered
    cemetery''; and
    (D) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(2) <>  The term `covered cemetery' means any
    of the following:
    ``(A) A national cemetery.
    ``(B) A veterans' cemetery of a State for which the
    Department has provided a grant under section 2408 of this
    title.
    ``(C) A veterans' cemetery of a tribal organization or on
    land owned by or held in trust for a tribal organization for
    which the Department has provided a grant under subsection (f)
    of such section.''; and
    (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

    ``(i) <>  In this section, the term `tribal
    organization' has the meaning given such term in section 3765 of this
    title.''.
    SEC. 202. <>  DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
    AFFAIRS PROVISION OF HEADSTONES AND
    MARKERS FOR, AND INTERMENT IN NATIONAL
    CEMETERIES OF, SPOUSES AND DEPENDENT
    CHILDREN OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
    SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY.

    (a) Headstones and Markers.--Section 2306(b)(2) of title 38, United
    States Code, is amended--
    (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, or the spouse of a
    member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty under
    conditions other than dishonorable, as shown by a statement from
    a general court-martial convening authority, at the time of the
    spouse's death if such death occurs before October 1, 2024''
    after ``veteran''; and
    (2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, or the eligible
    dependent child of a member of the Armed Forces serving on
    active duty under conditions other than dishonorable, as

    [[Page 5373]]

    shown by a statement from a general court-martial convening
    authority, at the time of the child's death if such death occurs
    before October 1, 2024'' after ``veteran''.

    (b) Interment in National Cemeteries.--Section 2402(a)(5) of such
    title is amended by inserting ``, and the spouse, minor child, and, in
    the discretion of the Secretary, unmarried adult child of a member of
    the Armed Forces serving on active duty under conditions other than
    dishonorable, as shown by a statement from a general court-martial
    convening authority, at the time of the spouse's or child's death if
    such death occurs before October 1, 2024'' after ``paragraph (7)''.

    TITLE III--CIVIL RELIEF

    SEC. 301. TERMINATION OF LEASES OF PREMISES OF DECEASED
    SERVICEMEMBERS WHO DIE WHILE IN MILITARY
    SERVICE.

    Section 305(a) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C.
    3955) is amended--
    (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``by Lessee'';
    (2) in the heading for paragraph (1), by striking ``In
    general'' and inserting ``Termination by lessee''; and
    (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) <>  Death of
    lessee.--The spouse of the lessee on a lease described in
    subsection (b)(1) may terminate the lease during the one-year
    period beginning on the date of the death of the lessee, if the
    lessee dies while in military service or while performing full-
    time National Guard duty, active Guard and Reserve duty, or
    inactive-duty training (as such terms are defined in section
    101(d) of title 10, United States Code).''.
    SEC. 302. RESIDENCE OF SPOUSES OF SERVICEMEMBERS FOR TAX PURPOSES.

    (a) Residence for Tax Purposes.--Section 511(a)(2) of the
    Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 4001(a)(2)) is amended--
    (1) by striking ``A spouse'' and inserting the following:
    ``(A) In general.--A spouse''; and
    (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) Election.--For any taxable year of the
    marriage, the spouse of a servicemember may elect to use
    the same residence for purposes of taxation as the
    servicemember regardless of the date on which the
    marriage of the spouse and the servicemember
    occurred.''.

    (b) <>  Applicability.--The amendments made
    by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any return of State or
    local income tax filed for any taxable year beginning with the taxable
    year that includes the date of the enactment of this Act.
    SEC. 303. RESIDENCE OF SPOUSES OF SERVICEMEMBERS FOR VOTING.

    (a) In General.--Section 705(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief
    Act (50 U.S.C. 4025(b)) is amended--
    (1) by striking ``State or local office'' and all that
    follows through the period at the end of paragraph (3) and
    inserting ``State or local office--''; and
    (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
    ``(1) a person who is absent from a State because the person
    is accompanying the person's spouse who is absent

    [[Page 5374]]

    from that same State in compliance with military or naval orders
    shall not, solely by reason of that absence--
    ``(A) be deemed to have lost a residence or domicile
    in that State, without regard to whether or not the
    person intends to return to that State;
    ``(B) be deemed to have acquired a residence or
    domicile in any other State; or
    ``(C) be deemed to have become a resident in or a
    resident of any other State; and
    ``(2) the spouse of a servicemember may elect to use the
    same residence as the servicemember regardless of the date on
    which the marriage of the spouse and the servicemember
    occurred.''.

    (b) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments
    made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 90 days
    after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    SEC. 304. TERMINATION OF MULTICHANNEL VIDEO PROGRAMMING AND
    INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE CONTRACTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 305A of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
    (50 U.S.C. 3956) is amended--
    (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``, multichannel
    video programming, and internet access'' after ``telephone'';
    (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``cellular telephone
    service or telephone exchange service'' and inserting
    ``commercial mobile service, telephone exchange service,
    internet access service, or multichannel video programming
    service'';
    (3) in subsection (c), by inserting ``for commercial mobile
    service or telephone exchange service'' before ``terminated'';
    (4) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding paragraph
    (1), by striking ``cellular telephone service'' and inserting
    ``commercial mobile service'';
    (5) in subsection (e)--
    (A) by striking ``For any'' and inserting the
    following:
    ``(1) In general.--For any'';
    (B) by striking ``If the'' and inserting the
    following:
    ``(2) Reinstatement of service.--If the''; and
    (C) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) <>  Return of provider-owned
    equipment.--If a servicemember terminates a contract under
    subsection (a), the servicemember shall return any provider-
    owned consumer premises equipment to the service provider not
    later than 10 days after the date on which service is
    disconnected.''; and
    (6) in subsection (g)--
    (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4);
    and
    (B) <>  by striking paragraph
    (1) and inserting the following:
    ``(1) The term `commercial mobile service' has the meaning
    given that term in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of
    1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d)).
    ``(2) The term `multichannel video programming service'
    means a subscription video service offered by a multichannel
    video programming distributor, as that term is defined in
    section 602 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 522),
    over a system the distributor owns or controls.

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    ``(3) The term `provider-owned consumer premises equipment'
    means any equipment that a provider of internet access service
    or multichannel video programming service rents or loans to a
    customer during the provision of that service, including
    gateways, routers, cable modems, voice-capable modems,
    CableCARDs, converters, digital adapters, remote controls, and
    any other equipment provided.''.

    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
    (1) Title heading.--The heading for title III of the
    Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is amended by striking
    ``TELEPHONE'' and inserting ``COMMUNICATIONS''.
    (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents in section
    1(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is amended--
    (A) by striking the item relating to title III and
    inserting the following new item:

    ``TITLE III--RENT, INSTALLMENT CONTRACTS, MORTGAGES, LIENS, ASSIGNMENT,
    LEASES, COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE CONTRACTS'';

    and
    (B) by striking the item relating to section 305A
    and inserting the following new item:

    ``Sec. 305A. Termination of telephone, multichannel video programming,
    and internet access service contracts.''.

    TITLE IV--TRANSITION ASSISTANCE

    SEC. 401. STUDY OF COMMUNITY-BASED TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
    FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AFTER
    SEPARATION, RETIREMENT, OR DISCHARGE.

    (a) <>  Study.--The Secretary of Veterans
    Affairs, in consultation with State entities that serve members of the
    Armed Forces who are retired, separated, or discharged from the Armed
    Forces, shall enter into an agreement with an appropriate non-Federal
    entity to carry out a study to identify community-based programs--
    (1) that provide transition assistance to such members; and
    (2) operated by nonprofit entities.

    (b) <>  Transmission to Members.--The Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs shall transmit the list of programs identified under
    this section to the Secretary of Defense so the Secretaries of the
    military departments may provide information in the list to members of
    the Armed Forces who participate in the Transition Assistance Program
    under sections 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code.

    (c) Online Publication.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
    publish the most recent version of the list of programs identified under
    this section on a public website of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    [[Page 5376]]

    TITLE V--DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

    SEC. 501. MISUSE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PURCHASE CARDS
    BY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United
    States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
    section:
    ``Sec. 728. <>  Misuse of Department purchase
    cards

    ``(a) <>  In General.--(1) The Secretary shall
    prohibit any employee of the Department who the Secretary or the
    Inspector General of the Department determines has knowingly misused a
    purchase card from serving as a purchase card holder or approving
    official.

    ``(2) Such a prohibition shall be in addition to any other
    applicable penalty.
    ``(b) <>  Misuse.--For purposes of this section,
    the term `misuse' means--
    ``(1) splitting purchases;
    ``(2) exceeding applicable purchase card limits or purchase
    thresholds;
    ``(3) purchasing any unauthorized item;
    ``(4) using a purchase card without being an authorized
    purchase card holder; or
    ``(5) violating ethics standards.''.

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
    such chapter <>  is amended by inserting after
    the item relating to section 728 the following new item:

    ``728. Misuse of Department purchase cards.''.

    SEC. 502. <>  UPDATING DEPENDENT
    INFORMATION.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make such changes to such
    information technology systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
    including the eBenefits system or successor system, as may be necessary
    so that whenever the Secretary records in such systems information about
    a dependent of a person, the person is able to review and revise such
    information.
    SEC. 503. <>  OVERSIGHT OF
    ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD MODERNIZATION
    PROGRAM.

    (a) <>  Program Documents.--
    Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate
    congressional committees the following documents concerning the
    Electronic Health Record Modernization Program:
    (1) Integrated Master Plan.
    (2) Integrated Master Schedule.
    (3) Program Management Plan.
    (4) Annual and lifecycle cost estimates, including, at a
    minimum, cost elements relating to--
    (A) Federal Government labor;
    (B) contractor labor;
    (C) hardware;
    (D) software; and
    (E) testing and evaluation.

    [[Page 5377]]

    (5) Cost baseline.
    (6) Risk Management Plan.
    (7) Health IT Strategic Architecture Plan.
    (8) Transition Plan for implementing updated architecture.
    (9) Data Migration Plan.
    (10) System and Data Security Plan.
    (11) Application Implementation Plan.
    (12) System Design Documents.
    (13) Legacy Veterans Information Systems and Technology
    Architecture Standardization, Security Enhancement, and
    Consolidation Project Plan.
    (14) Health Data Interoperability Management Plan.
    (15) Community Care Vision and Implementation Plan,
    including milestones and a detailed description of how complete
    interoperability with non-Department health care providers will
    be achieved.

    (b) <>  Quarterly Updates.--Not later
    than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter during the period
    beginning with the fiscal quarter in which this Act is enacted and
    ending on the date on which the Electronic Health Record Modernization
    Program is completed, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
    congressional committees the most recent updated versions, if any exist,
    of the following documents:
    (1) Integrated Master Schedule.
    (2) Program Management Plan, including any written Program
    Management Review material developed for the Program Management
    Plan during the fiscal quarter covered by the submission.
    (3) Each document described in subsection (a)(4).
    (4) Performance Baseline Report for the fiscal quarter
    covered by the submission or for the fiscal quarter ending the
    fiscal year prior to the submission.
    (5) Budget Reconciliation Report.
    (6) Risk Management Plan and Risk Register.

    (c) <>  Contracts.--Not later than 5 days after
    awarding a contract, order, or agreement, including any modifications
    thereto, under the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program, the
    Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
    copy of the entire such contract, order, agreement, or modification.

    (d) Notification.--
    (1) <>  Requirement.--Not later than 10
    days after an event described in paragraph (2) occurs, the
    Secretary shall notify the appropriate congressional committees
    of such occurrence, including a description of the event and an
    explanation for why such event occurred.
    (2) Event described.--An event described in this paragraph
    is any of the following events regarding the Electronic Health
    Record Modernization Program:
    (A) The delay of any milestone or deliverable by 30
    or more days.
    (B) A request for equitable adjustment, equitable
    adjustment, or change order exceeding $1,000,000 (as
    such terms are defined in the Federal Acquisition
    Regulation).
    (C) The submission of any protest, claim, or
    dispute, and the resolution of any protest, claim, or
    dispute (as such terms are defined in the Federal
    Acquisition Regulation).

    [[Page 5378]]

    (D) A loss of clinical or other data.
    (E) A breach of patient privacy, including any--
    (i) disclosure of protected health information
    that is not permitted under regulations
    promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health
    Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
    1996 (Public Law 104-191; 42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 note);
    and
    (ii) breach of sensitive personal information
    (as defined in section 5727 of title 38, United
    States Code).

    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
    (1) The term ``appropriate congressional committees''
    means--
    (A) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House
    of Representatives and the Senate; and
    (B) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
    Representatives and the Senate.
    (2) The term ``Electronic Health Record Modernization
    Program'' means--
    (A) any activities by the Department of Veterans
    Affairs to procure or implement an electronic health or
    medical record system to replace any or all of the
    Veterans Information Systems and Technology
    Architecture, the Computerized Patient Record System,
    the Joint Legacy Viewer, or the Enterprise Health
    Management Platform; and
    (B) any contracts or agreements entered into by the
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out, support, or
    analyze the activities under subparagraph (A).
    SEC. 504. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NOTICE RELATING TO DEBT
    COLLECTION ACTIVITIES.

    (a) <>  Debt
    Notification Letter Formats.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
    collaborate with veterans service organizations to develop a standard
    format for any letter provided to an individual who the Secretary
    determines is indebted to the United States by virtue of such
    individual's participation in a benefits program administered by the
    Secretary. Such letter shall be written in plain language and shall
    include a notice of the debt and a clear explanation of--
    (1) why the individual is indebted to the United States by
    virtue of such person's participation in a benefits program
    administered by the Secretary; and
    (2) the options available to the individual.

    (b) Delivery of Debt Notices by Standard Mail and Electronic
    Means.--The Secretary <>  shall develop a
    method by which individuals may elect to receive notice of debt by
    electronic means and shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the
    letter developed under subsection (a) is delivered--
    (1) by both standard mail and by electronic means to
    intended recipients who have made such an election; and
    (2) only by standard mail to intended recipients who have
    not made such an election.

    (c) <>  Notice to Congress.--
    (1) Notices of completion.--Upon completion of the
    development of the standard letter format required under
    subsection (a) and upon completion of development of the method
    by which individuals may elect to receive notice of debt by

    [[Page 5379]]

    electronic means under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
    submit to Congress notice of the completion of the respective
    development.
    (2) <>  Progress reports.--If the
    Secretary has not submitted each notice required by paragraph
    (1) by the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment
    of this Act, the Secretary shall--
    (A) submit to Congress a report describing the
    progress of the Secretary toward implementing
    subsections (a) and (b) and an explanation for why the
    respective development has not been completed; and
    (B) every 30 days thereafter until all of the
    notices required by paragraph (1) have been submitted,
    submit to Congress an update to the report under
    subparagraph (A) that includes an additional explanation
    for the failure to complete the respective development.

    (d) Study and Report.--
    (1) <>  Study.--The Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of the
    Treasury, shall conduct a study on the process by which
    individuals who are indebted to the United States by virtue of
    their participation in a benefits program administered by the
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs are notified of debt collection
    efforts relating to such indebtedness.
    (2) <>  Elements.--The study required by
    paragraph (1) shall include the following:
    (A) An analysis of the scope of the problem of
    individuals who are indebted to the United States by
    virtue of their participation in a benefits program
    administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs not
    receiving debt collection notices relating to such
    indebtedness.
    (B) <>  Identification of
    administrative actions the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    and the Secretary of the Treasury can carry out to
    reduce the number of incorrect or unknown addresses of
    such individuals in the databases of the Department
    Veterans Affairs and the Department of the Treasury and
    a timeline for carrying out such actions.
    (C) <>  An estimate of the
    costs associated with sending debt collection notices to
    such individuals by certified mail.
    (D) An analysis of whether, or to what extent,
    sending debt collection notices to such individuals by
    certified mail would address the problem analyzed under
    subparagraph (A).
    (E) An analysis of the requirements and resources
    that would be necessary for the Secretary of Veterans
    Affairs to establish a method for the Secretary to
    display in one consolidated document the details
    regarding all of the debts of an individual to the
    United States by virtue of such individual's
    participation in a benefits program administered by the
    Secretary.
    (F) An analysis of the extent to which such
    individuals are so indebted by reason of actions by the
    Secretary or by actions of the individual, including any
    trends relating to whether the actions of the individual
    may be by reason of error, misrepresentation, or fraud.
    (3) <>  Report.--Not later than one
    year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
    of Veterans Affairs,

    [[Page 5380]]

    in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit
    to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretaries with
    respect to the study conducted under paragraph (1).

    TITLE VI--MEDICAL FACILITIES

    SEC. 601. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS FOR
    FISCAL YEAR 2019.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the
    following major medical facility projects in fiscal year 2019 at the
    locations specified and in an amount for each project not to exceed the
    amount specified for such location:
    (1) <>  Construction of a community living
    center and renovation of domiciliary and outpatient facilities
    in Canandaigua, New York, in an amount not to exceed
    $351,980,000 (an increase of $193,000,000 as compared to the
    previous authorization for such project).
    (2) <>  Renovation of space for a
    simulation training education center in North Chicago, Illinois,
    in an amount not to exceed $15,980,000.
    (3) <>  Construction of a surgical
    intensive care unit and renovation to expand the operating room
    suite in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in an amount not to exceed
    $29,461,000.
    (4) <>  Construction of a new medical
    facility in Louisville, Kentucky, in an amount not to exceed
    $450,000,000 (an increase of $300,000,000 as compared to the
    previous authorization for such project).

    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
    appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2019
    or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major
    Projects account, $847,421,000 for the projects authorized in subsection
    (a).
    SEC. 602. <>  PLANS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL
    FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
    AFFAIRS.

    (a) <>  Plans Required.--
    (1) Plans of directors of medical facilities.--Not later
    than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall require each director of a
    medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit
    to the director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network that
    covers the facility a plan to improve such facility.
    (2) Plans of directors of veterans integrated service
    networks.--The Secretary shall require each director of a
    Veterans Integrated Service Network to submit to the Secretary,
    not later than 60 days after receiving all of the plans under
    paragraph (1), a plan, based on the plans received under
    paragraph (1), to improve the facilities within that Veterans
    Integrated Service Network in such a fashion that would improve
    the ability of all facilities within that network to provide the
    best and most efficient care to patients.

    (b) Regular Reports.--The Secretary shall ensure that each director
    of a Veterans Integrated Service Network submits to the Secretary, not
    later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and not
    less frequently than once every two years thereafter, a report on the
    actions taken by the director to improve

    [[Page 5381]]

    the facilities within that Veterans Integrated Service Network and what
    further such actions might be necessary.
    (c) Sense of Congress on Use of Authorities to Investigate Medical
    Centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.--It is the sense of
    Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should make full use of
    the authorities provided by section 2 of the Enhancing Veteran Care Act
    (Public Law 115-95; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).

    TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

    SEC. 701. HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
    (1) by striking ``reintegration of homeless veterans into
    the labor force.'' and inserting the following: ``reintegration
    into the labor force of--''; and
    (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
    ``(1) homeless veterans (including veterans who were
    homeless but found housing during the 60-day period preceding
    the date on which the veteran begins to participate in a program
    under this section);
    ``(2) veterans participating in the Department of Veterans
    Affairs supported housing program for which rental assistance is
    provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the United States
    Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) or the Tribal HUD-
    VA Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) program;
    ``(3) Indians who are veterans and receiving assistance
    under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self
    Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.);
    ``(4) veterans described in section 2023(e) of this title or
    any other veterans who are transitioning from being
    incarcerated; and
    ``(5) veterans participating in the Department of Veterans
    Affairs rapid rehousing and prevention program authorized in
    section 2044 of this title.''.
    SEC. 702. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Title 38.--Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
    (1) <>  In the table of sections
    at the beginning of chapter 55, by inserting a period at the end
    of the item relating to section 5501A.
    (2) In section 7463(c)(2)(B), by striking ``to answer to
    answer'' and inserting ``to answer''.

    (b) Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996.--Section 504 of the
    Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38
    U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by redesignating the second subsection (c)
    as subsection (d).
    SEC. 703. <>  MEDICAL SURGICAL PRIME
    VENDOR PROGRAM.

    (a) Vendors.--In procuring certain medical, surgical, and dental
    supplies or laboratory supplies for medical centers of the Department of
    Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out the
    Medical Surgical Prime Vendor program, or successor program, in a manner
    that--

    [[Page 5382]]

    (1) <>  requires the Secretary to award
    contracts to multiple regional prime vendors instead of a single
    nationwide prime vendor; and
    (2) prohibits a prime vendor from solely designing the
    formulary of such supplies.

    (b) Clinically Driven Sourcing.--
    (1) Expertise.--In carrying out the formulary of supplies
    under the Medical Surgical Prime Vendor program, or successor
    program, the Secretary shall ensure that each employee of the
    Department of Veterans Affairs who conducts formulary analyses
    or makes decisions with respect to including items on the
    formulary has medical expertise relevant to the items for which
    the employee conducts such analyses or makes such decisions.
    (2) <>  Lists.--Not later than 30 days
    after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every six
    months thereafter with respect to any updates, the Secretary
    shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House
    of Representatives and the Senate a list of each employee
    described in paragraph (1) and the relevant medical expertise of
    the employee, listed by the categories of items in the formulary
    described in such paragraph.
    SEC. 704. REPORT ON EXPANDING ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE FOR VETERANS
    ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH CARE FROM THE
    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 360 days after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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 the
    feasibility and advisability of expanding access to dental care for
    eligible veterans.
    (b) <>  Elements.--The report required by
    subsection (a) shall include the following:
    (1) An analysis of access to dental care for eligible
    veterans outside of the Department, including--
    (A) the percentage of eligible veterans currently
    enrolled in dental insurance through a third-party
    payer, including--
    (i) the dental insurance plan for veterans and
    survivors and dependents of veterans under section
    1712C of title 38, United States Code;
    (ii) the Medicaid program under title XIX of
    the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.);
    and
    (iii) employer-sponsored dental insurance;
    (B) the affordability of dental insurance described
    in subparagraph (A); and
    (C) the comprehensiveness of benefits of dental
    insurance described in subparagraph (A).
    (2) An analysis of the current oral health needs of eligible
    veterans, including an estimate of the number of eligible
    veterans who--
    (A) experience untreated cavities or decay;
    (B) require dentures, implants, or other restorative
    dental services; or
    (C) have not received regular dental cleanings
    within the two-year period preceding the report.

    [[Page 5383]]

    (3) An analysis of the financial impact to the Department of
    Veterans Affairs of providing dental care to eligible veterans,
    including--
    (A) whether the provision of such services would
    result in a reduction in total health care costs;
    (B) a cost-benefit analysis that indicates potential
    cost savings to the Department over a 5-, 10-, and 20-
    year period; and
    (C) projected cost savings to the Department and
    across the broader health care system.
    (4) An analysis of the number and types of dental providers
    necessary to treat eligible veterans, including--
    (A) dentists;
    (B) hygienists;
    (C) dental technicians; and
    (D) dental therapists.

    (c) Categories of Eligible Veterans.--The report required by
    subsection (a) shall be disaggregated by each of the following
    categories of eligible veterans:
    (1) Veterans enrolled in the system of annual patient
    enrollment of the Department pursuant to the priority group
    under subsection (a)(6) of section 1705 of such title.
    (2) Veterans enrolled in such system pursuant to the
    priority group under subsection (a)(5) of such section.
    (3) Veterans enrolled in such system pursuant to a priority
    group under any of subsections (a)(1) through (a)(4) of such
    section.
    (4) Veterans enrolled in such system pursuant to a priority
    group under subsection (a)(7) or (a)(8) of such section.

    (d) Eligible Veterans Defined.--In this section, the term ``eligible
    veterans'' means veterans enrolled in the system of annual patient
    enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and
    operated under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code.

    Approved December 31, 2018.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2248 (H.R. 3657):
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115-388 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs) accompanying
    H.R. 3657.
    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018):
    Mar. 1, considered and passed Senate.
    Dec. 10, considered and passed House, amended.
    Dec. 19, Senate concurred in House amendment.