[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:
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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.