    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 116-128
    116th Congress

    An Act

    To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs
    of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and
    health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education
    pursued at educational institutions, 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. <>  CONTINUATION OF
    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FOR
    CERTAIN PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION
    CONVERTED TO DISTANCE LEARNING BY
    REASON OF EMERGENCIES AND HEALTH-
    RELATED SITUATIONS.

    (a) In General.-- <> In the case of a program
    of education approved by a State approving agency, or the Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs when acting in the role of a State approving agency,
    that is converted from being offered on-site at an educational
    institution to being offered by distance learning by reason of an
    emergency or health-related situation, as determined by the Secretary,
    the Secretary may continue to provide educational assistance under the
    laws administered by the Secretary without regard to such conversion,
    including with respect to paying any--
    (1) monthly housing stipends under chapter 33 of title 38,
    United States Code; or
    (2) payments or subsistence allowances under chapters 30,
    31, 32, and 35 of such title and chapters 1606 and 1607 of title
    10, United States Code.

    (b) Applicability Period.--Subsection (a) shall apply during the
    period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on December 21, 2020.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
    (1) Educational institution.--The term ``educational
    institution'' has the meaning given that term in section 3452 of
    title 38, United States Code, and includes an institution of
    higher learning (as defined in such section).
    (2) Program of education.--The term ``program of education''
    has the meaning given that term in section 3002 of title 38,
    United States Code.
    (3) State approving agency.--The term ``State approving
    agency'' has the meaning given that term in section 3671 of
    title 38, United States Code.

    [[Page 222]]

    SEC. 2. EMERGENCY DESIGNATIONS.

    (a) In General.--This Act is designated as an emergency requirement
    pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2
    U.S.C. 933(g)).
    (b) Designation in Senate.--In the Senate, this Act is designated as
    an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4112(a) of H. Con. Res. 71
    (115th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal
    year 2018.

    Approved March 21, 2020.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 3503:
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 166 (2020):
    Mar. 16, considered and passed Senate.
    Mar. 19, considered and passed House.