To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring authorities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to authorize medical construction projects for that Department for fiscal year 1996, and for other purposes.

Summary: Extends through December 31, 1997, the following authorities of the Department of Veterans Affairs:  (1) the authority to provide outpatient services to Persian Gulf veterans exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards during such service; (2) the authority to contract with community-based treatment facilities for the care of eligible veterans suffering from alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities (also extends a certain evaluation in connection with such treatment); (3) the authority to enter into agreements with States and nonprofit organizations for the provision of housing assistance for homeless veterans ( requires a report); (5) the Department's health professionals scholarship program (requires a report); (6) the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced-use leases of Department real property; (7) the authority under the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 for a pilot program providing community-based residential care for homeless chronically mentally ill veterans; and (8) the Department's compensated work therapy and therapeutic transitional housing program. 
Extends through December 31, 1996, a pilot program for determining noninstitutional alternatives to veterans' nursing home care (requires a report). 
Repeals the authority of the Secretary to make contracts and grants for providing care and treatment for veterans at the Department's Veterans Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines. 
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the Department's major medical facility projects and leases for which funds are requested in the President's FY 1996 budget and for which authorization is required.  Authorizes FY 1996 appropriations to the Secretary for such projects and leases, with limitations.

SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) Outpatient Services for Persian Gulf Veterans Exposed to Toxic 
Substances.--Section 1712(a)(1)(D) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (b) Contract Authority for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Care.--(1) 
Subsection (e) of section 1720A of such title is amended by striking 
out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 
1997''.
    (2) Subsection (f) of such section is amended by striking out 
``October 1, 1997'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``March 31, 1998''.
    (c) Nursing Home Care Alternatives.--(1) Section 1720C(a) of such 
title is amended by striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting 
in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1996''.
    (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a 
report, not later than March 31, 1996, on the medical efficacy and cost 
effectiveness, and disadvantages and advantages, associated with the 
use by the Secretary of noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home 
care.
    (d) Real Property for Use by Homeless Veterans.--(1) Section 
3735(c) of such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' 
and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a 
report, not later than March 31, 1997, on the operation of the program 
under section 3735 of such title relating to housing assistance for 
homeless veterans. The report shall include the number of veterans 
served by the program and the costs of the program and any savings 
generated to the Government under the program.
    (e) Health Scholarships Program.--(1) Section 7618 of such title is 
amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a 
report, not later than March 31, 1997, on the operation of the health 
scholarships program under subchapter 2 of chapter 76 of title 38, 
United States Code. The report shall include the number and types of 
scholarships awarded and the effect of the program on retention of 
employees by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (f) Enhanced-Use Leases of Real Property.--Section 8169 is amended 
by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
``December 31, 1997''.
    (g) Community-Based Residential Care for Homeless Chronically 
Mentally Ill Veterans.--Section 115(d) of the Veterans' Benefits and 
Services Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-322; 38 U.S.C. 1712 note) is 
amended by striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (h) Compensated Work Therapy and Therapeutic Transitional Housing 
Program.--Section 7 of Public Law 102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking out ``During fiscal 
        years 1991 through 1995, the Secretary'' and inserting in lieu 
        thereof ``The Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) Sunset.--The authority for the demonstration program under 
this section expires on December 31, 1997.''.

SEC. 2. REPEAL OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS MEMORIAL MEDICAL 
              CENTER IN THE PHILIPPINES.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 1732 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking out subsection (b);
            (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b) and 
        striking out ``or grant'' both places it appears in that 
        subsection; and
            (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c) and 
        striking out ``and to make grants'' in that subsection.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading of such section is 
amended by striking out ``and grants''.
    (2) The item relating to such section in the table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by striking out 
``and grants''.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR FISCAL 
              YEAR 1996.

    (a) Project Authorization.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
carry out the major medical facility projects for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and may carry out the major medical facility leases 
for that Department, for which funds are requested in the budget of the 
President for fiscal year 1996 and for which authorization is required 
under section 8104(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
    (b) Funding Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1996--
            (1) $224,800,000 for the major medical facility projects 
        authorized in subsection (a); and
            (2) $2,790,000 for the major medical facility leases 
        authorized in subsection (a).
    (c) Limitations.--The projects authorized in subsection (a) may 
only be carried out using--
            (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 1996 pursuant to the 
        authorization of appropriations in subsection (b);
            (2) funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs for Construction, Major Projects, for any fiscal year 
        that remain available for obligation; and
            (3) funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs for Construction, Major Projects, for any fiscal year 
        for a category of activity not specific to a project.