I 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2411

To provide improved benefits and procedures for the transition of members 

of the Armed Forces from combat zones to noncombat zones and for 

the transition of veterans from service in the Armed Forces to civilian 

life. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 17, 2005

Mr. MEEHAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL

To provide improved benefits and procedures for the transition of members of the Armed Forces from combat zones 

to noncombat zones and for the transition of veterans 

from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

4 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 

5 ‘‘Matthew Boisvert Help Extend Respect Owed to Every 

6 Soldier (HEROES) Act’’. 
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1 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 

2 this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

TITLE I—HEALTH CARE 

Sec. 101. Minimum standards for postdeployment medical examinations. 

Sec. 102. Early identification and treatment of mental health and substance 

abuse disorders. 

Sec. 103. Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for veterans. 

Sec. 104. Contracts for mental health and substance abuse treatment services 

not available through Department of Veterans Affairs clinics. 

Sec. 105. Transmittal to Department of Veterans Affairs of medical records of 

all members separating from active duty. 

Sec. 106. Post-deployment health tracking for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

TITLE II—TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 

Sec. 201. Reauthorization of Service Members Occupational Conversion and 

Training Act. 

Sec. 202. Enhancement of preseparation counseling and transition services. 

Sec. 203. Department of Labor transitional assistance program. 

Sec. 204. General requirements for transition programs. 

Sec. 205. Information sharing between Department of Defense and Department 

of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 206. Expansion of Department of Veterans Affairs outreach services. 

TITLE III—HOMEOWNERSHIP 

Sec. 301. Mortgage assistance. 

TITLE IV—EDUCATION 

Sec. 401. Repeal of $1,200 reduction in basic pay required for participation in 

Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program.

3 TITLE I—HEALTH CARE 

4 SEC. 101. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR POSTDEPLOYMENT 

5 MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. 

6 (a) QUALITY ASSURANCE.—The Secretary of Defense 

7 shall establish an effective quality assurance program that 

8 will help ensure that the Armed Forces comply with the 

9 requirements of section 1074f(d) of title 10, United States 
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1 Code, in making physical and mental health examinations 

2 comprehensive. 

3 (b) UNIFORM APPLICABILITY.—The Secretary shall 

4 ensure that the content and standards prescribed for 

5 predeployment and postdeployment medical examinations 

6 are applied uniformly at all installations and medical fa7 cilities of the Armed Forces where medical examinations 

8 required under this section are performed for members of 

9 the Armed Forces returning from a deployment. 

10 (c) PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.—

11 (1) TIMING.—The physical examination of a 

12 member under this subsection shall be conducted be13 fore the member receives preseparation counseling 

14 under section 1142 of this title. 

15 (2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of a physical ex16 amination conducted for a member under this sub17 section shall be—

18 (A) to determine the immediate health care 

19 needs, if any, of the member as of separation 

20 and the ongoing health care needs, if any, of 

21 the member after separation; and 

22 (B) to identify any illness, injury, or other 

23 medical condition that may make the member 

24 eligible for benefits as a veteran under the laws 
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1 administered by the Secretary of Veterans Af2 fairs. 

3 (3) INCLUSION ON SEPARATION FORM.—The 

4 results of the physical examination of a member 

5 under this subsection shall be included on the sepa6 ration form of the member designated as Depart7 ment of Defense Form DD–214 (or any successor 

8 form). 

9 (4) TRANSMITTAL TO VA.—The Secretary con10 cerned shall transmit in electronic form to the Sec11 retary of Veterans Affairs the results of each phys12 ical examination conducted by such Secretary under 

13 this subsection. 

14 (d) INCLUSION OF SCREENING FOR MENTAL

15 HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS.—Any such 

16 postdeployment medical examination shall include content 

17 and standards for screening for mental health disorders 

18 and substance abuse disorders. In the case of acute post19 traumatic stress disorder and delayed onset post-trau20 matic stress disorder, such examination shall specifically 

21 include a personal evaluation to identify stressors experi22 enced by servicemembers that have the potential to lead 

23 to post-traumatic stress disorders. 

24 (e) LIMITATION.—An examination consisting solely 

25 or primarily of an assessment questionnaire completed by 
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1 a member does not meet the requirements of this sub2 section for a medical examination and does not meet the 

3 requirements of this section for an assessment. 

4 (f) WAIVER PROHIBITED.—An examination of a 

5 member required under this section may not be waived 

6 by the Secretary (or any official exercising the Secretary’s 

7 authority under this section) or by the member. 

8 (g) FOLLOW-UP SERVICES.—

9 (1) ASSISTANCE TO MEMBER.—The Secretary 

10 of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of 

11 Veterans Affairs, shall ensure that appropriate ac12 tions are taken to assist a member who, as a result 

13 of a medical examination carried out under the sys14 tem established under this section, is identified or 

15 suspected as having an illness (including any mental 

16 health condition) or injury. 

17 (2) REQUIRED ASSISTANCE.—Assistance re18 quired to be provided a member under paragraph 

19 (1) includes the following: 

20 (A) Care and treatment and other services 

21 that the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary 

22 of Veterans Affairs may provide such member 

23 under any other provision of law, as follows: 

24 (i) Clinical services, including coun25 seling and treatment for post-traumatic 
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1 stress disorder and other mental health 

2 and substance abuse conditions. 

3 (ii) Any other care, treatment, and 

4 services. 

5 (B) Assistance to enroll in the Department 

6 of Veterans Affairs health care system for 

7 health care benefits for which the member is el8 igible under laws administered by the Secretary 

9 of Veterans Affairs. 

10 SEC. 102. EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF 

11 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE 

12 DISORDERS. 

13 (a) ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary of Defense shall 

14 carry out activities to foster the early identification and 

15 treatment of mental health and substance abuse problems 

16 experienced by members of the Armed Forces, with special 

17 emphasis on members who have served in a theater of 

18 combat operations within the preceding 12 months. 

19 (b) REQUIRED ACTIVITIES.—The activities carried 

20 out by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall include the 

21 following: 

22 (1) Conduct of a series of campaigns that use 

23 mass media (including radio and television) and 

24 other public education tools to change attitudes 

25 within the Armed Forces regarding mental health 
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1 and substance abuse treatment, with the aim of less2 ening the stigma associated with mental health and 

3 substance abuse problems and the treatment of such 

4 problems, including the development of pertinent 

5 messaging targeted to—

6 (A) members of the Armed Forces who 

7 may be experiencing mental health or substance 

8 abuse problems and their family members; 

9 (B) commanders and supervisory per10 sonnel; and 

11 (C) peers of servicemembers who may be 

12 experiencing mental health or substance abuse 

13 problems or be at risk of such problems. 

14 (2) Establishment and implementation at mili15 tary installations at which family members of 

16 servicemembers reside or congregate of education 

17 programs to complement the series of campaigns re18 quired under paragraph (1) to help those family 

19 members—

20 (A) recognize signs of mental health or 

21 substance abuse problems; 

22 (B) cope with such problems; and 

23 (C) assist such servicemembers in seeking 

24 care. 
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1 (3) Conduct of peer-support training programs 

2 at military installations to complement the education 

3 programming required under paragraph (2) aimed 

4 at having peers encourage servicemembers, as indi5 cated, to seek mental health and substance abuse 

6 treatment treatment. 

7 (4) Conduct of education and training programs 

8 for command and supervisory personnel at military 

9 installations to complement the education program10 ming required under paragraph (2), including edu11 cation and training programs on prevention of sui12 cide. 

13 (5) Establishment and implementation of con14 tinuing medical education and training programs on 

15 recognizing signs of mental health and substance 

16 abuse problems for all clinicians (including physi17 cians and nursing personnel) who provide primary 

18 medical care to servicemembers and their depend19 ents. 

20 (c) CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS CAM21 PAIGNS.—In carrying out the activities required by para22 graph (1) of subsection (b), the Secretary shall contract 

23 with private not-for-profit entities that have experience in 

24 conducting public education activities aimed at reducing 

25 the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance 
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1 abuse to assist in designing the mass media campaigns 

2 required by that paragraph. 

3 (d) CONTRACTORS FOR DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTA4 TION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES.—In car5 rying out the education and training activities required by 

6 paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (b), the Sec7 retary shall contract with private not-for-profit entities in 

8 proximity to military installations at which such activities 

9 are to be conducted and that have experience in promoting 

10 mental health and preventing mental and substance abuse 

11 disorders to assist in designing and implementing such 

12 education and training programs. 

13 (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 

14 authorized to be appropriated for the Department of De15 fense for fiscal year 2006 the sum of $70,000,000 for pro16 grams under this section, as follows: 

17 (1) For mass media campaigns under sub18 section (b)(1), $30,000,000. 

19 (2) For family support programs under sub20 section (b)(2), $10,000,000. 

21 (3) For peer programs under subsection (b)(3), 

22 $10,000,000. 

23 (4) For command programs under subsection 

24 (b)(4), $10,000,000. 
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1 (5) For continuing education programs under 

2 subsection (b)(5), $10,000,000

3 SEC. 103. POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER TREAT4 MENT FOR VETERANS. 

5 (a) ENHANCED CAPACITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF

6 VETERANS AFFAIRS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

7 shall employ at least one psychiatrist and a complemen8 tary clinical team at each medical center of the Depart9 ment of Veterans Affairs in order to conduct a specialized 

10 program for the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic 

11 stress disorder and to employ additional mental health 

12 services specialists at the medical center. 

13 (b) NATIONWIDE OUTREACH.—

14 (1) PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans Af15 fairs shall carry out a program to provide nation16 wide outreach, including outreach at the community 

17 level, to veterans who are or may be suffering from 

18 post-traumatic stress disorder. 

19 (2) PROGRAM SITES.—The program shall be 

20 carried out on a nation-wide basis, including out21 reach at the community level, by facilities of the De22 partment of Veterans Affairs. 

23 (3) PROGRAM CONTENT.—In carrying out the 

24 outreach program under this subsection, the Sec25 retary shall—
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1 (A) conduct a public education campaign 

2 to promote early identification of symptoms of 

3 post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental 

4 health and substance abuse disorders that may 

5 be associated with service in the Armed Forces; 

6 and 

7 (B) seek to raise awareness of services of8 fered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to 

9 diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress dis10 order and other mental health and substance 

11 abuse disorders that may be associated with 

12 service in the Armed Forces, including individ13 ualized case management, counseling, edu14 cation, and group therapy. 

15 SEC. 104. CONTRACTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUB16 STANCE ABUSE TREATMENT SERVICES NOT 

17 AVAILABLE THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF VET18 ERANS AFFAIRS CLINICS. 

19 Section 1703(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 

20 amended by adding at the end the following new para21 graph: 

22 ‘‘(9) Psychiatric and mental health services and 

23 substance abuse treatment services.’’. 
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1 SEC. 105. TRANSMITTAL TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

2 AFFAIRS OF MEDICAL RECORDS OF ALL 

3 MEMBERS SEPARATING FROM ACTIVE DUTY. 

4 Chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code, is amend5 ed—

6 (1) by inserting before subsection (c) of section 

7 1142 the following: 

8 ‘‘§ 1142a. Members separating from active duty: 

9 transmittal of medical records to Depart10 ment of Veterans Affairs’’; 

11 (2) in section 1142a, as designated by para12 graph (1)—

13 (A) by striking ‘‘(c) TRANSMITTAL OF

14 MEDICAL INFORMATION TO DEPARTMENT OF

15 VETERANS AFFAIRS.—’’; 

16 (B) by striking ‘‘a member being medically 

17 separated or being retired under chapter 61 of 

18 this title’’ and inserting ‘‘each member of the 

19 armed forces being discharged, released from 

20 active duty, or retired’’; 

21 (C) by striking ‘‘60 days’’ and inserting 

22 ‘‘seven days’’; and 

23 (D) by inserting ‘‘of the member’’ before 

24 the period at the end. 
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1 SEC. 106. POST-DEPLOYMENT HEALTH TRACKING FOR VET2 ERANS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND 

3 OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. 

4 (a) ROSTER.—The Secretary of Defense shall trans5 mit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as soon as prac6 ticable after enactment of this Act, a roster (including 

7 names, dates of birth, and social security numbers) of all 

8 members of the Armed Forces who have served in the the9 ater of operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Op10 eration Enduring Freedom. The Secretary of Defense 

11 shall transmit updated rosters to the Secretary of Vet12 erans Affairs every 180 days thereafter. 

13 (b) PURPOSE.—The information on the roster trans14 mitted under subsection (a) shall be used to record demo15 graphic information on the individuals on the roster and 

16 their mental and physical health history, including signs 

17 of post-traumatic stress disorder. 

18 (c) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary of Veterans Af19 fairs shall notify the individuals on the roster of any sig20 nificant developments in research on the health con21 sequences of military service during the operations speci22 fied in subsection (a). 
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1 TITLE II—TRANSITION 

2 ASSISTANCE 

3 SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF SERVICE MEMBERS OCCU4 PATIONAL CONVERSION AND TRAINING ACT. 

5 (a) EMPLOYMENT TRAINING ASSISTANCE.—The Sec6 retary of Defense shall carry out a program to assist eligi7 ble persons in obtaining employment through participation 

8 in programs of significant training for employment in sta9 ble and permanent positions. The program shall be carried 

10 out through payments to employers who employ and train 

11 eligible persons in such positions, to defray the costs of 

12 necessary training. 

13 (b) AGREEMENTS WITH STATE AGENCIES.—The 

14 Secretary (or other implementing official) may enter into 

15 contracts or agreements with State approving agencies (as 

16 designated pursuant to section 3671 of title 38, United 

17 States Code) or other State agencies to carry out duties 

18 under the program. The Secretary (or other implementing 

19 official) shall require each such State approving agency 

20 or other State agency to submit to the Secretary (or other 

21 official) a monthly certification of charges submitted for 

22 expenses under the program. 

23 (c) ELIGIBLE PERSONS.—For purposes of the pro24 gram under this section, a person is an eligible person if 

25 the person, while a member of the Armed Forces on active 
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1 duty, served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation 

2 Iraqi Freedom. 

3 (d) INCORPORATION OF PROVISIONS OF 1992 ACT.—

4 In carrying out the program under this section, the Sec5 retary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, incor6 porate the provisions of the Service Members Occupational 

7 Conversion and Training Act of 1992 (10 U.S.C. 1143 

8 note). 

9 (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 

10 authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2006 and 

11 2007 a total of $45,000,000 for the program under this 

12 section. 

13 SEC. 202. ENHANCEMENT OF PRESEPARATION COUN14 SELING AND TRANSITION SERVICES. 

15 (a) PRESEPARATION COUNSELING AND TRANSITION

16 SERVICES.—Subsection (a) of section 1142 of title 10, 

17 United States Code, is amended—

18 (1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1)—

19 (A) by striking ‘‘shall (except as provided 

20 in paragraph (4)) provide for individual 

21 preseparation counseling of’’ and inserting 

22 ‘‘shall (except as provided in paragraph (7)) 

23 provide individual preseparation counseling and 

24 additional individualized transition services to’’; 

25 and 
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1 (B) by inserting ‘‘under conditions other 

2 than dishonorable’’ after ‘‘active duty’’; 

3 (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para4 graph (7); and 

5 (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol6 lowing new paragraphs: 

7 ‘‘(4) For a member of a reserve component being sep8 arated from service on active duty for a period of more 

9 than 30 days, the Secretary concerned shall require that 

10 preseparation counseling and services under this section 

11 be provided to such member before the member is sepa12 rated. 

13 ‘‘(5) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that com14 manders of members who are required to be provided 

15 preseparation counseling and services under this section 

16 authorize the members to be provided such counseling and 

17 services during duty time.’’. 

18 (b) INDIVIDUALIZED TRANSITIONAL SERVICES.—

19 Subsection (b) of such section is amended—

20 (1) by striking ‘‘COUNSELING.—Counseling 

21 under’’ and inserting ‘‘COUNSELING AND ADDI22 TIONAL INDIVIDUALIZED TRANSITIONAL SERV23 ICES.—Counseling and additional individualized 

24 transitional assistance under’’; 
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1 (2) by striking ‘‘(4) Information concerning 

2 Government’’ and inserting the following: 

3 ‘‘(4) Provision of information concerning civil4 ian occupations and related assistance programs, in5 cluding information about—

6 ‘‘(A) certification and licensure require7 ments that are applicable to civilian occupa8 tions; 

9 ‘‘(B) civilian occupations that correspond 

10 to military occupational specialties; and 

11 ‘‘(C) Government’’; and 

12 (3) by adding at the end the following new 

13 paragraphs: 

14 ‘‘(11) Information concerning the priority of 

15 service for veterans in the receipt of employment, 

16 training, and placement services provided under 

17 qualified job training programs of the Department 

18 of Labor. 

19 ‘‘(12) Information concerning veterans small 

20 business ownership and entrepreneurship programs 

21 of the Small Business Administration and the Na22 tional Veterans Business Development Corporation. 

23 ‘‘(13) Information concerning employment and 

24 reemployment rights and obligations under chapter 

25 43 of title 38. 
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1 ‘‘(14) Information concerning veterans pref2 erence in Federal employment and Federal procure3 ment opportunities. 

4 ‘‘(15) Information concerning homelessness, in5 cluding risk factors, awareness assessment, and con6 tact information for preventative assistance associ7 ated with homelessness. 

8 ‘‘(16) Contact information for housing coun9 seling and assistance. 

10 ‘‘(17) A description (to be developed with the 

11 assistance of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) of 

12 the health care and other benefits to which the 

13 member may be entitled under the laws administered 

14 by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

15 ‘‘(18) In the case of a member who, as deter16 mined pursuant to the preseparation physical exam17 ination conducted under section 1145(d) of this title, 

18 may be eligible for compensation benefits under the 

19 laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Af20 fairs, a referral (to be provided with the assistance 

21 of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) for a medical 

22 examination by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs re23 ferred to as a compensation and pension examina24 tion.’’. 
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1 (c) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—Section 1142 of 

2 such title is further amended by adding at the end the 

3 following new subsections: 

4 ‘‘(c) CONTENT RELEVANT TO REGULAR AND RE5 SERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS.—The Secretary concerned 

6 shall ensure that preseparation counseling and services 

7 under this section include material that is specifically rel8 evant to the needs of members being separated from active 

9 duty from a regular component, the needs of members of 

10 the reserve components being separated from active duty, 

11 and the needs of members of the National Guard being 

12 separated from full-time National Guard duty. 

13 ‘‘(d) LOCATIONS FOR SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED.—

14 The Secretary concerned shall ensure that the locations 

15 at which preseparation counseling and services are pro16 vided under this section include the following: 

17 ‘‘(1) Each military installation under the juris18 diction of the Secretary. 

19 ‘‘(2) Each armory and military family support 

20 center of the National Guard. 

21 ‘‘(3) Each inpatient medical care facility of the 

22 uniformed services. 

23 ‘‘(4) In the case of a member on the temporary 

24 disability retired list under section 1202 or 1205 of 

25 this title who is being retired under another provi-
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1 sion of this title or is being discharged, a location 

2 reasonably convenient to the member. 

3 ‘‘(e) CONSISTENCY OF MATERIALS.—The Secretary 

4 concerned shall ensure that the scope and content of the 

5 materials presented as part of preseparation counseling 

6 and services at each location under this section are con7 sistent with the scope and content of the materials pre8 sented as part of the preseparation counseling and services 

9 at the other locations under this section. 

10 ‘‘(f) POST-SEPARATION FOLLOW-UP FOR RESERVE

11 COMPONENT MEMBERS.—The Secretary concerned shall 

12 ensure that follow-up counseling is provided for each mem13 ber of a reserve component separated from active duty not 

14 later than 180 days after such separation. 

15 ‘‘(g) UPDATED CONTENT OF MATERIALS.—The Sec16 retary concerned shall, on a continuing basis, update the 

17 content of the materials used by the National Veterans 

18 Training Institute and other activities of the Secretary 

19 that provide direct training support to personnel who pro20 vide preseparation counseling and other services under 

21 this section. 

22 ‘‘(h) NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ON DUTY IN

23 STATE STATUS.—Members of the National Guard being 

24 separated from duty to which ordered under section 502(f) 

25 of title 32 shall be provided preseparation counseling and 
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1 services under this section to the same extent that mem2 bers of a reserve component being discharged or released 

3 from active duty are provided preseparation counseling 

4 and services under this section. 

5 ‘‘(i) MINIMUM REQUIRED INDIVIDUALIZED SERV6 ICES.—(1) In carrying out this section, the Secretary con7 cerned ensure that at least eight hours of individualized 

8 transition assistance services are provided, in addition to 

9 preseparation counseling and group workshops, for each 

10 member provided counseling and services under this sec11 tion. 

12 ‘‘(2) In order to ensure that the requirements of 

13 paragraph (1) are met, the Secretary concerned shall en14 sure, for each fiscal year, that there is allocated, from the 

15 appropriate operation and maintenance or military per16 sonnel accounts, such amounts as necessary to provide for 

17 the individualized transition assistance required under 

18 that paragraph for each member expected to receive such 

19 services during the fiscal year.’’. 

20 (d) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—(1) The heading for 

21 section 1142 of such title is amended to read as follows: 
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1 ‘‘§ 1142. Members separating from active duty: 

2 preseparation counseling and transition 

3 services’’. 

4 (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 

5 58 of such title is amended by striking the item relating 

6 to section 1142 and inserting the following new items:

‘‘1142. Members separating from active duty: preseparation counseling and 

transition services. 

‘‘1142a. Members separating from active duty: transmittal of medical records 

to Department of Veterans Affairs.’’.

7 SEC. 203. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TRANSITIONAL ASSIST8 ANCE PROGRAM. 

9 (a) ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF PROGRAM.—Sub10 section (b) of section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, 

11 is amended by adding at the end the following new para12 graphs: 

13 ‘‘(9) Provide information concerning the pri14 ority of service for veterans in the receipt of employ15 ment, training, and placement services provided 

16 under qualified job training programs of the Depart17 ment of Labor. 

18 ‘‘(10) Provide information concerning veterans 

19 small business ownership and entrepreneurship pro20 grams of the Small Business Administration and the 

21 National Veterans Business Development Corpora22 tion. 
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1 ‘‘(11) Provide information concerning rights 

2 and obligations under chapter 43 of title 38. 

3 ‘‘(12) Provide information concerning veterans 

4 preference in Federal employment and Federal pro5 curement opportunities. 

6 ‘‘(13) Provide information concerning homeless7 ness, including risk factors, awareness assessment, 

8 and contact information for preventative assistance 

9 associated with homelessness. 

10 ‘‘(14) Provide contact information for housing 

11 counseling and assistance. 

12 ‘‘(15) Provide a description (to be developed 

13 with the assistance of the Secretary of Veterans Af14 fairs) of the health care and other benefits to which 

15 the member may be entitled under the laws adminis16 tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

17 ‘‘(16) In the case of a member who, as deter18 mined pursuant to the preseparation physical exam19 ination conducted under section 1145(d) of this title, 

20 may be entitled to compensation under the laws ad21 ministered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, pro22 vide a referral (to be provided with the assistance of 

23 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) for a medical ex24 amination by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs re-
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1 ferred to as a compensation and pension examina2 tion.’’. 

3 (b) REQUIRED PARTICIPATION FOR CERTAIN MEM4 BERS.—Subsection (c) of such section is amended to read 

5 as follows: 

6 ‘‘(c) PARTICIPATION.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), 

7 the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland 

8 Security shall require participation by members of the 

9 armed forces eligible for assistance under the program 

10 carried out under this section. 

11 ‘‘(2) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 

12 Homeland Security need not require, but shall encourage 

13 and otherwise promote, participation in the program by 

14 the following members described in paragraph (1): 

15 ‘‘(A) A member who has previously participated 

16 in the program. 

17 ‘‘(B) A member who, upon discharge or release 

18 from active duty, is returning to—

19 ‘‘(i) a position of employment; or 

20 ‘‘(ii) pursuit of an academic degree or 

21 other educational or occupational training ob22 jective that the members was pursuing when 

23 called or ordered to such active duty. 

24 ‘‘(3) Members of the armed forces eligible for assist25 ance under this section include—
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1 ‘‘(A) members of the reserve components being 

2 separated from service on active duty for a period of 

3 more than 30 days; and 

4 ‘‘(B) members of the National Guard being sep5 arated from long-term duty. 

6 ‘‘(4) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that com7 manders of members who are required to be provided as8 sistance under this section authorize the members to be 

9 provided such assistance during duty time’’. 

10 (c) REQUIRED UPDATING OF MATERIALS.—Such 

11 section is further amended by adding at the end the fol12 lowing new subsection: 

13 ‘‘(e) UPDATING OF MATERIALS.—The Secretary con14 cerned shall, on a continuing basis, update the content of 

15 the materials used by the National Veterans Training In16 stitute of the Department of Labor and the Secretary’s 

17 other materials that provide direct training support to per18 sonnel who carry out the program established in this sec19 tion.’’. 

20 (d) CROSS-REFERENCE AMENDMENT.—Section 

21 1144(a)(1) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘para22 graph (4)(A)’’ in the second sentence and inserting ‘‘para23 graph (6)(A)’’. 
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1 SEC. 204. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSITION PRO2 GRAMS. 

3 (a) ACCESSIBILITY OF INFORMATION.—

4 (1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 58 of title 10, 

5 United States Code, is amended by adding at the 

6 end the following new sections: 

7 ‘‘§ 1154. Transition programs: general requirements 

8 ‘‘(a) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense and the 

9 Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that the 

10 transition programs for members of the armed forces are 

11 provided at the following locations: 

12 ‘‘(1) Each military installation under the juris13 diction of the Secretary. 

14 ‘‘(2) Each armory and military family support 

15 center of the National Guard. 

16 ‘‘(3) Each inpatient medical care facility of the 

17 uniformed services. 

18 ‘‘(4) In the case of a member on the temporary 

19 disability retired list under section 1202 or 1205 of 

20 this title who is being retired under another provi21 sion of this title or is being discharged, a location 

22 reasonably convenient to the member. 

23 ‘‘(b) PARTICIPATION OF MILITARY AND VETERANS’ 

24 SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense and 

25 the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that rep26 resentatives of military and veterans’ service organizations 
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1 and representatives of military and veterans’ services 

2 agencies of States are permitted to participate in transi3 tion programs at the locations where assistance under 

4 those programs is provided. 

5 ‘‘(c) TRANSITION PROGRAMS DEFINED.—In this sec6 tion, the term ‘transition programs’ means the programs 

7 under sections 1142 and 1144 of this title and any similar 

8 programs administered by, in conjunction with, or in con9 sultation with the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary 

10 of Homeland Security. 

11 ‘‘§ 1155. Veteran-to-veteran preseparation counseling 

12 ‘‘(a) COOPERATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary of 

13 Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 

14 carry out a program to facilitate the access of representa15 tives of military and veterans’ service organizations and 

16 representatives of military and veterans’ services agencies 

17 of States to provide preseparation counseling and services 

18 to members of the armed forces who are scheduled, or are 

19 in the process of being scheduled, for discharge, release 

20 from active duty, or retirement. 

21 ‘‘(b) ELEMENTS OF PROGRAM.—The program under 

22 this section shall include the following elements: 

23 ‘‘(1) Authorization for representatives of mili24 tary and veterans’ service organizations and rep25 resentatives of military and veterans’ services agen-
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1 cies of States to participate in the preseparation 

2 counseling and other assistance provided to members 

3 under the programs carried out under sections 1142 

4 and 1144 of this title. 

5 ‘‘(2) Support for the outreach programs of such 

6 organizations and agencies by providing the organi7 zations and agencies with the names and addresses 

8 of members of the armed forces described in sub9 section (a). 

10 ‘‘(c) LOCATIONS.—The program under this section 

11 shall, subject to subsection (e), provide for access to mem12 bers at the following locations: 

13 ‘‘(1) Each installation of the armed forces. 

14 ‘‘(2) Each armory and military family support 

15 center of the National Guard. 

16 ‘‘(3) Each inpatient medical care facility of the 

17 uniformed services administered under chapter 55 of 

18 this title. 

19 ‘‘(4) In the case of a member on the temporary 

20 disability retired list under section 1202 or 1205 of 

21 this title who is being retired under another provi22 sion of this title or is being discharged, a location 

23 reasonably convenient to the member. 

24 ‘‘(d) WAIVER OF ACCESS RESTRICTIONS.—To carry 

25 out elements of the program under subsection (b), the Sec-
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1 retary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security 

2 may waive the applicable provisions of the regulations pro3 mulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance 

4 Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 

5 1320d–2 note) to the extent necessary to ensure that rep6 resentatives of military and veterans’ service organizations 

7 and representatives of military and veterans’ services 

8 agencies of States have access to members and former 

9 members of the uniformed services in medical treatment 

10 facilities of the uniformed services. 

11 ‘‘(e) CONSENT OF MEMBERS REQUIRED.—Access to 

12 a member of the armed forces under the program under 

13 this section is subject to the consent of the member.’’. 

14 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec15 tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 

16 by adding at the end the following new items:

‘‘1154. Transition programs: general requirements. 

‘‘1155. Veteran-to-veteran preseparation counseling.’’.

17 (b) DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.—

18 (1) Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 

19 United States Code, is amended by adding at the 

20 end the following new section: 

21 ‘‘§ 1709. Veteran-to-veteran counseling 

22 ‘‘(a) COOPERATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 

23 carry out a program to facilitate the access of representa24 tives of military and veterans’ service organizations and 
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1 representatives of military and veterans’ services agencies 

2 of States to veterans furnished care and services under 

3 this chapter to provide information and counseling to such 

4 veterans on the care and services authorized by this chap5 ter and other benefits and services available under the 

6 laws administered by the Secretary. 

7 ‘‘(b) FACILITIES COVERED.—The program under 

8 this section shall, subject to subsection (d), provide for ac9 cess to veterans described in subsection (a) at each facility 

10 of the Department or non-Department facility at which 

11 the Secretary furnishes care and services under this chap12 ter. 

13 ‘‘(c) WAIVER OF ACCESS RESTRICTIONS.—To carry 

14 out the program under this section, the Secretary may 

15 waive the applicable provisions of the regulations promul16 gated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Port17 ability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–

18 2 note) to the extent necessary to ensure that representa19 tives of military and veterans’ service organizations and 

20 representatives of military and veterans’ services agencies 

21 of States have access to veterans described in subsection 

22 (a) at the facilities referred to in subsection (b). 

23 ‘‘(d) CONSENT OF VETERANS REQUIRED.—Access to 

24 a veteran under the program under this section is subject 

25 to the consent of the veteran.’’. 
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1 (2) The table of sections at the beginning of 

2 that chapter is amended by inserting after the item 

3 relating to section 1708 the following new item:

‘‘1709. Veteran-to-veteran counseling.’’.

4 SEC. 205. INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN DEPARTMENT 

5 OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF VET6 ERANS AFFAIRS. 

7 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense and the 

8 Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly develop proto9 cols to facilitate the sharing of information between the 

10 Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans 

11 Affairs on the matters referred to in subsection (c) with 

12 respect to each member of the Armed Forces. 

13 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the protocols under 

14 subsection (a) is to facilitate determinations by the Sec15 retary of Veterans Affairs of the existence and extent of 

16 a connection of any illness or injury experienced by a 

17 former member of the Armed Forces after separation from 

18 the Armed Forces and the exposure of that member to 

19 toxic or hazardous substances in the course of the mem20 ber’s duties or assignments as a member of the Armed 

21 Forces. 

22 (c) COVERED MATTERS.—The matters referred to in 

23 this subsection with respect to a member of the Armed 

24 Forces are as follows: 
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1 (1) The duties and assignments of the member, 

2 including the location of such duties and assign3 ments. 

4 (2) Any exposures of the member in the course 

5 of such duties and assignments to toxic or hazardous 

6 substances. 

7 (3) Any illness or injury of the member in8 curred or aggravated in the course of such duties 

9 and assignments. 

10 (d) ELEMENTS OF PROTOCOLS.—The protocols on 

11 the sharing of information developed under subsection (a) 

12 shall include the following: 

13 (1) Mechanisms to ensure that the Secretary of 

14 Veterans Affairs receives information to facilitate 

15 the timely and accurate assessment of the illnesses 

16 or injuries of a member of the Armed Forces that 

17 may have been incurred or aggravated by the mem18 ber’s exposure to toxic or hazardous substances dur19 ing service in the Armed Forces. 

20 (2) Mechanisms that provide, to the maximum 

21 extent practicable consistent with the national secu22 rity interests of the United States, for the declas23 sification of information necessary to achieve the 

24 purpose of the protocols. 
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1 (3) Procedures to ensure that information is 

2 shared under the protocols as a matter of routine 

3 operations of the Department of Defense and the 

4 Department of Veterans Affairs. 

5 (e) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 

6 of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and 

7 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to 

8 Congress a report on the protocols developed under sub9 section (a). The report shall include such recommenda10 tions for legislative or administrative action as the Secre11 taries consider appropriate. 

12 SEC. 206. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF13 FAIRS OUTREACH SERVICES. 

14 (a) RESCISSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF15 FAIRS MEMORANDUM PROHIBITING OUTREACH.—The 

16 memorandum of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

17 dated July 18, 2002, from the Deputy Under Secretary 

18 for Health for Operations and Management with the sub19 ject ‘‘Status of VHA Enrollment and Associated Issues’’ 

20 is hereby rescinded. Marketing activities of Directors of 

21 health service networks (known as ‘‘Veterans Integrated 

22 Service Networks’’) of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

23 to enroll new veterans within their respective networks 

24 shall be carried out without regard to such memorandum. 
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1 (b) FUNDING LIMITATION.—No funds available to 

2 the Department of Veterans Affairs may be used to carry 

3 out the memorandum referred to in subsection (a) or oth4 erwise to implement the policy contained in that memo5 randum. 

6 (c) VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.—Sec7 tion 2022 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

8 (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘and mem9 bers of the armed forces separating from active 

10 duty’’ after ‘‘or imprisonment’’; 

11 (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 

12 following new paragraph: 

13 ‘‘(7) Plans to provide information concerning 

14 homelessness, including risk factors, awareness as15 sessment, and contact information for preventative 

16 assistance associated with homelessness.’’; and 

17 (3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 

18 the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period 

19 at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting ‘‘; 

20 and’’, and by adding at the end the following new 

21 subparagraph: 

22 ‘‘(C) provision of information concerning home23 lessness, including risk factors, awareness assess24 ment, and contact information for preventative as25 sistance associated with homelessness.’’. 
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1 (d) OUTREACH SERVICES.—Section 7722(c) of such 

2 title is amended by adding at the end the following new 

3 paragraph: 

4 ‘‘(3) The Secretary shall distribute to each veteran 

5 information concerning homelessness, including risk fac6 tors, awareness assessment, and contact information for 

7 preventative assistance associated with homelessness.’’. 

8 TITLE III—HOMEOWNERSHIP 

9 SEC. 301. MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE. 

10 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 230 of the National 

11 Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715u) is amended by adding at 

12 the end the following new subsection: 

13 ‘‘(g)(1) The Secretary shall provide assistance and 

14 supplemental assistance under this subsection with respect 

15 to mortgages of members of the Armed Forces who are 

16 seriously injured during service in the Armed Forces, for 

17 the purpose of avoiding foreclosure on the mortgages. 

18 ‘‘(2) An individual shall be eligible for assistance 

19 under this subsection only if—

20 ‘‘(A) the individual has been seriously injured 

21 while on active duty in the Armed Forces; and 

22 ‘‘(B) the income of the individual is materially 

23 reduced (in the determination of the Secretary) be24 cause of such injury. 
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1 ‘‘(3) A mortgage shall be eligible for assistance under 

2 this subsection only if—

3 ‘‘(A) the mortgagor is an eligible member of the 

4 Armed Forces; and 

5 ‘‘(B) the dwelling that secures the loan subject 

6 to the mortgage is the primary residence of the eligi7 ble member of the Armed Forces. 

8 ‘‘(4)(A) Subject only to the availability of amounts 

9 provided under appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall 

10 provide assistance under this subsection in the form of 

11 monthly payments made by the Secretary to the mort12 gagee of an eligible mortgage on behalf of any eligible 

13 member of the Armed Forces. 

14 ‘‘(B) Assistance payments under this paragraph shall 

15 be made for the 2-year period beginning upon the serious 

16 injury of the eligible member of the Armed Forces. 

17 ‘‘(C) Assistance payments under this paragraph shall 

18 be in the amount determined by the Secretary to be nec19 essary to pay any monthly charges during such period for 

20 principal, interest, taxes, assessments, ground rents, haz21 ard insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums (unless 

22 otherwise provided under section 222(c)), and may include 

23 an amount necessary to make the payments on the mort24 gage current. 
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1 ‘‘(5)(A) Subject only to the availability of amounts 

2 provided under appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall 

3 provide supplemental assistance under this subsection in 

4 the form of monthly supplemental payments made by the 

5 Secretary to the mortgagee of an eligible mortgage on be6 half of any eligible member of the Armed Forces. 

7 ‘‘(B) Supplemental assistance payments under this 

8 paragraph shall be made for the period beginning upon 

9 the expiration of the 2-year period under paragraph 

10 (4)(B) and ending upon payment in full of the obligation 

11 under the eligible mortgage. 

12 ‘‘(C) Supplemental assistance payments under this 

13 paragraph shall be made in the amount equal to the dif14 ference between—

15 ‘‘(i) the amount determined by the Secretary to 

16 be necessary to pay any monthly charges for prin17 cipal, interest, taxes, assessments, ground rents, 

18 hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums 

19 (unless otherwise provided under section 222(c)); 

20 and 

21 ‘‘(ii) 30 percent of the monthly income of the 

22 household of the mortgagor. 

23 ‘‘(D) Supplemental assistance payments under this 

24 paragraph may include an amount necessary to make the 

25 payments on the mortgage current. 
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1 ‘‘(6) The Secretary may prescribe additional require2 ments to carry out this subsection. 

3 ‘‘(7) For purposes of this subsection: 

4 ‘‘(A) The term ‘active duty’ means full-time 

5 duty in the active military service of the United 

6 States. The term includes full-time training duty, 

7 annual training duty, and attendance, while in the 

8 active military service, at a school designated as a 

9 service school by law or by the Secretary of the mili10 tary department concerned. 

11 ‘‘(B) The term ‘Armed Forces’ means the 

12 Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast 

13 Guard, and includes members of the National Oce14 anic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public 

15 Health Service when assigned to and serving with 

16 the Armed Forces. 

17 ‘‘(C) The term ‘eligible member of the Armed 

18 Forces’ means an individual who meets the require19 ments under paragraph (2). 

20 ‘‘(D) The term ‘eligible mortgage’ means a 

21 mortgage that meets the requirements under para22 graph (3). The term ‘mortgage’ means all first mort23 gages and includes mortgages not insured under this 

24 title. 
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1 ‘‘(E) The term ‘income’ means income from all 

2 sources and members of the household, including 

3 any benefits and annuities, as determined in accord4 ance with criteria prescribed by the Secretary. 

5 ‘‘(8) There are authorized to be appropriated such 

6 sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.’’. 

7 (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Assistance may be provided 

8 under the amendments made by subsection (a) only with 

9 respect to eligible members of the Armed Forces seriously 

10 injured on or after September 11, 2001. 

11 TITLE IV—EDUCATION 

12 SEC. 401. REPEAL OF $1,200 REDUCTION IN BASIC PAY RE13 QUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION IN MONT14 GOMERY GI BILL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 

15 PROGRAM. 

16 Any reduction in the basic pay of an individual re17 ferred to in section 3011(b) of title 38, United States 

18 Code, by reason of such section 3011(b), or of any indi19 vidual referred to in section 3012(c) of such title by reason 

20 of such section 3012(c), as of the date of the enactment 

21 of this Act shall cease, commencing with the first month 

22 beginning after such date, and any obligation of such indi23 vidual under such section 3011(b) or 3012(c), as the case 
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1 may be, as of the day before such date shall be considered 

2 to be fully satisfied as of such date.

Æ