II 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 2243 

To expand eligibility for the program of comprehensive assistance for family 

caregivers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to expand benefits 

available to participants under such program, to enhance special compensation for members of the uniformed services who require assistance 

in everyday life, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 10, 2014 

Mrs. MURRAY introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred 

to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

A BILL 

To expand eligibility for the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs, to expand benefits available to participants under 

such program, to enhance special compensation for members of the uniformed services who require assistance 

in everyday life, and for other purposes. 

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. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Military and Veteran 

5 Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2014’’. 


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1 SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN 

2 AND SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER FAMILY 

3 CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF 

4 VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

5 (a) FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM.— 

6 (1) EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY.—Subsection 

7 (a)(2)(B) of section 1720G of title 38, United States 

8 Code, is amended by striking ‘‘on or after September 

9 11, 2001’’. 

10 (2) CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ILL11 NESS.—Such subsection is further amended by in12 serting ‘‘or illness’’ after ‘‘serious injury’’. 

13 (3) EXPANSION OF NEEDED SERVICES IN ELI14 GIBILITY CRITERIA.—Subsection (a)(2)(C) of such 

15 section is amended— 

16 (A) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and in17 serting a semicolon; 

18 (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause 

19 (iv); and 

20 (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the fol21 lowing new clause (iii): 

22 ‘‘(iii) a need for regular or extensive in23 struction or supervision in completing two or 

24 more instrumental activities of daily living; or’’. 

25 (4) EXPANSION OF SERVICES PROVIDED.—Sub26 section (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended— 


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1 (A) in subclause (IV), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 

2 and inserting a semicolon; 

3 (B) in subclause (V), by striking the period 

4 at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 

5 (C) by adding at the end the following new 

6 subclauses: 

7 ‘‘(VI) child care services or a monthly sti8 pend for such services if such services are not 

9 readily available from the Department; 

10 ‘‘(VII) financial planning services relating 

11 to the needs of injured and ill veterans and 

12 their caregivers; and 

13 ‘‘(VIII) legal services, including legal ad14 vice and consultation, relating to the needs of 

15 injured and ill veterans and their caregivers.’’. 

16 (5) EXPANSION OF RESPITE CARE PROVIDED.— 

17 Subsection (a)(3)(B) of such section is amended by 

18 striking ‘‘shall be’’ and all that follows through the 

19 period at the end and inserting ‘‘shall— 

20 ‘‘(i) be medically and age-appropriate; 

21 ‘‘(ii) include in-home care; and 

22 ‘‘(iii) include peer-oriented group activities.’’. 

23 (6) MODIFICATION OF STIPEND CALCULA24 TION.—Subsection (a)(3)(C) of such section is 

25 amended— 


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1 (A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause 

2 (iv); and 

3 (B) by inserting after clause (ii) the fol4 lowing new clause (iii): 

5 ‘‘(iii) In determining the amount and degree of per6 sonal services provided under clause (i) with respect to an 

7 eligible veteran whose need for personal care services is 

8 based in whole or in part on a need for supervision or 

9 protection under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or regular instruc10 tion or supervision in completing tasks under paragraph 

11 (2)(C)(iii), the Secretary shall take into account the fol12 lowing: 

13 ‘‘(I) The assessment by the family caregiver of 

14 the needs and limitations of the veteran. 

15 ‘‘(II) The extent to which the veteran can func16 tion safely and independently in the absence of such 

17 supervision, protection, or instruction. 

18 ‘‘(III) The amount of time required for the 

19 family caregiver to provide such supervision, protec20 tion, or instruction to the veteran.’’. 

21 (7) PERIODIC EVALUATION OF NEED FOR CER22 TAIN SERVICES.—Subsection (a)(3) of such section 

23 is amended by adding at the end the following new 

24 subparagraph: 


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1 ‘‘(D) In providing instruction, preparation, and 

2 training under subparagraph (A)(i)(I) and technical 

3 support under subparagraph (A)(i)(II) to each fam4 ily caregiver who is approved as a provider of per5 sonal care services for an eligible veteran under 

6 paragraph (6), the Secretary shall periodically evalu7 ate the needs of the eligible veteran and the skills 

8 of the family caregiver of such veteran to determine 

9 if additional instruction, preparation, training, or 

10 technical support under those subparagraphs is nec11 essary.’’. 

12 (b) REPEAL OF GENERAL CAREGIVER SUPPORT PRO13 GRAM.—Such section is amended by striking subsection 

14 (b). 

15 (c) PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO CAREGIVERS OF

16 CERTAIN VETERANS.—Such section is further amended 

17 by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub18 section (b): 

19 ‘‘(b) PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO CAREGIVERS OF

20 CERTAIN VETERANS.—(1) In providing assistance under 

21 subsection (a) to family caregivers of eligible veterans who 

22 were discharged from the Armed Forces before September 

23 11, 2001, the Secretary may enter into memoranda of un24 derstanding with agencies, States, and other entities to 

25 provide such assistance to such veterans. 


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1 ‘‘(2) The Secretary may provide assistance under this 

2 subsection only if such assistance is reasonably accessible 

3 to the veteran and is substantially equivalent or better in 

4 quality to similar services provided by the Department. 

5 ‘‘(3) The Secretary may provide fair compensation to 

6 entities that provide assistance under this subsection pur7 suant to memoranda of understanding entered into under 

8 paragraph (1). 

9 ‘‘(4) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary 

10 shall work with the interagency working group on policies 

11 relating to caregivers of veterans and members of the 

12 Armed Forces established under section 7 of the Military 

13 and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 

14 2014.’’. 

15 (d) MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF FAMILY MEM16 BER.—Subparagraph (B) of subsection (d)(3) of such sec17 tion is amended to read as follows: 

18 ‘‘(B) is not a member of the family of the 

19 veteran and does not provide care to the vet20 eran on a professional basis.’’. 

21 (e) MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF PERSONAL

22 CARE SERVICES.—Subsection (d)(4) of such section is 

23 amended— 

24 (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘inde25 pendent’’; 


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1 (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as sub2 paragraph (D); and 

3 (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol4 lowing new subparagraphs: 

5 ‘‘(B) Supervision or protection based on 

6 symptoms or residuals of neurological or other 

7 impairment or injury. 

8 ‘‘(C) Regular or extensive instruction or 

9 supervision in completing two or more instru10 mental activities of daily living.’’. 

11 (f) ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT.— 

12 (1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 

13 101(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 

14 Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 

15 38 U.S.C. 1720G note) is amended to read as fol16 lows: 

17 ‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each report required by 

18 paragraph (1) after the date of the enactment of the 

19 Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improve20 ment Act of 2014 shall include the following with re21 spect to the program of comprehensive assistance for 

22 family caregivers required by subsection (a)(1) of 

23 such section 1720G: 

24 ‘‘(A) The number of family caregivers that 

25 received assistance under such program. 


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1 ‘‘(B) The cost to the Department of pro2 viding assistance under such program. 

3 ‘‘(C) A description of the outcomes 

4 achieved by, and any measurable benefits of, 

5 carrying out such program. 

6 ‘‘(D) An assessment of the effectiveness 

7 and the efficiency of the implementation of such 

8 program, including a description of any barriers 

9 to accessing and receiving care and services 

10 under such program. 

11 ‘‘(E) A description of the outreach activi12 ties carried out by the Secretary under such 

13 program. 

14 ‘‘(F) An assessment of the manner in 

15 which resources are expended by the Secretary 

16 under such program, particularly with respect 

17 to the provision of monthly personal caregiver 

18 stipends under subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii)(V) of 

19 such section 1720G. 

20 ‘‘(G) An evaluation of the sufficiency and 

21 consistency of the training provided to family 

22 caregivers under such program in preparing 

23 family caregivers to provide care to veterans 

24 under such program. 


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1 ‘‘(H) Such recommendations, including 

2 recommendations for legislative or administra3 tive action, as the Secretary considers appro4 priate in light of carrying out such program.’’. 

5 (g) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 

6 (1) ELIGIBLE VETERAN.—Subsection (a)(2) of 

7 such section is amended, in the matter preceding 

8 subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘subsection’’ and in9 serting ‘‘section’’. 

10 (2) DEFINITIONS.—Subsection (d) of such sec11 tion is amended— 

12 (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘under 

13 subsection (a) or a covered veteran under sub14 section (b)’’; 

15 (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘under 

16 subsection (a)’’; 

17 (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘under 

18 subsection (a)’’; and 

19 (D) in paragraph (4), in the matter pre20 ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘under 

21 subsection (a) or a covered veteran under sub22 section (b)’’. 

23 (3) COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND MENTAL

24 HEALTH SERVICES.—Section 1782(c)(2) of title 38, 


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1 United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘or a 

2 caregiver of a covered veteran’’. 

3 SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT TO POST4 9/11 EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO FAMILY 

5 MEMBERS BY SERIOUSLY INJURED VET6 ERANS IN NEED OF PERSONAL CARE SERV7 ICES. 

8 (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 33 of 

9 title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 

10 end the following new section: 

11 ‘‘§ 3319A. Authority to transfer unused education 

12 benefits to family members by seriously 

13 injured veterans 

14 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the provisions of this 

15 section, the Secretary may permit an individual described 

16 in subsection (b) who is entitled to educational assistance 

17 under this chapter to elect to transfer to one or more of 

18 the dependents specified in subsection (c) a portion of 

19 such individual’s entitlement to such assistance, subject 

20 to the limitation under subsection (d). 

21 ‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.—An individual re22 ferred to in subsection (a) is any individual who— 

23 ‘‘(1) retired for physical disability under chap24 ter 61 of title 10; or 


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1 ‘‘(2) is described in paragraph (2) of section 

2 1720G(a) of this title and who is participating in the 

3 program established under paragraph (1) of such 

4 section. 

5 ‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS.—An individual ap6 proved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance 

7 under this section may transfer the individual’s entitle8 ment as follows: 

9 ‘‘(1) To the individual’s spouse. 

10 ‘‘(2) To one or more of the individual’s chil11 dren. 

12 ‘‘(3) To a combination of the individuals re13 ferred to in paragraphs (1) and (2). 

14 ‘‘(d) LIMITATION ON MONTHS OF TRANSFER.—(1) 

15 The total number of months of entitlement transferred by 

16 a individual under this section may not exceed 36 months. 

17 ‘‘(2) The Secretary may prescribe regulations that 

18 would limit the months of entitlement that may be trans19 ferred under this section to no less than 18 months. 

20 ‘‘(e) DESIGNATION OF TRANSFEREE.—An individual 

21 transferring an entitlement to educational assistance 

22 under this section shall— 

23 ‘‘(1) designate the dependent or dependents to 

24 whom such entitlement is being transferred; 


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1 ‘‘(2) designate the number of months of such 

2 entitlement to be transferred to each such depend3 ent; and 

4 ‘‘(3) specify the period for which the transfer 

5 shall be effective for each dependent designated 

6 under paragraph (1). 

7 ‘‘(f) TIME FOR TRANSFER; REVOCATION AND MODI8 FICATION.—(1) Transfer of entitlement to educational as9 sistance under this section shall be subject to the time lim10 itation for use of entitlement under section 3321 of this 

11 title. 

12 ‘‘(2)(A) An individual transferring entitlement under 

13 this section may modify or revoke at any time the transfer 

14 of any unused portion of the entitlement so transferred. 

15 ‘‘(B) The modification or revocation of the transfer 

16 of entitlement under this paragraph shall be made by the 

17 submittal of written notice of the action to the Secretary. 

18 ‘‘(3) Entitlement transferred under this section may 

19 not be treated as marital property, or the asset of a mar20 ital estate, subject to division in a divorce or other civil 

21 proceeding. 

22 ‘‘(g) COMMENCEMENT OF USE.—A dependent child 

23 to whom entitlement to educational assistance is trans24 ferred under this section may not commence the use of 

25 the transferred entitlement until either— 


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1 ‘‘(1) the completion by the child of the require2 ments of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency 

3 certificate); or 

4 ‘‘(2) the attainment by the child of 18 years of 

5 age. 

6 ‘‘(h) ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.—(1) 

7 The use of any entitlement to educational assistance 

8 transferred under this section shall be charged against the 

9 entitlement of the individual making the transfer at the 

10 rate of one month for each month of transferred entitle11 ment that is used. 

12 ‘‘(2) Except as provided under subsection (e)(2) and 

13 subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), a dependent to whom 

14 entitlement is transferred under this section is entitled to 

15 educational assistance under this chapter in the same 

16 manner as the individual from whom the entitlement was 

17 transferred. 

18 ‘‘(3) The monthly rate of educational assistance pay19 able to a dependent to whom entitlement referred to in 

20 paragraph (2) is transferred under this section shall be 

21 payable at the same rate as such entitlement would other22 wise be payable under this chapter to the individual mak23 ing the transfer. 

24 ‘‘(4) The death of an individual transferring an enti25 tlement under this section shall not affect the use of the 


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1 entitlement by the dependent to whom the entitlement is 

2 transferred. 

3 ‘‘(5)(A) A child to whom entitlement is transferred 

4 under this section may use the benefits transferred with5 out regard to the 15-year delimiting date specified in sec6 tion 3321 of this title, but may not, except as provided 

7 in subparagraph (B), use any benefits so transferred after 

8 attaining the age of 26 years. 

9 ‘‘(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), in the case of a child 

10 who, before attaining the age of 26 years, is prevented 

11 from pursuing a chosen program of education by reason 

12 of acting as the primary provider of personal care services 

13 for a veteran or member of the Armed Forces under sec14 tion 1720G(a) of this title, the child may use the benefits 

15 beginning on the date specified in clause (iii) for a period 

16 whose length is specified in clause (iv). 

17 ‘‘(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to the 

18 period of an individual as a primary provider of personal 

19 care services if the period concludes with the revocation 

20 of the individual’s designation as such a primary provider 

21 under section 1720G(a)(7)(D) of this title. 

22 ‘‘(iii) The date specified in this clause for the begin23 ning of the use of benefits by a child under clause (i) is 

24 the later of— 


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1 ‘‘(I) the date on which the child ceases acting 

2 as the primary provider of personal care services for 

3 the veteran or member concerned as described in 

4 clause (i); 

5 ‘‘(II) the date on which it is reasonably feasible, 

6 as determined under regulations prescribed by the 

7 Secretary, for the child to initiate or resume the use 

8 of benefits; or 

9 ‘‘(III) the date on which the child attains the 

10 age of 26 years. 

11 ‘‘(iv) The length of the period specified in this clause 

12 for the use of benefits by a child under clause (i) is the 

13 length equal to the length of the period that— 

14 ‘‘(I) begins on the date on which the child be15 gins acting as the primary provider of personal care 

16 services for the veteran or member concerned as de17 scribed in clause (i); and 

18 ‘‘(II) ends on the later of— 

19 ‘‘(aa) the date on which the child ceases 

20 acting as the primary provider of personal care 

21 services for the veteran or member as described 

22 in clause (i); or 

23 ‘‘(bb) the date on which it is reasonably 

24 feasible, as so determined, for the child to ini25 tiate or resume the use of benefits. 


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1 ‘‘(6) The purposes for which a dependent to whom 

2 entitlement is transferred under this section may use such 

3 entitlement shall include the pursuit and completion of the 

4 requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equiva5 lency certificate). 

6 ‘‘(7) The administrative provisions of this chapter 

7 shall apply to the use of entitlement transferred under this 

8 section, except that the dependent to whom the entitle9 ment is transferred shall be treated as the eligible indi10 vidual for purposes of such provisions. 

11 ‘‘(i) OVERPAYMENT.—(1) In the event of an overpay12 ment of educational assistance with respect to a dependent 

13 to whom entitlement is transferred under this section, the 

14 dependent and the individual making the transfer shall be 

15 jointly and severally liable to the United States for the 

16 amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 

17 of this title. 

18 ‘‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if 

19 an individual transferring entitlement under this section 

20 fails to complete the service agreed to by the individual 

21 under subsection (b)(1) in accordance with the terms of 

22 the agreement of the individual under that subsection, the 

23 amount of any transferred entitlement under this section 

24 that is used by a dependent of the individual as of the 


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1 date of such failure shall be treated as an overpayment 

2 of educational assistance under paragraph (1). 

3 ‘‘(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case 

4 of an individual who fails to complete service agreed to 

5 by the individual— 

6 ‘‘(i) by reason of the death of the individual; or 

7 ‘‘(ii) for a reason referred to in section 

8 3311(c)(4) of this title. 

9 ‘‘(j) REGULATIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall pre10 scribe regulations to carry out this section. 

11 ‘‘(2) Such regulations shall specify— 

12 ‘‘(A) the manner of authorizing the transfer of 

13 entitlements under this section; 

14 ‘‘(B) the eligibility criteria in accordance with 

15 subsection (b); and 

16 ‘‘(C) the manner and effect of an election to 

17 modify or revoke a transfer of entitlement under 

18 subsection (f)(2).’’. 

19 (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 

20 (1) TRANSFERS BY MEMBERS OF ARMED

21 FORCES.—The heading of section 3319 of such title 

22 is amended by inserting ‘‘by members of the 

23 Armed Forces’’ after ‘‘family members’’. 

24 (2) BAR TO DUPLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL AS25 SISTANCE BENEFITS.—Section 3322(e) of such title 


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1 is amended by inserting ‘‘or 3319A’’ after ‘‘and 

2 3319’’. 

3 (c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 

4 at the beginning of chapter 33 of such title is amended 

5 by striking the item relating to section 3319 and inserting 

6 the following new items: 

‘‘3319. Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family members by 

members of the Armed Forces. 

‘‘3319A. Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family members by 

seriously injured veterans.’’. 

7 SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENT OF SPECIAL COMPENSATION FOR 

8 MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 

9 WITH INJURIES OR ILLNESSES REQUIRING 

10 ASSISTANCE IN EVERYDAY LIVING. 

11 (a) EXPANSION OF COVERED MEMBERS.—Sub12 section (b) of section 439 of title 37, United States Code, 

13 is amended— 

14 (1) by striking paragraphs (1) through (3) and 

15 inserting the following new paragraphs: 

16 ‘‘(1) has a serious injury or illness that was in17 curred or aggravated in the line of duty; 

18 ‘‘(2) is in need of personal care services (includ19 ing supervision or protection or regular instruction 

20 or supervision) as a result of such injury or illness; 

21 and’’; and 

22 (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para23 graph (3). 


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1 (b) NONTAXABILITY OF SPECIAL COMPENSATION.— 

2 Such section is further amended— 

3 (1) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), 

4 and (h) as subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j), respec5 tively; and 

6 (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol7 lowing new subsection (e): 

8 ‘‘(e) NONTAXABILITY OF COMPENSATION.—Monthly 

9 special compensation paid under subsection (a) shall not 

10 be included in income for purposes of the Internal Rev11 enue Code of 1986.’’. 

12 (c) PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO FAMILY CARE13 GIVERS.—Such section is further amended by inserting 

14 after subsection (e), as amended by subsection (b) of this 

15 section, the following new subsection (f): 

16 ‘‘(f) ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS.—(1) 

17 The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide family 

18 caregivers of a member in receipt of monthly special com19 pensation under subsection (a) the assistance required to 

20 be provided to family caregivers of eligible veterans under 

21 section 1720G(a)(3)(A) of title 38 (other than the monthly 

22 personal caregiver stipend provided for in clause (ii)(V) 

23 of such section). For purposes of the provision of such 

24 assistance under this subsection, the definitions in section 

25 1720G(d) of title 38 shall apply, except that any reference 


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1 in such definitions to a veteran or eligible veteran shall 

2 be deemed to be a reference to the member concerned. 

3 ‘‘(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide 

4 assistance under this subsection— 

5 ‘‘(A) in accordance with a memorandum of un6 derstanding entered into by the Secretary of Vet7 erans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense; and 

8 ‘‘(B) in accordance with a memorandum of un9 derstanding entered into by the Secretary of Vet10 erans Affairs and the Secretary of Homeland Secu11 rity (with respect to members of the Coast Guard).’’. 

12 (d) EXPANSION OF COVERED INJURIES AND ILL13 NESSES.—Subsection (i) of such section, as redesignated 

14 by subsection (b)(1) of this section, is amended to read 

15 as follows: 

16 ‘‘(i) SERIOUS INJURY OR ILLNESS DEFINED.—In 

17 this section, the term ‘serious injury or illness’ means an 

18 injury, disorder, or illness (including traumatic brain in19 jury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) 

20 that— 

21 ‘‘(1) renders the afflicted person unable to 

22 carry out one or more activities of daily living; 

23 ‘‘(2) renders the afflicted person in need of su24 pervision or protection due to the manifestation by 


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1 such person of symptoms or residuals of neurological 

2 or other impairment or injury; 

3 ‘‘(3) renders the afflicted person in need of reg4 ular or extensive instruction or supervision in com5 pleting two or more instrumental activities of daily 

6 living; or 

7 ‘‘(4) otherwise impairs the afflicted person in 

8 such manner as the Secretary of Defense (or the 

9 Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the 

10 Coast Guard) prescribes for purposes of this sec11 tion.’’. 

12 (e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 

13 (1) HEADING AMENDMENT.—The heading for 

14 such section is amended to read as follows: 

15 ‘‘§ 439. Special compensation: members of the uni16 formed services with serious injuries or 

17 illnesses requiring assistance in everyday 

18 living’’. 

19 (2) TABLE OF SECTIONS AMENDMENT.—The 

20 table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of 

21 such title is amended by striking the item relating 

22 to section 439 and inserting the following new item: 

‘‘439. Special compensation: members of the uniformed services with serious injuries or illnesses requiring assistance in everyday living.’’. 


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1 SEC. 5. FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS FOR CERTAIN 

2 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. 

3 (a) DEFINITION OF COVERED EMPLOYEE.—In this 

4 section, the term ‘‘covered employee’’ means an employee 

5 (as defined in section 2105 of title 5, United States Code) 

6 who— 

7 (1) is a caregiver, as defined in section 1720G 

8 of title 38, United States Code; or 

9 (2) is a caregiver of an individual who receives 

10 compensation under section 439 of title 37, United 

11 States Code. 

12 (b) AUTHORITY TO ALLOW FLEXIBLE WORK AR13 RANGEMENTS.—The Director of the Office of Personnel 

14 Management may promulgate regulations under which a 

15 covered employee may— 

16 (1) use a flexible schedule or compressed sched17 ule in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 61 

18 of title 5, United States Code; or 

19 (2) telework in accordance with chapter 65 of 

20 title 5, United States Code. 

21 SEC. 6. LIFESPAN RESPITE CARE. 

22 (a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2901 of the Public 

23 Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ii) is amended— 

24 (1) in paragraph (1)— 


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1 (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 

2 through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respec3 tively, and realigning the margins accordingly; 

4 (B) by striking ‘‘who requires care or su5 pervision to—’’ and inserting ‘‘who— 

6 ‘‘(A) requires care or supervision to—’’; 

7 (C) by striking the period and inserting ‘‘; 

8 or’’; and 

9 (D) by adding at the end the following: 

10 ‘‘(B) is a veteran participating in the pro11 gram of comprehensive assistance for family 

12 caregivers under section 1720G of title 38, 

13 United States Code.’’; and 

14 (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘or another 

15 unpaid adult,’’ and inserting ‘‘another unpaid adult, 

16 or a family caregiver as defined in section 1720G of 

17 title 38, United States Code, who receives compensa18 tion under such section,’’. 

19 (b) GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—Sec20 tion 2902(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 

21 300ii–1(c)) is amended by inserting ‘‘and the interagency 

22 working group on policies relating to caregivers of vet23 erans established under section 7 of the Military and Vet24 eran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2014’’ after 

25 ‘‘Human Services’’. 


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1 (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 

2 2905 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ii– 

3 4) is amended— 

4 (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 

5 end; 

6 (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and 

7 inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

8 (3) by adding at the end the following: 

9 ‘‘(6) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 

10 through 2019.’’. 

11 SEC. 7. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON CAREGIVER 

12 POLICY. 

13 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be established in 

14 the executive branch an interagency working group on 

15 policies relating to caregivers of veterans and members of 

16 the Armed Forces (in this section referred to as the 

17 ‘‘working group’’). 

18 (b) COMPOSITION.— 

19 (1) IN GENERAL.—The working group shall be 

20 composed of the following: 

21 (A) A chair selected by the President. 

22 (B) A representative from each of the fol23 lowing agencies or organizations selected by the 

24 head of such agency or organization: 


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1 (i) The Department of Veterans Af2 fairs. 

3 (ii) The Department of Defense. 

4 (iii) The Department of Health and 

5 Human Services. 

6 (iv) The Department of Labor. 

7 (v) The Centers for Medicare and 

8 Medicaid Services. 

9 (2) ADVISORS.—The chair may select any of 

10 the following individuals that the chair considers ap11 propriate to advise the working group in carrying 

12 out the duties of the working group: 

13 (A) Academic experts in fields relating to 

14 caregivers. 

15 (B) Clinicians. 

16 (C) Caregivers. 

17 (D) Individuals in receipt of caregiver serv18 ices. 

19 (c) DUTIES.—The duties of the working group are 

20 as follows: 

21 (1) To regularly review policies relating to care22 givers of veterans and members of the Armed 

23 Forces. 


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1 (2) To coordinate and oversee the implementa2 tion of policies relating to caregivers of veterans and 

3 members of the Armed Forces. 

4 (3) To evaluate the effectiveness of policies re5 lating to caregivers of veterans and members of the 

6 Armed Forces, including programs in each relevant 

7 agency, by developing and applying specific goals 

8 and performance measures. 

9 (4) To develop standards of care for caregiver 

10 services and respite care services provided to a care11 giver, veteran, or member of the Armed Forces by 

12 a non-profit or private sector entity. 

13 (5) To ensure the availability of mechanisms for 

14 agencies, and entities affiliated with or providing 

15 services on behalf of agencies, to enforce the stand16 ards described in paragraph (4) and conduct over17 sight on the implementation of such standards. 

18 (6) To develop recommendations for legislative 

19 or administrative action to enhance the provision of 

20 services to caregivers, veterans, and members of the 

21 Armed Forces, including eliminating gaps in such 

22 services and eliminating disparities in eligibility for 

23 such services. 

24 (7) To coordinate with State and local agencies 

25 and relevant non-profit organizations on maximizing 


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1 the use and effectiveness of resources for caregivers 

2 of veterans and members of the Armed Forces. 

3 (d) REPORTS.— 

4 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 

5 2014, and annually thereafter, the chair of the work6 ing group shall submit to Congress a report on poli7 cies and services relating to caregivers of veterans 

8 and members of the Armed Forces. 

9 (2) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by para10 graph (1) shall include the following: 

11 (A) An assessment of the policies relating 

12 to caregivers of veterans and members of the 

13 Armed Forces and services provided pursuant 

14 to such policies as of the date of submittal of 

15 such report. 

16 (B) A description of any steps taken by 

17 the working group to improve the coordination 

18 of services for caregivers of veterans and mem19 bers of the Armed Forces among the entities 

20 specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) and eliminate 

21 barriers to effective use of such services, includ22 ing aligning eligibility criteria. 

23 (C) An evaluation of the performance of 

24 the entities specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) in 


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1 providing services for caregivers of veterans and 

2 members of the Armed Forces. 

3 (D) An evaluation of the quality and suffi4 ciency of services for caregivers of veterans and 

5 members of the Armed Forces available from 

6 non-governmental organizations. 

7 (E) A description of any gaps in care or 

8 services provided by caregivers to veterans or 

9 members of the Armed Forces identified by the 

10 working group, and steps taken by the entities 

11 specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) to eliminate 

12 such gaps or recommendations for legislative or 

13 administrative action to address such gaps. 

14 (F) Such other matters or recommenda15 tions as the chair considers appropriate. 

16 SEC. 8. STUDIES ON POST-SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, VETERANS 

17 AND SERIOUSLY INJURED VETERANS. 

18 (a) LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON POST-9/11 VET19 ERANS.— 

20 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 

21 Affairs shall provide for the conduct of a longitu22 dinal study on members of the Armed Forces who 

23 commenced service in the Armed Forces after Sep24 tember 11, 2001. 


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1 (2) GRANT OR CONTRACT.—The Secretary shall 

2 award a grant to, or enter into a contract with, an 

3 appropriate entity unaffiliated with the Department 

4 of Veterans Affairs to conduct the study required by 

5 paragraph (1). 

6 (3) PLAN.—Not later than one year after the 

7 date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

8 shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

9 of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Af10 fairs of the House of Representatives a plan for the 

11 conduct of the study required by paragraph (1). 

12 (4) REPORTS.—Not later than October 1, 2019, 

13 and every four years thereafter, the Secretary shall 

14 submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 

15 Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 

16 the House of Representatives a report on the results 

17 of the study required by paragraph (1) as of the 

18 date of such report. 

19 (b) COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON SERIOUSLY IN20 JURED VETERANS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.— 

21 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 

22 Affairs shall provide for the conduct of a comprehen23 sive study on the following: 


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1 (A) Veterans who have incurred a serious 

2 injury or illness, including a mental health in3 jury. 

4 (B) Individuals who are acting as care5 givers for veterans. 

6 (2) ELEMENTS.—The comprehensive study re7 quired by paragraph (1) shall include the following 

8 with respect to each veteran included in such study: 

9 (A) The health of the veteran and, if appli10 cable, the impact of the caregiver of such vet11 eran on the health of such veteran. 

12 (B) The employment status of the veteran 

13 and, if applicable, the impact of the caregiver of 

14 such veteran on the employment status of such 

15 veteran. 

16 (C) The financial status and needs of the 

17 veteran. 

18 (D) The use by the veteran of benefits 

19 available to such veteran from the Department 

20 of Veterans Affairs. 

21 (E) Any other information that the Sec22 retary considers appropriate. 

23 (3) GRANT OR CONTRACT.—The Secretary shall 

24 award a grant to, or enter into a contract with, an 

25 appropriate entity unaffiliated with the Department 


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1 of Veterans Affairs to conduct the study required by 

2 paragraph (1). 

3 (4) REPORT.—Not later than two years after 

4 the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

5 shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

6 of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Af7 fairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 

8 results of the study required by paragraph (1). 

Æ 


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