Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2017

To amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2017 2. Certain service in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts deemed to be active service (a) In General Section 107 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking not Army of the United States, shall (B) by striking , except benefits under— (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking not Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 shall (B) by striking except— (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) Determination of eligibility (1) In determining the eligibility of the service of an individual under this section, the Secretary shall take into account any alternative documentation regarding such service, including documentation other than the Missouri List, that the Secretary determines relevant. (2) Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report that includes— (A) the number of individuals applying for benefits pursuant to this section during the previous year; and (B) the number of such individuals that the Secretary approved for benefits. ; and (4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: (d) Relation to Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund Section 1002(h) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (title X of division A of Public Law 111–5 38 U.S.C. 107 . (b) Conforming Amendments (1) The heading of such section is amended to read as follows: 107. Certain service deemed to be active service: service in organized military forces of the Philippines and in the Philippine Scouts . (2) The item relating to such section in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of such title is amended to read as follows: 107. Certain service deemed to be active service: service in organized military forces of the Philippines and in the Philippine Scouts. . 3. Effective date (a) In general The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Applicability No benefits shall accrue to any person for any period before the effective date of this Act by reason of the amendments made by this Act.

Summary: Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2017 This bill deems certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to be active military service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA shall, in determining eligibility under this bill, take into account any relevant service documentation, including documentation other than the Missouri List (the list of all discharged and deceased veterans from the 20th century). The VA shall report to Congress annually regarding the number of individuals applying for benefits, and the number approved, during the previous year.