To help ensure that COVID-19 does not prevent disabled veterans from using the medical treatment leave to which such veterans are entitled, and for other purposes.

To help ensure that COVID–19 does not prevent disabled veterans from using the medical treatment leave to which such veterans are entitled, and for other purposes. 1. Disabled veteran leave extension and restoration (a) In general The period during which a covered employee is entitled to leave under section 6329(a) of title 5, United States Code, shall be the 24-month period beginning on the first day of employment of such employee. (b) Leave forfeiture (1) In general Notwithstanding subsection (b)(2) of section 6329 of title 5, United States Code, leave to which subsection (a) applies shall be forfeited and may not be carried over if such leave is not used during the 24-month period described in such subsection. (2) Other forfeiture rule inapplicable Any leave credited to a covered employee that has not been forfeited prior to the date of the enactment of this Act by operation of section 6329(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, shall not be forfeited by operation of such section. (c) Previously forfeited leave restored (1) In general Leave credited to a covered employee that was forfeited by operation of section 6329(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, shall be made available to such employee in accordance with paragraph (3) and to the extent it was so forfeited if— (A) such employee did not use such leave prior to forfeiture because medical treatment from a Veterans Affairs medical provider for the related disability was not reasonably available due to COVID–19, as determined by the Director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network in which such employee resided on the date of such forfeiture; and (B) such employee would be entitled to leave under section 6329(a) of title 5, United States Code, if the date on which leave would be made available under this paragraph was the first day of employment of such employee. (2) Restored leave availability Leave made available to a covered employee under paragraph (1) shall remain available to such employee until the date that is 12 months after the date on which such leave was forfeited by operation of section 6329(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code. (3) Application A covered employee that seeks leave to be made available under paragraph (1) shall submit to the head of the agency employing such employee a request, in such form and manner as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe, for such leave. (4) Treatment of restored leave Except as provided in this subsection, leave made available under this subsection shall be treated in the same manner as leave credited to an employee under section 6329 of title 5, United States Code. (d) Rule of construction Subsection (a) shall not be construed as modifying or otherwise affecting the rights of any covered employee with respect to leave forfeited prior to the date of the enactment of this Act by operation of section 6329(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code. (e) Definitions In this Act: (1) Covered employee The term covered employee (2) Covered period The term covered period (3) Related disability The term related disability (4) Veterans affairs medical provider The term Veterans Affairs medical provider (A) medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs that furnishes medical care or services; or (B) non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care provider who provides medical care or services to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Summary: This bill allows certain veterans who are federal employees to retain disabled veteran leave for a longer period of time, and restores leave that was forfeited due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Currently, veterans may use specific medical leave for purposes of receiving treatment for service-connected disabilities during the first 12 months of federal employment; unused leave must be forfeited after this period. The bill allows veterans whose first day of federal employment is between March 1, 2019, and June 1, 2021, to use such medical leave during the first 24 months of their employment. The bill also restores forfeited leave to these veterans if treatment was unavailable at a Veterans Affairs medical provider due to COVID-19; restored leave must be used within 12 months of initial forfeiture.