I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1969 
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 com-
pensation for members of the uniformed services who require assistance 
in everyday life, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 22, 2015 
Mr. LANGEVIN (for himself, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, Ms. ESTY, and Mr. 
CARNEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed 
Services, Oversight and Government Reform, Energy and Commerce, and 
Ways and Means, 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 expand eligibility for the program of comprehensive assist-
ance for family caregivers of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, to expand benefits available to participants under 
such program, to enhance special compensation for mem-
bers of the uniformed services who require assistance 
in everyday life, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Military and Veteran 
Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN 
AND SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER FAMILY 
CAREGIVER PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM.— 
(1) EXPANSION
OF
ELIGIBILITY.—Subsection 
(a)(2)(B) of section 1720G of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘on or after September 
11, 2001’’. 
(2) CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ILL-
NESS.—Such subsection is further amended by in-
serting ‘‘or illness’’ after ‘‘serious injury’’. 
(3) EXPANSION OF NEEDED SERVICES IN ELI-
GIBILITY CRITERIA.—Subsection (a)(2)(C) of such 
section is amended— 
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and in-
serting a semicolon; 
(B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause 
(iv); and 
(C) by inserting after clause (ii) the fol-
lowing new clause (iii): 
‘‘(iii) a need for regular or extensive in-
struction or supervision without which the abil-
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ity of the veteran to function in daily life would 
be seriously impaired; or’’. 
(4) EXPANSION OF SERVICES PROVIDED.—Sub-
section (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended— 
(A) in subclause (IV), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(B) in subclause (V), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subclauses: 
‘‘(VI) child care services or a monthly sti-
pend for such services if such services are not 
readily available from the Department; 
‘‘(VII) financial planning services relating 
to the needs of injured and ill veterans and 
their caregivers; and 
‘‘(VIII) legal services, including legal ad-
vice and consultation, relating to the needs of 
injured and ill veterans and their caregivers.’’. 
(5) EXPANSION OF RESPITE CARE PROVIDED.— 
Subsection (a)(3)(B) of such section is amended by 
striking ‘‘shall be’’ and all that follows through the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘shall— 
‘‘(i) be medically and age-appropriate; 
‘‘(ii) include in-home care; and 
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‘‘(iii) include peer-oriented group activities.’’. 
(6) MODIFICATION
OF
STIPEND
CALCULA-
TION.—Subsection (a)(3)(C) of such section is 
amended— 
(A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause 
(iv); and 
(B) by inserting after clause (ii) the fol-
lowing new clause (iii): 
‘‘(iii) In determining the amount and degree of per-
sonal care services provided under clause (i) with respect 
to an eligible veteran whose need for personal care services 
is based in whole or in part on a need for supervision or 
protection under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or regular instruc-
tion or supervision under paragraph (2)(C)(iii), the Sec-
retary shall take into account the following: 
‘‘(I) The assessment by the family caregiver of 
the needs and limitations of the veteran. 
‘‘(II) The extent to which the veteran can func-
tion safely and independently in the absence of such 
supervision, protection, or instruction. 
‘‘(III) The amount of time required for the 
family caregiver to provide such supervision, protec-
tion, or instruction to the veteran.’’. 
(7) PERIODIC EVALUATION OF NEED FOR CER-
TAIN SERVICES.—Subsection (a)(3) of such section 
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is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) In providing instruction, preparation, and train-
ing under subparagraph (A)(i)(I) and technical support 
under subparagraph (A)(i)(II) to each family caregiver 
who is approved as a provider of personal care services 
for an eligible veteran under paragraph (6), the Secretary 
shall periodically evaluate the needs of the eligible veteran 
and the skills of the family caregiver of such veteran to 
determine if additional instruction, preparation, training, 
or technical support under those subparagraphs is nec-
essary.’’. 
(8) USE OF PRIMARY CARE TEAMS.—Subsection 
(a)(5) of such section is amended, in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘(in collabo-
ration with the primary care team for the eligible 
veteran to the maximum extent practicable)’’ after 
‘‘evaluate’’. 
(9) ELIGIBILITY OF AND ASSISTANCE FOR FAM-
ILY CAREGIVERS.—Subsection (a) of such section is 
amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
subsection, a family caregiver of an eligible veteran who 
is eligible under paragraph (2) solely because of a serious 
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injury or illness (including traumatic brain injury, psycho-
logical trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or ag-
gravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, 
or air service before September 11, 2001, is eligible for 
assistance under this subsection as follows: 
‘‘(A) Not earlier than October 1, 2016, if the 
family caregiver would merit a monthly personal 
caregiver stipend under paragraph (3)(A)(ii)(V) in 
an amount that is in the highest tier specified in the 
schedule established by the Secretary under para-
graph (3)(C)(i). 
‘‘(B) Not earlier than October 1, 2018, if the 
family caregiver would merit such a stipend in an 
amount that is in the middle tier specified in such 
schedule. 
‘‘(C) Not earlier than October 1, 2020, if the 
family caregiver would merit such a stipend in an 
amount that is in the lowest tier specified in such 
schedule. 
‘‘(12)(A) In providing assistance under this sub-
section to family caregivers of eligible veterans, the Sec-
retary may enter into contracts, provider agreements, and 
memoranda of understanding with Federal agencies, 
States, and private, nonprofit, and other entities to pro-
vide such assistance to such family caregivers. 
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‘‘(B) The Secretary may provide assistance under 
this paragraph only if such assistance is reasonably acces-
sible to the family caregiver and is substantially equivalent 
or better in quality to similar services provided by the De-
partment. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may provide fair compensation 
to Federal agencies, States, and other entities that provide 
assistance under this paragraph. 
‘‘(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary 
shall work with the interagency working group on policies 
relating to caregivers of veterans and members of the 
Armed Forces established under section 7 of the Military 
and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 
2015.’’. 
(b) TERMINATION OF GENERAL CAREGIVER SUP-
PORT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of such sec-
tion is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) The authority of the Secretary to provide sup-
port services for caregivers of covered veterans under this 
subsection shall terminate on October 1, 2020.’’. 
(2) CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.— 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that 
any activities carried out under subsection (b) of 
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such section on September 30, 2020, are continued 
under subsection (a) of such section on and after 
October 1, 2020. 
(c) MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF FAMILY MEM-
BER.—Subparagraph (B) of subsection (d)(3) of such sec-
tion is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) is not a member of the family of the 
veteran and does not provide care to the vet-
eran on a professional basis.’’. 
(d) MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF PERSONAL 
CARE SERVICES.—Subsection (d)(4) of such section is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘inde-
pendent’’; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as sub-
paragraph (D); and 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(B) Supervision or protection based on 
symptoms or residuals of neurological or other 
impairment or injury. 
‘‘(C) Regular or extensive instruction or 
supervision without which the ability of the vet-
eran to function in daily life would be seriously 
impaired.’’. 
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(e) ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT.—Paragraph (2) 
of section 101(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 38 
U.S.C. 1720G note) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each report required by 
paragraph (1) after the date of the enactment of the 
Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improve-
ment Act of 2015 shall include the following with re-
spect to the program of comprehensive assistance for 
family caregivers required by subsection (a)(1) of 
such section 1720G: 
‘‘(A) The number of family caregivers that 
received assistance under such program. 
‘‘(B) The cost to the Department of pro-
viding assistance under such program. 
‘‘(C) A description of the outcomes 
achieved by, and any measurable benefits of, 
carrying out such program. 
‘‘(D) An assessment of the effectiveness 
and the efficiency of the implementation of such 
program, including a description of any barriers 
to accessing and receiving care and services 
under such program. 
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‘‘(E) A description of the outreach activi-
ties carried out by the Secretary under such 
program. 
‘‘(F) An assessment of the manner in 
which resources are expended by the Secretary 
under such program, particularly with respect 
to the provision of monthly personal caregiver 
stipends under subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii)(V) of 
such section 1720G. 
‘‘(G) An evaluation of the sufficiency and 
consistency of the training provided to family 
caregivers under such program in preparing 
family caregivers to provide care to veterans 
under such program. 
‘‘(H) Such recommendations, including 
recommendations for legislative or administra-
tive action, as the Secretary considers appro-
priate in light of carrying out such program.’’. 
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SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT TO POST- 
9/11 EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO FAMILY 
MEMBERS 
BY 
SERIOUSLY 
INJURED 
VET-
ERANS IN NEED OF PERSONAL CARE SERV-
ICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 33 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3319A. Authority to transfer unused education 
benefits to family members by seriously 
injured veterans 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the provisions of this 
section, the Secretary may permit an individual described 
in subsection (b) who is entitled to educational assistance 
under this chapter to elect to transfer to one or more of 
the dependents specified in subsection (c) a portion of 
such individual’s entitlement to such assistance, subject 
to the limitation under subsection (d). 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE
INDIVIDUALS.—An individual re-
ferred to in subsection (a) is any individual who is de-
scribed in paragraph (2) of section 1720G(a) of this title 
and who is participating in the program established under 
paragraph (1) of such section. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS.—An individual ap-
proved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance 
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‘‘(f) TIME FOR TRANSFER; REVOCATION AND MODI-
FICATION.—(1) Transfer of entitlement to educational as-
sistance under this section shall be subject to the time lim-
itation for use of entitlement under section 3321 of this 
title. 
‘‘(2)(A) An individual transferring entitlement under 
this section may modify or revoke at any time the transfer 
of any unused portion of the entitlement so transferred. 
‘‘(B) The modification or revocation of the transfer 
of entitlement under this paragraph shall be made by the 
submittal of written notice of the action to the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) Entitlement transferred under this section may 
not be treated as marital property, or the asset of a mar-
ital estate, subject to division in a divorce or other civil 
proceeding. 
‘‘(g) COMMENCEMENT OF USE.—A dependent child 
to whom entitlement to educational assistance is trans-
ferred under this section may not commence the use of 
the transferred entitlement until either— 
‘‘(1) the completion by the child of the require-
ments of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency 
certificate); or 
‘‘(2) the attainment by the child of 18 years of 
age. 
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‘‘(h) ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.—(1) 
The use of any entitlement to educational assistance 
transferred under this section shall be charged against the 
entitlement of the individual making the transfer at the 
rate of one month for each month of transferred entitle-
ment that is used. 
‘‘(2) Except as provided under subsection (e)(2) and 
subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), a dependent to whom 
entitlement is transferred under this section is entitled to 
educational assistance under this chapter in the same 
manner as the individual from whom the entitlement was 
transferred. 
‘‘(3) The monthly rate of educational assistance pay-
able to a dependent to whom entitlement referred to in 
paragraph (2) is transferred under this section shall be 
payable at the same rate as such entitlement would other-
wise be payable under this chapter to the individual mak-
ing the transfer. 
‘‘(4) The death of an individual transferring an enti-
tlement under this section shall not affect the use of the 
entitlement by the dependent to whom the entitlement is 
transferred. 
‘‘(5)(A) A child to whom entitlement is transferred 
under this section may use the benefits transferred with-
out regard to the 15-year delimiting date specified in sec-
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tion 3321 of this title, but may not, except as provided 
in subparagraph (B), use any benefits so transferred after 
attaining the age of 26 years. 
‘‘(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), in the case of a child 
who, before attaining the age of 26 years, is prevented 
from pursuing a chosen program of education by reason 
of acting as the primary provider of personal care services 
for a veteran or member of the Armed Forces under sec-
tion 1720G(a) of this title, the child may use the benefits 
beginning on the date specified in clause (iii) for a period 
whose length is specified in clause (iv). 
‘‘(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to the 
period of an individual as a primary provider of personal 
care services if the period concludes with the revocation 
of the individual’s designation as such a primary provider 
under section 1720G(a)(7)(D) of this title. 
‘‘(iii) The date specified in this clause for the begin-
ning of the use of benefits by a child under clause (i) is 
the later of— 
‘‘(I) the date on which the child ceases acting 
as the primary provider of personal care services for 
the veteran or member concerned as described in 
clause (i); 
‘‘(II) the date on which it is reasonably feasible, 
as determined under regulations prescribed by the 
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Secretary, for the child to initiate or resume the use 
of benefits; or 
‘‘(III) the date on which the child attains the 
age of 26 years. 
‘‘(iv) The length of the period specified in this clause 
for the use of benefits by a child under clause (i) is the 
length equal to the length of the period that— 
‘‘(I) begins on the date on which the child be-
gins acting as the primary provider of personal care 
services for the veteran or member concerned as de-
scribed in clause (i); and 
‘‘(II) ends on the later of— 
‘‘(aa) the date on which the child ceases 
acting as the primary provider of personal care 
services for the veteran or member as described 
in clause (i); or 
‘‘(bb) the date on which it is reasonably 
feasible, as so determined, for the child to ini-
tiate or resume the use of benefits. 
‘‘(6) The purposes for which a dependent to whom 
entitlement is transferred under this section may use such 
entitlement shall include the pursuit and completion of the 
requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equiva-
lency certificate). 
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‘‘(7) The administrative provisions of this chapter 
shall apply to the use of entitlement transferred under this 
section, except that the dependent to whom the entitle-
ment is transferred shall be treated as the eligible indi-
vidual for purposes of such provisions. 
‘‘(i) OVERPAYMENT.—In the event of an overpayment 
of educational assistance with respect to a dependent to 
whom entitlement is transferred under this section, the de-
pendent and the individual making the transfer shall be 
jointly and severally liable to the United States for the 
amount of the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 
of this title. 
‘‘(j) REGULATIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall pre-
scribe regulations to carry out this section. 
‘‘(2) Such regulations shall specify— 
‘‘(A) the manner of authorizing the transfer of 
entitlements under this section; 
‘‘(B) the eligibility criteria in accordance with 
subsection (b); and 
‘‘(C) the manner and effect of an election to 
modify or revoke a transfer of entitlement under 
subsection (f)(2).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) TRANSFERS
BY
MEMBERS
OF
ARMED 
FORCES.—The heading of section 3319 of such title 
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is amended by inserting ‘‘by members of the 
Armed Forces’’ after ‘‘family members’’. 
(2) BAR TO DUPLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE BENEFITS.—Section 3322(e) of such title 
is amended by inserting ‘‘or 3319A’’ after ‘‘and 
3319’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 33 of such title is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 3319 and inserting 
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.’’. 
SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENT OF SPECIAL COMPENSATION FOR 
MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 
WITH INJURIES OR ILLNESSES REQUIRING 
ASSISTANCE IN EVERYDAY LIVING. 
(a) EXPANSION
OF
COVERED
MEMBERS.—Sub-
section (b) of section 439 of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraphs (1) through (3) and 
inserting the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) has a serious injury or illness that was in-
curred or aggravated in the line of duty; 
‘‘(2) is in need of personal care services (includ-
ing supervision or protection or regular instruction 
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or supervision) as a result of such injury or illness; 
and’’; and 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (3). 
(b) NONTAXABILITY OF SPECIAL COMPENSATION.— 
Such section is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), 
and (h) as subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j), respec-
tively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing new subsection (e): 
‘‘(e) NONTAXABILITY OF COMPENSATION.—Monthly 
special compensation paid under subsection (a) shall not 
be included in income for purposes of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986.’’. 
(c) PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO FAMILY CARE-
GIVERS.—Such section is further amended by inserting 
after subsection (e), as amended by subsection (b) of this 
section, the following new subsection (f): 
‘‘(f) ASSISTANCE
FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS.—(1) 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide family 
caregivers of a member in receipt of monthly special com-
pensation under subsection (a) the assistance required to 
be provided to family caregivers of eligible veterans under 
section 1720G(a)(3)(A) of title 38 (other than the monthly 
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personal caregiver stipend provided for in clause (ii)(V) 
of such section). For purposes of the provision of such 
assistance under this subsection, the definitions in section 
1720G(d) of title 38 shall apply, except that any reference 
in such definitions to a veteran or eligible veteran shall 
be deemed to be a reference to the member concerned. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide 
assistance under this subsection— 
‘‘(A) in accordance with a memorandum of un-
derstanding entered into by the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense; and 
‘‘(B) in accordance with a memorandum of un-
derstanding entered into by the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs and the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity (with respect to members of the Coast Guard).’’. 
(d) EXPANSION OF COVERED INJURIES AND ILL-
NESSES.—Subsection (i) of such section, as redesignated 
by subsection (b)(1) of this section, is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(i) SERIOUS INJURY OR ILLNESS DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘serious injury or illness’ means an 
injury, disorder, or illness (including traumatic brain in-
jury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) 
that— 
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‘‘(1) renders the afflicted person unable to 
carry out one or more activities of daily living; 
‘‘(2) renders the afflicted person in need of su-
pervision or protection due to the manifestation by 
such person of symptoms or residuals of neurological 
or other impairment or injury; 
‘‘(3) renders the afflicted person in need of reg-
ular or extensive instruction or supervision in com-
pleting two or more instrumental activities of daily 
living; or 
‘‘(4) otherwise impairs the afflicted person in 
such manner as the Secretary of Defense (or the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the 
Coast Guard) prescribes for purposes of this sec-
tion.’’. 
(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) HEADING AMENDMENT.—The heading for 
such section is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 439. Special compensation: members of the uni-
formed services with serious injuries or 
illnesses requiring assistance in everyday 
living’’. 
(2) TABLE
OF
SECTIONS
AMENDMENT.—The 
table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of 
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such title is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 439 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘439. Special compensation: members of the uniformed services with serious in-
juries or illnesses requiring assistance in everyday living.’’. 
SEC. 5. FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS FOR CERTAIN 
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. 
(a) DEFINITION OF COVERED EMPLOYEE.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘covered employee’’ means an employee 
(as defined in section 2105 of title 5, United States Code) 
who— 
(1) is a caregiver, as defined in section 1720G 
of title 38, United States Code; or 
(2) is a caregiver of an individual who receives 
compensation under section 439 of title 37, United 
States Code. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO ALLOW FLEXIBLE WORK AR-
RANGEMENTS.—The Director of the Office of Personnel 
Management may promulgate regulations under which a 
covered employee may— 
(1) use a flexible schedule or compressed sched-
ule in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 61 
of title 5, United States Code; or 
(2) telework in accordance with chapter 65 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
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SEC. 6. LIFESPAN RESPITE CARE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2901 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ii) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respec-
tively, and realigning the margins accordingly; 
(B) by striking ‘‘who requires care or su-
pervision to—’’ and inserting ‘‘who— 
‘‘(A) requires care or supervision to—’’; 
(C) by striking the period and inserting ‘‘; 
or’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) is a veteran participating in the pro-
gram of comprehensive assistance for family 
caregivers under section 1720G(a) of title 38, 
United States Code.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘or another 
unpaid adult,’’ and inserting ‘‘another unpaid adult, 
or a family caregiver as defined in section 1720G of 
title 38, United States Code, who receives compensa-
tion under such section,’’. 
(b) GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—Sec-
tion 2902(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
300ii–1(c)) is amended by inserting ‘‘and the interagency 
working group on policies relating to caregivers of vet-
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erans established under section 7 of the Military and Vet-
eran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015’’ after 
‘‘Human Services’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
2905 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ii– 
4) is amended by striking ‘‘There are’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘2011.’’ and inserting ‘‘There are authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this title $15,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.’’. 
SEC. 7. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON CAREGIVER 
POLICY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be established in 
the executive branch an interagency working group on 
policies relating to caregivers of veterans and members of 
the Armed Forces (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘working group’’). 
(b) COMPOSITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The working group shall be 
composed of the following: 
(A) A chair selected by the President. 
(B) A representative from each of the fol-
lowing agencies or organizations selected by the 
head of such agency or organization: 
(i) The Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
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(ii) The Department of Defense. 
(iii) The Department of Health and 
Human Services. 
(iv) The Department of Labor. 
(v) The Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services. 
(2) ADVISORS.—The chair may select any of 
the following individuals that the chair considers ap-
propriate to advise the working group in carrying 
out the duties of the working group: 
(A) Academic experts in fields relating to 
caregivers. 
(B) Clinicians. 
(C) Caregivers. 
(D) Individuals in receipt of caregiver serv-
ices. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the working group are 
as follows: 
(1) To regularly review policies relating to care-
givers of veterans and members of the Armed 
Forces. 
(2) To coordinate and oversee the implementa-
tion of policies relating to caregivers of veterans and 
members of the Armed Forces. 
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(3) To evaluate the effectiveness of policies re-
lating to caregivers of veterans and members of the 
Armed Forces, including programs in each relevant 
agency, by developing and applying specific goals 
and performance measures. 
(4) To develop standards of care for caregiver 
services and respite care services provided to a care-
giver, veteran, or member of the Armed Forces by 
a non-profit or private sector entity. 
(5) To ensure the availability of mechanisms for 
agencies, and entities affiliated with or providing 
services on behalf of agencies, to enforce the stand-
ards described in paragraph (4) and conduct over-
sight on the implementation of such standards. 
(6) To develop recommendations for legislative 
or administrative action to enhance the provision of 
services to caregivers, veterans, and members of the 
Armed Forces, including eliminating gaps in such 
services and eliminating disparities in eligibility for 
such services. 
(7) To coordinate with State and local agencies 
and relevant non-profit organizations on maximizing 
the use and effectiveness of resources for caregivers 
of veterans and members of the Armed Forces. 
(d) REPORTS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 
2015, and annually thereafter, the chair of the work-
ing group shall submit to Congress a report on poli-
cies and services relating to caregivers of veterans 
and members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the policies relating 
to caregivers of veterans and members of the 
Armed Forces and services provided pursuant 
to such policies as of the date of submittal of 
the report. 
(B) A description of any steps taken by 
the working group to improve the coordination 
of services for caregivers of veterans and mem-
bers of the Armed Forces among the entities 
specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) and eliminate 
barriers to effective use of such services, includ-
ing aligning eligibility criteria. 
(C) An evaluation of the performance of 
the entities specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) in 
providing services for caregivers of veterans and 
members of the Armed Forces. 
(D) An evaluation of the quality and suffi-
ciency of services for caregivers of veterans and 
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members of the Armed Forces available from 
non-governmental organizations. 
(E) A description of any gaps in care or 
services provided by caregivers to veterans or 
members of the Armed Forces identified by the 
working group, and steps taken by the entities 
specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) to eliminate 
such gaps or recommendations for legislative or 
administrative action to address such gaps. 
(F) Such other matters or recommenda-
tions as the chair considers appropriate. 
SEC. 8. STUDIES ON POST-SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, VETERANS 
AND SERIOUSLY INJURED VETERANS. 
(a) LONGITUDINAL
STUDY
ON
POST-9/11 VET-
ERANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall provide for the conduct of a longitu-
dinal study on members of the Armed Forces who 
commenced service in the Armed Forces after Sep-
tember 11, 2001. 
(2) GRANT OR CONTRACT.—The Secretary shall 
award a grant to, or enter into a contract with, an 
appropriate entity unaffiliated with the Department 
of Veterans Affairs to conduct the study required by 
paragraph (1). 
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(3) PLAN.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives a plan for the 
conduct of the study required by paragraph (1). 
(4) REPORTS.—Not later than October 1, 2019, 
and not less frequently than once every four years 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on the results of the study 
required by paragraph (1) as of the date of such re-
port. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
ON SERIOUSLY IN-
JURED VETERANS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall provide for the conduct of a comprehen-
sive study on the following: 
(A) Veterans who have incurred a serious 
injury or illness, including a mental health in-
jury. 
(B) Individuals who are acting as care-
givers for veterans. 
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(2) ELEMENTS.—The comprehensive study re-
quired by paragraph (1) shall include the following 
with respect to each veteran included in such study: 
(A) The health of the veteran and, if appli-
cable, the impact of the caregiver of such vet-
eran on the health of such veteran. 
(B) The employment status of the veteran 
and, if applicable, the impact of the caregiver of 
such veteran on the employment status of such 
veteran. 
(C) The financial status and needs of the 
veteran. 
(D) The use by the veteran of benefits 
available to such veteran from the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(E) Any other information that the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
(3) GRANT OR CONTRACT.—The Secretary shall 
award a grant to, or enter into a contract with, an 
appropriate entity unaffiliated with the Department 
of Veterans Affairs to conduct the study required by 
paragraph (1). 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than two years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
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of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 
results of the study required by paragraph (1). 
Æ 
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