IIB 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5693 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JULY 26, 2018 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
AN ACT 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts 
and agreements for the placement of veterans in non- 
Department medical foster homes for certain veterans 
who are unable to live independently, to establish the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Adminis-
tration and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic 
Opportunity and Transition of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs, to amend the interest rate for certain 
loans guaranteed under the home loan program of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Long-Term Care Vet-
erans Choice Act’’. 
SEC. 2. SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTRACT AU-
THORITY FOR PLACEMENT OF VETERANS IN 
NON-DEPARTMENT MEDICAL FOSTER HOMES. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Section 1720 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(h)(1) During the three-year period beginning on 
October 1, 2019, and subject to paragraph (2), at the re-
quest of a veteran for whom the Secretary is required to 
provide nursing home care under section 1710A of this 
title, the Secretary may place the veteran in a medical fos-
ter home that meets Department standards, at the ex-
pense of the United States, pursuant to a contract, agree-
ment, or other arrangement entered into between the Sec-
retary and the medical foster home for such purpose. A 
veteran who is placed in a medical foster home under this 
subsection shall agree, as a condition of such placement, 
to accept home health services furnished by the Secretary 
under section 1717 of this title. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
‘‘(2) In any year, not more than a daily average of 
900 veterans placed in a medical foster home, whether 
placed before or after the date of the enactment of this 
subsection, may have their care covered at the expense of 
the United States under subsection (a). 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘medical foster 
home’ means a home designed to provide non-institutional, 
long-term, supportive care for veterans who are unable to 
live independently and prefer a family setting.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (h) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take 
effect on October 1, 2019. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPOR-
TUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRAN-
SITION ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Part V of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new chapter: 
‘‘CHAPTER 80—VETERANS ECONOMIC OP-
PORTUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMIN-
ISTRATION 
‘‘8001. Organization of Administration. 
‘‘8002. Functions of Administration. 
‘‘8003. Annual report to Congress. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
‘‘§ 8001. Organization of Administration 
‘‘(a) VETERANS
ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY
AND 
TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION.—There is in the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Economic Oppor-
tunity and Transition Administration. The primary func-
tion of the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transi-
tion Administration is the administration of the programs 
of the Department that provide assistance related to eco-
nomic opportunity to veterans and their dependents and 
survivors. 
‘‘(b) UNDER SECRETARY
FOR ECONOMIC OPPOR-
TUNITY AND TRANSITION.—The Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition Administration is under the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition, who is directly responsible to the Secretary for 
the operations of the Administration. 
‘‘§ 8002. Functions of Administration 
‘‘The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration is responsible for the administration of the 
following programs of the Department: 
‘‘(1) Vocational rehabilitation and employment 
programs. 
‘‘(2) Educational assistance programs. 
‘‘(3) Veterans’ housing loan and related pro-
grams. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
‘‘(4) The verification of small businesses owned 
and controlled by veterans pursuant to subsection (f) 
of section 8127 of this title, including the adminis-
tration of the database of veteran-owned businesses 
described in such subsection. 
‘‘(5) The Transition Assistance Program under 
section 1144 of title 10. 
‘‘(6) Any other program of the Department 
that the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘§ 8003. Annual report to Congress 
‘‘The Secretary shall include in the annual report to 
the Congress required by section 529 of this title a report 
on the programs administered by the Under Secretary for 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition. Each 
such report shall include the following with respect to each 
such program during the fiscal year covered by that re-
port: 
‘‘(1) The number of claims received. 
‘‘(2) The number of claims decided. 
‘‘(3) The average processing time for a claim. 
‘‘(4) The number of successful outcomes (as de-
termined by the Secretary). 
‘‘(5) The number of full-time equivalent em-
ployees. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
‘‘(6) The amounts expended for information 
technology.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENTS.—The tables of 
chapters at the beginning of title 38, United States 
Code, and of part V of title 38, United States Code, 
are each amended by inserting after the item relat-
ing to chapter 79 the following new item: 
‘‘80. Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Ad-
ministration ............................................................. 8001’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Chapter 80 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take 
effect on October 1, 2019. 
(c) FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.—For fiscal years 2019 
and 2020, the total number of full-time equivalent employ-
ees authorized for the Veterans Benefits Administration 
and the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration, as established under chapter 80 of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may 
not exceed 23,692. 
SEC. 4. UNDER SECRETARY FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC OP-
PORTUNITY AND TRANSITION. 
(a) UNDER SECRETARY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
306 the following new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
‘‘§ 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition 
‘‘(a) UNDER SECRETARY.—There is in the Depart-
ment an Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Oppor-
tunity and Transition, who is appointed by the President, 
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition shall be appointed without regard to political 
affiliation or activity and solely on the basis of dem-
onstrated ability in— 
‘‘(1) information technology; and 
‘‘(2) the administration of programs within the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Ad-
ministration or programs of similar content and 
scope. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Under Secretary for 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition is the 
head of, and is directly responsible to the Secretary for 
the operations of, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition Administration. 
‘‘(c) VACANCIES.—(1) Whenever a vacancy in the po-
sition of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Oppor-
tunity and Transition occurs or is anticipated, the Sec-
retary shall establish a commission to recommend individ-
uals to the President for appointment to the position. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
‘‘(2) A commission established under this subsection 
shall be composed of the following members appointed by 
the Secretary: 
‘‘(A) Three persons representing education and 
training, vocational rehabilitation, employment, real 
estate, mortgage finance and related industries, and 
survivor benefits activities affected by the Veterans 
Economic Opportunity and Transition Administra-
tion. 
‘‘(B) Two persons representing veterans served 
by the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transi-
tion Administration. 
‘‘(C) Two persons who have experience in the 
management of private sector benefits programs of 
similar content and scope to the economic oppor-
tunity and transition programs of the Department. 
‘‘(D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(E) The chairman of the Veterans’ Advisory 
Committee on Education formed under section 3692 
of this title. 
‘‘(F) One person who has held the position of 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition, if the Secretary determines that it 
is desirable for such person to be a member of the 
commission. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
‘‘(3) A commission established under this subsection 
shall recommend at least three individuals for appoint-
ment to the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Eco-
nomic Opportunity and Transition. The commission shall 
submit all recommendations to the Secretary. The Sec-
retary shall forward the recommendations to the President 
and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 
and House of Representatives with any comments the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. Thereafter, the President 
may request the commission to recommend additional in-
dividuals for appointment. 
‘‘(4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel 
management and labor relations functions shall serve as 
the executive secretary of a commission established under 
this subsection.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 306 
the following new item: 
‘‘306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Title 38, United 
States Code, is further amended— 
(1) in section 306(c)(2), by striking subpara-
graphs (A) and (E) and redesignating subpara-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
HR 5693 RFS
graphs (B), (C), (D), and (F), as subparagraphs (A) 
through (D), respectively; 
(2) in section 317(d)(2), by inserting after 
‘‘Under Secretary for Benefits,’’ the following: ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition,’’; 
(3) in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after 
‘‘Under Secretary for Benefits,’’ the following: ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition,’’; 
(4) in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking ‘‘Health 
and the Under Secretary for Benefits’’ and inserting 
‘‘Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition’’; 
(5) in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking ‘‘Health 
and the Under Secretary for Benefits’’ and inserting 
‘‘Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition’’; 
(6) in section 542(a)(2)(B)(iii), by striking 
‘‘Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, 
and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:20 Jul 27, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5693.RFS
H5693
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS