H. R. 1627—29 
‘‘(A) shall encourage claimants to submit relevant private 
medical records of the claimant to the Secretary if such submis-
sion does not burden the claimant; and 
‘‘(B) in obtaining relevant private records under paragraph 
(1), may require the claimant to authorize the Secretary to 
obtain such records if such authorization is required to comply 
with Federal, State, or local law.’’. 
(b) PUBLIC RECORDS.—Subsection (c) of such section is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) OBTAINING RECORDS FOR COMPENSATION CLAIMS.—(1) In 
the case of a claim for disability compensation, the assistance 
provided by the Secretary under this section shall include obtaining 
the following records if relevant to the claim: 
‘‘(A) The claimant’s service medical records and, if the 
claimant has furnished the Secretary information sufficient 
to locate such records, other relevant records pertaining to 
the claimant’s active military, naval, or air service that are 
held or maintained by a governmental entity. 
‘‘(B) Records of relevant medical treatment or examination 
of the claimant at Department health-care facilities or at the 
expense of the Department, if the claimant furnishes informa-
tion sufficient to locate those records. 
‘‘(C) Any other relevant records held by any Federal depart-
ment or agency that the claimant adequately identifies and 
authorizes the Secretary to obtain. 
‘‘(2) Whenever the Secretary attempts to obtain records from 
a Federal department or agency under this subsection, the efforts 
to obtain those records shall continue until the records are obtained 
unless it is reasonably certain that such records do not exist or 
that further efforts to obtain those records would be futile.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsections 
(a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply 
with respect to assistance obligations of the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs on or after such date. 
(2) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section or the amend-
ments made by this section shall be construed to require the 
Secretary to carry out assistance in accordance with require-
ments of section 5103A of title 38, United States Code, as 
in effect on the day before the effective date established in 
paragraph (1) on or after such effective date. 
SEC. 506. AUTHORITY FOR RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR 
AWARDS OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION 
WITH APPLICATIONS THAT ARE FULLY-DEVELOPED AT 
SUBMITTAL. 
Section 5110(b) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
(3) and (4), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph (2): 
‘‘(2)(A) The effective date of an award of disability compensation 
to a veteran who submits an application therefor that sets forth 
an original claim that is fully-developed (as determined by the 
Secretary) as of the date of submittal shall be fixed in accordance
H. R. 1627—30 
with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date that 
is one year before the date of receipt of the application. 
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, an original claim is an 
initial claim filed by a veteran for disability compensation. 
‘‘(C) This paragraph shall take effect on the date that is one 
year after the date of the enactment of the Honoring America’s 
Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 and 
shall not apply with respect to claims filed after the date that 
is three years after the date of the enactment of such Act.’’. 
SEC. 507. MODIFICATION OF MONTH OF DEATH BENEFIT FOR SUR-
VIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WHO DIE WHILE ENTITLED 
TO COMPENSATION OR PENSION. 
(a) SURVIVING SPOUSE BENEFIT
FOR MONTH
OF VETERAN’S 
DEATH.—Subsections (a) and (b) of section 5310 are amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) A surviving spouse of a veteran is entitled 
to a benefit for the month of the veteran’s death if— 
‘‘(A) at the time of the veteran’s death, the veteran was 
receiving compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of 
this title; or 
‘‘(B) the veteran is determined for purposes of section 5121 
or 5121A of this title as having been entitled to receive com-
pensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of this title for 
the month of the veteran’s death. 
‘‘(2) The amount of the benefit under paragraph (1) is the 
amount that the veteran would have received under chapter 11 
or 15 of this title, as the case may be, for the month of the 
veteran’s death had the veteran not died. 
‘‘(b) CLAIMS PENDING ADJUDICATION.—If a claim for entitlement 
to compensation or additional compensation under chapter 11 of 
this title or pension or additional pension under chapter 15 of 
this title is pending at the time of a veteran’s death and the 
check or other payment issued to the veteran’s surviving spouse 
under subsection (a) is less than the amount of the benefit the 
veteran would have been entitled to for the month of death pursuant 
to the adjudication of the pending claim, an amount equal to the 
difference between the amount to which the veteran would have 
been entitled to receive under chapter 11 or 15 of this title for 
the month of the veteran’s death had the veteran not died and 
the amount of the check or other payment issued to the surviving 
spouse shall be treated in the same manner as an accrued benefit 
under section 5121 of this title.’’. 
(b) MONTH
OF
DEATH
BENEFIT
EXEMPT
FROM
DELAYED 
COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENT.—Section 5111(c)(1) is amended by 
striking ‘‘apply to’’ and all that follows through ‘‘death occurred’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘not apply to payments made pursuant 
to section 5310 of this title’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
shall apply with respect to deaths that occur on or after that 
date. 
SEC. 508. INCREASE IN RATE OF PENSION FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
MARRIED TO ONE ANOTHER AND BOTH OF WHOM 
REQUIRE REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1521(f)(2) is amended by striking 
‘‘$30,480’’ and inserting ‘‘$32,433’’.
H. R. 1627—31 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 509. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENTS OF EXPENSES 
FROM 
DETERMINATION 
OF 
ANNUAL 
INCOME 
WITH 
RESPECT TO PENSIONS FOR VETERANS AND SURVIVING 
SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (5) of section 1503(a) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) payments regarding reimbursements of any kind 
(including insurance settlement payments) for expenses related 
to the repayment, replacement, or repair of equipment, vehicles, 
items, money, or property resulting from— 
‘‘(A) any accident (as defined by the Secretary), but 
the amount excluded under this subclause shall not exceed 
the greater of the fair market value or reasonable replace-
ment value of the equipment or vehicle involved at the 
time immediately preceding the accident; 
‘‘(B) any theft or loss (as defined by the Secretary), 
but the amount excluded under this subclause shall not 
exceed the greater of the fair market value or reasonable 
replacement value of the item or the amount of the money 
(including legal tender of the United States or of a foreign 
country) involved at the time immediately preceding the 
theft or loss; or 
‘‘(C) any casualty loss (as defined by the Secretary), 
but the amount excluded under this subclause shall not 
exceed the greater of the fair market value or reasonable 
replacement value of the property involved at the time 
immediately preceding the casualty loss;’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE VI—MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND 
CEMETERY MATTERS 
SEC. 601. PROHIBITION ON DISRUPTIONS OF FUNERALS OF MEMBERS 
OR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.— 
(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to provide 
necessary and proper support for the recruitment and retention 
of the Armed Forces and militia employed in the service of 
the United States by protecting the dignity of the service of 
the members of such Forces and militia, and by protecting 
the privacy of their immediate family members and other 
attendees during funeral services for such members. 
(2) CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.—Congress finds that this 
section is a necessary and proper exercise of its powers under 
the Constitution, article I, section 8, paragraphs 1, 12, 13, 
14, 16, and 18, to provide for the common defense, raise and 
support armies, provide and maintain a navy, make rules for 
the government and regulation of the land and naval forces, 
and provide for organizing and governing such part of the 
militia as may be employed in the service of the United States.
H. R. 1627—32 
(b) AMENDMENT TO TITLE 18.—Section 1388 of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1388. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members 
or former members of the Armed Forces 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—For any funeral of a member or former 
member of the Armed Forces that is not located at a cemetery 
under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or part 
of Arlington National Cemetery, it shall be unlawful for any person 
to engage in an activity during the period beginning 120 minutes 
before and ending 120 minutes after such funeral, any part of 
which activity— 
‘‘(1)(A) takes place within the boundaries of the location 
of such funeral or takes place within 300 feet of the point 
of the intersection between— 
‘‘(i) the boundary of the location of such funeral; and 
‘‘(ii) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress to or 
egress from the location of such funeral; and 
‘‘(B) includes any individual willfully making or assisting 
in the making of any noise or diversion— 
‘‘(i) that is not part of such funeral and that disturbs 
or tends to disturb the peace or good order of such funeral; 
and 
‘‘(ii) with the intent of disturbing the peace or good 
order of such funeral; 
‘‘(2)(A) is within 500 feet of the boundary of the location 
of such funeral; and 
‘‘(B) includes any individual— 
‘‘(i) 
willfully 
and 
without 
proper 
authorization 
impeding or tending to impede the access to or egress 
from such location; and 
‘‘(ii) with the intent to impede the access to or egress 
from such location; or 
‘‘(3) is on or near the boundary of the residence, home, 
or domicile of any surviving member of the deceased person’s 
immediate family and includes any individual willfully making 
or assisting in the making of any noise or diversion— 
‘‘(A) that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace of 
the persons located at such location; and 
‘‘(B) with the intent of disturbing such peace. 
‘‘(b) PENALTY.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 
be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, 
or both. 
‘‘(c) CIVIL REMEDIES.— 
‘‘(1) DISTRICT COURTS.—The district courts of the United 
States shall have jurisdiction— 
‘‘(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; 
and 
‘‘(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) ATTORNEY
GENERAL.—The Attorney General may 
institute proceedings under this section. 
‘‘(3) CLAIMS.—Any person, including a surviving member 
of the deceased person’s immediate family, who suffers injury 
as a result of conduct that violates this section may—
H. R. 1627—33 
‘‘(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States 
district court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; 
and 
‘‘(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) 
and the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ 
fees. 
‘‘(4) ESTOPPEL.—A final judgment or decree rendered in 
favor of the United States in any criminal proceeding brought 
by the United States under this section shall estop the defend-
ant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal 
offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by a person 
or by the United States. 
‘‘(d) ACTUAL AND STATUTORY DAMAGES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to any penalty imposed under 
subsection (b), a violator of this section is liable in an action 
under subsection (c) for actual or statutory damages as provided 
in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) ACTIONS BY PRIVATE PERSONS.—A person bringing an 
action under subsection (c)(3) may elect, at any time before 
final judgment is rendered, to recover the actual damages suf-
fered by him or her as a result of the violation or, instead 
of actual damages, an award of statutory damages for each 
violation involved in the action. 
‘‘(3) ACTIONS BY ATTORNEY GENERAL.—In any action under 
subsection (c)(2), the Attorney General is entitled to recover 
an award of statutory damages for each violation involved 
in the action notwithstanding any recovery under subsection 
(c)(3). 
‘‘(4) STATUTORY DAMAGES.—A court may award, as the court 
considers just, statutory damages in a sum of not less than 
$25,000 or more than $50,000 per violation. 
‘‘(e) REBUTTABLE
PRESUMPTION.—It shall be a rebuttable 
presumption that the violation was committed willfully for purposes 
of determining relief under this section if the violator, or a person 
acting in concert with the violator, did not have reasonable grounds 
to believe, either from the attention or publicity sought by the 
violator or other circumstance, that the conduct of such violator 
or person would not disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good 
order of such funeral, impede or tend to impede the access to 
or egress from such funeral, or disturb or tend to disturb the 
peace of any surviving member of the deceased person’s immediate 
family who may be found on or near the residence, home, or domicile 
of the deceased person’s immediate family on the date of the service 
or ceremony. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘Armed Forces’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 101 of title 10 and includes members and 
former members of the National Guard who were employed 
in the service of the United States; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘immediate family’ means, with respect to 
a person, the immediate family members of such person, as 
such term is defined in section 115 of this title.’’. 
(c) AMENDMENT TO TITLE 38.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 2413 is amended to read as fol-
lows:
H. R. 1627—34 
‘‘§ 2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disrup-
tions at cemeteries under control of the National 
Cemetery 
Administration 
and 
at 
Arlington 
National Cemetery 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful for any person— 
‘‘(1) to carry out a demonstration on the property of a 
cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Adminis-
tration or on the property of Arlington National Cemetery 
unless the demonstration has been approved by the cemetery 
superintendent or the director of the property on which the 
cemetery is located; or 
‘‘(2) with respect to such a cemetery, to engage in a dem-
onstration during the period beginning 120 minutes before and 
ending 120 minutes after a funeral, memorial service, or cere-
mony is held, any part of which demonstration— 
‘‘(A)(i) takes place within the boundaries of such ceme-
tery or takes place within 300 feet of the point of the 
intersection between— 
‘‘(I) the boundary of such cemetery; and 
‘‘(II) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress 
to or egress from such cemetery; and 
‘‘(ii) includes any individual willfully making or 
assisting in the making of any noise or diversion— 
‘‘(I) that is not part of such funeral, memorial 
service, or ceremony and that disturbs or tends to 
disturb the peace or good order of such funeral, memo-
rial service, or ceremony; and 
‘‘(II) with the intent of disturbing the peace or 
good order of such funeral, memorial service, or cere-
mony; or 
‘‘(B)(i) is within 500 feet of the boundary of such ceme-
tery; and 
‘‘(ii) includes any individual— 
‘‘(I) willfully and without proper authorization 
impeding or tending to impede the access to or egress 
from such cemetery; and 
‘‘(II) with the intent to impede the access to or 
egress from such cemetery. 
‘‘(b) PENALTY.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 
be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than one year, 
or both. 
‘‘(c) CIVIL REMEDIES.—(1) The district courts of the United 
States shall have jurisdiction— 
‘‘(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; and 
‘‘(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) The Attorney General of the United States may institute 
proceedings under this section. 
‘‘(3) Any person, including a surviving member of the deceased 
person’s immediate family, who suffers injury as a result of conduct 
that violates this section may— 
‘‘(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States district 
court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; and 
‘‘(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) and 
the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. 
‘‘(4) A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United 
States in any criminal proceeding brought by the United States
H. R. 1627—35 
under this section shall estop the defendant from denying the 
essential allegations of the criminal offense in any subsequent civil 
proceeding brought by a person or by the United States. 
‘‘(d) ACTUAL AND STATUTORY DAMAGES.—(1) In addition to any 
penalty imposed under subsection (b), a violator of this section 
is liable in an action under subsection (c) for actual or statutory 
damages as provided in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) A person bringing an action under subsection (c)(3) may 
elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered, to recover 
the actual damages suffered by him or her as a result of the 
violation or, instead of actual damages, an award of statutory 
damages for each violation involved in the action. 
‘‘(3) In any action brought under subsection (c)(2), the Attorney 
General is entitled to recover an award of statutory damages for 
each violation involved in the action notwithstanding any recovery 
under subsection (c)(3). 
‘‘(4) A court may award, as the court considers just, statutory 
damages in a sum of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 
per violation. 
‘‘(e) REBUTTABLE
PRESUMPTION.—It shall be a rebuttable 
presumption that the violation of subsection (a) was committed 
willfully for purposes of determining relief under this section if 
the violator, or a person acting in concert with the violator, did 
not have reasonable grounds to believe, either from the attention 
or publicity sought by the violator or other circumstance, that 
the conduct of such violator or person would not— 
‘‘(1) disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good order 
of such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; or 
‘‘(2) impede or tend to impede the access to or egress 
from such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘demonstration’ includes— 
‘‘(A) any picketing or similar conduct; 
‘‘(B) any oration, speech, use of sound amplification 
equipment or device, or similar conduct that is not part 
of a funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; 
‘‘(C) the display of any placard, banner, flag, or similar 
device, unless such a display is part of a funeral, memorial 
service, or ceremony; and 
‘‘(D) the distribution of any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet, 
or other written or printed matter other than a program 
distributed as part of a funeral, memorial service, or cere-
mony; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘immediate family’ means, with respect to 
a person, the immediate family members of such person, as 
such term is defined in section 115 of title 18.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 24 is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 2413 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at cemeteries under 
control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington Na-
tional Cemetery.’’. 
SEC. 602. CODIFICATION OF PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF 
GRAVESITES AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 24 is amended by inserting after 
section 2410 the following new section:
H. R. 1627—36 
‘‘§ 2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative 
matters 
‘‘(a) ONE GRAVESITE.—(1) Not more than one gravesite may 
be provided at Arlington National Cemetery to a veteran or member 
of the Armed Forces who is eligible for interment or inurnment 
at such cemetery. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of the Army may waive the prohibition 
in paragraph (1) as the Secretary of the Army considers appropriate. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF GRAVESITES.—(1) 
A gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery may not be reserved 
for an individual before the death of such individual. 
‘‘(2)(A) The President may waive the prohibition in paragraph 
(1) as the President considers appropriate. 
‘‘(B) Upon waiving the prohibition in paragraph (1), the Presi-
dent shall submit notice of such waiver to— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 
on Armed Services of the Senate; and 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 2410 the following new item: 
‘‘2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative matters.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), sec-
tion 2410A of title 38, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), shall apply with respect to all interments at 
Arlington National Cemetery after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (b) of such section, as so added, 
shall not apply with respect to the interment of an individual 
for whom a request for a reserved gravesite was approved 
by the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 1962. 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
submit to Congress a report on reservations made for interment 
at Arlington National Cemetery. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of requests for reservation of a 
gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery that were sub-
mitted to the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 
1962. 
(B) The number of gravesites at such cemetery that, 
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, 
were reserved in response to such requests. 
(C) The number of such gravesites that, on the day 
before the date of the enactment of this Act, were unoccu-
pied. 
(D) A list of all reservations for gravesites at such 
cemetery that were extended by individuals responsible 
for management of such cemetery in response to requests 
for such reservations made on or after January 1, 1962. 
(E) A description of the measures that the Secretary 
is taking to improve the accountability and transparency
H. R. 1627—37 
of the management of gravesite reservations at Arlington 
National Cemetery. 
(F) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
for legislative action as the Secretary considers necessary 
to improve such accountability and transparency. 
SEC. 603. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL 
CERTIFICATES TO PERSONS WHO DIED IN THE ACTIVE 
MILITARY, NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE. 
Section 112(a) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and persons who died in the active mili-
tary, naval, or air service,’’ after ‘‘under honorable conditions,’’; 
and 
(2) by striking ‘‘veteran’s’’ and inserting ‘‘deceased individ-
ual’s’’. 
SEC. 604. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF MONUMENTS IN 
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. 
Section 2409(b) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Under’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Under’’; 
(2) by inserting after ‘‘Secretary of the Army’’ the following: 
‘‘and subject to paragraph (2)’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2)(A) Except for a monument containing or marking interred 
remains, no monument (or similar structure, as determined by 
the Secretary of the Army in regulations) may be placed in Arlington 
National Cemetery except pursuant to the provisions of this sub-
section. 
‘‘(B) A monument may be placed in Arlington National Ceme-
tery if the monument commemorates— 
‘‘(i) the service in the Armed Forces of the individual, 
or group of individuals, whose memory is to be honored by 
the monument; or 
‘‘(ii) a particular military event. 
‘‘(C) No monument may be placed in Arlington National Ceme-
tery until the end of the 25-year period beginning— 
‘‘(i) in the case of the commemoration of service under 
subparagraph (B)(i), on the last day of the period of service 
so commemorated; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of the commemoration of a particular 
military event under subparagraph (B)(ii), on the last day of 
the period of the event. 
‘‘(D) A monument may be placed only in those sections of 
Arlington National Cemetery designated by the Secretary of the 
Army for such placement and only on land the Secretary determines 
is not suitable for burial. 
‘‘(E) A monument may only be placed in Arlington National 
Cemetery if an appropriate nongovernmental entity has agreed 
to act as a sponsoring organization to coordinate the placement 
of the monument and— 
‘‘(i) the construction and placement of the monument are 
paid for only using funds from private sources; 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of the Army consults with the Commis-
sion of Fine Arts and the Advisory Committee on Arlington 
National Cemetery before approving the design of the monu-
ment; and 
‘‘(iii) the sponsoring organization provides for an inde-
pendent study on the availability and suitability of alternative
H. R. 1627—38 
locations for the proposed monument outside of Arlington 
National Cemetery. 
‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary of the Army may waive the requirement 
under paragraph (2)(C) in a case in which the monument would 
commemorate a group of individuals who the Secretary deter-
mines— 
‘‘(i) has made valuable contributions to the Armed Forces 
that have been ongoing and perpetual for longer than 25 years 
and are expected to continue on indefinitely; and 
‘‘(ii) has provided service that is of such a character that 
the failure to place a monument to the group in Arlington 
National Cemetery would present a manifest injustice. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary waives such requirement under subpara-
graph (A), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) make available on an Internet website notification of 
the waiver and the rationale for the waiver; and 
‘‘(ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives written notice of the waiver 
and the rationale for the waiver. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary of the Army shall provide notice to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives 
of any monument proposed to be placed in Arlington National 
Cemetery. During the 60-day period beginning on the date on 
which such notice is received, Congress may pass a joint resolution 
of disapproval of the placement of the monument. The proposed 
monument may not be placed in Arlington National Cemetery until 
the later of— 
‘‘(A) if Congress does not pass a joint resolution of dis-
approval of the placement of the monument, the date that 
is 60 days after the date on which notice is received under 
this paragraph; or 
‘‘(B) if Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval 
of the placement of the monument, and the President signs 
a veto of such resolution, the earlier of— 
‘‘(i) the date on which either House of Congress votes 
and fails to override the veto of the President; or 
‘‘(ii) the date that is 30 session days after the date 
on which Congress received the veto and objections of the 
President.’’. 
TITLE VII—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 701. ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISAS-
TERS. 
(a) ADDITIONAL GRANTS
FOR DISABLED VETERANS
FOR SPE-
CIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 21 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:
H. R. 1627—39 
‘‘§ 2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by 
natural disasters 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the provisions of section 
2102 and 2102A of this title, the Secretary may provide assistance 
to a veteran whose home was previously adapted with assistance 
of a grant under this chapter in the event the adapted home 
which was being used and occupied by the veteran was destroyed 
or substantially damaged in a natural or other disaster, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Subject to subsection (c), assistance pro-
vided under subsection (a) shall— 
‘‘(1) be available to acquire a suitable housing unit with 
special fixtures or moveable facilities made necessary by the 
veteran’s disability, and necessary land therefor; 
‘‘(2) be available to a veteran to the same extent as if 
the veteran had not previously received assistance under this 
chapter; and 
‘‘(3) not be deducted from the maximum uses or from the 
maximum amount of assistance available under this chapter. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS.—The amount of the assistance provided under 
subsection (a) may not exceed the lesser of— 
‘‘(1) the reasonable cost, as determined by the Secretary, 
of repairing or replacing the damaged or destroyed home in 
excess of the available insurance coverage on such home; or 
‘‘(2) the maximum amount of assistance to which the vet-
eran would have been entitled under sections 2101(a), 2101(b), 
and 2102A of this title had the veteran not obtained previous 
assistance under this chapter.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 2108 the following new item: 
‘‘2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by natural disasters.’’. 
(b) EXTENSION
OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE
FOR VETERANS 
COMPLETING
VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION
PROGRAM.—Section 
3108(a)(2) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘In’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a 
veteran described in subparagraph (A) has been displaced as the 
result of a natural or other disaster while being paid a subsistence 
allowance under that subparagraph, as determined by the Sec-
retary, the Secretary may extend the payment of a subsistence 
allowance under such subparagraph for up to an additional two 
months while the veteran is satisfactorily following a program of 
employment services described in such subparagraph.’’. 
(c) WAIVER
OF LIMITATION
ON PROGRAM
OF INDEPENDENT 
LIVING SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE.—Section 3120(e) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘Programs’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The limitation in paragraph (1) shall not apply in any 
case in which the Secretary determines that a veteran described 
in subsection (b) has been displaced as the result of, or has other-
wise been adversely affected in the areas covered by, a natural 
or other disaster, as determined by the Secretary.’’.
H. R. 1627—40 
(d) COVENANTS AND LIENS CREATED BY PUBLIC ENTITIES IN 
RESPONSE TO DISASTER-RELIEF ASSISTANCE.—Paragraph (3) of sec-
tion 3703(d) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3)(A) Any real estate housing loan (other than for repairs, 
alterations, or improvements) shall be secured by a first lien on 
the realty. In determining whether a loan is so secured, the Sec-
retary may either disregard or allow for subordination to a superior 
lien created by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty 
in favor of either of the following: 
‘‘(i) A public entity that has provided or will provide assist-
ance in response to a major disaster as determined by the 
President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
‘‘(ii) A private entity to secure an obligation to such entity 
for the homeowner’s share of the costs of the management, 
operation, or maintenance of property, services, or programs 
within and for the benefit of the development or community 
in which the veteran’s realty is located, if the Secretary deter-
mines that the interests of the veteran borrower and of the 
Government will not be prejudiced by the operation of such 
covenant. 
‘‘(B) With respect to any superior lien described in subpara-
graph (A) created after June 6, 1969, the Secretary’s determination 
under clause (ii) of such subparagraph shall have been made prior 
to the recordation of the covenant.’’. 
(e) AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER CONVEYANCES FOR CERTAIN DIS-
ABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.—Section 
3903(a) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘No’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Except as provided 
in paragraph (2), no’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may provide or assist in providing an eligible 
person with a second automobile or other conveyance under this 
chapter if— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary receives satisfactory evidence that the 
automobile or other conveyance previously purchased with 
assistance under this chapter was destroyed— 
‘‘(i) as a result of a natural or other disaster, as deter-
mined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) through no fault of the eligible person; and 
‘‘(B) the eligible person does not otherwise receive from 
a property insurer compensation for the loss.’’. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each year, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the assistance 
provided or action taken by the Secretary in the last fiscal 
year pursuant to the authorities added by the amendments 
made by this section. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under paragraph 
(1) shall include the following for the fiscal year covered by 
the report: 
(A) A description of each natural disaster for which 
assistance was provided or action was taken as described 
in paragraph (1). 
(B) The number of cases or individuals, as the case 
may be, in which or to whom the Secretary provided assist-
ance or took action as described in paragraph (1).
H. R. 1627—41 
(C) For each such case or individual, a description 
of the type or amount of assistance or action taken, as 
the case may be. 
(g) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 702. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF LAW. 
(a) POOL OF MORTGAGE LOANS.—Section 3720(h)(2) is amended 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’. 
(b) LOAN FEES.—Section 3729(b)(2) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (C)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(4) in subparagraph (D)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’. 
(c) TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF MAXIMUM HOME LOAN GUAR-
ANTY AMOUNT.—Section 501 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement 
Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–389; 122 Stat. 4175; 38 U.S.C. 3703 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 
SEC. 703. REQUIREMENT FOR PLAN FOR REGULAR ASSESSMENT OF 
EMPLOYEES OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 
WHO HANDLE PROCESSING OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSA-
TION AND PENSION. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan that 
describes how the Secretary will— 
(1) regularly assess the skills and competencies of appro-
priate employees and managers of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration who are responsible for processing claims for 
compensation and pension benefits administered by the Sec-
retary; 
(2) provide training to those employees whose skills and 
competencies are assessed as unsatisfactory by the regular 
assessment described in paragraph (1), to remediate deficiencies 
in such skills and competencies; 
(3) reassess the skills and competencies of employees who 
receive training as described in paragraph (2); and
H. R. 1627—42 
(4) take appropriate personnel action if, following training 
and reassessment as described in paragraphs (2) and (3), respec-
tively, skills and competencies remain unsatisfactory. 
SEC. 704. MODIFICATION OF PROVISION RELATING TO REIMBURSE-
MENT RATE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES. 
Section 111(b)(3)(C) is amended by striking ‘‘under subpara-
graph (B)’’ and inserting ‘‘to or from a Department facility’’. 
SEC. 705. CHANGE IN COLLECTION AND VERIFICATION OF VETERAN 
INCOME. 
Section 1722(f)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘the previous year’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the most recent year for which information is avail-
able’’. 
SEC. 706. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ENFORCEMENT PEN-
ALTIES FOR MISREPRESENTATION OF A BUSINESS CON-
CERN AS A SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND CON-
TROLLED BY VETERANS OR AS A SMALL BUSINESS CON-
CERN OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-DISABLED 
VETERANS. 
Subsection (g) of section 8127 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Any business’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Any busi-
ness’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), as so designated— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘willfully and intentionally’’ before 
‘‘misrepresented’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘a reasonable period of time, as deter-
mined by the Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘a period of not 
less than five years’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) In the case of a debarment under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall commence debarment action against the business con-
cern by not later than 30 days after determining that the concern 
willfully and intentionally misrepresented the status of the concern 
as described in paragraph (1) and shall complete debarment actions 
against such concern by not later than 90 days after such determina-
tion. 
‘‘(3) The debarment of a business concern under paragraph 
(1) includes the debarment of all principals in the business concern 
for a period of not less than five years.’’. 
SEC. 707. QUARTERLY REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON CONFERENCES 
SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 5 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences spon-
sored by the Department 
‘‘(a) QUARTERLY REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 days 
after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on covered conferences. 
‘‘(b) MATTERS INCLUDED.—Each report under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) An accounting of the final costs to the Department 
of each covered conference occurring during the fiscal quarter
H. R. 1627—43 
preceding the date on which the report is submitted, including 
the costs related to— 
‘‘(A) transportation and parking; 
‘‘(B) per diem payments; 
‘‘(C) lodging; 
‘‘(D) rental of halls, auditoriums, or other spaces; 
‘‘(E) rental of equipment; 
‘‘(F) refreshments; 
‘‘(G) entertainment; 
‘‘(H) contractors; and 
‘‘(I) brochures or other printed media. 
‘‘(2) The total estimated costs to the Department for covered 
conferences occurring during the fiscal quarter in which the 
report is submitted. 
‘‘(c) COVERED CONFERENCE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘covered conference’ means a conference, meeting, or other similar 
forum that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the Department and 
is— 
‘‘(1) attended by 50 or more individuals, including one 
or more employees of the Department; or 
‘‘(2) estimated to cost the Department at least $20,000.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating 
to section 516 the following: 
‘‘517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Department.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 517 of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 
1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to the first quarter of fiscal 
year 2013 and each quarter thereafter. 
SEC. 708. PUBLICATION OF DATA ON EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN VET-
ERANS BY FEDERAL CONTRACTORS. 
Section 4212(d) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The Secretary of Labor shall establish and maintain an 
Internet website on which the Secretary of Labor shall publicly 
disclose the information reported to the Secretary of Labor by 
contractors under paragraph (1).’’. 
SEC. 709. VETSTAR AWARD PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 532 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may’’ and inserting ‘‘ (a) 
ADVERTISING IN NATIONAL MEDIA.—The Secretary may’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(b) VETSTAR AWARD PROGRAM.—(1) The Secretary shall estab-
lish an award program, to be known as the ‘VetStar Award Pro-
gram’, to recognize annually businesses for their contributions to 
veterans’ employment. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall establish a process for the administra-
tion of the award program, including criteria for— 
‘‘(A) categories and sectors of businesses eligible for recogni-
tion each year; and 
‘‘(B) objective measures to be used in selecting businesses 
to receive the award.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—
H. R. 1627—44 
(1) SECTION
HEADING.—The heading of such section is 
amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘; VetStar Award 
Program’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 5 is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 532 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘532. Authority to advertise in national media; VetStar Award Program.’’. 
SEC. 710. EXTENDED PERIOD OF PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF 
UNIFORMED SERVICES RELATING TO MORTGAGES, MORT-
GAGE FORECLOSURE, AND EVICTION. 
(a) STAY
OF PROCEEDINGS
AND PERIOD
OF ADJUSTMENT
OF 
OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY.—Section 
303(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 
533(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘within 9 months’’ and inserting 
‘‘within one year’’. 
(b) PERIOD OF RELIEF FROM SALE, FORECLOSURE, OR SEIZURE.— 
Section 303(c) of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533(c)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘within 9 months’’ and inserting ‘‘within one year’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsections 
(a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) EXTENSION OF SUNSET.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsections 
(a) and (b) shall expire on December 31, 2014. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Subsection (c) of section 
2203 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public 
Law 110–289; 50 U.S.C. App. 533 note) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.’’. 
(3) REVIVAL.—Effective January 1, 2015, the provisions 
of subsections (b) and (c) of section 303 of the Servicemembers 
Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533), as in effect on July 
29, 2008, are hereby revived. 
(e) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 540 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to Congress a report on the protec-
tions provided under section 303 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App 
533) during the five-year period ending on the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include, for the period described in such paragraph, the fol-
lowing: 
(A) An assessment of the effects of such section on 
the long-term financial well-being of servicemembers and 
their families. 
(B) The number of servicemembers who faced fore-
closure during a 90-day period, 270-day period, or 365- 
day 
period 
beginning 
on 
the 
date 
on 
which 
the 
servicemembers completed a period of military service. 
(C) The number of servicemembers who applied for 
a stay or adjustment under subsection (b) of such section. 
(D) A description and assessment of the effect of 
applying for a stay or adjustment under such subsection
H. R. 1627—45 
on the financial well-being of the servicemembers who 
applied for such a stay or adjustment. 
(E) An assessment of the Secretary of Defense’s part-
nerships with public and private sector entities and rec-
ommendations on how the Secretary should modify such 
partnerships to improve financial education and counseling 
for servicemembers in order to assist them in achieving 
long-term financial stability. 
(3) PERIOD
OF
MILITARY
SERVICE
AND
SERVICEMEMBER 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the terms ‘‘period of military 
service’’ and ‘‘servicemember’’ have the meanings given such 
terms in section 101 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 511). 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.