H. R. 6416—31 
(c) PROHIBITION ON AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—No 
additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of 
this section. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts 
otherwise authorized. 
TITLE V—SMALL BUSINESS AND 
EMPLOYMENT MATTERS 
SEC. 501. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT UNDER CONTRACTING 
GOALS AND PREFERENCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (h) of section 8127 is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘rated as’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘disability.’’ and inserting a period; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (C) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(C) The date that— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran 
with a service-connected disability rated as 100 percent 
disabling or who dies as a result of a service-connected 
disability, is 10 years after the date of the veteran’s death; 
or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran 
with a service-connected disability rated as less than 100 
percent disabling who does not die as a result of a service- 
connected disability, is 3 years after the date of the vet-
eran’s death.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) 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 contracts 
awarded on or after such date. 
SEC. 502. LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND 
PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 41 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and 
placement service for veterans 
‘‘(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—(1) The Secretary shall enter into a 
contract with a non-government entity to conduct a longitudinal 
study of a statistically valid sample of each of the groups of individ-
uals described in paragraph (2). The contract shall provide for 
the study of each such group over a period of at least 5 years. 
‘‘(2) The groups of individuals described in this paragraph are 
the following: 
‘‘(A) Veterans who have received intensive services. 
‘‘(B) Veterans who did not receive intensive services but 
who otherwise received services under this chapter. 
‘‘(C) Veterans who did not seek or receive services under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(3) The study required by this subsection shall include the 
collection of the following information for each individual who 
participates in the study: 
‘‘(A) The average number of months such individual served 
on active duty.
H. R. 6416—32 
‘‘(B) The disability ratings of such individual. 
‘‘(C) Any unemployment benefits received by such indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(D) The average number of months such individual was 
employed during the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(E) The average annual starting and ending salaries of 
any such individual who was employed during the year covered 
by the report. 
‘‘(F) The average annual income of such individual. 
‘‘(G) The average total household income of such individual 
for the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(H) The percentage of such individuals who own their 
principal residences. 
‘‘(I) The employment status of such individual. 
‘‘(J) In the case of such an individual who received services 
under this chapter, whether the individual believes that any 
service provided by a disabled veterans’ outreach program spe-
cialist or local veterans’ employment representative helped the 
individual to become employed. 
‘‘(K) In the case of such an individual who believes such 
a service helped the individual to become employed, whether— 
‘‘(i) the individual retained the position of employment 
for a period of 1 year or longer; and 
‘‘(ii) the individual believes such a service helped the 
individual to secure a higher wage or salary. 
‘‘(L) The conditions under which such individual was dis-
charged or released from the Armed Forces. 
‘‘(M) Whether such individual has used any educational 
assistance to which the individual is entitled under this title. 
‘‘(N) Whether such individual has participated in a 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title. 
‘‘(O) Whether such individual had contact with a One- 
Stop Career Center employee while attending a workshop or 
job fair under the Transition GPS Program of the Department 
of Defense. 
‘‘(P) Demographic information about such individual. 
‘‘(Q) Such other information as the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) By not later than July 1 of each 
year covered by the study required under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on the outcomes of the study during the 
preceding year. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under 
paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(A) Information with respect to job fairs attended by One- 
Stop Career Center employees at which the employees had 
contact with a veteran, including, for the year preceding the 
year in which the report is submitted, the following: 
‘‘(i) The number of job fairs attended by One-Stop 
Career Center employees at which the employees had con-
tact with a veteran. 
‘‘(ii) The number of veterans contacted at each such 
job fair.
H. R. 6416—33 
‘‘(B) Such information as the Secretary determines is nec-
essary to determine the long-term outcomes of the individuals 
in the groups described in subsection (a)(2).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service for vet-
erans.’’. 
SEC. 503. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES 
OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 is amended by inserting after 
section 715 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 717. Limitation on administrative leave 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Secretary may not place any covered individual on administrative 
leave, or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge 
to leave, for more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day 
period. 
‘‘(b) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the limitation under 
subsection (a) and extend the administrative leave or other paid 
non-duty status without charge to leave of a covered individual 
placed on such leave or status under subsection (a) if the Secretary 
submits to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a detailed explanation of the reasons 
the individual was placed on administrative leave or other paid 
non-duty status without charge to leave and the reasons for the 
extension of such leave or status. Such explanation shall include 
the job title and grade of the covered individual and the location 
where the individual is employed. 
‘‘(c) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—In this section, the term ‘covered 
individual’ means an employee of the Department— 
‘‘(1) who is subject to an investigation for purposes of 
determining whether such individual should be subject to any 
disciplinary action under this title or title 5; or 
‘‘(2) against whom any disciplinary action is proposed or 
initiated under this title or title 5.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 715 the following new item: 
‘‘717. Limitation on administrative leave.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—Section 717 of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any 
365-day period beginning on or after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 504. REQUIRED COORDINATION BETWEEN DIRECTORS FOR VET-
ERANS’ 
EMPLOYMENT 
AND 
TRAINING 
WITH 
STATE 
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4103 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND 
VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Each Director for Veterans’ Employment and 
Training for a State shall coordinate the Director’s activities under
H. R. 6416—34 
this chapter with the State department of labor and the State 
department of veterans affairs.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (c) of such section, as added 
by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE VI—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Medical Care 
SEC. 601. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 
MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE ACCOUNT OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 117(c) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Community 
Care.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1105(a)(37) of title 31, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Commu-
nity Care.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 2017. 
SEC. 602. IMPROVED ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE IMMUNIZATIONS FOR 
VETERANS. 
(a) INCLUSION
OF RECOMMENDED ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS
AS 
MEDICAL SERVICES.— 
(1) COVERED BENEFIT.—Subparagraph (F) of section 1701(9) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(F) 
immunizations 
against 
infectious 
diseases, 
including each immunization on the recommended adult 
immunization schedule at the time such immunization is 
indicated on that schedule;’’. 
(2) 
RECOMMENDED
ADULT
IMMUNIZATION
SCHEDULE 
DEFINED.—Section 1701 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(10) The term ‘recommended adult immunization schedule’ 
means the schedule established (and periodically reviewed and, 
as appropriate, revised) by the Advisory Committee on 
Immunization Practices established by the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services and delegated to the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.’’. 
(b) INCLUSION
OF RECOMMENDED ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS
IN 
ANNUAL REPORT.—Section 1704(1)(A) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause: 
‘‘(iii) to provide veterans each immunization on 
the recommended adult immunization schedule at the 
time such immunization is indicated on that schedule.’’. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
H. R. 6416—35 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of 
Representatives 
a 
report 
on 
the 
development 
and 
implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
quality measures and metrics, including targets for compliance, 
to ensure that veterans receiving medical services under 
chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, receive each 
immunization on the recommended adult immunization 
schedule at the time such immunization is indicated on that 
schedule. 
(2) 
RECOMMENDED
ADULT
IMMUNIZATION
SCHEDULE 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘recommended adult 
immunization schedule’’ has the meaning given that term in 
section 1701(10) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a)(2). 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section or the 
amendments made by this section may be construed to require 
a veteran to receive an immunization that the veteran does not 
want to receive. 
SEC. 603. PRIORITY OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS IN HEALTH 
CARE SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) ENROLLMENT PRIORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1705(a) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting the following: ‘‘and veterans who were 
awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, 
or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘veterans who were 
awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, 
or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14,’’. 
(2) APPLICATION.—The priority of enrollment of medal of 
honor recipients in the system of annual patient enrollment 
established and operated under section 1705(a) of such title, 
as amended by paragraph (1), shall apply to each such recipient, 
regardless of the date on which the medal is awarded. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 1710(a)(2)(D) is amended by inserting 
after ‘‘war’’ the following: ‘‘, who was awarded the medal of honor 
under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of 
title 14,’’. 
(c) 
EXTENDED
CARE
SERVICES.—Section 
1710B(c)(2) 
is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor 
under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 
of title 14.’’. 
(d) COPAYMENT
FOR
MEDICATIONS.—Section 1722A(a)(3) is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
H. R. 6416—36 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor 
under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 
of title 14.’’. 
SEC. 604. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
COLLECT HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM 
VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
inserting after section 1705 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1705A. Management of health care: information regarding 
health-plan contracts 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Any individual who seeks hospital care 
or medical services under this chapter shall provide to the Secretary 
such current information as the Secretary may require to identify 
any health-plan contract under which such individual is covered. 
‘‘(2) The information required to be provided to the Secretary 
under paragraph (1) with respect to a health-plan contract shall 
include, as applicable, the following: 
‘‘(A) The name of the entity providing coverage under the 
health-plan contract. 
‘‘(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract is in the 
name of an individual other than the individual required to 
provide information under this section, the name of the policy 
holder of the health-plan contract. 
‘‘(C) The identification number for the health-plan contract. 
‘‘(D) The group code for the health-plan contract. 
‘‘(b) ACTION TO COLLECT INFORMATION.—The Secretary may 
take such action as the Secretary considers appropriate to collect 
the information required under subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) EFFECT ON SERVICES FROM DEPARTMENT.—The Secretary 
may not deny any services under this chapter to an individual 
solely due to the fact that the individual fails to provide information 
required under subsection (a). 
‘‘(d) HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘health-plan contract’ has the meaning given that term in 
section 1725(f) of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1705 the following new item: 
‘‘1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan contracts.’’. 
SEC. 605. MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED 
IN CLASSIFIED MISSIONS. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
veterans who experience combat-related mental health wounds 
should have immediate, appropriate, and consistent access to com-
prehensive mental health care. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who served 
in classified missions 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS.—(1) The Secretary shall 
establish standards and procedures to ensure that each eligible 
veteran may access mental health care furnished by the Secretary
H. R. 6416—37 
in a manner that fully accommodates the obligation of the veteran 
to not improperly disclose classified information. 
‘‘(2) In establishing standards and procedures under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Defense to 
ensure that such standards and procedures are consistent with 
the policies on classified information of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall disseminate guidance to employees 
of the Veterans Health Administration, including mental health 
professionals, on the standards and procedures established under 
paragraph (1) and how to best engage eligible veterans during 
the course of mental health treatment with respect to classified 
information. 
‘‘(b) IDENTIFICATION.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall ensure that a veteran may elect to identify as an eligible 
veteran on an appropriate form. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘classified information’ means any informa-
tion or material that has been determined by an official of 
the United States pursuant to law to require protection against 
unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national security. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘eligible veteran’ means a veteran who— 
‘‘(A) is eligible to receive health care furnished by 
the Department under this title; 
‘‘(B) is seeking mental health treatment; and 
‘‘(C) in the course of serving in the Armed Forces, 
participated in a sensitive mission or served in a sensitive 
unit. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘sensitive mission’ means a mission of the 
Armed Forces that, at the time at which an eligible veteran 
seeks treatment, is classified. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘sensitive unit’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 130b(c)(4) of title 10.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1720G the following new item: 
‘‘1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in classified missions.’’. 
SEC. 606. EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS 
AND WOMEN IN LABOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 
by inserting after section 1784 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency medical 
conditions and women in labor 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a hospital of the Department 
that has an emergency department, if any individual comes to 
the hospital or the campus of the hospital and a request is made 
on behalf of the individual for examination or treatment for a 
medical condition, the hospital must provide for an appropriate 
medical screening examination within the capability of the emer-
gency department, including ancillary services routinely available 
to the emergency department, to determine whether or not an 
emergency medical condition exists. 
‘‘(b) NECESSARY STABILIZING TREATMENT FOR EMERGENCY MED-
ICAL CONDITIONS AND LABOR.—(1) If any individual comes to a 
hospital of the Department that has an emergency department
H. R. 6416—38 
or the campus of such a hospital and the hospital determines 
that the individual has an emergency medical condition, the hospital 
must provide either— 
‘‘(A) within the staff and facilities available at the hospital, 
for such further medical examination and such treatment as 
may be required to stabilize the medical condition; or 
‘‘(B) for transfer of the individual to another medical facility 
in accordance with subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph 
(1)(A) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers the indi-
vidual the further medical examination and treatment described 
in that paragraph and informs the individual (or a person acting 
on behalf of the individual) of the risks and benefits to the individual 
of such examination and treatment, but the individual (or a person 
acting on behalf of the individual) refuses to consent to the examina-
tion and treatment. The hospital shall take all reasonable steps 
to secure the written informed consent of the individual (or person) 
to refuse such examination and treatment. 
‘‘(3) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph 
(1)(B) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers to transfer 
the individual to another medical facility in accordance with sub-
section (c) and informs the individual (or a person acting on behalf 
of the individual) of the risks and benefits to the individual of 
such transfer, but the individual (or a person acting on behalf 
of the individual) refuses to consent to the transfer. The hospital 
shall take all reasonable steps to secure the written informed con-
sent of the individual (or person) to refuse such transfer. 
‘‘(c) RESTRICTING TRANSFERS UNTIL INDIVIDUAL STABILIZED.— 
(1) If an individual at a hospital of the Department has an emer-
gency medical condition that has not been stabilized, the hospital 
may not transfer the individual unless— 
‘‘(A)(i) the individual (or a legally responsible person acting 
on behalf of the individual), after being informed of the obliga-
tions of the hospital under this section and of the risk of 
transfer, requests, in writing, transfer to another medical 
facility; 
‘‘(ii) a physician of the Department has signed a certifi-
cation that, based upon the information available at the time 
of transfer, the medical benefits reasonably expected from the 
provision of appropriate medical treatment at another medical 
facility outweigh the increased risks to the individual and, 
in the case of labor, to the unborn child from effecting the 
transfer; or 
‘‘(iii) if a physician of the Department is not physically 
present in the emergency department at the time an individual 
is transferred, a qualified medical person (as defined by the 
Secretary for purposes of this section) has signed a certification 
described in clause (ii) after a physician of the Department, 
in consultation with the person, has made the determination 
described in such clause, and subsequently countersigns the 
certification; and 
‘‘(B) the transfer is an appropriate transfer to that facility. 
‘‘(2) A certification described in clause (ii) or (iii) of paragraph 
(1)(A) shall include a summary of the risks and benefits upon 
which the certification is based. 
‘‘(3) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), an appropriate transfer 
to a medical facility is a transfer—
H. R. 6416—39 
‘‘(A) in which the transferring hospital provides the medical 
treatment within its capacity that minimizes the risks to the 
health of the individual and, in the case of a woman in labor, 
the health of the unborn child; 
‘‘(B) in which the receiving facility— 
‘‘(i) has available space and qualified personnel for 
the treatment of the individual; and 
‘‘(ii) has agreed to accept transfer of the individual 
and to provide appropriate medical treatment; 
‘‘(C) in which the transferring hospital sends to the 
receiving facility all medical records (or copies thereof) available 
at the time of the transfer relating to the emergency medical 
condition for which the individual has presented, including— 
‘‘(i) observations of signs or symptoms; 
‘‘(ii) preliminary diagnosis; 
‘‘(iii) treatment provided; 
‘‘(iv) the results of any tests; and 
‘‘(v) the informed written request or certification (or 
copy thereof) provided under paragraph (1)(A); 
‘‘(D) in which the transfer is effected through qualified 
personnel and transportation equipment, including the use of 
necessary and medically appropriate life support measures 
during the transfer; and 
‘‘(E) that meets such other requirements as the Secretary 
considers necessary in the interest of the health and safety 
of the individual or individuals transferred. 
‘‘(d) PAYMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT.—The Secretary shall charge 
for any care or services provided under this section in accordance 
with billing and reimbursement authorities available to the Sec-
retary under other provisions of law. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘campus’ means, with respect to a hospital 
of the Department— 
‘‘(A) the physical area immediately adjacent to the 
main buildings of the hospital; 
‘‘(B) other areas and structures that are not strictly 
contiguous to the main buildings but are located not more 
than 250 yards from the main buildings; and 
‘‘(C) any other areas determined by the Secretary to 
be part of the campus of the hospital. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘emergency medical condition’ means— 
‘‘(A) a medical condition manifesting itself by acute 
symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such 
that the absence of immediate medical attention could 
reasonably be expected to result in— 
‘‘(i) placing the health of the individual (or, with 
respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman 
or her unborn child) in serious jeopardy; 
‘‘(ii) serious impairment to bodily functions; or 
‘‘(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or 
part; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a pregnant woman, a stage of 
labor that a medical provider determines indicates— 
‘‘(i) that there is inadequate time to effect a safe 
transfer to another hospital before delivery; or 
‘‘(ii) that transfer may pose a threat to the health 
or safety of the woman or the unborn child.
H. R. 6416—40 
‘‘(3)(A) The term ‘to stabilize’ means— 
‘‘(i) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(A), to provide such medical 
treatment of the condition as may be necessary to assure, 
within reasonable medical probability, that no material 
deterioration of the condition is likely to result from or 
occur during the transfer of the individual from a facility; 
or 
‘‘(ii) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(B), to deliver (including the 
placenta). 
‘‘(B) The term ‘stabilized’ means— 
‘‘(i) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(A), that no material deteriora-
tion of the condition is likely, within reasonable medical 
probability, to result from or occur during the transfer 
of the individual from a facility; or 
‘‘(ii) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(B), that the woman has deliv-
ered (including the placenta). 
‘‘(4) The term ‘transfer’ means the movement (including 
the discharge) of an individual outside the facilities of a hospital 
of the Department at the direction of any person employed 
by (or affiliated or associated, directly or indirectly, with) the 
hospital, but does not include such a movement of an individual 
who— 
‘‘(A) has been declared dead; or 
‘‘(B) leaves the facility without the permission of any 
such person.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1784 the following new item: 
‘‘1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and women 
in labor.’’. 
Subtitle B—Veterans Health 
Administration 
SEC. 611. TIME PERIOD COVERED BY ANNUAL REPORT ON READJUST-
MENT COUNSELING SERVICE. 
Section 7309(e)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘calendar year’’ and 
inserting ‘‘fiscal year’’. 
SEC. 612. ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 
AND FURNISHING OF HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERV-
ICES, AND NURSING HOME CARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration 
and furnishing of hospital care, medical services, 
and nursing home care 
‘‘(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than March 1 of each of 
years 2018 through 2022, 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,
H. R. 6416—41 
for the calendar year preceding the calendar year during which 
the report is submitted— 
‘‘(1) the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and 
nursing home care under the laws administered by the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(2) the administration of the furnishing of such care and 
services by the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include each of the following for the year covered by the report: 
‘‘(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
Health Administration in increasing the access of veterans 
to hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care fur-
nished by the Secretary for which such veterans are eligible. 
‘‘(2) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
Health Administration in improving the quality of health care 
provided to veterans, without increasing the costs incurred 
for such health care by the Federal Government or veterans, 
including relevant information for each medical center and 
Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department set 
forth separately. 
‘‘(3) An assessment of— 
‘‘(A) the workload of physicians and other employees 
of the Veterans Health Administration; 
‘‘(B) patient demographics and utilization rates; 
‘‘(C) physician compensation; 
‘‘(D) the productivity of physicians and other employees 
of the Veterans Health Administration; 
‘‘(E) the percentage of hospital care, medical services, 
and nursing home care provided to veterans in facilities 
of the Department and in non-Department facilities and 
any changes in such percentages compared to the year 
preceding the year covered by the report; 
‘‘(F) pharmaceutical prices; and 
‘‘(G) third-party health billings owed to the Depart-
ment, including the total amount of such billings and the 
total amount collected by the Department, set forth sepa-
rately for claims greater than $1,000 and for claims equal 
to or less than $1,000. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘hospital care’, 
‘medical services’, ‘nursing home care’, ‘facilities of the Department’, 
and ‘non-Department facilities’ have the meanings given those terms 
in section 1701 of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 7330A the following new item: 
‘‘7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing of hos-
pital care, medical services, and nursing home care.’’. 
SEC. 613. EXPANSION OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSED MENTAL 
HEALTH COUNSELORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE DOCTORAL DEGREES. 
Section 7402(b)(11)(A) is amended by inserting ‘‘or doctoral 
degree’’ after ‘‘master’s degree’’.
H. R. 6416—42 
SEC. 614. MODIFICATION OF HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR PHYSI-
CIANS EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
Section 7423(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) The hours’’ and inserting ‘‘(a)(1) Except 
as provided in paragraph (2), the hours’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2)(A) Upon the advance written request of a covered physician, 
the Secretary may modify the hours of employment for a physician 
appointed in the Administration under any provision of this chapter 
on a full-time basis to be more or less than 80 hours in a biweekly 
pay period, subject to the requirements in subparagraph (B). For 
the purpose of determining pay, such a physician shall be deemed 
to have a biweekly schedule of 80 hours of employment. 
‘‘(B) A physician with an irregular work schedule established 
under subparagraph (A) shall be obligated to account for at least 
2,080 hours of employment (through performance of work or use 
of leave or paid time off) in a calendar year. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to implement 
this paragraph, including regulations making adjustments to 
address the annual hours requirement for physicians who are cov-
ered by this paragraph for only a portion of a calendar year.’’. 
SEC. 615. REPEAL OF COMPENSATION PANELS TO DETERMINE 
MARKET PAY FOR PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS. 
Section 7431(c) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) as para-
graphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and 
(3) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘under 
paragraph (6)’’ and inserting ‘‘under paragraph (5)’’. 
SEC. 616. CLARIFICATION REGARDING LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF 
AGREEMENT UNDER DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 
Section 7675(b)(1)(E) is amended by striking ‘‘In the case of 
a participant who is a part-time student, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’. 
SEC. 617. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR INCREASE IN GRADUATE MED-
ICAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY POSITIONS AT MEDICAL 
FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 301(b) of the Vet-
erans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113–146; 38 U.S.C. 7302 note) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘FIVE-YEAR’’ and 
inserting ‘‘TEN-YEAR’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘5-year period’’ and 
inserting ‘‘10-year period’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Paragraph (3)(A) of such section is amended by 
striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2024’’. 
SEC. 618. REPORT ON PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH BY DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than each of 180 days and 1 year 
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 report on increasing public access to scientific
H. R. 6416—43 
publications and digital data from research funded by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) An identification of the location or locations in which 
the public will be able to access the results of research funded 
by the Department, whether on an Internet website of the 
Department or through another source. 
(2) A description of the progress made by the Department 
in meeting public access requirements set forth in the notice 
entitled ‘‘Policy and Implementation Plan for Public Access 
to Scientific Publications and Digital Data from Research 
Funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs’’ (80 Fed. Reg. 
60751), including the following: 
(A) Compliance of Department investigators with 
requirements relating to ensuring that research funded 
by the Department is accessible by the public. 
(B) Ensuring data management plans of the Depart-
ment include provisions for long-term preservation of the 
scientific data resulting from research funded by the 
Department. 
(3) An explanation of the factors used to evaluate the 
merit of data management plans of research funded by the 
Veterans Health Administration. 
(4) An explanation of the process of the Department in 
effect that enables stakeholders to petition a change to the 
embargo period for a specific field and the factors considered 
during such process. 
SEC. 619. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry 
out the following major medical facility projects, with each project 
to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount specified 
for that project: 
(1) Seismic, life safety, and utilities upgrades and expansion 
of clinical services in Reno, Nevada, in an amount not to 
exceed $213,800,000. 
(2) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community 
living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not 
to exceed $317,300,000. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal 
year 2017 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the 
Construction, Major Projects, account $531,100,000 for the projects 
authorized in subsection (a). 
(c) LIMITATION.—The projects authorized in subsection (a) may 
only be carried out using— 
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2017 or the year 
in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major 
Projects, account pursuant to the authorization of appropria-
tions in subsection (b); 
(2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for 
a fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 that remain available 
for obligation;
H. R. 6416—44 
(3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for 
a fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 that remain available for 
obligation; 
(4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for fiscal year 2017 for a category of activity not specific to 
a project; 
(5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 for a category of activity 
not specific to a project; and 
(6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 for a category of activity 
not specific to a project. 
Subtitle C—Toxic Exposure 
SEC. 631. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) ARMED FORCES.—The term ‘‘Armed Forces’’ means the 
United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast 
Guard. 
(2) DESCENDANT.—The term ‘‘descendant’’ means, with 
respect to an individual, the biological child or grandchild of 
that individual. 
(3) TOXIC
EXPOSURE.—The term ‘‘toxic exposure’’ means 
a condition in which an individual inhaled or ingested an 
agent determined to be hazardous to the health of the individual 
or the agent came in contact with the skin or eyes of the 
individual in a manner that could be hazardous to the health 
of the individual. 
(4) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 632. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ASSESSMENT ON 
RESEARCH RELATING TO THE DESCENDANTS OF INDIVID-
UALS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) AGREEMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National 
Academy of Medicine under which the National Academy of 
Medicine conducts an assessment on scientific research relating 
to the descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. 
(2) ALTERNATE ORGANIZATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary is unable within 
the period prescribed in paragraph (1) to enter into an 
agreement described in such paragraph with the National 
Academy of Medicine on terms acceptable to the Secretary, 
the Secretary shall seek to enter into such an agreement 
with another appropriate organization that— 
(i) is not part of the Federal Government; 
(ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and 
(iii) has expertise and objectivity comparable to 
that of the National Academy of Medicine. 
(B) TREATMENT.—If the Secretary enters into an agree-
ment with another organization as described in subpara-
graph (A), any reference in this section to the National
H. R. 6416—45 
Academy of Medicine shall be treated as a reference to 
the other organization. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The assessment conducted pursuant to the 
agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A scientific review of the scientific literature regarding 
toxicological and epidemiological research on descendants of 
individuals with toxic exposure. 
(2) An assessment of areas requiring further scientific study 
relating to the descendants of veterans with toxic exposure. 
(3) An assessment of the scope and methodology required 
to conduct adequate scientific research relating to the descend-
ants of individuals with toxic exposure, including— 
(A) the types of individuals to be studied, including 
veterans with toxic exposure and the descendants of those 
veterans; 
(B) the number of veterans and descendants described 
in subparagraph (A) to be studied; 
(C) the potential alternatives for participation in such 
a study, including whether it would be necessary for partici-
pants to travel in order to participate; 
(D) the approximate amount of time and resources 
needed to prepare and conduct the research; and 
(E) the appropriate Federal agencies to participate in 
the research, including the Department of Defense and 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(4) The establishment of categories, including definitions 
for each such category, to be used in assessing the evidence 
that a particular health condition is related to toxic exposure, 
such as— 
(A) sufficient evidence of a causal relationship; 
(B) sufficient evidence of an association; 
(C) limited or suggestive evidence of an association; 
(D) inadequate or insufficient evidence to determine 
whether an association exists; and 
(E) limited or suggestive evidence of no association. 
(5) An analysis of— 
(A) the feasibility of conducting scientific research to 
address the areas that require further study as described 
under paragraph (2); 
(B) the value and relevance of the information that 
could result from such scientific research; and 
(C) for purposes of conducting further research, the 
feasibility and advisability of accessing additional informa-
tion held by a Federal agency that may be sensitive. 
(6) An identification of a research entity or entities with— 
(A) expertise in conducting research on health condi-
tions of descendants of individuals with toxic exposure; 
and 
(B) an ability to conduct research on those health condi-
tions to address areas requiring further scientific study 
as described under paragraph (2). 
(c) REPORT.—The agreement entered into under subsection (a) 
shall require the National Academy of Medicine to submit, not 
later than 2 years after entering into such agreement, to the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
H. R. 6416—46 
of the Senate, and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives— 
(1) the results of the assessment conducted pursuant to 
such agreement, including such recommendations as the 
National Academy of Medicine considers appropriate regarding 
the scope and methodology required to conduct adequate sci-
entific research relating to the descendants of veterans with 
toxic exposure; and 
(2) a determination regarding whether the results of such 
assessment indicate that it is feasible to conduct further 
research regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans 
with toxic exposure, including an explanation of the basis for 
the determination. 
(d) CERTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after receiving 
the results of the assessment and determination under sub-
section (c), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives a certification of the 
understanding of the Secretary, based on such results and 
determination, regarding the feasibility of conducting further 
research regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans 
with toxic exposure that is expressed by such results and deter-
mination. 
(2) BASIS FOR CERTIFICATION.—The certification submitted 
under paragraph (1) shall include an explanation of the basis 
for the certification. 
SEC. 633. ADVISORY BOARD ON RESEARCH RELATING TO HEALTH 
CONDITIONS OF DESCENDANTS OF VETERANS WITH TOXIC 
EXPOSURE WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
certifies under section 632(d) that the results of the assessment 
and determination under section 632(c) indicate that it is not fea-
sible to conduct further research regarding health conditions of 
descendants of veterans with toxic exposure, not later than 180 
days after receiving such results and determination, the Secretary 
shall establish an advisory board (in this section referred to as 
the ‘‘Advisory Board’’) to advise the Secretary in the selection of 
a research entity or entities under section 634, advise such entity 
or entities in conducting research under such section, and advise 
the Secretary with respect to the activities of such entity or entities 
under such section. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
National Academy of Medicine, the Director of the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and such other 
heads of Federal agencies as the Secretary determines appro-
priate— 
(A) shall select not more than 13 voting members of 
the Advisory Board, of whom— 
(i) not less than two shall be members of organiza-
tions exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(19) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; 
(ii) not less than two shall be descendants of vet-
erans with toxic exposure while serving as members 
of the Armed Forces; and
H. R. 6416—47 
(iii) not less than seven shall be health profes-
sionals, scientists, or academics who are not employees 
of the Federal Government and have expertise in— 
(I) birth defects; 
(II) developmental disabilities; 
(III) epigenetics; 
(IV) public health; 
(V) the science of environmental exposure or 
environmental exposure assessment; 
(VI) the science of toxic substances; or 
(VII) medical and research ethics; and 
(B) may select not more than two nonvoting members 
who are employees of the Federal Government and who 
are otherwise described in subparagraph (A)(iii). 
(2) CHAIR.—The Secretary shall select a Chair from among 
the members of the Advisory Board selected under paragraph 
(1)(A). 
(3) TERMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the Advisory Board 
shall serve a term of 2 or 3 years as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(B) REAPPOINTMENT.—At the end of the term of a 
member of the Advisory Board, the Secretary may reselect 
the member for another term, except that no member may 
serve more than 4 consecutive terms. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Advisory Board shall— 
(1) advise the Secretary in the selection of a research 
entity or entities to conduct research under section 634 from 
among those identified under section 632(b)(6); 
(2) advise such entity or entities and assess the activities 
of such entity or entities in conducting such research; 
(3) develop a research strategy for such entity or entities 
based on, but not limited to, the results of the assessment 
conducted under section 632; 
(4) advise the Secretary with respect to the activities of 
such entity or entities under section 634; 
(5) submit recommendations to be included by such entity 
or entities in the report under section 634(d)(2)(C); and 
(6) not less frequently than semiannually, meet with the 
Secretary and representatives of such entity or entities on 
the research conducted by such entity or entities under section 
634. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Board shall meet at the call 
of the Chair, but not less frequently than semiannually. 
(e) COMPENSATION.—The members of the Advisory Board shall 
serve without compensation. 
(f) EXPENSES.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall deter-
mine the appropriate expenses of the Advisory Board. 
(g) PERSONNEL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chair may, without regard to the 
civil service laws and regulations, appoint an executive director 
of the Advisory Board, who shall be a civilian employee of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and such other personnel 
as may be necessary to enable the Advisory Board to perform 
its duties.
H. R. 6416—48 
(2) APPROVAL.—The appointment of an executive director 
under paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the Advisory 
Board. 
(3) COMPENSATION.—The Chair may fix the compensation 
of the executive director and other personnel without regard 
to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
53 of title 5, United States Code, except that the rate of pay 
for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed 
the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5316 of such title. 
SEC. 634. RESEARCH RELATING TO HEALTH CONDITIONS OF DESCEND-
ANTS OF VETERANS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE WHILE 
SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs cer-
tifies under section 632(d) that the results of the assessment and 
determination under section 632(c) indicate that it is not feasible 
to conduct further research regarding health conditions of descend-
ants of veterans with toxic exposure, not later than 1 year after 
receiving such results and determination, the Secretary shall (in 
consultation with the advisory board established under section 633 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Advisory Board’’)) enter into 
an agreement with one or more research entities identified under 
section 632(b)(6) (excluding an entity of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs) to conduct research on health conditions of descendants 
of veterans with toxic exposure while serving as members of the 
Armed Forces (in this section referred to as the ‘‘research entity 
or entities’’). 
(b) RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent included in the research 
strategy developed by the Advisory Board under section 
633(c)(3), the research entity or entities shall conduct research 
on health conditions of descendants of veterans with toxic expo-
sure while serving as members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) STUDIES.—In conducting research under paragraph (1), 
the research entity or entities may study any veteran, at the 
election of the veteran, identified under section 632(b)(3)(A) 
as a type of individual to be studied in order to conduct ade-
quate scientific research relating to the descendants of veterans 
with toxic exposure. 
(3) CATEGORIZATION.—In conducting research under para-
graph (1), the research entity or entities shall assess, using 
the categories established under section 632(b)(4), the extent 
to which a health condition of a descendant of a veteran is 
related to the toxic exposure of the veteran while serving as 
a member of the Armed Forces. 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, and the head of each Federal agency identi-
fied under section 632(b)(3)(E) shall make available to the 
research entity or entities records held by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Armed 
Forces, that Federal agency, or any other source under the 
jurisdiction of any such Federal agency or the Armed Forces, 
as appropriate, that the research entity or entities determine 
are necessary to carry out this section.
H. R. 6416—49 
(2) MECHANISM FOR ACCESS.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the head of each Federal 
agency identified under section 632(b)(3)(E) shall jointly estab-
lish a mechanism for access by the research entity or entities 
to records made available under paragraph (1). 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after commencing 
the conduct of research under this section, and not later than 
September 30 each year thereafter, each research entity with 
which the Secretary has entered into an agreement under sub-
section (a) shall, in consultation with the Advisory Board, 
submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
the functions of such entity under this section during the year 
preceding the submittal of the report. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under paragraph 
(1) shall include the following: 
(A) A summary of the research efforts that have been 
completed during the year preceding the submittal of the 
report and that are ongoing as of the date of the submittal 
of the report. 
(B) A description of any findings made during such 
year in carrying out such research efforts. 
(C) Recommendations for administrative or legislative 
action made by the Advisory Board based on such findings, 
which may include recommendations for further research 
under this section. 
(3) UPON REQUEST.—Upon the request of any organization 
exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
transmit to such organization a copy of a report received by 
the Secretary under paragraph (1). 
TITLE VII—HOMELESSNESS MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Access of Homeless Veterans to 
Benefits 
SEC. 701. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR 
PURPOSES OF BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS ADMINIS-
TERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 2002 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘In this chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘(a) IN GEN-
ERAL.—In this chapter’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a))’’ and inserting 
‘‘in subsection (a) or (b) of section 103 of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) VETERAN DEFINED.—(1) Notwithstanding section 101(2) of 
this title and except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes 
of sections 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, and 2061 of this title, the 
term ‘veteran’ means a person who served in the active military,
H. R. 6416—50 
naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was 
discharged or released therefrom. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ‘veteran’ excludes 
a person who— 
‘‘(A) received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed 
Forces; or 
‘‘(B) was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces 
by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial.’’. 
SEC. 702. AUTHORIZATION TO FURNISH CERTAIN BENEFITS TO HOME-
LESS VETERANS WITH DISCHARGES OR RELEASES UNDER 
OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS. 
Section 5303(d) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘not apply to any war-risk insurance, 
Government (converted) or National Service Life Insurance 
policy.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘not apply to the following: 
‘‘(1) Any war-risk insurance, Government (converted) or 
National Service Life Insurance policy.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Benefits under section 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, or 2061 
of this title (except for benefits for individuals discharged or 
dismissed from the Armed Forces by reason of the sentence 
of a general court-martial).’’. 
SEC. 703. WAIVER OF MINIMUM PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS ACTIVE DUTY 
IN ARMED FORCES FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR HOME-
LESS VETERANS. 
Section 5303A(b)(3) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as subpara-
graphs (G) and (H), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new 
subparagraph (F): 
‘‘(F) to benefits under section 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, or 
2061 of this title;’’. 
SEC. 704. TRAINING OF PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS AND GRANT RECIPIENTS. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a program 
of training and education to ensure that the following persons 
are aware of and implement this title and the amendments made 
by this subtitle: 
(1) Personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs who 
are supporting or administering a program under chapter 20 
of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) Recipients of grants or other amounts for purposes 
of carrying out such a program. 
SEC. 705. REGULATIONS. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe regula-
tions, including such modifications to section 3.12 of title 38, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate, to ensure that the Department of 
Veterans Affairs is in full compliance with this title and the amend-
ments made by this subtitle.
H. R. 6416—52 
services to improve the retention of housing by veterans who were 
previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing 
and veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. 
‘‘(b) GRANTS.—(1) The Secretary shall carry out the program 
through the award of grants. 
‘‘(2)(A) In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall give priority to organizations that demonstrate a capability 
to provide case management services as described in subsection 
(a), particularly organizations that are successfully providing or 
have successfully provided transitional housing services using 
amounts provided by the Secretary under sections 2012 and 2061 
of this title. 
‘‘(B) In giving priority under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
shall give extra priority to an organization described in such 
subparagraph that— 
‘‘(i) voluntarily stops receiving amounts provided by the 
Secretary under sections 2012 and 2061 of this title; and 
‘‘(ii) converts a facility that the organization used to provide 
transitional housing services into a facility that the organiza-
tion uses to provide permanent housing that meets housing 
quality standards established under section 8(o)(8)(B) of the 
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)(B)). 
‘‘(C) In any case in which a facility, with respect to which 
a person received a grant for construction, rehabilitation, or acquisi-
tion under section 2011 of this title, is converted as described 
in subparagraph (B)(ii), such conversion shall be considered to 
have been carried out pursuant to the needs of the Department 
and such person shall not be considered in noncompliance with 
the terms of such grant by reason of such conversion.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 2013 and inserting the following new items: 
‘‘2013. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly homeless veterans and 
veterans at risk of becoming homeless. 
‘‘2014. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
prescribe regulations to carry out section 2013 of such title, as 
added by subsection (a)(1)(B). 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 1, 2020, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on the program required by section 
2013 of such title, as added by subsection (a)(1)(B). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include assessments of the following: 
(A) The percentage of veterans who received case 
management services under the program who were able 
to retain permanent housing by the end of the program, 
disaggregated by each recipient of a grant under such 
section. 
(B) The percentage of veterans who received case 
management services under the program who were not 
in permanent housing at the end of the program, 
disaggregated by housing status and reason for failing to 
retain permanent housing under the program.
H. R. 6416—53 
(C) The use by veterans, who received case manage-
ment services under the program, of housing assistance 
furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including 
a comparison of the use of such assistance by such veterans 
before and after receiving such services. 
(D) An assessment of the employment status of vet-
erans who received case management services under the 
program, including a comparison of the employment status 
of such veterans before and after receiving such services. 
SEC. 713. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CENTER ON HOMELESSNESS 
AMONG VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VII of chapter 20 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) The Secretary shall establish and operate 
a center to carry out the functions described in subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) The center established under paragraph (1) shall be known 
as the ‘National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans’. 
‘‘(3) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall operate the 
center established under paragraph (1) independently of the other 
programs of the Department that address homelessness among 
veterans. 
‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.—The functions described in this subsection 
are as follows: 
‘‘(1) To carry out and promote research into the causes 
and contributing factors to veteran homelessness. 
‘‘(2) To assess the effectiveness of programs of the Depart-
ment to meet the needs of homeless veterans. 
‘‘(3) To identify and disseminate best practices with regard 
to housing stabilization, income support, employment assist-
ance, community partnerships, and such other matters as the 
Secretary considers appropriate with respect to addressing vet-
eran homelessness. 
‘‘(4) To integrate evidence-based and best practices, policies, 
and programs into programs of the Department for homeless 
veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness and to ensure 
that the staff of the Department and community partners can 
implement such practices, policies, and programs. 
‘‘(5) To serve as a resource center for, and promote and 
seek to coordinate the exchange of information regarding, all 
research and training activities carried out by the Department 
and by other Federal and non-Federal entities with respect 
to veteran homelessness.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter 20 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 2066 the following new item: 
‘‘2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.’’. 
SEC. 714. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
TO ASSESS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR 
HOMELESS VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— 
(1) assess and measure the capacity of programs for which 
entities receive grants under section 2011 of title 38, United
H. R. 6416—54 
States Code, or per diem payments under section 2012 or 
2061 of such title; and 
(2) assess such programs with respect to— 
(A) how well they achieve their stated goals at a 
national level; 
(B) placements in permanent housing; 
(C) placements in employment; and 
(D) increases in the regular income of participants 
in the programs. 
(b) ASSESSMENT AT NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS.—In assessing 
and measuring under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall develop 
and use tools to examine the capacity of programs described in 
such subsection at both the national and local level in order to 
assess the following: 
(1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs 
of homeless veterans in each geographic area. 
(2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the sub-
populations of homeless veterans located in each geographic 
area. 
(3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under 
sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 
2012 of such title have to provide services for which the recipi-
ents 
are 
eligible 
to 
receive 
per 
diem 
under 
section 
2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
section 711(6). 
(c) CONSIDERATION OF OTHER RESOURCES.—In assessing and 
measuring programs under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall 
consider the availability to such programs of resources made avail-
able to such programs and to homeless veterans, including resources 
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and by entities 
other than the Department. 
(d) USE OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall use the informa-
tion collected under this section as follows: 
(1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described 
in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of homeless 
veterans. 
(2) To assess whether programs described in subsection 
(a) are meeting goals set under paragraph (1). 
(3) To inform funding allocations for programs described 
in subsection (a). 
(4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to pro-
grams described in subsection (a). 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which 
the assessment required by subsection (a) is completed, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on such assessment and such recommenda-
tions for legislative and administrative action as the Secretary 
may have to improve the programs and per diem payments 
described in subsection (a). 
SEC. 715. REPORT ON OUTREACH RELATING TO INCREASING THE 
AMOUNT OF HOUSING AVAILABLE TO VETERANS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
H. R. 6416—55 
and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Represent-
atives a report describing and assessing the outreach conducted 
by the Secretary to realtors, landlords, property management 
companies, and developers to educate them about the housing needs 
of veterans and the benefits of having veterans as tenants. 
TITLE VIII—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 801. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION 
REFORMS. 
(a) APPLICATION OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS; ASSISTANCE.—Sec-
tion 8103 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsections: 
‘‘(f) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
use industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in 
carrying out the construction of medical facilities. 
‘‘(g) The Secretary shall ensure that each employee of the 
Department with responsibilities, as determined by the Secretary, 
relating to the infrastructure construction or alteration of medical 
facilities, including such construction or alteration carried out 
pursuant to contracts or agreements, undergoes a program of 
ongoing professional training and development. Such program shall 
be designed to ensure that employees maintain adequate expertise 
relating to industry standards and best practices for the acquisition 
of design and construction services. The Secretary may provide 
the program under this subsection directly or through a contract 
or agreement with a non-Federal entity or with a non-Department 
Federal entity.’’. 
(b) FORENSIC AUDITS OF CERTAIN PROJECTS.—Subsection (c) 
of section 8104 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Not less than 30 days’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) 
Not less than 30 days’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) enter into a contract or agreement with an appropriate 
non-department Federal entity with the ability to conduct 
forensic audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of 
an external forensic audit of the expenditures relating to any 
major medical facility or super construction project for which 
the total expenditures exceed the amount requested in the 
initial budget request for the project submitted to Congress 
under section 1105 of title 31 by more than 25 percent; and 
‘‘(B) enter into a contract or agreement with an appropriate 
non-department Federal entity with the ability to conduct 
forensic audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of 
an external audit of the medical center construction project 
in Aurora, Colorado.’’. 
(c) USE OF AMOUNTS FROM BID SAVINGS.—Subsection (d)(2)(B) 
of such section is amended— 
(1) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (iii) 
and (iv), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clause 
(ii): 
‘‘(ii) If the major construction project that is the source 
of the bid savings is not complete—
H. R. 6416—56 
‘‘(I) the amount already obligated by the Department 
or available in the project reserve for such project; 
‘‘(II) the percentage of such project that has been com-
pleted; and 
‘‘(III) the amount available to the Department to com-
plete such project.’’; and 
(3) in clauses (iii) and (iv), as redesignated by paragraph 
(1), strike ‘‘amounts’’ and inserting ‘‘bid savings amounts’’ both 
places it appears. 
(d) QUARTERLY REPORT ON SUPER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—At the end of subchapter I of chapter 
81 add the following new section: 
‘‘§ 8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects 
‘‘(a) QUARTERLY REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 days 
after the last day of each fiscal quarter the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the super construction projects car-
ried out by the appropriate non-Department Federal entity 
described in section 8103(e)(1) of this title during such quarter. 
Each such report shall include, for each such project— 
‘‘(1) the budgetary and scheduling status of the project, 
as of the last day of the quarter covered by the report; and 
‘‘(2) the actual cost and schedule variances of the project, 
as of such day, compared to the planned cost and schedules 
for the project. 
‘‘(b) SUPER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘super construction project’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 8103(e)(3) of this title.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end 
of the items relating to such subchapter the following new 
item: 
‘‘8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects.’’. 
SEC. 802. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS. 
Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In section 735(a)(5), by striking ‘‘(Public Law 104–191)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘(Public Law 104–191; 42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note)’’. 
(2) In the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
17, by striking the items relating to sections 1710D and 1710E 
and inserting the following new items: 
‘‘1710D. Traumatic brain injury: comprehensive program for long-term rehabilita-
tion. 
‘‘1710E. Traumatic brain injury: use of non-Department facilities for rehabilitation.’’. 
(3) In section 1710(e)(1)(F), by inserting a comma after 
‘‘1953’’.