109 
cause the payment such compensation would have 
exceeded an applicable cap on annual compensation. 
(2) PERIOD SPECIFIED.—The period specified 
in this paragraph is the period beginning on Janu-
ary 8, 2006, and ending on December 31, 2017. 
(3) 
EXCLUSION.—Compensation 
authorized 
under this subsection shall not be included in the 
calculation of any aggregate limit on compensation 
for a covered employee for the year in which it is 
paid. 
(4) CHARGING OF COMPENSATION.—Compensa-
tion authorized under this subsection shall be 
charged to the appropriate medical care appropria-
tion account of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for the fiscal year in which the work was performed 
except as follows: 
(A) In the case of an account that has 
closed pursuant to section 1552 of title 31, 
United States Code, the compensation shall be 
charged to a current appropriation account in 
accordance with section 1553 of such title. 
(B) In the case of an expired account that 
has not closed, if charging the compensation to 
the expired account would cause such account 
to have a negative unliquidated or unexpended
110 
balance, the compensation may be charged to a 
current appropriation account available for the 
same purpose. 
(5) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘compensation’’ means any 
pay, including salary, awards, and incentives. 
(B) The term ‘‘covered employee’’ means a 
physician, podiatrist, or dentist subject to mar-
ket pay under section 7431 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 143. REIMBURSEMENT OF AMBULANCE COST FOR 
CARE FOR CERTAIN RURAL VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall pay, or reimburse a covered veteran for, the cost of 
transporting the veteran by ambulance, including air am-
bulance, from a covered location to a provider of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, a non-Department provider, 
or the nearest hospital that can meet the needs of the vet-
eran (including a hospital that compacts with the Indian 
Health Service) for covered care. 
(b) AMOUNT COVERED.—The maximum cumulative 
amount covered under this section for a covered veteran 
is $46,000. 
(c) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on September 30, 2026.
111 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered care’’ means care for a 
veteran eligible for care provided by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs under title 38, United States 
Code, or any other law administered by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, even if the care associ-
ated with the transport described in subsection (a) 
is not authorized by the Department. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered location’’ means a loca-
tion that is— 
(A) in a State that is 100 miles or more 
from the nearest medical center of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; and 
(B) in an area rated as a 10 or higher 
under the rural-urban commuting areas coding 
system of the Department of Agriculture. 
(3) The term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a vet-
eran who— 
(A) has a service-connected disability rated 
by the Secretary as between 0 and 30 percent 
disabling; 
(B) is not eligible for payments or reim-
bursements for beneficiary travel or other 
transportation under the laws administered by
112 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, other than 
under this section; and 
(C) is not entitled to care or services under 
a non-Department of Veterans Affairs health- 
plan contract. 
(4) The term ‘‘health-plan contract’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1725 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(5) The term ‘‘service-connected’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of such title. 
SEC. 144. PILOT PROGRAM TO FURNISH DENTAL CARE 
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS TO CERTAIN VETERANS DIAGNOSED 
WITH ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a two-year pilot pro-
gram (in this section referred to as the ‘‘pilot program’’) 
under which the Secretary shall furnish covered care to 
covered veterans through means that include the use of 
community care. 
(b) LOCATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall select 
not more than four States in which to carry out the 
pilot program.
113 
(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting States 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize 
States in which— 
(A) the Department of Veterans Affairs 
serves a high proportion, as determined by the 
Secretary, of veterans residing in rural or high-
ly rural areas (as determined through the use 
of the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding 
system of the Department of Agriculture); 
(B) dental clinics operated by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs currently utilize tele-
dentistry; 
(C) the Department of Veterans Affairs 
does not currently operate a dental clinic; or 
(D) the Secretary determines a large per-
centage of veterans enrolled in the system of 
annual patient enrollment of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs established and operated under 
paragraphs (1) or (2) of section 1705(a) of title 
38, United States Code, visit emergency rooms 
for dental emergencies at high rates. 
(c) PARTICIPATION LIMITATION.—Participation in a 
pilot program established pursuant to this section shall be 
limited to a covered veteran who receives health care in
114 
a facility of the Department located in a State selected 
under subsection (b). 
(d) USE
OF
CERTAIN
METHODS
TO
PROVIDE 
CARE.— 
(1) MOBILE DENTAL CLINICS.—In carrying out 
the pilot program, the Secretary shall test the effi-
cacy of mobile dental clinics to service rural areas 
that do not have a population base to warrant a full- 
time clinic but where there are covered veterans in 
need of dental care. 
(2) HOME-BASED DENTAL CARE.—In carrying 
out the pilot program, the Secretary shall test the 
efficacy of portable dental care units to service rural 
veterans in their homes, as the Secretary considers 
medically appropriate. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) COMMUNITY CARE NETWORK REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Before commencing the 
pilot program, the Secretary shall work with 
third party administrators to conduct a review 
of dental providers who are part of the commu-
nity care network of the Department in each 
State selected under subsection (b)(1) to en-
sure—
115 
(i) dental providers who are no longer 
accepting patients from the Department— 
(I) are not still listed as pro-
viders accepting referrals from the 
Department; and 
(II) are not sent referrals from 
the Department; and 
(ii) dental providers participating in 
each such network are capable of receiving 
an influx of patients from the Department 
under the pilot program. 
(B) EXPANSION OF NETWORK.—If, pursu-
ant to a review under subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary determines the community care net-
work in a State selected under subsection (b)(1) 
is not capable of receiving an influx of patients 
under the pilot program, the Secretary shall co-
ordinate with the Third Party Administrator 
for such State to ensure the dental provider 
network of such community care network is suf-
ficiently expanded before the initiation of the 
pilot program. 
(2) NOTICE TO COVERED VETERANS.—In car-
rying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall in-
form all covered veterans in States selected under
116 
subsection (b)(1) of the covered care available under 
the pilot program. 
(3) LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY.—Any veteran par-
ticipating in the pilot program who ceases to be a 
covered veteran shall be removed from the pilot pro-
gram on the date that is 90 days after the Secretary 
determines the participant is no longer a covered 
veteran. 
(4) CONTINUITY OF CARE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Upon the termination 
of the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide 
to all veterans participating in the pilot pro-
gram at the time of such termination— 
(i) information on how to enroll in the 
dental insurance plan of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs under section 1712C of 
title 38, United States Code; 
(ii) if appropriate, information on the 
VETSmile program of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, or any successor pro-
gram; or 
(iii) contact information for dental 
providers in the surrounding community 
who provide low- or no-cost dental care
117 
and whom the Secretary has confirmed are 
available to take on new patients. 
(B) 
CONTINUATION
OF
TREATMENT 
PLAN.—Any veteran participating in the pilot 
program may continue to receive services under 
the pilot program after the termination of the 
pilot program to complete a treatment plan 
commenced under the pilot program, as deter-
mined necessary by the Secretary. 
(f) REPORTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than one year 
after the commencement of the pilot program, and 
annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot pro-
gram, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate a report on the 
pilot program that includes— 
(A) an identification of the States partici-
pating in the pilot program; 
(B) a description of the implementation 
and operation of the pilot program; 
(C) the number of participants in the pilot 
program, disaggregated by— 
(i) State; and 
(ii) disability rating;
118 
(D) an identification of any barriers or 
challenges to implementing the pilot program; 
(E) aggregated feedback from participants 
in the pilot program, including from interviews 
and surveys; 
(F) the average annual cost of providing 
covered care to a participant in the pilot pro-
gram, disaggregated by— 
(i) State; 
(ii) disability rating; and 
(iii) whether the care was provided 
through the community care network or 
through a provider of the Department; 
(G) an analysis of the communication and 
collaboration of the Department with Third 
Party Administrators and community care den-
tal providers, disaggregated by State; 
(H) an analysis of any cost savings by the 
Department with respect to the treatment of 
ischemic heart disease; 
(I) an assessment of the impact of the 
pilot program on appointments for care, pre-
scriptions, hospitalizations, emergency room vis-
its, wellness, employability, satisfaction, and 
perceived quality of life of covered veterans re-
119 
lated to their diagnosis of ischemic heart dis-
ease; 
(J) an analysis and assessment of the effi-
cacy of mobile clinics and portable dental care 
units, to the extent such modalities are used, to 
service the needs of covered veterans under the 
pilot program; 
(K) an analysis and assessment of the 
usage of teledentistry to service the needs of 
covered veterans under the pilot program, to in-
clude a cost benefit analysis of such services; 
and 
(L) such other matters as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days 
before the completion of the pilot program, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Sen-
ate a report on the pilot program that— 
(A) includes the matters required under 
paragraph (1); 
(B) includes recommendations on whether 
the pilot program should be continued, ex-
panded, or adopted throughout the Department; 
and
120 
(C) indicates whether the Secretary re-
quests action by Congress to make the pilot 
program permanent. 
(g) IMPACT ON COMMUNITY CARE.—Participants in 
the pilot program shall be able to access covered care in 
the community under section 1703 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered care’’ means dental care 
that is consistent with the dental services and treat-
ment furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to veterans pursuant to section 1712(a)(1)(G) of 
title 38, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a vet-
eran who— 
(A) is enrolled in the system of annual pa-
tient enrollment of the Department established 
and operated under paragraphs (1) or (2) of 
section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; 
(B) is not eligible for dental services and 
treatment and related dental appliances under 
the laws administered by the Secretary as of 
the date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(C) has a diagnosis of ischemic heart dis-
ease.
121 
(3) The term ‘‘Third Party Administrator’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 1703F of 
such title. 
SEC. 145. DOCUMENTATION OF PREFERENCES OF VET-
ERANS FOR SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS 
FOR HEALTH CARE UNDER LAWS ADMINIS-
TERED BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall develop a mechanism to solicit informa-
tion regarding the preference of veterans enrolled in the 
system of annual patient enrollment of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, for scheduling 
of appointments for health care and related services under 
the laws administered by the Secretary, including through 
non-Department providers. 
(b) 
DOCUMENTATION
OF
PREFERENCE.—Pref-
erences provided voluntarily by a veteran pursuant to sub-
section (a) shall be documented on My HealtheVet or an-
other system designated by the Secretary that allows the 
veteran to view and change such preferences at any time. 
(c) INCLUSION IN PREFERENCE.—Preferences solic-
ited under subsection (a) shall include the following:
122 
(1) How and when the veteran prefers to be 
contacted about an appointment for health care. 
(2) Whether the veteran prefers to schedule ap-
pointments without the assistance of the Depart-
ment, if able. 
(3) Whether the veteran prefers to select a pro-
vider without the assistance of the Department, if 
able. 
(4) Whether the veteran prefers appointments 
to be scheduled during certain days or times. 
(d) USE
OF PREFERENCE.—The Secretary shall 
make the preferences provided under subsection (a) easily 
accessible to medical support assistants and other staff of 
the Department, or non-Department staff, as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate, who assist in the appoint-
ment scheduling process. 
(e) DEPLOYMENT OF MECHANISM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning after the date on 
which the Secretary develops the mechanism re-
quired under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
(A) test the mechanism in not fewer than 
three geographically diverse Veterans Inte-
grated Service Networks; and 
(B) gather feedback about the effectiveness 
of such mechanism from veterans, medical sup-
123 
port assistants, staff and other stakeholders as 
the Secretary determines appropriate. 
(2) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not im-
plement such mechanism across the Veterans Health 
Administration of the Department before the Sec-
retary addresses the feedback described in para-
graph (1)(B). 
SEC. 146. STAFFING MODEL AND PERFORMANCE METRICS 
FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) STAFFING MODEL.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall— 
(A) develop, validate, and implement a 
staffing model for the Office of Integrated Vet-
eran Care of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, or successor office, Veterans Integrated 
Services Networks, and medical centers of the 
Department that includes appropriate target 
staffing levels nationally, regionally, and locally 
to ensure timely access to care and effectively 
oversee the provision of care by the Depart-
ment, whether at a facility of the Department 
or through a non-Department provider; and
124 
(B) provide to Congress a briefing on such 
staffing model, which shall include— 
(i) the metrics and measures used by 
the Secretary in developing such staffing 
model; 
(ii) an analysis of how such staffing 
model compares to the staffing models of 
other relevant Government-owned and pri-
vate sector health care systems; and 
(iii) an estimate of the portion of the 
roles in such staffing model that will be 
filled by contracted staff at any given time. 
(2) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF STAFF-
ING MODEL.—Not later than one year after the date 
on which the Secretary implements the staffing 
model required under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress and the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States a report containing— 
(A) an update on such implementation; 
and 
(B) information on the outcomes yielded 
by such staffing model in terms of improved ac-
cess to care for veterans and improved compli-
ance with relevant laws, regulations, policy di-
rectives, and guidance governing access to care.
125 
(b) PERFORMANCE METRICS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall develop and implement a plan, with an 
appropriate tracking system, to incorporate appro-
priate standardized performance metrics and over-
sight measures within the performance appraisal 
systems for employees of the Department specified 
in paragraph (2). 
(2) EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT SPECI-
FIED.—Employees of the Department specified in 
this paragraph are employees who are responsible 
for ensuring timely access to care from the Depart-
ment, compliance with relevant statutes and regula-
tions relating to the provision of care, including sec-
tion 1703 of title 38, United States Code, and over-
seeing the provision of care, whether at a facility of 
the Department or through a non-Department pro-
vider, including employees within the Office of Inte-
grated Veteran Care of the Department, or suc-
cessor office, employees of a Veterans Integrated 
Service Network, and employees of a medical center 
of the Department. 
(3) REPORT
ON
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
PER-
FORMANCE METRICS.—Not later than one year after
126 
implementing the performance metrics required 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress and the Comptroller General of the United 
States a report containing— 
(A) an update on such implementation; 
and 
(B) information on the outcomes yielded 
by such performance metrics in terms of im-
proved access to care for veterans and improved 
compliance with relevant laws, policy directives, 
and guidance governing access to care. 
(c) GAO REPORT.—Not later than two years after 
the later of the date on which the Comptroller General 
receives the report under subsection (a)(2) or the report 
under subsection (b)(3), the Comptroller General shall 
submit to Congress a report that includes— 
(1) an assessment of the performance of the Of-
fice of Integrated Veteran Care of the Department, 
or successor office, in improving access to care for 
veterans in facilities of the Department and pursu-
ant to section 1703 of title 38, United States Code; 
and 
(2) such recommendations as the Comptroller 
General considers appropriate with respect to im-
127 
proving access to the care described in paragraph 
(1) for veterans. 
SEC. 147. ONLINE HEALTH EDUCATION PORTAL FOR VET-
ERANS ENROLLED IN PATIENT ENROLLMENT 
SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish, on an Internet website of the Department, a 
health education portal that includes interactive edu-
cational modules to ensure veterans enrolled in the patient 
enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, 
United States Code, understand the basic health care eli-
gibilities and entitlements of veterans under the laws ad-
ministered by the Secretary, including under the Veterans 
Community Care Program under section 1703 of such 
title. 
SEC. 148. LIMITATION ON DETAIL OF DIRECTORS OF MED-
ICAL CENTERS OF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS. 
(a) NOTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
detailing a director of a medical center of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs to a different position
128 
within the Department, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall notify the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives of such de-
tail. 
(2) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—The notifica-
tion required by paragraph (1) shall include, with re-
spect to a director of a medical center who is de-
tailed to a different position within the Department, 
the following information: 
(A) The location at which the director is 
detailed. 
(B) The position title of the detail. 
(C) The estimated time the director is ex-
pected to be absent from their duties at the 
medical center. 
(D) Such other information as the Sec-
retary may determine appropriate. 
(b) APPOINTMENT OF ACTING DIRECTOR.—Not later 
than 120 days after detailing a director of a medical cen-
ter of the Department to a different position within the 
Department, the Secretary shall appoint an individual as 
acting director of such medical center with all of the au-
thority and responsibilities of the detailed director.
129 
(c) UPDATE ON DETAIL.—Not later than 120 days 
after detailing a director of a medical center of the De-
partment to a different position within the Department, 
and not less frequently than every 30 days thereafter while 
the detail is in effect or while the director position at the 
medical center is vacant, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives an update regarding the status of the detail. 
(d) RETURN TO POSITION OR REASSIGNMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), not later than 180 days after detailing a 
director of a medical center of the Department to a 
different position within the Department, for a rea-
son other than an ongoing investigation or adminis-
trative action with respect to the director, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(A) return the individual to the position as 
director of the medical center; or 
(B) reassign the individual from the posi-
tion as director of the medical center and begin 
the process of hiring a new director for such po-
sition. 
(2) WAIVER.—
130 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
waive the requirement under paragraph (1) 
with respect to an individual for successive 90- 
day increments for a total period of not more 
than 540 days from the original date the indi-
vidual was detailed away from their position as 
director of a medical center. 
(B) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 30 
days after exercising a waiver under subpara-
graph (A), the Secretary shall notify Congress 
of the waiver and provide to Congress informa-
tion as to why the waiver is necessary. 
SEC. 149. NATIONAL VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION AN-
NUAL REPORT. 
(a) NATIONAL VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION AN-
NUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not 
later than September 30 of each year thereafter, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the ap-
propriate congressional committees and publish on a 
publicly available website of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs a report to be known as the ‘‘National 
Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report’’. 
(2) EXTENSION.—
131 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—If the Secretary re-
quires an extension of the deadline for a report 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees a 
written request for such an extension. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—Each written request 
under paragraph (1) for an extension for a re-
port shall include the following: 
(i) The rationale for the delay in the 
submission of the report. 
(ii) An explanation of the need for an 
extension. 
(iii) A proposed amended date for the 
submission and publication of the report. 
(3) BRIEFING.—With respect to each report re-
quired under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, be-
fore the date on which the Secretary submits such 
report, provide to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees a briefing on such report. 
(4) ELEMENTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Each report required 
under paragraph (1) shall include— 
(i) the findings of the national anal-
ysis of veteran suicide rates for the latest 
year for which data is available;
132 
(ii) an identification of trends, if any, 
demonstrated by such data; and 
(iii) a comparison of such data to data 
on veteran suicide rates during preceding 
years. 
(B) ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS.—Each report 
under paragraph (1) shall include, for the year 
covered by the report, the following: 
(i) 
Suicide 
rates 
of 
veterans 
disaggregated by age, gender, and race or 
ethnicity. 
(ii) Trends in suicide rates of veterans 
compared to engagement of those veterans 
with health care from the Veterans Health 
Administration, including an examination 
of trends in suicide rates or deaths 
among— 
(I) veterans who have recently re-
ceived health care from the Veterans 
Health Administration as compared to 
veterans who have never received 
health care from the Veterans Health 
Administration; 
(II) veterans who are enrolled in 
the patient enrollment system of the
133 
Department of Veterans Affairs under 
section 1705(a) of title 38, United 
States Code, as compared to veterans 
who have never enrolled in such sys-
tem; 
(III) veterans who have recently 
used services from a Vet Center as 
compared to veterans who have never 
used such services; 
(IV) to the extent practicable, 
veterans who have a diagnosis of sub-
stance use disorder; and 
(V) other groups of veterans re-
lating to engagement with health care 
from the Veterans Health Administra-
tion, as the Secretary considers prac-
ticable. 
(iii) To the extent practicable, trends 
in suicide rates of veterans compared to 
engagement of those veterans with benefits 
from the Veterans Benefits Administra-
tion, including an examination of trends in 
suicide rates or deaths among— 
(I) veterans who are currently 
using, have previously used, or have
134 
never 
used 
educational 
assistance 
under the laws administered by the 
Secretary; 
(II) veterans who are currently 
receiving, have previously received, or 
have never received services or assist-
ance under chapter 31 of title 38, 
United States Code; 
(III) with respect to compensa-
tion under chapter 11 of such title— 
(aa) veterans who were re-
cipients of such compensation as 
compared to veterans who never 
applied for such compensation 
prior to death; 
(bb) veterans who had a 
claim denied for such compensa-
tion prior to death; 
(cc) veterans who had a 
pending claim for such com-
pensation at time of death; and 
(dd) veterans who had an 
entitlement for such compensa-
tion reduced prior to death;
135 
(IV) veterans who are currently 
receiving or have never received pen-
sion under chapter 15 of title 38, 
United States Code; 
(V) veterans who are currently 
using, have recently used, or have 
never used programs or services pro-
vided by the Homeless Programs Of-
fice of the Department, including an 
examination of trends in suicide rates 
or deaths among veterans who made 
contact with such office but were de-
nied or deemed ineligible for any such 
program or service; 
(VI) with respect to housing 
loans guaranteed by the Secretary 
under chapter 37 of title 38, United 
States Code, veterans who are current 
recipients of, were recent recipients of, 
or have never received such a loan; 
(VII) veterans owing debts to the 
Department; 
(VIII) veterans who were in-
volved in a veterans treatment court
136 
program, whether they graduated suc-
cessfully or not; and 
(IX) veterans who were success-
fully contacted, unsuccessfully con-
tacted, or never contacted by the De-
partment through the Solid Start pro-
gram under section 6320 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(C) STRATEGY AND RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
(i) INITIAL REPORT.—The initial re-
port under paragraph (1) shall include a 
strategy and recommendations developed 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
collaboration with the Director of the Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Prevention, 
for— 
(I) improving data collection at 
the State and local levels to accurately 
capture suicide deaths of veterans; 
(II) improving the timeliness, ef-
ficacy, and standardization of data re-
porting on suicide deaths of veterans 
at the Federal level, including by the 
Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
137 
vention and the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; 
(III) improving the timeliness of 
identification and analysis of suicide 
deaths of veterans by Federal agen-
cies, including the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, and the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; and 
(IV) any other necessary process 
improvements for improving the time-
liness, efficacy, and standardization of 
reporting of data relating to suicide 
deaths of veterans, particularly with 
respect to the annual report under 
this section. 
(ii) SUBSEQUENT
REPORTS.—Each 
report after the initial report under para-
graph (1) shall include updates on actions 
taken to meet the strategy and rec-
ommendations developed under subpara-
graph (A). 
(5) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional 
committees’’ means the Committees on Vet-
138 
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives. 
(B) The term ‘‘Vet Center’’ means a cen-
ter for readjustment counseling and related 
mental health services for veterans under sec-
tion 1712A of title 38, United States Code. 
(b) INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL VET-
ERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall enter into one or more con-
tracts with a private sector entity described in para-
graph (5) to conduct an independent assessment of 
the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Re-
port required under subsection (a). 
(2) FREQUENCY.—The private sector entity or 
entities carrying out the assessment required under 
paragraph (1) shall complete such assessment not 
later than 240 days after entering into the contract 
described in such subsection and not less frequently 
than every five years thereafter. 
(3) ELEMENTS.—Each assessment required 
under paragraph (1) shall analyze the following: 
(A) The methodology used by the Depart-
ment to track, analyze, categorize, and report
139 
suicide deaths and suicide rates among vet-
erans. 
(B) Whether data sources used by the De-
partment to compile data on suicide deaths and 
suicide rates among veterans are accurately re-
flecting such data. 
(C) Vulnerabilities in the methodology used 
by the Department that could lead to inac-
curate counting of suicide deaths and suicide 
rates among veterans. 
(D) The ability of the Department to cross 
reference suicide deaths and suicide rates 
among veterans with trends in usage of pro-
grams of the Veterans Health Administration 
or the Veterans Benefits Administration or 
other programs that could serve as widespread 
protective factors against suicide. 
(E) Improvements that could be made to 
ensure the National Veteran Suicide Prevention 
Annual Report required under subsection (a) is 
accurate and comprehensive and provides in-
sights for making improvements to the suicide 
prevention efforts of the Department. 
(4) REPORT ON ASSESSMENT.—
140 
(A) REPORT
ON
FINDINGS
AND
REC-
OMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 60 days after 
completing an assessment required by para-
graph (1), the private sector entity or entities 
carrying out the assessment shall submit to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Commit-
tees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report on the find-
ings and recommendations of the private sector 
entity or entities with respect to such assess-
ment. 
(B) REPORT
ON
PLANNED
IMPROVE-
MENTS.—Not later than 60 days after receiving 
a report under paragraph (1) with respect to an 
assessment required by paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives a report on how the Depart-
ment plans to improve the National Veteran 
Suicide Prevention Annual Report required 
under subsection (a) based on such assessment. 
(5) PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITY DESCRIBED.—A 
private sector entity described in this paragraph is 
a private entity that—
141 
(A) specializes in analyzing large-scale or-
ganizational data collection and analysis efforts, 
especially with respect to the health care sector; 
and 
(B) has experience and proven outcomes in 
optimizing the accuracy and comprehensiveness 
of data collection and analysis related to sui-
cide. 
(c) REPORT ON ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND SERV-
ICES FROM DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
TO 
PREVENT VETERAN SUICIDE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Com-
mittees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives and publish on a publicly 
available website of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs a report that analyzes which benefits and serv-
ices under the laws administered by such Secretary, 
including such benefits and services furnished by the 
Veterans Benefits Administration, have the greatest 
impact on the prevention of suicide among veterans, 
including recommendations for potential expansion 
of services and benefits to reduce the number of vet-
eran suicides.
142 
(2) ASSESSMENT OF SOLID START PROGRAM.— 
The report required by paragraph (1) shall include 
an analysis of the effectiveness of the Solid Start 
program under section 6320 of title 38, United 
States Code, on prevention of suicide among vet-
erans. 
(d) TOOLKIT FOR STATE AND LOCAL CORONERS AND 
MEDICAL EXAMINERS ON BEST PRACTICES FOR IDENTI-
FYING AND REPORTING ON SUICIDE DEATHS OF VET-
ERANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, in collaboration with the Director of the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall 
develop a toolkit for State and local coroners and 
medical examiners that contains best practices for— 
(A) accurately identifying and reporting 
suicide deaths of veterans, including how to 
identify veteran status; and 
(B) reporting such deaths to the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention and other 
applicable entities. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Not later than two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall make the toolkit developed under para-
143 
graph (1) available on a publicly available website of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(3) OUTREACH.—The Secretary, in collabora-
tion with the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, shall conduct outreach to 
appropriate State and local agencies to promote the 
availability and use of the toolkit developed under 
paragraph (1). 
SEC. 150. REPORT ON PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE RE-
QUIRED BY MEDICAL FACILITIES OF DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE 
DENTAL CARE SERVICES. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and the House of Representatives a report, for each 
medical center or other relevant health care facility of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, that includes— 
(1) an identification of the physical infrastruc-
ture, including new facilities, renovations, remodels, 
leases, or other infrastructure, such medical center 
or health care facility requires to provide dental care 
services to veterans eligible for such services under 
the laws administered by the Secretary; and
144 
(2) an analysis of the physical infrastructure 
such medical center or health care facility would re-
quire if a greater number of veterans became eligible 
for such dental care services pursuant to a modifica-
tion of the laws administered by the Secretary. 
SEC. 151. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON CERTAIN 
ORAL 
HEALTH 
CARE 
PROGRAMS 
UNDER 
LAWS ADMINISTERED BY SECRETARY OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives a report on the status of the oral health care 
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, that in-
cludes an assessment of— 
(1) any issues with information technology pro-
grams, including Dental Record Manager Plus, that 
affect dental care staff of the Department; 
(2) the implementation of the dental insurance 
plan of the Department under section 1712C of title 
38, United States Code; 
(3) the implementation and expansion of the 
VETSmile program of the Department;
145 
(4) barriers preventing the Department from 
expanding dental care eligibility to all veterans with 
ischemic heart disease, including such barriers relat-
ing to physical infrastructure, workforce, and cost of 
such dental care; 
(5) barriers preventing dental clinics of the De-
partment, if any, from adopting teledentistry; 
(6) the demographic makeup of veterans eligible 
for dental care paid for by the Department as of the 
commencement of the pilot program under section 
145 of this Act, including information on— 
(A) age; 
(B) gender; 
(C) race or ethnicity, disaggregated by— 
(i) membership in an Indian Tribe; 
and 
(ii) the major race groups used in the 
decennial census; 
(D) employment status; and 
(E) location of residence, disaggregated by 
rural, highly rural, and urban locations; and 
(7) changes to such demographic makeup if 
any, that would result from an expansion of eligi-
bility for dental care under the laws administered by 
the Secretary to all veterans with ischemic heart dis-
146 
ease including changes to demographics specified in 
paragraph (6). 
(b) THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘Third Party Administrator’’ means 
an entity that manages a provider network and performs 
administrative services related to such network under sec-
tion 1703 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 152. REVIEW OF WORKFLOWS ASSOCIATED WITH 
PROCESSING REFERRALS BETWEEN FACILI-
TIES OF THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINIS-
TRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall conduct a review of the workflows directly associated 
with processing referrals of patients between facilities of 
the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to identify specific delays or bottlenecks 
in such referrals. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—The review required 
under subsection (a) shall include a review of— 
(1) the interfacility consult management guid-
ance of the Veterans Health Administration that as-
sists facilities described in subsection (a) in con-
structing a workflow for consults between such fa-
cilities; and
147 
(2) the roles and responsibilities of the individ-
uals involved in the consult management process in 
managing such consults, including the role of the re-
ferral coordination team. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report on the results of the review required 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 153. PLAN FOR TIMELY SCHEDULING OF APPOINT-
MENTS AT MEDICAL FACILITIES OF DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.—To improve responsiveness in 
the provision of hospital care and medical services at med-
ical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a plan to— 
(1) ensure that whenever a covered veteran con-
tacts the Department by telephone to request the 
scheduling of an appointment for care or services for 
the covered veteran at such a facility, the scheduling 
for the appointment occurs during that telephone 
call (regardless of the prospective date of the ap-
pointment being scheduled); and 
(2) provide timely and, where applicable, same- 
day scheduling for an appointment described in 
paragraph (1).
148 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate a report on the plan under 
subsection (a). 
(c) COVERED VETERAN DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a veteran who is en-
rolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Depart-
ment under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 154. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO SUP-
PORT INITIATIVES FOR MOBILE MAMMOG-
RAPHY SERVICES FOR VETERANS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 
for the Office of Women’s Health of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs under section 7310 of title 38, United 
States Code, to be used by the Secretary to expand access 
of women veterans to— 
(1) mobile mammography initiatives; 
(2) advanced mammography equipment; and 
(3) outreach activities to publicize those initia-
tives and equipment.
149 
TITLE II—ECONOMIC 
OPPORTUNITY MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Educational Assistance 
SEC. 201. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MA-
RINE GUNNERY SERGEANT JOHN DAVID FRY 
SCHOLARSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall treat an individual described in subsection (b) as a 
covered individual described in section 3311(b) of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(b) COVERED INDIVIDUAL DESCRIBED.—An indi-
vidual described in this subsection is an individual who 
is the child or spouse of a person— 
(1) who dies from a service-connected disability 
during the 120-day period immediately following the 
day on which the person was discharged or released 
from duty as a member of the Armed Forces (with-
out regard to whether such duty was active duty); 
and 
(2)(A) who received an honorable discharge; or 
(B) whose service in the Armed Forces is char-
acterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable 
service. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—This section shall apply with re-
spect to—
150 
(1) deaths that occur before, on, or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(2) a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, 
commencing— 
(A) on or after August 1, 2025; and 
(B) before October 1, 2027. 
SEC. 202. REMOVAL OF EXPIRATION ON ENTITLEMENT TO 
MARINE GUNNERY SERGEANT JOHN DAVID 
FRY SCHOLARSHIP FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES. 
Section 3311(f) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (2); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through 
(5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; 
(3) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by para-
graph (2) of this section, by striking ‘‘in paragraph 
(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘in paragraph (3)’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (3)(A), as redesignated by 
paragraph (2) of this section, by striking ‘‘under 
paragraph (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘under paragraph 
(2)’’.
151 
SEC. 
203. 
SOLE 
LIABILITY 
FOR 
TRANSFERRED 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE BY AN INDIVIDUAL 
WHO FAILS TO COMPLETE A SERVICE AGREE-
MENT. 
Subsection (i) of section 3319 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘In the event’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Subject to paragraph (2), in the event’’; 
and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘of this title’’ after ‘‘sec-
tion 3685’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘IN GEN-
ERAL’’ and inserting ‘‘SOLE LIABILITY’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘under paragraph (1)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘for which the individual shall be sole-
ly liable to the United States for the amount of 
the overpayment for purposes of section 3685 
of this title’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ‘‘Subparagraph (A) shall not apply’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Neither the individual nor the 
dependent shall be liable to the United States
152 
for the amount of the overpayment for purposes 
of section 3685 of this title’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘of this 
title’’ after ‘‘section 3311(c)(4)’’. 
SEC. 204. NOTICE TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF 
RISK-BASED SURVEYS. 
Section 3673A(d) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘one business day’’ and inserting 
‘‘two business days’’. 
SEC. 205. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTICIPATION BY AN EDU-
CATIONAL INSTITUTION IN CERTAIN FED-
ERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS 
TO APPROVAL OF SUCH INSTITUTION FOR 
PURPOSES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAMS. 
Paragraph (4) of section 3675(b) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) The educational institution— 
‘‘(A) is approved and participates in a pro-
gram under title IV of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.); or 
‘‘(B) does not participate in such a pro-
gram and the Secretary has waived the require-
ment under this paragraph with respect to the
153 
educational institution, and submits to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 
and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives notice of such waiver, 
because the Secretary determines that the edu-
cational institution— 
‘‘(i) elects not to participate in such a 
program; 
‘‘(ii) cannot participate in such a pro-
gram; or 
‘‘(iii) is in the process of making a 
good-faith effort to submit an initial appli-
cation for approval to participate in such a 
program, except that a waiver under this 
clause may not be provided for a period of 
longer than 36 months.’’. 
SEC. 206. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS 
OVERSIGHT 
OF 
CERTAIN 
EDU-
CATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL.— 
Section 3675(b) of title 38, United States Code, as amend-
ed by section 205, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) The educational institution agrees to, not 
later than 30 days after any date on which such
154 
educational institution becomes subject to an action 
or event described in section 3673(e)(3) of this title, 
submit to the State approving agency, or the Sec-
retary when acting in the role of a State approving 
agency, a notification of such action or event in such 
form and containing such information as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate.’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL OF 
NONACCREDITED COURSES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3676(c) of such title 
is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (14) 
through (16) as paragraphs (15) through (17), 
respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (13) the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(14) The institution agrees to, not later than 
30 days after any date on which such institution be-
comes subject to an action or event described in sec-
tion 3673(e)(3) of this title, submit to the State ap-
proving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the 
role of a State approving agency, a notification of 
such action or event in such form and containing 
such information as the Secretary determines appro-
priate.’’.
155 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Such title is 
further amended— 
(A) in section 3672(b)(2)(C), by striking 
‘‘paragraph (14) or (15)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graph (15) or (16)’’; 
(B) in section 3675(b)(3), by striking 
‘‘(14), (15), and (16)’’ and inserting ‘‘(15), 
(16), and (17)’’; 
(C) in section 3679(d), by striking ‘‘de-
scribed in paragraph (14) or (15)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘described in paragraph (15) or (16)’’; and 
(D) in section 3680A(a)(4)(C)(iii), by 
striking ‘‘section 3676(c)(14) and (15)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 3676(c)(15) and (16)’’. 
(c) ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OF AP-
PROVAL.—Section 3679(f)(1) of such title is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(I) Comply with the notification requirements 
under sections 3675(b)(5) and 3676(c)(14) of this 
title, when applicable.’’. 
(d) DEADLINE
FOR RISK-BASED SURVEYS DATA-
BASE.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish 
the database required under section 3673A(c) of title 38, 
United States Code, by not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.
156 
SEC. 207. REQUIREMENT THAT EDUCATIONAL INSTITU-
TIONS APPROVED FOR PURPOSES OF DE-
PARTMENT 
OF 
VETERANS 
AFFAIRS 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS PROVIDE 
DIGITAL OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Section 3675(b) of title 38, 
United States Code, as amended by sections 205 and 206, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(6) The educational institution makes avail-
able to each eligible person or veteran a copy of the 
person or veteran’s official transcript in a digital 
format.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) 
APPROVAL
OF
COURSES.—Section 
3672(b)(2)(A) of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘(b)(1) and (b)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (1), 
(2), and (6) of section 3675(b)’’. 
(2) APPROVAL OF NONACCREDITED COURSES.— 
Section 3676(c) of such title is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (17) as 
paragraph (18); and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (16) the 
following new paragraph (17): 
‘‘(17) In the case of a course that leads to a 
standard college degree, the educational institution
157 
satisfies the requirements of section 3675(b)(6) of 
this title.’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
3675(b)(3) of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘(15), (16), and (17)’’ and inserting ‘‘(15), (16), 
and (18)’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on August 1, 2025, and apply 
with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, 
commencing on or after such date. 
SEC. 208. PAYMENT OF FULL MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND 
FOR VETERANS ENROLLED IN FINAL SEMES-
TER 
USING 
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
UNDER POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) HOUSING ALLOWANCE.—Section 3680(a)(3) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively (and by re-
designating each subordinate provision and the mar-
gins thereof accordingly); 
(2) by striking ‘‘Notwithstanding paragraph 
(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘(A) Notwithstanding paragraph 
(1)’’;
158 
(3) by striking ‘‘, including a monthly housing 
stipend described in section 3313(c) of this title,’’; 
and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph (B): 
‘‘(B) For purposes of providing a monthly housing 
stipend described in section 3313(c) to an eligible veteran 
or eligible person for whom the Secretary is providing edu-
cational assistance under chapter 33 of this title during 
a period that is the last semester, term, or academic period 
pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall treat 
the veteran or person as pursuing a program of education 
on a full-time basis.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment 
of this Act and apply with respect to a quarter, semester, 
or term, as applicable, commencing on or after January 
1, 2025. 
SEC. 209. MODIFICATION OF RULES FOR APPROVAL OF 
COMMERCIAL 
DRIVER 
EDUCATION 
PRO-
GRAMS FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3680A(e) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended—
159 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
(3) as subparagraphs (A) though (C), respectively; 
(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as 
redesignated by paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ 
before ‘‘The Secretary’’; 
(3) in paragraph (1)(B), as redesignated by 
paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘except as provided in 
paragraph (2),’’ before ‘‘the course’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2)(A) Subject to this paragraph, a commercial driv-
er education program is exempt from paragraph (1)(B) 
for a branch of an educational institution if the commer-
cial driver education program offered at the branch by the 
educational institution— 
‘‘(i) is appropriately licensed; and 
‘‘(ii)(I) the branch is located in a State in 
which the same commercial driver education pro-
gram is offered by the same educational institution 
at another branch of that educational institution in 
the same State that is approved for purposes of this 
chapter by a State approving agency or the Sec-
retary when acting in the role of a State approving 
agency; or
160 
‘‘(II)(aa) the branch is located in a State in 
which the same commercial driver education pro-
gram is not offered at another branch of the same 
educational institution in the same State; and 
‘‘(bb) the branch has been operating for a pe-
riod of at least one year using the same curriculum 
as a commercial driver education program offered by 
the educational institution at another location that is 
approved for purposes of this chapter by a State ap-
proving agency or the Secretary when acting in the 
role of a State approving agency. 
‘‘(B)(i) In order for a commercial driver education 
program of an educational institution offered at a branch 
described in paragraph (1)(B) to be exempt under sub-
paragraph (A) of this paragraph, the educational institu-
tion shall submit to the Secretary each year that para-
graph (1)(B) would otherwise apply a report that dem-
onstrates that the curriculum at the new branch is the 
same as the curriculum at the primary location. 
‘‘(ii) Reporting under clause (i) shall be submitted 
in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary 
shall establish in consultation with the State approving 
agencies. 
‘‘(C)(i) The Secretary may withhold an exemption 
under subparagraph (A) for any educational institution or
161 
branch of an educational institution as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
‘‘(ii) In making any determination under clause (i), 
the Secretary may consult with the Secretary of Transpor-
tation on the performance of a provider of a commercial 
driver program, including the status of the provider within 
the Training Provider Registry of the Federal Motor Car-
rier Safety Administration when appropriate. 
‘‘(D) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives a notification not later than 30 days after the 
Secretary grants an exemption under this paragraph. 
Such notification shall identify the educational institution 
and branch of such educational institution granted such 
exemption.’’. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF REQUIREMENTS.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish 
requirements 
under 
section 
3680A(e)(2)(B)(ii) of such title, as added by sub-
section (a). 
(2) RULEMAKING.—In promulgating any rules 
to carry out paragraph (2) of section 3680A(e) of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
162 
(a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult 
with State approving agencies. 
(3) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made 
by subsection (a) shall apply to commercial driver 
education programs on and after the day that is 365 
days after the date on which the Secretary estab-
lishes the requirements under paragraph (1) of this 
subsection. 
(c) COMPTROLLER
GENERAL
OF
THE
UNITED 
STATES STUDY.—Not later than 365 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall— 
(1) conduct a study to— 
(A) ascertain the effects of the amend-
ments made by subsection (a); and 
(B) the feasibility and advisability of simi-
larly amending the rules for approval of pro-
grams of education for other vocational pro-
grams of education; and 
(2) submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
report on the findings of the Comptroller General 
with respect to such study.
163 
SEC. 210. PROVISION OF CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY 
AND AWARD LETTERS USING ELECTRONIC 
MEANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 36 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3698 
the following new section (and conforming the table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 3698A. Provision of certificates of eligibility and 
award letters using electronic means 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—Except as provided by sub-
section (b), the Secretary shall provide to an individual 
the following documents using electronic means: 
‘‘(1) A certificate of eligibility for the entitle-
ment of the individual to covered educational assist-
ance. 
‘‘(2) An award letter regarding the authoriza-
tion of the individual to receive covered educational 
assistance. 
‘‘(b) ELECTION TO OPT OUT.—An individual may 
elect to receive the documents specified in subsection (a) 
by mail rather than through electronic means under sub-
section (a). An individual may revoke such an election at 
any time, by means prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) COVERED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—In this 
section, the term ‘covered educational assistance’ means
164 
educational assistance under chapter 30, 33, or 35 of this 
title, or section 3699C of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 3698 the following new 
item: 
‘‘3698A. Provision of certificates of eligibility and award letters using electronic 
means.’’. 
SEC. 211. RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE OF LAW RE-
GARDING CHARGE TO ENTITLEMENT TO EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS 
WHO DO NOT TRANSFER CREDITS FROM CER-
TAIN CLOSED OR DISAPPROVED PROGRAMS 
OF EDUCATION. 
Section 3699(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting 
the following new subparagraph (C): 
‘‘(C) This paragraph, including clauses (ii) and (iii) 
of subparagraph (A), shall apply with respect to the clo-
sure or discontinuation of a course or program of edu-
cation, as described in subsection (b)(1), that occurs dur-
ing the period beginning on August 1, 2021, and ending 
on September 30, 2025.’’. 
SEC. 212. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIGH 
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. 
(a) HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.—
165 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 36 of title 38, 
United States Code, as amended by section 210, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sec-
tion: 
‘‘§ 3699C. High technology program 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—(1) The Secretary shall 
carry out a program under which the Secretary provides 
covered individuals with the opportunity to enroll in high 
technology programs of education that the Secretary de-
termines provide training or skills sought by employers in 
a relevant field or industry. 
‘‘(2) Not more than 4,000 covered individuals may 
participate in the program under this section in any fiscal 
year. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.—(1) The Secretary 
shall provide, to each covered individual who pursues a 
high technology program of education under this section, 
educational assistance in amounts equal to the amounts 
provided under section 3313(c)(1) of this title, including, 
except as provided in paragraph (3), with respect to the 
housing stipend described in that section and in accord-
ance with the treatment of programs that are distance 
learning and programs that are less than half-time.
166 
‘‘(2) Under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall pro-
vide such amounts of educational assistance to a covered 
individual for each of the following: 
‘‘(A) A high technology program of education. 
‘‘(B) A second such program if— 
‘‘(i) the second such program begins at 
least 18 months after the covered individual 
graduates from the first such program; and 
‘‘(ii) the covered individual uses edu-
cational assistance under chapter 33 of this 
title to pursue the second such program. 
‘‘(3) No covered individual may receive a housing sti-
pend under this subsection for any month if such indi-
vidual is in receipt of a housing stipend under chapter 33 
of this title for that month. 
‘‘(c) CONTRACTS.—(1) For purposes of carrying out 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall seek to enter into con-
tracts with any number of qualified providers of high tech-
nology programs of education for the provision of such 
programs to covered individuals. Each such contract shall 
provide for the conditions under which the Secretary may 
terminate the contract with the provider and the proce-
dures for providing for the graduation of students who 
were enrolled in a program provided by such provider in 
the case of such a termination.
167 
‘‘(2) A contract under this subsection shall provide 
that the Secretary shall pay to a provider— 
‘‘(A) upon the enrollment of a covered indi-
vidual in the program, 25 percent of the cost of the 
tuition and other fees for the program of education 
for the individual; 
‘‘(B) upon graduation of the individual from 
the program, 25 percent of such cost; and 
‘‘(C) 50 percent of such cost upon— 
‘‘(i) the successful employment of the cov-
ered individual for a period— 
‘‘(I) of 180 days in the field of study 
of the program; and 
‘‘(II) that begins not later than 180 
days following graduation of the covered 
individual from the program; 
‘‘(ii) the employment of the individual by 
the provider for a period of one year; or 
‘‘(iii) the enrollment of the individual in a 
program of education to continue education in 
such field of study. 
‘‘(3) For purposes of this section, a provider of a high 
technology program of education is qualified if—
168 
‘‘(A) the provider employs instructors whom the 
Secretary determines are experts in their respective 
fields in accordance with paragraph (5); 
‘‘(B) the provider has successfully provided the 
high technology program for at least one year; 
‘‘(C) the provider does not charge tuition and 
fees to a covered individual who receives assistance 
under this section to pursue such program that are 
higher than the tuition and fees charged by such 
provider to another individual; and 
‘‘(D) the provider meets the approval criteria 
developed by the Secretary under paragraph (4). 
‘‘(4)(A) The Secretary shall prescribe criteria for ap-
proving providers of a high technology program of edu-
cation under this section. 
‘‘(B) In developing such criteria, the Secretary may 
consult with State approving agencies. 
‘‘(C) Such criteria are not required to meet the re-
quirements of section 3672 of this title. 
‘‘(D) Such criteria shall include the job placement 
rate, in the field of study of a program of education, of 
covered individuals who complete such program of edu-
cation. 
‘‘(5) The Secretary shall determine whether instruc-
tors are experts under paragraph (3)(A) based on evidence
169 
furnished to the Secretary by the provider regarding the 
ability of the instructors to— 
‘‘(A) identify professions in need of new em-
ployees to hire, tailor the programs to meet market 
needs, and identify the employers likely to hire grad-
uates; 
‘‘(B) effectively teach the skills offered to cov-
ered individuals; 
‘‘(C) provide relevant industry experience in the 
fields of programs offered to incoming covered indi-
viduals; and 
‘‘(D) demonstrate relevant industry experience 
in such fields of programs. 
‘‘(6) In entering into contracts under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall give preference to a provider of a high 
technology program of education— 
‘‘(A) from which at least 70 percent of grad-
uates find full-time employment in the field of study 
of the program during the 180-day period beginning 
on the date the student graduates from the program; 
or 
‘‘(B) that offers tuition reimbursement for any 
student who graduates from such a program and 
does not find employment described in subparagraph 
(A).
170 
‘‘(d) EFFECT ON OTHER ENTITLEMENT.—(1) If a 
covered individual enrolled in a high technology program 
of education under this section has remaining entitlement 
to educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, 
or 35 of this title, such entitlement shall be charged at 
the rate of one month of such entitlement for each month 
of educational assistance provided under this section. 
‘‘(2) If a covered individual enrolled in a high tech-
nology program of education under this section does not 
have remaining entitlement to educational assistance 
under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of this title, any edu-
cational assistance provided to such individual under this 
section shall be provided in addition to the entitlement 
that the individual has used. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary may not consider enrollment in 
a high technology program of education under this section 
to be assistance under a provision of law referred to in 
section 3695 of this title. 
‘‘(4)(A) An application for enrollment in a high tech-
nology program of education under this section shall in-
clude notice of the requirements relating to use of entitle-
ment under paragraphs (1) and (2), including— 
‘‘(i) in the case of the enrollment of an indi-
vidual referred to under paragraph (1), the amount
171 
of entitlement that is typically charged for such en-
rollment; 
‘‘(ii) an identification of any methods that may 
be available for minimizing the amount of entitle-
ment required for such enrollment; and 
‘‘(iii) an element requiring applicants to ac-
knowledge receipt of the notice under this subpara-
graph. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary approves the enrollment of a 
covered individual in a high technology program of edu-
cation under this section, the Secretary shall deliver elec-
tronically to the individual an award letter that provides 
notice of such approval and includes specific information 
describing how paragraphs (1) and (2) will be applied to 
the individual if the individual chooses to enroll in the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(e) REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITU-
TIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall not approve the enroll-
ment of any covered individual, not already enrolled, in 
any high technology programs of education under this sec-
tion for any period during which the Secretary finds that 
more than 85 percent of the students enrolled in the pro-
gram are having all or part of their tuition, fees, or other 
charges paid to or for them by the educational institution 
or by the Department of Veterans Affairs under this title
172 
or under chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, except with 
respect to tuition, fees, or other charges that are paid 
under a payment plan at an educational institution that 
the Secretary determines has a history of offering pay-
ment plans that are completed not later than 180 days 
after the end of the applicable term, quarter, or semester. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may waive a requirement of para-
graph (1) if the Secretary determines, pursuant to regula-
tions which the Secretary shall prescribe, such waiver to 
be in the interest of the covered individual and the Federal 
Government. Not later than 30 days after the Secretary 
waives such a requirement, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report regarding such waiver. 
‘‘(3)(A)(i) The Secretary shall establish and maintain 
a process by which an educational institution may request 
a review of a determination that the educational institu-
tion does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1). 
‘‘(ii) The Secretary may consult with a State approv-
ing agency regarding such process or such a review. 
‘‘(iii) Not later than 180 days after the Secretary es-
tablishes or revises a process under this subparagraph, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
regarding such process.
173 
‘‘(B) An educational institution that requests a re-
view under subparagraph (A)— 
‘‘(i) shall request the review not later than 30 
days after the start of the term, quarter, or semester 
for which the determination described in subpara-
graph (A) applies; and 
‘‘(ii) may include any information that the edu-
cational institution believes the Department should 
have taken into account when making the deter-
mination, including with respect to any mitigating 
circumstances. 
‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this section, and annu-
ally thereafter until the termination date specified in sub-
section (i), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives a report on the operation of program under 
this section during the year covered by the report. Each 
such report shall include each of the following: 
‘‘(1) The number of covered individuals enrolled 
in the program, disaggregated by type of educational 
institution, during the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(2) The number of covered individuals who 
completed a high technology program of education
174 
under the program during the year covered by the 
report. 
‘‘(3) The average employment rate of covered 
individuals who completed such a program of edu-
cation during such year, as of 180 days after the 
date of completion. 
‘‘(4) The average length of time between the 
completion of such a program of education and em-
ployment. 
‘‘(5) The total number of covered individuals 
who completed a program of education under the 
program and who, as of the date of the submission 
of the report, are employed in a position related to 
technology. 
‘‘(6) The average salary of a covered individual 
who completed a program of education under the 
program and who is employed in a position related 
to technology, in various geographic areas deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(7) The average salary of all individuals em-
ployed in positions related to technology in the geo-
graphic areas determined under subparagraph (F), 
and the difference, if any, between such average sal-
ary and the average salary of a covered individual 
who completed a program of education under the
175 
program and who is employed in a position related 
to technology. 
‘‘(8) The number of covered individuals who 
completed a program of education under the pro-
gram and who subsequently enrolled in a second 
program of education under the program. 
‘‘(g) COLLECTION
OF INFORMATION; CONSULTA-
TION.—(1) The Secretary shall develop practices to use 
to collect information about covered individuals and pro-
viders of high technology programs of education. 
‘‘(2) For the purpose of carrying out program under 
this section, the Secretary may consult with providers of 
high technology programs of education and may establish 
an advisory group made up of representatives of such pro-
viders, private employers in the technology field, and other 
relevant groups or entities, as the Secretary determines 
necessary. 
‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered individual’ means any of 
the following: 
‘‘(A) A veteran whom the Secretary deter-
mines— 
‘‘(i) served an aggregate of at least 36 
months on active duty in the Armed 
Forces (including service on active duty in
176 
entry level and skill training) and was dis-
charged or released therefrom under condi-
tions other than dishonorable; and 
‘‘(ii) has not attained the age of 62. 
‘‘(B) A member of the Armed Forces that 
the Secretary determines will become a veteran 
described in subparagraph (A) fewer than 180 
days after the date of such determination. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘high technology program of edu-
cation’ means a program of education— 
‘‘(A) offered by a public or private edu-
cational institution; 
‘‘(B) if offered by an institution of higher 
learning, that is provided directly by such insti-
tution rather than by an entity other than such 
institution under a contract or other agreement; 
‘‘(C) that does not lead to a degree; 
‘‘(D) that has a term of not less than six 
and not more than 28 weeks; and 
‘‘(E) that provides instruction in computer 
programming, computer software, media appli-
cation, data processing, or information sciences. 
‘‘(i) TERMINATION.—The Secretary may not provide 
educational assistance under this section for a high tech-
177 
nology program of education that begins after September 
30, 2027.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 3699B 
the following new item: 
‘‘3699C. High technology program.’’. 
(b) EFFECT ON HIGH TECHNOLOGY PILOT PRO-
GRAM.—Section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–48; 
38 U.S.C. 3001 note) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (d) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(d) HOUSING STIPEND.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under 
paragraph (2), the Secretary shall pay to each eligi-
ble veteran (not including an individual described in 
the second sentence of subsection (b)) who is en-
rolled in a high technology program of education 
under the pilot program on a full-time or part-time 
basis a monthly housing stipend equal to the prod-
uct— 
‘‘(A) of— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a veteran pursuing 
resident training, the monthly amount of 
the basic allowance for housing payable
178 
under section 403 of title 37, United 
States Code, for a member with depend-
ents in pay grade E–5 residing in the mili-
tary housing area that encompasses all or 
the majority portion of the ZIP code area 
in which is located the campus of the insti-
tution where the individual physically par-
ticipates in a majority of classes; or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a veteran pursuing 
a program of education through distance 
learning, a monthly amount equal to 50 
percent of the national average of the 
monthly amount of the basic allowance for 
housing payable under section 403 of title 
37, United States Code, for a member with 
dependents in pay grade E–5, multiplied 
by 
‘‘(B) the lesser of— 
‘‘(i) 1.0; or 
‘‘(ii) the number of course hours 
borne by the individual in pursuit of the 
program of education involved, divided by 
the minimum number of course hours re-
quired for full-time pursuit of such pro-
179 
gram of education, rounded to the nearest 
multiple of 10. 
‘‘(2) BAR TO DUAL ELIGIBILITY.—No covered 
individual may receive a housing stipend under this 
subsection for any month if such individual is in re-
ceipt of a housing stipend under chapter 33 ot title 
38, United States Code, for that month.’’; 
(2) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (6); 
and 
(3) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 
following new subsection (h): 
‘‘(h) TERMINATION.—The Secretary may not, under 
this section, pay a provider for a high technology program 
of education that begins after September 30, 2024.’’. 
(c) APPROVAL OF CERTAIN HIGH TECHNOLOGY PRO-
GRAMS.—Section 3680A of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (4) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) Any independent study program except— 
‘‘(A) an independent study program (in-
cluding such a program taken over open circuit 
television) that— 
‘‘(i) is accredited by an accrediting 
agency or association recognized by the
180 
Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of 
part H of title IV of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b); 
‘‘(ii) leads to— 
‘‘(I) a standard college degree; 
‘‘(II) a certificate that reflects 
educational attainment offered by an 
institution of higher learning; or 
‘‘(III) a certificate that reflects 
graduation from a course of study of-
fered by— 
‘‘(aa) an area career and 
technical education school (as de-
fined in subparagraphs (C) and 
(D) of section 3(3) of the Carl D. 
Perkins Career and Technical 
Education Act of 2006 (20 
U.S.C. 2302(3))) that provides 
education at the postsecondary 
level; or 
‘‘(bb) a postsecondary voca-
tional institution (as defined in 
section 102(c) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1002(c))) that provides
181 
education at the postsecondary 
level; and 
‘‘(iii) in the case of a program de-
scribed in clause (ii)(III)— 
‘‘(I) provides training aligned 
with the requirements of employers in 
the State or local area where the pro-
gram is located, which may include in- 
demand industry sectors or occupa-
tions; 
‘‘(II) provides a student, upon 
graduation from the program, with a 
recognized postsecondary credential 
that is recognized by employers in the 
relevant industry, which may include 
a credential recognized by industry or 
sector partnerships in the State or 
local area where the industry is lo-
cated; and 
‘‘(III) meets such content and in-
structional standards as may be re-
quired to comply with the criteria 
under section 3676(c)(14) and (15) of 
this title; or
182 
‘‘(B) an online high technology program of 
education (as defined in subsection (h)(2) of 
section 3699C of this title)— 
‘‘(i) the provider of which has entered 
into a contract with the Secretary under 
subsection (c) of such section; 
‘‘(ii) that has been provided to covered 
individuals (as defined in subsection (h)(1) 
of such section) under such contract for a 
period of at least five years; 
‘‘(iii) regarding which the Secretary 
has determined that the average employ-
ment rate of covered individuals who grad-
uated from such program of education is 
65 percent or higher for the year preceding 
such determination; and 
‘‘(iv) that satisfies the requirements of 
subsection (e) of such section.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(8) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the enrollment 
of a veteran in an online high technology program de-
scribed in subsection (a)(4)(B).’’.
183 
SEC. 213. NOTICE OF CHANGES TO DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS POLICIES AND GUIDANCE 
AFFECTING THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 36 of 
title 38, United States Code, as amended by sections 210 
and 212, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 3699D. Notice of changes to policies and guidance 
relating to educational assistance pro-
grams 
‘‘In the case of any change to any policy or guidance 
provided by the Secretary that relates to any educational 
assistance program of the Department, the Secretary may 
not implement the change before the date that is 90 days 
after the date on which the Secretary makes available to 
students, educational institutions, and the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives notice of, and justification for, the change.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 3699B the following new 
item: 
‘‘3699D. Notice of changes to policies and guidance relating to educational as-
sistance programs.’’.
184 
SEC. 214. PAYMENT OF VA EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE VIA 
ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER TO A FOREIGN 
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
update the payment system of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of educational 
assistance, administered by the Secretary, to a foreign in-
stitution of higher education that— 
(1) provides an approved course of education to 
an eligible recipient of such assistance; and 
(2) does not have— 
(A) an employer identification number; or 
(B) an account with a domestic bank. 
SEC. 215. IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNT-
ABILITY 
OF 
EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS 
FOR PURPOSES OF VETERANS EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE. 
(a) REQUIREMENT RELATING TO G.I. BILL COM-
PARISON TOOL.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN TOOL.—The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall maintain the G.I. 
Bill Comparison Tool that was established pursuant 
to Executive Order 13607 (77 Fed. Reg. 25861; re-
lating to establishing principles of excellence for edu-
cational institutions serving service members, vet-
185 
erans, spouses, and other family members) and in 
effect on the day before the date of enactment of 
this Act, or a successor tool, to provide relevant and 
timely information about programs of education ap-
proved under chapter 36 of title 38, United States 
Code, and the educational institutions that offer 
such programs. 
(2) DATA RETENTION.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that historical data that is reported via the tool 
maintained under paragraph (1) remains easily and 
prominently accessible on the benefits.va.gov website, 
or a successor website, for a period of not less than 
six years from the date of initial publication. 
(b) PROVIDING TIMELY AND RELEVANT EDUCATION 
INFORMATION TO VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Education, the Secretary of the Treas-
ury, and the heads of other relevant Federal agen-
cies, shall make such changes to the tool maintained 
under subsection (a) as the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs determines appropriate to ensure that such 
tool is an effective and efficient method for providing
186 
information pursuant to section 3698(b)(5) of title 
38, United States Code. 
(2) MEMORANDUM
OF
UNDERSTANDING
RE-
QUIRED.—Not later than two years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall seek to enter into a memorandum of 
understanding with the Secretary of Education and 
the heads other relevant Federal agencies, as the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines appro-
priate, to obtain information on outcomes with re-
spect to individuals who are entitled to educational 
assistance under the laws administered by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs and who are attending 
educational institutions. Such memorandum of un-
derstanding may include data sharing or computer 
matching agreements. 
(3) MODIFICATION OF SCOPE OF COMPREHEN-
SIVE POLICY ON PROVIDING EDUCATION INFORMA-
TION.—Section 3698 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘veterans 
and members of the Armed Forces’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘individuals entitled to educational assist-
ance under laws administered by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs’’; and
187 
(B) in subsection (b)(5)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘veterans and members 
of the Armed Forces’’ and inserting ‘‘indi-
viduals described in subsection (a)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the veteran or mem-
ber’’ and inserting ‘‘the individual’’. 
(4) G.I. BILL
COMPARISON
TOOL
REQUIRED 
DISCLOSURES.—Paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of 
such section is amended— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (B) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(B) for each individual described in subsection 
(a) seeking information provided under subsection 
(b)(5), the name of each Federal student aid pro-
gram, and a description of each such program, from 
which the individual may receive educational assist-
ance; and’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘and a 
definition of each type of institution’’ be-
fore the semicolon; 
(ii) in clause (iv), by inserting ‘‘and if 
so, which programs’’ before the semicolon; 
(iii) by striking clause (v) and insert-
ing the following:
188 
‘‘(v) the average annual cost and the total 
cost to earn an associate’s degree and a bach-
elor’s degree, with available cost information on 
any other degree or credential the institution 
awards;’’; 
(iv) in clause (vi), by inserting before 
the semicolon the following: ‘‘disaggregated 
by— 
‘‘(I) the type of beneficiary of edu-
cational assistance; 
‘‘(II) individuals who received a cre-
dential and individuals who did not; and 
‘‘(II) individuals using educational as-
sistance under laws administered by the 
Secretary and individuals who are not;’’; 
(v) in clause (xiv), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(vi) in clause (xv), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
and 
(vii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new clauses: 
‘‘(xvi) the number of veterans or members 
who completed covered education at the institu-
tion leading to—
189 
‘‘(I) a degree, disaggregated by type 
of program, including— 
‘‘(aa) an associate degree; 
‘‘(bb) a bachelor’s degree; and 
‘‘(cc) a postbaccalaureate degree; 
and 
‘‘(II) a certificate or professional li-
cense, disaggregated by type of certificate 
or professional license; 
‘‘(xvii) programs available and the average 
time for completion of each program; 
‘‘(xviii) employment rate and median in-
come of graduates of the institution in general 
two 
and 
five 
years 
after 
graduation, 
disaggregated by— 
‘‘(I) specific program; and 
‘‘(II) individuals using educational as-
sistance under laws administered by the 
Secretary and individuals who are not; and 
‘‘(xix) the number of individuals using edu-
cational assistance under laws administered by 
the Secretary who are enrolled in the both the 
institution and specific program per year.’’.
190 
(5) CLARITY AND ANONYMITY OF INFORMATION 
PROVIDED.—Paragraph (2) of such subsection is 
amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘To the ex-
tent’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall ensure that information 
provided pursuant to subsection (b)(5) is provided in a 
manner that is easy for, and accessible to, individuals de-
scribed in subsection (a). 
‘‘(C) In providing information pursuant to subsection 
(b)(5), the Secretary shall maintain the anonymity of indi-
viduals described in subsection (a) and, to the extent that 
a portion of any data would undermine such anonymity, 
ensure that such data is not made available pursuant to 
such subsection.’’. 
(c) IMPROVEMENTS FOR STUDENT FEEDBACK.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subsection (b)(2) of such 
section is amended— 
(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(A) provides institutions of higher learn-
ing—
191 
‘‘(i) up to 30 days to review and re-
spond to feedback from individuals de-
scribed in subsection (a) and address 
issues regarding the feedback before the 
feedback is published; and 
‘‘(ii) if an institution of higher learn-
ing contests the accuracy of the feedback, 
the opportunity to challenge the inclusion 
of such data with an official appointed by 
the Secretary;’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘that 
conforms with criteria for relevancy that the 
Secretary shall determine.’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
and responses from institutions of higher learn-
ing to such feedback, that conform with criteria 
for relevancy that the Secretary shall deter-
mine;’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraphs: 
‘‘(D) for each institution of higher learning 
that is approved under this chapter, retains, 
maintains, and publishes all of such feedback 
for not less than six years; and
192 
‘‘(E) is easily accessible to individuals de-
scribed in subsection (a) and to the general 
public.’’. 
(2) ACCESSIBILITY FROM G.I. BILL COMPARISON 
TOOL.—The Secretary shall ensure that— 
(A) the feedback tracked and published 
under subsection (b)(2) of such section, as 
amended by paragraph (1), is prominently dis-
played in the tool maintained under subsection 
(a) of this section; and 
(B) when such tool displays information 
for an institution of higher learning, the appli-
cable feedback is also displayed for such institu-
tion of higher learning. 
(d) TRAINING FOR PROVISION OF EDUCATION COUN-
SELING SERVICES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall ensure that personnel employed by the Depart-
ment of Veteran Affairs, or a contractor of the De-
partment, to provide education benefits counseling, 
vocational or transition assistance, or similar func-
tions, including employees or contractors of the De-
partment who provide such counseling or assistance
193 
as part of the Transition Assistance Program, are 
trained on how— 
(A) to use properly the tool maintained 
under subsection (a); and 
(B) to provide appropriate educational 
counseling services to individuals described in 
section 3698(a) of such title, as amended by 
subsection (b)(3)(A). 
(2) TRANSITION
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
DE-
FINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘Transition 
Assistance Program’’ means the program of coun-
seling, information, and services under section 1142 
of title 10, United States Code. 
Subtitle B—Employment and 
Training 
SEC. 221. IMPROVEMENTS TO REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) USERRA PURPOSES.—Section 4301(a)(1) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘en-
courage noncareer service in the uniformed services’’ and 
inserting ‘‘encourage service in the uniformed services’’. 
(b) PROHIBITION OF RETALIATION.—Subsection (b) 
of section 4311 of title 38, United States Code, is amend-
ed by inserting ‘‘or other retaliatory action’’ after ‘‘em-
ployment action’’.
194 
(c) EXPANSION
OF
INJUNCTIVE
RELIEF.—Sub-
section (e) of section 4323 of such title is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The court shall use’’ and in-
serting ‘‘(1) The court shall use’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) A person bringing an action to enforce a provi-
sion of this chapter pursuant to subsection (a) shall be 
entitled to an injunction under paragraph (1) if such per-
son demonstrates— 
‘‘(A) a violation— 
‘‘(i) of the provisions of this chapter; or 
‘‘(ii) of the provisions of this chapter is 
threatened or is imminent; 
‘‘(B) the harm to the person outweighs the in-
jury to the employer; 
‘‘(C) a likelihood of success on the merits of 
such action; and 
‘‘(D) awarding such relief is in the public inter-
est. 
‘‘(3) The court may not deny a motion for injunctive 
relief on the basis that a party bringing an action to en-
force a provision of this chapter may be awarded wages 
unearned due to an unlawful termination or denial of em-
ployment at the conclusion of such action.’’.
195 
(d) DAMAGES AGAINST A STATE OR PRIVATE EM-
PLOYER.—Section 4323 of such title is further amended, 
in paragraph (1) of subsection (d), by striking subpara-
graph (C) and inserting the following new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(C) The court may require the employer to 
pay the person the amount referred to in subpara-
graph (B) and interest on such amount, calculated 
at a rate of 3 percent per year. 
‘‘(D) The court may require the employer to 
pay the person the greater of $50,000 or the amount 
equal to the amounts referred to in subparagraphs 
(B) and (C) as liquidated damages, if the court de-
termines that the employer knowingly failed to com-
ply with the provisions of this chapter.’’. 
(e) MANDATORY ATTORNEY FEES AWARD IN SUC-
CESSFUL ACTIONS FOR REEMPLOYMENT.— 
(1) MSPB ACTIONS.—Paragraph (4) of sub-
section (c) of section 4324 of such title is amend-
ed— 
(A) by striking ‘‘may, in its discretion,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘shall’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
sentence: ‘‘The Board may, in its discretion, 
award reasonable attorney fees in a case settled 
before the issuance of an order if the person
196 
can demonstrate that significant attorney fees 
were incurred and that justice requires such an 
award.’’. 
(2) FEDERAL
CIRCUIT
ACTIONS.—Subsection 
(d) of such section is amended by adding at the end 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) In such Federal Circuit proceeding, the court 
shall award such person reasonable attorney fees, expert 
witness fees, and other litigation expenses if such person— 
‘‘(A) prevails in such Federal Circuit pro-
ceeding; and 
‘‘(B) is not represented by the Special Counsel 
in such Federal Circuit proceeding.’’. 
(3) ACTIONS AGAINST A STATE OR PRIVATE EM-
PLOYER.—Paragraph (2) of section 4323(h) of such 
title is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(2)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘subsection (a)(3)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘the court may award any 
such person who prevails in such action or pro-
ceeding reasonable attorney fees’’ and inserting 
‘‘the court shall award any such person who 
prevails in such action or proceeding reasonable 
attorney fees’’. 
(f) GAO REVIEW AND REPORT ON USERRA.—
197 
(1) REVIEW.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall review the methods through 
which the Secretary of Labor, acting through the 
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, proc-
esses actions for relief under chapter 43 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a report that includes— 
(A) the findings of the review required 
under paragraph (1); 
(B) an identification of the number of ac-
tions for relief under chapter 43 of title 38, 
United States Code, initiated during the period 
covered by the report, disaggregated by size of 
employer and geographic region; 
(C) an identification of the number of such 
actions for relief that were erroneously dis-
missed, as determined by the Comptroller Gen-
eral; 
(D) an identification of the number of such 
actions for relief that were referred to the De-
partment of Justice; and
198 
(E) an assessment of trends, if any, in 
such actions for relief initiated during such pe-
riod. 
(g) GAO REVIEW OF PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS 
OF
THE UNIFORMED SERVICES
BY FEDERAL INTEL-
LIGENCE AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall sub-
mit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
report on the processes and procedures adopted and 
used by the intelligence community to provide the 
protections for members of the uniformed services 
otherwise established under chapter 43 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional 
committees’’ means the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and Senate, the Permanent Select Committee 
on Intelligence of the House of Representatives, 
and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
Senate. 
(B) The term ‘‘intelligence community’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section
199 
3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 
U.S.C. 3003(4)). 
SEC. 222. REVIEW OF INVESTIGATIONS MANUAL OF VET-
ERANS’ EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERV-
ICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and once every two 
years thereafter for the period of five years beginning on 
such date, the Secretary of Labor, shall review the manual 
of the Department of Labor titled ‘‘Veterans’ Employment 
and Training Service Investigations Manual: USERRA, 
VEOA, and VP’’ (or a successor manual) and make such 
revisions to such manual as the Secretary determines ap-
propriate. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after any date 
on which the Secretary completes a review required under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate— 
(1) a report that includes a description of any 
revision to such manual made pursuant to such re-
view; and 
(2) a copy of the entire such manual which— 
(A) shall be provided to the Chairman and 
Ranking Member of each such committee; and
200 
(B) may contain a separate addendum for 
portions of the manual that contain law en-
forcement sensitive materials. 
SEC. 223. WARRIOR TRAINING ADVANCEMENT COURSE. 
(a) REPORTING ON THE WARRIOR TRAINING AD-
VANCEMENT COURSE.— 
(1) REPORTS REQUIRED.— 
(A) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than six 
months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
report on WARTAC. 
(B) ANNUAL REPORT.—One year after the 
submission of the report required under para-
graph subparagraph (A) and annually there-
after, the Secretary shall submit to such Com-
mittees a report that contains the elements 
under subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph 
(2) with regards to the preceding year. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Except as provided in para-
graph (1)(B), the reports under this subsection shall 
include the following elements: 
(A) BEST
PRACTICES.—With regards to 
best practices of WARTAC—
201 
(i) how many covered members have 
applied to participate in WARTAC; 
(ii) how many covered members have 
participated in WARTAC; 
(iii) how the Secretary provides train-
ing to covered members during TAP; 
(iv) how many covered members have 
completed WARTAC; and 
(v) any other information the Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
(B) COST SAVINGS.—With regards to cost 
savings of WARTAC— 
(i) how much money the Secretary de-
termines WARTAC saves the United 
States each fiscal year; 
(ii) how much money the Secretary 
determines 
WARTAC 
has 
saved 
the 
United States since its establishment; and 
(iii) the determination of the Sec-
retary whether other Federal agencies may 
save money by establishing a program 
similar to WARTAC. 
(C) HIRING.—With regards to hiring cov-
ered members who complete WARTAC—
202 
(i) how the Secretary identifies posi-
tions in the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs for which such covered members may 
qualify; 
(ii) the grades of such positions on 
the General Schedule under section 5332 
of title 5, United States Code; and 
(iii) how many such covered members 
the Secretary has hired to such positions. 
(3) DISTRIBUTION.—Not later than 30 days 
after submitting the report under paragraph (1)(A), 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transmit a 
copy of the report under this section to the head of 
each Federal agency. 
(4) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘covered member’’ means 
members of the Armed Forces participating in 
TAP. 
(B) The term ‘‘TAP’’ means the Transi-
tion Assistance Program under sections 1142 
and 1144 of title 10, United States Code. 
(C) The term ‘‘WARTAC’’ means the 
Warrior Training Advancement Course of the 
Veterans Benefit Administration, in which the 
Secretary provides training to covered members
203 
so such covered members may qualify for cer-
tain employment in the Veterans Benefit Ad-
ministration. 
(b) PILOT PROGRAM TO EMPLOY VETERANS IN POSI-
TIONS RELATING
TO CONSERVATION
AND RESOURCE 
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) BEST
PRACTICES
FOR
OTHER
DEPART-
MENTS.—The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Vet-
erans’ Employment and Training, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall estab-
lish guidelines containing best practices for depart-
ments and agencies of the Federal Government that 
carry out programs to employ veterans who are 
transitioning from service in the Armed Forces. 
Such guidelines shall include the findings of the ini-
tial report required under subsection (a)(1). 
(2) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of 
the Interior, in consultation with the Assistant 
Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment 
and Training and the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs, shall establish a pilot program under 
which veterans are employed by the Federal 
Government in positions that relate to the con-
204 
servation and resource management activities of 
the Department of the Interior. 
(B) POSITIONS.—The Secretary of the In-
terior shall— 
(i) identify vacant positions in the De-
partment of the Interior that are appro-
priate to fill using the pilot program; and 
(ii) to the extent practicable, fill such 
positions using the pilot program. 
(C) 
APPLICATION
OF
CIVIL
SERVICE 
LAWS.—A veteran employed under the pilot 
program shall be treated as an employee as de-
fined by section 2105 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(D) BRIEFINGS AND REPORT.— 
(i) INITIAL
BRIEFING.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date of the submis-
sion of the report required under sub-
section (a)(1)(A), the Secretary of the In-
terior and the Assistant Secretary of Labor 
for Veterans’ Employment and Training 
shall jointly provide to the appropriate con-
gressional committees a briefing on the 
pilot program under this subsection, which 
shall include a description of how the pilot
205 
program will be carried out in a manner to 
reduce the unemployment of veterans and 
any recommendations for legislative actions 
to improve the pilot program. 
(ii) IMPLEMENTATION
BRIEFING.— 
Not later than one year after the date on 
which the pilot program under this para-
graph commences, the Secretary of the In-
terior and the Assistant Secretary of Labor 
for Veterans’ Employment and Training 
shall jointly provide to the appropriate con-
gressional committees a briefing on the im-
plementation of the pilot program. 
(iii) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 
30 days after the date on which the pilot 
program under this paragraph is com-
pleted, the Secretary of the Interior and 
the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Vet-
erans’ Employment and Training shall 
jointly submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a report on the pilot 
program that includes the following: 
(I) The number of veterans who 
applied to participate in the pilot pro-
gram.
206 
(II) The number of such veterans 
employed under the pilot program. 
(III) The number of veterans 
identified 
in 
subclause 
(II) 
who 
transitioned to full-time positions with 
the Federal Government after partici-
pating in the pilot program. 
(IV) Any other information the 
Secretary and the Assistant Secretary 
determine appropriate with respect to 
measuring the effectiveness of the 
pilot program. 
(E) DURATION.—The authority to carry 
out the pilot program under this paragraph 
shall terminate on the date that is two years 
after the date on which the pilot program com-
mences. 
(3) OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAM ATTEND-
ANCE.—The Secretary of each of the military de-
partment is encouraged to allow members of the 
Armed Forces serving on active duty to participate 
in programs related to environmental stewardship or 
guided outdoor recreation.
207 
(4) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘ap-
propriate congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate. 
Subtitle C—Home Loans 
SEC. 231. IMPROVEMENTS TO PROGRAM FOR DIRECT 
HOUSING LOANS MADE TO NATIVE AMER-
ICAN VETERANS BY THE SECRETARY OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) DIRECT HOUSING LOANS TO NATIVE AMER-
ICAN
VETERANS.—Section 3762(a) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) The Secretary may make a direct housing loan 
to a Native American veteran under this subchapter if the 
Secretary ensures the following: 
‘‘(1) That each Native American veteran to 
whom the Secretary makes a direct housing loan 
under this subchapter—
208 
‘‘(A) holds, possesses, or purchases using 
the proceeds of the loan a meaningful interest 
in a lot or dwelling (or both) that is located on 
trust land; and 
‘‘(B) will purchase, construct, or improve 
(as the case may be) a dwelling on the lot using 
the proceeds of the loan. 
‘‘(2) That each such Native American veteran 
will convey to the Secretary by an appropriate in-
strument the interest referred to in paragraph 
(1)(A) as security for a direct housing loan under 
this subchapter. 
‘‘(3) That the Secretary, including the Sec-
retary’s employees or agents, may enter upon the 
trust land for the purposes of carrying out such ac-
tions as the Secretary determines are necessary, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) to evaluate the advisability of the 
loan; 
‘‘(B) to monitor any purchase, construc-
tion, or improvements carried out using the 
proceeds of the loan; and 
‘‘(C) to manage any servicing or post-fore-
closure activities, including acquisition, property 
inspections, and property management.
209 
‘‘(4) That there are established standards and 
procedures that apply to the foreclosure of the inter-
est conveyed by a Native American veteran pursuant 
to paragraph (2), including— 
‘‘(A) procedures for foreclosing the inter-
est; and 
‘‘(B) procedures for the resale of the lot or 
dwelling (or both) purchased, constructed, or 
improved using the proceeds of the loan. 
‘‘(5) That the loan is made in a responsible and 
prudent manner, subject to standards and proce-
dures as are necessary for the reasonable protection 
of the financial interests of the United States.’’. 
(2) 
MEMORANDUMS
OF
UNDERSTANDING, 
AGREEMENTS, 
AND
DETERMINATIONS.—Section 
3762(b) of such title is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b)(1) To carry out the purpose of subsection (a), 
the Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) enter into a memorandum of under-
standing with a tribal organization, other entity, or 
individual; 
‘‘(B) rely on agreements or determinations of 
other Federal agencies to guarantee, insure, or make 
loans on trust land; and
210 
‘‘(C) enter into other agreements or take such 
other actions as the Secretary determines necessary. 
‘‘(2) If the Secretary determines that the require-
ments under subsection (a) are not being enforced by a 
tribal organization, other entity, or individual that is a 
party to any memorandum of understanding, agreement, 
or determination described in paragraph (1), the Secretary 
may cease making new direct housing loans to Native 
American veterans under this subchapter within the area 
of the authority of the tribal organization, other entity, 
or individual (as the case may be).’’. 
(b) DIRECT LOANS TO NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS 
TO REFINANCE EXISTING MORTGAGE LOANS.—Section 
3762(h) of such title is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(h) The Secretary may make direct loans to Native 
American veterans in order to enable such veterans to refi-
nance existing mortgage loans for any of the following 
purposes: 
‘‘(1) To refinance an existing loan made under 
this section, if the loan— 
‘‘(A) meets the requirements set forth in 
subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) of paragraph 
(1) of section 3710(e) of this title;
211 
‘‘(B) will bear an interest rate at least one 
percentage point less than the interest rate 
borne by the loan being refinanced; and 
‘‘(C) complies with paragraphs (2) and (3) 
of section 3710(e) of this title, except that for 
the purposes of this subsection the reference to 
subsection (a)(8) of section 3710 of this title in 
such paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be deemed to 
be a reference to this subsection. 
‘‘(2) To refinance an existing mortgage loan not 
made under this section on a dwelling owned and oc-
cupied by the veteran as the veteran’s home, if all 
of the following requirements are met: 
‘‘(A) The loan will be secured by the same 
dwelling as was the loan being refinanced. 
‘‘(B) The loan will provide the veteran with 
a net tangible benefit. 
‘‘(C) The nature and condition of the prop-
erty is such as to be suitable for dwelling pur-
poses. 
‘‘(D) The amount of the loan does not ex-
ceed either of the following: 
‘‘(i) 100 percent of the reasonable 
value of the dwelling, with such reasonable 
value determined under the procedures es-
212 
tablished by the Secretary under sub-
section (d)(2). 
‘‘(ii) An amount equal to the sum of 
the balance of the loan being refinanced 
and such closing costs (including any dis-
count points) as may be authorized by the 
Secretary to be included in the loan. 
‘‘(E) Notwithstanding subparagraph (D), 
if a loan is made for both the purpose of this 
paragraph and to make energy efficiency im-
provements, the loan must not exceed either of 
the following: 
‘‘(i) 100 percent of the reasonable 
value of the dwelling as improved for en-
ergy efficiency, with such reasonable value 
determined under the procedures estab-
lished by the Secretary under subsection 
(d)(2). 
‘‘(ii) The amount referred to under 
subparagraph (D)(ii), plus the applicable 
amount specified under section 3710(d)(2) 
of this title. 
‘‘(F) The loan meets all other require-
ments the Secretary may establish under this 
subchapter.
213 
‘‘(G) The existing mortgage being refi-
nanced is a first lien on the property and se-
cured of record. 
‘‘(3) To refinance an existing mortgage loan to 
repair, alter, or improve a dwelling owned by the 
veteran and occupied by the veteran as the veteran’s 
home, if all of the following requirements are met: 
‘‘(A) The loan will be secured by the same 
dwelling as was the loan being refinanced. 
‘‘(B) The nature and condition of the 
property is such as to be suitable for dwelling 
purposes, and the repair, alteration, or improve-
ment substantially protects or improves the 
basic livability or utility of such property. 
‘‘(C) The amount of the loan, including the 
costs of repairs, alterations, and improvements, 
does not exceed either of the following: 
‘‘(i) 100 percent of the reasonable 
value of the dwelling as repaired, altered, 
or improved, with such reasonable value 
determined under the procedures estab-
lished by the Secretary under subsection 
(d)(2). 
‘‘(ii) An amount equal to the sum 
of—
214 
‘‘(I) the balance of the loan being 
refinanced; 
‘‘(II) the actual cost of repairs, 
alterations, or improvements; and 
‘‘(III) such closing costs (includ-
ing any discount points) as may be 
authorized by the Secretary to be in-
cluded in the loan. 
‘‘(D) The loan meets all other require-
ments the Secretary may establish under this 
subchapter. 
‘‘(E) The existing mortgage loan being re-
financed is a first lien on the property and se-
cured of record.’’. 
(c) EXPANSION OF OUTREACH PROGRAM ON AVAIL-
ABILITY OF DIRECT HOUSING LOANS FOR NATIVE AMER-
ICAN VETERANS.—Section 3762(i)(2) of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(G) Pursuant to subsection (g)(4), assisting 
Native American veterans in qualifying for mortgage 
financing by— 
‘‘(i) partnering with local service providers, 
such as tribal organizations, tribally designated 
housing entities, Native community development
215 
financial institutions, and nonprofit organiza-
tions, for conducting outreach, homebuyer edu-
cation, housing counseling, and post-purchase 
education; and 
‘‘(ii) providing other technical assistance as 
needed. 
‘‘(H) Attending conferences and conventions 
conducted by the network of Native community de-
velopment financial institutions and other Native 
American homeownership organizations to provide 
information and training to Native community devel-
opment financial institutions about the availability of 
the relending program under section 3762A of this 
title.’’. 
(d) ADEQUATE PERSONNEL.—Section 3762 of such 
title is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(k) The Secretary shall assign a sufficient number 
of personnel of the Department dedicated to carrying out 
the authority of the Secretary under this subchapter, in-
cluding construction and valuation specialists to assist 
with issues unique to new construction and renovations 
on trust land.’’. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—Section 3765 of such title is 
amended—
216 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by amending subparagraph (C) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(C) is located in the State of Alaska with-
in a region established under section 7(a) of the 
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1606(a));’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraphs: 
‘‘(E) is defined by the Secretary of the In-
terior and recognized by the United States as 
land over which an Indian Tribe has govern-
mental dominion; or 
‘‘(F) is on any land that the Secretary de-
termines is provided to Native American vet-
erans because of their status as Native Ameri-
cans.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(6) The term ‘community development finan-
cial institution’ has the meaning given that term in 
section 103 of the Community Development Banking
217 
and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 
4702). 
‘‘(7) The term ‘Indian Tribe’ means any Indian 
tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or com-
munity, including any Alaska Native village or re-
gional or village corporation as defined in or estab-
lished pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settle-
ment Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), which is recog-
nized as eligible for the special programs and serv-
ices provided by the United States to Indians be-
cause of their status as Indians. 
‘‘(8) The term ‘Native community development 
financial institution’ means any entity— 
‘‘(A) that has been certified as a commu-
nity development financial institution by the 
Secretary of the Treasury; 
‘‘(B) that is not less than 51 percent 
owned or controlled by Native Americans; and 
‘‘(C) for which not less than 51 percent of 
the activities of the entity serve Native Ameri-
cans. 
‘‘(9) The term ‘net tangible benefit’ shall have 
such meaning as the Secretary determines appro-
priate, but shall include the refinance of an interim 
construction loan.
218 
‘‘(10) The term ‘other technical assistance’ 
means services to assist a Native American veteran 
to navigate the steps necessary for securing a mort-
gage loan on trust land, including pre-development 
activities related to utilities, identifying appropriate 
residential construction services, and obtaining lease 
clearances and title status reports from the applica-
ble tribal organization or the Bureau of Indian Af-
fairs. 
‘‘(11) The term ‘tribally designated housing en-
tity’ has the meaning given that term in section 4 
of the Native American Housing Assistance and 
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).’’. 
(f) 
INTEREST
RATE
REDUCTION
FINANCING 
LOAN.—Section 3729(b)(4)(F) of such title is amended 
by striking ‘‘3762(h)’’ and inserting ‘‘3762(h)(1)’’. 
(g) REGULATIONS.—Section 3761 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations 
as may be necessary to carry out this subchapter.’’.
219 
SEC. 232. NATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL 
INSTITUTION RELENDING PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter V of chapter 37 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 3762 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3762A. Native community development financial 
institution relending program 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The Secretary may make a loan to 
a Native community development financial institution for 
the purpose of allowing the institution to relend loan 
amounts to qualified Native American veterans, subject to 
the requirements of this section. 
‘‘(b) STANDARDS.—(1) The Secretary shall establish 
standards to be used in evaluating whether to make a loan 
to a Native community development financial institution 
under this section. 
‘‘(2) In establishing standards under paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall ensure that a Native community devel-
opment financial institution— 
‘‘(A) is able to originate and service loans for 
single-family homes; 
‘‘(B) is able to operate the relending program 
in a manner consistent with the mission of the De-
partment to serve veterans; and
220 
‘‘(C) uses loan amounts received under this sec-
tion only for the purpose of relending, as described 
in subsection (c), to Native American veterans. 
‘‘(c) RELENDING REQUIREMENTS.—(1) A Native 
community development financial institution that receives 
a loan under this section shall use the loan amounts to 
make loans to Native American veterans residing on trust 
land. 
‘‘(2) A loan to a Native American veteran made by 
a Native community development financial institution 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) be limited either to the purpose of pur-
chase, construction, or improvement of a dwelling lo-
cated on trust land or to the refinance of an existing 
mortgage loan for a dwelling on trust land, con-
sistent with the requirements of section 3762(h) of 
this title; and 
‘‘(B) comply with such terms and conditions as 
the Secretary determines are necessary to protect 
against predatory lending, including the interest rate 
charged on a loan to a Native American veteran. 
‘‘(d) REPAYMENT.—A loan made to a Native commu-
nity development financial institution under this section 
shall—
221 
‘‘(1) be payable to the Secretary upon such 
terms and conditions as are prescribed in regulations 
pursuant to this subchapter; and 
‘‘(2) bear interest at a rate of one percent. 
‘‘(e) OVERSIGHT.—Subject to notice and opportunity 
for a hearing, whenever the Secretary finds with respect 
to loans made under subsection (a) or (c) that any Native 
community development financial institution has failed to 
maintain adequate loan accounting records, to dem-
onstrate proper ability to service loans adequately, or to 
exercise proper credit judgment, or that such Native com-
munity development financial institution has willfully or 
negligently engaged in practices otherwise detrimental to 
the interest of veterans or of the Government, the Sec-
retary may take such actions as the Secretary determines 
necessary to protect veterans or the Government, such as 
requiring immediate repayment of any loans made under 
subsection (a) and the assignment to the Secretary of 
loans made under subsection (c). 
‘‘(f) SUNSET.—The Secretary may not make a loan 
under this section after September 30, 2027.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 37 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 3762 the 
following new item:
222 
‘‘3762A. Native community development financial institution relending pro-
gram.’’. 
(c) NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN 
PROGRAM ACCOUNT.—Section 3763 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) Of amounts available in the Account, the Sec-
retary may use for loans made under section 3762A of 
this title— 
‘‘(1) in fiscal year 2025, not more than 
$5,000,000; and 
‘‘(2) in any fiscal year after fiscal year 2025, 
an amount determined necessary by the Secretary to 
meet the demand for such loans.’’. 
TITLE III—DISABILITY AND 
MEMORIAL AFFAIRS MATTERS 
SEC. 301. BURIAL ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
WHO DIE AT HOME WHILE IN RECEIPT OF 
HOSPICE CARE FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall treat a veteran described in subsection (b) as a vet-
eran described in subparagraph (A) of section 2303(a)(2) 
of title 38, United States Code. 
(b) VETERAN DESCRIBED.—A veteran described in 
this subsection is a veteran who dies in a home or other
223 
setting at which the deceased veteran was, at the time of 
death, receiving hospice care pursuant to section 1717(a) 
of such title if such care was directly preceded by the Sec-
retary furnishing to the veteran hospital care or nursing 
home care described in clause (ii) of such subparagraph. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY.—This section 
shall apply with respect to deaths that occur— 
(1) on or after the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(2) before October 1, 2026. 
SEC. 302. AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS TO AWARD GRANTS TO STATES AND IN-
DIAN TRIBES TO IMPROVE OUTREACH TO 
VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 63 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 6307 and 6308 as 
sections 6308 and 6309, respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after section 6306 the following 
new section 6307: 
‘‘§ 6307. Grants to States and Indian Tribes to im-
prove outreach to veterans 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this section to 
provide for assistance by the Secretary to States and In-
dian Tribes to carry out programs that improve covered