H. R. 6416 
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress 
of the 
United States of America 
AT THE SECOND SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, 
the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Jeff Miller 
and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2016’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—DISABILITY COMPENSATION MATTERS 
Sec. 101. Expedited payment of survivors’ benefits. 
Sec. 102. Board of Veterans’ Appeals video hearings. 
Sec. 103. Requirement that Secretary of Veterans Affairs publish the average time 
required to adjudicate early-filed and later-filed appeals. 
Sec. 104. Comptroller General review of claims processing performance of regional 
offices of Veterans Benefits Administration. 
Sec. 105. Report on staffing levels at regional offices of Department of Veterans Af-
fairs under National Work Queue. 
Sec. 106. Inclusion in annual budget submission of information on capacity of Vet-
erans Benefits Administration to process benefits claims. 
Sec. 107. Report on plans of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce inventory of 
non-rating workload; sense of Congress regarding Monday Morning 
Workload Report. 
Sec. 108. Annual report on progress in implementing Veterans Benefits Manage-
ment System. 
Sec. 109. Improvements to authority for performance of medical disabilities exami-
nations by contract physicians. 
Sec. 110. Independent review of process by which Department of Veterans Affairs 
assesses impairments that result from traumatic brain injury for pur-
poses of awarding disability compensation. 
Sec. 111. Reports on claims for disability compensation. 
Sec. 112. Sense of Congress regarding American veterans disabled for life. 
Sec. 113. Sense of Congress on submittal of information relating to claims for dis-
abilities incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS 
Sec. 201. Extension of temporary increase in number of judges on United States 
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 
Sec. 202. Life insurance program relating to judges of United States Court of Ap-
peals for Veterans Claims. 
Sec. 203. Voluntary contributions to enlarge survivors’ annuity. 
Sec. 204. Selection of chief judge of United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
Claims. 
TITLE III—BURIAL BENEFITS AND OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 301. Expansion of eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions.
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Sec. 302. Expansion of Presidential Memorial Certificate program. 
Sec. 303. Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of un-
claimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries. 
Sec. 304. Study on provision of interments in veterans’ cemeteries during week-
ends. 
Sec. 305. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in the re-
serve components of the Armed Forces. 
TITLE IV—EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL 
REHABILITATION 
Sec. 401. Clarification of eligibility for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry 
Scholarship. 
Sec. 402. Approval of courses of education and training for purposes of the voca-
tional rehabilitation program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 403. Authority to prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need. 
Sec. 404. Reports on progress of students receiving Post-9/11 Educational Assist-
ance. 
Sec. 405. Recodification and improvement of election process for Post-9/11 Edu-
cational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 406. Work-study allowance. 
Sec. 407. Centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain groups, districts, 
and consortiums of educational institutions. 
Sec. 408. Role of State approving agencies. 
Sec. 409. Modification of requirements for approval for purposes of educational as-
sistance provided by Department of Veterans Affairs of programs de-
signed to prepare individuals for licensure or certification. 
Sec. 410. Criteria used to approve courses. 
Sec. 411. Compliance surveys. 
Sec. 412. Modification of reductions in reporting fee multipliers for payments by 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to educational institutions. 
Sec. 413. Composition of Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. 
Sec. 414. Survey of individuals using their entitlement to educational assistance 
under the educational assistance programs administered by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 415. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of information on articulation 
agreements between institutions of higher learning. 
Sec. 416. Retention of entitlement to educational assistance during certain addi-
tional periods of active duty. 
Sec. 417. Technical amendment relating to in-state tuition rate for individuals to 
whom entitlement is transferred under all-volunteer force educational 
assistance program and post-9/11 educational assistance. 
Sec. 418. Study on the effectiveness of veterans transition efforts. 
TITLE V—SMALL BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT MATTERS 
Sec. 501. Modification of treatment under contracting goals and preferences of De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 502. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service for 
veterans. 
Sec. 503. Limitation on administrative leave for employees of Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
Sec. 504. Required coordination between Directors for Veterans’ Employment and 
Training with State departments of labor and veterans affairs. 
TITLE VI—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Medical Care 
Sec. 601. Requirement for advance appropriations for the Medical Community Care 
account of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 602. Improved access to appropriate immunizations for veterans. 
Sec. 603. Priority of medal of honor recipients in health care system of Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 604. Requirement that Department of Veterans Affairs collect health-plan con-
tract information from veterans. 
Sec. 605. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in classified missions. 
Sec. 606. Examination and treatment by Department of Veterans Affairs for emer-
gency medical conditions and women in labor. 
Subtitle B—Veterans Health Administration 
Sec. 611. Time period covered by annual report on Readjustment Counseling Serv-
ice. 
Sec. 612. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing of hos-
pital care, medical services, and nursing home care.
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Sec. 613. Expansion of qualifications for licensed mental health counselors of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to include doctoral degrees. 
Sec. 614. Modification of hours of employment for physicians employed by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 615. Repeal of compensation panels to determine market pay for physicians 
and dentists. 
Sec. 616. Clarification regarding liability for breach of agreement under Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Employee Incentive Scholarship Program. 
Sec. 617. Extension of period for increase in graduate medical education residency 
positions at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 618. Report on public access to research by Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 619. Authorization of certain major medical facility projects of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Subtitle C—Toxic Exposure 
Sec. 631. Definitions. 
Sec. 632. National Academy of Medicine assessment on research relating to the de-
scendants of individuals with toxic exposure. 
Sec. 633. Advisory board on research relating to health conditions of descendants 
of veterans with toxic exposure while serving in the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 634. Research relating to health conditions of descendants of veterans with 
toxic exposure while serving in the Armed Forces. 
TITLE VII—HOMELESSNESS MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Access of Homeless Veterans to Benefits 
Sec. 701. Expansion of definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under 
the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 702. Authorization to furnish certain benefits to homeless veterans with dis-
charges or releases under other than honorable conditions. 
Sec. 703. Waiver of minimum period of continuous active duty in Armed Forces for 
certain benefits for homeless veterans. 
Sec. 704. Training of personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs and grant re-
cipients. 
Sec. 705. Regulations. 
Sec. 706. Effective date. 
Subtitle B—Other Homelessness Matters 
Sec. 711. Increased per diem payments for transitional housing assistance that be-
comes permanent housing for homeless veterans. 
Sec. 712. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly homeless veterans 
and veterans at risk of becoming homeless. 
Sec. 713. Establishment of National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans. 
Sec. 714. Requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs to assess comprehensive 
service programs for homeless veterans. 
Sec. 715. Report on outreach relating to increasing the amount of housing available 
to veterans. 
TITLE VIII—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 801. Department of Veterans Affairs construction reforms. 
Sec. 802. Technical and clerical amendments. 
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act 
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment 
to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall 
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 
38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
MATTERS 
SEC. 101. EXPEDITED PAYMENT OF SURVIVORS’ BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5101(a)(1) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘A specific’’ and inserting ‘‘(A) Except as 
provided in subparagraph (B), a specific’’; and
H. R. 6416—4 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B)(i) The Secretary may pay benefits under chapters 13 and 
15 and sections 2302, 2307, and 5121 of this title to a survivor 
of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the Secretary 
determines that the record contains sufficient evidence to establish 
the entitlement of the survivor to such benefits. 
‘‘(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph and section 5110 of 
this title, the earlier of the following dates shall be treated as 
the date of the receipt of the survivor’s application for benefits 
described in clause (i): 
‘‘(I) The date on which the survivor of a veteran (or the 
representative of such a survivor) notifies the Secretary of 
the death of the veteran through a death certificate or other 
relevant evidence that establishes entitlement to survivors’ 
benefits identified in clause (i). 
‘‘(II) The head of any other department or agency of the 
Federal Government notifies the Secretary of the death of the 
veteran. 
‘‘(iii) In notifying the Secretary of the death of a veteran as 
described in clause (ii)(I), the survivor (or the representative of 
such a survivor) may submit to the Secretary additional documents 
relating to such death without being required to file a formal 
claim.’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on benefits paid pursuant to covered 
claims. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of covered claims adjudicated during 
the 1-year period preceding the date of the report, 
disaggregated by the following: 
(i) Claims in which the claimant was entitled to 
benefits under chapters 13 or 15 or sections 2302, 
2307, or 5121 of title 38, United States Code, on the 
basis of the claimant’s status as the spouse of a 
deceased veteran. 
(ii) Claims in which the claimant was entitled 
to such benefits on the basis of the claimant’s status 
as the child of a deceased veteran. 
(iii) Claims in which the claimant was entitled 
to such benefits on the basis of the claimant’s status 
as the parent of a deceased veteran. 
(B) The number of covered claims during such period 
for which such benefits were not awarded, disaggregated 
by clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (A). 
(C) A comparison of the accuracy and timeliness of 
covered claims adjudicated during such period with non-
covered claims filed by survivors of a veteran. 
(D) The findings of the Secretary with respect to adjudi-
cating covered claims. 
(E) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
for legislative or administrative action to improve the adju-
dication of claims submitted to the Secretary for benefits
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under chapters 13 and 15 and sections 2302, 2307, and 
5121 of title 38, United States Code. 
(3) COVERED CLAIM DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘covered claim’’ means a claim covered by section 5101(a)(1)(B) 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall apply with respect to claims for benefits based on a 
death occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 102. BOARD OF VETERANS’ APPEALS VIDEO HEARINGS. 
Section 7107 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (1) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(1)(A)(i) Upon request for a hearing, the Board shall determine, 
for purposes of scheduling the hearing for the earliest possible 
date, whether a hearing before the Board will be held at its principal 
location or at a facility of the Department or other appropriate 
Federal facility located within the area served by a regional office 
of the Department. 
‘‘(ii) The Board shall also determine whether to provide a 
hearing through the use of the facilities and equipment described 
in subsection (e)(1) or by the appellant personally appearing before 
a Board member or panel. 
‘‘(B)(i) The Board shall notify the appellant of the determina-
tions of the location and type of hearing made under subparagraph 
(A). 
‘‘(ii) Upon notification, the appellant may request a different 
location or type of hearing as described in such subparagraph. 
‘‘(iii) If so requested, the Board shall grant such request and 
ensure that the hearing is scheduled at the earliest possible date 
without any undue delay or other prejudice to the appellant.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (e), by amending paragraph (2) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(2) Any hearing provided through the use of the facilities 
and equipment described in paragraph (1) shall be conducted in 
the same manner as, and shall be considered the equivalent of, 
a personal hearing.’’. 
SEC. 103. REQUIREMENT THAT SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
PUBLISH THE AVERAGE TIME REQUIRED TO ADJUDICATE 
EARLY-FILED AND LATER-FILED APPEALS. 
(a) PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On an ongoing basis, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall make available to the public the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The average length of time to adjudicate an early- 
filed appeal. 
(B) The average length of time to adjudicate a later- 
filed appeal. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and shall apply until the date that is 3 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 39 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
H. R. 6416—6 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
a report on whether publication pursuant to subsection (a)(1) 
has had an effect on the number of early-filed appeals filed. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of appeals and early-filed appeals that 
were filed during the 1-year period ending on the effective 
date specified in subsection (a)(2). 
(B) The number of appeals and early-filed appeals that 
were filed during the 1-year period ending on the date 
that is 2 years after the effective date specified in sub-
section (a)(2). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPEAL.—The term ‘‘appeal’’ means a notice of disagree-
ment filed pursuant to section 7105(a) of title 38, United States 
Code, in response to notice of the result of an initial review 
or determination regarding a claim for a benefit under a law 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) EARLY-FILED.—The term ‘‘early-filed’’ with respect to 
an appeal means that the notice of disagreement was filed 
not more than 180 days after the date of mailing of the notice 
of the result of the initial review or determination described 
in paragraph (1). 
(3) LATER-FILED.—The term ‘‘later-filed’’ with respect to 
an appeal means the notice of disagreement was filed more 
than 180 days after the date of mailing of the notice of the 
result of the initial review or determination described in para-
graph (1). 
SEC. 104. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF CLAIMS PROCESSING 
PERFORMANCE OF REGIONAL OFFICES OF VETERANS 
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) REVIEW REQUIRED.—Not later than 15 months after the 
effective date specified in subsection (e), the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall complete a review of the regional offices 
of the Veterans Benefits Administration to help the Veterans Bene-
fits Administration achieve more consistent performance in the 
processing of claims for disability compensation. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The review required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An identification of the following: 
(A) The factors, including management practices, that 
distinguish higher performing regional offices from other 
regional offices with respect to claims for disability com-
pensation. 
(B) The best practices employed by higher performing 
regional offices that distinguish the performance of such 
offices from other regional offices. 
(C) Such other management practices or tools as the 
Comptroller General determines could be used to improve 
the performance of regional offices. 
(2) An assessment of the effectiveness of communication 
with respect to the processing of claims for disability compensa-
tion between the regional offices and veterans service organiza-
tions and caseworkers employed by Members of Congress.
H. R. 6416—7 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 15 months after the effective date 
specified in subsection (e), the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on the results of the review completed under subsection (a). 
(d) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means any organiza-
tion recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect on the 
date that is 270 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 105. REPORT ON STAFFING LEVELS AT REGIONAL OFFICES OF 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER NATIONAL 
WORK QUEUE. 
Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
the criteria and procedures that the Secretary will use to determine 
appropriate staffing levels at the regional offices of the Department 
under the National Work Queue for the distribution of the claims 
processing workload. 
SEC. 106. INCLUSION IN ANNUAL BUDGET SUBMISSION OF INFORMA-
TION ON CAPACITY OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRA-
TION TO PROCESS BENEFITS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Along with the supporting information 
included in the budget submitted to Congress by the President 
pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the 
President shall include information on the capacity of the Veterans 
Benefits Administration to process claims for benefits under the 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including 
information described in subsection (b), during the fiscal year cov-
ered by the budget with which the information is submitted. 
(b) INFORMATION DESCRIBED.—The information described in 
this subsection is the following: 
(1) An estimate of the average number of claims for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary, excluding such 
claims completed during mandatory overtime, that a single 
full-time equivalent employee of the Administration should be 
able to process in a year, based on the following: 
(A) A time and motion study that the Secretary shall 
conduct on the processing of such claims. 
(B) Such other information relating to such claims 
as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(2) A description of the actions the Secretary will take 
to improve the processing of such claims. 
(3) An assessment of the actions identified by the Secretary 
under paragraph (2) in the previous year and an identification 
of the effects of those actions. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply with respect 
to any budget submitted as described in subsection (a) with respect 
to any fiscal year after fiscal year 2018.
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SEC. 107. REPORT ON PLANS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
TO REDUCE INVENTORY OF NON-RATING WORKLOAD; 
SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING MONDAY MORNING 
WORKLOAD REPORT. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
that details the plans of the Secretary to reduce the inventory 
of work items listed in the Monday Morning Workload Report 
under End Products 130, 137, 173, 290, 400, 600, 607, 690, 930, 
and 960. 
(b) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should include in each Monday 
Morning Workload Report published by the Secretary the following: 
(1) With respect to each regional office of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, the following: 
(A) The number of fully developed claims for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary that have 
been received. 
(B) The number of claims described in subparagraph 
(A) that are pending a decision. 
(C) The number of claims described in subparagraph 
(A) that have been pending a decision for more than 125 
days. 
(2) Enhanced information on appeals of decisions relating 
to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the 
Secretary that are pending, including information contained 
in the reports of the Department entitled ‘‘Appeals Pending’’ 
and ‘‘Appeals Workload By Station’’. 
SEC. 108. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING VET-
ERANS BENEFITS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than each of 1 year, 2 years, and 
3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Sec-
retary in implementing the Veterans Benefits Management System. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the current functionality of the Vet-
erans Benefits Management System. 
(2) Recommendations submitted to the Secretary by 
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are 
involved in processing claims for benefits under the laws 
administered by the Secretary, including veterans service rep-
resentatives, rating veterans service representatives, and deci-
sion review officers, for such legislative or administrative action 
as the employees consider appropriate to improve the processing 
of such claims. 
(3) Recommendations submitted to the Secretary by vet-
erans service organizations who use the Veterans Benefits 
Management System for such legislative or administrative 
action as the veterans service organizations consider appro-
priate to improve such system.
H. R. 6416—9 
(c) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means any organization 
recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under 
section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 109. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF 
MEDICAL DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT 
PHYSICIANS. 
(a) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
(1) TEMPORARY AUTHORITY.—Section 704 of the Veterans 
Benefits Act of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); 
and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
subsection (d): 
‘‘(d) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law regarding the 
licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph 
(2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (b) at any location in any State, the 
District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or posses-
sion of the United States, so long as the examination is within 
the scope of the authorized duties under such contract. 
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician described in this 
paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to practice the 
health care profession of the physician; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such health care 
profession in any State, the District of Columbia, or a 
Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United 
States; and 
‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (b).’’. 
(2) PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 504 of the Veterans’ Benefits 
Improvement Act of 1996 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as sub-
sections (d) and (e), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law regarding the 
licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph 
(2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (a) at any location in any State, the 
District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or posses-
sion of the United States, so long as the examination is within 
the scope of the authorized duties under such contract. 
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician described in this 
paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to practice the 
health care profession of the physician; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such health care 
profession in any State, the District of Columbia, or a 
Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United 
States; and
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‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 110. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PROCESS BY WHICH DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ASSESSES IMPAIRMENTS 
THAT RESULT FROM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FOR PUR-
POSES OF AWARDING DISABILITY COMPENSATION. 
(a) AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies 
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to perform the services 
covered by this section. 
(2) TIMING.—The Secretary shall seek to enter into the 
agreement described in paragraph (1) not later than 9 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Under an agreement between the Sec-
retary and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine under this section, the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall conduct a com-
prehensive review of examinations furnished by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs to individuals who submit claims 
to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 
38, United States Code, for traumatic brain injury to assess 
the impairments of such individuals relating to such injury. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The comprehensive review carried out 
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A determination of the adequacy of the tools and 
protocols used by the Department to provide examinations 
described in paragraph (1). 
(B) A determination of which credentials are necessary 
for health care specialists and providers to perform such 
portions of such examinations that relate to an assessment 
of all disabling effects. 
(3) GROUP OF EXPERIENCED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.—In 
carrying out the comprehensive review pursuant to paragraph 
(1), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medi-
cine shall convene a group of relevant experts, including experts 
in clinical neuropsychology, psychiatry, physiatry, neuro-
surgery, and neurology. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 540 days after the date 
on which the Secretary enters into an agreement under sub-
section (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 
a report on the comprehensive review conducted under this 
section. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include the following: 
(A) The findings of the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine with respect to the comprehen-
sive review conducted under this section. 
(B) Such recommendations for legislative or adminis-
trative action as the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine may have for the improvement 
of the adjudication of claims described in subsection (b)(1).
H. R. 6416—11 
(d) ALTERNATE CONTRACT ORGANIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary is unable within the 
period prescribed in subsection (a)(2) to enter into an agreement 
described in subsection (a)(1) with the National Academies 
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on terms acceptable 
to the Secretary, the Secretary shall seek to enter into such 
an agreement with another appropriate organization that— 
(A) is not part of the Government; 
(B) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and 
(C) has expertise and objectivity comparable to that 
of the Health and Medicine Division of the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 
(2) TREATMENT.—If the Secretary enters into an agreement 
with another organization as described in paragraph (1), any 
reference in this section to the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine shall be treated as a reference to 
the other organization. 
SEC. 111. REPORTS ON CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION. 
(a) REPORT ON REASONABLY RAISED CLAIMS.—Not later than 
540 days 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 
the policies of the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect 
to processing reasonably raised unrelated claims. Such report shall 
include— 
(1) any statistics on how frequently such unrelated claims 
are identified by the Secretary; 
(2) how frequently the Secretary notifies claimants about 
potential unrelated claims; and 
(3) how often the claimant later submits a claim for the 
condition described by the unrelated claim. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORTS ON COMPLETE AND INCOMPLETE CLAIMS.— 
During the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives annual 
reports on complete and incomplete claims for disability compensa-
tion submitted to the Secretary. Each such report shall include, 
for the 1-year period covered by the report— 
(1) the total number of claims submitted to the Secretary; 
(2) the total number of incomplete claims submitted to 
the Secretary; 
(3) the total number of complete claims submitted to the 
Secretary; 
(4) the total number of forms indicating an intent to file 
a claim for benefits submitted to the Secretary; 
(5) the total number of electronically filed claims submitted 
to the Secretary; 
(6) the total number of fully developed claims submitted 
to the Secretary; 
(7) the total number of claims submitted to the Secretary 
that are not complete claims but that the Secretary treats 
as a request by the claimant for a form to file a claim; and 
(8) of the total number of claims identified under paragraph 
(7), the percent for which the Secretary notified the claimant 
of the need to file a complete claim. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
H. R. 6416—12 
(1) The term ‘‘claimant’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code, and includes 
a representative of a claimant. 
(2) The term ‘‘reasonably raised unrelated claim’’ means 
a claim for disability compensation under the laws administered 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that, in addition to the 
condition for which such claim is made, includes evidence of 
a separate condition that is not specifically identified as part 
of the claim but may be inferred or logically placed at issue 
upon a sympathetic reading of the claim and the record devel-
oped with respect to that claim. 
SEC. 112. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AMERICAN VETERANS DIS-
ABLED FOR LIFE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) There are at least 4,200,000 veterans currently living 
with service-connected disabilities. 
(2) As a result of their service, many veterans are perma-
nently disabled throughout their lives and in many cases must 
rely on the support of their families and friends when these 
visible and invisible burdens become too much to bear alone. 
(3) October 5, which is the anniversary of the dedication 
of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, has been 
recognized as an appropriate day on which to honor American 
veterans disabled for life each year. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—Congress— 
(1) expresses its appreciation to the men and women left 
permanently wounded, ill, or injured as a result of their service 
in the Armed Forces; 
(2) supports the annual recognition of American veterans 
disabled for life each year; and 
(3) encourages the American people to honor American 
veterans disabled for life each year with appropriate programs 
and activities. 
SEC. 113. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION 
RELATING TO CLAIMS FOR DISABILITIES INCURRED OR 
AGGRAVATED BY MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs should submit to Congress information on the 
covered claims submitted to the Secretary during each fiscal year, 
including the information specified in subsection (b). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The information specified in this subsection 
with respect to each fiscal year is the following: 
(1) The number of covered claims submitted to or consid-
ered by the Secretary during such fiscal year. 
(2) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1), the number 
and percentage of such claims— 
(A) submitted by each sex; 
(B) that were approved, including the number and 
percentage of such approved claims submitted by each sex; 
and 
(C) that were denied, including the number and 
percentage of such denied claims submitted by each sex. 
(3) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
approved, the number and percentage, listed by each sex, of 
claims assigned to each rating percentage of disability.
H. R. 6416—13 
(4) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
denied— 
(A) the three most common reasons given by the Sec-
retary under section 5104(b)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code, for such denials; and 
(B) the number of denials that were based on the 
failure of a veteran to report for a medical examination. 
(5) The number of covered claims that, as of the end of 
such fiscal year, are pending and, separately, the number of 
such claims on appeal. 
(6) The average number of days that covered claims take 
to complete beginning on the date on which the claim is sub-
mitted. 
(7) A description of the training that the Secretary provides 
to employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration specifi-
cally with respect to covered claims, including the frequency, 
length, and content of such training. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered claims’’ means claims for disability 
compensation submitted to the Secretary based on a mental 
health condition alleged to have been incurred or aggravated 
by military sexual trauma. 
(2) The term ‘‘military sexual trauma’’ shall have the 
meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section 
and shall include ‘‘sexual harassment’’ (as so specified). 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES COURT OF 
APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS 
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY INCREASE IN NUMBER OF 
JUDGES ON UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VET-
ERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7253(i)(2) is amended by striking 
‘‘January 1, 2013’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2021’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 30, 2020, the chief 
judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on the temporary expansions of 
the Court under section 7253 of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the effect of the expansions on 
ensuring appeals are handled in a timely manner. 
(B) A description of the ways in which the complexity 
levels of the appeals acted on by the Court may have 
changed based on service during recent conflicts compared 
to those based on service from previous eras. 
(C) A recommendation on whether the number of 
judges should be adjusted at the end of the temporary 
expansion period, including statistics, projections, trend 
analyses, and other information to support the rec-
ommendation.
H. R. 6416—14 
SEC. 202. LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM RELATING TO JUDGES OF 
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 
CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7281 is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge who is 
in regular active service and a judge who is retired under section 
7296 of this title or under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 shall be 
treated as an employee described in section 8701(a)(5) of title 5. 
‘‘(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Court 
may pay on behalf of its judges, who are age 65 or older, any 
increase in the cost of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance 
imposed after April 24, 1999, including any expenses generated 
by such payments, as authorized by the chief judge of the Court 
in a manner consistent with such payment authorized by the 
Judicial Conference of the United States pursuant to section 
604(a)(5) of title 28.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to any payment made on or after the 
first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 203. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SURVIVORS’ 
ANNUITY. 
Section 7297 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under subsection 
(b) may purchase, in 3-month increments, up to an additional 
year of service credit for each year of Federal judicial service com-
pleted, under the terms set forth in this section. 
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘covered judge’ means any 
of the following: 
‘‘(A) A judge in regular active service. 
‘‘(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible retired judge 
pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 of this title. 
‘‘(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eligible retired 
judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 but for— 
‘‘(i) meeting the aggregate recall service requirements 
under subsection (b)(3) of such section; or 
‘‘(ii) being permanently disabled as described by sub-
section (b)(4) of such section.’’. 
SEC. 204. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT 
OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7253(d) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subpara-
graph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following 
new subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B) have at least 3 years remaining in term of office; 
and’’; and 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the Court 
in regular active service who meets the requirements under para-
graph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who
H. R. 6416—15 
is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and 
subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall act as the chief judge. 
‘‘(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph 
in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active service 
who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of para-
graph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who 
is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (C) shall act 
as the chief judge.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to the selection of a chief judge occurring 
on or after January 1, 2020. 
TITLE III—BURIAL BENEFITS AND 
OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEADSTONES, MARKERS, 
AND MEDALLIONS. 
Section 2306(d) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(4)(A) In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under this 
subsection to a deceased individual described in subparagraph (B), 
the Secretary may furnish, upon request, a medallion or other 
device of a design determined by the Secretary to signify the 
deceased individual’s status as a veteran, to be attached to a head-
stone or marker furnished at private expense. 
‘‘(B) A deceased individual described in this subsection is an 
individual who— 
‘‘(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; 
and 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished under 
paragraph (1) (or would be so eligible but for the date of 
the death of the individual).’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5)(A) In carrying out this subsection with respect to a deceased 
individual described in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall fur-
nish, upon request, a headstone or marker under paragraph (1) 
or a medallion under paragraph (4) that signifies the deceased’s 
status as a medal of honor recipient. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary furnished a headstone, marker, or medal-
lion under paragraph (1) or (4) for a deceased individual described 
in subparagraph (C) that does not signify the deceased’s status 
as a medal of honor recipient, the Secretary shall, upon request, 
replace such headstone, marker, or medallion with a headstone, 
marker, or medallion, as the case may be, that so signifies the 
deceased’s status as a medal of honor recipient. 
‘‘(C) A deceased individual described in this subparagraph is 
a deceased individual who— 
‘‘(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished under 
paragraph (1) or a medallion furnished under paragraph (4) 
(or would be so eligible for such headstone, marker, or medallion 
but for the date of the death of the individual); and 
‘‘(iii) was awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 
6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14 (including 
posthumously).
H. R. 6416—16 
‘‘(D) In this paragraph, the term ‘medal of honor recipient’ 
means an individual who is awarded the medal of honor under 
section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14.’’. 
SEC. 302. EXPANSION OF PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 112(a) is amended by striking ‘‘vet-
erans,’’ and all that follows through ‘‘service,’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery by 
reason of any of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 2402(a) 
of this title,’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to the death of a person eligible for burial 
in a national cemetery by reason of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or 
(7) of section 2402(a) of title 38, United States Code, occurring 
before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 303. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STUDY ON MATTERS 
RELATING TO BURIAL OF UNCLAIMED REMAINS OF VET-
ERANS IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES. 
(a) STUDY AND REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after 
the effective date specified in subsection (d), the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall— 
(1) complete a study on matters relating to the interring 
of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under 
the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and 
(2) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on the findings of the Secretary 
with respect to the study required under paragraph (1). 
(b) MATTERS STUDIED.—The matters studied under subsection 
(a)(1) shall include the following: 
(1) Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed 
remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of 
unclaimed remains of veterans. 
(2) Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or 
entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate inter-
ment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries 
under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. 
(3) Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability 
of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in 
national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery 
Administration. 
(4) Developing recommendations for such legislative or 
administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(c) METHODOLOGY.— 
(1) NUMBER OF UNCLAIMED REMAINS.—In estimating the 
number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection 
(b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable enti-
ties as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset 
of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed 
veterans remains. 
(2) ASSESSMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.—In assessing 
State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary 
may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws 
as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing 
all applicable State and local laws.
H. R. 6416—17 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect on the 
date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 304. STUDY ON PROVISION OF INTERMENTS IN VETERANS’ CEME-
TERIES DURING WEEKENDS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a study on the feasibility and the need for providing 
increased interments in veterans’ cemeteries on Saturdays and 
Sundays to meet the needs of surviving family members to 
properly honor the deceased. 
(2) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The study under paragraph (1) 
shall include the following: 
(A) The number of requests made for interments in 
veterans’ cemeteries on a Saturday or a Sunday since 
January 1, 2007. 
(B) The number of requests identified under subpara-
graph (A) that were granted. 
(C) An estimate of the number of families that, since 
January 1, 2007, would have selected a weekend interment 
if such an interment would have been offered. 
(D) A review of the practices relating to weekend inter-
ments among non-veterans’ cemeteries, including private 
and municipal cemeteries. 
(E) A comparison of the costs to veterans’ cemeteries 
with respect to providing regular interments only during 
weekdays and such costs for providing regular interments 
during the weekdays and at least 1 weekend day. 
(F) Any other information the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the study under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the following: 
(A) Veterans who are eligible to be interred in a vet-
erans’ cemetery. 
(B) Family members of a deceased individual interred 
in a veterans’ cemetery. 
(C) Veterans service organizations. 
(D) Associations representing cemetery and funeral 
home professionals. 
(E) The heads of agencies of State governments relating 
to veterans affairs. 
(F) The directors of the veterans’ cemeteries. 
(G) Any other person the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
(b) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report on the study conducted under subsection (a). 
(c) VETERANS’ CEMETERIES DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘veterans’ cemeteries’’ means the cemeteries of the National Ceme-
tery Administration, veterans’ cemeteries owned by a State, and 
veterans’ cemeteries owned by a tribal organization. 
SEC. 305. HONORING AS VETERANS CERTAIN PERSONS WHO PER-
FORMED SERVICE IN THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
Any person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of title 10, 
United States Code, to retired pay for nonregular service or, but
H. R. 6416—18 
for age, would be entitled under such chapter to retired pay for 
nonregular service shall be honored as a veteran but shall not 
be entitled to any benefit by reason of this honor. 
TITLE IV—EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MARINE GUNNERY SER-
GEANT JOHN DAVID FRY SCHOLARSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 701(d) of the Veterans Access, Choice, 
and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 128 Stat. 
1796; 38 U.S.C. 3311 note) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this section 
shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as 
applicable, commencing on or after January 1, 2015. 
‘‘(2) DEATHS THAT OCCURRED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, 
AND DECEMBER 31, 2005.—For purposes of section 3311(f)(2) of 
title 38, United States Code, any member of the Armed Forces 
who died during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, 
and ending on December 31, 2005, is deemed to have died 
on January 1, 2006.’’. 
(b) ELECTION
ON RECEIPT
OF CERTAIN BENEFITS.—Section 
3311(f) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘A surviving spouse’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (4), a surviving 
spouse’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new para-
graph (4): 
‘‘(4) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN ELECTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An election made under paragraph 
(3) by a spouse described in subparagraph (B) may not 
be treated as irrevocable if such election occurred before 
the date of the enactment of this paragraph. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE SURVIVING SPOUSE.—A spouse described 
in this subparagraph is an individual— 
‘‘(i) who is entitled to assistance under subsection 
(a) pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection (b); and 
‘‘(ii) who was the spouse of a member of the Armed 
Forces who died during the period beginning on Sep-
tember 11, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2005.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (5) of subsection (f) 
of section 3311, as redesignated by subsection (b)(2), is amended 
by striking ‘‘that paragraph’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (9) of sub-
section (b)’’. 
SEC. 402. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR 
PURPOSES OF THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PRO-
GRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3104(b) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new sentences: ‘‘To the maximum extent 
practicable, a course of education or training may be pursued by 
a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program under this chapter 
only if the course is approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 
of this title. The Secretary may waive the requirement under the
H. R. 6416—19 
preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines appro-
priate.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to a course of education or training pursued 
by a veteran who first begins a program of rehabilitation under 
chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date 
that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 403. AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
SERVICES BASED ON NEED. 
Section 3104, as amended by section 402, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to administer 
this chapter by prioritizing the provision of services under this 
chapter based on need, as determined by the Secretary. In evalu-
ating need for purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
consider disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, 
qualification for a program of independent living, income, and any 
other factor the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to 
the prioritization of the provision of services under this chapter 
as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a plan describing such changes.’’. 
SEC. 404. REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF STUDENTS RECEIVING POST- 
9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 is amended— 
(1) in section 3325(c)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
paragraph (3): 
‘‘(3) the information received by the Secretary under section 
3326 of this title; and’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3326. Report on student progress 
‘‘As a condition of approval under chapter 36 of this title of 
a course offered by an educational institution (as defined in section 
3452 of this title), each year, each educational institution (as so 
defined) that received a payment in that year on behalf of an 
individual entitled to educational assistance under this chapter 
shall submit to the Secretary such information regarding the aca-
demic progress of the individual as the Secretary may require.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘3326. Report on student progress.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.
H. R. 6416—20 
SEC. 
405. 
RECODIFICATION 
AND 
IMPROVEMENT 
OF 
ELECTION 
PROCESS FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33, as amended 
by section 404, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 3327. Election to receive educational assistance 
‘‘(a) INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO ELECT PARTICIPATION IN POST- 
9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—An individual may elect to receive 
educational assistance under this chapter if such individual— 
‘‘(1) as of August 1, 2009— 
‘‘(A) is entitled to basic educational assistance under 
chapter 30 of this title and has used, but retains unused, 
entitlement under that chapter; 
‘‘(B) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 and has used, but retains 
unused, entitlement under the applicable chapter; 
‘‘(C) is entitled to basic educational assistance under 
chapter 30 of this title but has not used any entitlement 
under that chapter; 
‘‘(D) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 but has not used any entitle-
ment under such chapter; 
‘‘(E) is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible 
for receipt of basic educational assistance under chapter 
30 of this title and is making contributions toward such 
assistance under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; 
or 
‘‘(F) is a member of the Armed Forces who is not 
entitled to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 
of this title by reason of an election under section 3011(c)(1) 
or 3012(d)(1) of this title; and 
‘‘(2) as of the date of the individual’s election under this 
paragraph, meets the requirements for entitlement to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter. 
‘‘(b) CESSATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD GI BILL.—Effective 
as of the first month beginning on or after the date of an election 
under subsection (a) of an individual described by paragraph (1)(E) 
of that subsection, the obligation of the individual to make contribu-
tions under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as applicable, 
shall cease, and the requirements of such section shall be deemed 
to be no longer applicable to the individual. 
‘‘(c) REVOCATION OF REMAINING TRANSFERRED ENTITLEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) ELECTION TO REVOKE.—If, on the date an individual 
described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of subsection (a) makes 
an election under that subsection, a transfer of the entitlement 
of the individual to basic educational assistance under section 
3020 of this title is in effect and a number of months of 
the entitlement so transferred remain unutilized, the individual 
may elect to revoke all or a portion of the entitlement so 
transferred that remains unutilized. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF REVOKED ENTITLEMENT.—Any entitle-
ment revoked by an individual under this subsection shall 
no longer be available to the dependent to whom transferred, 
but shall be available to the individual instead for educational
H. R. 6416—21 
assistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance with 
the provisions of this section. 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY
OF
UNREVOKED
ENTITLEMENT.—Any 
entitlement described in paragraph (1) that is not revoked 
by an individual in accordance with that paragraph shall 
remain available to the dependent or dependents concerned 
in accordance with the current transfer of such entitlement 
under section 3020 of this title. 
‘‘(d) POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2) and except as 
provided in subsection (e), an individual making an election 
under subsection (a) shall be entitled to educational assistance 
under this chapter in accordance with the provisions of this 
chapter, instead of basic educational assistance under chapter 
30 of this title, or educational assistance under chapter 107, 
1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION
ON
ENTITLEMENT
FOR
CERTAIN
INDIVID-
UALS.—In the case of an individual making an election under 
subsection (a) who is described by paragraph (1)(A) of that 
subsection, the number of months of entitlement of the indi-
vidual to educational assistance under this chapter shall be 
the number of months equal to— 
‘‘(A) the number of months of unused entitlement of 
the individual under chapter 30 of this title, as of the 
date of the election, plus 
‘‘(B) the number of months, if any, of entitlement 
revoked by the individual under subsection (c)(1). 
‘‘(e) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
NOT AVAILABLE UNDER POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the event educational assistance to 
which an individual making an election under subsection (a) 
would be entitled under chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable, is not authorized 
to be available to the individual under the provisions of this 
chapter, the individual shall remain entitled to such educational 
assistance in accordance with the provisions of the applicable 
chapter. 
‘‘(2) CHARGE FOR USE OF ENTITLEMENT.—The utilization 
by an individual of entitlement under paragraph (1) shall be 
chargeable against the entitlement of the individual to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter at the rate of 1 month 
of entitlement under this chapter for each month of entitlement 
utilized by the individual under paragraph (1) (as determined 
as if such entitlement were utilized under the provisions of 
chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 
10, as applicable). 
‘‘(f) ADDITIONAL POST-9/11 ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS HAVING 
MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD GI BILL.— 
‘‘(1) ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.—In the case of an individual 
making an election under subsection (a) who is described by 
subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, 
the amount of educational assistance payable to the individual 
under this chapter as a monthly stipend payable under para-
graph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs 
(2) through (7) of that section (as applicable), shall be the
H. R. 6416—22 
amount otherwise payable as a monthly stipend under the 
applicable paragraph increased by the amount equal to— 
‘‘(A) the total amount of contributions toward basic 
educational assistance made by the individual under sec-
tion 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as of the date of the 
election, multiplied by 
‘‘(B) the fraction— 
‘‘(i) the numerator of which is— 
‘‘(I) the number of months of entitlement to 
basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of 
this title remaining to the individual at the time 
of the election; plus 
‘‘(II) the number of months, if any, of entitle-
ment under chapter 30 of this title revoked by 
the individual under subsection (c)(1); and 
‘‘(ii) the denominator of which is 36 months. 
‘‘(2) MONTHS
OF
REMAINING
ENTITLEMENT
FOR
CERTAIN 
INDIVIDUALS.—In the case of an individual covered by para-
graph (1) who is described by subsection (a)(1)(E), the number 
of months of entitlement to basic educational assistance 
remaining to the individual for purposes of paragraph 
(1)(B)(i)(II) shall be 36 months. 
‘‘(3) TIMING
OF
PAYMENT.—The amount payable with 
respect to an individual under paragraph (1) shall be paid 
to the individual together with the last payment of the monthly 
stipend payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of 
section 3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs (2) through 
(7) of that section (as applicable), before the exhaustion of 
the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(g) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT TO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
CRITICAL SKILLS OR SPECIALTY AND ADDITIONAL SERVICE.—An indi-
vidual making an election under subsection (a)(1) who, at the time 
of the election, is entitled to increased educational assistance under 
section 3015(d) of this title, or section 16131(i) of title 10, or supple-
mental educational assistance under subchapter III of chapter 30 
of this title, shall remain entitled to such increased educational 
assistance or supplemental educational assistance in the utilization 
of entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter, in an 
amount equal to the quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, 
equivalent of the monthly amount of such increased educational 
assistance or supplemental educational assistance payable with 
respect to the individual at the time of the election. 
‘‘(h) ALTERNATIVE ELECTION BY SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an individual who, on 
or after January 1, 2017, submits to the Secretary an election 
under this section that the Secretary determines is clearly 
against the interests of the individual, or who fails to make 
an election under this section, the Secretary may make an 
alternative election on behalf of the individual that the Sec-
retary determines is in the best interests of the individual. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE.—If the Secretary makes an election on behalf 
of an individual under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
notify the individual by not later than seven days after making 
such election and shall provide the individual with a 30-day 
period, beginning on the date of the individual’s receipt of 
such notice, during which the individual may modify or revoke
H. R. 6416—23 
the election made by the Secretary on the individual’s behalf. 
The Secretary shall include, as part of such notice, a clear 
statement of why the alternative election made by the Secretary 
is in the best interests of the individual as compared to the 
election submitted by the individual. The Secretary shall pro-
vide the notice required under this paragraph by electronic 
means whenever possible. 
‘‘(i) IRREVOCABILITY
OF ELECTIONS.—An election under sub-
section (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter, as amended by section 404, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘3327. Election to receive educational assistance.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Subsection (c) of section 5003 of 
the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Public 
Law 110–252; 38 U.S.C. 3301 note) is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 406. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE. 
Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking ‘‘June 30, 2013’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘June 30, 2013, or the period begin-
ning on June 30, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2022’’. 
SEC. 407. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLLMENT BY 
CERTAIN GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND CONSORTIUMS OF 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3684(a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘32, 33,’’ after ‘‘31,’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘educational 
institution’ may include a group, district, or consortium of sepa-
rately accredited educational institutions located in the same State 
that are organized in a manner that facilitates the centralized 
reporting of the enrollments in such group, district, or consortium 
of institutions.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 408. ROLE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES. 
(a) APPROVAL OF CERTAIN COURSES.—Section 3672(b)(2)(A) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the following’’ and all that follows through 
the colon and inserting the following: ‘‘a program of education 
is deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter if a State 
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of 
a State approving agency, determines that the program is one 
of the following programs:’’. 
(b) APPROVAL OF OTHER COURSES.—Section 3675 of such title 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary or a State approving 
agency’’ and inserting ‘‘A State approving agency, or the 
Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving 
agency,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘offered by proprietary for-profit edu-
cational institutions’’ and inserting ‘‘not covered by section 
3672 of this title’’; and
H. R. 6416—24 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘the Secretary or the State approving agency’’ and inserting 
‘‘the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting 
in the role of a State approving agency,’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the Secretary or 
the State approving agency’’ and inserting ‘‘the State 
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the 
role of a State approving agency’’. 
SEC. 409. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL FOR PUR-
POSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF PROGRAMS 
DESIGNED TO PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR LICENSURE OR 
CERTIFICATION. 
(a) APPROVAL OF NONACCREDITED COURSES.—Subsection (c) of 
section 3676 is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); 
and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(14) In the case of a course designed to prepare an indi-
vidual for licensure or certification in a State, the course— 
‘‘(A) meets all instructional curriculum licensure or 
certification requirements of such State; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an 
individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is accred-
ited by an accrediting agency or association recognized 
by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part 
H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1099b). 
‘‘(15) In the case of a course designed to prepare an indi-
vidual for employment pursuant to standards developed by 
a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires 
approval, licensure, or certification, the course— 
‘‘(A) meets such standards; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an 
individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is accred-
ited by an accrediting agency or association recognized 
by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part 
H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1099b).’’. 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.—Such section is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f)(1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph 
(14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a course of education 
offered by an educational institution (either accredited or not accred-
ited) if the Secretary determines all of the following: 
‘‘(A) The educational institution is not accredited by an 
agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education. 
‘‘(B) The course did not meet the requirements of such 
paragraph at any time during the 2-year period preceding the 
date of the waiver. 
‘‘(C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational 
assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would 
further the education interests of individuals eligible for assist-
ance under such programs.
H. R. 6416—25 
‘‘(D) The educational institution does not provide any 
commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly 
or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial 
aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting 
or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the 
award of student financial assistance, except for the recruit-
ment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who 
are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary 
issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress notice of such waiver and a justification for issuing 
such waiver.’’. 
(c) APPROVAL OF ACCREDITED COURSES.—Section 3675(b)(3) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3), (14), (15), and 
(16)’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
‘‘(or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the require-
ments under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to sub-
section (f)(1) of section 3676 of this title)’’. 
(d) APPROVAL OF ACCREDITED STANDARD COLLEGE DEGREE PRO-
GRAMS OFFERED
AT PUBLIC
OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS.—Section 3672(b)(2) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ‘‘An accredited’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an accred-
ited’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) A course that is described in both subparagraph (A)(i) 
of this paragraph and in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 3676(c) 
of this title shall not be deemed to be approved for purposes of 
this chapter unless— 
‘‘(i) a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting 
in the role of a State approving agency, determines that the 
course meets the applicable criteria in such paragraphs; or 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary issues a waiver for such course under 
section 3676(f)(1) of this title.’’. 
(e) DISAPPROVAL OF COURSES.—Section 3679 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the 
Secretary or the applicable State approving agency shall disapprove 
a course of education described in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 
3676(c) of this title unless the educational institution providing 
the course of education— 
‘‘(1) publicly discloses any conditions or additional require-
ments, including training, experience, or examinations, required 
to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the 
course of education is designed to provide preparation; and 
‘‘(2) makes each disclosure required by paragraph (1) in 
a manner that the Secretary considers prominent (as specified 
by the Secretary in regulations prescribed for purposes of this 
subsection).’’. 
(f) APPLICABILITY.—If after enrollment in a course of education 
that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made 
by this section, an individual pursues one or more courses of edu-
cation at the same educational institution while remaining continu-
ously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks 
between courses, semesters, or terms) at that institution, any course
H. R. 6416—26 
so pursued by the individual at that institution while so continu-
ously enrolled shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of 
such amendment. 
SEC. 410. CRITERIA USED TO APPROVE COURSES. 
(a) NONACCREDITED
COURSES.—Paragraph (16) of section 
3676(c), as redesignated by section 409, is amended by inserting 
before the period the following: ‘‘if the Secretary, in consultation 
with the State approving agency and pursuant to regulations pre-
scribed to carry out this paragraph, determines such criteria are 
necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit edu-
cational institutions equitably’’. 
(b) ACCREDITED COURSES.—Section 3675(b)(3) is amended by 
striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3), and (14)’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to— 
(1) criteria developed pursuant to paragraph (16) of sub-
section (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, 
on or after January 1, 2013; and 
(2) an investigation conducted under such subsection that 
is covered by a reimbursement of expenses paid by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to a State pursuant to section 3674 
of such title on or after October 1, 2015. 
SEC. 411. COMPLIANCE SURVEYS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3693 is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
new subsection (a): 
‘‘(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary shall 
conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions 
and training establishments offering one or more courses approved 
for the enrollment of eligible veterans or persons if at least 20 
such veterans or persons are enrolled in any such course. The 
Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) design the compliance surveys to ensure that such 
institutions or establishments, as the case may be, and 
approved courses are in compliance with all applicable provi-
sions of chapters 30 through 36 of this title; 
‘‘(B) survey each such educational institution and training 
establishment not less than once during every 2-year period; 
and 
‘‘(C) assign not fewer than 1 education compliance specialist 
to work on compliance surveys in any year for each 40 compli-
ance surveys required to be made under this section for such 
year. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the State approving 
agencies, shall— 
‘‘(A) annually determine the parameters of the surveys 
required under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) not later than September 1 of each year, make avail-
able to the State approving agencies a list of the educational 
institutions and training establishments that will be surveyed 
during the fiscal year following the date of making such list 
available.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) In this section, the terms ‘educational institution’ and 
‘training establishment’ have the meanings given such terms in 
section 3452 of this title.’’.
H. R. 6416—27 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Subsection (b) of such section 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘subsection (a) of this section for an annual 
compliance survey’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1) for a compli-
ance survey’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘institution’’ and inserting ‘‘educational 
institution or training establishment’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘institution’s demonstrated record of compli-
ance’’ and inserting ‘‘record of compliance of such institution 
or establishment’’. 
SEC. 412. MODIFICATION OF REDUCTIONS IN REPORTING FEE MULTI-
PLIERS FOR PAYMENTS BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2017.—During the period begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on 
September 25, 2017, the second sentence of section 3684(c) of title 
38, United States Code, shall be applied— 
(1) by substituting ‘‘$6’’ for ‘‘$12’’; and 
(2) by substituting ‘‘$12’’ for ‘‘$15’’. 
(b) SEPTEMBER 26, 2017, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2026.— 
During the period beginning on September 26, 2017, and ending 
on September 25, 2026, the second sentence of such section shall 
be applied— 
(1) by substituting ‘‘$7’’ for ‘‘$12’’; and 
(2) by substituting ‘‘$12’’ for ‘‘$15’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 406 of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113–175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note), as amended by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016, is amended 
by striking ‘‘During the three-year period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘During the period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending 
on the day before the date of the enactment of the Jeff Miller 
and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 413. COMPOSITION OF VETERANS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
EDUCATION. 
Section 3692(a) is amended in the second sentence by striking 
‘‘veterans representative of World War II’’ and all that follows 
through the period at the end of that sentence and inserting the 
following: ‘‘a representative sample of veterans and other individ-
uals who have used, or may in the future use, educational assistance 
benefits administered by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 414. SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS USING THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO 
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) SURVEY REQUIRED.—By not later than 270 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall enter into a contract with a non-government entity for the 
conduct of a survey of a statistically valid sample of individuals 
who have used or are using their entitlement to educational assist-
ance under chapters 30, 32, 33, and 35 of title 38, United States 
Code, to pursue a program of education or training. The contract 
shall provide that—
H. R. 6416—28 
(1) not later than 1 month before the collection of data 
under the survey begins, the survey shall be submitted to 
the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives; 
(2) the non-government entity shall complete the survey 
and submit to the Secretary the results of the survey by not 
later than 180 days after entering into the contract; and 
(3) the survey shall be conducted by electronic means and 
by any other means the non-government entity determines 
appropriate. 
(b) INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED.—The contract under sub-
section (a) shall provide that the survey shall be designed to collect 
the following types of information about each individual surveyed, 
where applicable: 
(1) Demographic information, including the highest level 
of education completed by the individual, the military occupa-
tional specialty or specialties of the individual while serving 
on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces or as a 
member of the National Guard or of a Reserve Component 
of the Armed Forces, and whether the individual has a service- 
connected disability. 
(2) The opinion of the individual regarding participation 
in the transition assistance program under section 1144 of 
title 10, United States Code, and the effectiveness of the pro-
gram, including instruction on the use of the benefits under 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(3) The resources the individual used to help the indi-
vidual— 
(A) decide to use the individual’s entitlement to edu-
cational assistance to enroll in a program of education 
or training; and 
(B) choose the program of education or training the 
individual pursued. 
(4) The individual’s goal when the individual enrolled in 
the program of education or training. 
(5) The nature of the individual’s experience with the edu-
cation benefits processing system of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
(6) The nature of the individual’s experience with the school 
certifying official of the educational institution where the indi-
vidual pursued the program of education or training who proc-
essed the individual’s claim. 
(7) Any services or benefits the educational institution or 
program of education or training provided to veterans while 
the individual pursued the program of education or training. 
(8) The type of educational institution at which the indi-
vidual pursued the program of education or training. 
(9) Whether the individual completed the program of edu-
cation or training or the number of credit hours completed 
by the individual as of the time of the survey, and, if applicable, 
any degree or certificate obtained by the individual for com-
pleting the program. 
(10) The employment status of the individual and whether 
such employment status differs from the employment status 
of the individual prior to enrolling in the program of education 
or training.
H. R. 6416—29 
(11) Whether the individual is or was enrolled in a program 
of education on a full-time or part-time basis. 
(12) The opinion of the individual on the effectiveness 
of the educational assistance program of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs under which the individual was entitled to 
educational assistance. 
(13) Whether the individual was ever entitled to a 
rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, 
and whether the individual participated in such a program. 
(14) A description of any circumstances that prevented 
the individual from using the individual’s entitlement to edu-
cational assistance to pursue a desired career path or degree. 
(15) Whether the individual is using the individual’s entitle-
ment to educational assistance to pursue a program of education 
or training or has transferred such an entitlement to a 
dependent. 
(16) Such other matters as the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after receiving the results 
of the survey required under this section, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the results of the survey and any 
recommendations of the Secretary relating to such results. Such 
report shall also include an unedited version of the results of 
the survey submitted by the non-government entity that conducted 
the survey. 
SEC. 415. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF 
INFORMATION ON ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN 
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING. 
(a) INFORMATION.—Department of Veterans Affairs counselors 
who provide educational or vocational counseling services pursuant 
to section 3697A of title 38, United States Code, shall provide 
to any eligible individual who requests such counseling services 
information about the articulation agreements of each institution 
of higher learning in which the individual is interested. 
(b) CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY.—When the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs provides to an individual a certification of eligibility 
for educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, the Secretary shall also include detailed information on 
such educational assistance, including information on requesting 
education counseling services and on articulation agreements. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘institution of higher learning’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 3452(f) of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘articulation agreement’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 486A of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (Public Law 89–329; 20 U.S.C. 1093a). 
(d) DEADLINE
FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall implement this section not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
H. R. 6416—30 
SEC. 416. RETENTION OF ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE DURING CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF ACTIVE 
DUTY. 
(a) 
EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE
ALLOWANCE.—Section 
16131(c)(3)(B)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 12304b’’. 
(b) EXPIRATION DATE.—Section 16133(b)(4) of such title is 
amended by striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 
12304b’’. 
SEC. 417. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO IN-STATE TUITION 
RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO WHOM ENTITLEMENT IS 
TRANSFERRED 
UNDER 
ALL-VOLUNTEER 
FORCE 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND POST-9/11 EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—Subparagraph (B) of section 
3679(c)(2) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under— 
‘‘(i) section 3311(b)(9) of this title; or 
‘‘(ii) section 3319 of this title by virtue of the 
individual’s relationship to— 
‘‘(I) a veteran described in subparagraph (A); 
or 
‘‘(II) a member of the uniformed services 
described in section 3319(b) of this title who is 
serving on active duty.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to a course, semester, or term that begins 
after July 1, 2017. 
SEC. 418. STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VETERANS TRANSITION 
EFFORTS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense, shall 
carry out a study to evaluate programs to assist veterans of the 
Armed Forces in their transition to civilian life. Such study shall 
be designed to determine the effectiveness of current programs, 
especially in regards to the unique challenges faced by women 
veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans 
(including Alaska Native veterans and Native Hawaiian veterans), 
veterans who are residents of a territory of the United States, 
veterans who are part of the indigenous population of a territory 
of the United States, and other groups of minority veterans identi-
fied by the Secretaries, including whether such programs— 
(1) effectively address the challenges veterans face in pur-
suing higher education, especially the challenges faced by such 
groups of minority veterans; 
(2) effectively address the challenges such veterans face 
entering the civilian workforce and in translating experience 
and skills from military service to the job market; and 
(3) effectively address the challenges faced by the families 
of such veterans transitioning to civilian life. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 540 days 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 regarding the findings and recommenda-
tions of the study required under subsection (a).
H. R. 6416—51 
SEC. 706. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall 
apply to individuals seeking benefits under chapter 20 of title 
38, United States Code, before, on, and after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
Subtitle B—Other Homelessness Matters 
SEC. 711. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL 
HOUSING 
ASSISTANCE 
THAT 
BECOMES 
PERMANENT 
HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS. 
Section 2012(a)(2) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as sub-
paragraphs (C) through (E), respectively; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘in 
subparagraph (D)’’ and inserting ‘‘in subparagraph (E)’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘under 
subparagraph (B)’’ and inserting ‘‘under subparagraph (C)’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘in 
subparagraphs (B) and (C)’’ and inserting ‘‘in subparagraphs 
(C) and (D)’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The rate’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as 
otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘under subparagraph (B)’’ and all that 
follows and inserting ‘‘under subparagraph (C).’’; and 
(6) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may the 
rate determined under this paragraph exceed the rate authorized 
for State homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) 
of section 1741 of this title, as the Secretary may increase from 
time to time under subsection (c) of that section. 
‘‘(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless veteran 
who is placed in housing that will become permanent housing 
for the veteran upon termination of the furnishing of such services 
to such veteran, the maximum rate of per diem authorized under 
this section is 150 percent of the rate authorized for State homes 
for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of 
this title, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under 
subsection (c) of that section.’’. 
SEC. 712. PROGRAM TO IMPROVE RETENTION OF HOUSING BY FOR-
MERLY HOMELESS VETERANS AND VETERANS AT RISK OF 
BECOMING HOMELESS. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 20 is amended— 
(A) by redesignating section 2013 as section 2014; and 
(B) by inserting after section 2012 the following new 
section 2013: 
‘‘§ 2013. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly 
homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming 
homeless 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall carry out a pro-
gram under which the Secretary shall provide case management
H. R. 6416—57 
(4) In section 7412(b), by striking ‘‘under paragraph (1)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘under subsection (a)’’. 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.