‘‘(II) a postsecondary vocational 
institution (as defined in section 
102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))) that pro-
vides education at the postsecondary 
level.’’. 
SEC. 303. PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON PRIORITY EN-
ROLLMENT 
FOR 
VETERANS 
IN 
CERTAIN 
COURSES OF EDUCATION. 
Section 3698(c)(1)(C) is amended— 
(1) in clause (ix), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (x), by striking the period and in-
serting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(xi) information on whether the institution 
administers a priority enrollment system that 
allows certain student veterans to enroll in 
courses earlier than other students.’’. 
SEC. 304. LIMITATION ON USE OF REPORTING FEES PAY-
ABLE TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND 
SPONSORS OF PROGRAMS OF APPRENTICE-
SHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (c) of section 3684 is 
amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary may pay to any educational in-
stitution, or to the sponsor of a program of apprenticeship, 
furnishing education or training under either this chapter 
or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title, a reporting fee which 
will be in lieu of any other compensation or reimbursement 
for reports or certifications which such educational institu-
tion or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship is required 
to submit to the Secretary by law or regulation. 
‘‘(2) Such reporting fee shall be computed for each cal-
endar year by multiplying $16 by the number of eligible 
veterans or eligible persons enrolled under this chapter or 
chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title. The reporting fee shall 
be paid to such educational institution or sponsor of a pro-
gram of apprenticeship as soon as feasible after the end of 
the calendar year for which it is applicable. 
‘‘(3) No reporting fee payable to an educational insti-
tution under this subsection shall be subject to offset by the 
Secretary against any liability of such institution for any 
overpayment for which such institution may be administra-
tively determined to be liable under section 3685 of this title 
unless such liability is not contested by such institution or 
has been upheld by a final decree of a court of appropriate 
jurisdiction. 
‘‘(4) Any reporting fee paid to an educational institu-
tion or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship after the 
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date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational 
Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 (Public Law 111– 
377)— 
‘‘(A) shall be utilized by such institution or 
sponsor solely for the making of certifications re-
quired under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of 
this title or for otherwise supporting programs for 
veterans; and 
‘‘(B) with respect to an institution that has 100 
or more enrollees described in paragraph (2) may not 
be used for or merged with amounts available for the 
general fund of the educational institution or sponsor 
of a program of apprenticeship. 
‘‘(5) The reporting fee payable under this subsection 
shall be paid from amounts appropriated for readjustment 
benefits.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2018. 
SEC. 305. TRAINING FOR SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIALS. 
(a) TRAINING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall, in consultation with the State approv-
ing agencies, set forth requirements relating to training for 
school certifying officials employed by covered educational 
institutions offering courses of education approved under 
chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code. If a covered edu-
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cational institution does not ensure that a school certifying 
official employed by the educational institution meets such 
requirements, the Secretary may disapprove any course of 
education offered by such educational institution. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered educational institution’’ 
means an educational institution that has enrolled 20 
or more individuals using educational assistance 
under title 38, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘school certifying official’’ means 
an employee of an educational institution with pri-
mary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment 
at the educational institution. 
(3) The term ‘‘State approving agency’’ means a 
department or agency of a State designated under sec-
tion 3671 of title 38, United States Code. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on August 1, 2018. 
SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ON EDUCATION. 
Section 3692 is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2022’’. 
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SEC. 307. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION 
OF ON-CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL AND VOCA-
TIONAL COUNSELING FOR VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 36 is amended by insert-
ing after section 3697A the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3697B. On-campus educational and vocational 
counseling 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide edu-
cational and vocational counseling services for individuals 
described in section 3697A(b) of this title at locations on 
the campuses of institutions of higher learning selected by 
the Secretary. Such counseling services shall be provided by 
employees of the Department who provide such services 
under section 3697A of this title. 
‘‘(b) SELECTION OF LOCATIONS.—(1) To be selected by 
the Secretary under this section, an institution of higher 
learning shall provide an appropriate space on the campus 
of the institution where counseling services can be provided 
under this section. 
‘‘(2) In selecting locations for the provision of coun-
seling services under this section, the Secretary shall seek 
to select locations where the maximum number of veterans 
would have access to such services. 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this section, and each year 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
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on the counseling services provided under this section. Such 
report shall include, for the year covered by the report— 
‘‘(1) the average ratio of counselors providing 
such services to individuals who received such services 
at each location where such services were provided; 
‘‘(2) a description of such services provided; 
‘‘(3) the recommendations of the Secretary for 
improving the provision of such services; and 
‘‘(4) any other matters the Secretary determines 
appropriate.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 3697A the following new item: 
‘‘3697B. On-campus educational and vocational counseling.’’. 
SEC. 308. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING VET-
ERAN ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 36 is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following new sec-
tion: 
‘‘§ 3699A. Provision of certain information to edu-
cational institutions 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For each veteran or other indi-
vidual pursuing a course of education that has been ap-
proved under this chapter using educational assistance to 
which the veteran or other individual is entitled under 
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chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, the Secretary shall 
make available to the educational institution offering the 
course information about the amount of such educational 
assistance to which the veteran or other individual is enti-
tled. Such information shall be provided to such educational 
institution through a secure information technology system 
accessible by the educational institution and shall be regu-
larly updated to reflect any amounts used by the veteran 
or other individual. 
‘‘(b) ELECTION.—A veteran or other individual pur-
suing a course of education described in subsection (a) may 
elect not to provide the information described in such sub-
section to an educational institution in a manner pre-
scribed by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is further amended by insert-
ing after the item relating to section 3699 the following new 
item: 
‘‘3699A. Provision of certain information to educational institutions.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 3699A of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by this section, shall take ef-
fect on August 1, 2018. 
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SEC. 309. TREATMENT, FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE ADMINISTERED BY THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, OF EDU-
CATIONAL COURSES THAT BEGIN SEVEN OR 
FEWER DAYS AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF AN 
ACADEMIC TERM. 
Section 3684(a) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (4): 
‘‘(4) A course offered by an educational institution 
that does not begin on the first day of an academic term, 
but does begin seven or fewer days after such day, shall be 
treated as beginning on such day for purposes of this sec-
tion.’’. 
TITLE IV—RESERVE 
COMPONENT BENEFITS 
SEC. 401. ELIGIBILITY OF RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS 
FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3301(1)(B) is amended by 
striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 
12304b’’. 
(b) RETROACTIVE
APPLICATION.—The amendment 
made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to service 
in the Armed Forces occurring on or after the date of the 
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enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance 
Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–252). 
(c) APPLICATION WITH RESPECT TO USE OF ENTITLE-
MENT.—An individual who is entitled to educational assist-
ance by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a) 
may use such entitlement to pursue a course of education 
beginning on or after August 1, 2018. 
SEC. 402. TIME LIMITATION FOR TRAINING AND REHABILI-
TATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CON-
NECTED DISABILITIES. 
Section 3103(f) is amended by striking ‘‘or 12304’’ 
and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 12304b’’. 
TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 501. REPEAL INAPPLICABILITY OF MODIFICATION OF 
BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING TO BENE-
FITS UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) REPEAL.—Subsection (b) of section 604 of the Carl 
Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113- 
291; 37 U.S.C. 403 note) is repealed. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2018, and shall 
apply with respect to individuals who first use their entitle-
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ment to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, 
United States Code, on or after such date. 
SEC. 502. RECONSIDERATION OF PREVIOUSLY DENIED 
CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR 
VETERANS WHO ALLEGE FULL-BODY EXPO-
SURE TO NITROGEN MUSTARD GAS, SULFUR 
MUSTARD GAS, OR LEWISITE DURING WORLD 
WAR II. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) RECONSIDERATION
REQUIRED.—The Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall reconsider all claims 
for compensation described in paragraph (2) and 
make a new determination regarding each such claim. 
(2) CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION DESCRIBED.—A 
claim for compensation described in this paragraph is 
a claim for compensation under chapter 11 of title 
38, United States Code, that the Secretary deter-
mines— 
(A) arose from the alleged full-body exposure 
of a veteran to a covered substance— 
(I) during active military, naval, or 
air service during World War II; and 
(ii) at a site listed in paragraph (3); 
and 
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(B) was denied before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(3) SITES.—The sites listed in this paragraph 
are the following: 
(A) Camp Siebert, Alabama. 
(B) Fort McClellan, Alabama. 
(C) Huntsville Arsenal, Alabama. 
(D) Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado. 
(E) Naval Research Laboratory, D.C. 
(F) Bushnell Field, Florida. 
(G) Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Il-
linois. 
(H) Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. 
(I) Fort Detrick, Maryland. 
(J) Naval Research Laboratory, Maryland. 
(K) Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, 
Maryland. 
(L) Horn Island Installation, Mississippi. 
(M) Camp Crowder, Missouri. 
(N) Hart’s Island, New York. 
(O) Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 
(P) Charleston, South Carolina. 
(Q) Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. 
(R) Toole Army Depot, Utah. 
(S) Naval Research Laboratory, Virginia. 
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(T) U.S.S. Eagle Boat No. 58. 
(U) Ondal, India. 
(V) Fort Clayton, San Jose Island, Pan-
ama. 
(W) Any site the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs determines is appropriate. 
(4) FACTORS OF CONSIDERATION.—In making a 
determination under paragraph (1), the Secretary— 
(A) shall consider— 
(i) that contemporaneous records of 
testing of full-body exposure to a covered 
substance frequently may be unavailable be-
cause such tests were classified or such 
records were lost or destroyed; 
(ii) that many veterans were sworn to 
secrecy following testing described in clause 
(i); 
(iii) each statement based on personal 
knowledge of a veteran who served at a site 
listed in paragraph (3); 
(iv) information in the report from the 
Secretary 
of 
Defense 
under 
subsection 
(b)(2); and 
(v) any evidence the Secretary con-
siders relevant; and 
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(B) may not determine that testing of full- 
body exposure to a covered substance did not 
occur at a site based solely on— 
(i) information contained in the De-
partment of Defense and Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Chemical Biological Warfare 
Database; or 
(ii) any list of known sites of testing of 
full-body exposure to a covered substance 
maintained by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs or the Department of Defense. 
(5) PRESUMPTION OF EXPOSURE.—In carrying 
out paragraph (1), when the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs makes a determination regarding whether a vet-
eran experienced full-body exposure to a covered sub-
stance, the Secretary— 
(A) shall presume, unless there is affirma-
tive evidence to establish otherwise, that the vet-
eran experienced such exposure by reason of the 
service of the veteran in World War II— 
(i) based on the locations listed in 
paragraph (3); and 
(ii) consistent with the places, types, 
and circumstances of service of the veteran 
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in accordance with section 1154 of title 38; 
and 
(B) shall resolve each reasonable doubt in 
favor of the veteran. 
(6) EFFECTIVE DATE OF AWARD.—The effective 
date of any award of disability compensation result-
ing from reconsideration of a claim under paragraph 
(1) shall be fixed in accordance with the facts found, 
but shall not be earlier than the date of the receipt 
of the claim for compensation described in paragraph 
(2). 
(b) INVESTIGATION AND REPORT BY THE SECRETARY 
OF DEFENSE.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall— 
(1) investigate and assess each site— 
(A) where the Army Corps of Engineers has 
uncovered evidence of testing conducted by the 
Department of Defense during World War II to 
assess the effects of full-body exposure to a cov-
ered substance on humans; or 
(B) with regards to which more than two 
veterans have been denied claims for compensa-
tion under chapter 11 of title 38, United States 
Code, in connection with exposure to a covered 
substance at such site; and 
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(2) submit to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report 
on testing described in paragraph (1)(A), including— 
(A) a list of each location where such testing 
occurred, including locations investigated and 
assessed under paragraph (1); 
(B) the dates of each such testing; and 
(C) the number of members of the Armed 
Forces who experienced full-body exposure to a 
covered substance in each such testing. 
(c) INVESTIGATION AND REPORT BY SECRETARY OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall— 
(1) investigate and assess— 
(A) the actions taken by the Secretary to 
contact individuals who experienced full-body ex-
posure to a covered substance in the course of 
testing described in subsection (b)(1)(A); 
(B) the number of claims filed with the Sec-
retary for disability compensation under chapter 
11 of title 38, United States Code, arising from 
testing described in subsection (b)(1)(A); and 
(C) the percentage of claims described in 
subparagraph (B) that the Secretary denied. 
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(2) submit to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees and the Secretary of Defense a report regard-
ing the investigations and assessments carried out 
under paragraph (1). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The terms ‘‘active military, naval, or air 
service’’, ‘‘veteran’’, and ‘‘World War II’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committees on Armed Services of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate; and 
(B) the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
(3) The term ‘‘covered substance’’ means— 
(A) nitrogen mustard gas; 
(B) sulfur mustard gas; or 
(C) Lewisite. 
(4) The term ‘‘full-body exposure’’, with respect 
to a covered substance, has the meaning given that 
term by the Secretary of Defense. 
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Union Calendar No. 179 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 3218 
[Report No. 115–247, Part I] 
A BILL 
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. 
JULY 24, 2017 
Reported from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs with 
an amendment 
JULY 24, 2017 
The Committee on Armed Services discharged; committed 
to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
the Union and ordered to be printed 
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