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a biological implant procurement transaction with intent 
to avoid or with reckless disregard of the requirements of 
this section shall be ineligible to hold a certificate of ap-
pointment as a contracting officer or to serve as the rep-
resentative of an ordering officer, contracting officer, or 
purchase card holder. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘biological implant’ shall have 
the meaning given such term in section 7330C(d) of 
this title. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘distinct identity code’ means a 
code that— 
‘‘(A) relates a biological implant to the 
human donor of the implant and to all records 
pertaining to the implant; 
‘‘(B) includes information designed to fa-
cilitate effective tracking, using such code, from 
the donor to the recipient and from the recipi-
ent to the donor; and 
‘‘(C) satisfies the requirements of section 
1271.290 of title 21, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, or any successor regulation. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘tissue distribution intermediary’ 
means an agency that acquires and stores human 
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tissue for further distribution and performs no other 
tissue banking functions. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘tissue processor’ means an enti-
ty processing human tissue for use in biological im-
plants including activities performed on tissue other 
than donor screening, donor testing, tissue recovery 
and collection functions, storage, or distribution.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by adding at the end of the items relating to such 
subchapter the following new item: 
‘‘8129. Procurement of biological implants.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 8129 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take 
effect on the date that is 180 days after the date on which 
the tracking system required under subsection (b) of sec-
tion 7330C of such title, as added by section 4(a) is imple-
mented. 
(c) SPECIAL RULE
FOR CRYOPRESERVED PROD-
UCTS.—During the 3-year period beginning on the effec-
tive date of section 8129 of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a), biological implants produced 
and labeled before that date may be procured by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs without relabeling under the 
standard identification system adopted or implemented 
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under section 7330C of such title, as added by section 
4(a). 
SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF ROUNDING DOWN OF PERCENTAGE 
INCREASES OF RATES OF CERTAIN EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) MONTGOMERY GI BILL.—Section 3015(h)(2) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2014’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2020’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2013’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2019’’. 
(b) SURVIVORS
AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE.—Section 3564(b) of such title is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2014’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2020’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2013’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2019’’. 
SEC. 7. VETERANS EXPEDITED RECOVERY COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Vet-
erans Expedited Recovery Commission (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—The Commission shall perform the fol-
lowing duties: 
(1) Examine the efficacy of the evidence-based 
therapy model used by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
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fairs for treating mental health illnesses of veterans 
and identify areas to improve wellness-based out-
comes. 
(2) Conduct a patient-centered survey within 
each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to 
examine— 
(A) the experience of veterans with the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs when seeking 
medical assistance for mental health issues 
through the health care system of the Depart-
ment; 
(B) the experience of veterans with non- 
Department medical facilities and health profes-
sionals for treating mental health issues; 
(C) the preferences of veterans regarding 
available treatments for mental health issues 
and which methods the veterans believe to be 
most effective; 
(D) the experience, if any, of veterans with 
respect to the complementary alternative treat-
ment therapies described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (I) in paragraph (3); 
(E) the prevalence of prescribing prescrip-
tion medication among veterans seeking treat-
ment through the health care system of the De-
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partment as remedies for addressing mental 
health issues; and 
(F) the outreach efforts of the Secretary 
regarding the availability of benefits and treat-
ments for veterans for addressing mental health 
issues, including by identifying ways to reduce 
barriers to and gaps in such benefits and treat-
ments. 
(3) Examine available research on complemen-
tary alternative treatment therapies for mental 
health issues and identify what benefits could be 
made with the inclusion of such treatments for vet-
erans, including with respect to— 
(A) music therapy; 
(B) equine therapy; 
(C) training and caring for service dogs; 
(D) yoga therapy; 
(E) acupuncture therapy; 
(F) meditation therapy; 
(G) outdoor sports therapy; 
(H) hyperbaric oxygen therapy; 
(I) accelerated resolution therapy; and 
(J) other therapies the Commission deter-
mines appropriate. 
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(4) Study the potential increase of claims relat-
ing to mental health issues submitted to the Sec-
retary by veterans who served in Operation Endur-
ing Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Oper-
ation New Dawn, including an assessment of the re-
sources available within the Department to ensure 
that quality health care demands relating to such 
claims can be delivered in a timely manner. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
be composed of 10 members, appointed as fol-
lows: 
(i) Two members appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
at least one of whom shall be a veteran. 
(ii) Two members appointed by the 
Minority Leader of the House of Rep-
resentatives, at least one of whom shall be 
a veteran. 
(iii) Two members appointed by the 
Majority Leader of the Senate, at least one 
of whom shall be a veteran. 
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(iv) Two members appointed by the 
Minority Leader of the Senate, at least one 
of whom shall be a veteran. 
(v) Two members appointed by the 
President, at least one of whom shall be a 
veteran. 
(B) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the 
Commission shall be— 
(i) individuals who are of recognized 
standing and distinction within the medical 
community with a background in treating 
mental health; 
(ii) individuals with experience work-
ing with the military and veteran popu-
lation; and 
(iii) individuals who do not have a fi-
nancial interest in any of the complemen-
tary alternative treatments reviewed by the 
Commission. 
(2) CHAIRMAN.—The President shall designate 
a member of the Commission to be the chairman. 
(3) PERIOD
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Members of 
the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the 
Commission. 
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(4) VACANCY.—A vacancy in the Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(5) APPOINTMENT
DEADLINE.—The appoint-
ment of members of the Commission in this section 
shall be made not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) POWERS OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) MEETING.— 
(A) INITIAL
MEETING.—The Commission 
shall hold its first meeting not later than 30 
days after a majority of members are appointed 
to the Commission. 
(B) MEETING.—The Commission shall reg-
ularly meet at the call of the Chairman. Such 
meetings may be carried out through the use of 
telephonic or other appropriate telecommuni-
cation technology if the Commission determines 
that such technology will allow the members to 
communicate simultaneously. 
(2) HEARING.—The Commission may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, and receive evidence as the Commis-
sion considers advisable to carry out the responsibil-
ities of the Commission. 
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(3) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
The Commission may secure directly from any de-
partment or agency of the Federal Government such 
information as the Commission considers necessary 
to carry out the duties of the Commission. 
(4) INFORMATION
FROM
NONGOVERNMENTAL 
ORGANIZATIONS.—In carrying out subsection (b), 
the Commission may seek guidance through con-
sultation with foundations, veterans service organi-
zations, nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, 
private and public institutions of higher education, 
and other organizations as the Commission deter-
mines appropriate. 
(5) COMMISSION
RECORDS.—The Commission 
shall keep an accurate and complete record of the 
actions and meetings of the Commission. Such 
record shall be made available for public inspection 
and the Comptroller General of the United States 
may audit and examine such record. 
(6) PERSONNEL
MATTERS.—Upon request of 
the chairman of the Commission, the head of any 
department or agency of the Federal Government 
may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any personnel 
of that department or agency to assist the Commis-
sion in carrying out the duties of the Commission. 
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(7) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS; TRAVEL EX-
PENSES.—Each member shall serve without pay, ex-
cept that each member shall receive travel expenses 
to perform the duties of the Commission under sub-
section (b), including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
at rates authorized under subchapter I of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(8) STAFF.—The Chairman, in accordance with 
rules agreed upon by the Commission, may appoint 
and fix the compensation of a staff director and 
such other personnel as may be necessary to enable 
the Commission to carry out its functions, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service, without regard to the provision of chapter 
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title re-
lating to classification and General Schedule pay 
rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this 
subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable 
for a position at a level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. 
(9) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The executive director 
and any personnel of the Commission are em-
ployees under section 2105 of title 5, United 
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States Code, for purpose of chapters 63, 81, 83, 
84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of such title. 
(B) MEMBERS
OF
THE
COMMISSION.— 
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to 
apply to members of the Commission. 
(10) CONTRACTING.—The Commission may, to 
such extent and in such amounts as are provided in 
appropriations Acts, enter into contracts to enable 
the Commission to discharge the duties of the Com-
mission under this section. 
(11) EXPERT AND CONSULTANT SERVICE.—The 
Commission may procure the services of experts and 
consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 
5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the 
daily rate paid to a person occupying a position at 
level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
5315 of title 5, United States Code. 
(12) POSTAL SERVICE.—The Commission may 
use the United States mails in the same manner and 
under the same conditions as departments and agen-
cies of the United States. 
(13) PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
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