114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3016 
AN ACT 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain 
improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs relating to health care, educational 
assistance, and vocational rehabilitation, to establish the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Adminis-
tration, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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 
‘‘Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Im-
provement Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—VETERANS HEALTH CARE 
Sec. 101. Role of podiatrists in Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 102. Priority of medal of honor recipients in health care system of Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 103. Improvement of care provided to newborn children. 
Sec. 104. Comptroller General audit of budget of Veterans Health Administra-
tion. 
Sec. 105. Outreach to veterans regarding effect of certain delayed payments by 
Department of Veterans Affairs Chief Business Office. 
Sec. 106. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program on dog training ther-
apy. 
TITLE II—VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION 
ADMINISTRATION 
Sec. 201. Establishment of Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Ad-
ministration. 
Sec. 202. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition. 
TITLE III—EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL 
REHABILITATION 
Sec. 301. Modification and improvement of transfer of unused education bene-
fits to family members under Department of Veterans Affairs 
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 302. Clarification of eligibility for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David 
Fry Scholarship. 
Sec. 303. Approval of courses of education and training for purposes of the vo-
cational rehabilitation program of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
Sec. 304. Authority to prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on 
need. 
Sec. 305. Recodification and improvement of election process for Post-9/11 
Educational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 306. Clarification of assistance provided for certain flight training and 
other programs of education.
Sec. 307. Consideration of certain time spent receiving medical care from Sec-
retary of Defense as active duty for purposes of eligibility for 
post-9/11 educational assistance. 
Sec. 308. Work-study allowance. 
Sec. 309. Vocational rehabilitation and education action plan. 
Sec. 310. Reduction in redundancy and inefficiencies in vocational rehabilita-
tion claims processing. 
TITLE IV—ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
Sec. 401. Centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain groups, dis-
tricts, and consortiums of educational institutions. 
Sec. 402. Provision of information regarding veteran entitlement to educational 
assistance. 
Sec. 403. Role of State approving agencies. 
Sec. 404. Criteria used to approve courses. 
Sec. 405. Compliance surveys. 
Sec. 406. Survey of individuals using their entitlement to educational assistance 
under the educational assistance programs administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 407. Improvement of information technology of the Veterans Benefits Ad-
ministration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 408. 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. 
TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 501. Amount of loan guaranteed under home loan program of Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 502. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service 
for veterans. 
Sec. 503. Limitations on subcontracts under contracts with small business con-
cerns owned and controlled by veterans. 
Sec. 504. Procedures for provision of certain information to State veterans 
agencies to facilitate the furnishing of assistance and benefits 
to veterans. 
TITLE I—VETERANS HEALTH 
CARE 
SEC. 101. ROLE OF PODIATRISTS IN DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) INCLUSION AS PHYSICIAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 74 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new section:
‘‘§ 7413. Treatment of podiatrists 
‘‘For purposes of this chapter, the term ‘physician’ 
includes a podiatrist.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 7412 
the following new item: 
‘‘7413. Treatment of podiatrists.’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
7401(1) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘Physi-
cians, dentists, podiatrists,’’ and inserting ‘‘Physi-
cians, dentists,’’. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—Section 7402(b) of such title 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or 
of doctor of osteopathy’’ and inserting ‘‘, doctor 
of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine’’; 
and 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘po-
diatry,’’ after ‘‘surgery,’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (5); and 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through 
(14) as paragraphs (5) through (13), respectively. 
(c) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—Section 7403(a)(2) 
of such title is amended—
(1) by striking subparagraph (C); and 
(2) 
by 
redesignating 
subparagraphs 
(D) 
through (H) as subparagraphs (C) through (G), re-
spectively. 
(d) MODIFICATION OF PAY GRADE.— 
(1) GRADE.—The list in section 7404(b) of 
such title is amended by striking ‘‘CLINICAL PO-
DIATRIST, CHIROPRACTOR, AND OPTOM-
ETRIST SCHEDULE’’ and inserting ‘‘CLINICAL 
CHIROPRACTOR AND OPTOMETRIST SCHED-
ULE’’. 
(2) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by 
paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a pay pe-
riod of the Department of Veterans Affairs begin-
ning on or after the date that is 30 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(e) CONTRACTS
FOR SCARCE SERVICES.—Section 
7409(a) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘podia-
trists,’’. 
(f) PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION.—Section 7421(b) 
of such title is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (3); and 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through 
(8) as paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively.
(g) MEDICAL DIRECTORS.—Section 7306(a)(4) of 
such title is amended by inserting ‘‘, doctor of podiatric 
medicine,’’ after ‘‘doctor of medicine’’. 
(h) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by this 
section shall apply with respect to podiatrists employed by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs as of the date of the 
enactment of this Act or who are appointed on or after 
such date. 
SEC. 102. PRIORITY OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS IN 
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) ENROLLMENT PRIORITY.—Section 1705(a) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting the following: ‘‘and veterans 
who were awarded the medal of honor under section 
3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of 
title 14.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘veterans who 
were awarded the medal of honor under section 
3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of 
title 14,’’. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 1710(a)(2)(D) of such 
title is amended by inserting after ‘‘war’’ the following: 
‘‘, who was awarded the medal of honor under section
3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 
14,’’. 
(c) 
EXTENDED
CARE
SERVICES.—Section 
1710B(c)(2) of such title is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal 
of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 
10 or section 491 of title 14.’’. 
(d) 
COPAYMENT
FOR
MEDICATIONS.—Section 
1722A(a)(3) of such title is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal 
of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 
10 or section 491 of title 14.’’. 
(e) APPLICATION.—The priority of enrollment of 
medal of honor recipients pursuant to chapter 17 of title 
38, United States Code, as amended by this section, shall
apply to each such recipient, regardless of the date on 
which the medal is awarded. 
SEC. 103. IMPROVEMENT OF CARE PROVIDED TO NEWBORN 
CHILDREN. 
Section 1786 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘seven days’’ 
and inserting ‘‘42 days’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than October 31, 
2016, and each year thereafter through 2020, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report 
on the health care services provided under subsection (a) 
during the fiscal year preceding the date of the report, 
including the number of newborn children who received 
such services during such fiscal year.’’. 
SEC. 104. COMPTROLLER GENERAL AUDIT OF BUDGET OF 
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section:
‘‘§ 7330B. Comptroller General audit of VHA budget 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall periodically conduct an audit of ele-
ments of the budget of the Veterans Health Administra-
tion, including the budget formulation, execution, alloca-
tion, and use of funds. 
‘‘(b) SELECTION OF ELEMENTS.—(1) In selecting 
elements of the budget of the Veterans Health Administra-
tion for purposes of an audit under subsection (a), the 
Comptroller General shall take into consideration— 
‘‘(A) knowledge of the programs of the Vet-
erans Health Administration; 
‘‘(B) current issues; 
‘‘(C) national priorities; and 
‘‘(D) priorities expressed by the appropriate 
congressional committees. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 30 days before conducting an 
audit under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees notice 
of the elements selected by the Comptroller General for 
purposes of the audit. 
‘‘(c) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.— 
In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’ means—
‘‘(1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the 
Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on 
the Budget of the Senate; and 
‘‘(2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the 
Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on 
the Budget of the House of Representatives.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 7330A the following new 
item: 
‘‘7330B. Comptroller General audit of VHA budget.’’. 
SEC. 105. OUTREACH TO VETERANS REGARDING EFFECT 
OF CERTAIN DELAYED PAYMENTS BY DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CHIEF 
BUSINESS OFFICE. 
(a) OUTREACH.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall conduct outreach, including through national and 
local veterans service organizations, to inform veterans of 
how to resolve credit issues caused by delayed payment 
of a claim for emergency hospital care, medical services, 
or other emergency health care furnished through a non- 
Department of Veterans Affairs provider. The Secretary 
shall establish a toll-free telephone number for veterans 
to report such credit issues to the Chief Business Office 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—During the five-year period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall annually sub-
mit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the 
Chief Business Office in providing timely payment of 
proper invoices for emergency hospital care, medical 
services, or other emergency health care furnished 
through non-Department of Veterans Affairs pro-
viders by the required payment date during both the 
five-year period preceding the date of the report and 
the one-year period preceding such date. For any 
part of the period covered by a report under this 
subsection that occurred before October 1, 2014, the 
report shall evaluate the provision of such payments 
by the Veterans Integrated Service Networks. 
(2) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The reports under 
paragraph (1) shall include, for each period covered 
by the report, the following: 
(A) The number of veterans who contacted 
the Secretary regarding a delayed payment that 
negatively affected, or will potentially negatively 
affect, the credit of the veteran. 
(B) The total amount of interest penalties 
paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under
section 3902 of title 31, United States Code, by 
reason of a delayed payment. 
(C) The number of proper invoices sub-
mitted, listed in a table for each quarter and 
fiscal year of each such period that includes— 
(i) the total amount owed by the Sec-
retary under the proper invoices; 
(ii) the payment status of each proper 
invoice, as of the date of the report; and 
(iii) the period that elapsed until each 
proper invoice was paid, including an ex-
planation of any delayed payment. 
(D) Any comments regarding delayed pay-
ments made by medical providers. 
(E) A description of the best practices that 
the Chief Business Office can carry out to pro-
vide timely payment of a proper invoice, includ-
ing a plan to improve such timely payments. 
(c) QUARTERLY REPORTS ON PENDING CLAIMS.— 
During the five-year period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Chief Business Office of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress 
quarterly reports on the number of pending claims for re-
imbursement for emergency hospital care, medical serv-
ices, and other emergency health care furnished through
non-Department of Veterans Affairs providers. Each such 
report shall include each of the following: 
(1) The total number of such pending claims 
for each hospital system of the Department, as of 
the last day of the quarter covered by the report. 
(2) The total number of veterans who sub-
mitted such a pending claim in each State, as of 
such day. 
(3) The aggregate amount of all such pending 
claims in each State, as of such day. 
(4) As of such day— 
(A) the number of such pending claims 
that have been pending for 30 days or longer; 
(B) the number of such pending claims 
that have been pending for 90 days or longer; 
and 
(C) the number of such pending claims 
that have been pending for 365 days or longer. 
(5) For each hospital system, for the quarter 
covered by the report— 
(A) the number of claims for reimburse-
ment for emergency hospital care, medical serv-
ices, and other emergency health care furnished 
through non-Department of Veterans Affairs 
providers approved during such quarter;
(B) the number of such claims denied dur-
ing such quarter; and 
(C) the number of such claims denied list-
ed by each denial reason group. 
(d) COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of 
the United States shall conduct a study that evalu-
ates the effectiveness of the Chief Business Office in 
providing timely payment of a proper invoice for 
emergency hospital care, medical services, or other 
emergency health care furnished through non-De-
partment of Veterans Affairs providers by the re-
quired payment date. 
(2) SUBMITTAL.—The Comptroller General 
shall submit to Congress a report on the study con-
ducted under paragraph (1), including the total 
amount of interest penalties paid by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs under section 3902 of title 31, 
United States Code, by reason of a delayed payment. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘delayed payment’’ means a prop-
er invoice that is not paid by the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs until after the required payment date.
(2) The term ‘‘proper invoice’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 3901(a) of title 31, 
United States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘required payment date’’ means 
the date that payment is due for a contract pursu-
ant to section 3903(a) of title 31, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 106. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PRO-
GRAM ON DOG TRAINING THERAPY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 120 
days after the date of the enactment of the Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program 
under which the Secretary shall enter into a contract with 
one or more appropriate non-government entities for the 
purpose of assessing the effectiveness of addressing post- 
deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress dis-
order symptoms through a therapeutic medium of training 
service dogs for veterans with disabilities. 
(b) DURATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The pilot pro-
gram required by subsection (a) shall be carried out dur-
ing the five-year period beginning on the date of the com-
mencement of the pilot program. 
(c) LOCATIONS OF PILOT PROGRAM.—In entering 
into contracts for purposes of the pilot program, the Sec-
retary shall seek to enter into contracts with appropriate
non-government entities located in close proximity to at 
least three but not more than five medical centers of the 
Department. 
(d) APPROPRIATE NON-GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.— 
For purposes of the pilot program, an appropriate non- 
government entity is an entity that is certified in the train-
ing and handling of service dogs and that has a training 
area that would be appropriate for use in educating vet-
erans with mental health conditions in the art and science 
of service dog training and handling. Such training area 
shall— 
(1) include a dedicated space that is suitable 
for grooming and training dogs indoors; 
(2) be wheelchair accessible; 
(3) include classroom or lecture space; 
(4) include office space for staff; 
(5) include a suitable space for storing training 
equipment; 
(6) provide for periodic use of other training 
areas for training the dogs with wheelchairs and 
conducting other exercises; 
(7) include outdoor exercise and toileting space 
for dogs; and 
(8) provide transportation for weekly field trips 
to train dogs in other environments.
(A) maximize the therapeutic benefits to 
veterans participating in the program; and 
(B) provide well-trained service dogs to 
veterans with disabilities; and 
(7) in hiring service dog training instructors to 
carry out training under the pilot program, give a 
preference to veterans who have successfully grad-
uated from post-traumatic stress disorder or other 
residential treatment programs and who have re-
ceived adequate certification in service dog training. 
(f) ADMINISTRATION.—In order to carry out the pilot 
program under section (a), the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall— 
(1) administer the program through the Recre-
ation Therapy Service of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs under the direction of a certified rec-
reational therapist with sufficient administrative ex-
perience to oversee the pilot program; and 
(2) establish a director of service dog training 
with a background working in social services, experi-
ence in teaching others to train service dogs in a vo-
cational setting, and at least one year of experience 
working with veterans or active duty service mem-
bers with post-traumatic stress disorder in a clinical 
setting.
(g) VETERAN ELIGIBILITY.—The Secretary shall se-
lect veterans for participation in the pilot program. A vet-
eran with post-traumatic stress disorder or other post-de-
ployment mental health condition may volunteer to partici-
pate in the pilot program, if the Secretary determines that 
there are adequate program resources available for such 
veteran at the pilot program site. Veterans may partici-
pate in the pilot program in conjunction with the com-
pensated work therapy program of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
(h) COLLECTION OF DATA.—The Secretary shall col-
lect data on the pilot program required under subsection 
(a) to determine how effective the program is for the vet-
erans participating in the program. Such data shall in-
clude data to determine how effectively the program as-
sists veterans in— 
(1) reducing stigma associated with post-trau-
matic stress disorder or other post-deployment men-
tal health condition; 
(2) improving emotional regulation; 
(3) improving patience; 
(4) instilling or re-establishing a sense of pur-
pose; 
(5) providing an opportunity to help fellow vet-
erans;
(6) reintegrating into the community; 
(7) exposing the dog to new environments and 
in doing so, helping the veteran reduce social isola-
tion and withdrawal; 
(8) building relationship skills, including par-
enting skills; 
(9) relaxing the hyper-vigilant survival state; 
(10) improving sleep patterns; and 
(11) enabling veterans to decrease the use of 
pain medication. 
(i) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the commencement of the pilot program 
under subsection (a), and each year thereafter for the du-
ration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report on the pilot program. Each such report 
shall include— 
(1) the number of veterans participating in the 
pilot program; 
(2) a description of the services carried out 
under the pilot program; 
(3) the effects that participating in the pilot 
program has on the following— 
(A) symptoms of post-traumatic stress dis-
order and post-deployment adjustment difficul-
ties, including depression, maintenance of sobri-
ety, suicidal ideations, and homelessness; 
(B) potentially relevant physiological mark-
ers that possibly relate to the interactions with 
the service dogs; 
(C) family dynamics; 
(D) insomnia and pain management; and 
(E) overall well-being; and 
(4) the recommendations of the Secretary with 
respect to the extension or expansion of the pilot 
program. 
(j) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this section, 
the term ‘‘service dog training instructor’’ means an in-
structor who provides the direct training of veterans with 
post-traumatic stress disorder and other post-deployment 
issues in the art and science of service dog training and 
handling. 
TITLE II—VETERANS ECONOMIC 
OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSI-
TION ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS ECONOMIC OP-
PORTUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMINISTRA-
TION. 
(a) VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRAN-
SITION ADMINISTRATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Part V of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new chapter: 
‘‘CHAPTER 80—VETERANS ECONOMIC OP-
PORTUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMIN-
ISTRATION 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘8001. Organization of Administration. 
‘‘8002. Functions of Administration. 
‘‘§ 8001. Organization of Administration 
‘‘(a) VETERANS
ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY
AND 
TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION.—There is in the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Economic Oppor-
tunity and Transition Administration. The primary func-
tion of the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transi-
tion Administration is the administration of the programs 
of the Department that provide assistance related to eco-
nomic opportunity to veterans and their dependents and 
survivors. 
‘‘(b) UNDER SECRETARY
FOR ECONOMIC OPPOR-
TUNITY AND TRANSITION.—The Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition Administration is under the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition, who is directly responsible to the Secretary for 
the operations of the Administration.
‘‘§ 8002. Functions of Administration 
‘‘The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration is responsible for the administration of the 
following programs of the Department: 
‘‘(1) Vocational rehabilitation and employment 
programs. 
‘‘(2) Educational assistance programs. 
‘‘(3) Veterans’ housing loan and related pro-
grams. 
‘‘(4) The verification of small businesses owned 
and controlled by veterans pursuant to subsection (f) 
of section 8127 of this title, including the adminis-
tration of the database of veteran-owned businesses 
described in such subsection. 
‘‘(5) The Transition Assistance Program under 
section 1144 of title 10. 
‘‘(6) Any other program of the Department 
that the Secretary determines appropriate.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENTS.—The tables of 
chapters at the beginning of title 38, United States 
Code, and of part V of title 38, United States Code, 
are each amended by inserting after the item relat-
ing to chapter 79 the following new item: 
‘‘80. Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Ad-
ministration ............................................................. 8001’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Chapter 80 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take 
effect on October 1, 2017. 
(c) FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.—For fiscal years 2017 
and 2018, the total number of full-time equivalent employ-
ees authorized for the Veterans Benefits Administration 
and the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration, as established under chapter 80 of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may 
not exceed 21,913. 
SEC. 202. UNDER SECRETARY FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC 
OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION. 
(a) UNDER SECRETARY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
306 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition 
‘‘(a) UNDER SECRETARY.—There is in the Depart-
ment an Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Oppor-
tunity and Transition, who is appointed by the President, 
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition shall be appointed without regard to political
affiliation or activity and solely on the basis of dem-
onstrated ability in— 
‘‘(1) information technology; and 
‘‘(2) the administration of programs within the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Ad-
ministration or programs of similar content and 
scope. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Under Secretary for 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition is the 
head of, and is directly responsible to the Secretary for 
the operations of, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition Administration. 
‘‘(c) VACANCIES.—(1) Whenever a vacancy in the po-
sition of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Oppor-
tunity and Transition occurs or is anticipated, the Sec-
retary shall establish a commission to recommend individ-
uals to the President for appointment to the position. 
‘‘(2) A commission established under this subsection 
shall be composed of the following members appointed by 
the Secretary: 
‘‘(A) Three persons representing education and 
training, vocational rehabilitation, employment, real 
estate, mortgage finance and related industries, and 
survivor benefits activities affected by the Veterans
Economic Opportunity and Transition Administra-
tion. 
‘‘(B) Two persons representing veterans served 
by the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transi-
tion Administration. 
‘‘(C) Two persons who have experience in the 
management of private sector benefits programs of 
similar content and scope to the economic oppor-
tunity and transition programs of the Department. 
‘‘(D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(E) The chairman of the Veterans’ Advisory 
Committee on Education formed under section 3692 
of this title. 
‘‘(F) One person who has held the position of 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition, if the Secretary determines that it 
is desirable for such person to be a member of the 
commission. 
‘‘(3) A commission established under this subsection 
shall recommend at least three individuals for appoint-
ment to the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Eco-
nomic Opportunity and Transition. The commission shall 
submit all recommendations to the Secretary. The Sec-
retary shall forward the recommendations to the President 
and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate
and House of Representatives with any comments the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. Thereafter, the President 
may request the commission to recommend additional in-
dividuals for appointment. 
‘‘(4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel 
management and labor relations functions shall serve as 
the executive secretary of a commission established under 
this subsection. 
‘‘(d) QUALIFICATIONS OF RECOMMENDED INDIVID-
UALS.—Each individual recommended to the President by 
the commission for appointment to the position of Under 
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transi-
tion shall be an individual who has held a senior level posi-
tion in the private sector with responsibilities relating to 
at least one of the following: 
‘‘(1) Education policy. 
‘‘(2) Vocational rehabilitation. 
‘‘(3) Employment. 
‘‘(4) Job placement. 
‘‘(5) Home loan finance. 
‘‘(6) Small business development.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 306 
the following new item: 
‘‘306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Title 38, United 
States Code, is further amended— 
(1) in section 306(c)(2), by striking subpara-
graphs (A) and (E) and redesignating subpara-
graphs (B), (C), (D), and (F), as subparagraphs (A) 
through (D), respectively; 
(2) in section 317(d)(2), by inserting after 
‘‘Under Secretary for Benefits,’’ the following: ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition,’’; 
(3) in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after 
‘‘Under Secretary for Benefits,’’ the following: ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition,’’; 
(4) in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking ‘‘Health 
and the Under Secretary for Benefits’’ and inserting 
‘‘Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition’’; 
(5) in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking ‘‘Health 
and the Under Secretary for Benefits’’ and inserting 
‘‘Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition’’; 
(6) in section 542(a)(2)(B)(iii), by striking 
‘‘Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, 
and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition’’; 
(7) in section 544(a)(2)(B)(vi), by striking 
‘‘Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, 
and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition’’; 
(8) in section 709(c)(2)(A), by inserting after 
‘‘Under Secretary for Benefits,’’ the following: ‘‘the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition,’’; 
(9) in section 7701(a), by inserting after ‘‘as-
sistance’’ the following: ‘‘, other than assistance re-
lated to Economic Opportunity and Transition,’’; 
and 
(10) in section 7703, by striking paragraphs (2) 
and (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as 
paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 306A of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and the
amendments made by this section, shall take effect on Oc-
tober 1, 2017. 
TITLE III—EDUCATION ASSIST-
ANCE AND VOCATIONAL RE-
HABILITATION 
SEC. 301. MODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF TRANS-
FER OF UNUSED EDUCATION BENEFITS TO 
FAMILY MEMBERS UNDER DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) RATE OF PAYMENT.—Subsection (h)(3)(B) of 
section 3319 of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
‘‘, except that the amount of the monthly stipend de-
scribed in subsection (c)(1)(B) or (g)(3)(A)(ii) of section 
3313, as the case may be, shall be payable in an amount 
equal to 50 percent of the amount of such stipend that 
would otherwise be payable under this chapter to the indi-
vidual making the transfer’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by this 
section shall apply with respect to an election to transfer 
entitlement under section 3319 of title 38, United States 
Code, that is made on or after the date that is 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 302. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MARINE 
GUNNERY 
SERGEANT 
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, se-
mester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or 
after January 1, 2015. 
‘‘(2) DEATHS THAT OCCURRED BETWEEN SEP-
TEMBER
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 BENE-
FITS.—Section 3311(f) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘A surviving 
spouse’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in para-
graph (4), a surviving spouse’’;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (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 irrev-
ocable 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 in-
dividual— 
‘‘(i) who is entitled to assistance 
under subsection (a) pursuant to para-
graph (9) of subsection (b); and 
‘‘(ii) who was the spouse of a member 
of the Armed Forces who died during the 
period beginning on September 11, 2001, 
and ending on December 31, 2005.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (5) of 
subsection (f) of section 3311 of title 38, United States 
Code, as redesignated by subsection (b)(2), is amended by 
striking ‘‘that paragraph’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (9) 
of subsection (b)’’.
(d) YELLOW RIBBON G.I. EDUCATION ENHANCE-
MENT PROGRAM.—Section 3317(a) of such title is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 
3311(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (1), (2), and (9) of 
section 3311(b) of this title’’. 
SEC. 303. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION AND 
TRAINING FOR PURPOSES OF THE VOCA-
TIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3104(b) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ‘‘To the maximum extent prac-
ticable, 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 preceding sentence to the ex-
tent the Secretary determines appropriate.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a course of edu-
cation 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 one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 304. AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE VOCATIONAL REHA-
BILITATION SERVICES BASED ON NEED. 
Section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, as 
amended by section 303, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to ad-
minister this chapter by prioritizing the provision of serv-
ices under this chapter based on need, as determined by 
the Secretary. In evaluating need for purposes of this sub-
section, the Secretary shall consider disability ratings, the 
severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a pro-
gram 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 Congress a plan describing such 
changes.’’. 
SEC. 305. RECODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEC-
TION PROCESS FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section:
‘‘§ 3326. Election to receive educational assistance 
‘‘(a) INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO ELECT PARTICIPA-
TION IN POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—An indi-
vidual may elect to receive educational assistance under 
this chapter if such individual— 
‘‘(1) as of August 1, 2009— 
‘‘(A) is entitled to basic educational assist-
ance under chapter 30 of the 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 assist-
ance 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 entitlement under such 
chapter; 
‘‘(E) is a member of the Armed Forces 
who is eligible for receipt of basic educational 
assistance under chapter 30 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 assist-
ance 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 educational 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 sub-
section, 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 sec-
tion shall be deemed to be no longer applicable to the indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(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 sub-
section, a transfer of the entitlement of the indi-
vidual to basic educational assistance under section 
3020 of this title is in effect and a number of 
months of the entitlement so transferred remain un-
utilized, the individual may elect to revoke all or a 
portion of the entitlement so transferred that re-
mains unutilized. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY
OF
REVOKED
ENTITLE-
MENT.—Any entitlement revoked by an individual 
under this paragraph shall no longer be available to 
the dependent to whom transferred, but shall be 
available to the individual instead for educational as-
sistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance 
with the provisions of this section. 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY OF UNREVOKED ENTITLE-
MENT.—Any entitlement described in paragraph (1) 
that is not revoked by an individual in accordance 
with that paragraph shall remain available to the de-
pendent or dependents concerned in accordance with 
the current transfer of such entitlement under sec-
tion 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 indi-
vidual making an election under subsection (a) shall
be entitled to educational assistance under this chap-
ter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, 
instead of basic educational assistance under chapter 
30 this title, or educational assistance under chapter 
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION ON ENTITLEMENT FOR CER-
TAIN
INDIVIDUALS.—In the case of an individual 
making an election under subsection (a) who is de-
scribed by paragraph (1)(A) of that subsection, the 
number of months of entitlement of the individual to 
educational assistance under this chapter 33 shall be 
the number of months equal to— 
‘‘(A) the number of months of unused enti-
tlement 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 enti-
tlement revoked by the individual under sub-
section (c)(1). 
‘‘(e) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE NOT AVAILABLE UNDER 9/11 ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(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 avail-
able to the individual under the provisions of this 
chapter the individual shall remain entitled to such 
educational assistance in accordance with the provi-
sions 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 enti-
tlement of the individual to educational assistance 
under this chapter at the rate of one month of enti-
tlement under this chapter for each month of entitle-
ment 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 applica-
ble). 
‘‘(f) ADDITIONAL POST-9/11 ASSISTANCE FOR MEM-
BERS
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 33 as a monthly stipend payable
under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this 
title, or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of that 
section (as applicable), shall be the amount other-
wise payable as a monthly stipend under the applica-
ble paragraph increased by the amount equal to— 
‘‘(A) the total amount of contributions to-
ward basic educational assistance made by the 
individual under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of 
this title, as of the date of the election, multi-
plied by 
‘‘(B) the fraction— 
‘‘(i) the numerator of which is— 
‘‘(I) the number of months of en-
titlement to basic educational assist-
ance under chapter 30 of this title re-
maining to the individual at the time 
of the election; plus 
‘‘(II) the number of months, if 
any, of entitlement under such chap-
ter 30 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 indi-
vidual covered by paragraph (1) who is described by 
subsection (a)(1)(E), the number of months of enti-
tlement 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 pay-
able 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 subsections (b) 
through (g) of that section (as applicable), before 
the exhaustion of the individual’s entitlement to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter. 
‘‘(g) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT
TO ADDITIONAL 
ASSISTANCE FOR CRITICAL SKILLS OR SPECIALITY AND 
ADDITIONAL SERVICE.—An individual making an election 
under subsection (a)(1) who, at the time of the election, 
is entitled to increased educational assistance under sec-
tion 3015(d) of this title, or section 16131(i) of title 10, 
or supplemental educational assistance under subchapter 
III of chapter 30 of this title, shall remain entitled to such 
increased educational assistance or supplemental edu-
cational assistance in the utilization of entitlement to edu-
cational 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 as-
sistance 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, 2016, 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 alter-
native election on behalf of the individual that the 
Secretary determines is in the best interests of the 
individual. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE.—If the Secretary makes an elec-
tion 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, begin-
ning on the date of the individual’s receipt of such 
notice, during which the individual may modify or 
revoke the election made by the Secretary on the in-
dividual’s behalf. The Secretary shall include, as 
part of such notice, a clear statement of why the al-
ternative 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 provide the notice required under this para-
graph by electronic means whenever possible. 
‘‘(i) IRREVOCABILITY OF ELECTIONS.—An election 
under subsection (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘3326. 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. 306. CLARIFICATION OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED FOR 
CERTAIN FLIGHT TRAINING AND OTHER PRO-
GRAMS OF EDUCATION. 
(a) FLIGHT TRAINING.—Subsection (c)(1)(A) of sec-
tion 3313 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in clause (i)— 
(A) by redesignating subclauses (I) and 
(II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; 
(B) by striking ‘‘In the case of a program 
of education pursued at a public institution of 
higher learning’’ and inserting ‘‘(I) Subject to 
subclause (II), in the case of a program of edu-
cation pursued at a public institution of higher 
learning not described in clause (ii)(II)(bb)’’; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subclause: 
‘‘(II) In determining the actual net 
cost for in-State tuition and fees pursuant 
to subclause (I), the Secretary may not 
pay for tuition and fees relating to flight 
training.’’; and 
(2) in clause (ii)— 
(A) in subclause (I), by redesignating 
items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and 
(BB), respectively; 
(B) in subclause (II), by redesignating 
items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and 
(BB), respectively; 
(C) by redesignating subclauses (I) and 
(II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; 
(D) by striking ‘‘In the case of a program 
of education pursued at a non-public or foreign 
institution of higher learning’’ and inserting 
‘‘(I) In the case of a program of education de-
scribed in subclause (II)’’; and
(E) by adding at the end the following new 
subclause: 
‘‘(II) A program of education de-
scribed in this subclause is any of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(aa) A program of education 
pursued at a non-public or foreign in-
stitution of higher learning. 
‘‘(bb) A program of education 
pursued at a public institution of 
higher learning in which flight train-
ing is required to earn the degree 
being pursued (including with respect 
to a dual major, concentration, or 
other element of such a degree).’’. 
(b) CERTAIN PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION CARRIED 
OUT UNDER CONTRACT.—Section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a)(2)(E), is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘(cc) A program of education 
pursued at a public institution of 
higher learning in which the public in-
stitution of higher learning enters into 
a contract or agreement with an enti-
ty (other than another public institu-
tion of higher learning) to provide 
such program of education or a por-
tion of such program of education.’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by para-
graph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) 
and (b) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semes-
ter, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS.— 
In the case of an individual who, as of the date of 
the enactment of this Act, is using educational as-
sistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States 
Code, to pursue a course of education that includes 
a program of education described in item (bb) or 
(cc) of section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsections (a) and 
(b), respectively, the amendment made by such sub-
section shall apply with respect to a quarter, semes-
ter, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after 
the date that is two years after the date of the en-
actment of this Act.
SEC. 307. CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN TIME SPENT RE-
CEIVING MEDICAL CARE FROM SECRETARY 
OF DEFENSE AS ACTIVE DUTY FOR PUR-
POSES OF ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3301(1)(B) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘12301(h),’’ 
after ‘‘12301(g),’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to active duty service 
by a member of a reserve component covered by section 
12301(h) of title 10, United States, beginning on or after 
the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 308. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE. 
Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘June 30, 2013’’ each place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘June 30, 2013, or the period begin-
ning on June 30, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2021’’. 
SEC. 309. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION 
ACTION PLAN. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
develop and publish an action plan for improving the serv-
ices and assistance provided under chapter 31 of title 38,
United States Code. Such plan shall include each of the 
following: 
(1) A comprehensive analysis of, and rec-
ommendations and a proposed implementation plan 
for remedying workload management challenges at 
regional offices of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, including steps to reduce counselor caseloads 
of veterans participating in a rehabilitation program 
under such chapter, particularly for counselors who 
are assisting veterans with traumatic brain injury 
and post-traumatic stress disorder and counselors 
with educational and vocational counseling work-
loads. 
(2) A comprehensive analysis of the reasons for 
the disproportionately low percentage of veterans 
with service-connected disabilities who served in the 
Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, who opt to 
participate in a rehabilitation program under such 
chapter relative to the percentage of such veterans 
who use their entitlement to educational assistance 
under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, in-
cluding an analysis of barriers to timely enrollment 
in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such 
title and of any barriers to a veteran enrolling in the 
program of that veteran’s choice.
(3) Recommendations and a proposed imple-
mentation plan for encouraging more veterans with 
service-connected disabilities who served in the 
Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, to partici-
pate in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of 
such title. 
(4) A national staff training program for voca-
tional rehabilitation counselors of the Department 
that includes the provision of— 
(A) training to assist counselors in under-
standing the very profound disorientation expe-
rienced by warriors whose lives and life-plans 
have been upended and out of their control be-
cause of their injury; 
(B) training to assist counselors in work-
ing in partnership with veterans on individual 
rehabilitation plans; and 
(C) training on post-traumatic stress dis-
order and other mental health conditions and 
on moderate to severe traumatic brain injury 
that is designed to improve the ability of such 
counselors to assist veterans with these condi-
tions, including by providing information on the 
broad spectrum of such conditions and the ef-
fect of such conditions on an individual’s abili-
ties and functional limitations. 
SEC. 310. REDUCTION IN REDUNDANCY AND INEFFICIEN-
CIES 
IN 
VOCATIONAL 
REHABILITATION 
CLAIMS PROCESSING. 
(a) VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CLAIMS.—The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reduce redundancy and 
inefficiencies in the use of information technology to proc-
ess claims for rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 
of title 38, United States Code, by— 
(1) ensuring that all payments for and on be-
half of veterans participating in a rehabilitation pro-
gram under such chapter are only processed and 
paid out of one corporate information technology 
system, in order to eliminate the redundancy of mul-
tiple information technology payment systems; and 
(2) enhancing the information technology sys-
tem supporting veterans participating in such a pro-
gram to support more accurate accounting of serv-
ices and outcomes for such veterans. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for fiscal year 2016 $10,000,000 to carry out this 
section.
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the changes 
made pursuant to subsection (a). 
TITLE IV—ADMINISTRATION OF 
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
SEC. 401. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLL-
MENT BY CERTAIN GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND 
CONSORTIUMS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITU-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3684(a) of title 38, 
United States Code, 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 ‘edu-
cational institution’ may include a group, district, or con-
sortium of separately 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 sub-
mitted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 402. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING VET-
ERAN ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 36 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3699. Provision of certain information to edu-
cational institutions 
‘‘For each veteran or other individual pursuing a 
course of education that has been approved under this 
chapter using educational assistance to which the veteran 
or other individual is entitled under 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 entitled. Such informa-
tion shall be provided to such educational institution 
through a secure information technology system accessible 
by the educational institution and shall be regularly up-
dated to reflect any amounts used by the veteran or other 
individual.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 3698 the following new 
item: 
‘‘3699. Provision of certain information to educational institutions.’’.
SEC. 403. ROLE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES. 
(a) APPROVAL
OF
CERTAIN
COURSES.—Section 
3672(b)(2)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘the following’’ and all that follows through 
the colon and inserting the following: ‘‘a program of edu-
cation is deemed to be approved for purposes of this chap-
ter if a State approving agency determines that the pro-
gram 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 ap-
proving agency, or the Secretary when acting in 
the role of a State approving agency,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘offered by proprietary for- 
profit educational institutions’’ and inserting 
‘‘not covered by section 3672 of this title’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘the Secretary 
or the State approving agency’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘the State approving agency, or the 
Secretary when acting in the role of a State approv-
ing agency,’’. 
SEC. 404. CRITERIA USED TO APPROVE COURSES. 
(a) 
NONACCREDITED
COURSES.—Section 
3676(c)(14) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by inserting before the period the following: ‘‘if the Sec-
retary, in consultation with the State approving agency 
and pursuant to regulations prescribed to carry out this 
paragraph, determines such criteria are necessary and 
treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational 
institutions equitably’’. 
(b) ACCREDITED COURSES.—Section 3675(b)(3) of 
such title is amended by striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(3), and (14)’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to— 
(1) criteria developed pursuant to paragraph 
(14) of subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, 
United States Code, on or after January 1, 2013; 
and 
(2) an investigation conducted under such sub-
section that is covered by a reimbursement of ex-
penses paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
a State pursuant to section 3674 of such title on or 
after October 1, 2015. 
SEC. 405. COMPLIANCE SURVEYS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3693 of such title is 
amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following new subsection (a):
‘‘(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Sec-
retary shall conduct an annual compliance survey of edu-
cational 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 provisions of chapters 30 through 
36 of this title; 
‘‘(B) survey each such educational institution 
and training establishment not less than once during 
every two-year period; and 
‘‘(C) assign not fewer than one education com-
pliance specialist to work on compliance surveys in 
any year for each 40 compliance surveys required to 
be made under this section for such year. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the State ap-
proving 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 available to the State approving agencies a list 
of the educational institutions and training estab-
lishments 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 sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) In this section, the terms ‘educational institu-
tion’ and ‘training establishment’ have the meaning given 
such terms in section 3452 of this title.’’. 
(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 compliance survey’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘institution’’ and inserting 
‘‘educational institution or training establishment’’; 
and 
(3) by striking ‘‘institution’s demonstrated 
record of compliance’’ and inserting ‘‘record of com-
pliance of such institution or establishment’’.
SEC. 406. SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS USING THEIR ENTITLE-
MENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VET-
ERANS 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 statis-
tically valid sample of individuals who have used or are 
using their entitlement to educational assistance 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— 
(1) not later than one month before the collec-
tion 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 enter-
ing 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 con-
tract under subsection (a) shall provide that the survey 
shall be designed to collect the following types of informa-
tion about each individual surveyed, where applicable: 
(1) Demographic information, including the 
highest level of education completed by the indi-
vidual, the military occupational specialty or special-
ties 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 par-
ticipation in the transition assistance program under 
section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, and 
the effectiveness of the program, including instruc-
tion on the use of the benefits under laws adminis-
tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(3) The resources the individual used to help 
the individual— 
(A) decide to use the individual’s entitle-
ment to educational 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 education 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 individual pursued the program 
of education or training who processed the individ-
ual’s claim. 
(7) Any services or benefits the educational in-
stitution or program of education or training pro-
vided to veterans while the individual pursued the 
program of education or training. 
(8) The type of educational institution at which 
the individual pursued the program of education or 
training. 
(9) Whether the individual completed the pro-
gram of education or training or the number of cred-
it hours completed by the individual as of the time 
of the survey, and, if applicable, any degree or cer-
tificate obtained by the individual for completing the 
program. 
(10) The employment status of the individual 
and whether such employment status differs from
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs 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 sur-
vey submitted by the non-government entity that con-
ducted the study. 
SEC. 407. IMPROVEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
OF THE VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRA-
TION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
(a) PROCESSING OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE CLAIMS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
to the maximum extent possible, make such changes and 
improvements to the information technology system of the 
Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to ensure that— 
(1) to the maximum extent possible, all original 
and supplemental claims for educational assistance 
under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, 
are adjudicated electronically; and 
(2) rules-based processing is used to make deci-
sions with respect to such claims with little human 
intervention.
(b) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a plan 
to implement the changes and improvements described in 
subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the implemen-
tation of the changes and improvements described in sub-
section (a). 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs $30,000,000 to carry out this section during fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017. 
SEC. 408. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO IN-STATE 
TUITION RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO WHOM 
ENTITLEMENT IS TRANSFERRED UNDER ALL- 
VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE 
PROGRAM 
AND 
POST-9/11 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) 
TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—Section 
3679(c)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘or 3319 of this title’’ and all that follows and 
inserting ‘‘of this title or to whom educational assistance 
is transferred under section 3319 of this title.’’.
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to a course, semester, 
or term that begins after July 1, 2016. 
TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 501. AMOUNT OF LOAN GUARANTEED UNDER HOME 
LOAN PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) 
ADJUSTMENT
OF
LOAN
LIMIT.—Section 
3703(a)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the lesser of’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘or 25 percent of the 
loan’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘Freddie 
Mac’’ and all that follows through the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘amount of the loan.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply with respect to a loan guaranteed 
under section 3710 of title 38, United States Code, on 
or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 502. LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF JOB COUNSELING, 
TRAINING, AND PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR 
VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 41 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, train-
ing, and placement service for veterans 
‘‘(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—(1) The Secretary shall 
enter into a contract with a non-government entity to con-
duct a longitudinal study of a statistically valid sample 
of each of the groups of individuals described in paragraph 
(2). The contract shall provide for the study of each such 
group over a period of at least five years. 
‘‘(2) The groups of individuals described in this para-
graph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Veterans who have received intensive serv-
ices. 
‘‘(B) Veterans who did not receive intensive 
services but who otherwise received services under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(C) Veterans who did not seek or receive serv-
ices under this chapter. 
‘‘(3) The study required by this subsection shall in-
clude the collection of the following information for each 
individual who participates in the study:
‘‘(A) The average number of months such indi-
vidual served on active duty. 
‘‘(B) The distribution of disability ratings of 
such individual. 
‘‘(C) Any unemployment benefits received by 
such individual. 
‘‘(D) The average number of months such indi-
vidual was employed during the year covered by the 
report. 
‘‘(E) The average annual starting and ending 
salaries of any such individual who was employed 
during the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(F) The average annual income of such indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(G) The average total household income of 
such individual for the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(H) The percentage of such individuals who 
own their principal residences. 
‘‘(I) The employment status of such individual. 
‘‘(J) In the case of such an individual who re-
ceived services under this chapter, whether the indi-
vidual believes that any service provided by a dis-
abled veterans’ outreach specialist or local veterans’ 
employment representative helped the individual to 
become employed.