In the Senate of the United States, 
December 9, 2020. 
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representa-
tives (H.R. 7105) entitled ‘‘An Act to provide flexibility for 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in caring for homeless vet-
erans during a covered public health emergency, to direct the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a retraining assist-
ance program for unemployed veterans, and for other pur-
poses.’’, do pass with the following 
AMENDMENT: 
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following: 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health 
Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Determination of budgetary effects.
† HR 7105 EAS 
TITLE I—EDUCATION 
Subtitle A—Education Generally 
Sec. 1001. Improvements to Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program of 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 1002. Expansion of eligibility for Fry Scholarship to children and spouses 
of certain deceased members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 1003. Period for election to receive benefits under All-Volunteer Educational 
Assistance Program of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 1004. Phase out of All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 1005. Requirements for in-State tuition. 
Sec. 1006. Expansion of authority for certain qualifying work-study activities for 
purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs to include outreach services provided 
through congressional offices. 
Sec. 1007. Restoration of entitlement to rehabilitation programs for veterans af-
fected by school closure or disapproval. 
Sec. 1008. Technical correction to clarify eligibility for participation in Yellow 
Ribbon Program of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 1009. Clarification of educational assistance for individuals who pursue an 
approved program of education leading to a degree while on ac-
tive duty. 
Sec. 1010. Verification of enrollment for purposes of receipt of Post-9/11 Edu-
cational Assistance benefits. 
Sec. 1011. Clarification regarding the dependents to whom entitlement to edu-
cational assistance may be transferred under the Post 9/11 Edu-
cational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 1012. Expansion of reasons for which a course of education may be dis-
approved. 
Sec. 1013. Oversight of educational institutions with approved programs: risk- 
based surveys. 
Sec. 1014. Oversight of educational institutions subject to Government action for 
purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 1015. Additional requirement for approval of educational institutions for 
purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 1016. Clarification of accreditation for law schools for purposes of the edu-
cational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 1017. Clarification of grounds for disapproval of a course for purposes of the 
educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
Sec. 1018. Requirements for educational institutions participating in the edu-
cational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 1019. Overpayments to eligible persons or veterans. 
Sec. 1020. Improvements to limitation on certain advertising, sales, and enroll-
ment practices. 
Sec. 1021. Charge to entitlement to educational assistance for individuals who do 
not transfer credits from certain closed or disapproved programs 
of education. 
Sec. 1022. Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of for-profit educational in-
stitutions converted to nonprofit educational institutions.
† HR 7105 EAS 
Sec. 1023. Authority of State approving agencies to conduct outreach activities. 
Sec. 1024. Limitation on colocation and administration of State approving agen-
cies. 
Sec. 1025. Elimination of period of eligibility for training and rehabilitation for 
certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. 
Subtitle B—Pandemic Assistance 
Sec. 1101. Definitions. 
Sec. 1102. Continuation of Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance 
benefits during COVID–19 emergency. 
Sec. 1103. Effects of closure of educational institution and modification of courses 
by reason of COVID–19 emergency. 
Sec. 1104. Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal. 
Sec. 1105. Modification of time limitations on use of entitlement. 
Sec. 1106. Apprenticeship or on-job training requirements. 
Sec. 1107. Inclusion of training establishments in certain provisions related to 
COVID–19 emergency. 
Sec. 1108. Treatment of payment of allowances under Student Veteran 
Coronavirus Response Act. 
TITLE II—BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Benefits Generally 
Sec. 2001. Revision of definition of Vietnam era for purposes of the laws adminis-
tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 2002. Matters relating to Department of Veterans Affairs medical disability 
examinations. 
Sec. 2003. Medal of Honor special pension for surviving spouses. 
Sec. 2004. Modernization of service-disabled veterans insurance. 
Sec. 2005. Denial 
of 
claims 
for 
traumatic 
injury 
protection 
under 
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance. 
Sec. 2006. Publication and acceptance of disability benefit questionnaire forms of 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 2007. Threshold for reporting debts to consumer reporting agencies. 
Sec. 2008. Removal of dependents from award of compensation or pension. 
Sec. 2009. Eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving 
spouses who remarry after age 55. 
Sec. 2010. Study on exposure by members of the Armed Forces to toxicants at 
Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan. 
Sec. 2011. Comptroller General briefing and report on repealing manifestation 
period for presumptions of service connection for certain diseases 
associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents. 
Sec. 2012. Extension of authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use income 
information from other agencies. 
Sec. 2013. Extension on certain limits on payments of pension. 
Subtitle B—Housing 
Sec. 2101. Eligibility of certain members of the reserve components of the Armed 
Forces for home loans from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 2102. Reducing loan fees for certain veterans affected by major disasters. 
Sec. 2103. Extension of certain housing loan fees. 
Sec. 2104. Collection of overpayments of specially adapted housing assistance.
† HR 7105 EAS 
Subtitle C—Burial Matters 
Sec. 2201. Transportation of deceased veterans to veterans’ cemeteries. 
Sec. 2202. Increase in certain funeral benefits under laws administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 2203. Outer burial receptacles for each new grave in cemeteries that are the 
subjects of certain grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 2204. Provision of inscriptions for spouses and children on certain 
headstones and markers furnished by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs. 
Sec. 2205. Aid to counties for establishment, expansion, and improvement of vet-
erans’ cemeteries. 
Sec. 2206. Increase in maximum amount of grants to States, counties, and tribal 
organizations for operating and maintaining veterans’ ceme-
teries. 
Sec. 2207. Provision of urns and commemorative plaques for remains of certain 
veterans whose cremated remains are not interred in certain 
cemeteries. 
Sec. 2208. Training of State and tribal veterans’ cemetery personnel by National 
Cemetery Administration. 
TITLE III—HEALTH CARE 
Subtitle A—Health Care Generally 
Sec. 3001. Expansion of modifications to Veteran Directed Care program. 
Sec. 3002. Prohibition on collection of a health care copayment by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs from a veteran who is a member of an In-
dian tribe. 
Sec. 3003. Oversight for State homes regarding COVID–19 infections, response 
capacity, and staffing levels. 
Sec. 3004. Grants for State homes located on tribal lands. 
Sec. 3005. Continuation of Women’s Health Transition Training program of De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 3006. Authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish medically nec-
essary transportation for newborn children of certain women 
veterans. 
Sec. 3007. Waiver of requirements of Department of Veterans Affairs for receipt 
of per diem payments for domiciliary care at State homes and 
modification of eligibility for such payments. 
Sec. 3008. Expansion of quarterly update of information on staffing and vacan-
cies at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include 
information on duration of hiring process. 
Sec. 3009. Requirement for certain Department of Veterans Affairs medical facili-
ties to have physical location for the disposal of controlled sub-
stances medications. 
Sec. 3010. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program for clinical observation 
by undergraduate students. 
Subtitle B—Scheduling and Consult Management 
Sec. 3101. Process and requirements for scheduling appointments for health care 
from Department of Veterans Affairs and non-Department health 
care.
† HR 7105 EAS 
Sec. 3102. Audits regarding scheduling of appointments and management of con-
sultations for health care from Department of Veterans Affairs 
and non-Department health care. 
Sec. 3103. Administration of non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care. 
Sec. 3104. Examination of health care consultation and scheduling positions of 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
TITLE IV—NAVY SEAL BILL MULDER 
Sec. 4001. Short title. 
Subtitle A—Service-connection and COVID–19 
Sec. 4101. Presumptions of service-connection for members of Armed Forces who 
contract Coronavirus Disease 2019 under certain circumstances. 
Subtitle B—Assistance for Homeless Veterans 
Sec. 4201. Flexibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in caring for homeless 
veterans during a covered public health emergency. 
Sec. 4202. Legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homeless-
ness. 
Sec. 4203. Gap analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that provide 
assistance to women veterans who are homeless. 
Sec. 4204. Improvements to grants awarded by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to entities that provide services to homeless veterans. 
Sec. 4205. Repeal of sunset on authority to carry out program of referral and 
counseling services for veterans at risk for homelessness who are 
transitioning from certain institutions. 
Sec. 4206. Coordination of case management services for veterans receiving hous-
ing vouchers under Tribal Housing and Urban Development-Vet-
erans Affairs Supportive Housing program. 
Sec. 4207. Contracts relating to case managers for homeless veterans in supported 
housing program. 
Sec. 4208. Report on staffing of Department of Housing and Urban Development- 
Department of Veterans Affairs supported housing program. 
Subtitle C—Retraining Assistance for Veterans 
Sec. 4301. Access for the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs to the Federal 
directory of new hires. 
Sec. 4302. Expansion of eligible class of providers of high technology programs 
of education for veterans. 
Sec. 4303. Pilot program for off-base transition training for veterans and spouses. 
Sec. 4304. Grants for provision of transition assistance to members of the Armed 
Forces after separation, retirement, or discharge. 
Sec. 4305. One-year independent assessment of the effectiveness of Transition As-
sistance Program. 
Sec. 4306. Longitudinal study on changes to Transition Assistance Program. 
TITLE V—DEBORAH SAMPSON 
Sec. 5001. Short title. 
Subtitle A—Improving Access for Women Veterans to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs 
Sec. 5101. Office of Women’s Health in Department of Veterans Affairs.
† HR 7105 EAS 
Sec. 5102. Women veterans retrofit initiative. 
Sec. 5103. Establishment of environment of care standards and inspections at De-
partment of Veterans Affairs medical centers. 
Sec. 5104. Provision of reintegration and readjustment services to veterans and 
family members in group retreat settings. 
Sec. 5105. Provision of legal services for women veterans. 
Sec. 5106. Comptroller General surveys and report on supportive services pro-
vided for very low-income women veterans. 
Sec. 5107. Programs on assistance for child care for certain veterans. 
Sec. 5108. Availability of prosthetics for women veterans from Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
Sec. 5109. Requirement to improve Department of Veterans Affairs women vet-
erans call center. 
Sec. 5110. Study on infertility services furnished at Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 5111. Sense of Congress on access to facilities of Department of Veterans Af-
fairs by reservists for counseling and treatment relating to mili-
tary sexual trauma. 
Subtitle B—Increasing Staff Cultural Competency 
Sec. 5201. Staffing of women’s health primary care providers at medical facilities 
of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 5202. Additional funding for primary care and emergency care clinicians in 
Women Veterans Health Care Mini-Residency Program. 
Sec. 5203. Establishment of women veteran training module for non-Department 
of Veterans Affairs health care providers. 
Sec. 5204. Study on staffing of women veteran program manager program at 
medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs and training 
of staff. 
Sec. 5205. Study on Women Veteran Coordinator program. 
Sec. 5206. Staffing improvement plan for peer specialists of Department of Vet-
erans Affairs who are women. 
Subtitle C—Eliminating Harassment and Assault 
Sec. 5301. Expansion of coverage by Department of Veterans Affairs of counseling 
and treatment for sexual trauma. 
Sec. 5302. Assessment of effects of intimate partner violence on women veterans 
by Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. 
Sec. 5303. Anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy of Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
Sec. 5304. Pilot program on assisting veterans who experience intimate partner 
violence or sexual assault. 
Sec. 5305. Study and task force on veterans experiencing intimate partner vio-
lence or sexual assault. 
Subtitle D—Data Collection and Reporting 
Sec. 5401. Requirement for collection and analysis of data on Department of Vet-
erans Affairs benefits and services and disaggregation of such 
data by gender, race, and ethnicity. 
Sec. 5402. Study on barriers for women veterans to receipt of health care from 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
† HR 7105 EAS 
Sec. 5403. Study on feasibility and advisability of offering Parenting STAIR 
program at all medical centers of Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Subtitle E—Benefits Matters 
Sec. 5501. Evaluation of service-connection of mental health conditions relating 
to military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 5502. Choice of sex of Department of Veterans Affairs medical examiner for 
assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability re-
sulting from physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a 
sexual nature, or sexual harassment. 
Sec. 5503. Secretary of Veterans Affairs report on implementing recommendations 
of Inspector General of Department of Veterans Affairs in cer-
tain report on denied posttraumatic stress disorder claims re-
lated to military sexual trauma. 
TITLE VI—REPRESENTATION AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION 
MATTERS 
Sec. 6001. Short title. 
Sec. 6002. Plan to address the financial exploitation of veterans receiving pension 
from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 6003. Overpayments of pension to veterans receiving pension from the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 6004. Evaluation of additional actions for verifying direct deposit informa-
tion provided by veterans on applications for veterans pension. 
Sec. 6005. Annual report on efforts of Department of Veterans Affairs to address 
the financial exploitation of veterans receiving pension. 
Sec. 6006. Notice regarding fees charged in connection with filing an application 
for veterans pension. 
Sec. 6007. Outreach plan for educating vulnerable veterans about potential finan-
cial exploitation relating to the receipt of pension. 
TITLE VII—OTHER MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Administrative and Other Matters 
Sec. 7001. Medical examination protocol for volunteer drivers participating in 
program of transportation services for veterans. 
Sec. 7002. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Tribal and In-
dian Affairs. 
Sec. 7003. Preference for offerors employing veterans. 
Sec. 7004. Extension of certain employment and reemployment rights to members 
of the National Guard who perform State active duty. 
Sec. 7005. Repayment of misused benefits. 
Sec. 7006. Exemption of certain transfers. 
Sec. 7007. Report and planned actions of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ad-
dress certain high-risk areas of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 7008. Annual report by Secretary of Veterans Affairs on implementation of 
priority recommendations of Comptroller General of the United 
States pertaining to Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 7009. Clarification of methods used to monitor compliance with certain limi-
tations on subcontracting.
† HR 7105 EAS 
Sec. 7010. Department of Veterans Affairs requirement to provide certain notice 
to persons filing claims for damage, injury, or death on Stand-
ard Form 95. 
Subtitle B—Matters Relating to the Chief Financial Officer of Department of 
Veterans Affairs 
Sec. 7101. Definitions. 
Sec. 7102. Plans for addressing material weaknesses and providing sufficient au-
thority to Chief Financial Officer of Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 7103. Chief Financial Officer attestation. 
Sec. 7104. Chief Financial Officer responsibility for subordinate chief financial 
officers. 
Subtitle C—Servicemembers Civil Relief 
Sec. 7201. Clarification of delivery of notice of termination of leases of premises 
and motor vehicles for purposes of relief under Servicemembers 
Civil Relief Act. 
Sec. 7202. Technical correction regarding extension of lease protections for 
servicemembers under stop movement orders in response to local, 
national, or global emergency. 
SEC. 2. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, 
shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation’’ for this Act, 
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that 
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on pas-
sage.
† HR 7105 EAS 
TITLE I—EDUCATION 
Subtitle A—Education Generally 
SEC. 1001. IMPROVEMENTS TO EDITH NOURSE ROGERS 
STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) CLARIFICATION
AND
EXPANSION
OF
ELIGI-
BILITY.—Subsection (b)(4) of section 3320 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subclause (I), 
by inserting ‘‘, or a dual degree program that in-
cludes such an undergraduate college degree,’’ 
after ‘‘undergraduate college degree’’; 
(B) by striking subclause (IX); and 
(C) by redesignating subclauses (X) and 
(XI) as subclauses (IX) and (X), respectively; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘covered clinical training 
program for health care professionals or a’’ be-
fore ‘‘program of education’’; and 
(B) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph:
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(C) is an individual who has earned a 
graduate degree in a field referred to in subpara-
graph (A)(i) and is enrolled in a covered clinical 
training program for health care professionals.’’. 
(b) PRIORITY.—Subsection (c) of such section is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—(1) If the Secretary determines that 
there are insufficient funds available in a fiscal year to pro-
vide additional benefits under this section to all eligible in-
dividuals, the Secretary may give priority to the following 
eligible individuals: 
‘‘(A) Individuals who require the most credit 
hours described in subsection (b)(4). 
‘‘(B) Individuals who are entitled to educational 
assistance under this chapter by reason of paragraph 
(1), (2), (8), or (9) of section 3311(b) of this title. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall give priority to individuals 
under paragraph (1) in the following order: 
‘‘(A) Individuals who are enrolled in a program 
of education leading to an undergraduate degree in a 
field referred to in subsection (b)(4)(A)(i). 
‘‘(B) Individuals who are enrolled in a program 
of education leading to a teaching certificate. 
‘‘(C) Individuals who are enrolled in a dual-de-
gree program leading to both an undergraduate and
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1002. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FRY SCHOLAR-
SHIP TO CHILDREN AND SPOUSES OF CER-
TAIN DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 3311 of 
title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 105 
of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance 
Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–48), is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as para-
graph (11); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the fol-
lowing new paragraphs (9) and (10): 
‘‘(9) An individual who is the child or spouse of 
a person who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies 
in line of duty while serving on duty other than ac-
tive duty as a member of the Armed Forces. 
‘‘(10) An individual who is the child or spouse 
of a member of the Selected Reserve who dies on or 
after September 11, 2001, while a member of the Se-
lected Reserve from a service-connected disability.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Title 38, United 
States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In section 3311(f), by striking ‘‘paragraph 
(8)’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘paragraphs 
(8), (9), and (10)’’.
† HR 7105 EAS 
(2) In section 3313(c)(1), by striking ‘‘(8), or 
(9)’’ and inserting ‘‘(8), (9), (10), or (11)’’. 
(3) In section 3317(a), in the second sentence, by 
striking ‘‘paragraphs (1), (2), (8), and (9)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘paragraphs (1), (2), (8), (9), (10), and (11)’’. 
(4) In section 3320, as amended by section 1001 
of this title, in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ‘‘(8), 
or (9)’’ and inserting ‘‘(8), (9), (10), or (11)’’. 
(5) In section 3322— 
(A) in subsection (e), by striking both ‘‘sec-
tions 3311(b)(8) and 3319’’ and inserting ‘‘sec-
tion 3319 and paragraph (8), (9), or (10) of sec-
tion 3311 of this title’’; 
(B) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘section 
3311(b)(8)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (8), (9), 
or (10) of section 3311 of this title’’; and 
(C) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ‘‘either 
section 3311(b)(8) or chapter 35’’ and inserting 
‘‘either chapter 35 or paragraph (8), (9), or (10) 
of section 3311’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect immediately after the amend-
ments made by section 105 of the Harry W. Colmery Vet-
erans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115– 
48) take effect and shall apply with respect to a quarter,
† HR 7105 EAS 
semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after 
August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1003. PERIOD FOR ELECTION TO RECEIVE BENEFITS 
UNDER ALL-VOLUNTEER EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3011 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘Any such 
election shall be made at the time the individual ini-
tially enters on active duty as a member of the Armed 
Forces’’ and inserting ‘‘Any such election shall be 
made during the 90-day period beginning on the day 
that is 180 days after the date on which the indi-
vidual initially enters initial training’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘that such 
individual is entitled to such pay’’ and inserting 
‘‘that begin after the date that is 270 days after the 
date on which the individual initially enters initial 
training’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on the date that is two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1004. PHASE OUT OF ALL-VOLUNTEER EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 3011 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘after June 30, 1985’’ 
and inserting ‘‘during the period beginning July 1, 1985, 
and ending September 30, 2030’’. 
SEC. 1005. REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-STATE TUITION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3679(c) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘less than 
three years before the date of enrollment in the course 
concerned’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘It shall’’ and inserting 
‘‘(A) It shall’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall make 
publicly available on the internet website of the Department 
a database explaining any requirements described in sub-
paragraph (A) that are established by a public institution 
of higher learning for an individual to be charged tuition 
and fees at a rate that is equal to or less than the rate 
the institution charges for tuition and fees for residents of 
the State in which the institution is located. The Secretary
† HR 7105 EAS 
shall disapprove a course of education provided by such an 
institution that does not provide the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) an initial explanation of such requirements; 
and 
‘‘(ii) not later than 90 days after the date on 
which any such requirements change, the updated re-
quirements.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, 
as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1006. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN QUALI-
FYING WORK-STUDY ACTIVITIES FOR PUR-
POSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS 
AFFAIRS 
TO 
INCLUDE 
OUTREACH 
SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH CONGRES-
SIONAL OFFICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(K) The following activities carried out at the 
offices of Members of Congress for such Members: 
‘‘(i) The distribution of information to 
members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and 
their dependents about the benefits and services
† HR 7105 EAS 
under laws administered by the Secretary and 
other appropriate governmental and nongovern-
mental programs. 
‘‘(ii) The preparation and processing of pa-
pers and other documents, including documents 
to assist in the preparation and presentation of 
claims for benefits under laws administered by 
the Secretary.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1007. RESTORATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO REHABILI-
TATION 
PROGRAMS 
FOR 
VETERANS 
AF-
FECTED 
BY 
SCHOOL 
CLOSURE 
OR 
DIS-
APPROVAL. 
(a) ENTITLEMENT.—Section 3699 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘chapter 30,’’ each time 
it appears and inserting ‘‘chapter 30, 31,’’. 
(b) PAYMENT OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCES.—Sec-
tion 3680(a)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘or a subsistence allowance de-
scribed in section 3108’’ before ‘‘, during’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or allowance’’ after ‘‘such a sti-
pend’’.
† HR 7105 EAS 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 7 of the Stu-
dent Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 
634; Public Law 116–140) is hereby repealed. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall apply as if included in the enactment of section 
109 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assist-
ance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–48; 131 Stat. 978). 
SEC. 1008. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO CLARIFY ELIGI-
BILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN YELLOW RIB-
BON PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 3317(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the full cost of established 
charges (as specified in section 3313)’’ and inserting 
‘‘the full cost of tuition and fees for a program of edu-
cation’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘those established charges’’ and 
inserting ‘‘such tuition and fees’’. 
SEC. 1009. CLARIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
FOR 
INDIVIDUALS 
WHO 
PURSUE 
AN 
AP-
PROVED PROGRAM OF EDUCATION LEADING 
TO A DEGREE WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3313(e) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended—
† HR 7105 EAS 
(1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘FOR A PERIOD 
OF MORE THAN 30 DAYS’’ after ‘‘ACTIVE DUTY’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘for a period 
of more than 30 days’’ after ‘‘active duty’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘for a period of more 
than 30 days’’ after ‘‘active duty’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2022. 
SEC. 1010. VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT FOR PURPOSES 
OF RECEIPT OF POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3313 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(l) VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT.—(1) The Sec-
retary shall require— 
‘‘(A) each educational institution to submit to 
the Secretary verification of each individual who is 
enrolled in a course or program of education at the 
educational institution and is receiving educational 
assistance under this chapter— 
‘‘(i) not later than such time as the Sec-
retary determines reasonable after the date on 
which the individual is enrolled; and
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(ii) not later than such time as the Sec-
retary determines reasonable after the last date 
on which a student is able to withdraw from the 
course or program of education without penalty; 
and 
‘‘(B) each individual who is enrolled in a course 
or program of education and is receiving educational 
assistance under this chapter to submit to the Sec-
retary verification of such enrollment for each month 
during which the individual is so enrolled and receiv-
ing such educational assistance. 
‘‘(2) Verification under this subsection shall be in an 
electronic form prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) If an individual fails to submit the verification 
required under paragraph (1)(B) for two consecutive 
months, the Secretary may not make a monthly stipend 
payment to the individual under this section until the indi-
vidual submits such verification.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1011. CLARIFICATION REGARDING THE DEPENDENTS 
TO WHOM ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNDER 
THE POST 9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3319(c) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS.— 
‘‘(1) TRANSFER.—An individual approved to 
transfer an entitlement to educational assistance 
under this section may transfer the individual’s enti-
tlement to an eligible dependent or a combination of 
eligible dependents. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION
OF
ELIGIBLE
DEPENDENT.— 
For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘eligible de-
pendent’ has the meaning given the term ‘dependent’ 
under subparagraphs (A), (I), and (D) of section 
1072(2) of title 10.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to educational assist-
ance payable under chapter 33 of title 38, United States 
Code, before, on, or after the date that is 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1012. EXPANSION OF REASONS FOR WHICH A COURSE 
OF EDUCATION MAY BE DISAPPROVED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3672(b)(2) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting or ‘‘or 
(D)’’ after ‘‘subparagraph (C)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(D) A program that is described in subparagraph 
(A)(i) of this paragraph and offered by an educational in-
stitution that is at risk of losing accreditation shall not be 
deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter. For pur-
poses of this subparagraph, an educational institution is 
at risk of losing accreditation if that educational institution 
has received from the relevant accrediting agency or asso-
ciation a notice described in section 3673(e)(2)(D) of this 
title.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1013. OVERSIGHT OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 
WITH 
APPROVED 
PROGRAMS: 
RISK-BASED 
SURVEYS. 
(a) RISK-BASED SURVEYS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 36, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after sec-
tion 3673 the following new section:
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‘‘§ 3673A. Risk-based surveys 
‘‘(a) DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED.—The Secretary, in 
partnership with State approving agencies, shall develop a 
searchable risk-based survey for oversight of educational in-
stitutions with courses and programs of education approved 
under this chapter. 
‘‘(b) SCOPE.—(1) The scope of the risk-based survey 
developed under subsection (a) shall be determined by the 
Secretary, in partnership with the State approving agency. 
‘‘(2) At a minimum the scope determined under para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) Rapid increase in veteran enrollment. 
‘‘(B) Rapid increase in tuition and fees. 
‘‘(C) Complaints tracked and published with the 
mechanism required by section 3698(b)(2) from stu-
dents pursuing programs of education with edu-
cational assistance furnished under laws administered 
by the Secretary, based on severity or volume of the 
complaints. 
‘‘(D) Compliance with section 3680A(d)(1) of 
this title. 
‘‘(E) Veteran completion rates. 
‘‘(F) Indicators of financial stability. 
‘‘(G) Review of the advertising and recruiting 
practices of the educational institution, including
† HR 7105 EAS 
those by third-party contractors of the educational in-
stitution. 
‘‘(H) Matters for which the Federal Government 
or a State Government brings an action in a court 
of competent jurisdiction against an educational in-
stitution, including matters in cases in which the 
Federal Government or the State comes to a settled 
agreement on such matters outside of the court. 
‘‘(c) DATABASE.—The Secretary, in partnership with 
the State approving agencies under this chapter, shall estab-
lish a database or use an existing system, as the Secretary 
considers appropriate, to serve as a central repository for 
information required for or collected during site visits for 
the risk-based survey developed under subsection (a), so as 
to improve future oversight of educational institutions with 
programs of education approved under this chapter.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 3673 the following new item: 
‘‘3673A. Risk-based surveys.’’. 
(b) USE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES FOR OVER-
SIGHT ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3673(d) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended—
† HR 7105 EAS 
(A) by striking ‘‘may’’ and inserting 
‘‘shall’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘compliance and risk-based 
surveys’’ and inserting ‘‘a risk-based survey de-
veloped under section 3673A of this title’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
paragraph (1) shall take effect on October 1, 2022. 
SEC. 1014. OVERSIGHT OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 
SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT ACTION FOR PUR-
POSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3673 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(e) NOTICE OF GOVERNMENT ACTION.—(1)(A) If the 
Secretary receives notice described in paragraph (2), or oth-
erwise becomes aware of an action or event described in 
paragraph (3), with respect to an educational institution, 
the Secretary shall transmit such notice or provide notice 
of such action or event to the State approving agency for 
the State where the educational institution is located by not 
later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary 
receives such notice or becomes aware of such action or 
event.
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(B) If a State approving agency receives notice as 
described in paragraph (2), or otherwise becomes aware of 
an action or event described in paragraph (3), with respect 
to an educational institution, other than from the Secretary 
pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the State 
approving agency shall immediately notify the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) Not later than 60 days after the date on which 
a State approving agency receives notice under subpara-
graph (A), receives notice as described in subparagraph (B), 
or becomes aware as described in such subparagraph, as 
the case may be, regarding an educational institution, such 
State approving agency shall— 
‘‘(i) complete a risk-based survey of such edu-
cational institution; and 
‘‘(ii) provide the Secretary with— 
‘‘(I) a complete report on the findings of the 
State approving agency with respect to the risk- 
based survey completed under clause (i) and any 
actions taken as a result of such findings; and 
‘‘(II) any supporting documentation and 
pertinent records. 
‘‘(2) Notice described in this paragraph is any of the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Notice from the Secretary of Education of 
an event under paragraph (3)(A).
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(B) Notice of an event under paragraph (3)(B). 
‘‘(C) Notice from a State of an action taken by 
that State under paragraph (3)(C). 
‘‘(D) Notice provided by an accrediting agency 
or association of an action described in paragraph 
(3)(D) taken by that agency or association. 
‘‘(E) Notice that the Secretary of Education has 
placed the educational institution on provisional cer-
tification status. 
‘‘(3) An action or event under this paragraph is any 
of the following: 
‘‘(A) The receipt by an educational institution of 
payments under the heightened cash monitoring level 
2 payment method pursuant to section 487(c)(1)(B) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1094). 
‘‘(B) Punitive action taken by the Attorney Gen-
eral, the Federal Trade Commission, or any other 
Federal department or agency for misconduct or mis-
leading marketing practices that would violate the 
standards defined by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
‘‘(C) Punitive action taken by a State against 
an educational institution.
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‘‘(D) The loss, or risk of loss, by an educational 
institution of an accreditation from an accrediting 
agency or association, including notice of probation, 
suspension, an order to show cause relating to the 
educational institution’s academic policies and prac-
tices or to its financial stability, or revocation of ac-
creditation. 
‘‘(E) The placement of an educational institution 
on provisional certification status by the Secretary of 
Education. 
‘‘(4) If a State approving agency disapproves or sus-
pends an educational institution, the State approving agen-
cy shall provide notice of such disapproval or suspension 
to the Secretary and to all other State approving agencies. 
‘‘(5) This subsection shall be carried out using 
amounts made available pursuant to section 3674(a)(4) of 
this title as long as such amounts remain available. 
‘‘(6) For each notice transmitted or provided to a State 
approving agency under paragraph (1) with respect to an 
educational institution, the Secretary shall ensure the care-
ful review of— 
‘‘(A) to the extent possible, the action that gave 
rise to such notice; and
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(B) any other action against the educational 
institution by any Federal or State government entity 
or by the educational institution’s accreditor. 
‘‘(7) In this subsection, the term ‘risk-based survey’ 
means the risk-based survey developed under section 3673A 
of this title.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1015. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL OF 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR PURPOSES 
OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3675 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) The educational institution is approved and 
participates in a program under title IV of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) or 
the Secretary has waived the requirement under this 
paragraph with respect to an educational institution 
and submits to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives notice of such waiver.’’.
† HR 7105 EAS 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress an an-
nual report on any waivers issued pursuant to subsection 
(b)(4) or section 3672(b)(2)(A)(i) of this title. 
‘‘(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall 
include, for the year covered by the report, the following: 
‘‘(A) The name of each educational institution 
for which a waiver was issued. 
‘‘(B) The justification for each such waiver. 
‘‘(C) The total number of waivers issued.’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL OF STANDARD COL-
LEGE
DEGREE
PROGRAMS.—Clause 
(i) 
of 
section 
3672(b)(2)(A) of such title is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) Except as provided in subparagraph 
(C) or (D), an accredited standard college degree 
program offered at a public or not-for-profit pro-
prietary educational institution that— 
‘‘(I) is accredited by an agency or as-
sociation recognized for that purpose by the 
Secretary of Education; and 
‘‘(II) is approved and participates in a 
program under title IV of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), 
unless the Secretary has waived the require-
† HR 7105 EAS 
ment to participate in a program under 
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
sections (a) and (b) shall take effect on August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1016. CLARIFICATION OF ACCREDITATION FOR LAW 
SCHOOLS 
FOR 
PURPOSES 
OF 
THE 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraphs (14)(B) and (15)(B) of 
section 3676(c) of title 38, United States Code, are each 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘an accrediting agency’’ both 
places it appears and inserting ‘‘a specialized accred-
iting agency for programs of legal education’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period the following: 
‘‘, from which recipients of law degrees from such ac-
credited programs are eligible to sit for a bar exam-
ination in any State’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1017. CLARIFICATION OF GROUNDS FOR DISAPPROVAL 
OF A COURSE FOR PURPOSES OF THE EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3679 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(including failure to comply 
with a risk-based survey under this chapter or secure 
an affirmation of approval by the appropriate State 
approving agency following the survey)’’ after ‘‘re-
quirements of this chapter’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(f) In this section, the term ‘risk-based survey’ means 
a risk-based survey developed under section 3673A(a) of this 
title.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1018. REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITU-
TIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3679 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by section 1017 of this title, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(f)(1) Except as provided by paragraph (5), a State 
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role 
of the State approving agency, shall take an action de-
scribed in paragraph (4)(A) if the State approving agency 
or the Secretary, when acting in the role of the State ap-
proving agency, determines that an educational institution 
does not perform any of the following: 
‘‘(A) Prior to the enrollment of a covered indi-
vidual in a course of education at the educational in-
stitution, provide the individual with a form that 
contains information personalized to the individual 
that describes— 
‘‘(i) the estimated total cost of the course, 
including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and any 
other additional costs; 
‘‘(ii) an estimate of the cost for living ex-
penses for students enrolled in the course; 
‘‘(iii) the amount of the costs under clauses 
(i) and (ii) that are covered by the educational 
assistance provided to the individual under 
chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or 
chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, as the case may 
be; 
‘‘(iv) the type and amount of Federal finan-
cial aid not administered by the Secretary and
† HR 7105 EAS 
financial aid offered by the institution that the 
individual may qualify to receive; 
‘‘(v) an estimate of the amount of student 
loan debt the individual would have upon grad-
uation; 
‘‘(vi) information regarding graduation 
rates; 
‘‘(vii) job-placement rates for graduates of 
the course, if available; 
‘‘(viii) information regarding the accept-
ance by the institution of transfer of credits, in-
cluding military credits; 
‘‘(ix) any conditions or additional require-
ments, including training, experience, or exami-
nations, required to obtain the license, certifi-
cation, or approval for which the course of edu-
cation is designed to provide preparation; and 
‘‘(x) other information to facilitate com-
parison by the individual of aid packages offered 
by different educational institutions. 
‘‘(B) Not later than 15 days after the date on 
which the institution (or the governing body of the in-
stitution) determines tuition rates and fees for an 
academic year that is different than the amount being 
charged by the institution, provide a covered indi-
† HR 7105 EAS 
vidual enrolled in a course of education at the edu-
cational institution with the form under subpara-
graph (A) that contains updated information. 
‘‘(C) Maintain policies to— 
‘‘(i) inform each covered individual enrolled 
in a course of education at the educational insti-
tution of the availability of Federal financial aid 
not administered by the Secretary and financial 
aid offered by the institution; and 
‘‘(ii) alert such individual of the potential 
eligibility of the individual for such financial 
aid before packaging or arranging student loans 
or alternative financing programs for the indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(D) Maintain policies to— 
‘‘(i) prohibit the automatic renewal of a 
covered individual in courses and programs of 
education; and 
‘‘(ii) ensure that each covered individual 
approves of the enrollment of the individual in 
a course. 
‘‘(E) Provide to a covered individual enrolled in 
a course of education at the educational institution 
with information regarding the requirements to grad-
uate from such course, including information regard-
† HR 7105 EAS 
ing when required classes will be offered and a 
timeline to graduate. 
‘‘(F) With respect to an accredited educational 
institution, obtain the approval of the accrediting 
agency for each new course or program of the institu-
tion before enrolling covered individuals in such 
courses or programs if the accrediting agency deter-
mines that such approval is appropriate under the 
substantive change requirements of the accrediting 
agency regarding the quality, objectives, scope, or con-
trol of the institution. 
‘‘(G) Maintain a policy that— 
‘‘(i) ensures that members of the Armed 
Forces, including the reserve components and the 
National Guard, who enroll in a course of edu-
cation at the educational institution may be re-
admitted at such institution if such members are 
temporarily unavailable or have to suspend such 
enrollment by reason of serving in the Armed 
Forces; and 
‘‘(ii) otherwise accommodates such members 
during short absences by reason of such service. 
‘‘(H) Designate an employee of the educational 
institution to serve as a point of contact for covered 
individuals and the family of such individuals need-
† HR 7105 EAS 
ing assistance with respect to academic counseling, fi-
nancial counseling, disability counseling, and other 
information regarding completing a course of edu-
cation at such institution, including by referring such 
individuals and family to the appropriate persons for 
such counseling and information. 
‘‘(2) Except as provided by paragraph (5), a State ap-
proving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role 
of the State approving agency, shall take an action de-
scribed in paragraph (4)(A) if the State approving agency, 
the Secretary, or any Federal agency, determines that an 
educational institution does any of the following: 
‘‘(A) Carries out deceptive or persistent recruit-
ing techniques, including on military installations, 
that may include— 
‘‘(i) misrepresentation (as defined in section 
3696(e)(2)(B) of this title) or payment of incen-
tive compensation; 
‘‘(ii) during any 1-month period making 
three or more unsolicited contacts to a covered 
individual, including contacts by phone, email, 
or in-person; or 
‘‘(iii) engaging in same-day recruitment 
and registration.
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(B) Pays inducements, including any gratuity, 
favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, 
transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having 
a monetary value of more than a de minimis amount, 
to any individual or entity, or its agents including 
third party lead generators or marketing firms other 
than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to con-
tractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the 
purpose of securing enrollments of covered individuals 
or obtaining access to educational assistance under 
this title, with the exception of scholarships, grants, 
and tuition reductions provided by the educational 
institution. 
‘‘(3) A State approving agency, or the Secretary when 
acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall take 
an action described in paragraph (4)(A) if the State ap-
proving agency or the Secretary, when acting in the role 
of the State approving agency, determines that an edu-
cational institution is the subject of a negative action made 
by the accrediting agency that accredits the institution, in-
cluding any of the following: 
‘‘(A) Accreditor sanctions. 
‘‘(B) Accreditation probation. 
‘‘(C) The loss of accreditation or candidacy for 
accreditation.
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(5)(A) The Secretary may waive the requirements of 
paragraph (1) or waive the requirements of paragraph (2) 
with respect to an educational institution for a 1-academic- 
year period beginning in August of the year in which the 
waiver is made. A single educational institution may not 
receive waivers under this paragraph for more than 2 con-
secutive academic years. 
‘‘(B) To be considered for a waiver under this para-
graph, an educational institution shall submit to the Sec-
retary an application prior to the first day of the academic 
year for which the waiver is sought. 
‘‘(6) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives the following reports: 
‘‘(A) A report, which shall be made publicly 
available, that includes the following: 
‘‘(i) A summary of each action described in 
paragraph (4)(A) made during the year covered 
by the report, including— 
‘‘(I) the name of the educational insti-
tution; 
‘‘(II) the type of action taken;
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(III) the rationale for the action, in-
cluding how the educational institution was 
not in compliance with this subsection; 
‘‘(IV) the length of time that the edu-
cational institution was not in such compli-
ance; and 
‘‘(V) whether the educational institu-
tion was also not in compliance with this 
subsection during any of the 2 years prior 
to the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(ii) A summary and justifications for the 
waivers made under paragraph (5) during the 
year covered by the report, including the total 
number of waivers each educational institution 
has received. 
‘‘(B) A report containing the recommendations 
of the Secretary with respect to any legislative actions 
the Secretary determines appropriate to ensure that 
this subsection is carried out in a manner that is con-
sistent with the requirements that educational institu-
tions must meet for purposes of other departments or 
agencies of the Federal Government. 
‘‘(7) In this subsection, the term ‘covered individual’ 
means an individual who is pursuing a course of education
† HR 7105 EAS 
at an educational institution under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, 
or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION DATE.—The amendment made by 
this section shall take effect on June 15, 2021, and shall 
apply to an educational institution beginning on August 
1, 2021, except that an educational institution may submit 
an application for a waiver under subsection (f)(5) of sec-
tion 3679 of title 38, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), beginning on June 15, 2021. 
SEC. 1019. OVERPAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS OR VET-
ERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 3685 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) Any overpayment to a veteran or eligible person 
with respect to pursuit by the veteran or eligible person of 
a program of education at an educational institution shall 
constitute a liability of the educational institution to the 
United States if— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary finds that the overpayment 
has been made as the result of— 
‘‘(A) the willful or negligent failure of an 
educational institution to report, as required 
under this chapter or chapter 34 or 35 of this 
title, to the Department of Veterans Affairs exces-
sive absences from a course, or discontinuance or
† HR 7105 EAS 
interruption of a course by the veteran or eligible 
person; or 
‘‘(B) the willful or negligent false certifi-
cation by an educational institution; or 
‘‘(2) the benefit payment sent to an educational 
institution on behalf of an eligible veteran or person 
is made pursuant to— 
‘‘(A) section 3313(h) of this title; 
‘‘(B) section 3317 of this title; or 
‘‘(C) section 3680(d) of this title; or 
‘‘(D) section 3320(d) of this title.’’. 
(b) CLARIFYING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (a) of such 
section is further amended by inserting ‘‘relating to edu-
cational assistance under a law administered by the Sec-
retary’’ after ‘‘made to a veteran or eligible person’’. 
SEC. 1020. IMPROVEMENTS TO LIMITATION ON CERTAIN AD-
VERTISING, SALES, AND ENROLLMENT PRAC-
TICES. 
(a) PROHIBITION ON SUBSTANTIAL MISREPRESENTA-
TION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 3696 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘§ 3696. Prohibition on certain advertising, sales, and 
enrollment practices 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION
ON ENGAGING
IN SUBSTANTIAL 
MISREPRESENTATION.—An educational institution with a 
course or program of education approved under this chap-
ter, and an entity that owns such an educational institu-
tion, shall not engage in substantial misrepresentation de-
scribed in subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) 
SUBSTANTIAL
MISREPRESENTATION
DE-
SCRIBED.—(1) Substantial misrepresentation described in 
this paragraph is substantial misrepresentation by an edu-
cational institution, a representative of the institution, or 
any person with whom the institution has an agreement 
to provide educational programs, marketing, advertising, 
recruiting or admissions services, concerning any of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) The nature of the educational program of 
the institution, including misrepresentation regard-
ing— 
‘‘(i) the particular type, specific source, or 
nature and extent, of the accreditation of the in-
stitution or a course of education at the institu-
tion; 
‘‘(ii) whether a student may transfer course 
credits to another institution;
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(iii) conditions under which the institu-
tion will accept transfer credits earned at an-
other institution; 
‘‘(iv) whether successful completion of a 
course of instruction qualifies a student— 
‘‘(I) for acceptance to a labor union or 
similar organization; or 
‘‘(II) to receive, to apply to take, or to 
take an examination required to receive a 
local, State, or Federal license, or a non-
governmental certification required as a 
precondition for employment, or to perform 
certain functions in the States in which the 
educational program is offered, or to meet 
additional conditions that the institution 
knows or reasonably should know are gen-
erally needed to secure employment in a 
recognized occupation for which the pro-
gram is represented to prepare students; 
‘‘(v) the requirements for successfully com-
pleting the course of study or program and the 
circumstances that would constitute grounds for 
terminating the student’s enrollment; 
‘‘(vi) whether the courses of education at the 
institution are recommended or have been the
† HR 7105 EAS 
subject of unsolicited testimonials or endorse-
ments by— 
‘‘(I) vocational counselors, high schools, 
colleges, educational organizations, employ-
ment agencies, members of a particular in-
dustry, students, former students, or others; 
or 
‘‘(II) officials of a local or State gov-
ernment or the Federal Government; 
‘‘(vii) the size, location, facilities, or equip-
ment of the institution; 
‘‘(viii) the availability, frequency, and ap-
propriateness of the courses of education and 
programs to the employment objectives that the 
institution states the courses and programs are 
designed to meet; 
‘‘(ix) the nature, age, and availability of the 
training devices or equipment of the institution 
and the appropriateness to the employment ob-
jectives that the institution states the courses and 
programs are designed to meet; 
‘‘(x) the number, availability, and quali-
fications, including the training and experience, 
of the faculty and other personnel of the institu-
tion;
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(B) The financial charges of the institution, in-
cluding misrepresentation regarding— 
‘‘(i) offers of scholarships to pay all or part 
of a course charge; 
‘‘(ii) whether a particular charge is the cus-
tomary charge at the institution for a course; 
‘‘(iii) the cost of the program and the re-
fund policy of the institution if the student does 
not complete the program; 
‘‘(iv) the availability or nature of any fi-
nancial assistance offered to students, including 
a student’s responsibility to repay any loans, re-
gardless of whether the student is successful in 
completing the program and obtaining employ-
ment; and 
‘‘(v) the student’s right to reject any par-
ticular type of financial aid or other assistance, 
or whether the student must apply for a par-
ticular type of financial aid, such as financing 
offered by the institution. 
‘‘(C) The employability of the graduates of the 
institution, including misrepresentation regarding— 
‘‘(i) the relationship of the institution with 
any organization, employment agency, or other
† HR 7105 EAS 
agency providing authorized training leading di-
rectly to employment; 
‘‘(ii) the plans of the institution to main-
tain a placement service for graduates or other-
wise assist graduates to obtain employment; 
‘‘(iii) the knowledge of the institution about 
the current or likely future conditions, compensa-
tion, or employment opportunities in the indus-
try or occupation for which the students are 
being prepared; 
‘‘(iv) job market statistics maintained by 
the Federal Government in relation to the poten-
tial placement of the graduates of the institution; 
and 
‘‘(v) other requirements that are generally 
needed to be employed in the fields for which the 
training is provided, such as requirements re-
lated to commercial driving licenses or permits 
to carry firearms, and failing to disclose factors 
that would prevent an applicant from qualifying 
for such requirements, such as prior criminal 
records or preexisting medical conditions. 
‘‘(2) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘misleading statement’ includes 
any communication, action, omission, or intimation
† HR 7105 EAS 
made in writing, visually, orally, or through other 
means, that has the likelihood or tendency to mislead 
the intended recipient of the communication under 
the circumstances in which the communication is 
made. Such term includes the use of student endorse-
ments or testimonials for an educational institution 
that a student gives to the institution either under 
duress or because the institution required the student 
to make such an endorsement or testimonial to par-
ticipate in a program of education. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘misrepresentation’ means any 
false, erroneous, or misleading statement, action, 
omission, or intimation made directly or indirectly to 
a student, a prospective student, the public, an ac-
crediting agency, a State agency, or to the Secretary 
by an eligible institution, one of its representatives, or 
any person with whom the institution has an agree-
ment to provide educational programs, marketing, ad-
vertising, recruiting or admissions services. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘substantial misrepresentation’ 
means misrepresentation in which the person to 
whom it was made could reasonably be expected to 
rely, or has reasonably relied, to that person’s det-
riment.
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION
ON CERTAIN COMMISSIONS, BO-
NUSES, AND OTHER INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.—An edu-
cational institution with a course or program of education 
approved under this chapter, and an entity that owns such 
an educational institution, shall not provide any commis-
sion, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or 
indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial 
aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student re-
cruiting or admission activities or in making decisions re-
garding the award of student financial assistance. 
‘‘(d) REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN RECORDS.—(1) To 
ensure compliance with this section, any educational insti-
tution offering courses approved for the enrollment of eligi-
ble persons or veterans shall maintain a complete record 
of all advertising, sales, or enrollment materials (and copies 
thereof) utilized by or on behalf of the institution during 
the preceding two-year period. Such record shall be avail-
able for inspection by the State approving agency or the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(2) Such materials shall include but are not limited 
to any direct mail pieces, brochures, printed literature used 
by sales persons, films, video tapes, and audio tapes dis-
seminated through broadcast media, material disseminated 
through print, digital, or electronic media, tear sheets, leaf-
lets, handbills, fliers, and any sales or recruitment manuals
† HR 7105 EAS 
used to instruct sales personnel, agents, or representatives 
of such institution. 
‘‘(e) AGREEMENT WITH FEDERAL TRADE COMMIS-
SION.—(1) The Secretary shall, pursuant to section 3694 
of this title, enter into an agreement with the Federal Trade 
Commission to utilize, where appropriate, its services and 
facilities, consistent with its available resources, in car-
rying out investigations and making the Under Secretary 
of Benefit’s preliminary findings under subsection (g)(1). 
‘‘(2) Such agreement shall provide that cases arising 
under subsection (a) of this section or any similar matters 
with respect to any of the requirements of this chapter or 
chapters 34 and 35 of this title may be referred to the Fed-
eral Trade Commission which in its discretion will conduct 
an investigation and make preliminary findings. 
‘‘(3) The findings and results of any investigation 
under paragraph (2) shall be referred to the Under Sec-
retary for Benefits, who shall take appropriate action under 
subsection (g) in such cases not later than 60 days after 
the date of such referral. 
‘‘(f) FINAL
JUDGMENTS
FROM
OTHER
FEDERAL 
AGENCIES.—Whenever the Secretary becomes aware of a 
final judgment by a Federal agency against an educational 
institution or owner of an educational institution per-
taining to substantial misrepresentation described in sub-
† HR 7105 EAS 
section (b) or of other credible evidence relating to a viola-
tion of subsection (a), the Secretary, in partnership with 
the applicable State approving agency, shall— 
‘‘(1) within 30 days, alert the educational insti-
tution or owner that it is at risk of losing approval 
under this chapter of its courses or programs of edu-
cation; 
‘‘(2) provide the educational institution or owner 
60 days to provide any information it wishes to the 
Secretary; 
‘‘(3) require the educational institution or owner 
to submit to the Secretary a report prepared by an 
approved third-party auditor of the advertising and 
enrollment practices of the educational institution or 
owner; and 
‘‘(4) refer the matter to the Under Secretary of 
Benefits, who may thereafter make a preliminary 
finding under subsection (g). 
‘‘(g) PRELIMINARY FINDINGS, FINAL DETERMINA-
TIONS, AND PROCESSES.—(1) The Under Secretary for Ben-
efits shall make preliminary findings and final determina-
tions on violations of subsections (a), (c), and (d). 
‘‘(2)(A) The Under Secretary shall establish a process 
for making preliminary findings and final determinations 
under paragraph (1).
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(B) The process established under subparagraph (A) 
shall— 
‘‘(i) clearly define what triggers an oversight 
visit by the Under Secretary for purposes of enforcing 
subsections (a), (c), and (d); 
‘‘(ii) set forth factors an educational institution, 
or the owner of the educational institution, must meet 
in order to retain approval status under this section, 
including with respect to the factors set forth under 
subsection (h)(2); 
‘‘(iii) include a process for the provision of no-
tice to an educational institution, or the owner of the 
educational institution, that the Under Secretary has 
made a preliminary finding under paragraph (1) 
that the education institution or owner has violated 
subsection (a), (c), or (d), which the Under Secretary 
shall provide to the educational institution or owner 
within such period after making the preliminary 
finding as the Under Secretary shall establish for 
purposes of this clause, except that, in every case, 
such period shall end before the date on which the 
Under Secretary makes a final determination under 
such paragraph; and 
‘‘(iv) include—
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(I) a process for receipt of findings from a 
third-party pertinent to this section; and 
‘‘(II) a process for an educational institu-
tion or an owner to provide such information as 
the educational institution or owner determines 
appropriate to the Secretary, including informa-
tion about corrective actions the educational in-
stitution or owner may have taken in response 
to preliminary findings under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(C) The process established under subparagraph (A) 
shall not prohibit a State approving agency from— 
‘‘(i) independently investigating a potential vio-
lation of subsection (a), (c), or (d); or 
‘‘(ii) taking action if the State approving agency 
finds a violation of subsection (a), (c), or (d). 
‘‘(3) Upon a preliminary finding under this subsection 
of a violation of subsection (a), (c), or (d) by an educational 
institution, or the owner of an educational institution, the 
Under Secretary shall require the educational institution 
or owner to submit to the Under Secretary a report pre-
pared by an approved third-party auditor of the adver-
tising and enrollment practices of the educational institu-
tion or owner. 
‘‘(4)(A) Before making a final determination under 
this subsection regarding a violation of subsection (a), (c),
† HR 7105 EAS 
or (d) by an educational institution or owner of an edu-
cational institution, the Under Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) review the practices of the educational insti-
tution or owner that pertain to activities and prac-
tices covered by subsections (a), (c), and (d); 
‘‘(ii) consider the results of a risk-based survey 
conducted by a State approving agency, if available; 
and 
‘‘(iii) review— 
‘‘(I) the findings and information received 
pursuant to the processes established under para-
graph (2)(B)(iii); 
‘‘(II) in a case in which a report was sub-
mitted under subsection (f)(3), such report; 
‘‘(III) the report submitted under para-
graph (3)(B) of this subsection; 
‘‘(IV) any findings and results submitted 
under subsection (e)(3); 
‘‘(V) the marketing and outreach material 
of the educational institution and the contractors 
of the educational institution. 
‘‘(B) The Under Secretary may not make a final deter-
mination under this subsection solely based on preliminary 
findings.
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(5) The Under Secretary may not delegate authority 
to make a final determination under this subsection, includ-
ing to any employee of the Department or to the Federal 
Trade Commission. 
‘‘(h) ENFORCEMENT.—(1)(A) Upon a final determina-
tion by the Under Secretary for Benefits under subsection 
(g) that an educational institution or the owner of an edu-
cational institution violated subsection (a), (c), or (d), the 
Under Secretary shall, but subject to subparagraphs (B), 
(C), and (D) of this paragraph, take one of the following 
actions independent of any actions taken under section 
3690 of this title: 
‘‘(i) Publish a caution flag on the GI Bill Com-
parison Tool, or successor tool, about that educational 
institution and alert its currently enrolled eligible 
veterans and eligible persons. 
‘‘(ii) Suspend the approval of the courses and 
programs of education offered by the educational in-
stitution by disapproving new enrollments of eligible 
veterans and eligible persons in each course or pro-
gram of education offered by that educational institu-
tion. 
‘‘(iii) Revoke the approval of the courses and 
programs of education offered by the educational in-
stitution by disapproving all enrollments of eligible
† HR 7105 EAS 
veterans and eligible persons in each course or pro-
gram of education offered by that educational institu-
tion. 
‘‘(B) In deciding upon a course of action under sub-
paragraph (A), for the first violation of this section, the 
Secretary shall consider the factors set forth in paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(C) Subject to subsection (i), any repeat violation and 
final finding within five years of the first violation of this 
section shall result in— 
‘‘(i) a suspension of approval of new enrollments 
as described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of this para-
graph until reinstatement under subsection (j); or 
‘‘(ii) a revocation of approval under this chapter 
as described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of this para-
graph until reinstatement under subsection (j). 
‘‘(D) Subject to subsection (i), any third violation 
within three years of the second violation of this section 
shall result in revocation of approval under this chapter 
as described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of this paragraph 
until reinstatement under subsection (j). 
‘‘(E) Any action taken under subparagraph (A) of this 
paragraph regarding a violation of subsection (a), (c), or 
(d) by an educational institution or the owner of an edu-
cational institution shall be taken on or before the date that
† HR 7105 EAS 
is 180 days after the date on which the Under Secretary 
provided notice to the educational institution or owner re-
garding the violation in accordance with the process estab-
lished under subsection (g)(2)(B)(iii). 
‘‘(2) The factors set forth in this paragraph are the 
following: 
‘‘(A) That the Secretary’s action brings sufficient 
deterrence for future fraud against students and the 
programs of education carried out under this title. 
Fraud against veterans must be met with a repercus-
sion strong enough to send a deterrent message to this 
and other educational institutions and owners. 
‘‘(B) That the educational institution has se-
cured an approved third-party auditor to verify the 
educational institution’s, or owner’s, advertising and 
enrollment practices for at least three years going for-
ward. 
‘‘(C) That the educational institution or owner 
has repudiated the deceptive practices and has com-
municated to all employees that deceptive practices 
will not be tolerated, and has instituted strong gov-
ernance procedures to prevent recurrence. 
‘‘(D) That the educational institution has taken 
steps to remove any pressure on its enrollment re-
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(iii) Materials that were submitted to the Sec-
retary after the date of the final determination under 
subsection (g) that was the subject of the final deci-
sion under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) of this subsection 
and before the date on which the Secretary issued 
such final decision. 
‘‘(j) REINSTATEMENT OF APPROVAL.—(1) If an edu-
cational institution or the owner of an educational institu-
tion has had the approval of the courses or programs of 
education of the educational institution suspended as de-
scribed in clause (ii) of subsection (h)(1)(A) or revoked as 
described in clause (iii) of such subsection for a violation 
of subsection (a), (c), or (d) pursuant to subparagraph (C) 
or (D) of subsection (h)(1), the educational institution or 
owner may submit to the applicable State approving agency 
or the Secretary when acting as a State approving agency 
an application for reinstatement of approval under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(2) Approval under this chapter may not be rein-
stated under this subsection until— 
‘‘(A) the educational institution or owner sub-
mits to the applicable State approving agency or the 
Secretary when acting as a State approving agency 
an application for reinstatement of approval under 
paragraph (1);
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(B) the date that is 540 days after the date of 
the most recent suspension or revocation described in 
paragraph (1) of the educational institution or owner; 
‘‘(C) the educational institution submits a report 
by an approved third-party auditor on the adver-
tising and enrollment practices of the educational in-
stitution, including those of its third-party contrac-
tors; 
‘‘(D) procedures are in place to prevent any fu-
ture violation of subsection (a), (c), or (d); 
‘‘(E) that the educational institution has met all 
factors set forth in subsection (h)(2); and 
‘‘(F) the Secretary agrees to such reinstatement. 
‘‘(k) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING STATE AP-
PROVING AGENCIES AND RISK-BASED SURVEYS.—Nothing 
in this section shall be construed to prohibit a State approv-
ing agency from conducting any risk-based survey the State 
approving agency considers appropriate at any educational 
institution that it considers appropriate for oversight pur-
poses. 
‘‘(l) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘approved third-party auditor’ 
means an independent third-party auditor that is ap-
proved by the Secretary for purposes of third-party 
audits under this section.
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(2) The term ‘risk-based survey’ means the risk- 
based survey developed under section 3673A of this 
title.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 3696 
and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘3696. Prohibition on certain advertising, sales, and enrollment practices.’’. 
(b) 
REQUIREMENTS
FOR
NONACCREDITED 
COURSES.—Paragraph (10) of section 3676(c) of such title 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(10) The institution, and any entity that owns 
the institution, does not engage in substantial mis-
representation described in section 3696(e) of this 
title. The institution shall not be deemed to have met 
this requirement until the State approving agency— 
‘‘(A) has ascertained that no Federal de-
partment or agency has taken a punitive action, 
not including a settlement agreement, against 
the school for misleading or deceptive practices; 
‘‘(B) has, if such an order has been issued, 
given due weight to that fact; and 
‘‘(C) has reviewed the complete record of ad-
vertising, sales, or enrollment materials (and 
copies thereof) used by or on behalf of the institu-
tion during the preceding 12-month period.’’.
† HR 7105 EAS 
(c) APPLICATION DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on August 1, 2021. 
SEC. 1021. CHARGE TO ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT 
TRANSFER CREDITS FROM CERTAIN CLOSED 
OR 
DISAPPROVED 
PROGRAMS 
OF 
EDU-
CATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (c) of section 3699 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) PERIOD NOT CHARGED.—(1) The period for 
which, by reason of this subsection, educational assistance 
is not charged against entitlement or counted toward the 
applicable aggregate period under section 3695 of this title 
shall not exceed the aggregate of— 
‘‘(A) the portion of the period of enrollment in 
the course from which the individual did not receive 
credit or with respect to which the individual lost 
training time, as determined under subsection (b)(2); 
and 
‘‘(B) the period by which a monthly stipend is 
extended under section 3680(a)(2)(B) of this title. 
‘‘(2)(A) An individual described in subparagraph (B) 
who transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of edu-
cation that is closed or disapproved as described in sub-
section (b)(1) shall be deemed to be an individual who did
† HR 7105 EAS 
not receive such credits, as described in subsection (b)(2), 
except that the period for which such individual’s entitle-
ment is not charged shall be the entire period of the individ-
ual’s enrollment in the program of education. In carrying 
out this subparagraph, the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Education, shall establish procedures to de-
termine whether the individual transferred credits to a com-
parable course or program of education. 
‘‘(B) An individual described in this subparagraph is 
an individual who is enrolled in a course or program of 
education closed or discontinued as described in subsection 
(b)(1) during the period beginning on the date that is 120 
days before the date of such closure or discontinuance and 
ending on the date of such closure or discontinuance, as 
the case may be. 
‘‘(C) This paragraph shall apply with respect to a 
course or program of education closed or discontinued before 
September 30, 2023.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1022. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TREAT-
MENT OF FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTI-
TUTIONS CONVERTED TO NONPROFIT EDU-
CATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(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: 
‘‘§ 3699B. Treatment of certain for-profit educational 
institutions 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any for-profit edu-
cational institution that is converted to a nonprofit edu-
cational institution, the State approving agency or the Sec-
retary when acting as a State approving agency shall con-
duct annual risk-based surveys of the institution during the 
three-year period beginning on the date on which the edu-
cational institution is so converted. 
‘‘(b) RISK-BASED SURVEY DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘risk-based survey’ means the risk-based survey de-
veloped under section 3673A of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 3699A the following new item: 
‘‘3699B. Treatment of certain for-profit educational institutions.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—Section 3699B of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with 
respect to the conversion of a for-profit educational institu-
† HR 7105 EAS 
tion to a nonprofit educational institution that occurs on 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 1023. AUTHORITY OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES TO 
CONDUCT OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. 
Section 3673 of title 38, United States Code, as amend-
ed by section 1014 of this title, is further amended by add-
ing at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.—(1) A State approving 
agency may conduct outreach activities if— 
‘‘(A) the State approving agency has properly 
conducted its enforcement and approval of courses 
and programs of education under this chapter; and 
‘‘(B) funds are still available to do so. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), a State ap-
proving agency shall be considered to have properly con-
ducted its enforcement and approval of courses and pro-
grams of education under this chapter if the State approv-
ing agency has— 
‘‘(A) met fulfilled its requirements pursuant to 
the applicable cooperative agreements between the 
State approving agency and the Department relating 
to the oversight and approval of courses and pro-
grams of education under this chapter; and 
‘‘(B) completed a risk-based survey of any course 
or program of education determined to be of question-
† HR 7105 EAS 
able quality or at risk by any Federal or State agen-
cy or any accrediting agency. 
‘‘(3) Outreach activities conducted under paragraph 
(1) shall be carried out using amounts derived from 
amounts not specifically appropriated to carry out this sub-
section.’’. 
SEC. 1024. LIMITATION ON COLOCATION AND ADMINISTRA-
TION OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3671 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(c) A State department or agency may not be recog-
nized as a State approving agency designated under this 
section if such State department or agency is administered 
at or colocated with a university or university system whose 
courses or programs of education would be subject to ap-
proval under this chapter by the State approving agency 
in that State.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1025. ELIMINATION OF PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR 
TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR CER-
TAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
DISABILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3103 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘or (e)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(e), or (g)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(g) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a veteran who 
was discharged or released from active military, naval, or 
air service on or after January 1, 2013.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 6(c) of the 
Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (134 
Stat. 633; Public Law 116–140) is amended by striking 
paragraph (1). 
Subtitle B—Pandemic Assistance 
SEC. 1101. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) COVERED
PROGRAM
OF
EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘covered program of education’’ means a pro-
gram of education (as defined in section 3002 of title 
38, United States Code) approved by a State approv-
ing agency, or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs when 
acting in the role of a State approving agency.
† HR 7105 EAS 
(2) 
COVID–19 
EMERGENCY.—The 
term 
‘‘COVID–19 emergency’’ means the public health 
emergency declared pursuant to section 319 of the 
Public Health Service Act on January 31, 2020, enti-
tled ‘‘Determination that a Public Health Emergency 
Exists Nationwide as the Result of the 2019 Novel 
Coronavirus’’. 
(3) 
EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION.—The 
term 
‘‘educational institution’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 3452(c) of title 38, United States 
Code, and includes an institution of higher learning 
(as defined in such section). 
(4) STATE
APPROVING
AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘State approving agency’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 3671 of title 38, United States Code. 
(5) 
TRAINING
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
term 
‘‘training establishment’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 3452(e) of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(6) TRAINING.—The term ‘‘training’’ includes 
on-job training and apprenticeship programs and vo-
cational rehabilitation programs.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 1102. CONTINUATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENE-
FITS DURING COVID–19 EMERGENCY. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—If the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
determines under subsection (c) that an individual is nega-
tively affected by the COVID–19 emergency, the Secretary 
may provide educational assistance to that individual 
under the laws administered by the Secretary as if such 
negative effects did not occur. The authority under this sec-
tion is in addition to the authority provided under section 
1 of Public Law 116–128 (38 U.S.C. 3001 note prec.), but 
in no case may the Secretary provide more than a total 
of four weeks of additional educational assistance by reason 
of section 4 of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response 
Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–140; 38 U.S.C. 3680 note) 
and this section. 
(b) HOUSING AND ALLOWANCES.—In providing edu-
cational assistance to an individual pursuant to subsection 
(a), the Secretary may— 
(1) continue to pay a monthly housing stipend 
under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, dur-
ing a month the individual would have been enrolled 
in a program of education or training but for the 
COVID–19 emergency at the same rate such stipend 
would have been payable if the individual had not 
been negatively affected by the COVID–19 emergency,
† HR 7105 EAS 
except that the total number of weeks for which sti-
pends may continue to be so payable may not exceed 
four weeks; and 
(2) continue to pay payments or subsistence al-
lowances under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, and 35 of 
such title and chapter 1606 of title 10, United States 
Code, during a month for a period of time that the 
individual would have been enrolled in a program of 
education or training but for the COVID–19 emer-
gency, except that the total number of weeks for which 
payments or allowances may continue to be so pay-
able may not exceed four weeks. 
(c) DETERMINATION
OF NEGATIVE EFFECTS.—The 
Secretary shall determine that an individual was negatively 
affected by the COVID–19 emergency if— 
(1) the individual is enrolled in a covered pro-
gram of education of an educational institution or 
enrolled in training at a training establishment and 
is pursuing such program or training using edu-
cational assistance under the laws administered by 
the Secretary; 
(2) the educational institution or training estab-
lishment certifies to the Secretary that such program 
or training is truncated, delayed, relocated, canceled, 
partially canceled, converted from being on-site to
† HR 7105 EAS 
being offered by distance learning, or otherwise modi-
fied or made unavailable by reason of the COVID–19 
emergency; and 
(3) the Secretary determines that the modifica-
tion to such program or training specified under 
paragraph (2) would reduce the amount of edu-
cational assistance (including with respect to monthly 
housing stipends, payments, or subsistence allow-
ances) that would be payable to the individual but for 
the COVID–19 emergency. 
(d) EFFECT ON ENTITLEMENT PERIOD.—If the Sec-
retary determines that an individual who received assist-
ance under this section did not make progress toward the 
completion of the program of education in which the indi-
vidual is enrolled during the period for which the indi-
vidual received such assistance, any assistance provided 
pursuant to this section shall not be counted for purposes 
of determining the total amount of an individual’s entitle-
ment to educational assistance, housing stipends, or pay-
ments or subsistence allowances under chapters 30, 31, 32, 
and 35 of such title and chapter 1606 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(e) APPLICABILITY PERIOD.—This section shall apply 
during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending 
on December 21, 2021.
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SEC. 1103. EFFECTS OF CLOSURE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTI-
TUTION AND MODIFICATION OF COURSES BY 
REASON OF COVID–19 EMERGENCY. 
(a) CLOSURE
OR DISAPPROVAL.—Any payment of 
educational assistance described in subsection (b) shall 
not— 
(1) be charged against any entitlement to edu-
cational assistance of the individual concerned; or 
(2) be counted against the aggregate period for 
which section 3695 of title 38, United States Code, 
limits the receipt of educational assistance by such in-
dividual. 
(b) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE DESCRIBED.—Subject 
to subsection (d), the payment of educational assistance de-
scribed in this subsection is the payment of such assistance 
to an individual for pursuit of a course or program of edu-
cation at an educational institution under chapter 30, 31, 
32, 33, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 
1606 of title 10, United States Code, if the Secretary deter-
mines that the individual— 
(1) was unable to complete such course or pro-
gram as a result of— 
(A) the closure of the educational institu-
tion, or the full or partial cancellation of a 
course or program of education, by reason of the 
COVID–19 emergency; or
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(B) the disapproval of the course or a course 
that is a necessary part of that program under 
chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, be-
cause the course was modified by reason of such 
emergency; and 
(2) did not receive credit or lost training time, 
toward completion of the program of education being 
so pursued. 
(c) HOUSING ASSISTANCE.—In this section, edu-
cational assistance includes, as applicable— 
(1) monthly housing stipends payable under 
chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, for any 
month the individual would have been enrolled in a 
course or program of education; and 
(2) payments or subsistence allowances under 
chapters 30, 31, 32, and 35 of such title and chapter 
1606 of title 10, United States Code, during a month 
the individual would have been enrolled in a course 
or program of education. 
(d) PERIOD NOT CHARGED.—The period for which, by 
reason of this subsection, educational assistance is not 
charged against entitlement or counted toward the applica-
ble aggregate period under section 3695 of title 38, United 
States Code, shall not exceed the aggregate of—
† HR 7105 EAS 
(1) the portion of the period of enrollment in the 
course from which the individual did not receive cred-
it or with respect to which the individual lost train-
ing time, as determined under subsection (b)(2); and 
(2) the period by which a monthly stipend is ex-
tended under section 3680(a)(2)(B) of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(e) 
CONTINUING
PURSUIT
OF
DISAPPROVED 
COURSES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may treat a 
course of education that is disapproved under chapter 
36 of title 38, United States Code, as being approved 
under such chapter with respect to an individual de-
scribed in paragraph (2) if the Secretary determines, 
on a programmatic basis, that— 
(A) such disapproval is the result of an ac-
tion described in subsection (b)(1)(B); and 
(B) continuing pursuing such course is in 
the best interest of the individual. 
(2) INDIVIDUAL DESCRIBED.—An individual de-
scribed in this paragraph is an individual who is 
pursuing a course of education at an educational in-
stitution under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of title 
38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 of title 10,
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United States Code, as of the date on which the course 
is disapproved as described in subsection (b)(1)(B). 
(f) STATUS AS FULL-TIME STUDENT FOR PURPOSES 
OF HOUSING STIPEND CALCULATION.—In the case of an 
individual who, as of the first day of the COVID–19 emer-
gency was enrolled on a full-time basis in a program of 
education and was receiving educational assistance under 
chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, or subsistence 
allowance under chapter 31 of such title, and for whom the 
Secretary makes a determination under subsection (b), the 
individual shall be treated as an individual enrolled in a 
program of education on a full-time basis for the purpose 
of calculating monthly housing stipends payable under 
chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, or subsistence 
allowance payable under chapter 31 of such title, for any 
month the individual is enrolled in the program of edu-
cation on a part-time basis to complete any course of edu-
cation that was partially or fully canceled by reason of the 
COVID–19 emergency. 
(g) NOTICE OF CLOSURES.—Not later than 5 business 
days after the date on which the Secretary receives notice 
that an educational institution will close or is closed by 
reason of the COVID–19 emergency, the Secretary shall pro-
vide to each individual who is enrolled in a course or pro-
gram of education at such educational institution using en-
† HR 7105 EAS 
titlement to educational assistance under chapter 30, 31, 
32, 33, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 
1606 of title 10, United States Code, notice of— 
(1) such closure and the date of such closure; and 
(2) the effect of such closure on the individual’s 
entitlement to educational assistance pursuant to this 
section. 
(h) APPLICABILITY.—This section shall apply with re-
spect to the closure of an educational institution, or the can-
cellation or modification of a course or program of edu-
cation, that occurs during the period beginning on March 
1, 2020, and ending on December 21, 2021. 
SEC. 1104. PAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN 
CASES OF WITHDRAWAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any individual who 
withdraws from a program of education or training, other 
than a program by correspondence, in an educational insti-
tution under chapter 31, 34, or 35 of title 38, United States 
Code, for a covered reason during the period beginning on 
March 1, 2020, and ending on December 21, 2021, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall find mitigating cir-
cumstances for purposes of section 3680(a)(1)(C)(ii) of title 
38, United States Code.
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(b) COVERED REASON.—In this section, the term ‘‘cov-
ered reason’’ means any reason related to the COVID–19 
emergency, including— 
(1) illness, quarantine, or social distancing re-
quirements; 
(2) issues associated with COVID–19 testing ac-
cessibility; 
(3) access or availability of childcare; 
(4) providing care for a family member or co-
habitants; 
(5) change of location or residence due to 
COVID–19 or associated school closures; 
(6) employment changes or financial hardship; 
and 
(7) issues associated with changes in format or 
medium of instruction. 
SEC. 1105. MODIFICATION OF TIME LIMITATIONS ON USE 
OF ENTITLEMENT. 
(a) MONTGOMERY GI BILL.—The subsection (i) tempo-
rarily added to section 3031 of title 38, United States Code, 
by subsection (a) of section 6 of the Student Veteran 
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–140) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the period the 
individual is so prevented from pursuing such pro-
† HR 7105 EAS 
gram’’ and inserting ‘‘the period beginning on March 
1, 2020, and ending on December 21, 2021’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘the first day 
after the individual is able to resume pursuit of a 
program of education with educational assistance 
under this chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘December 22, 
2021’’. 
(b) VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND TRAINING.— 
The subsection (g) temporarily added to section 3103 of title 
38, United States Code, by subsection (c) of such section 
6 is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the period the 
individual is so prevented from participating such 
program’’ and inserting ‘‘the period beginning on 
March 1, 2020, and ending on December 21, 2021’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘the first day 
after the individual is able to resume participation in 
such program’’ and inserting ‘‘December 22, 2021’’. 
SEC. 1106. APPRENTICESHIP OR ON-JOB TRAINING RE-
QUIREMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—During the period described in sub-
section (b), subsection (e) of section 3687 of title 38, United 
States Code, shall be applied by substituting the following 
for paragraph (2):
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‘‘(2)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), 
for any month in which an individual fails to com-
plete 120 hours of training, the entitlement otherwise 
chargeable under paragraph (1) shall be reduced in 
the same proportion as the monthly training assist-
ance allowance payable is reduced under subsection 
(b)(3). 
‘‘(B) In the case of an individual who is unem-
ployed during any month, the 120-hour requirement 
under subparagraph (A) for that month shall be re-
duced proportionately to reflect the individual’s pe-
riod of unemployment, except that the amount of 
monthly training assistance otherwise payable to the 
individual under subsection (b)(3) shall not be re-
duced. 
‘‘(C) Any period during which an individual is 
unemployed shall not— 
‘‘(i) be charged against any entitlement to 
educational assistance of the individual; or 
‘‘(ii) be counted against the aggregate pe-
riod for which section 3695 of this title limits the 
receipt of educational assistance by such indi-
vidual.
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‘‘(D) Any amount by which the entitlement of an 
individual is reduced under subparagraph (A) shall 
not— 
‘‘(i) be charged against any entitlement to 
educational assistance of the individual; or 
‘‘(ii) be counted against the aggregate pe-
riod for which section 3695 of this title limits the 
receipt of educational assistance by such indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(E) In the case of an individual who fails to 
complete 120 hours of training during a month, but 
who completed more than 120 hours of training dur-
ing the preceding month, the individual may apply 
the number of hours in excess of 120 that the indi-
vidual completed for that month to the month for 
which the individual failed to complete 120 hours. If 
the addition of such excess hours results in a total of 
120 hours or more, the individual shall be treated as 
an individual who has completed 120 hours of train-
ing for that month. Any excess hours applied to a dif-
ferent month under this subparagraph may only be 
applied to one such month. 
‘‘(F) This paragraph applies to amounts de-
scribed in section 3313(g)(3)(B)(iv) and section
† HR 7105 EAS 
3032(c)(2) of this title and section 16131(d)(2) of title 
10. 
‘‘(G) In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) The term ‘unemployed’ includes being 
furloughed or being scheduled to work zero hours. 
‘‘(ii) The term ‘fails to complete 120 hours 
of training’ means, with respect to an indi-
vidual, that during any month, the individual 
completes at least one hour, but fewer than 120 
hours, of training, including in a case in which 
the individual is unemployed for part of, but not 
the whole, month.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY PERIOD.—The period described in 
this section is the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and 
ending on December 21, 2021. 
SEC. 1107. INCLUSION OF TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATED TO COVID–19 
EMERGENCY. 
(a) CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS.—Section 1 of Public 
Law 116–128 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘or a training 
establishment’’ after ‘‘an educational institution’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph:
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‘‘(4) 
TRAINING
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
term 
‘training establishment’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 3452(e) of title 38, United States 
Code.’’. 
(b) PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES.—Section 4(a)(1) of the 
Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (Public 
Law 116–140; 38 U.S.C. 3680 note) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘or a training establishment’’ after ‘‘educational insti-
tution’’. 
(c) PROHIBITION OF CHARGE TO ENTITLEMENT.—The 
subparagraph (C) temporarily added to section 3699(b)(1) 
of title 38, United States Code, by section 5 of the Student 
Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 
116–140; 38 U.S.C. 3699 note) is amended by inserting ‘‘or 
training establishment’’ after ‘‘educational institution’’. 
(d) EXTENSION OF TIME LIMITATIONS.— 
(1) MGIB.—The subsection (i) temporarily 
added to section 3031 of title 38, United States Code, 
by subsection (a) of section 6 of the Student Veteran 
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 116– 
140), as amended by section 1105 of this title, is fur-
ther amended by inserting ‘‘or training establish-
ment’’ after ‘‘educational institution’’. 
(2) TRANSFER PERIOD.—The subparagraph (C) 
temporarily added to section 3319(h)(5) of such title
† HR 7105 EAS 
by section 6 of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Re-
sponse Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–140) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘or training establishment’’ after ‘‘edu-
cational institution’’. 
SEC. 1108. TREATMENT OF PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES 
UNDER STUDENT VETERAN CORONAVIRUS 
RESPONSE ACT. 
Section 4 of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response 
Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–140) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘may not exceed four 
weeks.’’ and inserting ‘‘may not exceed the short-
er of the following:’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) The period of time that the eligible veteran 
or eligible person would have been enrolled in a pro-
gram of education or training but for the emergency 
situation. 
‘‘(2) Four weeks.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(e) ENTITLEMENT NOT CHARGED.—Any payment of 
allowances under this section shall not—
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(1) be charged against any entitlement to edu-
cational assistance of the eligible veteran or eligible 
person concerned; or 
‘‘(2) be counted against the aggregate period for 
which section 3695 of this title 38, United States 
Code, limits the receipt of educational assistance by 
such eligible veteran or eligible person.’’. 
TITLE II—BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Benefits Generally 
SEC. 2001. REVISION OF DEFINITION OF VIETNAM ERA FOR 
PURPOSES OF THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY 
THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 101(29)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘February 28, 1961’’ and inserting 
‘‘November 1, 1955’’. 
SEC. 2002. MATTERS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL DISABILITY EXAMI-
NATIONS. 
(a) TEMPORARY CLARIFICATION OF LICENSURE RE-
QUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACTOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS 
TO PERFORM MEDICAL DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS FOR 
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER PILOT 
PROGRAM FOR USE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS FOR DIS-
ABILITY EXAMINATIONS.—
† HR 7105 EAS 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (c) of section 504 
of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 
(Public Law 104–275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT HEALTH CARE PRO-
FESSIONALS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law re-
garding the licensure of health care professionals, a 
health care professional described in paragraph (2) 
may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract 
entered into under subsection (a) at any location in 
any State, the District of Columbia, or a Common-
wealth, territory, or possession of the United States, 
so long as the examination is within the scope of the 
authorized duties under such contract. 
‘‘(2) 
HEALTH
CARE
PROFESSIONAL
DE-
SCRIBED.—A health care professional described in 
this paragraph is a physician, physician assistant, 
nurse practitioner, audiologist, or psychologist, who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
practice the health care profession of the physi-
cian, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, au-
diologist, or psychologist, as the case may be; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such 
health care profession in any State, the District
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of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or 
possession of the United States; and 
‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a 
contract entered into under subsection (a).’’. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the amendment 
made by paragraph (1) is to expand the license port-
ability for physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, 
audiologists, and psychologists to supplement the ca-
pacity of employees of the Department to provide 
medical examinations described in subsection (b). 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The amendment 
made by paragraph (1) shall not be construed to af-
fect the license portability for physicians in effect 
under section 504(c) of such Act as in effect on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(4) SUNSET.—On the date that is three years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, subsection 
(c) of such section shall read as it read on the day 
before the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) TEMPORARY HALT ON ELIMINATION OF MEDICAL 
EXAMINER POSITIONS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall tempo-
rarily suspend the efforts of the Secretary in effect on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act to eliminate
† HR 7105 EAS 
medical examiner positions in the Department of Veterans 
Affairs until the number of individuals awaiting a medical 
examination with respect to medical disability of the indi-
viduals for benefits under laws administered by the Sec-
retary that are carried out through the Under Secretary for 
Benefits is equal to or less than the number of such individ-
uals who were awaiting such a medical examination with 
respect to such purposes on March 1, 2020. 
(c) REPORT ON PROVISION OF MEDICAL EXAMINA-
TIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the provision of medical examina-
tions described in subsection (b) by the Department. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall cover the following: 
(A) How the Secretary will increase the ca-
pacity, efficiency, and timeliness of physician 
assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and 
psychologists of the Veterans Health Administra-
tion with respect to completing medical exami-
nations described in subsection (b). 
(B) The total number of full-time equivalent 
employees among all physician assistants, nurse
† HR 7105 EAS 
practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists 
needed for the increases described in subpara-
graph (A). 
(C) An assessment regarding the importance 
of retaining a critical knowledge base within the 
Department for performing medical examina-
tions for veterans filing claims for compensation 
under chapters 11 and 13 of title 38, United 
States Code, including with respect to military 
sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, 
traumatic brain injury, and toxic exposure. 
(3) COLLABORATION.—The Secretary shall col-
laborate with the veterans community and stake-
holders in the preparation of the report required by 
paragraph (1). 
(4) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CONGRESS 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘appropriate 
committees of Congress’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; 
and 
(B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives.
† HR 7105 EAS 
(d) COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES 
REVIEW.— 
(1) REVIEW
REQUIRED.—Not later than 360 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall com-
mence a review of the implementation of the pilot 
program authorized under subsection (a) of section 
504 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 
1996 (Public Law 104–275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The review conducted under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the use of subsection 
(c) of section 504 of such Act, as amended by 
subsection (a)(1) of this section. 
(B) Efforts to retain and recruit medical 
examiners as employees of the Department. 
(C) Use of telehealth for medical examina-
tions described in subsection (b) that are admin-
istered by the Department. 
(e) BRIEFING
ON
RECOMMENDATIONS
OF
COMP-
TROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on how the
† HR 7105 EAS 
Secretary will implement the recommendations of the 
Comptroller General of the United States regarding— 
(1) the monitoring of the training of providers of 
examinations pursuant to contracts under section 504 
of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 
(Public Law 104–275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note); and 
(2) ensuring such providers receive such train-
ing. 
(f) HOLDING UNDERPERFORMING CONTRACT MEDICAL 
EXAMINERS ACCOUNTABLE.—The Secretary shall take such 
actions as may be necessary to hold accountable the pro-
viders of medical examinations pursuant to contracts under 
section 504 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 
1996 (Public Law 104–275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) who are 
underperforming in the meeting of the needs of veterans 
through the performance of medical examinations pursuant 
to such contracts. 
SEC. 2003. MEDAL OF HONOR SPECIAL PENSION FOR SUR-
VIVING SPOUSES. 
(a) CODIFICATION OF CURRENT RATE OF SPECIAL 
PENSION.—Subsection (a) of section 1562 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$1,388.68’’. 
(b) SPECIAL PENSION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES.—
† HR 7105 EAS 
(1) SURVIVING
SPOUSE
BENEFIT.—Such sub-
section is further amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(a)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and 
(C), the Secretary shall pay special pension under this sec-
tion to the surviving spouse of a person whose name has 
been entered on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast 
Guard Medal of Honor Roll and a copy of whose certificate 
has been delivered to the Secretary under section 1134a(d) 
of title 10. 
‘‘(B) No special pension shall be paid to a surviving 
spouse of a person under this section unless such surviving 
spouse was married to such person— 
‘‘(i) for one year or more prior to the veteran’s 
death; or 
‘‘(ii) for any period of time if a child was born 
of the marriage, or was born to them before the mar-
riage. 
‘‘(C) No special pension shall be paid to a surviving 
spouse of a person under this section if such surviving 
spouse is receiving benefits under section 1311 or 1318 of 
this title.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
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(A) IN GENERAL.—Such section is amend-
ed— 
(i) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘or 
married to more than one person who has 
been awarded a medal of honor,’’ after 
‘‘honor,’’; and 
(ii) in subsection (f)(1), by striking 
‘‘this section’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1) 
of subsection (a), or under paragraph (2) of 
such subsection in the case of a posthumous 
entry on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and 
Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll,’’. 
(B) SPECIAL
PROVISIONS
RELATING
TO 
MARRIAGES.—Section 103(d)(5) of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) Section 1562(a)(2), relating to Medal of 
Honor special pension.’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made 
by this subsection shall apply with respect to pay-
ment of pension under section 1562 of title 38, United 
States Code, for months beginning after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.
† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 2004. MODERNIZATION OF SERVICE-DISABLED VET-
ERANS INSURANCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF MODERNIZED PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 19 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
1922A the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1922B. Service-disabled veterans insurance 
‘‘(a) INSURANCE.—(1) Beginning January 1, 2023, 
the Secretary shall carry out a service-disabled veterans in-
surance program under which a veteran is granted insur-
ance by the United States against the death of such indi-
vidual occurring while such insurance is in force. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may only issue whole-life policies 
under the insurance program under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) The Secretary may not grant insurance to a vet-
eran under paragraph (1) unless— 
‘‘(A) the veteran submits the application for such 
insurance before the veteran attains 81 years of age; 
or 
‘‘(B) with respect to a veteran who has attained 
81 years of age— 
‘‘(i) the veteran filed a claim for compensa-
tion under chapter 11 of this title before attain-
ing such age; 
‘‘(ii) based on such claim, and after the vet-
eran attained such age, the Secretary first deter-
† HR 7105 EAS 
mines that the veteran has a service-connected 
disability; and 
‘‘(iii) the veteran submits the application 
for such insurance during the two-year period 
following the date of such determination. 
‘‘(4)(A) A veteran enrolled in the insurance program 
under paragraph (1) may elect to be insured in any of the 
following amounts: 
‘‘(i) $10,000. 
‘‘(ii) $20,000. 
‘‘(iii) $30,000. 
‘‘(iv) $40,000. 
‘‘(v) In accordance with subparagraph (B), 
a maximum amount greater than $40,000. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary may establish a maximum amount 
to be insured under paragraph (1) that is greater than 
$40,000 if the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) determines that such maximum amount and 
the premiums for such amount— 
‘‘(I) are administratively and actuarially 
sound for the insurance program under para-
graph (1); and 
‘‘(II) will not result in such program oper-
ating at a loss; and
† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(ii) publishes in the Federal Register, and sub-
mits to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives, such maximum amount 
and determination. 
‘‘(5)(A)(i) Insurance granted under this section shall 
be on a nonparticipating basis and all premiums and other 
collections therefor shall be credited directly to a revolving 
fund in the Treasury of the United States. 
‘‘(ii) Any payments on such insurance shall be made 
directly from such fund. 
‘‘(B)(i) The Secretary of the Treasury may invest in 
and sell and retire special interest-bearing obligations of the 
United States for the account of the revolving fund under 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(ii) Such obligations issued for that purpose shall— 
‘‘(I) have maturities fixed with due regard for 
the needs of the fund; and 
‘‘(II) bear interest at a rate equal to the average 
market yield (computed by the Secretary of the Treas-
ury on the basis of market quotations as of the end 
of the calendar month preceding the date of issue) on 
all marketable interest-bearing obligations of the 
United States then forming a part of the public debt 
which are not due or callable until after the expira-
† HR 7105 EAS 
tion of four years from the end of such calendar 
month; except that where such average market yield 
is not a multiple of one-eighth of one per centum, the 
rate of interest of such obligation shall be the multiple 
of one-eighth of one per centum nearest such market 
yield. 
‘‘(6)(A) Administrative support financed by the appro-
priations for ‘General Operating Expenses, Department of 
Veterans Affairs’ and ‘Information Technology Systems, 
Department of Veterans Affairs’ for the insurance program 
under paragraph (1) shall be paid from premiums credited 
to the fund under paragraph (5). 
‘‘(B) Such payment for administrative support shall 
be reimbursed for that fiscal year from funds that are avail-
able on such insurance after claims have been paid. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—A veteran is eligible to enroll in 
the insurance program under subsection (a)(1) if the vet-
eran has a service-connected disability, without regard to— 
‘‘(1) whether such disability is compensable 
under chapter 11 of this title; or 
‘‘(2) whether the veteran meets standards of good 
health required for other life insurance policies. 
‘‘(c) ENROLLMENT AND WAITING PERIOD.—(1) An eli-
gible veteran may enroll in the insurance program under 
subsection (a)(1) at any time.
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‘‘(2) The life insurance policy of a veteran who enrolls 
in the insurance program under subsection (a)(1) does not 
go into force unless— 
‘‘(A) a period of two years elapses following the 
date of such enrollment; and 
‘‘(B) the veteran pays the premiums required 
during such two-year period. 
‘‘(3)(A) If a veteran dies during the two-year period 
described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall pay to the 
beneficiary of the veteran the amount of premiums paid by 
the veteran under this section, plus interest. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary— 
‘‘(i) for the initial year of the insurance program 
under subsection (a)(1)— 
‘‘(I) shall set such interest at a rate of one 
percent; and 
‘‘(II) may adjust such rate during such 
year based on program experience, except that 
the interest rate may not be less than zero per-
cent; 
‘‘(ii) for the second and each subsequent year of 
the program, shall calculate such interest at an an-
nual rate equal to the rate of return on the revolving 
fund under subsection (a)(5) for the calendar year 
preceding the year of the veteran’s death, except that
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the interest rate may not be less than zero percent; 
and 
‘‘(iii) on an annual basis, shall publish on the 
internet website of the Department the average inter-
est rate calculated under clause (ii) for the preceding 
calendar year. 
‘‘(d) PREMIUMS.—(1) The Secretary shall establish a 
schedule of basic premium rates by age per $10,000 of in-
surance under subsection (a)(1) consistent with basic pre-
mium rates generally charged for guaranteed acceptance life 
insurance policies by private life insurance companies. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may adjust such schedule after the 
first policy year in a manner consistent with the general 
practice of guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies 
issued by private life insurance companies. 
‘‘(3) Section 1912 of this title shall not apply to life 
insurance policies under subsection (a)(1), and the Sec-
retary may not otherwise waive premiums for such insur-
ance policies. 
‘‘(e) BENEFICIARIES.—(1) A veteran who enrolls in the 
insurance program under subsection (a)(1) may designate 
a beneficiary of the life insurance policy. 
‘‘(2) If a veteran enrolled in the insurance program 
under subsection (a)(1) does not designate a beneficiary 
under paragraph (1) before the veteran dies, or if a des-
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ignated beneficiary predeceases the veteran, the Secretary 
shall determine the beneficiary in the following order: 
‘‘(A) The surviving spouse of the veteran. 
‘‘(B) The children of the veteran and descendants 
of deceased children by representation. 
‘‘(C) The parents of the veteran or the survivors 
of the parents. 
‘‘(D) The duly appointed executor or adminis-
trator of the estate of the veteran. 
‘‘(E) Other next of kin of the veteran entitled 
under the laws of domicile of the veteran at the time 
of the death of the veteran. 
‘‘(f) CLAIMS.—(1) If the deceased veteran designated 
a beneficiary under subsection (e)(1)— 
‘‘(A) the designated beneficiary is the only per-
son who may file a claim for payment under sub-
section (g) during the one-year period beginning on 
the date of the death of the veteran; and 
‘‘(B) if the designated beneficiary does not file a 
claim for the payment during the period described in 
paragraph (1), or if payment to the designated bene-
ficiary within that period is prohibited by Federal 
statute or regulation, a beneficiary described in sub-
section (e)(2) may file a claim for such payment dur-
ing the one-year period following the period described
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in subparagraph (A) as if the designated beneficiary 
had predeceased the veteran. 
‘‘(2) If the deceased veteran did not designate a bene-
ficiary under subsection (e)(1), or if the designated bene-
ficiary predeceased the veteran, a beneficiary described in 
subsection (e)(2) may file a claim for payment under sub-
section (g) during the two-year period beginning on the date 
of the death of the veteran. 
‘‘(3) If, on the date that is two years after the date 
of the death of the veteran, no claim for payment has been 
filed by any beneficiary pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), 
and the Secretary has not received notice that any such 
claim will be so filed during the subsequent one-year period, 
the Secretary may make the payment to a claimant whom 
the Secretary determines to be equitably entitled to such 
payment. 
‘‘(g) PAYMENTS.—(1) In a case described in subsection 
(f)— 
‘‘(A) in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall 
pay the designated beneficiary not later than 90 days 
after the designated beneficiary files a complete and 
valid claim for payment; 
‘‘(B) in paragraph (1)(B) or (2), the Secretary 
shall make any payment not later than one year after 
the end of the period described in the applicable such
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paragraph, if the Secretary receives a complete and 
valid claim for payment in accordance with the ap-
plicable such paragraph; or 
‘‘(C) in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall make 
any payment not later than one year after the end of 
the period described in such paragraph, if the Sec-
retary receives a complete and valid claim for pay-
ment. 
‘‘(2) In a case where the Secretary has not made an 
insurance payment under this section during the applicable 
period specified in paragraph (1) by reason of a beneficiary 
not yet having filed a claim, or the Secretary not yet mak-
ing a determination under subsection (f)(3), the Secretary 
may make the payment after such applicable period. 
‘‘(3) Notwithstanding section 1917 of this title, the 
Secretary shall make an insurance payment under this sec-
tion in a lump sum. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary may not make an insurance pay-
ment under this section if such payment will escheat to a 
State. 
‘‘(5) Any payment under this subsection shall be a bar 
to recovery by any other person.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended by
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inserting after the item relating to section 1922A the 
following new item: 
‘‘1922B. Service-disabled veterans insurance.’’. 
(b) SUNSET OF PREVIOUS PROGRAM AND TRANSI-
TION.— 
(1) S–DVI.—Section 1922 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary may not accept any application 
by a veteran to be insured under this section after December 
31, 2022. 
‘‘(2)(A) During the period beginning January 1, 2023, 
and ending December 31, 2025, a veteran who is insured 
under this section may elect to instead be insured under 
section 1922B of this title based on the age of the veteran 
at the time of such election. 
‘‘(B)(i) A veteran who elects under subparagraph (A) 
to be insured under section 1922B of this title shall be sub-
ject to the two-year waiting period specified in subsection 
(c) of such section. 
‘‘(ii) If the veteran dies during such period, the Sec-
retary shall pay the beneficiary under this section, and, if 
applicable, under section 1922A, plus the amount of pre-
miums paid by the veteran under such section 1922B, plus 
interest.
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‘‘(3) Except as provided by paragraph (2)(B), a vet-
eran may not be insured under this section and section 
1922B simultaneously.’’. 
(2) SUPPLEMENTAL S–DVI.—Section 1922A(b) of 
such title is amended by adding after the period at 
the end the following: ‘‘The Secretary may not accept 
any such application after December 31, 2022. Except 
as provided by section 1922(d)(2)(B), a veteran may 
not have supplemental insurance under this section 
and be insured under section 1922B simultaneously.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 19 of such 
title is amended— 
(1) in the section heading of section 1922, by 
striking ‘‘Service’’ and inserting ‘‘Legacy serv-
ice’’; 
(2) in the section heading of section 1922A, by 
striking ‘‘Supplemental’’ and inserting ‘‘Legacy 
supplemental’’; and 
(3) in the table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter by striking the items relating to sections 
1922 and 1922A and inserting the following new 
items: 
‘‘1922. Legacy service disabled veterans’ insurance. 
‘‘1922A. Legacy supplemental service disabled veterans’ insurance for totally dis-
abled veterans.’’.
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SEC. 2005. DENIAL OF CLAIMS FOR TRAUMATIC INJURY 
PROTECTION 
UNDER 
SERVICEMEMBERS’ 
GROUP LIFE INSURANCE. 
Section 1980A of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(l)(1) If a claim for benefits under this section is de-
nied, the Secretary concerned shall provide to the member 
at the same time as the member is informed of such denial 
a description of the following: 
‘‘(A) Each reason for that denial, including a de-
scription of all the information upon which the denial 
is based and a description of the applicable laws, reg-
ulations, or policies, with appropriate citations, and 
an explanation of how such laws, regulations, or poli-
cies affected the denial. 
‘‘(B) Each finding that is favorable to the mem-
ber. 
‘‘(2) Any finding favorable to the member as described 
in paragraph (1)(B) shall be binding on all subsequent re-
views or appeals of the denial of the claim, unless clear and 
convincing evidence is shown to the contrary to rebut such 
favorable finding.’’.
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SEC. 2006. PUBLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF DISABILITY 
BENEFIT QUESTIONNAIRE FORMS OF DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5101 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
(e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following 
new subsection (d): 
‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary shall publish in a central loca-
tion on the internet website of the Department— 
‘‘(A) the disability benefit questionnaire forms of 
the Department for the submittal of evidence from 
non-Department medical providers regarding a dis-
ability of a claimant, including any form or process 
that replaces any such disability benefit questionnaire 
form; and 
‘‘(B) details about the process used by the De-
partment for submittal of evidence described in sub-
paragraph (A). 
‘‘(2) Subject to section 6103 of this title, if the Sec-
retary updates a form described in paragraph (1)(A), the 
Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) accept the previous version of the form filed 
by a claimant if—
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‘‘(i) the claimant provided to the non-De-
partment medical provider the previous version 
of the form before the date on which the updated 
version of the form was made available; and 
‘‘(ii) the claimant files the previous version 
of the form during the one-year period following 
the date the form was completed by the non-De-
partment medical provider; 
‘‘(B) request from the claimant (or from a non- 
Department medical provider if the claimant has au-
thorized the provider to share health information with 
the Secretary) any other information that the updated 
version of the form requires; and 
‘‘(C) apply the laws and regulations required to 
adjudicate the claim as if the claimant filed the up-
dated version of the form. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary may waive any interagency ap-
proval process required to approve a modification to a dis-
ability benefit questionnaire form if such requirement only 
applies by reason of the forms being made public.’’. 
(b) REPORTS BY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Not less frequently 
than once each year through 2023, the Inspector General 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the findings of the Inspector General with
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respect to the use of the forms published under section 
5101(d)(1) of such title, as added by subsection (a). 
(c) INITIAL FORM.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall begin carrying out section 5101(d)(1) of such title, as 
added by subsection (a), by publishing, as described in such 
section, the form described in such section that was in effect 
on January 1, 2020. 
(d) ALTERNATE PROCESS.— 
(1) ASSESSMENT AND REPORT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph 
(2), not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this act, the Secretary shall— 
(i) assess the feasibility and advis-
ability of replacing disability benefit ques-
tionnaire forms that are used by non-De-
partment medical providers to submit to the 
Secretary evidence regarding a disability of 
a claimant for benefits under laws adminis-
tered by the Secretary, with another con-
sistent process that considers evidence equal-
ly, whether provided by a Department or a 
non-Department medical provider; and 
(ii) submit to Congress—
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(I) a report on the findings of the 
Secretary with respect to the assess-
ment conducted under clause (i); and 
(II) if the report submitted under 
subclause (I) of this clause includes a 
finding that replacing the disability 
benefit questionnaire forms described 
in clause (i) as described in such 
clause is feasible and advisable, a plan 
to replace such forms as described in 
such clause. 
(B) COLLABORATION
REQUIRED.—If, in 
carrying out the assessment required by clause 
(i) of subparagraph (A), the Secretary deter-
mines that replacing the disability benefit ques-
tionnaire forms described in such clause as de-
scribed in such clause is feasible and advisable, 
the Secretary shall collaborate with, partner 
with, and consider the advice of veterans service 
organizations, and such other stakeholders as the 
Secretary considers appropriate, on the replace-
ment forms and process for submitting such 
forms. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary may only 
determine under paragraph (1)(A) that replacing the
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forms described in such paragraph is feasible and ad-
visable if the Secretary certifies that— 
(A) it is in the best interest of veterans to 
do so; 
(B) the replacement process would include 
all the medical information needed to adjudicate 
a claim for benefits under laws administered by 
the Secretary; and 
(C) the new process will ensure that all 
medical information provided will be considered 
equally, whether it is provided by a Department 
medical provider or a non-Department medical 
provider. 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph 
(B), if the Secretary determines under para-
graph (1)(A) that replacing the forms as de-
scribed in such paragraph is feasible and advis-
able, the Secretary shall, not later than two 
years after the date on which the Secretary sub-
mits the report under paragraph (1)(B)(i)— 
(i) replace the forms as described in 
paragraph (1)(A);
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(ii) publish such replacement pursuant 
to subparagraph (A) of section 5101(d)(1), 
as added by subsection (a)(2); and 
(iii) update the details under subpara-
graph (B) of such section. 
(B) REPORTS BY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF 
THE
DEPARTMENT
OF
VETERANS
AFFAIRS.—If 
the Secretary replaces the forms under subpara-
graph (A), the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs shall, not later than one 
year after the date that the Secretary replaces 
such forms and not less frequently than once 
each year thereafter until the date that is three 
years after the date on which the Secretary re-
places such forms, submit to Congress a report 
on the process that replaced such forms that as-
certains whether the process properly protects 
veterans. 
(4) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not dis-
continue the use of the disability benefit questionnaire 
forms described in paragraph (1)(A) until a replace-
ment form or process is implemented. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
or section 5101(d) of such title, as added by subsection (a), 
may be construed to require the Secretary to develop any
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new information technology system or otherwise require the 
Secretary to make any significant changes to the internet 
website of the Department. 
SEC. 2007. THRESHOLD FOR REPORTING DEBTS TO CON-
SUMER REPORTING AGENCIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 53 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding after section 5319 the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 5320. Threshold for reporting debts to consumer re-
porting agencies 
‘‘The Secretary shall prescribe regulations that estab-
lish the minimum amount of a claim or debt, arising from 
a benefit administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits 
or Under Secretary for Health, that the Secretary will re-
port to a consumer reporting agency under section 3711 
of title 31.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after 
the item relating to section 5319 the following new item: 
‘‘5320.Threshold for reporting debts to consumer reporting agencies.’’. 
(c) DEADLINE.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall prescribe regulations under section 5320 of such title, 
as added by subsection (a), not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.
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SEC. 2008. REMOVAL OF DEPENDENTS FROM AWARD OF 
COMPENSATION OR PENSION. 
Beginning not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall ensure that— 
(1) the recipient of an award of compensation or 
pension may remove any dependent from an award 
of compensation or pension to the individual using 
the eBenefits system of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or a successor system; and 
(2) such removal takes effect not later than 60 
days after the date on which the recipient elects such 
removal. 
SEC. 2009. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 
COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES 
WHO REMARRY AFTER AGE 55. 
Section 103(d)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended in the second sentence by inserting ‘‘chapter 13 
or’’ after ‘‘benefits under’’. 
SEC. 2010. STUDY ON EXPOSURE BY MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES TO TOXICANTS AT KARSHI- 
KHANABAD AIR BASE IN UZBEKISTAN. 
(a) AGREEMENT AND STUDY.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with the 
Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Dis-
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† HR 7105 EAS 
ease Registry for the Administrator to complete, not later 
than 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
a study to identify— 
(1) incidents of cancer and other diseases or ill-
nesses experienced by individuals who served in the 
active military, naval, or air service (as defined in 
section 101 of title 38, United States Code) in the cov-
ered location set forth under subsection (b) during the 
corresponding period set forth under such subsection; 
and 
(2) a list of toxic substances, chemicals, ionizing 
radiation, and airborne hazards such individuals 
may have been exposed to during such service. 
(b) COVERED LOCATION
AND CORRESPONDING PE-
RIOD.—The covered location and corresponding period set 
forth under this subsection are Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air 
Base in Uzbekistan and the period beginning on October 
1, 2001, and ending on September 30, 2005. 
(c) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment regarding the conditions of the 
covered location set forth under subsection (b), includ-
ing an identification of toxic substances, chemicals, 
ionizing radiation, and airborne hazards contami-
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nating such covered location during such cor-
responding period. 
(2) An epidemiological study of the health con-
sequences of the service described in subsection (a) to 
the individuals described in such subsection. 
(d) SUPPORT FOR STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
the Administrator with assistance in carrying out the 
study required by subsection (a), including by gath-
ering such information as the Administrator may 
consider useful in carrying out the study. 
(2) OBTAINING INFORMATION CONCERNING EXPO-
SURE.—Assistance under paragraph (1) provided by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include com-
piling information on exposure described in sub-
section (a)(2) and the Secretary of Defense shall pro-
vide to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such infor-
mation concerning such exposure as the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs considers appropriate for purposes of 
the study required by subsection (a), including envi-
ronmental sampling data relative to any location cov-
ered by the study. 
(e) BIENNIAL UPDATES.—No later than the date that 
is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
not less frequently than once every two years thereafter until
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the date on which the study required by subsection (a) is 
completed, the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress updates on the status of the 
matters covered by such study, including any preliminary 
findings of the Administrator. 
(f) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date on which the study required by subsection (a) is com-
pleted, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the findings of the Ad-
ministrator with respect to such study. 
(g) INCLUSION
OF UZBEKISTAN
IN CERTAIN REG-
ISTRIES AND PROGRAMS.—Section 201(c)(2) of the Dig-
nified Burial and Other Veterans’ Benefits Improvement 
Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note) is 
amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘Afghanistan or Iraq’’ and inserting ‘‘Afghanistan, 
Iraq, or Uzbekistan’’. 
(h) DEPLETED URANIUM FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS.— 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any in-
dividual who deployed as a member of the Armed Forces 
to the covered location set forth in subsection (b) during 
the corresponding period set forth in such subsection is cov-
ered by the Depleted Uranium Follow-up Programs of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
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(i) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES
OF CONGRESS DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees 
of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the 
Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the 
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
SEC. 2011. COMPTROLLER GENERAL BRIEFING AND RE-
PORT ON REPEALING MANIFESTATION PE-
RIOD FOR PRESUMPTIONS OF SERVICE CON-
NECTION FOR CERTAIN DISEASES ASSOCI-
ATED WITH EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN HERBI-
CIDE AGENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall provide to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on pre-
liminary observations of the Comptroller General, and not 
later than 240 days after the date of such briefing, provide 
such committees a briefing and submit to such committees 
a final report, on the efforts of the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to provide benefits, including compensation and 
health care, to veterans—
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(1) who during active military, naval, or air 
service, served in the Republic of Vietnam during the 
period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on 
May 7, 1975; and 
(2) in whom chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, 
or acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy have 
manifested. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) A description of how the Secretary establishes 
a service connection for a diseases described in para-
graph (2) of subsection (a) manifesting in veterans, 
including the number of veterans described in para-
graph (1) of such subsection who have filed a claim 
for a benefit associated with a disease described in 
paragraph (2) of such subsection. 
(2) A description of how claims adjudicators of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs determine service 
connection for a disease described in subparagraph 
(C) or (E) of section 1116(a)(2) of title 38, United 
States Code, when documentation proving the pres-
ence of the disease during the manifestation period set 
forth in such subparagraphs for the disease is not 
available.
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(3) A description of the expected effect of repeal-
ing the manifestation period from such subpara-
graphs, including the expected effect on the number of 
claims for benefits the Department will receive, an es-
timate of the cost to the Department of such repeal, 
and a review of the scientific evidence regarding such 
repeal. 
(4) A review of all claims submitted to the Sec-
retary for compensation under chapter 11 of such title 
that are associated with a disease described in sub-
section (a)(2), including the type of proof presented to 
establish a service connection for the manifestation of 
the disease based on exposure to a herbicide agent. 
(5) Recommendations on how the Department 
can better adjudicate claims for benefits, including 
compensation, submitted to the Department that are 
associated with a disease described in paragraph (2) 
of subsection (a) for veterans described in paragraph 
(1) of such subsection. 
(6) An assessment of such other areas as the 
Comptroller General considers appropriate to study. 
(c) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.—Not later than 120 
days after the date on which the Comptroller General of 
the United States submits the report required under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall commence carrying out the
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recommendations submitted under subsection (b)(5) to the 
degree that the Secretary is authorized to carry out the rec-
ommendations by a statute that was in effect on the day 
before the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) HERBICIDE AGENT DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘herbicide agent’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 1116(a)(3) of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 2012. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS TO USE INCOME INFOR-
MATION FROM OTHER AGENCIES. 
Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2027’’ and inserting 
‘‘September 30, 2030’’. 
SEC. 2013. EXTENSION ON CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS 
OF PENSION. 
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2028’’ and inserting 
‘‘October 30, 2028’’. 
Subtitle B—Housing 
SEC. 2101. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE RE-
SERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
FOR HOME LOANS FROM THE SECRETARY OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF VETERAN FOR PUR-
POSES
OF HOME LOANS.—Section 3701(b) of title 38,
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† HR 7105 EAS 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) The term ‘veteran’ also includes, for pur-
poses of home loans, an individual who performed 
full-time National Guard duty (as that term is de-
fined in section 101 of title 10) for a period— 
‘‘(A) of not less than 90 cumulative days; 
and 
‘‘(B) that includes 30 consecutive days.’’. 
(b) EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY.—Section 3702(a)(2) 
of such title is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) Each individual described in section 
3701(b)(7) of this title.’’. 
(c) RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY.—The amendments 
made by this section shall apply with respect to full-time 
National Guard duty (as defined in section 101 of title 10, 
United States Code) performed before, on, or after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 2102. REDUCING LOAN FEES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
AFFECTED BY MAJOR DISASTERS. 
Section 3729(b)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as 
follows:
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‘‘(D)(i) The term ‘initial loan’ means a loan to 
a veteran guaranteed under section 3710 or made 
under section 3711 of this title if the veteran has 
never obtained a loan guaranteed under section 3710 
or made under section 3711 of this title. 
‘‘(ii) If a veteran has obtained a loan guaranteed 
under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this 
title and the dwelling securing such loan was substan-
tially damaged or destroyed by a major disaster de-
clared by the President under section 401 of the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Secretary shall treat 
as an initial loan, as defined in clause (i), the next 
loan the Secretary guarantees or makes to such vet-
eran under section 3710 or 3711, respectively, if— 
‘‘(I) such loan is guaranteed or made before 
the date that is three years after the date on 
which the dwelling was substantially damaged or 
destroyed; and 
‘‘(II) such loan is only for repairs or con-
struction of the dwelling, as determined by the 
Secretary.’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘if the vet-
eran has previously obtained a loan guaranteed under
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section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this title’’ 
and inserting ‘‘that is not an initial loan’’. 
SEC. 2103. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES. 
Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘October 1, 2029’’ each place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2030’’. 
SEC. 2104. COLLECTION OF OVERPAYMENTS OF SPECIALLY 
ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE. 
Section 2102 of title 38, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g)(1) Whenever the Secretary finds that an overpay-
ment has been made to, or on behalf of, a person described 
in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall determine— 
‘‘(A) the amounts to recover, if any; and 
‘‘(B) who is liable to the United States for such 
overpayment. 
‘‘(2) A person described in this paragraph is any of 
the following: 
‘‘(A) An individual who applied for assistance— 
‘‘(i) under this chapter; or 
‘‘(ii) under chapter 31 of this title who is 
pursuing a rehabilitation program under such 
chapter in acquiring adaptations to a residence.
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‘‘(B) An owner or seller of real estate used, or in-
tended to be used, in connection with assistance under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(C) 
A 
builder, 
contractor, 
supplier, 
tradesperson, corporation, trust, partnership, or other 
person, who provided services or goods relating to as-
sistance under this chapter. 
‘‘(D) An attorney, escrow agent, or financial in-
stitution, that receives, or holds in escrow, funds re-
lating to assistance under this chapter. 
‘‘(E) A surviving spouse, heir, assignee, or suc-
cessor in interest of or to, any person described in this 
paragraph. 
‘‘(3)(A) Any overpayment referred to in this subsection 
may be recovered in the same manner as any other debt 
due the United States. 
‘‘(B) In recovering the overpayment, the Secretary 
may charge administrative costs, fees, and interest, as ap-
propriate, in a manner similar to the authority under sec-
tion 5315 of this title. 
‘‘(4)(A) The recovery of any overpayment referred to 
in this subsection may be waived by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) Waiver of any such overpayment as to a person 
described in paragraph (2) shall in no way release any 
other person described in such paragraph from liability.
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‘‘(5) The Secretary shall waive recovery under this sub-
section of any overpayment to a person described in para-
graph (2)(A), or a dependent or survivor of such person, 
that arises from administrative error described in para-
graph (7)(A). 
‘‘(6) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as 
precluding the imposition of any civil or criminal liability 
under this title or any other law. 
‘‘(7) The Secretary shall prescribe in regulations what 
constitutes an overpayment for the purposes of this sub-
section, which, at a minimum, shall include— 
‘‘(A) administrative error that results in an in-
dividual receiving assistance to which that individual 
is not entitled; 
‘‘(B) the failure of any person described in para-
graph (2) to— 
‘‘(i) perform or allow to be performed any 
act relating to assistance under this chapter; or 
‘‘(ii) compensate any party performing 
services or supplying goods relating to assistance 
under this chapter; and 
‘‘(C) any disbursement of funds relating to as-
sistance under this chapter, that, in the sole discretion 
of the Secretary, constitutes a misuse of such assist-
ance.
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‘‘(8) Prior to collecting an overpayment under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall provide to the person whom 
the Secretary has determined liable for such overpayment— 
‘‘(A) notice of the finding by the Secretary of 
such overpayment; 
‘‘(B) a reasonable opportunity for such person to 
remedy the circumstances that effectuated the over-
payment; and 
‘‘(C) a reasonable opportunity for such person to 
present evidence to the Secretary that an overpayment 
was not made. 
‘‘(9) For the purposes of section 511 of this title, a 
decision to collect an overpayment from a person other than 
a person described in paragraph (2)(A), or a dependent or 
survivor of such person, may not be treated as a decision 
that affects the provision of benefits.’’. 
Subtitle C—Burial Matters 
SEC. 2201. TRANSPORTATION OF DECEASED VETERANS TO 
VETERANS’ CEMETERIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 2308 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘in 
a national cemetery’’ and inserting ‘‘in a national cemetery 
or a covered veterans’ cemetery’’.
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(b) COVERED VETERANS’ CEMETERY DEFINED.—Sec-
tion 2308 of such title is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) COVERED VETERANS’ CEMETERY DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘covered veterans’ cemetery’ means a 
veterans’ cemetery— 
‘‘(1) in which a deceased veteran described in 
subsection (b) is eligible to be buried; 
‘‘(2) that— 
‘‘(A) is owned by a State; or 
‘‘(B) is on trust land owned by, or held in 
trust for, a tribal organization; and 
‘‘(3) for which the Secretary has made a grant 
under section 2408 of this title.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 2308 of such 
title is amended in the section heading by adding at the 
end the following: ‘‘or a covered veterans’ ceme-
tery’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 23 of such title is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 2308 and inserting the 
following new item: 
‘‘2308. Transportation of deceased veteran to a national cemetery or a covered vet-
erans’ cemetery.’’.
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(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on the date that is two years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 2202. INCREASE IN CERTAIN FUNERAL BENEFITS 
UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) FUNERAL
EXPENSES
FOR
NON-SERVICE-CON-
NECTED DISABILITIES.—Chapter 23 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) By transferring subsection (b) of section 2302 
to the end of section 2303 and redesignating such sub-
section as subsection (d). 
(2) By striking section 2302. 
(3) In section 2303— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking 
‘‘Death in Department facility’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Death from non-service-con-
nected disability’’; and 
(B) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘a 
veteran dies in a facility described in para-
graph (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘a veteran de-
scribed in paragraph (2) dies’’; 
(ii) by striking paragraph (2) and in-
serting the following new paragraph (2):
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‘‘(2) A veteran described in this paragraph is a de-
ceased veteran who is not covered by section 2307 of this 
title and who meets any of the following criteria: 
‘‘(A) The deceased veteran dies in— 
‘‘(i) a facility of the Department (as defined 
in section 1701(3) of this title) to which the de-
ceased veteran was properly admitted for hos-
pital, nursing home, or domiciliary care under 
section 1710 or 1711(a) of this title; or 
‘‘(ii) an institution at which the deceased 
veteran was, at the time of death, receiving— 
‘‘(I) hospital care in accordance with 
sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 of this title; 
‘‘(II) nursing home care under section 
1720 of this title; or 
‘‘(III) nursing home care for which 
payments are made under section 1741 of 
this title. 
‘‘(B) At the time of death, the deceased veteran 
(including a person who died during a period deemed 
to be active military, naval, or air service under sec-
tion 106(c) of this title) is in receipt of compensation 
under chapter 11 of this title (or but for the receipt 
of retirement pay would have been entitled to such
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compensation) or was in receipt of pension under 
chapter 15 of this title. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary determines— 
‘‘(i) the deceased veteran (including a per-
son who died during a period deemed to be ac-
tive military, naval, or air service under section 
106(c) of this title) has no next of kin or other 
person claiming the body of the deceased veteran; 
and 
‘‘(ii) that there are not available sufficient 
resources to cover burial and funeral expenses.’’; 
(iii) in subsection (b)— 
(I) in the matter preceding para-
graph (1), by striking ‘‘section 2302 of 
this title and’’; and 
(II) in paragraph (2), by striking 
‘‘under section 2302 of this title or’’; 
and 
(iv) in subsection (d), as added by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, by striking 
‘‘Except as’’ and inserting ‘‘With respect to 
a deceased veteran described in subpara-
graph (B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2), except 
as’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
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(1) TITLE 38.—Such title is amended as follows: 
(A) In section 2304, by striking ‘‘Applica-
tions for payments under section 2302 of this 
title’’ and inserting ‘‘Applications for payments 
under section 2303 of this title regarding vet-
erans described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of 
subsection (a)(2) of such section’’. 
(B) In section 2307, by striking ‘‘sections 
2302 and 2303(a)(1) and (b)(2) of this title’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsections (a)(1) and (b)(2) of sec-
tion 2303 of this title’’. 
(C) In section 2308— 
(i) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘pur-
suant to section 2302 or 2307 of this title,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘pursuant to section 2303 of 
this title regarding veterans described in 
subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection 
(a)(2) of such section, or pursuant to section 
2307 of this title,’’; and 
(ii) in subsection (b)(3)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘section 2302’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 2303’’; and 
(II) 
by 
striking 
‘‘subsection 
(a)(2)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(a)(2)(C)’’.
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(D) In section 113(c)(1), by striking 
‘‘2302,’’. 
(E) In section 5101(a)(1)(B)(i), by striking 
‘‘2302’’ and inserting ‘‘2303’’. 
(2) EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE.—Section 11 of 
the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3810) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 2302(a) of title 38’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 2303 of title 38, United States 
Code, regarding veterans described in subparagraph 
(B) or (C) of subsection (a)(2) of such section’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 23 of such title is amended by 
striking the items relating to sections 2302 and 2303 and 
inserting the following new item: 
‘‘2303. Death from non-service-connected disability; plot allowance.’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall apply to deaths that occur on or after the date 
that is two years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 2203. OUTER BURIAL RECEPTACLES FOR EACH NEW 
GRAVE IN CEMETERIES THAT ARE THE SUB-
JECTS OF CERTAIN GRANTS MADE BY THE 
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2306(e) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)—
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(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting 
‘‘may’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or in a cemetery 
that is the subject of a grant to a State or 
a tribal organization under section 2408 of 
this title,’’ after ‘‘National Cemetery Ad-
ministration’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following new paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2)(A) The use of outer burial receptacles in a ceme-
tery under the control of the National Cemetery Adminis-
tration or in a cemetery that is the subject of a grant to 
a State or a tribal organization under section 2408 of this 
title shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures 
approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(B) The use of outer burial receptacles in Arlington 
National Cemetery shall be in accordance with regulations 
or procedures approved by the Secretary of the Army. 
‘‘(C) The use of outer burial receptacles in a national 
cemetery administered by the National Park Service shall 
be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved 
by the Secretary of the Interior.’’.
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(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on the date that is two years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 2204. PROVISION OF INSCRIPTIONS FOR SPOUSES AND 
CHILDREN ON CERTAIN HEADSTONES AND 
MARKERS FURNISHED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2306 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection 
(j); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following 
new subsection (i): 
‘‘(i)(1) In addition to any other authority under this 
section, in the case of an individual whose grave is not in 
a covered cemetery (as that term is defined in subsection 
(f)(2)) and for whom the Secretary has furnished a head-
stone or marker under subsection (a) or (d), the Secretary, 
if feasible and upon request, may replace the headstone or 
marker to add an inscription for the surviving spouse or 
eligible dependent child of such individual following the 
death of the surviving spouse or eligible dependent child. 
‘‘(2) If the spouse or eligible dependent child of an in-
dividual referred to in paragraph (1) predeceases the indi-
vidual, the Secretary may, if feasible and upon request, in-
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† HR 7105 EAS 
clude an inscription for the spouse or dependent child on 
the headstone or marker furnished for the individual under 
subsection (a) or (d).’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—Subsection (i) of section 2306 of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), 
shall apply with respect to an individual who dies on or 
after October 1, 2019. 
SEC. 2205. AID TO COUNTIES FOR ESTABLISHMENT, EXPAN-
SION, AND IMPROVEMENT OF VETERANS’ 
CEMETERIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2408 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘or county’’ after ‘‘State’’ each 
place it appears; 
(2) in subsection (a)(1), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsections (b), (c), (d), and (g)’’; 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(g)(1) The Secretary may make a grant to a county 
under this section only if— 
‘‘(A)(i) the State in which the county is located does 
not have a veterans’ cemetery owned by the State;
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‘‘(ii) the State is not in receipt of a grant under this 
section for the construction of a new veterans’ cemetery to 
be owned by the State; 
‘‘(iii) the State did not apply for a grant under this 
section during the previous year; 
‘‘(iv) no tribal organization from the State in which 
the county is located has a veterans’ cemetery on trust land 
owned by, or held in trust for, the tribal organization; 
‘‘(v) no such tribal organization is in receipt of a grant 
under this section for the construction of a new veterans’ 
cemetery to be located on such land; and 
‘‘(vi) no such tribal organization applied for a grant 
under this section during the previous year; and 
‘‘(B) the county demonstrates in the application under 
subsection (a)(2), to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that 
the county has the resources necessary to operate and main-
tain the veterans’ cemetery owned by the county. 
‘‘(2)(A) If a county and the State in which the county 
is located both apply for a grant under this section for the 
same year, the Secretary shall give priority to the State. 
‘‘(B) If a county and a tribal organization from the 
State in which the county is located both apply for a grant 
under this section for the same year, the Secretary shall 
give priority to the tribal organization.
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‘‘(3) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry 
out this subsection.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as sub-
section (h); 
(B) by moving such subsection, as so redes-
ignated, to the location after subsection (g), as 
added by paragraph (3); 
(C) in subsection (h), as so redesignated 
and moved, by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; 
and 
(D) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘this section’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such sec-
tion is amended by inserting ‘‘, counties, and 
tribal organizations’’ after ‘‘States’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 24 of such title is amend-
ed by striking the item relating to section 2408 and 
inserting the following new item: 
‘‘2408. Aid to States, counties, and tribal organizations for establishment, expan-
sion, and improvement of veterans’ cemeteries.’’.
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(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take on effect on the date that is two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 2206. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF GRANTS TO 
STATES, COUNTIES, AND TRIBAL ORGANIZA-
TIONS FOR OPERATING AND MAINTAINING 
VETERANS’ CEMETERIES. 
Section 2408(e)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended 
by 
striking 
‘‘$5,000,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$10,000,000’’. 
SEC. 2207. PROVISION OF URNS AND COMMEMORATIVE 
PLAQUES FOR REMAINS OF CERTAIN VET-
ERANS WHOSE CREMATED REMAINS ARE NOT 
INTERRED IN CERTAIN CEMETERIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2306 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by section 2204 of this title, is 
further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (h), (i), and (j) 
as subsections (i), (j), and (k), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following 
new subsection (h): 
‘‘(h)(1) In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker 
under this section for a deceased individual described in 
paragraph (3), the Secretary shall furnish, upon request 
and at the expense of the United States—
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† HR 7105 EAS 
‘‘(A) an urn made of any material to signify the 
individual’s status as a veteran, in which the remains 
of such individual may be placed at private expense; 
or 
‘‘(B) a commemorative plaque signifying the in-
dividual’s status as a veteran. 
‘‘(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemora-
tive plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary may not provide for such individual— 
‘‘(A) a headstone or marker under this section; 
or 
‘‘(B) any burial benefit under section 2402 of 
this title. 
‘‘(3) A deceased individual described in this paragraph 
is an individual— 
‘‘(A) who served in the Armed Forces on or after 
April 6, 1917; 
‘‘(B) who is eligible for a headstone or marker 
furnished under subsection (d) (or would be so eligible 
but for the date of the death of the individual); and 
‘‘(C) whose remains were cremated and not in-
terred in a national cemetery, a State veterans’ ceme-
tery, a tribal cemetery, a county cemetery, or a pri-
vate cemetery.
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‘‘(4)(A) Any urn or commemorative plaque furnished 
under this subsection shall be the personal property of the 
next of kin or such other individual as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
‘‘(B) The Federal Government shall not be liable for 
any damage to an urn or commemorative plaque furnished 
under this subsection that occurs after the date on which 
the urn or commemorative plaque is so furnished. 
‘‘(5) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry 
out this subsection.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take on effect on the date that is two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 2208. TRAINING OF STATE AND TRIBAL VETERANS’ 
CEMETERY PERSONNEL BY NATIONAL CEME-
TERY ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2408 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by sections 2205 and 2206 of this 
title, is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and (ii) the cost’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(ii) the cost’’; and
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(ii) by inserting ‘‘; and (iii) training 
costs described in subsection (c)(1)’’ before 
the semicolon; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and (ii) the cost’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(ii) the cost’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘; and (iii) training 
costs described in subsection (c)(1)’’ before 
the period; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (h) 
as subsections (d) through (i), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following 
new subsection (c): 
‘‘(c)(1) A grant under this section for a purpose de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) may 
be used, solely or in part, for training costs, including trav-
el expenses and up to four weeks of lodging expenses, associ-
ated with attendance by employees of a veterans’ cemetery 
owned by a State or on trust land owned by, or held in 
trust for, a tribal organization at training provided by the 
National Cemetery Administration. 
‘‘(2) Any employee described in paragraph (1) who 
participates in training described in such paragraph shall 
fulfill a service requirement as determined by the Secretary.
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‘‘(3) The Secretary may by regulation prescribe such 
additional terms and conditions for grants used for train-
ing costs under this subsection as the Secretary considers 
appropriate.’’. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than each of two 
years and five years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives a report on training pro-
vided by the National Cemetery Administration 
under subsection (c) of section 2408 of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) The attrition rate with respect to indi-
viduals who participate in the training described 
in paragraph (1). 
(B) A description of how State and tribal 
veterans’ cemeteries that used grants awarded 
under section 2408 of title 38, United States 
Code, for training costs under subsection (c) of 
such section, as added by subsection (a), have
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improved as a result of the training, according 
to the administrators of such cemeteries. 
(C) An identification of how many State 
and tribal veterans’ cemeteries used the authority 
provided by subsection (c) of section 2408 of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a), in order to train individuals. 
(D) The amount obligated or expended as a 
result of the authority described in subparagraph 
(C). 
TITLE III—HEALTH CARE 
Subtitle A—Health Care Generally 
SEC. 3001. EXPANSION OF MODIFICATIONS TO VETERAN DI-
RECTED CARE PROGRAM. 
Section 20006 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco-
nomic Security Act (Public Law 116–136) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘During a public health emer-
gency’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘During 
the period specified in subsection (f)’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘during a public health emergency’’ 
and inserting ‘‘during the period specified in 
subsection (f)’’; and
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(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘an area 
agency on aging’’ and inserting ‘‘a covered pro-
vider’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the 
following new subsections: 
‘‘(e) TRANSFER OF CERTAIN VETERANS TO THE PRO-
GRAM.—During the period specified in subsection (f), the 
Secretary shall allow a veteran residing in an area covered 
by the Program to be transferred to the Program for the 
duration of such period if— 
‘‘(1) the veteran had been receiving extended care 
services paid for by the Department, such as adult 
day services or homemaker or home health aide serv-
ices, immediately preceding such period; and 
‘‘(2) those services are no longer available due to 
a public health emergency. 
‘‘(f) PERIOD SPECIFIED.—The period specified in this 
subsection is the period beginning on the date on which a 
public health emergency was first declared and ending on 
the date that is 60 days after the date on which a public 
health emergency is no longer in effect. 
‘‘(g) COVERED PROVIDER DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘covered provider’ means a provider participating 
in the Program, including—
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‘‘(1) an Aging and Disability Resource Center, 
an area agency on aging, or a State agency (as those 
terms are defined in section 102 of the Older Ameri-
cans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)); or 
‘‘(2) a center for independent living (as defined 
in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
U.S.C. 796a)).’’. 
SEC. 3002. PROHIBITION ON COLLECTION OF A HEALTH 
CARE COPAYMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS FROM A VETERAN WHO IS 
A MEMBER OF AN INDIAN TRIBE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1730A of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘catastroph-
ically disabled’’ and inserting ‘‘certain’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—’’ before 
‘‘Notwithstanding’’; 
(3) by striking ‘‘a veteran who is catastroph-
ically disabled, as defined by the Secretary,’’ and in-
serting ‘‘a covered veteran’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) COVERED VETERAN DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘covered veteran’ means a veteran who—
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‘‘(1) is catastrophically disabled, as defined by 
the Secretary; or 
‘‘(2) is an Indian or urban Indian (as those 
terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)).’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 1730A and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘1730A. Prohibition on collection of copayments from certain veterans.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on the day that is one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 3003. OVERSIGHT FOR STATE HOMES REGARDING 
COVID–19 INFECTIONS, RESPONSE CAPACITY, 
AND STAFFING LEVELS. 
(a) REPORTING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—During a covered public 
health emergency, each State home shall submit week-
ly to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Na-
tional Healthcare Safety Network of the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, through an electronic 
medium and in a standardized format specified by 
the Secretary, a report on the emergency.
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(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by para-
graph (1) for a State home shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The number of suspected and confirmed 
COVID–19 infections among residents and staff, 
including 
residents 
previously 
treated 
for 
COVID–19, disaggregated by— 
(i) veteran, spouse of a veteran, staff, 
and other; 
(ii) race and ethnicity; 
(iii) gender; and 
(iv) age. 
(B) The number of total deaths and 
COVID–19 deaths among residents and staff, 
disaggregated by— 
(i) veteran, spouse of a veteran, staff, 
and other; 
(ii) race and ethnicity; 
(iii) gender; and 
(iv) age. 
(C) An assessment of the supply of personal 
protective equipment and hand hygiene supplies. 
(D) An assessment of ventilator capacity 
and supplies.
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(E) The number of resident beds and the oc-
cupancy rate, disaggregated by veteran, spouse of 
a veteran, and other. 
(F) An assessment of the access of residents 
to testing for COVID–19. 
(G) An assessment of staffing shortages, if 
any. 
(H) Such other information as the Sec-
retary may specify. 
(b) 
PUBLICATION
OF
TOTAL
INFECTIONS
AND 
DEATHS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less fre-
quently than weekly thereafter, the Secretary shall 
post on a publicly available website of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs— 
(A) the total number of residents and staff 
of State homes who are infected with COVID–19; 
and 
(B) the total number of such residents and 
staff who have died from COVID–19. 
(2) INFORMATION ON RESIDENTS AND STAFF.— 
The Secretary shall disaggregate information on resi-
dents and staff published under paragraph (1) by vet-
eran, staff, and other.
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(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
PUBLIC
HEALTH
EMERGENCY.— 
The term ‘‘covered public health emergency’’ means 
an emergency with respect to COVID–19 declared by 
a Federal, State, or local authority. 
(2) STATE HOME.—The term ‘‘State home’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 101(19) of 
title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 3004. GRANTS FOR STATE HOMES LOCATED ON TRIBAL 
LANDS. 
(a) STATE HOME DEFINED.—Section 101(19) of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘or Indian 
tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determina-
tion and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304))’’ after 
‘‘(other than a possession)’’. 
(b) PAYMENTS TO STATE HOMES.—Section 1741 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) In this subchapter, the term ‘State’ means each 
of the several States and each Indian tribe (as defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).’’. 
(c) STATE HOME CONSTRUCTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 8131(2) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘in-
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cludes each Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of 
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assist-
ance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) but’’ before ‘‘does not’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 8132 of 
such title is amended by striking ‘‘several’’. 
(d) ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE
OR ADMINISTRATIVE 
ACTION.— 
(1) CONSULTATION WITH INDIAN TRIBES.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
consult with Indian tribes to determine if any legisla-
tive or administrative action is necessary to modify 
the State home program to function efficiently in sup-
port of State homes operated by Indian tribes pursu-
ant to the amendments made by this section. 
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 
days after completing consultations under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report recommending legis-
lative action that the Secretary considers appropriate 
to modify the State home program described in such 
paragraph in light of those consultations. 
(3) MODIFICATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after completing consultations under paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall make any modifications to regula-
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tions implementing the State home program, for 
which legislative action is not necessary, as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate in light of those con-
sultations. 
(e) TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE.—The Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall provide technical support 
and assistance to Indian tribes in carrying out the State 
home program at State homes operated by Indian tribes 
pursuant to the amendments made by this section. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.— 
The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ 
means— 
(A) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; 
and 
(B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the 
United States of the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives. 
(2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 4 of the In-
dian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
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(3) STATE HOME.—The term ‘‘State home’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 101(19) of 
title 38, United States Code. 
(4) STATE HOME PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘State 
home program’’ means the program of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs for which payments are 
made under subchapter V of chapter 17 of title 38, 
United States Code, and assistance is provided under 
subchapter III of chapter 81 of such title. 
SEC. 3005. CONTINUATION OF WOMEN’S HEALTH TRANSI-
TION TRAINING PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) DURATION.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall carry out the Women’s Health Transition Training 
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘‘Program’’) until at least one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year and ten days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall joint-
ly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a re-
port on the Program that includes the following: 
(1) The number of women members of the Armed 
Forces, disaggregated by military department (with 
respect to the Department of the Navy, disaggregated
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by the Navy and Marine Corps), who participated in 
the Program. 
(2) The number of courses held under the Pro-
gram. 
(3) The locations at which such courses were 
held, the number of seats available for such courses, 
and the number of participants at each such location. 
(4) With respect to the number of members of the 
Armed Forces who participated in the Program as 
specified under paragraph (1)— 
(A) the number who enrolled in the health 
care system of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs under section 1705(a) of title 38, United 
States Code; and 
(B) the number who attended at least one 
health care appointment at a medical facility of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(5) Data relating to— 
(A) satisfaction with courses held under the 
Program; 
(B) improved awareness of health care serv-
ices administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs; and 
(C) any other available statistics regarding 
the Program.
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(6) A discussion of regulatory, legal, or resource 
barriers to— 
(A) making the Program permanent to en-
able access to services provided under the Pro-
gram by a greater number of women members of 
the Armed Forces at locations throughout the 
United States; 
(B) offering the Program online for women 
members of the Armed Forces who are unable to 
attend courses held under the Program in person; 
and 
(C) the feasability of automatically enroll-
ing Program participants in the health care sys-
tem of the Department of Veterans Affairs under 
section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. 
(c) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congres-
sional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives.
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SEC. 3006. AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS TO FURNISH MEDICALLY NECESSARY 
TRANSPORTATION FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN 
OF CERTAIN WOMEN VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1786 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by section 9102 of the William 
M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2021, is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by 
inserting ‘‘and transportation necessary to re-
ceive such services’’ after ‘‘described in subsection 
(b)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(3) another location, including a health care fa-
cility, if the veteran delivers the child before arriving 
at a facility described in paragraph (1) or (2).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting before the pe-
riod at the end the following: ‘‘, including necessary 
health care services provided by a facility other than 
the facility where the newborn child was delivered 
(including a specialty pediatric hospital) that accepts
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transfer of the newborn child and responsibility for 
treatment of the newborn child’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(d) TRANSPORTATION.—(1) Transportation furnished 
under subsection (a) to, from, or between care settings to 
meet the needs of a newborn child includes costs for either 
or both the newborn child and parents. 
‘‘(2) Transportation furnished under subsection (a) in-
cludes transportation by ambulance, including air ambu-
lance, or other appropriate medically staffed modes of 
transportation— 
‘‘(A) to another health care facility (including a 
specialty pediatric hospital) that accepts transfer of 
the newborn child or otherwise provides post-delivery 
care services when the treating facility is not capable 
of furnishing the care or services required; or 
‘‘(B) to a health care facility in a medical emer-
gency of such nature that a prudent layperson reason-
ably expects that delay in seeking immediate medical 
attention would be hazardous to life or health. 
‘‘(3) Amounts paid by the Department for transpor-
tation under this section shall be derived from the Medical 
Services appropriations account of the Department.
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‘‘(e) REIMBURSEMENT
OR PAYMENT
FOR HEALTH 
CARE SERVICES OR TRANSPORTATION.—(1) Pursuant to 
regulations the Secretary shall prescribe to establish rates 
of reimbursement and any limitations thereto under this 
section, the Secretary shall directly reimburse a covered en-
tity for health care services or transportation services pro-
vided under this section, unless the cost of the services or 
transportation is covered by an established agreement or 
contract. If such an agreement or contract exists, its nego-
tiated payment terms shall apply. 
‘‘(2)(A) Reimbursement or payment by the Secretary 
under this section on behalf of an individual to a covered 
entity shall, unless rejected and refunded by the covered en-
tity within 30 days of receipt, extinguish any liability on 
the part of the individual for the health care services or 
transportation covered by such payment. 
‘‘(B) Neither the absence of a contract or agreement 
between the Secretary and a covered entity nor any provi-
sion of a contract, agreement, or assignment to the contrary 
shall operate to modify, limit, or negate the requirements 
of subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘covered entity’ means 
any individual, transportation carrier, organization, or 
other entity that furnished or paid for health care services 
or transportation under this section.’’.
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(b) TREATMENT OF CERTAIN EXPENSES ALREADY IN-
CURRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to such regulations 
as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe, 
with respect to transportation furnished in order for 
a newborn child of a veteran to receive health care 
services under section 1786 of title 38, United States 
Code, during the period specified in paragraph (2), 
the Secretary may— 
(A) waive a debt owed by the veteran to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs or reimburse ex-
penses already paid by the veteran to the De-
partment for such transportation; 
(B) reimburse the veteran for expenses al-
ready paid by the veteran to a covered entity for 
such transportation; or 
(C) reimburse a covered entity for the costs 
of such transportation. 
(2) PERIOD SPECIFIED.—The period specified in 
this paragraph is the period beginning on May 5, 
2010, and ending on the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(3) COVERED
ENTITY
DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘‘covered entity’’ has the meaning
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† HR 7105 EAS 
given that term in section 1786(e)(3) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
SEC. 3007. WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS OF DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR RECEIPT OF PER 
DIEM PAYMENTS FOR DOMICILIARY CARE AT 
STATE HOMES AND MODIFICATION OF ELIGI-
BILITY FOR SUCH PAYMENTS. 
(a) WAIVER
OF REQUIREMENTS.—Notwithstanding 
section 1741 of title 38, United States Code (as amended 
by subsection (b)), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
modify section 51.51(b) of title 38, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or successor regulations), to provide the Secretary the 
authority to waive the requirements under such section 
51.51(b) for a veteran to be eligible for per diem payments 
for domiciliary care at a State home if— 
(1) the veteran has met not fewer than four of 
the requirements set forth in such section; or 
(2) such waiver would be in the best interest of 
the veteran. 
(b) 
MODIFICATION
OF
ELIGIBILITY.—Section 
1741(a)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in 
the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘in 
a Department facility’’ and inserting ‘‘under the laws ad-
ministered by the Secretary’’.
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(c) STATE HOME DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘State home’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
101(19) of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 3008. EXPANSION OF QUARTERLY UPDATE OF INFOR-
MATION ON STAFFING AND VACANCIES AT FA-
CILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON DU-
RATION OF HIRING PROCESS. 
(a) QUARTERLY UPDATE.—Subsection (a)(1) of sec-
tion 505 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115– 
182; 38 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) Beginning with any update under 
paragraph (3) on or after the date of the enact-
ment of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, 
M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Im-
provement Act of 2020, the following: 
‘‘(i) For employees appointed under 
paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401 of 
title 38, United States Code, the number of 
employees for which the duration of the 
process from validation of vacancy to re-
ceipt of official offer and notification of ac-
tual start date exceeds the metrics laid out
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† HR 7105 EAS 
in the Time to Hire Model of the Veterans 
Health Administration, or successor model. 
‘‘(ii) The percentage of employees who 
are described in clause (i) compared to all 
employees appointed under paragraphs (1) 
and (3) of section 7401 of such title during 
the same period. 
‘‘(iii) The average number of days po-
tential hires or new hires appointed under 
paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401 of 
such title spent in each phase of the Time 
to Hire Model, or successor model.’’. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Subsection (b) of such section 
is amended, in the first sentence, by adding before the pe-
riod at the end the following: ‘‘and to improve the onboard 
timeline for facilities for which the duration of the 
onboarding process exceeds the metrics laid out in the Time 
to Hire Model of the Veterans Health Administration, or 
successor model’’.
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† HR 7105 EAS 
SEC. 3009. REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES TO 
HAVE PHYSICAL LOCATION FOR THE DIS-
POSAL OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES MEDI-
CATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall ensure that each covered Department medical facility 
has a physical location where patients may dispose of con-
trolled substances medications. 
(b) COVERED DEPARTMENT MEDICAL FACILITY.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘covered Department medical facility’’ 
means a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs with an onsite pharmacy or a physical location dedi-
cated for law enforcement purposes. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on January 1, 2022. 
SEC. 3010. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT 
PROGRAM FOR CLINICAL OBSERVATION BY 
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall carry out a pilot program for a one-year period, 
beginning not later than August 15, 2021, to provide cer-
tain students described in subsection (d) a clinical observa-
tion experience at medical centers of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs.
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(b) MEDICAL CENTER SELECTION.—The Secretary 
shall carry out the pilot program under this section at not 
fewer than five medical centers of the Department. In select-
ing such medical centers, the Secretary shall ensure regional 
diversity among such selected medical centers. 
(c) CLINICAL OBSERVATION SESSIONS.— 
(1) FREQUENCY
AND
DURATION.—In carrying 
out the pilot program, the Secretary shall— 
(A) provide at least one and not more than 
three clinical observation sessions at each med-
ical center selected during each calendar year; 
(B) ensure that each clinical observation 
session— 
(i) lasts between four and six months; 
and 
(ii) to the extent practicable, begins 
and ends concurrently with one or more 
academic terms of an institution of higher 
education (as defined in section 101 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001)); and 
(C) ensure that the clinical observation ses-
sions provided at a medical center have minimal 
overlap.
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(2) SESSIONS.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
the pilot program consists of clinical observation ses-
sions as follows: 
(A) Each session shall allow for not fewer 
than five students nor greater than 15 students 
to participate in the session. 
(B) Each session shall consist of not fewer 
than 20 observational hours nor greater than 40 
observational hours. 
(C) A majority of the observational hours 
shall be spent observing a health professional. 
The other observational hours shall be spent in 
a manner that ensures a robust, well rounded ex-
perience that exposes the students to a variety of 
aspects of medical care and health care adminis-
tration. 
(D) Each session shall provide a diverse 
clinical observation experience. 
(d) STUDENTS.— 
(1) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall select to 
participate in the pilot program under subsection (a) 
students who are— 
(A) nationals of the United States; 
(B) enrolled in an accredited program of 
study at an institution of higher education; and
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(C) referred by their institution of higher 
education following an internal application 
process. 
(2) PRIORITY.—In making such selection, the 
Secretary shall give priority to each of the following 
five categories of students: 
(A) Students who, at the time of the comple-
tion of their secondary education, resided in a 
health professional shortage area (as defined in 
section 332 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 254e)). 
(B) First generation college students (as de-
fined in section 402A(h)(3) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))). 
(C) Students who have been referred by mi-
nority-serving institutions (as defined in section 
371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1067q(a))). 
(D) Veterans (as defined in section 101 of 
title 38, United States Code). 
(E) Students who indicate an intention to 
specialize in a health professional occupation 
identified by the Inspector General of the De-
partment under section 7412 of title 38, United 
States Code, as having a staffing shortage.
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(3) ASSIGNMENT
TO
MEDICAL
CENTERS.—The 
Secretary shall assign students selected under para-
graph (1) to medical centers selected under subsection 
(b) without regard for whether such medical centers 
have staffing shortages in any health professional oc-
cupation pursuant to section 7412 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(e) OTHER MATTERS.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram under this section, the Secretary shall— 
(1) establish a formal status to facilitate the ac-
cess to medical centers of the Department by student 
observers participating in the pilot program; 
(2) establish standardized legal, privacy, and 
ethical requirements for the student observers, includ-
ing with respect to— 
(A) ensuring that no student observer pro-
vides any care to patients while participating as 
an observer; and 
(B) ensuring the suitability of a student to 
participate in the pilot program to ensure that 
the student poses no risk to patients; 
(3) develop and implement a partnership strat-
egy with minority-serving institutions to encourage 
referrals;
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(4) create standardized procedures for student 
observers; 
(5) create an online information page about the 
pilot program on the internet website of the Depart-
ment; 
(6) publish on the online information page cre-
ated under paragraph (5) the locations of such cen-
ters, and other information on the pilot program, not 
later than 180 days before the date on which applica-
tions are required to be submitted by potential stu-
dent observers; 
(7) identify medical centers and specific health 
professionals participating in the pilot program; and 
(8) notify the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 
medical centers selected under subsection (c) within 
30 days of selection, to facilitate program awareness. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the com-
pletion of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on 
the results of the pilot program, including— 
(1) the number and demographics of all appli-
cants, those accepted to participate in the pilot pro-
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† HR 7105 EAS 
gram, and those who completed the pilot program; 
and 
(2) if participating institutions of higher edu-
cation choose to administer satisfaction surveys that 
assess the experience of those who completed the pilot 
program, the results of any such satisfaction surveys, 
provided at the discretion of the institution of higher 
education. 
(g) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM FOR CLINICAL OB-
SERVATION
BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.—It is the 
sense of Congress that the pilot program described in sub-
section (a) should be designed to— 
(1) increase the awareness, knowledge, and em-
pathy of future health professionals toward the health 
conditions common to veterans; 
(2) increase the diversity of the recruitment pool 
of future physicians of the Department; and 
(3) expand clinical observation opportunities for 
all students by encouraging students of all back-
grounds to consider a career in the health professions. 
(h) NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.—No addi-
tional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
the requirements of this section. Such requirements shall be
171 
† HR 7105 EAS 
carried out using amounts otherwise authorized to be ap-
propriated. 
Subtitle B—Scheduling and 
Consult Management 
SEC. 3101. PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHED-
ULING APPOINTMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE 
FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
AND NON-DEPARTMENT HEALTH CARE. 
(a) PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall— 
(A) establish a process and requirements for 
scheduling appointments for— 
(i) health care from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs; and 
(ii) health care furnished through the 
Veterans Community Care Program under 
section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, 
by a non-Department health care provider; 
and 
(B) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
description of such process and requirements.
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(2) ELEMENTS OF DESCRIPTION.—The descrip-
tion of the process and requirements for scheduling 
appointments for health care required to be submitted 
under paragraph (1)(B) shall include— 
(A) information on how such process and 
requirements take into account the access stand-
ards established under section 1703B of title 38, 
United States Code; and 
(B) the maximum number of days allowed 
to complete each step of such process. 
(3) PERIODIC REVISION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may re-
vise the process and requirements required under 
paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers nec-
essary. 
(B) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 30 days before revising the process and re-
quirements under subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives a description of such revised process and re-
quirements, including a description of any modi-
fications to the certification and training under 
subsection (b).
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† HR 7105 EAS 
(b) CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING ON PROCESS AND 
REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) CERTIFICATION.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall require each individual involved in the 
scheduling of appointments for health care from the 
Department or health care described in subsection 
(a)(1)(A)(ii), including schedulers, clinical coordina-
tors, and supervisors, to certify to the Secretary that 
the individual understands the process and require-
ments established under subsection (a), including the 
maximum number of days allowed to complete each 
step of such process. 
(2) NEW EMPLOYEES.—The Secretary shall re-
quire each employee hired by the Department on or 
after the date of the enactment of this Act who is to 
be involved in the scheduling of appointments for 
health care from the Department or health care de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii)— 
(A) to undergo training on the process and 
requirements established under subsection (a) as 
part of training for the position for which the 
employee has been hired; and 
(B) to make the certification to the Sec-
retary required under paragraph (1).