fairs of the House of Representatives a report on the re-
sults of the review completed under subsection (a). 
(d) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ 
means any organization recognized by the Secretary for 
the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 
38, United States Code. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on the date that is 270 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 105. REPORT ON STAFFING LEVELS AT REGIONAL OF-
FICES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS UNDER NATIONAL WORK QUEUE. 
Not later than 15 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on the criteria and procedures 
that the Secretary will use to determine appropriate staff-
ing levels at the regional offices of the Department under 
the National Work Queue for the distribution of the claims 
processing workload. 
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SEC. 106. INCLUSION IN ANNUAL BUDGET SUBMISSION OF 
INFORMATION ON CAPACITY OF VETERANS 
BENEFITS 
ADMINISTRATION 
TO 
PROCESS 
BENEFITS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Along with the supporting infor-
mation included in the budget submitted to Congress by 
the President pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31, 
United States Code, the President shall include informa-
tion on the capacity of the Veterans Benefits Administra-
tion to process claims for benefits under the laws adminis-
tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including infor-
mation described in subsection (b), during the fiscal year 
covered by the budget with which the information is sub-
mitted. 
(b) INFORMATION DESCRIBED.—The information de-
scribed in this subsection is the following: 
(1) An estimate of the average number of 
claims for benefits under the laws administered by 
the Secretary, excluding such claims completed dur-
ing mandatory overtime, that a single full-time 
equivalent employee of the Administration should be 
able to process in a year, based on the following: 
(A) A time and motion study that the Sec-
retary shall conduct on the processing of such 
claims. 
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(B) Such other information relating to 
such claims as the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
(2) A description of the actions the Secretary 
will take to improve the processing of such claims. 
(3) An assessment of the actions identified by 
the Secretary under paragraph (2) in the previous 
year and an identification of the effects of those ac-
tions. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply with 
respect to any budget submitted as described in subsection 
(a) with respect to any fiscal year after fiscal year 2018. 
SEC. 107. REPORT ON PLANS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS TO REDUCE INVENTORY OF NON- 
RATING WORKLOAD; SENSE OF CONGRESS 
REGARDING MONDAY MORNING WORKLOAD 
REPORT. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives a report that details the 
plans of the Secretary to reduce the inventory of work 
items listed in the Monday Morning Workload Report 
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under End Products 130, 137, 173, 290, 400, 600, 607, 
690, 930, and 960. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should include 
in each Monday Morning Workload Report published by 
the Secretary the following: 
(1) With respect to each regional office of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, the following: 
(A) The number of fully developed claims 
for benefits under the laws administered by the 
Secretary that have been received. 
(B) The number of claims described in 
subparagraph (A) that are pending a decision. 
(C) The number of claims described in 
subparagraph (A) that have been pending a de-
cision for more than 125 days. 
(2) Enhanced information on appeals of deci-
sions relating to claims for benefits under the laws 
administered by the Secretary that are pending, in-
cluding information contained in the reports of the 
Department entitled ‘‘Appeals Pending’’ and ‘‘Ap-
peals Workload By Station’’. 
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SEC. 108. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRESS IN IMPLE-
MENTING 
VETERANS 
BENEFITS 
MANAGE-
MENT SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than each of one year, 
two years, and three 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 Rep-
resentatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in 
implementing the Veterans Benefits Management System. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each report required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the current functionality 
of the Veterans Benefits Management System. 
(2) Recommendations submitted to the Sec-
retary by employees of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs who are involved in processing claims for 
benefits under the laws administered by the Sec-
retary, including veterans service representatives, 
rating veterans service representatives, and decision 
review officers, for such legislative or administrative 
action as the employees consider appropriate to im-
prove the processing of such claims. 
(3) Recommendations submitted to the Sec-
retary by veterans service organizations who use the 
Veterans Benefits Management System for such leg-
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islative or administrative action as the veterans serv-
ice organizations consider appropriate to improve 
such system. 
(c) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ 
means any organization recognized by the Secretary for 
the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 
38, United States Code. 
SEC. 109. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITY FOR PERFORM-
ANCE OF MEDICAL DISABILITIES EXAMINA-
TIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS. 
(a) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
(1) TEMPORARY AUTHORITY.—Section 704 of 
the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 
note) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsection (d) as sub-
section (e); and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
following new subsection (d): 
‘‘(d) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law 
regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician de-
scribed in paragraph (2) may conduct an examina-
tion pursuant to a contract entered into under sub-
section (b) at any location in any State, the District 
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of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or pos-
session of the United States, so long as the examina-
tion is within the scope of the authorized duties 
under such contract. 
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician de-
scribed in this paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
practice the health care profession of the physi-
cian; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such 
health care profession in any State, the District 
of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or 
possession of the United States; and 
‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for 
the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to 
a contract entered into under subsection (b).’’. 
(2) PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 504 of the Vet-
erans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 (38 
U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsections (c) and 
(d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the 
following new subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law 
regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician de-
scribed in paragraph (2) may conduct an examina-
tion pursuant to a contract entered into under sub-
section (a) at any location in any State, the District 
of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or pos-
session of the United States, so long as the examina-
tion is within the scope of the authorized duties 
under such contract. 
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician de-
scribed in this paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to 
practice the health care profession of the physi-
cian; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such 
health care profession in any State, the District 
of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or 
possession of the United States; and 
‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for 
the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to 
a contract entered into under subsection (a).’’. 
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SEC. 110. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PROCESS BY WHICH 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AS-
SESSES IMPAIRMENTS THAT RESULT FROM 
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FOR PURPOSES 
OF AWARDING DISABILITY COMPENSATION. 
(a) AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine to perform the services covered by this 
section. 
(2) TIMING.—The Secretary shall seek to enter 
into the agreement described in paragraph (1) not 
later than 9 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Under an agreement be-
tween the Secretary and the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under this sec-
tion, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineer-
ing, and Medicine shall conduct a comprehensive re-
view of examinations furnished by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs to individuals who submit claims 
to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 
of title 38, United States Code, for traumatic brain 
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injury to assess the impairments of such individuals 
relating to such injury. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The comprehensive review 
carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include 
the following: 
(A) A determination of the adequacy of the 
tools and protocols used by the Department to 
provide examinations described in paragraph 
(1). 
(B) A determination of which credentials 
are necessary for health care specialists and 
providers to perform such portions of such ex-
aminations that relate to an assessment of all 
disabling effects. 
(3) GROUP
OF
EXPERIENCED
HEALTH
CARE 
PROVIDERS.—In carrying out the comprehensive re-
view pursuant to paragraph (1), the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall 
convene a group of relevant experts, including ex-
perts 
in 
clinical 
neuropsychology, 
psychiatry, 
physiatry, neurosurgery, and neurology. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 540 days 
after the date on which the Secretary enters into an 
agreement under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary 
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shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
on the comprehensive review conducted under this 
section. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) The findings of the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 
with respect to the comprehensive review con-
ducted under this section. 
(B) Such recommendations for legislative 
or administrative action as the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 
may have for the improvement of the adjudica-
tion of claims described in subsection (b)(1). 
(d) ALTERNATE CONTRACT ORGANIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary is unable 
within the period prescribed in subsection (a)(2) to 
enter into an agreement described in subsection 
(a)(1) with the National Academies of Sciences, En-
gineering, and Medicine on terms acceptable to the 
Secretary, the Secretary shall seek to enter into such 
an agreement with another appropriate organization 
that— 
(A) is not part of the Government; 
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(B) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and 
(C) has expertise and objectivity com-
parable to that of the Health and Medicine Di-
vision of the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine. 
(2) TREATMENT.—If the Secretary enters into 
an agreement with another organization as described 
in paragraph (1), any reference in this section to the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine shall be treated as a reference to the other 
organization. 
SEC. 111. REPORTS ON CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COM-
PENSATION. 
(a) REPORT ON REASONABLY RAISED CLAIMS.—Not 
later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report on the policies of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to processing 
reasonably raised unrelated claims. Such report shall in-
clude— 
(1) any statistics on how frequently such unre-
lated claims are identified by the Secretary; 
(2) how frequently the Secretary notifies claim-
ants about potential unrelated claims; and 
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(3) how often the claimant later submits a 
claim for the condition described by the unrelated 
claim. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORTS ON COMPLETE AND INCOM-
PLETE CLAIMS.—During the five-year period beginning on 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and House of Representatives annual reports on com-
plete and incomplete claims for disability compensation 
submitted to the Secretary. Each such report shall in-
clude, for the one-year period covered by the report— 
(1) the total number of claims submitted to the 
Secretary; 
(2) the total number of incomplete claims sub-
mitted to the Secretary; 
(3) the total number of complete claims sub-
mitted to the Secretary; 
(4) the total number of forms indicating an in-
tent to file a claim for benefits submitted to the Sec-
retary; 
(5) the total number of electronically filed 
claims submitted to the Secretary; 
(6) the total number of fully developed claims 
submitted to the Secretary; 
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(7) the total number of claims submitted to the 
Secretary that are not complete claims but that the 
Secretary treats as a request by the claimant for a 
form to file a claim; and 
(8) of the total number of claims identified 
under paragraph (7), the percent for which the Sec-
retary notified the claimant of the need to file a 
complete claim. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘claimant’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 5100 of title 38, United States 
Code, and includes a representative of a claimant. 
(2) The term ‘‘reasonably raised unrelated 
claim’’ means a claim for disability compensation 
under the laws administered by the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs that, in addition to the condition for 
which such claim is made, includes evidence of a 
separate condition that is not specifically identified 
as part of the claim but may be inferred or logically 
placed at issue upon a sympathetic reading of the 
claim and the record developed with respect to that 
claim. 
SEC. 112. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AMERICAN 
VETERANS DISABLED FOR LIFE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
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(1) There are at least 4,200,000 veterans cur-
rently living with service-connected disabilities. 
(2) As a result of their service, many veterans 
are permanently disabled throughout their lives and 
in many cases must rely on the support of their fam-
ilies and friends when these visible and invisible bur-
dens become too much to bear alone. 
(3) October 5, which is the anniversary of the 
dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for 
Life Memorial, has been recognized as an appro-
priate day on which to honor American veterans dis-
abled for life each year. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—Congress— 
(1) expresses its appreciation to the men and 
women left permanently wounded, ill, or injured as 
a result of their service in the Armed Forces; 
(2) supports the annual recognition of Amer-
ican veterans disabled for life each year; and 
(3) encourages the American people to honor 
American veterans disabled for life each year with 
appropriate programs and activities. 
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SEC. 113. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SUBMITTAL OF INFOR-
MATION RELATING TO CLAIMS FOR DISABIL-
ITIES INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED BY MILI-
TARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should submit to Con-
gress information on the covered claims submitted to the 
Secretary during each fiscal year, including the informa-
tion specified in subsection (b). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The information specified in this 
subsection with respect to each fiscal year is the following: 
(1) The number of covered claims submitted to 
or considered by the Secretary during such fiscal 
year. 
(2) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1), 
the number and percentage of such claims— 
(A) submitted by each sex; 
(B) that were approved, including the 
number and percentage of such approved claims 
submitted by each sex; and 
(C) that were denied, including the number 
and percentage of such denied claims submitted 
by each sex. 
(3) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) 
that were approved, the number and percentage, list-
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ed by each sex, of claims assigned to each rating 
percentage of disability. 
(4) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) 
that were denied— 
(A) the three most common reasons given 
by the Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of 
title 38, United States Code, for such denials; 
and 
(B) the number of denials that were based 
on the failure of a veteran to report for a med-
ical examination. 
(5) The number of covered claims that, as of 
the end of such fiscal year, are pending and, sepa-
rately, the number of such claims on appeal. 
(6) The average number of days that covered 
claims take to complete beginning on the date on 
which the claim is submitted. 
(7) A description of the training that the Sec-
retary provides to employees of the Veterans Bene-
fits Administration specifically with respect to cov-
ered claims, including the frequency, length, and 
content of such training. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered claims’’ means claims 
for disability compensation submitted to the Sec-
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retary based on a mental health condition alleged to 
have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual 
trauma. 
(2) The term ‘‘military sexual trauma’’ shall 
have the meaning specified by the Secretary for pur-
poses of this section and shall include ‘‘sexual har-
assment’’ (as so specified). 
TITLE 
II—UNITED 
STATES 
COURT OF APPEALS FOR VET-
ERANS CLAIMS 
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY INCREASE IN NUM-
BER OF JUDGES ON UNITED STATES COURT 
OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7253(i)(2) is amended by 
striking ‘‘January 1, 2013’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 
2021’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than June 30, 
2020, the chief judge of the United States Court of 
Appeals for Veterans Claims shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on the temporary expan-
sions of the Court under section 7253 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
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(2) CONTENTS.—The report required by para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the effect of the ex-
pansions on ensuring appeals are handled in a 
timely manner. 
(B) A description of the ways in which the 
complexity levels of the appeals acted on by the 
Court may have changed based on service dur-
ing recent conflicts compared to those based on 
service from previous eras. 
(C) A recommendation on whether the 
number of judges should be adjusted at the end 
of the temporary expansion period, including 
statistics, projections, trend analyses, and other 
information to support the recommendation. 
SEC. 
202. 
LIFE 
INSURANCE 
PROGRAM 
RELATING 
TO 
JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF AP-
PEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7281 is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge 
who is in regular active service and a judge who is retired 
under section 7296 of this title or under chapter 83 or 
84 of title 5 shall be treated as an employee described 
in section 8701(a)(5) of title 5. 
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‘‘(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Court may pay on behalf of its judges, who are age 65 
or older, any increase in the cost of Federal Employees’ 
Group Life Insurance imposed after April 24, 1999, in-
cluding any expenses generated by such payments, as au-
thorized by the chief judge of the Court in a manner con-
sistent with such payment authorized by the Judicial Con-
ference of the United States pursuant to section 604(a)(5) 
of title 28.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any payment 
made on or after the first day of the first applicable pay 
period beginning on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 203. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SUR-
VIVORS’ ANNUITY. 
Section 7297 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under 
subsection (b) may purchase, in three-month increments, 
up to an additional year of service credit for each year 
of Federal judicial service completed, under the terms set 
forth in this section. 
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘covered judge’ 
means any of the following: 
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‘‘(A) A judge in regular active service. 
‘‘(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible re-
tired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 
7257 of this title. 
‘‘(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eli-
gible retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of sec-
tion 7257 but for— 
‘‘(i) meeting the aggregate recall service 
requirements under subsection (b)(3) of such 
section; or 
‘‘(ii) being permanently disabled as de-
scribed by subsection (b)(4) of such section.’’. 
SEC. 204. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES 
COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7253(d) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘and’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
the following new subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B) have at least three years remaining in 
term of office; and’’; and 
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(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of 
the Court in regular active service who meets the require-
ments under paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in reg-
ular active service who is senior in commission and meets 
subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of para-
graph (1) shall act as the chief judge. 
‘‘(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this 
paragraph in which there is no judge of the Court in reg-
ular active service who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and 
subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), the judge of the Court 
in regular active service who is senior in commission and 
meets subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to the selection of a 
chief judge occurring on or after January 1, 2020. 
TITLE III—BURIAL BENEFITS 
AND OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEADSTONES, 
MARKERS, AND MEDALLIONS. 
Section 2306(d) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
following new paragraph: 
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‘‘(4)(A) In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker 
under this subsection to a deceased individual described 
in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may furnish, upon re-
quest, a medallion or other device of a design determined 
by the Secretary to signify the deceased individual’s status 
as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker fur-
nished at private expense. 
‘‘(B) A deceased individual described in this sub-
section is an individual who— 
‘‘(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after 
April 6, 1917; and 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker fur-
nished under paragraph (1) (or would be so eligible 
but for the date of the death of the individual).’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(5)(A) In carrying out this subsection with respect 
to a deceased individual described in subparagraph (C), 
the Secretary shall furnish, upon request, a headstone or 
marker under paragraph (1) or a medallion under para-
graph (4) that signifies the deceased’s status as a medal 
of honor recipient. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary furnished a headstone, marker, 
or medallion under paragraph (1) or (4) for a deceased 
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individual described in subparagraph (C) that does not 
signify the deceased’s status as a medal of honor recipient, 
the Secretary shall, upon request, replace such headstone, 
marker, or medallion with a headstone, marker, or medal-
lion, as the case may be, that so signifies the deceased’s 
status as a medal of honor recipient. 
‘‘(C) A deceased individual described in this subpara-
graph is a deceased individual who— 
‘‘(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after 
April 6, 1917; 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker fur-
nished under paragraph (1) or a medallion furnished 
under paragraph (4) (or would be so eligible for 
such headstone, marker, or medallion but for the 
date of the death of the individual); and 
‘‘(iii) was awarded the medal of honor under 
section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 
491 of title 14 (including posthumously). 
‘‘(D) In this paragraph, the term ‘medal of honor re-
cipient’ means an individual who is awarded the medal of 
honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or 
section 491 of title 14.’’. 
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SEC. 302. EXPANSION OF PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CER-
TIFICATE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 112(a) is amended by 
striking ‘‘veterans,’’ and all that follows through ‘‘serv-
ice,’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘persons eligible for bur-
ial in a national cemetery by reason of any of paragraphs 
(1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 2402(a) of this title,’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to the death of a per-
son eligible for burial in a national cemetery by reason 
of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 2402(a) of 
title 38, United States Code, occurring before, on, or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 303. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STUDY ON 
MATTERS RELATING TO BURIAL OF UN-
CLAIMED REMAINS OF VETERANS IN NA-
TIONAL CEMETERIES. 
(a) STUDY AND REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 
one year after the effective date specified in subsection (d), 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— 
(1) complete a study on matters relating to the 
interring of unclaimed remains of veterans in na-
tional cemeteries under the control of the National 
Cemetery Administration; and 
(2) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
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Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
the findings of the Secretary with respect to the 
study required under paragraph (1). 
(b) MATTERS STUDIED.—The matters studied under 
subsection (a)(1) shall include the following: 
(1) Determining the scope of issues relating to 
unclaimed remains of veterans, including an esti-
mate of the number of unclaimed remains of vet-
erans. 
(2) Assessing the effectiveness of the proce-
dures of the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
working with persons or entities having custody of 
unclaimed remains to facilitate interment of un-
claimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries 
under the control of the National Cemetery Adminis-
tration. 
(3) Assessing State and local laws that affect 
the ability of the Secretary to inter unclaimed re-
mains of veterans in national cemeteries under the 
control of the National Cemetery Administration. 
(4) Developing recommendations for such legis-
lative or administrative action as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
(c) METHODOLOGY.— 
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(1) NUMBER OF UNCLAIMED REMAINS.—In es-
timating the number of unclaimed remains of vet-
erans under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may re-
view such subset of applicable entities as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate, including a subset of 
funeral homes and coroner offices that possess un-
claimed veterans remains. 
(2) ASSESSMENT
OF
STATE
AND
LOCAL 
LAWS.—In assessing State and local laws under sub-
section (b)(3), the Secretary may assess such sample 
of applicable State and local laws as the Secretary 
considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all applica-
ble State and local laws. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on the date that is one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 304. STUDY ON PROVISION OF INTERMENTS IN VET-
ERANS’ CEMETERIES DURING WEEKENDS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall conduct a study on the feasibility and 
the need for providing increased interments in vet-
erans’ cemeteries on Saturdays and Sundays to meet 
the needs of surviving family members to properly 
honor the deceased. 
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(2) MATTERS
INCLUDED.—The study under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) The number of requests made for in-
terments in veterans’ cemeteries on a Saturday 
or a Sunday since January 1, 2007. 
(B) The number of requests identified 
under subparagraph (A) that were granted. 
(C) An estimate of the number of families 
that, since January 1, 2007, would have se-
lected a weekend interment if such an inter-
ment would have been offered. 
(D) A review of the practices relating to 
weekend interments among non-veterans’ ceme-
teries, including private and municipal ceme-
teries. 
(E) A comparison of the costs to veterans’ 
cemeteries with respect to providing regular in-
terments only during weekdays and such costs 
for providing regular interments during the 
weekdays and at least one weekend day. 
(F) Any other information the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the study 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult 
with the following: 
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(A) Veterans who are eligible to be in-
terred in a veterans’ cemetery. 
(B) Family members of a deceased indi-
vidual interred in a veterans’ cemetery. 
(C) Veterans service organizations. 
(D) Associations representing cemetery 
and funeral home professionals. 
(E) The heads of agencies of State govern-
ments relating to veterans affairs. 
(F) The directors of the veterans’ ceme-
teries. 
(G) Any other person the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(b) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate a report on the study 
conducted under subsection (a). 
(c) VETERANS’ CEMETERIES DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘veterans’ cemeteries’’ means the ceme-
teries of the National Cemetery Administration, veterans’ 
cemeteries owned by a State, and veterans’ cemeteries 
owned by a tribal organization. 
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SEC. 305. HONORING AS VETERANS CERTAIN PERSONS 
WHO PERFORMED SERVICE IN THE RESERVE 
COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
Any person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of 
title 10, United States Code, to retired pay for nonregular 
service or, but for age, would be entitled under such chap-
ter to retired pay for nonregular service shall be honored 
as a veteran but shall not be entitled to any benefit by 
reason of this honor. 
TITLE 
IV—EDUCATIONAL 
AS-
SISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL 
REHABILITATION 
SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MARINE 
GUNNERY 
SERGEANT 
JOHN 
DAVID 
FRY 
SCHOLARSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 701(d) of the Veterans 
Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public 
Law 113–146; 128 Stat. 1796; 38 U.S.C. 3311 note) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply with respect to a quarter, se-
mester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or 
after January 1, 2015. 
‘‘(2) DEATHS THAT OCCURRED BETWEEN SEP-
TEMBER
11, 2001, AND
DECEMBER
31, 2005.—For 
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‘‘(i) who is entitled to assistance 
under subsection (a) pursuant to para-
graph (9) of subsection (b); and 
‘‘(ii) who was the spouse of a member 
of the Armed Forces who died during the 
period beginning on September 11, 2001, 
and ending on December 31, 2005.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (5) of 
subsection (f) of section 3311, as redesignated by sub-
section (b)(2), is amended by striking ‘‘that paragraph’’ 
and inserting ‘‘paragraph (9) of subsection (b)’’. 
SEC. 402. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION AND 
TRAINING FOR PURPOSES OF THE VOCA-
TIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3104(b) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new sentences: ‘‘To the 
maximum extent practicable, a course of education or 
training may be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabili-
tation program under this chapter only if the course is 
approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title. 
The Secretary may waive the requirement under the pre-
ceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines ap-
propriate.’’. 
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(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a course of edu-
cation or training pursued by a veteran who first begins 
a program of rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, 
United States Code, on or after the date that is one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 403. AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE VOCATIONAL REHA-
BILITATION SERVICES BASED ON NEED. 
Section 3104, as amended by section 402, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to ad-
minister this chapter by prioritizing the provision of serv-
ices under this chapter based on need, as determined by 
the Secretary. In evaluating need for purposes of this sub-
section, the Secretary shall consider disability ratings, the 
severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a pro-
gram of independent living, income, and any other factor 
the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 90 days before making any 
changes to the prioritization of the provision of services 
under this chapter as authorized under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan 
describing such changes.’’. 
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SEC. 404. REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF STUDENTS RECEIV-
ING POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 is 
amended— 
(1) in section 3325(c)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (4); and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
following new paragraph (3): 
‘‘(3) the information received by the Secretary 
under section 3326 of this title; and’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sec-
tion: 
‘‘§ 3326. Report on student progress 
‘‘As a condition of approval under chapter 36 of this 
title of a course offered by an educational institution (as 
defined in section 3452 of this title), each year, each edu-
cational institution (as so defined) that received a payment 
in that year on behalf of an individual entitled to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter shall submit to the 
Secretary such information regarding the academic 
progress of the individual as the Secretary may require.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘3326. Report on student progress.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on the date that is one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 405. RECODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEC-
TION PROCESS FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33, as 
amended by section 404, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3327. Election to receive educational assistance 
‘‘(a) INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO ELECT PARTICIPA-
TION IN POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—An indi-
vidual may elect to receive educational assistance under 
this chapter if such individual— 
‘‘(1) as of August 1, 2009— 
‘‘(A) is entitled to basic educational assist-
ance under chapter 30 of this title and has 
used, but retains unused, entitlement under 
that chapter; 
‘‘(B) is entitled to educational assistance 
under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 
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and has used, but retains unused, entitlement 
under the applicable chapter; 
‘‘(C) is entitled to basic educational assist-
ance under chapter 30 of this title but has not 
used any entitlement under that chapter; 
‘‘(D) is entitled to educational assistance 
under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 
but has not used any entitlement under such 
chapter; 
‘‘(E) is a member of the Armed Forces 
who is eligible for receipt of basic educational 
assistance under chapter 30 of this title and is 
making contributions toward such assistance 
under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; 
or 
‘‘(F) is a member of the Armed Forces 
who is not entitled to basic educational assist-
ance under chapter 30 of this title by reason of 
an 
election 
under 
section 
3011(c)(1) 
or 
3012(d)(1) of this title; and 
‘‘(2) as of the date of the individual’s election 
under this paragraph, meets the requirements for 
entitlement to educational assistance under this 
chapter. 
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‘‘(b) CESSATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD GI 
BILL.—Effective as of the first month beginning on or 
after the date of an election under subsection (a) of an 
individual described by paragraph (1)(E) of that sub-
section, the obligation of the individual to make contribu-
tions under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as 
applicable, shall cease, and the requirements of such sec-
tion shall be deemed to be no longer applicable to the indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(c) REVOCATION
OF REMAINING TRANSFERRED 
ENTITLEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) ELECTION TO REVOKE.—If, on the date an 
individual described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of 
subsection (a) makes an election under that sub-
section, a transfer of the entitlement of the indi-
vidual to basic educational assistance under section 
3020 of this title is in effect and a number of 
months of the entitlement so transferred remain un-
utilized, the individual may elect to revoke all or a 
portion of the entitlement so transferred that re-
mains unutilized. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY
OF
REVOKED
ENTITLE-
MENT.—Any entitlement revoked by an individual 
under this subsection shall no longer be available to 
the dependent to whom transferred, but shall be 
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available to the individual instead for educational as-
sistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance 
with the provisions of this section. 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY OF UNREVOKED ENTITLE-
MENT.—Any entitlement described in paragraph (1) 
that is not revoked by an individual in accordance 
with that paragraph shall remain available to the de-
pendent or dependents concerned in accordance with 
the current transfer of such entitlement under sec-
tion 3020 of this title. 
‘‘(d) POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2) 
and except as provided in subsection (e), an indi-
vidual making an election under subsection (a) shall 
be entitled to educational assistance under this chap-
ter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, 
instead of basic educational assistance under chapter 
30 of this title, or educational assistance under 
chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION ON ENTITLEMENT FOR CER-
TAIN
INDIVIDUALS.—In the case of an individual 
making an election under subsection (a) who is de-
scribed by paragraph (1)(A) of that subsection, the 
number of months of entitlement of the individual to 
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educational assistance under this chapter shall be 
the number of months equal to— 
‘‘(A) the number of months of unused enti-
tlement of the individual under chapter 30 of 
this title, as of the date of the election, plus 
‘‘(B) the number of months, if any, of enti-
tlement revoked by the individual under sub-
section (c)(1). 
‘‘(e) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE NOT AVAILABLE UNDER POST-9/11 EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—In the event educational 
assistance to which an individual making an election 
under subsection (a) would be entitled under chapter 
30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of 
title 10, as applicable, is not authorized to be avail-
able to the individual under the provisions of this 
chapter, the individual shall remain entitled to such 
educational assistance in accordance with the provi-
sions of the applicable chapter. 
‘‘(2) CHARGE
FOR
USE
OF
ENTITLEMENT.— 
The utilization by an individual of entitlement under 
paragraph (1) shall be chargeable against the enti-
tlement of the individual to educational assistance 
under this chapter at the rate of one month of enti-
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tlement under this chapter for each month of entitle-
ment utilized by the individual under paragraph (1) 
(as determined as if such entitlement were utilized 
under the provisions of chapter 30 of this title, or 
chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applica-
ble). 
‘‘(f) ADDITIONAL POST-9/11 ASSISTANCE FOR MEM-
BERS
HAVING
MADE
CONTRIBUTIONS
TOWARD
GI 
BILL.— 
‘‘(1) ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.—In the case of 
an individual making an election under subsection 
(a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or 
(E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, the amount 
of educational assistance payable to the individual 
under this chapter as a monthly stipend payable 
under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this 
title, or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of that 
section (as applicable), shall be the amount other-
wise payable as a monthly stipend under the applica-
ble paragraph increased by the amount equal to— 
‘‘(A) the total amount of contributions to-
ward basic educational assistance made by the 
individual under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of 
this title, as of the date of the election, multi-
plied by 
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‘‘(B) the fraction— 
‘‘(i) the numerator of which is— 
‘‘(I) the number of months of en-
titlement to basic educational assist-
ance under chapter 30 of this title re-
maining to the individual at the time 
of the election; plus 
‘‘(II) the number of months, if 
any, of entitlement under chapter 30 
of this title revoked by the individual 
under subsection (c)(1); and 
‘‘(ii) the denominator of which is 36 
months. 
‘‘(2) MONTHS
OF
REMAINING
ENTITLEMENT 
FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.—In the case of an indi-
vidual covered by paragraph (1) who is described by 
subsection (a)(1)(E), the number of months of enti-
tlement to basic educational assistance remaining to 
the 
individual 
for 
purposes 
of 
paragraph 
(1)(B)(i)(II) shall be 36 months. 
‘‘(3) TIMING OF PAYMENT.—The amount pay-
able with respect to an individual under paragraph 
(1) shall be paid to the individual together with the 
last payment of the monthly stipend payable to the 
individual under paragraph (1)(B) of section 
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3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs (2) 
through (7) of that section (as applicable), before 
the exhaustion of the individual’s entitlement to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter. 
‘‘(g) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT
TO ADDITIONAL 
ASSISTANCE FOR CRITICAL SKILLS OR SPECIALTY AND 
ADDITIONAL SERVICE.—An individual making an election 
under subsection (a)(1) who, at the time of the election, 
is entitled to increased educational assistance under sec-
tion 3015(d) of this title, or section 16131(i) of title 10, 
or supplemental educational assistance under subchapter 
III of chapter 30 of this title, shall remain entitled to such 
increased educational assistance or supplemental edu-
cational assistance in the utilization of entitlement to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter, in an amount equal 
to the quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, equivalent 
of the monthly amount of such increased educational as-
sistance or supplemental educational assistance payable 
with respect to the individual at the time of the election. 
‘‘(h) ALTERNATIVE ELECTION BY SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an individual 
who, on or after January 1, 2017, submits to the 
Secretary an election under this section that the 
Secretary determines is clearly against the interests 
of the individual, or who fails to make an election 
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under this section, the Secretary may make an alter-
native election on behalf of the individual that the 
Secretary determines is in the best interests of the 
individual. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE.—If the Secretary makes an elec-
tion on behalf of an individual under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall notify the individual by not later 
than seven days after making such election and shall 
provide the individual with a 30-day period, begin-
ning on the date of the individual’s receipt of such 
notice, during which the individual may modify or 
revoke the election made by the Secretary on the in-
dividual’s behalf. The Secretary shall include, as 
part of such notice, a clear statement of why the al-
ternative election made by the Secretary is in the 
best interests of the individual as compared to the 
election submitted by the individual. The Secretary 
shall provide the notice required under this para-
graph by electronic means whenever possible. 
‘‘(i) IRREVOCABILITY OF ELECTIONS.—An election 
under subsection (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 
404, is further amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘3327. Election to receive educational assistance.’’. 
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(c) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Subsection (c) of section 
5003 of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance 
Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–252; 38 U.S.C. 3301 note) 
is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 406. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE. 
Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking ‘‘June 30, 
2013’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘June 30, 
2013, or the period beginning on June 30, 2017, and end-
ing on June 30, 2022’’. 
SEC. 407. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLL-
MENT BY CERTAIN GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND 
CONSORTIUMS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITU-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3684(a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘32, 33,’’ 
after ‘‘31,’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘edu-
cational institution’ may include a group, district, or con-
sortium of separately accredited educational institutions 
located in the same State that are organized in a manner 
that facilitates the centralized reporting of the enrollments 
in such group, district, or consortium of institutions.’’. 
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(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to reports sub-
mitted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 408. ROLE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES. 
(a) APPROVAL
OF
CERTAIN
COURSES.—Section 
3672(b)(2)(A) is amended by striking ‘‘the following’’ and 
all that follows through the colon and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘a program of education is deemed to be approved 
for purposes of this chapter if a State approving agency, 
or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approv-
ing agency, determines that the program is one of the fol-
lowing programs:’’. 
(b) APPROVAL OF OTHER COURSES.—Section 3675 
of such title is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary or a State 
approving agency’’ and inserting ‘‘A State ap-
proving agency, or the Secretary when acting in 
the role of a State approving agency,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘offered by proprietary for- 
profit educational institutions’’ and inserting 
‘‘not covered by section 3672 of this title’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘the Secretary or the State approv-
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ing agency’’ and inserting ‘‘the State approving 
agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role 
of a State approving agency,’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the Sec-
retary or the State approving agency’’ and in-
serting ‘‘the State approving agency, or the 
Secretary when acting in the role of a State ap-
proving agency’’. 
SEC. 409. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR AP-
PROVAL FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS 
AFFAIRS 
OF 
PROGRAMS 
DE-
SIGNED TO PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR LI-
CENSURE OR CERTIFICATION. 
(a) APPROVAL OF NONACCREDITED COURSES.—Sub-
section (c) of section 3676 is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as para-
graph (16); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the fol-
lowing new paragraphs: 
‘‘(14) In the case of a course designed to pre-
pare an individual for licensure or certification in a 
State, the course— 
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‘‘(A) meets all instructional curriculum li-
censure or certification requirements of such 
State; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a course designed to 
prepare an individual for licensure to practice 
law in a State, is accredited by an accrediting 
agency or association recognized by the Sec-
retary of Education under subpart 2 of part H 
of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1099b). 
‘‘(15) In the case of a course designed to pre-
pare an individual for employment pursuant to 
standards developed by a board or agency of a State 
in an occupation that requires approval, licensure, or 
certification, the course— 
‘‘(A) meets such standards; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a course designed to 
prepare an individual for licensure to practice 
law in a State, is accredited by an accrediting 
agency or association recognized by the Sec-
retary of Education under subpart 2 of part H 
of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1099b).’’. 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.—Such section is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
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‘‘(f)(1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of 
paragraph (14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of 
a course of education offered by an educational institution 
(either accredited or not accredited) if the Secretary deter-
mines all of the following: 
‘‘(A) The educational institution is not accred-
ited by an agency or association recognized by the 
Secretary of Education. 
‘‘(B) The course did not meet the requirements 
of such paragraph at any time during the two-year 
period preceding the date of the waiver. 
‘‘(C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the 
educational assistance programs administered by the 
Secretary or would further the education interests of 
individuals eligible for assistance under such pro-
grams. 
‘‘(D) The educational institution does not pro-
vide any commission, bonus, or other incentive pay-
ment based directly or indirectly on success in secur-
ing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or 
entities engaged in any student recruiting or admis-
sion activities or in making decisions regarding the 
award of student financial assistance, except for the 
recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign 
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countries who are not eligible to receive Federal stu-
dent assistance. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 30 days after the date on which 
the Secretary issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of such waiver 
and a justification for issuing such waiver.’’. 
(c) APPROVAL OF ACCREDITED COURSES.—Section 
3675(b)(3) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3), 
(14), (15), and (16)’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: ‘‘(or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) 
and (15), the requirements under such paragraphs 
are waived pursuant to subsection (f)(1) of section 
3676 of this title)’’. 
(d) APPROVAL OF ACCREDITED STANDARD COLLEGE 
DEGREE PROGRAMS OFFERED AT PUBLIC OR NOT-FOR- 
PROFIT
EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS.—Section 
3672(b)(2) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ‘‘An ac-
credited’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in sub-
paragraph (C), an accredited’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
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‘‘(C) A course that is described in both subparagraph 
(A)(i) of this paragraph and in paragraph (14) or (15) 
of section 3676(c) of this title shall not be deemed to be 
approved for purposes of this chapter unless— 
‘‘(i) a State approving agency, or the Secretary 
when acting in the role of a State approving agency, 
determines that the course meets the applicable cri-
teria in such paragraphs; or 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary issues a waiver for such 
course under section 3676(f)(1) of this title.’’. 
(e) DISAPPROVAL
OF COURSES.—Section 3679 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
chapter, the Secretary or the applicable State approving 
agency shall disapprove a course of education described 
in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 3676(c) of this title 
unless the educational institution providing the course of 
education— 
‘‘(1) publicly discloses any conditions or addi-
tional requirements, including training, experience, 
or examinations, required to obtain the license, cer-
tification, or approval for which the course of edu-
cation is designed to provide preparation; and 
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‘‘(2) makes each disclosure required by para-
graph (1) in a manner that the Secretary considers 
prominent (as specified by the Secretary in regula-
tions prescribed for purposes of this subsection).’’. 
(f) APPLICABILITY.—If after enrollment in a course 
of education that is subject to disapproval by reason of 
an amendment made by this section, an individual pursues 
one or more courses of education at the same educational 
institution while remaining continuously enrolled (other 
than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, 
semesters, or terms) at that institution, any course so pur-
sued by the individual at that institution while so continu-
ously enrolled shall not be subject to disapproval by reason 
of such amendment. 
SEC. 410. CRITERIA USED TO APPROVE COURSES. 
(a) NONACCREDITED COURSES.—Paragraph (16) of 
section 3676(c), as redesignated by section 409, is amend-
ed by inserting before the period the following: ‘‘if the Sec-
retary, in consultation with the State approving agency 
and pursuant to regulations prescribed to carry out this 
paragraph, determines such criteria are necessary and 
treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational 
institutions equitably’’. 
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(b) ACCREDITED COURSES.—Section 3675(b)(3) is 
amended by striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3), and 
(14)’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to— 
(1) criteria developed pursuant to paragraph 
(16) of subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, 
United States Code, on or after January 1, 2013; 
and 
(2) an investigation conducted under such sub-
section that is covered by a reimbursement of ex-
penses paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
a State pursuant to section 3674 of such title on or 
after October 1, 2015. 
SEC. 411. COMPLIANCE SURVEYS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3693 is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following new subsection (a): 
‘‘(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Sec-
retary shall conduct an annual compliance survey of edu-
cational institutions and training establishments offering 
one or more courses approved for the enrollment of eligible 
veterans or persons if at least 20 such veterans or persons 
are enrolled in any such course. The Secretary shall— 
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‘‘(A) design the compliance surveys to ensure 
that such institutions or establishments, as the case 
may be, and approved courses are in compliance 
with all applicable provisions of chapters 30 through 
36 of this title; 
‘‘(B) survey each such educational institution 
and training establishment not less than once during 
every two-year period; and 
‘‘(C) assign not fewer than one education com-
pliance specialist to work on compliance surveys in 
any year for each 40 compliance surveys required to 
be made under this section for such year. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the State ap-
proving agencies, shall— 
‘‘(A) annually determine the parameters of the 
surveys required under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) not later than September 1 of each year, 
make available to the State approving agencies a list 
of the educational institutions and training estab-
lishments that will be surveyed during the fiscal year 
following the date of making such list available.’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
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‘‘(c) In this section, the terms ‘educational institu-
tion’ and ‘training establishment’ have the meanings given 
such terms in section 3452 of this title.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Subsection (b) of 
such section is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘subsection (a) of this section 
for an annual compliance survey’’ and inserting 
‘‘subsection (a)(1) for a compliance survey’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘institution’’ and inserting 
‘‘educational institution or training establishment’’; 
and 
(3) by striking ‘‘institution’s demonstrated 
record of compliance’’ and inserting ‘‘record of com-
pliance of such institution or establishment’’. 
SEC. 412. MODIFICATION OF REDUCTIONS IN REPORTING 
FEE MULTIPLIERS FOR PAYMENTS BY SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO EDU-
CATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2017.—During the 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act 
and ending on September 25, 2017, the second sentence 
of section 3684(c) of title 38, United States Code, shall 
be applied— 
(1) by substituting ‘‘$6’’ for ‘‘$12’’; and 
(2) by substituting ‘‘$12’’ for ‘‘$15’’. 
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(b) SEPTEMBER 26, 2017, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 
25, 2026.—During the period beginning on September 26, 
2017, and ending on September 25, 2026, the second sen-
tence of such section shall be applied— 
(1) by substituting ‘‘$7’’ for ‘‘$12’’; and 
(2) by substituting ‘‘$12’’ for ‘‘$15’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 406 of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act 
of 2014 (Public Law 113–175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note), as 
amended by the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
Authorities Act of 2016, is amended by striking ‘‘During 
the three-year period beginning on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘During the period begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending 
on the day before the date of the enactment of the Jeff 
Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and 
Benefits Improvement Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 413. COMPOSITION OF VETERANS’ ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ON EDUCATION. 
Section 3692(a) is amended in the second sentence 
by striking ‘‘veterans representative of World War II’’ and 
all that follows through the period at the end of that sen-
tence and inserting the following: ‘‘a representative sample 
of veterans and other individuals who have used, or may 
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in the future use, educational assistance benefits adminis-
tered by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 414. SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS USING THEIR ENTITLE-
MENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) SURVEY REQUIRED.—By not later than 270 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a contract with a non- 
government entity for the conduct of a survey of a statis-
tically valid sample of individuals who have used or are 
using their entitlement to educational assistance under 
chapters 30, 32, 33, and 35 of title 38, United States 
Code, to pursue a program of education or training. The 
contract shall provide that— 
(1) not later than one month before the collec-
tion of data under the survey begins, the survey 
shall be submitted to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives; 
(2) the non-government entity shall complete 
the survey and submit to the Secretary the results 
of the survey by not later than 180 days after enter-
ing into the contract; and 
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(3) the survey shall be conducted by electronic 
means and by any other means the non-government 
entity determines appropriate. 
(b) INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED.—The con-
tract under subsection (a) shall provide that the survey 
shall be designed to collect the following types of informa-
tion about each individual surveyed, where applicable: 
(1) Demographic information, including the 
highest level of education completed by the indi-
vidual, the military occupational specialty or special-
ties of the individual while serving on active duty as 
a member of the Armed Forces or as a member of 
the National Guard or of a Reserve Component of 
the Armed Forces, and whether the individual has a 
service-connected disability. 
(2) The opinion of the individual regarding par-
ticipation in the transition assistance program under 
section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, and 
the effectiveness of the program, including instruc-
tion on the use of the benefits under laws adminis-
tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(3) The resources the individual used to help 
the individual— 
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(A) decide to use the individual’s entitle-
ment to educational assistance to enroll in a 
program of education or training; and 
(B) choose the program of education or 
training the individual pursued. 
(4) The individual’s goal when the individual 
enrolled in the program of education or training. 
(5) The nature of the individual’s experience 
with the education benefits processing system of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(6) The nature of the individual’s experience 
with the school certifying official of the educational 
institution where the individual pursued the program 
of education or training who processed the individ-
ual’s claim. 
(7) Any services or benefits the educational in-
stitution or program of education or training pro-
vided to veterans while the individual pursued the 
program of education or training. 
(8) The type of educational institution at which 
the individual pursued the program of education or 
training. 
(9) Whether the individual completed the pro-
gram of education or training or the number of cred-
it hours completed by the individual as of the time 
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of the survey, and, if applicable, any degree or cer-
tificate obtained by the individual for completing the 
program. 
(10) The employment status of the individual 
and whether such employment status differs from 
the employment status of the individual prior to en-
rolling in the program of education or training. 
(11) Whether the individual is or was enrolled 
in a program of education on a full-time or part- 
time basis. 
(12) The opinion of the individual on the effec-
tiveness of the educational assistance program of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs under which the in-
dividual was entitled to educational assistance. 
(13) Whether the individual was ever entitled to 
a rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United 
States Code, and whether the individual participated 
in such a program. 
(14) A description of any circumstances that 
prevented the individual from using the individual’s 
entitlement to educational assistance to pursue a de-
sired career path or degree. 
(15) Whether the individual is using the indi-
vidual’s entitlement to educational assistance to pur-
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sue a program of education or training or has trans-
ferred such an entitlement to a dependent. 
(16) Such other matters as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after receiving 
the results of the survey required under this section, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
on the results of the survey and any recommendations of 
the Secretary relating to such results. Such report shall 
also include an unedited version of the results of the sur-
vey submitted by the non-government entity that con-
ducted the survey. 
SEC. 415. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION 
OF INFORMATION ON ARTICULATION AGREE-
MENTS BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
LEARNING. 
(a) INFORMATION.—Department of Veterans Affairs 
counselors who provide educational or vocational coun-
seling services pursuant to section 3697A of title 38, 
United States Code, shall provide to any eligible individual 
who requests such counseling services information about 
the articulation agreements of each institution of higher 
learning in which the individual is interested. 
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(b) CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY.—When the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs provides to an individual a cer-
tification of eligibility for educational assistance provided 
by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall 
also include detailed information on such educational as-
sistance, including information on requesting education 
counseling services and on articulation agreements. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘institution of higher learning’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 3452(f) 
of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘articulation agreement’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 486A of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89–329; 
20 U.S.C. 1093a). 
(d) DEADLINE
FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—The Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall implement this section not 
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 416. RETENTION OF ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE DURING CERTAIN ADDITIONAL 
PERIODS OF ACTIVE DUTY. 
(a) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE.—Sec-
tion 16131(c)(3)(B)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is 
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amended by striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting ‘‘12304, 
12304a, or 12304b’’. 
(b) EXPIRATION
DATE.—Section 16133(b)(4) of 
such title is amended by striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting 
‘‘12304, 12304a, or 12304b’’. 
SEC. 417. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO IN-STATE 
TUITION RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO WHOM 
ENTITLEMENT IS TRANSFERRED UNDER ALL- 
VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE 
PROGRAM 
AND 
POST-9/11 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Subparagraph (B) of 
section 3679(c)(2) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) An individual who is entitled to as-
sistance under— 
‘‘(i) section 3311(b)(9) of this title; or 
‘‘(ii) section 3319 of this title by vir-
tue of the individual’s relationship to— 
‘‘(I) a veteran described in sub-
paragraph (A); or 
‘‘(II) a member of the uniformed 
services described in section 3319(b) 
of this title who is serving on active 
duty.’’. 
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(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to a course, semester, 
or term that begins after July 1, 2017. 
SEC. 418. STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VETERANS 
TRANSITION EFFORTS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Labor and the Sec-
retary of Defense, shall carry out a study to evaluate pro-
grams to assist veterans of the Armed Forces in their 
transition to civilian life. Such study shall be designed to 
determine the effectiveness of current programs, especially 
in regards to the unique challenges faced by women vet-
erans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans 
(including Alaska Native veterans and Native Hawaiian 
veterans), veterans who are residents of a territory of the 
United States, veterans who are part of the indigenous 
population of a territory of the United States, and other 
groups of minority veterans identified by the Secretaries, 
including whether such programs— 
(1) effectively address the challenges veterans 
face in pursuing higher education, especially the 
challenges faced by such groups of minority vet-
erans; 
(2) effectively address the challenges such vet-
erans face entering the civilian workforce and in 
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translating experience and skills from military serv-
ice to the job market; and 
(3) effectively address the challenges faced by 
the families of such veterans transitioning to civilian 
life. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 540 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
regarding the findings and recommendations of the study 
required under subsection (a). 
(c) PROHIBITION
ON AUTHORIZATION
OF APPRO-
PRIATIONS.—No additional funds are authorized to carry 
out the requirements of this section. Such requirements 
shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 
TITLE V—SMALL BUSINESS AND 
EMPLOYMENT MATTERS 
SEC. 501. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT UNDER CON-
TRACTING GOALS AND PREFERENCES OF DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (h) of section 8127 is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘rated as’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘disability.’’ and insert-
ing a period; and 
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(2) in paragraph (2), by amending subpara-
graph (C) to read as follows: 
‘‘(C) The date that— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a surviving spouse of a 
veteran with a service-connected disability rated 
as 100 percent disabling or who dies as a result 
of a service-connected disability, is 10 years 
after the date of the veteran’s death; or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a surviving spouse of a 
veteran with a service-connected disability rated 
as less than 100 percent disabling who does not 
die as a result of a service-connected disability, 
is three years after the date of the veteran’s 
death.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall 
apply with respect to contracts awarded on or after such 
date. 
SEC. 502. LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF JOB COUNSELING, 
TRAINING, AND PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR 
VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 41 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
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‘‘§ 4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, train-
ing, and placement service for veterans 
‘‘(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—(1) The Secretary shall 
enter into a contract with a non-government entity to con-
duct a longitudinal study of a statistically valid sample 
of each of the groups of individuals described in paragraph 
(2). The contract shall provide for the study of each such 
group over a period of at least five years. 
‘‘(2) The groups of individuals described in this para-
graph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Veterans who have received intensive serv-
ices. 
‘‘(B) Veterans who did not receive intensive 
services but who otherwise received services under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(C) Veterans who did not seek or receive serv-
ices under this chapter. 
‘‘(3) The study required by this subsection shall in-
clude the collection of the following information for each 
individual who participates in the study: 
‘‘(A) The average number of months such indi-
vidual served on active duty. 
‘‘(B) The disability ratings of such individual. 
‘‘(C) Any unemployment benefits received by 
such individual. 
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‘‘(D) The average number of months such indi-
vidual was employed during the year covered by the 
report. 
‘‘(E) The average annual starting and ending 
salaries of any such individual who was employed 
during the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(F) The average annual income of such indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(G) The average total household income of 
such individual for the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(H) The percentage of such individuals who 
own their principal residences. 
‘‘(I) The employment status of such individual. 
‘‘(J) In the case of such an individual who re-
ceived services under this chapter, whether the indi-
vidual believes that any service provided by a dis-
abled veterans’ outreach program specialist or local 
veterans’ employment representative helped the indi-
vidual to become employed. 
‘‘(K) In the case of such an individual who be-
lieves such a service helped the individual to become 
employed, whether— 
‘‘(i) the individual retained the position of 
employment for a period of one year or longer; 
and 
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‘‘(ii) the individual believes such a service 
helped the individual to secure a higher wage or 
salary. 
‘‘(L) The conditions under which such indi-
vidual was discharged or released from the Armed 
Forces. 
‘‘(M) Whether such individual has used any 
educational assistance to which the individual is en-
titled under this title. 
‘‘(N) Whether such individual has participated 
in a rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this 
title. 
‘‘(O) Whether such individual had contact with 
a One-Stop Career Center employee while attending 
a workshop or job fair under the Transition GPS 
Program of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(P) Demographic information about such indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(Q) Such other information as the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) By not later than July 
1 of each year covered by the study required under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
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Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on the outcomes of the study during the preceding year. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall include in each report sub-
mitted under paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(A) Information with respect to job fairs at-
tended by One-Stop Career Center employees at 
which the employees had contact with a veteran, in-
cluding, for the year preceding the year in which the 
report is submitted, the following: 
‘‘(i) The number of job fairs attended by 
One-Stop Career Center employees at which the 
employees had contact with a veteran. 
‘‘(ii) The number of veterans contacted at 
each such job fair. 
‘‘(B) Such information as the Secretary deter-
mines is necessary to determine the long-term out-
comes of the individuals in the groups described in 
subsection (a)(2).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service for 
veterans.’’. 
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SEC. 503. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR EM-
PLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
(a) LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 is amended by in-
serting after section 715 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 717. Limitation on administrative leave 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), the Secretary may not place any covered individual 
on administrative leave, or any other type of paid non- 
duty status without charge to leave, for more than a total 
of 14 days during any 365-day period. 
‘‘(b) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the limita-
tion under subsection (a) and extend the administrative 
leave or other paid non-duty status without charge to leave 
of a covered individual placed on such leave or status 
under subsection (a) if the Secretary submits to the Com-
mittees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a detailed explanation of the reasons the 
individual was placed on administrative leave or other paid 
non-duty status without charge to leave and the reasons 
for the extension of such leave or status. Such explanation 
shall include the job title and grade of the covered indi-
vidual and the location where the individual is employed. 
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‘‘(c) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—In this section, the 
term ‘covered individual’ means an employee of the De-
partment— 
‘‘(1) who is subject to an investigation for pur-
poses of determining whether such individual should 
be subject to any disciplinary action under this title 
or title 5; or 
‘‘(2) against whom any disciplinary action is 
proposed or initiated under this title or title 5.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 715 
the following new item: 
‘‘717. Limitation on administrative leave.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—Section 717 of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply 
with respect to any 365-day period beginning on or after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 504. REQUIRED COORDINATION BETWEEN DIRECTORS 
FOR VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT AND TRAIN-
ING WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR 
AND VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4103 is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS OF 
LABOR AND VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Each Director for Vet-
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erans’ Employment and Training for a State shall coordi-
nate the Director’s activities under this chapter with the 
State department of labor and the State department of 
veterans affairs.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (c) of such sec-
tion, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the 
date that is one year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
TITLE VI—HEALTH CARE 
MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Medical Care 
SEC. 601. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS 
FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE AC-
COUNT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 117(c) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) Veterans Health Administration, Medical 
Community Care.’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
1105(a)(37) of title 31, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) 
Veterans 
Health 
Administration, 
Medical Community Care.’’. 
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(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this 
section shall apply to fiscal years beginning on and after 
October 1, 2017. 
SEC. 602. IMPROVED ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE IMMUNIZA-
TIONS FOR VETERANS. 
(a) INCLUSION OF RECOMMENDED ADULT IMMUNI-
ZATIONS AS MEDICAL SERVICES.— 
(1) COVERED BENEFIT.—Subparagraph (F) of 
section 1701(9) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(F) immunizations against infectious dis-
eases, including each immunization on the rec-
ommended adult immunization schedule at the 
time such immunization is indicated on that 
schedule;’’. 
(2) 
RECOMMENDED
ADULT
IMMUNIZATION 
SCHEDULE DEFINED.—Section 1701 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(10) The term ‘recommended adult immuniza-
tion schedule’ means the schedule established (and 
periodically reviewed and, as appropriate, revised) by 
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 
established by the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services and delegated to the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.’’. 
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(b) INCLUSION OF RECOMMENDED ADULT IMMUNI-
ZATIONS
IN ANNUAL REPORT.—Section 1704(1)(A) is 
amended— 
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after clause (ii) the following 
new clause: 
‘‘(iii) to provide veterans each immu-
nization on the recommended adult immu-
nization schedule at the time such immuni-
zation is indicated on that schedule.’’. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on the development and im-
plementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
of quality measures and metrics, including targets 
for compliance, to ensure that veterans receiving 
medical services under chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, receive each immunization on the rec-
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ommended adult immunization schedule at the time 
such immunization is indicated on that schedule. 
(2) 
RECOMMENDED
ADULT
IMMUNIZATION 
SCHEDULE DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘recommended adult immunization schedule’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 1701(10) of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a)(2). 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion or the amendments made by this section may be con-
strued to require a veteran to receive an immunization 
that the veteran does not want to receive. 
SEC. 603. PRIORITY OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS IN 
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) ENROLLMENT PRIORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1705(a) is amend-
ed— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting the following: 
‘‘and veterans who were awarded the medal of 
honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of 
title 10 or section 491 of title 14.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘veterans 
who were awarded the medal of honor under 
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section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or sec-
tion 491 of title 14,’’. 
(2) APPLICATION.—The priority of enrollment 
of medal of honor recipients in the system of annual 
patient enrollment established and operated under 
section 1705(a) of such title, as amended by para-
graph (1), shall apply to each such recipient, regard-
less of the date on which the medal is awarded. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 1710(a)(2)(D) is amended 
by inserting after ‘‘war’’ the following: ‘‘, who was award-
ed the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 
of title 10 or section 491 of title 14,’’. 
(c) 
EXTENDED
CARE
SERVICES.—Section 
1710B(c)(2) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal 
of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 
10 or section 491 of title 14.’’. 
(d) 
COPAYMENT
FOR
MEDICATIONS.—Section 
1722A(a)(3) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
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(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal 
of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 
10 or section 491 of title 14.’’. 
SEC. 604. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS 
AFFAIRS 
COLLECT 
HEALTH-PLAN 
CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 is 
amended by inserting after section 1705 the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 1705A. Management of health care: information re-
garding health-plan contracts 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Any individual who seeks 
hospital care or medical services under this chapter shall 
provide to the Secretary such current information as the 
Secretary may require to identify any health-plan contract 
under which such individual is covered. 
‘‘(2) The information required to be provided to the 
Secretary under paragraph (1) with respect to a health- 
plan contract shall include, as applicable, the following: 
‘‘(A) The name of the entity providing coverage 
under the health-plan contract. 
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‘‘(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract 
is in the name of an individual other than the indi-
vidual required to provide information under this 
section, the name of the policy holder of the health- 
plan contract. 
‘‘(C) The identification number for the health- 
plan contract. 
‘‘(D) The group code for the health-plan con-
tract. 
‘‘(b) ACTION TO COLLECT INFORMATION.—The Sec-
retary may take such action as the Secretary considers 
appropriate to collect the information required under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(c) EFFECT ON SERVICES FROM DEPARTMENT.— 
The Secretary may not deny any services under this chap-
ter to an individual solely due to the fact that the indi-
vidual fails to provide information required under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(d) HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘health-plan contract’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1725(f) of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1705 the following new 
item: 
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‘‘1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan con-
tracts.’’. 
SEC. 605. MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR VETERANS 
WHO SERVED IN CLASSIFIED MISSIONS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that veterans who experience combat-related mental 
health wounds should have immediate, appropriate, and 
consistent access to comprehensive mental health care. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who 
served in classified missions 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF STANDARDS.—(1) The 
Secretary shall establish standards and procedures to en-
sure that each eligible veteran may access mental health 
care furnished by the Secretary in a manner that fully 
accommodates the obligation of the veteran to not improp-
erly disclose classified information. 
‘‘(2) In establishing standards and procedures under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the Sec-
retary of Defense to ensure that such standards and pro-
cedures are consistent with the policies on classified infor-
mation of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall disseminate guidance to em-
ployees of the Veterans Health Administration, including 
mental health professionals, on the standards and proce-
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dures established under paragraph (1) and how to best 
engage eligible veterans during the course of mental health 
treatment with respect to classified information. 
‘‘(b) IDENTIFICATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary shall ensure that a veteran may elect to 
identify as an eligible veteran on an appropriate form. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘classified information’ means 
any information or material that has been deter-
mined by an official of the United States pursuant 
to law to require protection against unauthorized 
disclosure for reasons of national security. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘eligible veteran’ means a vet-
eran who— 
‘‘(A) is eligible to receive health care fur-
nished by the Department under this title; 
‘‘(B) is seeking mental health treatment; 
and 
‘‘(C) in the course of serving in the Armed 
Forces, participated in a sensitive mission or 
served in a sensitive unit. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘sensitive mission’ means a mis-
sion of the Armed Forces that, at the time at which 
an eligible veteran seeks treatment, is classified. 
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‘‘(4) The term ‘sensitive unit’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 130b(c)(4) of title 10.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1720G the following new 
item: 
‘‘1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in classified mis-
sions.’’. 
SEC. 606. EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT BY DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR EMERGENCY 
MEDICAL 
CONDITIONS 
AND 
WOMEN 
IN 
LABOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is 
amended by inserting after section 1784 the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency 
medical conditions and women in labor 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a hospital of the 
Department that has an emergency department, if any in-
dividual comes to the hospital or the campus of the hos-
pital and a request is made on behalf of the individual 
for examination or treatment for a medical condition, the 
hospital must provide for an appropriate medical screen-
ing examination within the capability of the emergency de-
partment, including ancillary services routinely available 
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to the emergency department, to determine whether or not 
an emergency medical condition exists. 
‘‘(b) NECESSARY
STABILIZING
TREATMENT
FOR 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND LABOR.—(1) If 
any individual comes to a hospital of the Department that 
has an emergency department or the campus of such a 
hospital and the hospital determines that the individual 
has an emergency medical condition, the hospital must 
provide either— 
‘‘(A) within the staff and facilities available at 
the hospital, for such further medical examination 
and such treatment as may be required to stabilize 
the medical condition; or 
‘‘(B) for transfer of the individual to another 
medical facility in accordance with subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement 
of paragraph (1)(A) with respect to an individual if the 
hospital offers the individual the further medical examina-
tion and treatment described in that paragraph and in-
forms the individual (or a person acting on behalf of the 
individual) of the risks and benefits to the individual of 
such examination and treatment, but the individual (or a 
person acting on behalf of the individual) refuses to con-
sent to the examination and treatment. The hospital shall 
take all reasonable steps to secure the written informed 
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consent of the individual (or person) to refuse such exam-
ination and treatment. 
‘‘(3) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement 
of paragraph (1)(B) with respect to an individual if the 
hospital offers to transfer the individual to another med-
ical facility in accordance with subsection (c) and informs 
the individual (or a person acting on behalf of the indi-
vidual) of the risks and benefits to the individual of such 
transfer, but the individual (or a person acting on behalf 
of the individual) refuses to consent to the transfer. The 
hospital shall take all reasonable steps to secure the writ-
ten informed consent of the individual (or person) to 
refuse such transfer. 
‘‘(c) RESTRICTING TRANSFERS UNTIL INDIVIDUAL 
STABILIZED.—(1) If an individual at a hospital of the De-
partment has an emergency medical condition that has not 
been stabilized, the hospital may not transfer the indi-
vidual unless— 
‘‘(A)(i) the individual (or a legally responsible 
person acting on behalf of the individual), after 
being informed of the obligations of the hospital 
under this section and of the risk of transfer, re-
quests, in writing, transfer to another medical facil-
ity; 
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‘‘(ii) a physician of the Department has signed 
a certification that, based upon the information 
available at the time of transfer, the medical benefits 
reasonably expected from the provision of appro-
priate medical treatment at another medical facility 
outweigh the increased risks to the individual and, 
in the case of labor, to the unborn child from effect-
ing the transfer; or 
‘‘(iii) if a physician of the Department is not 
physically present in the emergency department at 
the time an individual is transferred, a qualified 
medical person (as defined by the Secretary for pur-
poses of this section) has signed a certification de-
scribed in clause (ii) after a physician of the Depart-
ment, in consultation with the person, has made the 
determination described in such clause, and subse-
quently countersigns the certification; and 
‘‘(B) the transfer is an appropriate transfer to 
that facility. 
‘‘(2) A certification described in clause (ii) or (iii) of 
paragraph (1)(A) shall include a summary of the risks and 
benefits upon which the certification is based. 
‘‘(3) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), an appro-
priate transfer to a medical facility is a transfer— 
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‘‘(A) in which the transferring hospital provides 
the medical treatment within its capacity that mini-
mizes the risks to the health of the individual and, 
in the case of a woman in labor, the health of the 
unborn child; 
‘‘(B) in which the receiving facility— 
‘‘(i) has available space and qualified per-
sonnel for the treatment of the individual; and 
‘‘(ii) has agreed to accept transfer of the 
individual and to provide appropriate medical 
treatment; 
‘‘(C) in which the transferring hospital sends to 
the receiving facility all medical records (or copies 
thereof) available at the time of the transfer relating 
to the emergency medical condition for which the in-
dividual has presented, including— 
‘‘(i) observations of signs or symptoms; 
‘‘(ii) preliminary diagnosis; 
‘‘(iii) treatment provided; 
‘‘(iv) the results of any tests; and 
‘‘(v) the informed written request or cer-
tification (or copy thereof) provided under para-
graph (1)(A); 
‘‘(D) in which the transfer is effected through 
qualified personnel and transportation equipment, 
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including the use of necessary and medically appro-
priate life support measures during the transfer; and 
‘‘(E) that meets such other requirements as the 
Secretary considers necessary in the interest of the 
health and safety of the individual or individuals 
transferred. 
‘‘(d) PAYMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT.—The Sec-
retary shall charge for any care or services provided under 
this section in accordance with billing and reimbursement 
authorities available to the Secretary under other provi-
sions of law. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘campus’ means, with respect to 
a hospital of the Department— 
‘‘(A) the physical area immediately adja-
cent to the main buildings of the hospital; 
‘‘(B) other areas and structures that are 
not strictly contiguous to the main buildings 
but are located not more than 250 yards from 
the main buildings; and 
‘‘(C) any other areas determined by the 
Secretary to be part of the campus of the hos-
pital. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘emergency medical condition’ 
means— 
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100 
‘‘(A) a medical condition manifesting itself 
by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (in-
cluding severe pain) such that the absence of 
immediate medical attention could reasonably 
be expected to result in— 
‘‘(i) placing the health of the indi-
vidual (or, with respect to a pregnant 
woman, the health of the woman or her 
unborn child) in serious jeopardy; 
‘‘(ii) serious impairment to bodily 
functions; or 
‘‘(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily 
organ or part; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a pregnant woman, a 
stage of labor that a medical provider deter-
mines indicates— 
‘‘(i) that there is inadequate time to 
effect a safe transfer to another hospital 
before delivery; or 
‘‘(ii) that transfer may pose a threat 
to the health or safety of the woman or the 
unborn child. 
‘‘(3)(A) The term ‘to stabilize’ means— 
‘‘(i) with respect to an emergency medical 
condition described in paragraph (2)(A), to pro-
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101 
vide such medical treatment of the condition as 
may be necessary to assure, within reasonable 
medical probability, that no material deteriora-
tion of the condition is likely to result from or 
occur during the transfer of the individual from 
a facility; or 
‘‘(ii) with respect to an emergency medical 
condition described in paragraph (2)(B), to de-
liver (including the placenta). 
‘‘(B) The term ‘stabilized’ means— 
‘‘(i) with respect to an emergency medical 
condition described in paragraph (2)(A), that 
no material deterioration of the condition is 
likely, within reasonable medical probability, to 
result from or occur during the transfer of the 
individual from a facility; or 
‘‘(ii) with respect to an emergency medical 
condition described in paragraph (2)(B), that 
the woman has delivered (including the pla-
centa). 
‘‘(4) The term ‘transfer’ means the movement 
(including the discharge) of an individual outside the 
facilities of a hospital of the Department at the di-
rection of any person employed by (or affiliated or 
associated, directly or indirectly, with) the hospital, 
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102 
but does not include such a movement of an indi-
vidual who— 
‘‘(A) has been declared dead; or 
‘‘(B) leaves the facility without the permis-
sion of any such person.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1784 the following new 
item: 
‘‘1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and 
women in labor.’’. 
Subtitle B—Veterans Health 
Administration 
SEC. 611. TIME PERIOD COVERED BY ANNUAL REPORT ON 
READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE. 
Section 7309(e)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘calendar 
year’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal year’’. 
SEC. 612. ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMIN-
ISTRATION AND FURNISHING OF HOSPITAL 
CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND NURSING 
HOME CARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
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103 
‘‘§ 7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Adminis-
tration and furnishing of hospital care, 
medical services, and nursing home care 
‘‘(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than March 1 
of each of years 2018 through 2022, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on, for the calendar year pre-
ceding the calendar year during which the report is sub-
mitted— 
‘‘(1) the furnishing of hospital care, medical 
services, and nursing home care under the laws ad-
ministered by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(2) the administration of the furnishing of 
such care and services by the Veterans Health Ad-
ministration. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by sub-
section (a) shall include each of the following for the year 
covered by the report: 
‘‘(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
Veterans Health Administration in increasing the 
access of veterans to hospital care, medical services, 
and nursing home care furnished by the Secretary 
for which such veterans are eligible. 
‘‘(2) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
Veterans Health Administration in improving the 
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104 
quality of health care provided to veterans, without 
increasing the costs incurred for such health care by 
the Federal Government or veterans, including rel-
evant information for each medical center and Vet-
erans Integrated Service Network of the Department 
set forth separately. 
‘‘(3) An assessment of— 
‘‘(A) the workload of physicians and other 
employees of the Veterans Health Administra-
tion; 
‘‘(B) patient demographics and utilization 
rates; 
‘‘(C) physician compensation; 
‘‘(D) the productivity of physicians and 
other employees of the Veterans Health Admin-
istration; 
‘‘(E) the percentage of hospital care, med-
ical services, and nursing home care provided to 
veterans in facilities of the Department and in 
non-Department facilities and any changes in 
such percentages compared to the year pre-
ceding the year covered by the report; 
‘‘(F) pharmaceutical prices; and 
‘‘(G) third-party health billings owed to the 
Department, including the total amount of such 
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105 
billings and the total amount collected by the 
Department, set forth separately for claims 
greater than $1,000 and for claims equal to or 
less than $1,000. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘hos-
pital care’, ‘medical services’, ‘nursing home care’, ‘facili-
ties of the Department’, and ‘non-Department facilities’ 
have the meanings given those terms in section 1701 of 
this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 7330A the following new 
item: 
‘‘7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing of 
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care.’’. 
SEC. 613. EXPANSION OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSED 
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO IN-
CLUDE DOCTORAL DEGREES. 
Section 7402(b)(11)(A) is amended by inserting ‘‘or 
doctoral degree’’ after ‘‘master’s degree’’. 
SEC. 614. MODIFICATION OF HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR 
PHYSICIANS EMPLOYED BY THE DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 7423(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
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106 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) The hours’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
hours’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2)(A) Upon the advance written request of a cov-
ered physician, the Secretary may modify the hours of em-
ployment for a physician appointed in the Administration 
under any provision of this chapter on a full-time basis 
to be more or less than 80 hours in a biweekly pay period, 
subject to the requirements in subparagraph (B). For the 
purpose of determining pay, such a physician shall be 
deemed to have a biweekly schedule of 80 hours of employ-
ment. 
‘‘(B) A physician with an irregular work schedule es-
tablished under subparagraph (A) shall be obligated to ac-
count for at least 2,080 hours of employment (through 
performance of work or use of leave or paid time off) in 
a calendar year. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to im-
plement this paragraph, including regulations making ad-
justments to address the annual hours requirement for 
physicians who are covered by this paragraph for only a 
portion of a calendar year.’’. 
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107 
SEC. 615. REPEAL OF COMPENSATION PANELS TO DETER-
MINE MARKET PAY FOR PHYSICIANS AND 
DENTISTS. 
Section 7431(c) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), and 
(7) as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and 
(3) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘under paragraph (6)’’ and inserting 
‘‘under paragraph (5)’’. 
SEC. 616. CLARIFICATION REGARDING LIABILITY FOR 
BREACH OF AGREEMENT UNDER DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEE IN-
CENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 
Section 7675(b)(1)(E) is amended by striking ‘‘In the 
case of a participant who is a part-time student, the’’ and 
inserting ‘‘The’’. 
SEC. 617. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR INCREASE IN GRAD-
UATE MEDICAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY PO-
SITIONS AT MEDICAL FACILITIES OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 301(b) 
of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 
2014 (Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 7302 note) is 
amended— 
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108 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
‘‘FIVE-YEAR’’ and inserting ‘‘TEN-YEAR’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘5-year 
period’’ and inserting ‘‘10-year period’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Paragraph (3)(A) of such section is 
amended by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2024’’. 
SEC. 618. REPORT ON PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH BY 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than each of 180 days 
and one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives a report on increasing public access to scientific pub-
lications and digital data from research funded by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An identification of the location or locations 
in which the public will be able to access the results 
of research funded by the Department, whether on 
an Internet website of the Department or through 
another source. 
(2) A description of the progress made by the 
Department in meeting public access requirements 
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109 
set forth in the notice entitled ‘‘Policy and Imple-
mentation Plan for Public Access to Scientific Publi-
cations and Digital Data from Research Funded by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs’’ (80 Fed. Reg. 
60751), including the following: 
(A) Compliance of Department investiga-
tors with requirements relating to ensuring that 
research funded by the Department is accessible 
by the public. 
(B) Ensuring data management plans of 
the Department include provisions for long-term 
preservation of the scientific data resulting 
from research funded by the Department. 
(3) An explanation of the factors used to evalu-
ate the merit of data management plans of research 
funded by the Veterans Health Administration. 
(4) An explanation of the process of the De-
partment in effect that enables stakeholders to peti-
tion a change to the embargo period for a specific 
field and the factors considered during such process. 
SEC. 619. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL 
FACILITY PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
may carry out the following major medical facility 
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110 
projects, with each project to be carried out in an amount 
not to exceed the amount specified for that project: 
(1) Seismic, life safety, and utilities upgrades 
and expansion of clinical services in Reno, Nevada, 
in an amount not to exceed $213,800,000. 
(2) Seismic corrections to the mental health 
and community living center in Long Beach, Cali-
fornia, in an amount not to exceed $317,300,000. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for fiscal year 2017 or the year in which funds 
are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, ac-
count $531,100,000 for the projects authorized in sub-
section (a). 
(c) LIMITATION.—The projects authorized in sub-
section (a) may only be carried out using— 
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2017 or 
the year in which funds are appropriated for the 
Construction, Major Projects, account pursuant to 
the authorization of appropriations in subsection (b); 
(2) funds available for Construction, Major 
Projects, for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 
that remain available for obligation; 
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(3) funds available for Construction, Major 
Projects, for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 that 
remain available for obligation; 
(4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major 
Projects, for fiscal year 2017 for a category of activ-
ity not specific to a project; 
(5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major 
Projects, for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 for 
a category of activity not specific to a project; and 
(6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major 
Projects, for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 for 
a category of activity not specific to a project. 
Subtitle C—Toxic Exposure 
SEC. 631. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) 
ARMED
FORCES.—The 
term 
‘‘Armed 
Forces’’ means the United States Army, Navy, Ma-
rine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. 
(2) DESCENDANT.—The term ‘‘descendant’’ 
means, with respect to an individual, the biological 
child or grandchild of that individual. 
(3) TOXIC EXPOSURE.—The term ‘‘toxic expo-
sure’’ means a condition in which an individual in-
haled or ingested an agent determined to be haz-
ardous to the health of the individual or the agent 
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112 
came in contact with the skin or eyes of the indi-
vidual in a manner that could be hazardous to the 
health of the individual. 
(4) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 632. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ASSESSMENT 
ON RESEARCH RELATING TO THE DESCEND-
ANTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TOXIC EXPO-
SURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) AGREEMENT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academy of Medicine 
under which the National Academy of Medicine con-
ducts an assessment on scientific research relating 
to the descendants of individuals with toxic expo-
sure. 
(2) ALTERNATE ORGANIZATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary is un-
able within the period prescribed in paragraph 
(1) to enter into an agreement described in 
such paragraph with the National Academy of 
Medicine on terms acceptable to the Secretary, 
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113 
the Secretary shall seek to enter into such an 
agreement with another appropriate organiza-
tion that— 
(i) is not part of the Federal Govern-
ment; 
(ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; 
and 
(iii) has expertise and objectivity com-
parable to that of the National Academy of 
Medicine. 
(B) TREATMENT.—If the Secretary enters 
into an agreement with another organization as 
described in subparagraph (A), any reference in 
this section to the National Academy of Medi-
cine shall be treated as a reference to the other 
organization. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The assessment conducted pursu-
ant to the agreement entered into under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) A scientific review of the scientific literature 
regarding toxicological and epidemiological research 
on descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. 
(2) An assessment of areas requiring further 
scientific study relating to the descendants of vet-
erans with toxic exposure. 
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114 
(3) An assessment of the scope and method-
ology required to conduct adequate scientific re-
search relating to the descendants of individuals 
with toxic exposure, including— 
(A) the types of individuals to be studied, 
including veterans with toxic exposure and the 
descendants of those veterans; 
(B) the number of veterans and descend-
ants described in subparagraph (A) to be stud-
ied; 
(C) the potential alternatives for participa-
tion in such a study, including whether it would 
be necessary for participants to travel in order 
to participate; 
(D) the approximate amount of time and 
resources needed to prepare and conduct the re-
search; and 
(E) the appropriate Federal agencies to 
participate in the research, including the De-
partment of Defense and the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
(4) The establishment of categories, including 
definitions for each such category, to be used in as-
sessing the evidence that a particular health condi-
tion is related to toxic exposure, such as— 
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115 
(A) sufficient evidence of a causal relation-
ship; 
(B) sufficient evidence of an association; 
(C) limited or suggestive evidence of an as-
sociation; 
(D) inadequate or insufficient evidence to 
determine whether an association exists; and 
(E) limited or suggestive evidence of no as-
sociation. 
(5) An analysis of— 
(A) the feasibility of conducting scientific 
research to address the areas that require fur-
ther study as described under paragraph (2); 
(B) the value and relevance of the informa-
tion that could result from such scientific re-
search; and 
(C) for purposes of conducting further re-
search, the feasibility and advisability of access-
ing additional information held by a Federal 
agency that may be sensitive. 
(6) An identification of a research entity or en-
tities with— 
(A) expertise in conducting research on 
health conditions of descendants of individuals 
with toxic exposure; and 
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116 
(B) an ability to conduct research on those 
health conditions to address areas requiring 
further scientific study as described under para-
graph (2). 
(c) REPORT.—The agreement entered into under sub-
section (a) shall require the National Academy of Medicine 
to submit, not later than two years after entering into 
such agreement, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives— 
(1) the results of the assessment conducted 
pursuant to such agreement, including such rec-
ommendations as the National Academy of Medicine 
considers appropriate regarding the scope and meth-
odology required to conduct adequate scientific re-
search relating to the descendants of veterans with 
toxic exposure; and 
(2) a determination regarding whether the re-
sults of such assessment indicate that it is feasible 
to conduct further research regarding health condi-
tions of descendants of veterans with toxic exposure, 
including an explanation of the basis for the deter-
mination. 
(d) CERTIFICATION.— 
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117 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
receiving the results of the assessment and deter-
mination under subsection (c), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives a certification of the 
understanding of the Secretary, based on such re-
sults and determination, regarding the feasibility of 
conducting further research regarding health condi-
tions of descendants of veterans with toxic exposure 
that is expressed by such results and determination. 
(2) BASIS
FOR
CERTIFICATION.—The certifi-
cation submitted under paragraph (1) shall include 
an explanation of the basis for the certification. 
SEC. 633. ADVISORY BOARD ON RESEARCH RELATING TO 
HEALTH CONDITIONS OF DESCENDANTS OF 
VETERANS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE WHILE 
SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Unless the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs certifies under section 632(d) that the re-
sults of the assessment and determination under section 
632(c) indicate that it is not feasible to conduct further 
research regarding health conditions of descendants of vet-
erans with toxic exposure, not later than 180 days after 
receiving such results and determination, the Secretary 
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118 
shall establish an advisory board (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘Advisory Board’’) to advise the Secretary in 
the selection of a research entity or entities under section 
634, advise such entity or entities in conducting research 
under such section, and advise the Secretary with respect 
to the activities of such entity or entities under such sec-
tion. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the National Academy of Medicine, the Di-
rector of the National Institute of Environmental 
Health Sciences, and such other heads of Federal 
agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate— 
(A) shall select not more than 13 voting 
members of the Advisory Board, of whom— 
(i) not less than two shall be members 
of organizations exempt from taxation 
under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986; 
(ii) not less than two shall be descend-
ants of veterans with toxic exposure while 
serving as members of the Armed Forces; 
and 
(iii) not less than seven shall be 
health professionals, scientists, or aca-
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119 
demics who are not employees of the Fed-
eral Government and have expertise in— 
(I) birth defects; 
(II) developmental disabilities; 
(III) epigenetics; 
(IV) public health; 
(V) the science of environmental 
exposure or environmental exposure 
assessment; 
(VI) the science of toxic sub-
stances; or 
(VII) medical and research eth-
ics; and 
(B) may select not more than two non-
voting members who are employees of the Fed-
eral Government and who are otherwise de-
scribed in subparagraph (A)(iii). 
(2) CHAIR.—The Secretary shall select a Chair 
from among the members of the Advisory Board se-
lected under paragraph (1)(A). 
(3) TERMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the 
Advisory Board shall serve a term of two or 
three years as determined by the Secretary. 
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(B) REAPPOINTMENT.—At the end of the 
term of a member of the Advisory Board, the 
Secretary may reselect the member for another 
term, except that no member may serve more 
than four consecutive terms. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Advisory Board shall— 
(1) advise the Secretary in the selection of a re-
search entity or entities to conduct research under 
section 634 from among those identified under sec-
tion 632(b)(6); 
(2) advise such entity or entities and assess the 
activities of such entity or entities in conducting 
such research; 
(3) develop a research strategy for such entity 
or entities based on, but not limited to, the results 
of the assessment conducted under section 632; 
(4) advise the Secretary with respect to the ac-
tivities of such entity or entities under section 634; 
(5) submit recommendations to be included by 
such entity or entities in the report under section 
634(d)(2)(C); and 
(6) not less frequently than semiannually, meet 
with the Secretary and representatives of such entity 
or entities on the research conducted by such entity 
or entities under section 634. 
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(d) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Board shall meet at 
the call of the Chair, but not less frequently than semi-
annually. 
(e) COMPENSATION.—The members of the Advisory 
Board shall serve without compensation. 
(f) EXPENSES.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall determine the appropriate expenses of the Advisory 
Board. 
(g) PERSONNEL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chair may, without re-
gard to the civil service laws and regulations, ap-
point an executive director of the Advisory Board, 
who shall be a civilian employee of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, and such other personnel as 
may be necessary to enable the Advisory Board to 
perform its duties. 
(2) APPROVAL.—The appointment of an execu-
tive director under paragraph (1) shall be subject to 
approval by the Advisory Board. 
(3) COMPENSATION.—The Chair may fix the 
compensation of the executive director and other 
personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
United States Code, except that the rate of pay for 
the executive director and other personnel may not 
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exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5316 of such title. 
SEC. 634. RESEARCH RELATING TO HEALTH CONDITIONS 
OF DESCENDANTS OF VETERANS WITH TOXIC 
EXPOSURE WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Unless the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs certifies under section 632(d) that the results of 
the assessment and determination under section 632(c) in-
dicate that it is not feasible to conduct further research 
regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans 
with toxic exposure, not later than one year after receiving 
such results and determination, the Secretary shall (in 
consultation with the advisory board established under 
section 633 (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Advisory 
Board’’)) enter into an agreement with one or more re-
search entities identified under section 632(b)(6) (exclud-
ing an entity of the Department of Veterans Affairs) to 
conduct research on health conditions of descendants of 
veterans with toxic exposure while serving as members of 
the Armed Forces (in this section referred to as the ‘‘re-
search entity or entities’’). 
(b) RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent included in 
the research strategy developed by the Advisory 
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Board under section 633(c)(3), the research entity 
or entities shall conduct research on health condi-
tions of descendants of veterans with toxic exposure 
while serving as members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) STUDIES.—In conducting research under 
paragraph (1), the research entity or entities may 
study any veteran, at the election of the veteran, 
identified under section 632(b)(3)(A) as a type of in-
dividual to be studied in order to conduct adequate 
scientific research relating to the descendants of vet-
erans with toxic exposure. 
(3) CATEGORIZATION.—In conducting research 
under paragraph (1), the research entity or entities 
shall assess, using the categories established under 
section 632(b)(4), the extent to which a health con-
dition of a descendant of a veteran is related to the 
toxic exposure of the veteran while serving as a 
member of the Armed Forces. 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the head of 
each Federal agency identified under section 
632(b)(3)(E) shall make available to the research 
entity or entities records held by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the 
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(2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘in subparagraph (D)’’ and inserting ‘‘in 
subparagraph (E)’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘under subparagraph (B)’’ and inserting 
‘‘under subparagraph (C)’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘in subparagraphs (B) and (C)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘in subparagraphs (C) and (D)’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The rate’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph 
(B), the rate’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘under subparagraph (B)’’ 
and all that follows and inserting ‘‘under sub-
paragraph (C).’’; and 
(6) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case 
may the rate determined under this paragraph exceed the 
rate authorized for State homes for domiciliary care under 
subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of this title, as the 
Secretary may increase from time to time under sub-
section (c) of that section. 
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