I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 955 
To improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of De-
fense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to severely wounded, 
ill, or injured members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their spouses 
or partners, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 4, 2019 
Mr. LARSEN of Washington (for himself, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. RUSH, Mr. 
HECK, Mr. RYAN, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. KILMER, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, 
Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, and Mr. HIMES) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To improve the reproductive assistance provided by the De-
partment of Defense and the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to severely wounded, ill, or injured members of 
the Armed Forces, veterans, and their spouses or part-
ners, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 
2019’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—REPRODUCTIVE AND FERTILITY PRESERVATION 
ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
Sec. 101. Provision of fertility treatment and counseling to certain members of 
the Armed Forces and spouses, partners, and gestational sur-
rogates of such members. 
Sec. 102. Establishment of fertility preservation procedures after an injury or 
illness. 
Sec. 103. Cryopreservation and storage of gametes of members of the Armed 
Forces on active duty. 
Sec. 104. Coordination between Department of Defense and Department of 
Veterans Affairs on furnishing of fertility treatment and coun-
seling. 
TITLE II—REPRODUCTIVE, ADOPTION, AND CHILD CARE 
ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS 
Sec. 201. Inclusion of fertility treatment and counseling under the definition of 
medical services in title 38. 
Sec. 202. Fertility treatment and counseling for certain veterans and spouses, 
partners, and gestational surrogates of such veterans. 
Sec. 203. Adoption assistance for severely wounded veterans. 
Sec. 204. Annual report on fertility treatment and counseling furnished by De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 205. Regulations on furnishing of fertility treatment and counseling and 
adoption assistance by Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 206. Facilitation of reproduction and infertility research. 
Sec. 207. Requirement to improve Department of Veterans Affairs women vet-
erans contact center. 
Sec. 208. Modification of pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for 
women veterans newly separated from service in the Armed 
Forces. 
Sec. 209. Program on assistance for child care for certain veterans. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
TITLE 
I—REPRODUCTIVE 
AND 
FERTILITY 
PRESERVATION 
ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES 
SEC. 101. PROVISION OF FERTILITY TREATMENT AND 
COUNSELING TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES AND SPOUSES, PARTNERS, 
AND GESTATIONAL SURROGATES OF SUCH 
MEMBERS. 
(a) FERTILITY TREATMENT AND COUNSELING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall furnish fertility treatment and counseling, in-
cluding through the use of assisted reproductive 
technology, to a covered member of the Armed 
Forces or a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate 
of such a member. 
(2) ELIGIBILITY FOR TREATMENT AND COUN-
SELING.—Fertility treatment and counseling shall be 
furnished under paragraph (1) without regard to the 
sex or marital status of the covered member of the 
Armed Forces. 
(3) IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.—In the case of 
in vitro fertilization treatment furnished under para-
graph (1), the Secretary may furnish not more than 
three completed cycles or six attempted cycles of in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
vitro fertilization, whichever occurs first, to an indi-
vidual under such paragraph. 
(b) PROCUREMENT
OF GAMETES.—If a covered 
member of the Armed Forces is unable to provide their 
gametes for purposes of fertility treatment under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall, at the election of such 
member, allow such member to receive such treatment 
with donated gametes and pay or reimburse such member 
the reasonable costs of procuring gametes from a donor. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to require the Secretary— 
(1) to find or certify a gestational surrogate for 
a covered member of the Armed Forces or to con-
nect a gestational surrogate with such a member; or 
(2) to find or certify gametes from a donor for 
a covered member of the Armed Forces or to con-
nect such a member with gametes from a donor. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY.— 
The term ‘‘assisted reproductive technology’’ in-
cludes in vitro fertilization and other fertility treat-
ments in which both eggs and sperm are handled 
when clinically appropriate. 
(2) 
COVERED
MEMBER
OF
THE
ARMED 
FORCES.—The term ‘‘covered member of the Armed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
Forces’’ means a severely wounded, ill, or injured 
member of the Armed Forces who has an infertility 
condition incurred or aggravated while serving on 
active duty in the Armed Forces. 
(3) FERTILITY TREATMENT.—The term ‘‘fer-
tility treatment’’ includes the following: 
(A) Procedures that use assisted reproduc-
tive technology. 
(B) Sperm retrieval. 
(C) Egg retrieval. 
(D) Artificial insemination. 
(E) Embryo transfer. 
(F) Such other treatments as the Sec-
retary of Defense considers appropriate. 
(4) PARTNER.—The term ‘‘partner’’, with re-
spect to a member of the Armed Forces, means an 
individual selected by the member who agrees to 
share with the member the parental responsibilities 
with respect to any child born as a result of the use 
of any fertility treatment under this section. 
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF FERTILITY PRESERVATION 
PROCEDURES AFTER AN INJURY OR ILLNESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, acting 
through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Af-
fairs, shall establish procedures for the retrieval of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
gametes, as soon as medically appropriate, from a member 
of the Armed Forces in cases in which the fertility of such 
member is potentially jeopardized as a result of an injury 
or illness incurred or aggravated while serving on active 
duty in the Armed Forces in order to preserve the medical 
options of such member. 
(b) CONSENT
FOR
RETRIEVAL
OF
GAMETES.— 
Gametes may be retrieved from a member of the Armed 
Forces under subsection (a) only— 
(1) with the specific consent of the member; or 
(2) if the member is unable to consent, if a 
medical professional determines that— 
(A) the future fertility of the member is 
potentially jeopardized as a result of an injury 
or illness described in subsection (a) or will be 
potentially jeopardized as a result of treating 
such injury or illness; 
(B) the member lacks the capacity to con-
sent to the retrieval of gametes and is likely to 
regain such capacity; and 
(C) the retrieval of gametes under this sec-
tion is in the medical interest of the member. 
(c) CONSENT FOR USE OF RETRIEVED GAMETES.— 
Gametes retrieved from a member of the Armed Forces 
under subsection (a) may be used only— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(1) with the specific consent of the member; or 
(2) if the member has lost the ability to consent 
permanently, as determined by a medical profes-
sional, as specified in an advance directive or testa-
mentary instrument executed by the member. 
(d) DISPOSAL
OF GAMETES.—In accordance with 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purpose of this 
subsection, the Secretary shall dispose of gametes re-
trieved from a member of the Armed Forces under sub-
section (a)— 
(1) with the specific consent of the member; or 
(2) if the member— 
(A) has lost the ability to consent perma-
nently, as determined by a medical professional; 
and 
(B) has not specified the use of their 
gametes in an advance directive or testa-
mentary instrument executed by the member. 
SEC. 103. CRYOPRESERVATION AND STORAGE OF GAMETES 
OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON AC-
TIVE DUTY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
provide members of the Armed Forces on active duty in 
the Armed Forces with the opportunity to cryopreserve 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
and store their gametes prior to deployment to a combat 
zone. 
(b) PERIOD OF TIME.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
for the cryopreservation and storage of gametes of 
any member of the Armed Forces under subsection 
(a), at no cost to the member, in a facility of the 
Department of Defense or of a private entity pursu-
ant to a contract under subsection (d) until the date 
that is one year after the retirement, separation, or 
release of the member from the Armed Forces. 
(2) 
CONTINUED
CRYOPRESERVATION
AND 
STORAGE.—At the end of the one-year period speci-
fied in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall permit an 
individual whose gametes were cryopreserved and 
stored in a facility of the Department as described 
in that paragraph to select, including pursuant to an 
advance medical directive or military testamentary 
instrument completed under subsection (c), one of 
the following options: 
(A) To continue such cryopreservation and 
storage in such facility with the cost of such 
cryopreservation and storage borne by the indi-
vidual. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(B) To transfer the gametes to a private 
cryopreservation and storage facility selected by 
the individual. 
(C) To transfer the gametes to a facility of 
the 
Department 
of 
Veterans 
Affairs 
if 
cryopreservation and storage is available to the 
individual at such facility. 
(3) DISPOSAL OF GAMETES.—If an individual 
described in paragraph (2) does not make a selection 
under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of such para-
graph, the Secretary may dispose of the gametes of 
the individual not earlier than the date that is 90 
days after the end of the one-year period specified 
in paragraph (1) with respect to the individual. 
(c) ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE AND MILITARY 
TESTAMENTARY INSTRUMENT.—A member of the Armed 
Forces who elects to cryopreserve and store their gametes 
under this section must complete an advance medical di-
rective, as defined in section 1044c(b) of title 10, United 
States Code, and a military testamentary instrument, as 
defined in section 1044d(b) of such title, that explicitly 
specifies the use of their cryopreserved and stored gametes 
if such member dies or otherwise loses the capacity to con-
sent to the use of their cryopreserved and stored gametes. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(d) AGREEMENTS.—To carry out this section, the 
Secretary may enter into agreements with private entities 
that provide cryopreservation and storage services for 
gametes. 
SEC. 104. COORDINATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS ON FURNISHING OF FERTILITY TREAT-
MENT AND COUNSELING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall share best practices 
and facilitate referrals, as they consider appropriate, on 
the furnishing of fertility treatment and counseling to in-
dividuals eligible for the receipt of such counseling and 
treatment from the Secretaries. 
(b) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.—The Sec-
retary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall enter into a memorandum of understanding— 
(1) providing that the Secretary of Defense will 
ensure access by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to gametes of veterans stored by the Department of 
Defense for purposes of furnishing fertility treat-
ment under section 1720J of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by section 202; and 
(2) authorizing the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs to compensate the Department of Defense for 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
the cryopreservation and storage of gametes of vet-
erans under section 103. 
TITLE 
II—REPRODUCTIVE, 
ADOPTION, AND CHILD CARE 
ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS 
SEC. 201. INCLUSION OF FERTILITY TREATMENT AND 
COUNSELING UNDER THE DEFINITION OF 
MEDICAL SERVICES IN TITLE 38. 
Section 1701(6) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(I) Fertility treatment and counseling, in-
cluding treatment using assisted reproductive 
technology.’’. 
SEC. 202. FERTILITY TREATMENT AND COUNSELING FOR 
CERTAIN VETERANS AND SPOUSES, PART-
NERS, AND GESTATIONAL SURROGATES OF 
SUCH VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘§ 1720J. Fertility treatment and counseling for cer-
tain veterans and spouses, partners, and 
gestational surrogates of such veterans 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) The Secretary shall furnish 
fertility treatment and counseling, including through the 
use of assisted reproductive technology, to a covered vet-
eran or a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate of a 
covered veteran if the veteran, and the spouse, partner, 
or gestational surrogate of the veteran, as applicable, 
apply jointly for such counseling and treatment through 
a process prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) Fertility treatment and counseling shall be fur-
nished under paragraph (1) without regard to the sex or 
marital status of the covered veteran. 
‘‘(3) In the case of in vitro fertilization treatment fur-
nished under paragraph (1), the Secretary may furnish 
not more than three completed cycles or six attempted cy-
cles of in vitro fertilization, whichever occurs first, to an 
individual under such paragraph. 
‘‘(b) COORDINATION OF CARE FOR OTHER INDIVID-
UALS.—In the case of a veteran or a spouse, partner, or 
gestational surrogate of a veteran not described in sub-
section (a) who is seeking fertility treatment and coun-
seling, the Secretary may coordinate fertility treatment 
and counseling for such veteran, spouse, partner, or gesta-
tional surrogate. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to require the Secretary— 
‘‘(1) to find or certify a gestational surrogate 
for a covered veteran or to connect a gestational sur-
rogate with a covered veteran; or 
‘‘(2) to furnish maternity care to a covered vet-
eran or spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate of 
a covered veteran in addition to what is otherwise 
required by law. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘assisted reproductive tech-
nology’ includes in vitro fertilization and other fer-
tility treatments in which both eggs and sperm are 
handled when clinically appropriate. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘covered veteran’ means a se-
verely wounded, ill, or injured veteran who— 
‘‘(A) has an infertility condition incurred 
or aggravated in line of duty in the active mili-
tary, naval, or air service; and 
‘‘(B) is enrolled in the system of annual 
patient enrollment established under section 
1705(a) of this title. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘fertility treatment’ includes the 
following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) Procedures that use assisted repro-
ductive technology. 
‘‘(B) Sperm retrieval. 
‘‘(C) Egg retrieval. 
‘‘(D) Artificial insemination. 
‘‘(E) Embryo transfer. 
‘‘(F) Such other treatments as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘partner’, with respect to a vet-
eran, means an individual selected by the veteran 
who agrees to share with the veteran the parental 
responsibilities with respect to any child born as a 
result of the use of any fertility treatment under this 
section.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 1720I the 
following new item: 
‘‘1720J. Fertility treatment and counseling for certain veterans and spouses, 
partners, and gestational surrogates of such veterans.’’. 
SEC. 203. ADOPTION ASSISTANCE FOR SEVERELY WOUND-
ED VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘§ 1789. Adoption assistance 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may pay an 
amount, not to exceed the limitation amount, to assist a 
covered veteran in the adoption of one or more children. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION AMOUNT.—For purposes of this 
section, the limitation amount is the amount equal to the 
cost the Department would incur by paying the expenses 
of three adoptions by covered veterans, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) COVERED VETERAN DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘covered veteran’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 1720J of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 1788 the 
following new item: 
‘‘1789. Adoption assistance.’’. 
SEC. 204. ANNUAL REPORT ON FERTILITY TREATMENT AND 
COUNSELING FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently 
than annually thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs 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 fertility 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
treatment and counseling furnished by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs during the year preceding the submittal 
of the report. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under sub-
section (a) shall include, for the period covered by the re-
port, the following: 
(1) The number of veterans who received fer-
tility treatment or counseling furnished by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, disaggregated by era 
of military service of such veterans. 
(2) The number of spouses, partners, and ges-
tational surrogates of veterans who received fertility 
treatment or counseling furnished by the Depart-
ment. 
(3) The cost to the Department of furnishing 
fertility treatment and counseling, disaggregated by 
cost of services and administration. 
(4) The average cost to the Department per re-
cipient of fertility treatment and counseling. 
(5) In cases in which the Department furnished 
fertility treatment through the use of assisted repro-
ductive technology, the average number of cycles per 
person furnished, disaggregated by type of treat-
ment. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(6) A description of how fertility treatment and 
counseling services of the Department are coordi-
nated with similar services of the Department of De-
fense. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘as-
sisted reproductive technology’’ and ‘‘partner’’ have the 
meanings given those terms in section 1720J of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by section 202. 
SEC. 205. REGULATIONS ON FURNISHING OF FERTILITY 
TREATMENT AND COUNSELING AND ADOP-
TION ASSISTANCE BY DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
prescribe regulations— 
(1) to carry out section 1720J of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by section 202; and 
(2) to carry out section 1789 of such title, as 
added by section 203. 
SEC. 206. FACILITATION OF REPRODUCTION AND INFER-
TILITY RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘§ 7330D. Facilitation of reproduction and infertility 
research 
‘‘(a) FACILITATION OF RESEARCH REQUIRED.—The 
Secretary shall facilitate research conducted collabo-
ratively by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to improve the ability of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to meet the long-term re-
productive health care needs of veterans who have a geni-
tourinary service-connected disability or a condition that 
was incurred or aggravated in line of duty in the active 
military, naval, or air service, such as a spinal cord injury, 
that affects the veterans’ ability to reproduce. 
‘‘(b) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that information produced by the re-
search facilitated under this section that may be useful 
for other activities of the Veterans Health Administration 
is disseminated throughout the Veterans Health Adminis-
tration.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 73 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 7330C the 
following new item: 
‘‘7330D. Facilitation of reproduction and infertility research.’’. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than three years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the re-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
search activities conducted by the Secretary under section 
7330D of title 38, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 207. REQUIREMENT TO IMPROVE DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS WOMEN VETERANS CON-
TACT CENTER. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enhance the 
capabilities of the women veterans contact center of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs— 
(1) to respond to requests by women veterans 
for assistance with accessing health care and bene-
fits furnished under the laws administered by the 
Secretary; and 
(2) to refer such veterans to resources provided 
by the Federal Government and the community to 
obtain assistance with services not furnished by the 
Department. 
SEC. 208. MODIFICATION OF PILOT PROGRAM ON COUN-
SELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN 
VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERV-
ICE IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) INCREASE IN NUMBER OF LOCATIONS.—Sub-
section (c) of section 203 of the Caregivers and Veterans 
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111– 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
163; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by striking ‘‘three 
locations’’ and inserting ‘‘14 locations’’. 
(b) PERMANENT PROGRAM.—Such section is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking subsections (d) and (e); and 
(2) by redesignating subsections (f) as sub-
section (d). 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—Sub-
section (d) of such section, as redesignated by subsection 
(b)(2), is amended by striking ‘‘Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs for each’’ and all that follows through the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
carry out the pilot program— 
‘‘(1) for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2015, 
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, $2,000,000; and 
‘‘(2) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2019, 
such sums as may be necessary.’’. 
SEC. 209. PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR 
CERTAIN VETERANS. 
(a) ASSISTANCE
FOR CHILD CARE
FOR CERTAIN 
VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘§ 1709C. Assistance for child care for certain vet-
erans receiving health care 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
carry out a program to provide, subject to subsection (b), 
assistance to qualified veterans described in subsection (c) 
to obtain child care so that such veterans can receive 
health care services described in subsection (c)(2). 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION ON PERIOD OF PAYMENTS.—As-
sistance may be provided to a qualified veteran under this 
section for receipt of child care only during the period that 
the qualified veteran— 
‘‘(1) receives the types of health care services 
described in subsection (c)(2) at a facility of the De-
partment; and 
‘‘(2) requires travel to and return from such fa-
cility for the receipt of such health care services. 
‘‘(c) QUALIFIED VETERANS.—For purposes of this 
section, a qualified veteran is a veteran who— 
‘‘(1) is the primary caretaker of a child or chil-
dren; and 
‘‘(2)(A) receives from the Department— 
‘‘(i) regular mental health care services; 
‘‘(ii) intensive mental health care services; 
or 
‘‘(iii) such other intensive health care serv-
ices that the Secretary determines that provi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
sion of assistance to the veteran to obtain child 
care would improve access to such health care 
services by the veteran; or 
‘‘(B) is in need of regular or intensive mental 
health care services from the Department, and but 
for lack of child care services, would receive such 
health care services from the Department. 
‘‘(d) LOCATIONS.—Not later than five years after the 
date of the enactment of the Women Veterans and Fami-
lies Health Services Act of 2019, the Secretary shall carry 
out the program at each medical center of the Depart-
ment. 
‘‘(e) FORMS
OF CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.—(1) 
Child care assistance under this section may include the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Stipends for the payment of child care of-
fered by licensed child care centers (either directly 
or through a voucher program) that shall be, to the 
extent practicable, modeled after the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Child Care Subsidy Program estab-
lished pursuant to section 630 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 
(Public Law 107–67; 115 Stat. 552). 
‘‘(B) Direct provision of child care at an on-site 
facility of the Department. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C) Payments to private child care agencies. 
‘‘(D) Collaboration with facilities or programs 
of other Federal agencies. 
‘‘(E) Such other forms of assistance as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(2) In providing child care assistance under this sec-
tion, the child care needs of the local area shall be consid-
ered and the head of each medical center may select the 
type of care that is most appropriate or feasible for such 
medical center. 
‘‘(3) In the case that child care assistance under this 
section is provided as a stipend under paragraph (1)(A), 
such stipend shall cover the full cost of such child care.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
205(e) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 
38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ‘‘Sep-
tember 30, 2020’’ and inserting ‘‘the date of the en-
actment of the Women Veterans and Families 
Health Services Act of 2019’’. 
(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 1709B the following new item: 
‘‘1709C. Assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(b) ASSISTANCE
FOR CHILD CARE
FOR CERTAIN 
VETERANS
RECEIVING
READJUSTMENT
COUNSELING 
AND RELATED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 
of such title, as amended by subsection (a)(1), is 
further amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 1709D. Assistance for child care for certain vet-
erans receiving readjustment counseling 
and related mental health services 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
carry out a program to provide, subject to subsection (b), 
assistance to qualified veterans described in subsection (c) 
to obtain child care so that such veterans can receive read-
justment counseling and related mental health services. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION ON PERIOD OF PAYMENTS.—As-
sistance may be provided to a qualified veteran under this 
section for receipt of child care only during the period that 
the qualified veteran receives readjustment counseling and 
related health care services at a Vet Center. 
‘‘(c) QUALIFIED VETERANS.—For purposes of this 
section, a qualified veteran is a veteran who— 
‘‘(1) is the primary caretaker of a child; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2)(A) receives from the Department regular 
readjustment counseling and related mental health 
services; or 
‘‘(B) is in need of readjustment counseling and 
related mental health services from the Department, 
and but for lack of child care services, would receive 
such counseling and services from the Department. 
‘‘(d) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
program under this section in not fewer than three Read-
justment Counseling Service Regions selected by the Sec-
retary for purposes of the program. 
‘‘(e) FORMS
OF CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.—(1) 
Child care assistance under this section may include the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Stipends for the payment of child care of-
fered by licensed child care centers (either directly 
or through a voucher program) that shall be, to the 
extent practicable, modeled after the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Child Care Subsidy Program estab-
lished pursuant to section 630 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 
(Public Law 107–67; 115 Stat. 552). 
‘‘(B) Payments to private child care agencies. 
‘‘(C) Collaboration with facilities or programs 
of other Federal agencies. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) Such other forms of assistance as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(2) In providing child care assistance under this sec-
tion, the child care needs of the local area shall be consid-
ered and the head of each Vet Center may select the type 
of care that is most appropriate or feasible for such Vet 
Center. 
‘‘(3) In the case that child care assistance under this 
subsection is provided as a stipend under paragraph 
(1)(A), such stipend shall cover the full cost of such child 
care. 
‘‘(f) VET CENTER DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘Vet Center’ means a center for readjustment coun-
seling and related mental health services for veterans 
under section 1712A of this title.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter, as amended 
by subsection (a)(3), is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1709C the fol-
lowing new item: 
‘‘1709D. Assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving readjustment 
counseling and related mental health services.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:27 Feb 19, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H955.IH
H955
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS