Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.7939 | Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Mike (D-CA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022
This act modifies provisions related to programs and benefits for veterans, including by providing permanent authority for the application of certain flexibilities to assist veterans with their educational assistance benefits during emergency situations. An emergency situation is defined as a situation that the President declares as an emergency and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines is an emergency for purposes of the laws it administers.
Specifically, the act extends certain program adjustments that were implemented during the COVID-19 emergency (including adjustments made in the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020) to other emergency situations that may arise and have an effect on veterans and their educational assistance benefits.
Among other flexibilities, the act (1) authorizes the VA to continue to provide educational assistance, including monthly housing stipends or subsistence allowances, for programs of education that have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation; and (2) extends the time limitation for using educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill, or vocational rehabilitation program when institutions are closed due to an emergency situation or executive order.
Due to an emergency situation, the VA is authorized to
This act also adjusts the administration of certain benefits for veterans participating in an apprenticeship or other on-job training during an emergency situation, including by proportionately reducing the 120-hour monthly training requirement to reflect an individual's period of unemployment without a reduction in training assistance.
An educational assistance payment shall not be charged against an individual's entitlement to educational assistance if an individual was unable to complete a course or program due to the temporary closure of an educational institution or the temporary termination of a program by reason of an emergency situation.
The act provides the requirements that must be met for a study-abroad course to be approved for purposes of VA educational assistance.
The act provides eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance for individuals, including officers, who are discharged or released from active duty with a sole survivorship discharge following at least 30 continuous days on qualifying active duty after September 10, 2001.
The VA must partner with state approving agencies, educational institutions, and training establishments to require the use of a uniform application for the VA's course approval process. The uniform application must be developed by October 1, 2023, and be required for the approval of any new course of education proposed on or after that day.
The act provides notice requirements for VA education surveys. Specifically, the VA or a state approving agency must provide not more than one business day of notice to an educational institution before conducting a targeted risk-based survey. The VA or state approving agency must provide not more than 10 business days of notice to an educational institution or training establishment before conducting a compliance survey.
Under the act, educational institutions are excepted from the requirement to verify the enrollment of certain individuals who are receiving VA educational assistance (e.g., individuals who are enrolled in a program on at least a full-time basis before they are able to withdraw from the course without penalty).
The act expands eligibility for self-employment assistance under the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program to include certain veterans who have a service-connected disability or employment handicap in addition to those with the most severe service-connected disabilities.
The VA must report on possible definitions for student services, marketing, and classroom instruction for purposes of VA educational assistance.
The act extends through November 30, 2031, certain limitations on pension payments to veterans who have no dependents and are being furnished domiciliary care by the VA.
The act authorizes a servicemember to terminate specified contracts (e.g., contracts for commercial mobile service or internet service) that are entered into in relation to military orders for a permanent change of station if the member then receives a stop movement order in response to a local, national, or global emergency which prevents the member from using the services provided under the contract.
The act provides that a spouse of a servicemember may retain their personal residence or domicile for purposes of taxation. Under the act, a servicemember and the spouse of the member are authorized to elect to use the following locations for purposes of taxation:
The act provides for the portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses who are relocated, because of military orders, outside of the jurisdiction that issued the license.
The act authorizes the VA to provide non-articulating trailers (adaptive equipment) to veterans with specified disabilities or diseases incurred or aggravated due to their military service.
The act authorizes the VA to provide (or assist in providing) an eligible veteran or servicemember with an additional automobile or other conveyance under the VA automobile allowance and adaptive equipment program if (1) more than 30 years have elapsed since the person last received such benefit; or (2) beginning 10 years after the date of this act, if more than 10 years have elapsed since the person last received such benefit.
Finally, the act includes certain vehicle modifications (e.g., van lifts) under the definition of medical services for VA health care purposes.

[117th Congress Public Law 333]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 136 STAT. 6121]]

Public Law 117-333
117th Congress

                                 An Act


 
To make permanent certain educational assistance benefits under the laws 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the case of changes 
to courses of education by reason of emergency situations, and for other 
            purposes. <<NOTE: Jan. 5, 2023 -  [H.R. 7939]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Veterans Auto 
and Education Improvement Act of 2022.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) <<NOTE: 38 USC 101 note.>>  Short Title.--This Act may be cited 
as the ``Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Educational assistance benefits during emergency situations.
Sec. 3. Extension of time limitations for use of entitlement.
Sec. 4. Extension of payment of vocational rehabilitation subsistence 
           allowances.
Sec. 5. Payment of work-study allowances during emergency situations.
Sec. 6. Payment of allowances to veterans enrolled in educational 
           institutions closed for emergency situations.
Sec. 7. Apprenticeship or on-job training requirements.
Sec. 8. Prohibition of charge to entitlement of students unable to 
           pursue a program of education due to an emergency situation.
Sec. 9. Department of Veterans Affairs approval of certain study-abroad 
           programs.
Sec. 10. Eligibility for educational assistance under Department of 
           Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of 
           certain individuals who receive sole survivorship discharges.
Sec. 11. Uniform application for Department of Veterans Affairs approval 
           of courses of education.
Sec. 12. Notice requirements for Department of Veterans Affairs 
           education surveys.
Sec. 13. Exception to requirement to submit verification of enrollment 
           of certain individuals.
Sec. 14. Expansion of eligibility for self-employment assistance under 
           veteran readiness and employment program.
Sec. 15. Possible definitions of certain terms relating to educational 
           assistance.
Sec. 16. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension.
Sec. 17. Termination of certain consumer contracts by servicemembers and 
           dependents who enter into contracts after receiving military 
           orders for permanent change of station but then receive stop 
           movement orders due to an emergency situation.
Sec. 18. Residence for tax purposes.
Sec. 19. Portability of professional licenses of members of the 
           uniformed services and their spouses.
Sec. 20. Provision of nonarticulating trailers as adaptive equipment.
Sec. 21. Eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs provision of 
           additional automobile or other conveyance.
Sec. 22. Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of certain vehicle 
           modifications as medical services.
Sec. 23. Determination of budgetary effects.

SEC. 2. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS DURING EMERGENCY 
                    SITUATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--

[[Page 136 STAT. 6122]]

            (1) <<NOTE: 38 USC prec. 3670, 3680.>>  by redesignating 
        subchapters I and II as subchapters II and III, respectively; 
        and
            (2) by inserting before subchapter II, as so redesignated, 
        the following new subchapter:

``SUBCHAPTER I <<NOTE: 38 USC prec. 3601.>> --EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
``Sec. 3601. <<NOTE: 38 USC 3601.>>  Definition of emergency 
                  situation

    ``In this chapter, the term `emergency situation' means a situation 
that--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: President.>>  the President declares is an 
        emergency; and
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  the Secretary determines is 
        an emergency for purposes of the laws administered by the 
        Secretary.
``Sec. 3602. <<NOTE: 38 USC 3602.>>  Continuation of educational 
                  assistance benefits during emergency situations

    ``(a) Authority.--(1) If the Secretary determines under subsection 
(c) that an individual is negatively affected by an emergency situation, 
the Secretary may provide educational assistance to that individual 
under the laws administered by the Secretary as if such negative effects 
did not occur.
    ``(2) The authority under this section is in addition to the other 
authorities of the Secretary to provide benefits in emergency 
situations, but in no case may the Secretary provide more than a total 
of four weeks of additional educational assistance by reason of any 
other such authority and this section.
    ``(b) Housing and Allowances.--In providing educational assistance 
to an individual pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary may--
            ``(1) continue to pay a monthly housing stipend under 
        chapter 33 of this title, during a month the individual would 
        have been enrolled in a program of education or training but for 
        the emergency situation at the same rate such stipend would have 
        been payable if the individual had not been negatively affected 
        by the emergency situation, except that the total number of 
        weeks for which stipends may continue to be so payable may not 
        exceed four weeks; and
            ``(2) continue to pay payments or subsistence allowances 
        under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, and 35 of this title and chapter 
        1606 of title 10 during a month for a period of time that the 
        individual would have been enrolled in a program of education or 
        training but for the emergency situation, except that the total 
        number of weeks for which payments or allowances may continue to 
        be so payable may not exceed four weeks.

    ``(c) Determination of Negative Effects.--The Secretary shall 
determine that an individual was negatively affected by an emergency 
situation if--
            ``(1) the individual is enrolled in a covered program of 
        education of an educational institution or enrolled in training 
        at a training establishment and is pursuing such program or 
        training using educational assistance under the laws 
        administered by the Secretary;
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Certification.>>  the educational institution 
        or training establishment certifies to the Secretary that such 
        program or training is truncated, delayed, relocated, canceled, 
        partially canceled, converted from being on-site to being 
        offered by distance learning,

[[Page 136 STAT. 6123]]

        or otherwise modified or made unavailable by reason of the 
        emergency situation; and
            ``(3) the Secretary determines that the modification to such 
        program or training specified under paragraph (2) would reduce 
        the amount of educational assistance (including with respect to 
        monthly housing stipends, payments, or subsistence allowances) 
        that would be payable to the individual but for the emergency 
        situation.

    ``(d) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  Effect on Entitlement Period.--If 
the Secretary determines that an individual who received assistance 
under this section did not make progress toward the completion of the 
program of education in which the individual is enrolled during the 
period for which the individual received such assistance, any assistance 
provided pursuant to this section shall not be counted for purposes of 
determining the total amount of an individual's entitlement to 
educational assistance, housing stipends, or payments or subsistence 
allowances under chapters 30, 31, 32, and 35 of this title and chapter 
1606 of title 10.
``Sec. 3603. <<NOTE: 38 USC 3603.>>  Continuation of educational 
                  assistance benefits for certain programs of 
                  education converted to distance learning by 
                  reason of emergency situations

    ``In the case of a program of education approved by a State 
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State 
approving agency, that is converted from being offered on-site at an 
educational institution or training establishment to being offered by 
distance learning by reason of an emergency or health-related situation, 
as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may continue to provide 
educational assistance under the laws administered by the Secretary 
without regard to such conversion, including with respect to paying 
any--
            ``(1) monthly housing stipends under chapter 33 of this 
        title; or
            ``(2) payments or subsistence allowances under chapters 30, 
        31, 32, and 35 of this title and chapter 1606 of title 10.
``Sec. 3604. <<NOTE: 38 USC 3604.>>  Effects of closure of 
                  educational institution and modification of 
                  courses by reason of emergency situation

    ``(a) Closure or Disapproval.--Any payment of educational assistance 
described in subsection (b) shall not--
            ``(1) be charged against any entitlement to educational 
        assistance of the individual concerned; or
            ``(2) be counted against the aggregate period for which 
        section 3695 of this title limits the receipt of educational 
        assistance by such individual.

    ``(b) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  Educational Assistance Described.--
Subject to subsection (d), the payment of educational assistance 
described in this subsection is the payment of such assistance to an 
individual for pursuit of a course or program of education at an 
educational institution under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of this 
title or chapter 1606 of title 10, if the Secretary determines that the 
individual--
            ``(1) was unable to complete such course or program as a 
        result of--

[[Page 136 STAT. 6124]]

                    ``(A) the closure of the educational institution, or 
                the full or partial cancellation of a course or program 
                of education, by reason of an emergency situation; or
                    ``(B) the disapproval of the course or a course that 
                is a necessary part of that program under this chapter 
                because the course was modified by reason of such 
                emergency; and
            ``(2) did not receive credit or lost training time, toward 
        completion of the program of education being so pursued.

    ``(c) <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Housing Assistance.--In this 
section, educational assistance includes, as applicable--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  monthly housing stipends 
        payable under chapter 33 of this title for any month the 
        individual would have been enrolled in a course or program of 
        education; and
            ``(2) payments or subsistence allowances under chapters 30, 
        31, 32, and 35 of this title and chapter 1606 of title 10 during 
        a month the individual would have been enrolled in a course or 
        program of education.

    ``(d) Period Not Charged.--The period for which, by reason of this 
section, educational assistance is not charged against entitlement or 
counted toward the applicable aggregate period under section 3695 of 
this title shall not exceed the aggregate of--
            ``(1) the portion of the period of enrollment in the course 
        from which the individual did not receive credit or with respect 
        to which the individual lost training time, as determined under 
        subsection (b)(2); and
            ``(2) the period by which a monthly stipend is extended 
        under section 3680(a)(2)(B) of this title.

    ``(e) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  Continuing Pursuit of Disapproved 
Courses.--(1) The Secretary may treat a course of education that is 
disapproved under this chapter as being approved under this chapter with 
respect to an individual described in paragraph (2) if the Secretary 
determines, on a programmatic basis, that--
            ``(A) such disapproval is the result of an action described 
        in subsection (b)(1)(B); and
            ``(B) continuing pursuing such course is in the best 
        interest of the individual.

    ``(2) An individual described in this paragraph is an individual who 
is pursuing a course of education at an educational institution under 
chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of this title or chapter 1606 of title 10, 
as of the date on which the course is disapproved as described in 
subsection (b)(1)(B).
    ``(f) Status as Full-time Student for Purposes of Housing Stipend 
Calculation.--In the case of an individual who, as of the first day of 
an emergency situation was enrolled on a full-time basis in a program of 
education and was receiving educational assistance under chapter 33 of 
this title or subsistence allowance under chapter 31 of this title, and 
for whom the Secretary makes a determination under subsection (b), the 
individual shall be treated as an individual enrolled in a program of 
education on a full-time basis for the purpose of calculating monthly 
housing stipends payable under chapter 33 of this title, or subsistence 
allowance payable under chapter 31 of this title, for any month the 
individual is enrolled in the program of education on a part-time basis 
to complete any course of education that was partially or fully canceled 
by reason of the emergency situation.

[[Page 136 STAT. 6125]]

    ``(g) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Notice of Closures.--Not later than five 
business days after the date on which the Secretary receives notice that 
an educational institution will close or is closed by reason of an 
emergency situation, the Secretary shall provide to each individual who 
is enrolled in a course or program of education at such educational 
institution using entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 
30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 of title 10 notice 
of--
            ``(1) such closure and the date of such closure; and
            ``(2) the effect of such closure on the individual's 
        entitlement to educational assistance pursuant to this section.
``Sec. 3605. <<NOTE: 38 USC 3605.>>  Payment of educational 
                  assistance in cases of withdrawal

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of any individual who withdraws from 
a program of education or training, other than a program by 
correspondence, in an educational institution under chapter 31, 34, or 
35 of this title for a covered reason during the period of an emergency 
situation, the Secretary shall find mitigating circumstances for 
purposes of section 3680(a)(1)(C)(ii) of this title.
    ``(b) Covered Reason. <<NOTE: Definition.>> --In this section, the 
term `covered reason' means any reason related to an emergency 
situation, including--
            ``(1) illness, quarantine, or social distancing 
        requirements;
            ``(2) issues associated with accessibility;
            ``(3) access or availability of childcare;
            ``(4) providing care for a family member or cohabitants;
            ``(5) change of location or residence due to the emergency 
        situation or associated school closures;
            ``(6) employment changes or financial hardship; and
            ``(7) issues associated with changes in format or medium of 
        instruction.''.

    (b) <<NOTE: 38 USC prec. 3601.>>  Clerical Amendment.--The table of 
sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended--
            (1) by striking the item relating to subchapter II and 
        inserting the following new item:

               ``subchapter iii-miscellaneous provisions''.

            (2) by striking the item relating to subchapter I and 
        inserting the following new item:

               ``subchapter ii-state approving agencies''.

            (3) by inserting before the item relating to subchapter II 
        the following new items:

                   ``subchapter i-emergency situations

``3601. Definition of emergency situation.
``3602. Continuation of educational assistance benefits during emergency 
           situations.
``3603. Continuation of educational assistance benefits for certain 
           programs of education converted to distance learning by 
           reason of emergency situations.
``3604. Effects of closure of educational institution and modification 
           of courses by reason of emergency situation.
``3605. Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal.''.

    (c) Conforming Repeals.--The following provisions of law are 
repealed:
            (1) Sections 1102, 1103, and 1104 of the Johnny Isakson and 
        David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement 
        Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315). <<NOTE: 38 USC note prec. 
        3001. 38 USC note prec. 3001.>> 
            (2) Public Law 116-128.

[[Page 136 STAT. 6126]]

SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF TIME LIMITATIONS FOR USE OF ENTITLEMENT.

    (a) Montgomery BI Bill.--Section 3031 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(i) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  In the case of an individual eligible 
for educational assistance under this chapter who is prevented from 
pursuing the individual's chosen program of education before the 
expiration of the 10-year period for the use of entitlement under this 
chapter otherwise applicable under this section because the educational 
institution or training establishment closed (temporarily or 
permanently) under an established policy based on an Executive order of 
the President or due to an emergency situation, such 10-year period--
            ``(1) shall not run during the period the individual is so 
        prevented from pursuing such program; and
            ``(2) shall again begin running on the first day after the 
        individual is able to resume pursuit of a program of education 
        with educational assistance under this chapter.''.

    (b) Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3321(b)(1) of such title is 
        amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``Subsections'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), as designated by 
                subparagraph (A), by striking ``and (d)'' and inserting 
                ``(d), and (i)''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
            ``(B) <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Subsection (i) of section 
        3031 shall apply with respect to the running of the 15-year 
        period described in paragraphs (4)(A) and (5)(A) of this 
        subsection in the same manner as such subsection applies under 
        section 3031 of this title with respect to the running of the 
        10-year period described in section 3031(a) of this title.''.
            (2) Transfer period.--Section 3319(h)(5) of such title is 
        amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or (C)'' 
                after ``subparagraph (B)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
                    ``(C) <<NOTE: Determination. Extension.>>  Emergency 
                situations.--In any case in which the Secretary 
                determines that an individual to whom entitlement is 
                transferred under this section has been prevented from 
                pursuing the individual's chosen program of education 
                before the individual attains the age of 26 years 
                because the educational institution or training 
                establishment closed (temporarily or permanently) under 
                an established policy based on an Executive order of the 
                President or due to an emergency situation, the 
                Secretary shall extend the period during which the 
                individual may use such entitlement for a period equal 
                to the number of months that the individual was so 
                prevented from pursuing the program of education, as 
                determined by the Secretary.''.

    (c) Vocational Rehabilitation and Training.--
            (1) Period for use.--Section 3103 of such title is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``or (g)'' and 
                inserting ``(g), or (h)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subsection:

[[Page 136 STAT. 6127]]

    ``(h) <<NOTE: Determination. Deadline.>>  In any case in which the 
Secretary determines that a veteran has been prevented from 
participating in a vocational rehabilitation program under this chapter 
within the 12-year period of eligibility prescribed in subsection (a) 
due to an emergency situation, such 12-year period--
            ``(1) shall not run during the period the individual is so 
        prevented from participating such program; and
            ``(2) shall again begin running on the first day after the 
        individual is able to resume participation in such program.''.
            (2) Duration of program.--Section 3105(b) of such title is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' 
                and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:

    ``(3)(A) <<NOTE: Determinations. Extensions.>>  In any case in which 
the Secretary determines that a veteran has been prevented from 
participating in counseling and placement and postplacement services 
described in paragraphs (2) and (5) of section 3104(a) of this title due 
to an emergency situation, the Secretary shall extend the period during 
which the Secretary may provide such counseling and placement and 
postplacement services for the veteran for a period equal to the number 
of months that the veteran was so prevented from participating in such 
counseling and services, as determined by the Secretary.

    ``(B) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a veteran 
has been prevented from participating in a vocational rehabilitation 
program under this chapter due to an emergency situation, the Secretary 
shall extend the period of the veteran's vocational rehabilitation 
program for a period equal to the number of months that the veteran was 
so prevented from participating in the vocational rehabilitation 
program, as determined by the Secretary.''.
    (d) Educational Assistance for Members of the Selected Reserve.--
Section 16133(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) <<NOTE: Determination. Extension.>>  In any case in 
        which the Secretary concerned determines that a person entitled 
        to educational assistance under this chapter has been prevented 
        from using such person's entitlement due to an emergency 
        situation, the Secretary concerned shall extend the period of 
        entitlement prescribed in subsection (a) for a period equal to 
        the number of months that the person was so prevented from using 
        such entitlement, as determined by the Secretary.''.

    (e) Emergency Situation Defined.--
            (1) Post-9/11 educational assistance program.--Section 3301 
        of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as 
                paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following 
                new paragraph (2):
            ``(2) The term `emergency situation' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 3601 of this title.''.
            (2) MGIB.--Section 3002 of such title is amended by adding 
        at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) The term `emergency situation' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 3601 of this title.''.
            (3) Vocational rehabilitation and training.--

[[Page 136 STAT. 6128]]

                    (A) In general.--Section 3101 of such title is 
                amended--
                          (i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
                      (9) as paragraphs (2) through (10), respectively; 
                      and
                          (ii) by inserting before paragraph (2), as 
                      redesignated by clause (i), the following new 
                      paragraph:
            ``(10) The term `emergency situation' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 3601 of this title.''.
                    (B) Conforming amendments.--Such title is amended--
                          (i) in section 1728(a)(4)(A), by striking 
                      ``section 3101(9) of'' and inserting ``section 
                      3101 of''; and
                          (ii) in section 3695(b), by striking ``in 
                      section 3101(5)'' and inserting ``in section 
                      3101''.
            (4) Educational assistance for members of the selected 
        reserve.--Section 16133 of title 10, United States Code, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

    ``(c) In this section, the term `emergency situation' has the 
meaning given such term in section 3601 of title 38.''.
    (f) <<NOTE: 10 USC 16133 note; 38 USC 3031 note, 3105 note, 3319 
note, 3321 note.>>  Conforming Repeal.--Section 6 of the Student Veteran 
Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-140) is repealed.
SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF PAYMENT OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
                    SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  In the case of any veteran whom the 
Secretary determines is satisfactorily following a program of employment 
services provided under subsection (a)(5) during the period of an 
emergency situation, the Secretary may pay the veteran a subsistence 
allowance, as prescribed in section 3108 of this title for full-time 
training for the type of program that the veteran was pursuing, for two 
additional months, if the Secretary determines that the veteran is 
negatively affected by the emergency situation.''.

    (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 8 of the Student Veteran Coronavirus 
Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-140) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3108 note.>>  
is repealed.
SEC. 5. PAYMENT OF WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCES DURING EMERGENCY 
                    SITUATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3485 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f)(1) In case of an individual who is in receipt of work-study 
allowance pursuant to an agreement described in subsection (a)(3) as of 
the date on which an emergency situation occurs and who is unable to 
continue to perform qualifying work-study activities described in 
subsection (a)(4) by reason of the emergency situation--
            ``(A) the Secretary may continue to pay work-study allowance 
        under this section or make deductions described in subsection 
        (e)(1) during the period of such emergency situation, 
        notwithstanding the inability of the individual to perform such 
        work-study activities by reason of such emergency situation; and
            ``(B) at the option of the individual, the Secretary shall 
        extend the agreement described in subsection (a)(3) with the 
        individual for any subsequent period of enrollment initiated 
        during the emergency situation, notwithstanding the inability

[[Page 136 STAT. 6129]]

        of the individual to perform work-study activities described in 
        subsection (a)(4) by reason of such emergency situation.

    ``(2) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  The amount of work-study allowance 
payable to an individual under paragraph (1)(A) during the period of an 
emergency situation shall be an amount determined by the Secretary but 
may not exceed the amount that would be payable under subsection (a)(2) 
if the individual worked 25 hours per week paid during such period.

    ``(3) <<NOTE: Definition.>>  The term `emergency situation' has the 
meaning given that term in section 3601 of this title.''.

    (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 3 of the Student Veteran Coronavirus 
Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-140) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3485 note.>>  
is repealed.
SEC. 6. PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES TO VETERANS ENROLLED IN EDUCATIONAL 
                    INSTITUTIONS CLOSED FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3680 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(h) Payments During Emergency Situations.--(1) The Secretary may 
pay allowances to an eligible veteran or eligible person under 
subsection (a)(2)(A), if the veteran or person is enrolled in a program 
or course of education that--
            ``(A) is provided by an educational institution or training 
        establishment that is closed by reason of an emergency 
        situation; or
            ``(B) is suspended by reason of an emergency situation.

    ``(2) The total number of weeks for which allowances may be paid by 
reason of this subsection may not exceed four weeks.
    ``(3) Any amount paid under this subsection shall not be counted for 
purposes of the limitation on allowances under subsection (a)(2)(A).''.
    (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 4 of the Student Veteran Coronavirus 
Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-140) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3680 note.>>  
is repealed.
SEC. 7. APPRENTICESHIP OR ON-JOB TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3687(e) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new 
paragraph (2):
    ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), for any month in 
which an individual fails to complete 120 hours of training, the 
entitlement otherwise chargeable under paragraph (1) shall be reduced in 
the same proportion as the monthly training assistance allowance payable 
is reduced under subsection (b)(3).
    ``(B) In the case of an individual who is unemployed by reason of an 
emergency situation during any month, the 120-hour requirement under 
subparagraph (A) for that month shall be reduced proportionately to 
reflect the individual's period of unemployment, except that the amount 
of monthly training assistance otherwise payable to the individual under 
subsection (b)(3) shall not be reduced.
    ``(C) Any period during which an individual is unemployed by reason 
of an emergency situation shall not--
            ``(i) be charged against any entitlement to educational 
        assistance of the individual; or
            ``(ii) be counted against the aggregate period for which 
        section 3695 of this title limits the receipt of educational 
        assistance by such individual.

[[Page 136 STAT. 6130]]

    ``(D) Any amount by which the entitlement of an individual is 
reduced under subparagraph (A) shall not--
            ``(i) be charged against any entitlement to educational 
        assistance of the individual; or
            ``(ii) be counted against the aggregate period for which 
        section 3695 of this title limits the receipt of educational 
        assistance by such individual.

    ``(E)(i) In the case of an individual who fails to complete 120 
hours of training during a month, but who completed more than 120 hours 
of training during the preceding month, the individual may apply the 
number of hours in excess of 120 that the individual completed for that 
month to the month for which the individual failed to complete 120 
hours. If the addition of such excess hours results in a total of 120 
hours or more, the individual shall be treated as an individual who has 
completed 120 hours of training for that month. Any excess hours applied 
to a different month under this subparagraph may only be applied to one 
such month.
    ``(F) <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  This paragraph applies to amounts 
described in section 3313(g)(3)(B)(iv) and section 3032(c)(2) of this 
title and section 16131(d)(2) of title 10.

    ``(G) <<NOTE: Definition.>>  In this paragraph:
            ``(i) The term `unemployed' includes being furloughed or 
        being scheduled to work zero hours.
            ``(ii) The term `fails to complete 120 hours of training' 
        means, with respect to an individual, that during any month, the 
        individual completes at least one hour, but fewer than 120 
        hours, of training, including in a case in which the individual 
        is unemployed for part of, but not the whole, month.''.

    (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 1106 of the Johnny Isakson and David 
P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 
(Public Law 116-315) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3687 note.>>  is repealed.
SEC. 8. PROHIBITION OF CHARGE TO ENTITLEMENT OF STUDENTS UNABLE TO 
                    PURSUE A PROGRAM OF EDUCATION DUE TO AN 
                    EMERGENCY SITUATION.

    (a) Permanent Applicability.--Section 3699(b)(1) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``and'' at the end 
        and inserting ``or'' ; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) the temporary closure of an educational 
                institution or training establishment or the temporary 
                closure or termination of a course or program of 
                education by reason of an emergency situation; and''.

    (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 5 of the Student Veteran Coronavirus 
Response Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-140) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3699 note. Time 
period.>>  is repealed.
SEC. 9. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROVAL OF CERTAIN STUDY-
                    ABROAD PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3680A(f) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs 
        (A) and (B), respectively;
            (2) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(1) Except 
        as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

[[Page 136 STAT. 6131]]

    ``(2)(A) <<NOTE: Contracts.>>  In the case of a covered study-abroad 
course, the Secretary may approve the course for a period of not more 
than five years, if the contract or other written agreement under which 
the course is offered provides that--
            ``(i) the educational institution that offers a course that 
        is approved under this chapter agrees--
                    ``(I) to assume responsibility for the quality and 
                content of the covered study-abroad course; and
                    ``(II) to serve as the certifying official for the 
                course for purposes of this chapter; and
            ``(ii) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  the educational institution that 
        offers the covered study-abroad course agrees to seek the 
        approval of the course under this chapter by not later than five 
        years after the date of the agreement.

    ``(B) <<NOTE: Definition.>>  In this paragraph, the term `covered 
study-abroad course' means a course that--
            ``(i) is provided as a part of a program of education 
        offered by an educational institution under a contract or other 
        written agreement by another educational institution that offers 
        a course that is approved under this chapter;
            ``(ii) is provided at a location in a foreign country; and
            ``(iii) has not been approved under this chapter.''.

    (b) <<NOTE: Effective date. 38 USC 3680A note.>>  Treatment of 
Certain Courses.--In the case of any covered study-abroad course, under 
the meaning given such term in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of 
subsection (f) of section 3680A of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a), that is being offered under a contract or other 
written agreement as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may approve such course under such 
paragraph (2) for the five-year period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this Act, if such contract or other written agreement meets 
the criteria provided in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph.
SEC. 10. <<NOTE: Sgt. Wolf Kyle Weninger Veterans Education 
                      Fairness Act of 2022. 38 USC 101 note.>>  
                      ELIGIBILITY FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
                      DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POST-9/11 
                      EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF CERTAIN 
                      INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE SOLE SURVIVORSHIP 
                      DISCHARGES.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Sgt. Wolf Kyle 
Weninger Veterans Education Fairness Act of 2022''.
    (b) Eligibility.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 3311 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``who'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses 
        (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting such clause two ems to 
        the right;
            (3) by inserting before clause (i), as so redesignated, the 
        following new subparagraph (A):
                    ``(A) who--'';
            (4) in subparagraph (A)(ii), as so redesignated--
                    (A) by striking ``in subparagraph (A)'' and 
                inserting ``in clause (i)''; and
                    (B) by striking the period and inserting ``or by 
                reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is 
                defined in section 1174(i) of title 10); or''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph (B):

[[Page 136 STAT. 6132]]

                    ``(B) who--
                          ``(i) commencing on or after September 11, 
                      2001, completes at least 30 continuous days of 
                      service described in subsection (d) (1) or (2); 
                      and
                          ``(ii) after completion of service described 
                      in clause (i), is discharged or released by reason 
                      of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is 
                      defined in section 1174(i) of title 10).''.

    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended 
by striking ``The following'' and inserting ``Except as provided in 
subsection (b)(2)(B), the following''.
SEC. 11. <<NOTE: Requirements. State and local governments.>>  
                      UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF 
                      VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROVAL OF COURSES OF 
                      EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 36 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3672 the following 
new section:
``Sec. 3672A. <<NOTE: 38 USC 3672A.>>  Uniform application

    ``(a) In General.--(1) The Secretary, in partnership with State 
approving agencies, educational institutions, and training 
establishments, shall require the use of a uniform application by any 
educational institution or training establishment seeking the approval 
of a new course of education under this chapter.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall maintain one uniform application for 
institutions of higher learning and one such application for other 
educational institutions and training establishments.
    ``(3) In the case of any State that uses approval criteria not 
covered by a uniform application under this section, the State approving 
agency for that State shall require the use of the uniform application 
and may require the submittal of additional information.
    ``(b) Requirements.--The uniform application required under 
subsection (a) shall meet the following requirements:
            ``(1) A requirement that the appropriate executive of the 
        educational institution or training establishment seeking the 
        approval of a course of education attests on behalf of the 
        educational institution or training establishment that the 
        educational institution or training establishment--
                    ``(A) is in compliance with all applicable laws and 
                regulations relating to the approval of courses of 
                education under this chapter; and
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  during the five-year 
                period preceding the date of the application--
                          ``(i) has not been subject to, or been party 
                      to a contract with any individual or entity that 
                      has been subject to, any adverse administrative or 
                      judicial action that--
                                    ``(I) related to the instruction or 
                                training, including with respect to the 
                                quality of education, provided by the 
                                institution or establishment; and
                                    ``(II) resulted in a fine or penalty 
                                in an amount equal to or more than five 
                                percent of the amount of funding 
                                provided to the institution or 
                                establishment under title IV of the 
                                Higher Education Act of 1965 for the 
                                fiscal year preceding the year in which 
                                the application is submitted; or

[[Page 136 STAT. 6133]]

                          ``(ii) has not employed an individual, or been 
                      party to a contract with any individual or entity, 
                      that has been convicted of a Federal fraud charge 
                      related to the instruction or training provided by 
                      the institution or establishment.
            ``(2) In the case of any educational institution or training 
        establishment that is not participating in title IV of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), a 
        requirement for the inclusion of--
                    ``(A) <<NOTE: Records.>>  a copy of--
                          ``(i) the articles of incorporation filed on 
                      behalf of the institution or establishment or 
                      proof of licensing to operate as an educational 
                      institution or training establishment in the State 
                      where the institution or establishment is located; 
                      and
                          ``(ii) the financial position of the 
                      institution or establishment, as prepared by an 
                      appropriate third-party entity; or
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  other adequate 
                evidence, as determined by the Secretary, that the 
                institution or establishment is authorized to provide 
                post-secondary education or training in the State where 
                the institution or establishment is located.
            ``(3) In the case of any course of education that is offered 
        by an educational institution or training establishment that has 
        never offered a course of education that was approved under this 
        chapter, a requirement for the inclusion of information about 
        the course of education covered by the application, including--
                    ``(A) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  the number of students 
                who have entered and graduated from the course during 
                the preceding two-year period; and
                    ``(B) if available, the cohort default rate for 
                funds provided to the institution or establishment under 
                title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1070 et seq.).
            ``(4) <<NOTE: Lists.>>  In the case of any educational 
        institution or training establishment that is not an institution 
        of higher learning, a requirement for the inclusion of--
                    ``(A) a list of individuals who will serve as fully 
                qualified instructors for the course of education, as of 
                the date of the application, and an attestation that 
                such individuals--
                          ``(i) have a degree or other training, as 
                      appropriate, in the field of the course;
                          ``(ii) effectively teach the skills offered 
                      under the course; and
                          ``(iii) have demonstrated relevant industry 
                      experience in the field of the course; and
                    ``(B) a list of individuals who will serve as career 
                services employees for students enrolled in the course 
                and an attestation that such individuals are skilled at 
                identifying professions in the relevant industry that 
                are in need of new employees to hire, tailoring the 
                course of education to meet market needs, and 
                identifying the employers likely to hire graduates.

    ``(c) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  Requirements for State Approving 
Agencies.--During the approval process with respect to a uniform 
application submitted

[[Page 136 STAT. 6134]]

by an educational institution or training establishment, a State 
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State 
approving agency, shall contact the Secretary of Education to determine 
whether the course of education subject to such approval process has 
withdrawn, or been denied or suspended, from receiving for benefits 
under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et 
seq.).

    ``(d) Appropriate Executive.--In this section, the appropriate 
executive of an educational institution or training establishment is a 
senior executive official, senior administrator, owner, or operator 
designated by the institution or establishment.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter <<NOTE: 38 USC prec. 3601.>>  is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 3672 the following new item:

``3672A. Uniform application.''.

    (c) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3672A note.>>  Applicability.--The application 
required by section 3672A of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a), shall--
            (1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  be developed by not later than 
        October 1, 2023; and
            (2) be required for the approval of any new course of 
        education proposed on or after that day.
SEC. 12. <<NOTE: Time periods.>>  NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR 
                      DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EDUCATION 
                      SURVEYS.

    (a) Risk-based Survey.--Section 3673A of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Notice.--To the maximum amount feasible, the Secretary, or a 
State approving agency, as applicable, shall provide not more than one 
business day of notice to an educational institution before conducting a 
targeted risk-based survey of the institution under this section.''.
    (b) Compliance Surveys.--Section 3693 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection (c):

    ``(c) To the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary, or a State 
approving agency, as applicable, shall provide not more than 10 business 
days of notice to an educational institution or training establishment 
before conducting a compliance survey of the institution or 
establishment under this section.''.
SEC. 13. EXCEPTION TO REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT VERIFICATION OF 
                      ENROLLMENT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

     Section 3313(l) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
        inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (4), the 
        Secretary''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following 
        new paragraph (4):
            ``(4) Exception.--An educational institution is not required 
        to submit verification of an individual under paragraph (1)(A) 
        if--
                    ``(A) the individual is enrolled in a course or 
                program of education offered by the educational 
                institution on at

[[Page 136 STAT. 6135]]

                least a full-time basis before the date on which the 
                individual is able to withdraw from the course or 
                program of education without penalty;
                    ``(B) the educational institution charges the same 
                amount of tuition and fees for students who are enrolled 
                on a full-time basis and students who are enrolled on a 
                more-than-full-time basis; and
                    ``(C) the individual remains enrolled in the course 
                or program of education after the date on which the 
                individual is able to withdraw from the course or 
                program of education without penalty.''.
SEC. 14. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE 
                      UNDER VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT 
                      PROGRAM.

    (a) Expansion of Eligibility.--Paragraph (12) of subsection (a) of 
section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
            ``(12) <<NOTE: Criteria. Costs. Regulations.>>  Such license 
        fees and essential equipment, supplies, and minimum stocks of 
        materials as the Secretary determines to be necessary for a 
        veteran to begin self-employment and are within the criteria and 
        cost limitations that the Secretary shall prescribe in 
        regulations for the furnishing of such fees, equipment, 
        supplies, and stocks.''.

    (b) Priority.--Subsection (c)(1) of such section is amended by 
inserting before the first period the following: ``, including with 
respect to providing priority for services under subsection (a)(12) to 
veterans with the most severe service-connected disabilities who require 
homebound training or self-employment, or both homebound training and 
self-employment''.
    (c) Technical Amendments.--Section 3117 of such title is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)(C), by striking ``this clause'' and 
        inserting ``this subparagraph''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``insure'' and 
                inserting ``ensure''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``clause'' both 
                places it appears and inserting ``paragraph''.
SEC. 15. <<NOTE: Reports.>>  POSSIBLE DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS 
                      RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    Not later than 180 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 containing possible definitions 
of the Secretary for each of the following terms:
            (1) Student services.
            (2) Marketing.
            (3) Classroom instruction.
SEC. 16. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.

    Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``October 30, 2028'' and inserting ``November 30, 2031''.

[[Page 136 STAT. 6136]]

SEC. 17. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN CONSUMER CONTRACTS BY 
                      SERVICEMEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS WHO ENTER INTO 
                      CONTRACTS AFTER RECEIVING MILITARY ORDERS 
                      FOR PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION BUT THEN 
                      RECEIVE STOP MOVEMENT ORDERS DUE TO AN 
                      EMERGENCY SITUATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 305A of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 
(50 U.S.C. 3956) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``telephone, 
        multichannel video programming, and internet access service'' 
        and inserting ``certain consumer'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the heading, by adding ``or Dependent of a 
                Servicemember'' at the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                          (i) by striking ``after the date the 
                      servicemember receives military orders to relocate 
                      for a period of not less than 90 days to a 
                      location that does not support the contract.'' and 
                      inserting ``after--''; and
                          (ii) <<NOTE: Time periods.>>  by adding at the 
                      end the following:
                    ``(A) the date the servicemember receives military 
                orders to relocate for a period of not less than 90 days 
                to a location that does not support the contract; or
                    ``(B) the date the servicemember, while in military 
                service, receives military orders for a permanent change 
                of station, thereafter enters into the contract, and 
                then receives a stop movement order issued by the 
                Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland 
                Security in response to a local, national, or global 
                emergency, effective for an indefinite period or for a 
                period of not less than 30 days, that prevents the 
                servicemember from using the services provided under the 
                contract.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the 
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) The spouse or dependent of a servicemember, 
                described in paragraph (1)(B), who accompanies such 
                servicemember during the period of relocation.'';
            (3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:

    ``(b) Covered Contracts.--A contract described in this subsection is 
a contract--
            ``(1) for--
                    ``(A) commercial mobile service;
                    ``(B) telephone exchange service;
                    ``(C) internet access service;
                    ``(D) multichannel video programming service;
                    ``(E) a gym membership or fitness program; or
                    ``(F) home security services; and
            ``(2) entered into by a servicemember before receiving the 
        military orders referred to in subsection (a)(1).''; and
            (4) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as 
                paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting, after paragraph (1), the following 
                new paragraph (2):
            ``(2) The terms `military orders' and `permanent change of 
        station' have the meanings given such terms in section 305.''.

[[Page 136 STAT. 6137]]

    (b) <<NOTE: 50 USC 3956 note.>>  Retroactive Application.--The 
amendments made by this section shall apply to stop movement orders 
issued on or after March 1, 2020.
SEC. 18. RESIDENCE FOR TAX PURPOSES.

    Section 511(a) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 
4001(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following:
            ``(2) Spouses.--A spouse of a servicemember shall neither 
        lose nor acquire a residence or domicile for purposes of 
        taxation with respect to the person, personal property, or 
        income of the spouse by reason of being absent or present in any 
        tax jurisdiction of the United States solely to be with the 
        servicemember in compliance with the servicemember's military 
        orders.
            ``(3) Election.--For any taxable year of the marriage, a 
        servicemember and the spouse of such servicemember may elect to 
        use for purposes of taxation, regardless of the date on which 
        the marriage of the servicemember and the spouse occurred, any 
        of the following:
                    ``(A) The residence or domicile of the 
                servicemember.
                    ``(B) The residence or domicile of the spouse.
                    ``(C) The permanent duty station of the 
                servicemember.''.
SEC. 19. PORTABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                      UNIFORMED SERVICES AND THEIR SPOUSES.

    (a) In General.--Title VII of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 
(50 U.S.C. 4021 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 705 (50 
U.S.C. 4025) the following new section:
``SEC. 705A. <<NOTE: 50 USC 4025a.>>  PORTABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL 
                          LICENSES OF SERVICEMEMBERS AND THEIR 
                          SPOUSES.

    ``(a) In General.--In any case in which a servicemember or the 
spouse of a servicemember has a covered license and such servicemember 
or spouse relocates his or her residency because of military orders for 
military service to a location that is not in the jurisdiction of the 
licensing authority that issued the covered license, such covered 
license shall be considered valid at a similar scope of practice and in 
the discipline applied for in the jurisdiction of such new residency for 
the duration of such military orders if such servicemember or spouse--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Records.>>  provides a copy of such military 
        orders to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which 
        the new residency is located;
            ``(2) remains in good standing with--
                    ``(A) the licensing authority that issued the 
                covered license; and
                    ``(B) every other licensing authority that has 
                issued to the servicemember or the spouse of a 
                servicemember a license valid at a similar scope of 
                practice and in the discipline applied in the 
                jurisdiction of such licensing authority;
            ``(3) submits to the authority of the licensing authority in 
        the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of practice, 
        discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education 
        requirements.

[[Page 136 STAT. 6138]]

    ``(b) Interstate Licensure Compacts.--If a servicemember or spouse 
of a servicemember is licensed and able to operate in multiple 
jurisdictions through an interstate licensure compact, with respect to 
services provided in the jurisdiction of the interstate licensure 
compact by a licensee covered by such compact, the servicemember or 
spouse of a servicemember shall be subject to the requirements of the 
compact or the applicable provisions of law of the applicable State and 
not this section.
    ``(c) Covered License Defined.--In this section, the term `covered 
license' means a professional license or certificate--
            ``(1) that is in good standing with the licensing authority 
        that issued such professional license or certificate;
            ``(2) that the servicemember or spouse of a servicemember 
        has actively used during the two years immediately preceding the 
        relocation described in subsection (a); and
            ``(3) that is not a license to practice law.''.

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 705 
the following new item:

``Sec. 705A. Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and 
           their spouses.''.

SEC. 20. PROVISION OF NONARTICULATING TRAILERS AS ADAPTIVE 
                      EQUIPMENT.

    Section 3901(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and special'' and inserting ``special''; 
        and
            (2) by striking ``conveyance.'' and inserting ``conveyance, 
        and nonarticulating trailers solely designed to transport 
        powered wheelchairs, powered scooters, or other similar mobility 
        devices.''.
SEC. 21. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION 
                      OF ADDITIONAL AUTOMOBILE OR OTHER 
                      CONVEYANCE.

    Section 3903(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and 
        inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

    ``(3) <<NOTE: Time periods.>>  The Secretary may provide or assist 
in providing an eligible person with an additional automobile or other 
conveyance under this chapter--
            ``(A) if more than 30 years have elapsed since the eligible 
        person most recently received an automobile or other conveyance 
        under this chapter; or
            ``(B) <<NOTE: Effective date.>>  beginning on the day that 
        is 10 years after date of the enactment of the Veterans Auto and 
        Education Improvement Act of 2022, if more than 10 years have 
        elapsed since the eligible person most recently received an 
        automobile or other conveyance under this chapter.''.
SEC. 22. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TREATMENT OF CERTAIN 
                      VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS AS MEDICAL SERVICES.

    Section 1701(6) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(I) The provision of medically necessary van 
                lifts, raised doors, raised roofs, air conditioning, and 
                wheelchair tiedowns for passenger use.''.

[[Page 136 STAT. 6139]]

SEC. 23. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with 
the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by 
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO 
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional 
Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

    Approved January 5, 2023.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 7939:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):
            Sept. 13, considered in House.
            Sept. 14, prior proceedings vacated; considered and passed 
                House.
            Dec. 20, considered and passed Senate, amended.
            Dec. 21, 22, House considered and concurred in Senate 
                amendment.

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