Title: Women Veterans Support Act
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Women Veterans Support Act
This bill implements programs and studies to improve mental health care for veterans, with a focus on women veterans.
Specifically, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must enter into an agreement with an independent entity to conduct a study on suicide by women veterans.
The bill requires the VA to perform outreach on a national, regional, and local scale to prevent suicide by women veterans.
The VA must establish a five-year grant program for certain nonprofit organizations to provide specified services to women veterans. Such services include, but are not limited to, mental health support services and financial counseling services.
The bill requires the VA to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to provide or coordinate the provision of specified mental health supportive services for a veteran with a mental health condition who is seeking mental health treatment. Such entities must apply, and the VA shall provide training and technical assistance to entities regarding the planning, development, and provision of such services. For purposes of this financial assistance program, eligible entities include tribally designated housing entities and certain private entities (e.g., incorporated private institutions).
The bill authorizes the VA to collect information from a participating entity relating to a mental health condition of a veteran for inclusion in the electronic health record of the VA in order to improve care provided to such veteran.
The bill requires the VA to implement, with a specified framework, the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Service Scholarship Program.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4182 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4182

To improve the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to prevent 
           suicide by women veterans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 9, 2019

 Ms. Waters (for herself, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Norton, Mr. David Scott of 
 Georgia, Mr. Cuellar, and Ms. Gabbard) introduced the following bill; 
        which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To improve the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to prevent 
           suicide by women veterans, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Women Veterans Support Act''.

SEC. 2. STUDY ON SUICIDE BY WOMEN VETERANS.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an 
agreement with an independent entity to conduct a study on suicide by 
women veterans.
    (b) Matters Included.--The study conducted under subsection (a) 
shall--
            (1) determine whether experiences with the medical 
        facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs vary by gender 
        and, if so, the causes of such variation; and
            (2) include recommendations to--
                    (A) improve preventing women veterans from 
                attempting or committing suicide; and
                    (B) address any variations described in paragraph 
                (1).
    (c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and 
make publicly available, a report on the results of the study conducted 
under subsection (a), which shall include recommendations to improve 
the care provided to women veterans by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

SEC. 3. OUTREACH BY CENTER FOR WOMEN VETERANS.

    (a) Center for Women Veterans.--Section 318 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsections:
    ``(g) Outreach Activities.--(1) The Center shall carry out outreach 
activities on a national scale under subsection (d) to prevent suicide 
by women veterans.
    ``(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop metrics to 
track the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out pursuant 
to paragraph (1). Such metrics shall include measures of both 
performance and effectiveness.
    ``(3)(A) Not later than October 1, 2020, and annually thereafter 
through 2024, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the outreach 
activities carried out pursuant to paragraph (1), including a 
description of the metrics developed under paragraph (2).
    ``(B) The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the 
following:
            ``(i) An assessment of the effectiveness of the outreach 
        activities carried out pursuant to paragraph (1).
            ``(ii) An explanation of why the metrics developed under 
        paragraph (2) were chosen.
            ``(iii) An assessment of how accurately those metrics will 
        reflect the goals and objectives specified in such paragraph.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for the Center $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2021. Of such 
amounts, not less than 50 percent shall be expended on outreach 
activities conducted by the Center under subsection (g).''.
    (b) Office of Women's Health Services.--
            (1) Outreach.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting 
        through the Office of Women's Health Services, shall carry out 
        outreach activities on a local and regional scale to prevent 
        suicide by women veterans.
            (2) Metrics.--The Secretary shall develop metrics to track 
        the effectiveness of the outreach activities carried out 
        pursuant to paragraph (1). Such metrics shall include measures 
        of both performance and effectiveness.
            (3) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than October 1, 2020, 
                and annually thereafter through 2024, the Secretary 
                shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and 
                the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
                House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness 
                of the outreach activities carried out pursuant to 
                paragraph (1), including a description of the metrics 
                developed under paragraph (2).
                    (B) Matters included.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) An assessment of the effectiveness of 
                        the outreach activities carried out pursuant to 
                        paragraph (1).
                            (ii) An explanation of why the metrics 
                        developed under paragraph (2) were chosen.
                            (iii) An assessment of how accurately those 
                        metrics will reflect the goals and objectives 
                        specified in such paragraph.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the 
        Office of Women's Health Services $27,800,000 for fiscal year 
        2021. Of such amounts, not less than 50 percent shall be 
        expended on outreach activities conducted by the Office under 
        paragraph (1).

SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR WOMEN VETERANS.

    (a) Program Required.--Commencing not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall establish a grant program to provide services described in 
subsection (f) to women veterans.
    (b) Duration of Program.--The Secretary shall carry out the program 
during the five-year period beginning on the date of the commencement 
of the program.
    (c) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the program 
        through the award of grants to eligible organizations for the 
        provision of assistance described in subsection (a).
            (2) Matching funds required.--A grant under this section 
        shall be in an amount that does not exceed 50 percent of the 
        amount required by the organization to provide the services 
        described in subsection (f).
    (d) Eligible Organizations.--For purposes of this section, an 
eligible organization is any nonprofit organization that the Secretary 
determines, in consultation with State entities that serve veterans, is 
suitable for receipt of a grant under the program.
    (e) Selection of Grant Recipients.--
            (1) Applications.--An organization seeking a grant under 
        the program shall submit to the Secretary an application 
        therefor at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information and assurances as the Secretary, in consultation 
        with State entities that serve veterans, may require.
            (2) Priority for hubs of services.--In awarding grants 
        under the program, the Secretary shall give priority to an 
        organization that provides multiple forms of services described 
        in subsection (f).
    (f) Use of Grant Funds.--Each organization receiving a grant under 
the program shall use the grant to provide to services to women 
veterans, including with respect to--
            (1) health care services, including to obtain health 
        insurance coverage;
            (2) mental health support services;
            (3) daily living services;
            (4) income support services;
            (5) financial counseling services;
            (6) legal assistance;
            (7) education supportive services;
            (8) career advancement services;
            (9) transportation;
            (10) childcare; and
            (11) housing.
    (g) Annual Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the commencement of the program and not less frequently than 
        once each year thereafter until the termination of the program, 
        the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report on the program carried out under this 
        section.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) A list of the organizations that have received 
                grants under the program, including the geographic 
                location of the organization and the types of services 
                outlined in subsection (f) that each organization 
                provides.
                    (B) The number of veterans served by each 
                organization.
                    (C) An assessment of the effectiveness of the 
                services provided under the program.
                    (D) The amount of each grant awarded to each 
                organization under the program.
                    (E) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
            (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.

SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS 
              SERVICES TO VETERANS.

    (a) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new section:
``Sec. 1720J. Financial assistance for mental health supportive 
              services for veterans seeking mental health treatment
    ``(a) Plan.--(1) The Secretary shall develop a plan to carry out 
the financial assistance described in subsection (b).
    ``(2) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate the plan 
developed under subsection (a), including a description of any 
legislative actions the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the 
plan.
    ``(b) Distribution of Financial Assistance.--(1) Not later than 90 
days after the date by which the Secretary is required to submit the 
plan under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall provide financial 
assistance to eligible entities approved under this section to provide 
or coordinate the provision of mental health supportive services 
described in subsection (c) for a veteran with a mental health 
condition who is seeking mental health treatment.
    ``(2) Financial assistance under paragraph (1) shall consist of the 
award of a grant to an approved eligible entity for each veteran 
described in paragraph (1) for which the approved eligible entity is 
providing or coordinating the provision of mental health supportive 
services.
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary shall award grants under this section to 
each approved eligible entity that is providing or coordinating the 
provision of mental health supportive services under this section.
    ``(B) The Secretary may establish intervals of payment for the 
administration of grants under this section and establish a maximum 
amount to be awarded, in accordance with the services being provided 
and the duration of such services.
    ``(4) In providing financial assistance under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall give preference to entities providing or coordinating 
the provision of supportive mental health services for veterans with 
mental health conditions who face barriers in accessing mental health 
care services from the Department.
    ``(5) The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, 
financial assistance under this subsection is equitably distributed 
across geographic regions, including rural communities and tribal 
lands.
    ``(6) Each entity receiving financial assistance under this section 
to provide mental health supportive services to a veteran with a mental 
health condition shall notify that veteran that such services are being 
paid for, in whole or in part, by the Department.
    ``(7) The Secretary shall require entities receiving financial 
assistance under this section to submit a report to the Secretary that 
describes the services provided or coordinated with such financial 
assistance.
    ``(c) Mental Health Supportive Services.--The mental health 
supportive services described in this subsection are services provided 
by an eligible entity or a subcontractor of an eligible entity that 
address the needs of veterans with mental health conditions, 
including--
            ``(1) outreach services;
            ``(2) case management services;
            ``(3) assistance in obtaining any benefits from the 
        Department that the veteran may be eligible to receive, 
        including health care services, vocational and rehabilitation 
        counseling, employment and training services, and educational 
        assistance; and
            ``(4) assistance in obtaining and coordinating the 
        provision of other public benefits provided by any Federal, 
        State, or local agency, or any other eligible entity, 
        including--
                    ``(A) health care services (including obtaining 
                health insurance);
                    ``(B) daily living services;
                    ``(C) personal financial planning services;
                    ``(D) transportation services;
                    ``(E) income support services;
                    ``(F) fiduciary and representative payee services;
                    ``(G) legal services to assist the veteran with 
                issues that interfere with the ability of the veteran 
                to find and retain meaningful employment, housing, or 
                benefits to which the veteran may be entitled;
                    ``(H) child care services;
                    ``(I) housing counseling; and
                    ``(J) other services necessary for maintaining 
                independent living.
    ``(d) Application for Financial Assistance.--(1) An eligible entity 
seeking financial assistance under subsection (b) shall submit to the 
Secretary an application therefor in such form, in such manner, and 
containing such commitments and information as the Secretary determines 
to be necessary to carry out this section.
    ``(2) Each application submitted by an eligible entity under 
paragraph (1) shall contain--
            ``(A) a description of the mental health supportive 
        services described in subsection (c) proposed to be provided by 
        the eligible entity under this section and the identified needs 
        for those services;
            ``(B) a description of the demographic information of the 
        veterans proposed to be provided such services;
            ``(C) an estimate of the number of veterans with a mental 
        health condition proposed to be provided such services;
            ``(D) evidence of the experience of the eligible entity in 
        providing mental health supportive services to veterans with a 
        mental health condition; and
            ``(E) a description of the managerial capacity of the 
        eligible entity--
                    ``(i) to coordinate the provision of mental health 
                supportive services with the provision of mental health 
                services by the eligible entity or another 
                organization;
                    ``(ii) to assess continually the needs of veterans 
                with a mental health condition for mental health 
                supportive services;
                    ``(iii) to coordinate the provision of mental 
                health supportive services with the services of the 
                Department; and
                    ``(iv) to tailor supportive mental health services 
                to the needs of veterans with a mental health 
                condition.
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection 
of eligible entities to be provided financial assistance under this 
section.
    ``(B) Criteria established under subparagraph (A) with respect to 
an eligible entity shall include the following:
            ``(i) Relevant accreditation as may be required by each 
        State in which the eligible entity operates.
            ``(ii) Experience coordinating care or providing treatment 
        for veterans or members of the Armed Forces.
    ``(e) Technical Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall provide 
training and technical assistance to eligible entities provided 
financial assistance under this section regarding the planning, 
development, and provision of mental health supportive services under 
this section.
    ``(2) The Secretary may provide the training described in paragraph 
(1) directly or through grants or contracts with appropriate public or 
nonprofit private entities, including through grants awarded under 
section 2064 of this title.
    ``(f) Collection of Information.--To the extent practicable, the 
Secretary may collect information from an eligibility entity awarded a 
grant under this section relating to a mental health condition of a 
veteran for inclusion in the electronic health record of the Department 
for such veteran for the sole purpose of improving care provided to 
such veteran.
    ``(g) Funding.--From amounts appropriated to the Department for 
medical services, there shall be available to carry out subsections 
(b), (c), and (d) the following:
            ``(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
            ``(2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.
            ``(3) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `eligible entity' means any of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) An incorporated private institution or 
                foundation--
                            ``(i) no part of the net earnings of which 
                        inures to the benefit of any member, founder, 
                        contributor, or individual;
                            ``(ii) that has a governing board that is 
                        responsible for the operation of the mental 
                        health supportive services provided under this 
                        section; and
                            ``(iii) that is approved by the Secretary 
                        with respect to financial responsibility.
                    ``(B) A for-profit limited partnership, the sole 
                general partner of which is an organization meeting the 
                requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of 
                subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by 
                an organization meeting the requirements of clauses 
                (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A).
                    ``(D) A tribally designated housing entity (as 
                defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing 
                Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 
                U.S.C. 4103)).
            ``(2) The term `veteran with a mental health condition' 
        means a veteran who has been diagnosed with, or who is seeking 
        treatment for, one or more mental health conditions, as 
        determined by the Secretary.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item 
        relating to section 1720I the following new item:

``1720J. Financial assistance for mental health supportive services for 
                            veterans seeking mental health 
                            treatment.''.
    (b) Study on Effectiveness of Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        conduct a study on the effectiveness of the program of 
        financial assistance under section 1720J of title 38, United 
        States Code, as added by subsection (a), in meeting the needs 
        of veterans with a mental health condition, as that term is 
        defined in that section.
            (2) Comparison.--In conducting the study required by 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall compare the results of the 
        program described in that paragraph with other programs of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs dedicated to the delivery of 
        mental health services to veterans.
            (3) Criteria.--In making the comparison required by 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary shall examine the following:
                    (A) The satisfaction of veterans targeted by the 
                programs described in paragraph (2).
                    (B) The health status of such veterans.
                    (C) The mental wellness of such veterans.
                    (D) The degree to which such veterans are 
                encouraged to engage in productive activity by such 
                programs.
                    (E) The number of veterans using such programs, 
                disaggregated by--
                            (i) veterans who have received care from 
                        the Department in the previous two years; and
                            (ii) veterans who have not received care 
                        from the Department in the previous two years.
                    (F) The number of women's clinics that have peer 
                support specialists who are women, including--
                            (i) the location of such clinics;
                            (ii) the availability of peer support 
                        specialist services at such clinics;
                            (iii) the average number of veterans 
                        treated by such specialists; and
                            (iv) the average duration of the 
                        relationship between a veteran and such 
                        specialists.
                    (G) The number of veterans who die by suicide while 
                receiving services from an entity in receipt of a grant 
                under the program of financial assistance under section 
                1720J of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
                subsection (a), or who die by suicide during the 180-
                day period after receiving such services.
            (4) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2021, and annually 
        thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' 
        Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the results 
        of the study required by paragraph (1).
    (c) Effective Date.--The Secretary shall begin providing financial 
assistance under section 1720J of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS READJUSTMENT 
              COUNSELING SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after subchapter VIII the following new 
subchapter:

  ``SUBCHAPTER IX--READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

``Sec. 7698. Requirement for program
    ``As part of the Educational Assistance Program, the Secretary 
shall carry out a scholarship program under this subchapter. The 
program shall be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Readjustment Counseling Service Scholarship Program (in this subchapter 
referred to as the `Program').
``Sec. 7699. Eligibility; agreement
    ``(a) In General.--An individual is eligible to participate in the 
Program, as determined by the Readjustment Counseling Service of the 
Department, if the individual--
            ``(1) is accepted for enrollment or enrolled (as described 
        in section 7602 of this title) in, a program of study at an 
        accredited educational institution, school, or training program 
        leading to--
                    ``(A) a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in 
                psychology, social work, or marriage and family 
                therapy; or
                    ``(B) a master's degree in mental health 
                counseling; and
            ``(2) enters into an agreement with the Secretary under 
        subsection (c).
    ``(b) Priority.--In selecting individuals to participate in the 
Program, the Secretary shall give priority to the following 
individuals:
            ``(1) An individual who agrees to be employed by a Vet 
        Center located in a community that is--
                    ``(A) designated as a medically underserved 
                population under section 330(b)(3) of the Public Health 
                Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)); and
                    ``(B) in a state with a per capita population of 
                veterans of more than five percent according to the 
                National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics 
                and the Bureau of the Census.
            ``(2) An individual who is a veteran.
    ``(c) Agreement.--An agreement between the Secretary and a 
participant in the Program shall (in addition to the requirements set 
forth in section 7604 of this title) include the following:
            ``(1) An agreement by the Secretary to provide the 
        participant with a scholarship under the Program for a 
        specified number of school years during which the participant 
        pursues a program of study described in subsection (a)(1) that 
        meets the requirements set forth in section 7602(a) of this 
        title.
            ``(2) An agreement by the participant to serve as a full-
        time employee of the Department at a Vet Center for a three-
        year period during the six-year period following the completion 
        by the participant of such program of study (in this subchapter 
        referred to as the `period of obligated service').
    ``(d) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term `Vet Center' 
has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title.
``Sec. 7699A. Obligated service
    ``(a) In General.--Each participant in the Program shall provide 
service as a full-time employee of the Department at a Vet Center (as 
defined in section 7699(c) of this title) for the period of obligated 
service set forth in the agreement of the participant entered into 
under section 7604 of this title.
    ``(b) Determination of Service Commencement Date.--(1) Not later 
than 60 days before the service commencement date of a participant, the 
Secretary shall notify the participant of that service commencement 
date.
    ``(2) The date specified in paragraph (1) with respect to a 
participant is the date for the beginning of the period of obligated 
service of the participant.
``Sec. 7699B. Breach of agreement: liability
    ``(a) Liquidated Damages.--(1) A participant in the Program (other 
than a participant described in subsection (b)) who fails to accept 
payment, or instructs the educational institution in which the 
participant is enrolled not to accept payment, in whole or in part, of 
a scholarship under the agreement entered into under section 7604 of 
this title shall be liable to the United States for liquidated damages 
in the amount of $1,500.
    ``(2) Liability under paragraph (1) is in addition to any period of 
obligated service or other obligation or liability under such 
agreement.
    ``(b) Liability During Program of Study.--(1) Except as provided in 
subsection (d), a participant in the Program shall be liable to the 
United States for the amount which has been paid to or on behalf of the 
participant under the agreement if any of the following occurs:
            ``(A) The participant fails to maintain an acceptable level 
        of academic standing in the educational institution in which 
        the participant is enrolled (as determined by the educational 
        institution under regulations prescribed by the Secretary).
            ``(B) The participant is dismissed from such educational 
        institution for disciplinary reasons.
            ``(C) The participant voluntarily terminates the program of 
        study in such educational institution before the completion of 
        such program of study.
    ``(2) Liability under this subsection is in lieu of any service 
obligation arising under the agreement.
    ``(c) Liability During Period of Obligated Service.--(1) Except as 
provided in subsection (d), if a participant in the Program does not 
complete the period of obligated service of the participant, the United 
States shall be entitled to recover from the participant an amount 
determined in accordance with the following formula: A = 3F(t-s/t).
    ``(2) In the formula in paragraph (1):
            ``(A) `A' is the amount the United States is entitled to 
        recover.
            ``(B) `F' is the sum of--
                    ``(i) the amounts paid under this subchapter to or 
                on behalf of the participant; and
                    ``(ii) the interest on such amounts which would be 
                payable if at the time the amounts were paid they were 
                loans bearing interest at the maximum legal prevailing 
                rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the United 
                States.
            ``(C) `t' is the total number of months in the period of 
        obligated service of the participant.
            ``(D) `s' is the number of months of such period served by 
        the participant.
    ``(d) Limitation on Liability for Reductions-in-Force.--Liability 
shall not arise under subsection (c) if the participant fails to 
maintain employment as a Department employee due to a staffing 
adjustment.
    ``(e) Period for Payment of Damages.--Any amount of damages that 
the United States is entitled to recover under this section shall be 
paid to the United States within the one-year period beginning on the 
date of the breach of the agreement.''.
    (b) Conforming and Technical Amendments.--
            (1) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Establishment of program.--Section 7601(a) of 
                such title is amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (6), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following 
                        new paragraph:
            ``(7) the readjustment counseling service scholarship 
        program provided for in subchapter IX of this chapter.''.
                    (B) Eligibility.--Section 7602 of such title is 
                amended--
                            (i) in subsection (a)(1)--
                                    (I) by striking ``or VI'' and 
                                inserting ``VI, or IX''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``subchapter VI'' 
                                and inserting ``subchapter VI or IX''; 
                                and
                            (ii) in subsection (b), by striking ``or 
                        VI'' and inserting ``VI, or IX''.
                    (C) Application.--Section 7603(a)(1) of such title 
                is amended by striking ``or VIII'' and inserting 
                ``VIII, or IX''.
                    (D) Terms of agreement.--Section 7604 of such title 
                is amended by striking ``or VIII'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``VIII, or IX''.
                    (E) Annual report.--Section 7632 of such title is 
                amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and the 
                        Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program'' 
                        and inserting ``the Specialty Education Loan 
                        Repayment Program, and the Readjustment 
                        Counseling Service Scholarship Program''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and 
                        per participant in the Specialty Education Loan 
                        Repayment Program'' and inserting ``per 
                        participant in the Specialty Education Loan 
                        Repayment Program, and per participant in the 
                        Readjustment Counseling Service Scholarship 
                        Program''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 76 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the items relating to subchapter VIII the following:

  ``subchapter ix--readjustment counseling service scholarship program

``Sec.
``7698. Requirement for program.
``7699. Eligibility; agreement.
``7699A. Obligated service.
``7699B. Breach of agreement: liability.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall begin 
awarding scholarships under subchapter IX of chapter 76 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), for programs of study 
beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
                                 <all>