Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1731
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-07-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-09
text: 

Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act of 2015

 
 This bill eliminates the minimum continuous active duty service requirement for homeless veterans to receive certain benefits, including: (1) outreach, (2) rehabilitative services, (3) vocational counseling and training, (4) transitional housing assistance, (5) supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, and (6) health care for homeless veterans with special needs.
 
Homeless veterans are exempted from disqualification for such benefits because of discharge or dismissal from the Armed Services under conditions other than honorable, except for discharge by reason of a general court-martial. 
 
Veteran is defined for purposes of such benefits as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or released therefrom, except for a person who: (1) received a dishonorable discharge, or (2) was discharged or dismissed by reason of a general court-martial.
 
 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall conduct related training and education for appropriate VA and grant recipient personnel.

action_date: 2015-10-29
text: 

Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act of 2015

 
 (Sec. 2) This bill eliminates the minimum continuous active duty service requirement for homeless veterans to receive certain benefits, including: (1) outreach, (2) rehabilitative services, (3) vocational counseling and training, (4) transitional housing assistance, (5) supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, and (6) health care for homeless veterans with special needs.
 
(Sec. 3) Homeless veterans are exempted from disqualification for such benefits because of discharge or dismissal from the Armed Forces under conditions other than honorable, except for discharge by reason of a general court-martial. 
 
(Sec. 4) Veteran is defined for purposes of such benefits as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or released therefrom, except for a person who: (1) received a dishonorable discharge, or (2) was discharged or dismissed by reason of a general court-martial.
 
 (Sec. 5) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall conduct related training and education for appropriate VA and grant recipient personnel.
 
(Sec. 6) The services for which a recipient of a grant under the VA comprehensive service program for homeless veterans may receive per diem payments may include furnishing care for a dependent under the care of a veteran who is receiving program services.
 
(Sec. 7) The VA shall prescribe implementing regulations within 270 days. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-02
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2015-10-29
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-10-29
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7622)
action_date: 2015-10-29
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7622)
action_date: 2015-10-29
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7621-7622)
action_date: 2015-10-29
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7621)
action_date: 2015-10-29
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7621)
action_date: 2015-07-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4956-4957)
action_date: 2015-07-09
text: Introduced in Senate