Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1472
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Introduced: 2017-03-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Employee leave
Executive agency funding and structure
Financial services and investments
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services
Mental health
Military personnel and dependents
Neurological disorders
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: 

Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill expands eligibility for the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include members of the Armed Forces or veterans who are seriously injured or who became ill on active duty prior to September 11, 2001 (currently, limited to service after September 11, 2001). 
 
Services to caregivers of veterans under such program are expanded to include child care services, financial planning services, and legal services. 
 
 The bill terminates the support program for caregivers of covered veterans on October 1, 2022, except that any caregiver activities carried out on September 30, 2022, shall be continued on and after October 1, 2022. 
 
The bill authorizes the transfer of entitlement to post 9/11 education assistance to family members by veterans who are retired for a physical disability or who are seriously injured veterans in need of family caregiver services, without regard to length-of-service requirements. 
 
The VA is authorized to pay monthly special compensation to seriously injured or ill veterans in need of personal care services and to their caregivers. 
 
Flexible work schedules or telework are authorized for federal employees who are caregivers of veterans. 
 
The Public Health Service Act is amended to designate a veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers as an adult with a special need for purposes of the lifespan respite care program. 
 
An interagency working group is established in the executive branch to review and report on policies relating to the caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces.
 
The VA shall provide for studies on members of the Armed Forces who commenced service after September 11, 2001, and veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, including a mental health injury, and their caregivers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Introduced in House