Public Law 115–62: To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Public Law 62 Public Law 115–62 131 Stat. 1159 2017-09-29 United States Government Publishing Office National Archives and Records Administration Office of the Federal Register text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. GPO Locator to USLM Converter 3.7.10;Stage2.20201027 2020-12-29 115 public

131 STAT. 1159 Public Law 115–62 115th Congress

An Act To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Sept. 29, 2017 [ H.R. 3819 ]   Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa­tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017. 38 USC 101 note . SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title .— This Act may be cited as the “ Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017 ”. (b) Table of Contents .— The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1.  Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2.  References to title 38, United States Code . Sec. 3.  Scoring of budgetary effects. TITLE I— EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE Sec. 101.  Extension of authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care. Sec. 102.  Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. Sec. 103.  Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers. Sec. 104.  Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability. Sec. 105.  Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care. Sec. 106.  Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans. Sec. 107.  Extension of pilot program on community-based brain injury rehabilitative care services for veterans with traumatic brain injury. Sec. 108.  Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service. Sec. 109.  Extension of temporary expansion of payments and allowances for beneficiary travel in connection with veterans receiving care from Vet Centers. TITLE II— EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS Sec. 201.  Extension of authority for calculating net value of real property at time of foreclosure. Sec. 202.  Extension of authority relating to vendee loans. Sec. 203.  Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses. TITLE III— EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS Sec. 301.  Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs. Sec. 302.  Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program. Sec. 303.  Extension of authority for referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness transitioning from certain institutions. 131 STAT. 1160 Sec. 304.  Extension and modification of authority to provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. Sec. 305.  Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. Sec. 306.  Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. Sec. 307.  Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans. TITLE IV— OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS Sec. 401.  Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to and from Department facilities. Sec. 402.  Extension of authority for operation of the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines. Sec. 403.  Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. Sec. 404.  Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error. Sec. 405.  Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Sec. 406.  Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. Sec. 407.  Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating. Sec. 408.  Extension of authority for specially adapted housing assistive technology grant program. Sec. 409.  Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and interest on certificates or other securities. Sec. 410.  Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides. Sec. 411.  Modifications of reductions of reporting fee multipliers. TITLE V— TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS Sec. 501.  Technical corrections to Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017. SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE .   Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code . SEC. 3. SCORING 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. TITLE I— EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.   Section 1710(f)(2)(B) 38 USC 1710 . is amended by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. 131 STAT. 1161 SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.   Section 1710A(d) 38 USC 1710A . is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.   Section 1720G(e) is amended — (1) in paragraph (3), by striking “ and ”; (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and ”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(5) $839,828,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019.” . SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD PARTIES OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED TO VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.   Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended , in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking “ October 1, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE. (a) Extension .— Subsection (e) of section 205 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 ; 124 Stat. 1144 ; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note ) is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. (b) Authorization of Appropriations .— Subsection (h) of such section is amended by striking “ and 2017 ” and inserting “ 2017, 2018, and 2019 ”. SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.   Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 ; 124 Stat. 1154 ; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note ) is amended by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2019 ”. SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY-BASED BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATIVE CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. (a) Extension .— Subsection (g) of section 1705 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 ( Public Law 110–181 ; 38 U.S.C. 1710C note ) is amended by striking “ October 6, 2017 ” and inserting “ January 6, 2018 ”. (b) Final Report Submittal Date .— Subsection (e)(2)(A) of such section is amended by striking “ 60 days after the completion of the pilot program ” and inserting “ December 6, 2017 ”. (c) Deadline. 38 USC 1710C note . Notification to Participants in Program .— Not later than December 6, 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify veterans participating in the pilot program under such section regarding a plan for transition of care for such veterans. 131 STAT. 1162 SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE. (a) Extension .— Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 ; 124 Stat. 1143 ; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note ) is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. (b) Report Submittal Date .— Subsection (e) of such section is amended by striking “ 180 days after the completion of the pilot program ” and inserting “ March 31, 2018 ”. (c) Authorization of Appropriations .— Subsection (f) of such section is amended by striking “ and 2017 ” and inserting “ 2017, 2018, and 2019 ”. SEC. 109. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS. (a) Extension .— Subsection (a) of section 104 of the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–154 ; 126 Stat. 1169 ) is amended by striking “ a three-year initiative ” and inserting “ an initiative, to run through September 30, 2018, ”. (b) Report Submittal Date .— Subsection (b)(1) of such section is amended by striking “ 180 days after the date of the completion of the initiative ” and inserting “ March 31, 2018 ”. TITLE II— EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.   Section 3732(c)(11) 38 USC 3732 . is amended by striking “ October 1, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.   Section 3733(a)(7) is amended — (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”; and (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking “ September 30, 2017, ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018, ”. SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.   Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act ( title XVI of Public Law 110–181 ; 122 Stat. 458 ; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note ) is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. 131 STAT. 1163 TITLE III— EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.   Section 2021(e)(1)(F) 38 USC 2021 . is amended by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2018 ”. SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.   Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2018 ”. SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REFERRAL AND COUNSELING SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.   Section 2023(d) is amended by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. SEC. 304. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.   Section 2044(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(F) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2019.” . SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.   Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2019 ”. SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS VETERANS.   Section 2066(d) is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS. (a) General Treatment .— Section 2031(b) is amended by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations .— Section 2033(d) is amended by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. 131 STAT. 1164 TITLE IV— OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.   Section 111A(a)(2) 38 USC 111A . is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2019 ”. SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.   Section 315(b) is amended by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCES UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.   Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2019 ”. SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO CONGRESS REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.   Section 503(c) is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ December 31, 2018 ”. SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.   Section 521A is amended — (1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2019 ”; and (2) in subsection (l), by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2019 ”. SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY VETERANS.   Section 544(e) is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. SEC. 407. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.   Section 2101(a)(4) is amended — (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking “ 2017 ” and inserting “ 2018 ”. SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.   Section 2108(g) is amended by striking “ September 30, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. 131 STAT. 1165 SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER SECURITIES.   Section 3720(h)(2) 38 USC 3720 . is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN HERBICIDES.   Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 ( Public Law 102–4 ; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note ) is amended by striking “ December 31, 2017 ” and inserting “ September 30, 2018 ”. SEC. 411. MODIFICATIONS OF REDUCTIONS OF REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS. (a) Through July 31, 2018 .— (1) In general .— Section 412 of the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 ( Public Law 114–315 ; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note ) is amended — (A) in subsection (a), by striking “ September 25, 2017 ” and inserting “ July 31, 2018 ”; and (B) by striking subsection (b). (2) Clerical amendment .— The heading for subsection (a) of such section is amended by striking “ September 25, 2017 ” and inserting “ July 31, 2018 ”. (b) Time period. Applicability. August 1, 2018, Through July 31, 2020 .— During the period beginning on August 1, 2018, and ending on July 31, 2020, section 3684(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code , as amended by section 304 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–48 ) shall be applied by substituting “$15” for “$16”. TITLE V— TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS SEC. 501. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO HARRY W. COLMERY VETERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2017. (a) Use of State Approving Agencies for Oversight Activities .— Section 3673(d) is amended by inserting “ compliance and ” before “ risk-based surveys ”. (b) Calculation of Monthly Housing Stipend Under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program Based on Location of Campus Where Classes Are Attended .— (1) In general .— Section 3313(g)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) is amended by striking “ the institution at which the individual is enrolled ” and inserting “ the campus of the institution of where the individual physically participates in a majority of classes ”. (2) 38 USC 3313 note . Effective date .— The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to enrollment for a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018. (3) Additional technical correction .— Subsection (b) of section 107 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–48 ) 38 USC 3313 note . is amended to read as follows: 131 STAT. 1166 “(b) Effective Date .— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to enrollment for a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.” . (c) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During Active Duty Service .— (1) In general .— Subsection (j) of section 3313 38 USC 3313 . is amended to read as follows: “(j) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During Active Duty Service .— For any month during which an individual who is entitled to a monthly housing stipend under this section is performing active duty service, the Secretary shall determine the amount of such stipend payable to such individual for such month on a pro rata basis for the period of such month during which the individual is not performing active duty service.” . (2) Effective date. 38 USC 3313 note . Applicability .— Such subsection, as amended by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018. (d) Special Application of School Closure Rule to Recently Enrolled Individuals .— Subparagraph (B) of section 109(c)(1) of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–48 ) 38 USC 3699 note . is amended to read as follows: “(B) Special application .— “(i) Time period. In general .— With respect to courses and programs of education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, United States Code , as added by subsection (a)(1), during the period beginning January 1, 2015, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, an individual described in clause (ii) who does not transfer credits from such program of education shall be deemed to be an individual who did not receive such credits, as described in subsection (b)(2) of such section, except that the period for which such individual’s entitlement is not charged shall be the entire period of the individual’s enrollment in the program of education. Consultation. Procedures. In carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish procedures to determine whether the individual transferred credits to a comparable course or program of education. 131 STAT. 1167 “(ii) Time period. Individual described .— An individual described in this clause is an individual who is enrolled in a course or program of education discontinued as described in clause (i) during the period beginning on the date that is 120 days before the date of such discontinuance and ending on the date of such discontinuance.” . Approved September 29, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY — H.R. 3819 : CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017): Sept. 25, considered and passed House. Sept. 27, considered and passed Senate.

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