Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-944
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2013-05-14
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Advisory bodies

Asia

Cemeteries and funerals

Child health

Conflicts and wars

Congressional officers and employees

Congressional operations and organization

Congressional oversight

Congressional tributes

Department of Veterans Affairs

Disability and paralysis

Employee hiring

Employment and training programs

Government buildings, facilities, and property

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Health facilities and institutions

Health information and medical records

Hereditary and development disorders

Hospital care

Licensing and registrations

Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care

Marriage and family status

Medical research

Members of Congress

Mental health

Military education and training

Military facilities and property

Military personnel and dependents

National Guard and reserves

Neurological disorders

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

Performance measurement

Prescription drugs

Public contracts and procurement

Research administration and funding

Retail and wholesale trades

Small business

State and local government operations

Student aid and college costs

Thailand

Unemployment

User charges and fees

Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' organizations and recognition

Veterans' pensions and compensation

Vocational and technical education

Water quality
Latest action: action_date: 2013-12-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 258.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-05-14
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Veterans' Educational Transition Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to disapprove, for purposes of the all-volunteer force or post-9/11 educational assistance program, a course of education provided by a public institution of higher education if such institution charges veterans who are living in the state of such institution while taking such course tuition and fees at a rate higher than that charged to residents of such state, regardless of the veteran's regular state of residence.</p> <p>Provides that it shall not be grounds for such disapproval if the institution requires the veteran to demonstrate an intent to establish residency in such state in order to be charged the in-state rates.</p>

action_date: 2013-12-09
action_desc: Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
text: <p>Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 - <b>Title I: Survivor and Dependent Matters</b> - (Sec. 101) Extends the period during which additional dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) will be paid to surviving spouses with children from two years to three years after their entitlement to DIC commences. </p> <p>(Sec. 102) Provides that the remarriage after age 55 of a veteran's surviving spouse shall not bar the furnishing of Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) DIC, health care, educational assistance, and housing loans to that spouse. <p>(Sec. 103) Extends the date before which a surviving spouse of a Persian Gulf War veteran must have been married to that veteran to qualify for death benefits from January 1, 2001, to ten years and one day after the Persian Gulf War was terminated. <p>(Sec. 104) Expands the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship to include surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. (The Scholarship is currently provided to the children of those soldiers.) <p>(Sec. 105) Expands eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (which provides public-private contributions for educational assistance in addition to post-9/11 educational assistance) to beneficiaries of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. <p>(Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to provide, to any spina bifida-affected child of a veteran who served on active duty in Thailand beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, and who was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service, the same health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a similarly-affected child of a Vietnam veteran. <p>(Sec. 107) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing assisted living, group home care, or similar services in lieu of nursing home care to children with spina bifida who are entitled to health care from the VA. <p>(Sec. 108) Requires the Secretary to carry out a two-year program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing grief counseling services in group retreat settings for surviving spouses of veterans who died while serving on active duty. <p>(Sec. 109) Requires the Secretary to contract with a private entity to evaluate the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program.</p> <p><b>Title II: Education Matters</b> - (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary to disapprove, for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs, courses of education provided by a public educational institution of higher education (IHE) that charges tuition and fees for veterans living in the state at a higher rate than it charges in-state residents, regardless of the veteran's state of residence. Makes this provision applicable to: (1) veterans who were discharged or released from at least 90 days of active service less than three years before their date of enrollment in the applicable course, (2) family members eligible for such assistance due to their relationship to such veterans, and (3) courses that commence on or after July 1, 2015.</p> <p>Prohibits the Secretary from disapproving a public IHE's course on the grounds that the IHE conditions a veteran's receipt of in-state tuition rates on such veteran: (1) demonstrating an intent, by means other than physical presence, to establish residency in the state; or (2) satisfying other requirements not related to the establishment of residency.</p> <p>(Sec. 202) Extends, until June 30, 2015, the authority for veterans to be paid an additional educational assistance allowance for engaging in certain work-study activities involving the: (1) provision of outreach services to service members and veterans, (2) provision of care to veterans in state homes, and (3) administration of national or state veterans' cemeteries. Includes among those activities, work in congressional offices that involves: (1) the distribution of benefit information to service members, veterans, and their dependents; and (2) the preparation and processing of documents to assist such persons in making VA benefit claims. </p> <p>(Sec. 203) Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on the VA's processes for identifying and resolving incorrect payments under the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 204) Decreases the amount of reporting fees paid by the VA to educational and training institutions in lieu of other compensation for reports or certifications the institution may be required to submit to the VA. </p> <p><b>Title III: Health Care Matters - Subtitle A: Expansion and Improvements of Benefits Generally -</b> (Sec. 301) Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 to require the program to provide chiropractic care and services to veterans through VA medical centers and clinics to be carried out in at least: (1) 2 medical centers or clinics in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) within 2 years after this Act's enactment, and (2) 50% of all medical centers in each VISN within 3 years after this Act's enactment.</p> <p>Includes chiropractic services as a component of VA medical, rehabilitative, and preventative health services.</p> <p>(Sec. 302) Amends the date of eligibility for purposes of obtaining VA hospital care and medical services in connection with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from January 1, 1957, to August 1, 1953, or such earlier date as the VA specifies. <p>(Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary to provide counseling, care, and services to veterans to overcome sexual trauma they experienced while serving on inactive duty for training. <p>(Sec. 304) Extends until September 30, 2015, the Secretary's authority to transport individuals to and from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care. Authorizes appropriations for FY2014-FY2015 for such program. <p>(Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary, through the National Center for Preventive Health, to carry out a 2-year program to assess the feasibility and advisability of promoting health through the support of fitness center membership for veterans who are determined to be overweight or obese and who reside more than 15 minutes driving distance from a VA fitness facility. Requires the Secretary to cover: (1) the full cost of such membership within the catchment area of five VA medical centers, and (2) 50% of that cost within the catchment area of five other VA medical centers. Limits participation to 100 veterans in each catchment area. Makes their participation voluntary. <p>(Sec. 306) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year program to assess the feasibility and advisability of promoting veterans' health, including the achievement of a healthy weight, by establishing VA fitness facilities within VA medical centers and clinics. Requires the fitness facilities to be established in at least five VA medical centers and at least five VA outpatient clinics. Limits the amount of funds that may be expended for the establishment and support of each fitness facility. Prohibits the imposition of fees on participating veterans.</p> <p><b>Subtitle B: Health Care Administration - </b>(Sec. 311) Extends the Secretary's Health Professional Scholarship Program from December 31, 2014, to December 31, 2019. </p> <p>(Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary to develop partnerships with IHEs to establish or expand advanced degree programs in prosthetics and orthotics to improve and enhance the availability of high quality prosthetic and orthotic care for veterans. Authorizes appropriations for those activities for FY2015. <p>(Sec. 313) Designates the VA medical center at 3900 Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the "Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center."</p> <p><b>Subtitle C: Complementary and Alternative Medicine -</b> (Sec. 321) Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to expand: (1) research and education on complementary and alternative medicine within the VA, and (2) the delivery and integration of complementary and alternative medicine with other VA health services.</p> <p>(Sec. 322) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year program to assess the feasibility and advisability of integrating the delivery of complementary and alternative medicine selected by the Secretary with other VA health care services for veterans with mental health conditions, chronic pain conditions, other chronic conditions, and such other conditions the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Requires the program to be conducted at at least 15 different VA medical centers. <p>(Sec. 323) Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with a qualified independent entity to conduct comprehensive studies of the barriers encountered by veterans in receiving, and administrators and clinicians in providing, VA complementary and alternative medicine. Requires the studies to survey veterans, administrators, and clinicians. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the head of the National Research Advisory Council reviews the results of the studies. Requires the head of the Council to submit findings regarding the studies to the Under Secretary for Health and to other pertinent program offices within the VA. Authorizes appropriations for FY2015. <p>(Sec. 324) Requires the Secretary to establish a three-year program awarding grants to public or private nonprofit entities to assess the feasibility and advisability of using wellness programs to complement the provision of mental health care to veterans and family members eligible for VA counseling services. </p> <p><b>Title IV: Accountability and Administrative Improvements -</b> (Sec. 401) Directs the Secretary to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) into geographically defined VISNs. </p> <p>Directs the Secretary to ensure that each VISN: (1) complies with a staffing model established by the Secretary for that VISN that accounts for the specific health care needs of differing populations in the VISN; (2) maintains a regional integrated health care system; (3) identifies and reduces the duplication of functions in VHA clinical, administrative, and operational processes and practices; (4) works to achieve maximum effectiveness in patient care and safety, graduate medical education, and research; and (5) assesses the consolidation or realignment of institutional functions, in collaboration and cooperation with other VISNs and specified offices or entities within its geographical area.</p> <p>Prohibits a VISN from having more than one headquarters office. Requires that office to be located by the Secretary at the same location as a VA medical center.</p> <p>Requires the Secretary, at least once every three years, to review and assess the structure and operations of the VISNs and submit review results to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs. </p> <p>(Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to establish up to four regional support centers within the VHA to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the VISNs. Requires each center to assess a VISN's: (1) finance operations and other compliance related activities, (2) outreach to veterans who served in contingency operations, (3) programs for women veterans, (4) programs that address homelessness among veterans, and (5) energy consumption. </p> <p>(Sec. 403) Establishes the Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities to undertake a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of various capital planning options for VA medical facilities. <p>(Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to make available on a publicly-available VA website: (1) data files that contain information on VA research, (2) a data dictionary on each data file, and (3) instructions on how to obtain access to each data file for use in research. <p>Directs the Secretary to require, as a condition on the use of any data gathered or formulated from research funded by the VA, that any final, peer-reviewed manuscript prepared for publication that uses such data be submitted to the Secretary for deposit in a digital archive that is to be established by the Secretary and available to the public. </p> <p>Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive to submit to the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) options and recommendations for establishing a program of long-term cooperation and data-sharing between and within the VA and DOD to facilitate research on outcomes of military service, readjustment after combat deployment, and other topics of importance to veterans, service members, their families, and communities that have a significant population of veterans or service members.</p> <p>(Sec. 405) Requires the Secretary to include, in annual VA budget justification materials, a separate statement of amounts requested for activities of the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for VA outreach activities in aggregate, as well as for each of the Office of the Secretary, the VHA, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration. <p>Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain procedures for the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure the effective coordination and collaboration of VA outreach activities. <p>(Sec. 406) Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs a report on the VA's advisory committees, including recommendations for continuing, modifying, or terminating them.</p> <p><b>Title V: Improvement of Processing of Claims for Compensation - Subtitle A: Claims Based on Military Sexual Trauma -</b> (Sec. 501) Requires the Secretary, in the case of a claim for disability compensation based on a mental health condition related to military sexual trauma, to treat an examination or opinion as being necessary to make a decision on a claim if the evidence of record contains evidence of a disability that may be associated with the claimant's active military service but does not contain a diagnosis or opinion by a mental health professional that may assist in corroborating the occurrence of a military sexual trauma stressor.</p> <p>(Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to: (1) assign to each individual seeking compensation for a disability based on military sexual trauma a case representative officer who shall serve as a liaison between such individual and the VA and provide advice and general information to such individual on the claims process; (2) make available to the public information on the availability of such officers; and (3) ensure that individuals who are being separated from the active military service are provided appropriate information about programs, requirements, and procedures for applying for benefits based on military sexual trauma and the availability of such officers. <p>Requires the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to identify mechanisms to enhance coordination between the VBA and the VHA in the provision of benefits based on military sexual trauma. <p>Prohibits the assignment of case representative officers after 2018. <p>(Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary to submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs a report on the current standard of proof for service-connection for covered mental health conditions based on military sexual trauma. <p>(Sec. 504) Requires the Secretary, through 2018, to submit an annual report to Congress on claims for disabilities based on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma. <p><b>Subtitle B: Agency of Original Jurisdiction -</b> (Sec. 511) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a working group to assess and develop recommendations for the improvement of the employee work credit and work management systems of the VBA in an electronic environment, and (2) implement those recommendations the Secretary deems appropriate. <p>(Sec. 512) Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to: (1) assess the retention and training of claims processors and adjudicators that are employed by the VA and other federal agencies, and (2) develop a plan for promoting the employment of veterans to claims processing positions in the federal government. <p>(Sec. 513) Directs the Secretary to report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs on the VA's attempts to obtain the records necessary to adjudicate benefit claims from other federal agencies. <p>(Sec. 514) Authorizes the Secretary to recognize representatives of Indian tribes as individuals eligible to represent veterans in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefit claims. <p>(Sec. 515) Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year program to assess the feasibility and advisability of entering into memoranda of understanding with local governments and tribal organizations to: (1) improve the quality of disability compensation and pension claims, and (2) provide claims submittal assistance to veterans who may be eligible for disability compensation or pension benefits. <p>(Sec. 516) Requires the Secretary, through 2015, to submit a quarterly report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs on the backlog of unadjudicated claims filed with the VA and its efforts to eliminate that backlog. Requires those reports to be made available to the public. <p>(Sec. 517) Directs the Secretary to submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs: (1) a report on the use of temporary, intermediate, and provisional rating decisions to expedite benefit decisions; and (2) a plan to increase the use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions to expedite those decisions when the record contains sufficient evidence to grant any claim at issue.<p>(Sec. 518) Requires the Secretary to submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs: (1) a report on the furnishing of general medical and specialty medical examinations by the VA for purposes of adjudicating VA benefit claims, and (2) a report on the Secretary's efforts to reduce the need for VHA personnel to conduct in-person disability examinations. <p><b>Subtitle C: Board of Veterans' Appeals and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims -</b> (Sec. 521) Requires the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) to treat as timely filed a document that: (1) expresses disagreement with a decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) and an intent to appeal such decision to the CAVC, and (2) was misfiled with the BVA or the agency of original jurisdiction within 120 days of the BVA's decision. <p>(Sec. 522) Decreases from one year to 180 days the period claimants have to file with the BVA a notice of disagreement with the VA's initial review or determination of their claim. Allows those notices to be electronically filed. <p>(Sec. 523) Requires, with limited exceptions, that any hearing before the BVA be conducted using video teleconference technology. Requires such hearings to be conducted in person at the request of an appellant. Allows such hearings to be conducted in person in the absence of such request, as the BVA considers appropriate. <p><b>Title VI: Outreach Matters -</b> (Sec. 601) Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year program awarding competitive grants to state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to: (1) increase veterans' awareness of the benefits and services available to them; and (2) improve the coordination of outreach activities regarding those benefits and services between the Secretary and federal, state, and local government and nonprofit providers of veterans' health care and benefit services. Requires states to match such grants. Authorizes appropriations for the program for FY2015-FY2016. Requires the Secretary to submit recommendations to Congress regarding the feasibility and advisability of continuing, expanding, or modifying the program. <p>(Sec. 602) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and arrangements with state agencies to carry out outreach activities and otherwise coordinate, improve, or enhance VA and state outreach activities. <p>(Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee on VA outreach activities composed of individuals with experience in press, public relations, marketing, or communications. Requires the advisory committee to advise the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs on effectively developing, implementing, and coordinating national and local outreach efforts. Terminates the advisory committee on October 1, 2015. <p>(Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory board composed of individuals with experience in press, public relations, marketing, or communications at each VA health care system and each VISN that does not contain a health care system. Requires each advisory board to advise the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs on: (1) effectively developing, implementing, and coordinating national and local outreach efforts; and (2) assisting the director of its health care system in conducting outreach activities the board considers appropriate. Terminates the advisory boards four years after this Act's enactment. <p>(Sec. 605) Requires the VA to submit its report to Congress on outreach activities annually (currently, biennially). <p><b>Title VII: Employment and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Employment Matters -</b> (Sec. 701) Requires: (1) federal agencies to develop plans to exercise their authority under specified law to hire veterans during the five years beginning on this Act's enactment, and (2) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure that those plans result in the appointment of at least 15,000 veterans to existing vacancies. Excludes veterans hired by the VA or Department of Defense (DOD) from that number. <p>(Sec. 702) Requires a state, as a condition for receipt of a grant or contract from the VA for support of disabled veterans' outreach specialists and local veterans' employment representatives, to establish a program that issues a license or credential to a veteran without requiring any training or apprenticeship if such veteran: <ul> <li> receives a satisfactory score on completion of an examination administered by that state, </li> <li> has been awarded a military occupational specialty that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the state's requirements for the issuance of such license or credential, </li> <li> has engaged in the active practice of the occupation for which the veteran is seeking such license or credential for at least two of the preceding five years, and </li> <li> pays any fees the state requires for such license or credential.</li> </ul> <p>Allows the Secretary of Labor to waive such requirement for certain states that take into account a veteran's performance on an examination and previous military training when determining whether the veteran needs further training for a license or credential. <p>(Sec. 703) Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) compile a list of Internet websites and applications that can assist veterans in seeking employment; (2) place a particular priority on identifying websites and applications that match veterans with available jobs requiring their skills and that permit employers to post information about available jobs; and (3) report to the Veterans' Affairs Committees on the feasibility and advisability of creating a single, unified Internet-based employment portal for veterans to use when seeking federal employment. <p>(Sec. 704) Directs the Secretary of Labor to include information about disability-related employment and education protections in the Transition Assistance Program, which provides employment and job training assistance and related services for service members being separated from active duty and for their spouses. <p><b>Subtitle B: Small Business Matters -</b> (Sec. 711) Expands the VA's contracting goals and preferences to include conditional ownership of small business concerns that are fully owned by one or more veterans. <p>(Sec. 712) Permits the surviving spouse of a veteran owner of a small business to maintain the status of the small business as one owned or controlled by a veteran for up to: (1) 10 years after the veteran's death if such veteran was either 100% disabled or died from a service-connected disability; or (2) 3 years after such death, if the veteran was less than 100% disabled and did not die from a service-connected disability. (That status ends if the surviving spouse remarries or sells the small business before those periods are over.) <p>(Sec. 713) Permits the surviving spouse or dependent child of a service member who owns at least 51% of a small business and dies in the line of duty to maintain the status of such small business as one owned or controlled by a veteran for up to 10 years following the death of such service member. (That status ends before the end of such period if the surviving spouse remarries or the surviving spouse or dependent child sells an ownership interest in the small business and no longer owns at least 51% of it.) <p>(Sec. 714) Requires the Secretary, upon determining, for purposes of VA small business contracting goals, that an individual would have had a greater degree of ownership of a small business in a state other than a community property state, to treat such small business as licensed in a non-community property state. <p><b>Title VIII: Other Matters -</b> (Sec. 801) Requires the Secretary, if a veteran eligible for a pension for service or for a non-service-connected disability or the spouse of such veteran disposes of a resource that was part of such veteran's estate for less than its fair market value within three years before applying for such pension, to deny or discontinue the pension payment for months beginning on the date of such disposition and ending when the uncompensated value of such resource is reached. <p>Provides the same denial or discontinuance in the case of a veteran eligible for an increased pension payment on account of a child, unless the Secretary determines that such denial or discontinuance would work an undue hardship. <p>Applies the same denial or discontinuance, with the same exception, in the case of: (1) a veteran's surviving spouse who disposes of a covered resource for less than fair market value within such period, and (2) an increased pension for such spouse on account of a child. <p>Requires the Secretary, at the time a veteran, surviving spouse, or child applies for such a pension, to: (1) inform the individual of such requirements, and (2) obtain information to determine whether a period of ineligibility for such payments will be required. <p>(Sec. 802) Reauthorizes appropriations through FY 2018 for the VA's Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. <p>Allows funding that is not used to provide monthly subsistence allowances to veterans training to be Paralympic athletes to be used for other Office activities. <p>Permits (currently, requires) the Office to cooperate with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and its partners to promote the participation of disabled veterans and disabled military personnel in sporting events sponsored by such entities. <p>(Sec. 803) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) plan, develop, manage, and implement an integrated adaptive sports program for disabled veterans and disabled military personnel; or (2) award grants to the USOC to do so. Requires the USOC's grant application to include information on: (1) anticipated personnel, travel, and administrative costs to be paid for by the USOC or its subgrantees; (2) its financial controls; and (3) its performance metrics. Reauthorizes appropriations for such program through FY2015. Authorizes the VA to use funds from such program for activities of the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. Directs the GAO to report to Congress, within two years after this Act's enactment, on the use of any grants made to the USOC under such program. <p>(Sec. 804) Eliminates a provision establishing an effective date for the award or increase of a surviving spouse's benefits on account of a child whose marriage is terminated by death or divorce. <p>(Sec. 805) Extends from 6 months to 18 months after the separation or discharge from active service the deadline by which the Secretary must schedule a medical examination for a veteran in receipt of a temporary disability rating for a severe mental disorder. <p>(Sec. 806) Authorizes the Secretary to issue veteran identification cards and work with national retail chains to ensure that they recognize those cards when offering veterans reduced prices on pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and services. <p>(Sec. 807) Honors as a veteran any person who is entitled to retired pay for nonregular (reserve) service or who would be so entitled but for age. Provides that such person shall not be entitled to any benefit by reason of such recognition. <p>(Sec. 808) Extends the Secretary's authority to collect housing loan guarantee fees. <p>(Sec. 809) Directs the Secretary to review the process for determining whether Filipinos who claim to have served in support of the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II meet the service requirements for payments from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. <p>(Sec. 810) Requires the Secretary to report to the Veterans' Affairs Committees on: (1) the extent to which Laotian military forces provided combat support to the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 15, 1975, (2) whether the current classification by the DOD Civilian/Military Service Review Board of service by Hmong ethnicity is appropriate, and (3) any recommendations for legislative action. <p>(Sec. 811) Requires the Secretary of Labor to report to Congress on the assistance available to veterans to obtain the training needed to purchase and operate a franchise. <p>(Sec. 812) Limits the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses payable to VA employees during FY 2014. </p>

tv_txt: II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 944 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 14, 2013 Mr. Sanders (for himself and Mr. Burr ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to require courses of education provided by public institutions of higher education that are approved for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State tuition rate, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans' Educational Transition Act of 2013 . 2. Approval of courses of education provided by public institutions of higher education for purposes of All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance conditional on in-State tuition rate for veterans (a) In general Section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of higher education to a covered individual pursuing a course of education with educational assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the State in which the public institution of higher education is located if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for the covered individual at a rate that is higher than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of the covered individual’s State of residence. (2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any individual as follows: (A) A veteran who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than 180 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service less than two years before the date of enrollment in the course concerned. (B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under section 3311(b)(9) or 3319 of this title by virtue of such individual's relationship to a veteran described in subparagraph (A). (3) It shall not be grounds to disapprove a course of education under paragraph (1) if a public institution of higher education requires a covered individual pursuing a course of education at the institution to demonstrate an intent to establish residency in the State in which the institution is located in order to be charged tuition and fees for that course at a rate that is equal to or less than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State. (4) The Secretary may waive such requirements of paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate. (5) Disapproval under paragraph (1) shall apply only with respect to educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of this title. . (b) Effective date Subsection (c) of section 3679 of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a) of this section) shall apply with respect to educational assistance provided for pursuit of programs of education during academic terms that begin after July 1, 2015.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 258 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 944 [Report No. 113–123] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 14, 2013 Mr. Sanders (for himself and Mr. Burr ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic December 9, 2013 Reported by Mr. Sanders , with an amendment and an amendment to the title Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to require courses of education provided by public institutions of higher education that are approved for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State tuition rate, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013 . 2. Approval of courses of education provided by public institutions of higher education for purposes of All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance conditional on in-State tuition rate for veterans (a) In general Section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of higher education to a covered individual pursuing a course of education with educational assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the State in which the public institution of higher education is located if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for the covered individual at a rate that is higher than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of the covered individual’s State of residence. (2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any individual as follows: (A) A veteran who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than 180 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service less than two years before the date of enrollment in the course concerned. (B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under section 3311(b)(9) or 3319 of this title by virtue of such individual's relationship to a veteran described in subparagraph (A). (3) It shall not be grounds to disapprove a course of education under paragraph (1) if a public institution of higher education requires a covered individual pursuing a course of education at the institution to demonstrate an intent to establish residency in the State in which the institution is located in order to be charged tuition and fees for that course at a rate that is equal to or less than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State. (4) The Secretary may waive such requirements of paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate. (5) Disapproval under paragraph (1) shall apply only with respect to educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of this title. . (b) Effective date Subsection (c) of section 3679 of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a) of this section) shall apply with respect to educational assistance provided for pursuit of programs of education during academic terms that begin after July 1, 2015.

1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 . (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. TITLE I—Survivor and Dependent Matters Sec. 101. Extension of initial period for increased dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses with children. Sec. 102. Eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation, educational assistance, and housing loans for surviving spouses who remarry after age 55. Sec. 103. Extension of marriage delimiting date for surviving spouses of Persian Gulf War veterans to qualify for death pension. Sec. 104. Expansion of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. Sec. 105. Expansion of Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program. Sec. 106. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born with spina bifida. Sec. 107. Program on assisted living for children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korea service veterans born with spina bifida. Sec. 108. Program on grief counseling in retreat settings for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces. Sec. 109. Program evaluation on survivors' and dependents' educational assistance authorities. TITLE II—Education Matters Sec. 201. Approval of courses of education provided by public institutions of higher learning for purposes of All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance conditional on in-State tuition rate for veterans. Sec. 202. Extension and expansion of authority for certain qualifying work-study activities for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 203. Report on debt management and collection. Sec. 204. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers. TITLE III—Health Care Matters Subtitle A—Expansion and Improvements of Benefits Generally Sec. 301. Expansion of provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans. Sec. 302. Modification of commencement date of period of service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for eligibility for hospital care and medical services in connection with exposure to contaminated water. Sec. 303. Expansion of eligibility for sexual trauma counseling and treatment to veterans on inactive duty training. Sec. 304. Extension of sunset date regarding transportation of individuals to and from facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs and requirement of report. Sec. 305. Program on health promotion for overweight and obese veterans through support of fitness center memberships. Sec. 306. Program on health promotion for veterans through establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs fitness facilities. Subtitle B—Health Care Administration Sec. 311. Extension of Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program. Sec. 312. Expansion of availability of prosthetic and orthotic care for veterans. Sec. 313. Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Subtitle C—Complementary and Alternative Medicine Sec. 321. Expansion of research and education on and delivery of complementary and alternative medicine to veterans. Sec. 322. Program on integration of complementary and alternative medicine within Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Sec. 323. Studies of barriers encountered by veterans in receiving, and administrators and clinicians in providing, complementary and alternative medicine services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 324. Program on use of wellness programs as complementary approach to mental health care for veterans and family members of veterans. TITLE IV—Accountability and Administrative Improvements Sec. 401. Administration of Veterans Integrated Service Networks. Sec. 402. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service Networks. Sec. 403. Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities. Sec. 404. Public access to Department of Veterans Affairs research and data sharing between Departments. Sec. 405. Budget transparency for outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 406. Comptroller general report on advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. TITLE V—Improvement of Processing of Claims for Compensation Subtitle A—Claims Based on Military Sexual Trauma Sec. 501. Medical examination and opinion for disability compensation claims based on military sexual trauma. Sec. 502. Case representative officers for military sexual trauma support. Sec. 503. Report on standard of proof for service-connection of mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma. Sec. 504. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma. Subtitle B—Agency of Original Jurisdiction Sec. 511. Working group to improve employee work credit and work management systems of Veterans Benefits Administration in an electronic environment. Sec. 512. Task force on retention and training of Department of Veterans Affairs claims processors and adjudicators. Sec. 513. Reports on requests by the Department of Veterans Affairs for records of other Federal agencies. Sec. 514. Recognition of representatives of Indian tribes in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 515. Program on participation of local and tribal governments in improving quality of claims for disability compensation submitted to Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 516. Quarterly reports on progress of Department of Veterans Affairs in eliminating backlog of claims for compensation that have not been adjudicated. Sec. 517. Reports on use of existing authorities to expedite benefits decisions. Sec. 518. Reports on Department disability medical examinations and prevention of unnecessary medical examinations. Subtitle C —Board of Veterans' Appeals and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Sec. 521. Treatment of certain misfiled documents as a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Sec. 522. Modification of filing period for notice of disagreement to initiate appellate review of decisions of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 523. Determination of manner of appearance for hearings before Board of Veterans' Appeals. TITLE VI—Outreach Matters Sec. 601. Program to increase coordination of outreach efforts between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Federal, State, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations. Sec. 602. Cooperative agreements between Secretary of Veterans Affairs and States on outreach activities. Sec. 603. Advisory committee on outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 604. Advisory boards on outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs relating to health care. Sec. 605. Modification of requirement for periodic reports to Congress on outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs. TITLE VII—Employment and Related Matters Subtitle A—Employment Matters Sec. 701. Employment of veterans with the Federal Government. Sec. 702. State recognition of military experience of veterans in issuing licenses and credentials to veterans. Sec. 703. Report on unified Government Internet portal for veterans on jobs available through the Federal Government. Sec. 704. Information on disability-related employment and education protections in Transition Assistance Program. Subtitle B—Small Business Matters Sec. 711. Expansion of contracting goals and preferences of Department of Veterans Affairs to include conditionally owned small business concerns 100 percent owned by veterans. Sec. 712. Modification of treatment under contracting goals and preferences of Department of Veterans Affairs for small businesses owned by veterans of small businesses after death of disabled veteran owners. Sec. 713. Treatment of businesses after deaths of servicemember-owners for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs contracting goals and preferences. Sec. 714. Special rule for treatment under contracting goals and preferences of Department of Veterans Affairs of small business concerns licensed in community property States. TITLE VIII—Other Matters Sec. 801. Consideration by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of resources disposed of for less than fair market value by individuals applying for pension. Sec. 802. Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. Sec. 803. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces through United States Olympic Committee. Sec. 804. Making effective date provision consistent with provision for benefits eligibility of a veteran's child based upon termination of remarriage by annulment. Sec. 805. Extended period for scheduling of medical exams for veterans receiving temporary disability ratings for severe mental disorders. Sec. 806. Authority to issue Veterans ID Cards. Sec. 807. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in the reserve components of the Armed Forces. Sec. 808. Extension of authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue and guarantee certain loans. Sec. 809. Review of determination of certain service in Philippines during World War II. Sec. 810. Report on Laotian military support of Armed Forces of the United States during Vietnam War. Sec. 811. Report on assistance for veterans in obtaining training on purchasing and operating a franchise. Sec. 812. Limitation on aggregate amount of bonuses payable to personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs during fiscal year 2014. 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. I Survivor and Dependent Matters 101. Extension of initial period for increased dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses with children (a) In general Section 1311(f)(2) is amended by striking two-year and inserting three-year . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect as of September 30, 2014, and shall apply to any surviving spouse who was eligible for or in receipt of benefits under section 1311(f) of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 102. Eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation, educational assistance, and housing loans for surviving spouses who remarry after age 55 (a) In general Paragraph (2)(B) of section 103(d) is amended to read as follows: (B) The remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph (5) to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran. . (b) Conforming amendment Paragraph (5) of such section is amended by striking Paragraphs (2)(A) and inserting Paragraphs (2) . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 103. Extension of marriage delimiting date for surviving spouses of Persian Gulf War veterans to qualify for death pension Section 1541(f)(1)(E) is amended by striking January 1, 2001 and inserting the date that is 10 years and one day after the date on which the Persian Gulf War was terminated, as prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law . 104. Expansion of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (a) Expansion of entitlement Subsection (b)(9) of section 3311 is amended by inserting or spouse after child . (b) Limitation and election on certain benefits Subsection (f) of such section is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs: (2) Limitation The entitlement of an individual to assistance under subsection (a) pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection (b) because the individual was a spouse of a person described in such paragraph shall expire on the earlier of— (A) the date that is 15 years after the date on which the person died; and (B) the date on which the individual remarries. (3) Election on receipt of certain benefits A surviving spouse entitled to assistance under subsection (a) pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection (b) who is also entitled to educational assistance under chapter 35 of this title may not receive assistance under both this section and such chapter, but shall make an irrevocable election (in such form and manner as the Secretary may prescribe) under which section or chapter to receive educational assistance. . (c) Conforming amendment Section 3321(b)(4) is amended— (1) by striking an individual and inserting a child ; and (2) by striking such individual’s each time it appears and inserting such child’s . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 105. Expansion of Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (a) In general Section 3317(a) is amended by striking in paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting in paragraphs (1), (2), and (9) . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to academic terms beginning after July 1, 2015. 106. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born with spina bifida (a) In general Subchapter III of chapter 18 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born with spina bifida (a) Benefits authorized The Secretary may provide to any child of a veteran of covered service in Thailand who is suffering from spina bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter as if such child of a veteran of covered service in Thailand were a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under such subchapter. (b) Spina bifida conditions covered This section applies with respect to all forms and manifestations of spina bifida, except spina bifida occulta. (c) Veteran of covered service in Thailand For purposes of this section, a veteran of covered service in Thailand is any individual, without regard to the characterization of that individual's service, who— (1) served in the active military, naval, or air service in Thailand, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975; and (2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to have been exposed to a herbicide agent during such service in Thailand. (d) Herbicide agent For purposes of this section, the term herbicide agent means a chemical in a herbicide used in support of United States and allied military operations in Thailand, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975. . (b) Conforming amendment to definition of child Section 1831(1) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B)— (A) by striking subchapter III of this chapter and inserting section 1821 of this title ; and (B) in clause (i), by striking section 1821 of this title and inserting that section ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) For purposes of section 1822 of this title, an individual, regardless of age or marital status, who— (i) is the natural child of a veteran of covered service in Thailand (as determined for purposes of that section); and (ii) was conceived after the date on which that veteran first entered service described in subsection (c) of that section. . (c) Clerical amendments (1) Subchapter heading The heading for subchapter III of chapter 18 is amended by inserting and Thailand after Korea . (2) Table of sections The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 18 is amended— (A) by striking the item relating to subchapter III and inserting the following new item: Subchapter III—Children of certain Korea and Thailand service veterans born with spina bifida ; and (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 1821 the following new item: 1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born with spina bifida. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 107. Program on assisted living for children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korea service veterans born with spina bifida (a) Program Commencing not later than 180 days after the date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing assisted living, group home care, or similar services in lieu of nursing home care to covered individuals. (b) Covered individuals For purposes of this section, a covered individual is any individual who is entitled to health care under subchapter I or III of chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Duration (1) In general Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the program shall be carried out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program. (2) Continuation Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may continue the program for an additional two-year period as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) Termination The program may not operate after the date that is five years after the date of the commencement of the program. (d) Scope of services and program Under the program, the Secretary shall provide covered individuals with integrated, comprehensive services, including the following: (1) Assisted living, group home care, or such other similar services as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Transportation services. (3) Such other services as the Secretary considers appropriate for the care of covered individuals under the program. (e) Program requirements In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall— (1) inform all covered individuals of the services available under the program; (2) enter into agreements with appropriate providers of assisted living, group home care, or other similar services for provision of services under the program; and (3) determine the appropriate number of covered individuals to be enrolled in the program and criteria for such enrollment. (f) Reports (1) Preliminary reports (A) In general Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the program and, if the program is continued under subsection (c)(2), not later than three years after the date of the commencement of the program, 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 program. (B) Contents Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) A description of the implementation and operation of the program. (ii) The number of covered individuals receiving benefits under the program. (iii) An analysis that compares the costs of furnishing assisted living, group home care, or similar service with the costs of furnishing nursing home care. (iv) An analysis of the costs and benefits under the program. (v) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program. (vi) Such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the program as the Secretary may have. (2) Final report (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the completion of the program, 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 program. (B) Contents The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program. (ii) Such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the program as the Secretary may have. (g) Funding Amounts to carry out the program shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for the furnishing of nursing home care under chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code. (h) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 108. Program on grief counseling in retreat settings for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces (a) Program required (1) In general Commencing not later than 180 days after the date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out, through the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing grief counseling services described in subsection (b) in group retreat settings to surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces who would, as determined by the Readjustment Counseling Service, benefit from the services provided under the program. (2) Participation at election of surviving spouse The participation of a surviving spouse in the program under this section shall be at the election of the surviving spouse. (b) Covered services The services provided to a surviving spouse under the program shall include the following: (1) Information and counseling on coping with grief. (2) Information about benefits and services available to surviving spouses under laws administered by the Secretary. (3) Such other information and counseling as the Secretary considers appropriate to assist a surviving spouse under the program with adjusting to the death of a spouse. (c) Events The Secretary shall carry out the program at not fewer than six events as follows: (1) Three events at which surviving spouses with dependent children are encouraged to bring their children. (2) Three events at which surviving spouses with dependent children are not encouraged to bring their children. (d) Duration The program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program. (e) Reports (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the completion of the first year of the program and not later than 180 days after the completion of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program. (2) Contents Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the program, and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the program as the Secretary considers appropriate. (f) Definitions In this section, the terms active duty , Armed Forces , and surviving spouse have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (g) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 109. Program evaluation on survivors' and dependents' educational assistance authorities (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a contract with an appropriate private sector entity to conduct a program evaluation of the authorities for survivors' and dependents' educational assistance under chapter 35 of title 38, United States Code. (b) Report Not later than six months after the entry into the contract required by subsection (a), 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 setting forth the results of the program evaluation conducted pursuant to the contract, together with such comments on the results of the program evaluation as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. II Education Matters 201. Approval of courses of education provided by public institutions of higher learning for purposes of All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-9/11 Educational Assistance conditional on in-State tuition rate for veterans (a) In general Section 3679 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and subject to paragraphs (3) through (6), the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning to a covered individual pursuing a course of education with educational assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the State in which the public institution of higher learning is located if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for the covered individual at a rate that is higher than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of the covered individual’s State of residence. (2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any individual as follows: (A) A veteran who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than 90 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service less than three years before the date of enrollment in the course concerned. (B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under section 3311(b)(9) or 3319 of this title by virtue of such individual's relationship to a veteran described in subparagraph (A). (3) If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (2)(A) or (2)(B) a covered individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same public institution of higher learning while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution of higher learning, any course so pursued by the covered individual at that institution of higher learning while so continuously enrolled shall also be subject to disapproval under paragraph (1). (4) It shall not be grounds to disapprove a course of education under paragraph (1) if a public institution of higher learning requires a covered individual pursuing a course of education at the institution to demonstrate an intent, by means other than satisfying a physical presence requirement, to establish residency in the State in which the institution is located, or to satisfy other requirements not relating to the establishment of residency, in order to be charged tuition and fees for that course at a rate that is equal to or less than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State. (5) The Secretary may waive such requirements of paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate. (6) Disapproval under paragraph (1) shall apply only with respect to educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of this title. . (b) Effective date Subsection (c) of section 3679 of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a) of this section), shall apply with respect to educational assistance provided for pursuit of programs of education during academic terms that begin after July 1, 2015, through courses of education that commence on or after that date. 202. Extension and expansion of authority for certain qualifying work-study activities for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Extension of expiring current authority Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking June 30, 2013 each place it appears and inserting June 30, 2015 . (b) Expansion to outreach services provided through congressional offices Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (K) During the period beginning on June 30, 2013, and ending on June 30, 2015, the following activities carried out at the offices of Members of Congress for such Members: (i) The distribution of information to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents about the benefits and services under laws administered by the Secretary and other appropriate governmental and nongovernmental programs. (ii) The preparation and processing of papers and other documents, including documents to assist in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. . (c) Annual reports (1) In general Not later than June 30 of 2014 and 2015, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the work-study allowances paid under paragraph (1) of section 3485(a) of title 38, United States Code, during the most recent one-year period for qualifying work-study activities described in paragraph (4) of such section, as amended by subsections (a) and (b) of this section. (2) Contents Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, for the year covered by such report, the following: (A) A description of the recipients of such work-study allowances. (B) A list of the locations where qualifying work-study activities were carried out. (C) A description of the outreach conducted by the Secretary to increase awareness of the eligibility of such work-study activities for such work-study allowances. 203. Report on debt management and collection (a) Report Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (c), the Comptroller General of the United States 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 processes used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify and resolve cases of incorrect payments associated with educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code. (b) Issues addressed The report required by subsection (a) shall, to the extent possible, address the following: (1) The effectiveness of the processes referred to in subsection (a) in identifying and resolving incorrect payments associated with educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code. (2) The accuracy of overpayment information provided to veterans by the Education Service and Debt Management Center of the Department. (3) How well the Debt Management Center of the Department communicates and works with veterans to resolve disputed debt amounts. (4) How the payment and debt collection processes of the Department compare to comparable programs in other Federal agencies. (5) Any recommendations to improve the payment and debt collection processes of the Department that the Comptroller General considers appropriate. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 204. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers Section 3684(c) is amended— (1) by striking $12 and inserting $7 ; and (2) by striking $15 and inserting $11 . III Health Care Matters A Expansion and Improvements of Benefits Generally 301. Expansion of provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans (a) Program for provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans Section 204(c) of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–135; 115 Stat. 2459; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended— (1) by inserting (1) before The program ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) The program shall be carried out at not fewer than two medical centers or clinics in each Veterans Integrated Service Network by not later than one year after the effective date specified in section 301(c) of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013, and at not fewer than 50 percent of all medical centers in each Veterans Integrated Service Network by not later than two years after such effective date. . (b) Expanded chiropractor services available to veterans (1) Medical services Paragraph (6) of section 1701 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (H) Chiropractic services. . (2) Rehabilitative services Paragraph (8) of such section is amended by inserting chiropractic, after counseling, . (3) Preventive health services Paragraph (9) of such section is amended— (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (K) as subparagraphs (G) through (L), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new subparagraph (F): (F) periodic and preventive chiropractic examinations and services; . (c) Effective date This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 302. Modification of commencement date of period of service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for eligibility for hospital care and medical services in connection with exposure to contaminated water (a) Modification Section 1710(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking January 1, 1957, and inserting August 1, 1953 (or such earlier date for the commencement of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune as the Secretary, in consultation with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, shall specify), . (b) Publication The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of any earlier date for the commencement of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for purposes of section 1710(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a). 303. Expansion of eligibility for sexual trauma counseling and treatment to veterans on inactive duty training Section 1720D(a)(1) is amended by striking or active duty for training and inserting , active duty for training, or inactive duty training . 304. Extension of sunset date regarding transportation of individuals to and from facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs and requirement of report (a) Extension of sunset date Subsection (a)(2) of section 111A is amended by striking the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this section and inserting September 30, 2015 . (b) Funding available Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) Funding There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 for the Department, $4,000,000 to carry out this section. . (c) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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— (1) the efforts of the Secretary to carry out the transportation services required by section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code; (2) the utilization of those services by covered veterans; and (3) the feasibility and advisability of the continuation of the provision of such services after September 30, 2015. 305. Program on health promotion for overweight and obese veterans through support of fitness center memberships (a) Program required Commencing not later than 180 days after the date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, through the National Center for Preventive Health, carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of promoting health in covered veterans, including achieving a healthy weight and reducing risks of chronic disease, through support for fitness center membership. (b) Covered veterans For purposes of this section, a covered veteran is any veteran who— (1) is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated by the Secretary under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code; (2) is determined by a clinician of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be overweight or obese as of the date of the commencement of the program; and (3) resides in a location that is more than 15 minutes driving distance from a fitness center at a facility of the Department that would otherwise be available to the veteran for at least eight hours per day during five or more days per week. (c) Duration of program The program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program. (d) Locations (1) In general In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall select— (A) not less than five medical centers of the Department at which the Secretary shall cover the full reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of such centers; and (B) not less than five medical centers of the Department at which the Secretary shall cover half the reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of such centers. (2) Considerations In selecting locations for the program, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and advisability of selecting locations in the following areas: (A) Rural areas. (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation. (C) Areas in different geographic locations. (e) Participation (1) Maximum number of participants The number of covered veterans who may participate in the program at each location selected under subsection (d) may not exceed 100. (2) Voluntary participation The participation of a covered veteran in the program shall be at the election of the covered veteran in consultation with a clinician of the Department. (f) Membership payment (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), in carrying out the program, the Secretary shall pay the following: (A) The full reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of centers selected under subsection (d)(1)(A) who are participating in the program. (B) Half the reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of centers selected under subsection (d)(1)(B) who are participating in the program. (2) Limitation Payment for a fitness center membership of a covered veteran may not exceed $50 per month of membership. (g) Reports (1) Periodic reports Not later than 90 days after the date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently than once every 90 days 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 activities carried out to implement the program, including outreach activities to veterans and community organizations. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the date of the completion of the program, 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 program detailing— (A) the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the program; and (B) recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the program. (h) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 306. Program on health promotion for veterans through establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs fitness facilities (a) Program required Commencing not later than 180 days after the date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of promoting health in covered veterans, including achieving a healthy weight, through establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs fitness facilities. (b) Covered veterans For purposes of this section, a covered veteran is any veteran who is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated by the Secretary under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Duration of program The program shall be carried out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program. (d) Locations (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out the program by establishing fitness facilities in Department facilities as follows: (A) In not fewer than five Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers selected by the Secretary for purposes of the program. (B) In not fewer than five outpatient clinics of the Department selected by the Secretary for purposes of the program. (2) Considerations In selecting locations for the program, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and advisability of selecting locations in the following areas: (A) Rural areas. (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation. (C) Areas in different geographic locations. (e) Limitation on expenses In establishing and supporting a fitness facility in a facility of the Department under the program, the Secretary may expend amounts as follows: (1) For establishment and support of a fitness facility in a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, not more than $60,000. (2) For establishment and support of a fitness facility in an outpatient clinic of the Department, not more than $40,000. (f) Repurposing of physical space and purchases of equipment (1) In general Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary may, in carrying out the program, repurpose existing physical space of the Department and purchase such fitness equipment and supplies as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the program. (2) Repurposing exception Existing physical space used for the direct delivery of health care to patients may not be repurposed under paragraph (1). (g) Prohibition on assessment of user fees The Secretary may not assess a fee upon a covered veteran for use of a fitness facility established under the program. (h) Voluntary participation The participation of a covered veteran in the program shall be at the election of the covered veteran. (i) Reports (1) Periodic reports Not later than 90 days after the date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently than once every 90 days 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 activities carried out to implement the program, including outreach activities to veterans and community organizations. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the date of the completion of the program, 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 program detailing— (A) the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the program; and (B) recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the program. (j) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. B Health Care Administration 311. Extension of Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program Section 7619 is amended by striking December 31, 2014 and inserting December 31, 2019 . 312. Expansion of availability of prosthetic and orthotic care for veterans (a) Establishment or expansion of advanced degree programs To expand availability of provision of care The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall work with institutions of higher education to develop partnerships for the establishment or expansion of programs of advanced degrees in prosthetics and orthotics in order to improve and enhance the availability of high quality prosthetic and orthotic care for veterans. (b) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 setting forth a plan for carrying out subsection (a). The Secretary shall develop the plan in consultation with veterans service organizations, institutions of higher education with accredited degree programs in prosthetics and orthotics, and representatives of the prosthetics and orthotics field. (c) Funding (1) Authorization of appropriations There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2015 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, $10,000,000 to carry out this section. (2) Availability The amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) shall remain available for expenditure until September 30, 2017. 313. Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (a) Designation The medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 3900 Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center . (b) References Any reference in any law, regulation, map, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the medical center referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to be a reference to the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. C Complementary and Alternative Medicine 321. Expansion of research and education on and delivery of complementary and alternative medicine to veterans (a) Development of plan To expand research, education, and delivery Not later than six months after the effective date specified in subsection (f), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a plan to expand materially and substantially the scope of research and education on, and delivery and integration of, complementary and alternative medicine services into the health care services provided to veterans. (b) Elements The plan required by subsection (a) shall provide for the following: (1) Research on the following: (A) The comparative effectiveness of various complementary and alternative medicine therapies. (B) Approaches to integrating complementary and alternative medicine services into other health care services provided by the Department. (2) Education and training for health care professionals of the Department on the following: (A) Complementary and alternative medicine services selected by the Secretary for purposes of the plan. (B) Appropriate uses of such services. (C) Integration of such services into the delivery of health care to veterans. (3) Research, education, and clinical activities on complementary and alternative medicine at centers of innovation at Department medical centers. (4) Identification or development of metrics and outcome measures to evaluate the provision and integration of complementary and alternative medicine services into the delivery of health care to veterans. (5) Integration and delivery of complementary and alternative medicine services with other health care services provided by the Department. (c) Consultation (1) In general In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the following: (A) The Director of the National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health. (B) The Commissioner of Food and Drugs. (C) Institutions of higher education, private research institutes, and individual researchers with extensive experience in complementary and alternative medicine and the integration of complementary and alternative medicine practices into the delivery of health care. (D) Nationally recognized providers of complementary and alternative medicine. (E) Such other officials, entities, and individuals with expertise on complementary and alternative medicine as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Scope of consultation The Secretary shall undertake consultation under paragraph (1) in carrying out subsection (a) with respect to the following: (A) To develop the plan. (B) To identify specific complementary and alternative medicine practices that, on the basis of research findings or promising clinical interventions, are appropriate to include as services to veterans. (C) To identify barriers to the effective provision and integration of complementary and alternative medicine services into the delivery of health care to veterans, and to identify mechanisms for overcoming such barriers. (d) Funding There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. (e) Complementary and alternative medicine defined In this section, the term complementary and alternative medicine shall have the meaning given that term in regulations the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this section, which shall, to the degree practicable, be consistent with the meaning given such term by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (f) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 322. Program on integration of complementary and alternative medicine within Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers (a) Program required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) carry out, through the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of integrating the delivery of complementary and alternative medicine services selected by the Secretary with other health care services provided by the Department for veterans with mental health conditions, chronic pain conditions, other chronic conditions, and such other conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate; and (2) in developing the program, identify and resolve barriers to the provision of complementary and alternative medicine services selected by the Secretary and the integration of those services with other health care services provided by the Department. (b) Duration of program The program shall be carried out during the three-year period beginning on the effective date specified in subsection (j). (c) Locations (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out the program at not fewer than 15 separate Department medical centers. (2) Polytrauma centers Not less than two of the medical centers designated under paragraph (1) shall be located at polytrauma rehabilitation centers of the Department. (3) Selection of locations In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall select locations that include the following areas: (A) Rural areas. (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation. (C) Areas representing different geographic locations, such as census tracts established by the Bureau of the Census. (d) Provision of services Under the program, the Secretary shall provide covered services to covered veterans by integrating complementary and alternative medicine services with other services provided by the Department at the medical centers designated under subsection (c)(1). (e) Covered veterans For purposes of the program, a covered veteran is any veteran who— (1) has a mental health condition diagnosed by a clinician of the Department; (2) experiences chronic pain; or (3) has a chronic condition being treated by a clinician of the Department. (f) Covered services (1) In general For purposes of the program, covered services are services consisting of complementary and alternative medicine as selected by the Secretary. (2) Administration of services Covered services shall be administered under the program as follows: (A) Covered services shall be administered by clinicians employed by the Secretary for purposes of this section who, to the extent practicable, shall provide services consisting of complementary and alternative medicine, including those clinicians who solely provide such services. (B) Covered services shall be included as part of the Patient Aligned Care Teams initiative of the Office of Patient Care Services, Primary Care Program Office, in coordination with the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation. (C) Covered services shall be made available to both— (i) covered veterans with mental health conditions, pain conditions, or chronic conditions described in subsection (e) who have received conventional treatments from the Department for such conditions; and (ii) covered veterans with mental health conditions, pain conditions, or chronic conditions described in subsection (e) who have not received conventional treatments from the Department for such conditions. (g) Voluntary participation The participation of a veteran in the program shall be at the election of the veteran and in consultation with a clinician of the Department. (h) Reports to Congress (1) Quarterly reports Not later than 90 days after the date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently than once every 90 days thereafter for the duration of the program, 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 efforts of the Secretary to carry out the program, including a description of the outreach conducted by the Secretary to veterans and community organizations to inform such organizations about the program. (2) Final report (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the completion of the program, 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 program. (B) Contents The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program, including with respect to— (I) the utilization and efficacy of the complementary and alternative medicine services established under the program; (II) an assessment of the benefit of the program to covered veterans in mental health diagnoses, pain management, and treatment of chronic illness; and (III) the comparative effectiveness of various complementary and alternative medicine therapies. (ii) Barriers identified under subsection (a)(2) that were not resolved. (iii) Such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the program as the Secretary considers appropriate. (i) Complementary and alternative medicine defined In this section, the term complementary and alternative medicine shall have the meaning given that term in section 321(e) of this Act. (j) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 323. Studies of barriers encountered by veterans in receiving, and administrators and clinicians in providing, complementary and alternative medicine services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Studies required (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct comprehensive studies of the barriers encountered by veterans in receiving, and administrators and clinicians in providing, complementary and alternative medicine services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Studies conducted (A) Veterans In conducting the study of veterans, the Secretary shall— (i) survey veterans who seek or receive hospital care or medical services furnished by the Department, as well as veterans who do not seek or receive such care or services; (ii) administer the survey to a representative sample of veterans from each Veterans Integrated Service Network; and (iii) ensure that the sample of veterans surveyed is of sufficient size for the study results to be statistically significant. (B) Administrators and clinicians In conducting the study of clinicians and administrators, the Secretary shall— (i) survey administrators of the Department who are involved in the provision of health care services; (ii) survey clinicians that have provided complementary and alternative medicine services through the program established under section 322 of this Act, after those clinicians have provided those services through such program for at least 90 days; and (iii) administer the survey to administrators under clause (i)— (I) before the introduction of complementary and alternative medicine services through such program; and (II) not earlier than 90 days after the introduction of complementary and alternative medicine services through such program. (b) Elements of studies (1) Veterans In conducting the study of veterans required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall study the following: (A) The perceived barriers associated with obtaining complementary and alternative medicine services from the Department. (B) The satisfaction of veterans with complementary and alternative medicine services in primary care. (C) The degree to which veterans are aware of eligibility requirements for, and the scope of services available under, complementary and alternative medicine services furnished by the Department. (D) The effectiveness of outreach to veterans on the availability of complementary and alternative medicine for veterans. (E) Such other barriers as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Administrators and clinicians In conducting the study of administrators and clinicians required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall study the following: (A) The extent of the integration of complementary and alternative medicine services within the services provided by the Department. (B) The perception by administrators and clinicians of the structural and attitudinal barriers to the delivery of high quality complementary and alternative medicine services by the Department. (C) Strategies that have been used to reduce or eliminate such barriers and the results of such strategies. (D) The satisfaction of administrators and clinicians regarding the integration of complementary and alternative medicine services within the services provided by the Department. (E) The perception by administrators and clinicians of the value of specific complementary and alternative medicine services for inpatient and outpatient veteran populations. (c) Discharge by contract The Secretary shall enter into a contract with a qualified independent entity or organization to carry out the studies required by this section. (d) Mandatory review of data by the National Research Advisory Council (1) In general The Secretary shall ensure that the head of the National Research Advisory Council reviews the results of the studies conducted under this section. (2) Submittal of findings The head of the National Research Advisory Council shall submit findings with respect to the studies to the Under Secretary for Health and to other pertinent program offices within the Department with responsibilities relating to health care services for veterans. (e) Reports (1) Report on implementation Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the implementation of this section. (2) Report on study (A) In general Not later than 45 days after the date of the completion of the study, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study required by subsection (a). (B) Contents The report required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) Recommendations for such administrative and legislative proposals and actions as the Secretary considers appropriate. (ii) The findings of the head of the National Research Advisory Council and of the Under Secretary for Health. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2015 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, $2,000,000 to carry out this section. (g) Complementary and alternative medicine defined In this section, the term complementary and alternative medicine shall have the meaning given that term in section 321(e) of this Act. 324. Program on use of wellness programs as complementary approach to mental health care for veterans and family members of veterans (a) Program required (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program through the award of grants to public or private nonprofit entities to assess the feasibility and advisability of using wellness programs to complement the provision of mental health care to veterans and family members eligible for counseling under section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code. (2) Matters to be addressed The program shall be carried out so as to assess the following: (A) Means of improving coordination between Federal, State, local, and community providers of health care in the provision of mental health care to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (B) Means of enhancing outreach, and coordination of outreach, by and among providers of health care referred to in subparagraph (A) on the mental health care services available to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (C) Means of using wellness programs of providers of health care referred to in subparagraph (A) as complements to the provision by the Department of Veterans Affairs of mental health care to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (D) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) are effective in enhancing the quality of life and well-being of veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (E) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) are effective in increasing the adherence of veterans described in paragraph (1) to the primary mental health services provided such veterans by the Department. (F) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) have an impact on the sense of wellbeing of veterans described in paragraph (1) who receive primary mental health services from the Department. (G) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) are effective in encouraging veterans receiving health care from the Department to adopt a more healthy lifestyle. (b) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the program for a period of three years beginning on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Locations The Secretary shall carry out the program at facilities of the Department providing mental health care services to veterans and family members described in subsection (a)(1). (d) Grant proposals (1) In general A public or private nonprofit entity seeking the award of a grant under this section shall submit an application therefor to the Secretary in such form and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (2) Application contents Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A plan to coordinate activities under the program, to the extent possible, with the Federal, State, and local providers of services for veterans to enhance the following: (i) Awareness by veterans of benefits and health care services provided by the Department. (ii) Outreach efforts to increase the use by veterans of services provided by the Department. (iii) Educational efforts to inform veterans of the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. (B) A statement of understanding from the entity submitting the application that, if selected, such entity will be required to report to the Secretary periodically on standardized data and other performance data necessary to evaluate individual outcomes and to facilitate evaluations among entities participating in the program. (C) Other requirements that the Secretary may prescribe. (e) Grant uses (1) In general A public or private nonprofit entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the award for purposes prescribed by the Secretary. (2) Eligible veterans and family In carrying out the purposes prescribed by the Secretary in paragraph (1), a public or private nonprofit entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the award to furnish services only to individuals specified in section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code. (f) Reports (1) Periodic reports (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the commencement of the program, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program. (B) Report elements Each report required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program during the 180-day period preceding the report. (ii) An assessment of the benefits of the program to veterans and their family members during the 180-day period preceding the report. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the end of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the recommendations of the Secretary as to the advisability of continuing or expanding the program. (g) Wellness defined In this section, the term wellness has the meaning given that term in regulations prescribed by the Secretary. IV Accountability and Administrative Improvements 401. Administration of Veterans Integrated Service Networks (a) Veterans Integrated Service Networks (1) In general Subchapter I of chapter 73 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 7310. Veterans Integrated Service Networks (a) Organization (1) The Secretary shall organize the Veterans Health Administration in geographically defined Veterans Integrated Service Networks. (2) Each Veterans Integrated Service Network shall be organized in consideration of the following: (A) The size of the veteran population of the region of the network. (B) The complexity of the medical needs of the veterans in such region. (C) Patient referral patterns. (D) The availability of a full continuum of health care services. (E) The ability of the Department to furnish health care efficiently. (F) Partnerships with non-Department health care entities. (b) Staffing model (1) The Secretary shall establish a staffing model for each Veterans Integrated Service Network that— (A) is appropriate for the mission and responsibilities of the Veterans Integrated Service Network; and (B) accounts for the specific health care needs of differing populations in the Veterans Integrated Service Network. (2) The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network complies with the staffing model established by the Secretary under paragraph (1) for such Veterans Integrated Service Network. (c) Integrated health care system The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network maintains a regional integrated healthcare system by— (1) implementing alliances with such other governmental, public, and private health care organizations and practitioners as the Secretary considers appropriate to meet the needs of veterans in the Network; (2) providing oversight and management of, and taking responsibility for, a regional budget for the activities of the Veterans Health Administration in the geographic area of the Network that is— (A) aligned with the budget guidelines of the Department and the Veterans Health Administration; (B) balanced at the end of each fiscal year; and (C) sufficient to provide high-quality health care to veterans within the region and to meet any unique needs of the veterans of the region; (3) using national metrics to develop systems to provide effective, efficient, and safe delivery of health care; and (4) ensuring high-quality clinical programs and services are rendered in and through— (A) the medical centers and outpatient clinics of the Department that are located in the Network; and (B) other non-Department clinical or health care delivery settings located in the Network. (d) Reduction in duplicate functions The Secretary shall ensure that the Veterans Integrated Service Networks identify and reduce, whenever practicable, the duplication of functions in clinical, administrative, and operational processes and practices of the Veterans Health Administration. (e) Collaboration and cooperation The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network— (1) works to achieve maximum effectiveness in patient care and safety, graduate medical education, and research; and (2) assesses the consolidation or realignment of institutional functions, including capital asset, safety, and operational support functions, in collaboration and cooperation with other Veterans Integrated Service Networks and the following offices or entities within the geographical area of the Network: (A) The offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Administration. (B) The offices, installations, and facilities of the Department of Defense, including the offices, installations, and facilities of each branch of the Armed Forces and the reserve components of the Armed Forces. (C) The offices, installations, and facilities of the Coast Guard. (D) Offices of State and local agencies that have a mission to provide assistance to veterans. (E) Medical schools and other affiliates. (F) Offices of Congress, offices of State and local elected officials, and other government offices. (G) Federal, State, and local emergency preparedness organizations. (H) Community and nonprofit organizations. (I) Such other entities of the Federal Government as the Secretary considers appropriate. (f) Headquarters (1) The Secretary shall ensure that each Veterans Integrated Service Network has only one headquarters office. (2) The location of a headquarters office for a Veterans Integrated Service Network shall be determined by the Secretary and co-located with a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center. (3) (A) The Secretary may employ or contract for the services of such full time equivalent employees and contractors at the headquarters of each Veterans Integrated Service Network as the Secretary considers appropriate in accordance with the staffing models established under subsection (b). (B) Not later than December 31 each year, 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 employment at the headquarters of Veterans Integrated Service Networks during the most recently completed fiscal year. (C) Each report submitted under subparagraph (B) shall include the following for the year covered by the report: (i) The number of individuals employed at each headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network. (ii) The number of individuals employed by the Veterans Health Administration in each Veterans Integrated Service Network who are not employed at the same location as the headquarters of the Network. (iii) The title for each position of employment at a headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network. (iv) The title for each position of employment with the Veterans Health Administration in each Veterans Integrated Service Network that is not at the same location as the headquarters of the Network. (v) An assessment of the impact on the budget of the Department by the employment of individuals at the headquarters of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks. (g) Triennial structure review, reassessment, and report (1) Beginning three years after the date of the enactment of this section and not less frequently than once every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a review and assessment of the structure and operations of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks in order to identify recommendations— (A) for streamlining and reducing costs associated with the operation of each headquarters of a Veterans Integrated Service Network; and (B) for reducing costs of health care within the Veterans Health Administration. (2) Not later than 180 days after conducting a review and assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee of Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on such review and assessment, which shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to improve the Veterans Integrated Service Networks. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7309 the following new item: 7310. Veterans Integrated Service Networks. . (b) Relocation of headquarters (1) In general In the case of a headquarters office of a Veterans Integrated Service Network that on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act was in a location that was not co-located with a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center and the Secretary is engaged in a lease for such location, the Secretary may— (A) relocate such headquarters upon the expiration of such lease so that such headquarters is co-located as required by section 7310(f)(2) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)(1)); or (B) notwithstanding such section 7310(f)(2) (as so added), renew such lease or enter into a new lease to keep such headquarters in such location. (2) Report If the Secretary renews a lease or engages in a new lease under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, before renewing such lease or engaging in such lease, a report describing the reasons for such renewal or engagement. Such report shall include the following: (A) A list of Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers in the Veterans Integrated Service Network of the headquarters with underutilized buildings, the number of such buildings, and the total underutilized square footage for each such medical center. (B) The cost of the current lease (the annual amount of rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and the total cost per square foot) and the current square footage being leased. (C) The cost of the new lease (the annual amount of rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and the total cost per square foot) and the square footage to be leased. (c) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any change in the location or type of medical care or service provided by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, a Department community based outpatient clinic, a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (known as a vet center ), or other facility that provides direct care or services under a law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (d) Effective date This section, and the amendments made by this section, shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 402. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service Networks (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 73, as amended by section 401(a)(1) of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: 7310A. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service Networks (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish not more than four regional support centers within the Veterans Health Administration to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks. The head of each regional support center shall report to the Under Secretary of Health. (b) Functions The functions of the regional support centers established under subsection (a) are as follows: (1) To assess the quality of work performed within finance operations and other compliance related activities of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks. (2) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts outreach to veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, or any other contingency operation (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10). (3) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts programs for the benefit of women veterans. (4) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network conducts programs that address homelessness among veterans. (5) To assess how effectively and efficiently each Veterans Integrated Service Network consumes energy. (6) To assess such other matters concerning the operations and activities of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Staff The Secretary may hire such employees and contractors as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the functions of the regional support centers. (d) Location of regional support centers (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the location of each regional support center established under subsection (a) shall be determined by the Secretary and co-located with a medical center of the Department. (2) The Secretary may choose a location for a regional support center established under subsection (a) that is not co-located with a medical center of the Department if the Secretary submits to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, before entering into a contract for a location that is not co-located with a medical center, a report describing the reasons for choosing a location for the regional support center that is not co-located with a medical center of the Department. Such report shall include the following: (A) A list of medical centers of the Department in the Veterans Integrated Service Network of the regional support center with underutilized buildings, the number of all Veterans Health Administration buildings in such Network, and the total underutilized square footage for each medical center of the Department in such Network. (B) The estimated cost of such lease (the annual amount of rent, the total cost over the life of the lease, and the total cost per square foot) and the square footage to be leased. . (b) Initial staffing In providing for the initial staff of each regional support center established under section 7310A(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the degree practicable, transfer employees from headquarters of Veterans Integrated Service Networks to regional support centers who were employed in positions at such headquarters that covered functions similar to those described in section 7310A(b) of such title, as so added. (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73, as amended by section 401(a)(2) of this Act, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7310 the following new item: 7310A. Regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service Networks. . (d) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any change in the location or type of medical care or service provided by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, a Department community based outpatient clinic, a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (known as a vet center ), or other facility that provides direct care or services under a law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (e) Effective date This section, and the amendments made by this section, shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 403. Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities (a) Establishment of commission (1) Establishment There is established the Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities (in this section referred to as the Commission ). (2) Membership (A) Voting members The Commission shall, subject to subparagraph (B), be composed of 10 voting members as follows: (i) 1 shall be appointed by the President. (ii) 1 shall be appointed by the Administrator of General Services. (iii) 3 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of whom— (I) 1 shall be an employee of the Veterans Health Administration; (II) 1 shall be an employee of the Office of Asset Enterprise Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (III) 1 shall be an employee of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (iv) 1 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense from among employees of the Army Corps of Engineers. (v) 1 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. (vi) 1 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (vii) 1 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (viii) 1 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (B) Requirement relating to certain appointments of voting members Of the members appointed pursuant to clause (i), (ii), and (iv) through (viii) of subparagraph (A), all shall have expertise in capital leasing, construction, or health facility management planning. (C) Non-voting members The Commission shall be assisted by 10 non-voting members, appointed by the vote of a majority of members of the Commission under subparagraph (A), of whom— (i) 6 shall be representatives of veterans service organizations recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (ii) 4 shall be individuals from outside the Department of Veterans Affairs with experience and expertise in matters relating to management, construction, and leasing of capital assets. (D) Date of appointment of voting members The appointments of the members of the Commission under subparagraph (A) shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (3) Period of appointment; vacancies Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (4) Initial meeting Not later than 15 days after the date on which 7 members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting. (5) Meetings The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair. (6) Quorum A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings. (7) Chair and vice chair The Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. (b) Duties of commission (1) In general The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of various options for capital planning for Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, including an evaluation and assessment of the mechanisms by which the Department currently selects means for the delivery of health care, whether by major construction, major medical facility leases, sharing agreements with the Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, and Federally Qualified Health Clinics under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254b ), contract care, multisite care, telemedicine, extended hours for care, or other means. (2) Context of evaluation and assessment In undertaking the evaluation and assessment, the Commission shall consider— (A) the importance of access to health care through the Department, including associated guidelines of the Department on access to, and drive time for, health care; (B) limitations and requirements applicable to the construction and leasing of medical facilities for the Department, including applicable laws, regulations, and costs as determined by both the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget; (C) the nature of capital planning for Department medical facilities in an era of fiscal uncertainty; (D) projected future fluctuations in the population of veterans; and (E) the extent to which the Department was able to meet the mandates of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Commission. (3) Particular considerations In undertaking the evaluation and assessment, the Commission shall address, in particular, the following: (A) The Major Medical Facility Lease Program of the Department, including an identification of potential improvements to the lease authorization processes under that Program. (B) The management processes of the Department for its Major Medical Facility Construction Program, including processes relating to contract award and management, project management, and processing of change orders. (C) The overall capital planning program of the Department for medical facilities, including an evaluation and assessment of— (i) the manner in which the Department determines whether to use capital or non-capital means to expand access to health care; (ii) the manner in which the Department determines the disposition of under-utilized and un-utilized buildings on campuses of Department medical centers, and any barriers to disposition; (iii) the effectiveness of the facility master planning initiative of the Department; and (iv) the extent to which sustainable attributes are planned for to decrease operating costs for Department medical facilities. (D) The current backlog of construction projects for Department medical facilities, including an identification of the most effective means to quickly secure the most critical repairs required, including repairs relating to facility condition deficiencies, structural safety, and compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. (4) Reports Subject to paragraph (5), the Commission shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to the Committee Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, reports as follows: (A) Not later than six months after its initial meeting under subsection (a)(4), a report on the Major Medical Facility Lease Program and the Congressional lease authorization process. (B) Not later than one year after its initial meeting, a report— (i) on the management processes of the Department for the construction of Department medical facilities; and (ii) setting forth an update of any matters covered in the report under subparagraph (A). (C) Not later than 18 months after its initial meeting, a report— (i) on the overall capital planning program of the Department for medical facilities; and (ii) setting forth an update of any matters covered in earlier reports under this paragraph. (D) Not later than two years after its initial meeting, a report— (i) on the current backlog of construction projects for Department medical facilities; (ii) setting forth an update of any matters covered in earlier reports under this paragraph; and (iii) including such other matters relating to the duties of the Commission that the Commission considers appropriate. (E) Not later than 27 months after its initial meeting, a report on the implementation by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to subsection (g) of the recommendations included pursuant to paragraph (5) in the reports under this paragraph. (5) Recommendations Each report under paragraph (4) shall include, for the aspect of the capital asset planning process of the Department covered by such report, such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate for the improvement and enhancement of such aspect of the capital asset planning process. (c) Powers of commission (1) Hearings The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this section. (2) Information from Federal agencies The Commission may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out this section. Upon request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission. (d) Commission personnel matters (1) Compensation of members Each member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States. (2) Travel expenses The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission. (3) Staff (A) In general The Chair of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission. (B) Compensation The Chair of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title. (4) Detail of government employees Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. (5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services The Chair of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title. (e) Termination of commission The Commission shall terminate 60 days after the date on which the Commission submits its report under subsection (b)(4)(E). (f) Funding The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to the Commission such amounts as the Secretary and the Chair of the Commission jointly consider appropriate for the Commission to perform its duties under this section. (g) Action on recommendations (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement each recommendation included in a report under subsection (b)(4) that the Secretary considers feasible and advisable and can be implemented without further legislative action. (2) Reports Not later than 120 days after receipt of a report under subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (b)(4), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report setting forth the following: (A) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of each recommendation contained in such report. (B) For each recommendation assessed as feasible and advisable— (i) if such recommendation does not require further legislative action for implementation, a description of the actions taken, and to be taken, by the Secretary to implement such recommendation; and (ii) if such recommendation requires further legislative action for implementation, recommendations for such legislative action. 404. Public access to Department of Veterans Affairs research and data sharing between Departments (a) Establishment of Internet website The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available on an Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs available to the public the following: (1) Data files that contain information on research of the Department. (2) A data dictionary on each data file. (3) Instructions for how to obtain access to each data file for use in research. (b) Public access to manuscripts on Department funded research (1) In general Beginning not later than 540 days after the effective date specified in subsection (e), the Secretary shall require, as a condition on the use of any data gathered or formulated from research funded by the Department, that any final, peer-reviewed manuscript prepared for publication that uses such data be submitted to the Secretary for deposit in the digital archive under paragraph (2) and publication under paragraph (3). (2) Digital archive Not later than 540 days after the effective date specified in subsection (e), the Secretary shall— (A) establish a digital archive consisting of manuscripts described in paragraph (1); or (B) partner with another executive agency to compile such manuscripts in a digital archive. (3) Public availability (A) Availability of archive The Secretary shall ensure that the digital archive under paragraph (2) and the contents of such archive are available to the public via a publicly accessible Internet website at no cost to the public. (B) Availability of manuscripts The Secretary shall ensure that each manuscript submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (1) is available to the public under subparagraph (A) not later than one year after the official date on which the manuscript is otherwise published. (4) Consistent with copyright law The Secretary shall carry out this subsection in a manner consistent with applicable copyright law. (5) Annual report (A) In general Not later than one year after the date the Secretary begins making manuscripts available to the public under this subsection and not less frequently than once each year 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 implementation of this subsection during the most recent one-year period. (B) Contents Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include for the period of the report: (i) The number of manuscripts submitted under paragraph (1). (ii) The titles of such manuscripts. (iii) The authors of such manuscripts. (iv) For each such manuscript, the name and issue number or volume number, as the case may be, of the journal or other publication in which such manuscript was published. (c) Recommendations for data sharing between Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (e), the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee established by section 320(a) of title 38, United States Code, shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense options and recommendations for the establishment of a program for long-term cooperation and data sharing between and within the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to facilitate research on outcomes of military service, readjustment after combat deployment, and other topics of importance to the following: (1) Veterans. (2) Members of the Armed Forces. (3) Family members of veterans. (4) Family members of members of the Armed Forces. (5) Members of communities that have a significant population of veterans or members of the Armed Forces. (d) Executive agency defined In this section, the term executive agency has the meaning given that term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code. (e) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 405. Budget transparency for outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Chapter 63 is amended by inserting after section 6308 the following new section: 6309. Budget transparency (a) Budget requirements In the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department budget for a fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31), the Secretary shall include a separate statement of the amount requested for such fiscal year for activities of the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs as follows: (1) For outreach activities of the Department in aggregate. (2) For outreach activities of each element of the Department specified in subsection (b)(1). (b) Procedures for effective coordination and collaboration (1) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 , the Secretary shall establish and maintain procedures for the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure the effective coordination and collaboration of outreach activities of the Department between and among the following: (A) Office of the Secretary. (B) Veterans Health Administration. (C) Veterans Benefits Administration. (D) National Cemetery Administration. (2) The Secretary shall— (A) beginning after the date on which the Secretary establishes procedures under paragraph (1), not less frequently than once every two years conduct a review of the procedures established and maintained under paragraph (1) to ensure that such procedures meet the requirements of such paragraph; (B) make such modifications to such procedures as the Secretary considers appropriate based upon reviews conducted under subparagraph (A) in order to better meet such requirements; and (C) not later than 45 days after completing a review under subparagraph (A), submit to Congress a report on the findings of such review. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 6308 the following new item: 6309. Budget transparency. . 406. Comptroller general report on advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (c), the Comptroller General 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 advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Contents The report required by subsection (a)— (1) shall include— (A) recommendations or proposals for continuing, modifying, or terminating certain advisory committees, including noting areas of overlap and duplication among the advisory committees; and (B) such other information as the Comptroller General considers appropriate; and (2) may include— (A) a description of each advisory committee, including with respect to each committee— (i) the purpose of the committee; (ii) the commencement date of the committee; and (iii) the anticipated termination date of the committee; (B) a summary of the anticipated expenses and the actual expenses incurred for each advisory committee during the most recent three fiscal years ending before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (C) with respect to meetings held by each advisory committee— (i) the frequency with which each committee has met during the shorter of— (I) the most recent three fiscal years ending before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (II) the life of the committee; (ii) the date of the most recent meeting held by the committee before such date of enactment; and (iii) the date of the most recent report or other written product developed by the committee before such date of enactment. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. V Improvement of Processing of Claims for Compensation A Claims Based on Military Sexual Trauma 501. Medical examination and opinion for disability compensation claims based on military sexual trauma (a) In general Section 5103A(d) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) (A) In the case of a claim for disability compensation based on a mental health condition related to military sexual trauma, the Secretary shall treat an examination or opinion as being necessary to make a decision on a claim for purposes of paragraph (1) if the evidence of record before the Secretary, taking into consideration all information and lay or medical evidence (including statements of the claimant)— (i) (I) contains competent evidence that the claimant has a current disability, or persistent or recurrent symptoms of disability; and (II) indicates that the disability or symptoms may be associated with the claimant’s active military, naval, or air service; but (ii) does not contain a diagnosis or opinion by a mental health professional that may assist in corroborating the occurrence of a military sexual trauma stressor related to a diagnosable mental health condition. (B) In this paragraph, the term military sexual trauma shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this paragraph, and shall include sexual harassment (as so specified). . (b) Report Not later than 18 months 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 on the number of examinations and opinions conducted by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (3) of section 5103A(d) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), including the following: (1) The number of examinations conducted using a standardized disability assessment. (2) The number of examinations conducted using a non-standardized clinical interview. 502. Case representative officers for military sexual trauma support (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assign to each individual seeking compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary based on military sexual trauma a case representative officer who shall provide advice and general information to such individual on the claims process for such compensation. Each case representative officer so assigned shall be assigned from among current personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Liaison A case representative officer assigned to an individual under subsection (a) shall be responsible for serving as a liaison between the individual, an authorized agent or attorney of the individual under section 5904 of title 38, United States Code, or an otherwise accredited representative of the individual, and the Department of Veterans Affairs on matters relating to the claim of the individual for compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary. (c) Case representative officer requirements (1) Competence and knowledge Each case representative officer assigned under subsection (a) shall be competent and knowledgeable about the following: (A) The claims adjudication process and applicable laws, regulations, and other authority applicable to the adjudication of disability claims based on military sexual trauma. (B) Such other services to victims of sexual trauma as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Limitation on number of individuals to which assigned A case representative officer may not be assigned to more individuals described in subsection (a) than, as determined by the Secretary, is appropriate for the provision of individual case management assistance by such officer. (d) Information on benefits and programs relating to military sexual trauma (1) In general The Secretary shall make available to the public information on the availability of case representative officers under subsection (a) to assist in the application for benefits based on military sexual trauma. The Secretary shall revise and update the information so made available in order to ensure that the information is as current as possible. (2) Individuals separating from military service The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, ensure that individuals who are being separated from the active military, naval, or air service are provided appropriate information about programs, requirements, and procedures for applying for benefits based on military sexual trauma and the availability of case representative officers under subsection (a). (e) Information on training for agents and representatives of individuals assigned case representative officer The Secretary shall make available to the authorized agent or attorney of an individual assigned a case representative under subsection (a), or to the otherwise accredited representative of the individual, any relevant materials used to train such case representative officer for the duties of such position. (f) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans consideration of mechanisms To enhance coordination between VBA and VHA on benefits for military sexual trauma The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established under section 542 of title 38, United States Code, shall undertake actions to identify mechanisms to enhance coordination between the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration in the provision of benefits based on military sexual trauma, including the identification of barriers to the appropriate provision of benefits for military sexual trauma by such Administrations and of means of eliminating or reducing such barriers. (g) Annual reports Not less frequently than annually, 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 setting forth the following: (1) A certification whether or not the case representative officers assigned under subsection (a) during the preceding year met the requirements specified in subsection (c). (2) A description of the current training the Secretary provides to employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration on claims for benefits based on military sexual trauma, including the frequency, length, and content of such training. (3) A description of current policies and procedures on the training the Secretary provides to case representative officers, including the current position descriptions for case representative officers. (4) A description of current efforts to coordinate activities and assistance provided to individuals who seek care or benefits for military sexual trauma between the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration, including the efforts of the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans under subsection (f). (h) Sunset (1) In general No case representative officer may be assigned under subsection (a) after December 31, 2018. (2) Continuation of duties after sunset date Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to prohibit any case representative officer assigned to an individual before the date specified in that paragraph from performing duties pursuant to this section after that date with respect to a claim for which that case representative officer was assigned to such individual before that date. (i) Definitions In this section: (1) Active military, naval, or air service The term active military, naval, or air service has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2) Military sexual trauma The term military sexual trauma shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section, and shall include sexual harassment (as so specified). 503. Report on standard of proof for service-connection of mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma (a) In general Not later than 90 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 on the current standard of proof for service-connection under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for covered mental health conditions based on military sexual trauma. (b) Recommendations The Secretary shall include in the report under subsection (a) any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate to improve the adjudication of claims for compensation based on military sexual trauma, including— (1) recommendations for an appropriate standard of proof for such claims if the Secretary considers such recommendations advisable; and (2) recommendations for legislative action, if necessary, to carry out such improvement. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Active military, naval, or air service The term active military, naval, or air service has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2) Covered mental health condition The term covered mental health condition means post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or other mental health diagnosis that the Secretary determines to be related to military sexual trauma. (3) Military sexual trauma The term military sexual trauma shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section, and shall include sexual harassment (as so specified). 504. Reports on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma (a) Reports Not later than December 1, 2014, and each year thereafter through 2018, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the covered claims submitted to the Secretary during the previous fiscal year. (b) Elements Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) The number of covered claims submitted to or considered by the Secretary during the fiscal year covered by the report. (2) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1), the number and percentage of such claims— (A) submitted by each gender; (B) that were approved, including the number and percentage of such approved claims submitted by each gender; and (C) that were denied, including the number and percentage of such denied claims submitted by each gender. (3) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were approved, the number and percentage, listed by each gender, of claims assigned to each rating percentage of disability. (4) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were denied— (A) the three most common reasons given by the Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, for such denials; and (B) the number of denials that were based on the failure of a veteran to report for a medical examination. (5) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were resubmitted to the Secretary after denial in a previous adjudication— (A) the number of such claims submitted to or considered by the Secretary during the fiscal year covered by the report; (B) the number and percentage of such claims— (i) submitted by each gender; (ii) that were approved, including the number and percentage of such approved claims submitted by each gender; and (iii) that were denied, including the number and percentage of such denied claims submitted by each gender; (C) the number and percentage, listed by each gender, of claims assigned to each rating percentage of disability; and (D) of such claims that were again denied— (i) the three most common reasons given by the Secretary under section 5104(b)(1) of such title for such denials; and (ii) the number of denials that were based on the failure of a veteran to report for a medical examination. (6) The number of covered claims that, as of the end of the fiscal year covered by the report, are pending and, separately, the number of such claims on appeal. (7) For the fiscal year covered by the report, the average number of days that covered claims take to complete beginning on the date on which the claim is submitted. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Active military, naval, or air service The term active military, naval, or air service has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (2) Covered claims The term covered claims means claims for disability compensation submitted to the Secretary based on post traumatic stress disorder alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma. (3) Military sexual trauma The term military sexual trauma shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section, and shall include sexual harassment (as so specified). B Agency of Original Jurisdiction 511. Working group to improve employee work credit and work management systems of Veterans Benefits Administration in an electronic environment (a) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a working group to assess and develop recommendations for the improvement of the employee work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration in an electronic environment. (b) Composition The working group shall be composed of the following: (1) The Secretary or the Secretary's designee. (2) Individuals selected by the Secretary from among employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who handle claims for compensation and pension benefits and are recommended to the Secretary by a labor organization for purposes of this section, including at least one of each of the following individuals: (A) A veterans service representative. (B) A rating veterans service representative. (C) A decision review officer. (3) Not fewer than three individuals selected by the Secretary to represent different organizations recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. (4) Individuals selected by the Secretary— (A) that are not employees of the Department; and (B) that are experts in work credit and work management systems. (c) Duties The duties of the working group are to assess and develop recommendations for the following: (1) The improvement of the employee work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration in an electronic environment. (2) A scientific, data based methodology to be used in revising the employee work credit system of the Department to improve the quality and quantity of work produced by employees of the Department. (3) The improvement of the resource allocation model of the Veterans Benefits Administration, with a focus on the processing of claims in an electronic environment. (4) A schedule by which the revisions referred to in paragraph (2) will be implemented by the Department. (d) Review and incorporation of findings from prior study In carrying out its duties under subsection (c), the working group shall review the findings and conclusions of previous studies of the employee work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration. (e) Role of the Secretary The Secretary shall consider the recommendations of the working group and implement such recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate. (f) Reports (1) Interim report Not later than 180 days after the date of the establishment of the working group, the working group shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the working group. (2) Final report Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of the working group, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the methodology described in subsection (c)(2) and the schedule described in subsection (c)(4) that the Secretary has decided to implement pursuant to subsection (e). (g) Implementation of methodology and schedule After submitting the report under subsection (f), the Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to apply the methodology described in subsection (c)(2) and the schedule described in subsection (c)(4) that the Secretary has decided to implement pursuant to subsection (e). 512. Task force on retention and training of Department of Veterans Affairs claims processors and adjudicators (a) Establishment The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a task force to assess retention and training of claims processors and adjudicators that are employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other departments and agencies of the Federal Government. (b) Composition The task force shall be composed of the following: (1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs or designee. (2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management or designee. (3) The Commissioner of Social Security or designee. (4) An individual selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs who represents an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. (5) Such other individuals selected by the Secretary who represent such other organizations and institutions as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Duration The task force established under subsection (a) shall terminate not later than two years after the date on which the task force is established under such subsection. (d) Duties The duties of the task force are as follows: (1) To identify key skills required by claims processors and adjudicators to perform the duties of claims processors and adjudicators in the various claims processing and adjudication positions throughout the Federal Government. (2) To identify reasons for employee attrition from claims processing positions. (3) To coordinate with educational institutions to develop training and programs of education for members of the Armed Forces to prepare such members for employment in claims processing and adjudication positions in the Federal Government. (4) To identify and coordinate offices of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs located throughout the United States to provide information about, and promotion of, available claims processing positions to members of the Armed Forces transitioning to civilian life and to veterans with disabilities. (5) To establish performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the task force. (6) Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of the task force, to develop a Government-wide strategic and operational plan for promoting employment of veterans in claims processing positions in the Federal Government. (7) To establish performance measures to assess the plan developed under paragraph (6), to assess the implementation of such plan, and to revise such plan as the task force considers appropriate. (e) Reports (1) Submittal of plan Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of the task force, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the plan developed by the task force under subsection (d)(6). (2) Assessment of implementation Not later than 120 days after the termination of the task force, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that assesses the implementation of the plan developed by the task force under subsection (d)(6). 513. Reports on requests by the Department of Veterans Affairs for records of other Federal agencies (a) Reports required Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter through the date that is 910 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 on the attempts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain records necessary to adjudicate claims for benefits from another department or agency of the Federal Government during the 180-day period ending on the date of such report. (b) Elements (1) In general Each report shall set forth the following: (A) For the period covered by such report, the following: (i) The total number of requests made by the Department. (ii) The types of records requested. (iii) The number of requests made before the receipt of each record. (iv) The amount of time between the initial request for each record and the receipt of each record. (v) The number of occurrences of the receipt of a record after the adjudication of the claim for which the record was sought. (vi) A description of the efforts of the Secretary to expedite the delivery of records to the Department from other departments and agencies of the Federal Government. (B) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of such report. (2) Presentation The information in a report under clause (i) through (v) of paragraph (1)(A) shall be set forth separately for each department and agency of the Federal Government covered by such report. 514. Recognition of representatives of Indian tribes in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 5902(a)(1) is amended by inserting , including Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)) after as the Secretary may approve . 515. Program on participation of local and tribal governments in improving quality of claims for disability compensation submitted to Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Program required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of entering into memoranda of understanding with local governments and tribal organizations— (1) to improve the quality of claims submitted to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, and pension under chapter 15 of such title; and (2) to provide assistance to veterans who may be eligible for such compensation or pension in submitting such claims. (b) Minimum number of participating tribal organizations In carrying out the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall enter into, or maintain existing, memoranda of understanding with at least— (1) two tribal organizations; and (2) 10 State or local governments. (c) Duration The program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program. (d) Report (1) Initial report Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the program, 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 that includes the following: (A) A description of the implementation and operation of the program, including a description of outreach conducted by the Secretary to tribal organizations and State and local governments. (B) An evaluation of the program, including the total number of memoranda of understanding entered into or maintained by the Secretary. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the termination of the program, 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 that includes the following: (A) A description of the implementation and operation of the program, including a description of outreach conducted by the Secretary to tribal organizations and State and local governments. (B) An evaluation of the program, including the total number of memoranda of understanding entered into or maintained by the Secretary. (C) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program. (D) Such recommendations for continuation or expansion of the program as the Secretary considers appropriate. (e) Tribal organization defined In this section, the term tribal organization has the meaning given that term in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code. 516. Quarterly reports on progress of Department of Veterans Affairs in eliminating backlog of claims for compensation that have not been adjudicated (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than quarterly thereafter through calendar year 2015, 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 on the backlog of claims filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation that have not been adjudicated by the Department. (b) Contents Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) For each month through calendar year 2015, a projection of the following: (A) The number of claims completed. (B) The number of claims received. (C) The number of claims on backlog at the end of the month. (D) The number of claims pending at the end of the month. (E) The number of appeals pending at the end of the month. (F) A description of the status of the implementation of initiatives carried out by the Secretary to address the backlog, including the expected impact of those initiatives on accuracy and timeliness of adjudication of claims. (2) For each quarter through calendar year 2015, a projection of the average accuracy of disability determinations for compensation claims that require a disability rating (or disability decision). (3) For each month during the most recently completed quarter, the following: (A) The number of claims completed. (B) The number of claims received. (C) The number of claims on backlog at the end of the month. (D) The number of claims pending at the end of the month. (E) The number of appeals pending at the end of the month. (F) A description of the status of the implementation of initiatives carried out by the Secretary to address the backlog, including the impact of those initiatives on accuracy and timeliness of adjudication of claims. (G) An assessment of the accuracy of disability determinations for compensation claims that require a disability rating (or disability decision). (4) For the most recently completed quarter— (A) the number of cases physically received at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and docketed; (B) the number of cases pending at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals at the end of the quarter; (C) the number of cases physically at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals at the end of the quarter; (D) the number of notices of disagreement and appeals filed to the agency of original jurisdiction referred to in section 7105(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code; and (E) the number of decisions made by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the percentage of such decisions that were allowed, remanded, denied, or otherwise disposed of. (c) Availability to public The Secretary shall make each report submitted under subsection (a) available to the public. (d) On backlog and pending defined In this section, the terms on backlog and pending , with respect to a claim for compensation received by the Secretary, shall have the meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section. 517. Reports on use of existing authorities to expedite benefits decisions (a) Report on current use of temporary, intermediate, and provisional rating decisions (1) Report required 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 on the use of temporary, intermediate, and provisional rating decisions to expedite the benefits decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Report elements The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) With respect to temporary and intermediate rating decisions, the following: (i) The number of temporary and intermediate rating decisions issued by the Department during each of fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013. (ii) A description of any reasons or obstacles that prevent use of existing authorities to issue temporary or intermediate rating decisions. (iii) A description of the Quick Pay Disability initiative, including the rationale for not expanding the initiative beyond pilot program status. (B) With respect to provisional rating decisions, the following: (i) The number of provisional rating decisions issued by the Department during the oldest claims first initiative. (ii) Of the provisional rating decisions issued during the oldest claims first initiative— (I) the number of such decisions that involved a claim granted; (II) the number of such decisions that involved a claim denied; and (III) the number of such decisions that involved a claim granted in part or a claim denied in part. (iii) A statement of the most common reasons claims were not granted earlier under the oldest claims first initiative when there was sufficient evidence to render an award of benefits in the provisional rating decision. (iv) The average number of days to issue a provisional rating decision under the oldest claims first initiative. (v) Of the total number of decisions that were completed under the oldest claims first initiative— (I) the number that were Category 1 claims and received a final rating decision; and (II) the number that were Category 2 claims and received a provisional rating decision. (vi) The number of rating decisions issued during the oldest claims first imitative that involved a brokered claim, set forth by number of such claims by Regional Office of the Department, including— (I) the number of brokered claims received by each Regional Office; and (II) the number of brokered claims issued by each Regional Office. (vii) The number of provisional rating decisions issued during the oldest claims first initiative with respect to which the veteran requested that the provisional decision become final in order to appeal. (viii) The number of provisional rating decisions issued during the oldest claims first initiative with respect to which the veteran requested an appeal after the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date of notification of the provisional rating decision. (ix) An assessment of the accuracy of provisional rating decisions issued during the oldest claims first initiative, set forth by Category 1 claims and Category 2 claims. (C) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the report. (3) Supplemental information If the Secretary continues to obtain information on rating decisions under clauses (vii) and (viii) of paragraph (2)(B) after the date of the submittal of the report required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the committees of Congress referred to in paragraph (1) a report on such information that supplements the information on such clauses in the report under paragraph (1) when the Secretary completes accumulation of such information. (b) Plan for increase in use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions (1) Report on plan required Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 setting forth a plan to increase the use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions to expedite benefit decisions of the Department when the record contains sufficient evidence to grant any claim at issue, including service connection. (2) Plan elements The plan required under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) Mechanisms to overcome obstacles to the use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions, including mechanisms (such as upgrades) to assure the ability of the Veterans Benefits Management System to facilitate the issuance of temporary or intermediate rating decisions. (B) Mechanisms to ensure that appropriate claimant populations, such as claimants who file complex or multi-issue disability compensation claims, benefit from the availability of temporary or intermediate rating decisions. (C) Mechanisms to provide for the use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions, including mechanisms to resolve whether a request by a claimant or claimant representative should trigger use of a temporary or intermediate rating decision depending on the circumstances of the claimant. (D) Mechanisms to prevent the use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions in lieu of a final rating decision when a final rating decision could be made with little or no additional claim development. (E) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to increase the use of temporary or intermediate rating decisions to expedite benefit decisions of the Department. 518. Reports on Department disability medical examinations and prevention of unnecessary medical examinations (a) Report on disability medical examinations furnished by Department of Veterans Affairs (1) In general 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 on the furnishing of general medical and specialty medical examinations by the Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of adjudicating claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Contents The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The number of general medical examinations furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. (B) The number of general medical examinations furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a claim in which a comprehensive joint examination was conducted, but for which no disability relating to a joint, bone, or muscle had been asserted as an issue in the claim. (C) The number of specialty medical examinations furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a claim. (D) The number of specialty medical examinations furnished by the Department during the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for purposes of adjudicating a claim in which one or more joint examinations were conducted. (E) A summary with citations to any medical and scientific studies that provide a basis for determining that three repetitions is adequate to determine the effect of repetitive use on functional impairments. (F) The names of all examination reports, including general medical examinations and Disability Benefits Questionnaires, used for evaluation of compensation and pension disability claims which require measurement of repeated ranges of motion testing and the number of examinations requiring such measurements which were conducted in fiscal year 2012. (G) The average amount of time taken by an individual conducting a medical examination to perform the three repetitions of movement of each joint. (H) A discussion of whether there are more efficient and effective scientifically reliable methods of testing for functional loss on repetitive use of an extremity other than the three time repetition currently used by the Department. (I) Recommendations as to the continuation of the practice of measuring functional impairment by using three repetitions of movement of each joint during the examination as a criteria for evaluating the effect of repetitive motion on functional impairment with supporting rationale. (b) Report and plan to prevent the ordering of unnecessary medical examinations (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 efforts of the Secretary in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations and other efforts to comply with the provisions of section 5125 of title 38, United States Code. (2) Contents The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) Criteria used by the Secretary to determine if a claim is eligible for the Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative. (B) The number of claims determined to be eligible for the Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative during the period beginning on the date of the initiation of the initiative and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, disaggregated— (i) by fiscal year; and (ii) by claims determined eligible based in whole or in part on medical evidence provided by a private health care provider. (C) The total number of claims determined to be eligible for the Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative that required an employee of the Department to supplement the evidence with information obtained during a telephone interview with a claimant or health care provider. (D) Information on any other initiatives or efforts, including disability benefits questionnaires, of the Department to further encourage the use of medical evidence provided by a private health care provider and reliance upon reports of a medical examination administered by a private physician if the report is sufficiently complete to be adequate for the purposes of adjudicating a claim. (E) A plan— (i) to measure, track, and prevent the ordering of unnecessary medical examinations when the provision by a claimant of a medical examination administered by a private physician in support of a claim for benefits under chapter 11 or 15 of title 38, United States Code, is adequate for the purpose of making a decision on that claim; and (ii) that includes the actions the Secretary will take to eliminate any request by the Department for a medical examination in the case of a claim for benefits under chapter 11 or 15 of such title in support of which a claimant submits medical evidence or a medical opinion provided by a private health care provider that is competent, credible, probative, and otherwise adequate for purposes of making a decision on that claim. C Board of Veterans' Appeals and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 521. Treatment of certain misfiled documents as a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Section 7266 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e) (1) If a person adversely affected by a final decision of the Board, who has not filed a notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims under subsection (a), misfiles a document with the Board or the agency of original jurisdiction referred to in section 7105(b)(1) of this title that expresses disagreement with such decision and a clear intent to seek review of such decision by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, not later than 120 days after the date of such decision, such document shall be treated as timely filed under subsection (a). (2) The treatment of misfiled documents under paragraph (1) does not limit equitable relief that may be otherwise available to a person described in that paragraph. . 522. Modification of filing period for notice of disagreement to initiate appellate review of decisions of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Filing of notice of disagreement by claimants (1) In general Paragraph (1) of section 7105(b) is amended— (A) by striking one year and inserting 180 days in the first sentence; and (B) by striking one-year and inserting 180-day in the third sentence. (2) Electronic filing Such paragraph is further amended by inserting or transmitted by electronic means after postmarked . (3) Good cause exception for untimely filing of notices of disagreement Such section 7105(b) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) A notice of disagreement not filed within the time prescribed by paragraph (1) shall be treated by the Secretary as timely filed if— (A) the Secretary determines that the claimant, legal guardian, or other accredited representative, attorney, or authorized agent filing the notice had good cause for the lack of filing within such time; and (B) the notice of disagreement is filed not later than 186 days after the expiration of the period prescribed by paragraph (1). . (b) Application by Department for review on appeal Section 7106 is amended in the first sentence by striking one-year period described in section 7105 and inserting period described in section 7105(b)(1) . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs filed with the Secretary after the date of the enactment of this Act. 523. Determination of manner of appearance for hearings before Board of Veterans' Appeals (a) In general Section 7107 is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking in subsection (f) and inserting in subsection (g) ; (2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and (3) by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the following new subsections: (d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a hearing before the Board shall be conducted through picture and voice transmission, by electronic or other means, in such a manner that the appellant is not present in the same location as the members of the Board during the hearing. (2) (A) A hearing before the Board shall be conducted in person upon the request of an appellant. (B) In the absence of a request under subparagraph (A), a hearing before the Board may also be conducted in person as the Board considers appropriate. (e) (1) In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be held as described in subsection (d)(1), the Secretary shall provide suitable facilities and equipment to the Board or other components of the Department to enable an appellant located at an appropriate facility within the area served by a regional office to participate as so described. (2) Any hearing conducted as described in subsection (d)(1) shall be conducted in the same manner as, and shall be considered the equivalent of, a personal hearing. (f) (1) In a case in which a hearing before the Board is to be held as described in subsection (d)(2), the appellant may request that the hearing be held at the principal location of the Board or at a facility of the Department located within the area served by a regional office of the Department. (2) A hearing to be held within an area served by a regional office of the Department shall (except as provided in paragraph (3)) be scheduled to be held in accordance with the place of the case on the docket under subsection (a) relative to other cases on the docket for which hearings are scheduled to be held within that area. (3) A hearing to be held within an area served by a regional office of the Department may, for cause shown, be advanced on motion for an earlier hearing. Any such motion shall set forth succinctly the grounds upon which the motion is based. Such a motion may be granted only— (A) if the case involves interpretation of law of general application affecting other claims; (B) if the appellant is seriously ill or is under severe financial hardship; or (C) for other sufficient cause shown. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to cases received by the Board of Veterans' Appeals pursuant to notices of disagreement submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. VI Outreach Matters 601. Program to increase coordination of outreach efforts between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Federal, State, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations (a) Program required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations— (1) to increase awareness of veterans regarding benefits and services for veterans; and (2) to improve coordination of outreach activities regarding such benefits and services between the Secretary and Federal, State, and local government and nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services for veterans. (b) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the program for a two-year period. (c) Grants (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out the program through the competitive award of grants to State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations— (A) to increase the awareness of veterans regarding benefits and services for veterans; and (B) to improve coordination of outreach activities regarding such benefits and services between the Secretary and Federal, State, and local government and nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services for veterans. (2) Application (A) In general A State or local government agency or nonprofit organization seeking a grant under the program shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor in such form and in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate. (B) Elements Each application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) A description of the consultations, if any, with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the development of any proposal under the application. (ii) A description of the project for which the applicant is seeking a grant under the program, including a plan to coordinate under the program, to the greatest extent possible, the outreach activities of Federal, State, and local government agencies that provide health care, benefits, and services for veterans and nonprofit organizations that provide such care, benefits, and services to enhance the awareness and availability of such care, benefits, and services. (iii) An agreement to report to the Secretary standardized data and other performance measures necessary for the Secretary to evaluate the program and to facilitate evaluation of projects for which grants are awarded under the program. (iv) Such other information as the Secretary may require. (3) Considerations (A) In general In awarding grants under the program to carry out projects, the Secretary shall consider— (i) where the projects will be carried out and which populations are targeted; and (ii) the likelihood that each potential grantee will successfully carry out the grant proposal. (B) Considerations regarding location and target population In taking the matters specified in subparagraph (A)(ii) into consideration, the Secretary shall consider in particular the advisability of awarding grants for projects— (i) carried out in areas with populations that have a high proportion of veteran representation; (ii) carried out in a variety of geographic areas, including urban, rural, and highly rural areas; and (iii) that target a variety of veteran populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and older populations. (4) Use of funds The Secretary shall establish appropriate uses of grant amounts received under the program. (5) Oversight of use of funds The Secretary shall establish appropriate mechanisms for oversight of the use of grant amounts received under the program, including the evidence grantees must submit to demonstrate use of grant amounts and procedures for the recovery of grant amounts that were improperly used. (6) Limitation In a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent of all grant amounts awarded in that fiscal year may be awarded to a single State entity. (d) State matching requirement The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under subsection (c) unless that State agrees that, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the program or projects for which the grant was awarded, the State will make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 50 percent of Federal funds provided under the grant. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section the following: (1) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2015. (2) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2016. (f) Annual report (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the completion of the first calendar year beginning after the date of the commencement of the program, and not less frequently than once every year thereafter for the duration of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the program and the projects supported by grants awarded under the program. (2) Elements The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program. (B) An assessment of the benefit to veterans of the program. (C) The performance measures used by the Secretary for purposes of the program and data showing the performance of grantees under the program under such measures. (D) The recommendations of the Secretary as to the feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding or modifying the program. (g) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 602. Cooperative agreements between Secretary of Veterans Affairs and States on outreach activities (a) In general Chapter 63 is amended by inserting after section 6306 the following new section: 6306A. Cooperative agreements with States (a) In general The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements and arrangements with various State agencies and State departments to carry out this chapter and to otherwise carry out, coordinate, improve, or enhance outreach activities of the Department and the States. (b) Report The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under section 6308 of this title a description of the agreements and arrangements entered into by the Secretary under subsection (a). . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 6306 the following new item: 6306A. Cooperative agreements with States. . 603. Advisory committee on outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish an advisory committee on outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Membership The advisory committee shall be composed of individuals selected by the Secretary from among the following: (1) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals who are eminent in their respective fields of public relations. (2) Representatives of organizations with offices that focus on communications and distribute messages through major media news outlets and social media. (3) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with experience communicating financial results and business strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image. (4) To the maximum extent practicable, individuals with experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating publicity for a particular product or service. (5) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have experience in press and public relations. (c) Duties The advisory committee shall advise the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs— (1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is strategically and effectively— (A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders to increase awareness nationally regarding all benefits and services furnished by the Department; (B) explaining new or changing policies of the Department; (C) improving the image and reputation of the Department; and (D) coordinating and collaborating with national community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State and local government agencies; (2) to assist the Secretary in conducting such other press or public relations activities relating to outreach activities of the Department as the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs consider appropriate; and (3) to ensure coordination and collaboration on efforts within the Department for the development, implementation, and review of local outreach with respect to benefits that include the following: (A) Compensation and pension benefits. (B) Insurance benefits. (C) Burial and memorial benefits. (D) Education benefits. (E) Vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. (F) Readjustment counseling benefits. (G) Loan guarantee benefits. (H) Such other benefits as the Secretary considers appropriate. (d) Location of meetings Each meeting of the advisory committee shall take place at a location that is property of the Department and shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use teleconference technology. (e) Consultation The Secretary shall consult with and seek the advice of the advisory committee not less frequently than quarterly on matters relating to the duties of the advisory committee under subsection (c). (f) Reports (1) In general Not less frequently than once every 90 days for the first year and semiannually thereafter, the advisory committee shall submit to Congress and to the Secretary a report on outreach activities of the Department. (2) Recommendations Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include such recommendations for legislative and administrative action as the advisory committee considers appropriate to improve the press and public relations of the Department relating to outreach. (g) Termination The advisory committee shall terminate on October 1, 2015, and the requirements and authorities under this section shall terminate on such date. (h) Outreach defined In this section, the term outreach has the meaning given the term in section 6301 of title 38, United States Code. 604. Advisory boards on outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs relating to health care (a) Establishment (1) In general For each entity described in paragraph (2), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, acting through the director of that entity, establish not later than 180 days after the effective date specified in subsection (h) an advisory board at that entity on matters relating to outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs at that entity. (2) Entity described An entity described in this paragraph is— (A) a healthcare system of the Department; or (B) a Veterans Integrated System Network, if such Veterans Integrated System Network does not contain a healthcare system. (b) Membership (1) In general Each advisory board established under subsection (a)(1) shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, composed of individuals selected by the Secretary from among the following: (A) Individuals who are eminent in their respective fields of public relations. (B) Representatives of organizations with offices that focus on communications and distribute messages through major media news outlets and social media. (C) Individuals with experience communicating financial results and business strategy for purposes of shaping a confident brand image. (D) Individuals with experience with consumer and lifestyle imaging and creating publicity for a particular product or service. (E) Employees of the Department who are involved in press and public relations strategy for an entity described in subsection (a)(2). (F) To the maximum extent practicable, veterans who have experience in press and public relations. (2) Voluntary participation The participation of an individual selected under paragraph (1) shall be at the election of the individual. (c) Duties Each advisory board established under subsection (a)(1) at an entity described in subsection (a)(2) shall advise the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs— (1) to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is strategically and effectively— (A) engaging the public and Department stakeholders to increase awareness nationally regarding benefits and services furnished by the Department; (B) explaining new or changing policies of the Department; (C) improving the image and reputation of the Department; (D) coordinating and collaborating with national community-based organizations, nonprofits, and State and local government agencies; and (E) coordinating and collaborating on efforts within the Department for the development, implementation, and review of local outreach with respect to benefits that include— (i) compensation and pension benefits; (ii) insurance benefits; (iii) burial and memorial benefits; (iv) education benefits; (v) vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits; (vi) readjustment counseling benefits; (vii) loan guarantee benefits; and (viii) such other benefits as the Secretary considers appropriate; and (2) to assist the director of that entity in conducting such other press or public relations activities relating to outreach activities of the Department as that advisory board considers appropriate. (d) Meeting location (1) In general If teleconference technology is not used, meetings of each advisory board established under subsection (a)(1) shall be held at a location that is property of the Department. (2) Teleconference technology Each advisory board shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, teleconference technology. (e) Consultation Each director of an entity described in subsection (a)(2) shall consult with and seek the advice of the advisory board established at such entity not less frequently than once every two months on matters relating to the duties of the advisory board under subsection (c). (f) Annual reports Not less frequently than each year, each advisory board established under subsection (a)(1) shall submit to the Secretary a report with such information as may be beneficial to the Secretary in preparing the reports required by section 6308 of title 38, United States Code. (g) Termination Each advisory board established under subsection (a)(1) and the authorities and requirements of this section shall terminate three years after the effective date specified in subsection (h). (h) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 605. Modification of requirement for periodic reports to Congress on outreach activities of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 6308 is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking even-numbered ; and (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking biennial ; (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting for legislative and administrative action after Recommendations ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Recommendations that such administrative actions as may be taken— (A) to maximize resources for outreach activities of the Department; and (B) to focus outreach efforts on activities that are proven to be more effective. . (b) Clerical amendments (1) Section heading The heading for section 6308 is amended by striking Biennial and inserting Annual . (2) Table of sections The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 is amended by striking the item relating to section 6308 and inserting the following new item: 6308. Annual report to Congress. . VII Employment and Related Matters A Employment Matters 701. Employment of veterans with the Federal Government (a) In general Section 4214 is amended— (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following: (4) (A) The requirement under this paragraph is in addition to the appointment of qualified covered veterans under the authority under paragraph (1) by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. (B) The head of each agency, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall develop a plan for exercising the authority specified in subparagraph (C) during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 . (C) The authority specified in this subparagraph is the authority as follows: (i) The authority under paragraph (1). (ii) The authority available to the agency concerned under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 ( Public Law 105–339 ) and the amendments made by that Act. (D) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall ensure that under the plans developed under subparagraph (B) agencies shall appoint to existing vacancies not fewer than 15,000 qualified covered veterans during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 . For purposes of complying with this subparagraph, an appointment pursuant to the authority referred to in subparagraph (C)(ii) shall not count toward the number required by this subparagraph unless the appointment is to a vacancy in a full-time, permanent position. ; (2) in subsection (d), in the third sentence, by inserting (including, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 , the development and implementation by each agency of the plan required under subsection (b)(4), which shall include information regarding the grade or pay level of appointments by the agency under the plan and whether the appointments are, or are converted to, career or career-conditional appointments) after subsection (b) of this section ; and (3) in subsection (e)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking to the Congress and inserting to the appropriate committees of Congress ; and (ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting (including, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 , the development and implementation by the agency of the plan required under subsection (b)(4), which shall include information regarding the grade or pay level of appointments by the agency under the plan and whether the appointments are, or are converted to, permanent appointments) before the period; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) In this subsection, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives. . (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress (as defined under section 4214(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a)) regarding the development of a plan to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a). 702. State recognition of military experience of veterans in issuing licenses and credentials to veterans (a) In general Section 4102A(c) is amended by striking paragraph (9) and inserting the following new paragraph (9): (9) (A) As a condition of a grant or contract under which funds are made available to a State under subsection (b)(5) in order to carry out section 4103A or 4104 of this title, the State shall— (i) establish a program under which the State administers an examination to each veteran seeking a license or credential issued by the State and issues such license or credential to such veteran without requiring such veteran to undergo any training or apprenticeship if the veteran— (I) receives a satisfactory score on completion of such examination, as determined by the State; (II) has been awarded a military occupational specialty that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements of the State for the issuance of such license or credential; (III) has engaged in the active practice of the occupation for which the veteran is seeking such license or credential for at least two of the five years preceding the date of application; and (IV) pays any customary or usual fees required by the State for such license or credential; and (ii) submit each year to the Secretary a report on the exams administered under clause (i) during the most recently completed 12-month period that includes, for the period covered by the report the number of veterans who completed an exam administered by the State under clause (i) and a description of the results of such exams, disaggregated by occupational field. (B) The Secretary may waive the requirement under subparagraph (A) that a State establish a program described in that subparagraph as a condition of a grant or contract if the State certifies to the Secretary that the State— (i) takes into account previous military training for the purposes of issuing licenses or credentials; (ii) permits veterans to completely satisfy through examination any training or testing requirements for a license or credential with respect to which a veteran has previously completed military training; and (iii) for any credential or license for which a veteran is unable to completely satisfy such requirements through examination, the State substantially reduces training time required to satisfy such requirement based on the military training received by the veteran. (C) Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and the Secretary of Defense a report summarizing the information received by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii). . (b) Effective date (1) Exams Subparagraph (A) of section 4102A(c)(9) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to grants and contracts described in such subparagraph awarded after such date. (2) Reports Subparagraph (B) of such section 4102A(c)(9), as so added, shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and the Secretary of Labor shall submit the first report under such subparagraph not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 703. Report on unified Government Internet portal for veterans on jobs available through the Federal Government (a) Identification of Internet websites and applications that can assist veterans seeking employment (1) In general The Secretary of Labor shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and other appropriate public and private entities, take appropriate actions to identify Internet websites and applications that can assist veterans in seeking employment. (2) Priority in identification of certain websites and applications In identifying websites and applications pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall place a particular priority on identifying websites and applications that do the following: (A) Match veterans seeking employment with available jobs based on the skills the veterans acquired as members of the Armed Forces. (B) Permit employers to post information about available jobs. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the effective date specified in subsection (c), the Secretary of Labor 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 actions of the Secretary under subsection (a). The report shall include an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of creating a single, unified Internet-based employment portal for the Federal Government for use by veterans regarding employment through the Federal Government, including the cost of creating the portal, the collaboration with other Federal agencies required to create the portal, and the anticipated use of the portal. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 704. Information on disability-related employment and education protections in Transition Assistance Program (a) In general Section 1144(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9) Provide information about disability-related employment and education protections. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. B Small Business Matters 711. Expansion of contracting goals and preferences of Department of Veterans Affairs to include conditionally owned small business concerns 100 percent owned by veterans Section 8127(l) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting unconditionally before owned by each place it appears; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) The term unconditionally owned includes, with respect to ownership of a small business concern, conditional ownership of such small business concern if such business concern is 100 percent owned by one or more veterans. . 712. Modification of treatment under contracting goals and preferences of Department of Veterans Affairs for small businesses owned by veterans of small businesses after death of disabled veteran owners (a) In general Section 8127(h) is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by striking rated as and all that follows through disability. and inserting a period; and (2) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows: (C) The date that— (i) in the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling or who dies as a result of a service-connected disability, is 10 years after the date of the veteran's death; or (ii) in the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability rated as less than 100 percent disabling who does not die as a result of a service-connected disability, is three years after the date of the veteran's death. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to applications received pursuant to section 8127(f)(2) of title 38, United States Code, that are verified on or after such date. 713. Treatment of businesses after deaths of servicemember-owners for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs contracting goals and preferences (a) In general Section 8127 is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (i) through (l) as subsections (j) through (m), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection (i): (i) Treatment of businesses after death of servicemember-Owner (1) If a member of the Armed Forces owns at least 51 percent of a small business concern and such member is killed in line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service, the surviving spouse or dependent child of such member who acquires such ownership rights in such small business concern shall, for the period described in paragraph (2), be treated as if the surviving spouse or dependent child were a veteran with a service-connected disability for purposes of determining the status of the small business concern as a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans for purposes of contracting goals and preferences under this section. (2) The period referred to in paragraph (1) is the period beginning on the date on which the member of the Armed Forces dies and ending on the date as follows: (A) In the case of a surviving spouse, the earliest of the following dates: (i) The date on which the surviving spouse remarries. (ii) The date on which the surviving spouse relinquishes an ownership interest in the small business concern and no longer owns at least 51 percent of such small business concern. (iii) The date that is ten years after the date of the member's death. (B) In the case of a dependent child, the earliest of the following dates: (i) The date on which the surviving dependent child relinquishes an ownership interest in the small business concern and no longer owns at least 51 percent of such small business concern. (ii) The date that is ten years after the date of the member's death. . (b) Effective date Subsection (i) of section 8127 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to the deaths of members of the Armed Forces occurring on or after such date. 714. Special rule for treatment under contracting goals and preferences of Department of Veterans Affairs of small business concerns licensed in community property States Section 8127, as amended by section 713 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (n) Special rule for community property States Whenever the Secretary assesses, for purposes of this section, the degree of ownership by an individual of a small business concern licensed in a community property State, the Secretary shall also assess what that degree of ownership would be if such small business concern had been licensed in a State other than a community property State. If the Secretary determines that such individual would have had a greater degree of ownership of the small business concern had such small business concern been licensed in a State other than a community property State, the Secretary shall treat, for purposes of this section, such small business concern as if it had been licensed in a State other than a community property State. . VIII Other Matters 801. Consideration by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of resources disposed of for less than fair market value by individuals applying for pension (a) Veterans Section 1522 is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by inserting (1) before The Secretary ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) (A) If a veteran otherwise eligible for payment of pension under section 1513 or 1521 of this title or the spouse of such veteran disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall deny or discontinue the payment of pension to such veteran under section 1513 or 1521 of this title, as the case may be, for months during the period beginning on the date described in subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months calculated as provided in subparagraph (E). (B) (i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the veteran or, if the veteran has a spouse, the corpus of the estates of the veteran and of the veteran's spouse, that the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, if the veteran or spouse had not disposed of such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource (or some portion of the resource) be consumed for the veteran's maintenance. (ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the veteran or, if the veteran has a spouse, the corpus of the estates of the veteran and of the veteran's spouse, that the Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be reasonable to be consumed for the veteran's maintenance. (C) (i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii). (ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the veteran applies for pension under section 1513 or 1521 of this title or, if later, the date on which the veteran (or the spouse of the veteran) disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value. (D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other period of ineligibility under this paragraph. (E) The number of months calculated under this subparagraph shall be equal to— (i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the portion of covered resources so disposed of by the veteran (or the spouse of the veteran) on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines would reasonably have been consumed for the veteran's maintenance; divided by (ii) the maximum amount of monthly pension that is payable to a veteran under section 1513 or 1521 of this title, including the maximum amount of increased pension payable under such sections on account of family members, but not including any amount of pension payable under such sections because a veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound, rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, but shall not in any case exceed 36 months. ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by inserting (1) before The Secretary ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) (A) If a veteran otherwise eligible for payment of increased pension under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 1521 of this title on account of a child, the spouse of the veteran, or the child disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall deny or discontinue payment of such increased pension for months during the period beginning on the date described in subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months calculated as provided in subparagraph (E). (B) (i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the child that the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, if the veteran, the spouse of the veteran, or the child had not disposed of such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource (or some portion of the resource) be consumed for the child's maintenance. (ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the child that the Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be reasonable to be consumed for the child's maintenance. (C) (i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii). (ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the veteran applies for payment of increased pension under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 1521 of this title on account of a child or, if later, the date on which the veteran, the spouse of the veteran, or the child disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value. (D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other period of ineligibility under this paragraph. (E) The number of months calculated under this subparagraph shall be equal to— (i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the veteran, the spouse of the veteran, or the child on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines would reasonably have been consumed for the child's maintenance; divided by (ii) the maximum amount of increased monthly pension that is payable to a veteran under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 1521 of this title on account of a child, rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, but shall not in any case exceed 36 months. ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) (1) (A) The Secretary shall not deny or discontinue payment of pension under section 1513 or 1521 of this title or payment of increased pension under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 1521 of this title on account of a child by reason of the application of subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of this section to the disposal of resources by an individual— (i) if— (I) a satisfactory showing is made to the Secretary (in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary) that all resources disposed of for less than fair market value have been returned to the individual who disposed of the resources; or (II) the Secretary determines, under procedures established by the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (B), that the denial or discontinuance of payment would work an undue hardship; or (ii) to the extent that any portion of the resources disposed of for less than fair market value have been returned to the individual who disposed of the resources. (B) Undue hardship would be worked by the denial or discontinuance of payment for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(II) if the denial or discontinuance of payment would deprive the individual during the period of denial or discontinuance— (i) of medical care such that the individual's life or health would be endangered; (ii) of necessary food or clothing, or other necessities of life; or (iii) on such other basis as the Secretary shall specify in the procedures required by subparagraph (A)(i)(II). (C) If payment of pension or increased pension that would otherwise be denied or discontinued by reason of the application of subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) is denied or discontinued only in part by reason of the return of resources as described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the period of the denial or discontinuance as determined pursuant to subparagraph (E) of subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2), as applicable, shall be recalculated to take into account such return of resources. (2) At the time a veteran applies for pension under section 1513 or 1521 of this title or increased pension under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 1521 of this title on account of a child, and at such other times as the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary shall— (A) inform such veteran of the provisions of subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) providing for a period of ineligibility for payment of pension under such sections for individuals who make certain dispositions of resources for less than fair market value, including the exception for hardship from such period of ineligibility; (B) obtain from such veteran information which may be used in determining whether or not a period of ineligibility for such payments would be required by reason of such subsections; and (C) provide such veteran a timely process for determining whether or not the exception for hardship shall apply to such veteran. . (b) Surviving spouses and children Section 1543 is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2): (2) (A) If a surviving spouse otherwise eligible for payment of pension under section 1541 of this title disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall deny or discontinue the payment of pension to such surviving spouse under section 1541 of this title for months during the period beginning on the date described in subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months calculated as provided in subparagraph (E). (B) (i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the surviving spouse that the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, if the surviving spouse had not disposed of such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource (or some portion of the resource) be consumed for the surviving spouse's maintenance. (ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the surviving spouse that the Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be reasonable to be consumed for the surviving spouse's maintenance. (C) (i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii). (ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the surviving spouse applies for pension under section 1541 of this title or, if later, the date on which the surviving spouse disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value. (D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other period of ineligibility under this paragraph. (E) The number of months calculated under this subparagraph shall be equal to— (i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the surviving spouse on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines would reasonably have been consumed for the surviving spouse's maintenance; divided by (ii) the maximum amount of monthly pension that is payable to a surviving spouse under section 1541 of this title, including the maximum amount of increased pension payable under such section on account of a child, but not including any amount of pension payable under such section because a surviving spouse is in need of regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound, rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, but shall not in any case exceed 36 months. ; (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) (A) If a surviving spouse otherwise eligible for payment of increased pension under subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of a child or the child disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall deny or discontinue payment of such increased pension for months during the period beginning on the date described in subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months calculated as provided in subparagraph (E). (B) (i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the child that the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, if the surviving spouse or the child had not disposed of such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource (or some portion of the resource) be consumed for the child's maintenance. (ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate of the child that the Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be reasonable to be consumed for the child's maintenance. (C) (i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii). (ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the surviving spouse applies for payment of increased pension under subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of a child or, if later, the date on which the surviving spouse (or the child) disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value. (D) The date described in this subparagraph is the first day of the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other period of ineligibility under this paragraph. (E) The number of months calculated under this clause shall be equal to— (i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the surviving spouse (or the child) on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines would reasonably have been consumed for the child's maintenance; divided by (ii) the maximum amount of increased monthly pension that is payable to a surviving spouse under subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of a child, rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, but shall not in any case exceed 36 months. ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by inserting (1) before The Secretary ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) (A) If a child otherwise eligible for payment of pension under section 1542 of this title or any person with whom such child is residing who is legally responsible for such child's support disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i), the Secretary shall deny or discontinue the payment of pension to such child under section 1542 of this title for months during the period beginning on the date described in subparagraph (D) and equal to the number of months calculated as provided in subparagraph (E). (B) (i) For purposes of this paragraph, a covered resource is any resource that was a part of the corpus of the estate of the child or the corpus of the estate of any person with whom such child is residing who is legally responsible for such child's support that the Secretary considers that under all the circumstances, if the child or person had not disposed of such resource, it would be reasonable that the resource (or some portion of the resource) be consumed for the child's maintenance. (ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary may consider, in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, a transfer of an asset (including a transfer of an asset to an annuity, trust, or other financial instrument or investment) a disposal of a covered resource for less than fair market value if such transfer reduces the amount in the corpus of the estate described in clause (i) that the Secretary considers, under all the circumstances, would be reasonable to be consumed for the child's maintenance. (C) (i) The look-back date described in this clause is a date that is 36 months before the date described in clause (ii). (ii) The date described in this clause is the date on which the child applies for pension under section 1542 of this title or, if later, the date on which the child (or person described in subparagraph (B)) disposes of covered resources for less than fair market value. (D) The date described in this clause is the first day of the first month in or after which covered resources were disposed of for less than fair market value and which does not occur in any other period of ineligibility under this paragraph. (E) The number of months calculated under this clause shall be equal to— (i) the total, cumulative uncompensated value of the portion of the covered resources so disposed of by the child (or person described in subparagraph (B)) on or after the look-back date described in subparagraph (C)(i) that the Secretary determines would reasonably have been consumed for the child's maintenance; divided by (ii) the maximum amount of monthly pension that is payable to a child under section 1542 of this title, rounded down, in the case of any fraction, to the nearest whole number, but shall not in any case exceed 36 months. ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) (1) (A) The Secretary shall not deny or discontinue payment of pension under section 1541 or 1542 of this title or payment of increased pension under subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of a child by reason of the application of subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), or (b)(2) of this section to the disposal of resources by an individual— (i) if— (I) a satisfactory showing is made to the Secretary (in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary) that all resources disposed of for less than fair market value have been returned to the individual who disposed of the resources; or (II) the Secretary determines, under procedures established by the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (B), that the denial or discontinuance of payment would work an undue hardship; or (ii) to the extent that any portion of the resources disposed of for less than fair market value have been returned to the individual who disposed of the resources. (B) Undue hardship would be worked by the denial or discontinuance of payment for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(II) if the denial or discontinuance of payment would deprive the individual during the period of denial or discontinuance— (i) of medical care such that the individual's life or health would be endangered; (ii) of necessary food or clothing, or other necessities of life; or (iii) on such other basis as the Secretary shall specify in the procedures required by subparagraph (A)(i)(II). (C) If payment of pension or increased pension that would otherwise be denied or discontinued by reason of the application of subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), or (b)(2) is denied or discontinued only in part by reason of the return of resources as described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the period of the denial or discontinuance as determined pursuant to subparagraph (E) of subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), or (b)(2), as applicable, shall be recalculated to take into account such return of resources. (2) At the time a surviving spouse or child applies for pension under section 1541 or 1542 of this title or increased pension under subsection (c), (d), or (e) of section 1541 of this title on account of a child, and at such other times as the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary shall— (A) inform such surviving spouse or child of the provisions of subsections (a)(2), (a)(4), and (b)(2), as applicable, providing for a period of ineligibility for payment of pension or increased pension under such sections for individuals who make certain dispositions of resources for less than fair market value, including the exception for hardship from such period of ineligibility; (B) obtain from such surviving spouse or child information which may be used in determining whether or not a period of ineligibility for such payments would be required by reason of such subsections; and (C) provide such surviving spouse or child a timely process for determining whether or not the exception for hardship shall apply to such surviving spouse or child. . (c) Effective date Subsections (a)(2), (b)(2), and (c) of section 1522 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and subsections (a)(2), (a)(4), (b)(2), and (c) of section 1543 of such title, as added by subsection (b), shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to payments of pension and increased pension applied for after such date and to payments of pension and increased pension for which eligibility is redetermined after such date, except that no reduction in pension shall be made under such subsections because of any disposal of covered resources made before such date. (d) Annual reports (1) In general Not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year thereafter through 2018, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the administration of subsections (a)(2), (b)(2), and (c) of section 1522 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and subsections (a)(2), (a)(4), (b)(2), and (c) of section 1543 of such title, as added by subsection (b), during the most recent 12-month period. (2) Elements Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following, for the period covered by the report: (A) The number of individuals who applied for pension under chapter 15 of such title. (B) The number of individuals who received pension under such chapter. (C) The number of individuals with respect to whom the Secretary denied or discontinued payment of pension under the subsections referred to in paragraph (1). (D) A description of any trends identified by the Secretary regarding pension payments that have occurred as a result of the amendments made by this section. (E) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this subsection, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Select Committee on Aging of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives. 802. Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events (a) Reauthorization and use of certain funds Subsection (d)(4) of section 322 is amended— (1) by inserting (A) after (4) ; (2) by striking 2013 and inserting 2018 ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Any amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out this subsection that the Secretary determines are unnecessary to carry out this subsection may be used by the Secretary to carry out this section. . (b) Cooperation with organization Subsection (b)(4) of such section is amended by striking shall, to the extent feasible, and inserting may . (c) Substitution of USOC in responsibility for United States Paralympics, Inc Such section is further amended— (1) in subsection (b)(4)— (A) by striking United States Paralympics, Inc., each place it appears and inserting United States Olympic Committee ; and (B) by striking sporting and inserting paralympic ; and (2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking United States Paralympics, Inc., each place it appears and inserting United States Olympic Committee . 803. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces through United States Olympic Committee (a) Authorization of program Subsection (a) of section 521A is amended to read as follows: (a) Adaptive sports program (1) The Secretary may plan, develop, manage, and implement an integrated adaptive sports program for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. (2) The Secretary may award grants to the United States Olympic Committee to carry out paragraph (1). . (b) Additional application requirements Subsection (c)(2) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) a statement that includes a detailed description of— (i) the anticipated personnel, travel, and administrative costs that will be paid for by the United States Olympic Committee with funds provided under this section; (ii) the financial controls implemented by the United States Olympic Committee, including methods to track expenditures of funds provided under this section; (iii) the performance metrics to be used by the United States Olympic Committee to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities to be carried out with the funds provided under this section; and (iv) the anticipated personnel, travel, and administrative costs that will be paid for by subgrantees with funds provided under this section. . (c) Funding Subsection (g) of such section is amended by striking 2013 and inserting 2015 . (d) Exception to prohibition on commingling of funds Subsection (h) of such section is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: , except that funds appropriated to carry out this section may be used by the Department to carry out subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 322 of this title . (e) Substitution of USOC in responsibility for United States Paralympics, Inc Such section is further amended— (1) by striking United States Paralympics, Inc., each place it appears (other than in subsection (d)) and inserting United States Olympic Committee ; and (2) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking United States Paralympics, Inc., with the assistance and inserting United States Olympic Committee, with the assistance ; and (ii) by striking United States Paralympics, Inc., has entered and inserting United States Olympic Committee has entered ; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking United States Paralympics, Inc. and inserting United States Olympic Committee ; and (C) in paragraph (5), by striking United States Paralympics, Inc., and inserting United States Olympic Committee . (f) Comptroller general report Such section is further amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (m); and (2) by inserting after subsection (k) the following new subsection (l): (l) Comptroller General report (1) Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of the Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 , the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the use of grants, if any, awarded to the United States Olympic Committee, under this section during the two-year period preceding the report. (2) The report required under paragraph (1) shall contain the following: (A) An assessment of how the Department, the United States Olympic Committee, and subgrantees of the United States Olympic Committee, have provided adaptive sports opportunities to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through grants awarded under this section. (B) An assessment of how the Department oversees the use of funds provided under this section by the United States Olympic Committee and subgrantees of the United States Olympic Committee. (C) A description of the benefit provided to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through programs and activities developed through grants awarded under this section. . (g) Extension of sunset Subsection (m) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (f) of this section, is amended by striking 2013 and inserting 2015 . (h) Conforming and clerical amendments (1) Section heading amendment The heading of such section is amended to read as follows: 521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the United States Olympic Committee . (2) Table of sections The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 is amended by striking the item relating to section 521A and inserting the following new item: 521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the United States Olympic Committee . 804. Making effective date provision consistent with provision for benefits eligibility of a veteran's child based upon termination of remarriage by annulment Section 5110(l) is amended by striking , or of an award or increase of benefits based on recognition of a child upon termination of the child's marriage by death or divorce, . 805. Extended period for scheduling of medical exams for veterans receiving temporary disability ratings for severe mental disorders Section 1156(a)(3) is amended by striking six months and inserting 18 months . 806. Authority to issue Veterans ID Cards (a) Authority (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may issue a card to a veteran that identifies the veteran as a veteran and includes a photo of the veteran and the name of the veteran. (2) No requirement for enrollment or receipt of benefits The Secretary may issue a card under paragraph (1) to a veteran, whether or not such veteran is— (A) enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; or (B) in receipt of educational assistance, compensation, or pension under laws administered by the Secretary. (3) Designation A card issued under paragraph (1) may be known as a Veterans ID Card . (b) Recognition of Veterans ID Cards for reduced pricing of pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and services The Secretary may work with national retail chains that offer reduced prices on pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and services to veterans to ensure that such retail chains recognize cards issued under subsection (a)(1) for purposes of offering reduced prices on pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and services. (c) Veteran defined In this section, the term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (d) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 807. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in the reserve components of the Armed Forces Any person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of title 10, United States Code, to retired pay for nonregular service or, but for age, would be entitled under such chapter to retired pay for nonregular service shall be honored as a veteran but shall not be entitled to any benefit by reason of this honor. 808. Extension of authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue and guarantee certain loans Section 3729(b)(2) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in clause (iii), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 ; and (B) in clause (iv), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 ; (2) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in clause (i), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 ; (3) in subparagraph (C)— (A) in clause (i), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 ; and (4) in subparagraph (D)— (A) in clause (i), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking October 1, 2017 and inserting May 1, 2018 . 809. Review of determination of certain service in Philippines during World War II (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and such military historians as the Secretary of Defense recommends, shall review the process used to determine whether a covered individual served in support of the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II in accordance with section 1002(d) of title X of Division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–5 ; 38 U.S.C. 107 note) for purposes of determining whether such covered individual is eligible for payments described in such section. (b) Covered individuals In this section, a covered individual is any individual who timely submitted a claim for benefits under subsection (c) of section 1002 of title X of Division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–5 ; 38 U.S.C. 107 note) based on service as described in subsection (d) of that section. (c) Report Not later than 90 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 detailing any findings, actions taken, or recommendations for legislative action with respect to the review conducted under subsection (a). (d) Prohibition on benefits for disqualifying conduct under new process pursuant to review If pursuant to the review conducted under subsection (a) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to establish a new process for the making of payments as described in that subsection, the process shall include mechanisms to ensure that individuals are not treated as covered individuals for purposes of such payments if such individuals engaged in any disqualifying conduct during service described in that subsection, including collaboration with the enemy or criminal conduct. 810. Report on Laotian military support of Armed Forces of the United States during Vietnam War (a) In general Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (c), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and such agencies and individuals as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on— (1) the extent to which Laotian military forces provided combat support to the Armed Forces of the United States between February 28, 1961, and May 15, 1975; (2) whether the current classification by the Civilian/Military Service Review Board of the Department of Defense of service by individuals of Hmong ethnicity is appropriate; and (3) any recommendations for legislative action. (b) Appropriate committees of Congress In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 811. Report on assistance for veterans in obtaining training on purchasing and operating a franchise (a) Report required Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (c), the Secretary of Labor shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and other appropriate entities, submit to Congress a report on the assistance available to veterans to obtain training necessary to purchase and operate a franchise. (b) Elements The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of the assistance available for veterans through the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, or any other agency of the Federal Government in order to obtain training necessary to purchase or operate a franchise. (2) Information on the number of veterans who have sought and obtained the training described in paragraph (1) during the five calendar years preceding the report. (3) A description of any barriers encountered by veterans in obtaining the training described in paragraph (1). (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 812. Limitation on aggregate amount of bonuses payable to personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs during fiscal year 2014 The aggregate amount of bonuses and awards payable to personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs under chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, United States Code, or any other provision of such title, during fiscal year 2014 may not exceed $368,000,000.

Amend the title so as to read: A bill to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes. .

December 9, 2013 Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title