Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-1836
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
Introduced: 2021-03-11
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees

Higher education

Interest, dividends, interest rates

Military education and training

National Guard and reserves

Student aid and college costs

Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2022-01-13
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-11
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance. Specifically, the bill adjusts the type of service that entitles a member of the Armed Forces, reserves, or National Guard to such assistance. Under the bill, service by a reservist or National Guard member that is entitled to pay counts toward benefit eligibility. Such service includes training, active military service, inactive training, and general duty for which basic pay is warranted.</p>

action_date: 2022-01-06
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><strong>Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021</strong></p> <p>This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance and makes adjustments to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program. Specifically, the bill expands the type of duty that is eligible for such educational assistance. </p> <p>Beginning on August 1, 2025, types of duty eligible for educational assistance benefits include (1) active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces on or after this date, and (2) active duty for training occurring before this date only if the individual is a member on or after this date. Furthermore, beginning on August 1, 2032, duty eligible for these benefits includes active or inactive duty training performed by a member of the Armed Forces before, on, or after August 1, 2032.</p> <p>Educational assistance eligibility for individuals who performed qualifying types of duty as provided in the bill before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter of (1) August 1, 2040, or (2) the end of the 15-year period after their discharge or release from the Armed Forces. For individuals who performed such duty on or after August 1, 2025, educational assistance eligibility does not expire. Furthermore, the bill provides for the expiration of eligibility applicable to individuals subject to two different periods of eligible duty.</p> <p>The bill also makes adjustments to certain loan fees under the VA home loan program, including the fee for an interest rate reduction refinancing loan. </p>

action_date: 2022-01-12
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021</strong></p> <p>This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance and addresses other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits. Specifically, the bill expands the type of duty that is eligible for such educational assistance. </p> <p>Beginning on August 1, 2025, types of duty eligible for educational assistance benefits include (1) active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces on or after this date, and (2) active duty for training occurring before this date only if the individual is a member on or after this date. Furthermore, beginning on August 1, 2032, duty eligible for these benefits includes active or inactive duty training performed by a member of the Armed Forces before, on, or after August 1, 2032.</p> <p>Educational assistance eligibility for individuals who performed qualifying types of duty as provided in the bill before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter of (1) August 1, 2040, or (2) the end of the 15-year period after their discharge or release from the Armed Forces. For individuals who performed such duty on or after August 1, 2025, educational assistance eligibility does not expire. Furthermore, the bill provides for the expiration of eligibility applicable to individuals subject to two different periods of eligible duty.</p> <p>The bill also makes adjustments to certain loan fees under the VA home loan program, including the fee for an interest rate reduction refinancing loan. </p> <p>Additionally, the VA must provide information to new veterans that includes a description of the medical care, services, and other benefits they are entitled to through the VA.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1836 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 11, 2021 Mr. Levin of California (for himself, Mr. Takano , Mr. Palazzo , Ms. Mace , Mr. Ryan , Mr. Pappas , and Mr. Sablan ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 . 2. Addition of other duty statuses to qualify for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program (a) Qualifying duty Section 3311(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking (including each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty and ; (2) by striking (excluding each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty but excluding ; and (3) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting or other qualifying duty after active duty . (b) Other qualifying duty defined Section 3301 of such title is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3): (3) The term other qualifying duty means the following: (A) Duty under section 502 of title 32. (B) Duty for which a member is eligible to receive pay under section 204, 206, or 372 of title 37. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2022, and shall apply with respect to— (1) academic years beginning on or after August 1, 2022; and (2) service performed before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Simplification of eligibility criteria for Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance (a) In general Paragraph (1) of section 3301 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (1) The term active duty has the meanings as follows (subject to the limitations specified in sections 3002(6) and 3311(b)): (A) Active duty as described in section 101(21)(A) of this title. (B) Active duty for training as described in section 101(22)(A), (C), and (E) of this title. (C) Active duty as defined in section 101(12) of title 32. (D) Full-time National Guard duty as defined in section 101(19) of title 32. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2022, and shall apply with respect to— (1) academic years beginning on or after August 1, 2022; and (2) service performed before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 1836 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 13 (legislative day, January 10), 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 . 2. Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain Reserve and National Guard duty (a) Other qualifying duty Section 3311(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking (including each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty and ; (2) by striking (excluding each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty but excluding ; and (3) in paragraph (2), by inserting or other qualifying duty after active duty both places it appears. (b) Other qualifying duty defined Section 3301 of such title is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: (3) The term other qualifying duty means the following: (A) During the period beginning on August 1, 2025, and ending on July 31, 2032, active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces— (i) on or after August 1, 2025; or (ii) before August 1, 2025, if such individual is a member of the Armed Forces on or after such date. (B) On or after August 1, 2032, duty performed before, on, or after such date that is— (i) active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces; or (ii) inactive duty training performed by a member of the Armed Forces. . (c) Time limitation for use of entitlement for other qualifying duty Section 3321 of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) in the case of an individual whose entitlement is based on other qualifying duty performed— (A) before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter of— (i) the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of the discharge or release of such individual from the Armed Forces; or (ii) August 1, 2040; or (B) on or after August 1, 2025, shall not expire. ; and (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Individuals subject to two periods In the case of an individual subject to periods under paragraphs (1) and (3)(A) of subsection (a), the period under such paragraph (3)(A) shall apply to such individual’s entitlement. . 3. Modification of certain housing loan fees (a) Extension The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking January 14, 2031 each place it appears and inserting October 1, 2031 . (b) IRRRL rate The item in subparagraph (E) of the loan fee table under such section is amended to read as follows: (E)(i) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan (closed on or after July 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2030) 0.85 0.85 NA (ii) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan (closed during a period not covered by clause (i)) 0.50 0.50 NA . 4. Provision of information to veterans during transition to civilian life (a) Requirement In providing information to new veterans regarding benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall ensure that the information includes the following: (1) A description of the medical care and services for which the veteran will be eligible under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, including with respect to— (A) community care under section 1703 of such title; (B) mental health care, including how to access the Veterans Crisis Line established under section 1720F(h) of such title; and (C) care relating to military sexual trauma (as defined in section 1166 of such title). (2) Any other information that the Secretary determines appropriate, including information about the services and benefits to which the veteran may be entitled. (b) Manner The Secretary shall provide the information under subsection (a) in a manner that promotes the destigmatization of mental health care and encourages veterans to reach out for support.

Passed the House of Representatives January 12, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 1836 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 . 2. Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain Reserve and National Guard duty (a) Other qualifying duty Section 3311(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking (including each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty and ; (2) by striking (excluding each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty but excluding ; and (3) in paragraph (2), by inserting or other qualifying duty after active duty both places it appears. (b) Other qualifying duty defined Section 3301 of such title is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: (3) The term other qualifying duty means the following: (A) During the period beginning on August 1, 2025, and ending on July 31, 2032, active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces— (i) on or after August 1, 2025; or (ii) before August 1, 2025, if such individual is a member of the Armed Forces on or after such date. (B) On or after August 1, 2032, duty performed before, on, or after such date that is— (i) active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces; or (ii) inactive duty training performed by a member of the Armed Forces. . (c) Time limitation for use of entitlement for other qualifying duty Section 3321 of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) in the case of an individual whose entitlement is based on other qualifying duty performed— (A) before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter of— (i) the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of the discharge or release of such individual from the Armed Forces; or (ii) August 1, 2040; or (B) on or after August 1, 2025, shall not expire. ; and (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Individuals subject to two periods In the case of an individual subject to periods under paragraphs (1) and (3)(A) of subsection (a), the period under such paragraph (3)(A) shall apply to such individual’s entitlement. . 3. Modification of certain housing loan fees (a) Extension The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking January 14, 2031 each place it appears and inserting October 1, 2031 . (b) IRRRL rate The item in subparagraph (E) of the loan fee table under such section is amended to read as follows: (E)(i) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan (closed on or after July 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2030) 0.85 0.85 NA (ii) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan (closed during a period not covered by clause (i)) 0.50 0.50 NA . 4. Provision of information to veterans during transition to civilian life (a) Requirement In providing information to new veterans regarding benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall ensure that the information includes the following: (1) A description of the medical care and services for which the veteran will be eligible under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, including with respect to— (A) community care under section 1703 of such title; (B) mental health care, including how to access the Veterans Crisis Line established under section 1720F(h) of such title; and (C) care relating to military sexual trauma (as defined in section 1166 of such title). (2) Any other information that the Secretary determines appropriate, including information about the services and benefits to which the veteran may be entitled. (b) Manner The Secretary shall provide the information under subsection (a) in a manner that promotes the destigmatization of mental health care and encourages veterans to reach out for support.

Passed the House of Representatives January 12, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 159 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 1836 [Report No. 117–222] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 11, 2021 Mr. Levin of California (for himself, Mr. Takano , Mr. Palazzo , Ms. Mace , Mr. Ryan , Mr. Pappas , and Mr. Sablan ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs January 6, 2022 Additional sponsors: Mr. Mrvan , Mr. Thompson of California , and Mr. Lamb January 6, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 11, 2021 A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 . 2. Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain Reserve and National Guard duty (a) Other qualifying duty Section 3311(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking (including each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty and ; (2) by striking (excluding each place it appears and inserting (including other qualifying duty but excluding ; and (3) in paragraph (2), by inserting or other qualifying duty after active duty both places it appears. (b) Other qualifying duty defined Section 3301 of such title is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: (3) The term other qualifying duty means the following: (A) During the period beginning on August 1, 2025, and ending on July 31, 2032, active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces— (i) on or after August 1, 2025; or (ii) before August 1, 2025, if such individual is a member of the Armed Forces on or after such date. (B) On or after August 1, 2032, duty performed before, on, or after such date that is— (i) active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces; or (ii) inactive duty training performed by a member of the Armed Forces. . (c) Time limitation for use of entitlement for other qualifying duty Section 3321 of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) in the case of an individual whose entitlement is based on other qualifying duty performed— (A) before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter of— (i) the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of the discharge or release of such individual from the Armed Forces; or (ii) August 1, 2040; or (B) on or after August 1, 2025, shall not expire. ; and (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Individuals subject to two periods In the case of an individual subject to periods under paragraphs (1) and (3)(A) of subsection (a), the period under such paragraph (3)(A) shall apply to such individual’s entitlement. . 3. Modification of certain housing loan fees (a) Extension The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking October 1, 2030 each place it appears and inserting October 1, 2031 . (b) IRRRL rate The item in subparagraph (E) of the loan fee table under such section is amended to read as follows: (E)(i) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan (closed on or after July 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2028) 0.85 0.85 NA (ii) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan (closed during a period not covered by clause (i)) 0.50 0.50 NA .

January 6, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed