In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Volcano Early Warning and 
Monitoring System Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United 
        States Geological Survey.
            (2) System.--The term ``System'' means the National Volcano 
        Early Warning and Monitoring System established under section 
        3(a)(1).

SEC. 3. NATIONAL VOLCANO EARLY WARNING AND MONITORING SYSTEM.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the 
        United States Geological Survey a system, to be known as the 
        ``National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System'', to 
        monitor, warn, and protect citizens of the United States from 
        undue and avoidable harm from volcanic activity.
            (2) Purposes.--The purposes of the System are--
                    (A) to organize, modernize, standardize, and 
                stabilize the monitoring systems of the volcano 
                observatories in the United States, which include the 
                Alaska Volcano Observatory, California Volcano 
                Observatory, Cascades Volcano Observatory, Hawaiian 
                Volcano Observatory, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, 
                and other volcano observatories established under 
                subsection (d); and
                    (B) to unify the monitoring systems of volcano 
                observatories in the United States into a single 
                interoperative system.
            (3) Objective.--The objective of the System is to monitor 
        all the volcanoes in the United States at a level commensurate 
        with the threat posed by the volcanoes by--
                    (A) upgrading existing networks on monitored 
                volcanoes;
                    (B) installing new networks on unmonitored 
                volcanoes; and
                    (C) employing geodetic and other components when 
                applicable.
    (b) System Components.--
            (1) In general.--The System shall include--
                    (A) a national volcano watch office that is 
                operational 24 hours a day and 7 days a week;
                    (B) a national volcano data center; and
                    (C) an external grants program to support research 
                in volcano monitoring science and technology.
            (2) Modernization activities.--Modernization activities 
        under the System shall include the comprehensive application of 
        emerging technologies, including digital broadband 
        seismometers, real-time continuous Global Positioning System 
        receivers, satellite and airborne radar interferometry, 
        acoustic pressure sensors, and spectrometry to measure gas 
        emissions.
    (c) Management.--
            (1) Management plan.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
                submit to Congress a 5-year management plan for 
                establishing and operating the System.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The management plan submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            (i) annual cost estimates for modernization 
                        activities and operation of the System;
                            (ii) annual milestones, standards, and 
                        performance goals; and
                            (iii) recommendations for, and progress 
                        towards, establishing new, or enhancing 
                        existing, partnerships to leverage resources.
            (2) Advisory committee.--The Secretary shall establish an 
        advisory committee to assist the Secretary in implementing the 
        System, to be comprised of representatives of relevant agencies 
        and members of the scientific community, to be appointed by the 
        Secretary.
            (3) Partnerships.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative 
        agreements with institutions of higher education and State or 
        territorial agencies designating the institutions of higher 
        education and State or territorial agencies as volcano 
        observatory partners for the System.
            (4) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate the 
        activities under this Act with the heads of relevant Federal 
        agencies, including--
                    (A) the Secretary of Transportation;
                    (B) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration;
                    (C) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration; and
                    (D) the Director of the Federal Emergency 
                Management Administration.
    (d) Volcano Observatory in Pacific U.S. Territories.--
            (1) Feasibility study.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a 
        study to assess the feasibility of establishing volcano 
        observatories in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
        American Samoa to monitor volcanic activity across the western 
        and southern Pacific Ocean along the Ring of Fire, including 
        underwater volcanic activity in such region.
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with 
        appropriate territorial and local entities in conducting the 
        study.
            (3) Cooperative agreement.--If the study required by 
        paragraph (1) determines that such observatories are feasible, 
        then the Secretary, subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, may enter into cooperative agreements under 
        subsection (c)(3) with institutions of higher education or 
        territorial agencies to establish such volcano observatories as 
        part of the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring 
        System.
    (e) Annual Report.--In each of fiscal years 2018 through 2024, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the 
activities carried out under this Act.

SEC. 4. FUNDING.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $15,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2018 through 2024.
    (b) Effect on Other Sources of Federal Funding.--Amounts made 
available under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, 
Federal funds made available for other United States Geological Survey 
hazards activities and programs.
National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act (Sec. 3) This bill directs the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to establish the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System to monitor, issue warnings of, and protect U.S. citizens from undue and avoidable harm from, volcanic activity.  The purposes of the system are to: (1) organize, modernize, standardize, and stabilize the monitoring systems of U.S. volcano observatories; and (2) unify such systems into a single interoperative system. The objective of the system is to monitor all U.S. volcanoes at a level commensurate with the threat posed by the volcanoes by: (1) upgrading existing networks on monitored volcanoes, (2) installing new networks on unmonitored volcanoes, and (3) employing geodetic and other components when applicable. The system shall include: (1) a national volcano watch office that is operational 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, (2) a national volcano data center, (3) an external grants program to support research in volcano monitoring science and technology, and (4) modernization activities including the comprehensive application of emerging technologies. The USGS must: (1) submit to Congress a five-year management plan for establishing and operating the system, and (2) establish an advisory committee to assist in implementing the system.  The USGS may enter into cooperative agreements designating institutions of higher education and state or territorial agencies as volcano observatory partners for the system. The USGS must conduct a study to assess the feasibility of establishing volcano observatories in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa to monitor volcanic activity across the western and southern Pacific Ocean along the Ring of Fire. If determined to be feasible, the USGS may enter into cooperative agreements with institutions of higher education or territorial agencies to establish such observatories as part of the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Puppies Assisting Wounded 
Servicemembers Act of 2017'' or the ``PAWS Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) According to the analysis of veteran suicide published 
        by the Department of Veterans Affairs in August 2016 and titled 
        ``Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans''--
                    (A) an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each 
                day in 2014;
                    (B) mental health disorders, including major 
                depression and other mood disorders, have been 
                associated with increased risk for suicide;
                    (C) since 2001, the proportion of users of the 
                Veterans Health Administration with mental health 
                conditions or substance use disorders has increased 
                from approximately 27 percent in 2001 to more than 40 
                percent in 2014; and
                    (D) overall, suicide rates are highest among 
                patients with mental health and substance use disorder 
                diagnoses who are in treatment and lower among those 
                who received a mental health diagnoses but were not at 
                risk enough to require enhanced care from a mental 
                health provider.
            (2) The Department of Veterans Affairs must be more 
        effective in its approach to reducing the burden of veteran 
        suicide connected to mental health disorders, including post-
        traumatic stress disorder, and a pilot program and study to 
        assess the benefits of pairing service dogs with veterans 
        suffering from mental health disorders would allow the 
        Department to better determine the efficacy of using service 
        dogs as a nontraditional therapy to ensure the well-being of 
        veterans.
            (3) Pairing a service dog with a veteran costs 
        approximately $25,000, including with respect to training of 
        the service dog as well as training of the veteran with the 
        service dog.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS 
              FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICE DOGS TO CERTAIN VETERANS 
              WITH SEVERE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

    (a) Grants.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a 
pilot program under which the Secretary provides a $25,000 grant to an 
eligible organization for each veteran referred to that organization 
for a service dog pairing.
    (b) Benefits Provided.--
            (1) In general.--An organization that receives a grant 
        under subsection (a) shall provide the following for each 
        service dog and veteran participating in the pilot program:
                    (A) Coverage of a commercially available veterinary 
                health insurance policy to maintain the health of the 
                dog and keep the dog functioning in the prescribed role 
                for the life of the dog.
                    (B) Hardware, or repairs or replacements for 
                hardware, that are clinically determined to be required 
                by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the 
                veteran with the diagnosed disorder of the veteran.
                    (C) Payments for travel expenses for the veteran to 
                obtain the dog, calculated in the same manner as 
                similar travel expenses provided pursuant to section 
                111 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Other travel expenses.--If a veteran is required to 
        replace a service dog provided pursuant to a grant under this 
        section, the Secretary shall pay for the travel expenses 
        described in paragraph (1)(C) required to obtain a new service 
        dog pursuant to subsection (c)(3), regardless of any other 
        benefits the veteran is receiving for the first service dog 
        under this section.
    (c) Eligible Organizations.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an organization shall--
            (1) be a nonprofit organization that provides trained 
        service dogs--
                    (A) that--
                            (i) is certified by Assistance Dogs 
                        International;
                            (ii) on average, provides one-on-one 
                        training for each service dog and recipient for 
                        30 hours or more over 90 days or more;
                            (iii) provides a wellness verification from 
                        a licensed veterinarian for each service dog;
                            (iv) provides an in-house residential 
                        facility, or other accommodations nearby, in 
                        which service dog recipients stay for a minimum 
                        of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of 
                        training with their new service dog;
                            (v) ensures all service dogs pass the 
                        American Kennel Club Community Canine test and 
                        the ADI Public Access Test prior to permanent 
                        placement with a recipient; and
                            (vi) provides follow-up support service for 
                        the life of the service dog, to include a 
                        contact plan between the veteran and 
                        organization to allow--
                                    (I) the veteran to reach out for 
                                and receive adequate help with the 
                                service dog; and
                                    (II) the organization to 
                                communicate with the veteran to ensure 
                                that the service dog is being properly 
                                cared for; or
                    (B) that meets the Association of Service Dog 
                Providers for Military Veterans Service Dog Agency 
                Standards that cater to the unique needs of veterans 
                with post-traumatic stress disorder;
            (2) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount 
        to guarantee the benefits listed under subsection (b)(1);
            (3) agree to reaccept or replace the service dog the 
        organization provided to the veteran, if necessary, as 
        determined by the organization and the veteran; and
            (4) submit to the Secretary an application containing such 
        information, certification, and assurances as the Secretary may 
        require.
    (d) Eligible Veterans.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        review and approve veterans eligible to participate under this 
        section and shall refer approved veterans to eligible 
        organizations. The period beginning on the date on which a 
        veteran applies to participate under this section and the date 
        on which the Secretary makes an approval determination may not 
        exceed 90 days.
            (2) Initial eligibility.--For purposes of this section, an 
        eligible veteran is a veteran who is enrolled in the patient 
        enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under 
        section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and--
                    (A) has been treated and has completed an 
                established evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic 
                stress disorder yet remains diagnosed with post-
                traumatic stress disorder by a qualified health care 
                provider as rated on the post-traumatic stress disorder 
                checklist (PCL-5);
                    (B) the health care provider or clinical team of 
                the Department of Veterans Affairs that is treating the 
                veteran for such disorder determines based upon medical 
                judgment that the veteran may potentially benefit from 
                a service dog; and
                    (C) agrees to successfully complete training 
                provided by an eligible organization pursuant to 
                subsection (c).
            (3) Ongoing eligibility.--To remain eligible to participate 
        in the pilot program, a veteran shall see the health care 
        provider or clinical team of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        treating the veteran for such a disorder at least every six 
        months to determine, based on a clinical evaluation of 
        efficacy, whether the veteran continues to benefit from a 
        service dog.
            (4) Other cases.--If at any point, the veteran is no longer 
        able or willing to care for the service dog, the organization 
        that provided the service dog and the veteran shall determine 
        the appropriate recourse to ensure the safety of both the 
        veteran and the service dog.
    (e) Relationship to Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits.--The 
provision of a service dog to a veteran under this section is in 
addition to any other hospital care or medical service furnished by the 
Department for that veteran for post-traumatic stress disorder, and an 
improvement in symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog 
shall not affect the eligibility of the veteran for any other benefit 
under the laws administered by the Secretary.
    (f) Metrics.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
            (1) develop metrics and other appropriate means to measure, 
        with respect to veterans participating in the pilot program, 
        the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic 
        compliance of such veterans and changes with respect to the 
        dependence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic 
        medication of such veterans; and
            (2) establish processes to document and track the progress 
        of such veterans under the pilot program in terms of the 
        benefits and improvements noted as a result of the pilot 
        program.
    (g) GAO Briefing and Study.--
            (1) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date on 
        which the Secretary commences the pilot program under 
        subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States 
        shall provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the 
        methodology established for the pilot program.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date on 
        which the pilot program terminates, the Comptroller General 
        shall submit to the committees specified in paragraph (1) a 
        report on the pilot program. Such report shall include an 
        evaluation of the approach and methodology used for the pilot 
        program with respect to--
                    (A) helping veterans with severe post-traumatic 
                stress disorder return to civilian life;
                    (B) relevant metrics, including reduction in 
                metrics such as reduction in scores under the post-
                traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-5), 
                improvement in psychosocial function, and therapeutic 
                compliance; and
                    (C) reducing the dependence of participants on 
                prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 
2023, $10,000,000 to carry out the pilot program under this section.
    (i) Offset.--The amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated 
for Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Human Resources and 
Administration for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 
2023 shall be reduced by $10,000,000.
    (j) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under 
this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. An eligible veteran in possession of 
a service dog furnished under the pilot program as of the termination 
of the pilot program may keep the service dog after the termination of 
the program for the life of the dog.
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2017 or the PAWS Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program under which it provides grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide service dogs to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after completing other evidence-based treatment. An organization that receives a grant shall provide for each participating service dog and veteran:  coverage by a commercially available veterinary health insurance policy, hardware clinically determined to be required by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the veteran, payments for travel expenses to obtain the dog, and  travel expenses required to obtain a replacement service dog.  To be eligible for a grant, an organization must: (1) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee such benefits, (2) be certified by Assistance Dogs International, (3) provide one-on-one training for each service dog and recipient for 30 hours or more over 90 days or more, and (4) provide an in-house residential facility or other accommodations nearby in which service dog recipients stay for a minimum of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of training.  The VA shall develop metrics to measure the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic compliance and changes independence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication of veterans participating in the program. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the methodology used for the pilot program.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Home Health Access Preservation Act 
of 1998''.

SEC. 2. REVISION OF PER BENEFICIARY LIMIT.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1861(v)(1)(L) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)) (as amended by section 
        4602(c) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is amended--
                    (A) by amending clause (v) to read as follows:
    ``(v) For services furnished by home health agencies for cost 
reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998, the Secretary 
shall provide for an interim system of limits. Payment shall not exceed 
the costs determined under the preceding provisions of this 
subparagraph or, if lower, the product of--
            ``(I) the agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation 
        (as determined under clause (viii)) (which is calculated based 
        50 percent on the national average of all payments under this 
        title for home health services per person served during 
        calendar year 1994 and 50 percent on the average of all 
        payments under this title for home health services per person 
        served in the agency's census division in calendar year 1994); 
        and
            ``(II) the agency's unduplicated census count of patients 
        (entitled to benefits under this title) for the cost reporting 
        period subject to the limitation.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(viii) For purposes of clause (v)(I), the agency-specific per 
beneficiary annual limitation is the following amount (adjusted by the 
area wage index applicable under section 1886(d)(3)(E) and determined 
in the manner described in clause (iii)):
            ``(I) For an agency located in the New England census 
        division (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
        Rhode Island, and Vermont), $4,019.50.
            ``(II) For an agency located in the Middle Atlantic census 
        division (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), $3,523.50.
            ``(III) For an agency located in the East North Central 
        census division (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and 
        Wisconsin), $3,644.00.
            ``(IV) For an agency located in the West North Central 
        census division (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, 
        North Dakota, and South Dakota), $3,443.50.
            ``(V) For an agency located in the South Atlantic census 
        division (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, 
        Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West 
        Virginia), $4,041.00.
            ``(VI) For an agency located in the East South Central 
        census division (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and 
        Tennessee), $4,672.50.
            ``(VII) For an agency located in the West South Central 
        census division (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas), 
        $4,946.50.
            ``(VIII) For an agency located in the Mountain census 
        division (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New 
        Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming), $4,033.00.
            ``(IX) For an agency located in the Pacific census division 
        (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington), 
        $3,939.00.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 1861(v)(1)(L)(vi) of 
        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)(vi)) (as 
        added by section 4602(c) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``For services'' and inserting ``In 
                the case of services''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the following rules apply'' 
                through ``For beneficiaries'' and inserting ``for 
                beneficiaries''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 1998.

SEC. 3. INCREASED PAYMENTS FOR HOME HEALTH AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE 
              SERVICES TO CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES.

    (a) Estimate.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this 
section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall estimate the amount of 
savings (if any) to the Medicare Program under title XVIII of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) resulting from the 
provisions in this Act for each fiscal year beginning after fiscal year 
1998 and before the first fiscal year in which the prospective payment 
system for home health agencies (established by section 1895 of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395fff)) applies. Each such estimate shall be made not 
later than the first day of the fiscal year, except that in the case of 
fiscal year 1999, such estimate shall be made not later than the 30th 
day after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Increased Payments.--
            (1) In general.--If the Secretary estimates that there will 
        be savings to the Medicare Program pursuant to subsection (a) 
        in a fiscal year, the Secretary shall prescribe rules under 
        which the amount of payments to a home health agency otherwise 
        made for such year under the Medicare Program is increased by a 
        specific amount (determined by the Secretary in regulations) 
        for each beneficiary that has been a patient of such agency for 
        at least 120 consecutive days during such year. The total 
        amount of increased payments made under this section in a 
        fiscal year shall equal the estimated savings for such year.
            (2) Determination of increased payment.--Not later than 
        October 1 of each year (beginning in 1998), the Secretary shall 
        establish the increased payment amount for purposes of 
        paragraph (1) that is applicable for the fiscal year beginning 
        on such date. In the case of fiscal year 1999, the Secretary 
        shall establish such increased payment amount by not later than 
        the 30th day after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Heightened Scrutiny of Certain Claims.--The Secretary shall 
establish procedures to provide heightened scrutiny of claims for 
reimbursement under the Medicare Program for items and services 
provided to beneficiaries described in subsection (b)(1).

SEC. 4. INCREASE IN PER-VISIT COST LIMITS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1861(v)(1)(L)(i)(IV) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)(i)(IV)) (as added by section 
4602 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is amended by striking ``105 
percent'' and inserting ``108 percent''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on October 1, 1998.

SEC. 5. UPDATE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR HOME 
              HEALTH AGENCIES.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
every 90 days thereafter until the prospective payment system for home 
health agencies (established by section 1895 of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395fff)) is implemented, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services shall meet with the staff of the appropriate committees of 
Congress to provide an informal update regarding the progress of the 
Secretary in implementing such payment system.

Home Health Access Preservation Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to the computation formula of the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies, in order to mandate a new interim system, as of October 1, 1998, with a revised formula and specific amounts for the agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation, according to the census division in which an agency is located. 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to:  (1) estimate the amount of savings (if any) to Medicare resulting from this Act for each fiscal year beginning after FY 1998 and before the first fiscal year in which the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health agencies applies; (2) prescribe rules for increased payments to such an agency, if there will be estimated savings; and (3) establish procedures to provide heightened scrutiny of claims for reimbursement under Medicare for items and services provided to certain agency beneficiaries. 
Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for a three percent increase in per visit cost limits for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997. 
Directs the Secretary to meet every 90 days with appropriate congressional committee staff to provide informal updates of progress in implementing the PPS above.