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

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 
2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Specialized food is often medically necessary for the 
        safe and effective management of many digestive and inherited 
        metabolic disorders that impact digestion, absorption, and 
        metabolism of nutrients.
            (2) Although medically necessary food is essential for 
        patients, it is often expensive and not uniformly reimbursed by 
        health insurance, leaving many families with an insurmountable 
        financial burden.
            (3) As a result, many patients who cannot afford medically 
        necessary food may experience adverse health consequences from 
        suboptimal disease management, including hospitalization, 
        intellectual impairment, behavioral dysfunction, inadequate 
        growth, nutrient deficiencies, and even death.

SEC. 3. COVERAGE OF MEDICALLY NECESSARY FOOD AND VITAMINS FOR DIGESTIVE 
              AND INHERITED METABOLIC DISORDERS UNDER FEDERAL HEALTH 
              PROGRAMS AND PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE.

    (a) Coverage Under the Medicare Program.--
            (1) Medically necessary food.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended--
                            (i) in subparagraph (FF), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (GG), by inserting 
                        ``and'' at the end; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following 
                        new subparagraph:
            ``(HH) medically necessary food (as defined in subsection 
        (jjj)) and the medical equipment and supplies necessary to 
        administer such food (other than medical equipment and supplies 
        described in subsection (n));''.
                    (B) Definition.--Section 1861 of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at 
                the end the following new subsection:

                       ``Medically Necessary Food

    ``(jjj)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the term `medically necessary 
food' means food, including a low protein modified food product and an 
amino acid preparation product, that is--
            ``(A) furnished pursuant to the prescription, order, or 
        recommendation (as applicable) of a physician or other health 
        care professional qualified to make such prescription, order, 
        or recommendation, for the dietary management of a covered 
        disease or condition;
            ``(B) a specially formulated and processed product (as 
        opposed to a naturally occurring foodstuff used in its natural 
        state) for the partial or exclusive feeding of an individual by 
        means of oral intake or enteral feeding by tube;
            ``(C) intended for the dietary management of an individual 
        who, because of therapeutic or chronic medical needs, has 
        limited or impaired capacity to ingest, digest, absorb, or 
        metabolize ordinary foodstuffs or certain nutrients, or who has 
        other special medically determined nutrient requirements, the 
        dietary management of which cannot be achieved by the 
        modification of the normal diet alone;
            ``(D) intended to be used under medical supervision, which 
        may include in a home setting; and
            ``(E) intended only for an individual receiving active and 
        ongoing medical supervision wherein the individual requires 
        medical care on a recurring basis for, among other things, 
        instructions on the use of the food.
    ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `medically necessary 
food' does not include the following:
            ``(A) Foods taken as part of an overall diet designed to 
        reduce the risk of a disease or medical condition or as weight 
        loss products, even if they are recommended by a physician or 
        other health professional.
            ``(B) Foods marketed as gluten-free for the management of 
        celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
            ``(C) Foods marketed for the management of diabetes.
            ``(D) Other products determined appropriate by the 
        Secretary.
    ``(3) In this subsection, the term `covered disease or condition' 
means the following diseases or conditions:
            ``(A) Inherited metabolic disorders, including the 
        following:
                    ``(i) Disorders classified as metabolic disorders 
                on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel Core 
                Conditions list of the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services' Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in 
                Newborns and Children.
                    ``(ii) N-acetyl glutamate synthase deficiency.
                    ``(iii) Ornithine transcarbamlyase deficiency.
                    ``(iv) Carbamoyl phosphate synthestase deficiency.
                    ``(v) Inherited disorders of mitochondrial 
                functioning.
            ``(B) Medical and surgical conditions of malabsorption, 
        including the following:
                    ``(i) Impaired absorption of nutrients caused by 
                disorders affecting the absorptive surface, functional 
                length, and motility of the gastrointestinal tract, 
                including short bowel syndrome and chronic intestinal 
                pseudo-obstruction.
                    ``(ii) Malabsorption due to liver or pancreatic 
                disease.
            ``(C) Immunoglobulin E and non-Immunoglobulin E-mediated 
        allergies to food proteins, including the following:
                    ``(i) Immunoglobulin E and non-Immunoglobulin E-
                mediated allergies to food proteins.
                    ``(ii) Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome.
                    ``(iii) Eosinophilic disorders, including 
                eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, 
                eosinophilic colitis, and post-transplant eosinophilic 
                disorders.
            ``(D) Inflammatory or immune mediated conditions of the 
        alimentary tract, including the following:
                    ``(i) Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's 
                disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis.
                    ``(ii) Gastroesophageal reflux disease that is 
                nonresponsive to standard medical therapies.
            ``(E) Any other disease or condition determined appropriate 
        by the Secretary.
    ``(4) In this subsection, the term ` low protein modified food 
product' means a product formulated to have less than one gram of 
protein per serving.''.
                    (C) Payment.--Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``and'' before ``(BB)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting before the semicolon at 
                        the end the following: ``, and (CC) with 
                        respect to medically necessary food (as defined 
                        in section 1861(jjj)), the amount paid shall be 
                        an amount equal to 80 percent of the lesser of 
                        the actual charge for the services or the 
                        amount determined under a fee schedule 
                        established by the Secretary for purposes of 
                        this subparagraph.''.
                    (D) Effective date.--The amendments made by this 
                subsection shall apply to items and services furnished 
                on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of 
                the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Inclusion of medically necessary vitamins as a covered 
        part d drug.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 1860D-2(e)(1) of the 
                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-102(e)(1)) is 
                amended--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' 
                        at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        comma at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) 
                        the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) medically necessary vitamins used for the 
                management of a covered disease or condition (as 
                defined in section 1861(jjj)(3)) pursuant to the 
                prescription, order, or recommendation (as applicable) 
                of a physician or other health care professional 
                qualified to make such prescription, order, or 
                recommendation,''.
                    (B) Effective date.--The amendments made by 
                subparagraph (A) shall apply to plan years beginning on 
                or after the date that is 1 year after the date of the 
                enactment of this Act.
    (b) Coverage Under the Medicaid Program.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (28), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (29) as paragraph 
                (31); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (28) the following 
                new paragraphs:
            ``(29) medically necessary food (as defined in section 
        1861(jjj)) and the medical equipment and supplies necessary to 
        administer such food;
            ``(30) medically necessary vitamins used for the management 
        of a covered disease or condition (as defined in section 
        1861(jjj)(3)) pursuant to the prescription, order, or 
        recommendation (as applicable) of a physician or other health 
        care professional qualified to make such prescription, order, 
        or recommendation; and''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Mandatory benefits.--Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of 
                the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)) is 
                amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                striking ``and (28)'' and inserting ``(28), (29), and 
                (30)''.
                    (B) Exception to coverage restriction.--Section 
                1927(d)(2)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1396r-8(d)(2)(E)) is amended by inserting ``and except 
                for medically necessary vitamins described in section 
                1905(a)(30)'' before the period at the end.
            (3) Effective date.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on 
                the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment 
                of this Act.
                    (B) Exception to effective date if state 
                legislation required.--In the case of a State plan for 
                medical assistance under title XIX of the Social 
                Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services determines requires State legislation (other 
                than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the 
                plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the 
                amendments made by this subsection, the State plan 
                shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the 
                requirements of such title solely on the basis of its 
                failure to meet this additional requirement before the 
                first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after 
                the close of the first regular session of the State 
                legislature that begins after the date of the enactment 
                of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in 
                the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative 
                session, each year of such session shall be deemed to 
                be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
    (c) Coverage Under CHIP.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2103(c) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1397cc(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
            ``(9) Medically necessary food.--The child health 
        assistance provided to a targeted low-income child under the 
        plan shall include coverage of medically necessary food (as 
        defined in section 1861(jjj)) and the medical equipment and 
        supplies necessary to administer such food.
            ``(10) Certain vitamins.--The child health assistance 
        provided to a targeted low-income child under the plan shall 
        include coverage of medically necessary vitamins used for the 
        management of a covered disease or condition (as defined in 
        section 1861(jjj)(3)) pursuant to the prescription, order, or 
        recommendation (as applicable) of a physician or other health 
        care professional qualified to make such prescription, order, 
        or recommendation.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 2103(a) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397cc(a)) is amended, in the matter 
        preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``and (7)'' and inserting 
        ``(7), (9), and (10)''.
            (3) Effective date.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on 
                the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment 
                of this Act.
                    (B) Exception to effective date if state 
                legislation required.--In the case of a State child 
                health plan for child health assistance under title XXI 
                of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of 
                Health and Human Services determines requires State 
                legislation (other than legislation appropriating 
                funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional 
                requirements imposed by the amendments made by this 
                subsection, the State child health plan shall not be 
                regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of 
                such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet 
                this additional requirement before the first day of the 
                first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 
                first regular session of the State legislature that 
                begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For 
                purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a 
                State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year 
                of such session shall be deemed to be a separate 
                regular session of the State legislature.
    (d) Modification of Diseases and Conditions Covered Under TRICARE 
Program.--Section 1077(h)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
        and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
            ``(E) Immunoglobulin E or non-Immunoglobulin E mediated 
        allergies to food proteins.''.
    (e) Coverage Under FEHBP.--
            (1) In general.--Section 8902 of title 5, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(p) A contract for a plan under this chapter shall require the 
carrier to provide coverage for--
            ``(1) medically necessary food (as defined in section 
        1861(jjj) of the Social Security Act) and the medical equipment 
        and supplies necessary to administer such food; and
            ``(2) medically necessary vitamins in the same manner 
        provided for under section 1860D-2(e)(1)(C) of the Social 
        Security Act.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply with respect to contract years beginning on or 
        after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
    (f) Coverage Under Private Health Insurance.--
            (1) In general.--Subpart II of part A of title XXVII of the 
        Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-11 et seq.) is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 2729. COVERAGE OF MEDICALLY NECESSARY FOOD AND VITAMINS.

    ``A health insurance issuer offering group or individual health 
insurance coverage shall provide coverage for--
            ``(1) medically necessary food (as defined in section 
        1861(jjj) of the Social Security Act) and the medical equipment 
        and supplies necessary to administer such food; and
            ``(2) medically necessary vitamins in the same manner 
        provided for under section 1860D-2(e)(1)(C) of the Social 
        Security Act.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply to plan years beginning on or after the date that 
        is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
[EX A]: Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2017 This bill provides for coverage, under Medicare, Medicaid, other specified federal health-care programs, and private health insurance,&nbsp;of foods and vitamins that are medically necessary for the management of&nbsp;certain digestive and metabolic disorders&nbsp;and conditions. 

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Readjustment Counseling Service 
Amendments of 1995''.

SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE IN THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7305 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new 
        paragraph (7):
            ``(7) A Readjustment Counseling Service.''.
    (b) Organization.--The Readjustment Counseling Service shall have 
the organizational structure and administrative structure of that 
service as such structures were in existence on January 1, 1993.
    (c) Revision of Organizational Structure.--(1) The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs may not alter or revise the organizational structure 
or the administrative structure of the Readjustment Counseling Service 
until--
            (A) the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
        report containing a full and complete statement of the proposed 
        alteration or revision; and
            (B) a period of 60 days has elapsed after the date on which 
        the report is received by the committees.
    (2) In the computation of the 60-day period under paragraph (1)(B), 
there shall be excluded any day on which either House of Congress is 
not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 calendar days 
to a day certain.
    (d) Budget Information Relating to the Service.--Each budget 
submitted to Congress by the President under section 1105 of title 31, 
United States Code, shall set forth the amount requested in the budget 
for the operation of the Readjustment Counseling Service in the fiscal 
year covered by the budget and shall set forth separately the amount 
requested for administrative oversight of the activities of the service 
(including the amount requested for funding of the Advisory Committee 
on Readjustment of Veterans).

SEC. 3. DIRECTOR OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE.

    (a) Director.--Section 7306(b) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3) 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) one shall be a person who (A)(i) is a qualified 
        psychiatrist, (ii) is a qualified psychologist holding a 
        diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology 
        from an authority approved by the American Psychological 
        Association and has successfully undergone an internship 
        approved by that association, (iii) is a qualified holder of a 
        master in social work degree, or (iv) is a registered nurse 
        holding a master of science in nursing degree in psychiatric 
        nursing or any other mental-health related degree approved by 
        the Secretary, and (B) has at least 3 years of clinical 
        experience and 2 years of administrative experience in the 
        Readjustment Counseling Service or other comparable mental 
        health care counseling service (as determined by the 
        Secretary), who shall be the director of the Readjustment 
        Counseling Service.''.
    (b) Status of Director.--Section 7306(a)(3) of such title is 
amended by striking out ``eight'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
``nine''.
    (c) Organizational Requirement.--The Director of the Readjustment 
Counseling Service shall report to the Under Secretary for Health of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs through the Associate Deputy Under 
Secretary for Health for Clinical Programs.

SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR READJUSTMENT COUNSELING AND 
              CERTAIN RELATED COUNSELING SERVICES.

    (a) Readjustment Counseling.--(1) Subsection (a) of section 1712A 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a)(1)(A) Upon the request of any veteran referred to in 
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall furnish 
counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in readjusting to 
civilian life.
    ``(B) A veteran referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph 
is any veteran who--
            ``(i) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or
            ``(ii) served on active military, naval, or air service in 
        a theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary, 
        in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a period 
        of war or in any other area during a period in which 
        hostilities (as defined in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph) 
        occurred in such area.
    ``(C) Upon the request of any veteran other than a veteran referred 
to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary may furnish 
counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in readjusting to 
civilian life.
    ``(D) For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the 
term `hostilities' means an armed conflict in which the members of the 
Armed Forces are subjected to danger comparable to the danger to which 
members of the Armed Forces have been subjected in combat with enemy 
armed forces during a period of war, as determined by the Secretary in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
    ``(2) The counseling referred to in paragraph (1) shall include a 
general mental and psychological assessment of a covered veteran to 
ascertain whether such veteran has mental or psychological problems 
associated with readjustment to civilian life.''.
    (2) Subsection (c) of such section is repealed.
    (b) Other Counseling.--Such section is further amended by inserting 
after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary shall provide the counseling services 
described in section 1701(6)(B)(ii) of this title to the surviving 
parents, spouse, and children of any member of the Armed Forces who is 
killed during service on active military, naval, or air service in a 
theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a period of war or 
in any other area during a period in which hostilities (as defined in 
subsection (a)(1)(D) of this section) occurred in such area.
    ``(2) The Secretary may provide the counseling services referred to 
in paragraph (1) to the surviving parents, spouse, and children of any 
member of the Armed Forces who dies while serving on active duty or 
from a condition (as determined by the Secretary) incurred in or 
aggravated by such service.''.
    (c) Authority To Contract for Counseling Services.--Subsection (e) 
of such section is amended by striking out ``subsections (a) and (b)'' 
each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``subsections (a), 
(b), and (c)''.

SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE READJUSTMENT OF VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1712B the 
following:
``Sec. 1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans
    ``(a)(1) There is in the Department the Advisory Committee on the 
Readjustment of Veterans (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
`Committee').
    ``(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 18 members 
appointed by the Secretary from among veterans who--
            ``(A) have demonstrated significant civic or professional 
        achievement; and
            ``(B) have experience with the provision of veterans 
        benefits and services by the Department.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall seek to ensure that members appointed to 
the Committee include persons from a wide variety of geographic areas 
and ethnic backgrounds, persons from veterans service organizations, 
and women.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service and pay 
and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a term of 
service may not exceed 2 years. The Secretary may reappoint any member 
for additional terms of service.
    ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and 
seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the provision by the 
Department of benefits and services to veterans in order to assist 
veterans in the readjustment to civilian life.
    ``(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this 
subsection, the Committee shall--
            ``(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs 
        of veterans in readjusting to civilian life;
            ``(ii) provide information relating to the nature and 
        character of psychological problems arising from service in the 
        Armed Forces;
            ``(iii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness 
        of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the 
        Department in assisting veterans in readjusting to civilian 
        life; and
            ``(iv) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate 
        means of responding to the readjustment needs of veterans in 
        the future.
    ``(B) In carrying out its duties under subparagraph (A), the 
Committee shall take into special account veterans of the Vietnam era, 
and the readjustment needs of such veterans.
    ``(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the Committee shall 
submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the 
Department that relate to the readjustment of veterans to civilian 
life. Each such report shall include--
            ``(A) an assessment of the needs of veterans with respect 
        to readjustment to civilian life;
            ``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the 
        Department designed to meet such needs; and
            ``(C) such recommendations (including recommendations for 
        administrative and legislative action) as the Committee 
        considers appropriate.
    ``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of each report under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of 
the report, together with any comments and recommendations concerning 
the report that the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other 
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted 
to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all 
reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary 
since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to 
that section.
    ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the 
activities of the Committee under this section.
    ``(2) Section 14 of such Act shall not apply to the Committee.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such 
title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1712B 
the following:

``1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans.''.
    (b) Original Members.--(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2) of 
section 1712C of such title (as added by subsection (a)), the members 
of the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Vietnam and Other War 
Veterans on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be the original 
members of the advisory committee recognized under such section.
    (2) The original members shall so serve until the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs carries out appointments under such subsection (a)(2). 
The Secretary shall carry out such appointments as soon after such date 
as is practicable. The Secretary may make such appointments from among 
such original members.

SEC. 6. PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF VIETNAM VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER PILOT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran 
Resource Center program established pursuant to the amendment made by 
section 105 of the Veterans' Administration Health-Care Amendments of 
1985 (Public Law 99-166; 99 Stat. 944). The plan shall include a 
schedule for, and an assessment of the cost of, the implementation of 
the program at or through all Department of Veterans Affairs 
readjustment counseling centers.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit the plan not later than 4 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Department of Veterans 
Affairs readjustment counseling centers'' has the same meaning given 
the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 7. REPORT ON COLLOCATION OF VET CENTERS AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINICS.

    (a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the feasibility and desirability of the 
collocation of Vet Centers and outpatient clinics (including rural 
mobile clinics) of the Department of Veterans Affairs as current leases 
for such centers and clinics expire.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 6 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Covered Matters.--The report under this section shall include 
an assessment of the following:
            (1) The results of any collocation of Vet Centers and 
        outpatient clinics carried out by the Secretary before the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, including the effects of such 
        collocation on the quality of care provided at such centers and 
        clinics.
            (2) The effect of such collocation on the capacity of such 
        centers to carry out their primary mission.
            (3) The extent to which such collocation will impair the 
        operational independence or administrative integrity of such 
        centers.
            (4) The feasibility of combining the services provided by 
        such centers and clinics in the course of the collocation of 
        such centers and clinics.
            (5) The advisability of the collocation of centers and 
        clinics of significantly different size.
            (6) The effect of the locations (including urban and rural 
        locations) of the centers and clinics on the feasibility and 
        desirability of such collocation.
            (7) The amount of any costs savings to be achieved by 
        Department as a result of such collocation.
            (8) The desirability of such collocation in light of plans 
        for the provision of health care services by the Department 
        under national health care reform.
            (9) Any other matters that the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.

SEC. 8. VET CENTER HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out 
a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to 
eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers. The Secretary 
shall carry out the pilot program in accordance with this section.
    (b) Services.--(1) In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary 
shall provide the services referred to in paragraph (2) at not less 
than 10 readjustment counseling centers in existence on the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (2) The Secretary shall provide basic ambulatory services and 
health care screening services by such personnel as the Secretary 
considers appropriate at each readjustment counseling center under the 
pilot program. The Secretary shall assign not less than one-half of a 
full-time employee equivalent at each such center in order to provide 
such services under the pilot program.
    (3) In determining the location of the readjustment counseling 
centers at which to provide services under the pilot program, the 
Secretary shall select centers that are located in a variety of 
geographic areas and that serve veterans of a variety of economic, 
social, and ethnic backgrounds.
    (c) Period of Operation.--(1) The Secretary shall commence the 
provision of health-related services at readjustment counseling centers 
under the pilot program not later than 4 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (2) The pilot program shall terminate 2 years after the date on 
which the Secretary commences the provision of services under paragraph 
(1).
    (d) Report.--(1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the pilot program established under this section. The report shall 
include the following:
            (A) A description of the program, including information 
        on--
                    (i) the number of veterans provided basic 
                ambulatory services and health care screening services 
                under the pilot program;
                    (ii) the number of such veterans referred to 
                Department of Veterans Affairs general health-care 
                facilities in order to provide such services to such 
                veterans; and
                    (iii) the cost to the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs of the pilot program.
            (B) An analysis of the effectiveness of the services 
        provided to veterans under the pilot program.
            (C) The recommendations of the Secretary for means of 
        improving the pilot program, and an estimate of the cost to the 
        Department of implementing such recommendations.
            (D) An assessment of the desirability of expanding the type 
        or nature of services provided under the pilot program in light 
        of plans for the provision of health care services by the 
        Department under national health care reform.
            (E) An assessment of the extent to which the provision of 
        services under the pilot program impairs the operational or 
        administrative independence of the readjustment counseling 
        centers at which such services are provided.
            (F) An assessment of the effect of the location of the 
        centers on the effectiveness for the Department and for 
        veterans of the services provided under the pilot program.
            (G) Such other information as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            (1) The term ``Department of Veterans Affairs general 
        health-care facility'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 1712A(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means any veteran 
        eligible for outpatient services under paragraph (1), (2), or 
        (3) of section 1712(a) of such title.
            (3) The term ``readjustment counseling center'' has the 
        same meaning given the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1) 
        of such title.
                                 
S 403 IS----2
[EX A]: Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments of 1995 - Includes a Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) as part of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from altering or revising the organizational structure of RCS until the Secretary has notified specified congressional committees and 60 days have elapsed since such notification.  Requires RCS budget information to be included annually in the President's budget submitted to the Congress. 
Outlines eligibility requirements for one of the Assistant Under Secretaries for Health in the Department, including at least three years of clinical experience and two years of administrative experience in RCS or other comparable mental health care counseling service.  Makes such a qualified person the director of RCS. 
Increases from eight to nine the authorized number of Assistant Under Secretaries for Health. 
Directs the Secretary to furnish readjustment counseling to any veteran who:  (1) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or (2) served on active duty in a theater of combat during a period of war (currently, only after May 7, 1975) in any area in which hostilities occurred.  Authorizes the Secretary to furnish such assistance to any other veteran upon request.   Directs the Secretary to provide counseling to survivors and dependents of members of the armed forces killed while performing such duty.  Allows the Secretary to provide such counseling to the survivors and dependents of other members killed during active duty or from a condition incurred in or aggravated by such service. 
Establishes in the Department the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans to perform advisory services with respect to veterans' readjustment, taking into special account Vietnam era veterans.  Requires specified reports from the Advisory Committee and the Secretary. 
Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional veterans' affairs committees: (1) a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran Resource Center program; and (2) on the feasibility and desirability of the collocation of Vet Centers and outpatient clinics of the Department as current leases for such centers and clinics expire. 
Directs the Secretary to carry out and report to the Congress on a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Debit Card Protection 
Act''.

SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) There has been a recent trend toward issuing debit 
        cards which can be used like credit cards, largely as 
        replacements for debit cards which could be used only with a 
        personal identification number at automated teller machines and 
        a limited number of retail establishments.
            (2) According to industry analysts, as many as 1,300,000 
        new debit cards which can be used like credit cards are issued 
        each month.
            (3) If current trends continue, debit cards that can be 
        used like credit cards will soon rival the popularity of credit 
        cards and some banking experts predict that more than \2/3\ of 
        the households in the United States will have such a card by 
        the year 2000.
            (4) Many times, debit cards that can be used like credit 
        cards have been issued without providing adequate disclosure 
        that--
                    (A) the card may be used to initiate an electronic 
                fund transfer without the use of a personal 
                identification number or similar code or means of 
                access; and
                    (B) even though the card may carry a logo 
                associated with credit cards, the card is not a credit 
                card and the consumer may bear a significantly larger 
                liability for an unauthorized transaction involving 
                such debit card than would be the case for a similar 
                unauthorized transaction involving a credit card.
            (5) Thus, millions of Americans are--
                    (A) receiving cards in a form they didn't request; 
                and
                    (B) are carrying such cards around with them--
                            (i) without realizing that the cards have 
                        an expanded capability without the protections 
                        against unauthorized transfers which are 
                        typical of cards issued to make cash 
                        withdrawals from automated teller machines; and
                            (ii) without fully appreciating the risks 
                        associated with such cards.
            (5) Economic stimulation would be enhanced and competition 
        among the various financial institutions and other companies 
        which issue debit cards would be strengthened by the informed 
        use of debit cards by consumers.

SEC. 3. DEBIT CARD CONSUMER PROTECTION.

    (a) Issuance of Debit Cards.--Section 911 of the Electronic Fund 
Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693i) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsections:
    ``(d) Warning to Consumer.--
            ``(1) In general.--If, in response to a request or 
        application by a consumer for a card for use in initiating 
        electronic fund transfers at automated teller machines and 
        other electronic terminals which require a code or other unique 
        form of identification in order to access the account of the 
        consumer, a financial institution issues a card which can be 
        used to initiate electronic fund transfers from the account of 
        the consumer without the protection of a code or other means of 
        access which uniquely identifies the consumer, the issuer of 
        such card shall include a statement in bold type in a prominent 
        and conspicuous location on such card, or on a notice 
        accompanying the card, which warns the consumer that such card 
        can be used without a code or means of access which uniquely 
        identifies the consumer and protects the consumer from 
        unauthorized transfers.
            ``(2) Replacement cards.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
        with respect to a card issued as a replacement for, or in 
        renewal of, a card previously issued to the consumer which can 
        be used to initiate electronic fund transfers from the account 
        of the consumer without the protection of a code or other means 
of access which uniquely identifies the consumer.
            ``(3) Signature not treated as means of access which 
        uniquely identifies consumer.--A signature shall not be treated 
        as a means of access which uniquely identifies the consumer for 
        purposes of this section.
    ``(e) Preference of Consumer.--If--
            ``(1) in response to a request or application by a consumer 
        for a card for use in initiating electronic fund transfers at 
        automated teller machines and other electronic terminals which 
        requires a code or other unique form of identification in order 
        to access the account of the consumer, a financial institution 
        issues a card which can be used to initiate electronic fund 
        transfers from the account of the consumer without the 
        protection of a code or other means of access which uniquely 
        identifies the consumer; and
            ``(2) the consumer refuses to accept the card as issued,
the issuer shall promptly issue such consumer a card which requires a 
code or other unique form of identification in order to access the 
account of the consumer.''.
    (b) Liability of Consumer for Unauthorized Transfers.--
            (1) Consumer liability limited to $50.--Section 909(a) of 
        the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693g(a)) is 
        amended by striking the penultimate sentence and the last 
        sentence.
            (2) Consumer not liable if the only form of identification 
        required is a signature.--The 1st sentence of section 909(a) of 
        the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693g(a)) is 
        amended by striking ``signature, photograph,'' and inserting 
        ``photograph''.
    (c) Provisional Recredit Provisions.--
            (1) Provisional recredit after 3 days.--Section 908(c) of 
        the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693f(c)) is 
        amended by striking ``ten business days'' and inserting ``3 
        business days''.
            (2) Provisional recredit required upon notice of error 
        involving transactions initiated without code or unique 
        access.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 908(c) of the Electronic 
                Fund Transfer Act (as amended by paragraph (1) of this 
                subsection) is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``(c) If a financial 
                        institution'' and inserting ``(c) Provisional 
                        Recredit in Case of Error.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a financial institution''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following new 
                        paragraph:
            ``(2) Provisional recredit required upon notice of error 
        involving transactions initiated without code or unique 
        access.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
        if a financial institution receives notice of an error 
        involving an electronic fund transfer initiated by the use of a 
        card without a code or means of access which uniquely 
        identifies the consumer--
                    ``(A) the financial institution shall provisionally 
                recredit the consumer's account for the amount alleged 
                to be in error, subject to section 909, including 
                interest where applicable, before the end of the 3-
                business-day period beginning on the date the 
                institution receives such notice;
                    ``(B) the institution shall complete an 
                investigation and make a determination of whether an 
                error has occurred before the end of the 45-day period 
                beginning on such date; and
                    ``(C) the consumer shall have full use of the funds 
                provisionally recredited until such determination is 
                made.''.
                    (B) Technical and conforming amendment.--The last 
                sentence of section 908(a) is amended by striking 
                ``subsection (c), nor shall the financial institution 
                be'' and inserting ``subsection (c) until such written 
                confirmation is received, and the financial institution 
                shall not be''.
    (d) Requirement Relating to Consumer Inquiries and Notices.--
Section 906(c)(4) of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 
1693d(c)(4)) is amended by striking ``the address and telephone 
number'' and all that follows through the 1st period and inserting 
``the address and telephone number at which the financial institution 
can be contacted directly by the consumer for purposes of notifying the 
institution of an error (including an unauthorized transaction) with 
regard to the consumer's account, for purposes of notifying the 
institution of the loss or theft of a card, code, or other means of 
access to such account, or for purposes of making any inquiry with 
regard to the statement or the account. The information provided under 
this paragraph shall include a detailed description of the procedures 
required to be followed by the consumer in providing any such notice, 
any requirement that any such notice be in writing, any applicable time 
limits for providing any such notice and the consequences of any 
failure by the consumer to meet any such time limit, and any other 
information the Board may require, by regulation, in order to ensure 
that the rights of the consumer under this title are fully 
protected.''.
    (e) Disclosures Required as Precondition for Consumer Liability for 
Unauthorized Transfers.--The 1st sentence of section 909(a) of the 
Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693g(a)) (as amended by 
subsection (b)(2) of this section) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``means of access and if the issuer'' and 
        inserting ``means of access, if the issuer''; and
            (2) by inserting ``, if, in the most recent statement of 
        account, such issuer has provided the consumer with the 
        information required under section 906(c)(4), and if, in the 
        case of an unauthorized transfer initiated by the use of a card 
        without the protection of a code or other means of access which 
        uniquely identifies the consumer, the issuer complied with the 
        requirements of section 911(d)(1) at the time such card (or any 
        card for which such card is a replacement) was issued to the 
        consumer'' before the period at the end of such sentence.
    (f) Prohibition on Fees for Insufficient Funds in Case of Certain 
Unauthorized Transfers.--Section 909 of the Electronic Fund Transfer 
Act (15 U.S.C. 1693g) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(f) Prohibition on Certain Fees.--
            ``(1) In general.--A consumer shall not be liable for any 
        fee imposed by a financial institution for insufficient funds 
        in the account of the consumer if the lack of sufficient funds 
        in such account is due to an unauthorized electronic fund 
        transfer (from such account) initiated by the use of a card 
        without the protection of a code or other means of access which 
        uniquely identifies the consumer.
            ``(2) Prompt recredit of prior fees.--Upon receiving notice 
        from a consumer of an alleged unauthorized transaction, a 
        financial institution shall promptly credit the account of a 
        consumer for any fee described in paragraph (1) which was 
        imposed before such notice was received.''.
[EX A]:
Consumer Debit Card Protection Act - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act with respect to a financial institution which issues electronic fund transfer cards for consumer accounts without a means of unique individual identification.  Requires such an institution to include on the card a prominent and conspicuous consumer protection warning that the card can be used without a code or unique identifier.  Provides that, if a consumer applies for a card requiring a code or other unique identifier, the institution issues a card without such an identifier, and the consumer refuses to accept it, the institution shall promptly issue the consumer a card which does require such a code or identifier to access a consumer account.  Declares that a signature shall not be treated as a unique identifier. 
Repeals guidelines governing consumer reimbursement and maximum liability for losses caused by the consumer's failure to timely report unauthorized electronic fund transfers.  Limits consumer liability to a $50 maximum in all circumstances. 
Excepts a consumer from liability for unauthorized electronic fund transfers if the only required form of identification is a signature. 
Reduces from ten to three business days the period within which a financial institution may provide a provisional recredit of a consumer's account upon timely notice of error.  Mandates provisional recredit of a consumer's account, including interest, upon receipt of notice of an error involving an electronic fund transfer initiated by the use of a card without a means of access which uniquely identifies the consumer. 
Modifies the loss or theft of card notification information required on monthly account statements as a precondition for consumer liability for unauthorized transfers. 
Precludes consumer liability for fees for insufficient funds due to an unauthorized electronic fund transfer executed by the use of a card lacking a protective device to serve as a unique identifier of the rightful consumer.  Requires prompt recrediting of the consumer's account for any fee imposed before receipt of the consumer's notice of an unauthorized electronic fund transfer.