Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
PL 111-163 (S.1963), enacted 05/05/2010

124 STAT. 1130 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
Public Law 111–163 
111th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide assistance to caregivers of 
veterans, to improve the provision of health care to veterans, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Caregivers 
and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—CAREGIVER SUPPORT 
Sec. 101. Assistance and support services for caregivers. 
Sec. 102. Medical care for family caregivers. 
Sec. 103. Counseling and mental health services for caregivers. 
Sec. 104. Lodging and subsistence for attendants. 
TITLE II—WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Sec. 201. Study of barriers for women veterans to health care from the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 202. Training and certification for mental health care providers of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs on care for veterans suffering from sexual 
trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. 
Sec. 203. Pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly 
separated from service in the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 204. Service on certain advisory committees of women recently separated from 
service in the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 205. Pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving 
health care. 
Sec. 206. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care. 
TITLE III—RURAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS 
Sec. 301. Improvements to the Education Debt Reduction Program. 
Sec. 302. Visual impairment and orientation and mobility professionals education 
assistance program. 
Sec. 303. Demonstration projects on alternatives for expanding care for veterans in 
rural areas. 
Sec. 304. Program on readjustment and mental health care services for veterans 
who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Free-
dom. 
Sec. 305. Travel reimbursement for veterans receiving treatment at facilities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 306. Pilot program on incentives for physicians who assume inpatient respon-
sibilities at community hospitals in health professional shortage areas. 
Sec. 307. Grants for veterans service organizations for transportation of highly 
rural veterans. 
Sec. 308. Modification of eligibility for participation in pilot program of enhanced 
contract care authority for health care needs of certain veterans. 
38 USC 101 note. 
Caregivers and 
Veterans 
Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 
2010. 
May 5, 2010 
[S. 1963] 
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124 STAT. 1131 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
TITLE IV—MENTAL HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Sec. 401. Eligibility of members of the Armed Forces who serve in Operation En-
during Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom for counseling and services 
through Readjustment Counseling Service. 
Sec. 402. Restoration of authority of Readjustment Counseling Service to provide 
referral and other assistance upon request to former members of the 
Armed Forces not authorized counseling. 
Sec. 403. Study on suicides among veterans. 
TITLE V—OTHER HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Sec. 501. Repeal of certain annual reporting requirements. 
Sec. 502. Submittal date of annual report on Gulf War research. 
Sec. 503. Payment for care furnished to CHAMPVA beneficiaries. 
Sec. 504. Disclosure of patient treatment information from medical records of pa-
tients lacking decisionmaking capacity. 
Sec. 505. Enhancement of quality management. 
Sec. 506. Pilot program on use of community-based organizations and local and 
State government entities to ensure that veterans receive care and ben-
efits for which they are eligible. 
Sec. 507. Specialized residential care and rehabilitation for certain veterans. 
Sec. 508. Expanded study on the health impact of Project Shipboard Hazard and 
Defense. 
Sec. 509. Use of non-Department facilities for rehabilitation of individuals with 
traumatic brain injury. 
Sec. 510. Pilot program on provision of dental insurance plans to veterans and sur-
vivors and dependents of veterans. 
Sec. 511. Prohibition on collection of copayments from veterans who are catastroph-
ically disabled. 
Sec. 512. Higher priority status for certain veterans who are medal of honor recipi-
ents. 
Sec. 513. Hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for certain Viet-
nam-era veterans exposed to herbicide and veterans of the Persian Gulf 
War. 
Sec. 514. Establishment of Director of Physician Assistant Services in Veterans 
Health Administration. 
Sec. 515. Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury. 
Sec. 516. Increase in amount available to disabled veterans for improvements and 
structural alterations furnished as part of home health services. 
Sec. 517. Extension of statutorily defined copayments for certain veterans for hos-
pital care and nursing home care. 
Sec. 518. Extension of authority to recover cost of certain care and services from 
disabled veterans with health-plan contracts. 
TITLE VI—DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL MATTERS 
Sec. 601. Enhancement of authorities for retention of medical professionals. 
Sec. 602. Limitations on overtime duty, weekend duty, and alternative work sched-
ules for nurses. 
Sec. 603. Reauthorization of health professionals educational assistance scholarship 
program. 
Sec. 604. Loan repayment program for clinical researchers from disadvantaged 
backgrounds. 
TITLE VII—HOMELESS VETERANS MATTERS 
Sec. 701. Per diem grant payments to nonconforming entities. 
TITLE VIII—NONPROFIT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CORPORATIONS 
Sec. 801. General authorities on establishment of corporations. 
Sec. 802. Clarification of purposes of corporations. 
Sec. 803. Modification of requirements for boards of directors of corporations. 
Sec. 804. Clarification of powers of corporations. 
Sec. 805. Redesignation of section 7364A of title 38, United States Code. 
Sec. 806. Improved accountability and oversight of corporations. 
TITLE IX—CONSTRUCTION AND NAMING MATTERS 
Sec. 901. Authorization of medical facility projects. 
Sec. 902. Designation of Merril Lundman Department of Veterans Affairs Out-
patient Clinic, Havre, Montana. 
Sec. 903. Designation of William C. Tallent Department of Veterans Affairs Out-
patient Clinic, Knoxville, Tennessee. 
Sec. 904. Designation of Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient 
Clinic, Alexandria, Minnesota. 
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124 STAT. 1132 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
TITLE X—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 1001. Expansion of authority for Department of Veterans Affairs police offi-
cers. 
Sec. 1002. Uniform allowance for Department of Veterans Affairs police officers. 
Sec. 1003. Submission of reports to Congress by Secretary of Veterans Affairs in 
electronic form. 
Sec. 1004. Determination of budgetary effects for purposes of compliance with Stat-
utory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. 
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act 
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment 
to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall 
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 
38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—CAREGIVER SUPPORT 
SEC. 101. ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS. 
(a) ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1720G. Assistance and support services for caregivers 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM
OF COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE
FOR FAMILY 
CAREGIVERS.—(1)(A) The Secretary shall establish a program of 
comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of eligible veterans. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall only provide support under the pro-
gram required by subparagraph (A) to a family caregiver of an 
eligible veteran if the Secretary determines it is in the best interest 
of the eligible veteran to do so. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, an eligible veteran is 
any individual who— 
‘‘(A) is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces under-
going medical discharge from the Armed Forces; 
‘‘(B) has a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, 
psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or 
aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, 
or air service on or after September 11, 2001; and 
‘‘(C) is in need of personal care services because of— 
‘‘(i) an inability to perform one or more activities of 
daily living; 
‘‘(ii) a need for supervision or protection based on symp-
toms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or 
injury; or 
‘‘(iii) such other matters as the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
‘‘(3)(A) As part of the program required by paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall provide to family caregivers of eligible veterans 
the following assistance: 
‘‘(i) To each family caregiver who is approved as a provider 
of personal care services for an eligible veteran under paragraph 
(6)— 
‘‘(I) such instruction, preparation, and training as the 
Secretary considers appropriate for the family caregiver 
to provide personal care services to the eligible veteran; 
‘‘(II) ongoing technical support consisting of informa-
tion and assistance to address, in a timely manner, the 
Determination. 
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124 STAT. 1133 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
routine, emergency, and specialized caregiving needs of 
the family caregiver in providing personal care services 
to the eligible veteran; 
‘‘(III) counseling; and 
‘‘(IV) lodging and subsistence under section 111(e) of 
this title. 
‘‘(ii) To each family caregiver who is designated as the 
primary provider of personal care services for an eligible vet-
eran under paragraph (7)— 
‘‘(I) the assistance described in clause (i); 
‘‘(II) such mental health services as the Secretary 
determines appropriate; 
‘‘(III) respite care of not less than 30 days annually, 
including 24-hour per day care of the veteran commensu-
rate with the care provided by the family caregiver to 
permit extended respite; 
‘‘(IV) medical care under section 1781 of this title; 
and 
‘‘(V) a monthly personal caregiver stipend. 
‘‘(B) Respite care provided under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) shall 
be medically and age-appropriate and include in-home care. 
‘‘(C)(i) The amount of the monthly personal caregiver stipend 
provided under subparagraph (A)(ii)(V) shall be determined in 
accordance with a schedule established by the Secretary that speci-
fies stipends based upon the amount and degree of personal care 
services provided. 
‘‘(ii) The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that 
the schedule required by clause (i) specifies that the amount of 
the monthly personal caregiver stipend provided to a primary pro-
vider of personal care services for the provision of personal care 
services to an eligible veteran is not less than the monthly amount 
a commercial home health care entity would pay an individual 
in the geographic area of the eligible veteran to provide equivalent 
personal care services to the eligible veteran. 
‘‘(iii) If personal care services are not available from a commer-
cial home health entity in the geographic area of an eligible veteran, 
the amount of the monthly personal caregiver stipend payable under 
the schedule required by clause (i) with respect to the eligible 
veteran shall be determined by taking into consideration the costs 
of commercial providers of personal care services in providing per-
sonal care services in geographic areas other than the geographic 
area of the eligible veteran with similar costs of living. 
‘‘(4) An eligible veteran and a family member of the eligible 
veteran seeking to participate in the program required by paragraph 
(1) shall jointly submit to the Secretary an application therefor 
in such form and in such manner as the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
‘‘(5) For each application submitted jointly by an eligible veteran 
and family member, the Secretary shall evaluate— 
‘‘(A) the eligible veteran— 
‘‘(i) to identify the personal care services required by 
the eligible veteran; and 
‘‘(ii) to determine whether such requirements could 
be significantly or substantially satisfied through the provi-
sion of personal care services from a family member; and 
‘‘(B) the family member to determine the amount of instruc-
tion, preparation, and training, if any, the family member 
Application. 
Determinations. 
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124 STAT. 1134 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
requires to provide the personal care services required by the 
eligible veteran— 
‘‘(i) as a provider of personal care services for the 
eligible veteran; and 
‘‘(ii) as the primary provider of personal care services 
for the eligible veteran. 
‘‘(6)(A) The Secretary shall provide each family member of 
an eligible veteran who makes a joint application under paragraph 
(4) the instruction, preparation, and training determined to be 
required by such family member under paragraph (5)(B). 
‘‘(B) Upon the successful completion by a family member of 
an eligible veteran of instruction, preparation, and training under 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve the family member 
as a provider of personal care services for the eligible veteran. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary shall, subject to regulations the Secretary 
shall prescribe, provide for necessary travel, lodging, and per diem 
expenses incurred by a family member of an eligible veteran in 
undergoing instruction, preparation, and training under subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(D) If the participation of a family member of an eligible 
veteran in instruction, preparation, and training under subpara-
graph (A) would interfere with the provision of personal care serv-
ices to the eligible veteran, the Secretary shall, subject to regula-
tions as the Secretary shall prescribe and in consultation with 
the veteran, provide respite care to the eligible veteran during 
the provision of such instruction, preparation, and training to the 
family member so that the family member can participate in such 
instruction, preparation, and training without interfering with the 
provision of such services to the eligible veteran. 
‘‘(7)(A) For each eligible veteran with at least one family 
member who is described by subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall 
designate one family member of such eligible veteran as the primary 
provider of personal care services for such eligible veteran. 
‘‘(B) A primary provider of personal care services designated 
for an eligible veteran under subparagraph (A) shall be selected 
from among family members of the eligible veteran who— 
‘‘(i) are approved under paragraph (6) as a provider of 
personal care services for the eligible veteran; 
‘‘(ii) elect to provide the personal care services to the eligible 
veteran that the Secretary determines the eligible veteran 
requires under paragraph (5)(A)(i); 
‘‘(iii) has the consent of the eligible veteran to be the 
primary provider of personal care services for the eligible vet-
eran; and 
‘‘(iv) are considered by the Secretary as competent to be 
the primary provider of personal care services for the eligible 
veteran. 
‘‘(C) An eligible veteran receiving personal care services from 
a family member designated as the primary provider of personal 
care services for the eligible veteran under subparagraph (A) may, 
in accordance with procedures the Secretary shall establish for 
such purposes, revoke consent with respect to such family member 
under subparagraph (B)(iii). 
‘‘(D) If a family member designated as the primary provider 
of personal care services for an eligible veteran under subparagraph 
(A) subsequently fails to meet any requirement set forth in subpara-
graph (B), the Secretary— 
Procedures. 
Determination. 
Designation. 
Regulations. 
Regulations. 
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124 STAT. 1135 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(i) shall immediately revoke the family member’s designa-
tion under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) may designate, in consultation with the eligible vet-
eran, a new primary provider of personal care services for 
the eligible veteran under such subparagraph. 
‘‘(E) The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
to ensure that the revocation of a designation under subparagraph 
(A) with respect to an eligible veteran does not interfere with 
the provision of personal care services required by the eligible 
veteran. 
‘‘(8) If an eligible veteran lacks the capacity to make a decision 
under this subsection, the Secretary may, in accordance with regula-
tions and policies of the Department regarding appointment of 
guardians or the use of powers of attorney, appoint a surrogate 
for the eligible veteran who may make decisions and take action 
under this subsection on behalf of the eligible veteran. 
‘‘(9)(A) The Secretary shall monitor the well-being of each 
eligible veteran receiving personal care services under the program 
required by paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall document each finding the Secretary 
considers pertinent to the appropriate delivery of personal care 
services to an eligible veteran under the program. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure appro-
priate follow-up regarding findings described in subparagraph (B). 
Such procedures may include the following: 
‘‘(i) Visiting an eligible veteran in the eligible veteran’s 
home to review directly the quality of personal care services 
provided to the eligible veteran. 
‘‘(ii) Taking such corrective action with respect to the 
findings of any review of the quality of personal care services 
provided an eligible veteran as the Secretary considers appro-
priate, which may include— 
‘‘(I) providing additional training to a family caregiver; 
and 
‘‘(II) suspending or revoking the approval of a family 
caregiver under paragraph (6) or the designation of a family 
caregiver under paragraph (7). 
‘‘(10) The Secretary shall carry out outreach to inform eligible 
veterans and family members of eligible veterans of the program 
required by paragraph (1) and the benefits of participating in the 
program. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM OF GENERAL CAREGIVER SUPPORT SERVICES.— 
(1) The Secretary shall establish a program of support services 
for caregivers of covered veterans who are enrolled in the health 
care system established under section 1705(a) of this title (including 
caregivers who do not reside with such veterans). 
‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered veteran is any 
individual who needs personal care services because of— 
‘‘(A) an inability to perform one or more activities of daily 
living; 
‘‘(B) a need for supervision or protection based on symptoms 
or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury; 
or 
‘‘(C) such other matters as the Secretary shall specify. 
‘‘(3)(A) The support services furnished to caregivers of covered 
veterans under the program required by paragraph (1) shall include 
the following: 
Procedures. 
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124 STAT. 1136 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(i) Services regarding the administering of personal care 
services, which, subject to subparagraph (B), shall include— 
‘‘(I) educational sessions made available both in person 
and on an Internet website; 
‘‘(II) use of telehealth and other available technologies; 
and 
‘‘(III) teaching techniques, strategies, and skills for 
caring for a disabled veteran; 
‘‘(ii) Counseling and other services under section 1782 of 
this title. 
‘‘(iii) Respite care under section 1720B of this title that 
is medically and age appropriate for the veteran (including 
24-hour per day in-home care). 
‘‘(iv) Information concerning the supportive services avail-
able to caregivers under this subsection and other public, pri-
vate, and nonprofit agencies that offer support to caregivers. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary certifies to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives that funding 
available for a fiscal year is insufficient to fund the provision 
of services specified in one or more subclauses of subparagraph 
(A)(i), the Secretary shall not be required under subparagraph 
(A) to provide the services so specified in the certification during 
the period beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date 
the certification is received by the Committees and ending on the 
last day of the fiscal year. 
‘‘(4) In providing information under paragraph (3)(A)(iv), the 
Secretary shall collaborate with the Assistant Secretary for Aging 
of the Department of Health and Human Services in order to 
provide caregivers access to aging and disability resource centers 
under the Administration on Aging of the Department of Health 
and Human Services. 
‘‘(5) In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform covered veterans 
and caregivers of covered veterans about the program. The outreach 
shall include an emphasis on covered veterans and caregivers of 
covered veterans living in rural areas. 
‘‘(c) CONSTRUCTION.—(1) A decision by the Secretary under 
this section affecting the furnishing of assistance or support shall 
be considered a medical determination. 
‘‘(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create— 
‘‘(A) an employment relationship between the Secretary 
and an individual in receipt of assistance or support under 
this section; or 
‘‘(B) any entitlement to any assistance or support provided 
under this section. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘caregiver’, with respect to an eligible veteran 
under subsection (a) or a covered veteran under subsection 
(b), means an individual who provides personal care services 
to the veteran. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘family caregiver’, with respect to an eligible 
veteran under subsection (a), means a family member who 
is a caregiver of the veteran. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘family member’, with respect to an eligible 
veteran under subsection (a), means an individual who— 
‘‘(A) is a member of the family of the veteran, 
including— 
Certification. 
Time period. 
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124 STAT. 1137 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(i) a parent; 
‘‘(ii) a spouse; 
‘‘(iii) a child; 
‘‘(iv) a step-family member; and 
‘‘(v) an extended family member; or 
‘‘(B) lives with the veteran but is not a member of 
the family of the veteran. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘personal care services’, with respect to an 
eligible veteran under subsection (a) or a covered veteran under 
subsection (b), means services that provide the veteran the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Assistance with one or more independent activities 
of daily living. 
‘‘(B) Any other non-institutional extended care (as such 
term is used in section 1701(6)(E) of this title). 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out the programs required by subsections 
(a) and (b)— 
‘‘(1) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and 
‘‘(2) $1,542,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2011 
through 2015.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
item related to section 1720F the following new item: 
‘‘1720G. Assistance and support services for caregivers.’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this sub-
section shall take effect on the date that is 270 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(B) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall commence the programs required by sub-
sections (a) and (b) of section 1720G of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by paragraph (1) of this subsection, 
on the date on which the amendments made by this sub-
section take effect. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall— 
(A) develop a plan for the implementation of the pro-
gram of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers 
required by section 1720G(a)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a)(1) of this section; and 
(B) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives a report on such plan. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In developing the plan required by 
paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall consult with the following: 
(A) Individuals described in section 1720G(a)(2) of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1) of 
this section. 
(B) Family members of such individuals who provide 
personal care services to such individuals. 
(C) The Secretary of Defense with respect to matters 
concerning personal care services for members of the Armed 
Forces undergoing medical discharge from the Armed 
38 USC 
1720G note. 
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124 STAT. 1138 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
Forces who are eligible to benefit from personal care serv-
ices furnished under the program of comprehensive assist-
ance required by section 1720G(a)(1) of such title, as so 
added. 
(D) Veterans service organizations, as recognized by 
the Secretary for the representation of veterans under sec-
tion 5902 of such title. 
(E) National organizations that specialize in the provi-
sion of assistance to individuals with the types of disabil-
ities that family caregivers will encounter while providing 
personal care services under the program of comprehensive 
assistance required by section 1720G(a)(1) of such title, 
as so added. 
(F) National organizations that specialize in provision 
of assistance to family members of veterans who provide 
personal care services to such veterans. 
(G) Such other organizations with an interest in the 
provision of care to veterans and assistance to family care-
givers as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(3) REPORT CONTENTS.—The report required by paragraph 
(1)(B) shall contain the following: 
(A) The plan required by paragraph (1)(A). 
(B) A description of the individuals, caregivers, and 
organizations consulted by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs under paragraph (2). 
(C) A description of such consultations. 
(D) The recommendations of such individuals, care-
givers, and organizations, if any, that were not adopted 
and incorporated into the plan required by paragraph 
(1)(A), and the reasons the Secretary did not adopt such 
recommendations. 
(c) ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
described in subsection (a)(3)(A) and annually thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives a comprehensive report on the 
implementation of section 1720G of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a)(1). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) With respect to the program of comprehensive 
assistance for family caregivers required by subsection 
(a)(1) of such section 1720G and the program of general 
caregiver support services required by subsection (b)(1) of 
such section— 
(i) the number of caregivers that received assist-
ance under such programs; 
(ii) the cost to the Department of providing assist-
ance under such programs; 
(iii) a description of the outcomes achieved by, 
and any measurable benefits of, carrying out such pro-
grams; 
(iv) an assessment of the effectiveness and the 
efficiency of the implementation of such programs; and 
(v) such recommendations, including recommenda-
tions for legislative or administrative action, as the 
38 USC 
1720G note. 
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124 STAT. 1139 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
Secretary considers appropriate in light of carrying 
out such programs. 
(B) With respect to the program of comprehensive 
assistance for family caregivers required by such subsection 
(a)(1)— 
(i) a description of the outreach activities carried 
out by the Secretary under such program; and 
(ii) an assessment of the manner in which 
resources are expended by the Secretary under such 
program, particularly with respect to the provision of 
monthly personal caregiver stipends under paragraph 
(3)(A)(ii)(v) of such subsection (a). 
(C) With respect to the provision of general caregiver 
support services required by such subsection (b)(1)— 
(i) a summary of the support services made avail-
able under the program; 
(ii) the number of caregivers who received support 
services under the program; 
(iii) the cost to the Department of providing each 
support service provided under the program; and 
(iv) such other information as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
(d) REPORT ON EXPANSION OF FAMILY CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
described in subsection (a)(3)(A), the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
a report on the feasibility and advisability of expanding the 
provision of assistance under section 1720G(a) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), to family 
caregivers of veterans who have a serious injury incurred or 
aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, 
or air service before September 11, 2001. 
(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The report required by paragraph 
(1) shall include such recommendations as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate with respect to the expansion described in 
such paragraph. 
SEC. 102. MEDICAL CARE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS. 
Section 1781(a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3), the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) an individual designated as a primary provider of 
personal care services under section 1720G(a)(7)(A) of this title 
who is not entitled to care or services under a health-plan 
contract (as defined in section 1725(f) of this title);’’. 
SEC. 103. COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CARE-
GIVERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1782(c) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a 
semicolon; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph (2): 
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124 STAT. 1140 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(2) a family caregiver of an eligible veteran or a caregiver 
of a covered veteran (as those terms are defined in section 
1720G of this title); or’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The section heading of section 
1782 is amended by adding at the end, the following: ‘‘and care-
givers’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 17 is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 1782 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘1782. Counseling, training, and mental health services for immediate family mem-
bers and caregivers.’’. 
SEC. 104. LODGING AND SUBSISTENCE FOR ATTENDANTS. 
Section 111(e) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘When’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘(1) 
Except as provided in paragraph (2), when’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2)(A) Without regard to whether an eligible veteran entitled 
to mileage under this section for travel to a Department facility 
for the purpose of medical examination, treatment, or care requires 
an attendant in order to perform such travel, an attendant of 
such veteran described in subparagraph (B) may be allowed 
expenses of travel (including lodging and subsistence) upon the 
same basis as such veteran during— 
‘‘(i) the period of time in which such veteran is traveling 
to and from a Department facility for the purpose of medical 
examination, treatment, or care; and 
‘‘(ii) the duration of the medical examination, treatment, 
or care episode for such veteran. 
‘‘(B) An attendant of a veteran described in this subparagraph 
is a provider of personal care services for such veteran who is 
approved under paragraph (6) of section 1720G(a) of this title 
or designated under paragraph (7) of such section 1720G(a). 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to carry out this 
paragraph. Such regulations may include provisions— 
‘‘(i) to limit the number of attendants that may receive 
expenses of travel under this paragraph for a single medical 
examination, treatment, or care episode of an eligible veteran; 
and 
‘‘(ii) to require such attendants to use certain travel serv-
ices. 
‘‘(D) In this subsection, the term ‘eligible veteran’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1720G(a)(2) of this title.’’. 
TITLE II—WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH 
CARE MATTERS 
SEC. 201. STUDY OF BARRIERS FOR WOMEN VETERANS TO HEALTH 
CARE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a comprehensive study of the barriers to the provision 
of comprehensive health care by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
encountered by women who are veterans. In conducting the study, 
the Secretary shall— 
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124 STAT. 1141 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(1) survey women veterans who seek or receive hospital 
care or medical services provided by the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs as well as women veterans who do not seek 
or receive such care or services; 
(2) administer the survey to a representative sample of 
women veterans from each Veterans Integrated Service Net-
work; and 
(3) ensure that the sample of women veterans surveyed 
is of sufficient size for the study results to be statistically 
significant and is a larger sample than that of the study 
referred to in subsection (b). 
(b) USE OF PREVIOUS STUDY.—In conducting the study required 
by subsection (a), the Secretary shall build on the work of the 
study of the Department of Veterans Affairs titled ‘‘National Survey 
of Women Veterans in Fiscal Year 2007–2008’’. 
(c) ELEMENTS OF STUDY.—In conducting the study required 
by subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct research on the effects 
of the following on the women veterans surveyed in the study: 
(1) The perceived stigma associated with seeking mental 
health care services. 
(2) The effect of driving distance or availability of other 
forms of transportation to the nearest medical facility on access 
to care. 
(3) The availability of child care. 
(4) The acceptability of integrated primary care, women’s 
health clinics, or both. 
(5) The comprehension of eligibility requirements for, and 
the scope of services available under, hospital care and medical 
services. 
(6) The perception of personal safety and comfort in 
inpatient, outpatient, and behavioral health facilities. 
(7) The gender sensitivity of health care providers and 
staff to issues that particularly affect women. 
(8) The effectiveness of outreach for health care services 
available to women veterans. 
(9) The location and operating hours of health care facilities 
that provide services to women veterans. 
(10) Such other significant barriers as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
(d) DISCHARGE BY CONTRACT.—The Secretary shall enter into 
a contract with a qualified independent entity or organization to 
carry out the study and research required under this section. 
(e) MANDATORY REVIEW
OF DATA
BY CERTAIN DEPARTMENT 
DIVISIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure that the head 
of each division of the Department of Veterans Affairs specified 
in paragraph (2) reviews the results of the study conducted 
under this section. The head of each such division shall submit 
findings with respect to the study to the Under Secretary 
for Health and to other pertinent program offices within the 
Department of Veterans Affairs with responsibilities relating 
to health care services for women veterans. 
(2) SPECIFIED DIVISIONS.—The divisions of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs specified in this paragraph are the following: 
(A) The Center for Women Veterans established under 
section 318 of title 38, United States Code. 
Submission. 
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124 STAT. 1142 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(B) The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans 
established under section 542 of such title. 
(f) REPORTS.— 
(1) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 6 months 
after the date on which the Department of Veterans Affairs 
publishes a final report on the study titled ‘‘National Survey 
of Women Veterans in Fiscal Year 2007–2008’’, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the 
implementation of this section. 
(2) REPORT ON STUDY.—Not later than 30 months after 
the date on which the Department publishes such final report, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study 
required under this section. The report shall include rec-
ommendations for such administrative and legislative action 
as the Secretary considers appropriate. The report shall also 
include the findings of the head of each division of the Depart-
ment specified under subsection (e)(2) and of the Under Sec-
retary for Health. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $4,000,000 
to carry out this section. 
SEC. 202. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE 
PROVIDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
ON CARE FOR VETERANS SUFFERING FROM SEXUAL 
TRAUMA AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. 
Section 1720D is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary shall carry out a program to provide 
graduate medical education, training, certification, and continuing 
medical education for mental health professionals who provide coun-
seling, care, and services under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall ensure that— 
‘‘(A) all mental health professionals described in such para-
graph have been trained in a consistent manner; and 
‘‘(B) training described in such paragraph includes prin-
ciples of evidence-based treatment and care for sexual trauma 
and post-traumatic stress disorder. 
‘‘(e) Each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an 
annual report on the counseling, care, and services provided to 
veterans pursuant to this section. Each report shall include data 
for the year covered by the report with respect to each of the 
following: 
‘‘(1) The number of mental health professionals, graduate 
medical education trainees, and primary care providers who 
have been certified under the program required by subsection 
(d) and the amount and nature of continuing medical education 
provided under such program to such professionals, trainees, 
and providers who are so certified. 
‘‘(2) The number of women veterans who received coun-
seling and care and services under subsection (a) from profes-
sionals and providers who received training under subsection 
(d). 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
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124 STAT. 1143 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(3) The number of graduate medical education, training, 
certification, and continuing medical education courses provided 
by reason of subsection (d). 
‘‘(4) The number of trained full-time equivalent employees 
required in each facility of the Department to meet the needs 
of veterans requiring treatment and care for sexual trauma 
and post-traumatic stress disorder. 
‘‘(5) Such recommendations for improvements in the treat-
ment of women veterans with sexual trauma and post-traumatic 
stress disorder as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(6) Such other information as the Secretary considers 
appropriate.’’. 
SEC. 203. PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS 
FOR 
WOMEN 
VETERANS 
NEWLY 
SEPARATED 
FROM 
SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall carry out, through the Readjustment 
Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a 
pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of 
providing reintegration and readjustment services described 
in subsection (b) in group retreat settings to women veterans 
who are recently separated from service in the Armed Forces 
after a prolonged deployment. 
(2) PARTICIPATION AT ELECTION OF VETERAN.—The partici-
pation of a veteran in the pilot program under this section 
shall be at the election of the veteran. 
(b) COVERED SERVICES.—The services provided to a woman 
veteran under the pilot program shall include the following: 
(1) Information on reintegration into the veteran’s family, 
employment, and community. 
(2) Financial counseling. 
(3) Occupational counseling. 
(4) Information and counseling on stress reduction. 
(5) Information and counseling on conflict resolution. 
(6) Such other information and counseling as the Secretary 
considers appropriate to assist a woman veteran under the 
pilot program in reintegration into the veteran’s family, employ-
ment, and community. 
(c) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
at not fewer than three locations selected by the Secretary for 
purposes of the pilot program. 
(d) DURATION.—The pilot program shall be carried out during 
the 2-year period beginning on the date of the commencement 
of the pilot program. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the completion 
of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on the pilot program. The report shall contain the findings 
and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the pilot program, 
and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or 
expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for each 
Deadline. 
38 USC 
1712A note. 
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124 STAT. 1144 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, $2,000,000 to carry out the pilot 
program. 
SEC. 204. SERVICE ON CERTAIN ADVISORY COMMITTEES OF WOMEN 
RECENTLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE IN THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
ON
WOMEN
VETERANS.—Section 
542(a)(2)(A) is amended— 
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following new clause: 
‘‘(iv) women veterans who are recently separated from 
service in the Armed Forces.’’. 
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON MINORITY VETERANS.—Section 
544(a)(2)(A) is amended— 
(1) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after clause (iv) the following new clause: 
‘‘(v) women veterans who are minority group members 
and are recently separated from service in the Armed Forces.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to appointments made on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 205. PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR 
CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility 
and advisability of providing, subject to subsection (b), assistance 
to qualified veterans described in subsection (c) to obtain child 
care so that such veterans can receive health care services described 
in subsection (c). 
(b) LIMITATION ON PERIOD OF PAYMENTS.—Assistance may only 
be provided to a qualified veteran under the pilot program for 
receipt of child care during the period that the qualified veteran— 
(1) receives the types of health care services described 
in subsection (c) at a facility of the Department; and 
(2) requires travel to and return from such facility for 
the receipt of such health care services. 
(c) QUALIFIED VETERANS.—For purposes of this section, a quali-
fied veteran is a veteran who is— 
(1) the primary caretaker of a child or children; and 
(2)(A) receiving from the Department— 
(i) regular mental health care services; 
(ii) intensive mental health care services; or 
(iii) such other intensive health care services that the 
Secretary determines that provision of assistance to the 
veteran to obtain child care would improve access to such 
health care services by the veteran; or 
(B) in need of regular or intensive mental health care 
services from the Department, and but for lack of child care 
services, would receive such health care services from the 
Department. 
(d) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
in no fewer than three Veterans Integrated Service Networks 
selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program. 
38 USC 1710 
note. 
38 USC 542 note. 
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124 STAT. 1145 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(e) DURATION.—The pilot program shall be carried out during 
the 2-year period beginning on the date of the commencement 
of the pilot program. 
(f) FORMS OF CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Child care assistance under this section 
may include the following: 
(A) Stipends for the payment of child care offered by 
licensed child care centers (either directly or through a 
voucher program) which shall be, to the extent practicable, 
modeled after the Department of Veterans Affairs Child 
Care Subsidy Program established pursuant to section 630 
of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2002 (Public Law 107–67; 115 Stat. 552). 
(B) Direct provision of child care at an on-site facility 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(C) Payments to private child care agencies. 
(D) Collaboration with facilities or programs of other 
Federal departments or agencies. 
(E) Such other forms of assistance as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(2) AMOUNTS OF STIPENDS.—In the case that child care 
assistance under this section is provided as a stipend under 
paragraph (1)(A), such stipend shall cover the full cost of such 
child care. 
(g) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the completion 
of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on the pilot program. The report shall include the findings 
and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the pilot program, 
and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or 
expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry 
out the pilot program $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 
and 2011. 
SEC. 206. CARE FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN OF WOMEN VETERANS 
RECEIVING MATERNITY CARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans 
receiving maternity care 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may furnish health care serv-
ices described in subsection (b) to a newborn child of a woman 
veteran who is receiving maternity care furnished by the Depart-
ment for not more than seven days after the birth of the child 
if the veteran delivered the child in— 
‘‘(1) a facility of the Department; or 
‘‘(2) another facility pursuant to a Department contract 
for services relating to such delivery. 
‘‘(b) COVERED HEALTH CARE SERVICES.—Health care services 
described in this subsection are all post-delivery care services, 
including routine care services, that a newborn child requires.’’. 
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124 STAT. 1146 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1785 the following new item: 
‘‘1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care.’’. 
TITLE III—RURAL HEALTH 
IMPROVEMENTS 
SEC. 301. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) INCLUSION OF EMPLOYEE RETENTION AS PURPOSE OF PRO-
GRAM.—Section 7681(a)(2) is amended by inserting ‘‘and retention’’ 
after ‘‘recruitment’’ the first time it appears. 
(b) EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY.—Section 7682 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘a recently appointed’’ 
and inserting ‘‘an’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (c). 
(c) INCREASE IN MAXIMUM ANNUAL AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS.— 
Paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of section 7683 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘$44,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$60,000’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘$10,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$12,000’’. 
(d) EXCEPTION
TO
LIMITATION
ON
AMOUNT
FOR
CERTAIN 
PARTICIPANTS.—Such subsection is further amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary may waive the limitations under para-
graphs (1) and (2) in the case of a participant described in subpara-
graph (B). In the case of such a waiver, the total amount of edu-
cation debt repayments payable to that participant is the total 
amount of the principal and the interest on the participant’s loans 
referred to in subsection (a). 
‘‘(B) A participant described in this subparagraph is a partici-
pant in the Program who the Secretary determines serves in a 
position for which there is a shortage of qualified employees by 
reason of either the location or the requirements of the position.’’. 
SEC. 302. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY 
PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF PROGRAM.—Part V is amended by 
inserting after chapter 74 the following new chapter: 
‘‘CHAPTER 75—VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND ORIENTATION 
AND MOBILITY PROFESSIONALS EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE PROGRAM 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘7501. Establishment of scholarship program; purpose. 
‘‘7502. Application and acceptance. 
‘‘7503. Amount of assistance; duration. 
‘‘7504. Agreement. 
‘‘7505. Repayment for failure to satisfy requirements of agreement. 
‘‘§ 7501. Establishment of scholarship program; purpose 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, the Secretary shall establish and carry out a scholarship 
program to provide financial assistance in accordance with this 
chapter to individuals who— 
Determination. 
Waiver authority. 
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124 STAT. 1147 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(1) are accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in 
a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual 
impairment or orientation and mobility, or a dual degree or 
certification in both such areas, at an accredited (as determined 
by the Secretary) educational institution that is in a State; 
and 
‘‘(2) enter into an agreement with the Secretary as 
described in section 7504 of this title. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the scholarship program is to 
increase the supply of qualified blind rehabilitation specialists for 
the Department and the Nation. 
‘‘(c) OUTREACH.—The Secretary shall publicize the scholarship 
program to educational institutions throughout the United States, 
with an emphasis on disseminating information to such institutions 
with high numbers of Hispanic students and to Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities. 
‘‘§ 7502. Application and acceptance 
‘‘(a) APPLICATION.—(1) To apply and participate in the scholar-
ship program under this chapter, an individual shall submit to 
the Secretary an application for such participation together with 
an agreement described in section 7504 of this title under which 
the participant agrees to serve a period of obligated service in 
the Department as provided in the agreement in return for payment 
of educational assistance as provided in the agreement. 
‘‘(2) In distributing application forms and agreement forms 
to individuals desiring to participate in the scholarship program, 
the Secretary shall include with such forms the following: 
‘‘(A) A fair summary of the rights and liabilities of an 
individual whose application is approved (and whose agreement 
is accepted) by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) A full description of the terms and conditions that 
apply to participation in the scholarship program and service 
in the Department. 
‘‘(b) APPROVAL.—(1) Upon the Secretary’s approval of an individ-
ual’s participation in the scholarship program, the Secretary shall, 
in writing, promptly notify the individual of that acceptance. 
‘‘(2) An individual becomes a participant in the scholarship 
program upon such approval by the Secretary. 
‘‘§ 7503. Amount of assistance; duration 
‘‘(a) AMOUNT
OF ASSISTANCE.—The amount of the financial 
assistance provided an individual under the scholarship program 
under this chapter shall be the amount determined by the Secretary 
as being necessary to pay the tuition and fees of the individual. 
In the case of an individual enrolled in a program of study leading 
to a dual degree or certification in both the areas of study described 
in section 7501(a)(1) of this title, the tuition and fees shall not 
exceed the amounts necessary for the minimum number of credit 
hours to achieve such dual degree or certification. 
‘‘(b) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ASSISTANCE.—Financial assistance 
may be provided to an individual under the scholarship program 
to supplement other educational assistance to the extent that the 
total amount of educational assistance received by the individual 
during an academic year does not exceed the total tuition and 
fees for such academic year. 
Determination. 
Notification. 
Contracts. 
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124 STAT. 1148 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(c) MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.—(1) The total amount 
of assistance provided under the scholarship program for an aca-
demic year to an individual who is a full-time student may not 
exceed $15,000. 
‘‘(2) In the case of an individual who is a part-time student, 
the total amount of assistance provided under the scholarship pro-
gram shall bear the same ratio to the amount that would be 
paid under paragraph (1) if the participant were a full-time student 
in the program of study being pursued by the individual as the 
coursework carried by the individual to full-time coursework in 
that program of study. 
‘‘(3) The total amount of assistance provided to an individual 
under the scholarship program may not exceed $45,000. 
‘‘(d) MAXIMUM DURATION OF ASSISTANCE.—Financial assistance 
may not be provided to an individual under the scholarship program 
for more than six academic years. 
‘‘§ 7504. Agreement 
‘‘An agreement between the Secretary and a participant in 
the scholarship program under this chapter shall be in writing, 
shall be signed by the participant, and shall include— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary’s agreement to provide the participant 
with financial assistance as authorized under this chapter; 
‘‘(2) the participant’s agreement— 
‘‘(A) to accept such financial assistance; 
‘‘(B) to maintain enrollment and attendance in the 
program of study described in section 7501(a)(1) of this 
title; 
‘‘(C) while enrolled in such program, to maintain an 
acceptable level of academic standing (as determined by 
the educational institution offering such program under 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary); and 
‘‘(D) after completion of the program, to serve as a 
full-time employee in the Department for a period of three 
years, to be served within the first six years after the 
participant has completed such program and received a 
degree or certificate described in section 7501(a)(1) of this 
title; and 
‘‘(3) any other terms and conditions that the Secretary 
considers appropriate for carrying out this chapter. 
‘‘§ 7505. Repayment for failure to satisfy requirements of 
agreement 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual who receives educational 
assistance under the scholarship program under this chapter shall 
repay to the Secretary an amount equal to the unearned portion 
of such assistance if the individual fails to satisfy the requirements 
of the agreement entered into under section 7504 of this title, 
except in circumstances authorized by the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT.—The Secretary shall establish, 
by regulations, procedures for determining the amount of the repay-
ment required under this section and the circumstances under 
which an exception to the required repayment may be granted. 
‘‘(c) WAIVER OR SUSPENSION OF COMPLIANCE.—The Secretary 
shall prescribe regulations providing for the waiver or suspension 
of any obligation of an individual for service or payment under 
this chapter (or an agreement under this chapter) whenever— 
Regulations. 
Regulations. 
Procedures. 
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124 STAT. 1149 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(1) noncompliance by the individual is due to cir-
cumstances beyond the control of the individual; or 
‘‘(2) the Secretary determines that the waiver or suspension 
of compliance is in the best interest of the United States. 
‘‘(d) OBLIGATION AS DEBT TO UNITED STATES.—An obligation 
to repay the Secretary under this section is, for all purposes, a 
debt owed the United States. A discharge in bankruptcy under 
title 11 does not discharge a person from such debt if the discharge 
order is entered less than five years after the date of the termination 
of the agreement or contract on which the debt is based.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The tables of chapters at the 
beginning of title 38, and of part V, are each amended by inserting 
after the item relating to chapter 74 the following new item: 
‘‘75. Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Edu-
cational Assistance Program ................................................................... 7501’’. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
implement chapter 75 of title 38, United States Code, as added 
by subsection (a), not later than 6 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 303. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON ALTERNATIVES FOR 
EXPANDING CARE FOR VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, 
through the Director of the Office of Rural Health, carry out dem-
onstration projects to examine the feasibility and advisability of 
alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas, which 
may include the following: 
(1) Establishing a partnership between the Department 
of Veterans Affairs and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services of the Department of Health and Human Services 
to coordinate care for veterans in rural areas at critical access 
hospitals (as designated or certified under section 1820 of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–4)). 
(2) Establishing a partnership between the Department 
of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human 
Services to coordinate care for veterans in rural areas at 
community health centers. 
(3) Expanding coordination between the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs and the Indian Health Service to expand care 
for Indian veterans. 
(b) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the demonstration projects carried out under subsection (a) 
are located at facilities that are geographically distributed through-
out the United States. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on the results 
of the demonstration projects carried out under subsection (a) to— 
(1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 
on Appropriations of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter. 
38 USC 1703 
note. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 7501 
note. 
Determination. 
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124 STAT. 1150 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
SEC. 304. PROGRAM ON READJUSTMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE 
SERVICES FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN OPERATION 
ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall establish a program to provide— 
(1) to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Oper-
ation Iraqi Freedom, particularly veterans who served in such 
operations while in the National Guard and the Reserves— 
(A) peer outreach services; 
(B) peer support services; 
(C) readjustment counseling and services described in 
section 1712A of title 38, United States Code; and 
(D) mental health services; and 
(2) to members of the immediate family of veterans 
described in paragraph (1), during the 3-year period beginning 
on the date of the return of such veterans from deployment 
in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
education, support, counseling, and mental health services to 
assist in— 
(A) the readjustment of such veterans to civilian life; 
(B) in the case such veterans have an injury or illness 
incurred during such deployment, the recovery of such 
veterans from such injury or illness; and 
(C) the readjustment of the family following the return 
of such veterans. 
(b) CONTRACTS WITH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS 
AND OTHER QUALIFIED ENTITIES.—In carrying out the program 
required by subsection (a), the Secretary may contract with commu-
nity mental health centers and other qualified entities to provide 
the services required by such subsection only in areas the Secretary 
determines are not adequately served by other health care facilities 
or vet centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such contracts 
shall require each contracting community health center or entity— 
(1) to the extent practicable, to use telehealth services 
for the delivery of services required by subsection (a); 
(2) to the extent practicable, to employ veterans trained 
under subsection (c) in the provision of services covered by 
that subsection; 
(3) to participate in the training program conducted in 
accordance with subsection (d); 
(4) to comply with applicable protocols of the Department 
before incurring any liability on behalf of the Department for 
the provision of services required by subsection (a); 
(5) for each veteran for whom a community mental health 
center or other qualified entity provides mental health services 
under such contract, to provide the Department with such 
clinical summary information as the Secretary shall require; 
(6) to submit annual reports to the Secretary containing, 
with respect to the program required by subsection (a) and 
for the last full calendar year ending before the submittal 
of such report— 
(A) the number of the veterans served, veterans 
diagnosed, and courses of treatment provided to veterans 
as part of the program required by subsection (a); and 
(B) 
demographic 
information 
for 
such 
services, 
diagnoses, and courses of treatment; and 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
Determination. 
Time period. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 
1712A note. 
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124 STAT. 1151 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(7) to meet such other requirements as the Secretary shall 
require. 
(c) TRAINING OF VETERANS FOR PROVISION OF PEER-OUTREACH 
AND
PEER-SUPPORT
SERVICES.—In carrying out the program 
required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall contract with a 
national not-for-profit mental health organization to carry out a 
national program of training for veterans described in subsection 
(a) to provide the services described in subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) of paragraph (1) of such subsection. 
(d) TRAINING
OF CLINICIANS
FOR PROVISION
OF SERVICES.— 
The Secretary shall conduct a training program for clinicians of 
community mental health centers or entities that have contracts 
with the Secretary under subsection (b) to ensure that such clini-
cians can provide the services required by subsection (a) in a 
manner that— 
(1) recognizes factors that are unique to the experience 
of veterans who served on active duty in Operation Enduring 
Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom (including their combat 
and military training experiences); and 
(2) uses best practices and technologies. 
(e) VET CENTER DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘vet center’’ 
means a center for readjustment counseling and related mental 
health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 305. TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT FOR VETERANS RECEIVING 
TREATMENT AT FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) ENHANCEMENT OF ALLOWANCE BASED UPON MILEAGE TRAV-
ELED.—Section 111 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘traveled,’’ and inserting 
‘‘(at a rate of 41.5 cents per mile),’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows: 
‘‘(g)(1) Beginning one year after the date of the enactment 
of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 
2010, the Secretary may adjust the mileage rate described in sub-
section (a) to be equal to the mileage reimbursement rate for 
the use of privately owned vehicles by Government employees on 
official business (when a Government vehicle is available), as pre-
scribed by the Administrator of General Services under section 
5707(b) of title 5. 
‘‘(2) If an adjustment in the mileage rate under paragraph 
(1) results in a lower mileage rate than the mileage rate otherwise 
specified in subsection (a), the Secretary shall, not later than 60 
days before the date of the implementation of the mileage rate 
as so adjusted, submit to Congress a written report setting forth 
the adjustment in the mileage rate under this subsection, together 
with a justification for the decision to make the adjustment in 
the mileage rate under this subsection.’’. 
(b) COVERAGE OF COST OF TRANSPORTATION BY AIR.—Subsection 
(a) of section 111, as amended by subsection (a)(1), is further 
amended by inserting after the first sentence the following new 
sentence: ‘‘Actual necessary expense of travel includes the reason-
able costs of airfare if travel by air is the only practical way 
to reach a Department facility.’’. 
(c) ELIMINATION OF LIMITATION BASED ON MAXIMUM ANNUAL 
RATE
OF
PENSION.—Subsection (b)(1)(D)(i) of such section is 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
Effective date. 
Contracts. 
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124 STAT. 1152 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
amended by inserting ‘‘who is not traveling by air and’’ before 
‘‘whose annual’’. 
(d) DETERMINATION OF PRACTICALITY.—Subsection (b) of such 
section is amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(4) In determining for purposes of subsection (a) whether travel 
by air is the only practical way for a veteran to reach a Department 
facility, the Secretary shall consider the medical condition of the 
veteran and any other impediments to the use of ground transpor-
tation by the veteran.’’. 
(e) NO EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL.— 
The amendments made by subsections (b) and (d) of this section 
may not be construed as expanding or otherwise modifying eligi-
bility for payments or allowances for beneficiary travel under section 
111 of title 38, United States Code, as in effect on the day before 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(f) CLARIFICATION
OF RELATION
TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
IN VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION HANDBOOK.—Not later than 
30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall revise the Veterans Health Administration 
Handbook to clarify that an allowance for travel based on mileage 
paid under section 111(a) of title 38, United States Code, may 
exceed the cost of such travel by public transportation regardless 
of medical necessity. 
SEC. 306. PILOT PROGRAM ON INCENTIVES FOR PHYSICIANS WHO 
ASSUME INPATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES AT COMMUNITY 
HOSPITALS IN HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREAS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasability 
and advisability of each of the following: 
(1) The provision of financial incentives to eligible physi-
cians who obtain and maintain inpatient privileges at commu-
nity hospitals in health professional shortage areas in order 
to facilitate the provision by such physicians of primary care 
and mental health services to veterans at such hospitals. 
(2) The collection of payments from third-party providers 
for care provided by eligible physicians to nonveterans while 
discharging inpatient responsibilities at community hospitals 
in the course of exercising the privileges described in paragraph 
(1). 
(b) ELIGIBLE PHYSICIANS.—For purposes of this section, an 
eligible physician is a primary care or mental health physician 
employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs on a full-time 
basis. 
(c) DURATION OF PROGRAM.—The pilot program shall be carried 
out during the 3-year period beginning on the date of the commence-
ment of the pilot program. 
(d) LOCATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The pilot program shall be carried out 
at not less than five community hospitals in each of not less 
than two Veterans Integrated Services Networks. The hospitals 
shall be selected by the Secretary using the results of the 
survey required under subsection (e). 
(2) QUALIFYING COMMUNITY HOSPITALS.—A community hos-
pital may be selected by the Secretary as a location for the 
pilot program if— 
Definition. 
38 USC 7431 
note. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 111 note. 
38 USC 111 note. 
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124 STAT. 1153 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(A) the hospital is located in a health professional 
shortage area; and 
(B) the number of eligible physicians willing to assume 
inpatient responsibilities at the hospital (as determined 
using the result of the survey) is sufficient for purposes 
of the pilot program. 
(e) SURVEY OF PHYSICIAN INTEREST IN PARTICIPATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a 
survey of eligible physicians to determine the extent of the 
interest of such physicians in participating in the pilot program. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The survey shall disclose the type, amount, 
and nature of the financial incentives to be provided under 
subsection (h) to physicians participating in the pilot program. 
(f) PHYSICIAN PARTICIPATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall select physicians for 
participation in the pilot program from among eligible physi-
cians who— 
(A) express interest in participating in the pilot pro-
gram in the survey conducted under subsection (e); 
(B) are in good standing with the Department; and 
(C) primarily have clinical responsibilities with the 
Department. 
(2) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION.—Participation in the pilot 
program shall be voluntary. Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to require a physician working for the Department 
to assume inpatient responsibilities at a community hospital 
unless otherwise required as a term or condition of employment 
with the Department. 
(g) ASSUMPTION OF INPATIENT PHYSICIAN RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each eligible physician selected for 
participation in the pilot program shall assume and maintain 
inpatient responsibilities, including inpatient responsibilities 
with respect to nonveterans, at one or more community hos-
pitals selected by the Secretary for participation in the pilot 
program under subsection (d). 
(2) COVERAGE UNDER FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT.—If an 
eligible physician participating in the pilot program carries 
out on-call responsibilities at a community hospital where privi-
leges to practice at such hospital are conditioned upon the 
provision of services to individuals who are not veterans while 
the physician is on call for such hospital, the provision of 
such services by the physician shall be considered an action 
within the scope of the physician’s office or employment for 
purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (com-
monly referred to as the ‘‘Federal Tort Claims Act’’). 
(h) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide each eligible 
physician participating in the pilot program with such com-
pensation (including pay and other appropriate compensation) 
as the Secretary considers appropriate to compensate such 
physician for the discharge of any inpatient responsibilities 
by such physician at a community hospital for which such 
physician would not otherwise be compensated by the Depart-
ment as a full-time employee of the Department. 
(2) WRITTEN AGREEMENT.—The amount of any compensa-
tion to be provided a physician under the pilot program shall 
Deadline. 
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124 STAT. 1154 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
be specified in a written agreement entered into by the Sec-
retary and the physician for purposes of the pilot program. 
(3) TREATMENT
OF
COMPENSATION.—The Secretary shall 
consult with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
on the inclusion of a provision in the written agreement 
required under paragraph (2) that describes the treatment 
under Federal law of any compensation provided a physician 
under the pilot program, including treatment for purposes of 
retirement under the civil service laws. 
(i) COLLECTIONS FROM THIRD PARTIES.—In carrying out the 
pilot program for the purpose described in subsection (a)(2), the 
Secretary shall implement a variety and range of requirements 
and mechanisms for the collection from third-party payors of 
amounts to reimburse the Department for health care services 
provided to nonveterans under the pilot program by eligible physi-
cians discharging inpatient responsibilities under the pilot program. 
(j) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report on the pilot program, including the following: 
(1) The findings of the Secretary with respect to the pilot 
program. 
(2) The number of veterans and nonveterans provided 
inpatient care by physicians participating in the pilot program. 
(3) The amounts payable and collected under subsection 
(i). 
(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) HEALTH
PROFESSIONAL
SHORTAGE
AREA.—The term 
‘‘health professional shortage area’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 332(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 254e(a)). 
(2) INPATIENT
RESPONSIBILITIES.—The term ‘‘inpatient 
responsibilities’’ means on-call responsibilities customarily 
required of a physician by a community hospital as a condition 
of granting privileges to the physician to practice in the hos-
pital. 
SEC. 307. GRANTS FOR VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR 
TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS. 
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation 
options to veterans in highly rural areas. 
(2) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS.—The following may be awarded 
a grant under this section: 
(A) State veterans service agencies. 
(B) Veterans service organizations. 
(3) USE OF FUNDS.—A State veterans service agency or 
veterans service organization awarded a grant under this sec-
tion may use the grant amount to— 
(A) assist veterans in highly rural areas to travel to 
Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 
(B) otherwise assist in providing transportation in 
connection with the provision of medical care to veterans 
in highly rural areas. 
(4) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount of a grant under this 
section may not exceed $50,000. 
38 USC 1710 
note. 
Implementation. 
Consultation. 
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124 STAT. 1155 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(5) NO MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The recipient of a grant 
under this section shall not be required to provide matching 
funds as a condition for receiving such grant. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
for— 
(1) evaluating grant applications under this section; and 
(2) otherwise administering the program established by 
this section. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) HIGHLY RURAL.—The term ‘‘highly rural’’, in the case 
of an area, means that the area consists of a county or counties 
having a population of less than seven persons per square 
mile. 
(2) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘veterans 
service organization’’ means any organization recognized by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of 
veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 
2014 to carry out this section. 
SEC. 308. MODIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN 
PILOT 
PROGRAM 
OF 
ENHANCED 
CONTRACT 
CARE 
AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF CERTAIN VET-
ERANS. 
Subsection (b) of section 403 of the Veterans’ Mental Health 
and other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–387; 
122 Stat. 4125; 38 U.S.C. 1703 note) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) COVERED VETERANS.—For purposes of the pilot program 
under this section, a covered veteran is any veteran who— 
‘‘(1) is— 
‘‘(A) enrolled in the system of patient enrollment estab-
lished under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, 
as of the date of the commencement of the pilot program 
under subsection (a)(2); or 
‘‘(B) eligible for health care under section 1710(e)(3) 
of such title; and 
‘‘(2) resides in a location that is— 
‘‘(A) more than 60 minutes driving distance from the 
nearest Department health care facility providing primary 
care services, if the veteran is seeking such services; 
‘‘(B) more than 120 minutes driving distance from the 
nearest Department health care facility providing acute 
hospital care, if the veteran is seeking such care; or 
‘‘(C) more than 240 minutes driving distance from the 
nearest Department health care facility providing tertiary 
care, if the veteran is seeking such care.’’. 
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124 STAT. 1156 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
TITLE IV—MENTAL HEALTH CARE 
MATTERS 
SEC. 401. ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO 
SERVE IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM OR OPER-
ATION IRAQI FREEDOM FOR COUNSELING AND SERVICES 
THROUGH READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Any member of the Armed Forces, including 
a member of the National Guard or Reserve, who serves on active 
duty in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom or Oper-
ation Iraqi Freedom is eligible for readjustment counseling and 
related mental health services under section 1712A of title 38, 
United States Code, through the Readjustment Counseling Service 
of the Veterans Health Administration. 
(b) NO REQUIREMENT FOR CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE.— 
A member of the Armed Forces who meets the requirements for 
eligibility for counseling and services under subsection (a) is entitled 
to counseling and services under that subsection regardless of 
whether or not the member is currently on active duty in the 
Armed Forces at the time of receipt of counseling and services 
under that subsection. 
(c) REGULATIONS.—The eligibility of members of the Armed 
Forces for counseling and services under subsection (a) shall be 
subject to such regulations as the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly prescribe for purposes 
of this section. 
(d) SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The provi-
sion of counseling and services under subsection (a) shall be subject 
to the availability of appropriations for such purpose. 
SEC. 402. RESTORATION OF AUTHORITY OF READJUSTMENT COUN-
SELING SERVICE TO PROVIDE REFERRAL AND OTHER 
ASSISTANCE UPON REQUEST TO FORMER MEMBERS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES NOT AUTHORIZED COUNSELING. 
Section 1712A is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) through (f) as sub-
sections (d) through (g), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub-
section (c): 
‘‘(c) Upon receipt of a request for counseling under this section 
from any individual who has been discharged or released from 
active military, naval, or air service but who is not otherwise 
eligible for such counseling, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) provide referral services to assist such individual, to 
the maximum extent practicable, in obtaining mental health 
care and services from sources outside the Department; and 
‘‘(2) if pertinent, advise such individual of such individual’s 
rights to apply to the appropriate military, naval, or air service, 
and to the Department, for review of such individual’s discharge 
or release from such service.’’. 
SEC. 403. STUDY ON SUICIDES AMONG VETERANS. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who died 
by suicide between January 1, 1999, and the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
38 USC 
1712A note. 
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124 STAT. 1157 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the study under subsection 
(a) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall coordinate with— 
(1) the Secretary of Defense; 
(2) veterans service organizations; 
(3) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and 
(4) State public health offices and veterans agencies. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 
and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives a report on the study required under subsection (a) and 
the findings of the Secretary. 
(d) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means any organiza-
tion recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE V—OTHER HEALTH CARE 
MATTERS 
SEC. 501. REPEAL OF CERTAIN ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) NURSE PAY REPORT.—Section 7451 is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (f); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f). 
(b) LONG-TERM PLANNING REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 8107 is repealed. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 81 is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 8107. 
SEC. 502. SUBMITTAL DATE OF ANNUAL REPORT ON GULF WAR 
RESEARCH. 
Section 707(c)(1) of the Persian Gulf War Veterans’ Health 
Status Act (title VII of Public Law 102–585; 38 U.S.C. 527 note) 
is amended by striking ‘‘Not later than March 1 of each year’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Not later than July 1, 2010, and July 1 of each 
of the five following years’’. 
SEC. 503. PAYMENT FOR CARE FURNISHED TO CHAMPVA BENE-
FICIARIES. 
Section 1781 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(e) Payment by the Secretary under this section on behalf 
of a covered beneficiary for medical care shall constitute payment 
in full and extinguish any liability on the part of the beneficiary 
for that care.’’. 
SEC. 504. DISCLOSURE OF PATIENT TREATMENT INFORMATION FROM 
MEDICAL RECORDS OF PATIENTS LACKING DECISION-
MAKING CAPACITY. 
Section 7332(b)(2) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subparagraph: 
‘‘(F)(i) To a representative of a patient who lacks decision- 
making capacity, when a practitioner deems the content of 
the given record necessary for that representative to make 
an informed decision regarding the patient’s treatment. 
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124 STAT. 1158 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(ii) In this subparagraph, the term ‘representative’ means 
an individual, organization, or other body authorized under 
section 7331 of this title and its implementing regulations 
to give informed consent on behalf of a patient who lacks 
decision-making capacity.’’. 
SEC. 505. ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT. 
(a) 
ENHANCEMENT
OF
QUALITY
MANAGEMENT
THROUGH 
QUALITY MANAGEMENT OFFICERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended 
by inserting after section 7311 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 7311A. Quality management officers 
‘‘(a) NATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT OFFICER.—(1) The Under 
Secretary for Health shall designate an official of the Veterans 
Health Administration to act as the principal quality management 
officer for the quality-assurance program required by section 7311 
of this title. The official so designated may be known as the 
‘National Quality Management Officer of the Veterans Health 
Administration’ (in this section referred to as the ‘National Quality 
Management Officer’). 
‘‘(2) The National Quality Management Officer shall report 
directly to the Under Secretary for Health in the discharge of 
responsibilities and duties of the Officer under this section. 
‘‘(3) The National Quality Management Officer shall be the 
official within the Veterans Health Administration who is prin-
cipally responsible for the quality-assurance program referred to 
in paragraph (1). In carrying out that responsibility, the Officer 
shall be responsible for the following: 
‘‘(A) Establishing and enforcing the requirements of the 
program referred to in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) Developing an aggregate quality metric from existing 
data sources, such as the Inpatient Evaluation Center of the 
Department, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Pro-
gram, and the External Peer Review Program of the Veterans 
Health Administration, that could be used to assess reliably 
the quality of care provided at individual Department medical 
centers and associated community based outpatient clinics. 
‘‘(C) Ensuring that existing measures of quality, including 
measures from the Inpatient Evaluation Center, the National 
Surgical Quality Improvement Program, System-Wide Ongoing 
Assessment and Review reports of the Department, and Com-
bined Assessment Program reviews of the Office of Inspector 
General of the Department, are monitored routinely and ana-
lyzed in a manner that ensures the timely detection of quality 
of care issues. 
‘‘(D) Encouraging research and development in the area 
of quality metrics for the purposes of improving how the Depart-
ment measures quality in individual facilities. 
‘‘(E) Carrying out such other responsibilities and duties 
relating to quality management in the Veterans Health 
Administration as the Under Secretary for Health shall specify. 
‘‘(4) The requirements under paragraph (3) shall include 
requirements regarding the following: 
‘‘(A) A confidential system for the submittal of reports 
by Veterans Health Administration personnel regarding quality 
management at Department facilities. 
Designation. 
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124 STAT. 1159 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(B) Mechanisms for the peer review of the actions of 
individuals appointed in the Veterans Health Administration 
in the position of physician. 
‘‘(b) QUALITY MANAGEMENT OFFICERS
FOR VISNS.—(1) The 
Regional Director of each Veterans Integrated Services Network 
shall appoint an official of the Network to act as the quality manage-
ment officer of the Network. 
‘‘(2) The quality management officer for a Veterans Integrated 
Services Network shall report to the Regional Director of the Vet-
erans Integrated Services Network, and to the National Quality 
Management Officer, regarding the discharge of the responsibilities 
and duties of the officer under this section. 
‘‘(3) The quality management officer for a Veterans Integrated 
Services Network shall— 
‘‘(A) direct the quality management office in the Network; 
and 
‘‘(B) coordinate, monitor, and oversee the quality manage-
ment programs and activities of the Administration medical 
facilities in the Network in order to ensure the thorough and 
uniform discharge of quality management requirements under 
such programs and activities throughout such facilities. 
‘‘(c) QUALITY MANAGEMENT OFFICERS
FOR MEDICAL FACILI-
TIES.—(1) The director of each Veterans Health Administration 
medical facility shall appoint a quality management officer for 
that facility. 
‘‘(2) The quality management officer for a facility shall report 
directly to the director of the facility, and to the quality management 
officer of the Veterans Integrated Services Network in which the 
facility is located, regarding the discharge of the responsibilities 
and duties of the quality management officer under this section. 
‘‘(3) The quality management officer for a facility shall be 
responsible for designing, disseminating, and implementing quality 
management programs and activities for the facility that meet 
the requirements established by the National Quality Management 
Officer under subsection (a). 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—(1) Except as pro-
vided in paragraph (2), there are authorized to be appropriated 
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. 
‘‘(2) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
provisions of subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (a)(3), 
$25,000,000 for the two-year period of fiscal years beginning after 
the date of the enactment of this section.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 7311 the following new item: 
‘‘7311A. Quality management officers.’’. 
(b) REPORTS ON QUALITY CONCERNS UNDER QUALITY-ASSUR-
ANCE PROGRAM.—Section 7311(b) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) As part of the quality-assurance program, the Under Sec-
retary for Health shall establish mechanisms through which 
employees of Veterans Health Administration facilities may submit 
reports, on a confidential basis, on matters relating to quality 
of care in Veterans Health Administration facilities to the quality 
management officers of such facilities under section 7311A(c) of 
Appointment. 
Appointment. 
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124 STAT. 1160 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
this title. The mechanisms shall provide for the prompt and thor-
ough review of any reports so submitted by the receiving officials.’’. 
(c) REVIEW OF CURRENT HEALTH CARE QUALITY SAFEGUARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a comprehensive review of all current policies and 
protocols of the Department of Veterans Affairs for maintaining 
health care quality and patient safety at Department medical 
facilities. The review shall include a review and assessment 
of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, 
including an assessment of— 
(A) the efficacy of the quality indicators under the 
program; 
(B) the efficacy of the data collection methods under 
the program; 
(C) the efficacy of the frequency with which regular 
data analyses are performed under the program; and 
(D) the extent to which the resources allocated to the 
program are adequate to fulfill the stated function of the 
program. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the review conducted under paragraph (1), 
including the findings of the Secretary as a result of the review 
and such recommendations as the Secretary considers appro-
priate in light of the review. 
SEC. 506. PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZA-
TIONS AND LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO 
ENSURE THAT VETERANS RECEIVE CARE AND BENEFITS 
FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility 
and advisability of using community-based organizations and local 
and State government entities— 
(1) to increase the coordination of community, local, State, 
and Federal providers of health care and benefits for veterans 
to assist veterans who are transitioning from military service 
to civilian life in such transition; 
(2) to increase the availability of high quality medical and 
mental health services to veterans transitioning from military 
service to civilian life; 
(3) to provide assistance to families of veterans who are 
transitioning from military service to civilian life to help such 
families adjust to such transition; and 
(4) to provide outreach to veterans and their families to 
inform them about the availability of benefits and connect 
them with appropriate care and benefit programs. 
(b) DURATION OF PROGRAM.—The pilot program shall be carried 
out during the 2-year period beginning on the date that is 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) PROGRAM LOCATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The pilot program shall be carried out 
at five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of the 
pilot program. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In selecting locations for the pilot 
program, the Secretary shall consider the advisability of 
selecting locations in— 
38 USC 523 note. 
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124 STAT. 1161 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(A) rural areas; 
(B) areas with populations that have a high proportion 
of minority group representation; 
(C) areas with populations that have a high proportion 
of individuals who have limited access to health care; and 
(D) areas that are not in close proximity to an active 
duty military installation. 
(d) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
through the award of grants to community-based organizations 
and local and State government entities. 
(e) SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A community-based organization or local 
or State government entity seeking a grant under the pilot 
program shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor 
in such form and in such manner as the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each application submitted under para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A description of the consultations, if any, with 
the Department of Veterans Affairs in the development 
of the proposal under the application. 
(B) A plan to coordinate activities under the pilot pro-
gram, to the greatest extent possible, with the local, State, 
and Federal providers of services for veterans to reduce 
duplication of services and to enhance the effect of such 
services. 
(f) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—The Secretary shall prescribe appro-
priate uses of grant funds received under the pilot program. 
(g) REPORT ON PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the comple-
tion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
a report on the pilot program. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with 
respect to the pilot program. 
(B) An assessment of the benefits to veterans of the 
pilot program. 
(C) The recommendations of the Secretary as to the 
advisability of continuing the pilot program. 
SEC. 507. SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL CARE AND REHABILITATION FOR 
CERTAIN VETERANS. 
Section 1720 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(g) The Secretary may contract with appropriate entities to 
provide specialized residential care and rehabilitation services to 
a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi 
Freedom who the Secretary determines suffers from a traumatic 
brain injury, has an accumulation of deficits in activities of daily 
living and instrumental activities of daily living, and because of 
these deficits, would otherwise require admission to a nursing home 
even though such care would generally exceed the veteran’s nursing 
needs.’’. 
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124 STAT. 1162 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
SEC. 508. EXPANDED STUDY ON THE HEALTH IMPACT OF PROJECT 
SHIPBOARD HAZARD AND DEFENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National 
Academies to conduct an expanded study on the health impact 
of Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (Project SHAD). 
(b) COVERED VETERANS.—The study required by subsection (a) 
shall include, to the extent practicable, all veterans who participated 
in Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense. 
(c) USE OF EXISTING STUDIES.—The study required by sub-
section (a) may use results from the study covered in the report 
titled ‘‘Long-Term Health Effects of Participation in Project SHAD’’ 
of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. 
SEC. 509. USE OF NON-DEPARTMENT FACILITIES FOR REHABILITATION 
OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. 
Section 1710E is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
section (b): 
‘‘(b) COVERED INDIVIDUALS.—The care and services provided 
under subsection (a) shall be made available to an individual— 
‘‘(1) who is described in section 1710C(a) of this title; and 
‘‘(2)(A) to whom the Secretary is unable to provide such 
treatment or services at the frequency or for the duration 
prescribed in such plan; or 
‘‘(B) for whom the Secretary determines that it is optimal 
with respect to the recovery and rehabilitation for such indi-
vidual.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) STANDARDS.—The Secretary may not provide treatment 
or services as described in subsection (a) at a non-Department 
facility under such subsection unless such facility maintains stand-
ards for the provision of such treatment or services established 
by an independent, peer-reviewed organization that accredits 
specialized rehabilitation programs for adults with traumatic brain 
injury.’’. 
SEC. 510. PILOT PROGRAM ON PROVISION OF DENTAL INSURANCE 
PLANS TO VETERANS AND SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS 
OF VETERANS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility 
and advisability of providing a dental insurance plan to veterans 
and survivors and dependents of veterans described in subsection 
(b). 
(b) COVERED VETERANS AND SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS.— 
The veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans described 
in this subsection are as follows: 
(1) Any veteran who is enrolled in the system of annual 
patient enrollment under section 1705 of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(2) Any survivor or dependent of a veteran who is eligible 
for medical care under section 1781 of such title. 
38 USC 1712 
note. 
Deadline. 
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124 STAT. 1163 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(c) DURATION OF PROGRAM.—The pilot program shall be carried 
out during the 3-year period beginning on the date that is 270 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) LOCATIONS.—The pilot program shall be carried out in such 
Veterans Integrated Services Networks as the Secretary considers 
appropriate for purposes of the pilot program. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall contract with a 
dental insurer to administer the dental insurance plan provided 
under the pilot program. 
(f) BENEFITS.—The dental insurance plan under the pilot pro-
gram shall provide such benefits for dental care and treatment 
as the Secretary considers appropriate for the dental insurance 
plan, 
including 
diagnostic 
services, 
preventative 
services, 
endodontics and other restorative services, surgical services, and 
emergency services. 
(g) ENROLLMENT.— 
(1) VOLUNTARY.—Enrollment in the dental insurance plan 
under the pilot program shall be voluntary. 
(2) MINIMUM PERIOD.—Enrollment in the dental insurance 
plan shall be for such minimum period as the Secretary shall 
prescribe for purposes of this section. 
(h) PREMIUMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Premiums for coverage under the dental 
insurance plan under the pilot program shall be in such amount 
or amounts as the Secretary shall prescribe to cover all costs 
associated with the pilot program. 
(2) ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT.—The Secretary shall adjust the 
premiums payable under the pilot program for coverage under 
the dental insurance plan on an annual basis. Each individual 
covered by the dental insurance plan at the time of such an 
adjustment shall be notified of the amount and effective date 
of such adjustment. 
(3) RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYMENT.—Each individual covered 
by the dental insurance plan shall pay the entire premium 
for coverage under the dental insurance plan, in addition to 
the full cost of any copayments. 
(i) VOLUNTARY DISENROLLMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to enrollment in the dental 
insurance plan under the pilot program, the Secretary shall— 
(A) permit the voluntary disenrollment of an individual 
in the dental insurance plan if the disenrollment occurs 
during the 30-day period beginning on the date of the 
enrollment of the individual in the dental insurance plan; 
and 
(B) permit the voluntary disenrollment of an individual 
in the dental insurance plan for such circumstances as 
the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this subsection, 
but only to the extent such disenrollment does not jeop-
ardize the fiscal integrity of the dental insurance plan. 
(2) ALLOWABLE CIRCUMSTANCES.—The circumstances pre-
scribed under paragraph (1)(B) shall include the following: 
(A) If an individual enrolled in the dental insurance 
plan relocates to a location outside the jurisdiction of the 
dental insurance plan that prevents use of the benefits 
under the dental insurance plan. 
Time period. 
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124 STAT. 1164 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(B) If an individual enrolled in the dental insurance 
plan is prevented by a serious medical condition from being 
able to obtain benefits under the dental insurance plan. 
(C) Such other circumstances as the Secretary shall 
prescribe for purposes of this subsection. 
(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCEDURES.—The Secretary shall 
establish procedures for determinations on the permissibility 
of voluntary disenrollments under paragraph (1)(B). Such proce-
dures shall ensure timely determinations on the permissibility 
of such disenrollments. 
(j) RELATIONSHIP TO DENTAL CARE PROVIDED BY SECRETARY.— 
Nothing in this section shall affect the responsibility of the Sec-
retary to provide dental care under section 1712 of title 38, United 
States Code, and the participation of an individual in the dental 
insurance plan under the pilot program shall not affect the individ-
ual’s entitlement to outpatient dental services and treatment, and 
related dental appliances, under that section. 
(k) REGULATIONS.—The dental insurance plan under the pilot 
program shall be administered under such regulations as the Sec-
retary shall prescribe. 
SEC. 511. PROHIBITION ON COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FROM VET-
ERANS WHO ARE CATASTROPHICALLY DISABLED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 17 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1730A. Prohibition on collection of copayments from cata-
strophically disabled veterans 
‘‘Notwithstanding subsections (f) and (g) of section 1710 and 
section 1722A(a) of this title or any other provision of law, the 
Secretary may not require a veteran who is catastrophically dis-
abled, as defined by the Secretary, to make any copayment for 
the receipt of hospital care or medical services under the laws 
administered by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1730 the following new item: 
‘‘1730A. Prohibition on collection of copayments from catastrophically disabled vet-
erans.’’. 
SEC. 512. HIGHER PRIORITY STATUS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WHO 
ARE MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS. 
Section 1705(a)(3) is amended by inserting ‘‘veterans who were 
awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 
of title 10 or section 491 of title 14,’’ after ‘‘the Purple Heart,’’. 
SEC. 513. HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND NURSING HOME 
CARE FOR CERTAIN VIETNAM-ERA VETERANS EXPOSED TO 
HERBICIDE AND VETERANS OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR. 
Section 1710(e) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(2)(F)—’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘(C) in the case’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(a)(2)(F) in the case’’; and 
(B) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) of the former 
subparagraph (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
paragraph (3) and by realigning the margin of such new 
subparagraphs two ems to the left; and 
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124 STAT. 1165 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(2) in paragraph (1)(C)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (2) and (3)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (2)’’; and 
(B) by inserting after ‘‘on active duty’’ the following: 
‘‘between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998,’’. 
SEC. 514. ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECTOR OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 
SERVICES IN VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7306(a) is amended by striking para-
graph (9) and inserting the following new paragraph (9): 
‘‘(9) The Director of Physician Assistant Services, who 
shall— 
‘‘(A) serve in a full-time capacity at the Central Office 
of the Department; 
‘‘(B) be a qualified physician assistant; and 
‘‘(C) be responsible and report directly to the Chief 
Patient Care Services Officer of the Veterans Health 
Administration on all matters relating to the education 
and training, employment, appropriate use, and optimal 
participation of physician assistants within the programs 
and initiatives of the Administration.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall ensure that an individual is serving as the Director 
of Physician Assistant Services under paragraph (9) of section 
7306(a) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection 
(a), by not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 515. COMMITTEE ON CARE OF VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC 
BRAIN INJURY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE.—Subchapter II of chapter 
73 is amended by inserting after section 7321 the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 7321A. Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic 
Brain Injury 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish in the Vet-
erans Health Administration a committee to be known as the ‘Com-
mittee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury’. The 
Under Secretary for Health shall appoint employees of the Depart-
ment with expertise in the care of veterans with traumatic brain 
injury to serve on the committee. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES
OF COMMITTEE.—The committee shall 
assess, and carry out a continuing assessment of, the capability 
of the Veterans Health Administration to meet effectively the treat-
ment and rehabilitation needs of veterans with traumatic brain 
injury. In carrying out that responsibility, the committee shall— 
‘‘(1) evaluate the care provided to such veterans through 
the Veterans Health Administration; 
‘‘(2) identify systemwide problems in caring for such vet-
erans in facilities of the Veterans Health Administration; 
‘‘(3) identify specific facilities within the Veterans Health 
Administration at which program enrichment is needed to 
improve treatment and rehabilitation of such veterans; and 
‘‘(4) identify model programs which the committee considers 
to have been successful in the treatment and rehabilitation 
of such veterans and which should be implemented more widely 
in or through facilities of the Veterans Health Administration. 
38 USC 7306 
note. 
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124 STAT. 1166 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(c) ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The committee shall— 
‘‘(1) advise the Under Secretary regarding the development 
of policies for the care and rehabilitation of veterans with 
traumatic brain injury; and 
‘‘(2) make recommendations to the Under Secretary— 
‘‘(A) for improving programs of care of such veterans 
at specific facilities and throughout the Veterans Health 
Administration; 
‘‘(B) for establishing special programs of education and 
training relevant to the care of such veterans for employees 
of the Veterans Health Administration; 
‘‘(C) regarding research needs and priorities relevant 
to the care of such veterans; and 
‘‘(D) regarding the appropriate allocation of resources 
for all such activities. 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than June 1, 2010, and each 
year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the implementa-
tion of this section. Each such report shall include the following 
for the calendar year preceding the year in which the report is 
submitted: 
‘‘(1) A list of the members of the committee. 
‘‘(2) The assessment of the Under Secretary for Health, 
after review of the findings of the committee, regarding the 
capability of the Veterans Health Administration, on a system-
wide and facility-by-facility basis, to meet effectively the treat-
ment and rehabilitation needs of veterans with traumatic brain 
injury. 
‘‘(3) The plans of the committee for further assessments. 
‘‘(4) The findings and recommendations made by the com-
mittee to the Under Secretary for Health and the views of 
the Under Secretary on such findings and recommendations. 
‘‘(5) A description of the steps taken, plans made (and 
a timetable for the execution of such plans), and resources 
to be applied toward improving the capability of the Veterans 
Health Administration to meet effectively the treatment and 
rehabilitation needs of veterans with traumatic brain injury.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 7321 the following new item: 
‘‘7321A. Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury.’’. 
SEC. 516. INCREASE IN AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO DISABLED VETERANS 
FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS 
FURNISHED AS PART OF HOME HEALTH SERVICES. 
(a) INCREASE.—Section 1717(a)(2) is amended by striking sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) in the case of medical services furnished under section 
1710(a)(1) of this title, or for a disability described in section 
1710(a)(2)(C) of this title— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a veteran who first applies for benefits 
under this paragraph before the date of the Caregivers 
and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, $4,100; 
or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a veteran who first applies for 
benefits under this paragraph on or after the date of the 
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124 STAT. 1167 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 
2010, $6,800; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of medical services furnished under any 
other provision of section 1710(a) of this title— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a veteran who first applies for benefits 
under this paragraph before the date of the Caregivers 
and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, $1,200; 
or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a veteran who first applies for 
benefits under this paragraph on or after the date of the 
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 
2010, $2,000.’’. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION.—A veteran who exhausts such veteran’s 
eligibility for benefits under section 1717(a)(2) of such title before 
the date of the enactment of this Act, is not entitled to additional 
benefits under such section by reason of the amendments made 
by subsection (a). 
SEC. 517. EXTENSION OF STATUTORILY DEFINED COPAYMENTS FOR 
CERTAIN VETERANS FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING 
HOME CARE. 
Subparagraph (B) of section 1710(f)(2) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(B) before September 30, 2012, an amount equal to 
$10 for every day the veteran receives hospital care and 
$5 for every day the veteran receives nursing home care.’’. 
SEC. 518. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO RECOVER COST OF CERTAIN 
CARE AND SERVICES FROM DISABLED VETERANS WITH 
HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS. 
Subparagraph (E) of section 1729(a)(2) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(E) for which care and services are furnished before 
October 1, 2012, under this chapter to a veteran who— 
‘‘(i) has a service-connected disability; and 
‘‘(ii) is entitled to care (or payment of the expenses 
of care) under a health-plan contract.’’. 
TITLE VI—DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL 
MATTERS 
SEC. 601. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITIES FOR RETENTION OF MED-
ICAL PROFESSIONALS. 
(a) SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY TO EXTEND TITLE 38 STATUS TO 
ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (3) of section 7401 is amended 
by striking ‘‘and blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists.’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘blind rehabilitation outpatient 
specialists, and such other classes of health care occupations 
as the Secretary considers necessary for the recruitment and 
retention needs of the Department subject to the following 
requirements: 
‘‘(A) Such other classes of health care occupations— 
‘‘(i) are not occupations relating to administrative, 
clerical, or physical plant maintenance and protective 
services; 
38 USC 1717 
note. 
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124 STAT. 1168 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(ii) that would otherwise receive basic pay in 
accordance with the General Schedule under section 
5332 of title 5; 
‘‘(iii) provide, as determined by the Secretary, 
direct patient care services or services incident to direct 
patient services; and 
‘‘(iv) would not otherwise be available to provide 
medical care or treatment for veterans. 
‘‘(B) Not later than 45 days before the Secretary 
appoints any personnel for a class of health care occupa-
tions that is not specifically listed in this paragraph, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget notice of such appointment. 
‘‘(C) Before submitting notice under subparagraph (B), 
the Secretary shall solicit comments from any labor 
organization representing employees in such class and 
include such comments in such notice.’’. 
(2) APPOINTMENT OF NURSE ASSISTANTS.—Such paragraph 
is further amended by inserting ‘‘nurse assistants,’’ after 
‘‘licensed practical or vocational nurses,’’. 
(b) PROBATIONARY PERIODS FOR REGISTERED NURSES.—Section 
7403(b) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Appointments’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, 
appointments’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(2) With respect to the appointment of a registered nurse 
under this chapter, paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to such 
appointment regardless of whether such appointment is on a full- 
time basis or a part-time basis. 
‘‘(3) An appointment described in subsection (a) on a part- 
time basis of a person who has previously served on a full-time 
basis for the probationary period for the position concerned shall 
be without a probationary period.’’. 
(c) PROHIBITION ON TEMPORARY PART-TIME REGISTERED NURSE 
APPOINTMENTS IN EXCESS OF 2 YEARS.—Section 7405 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), employment of 
a registered nurse on a temporary part-time basis under subsection 
(a)(1) shall be for a probationary period of two years. 
‘‘(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), upon completion by 
a registered nurse of the probationary period described in paragraph 
(1)— 
‘‘(A) the employment of such nurse shall— 
‘‘(i) no longer be considered temporary; and 
‘‘(ii) be considered an appointment described in section 
7403(a) of this title; and 
‘‘(B) the nurse shall be considered to have served the proba-
tionary period required by section 7403(b). 
‘‘(3) This subsection shall not apply to appointments made 
on a term limited basis of less than or equal to three years of— 
Deadline. 
Notification. 
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124 STAT. 1169 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(A) nurses with a part-time appointment resulting from 
an academic affiliation or teaching position in a nursing 
academy of the Department; 
‘‘(B) nurses appointed as a result of a specific research 
proposal or grant; or 
‘‘(C) nurses who are not citizens of the United States and 
appointed under section 7407(a) of this title.’’. 
(d) RATE OF BASIC PAY FOR APPOINTEES TO THE OFFICE OF 
THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH SET TO RATE OF BASIC PAY 
FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE POSITIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7404(a) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The annual’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) The 
annual’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘The pay’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) The pay’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘under the preceding sentence’’ and 
inserting ‘‘under paragraph (1)’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3)(A) The rate of basic pay for a position to which an Executive 
order applies under paragraph (1) and is not described by paragraph 
(2) shall be set in accordance with section 5382 of title 5 as if 
such position were a Senior Executive Service position (as such 
term is defined in section 3132(a) of title 5). 
‘‘(B) A rate of basic pay for a position may not be set under 
subparagraph (A) in excess of— 
‘‘(i) in the case the position is not described in clause 
(ii), the rate of basic pay payable for level III of the Executive 
Schedule; or 
‘‘(ii) in the case that the position is covered by a perform-
ance appraisal system that meets the certification criteria 
established by regulation under section 5307(d) of title 5, the 
rate of basic pay payable for level II of the Executive Schedule. 
‘‘(C) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of section 
5307 of title 5, the Secretary may make any certification under 
that subsection instead of the Office of Personnel Management 
and without concurrence of the Office of Management and Budget.’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period 
beginning after the day that is 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(e) SPECIAL INCENTIVE PAY
FOR DEPARTMENT PHARMACIST 
EXECUTIVES.—Section 7410 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(b) SPECIAL INCENTIVE PAY
FOR DEPARTMENT PHARMACIST 
EXECUTIVES.—(1) In order to recruit and retain highly qualified 
Department pharmacist executives, the Secretary may authorize 
the Under Secretary for Health to pay special incentive pay of 
not more than $40,000 per year to an individual of the Veterans 
Health Administration who is a pharmacist executive. 
‘‘(2) In determining whether and how much special pay to 
provide to such individual, the Under Secretary shall consider the 
following: 
‘‘(A) The grade and step of the position of the individual. 
38 USC 7404 
note. 
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124 STAT. 1170 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(B) The scope and complexity of the position of the indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(C) The personal qualifications of the individual. 
‘‘(D) The characteristics of the labor market concerned. 
‘‘(E) Such other factors as the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
‘‘(3) Special incentive pay under paragraph (1) for an individual 
is in addition to all other pay (including basic pay) and allowances 
to which the individual is entitled. 
‘‘(4) Except as provided in paragraph (5), special incentive pay 
under paragraph (1) for an individual shall be considered basic 
pay for all purposes, including retirement benefits under chapters 
83 and 84 of title 5, and other benefits. 
‘‘(5) Special incentive pay under paragraph (1) for an individual 
shall not be considered basic pay for purposes of adverse actions 
under subchapter V of this chapter. 
‘‘(6) Special incentive pay under paragraph (1) may not be 
awarded to an individual in an amount that would result in an 
aggregate amount of pay (including bonuses and awards) received 
by such individual in a year under this title that is greater than 
the annual pay of the President.’’. 
(f) PAY FOR PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS.— 
(1) NON-FOREIGN
COST
OF
LIVING
ADJUSTMENT
ALLOW-
ANCE.—Section 7431(b) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) The non-foreign cost of living adjustment allowance 
authorized under section 5941 of title 5 for physicians and 
dentists whose pay is set under this section shall be determined 
as a percentage of base pay only.’’. 
(2) MARKET PAY DETERMINATIONS FOR PHYSICIANS AND DEN-
TISTS
IN
ADMINISTRATIVE
OR
EXECUTIVE
LEADERSHIP
POSI-
TIONS.—Section 7431(c)(4)(B)(i) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: ‘‘The Secretary may exempt physicians and 
dentists occupying administrative or executive leadership posi-
tions from the requirements of the previous sentence.’’. 
(3) EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION ON REDUCTION OF MARKET 
PAY.—Section 7431(c)(7) is amended by striking ‘‘concerned.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘concerned, unless there is a change in board 
certification or reduction of privileges.’’. 
(g) ADJUSTMENT OF PAY CAP FOR NURSES.—Section 7451(c)(2) 
is amended by striking ‘‘level V’’ and inserting ‘‘level IV’’. 
(h) EXEMPTION
FOR
CERTIFIED
REGISTERED
NURSE
ANES-
THETISTS FROM LIMITATION ON AUTHORIZED COMPETITIVE PAY.— 
Section 7451(c)(2) is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ‘‘The maximum rate of basic pay for a 
grade for the position of certified registered nurse anesthetist pursu-
ant to an adjustment under subsection (d) may exceed the maximum 
rate otherwise provided in the preceding sentence.’’. 
(i) INCREASED LIMITATION ON SPECIAL PAY FOR NURSE EXECU-
TIVES.—Section 7452(g)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘$25,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$100,000’’. 
(j) LOCALITY PAY SCALE COMPUTATIONS.— 
(1) EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT FOR FACILITY DIREC-
TORS
IN
WAGE
SURVEYS.—Section 7451(d)(3) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(F) The Under Secretary for Health shall provide appropriate 
education, training, and support to directors of Department health 
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124 STAT. 1171 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
care facilities in the conduct and use of surveys, including the 
use of third-party surveys, under this paragraph.’’. 
(2) INFORMATION ON METHODOLOGY USED IN WAGE SUR-
VEYS.—Section 7451(e)(4) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subpara-
graph (E); and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following 
new subparagraph (D): 
‘‘(D) In any case in which the director conducts such a 
wage survey during the period covered by the report and makes 
adjustment in rates of basic pay applicable to one or more 
covered positions at the facility, information on the methodology 
used in making such adjustment or adjustments.’’. 
(3) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO PERSONS IN COVERED 
POSITIONS.—Section 7451(e), as amended by paragraph (2) of 
this subsection, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(6)(A) Upon the request of an individual described in subpara-
graph (B) for a report provided under paragraph (4) with respect 
to a Department health-care facility, the Under Secretary for Health 
or the director of such facility shall provide to the individual the 
most current report for such facility provided under such paragraph. 
‘‘(B) An individual described in this subparagraph is— 
‘‘(i) an individual in a covered position at a Department 
health-care facility; or 
‘‘(ii) a representative of the labor organization representing 
that individual who is designated by that individual to make 
the request.’’. 
(k) ELIGIBILITY OF PART-TIME NURSES FOR ADDITIONAL NURSE 
PAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7453 is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘a nurse’’ and 
inserting ‘‘a full-time nurse or part-time nurse’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in the first sentence— 
(I) by striking ‘‘on a tour of duty’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘service on such tour’’ and 
inserting ‘‘such service’’; and 
(III) by striking ‘‘of such tour’’ and inserting 
‘‘of such service’’; and 
(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘of such 
tour’’ and inserting ‘‘of such service’’; 
(C) in subsection (c)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘on a tour of duty’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘service on such tour’’ and inserting 
‘‘such service’’; and 
(D) in subsection (e)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘eight hours in 
a day’’ and inserting ‘‘eight consecutive hours’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ‘‘tour of duty’’ 
and inserting ‘‘period of service’’. 
(2) EXCLUSION OF APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL NURSE PAY 
PROVISIONS TO CERTAIN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES.—Paragraph (3) 
of section 7454(b) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) Employees appointed under section 7408 of this title per-
forming service on a tour of duty, any part of which is within 
the period commencing at midnight Friday and ending at midnight 
Time period. 
Reports. 
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124 STAT. 1172 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
Sunday, shall receive additional pay in addition to the rate of 
basic pay provided such employees for each hour of service on 
such tour at a rate equal to 25 percent of such employee’s hourly 
rate of basic pay.’’. 
(l) ENHANCED AUTHORITY TO INCREASE RATES OF BASIC PAY 
TO OBTAIN OR RETAIN SERVICES OF CERTAIN PERSONS.—Section 
7455(c) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of any increase 
under subsection (a) in the minimum rate for any grade may 
not (except in the case of nurse anesthetists, licensed practical 
nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nursing positions otherwise cov-
ered by title 5, pharmacists, and licensed physical therapists) exceed 
the maximum rate of basic pay (excluding any locality-based com-
parability payment under section 5304 of title 5 or similar provision 
of law) for the grade or level by more than 30 percent. 
‘‘(2) No rate may be established under this section in excess 
of the rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive 
Schedule.’’. 
SEC. 602. LIMITATIONS ON OVERTIME DUTY, WEEKEND DUTY, AND 
ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES FOR NURSES. 
(a) OVERTIME DUTY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter IV of chapter 74 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 7459. Nursing staff: special rules for overtime duty 
‘‘(a) LIMITATION.—Except as provided in subsection (c), the Sec-
retary may not require nursing staff to work more than 40 hours 
(or 24 hours if such staff is covered under section 7456 of this 
title) in an administrative work week or more than eight consecutive 
hours (or 12 hours if such staff is covered under section 7456 
or 7456A of this title). 
‘‘(b) VOLUNTARY OVERTIME.—(1) Nursing staff may on a vol-
untary basis elect to work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(2) The refusal of nursing staff to work hours prohibited by 
subsection (a) shall not be grounds— 
‘‘(A) to discriminate (within the meaning of section 704(a) 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–3(a))) against 
the staff; 
‘‘(B) to dismiss or discharge the staff; or 
‘‘(C) for any other adverse personnel action against the 
staff. 
‘‘(c) OVERTIME UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES.—(1) Sub-
ject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may require nursing staff to 
work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection (a) if— 
‘‘(A) the work is a consequence of an emergency that could 
not have been reasonably anticipated; 
‘‘(B) the emergency is non-recurring and is not caused 
by or aggravated by the inattention of the Secretary or lack 
of reasonable contingency planning by the Secretary; 
‘‘(C) the Secretary has exhausted all good faith, reasonable 
attempts to obtain voluntary workers; 
‘‘(D) the nurse staff have critical skills and expertise that 
are required for the work; and 
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124 STAT. 1173 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(E) the work involves work for which the standard of 
care for a patient assignment requires continuity of care 
through completion of a case, treatment, or procedure. 
‘‘(2) Nursing staff may not be required to work hours under 
this subsection after the requirement for a direct role by the staff 
in responding to medical needs resulting from the emergency ends. 
‘‘(d) NURSING
STAFF
DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘nursing staff’ includes the following: 
‘‘(1) A registered nurse. 
‘‘(2) A licensed practical or vocational nurse. 
‘‘(3) A nurse assistant appointed under this chapter or 
title 5. 
‘‘(4) Any other nurse position designated by the Secretary 
for purposes of this section.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 74 is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 7458 the following new item: 
‘‘7459. Nursing staff: special rules for overtime duty.’’. 
(b) WEEKEND DUTY.—Section 7456 is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (c); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c). 
(c) ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 7456A(b)(1)(A) is amended by 
striking ‘‘three regularly scheduled’’ and all that follows through 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘six regularly scheduled 
12-hour tours of duty within a 14-day period shall be considered 
for all purposes to have worked a full 80-hour pay period.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
7456A(b) 
is 
amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘36/40’’ and 
inserting ‘‘72/80’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘40-hour basic work 
week’’ and inserting ‘‘80-hour pay period’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘regularly’’. 
SEC. 603. REAUTHORIZATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Section 7618 is amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 1998’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 
(b) 
EXPANSION
OF
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 
7612(b)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘(under section’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘or vocational nurse.’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘as an appointee under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 7401 of 
this title.’’. 
(c) ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—Subchapter II of 
chapter 76, as amended by subsections (a) and (b), is further 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating section 7618 as section 7619; and 
(2) by inserting after section 7617 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 7618. Additional program requirements 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM MODIFICATION.—Notwithstanding any provision 
of this subchapter, the Secretary shall carry out this subchapter 
after the date of the enactment of this section by modifying the 
Scholarship Program in such a manner that the program and hiring 
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124 STAT. 1174 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
processes are designed to fully employ Scholarship Program grad-
uates as soon as possible, if not immediately, upon graduation 
and completion of necessary certifications, and to actively assist 
and monitor graduates to ensure certifications are obtained in a 
minimal amount of time following graduation. 
‘‘(b) CLINICAL TOURS.—The Secretary shall require participants 
in the Scholarship Program to perform clinical tours in assignments 
or locations determined by the Secretary while the participants 
are enrolled in the course of education or training for which the 
scholarship is provided. 
‘‘(c) MENTORS.—The Secretary shall ensure that at the 
commencement of the period of obligated service of a participant 
in the Scholarship Program, the participant is assigned to a mentor 
who is employed in the same facility where the participant performs 
such service.’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 76 is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 7618 and inserting the following new items: 
‘‘7618. Additional program requirements. 
‘‘7619. Expiration of program.’’. 
SEC. 604. LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR CLINICAL RESEARCHERS 
FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
use the authorities available in section 487E of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 288–5) for the repayment of the principal 
and interest of educational loans of appropriately qualified health 
professionals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds in order 
to secure clinical research by such professionals for the Veterans 
Health Administration. 
(b) LIMITATIONS.—The exercise by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs of the authorities referred to in subsection (a) shall be 
subject to the conditions and limitations specified in paragraphs 
(2) and (3) of section 487E(a) of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 288–5(a)(2) and (3)). 
(c) FUNDING.—Amounts for the repayment of principal and 
interest of educational loans under this section shall be derived 
from amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
the Veterans Health Administration for Medical Services. 
TITLE VII—HOMELESS VETERANS 
MATTERS 
SEC. 701. PER DIEM GRANT PAYMENTS TO NONCONFORMING ENTI-
TIES. 
Section 2012 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(d) PER DIEM PAYMENTS TO NONCONFORMING ENTITIES.—(1) 
The Secretary may make funds available for per diem payments 
under this section to the following grant recipients or eligible enti-
ties: 
‘‘(A) Grant recipients or eligible entities that— 
‘‘(i) meet each of the transitional and supportive serv-
ices criteria prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to sub-
section (a)(1); and 
38 USC 7681 
note. 
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124 STAT. 1175 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(ii) furnish services to homeless individuals, of which 
less than 75 percent are veterans. 
‘‘(B) Grant recipients or eligible entities that— 
‘‘(i) meet at least one, but not all, of the transitional 
and supportive services criteria prescribed by the Secretary 
pursuant to subsection (a)(1); and 
‘‘(ii) furnish services to homeless individuals, of which 
not less than 75 percent are veterans. 
‘‘(C) Grant recipients or eligible entities that— 
‘‘(i) meet at least one, but not all, of the transitional 
and supportive services criteria prescribed by the Secretary 
pursuant to subsection (a)(1); and 
‘‘(ii) furnish services to homeless individuals, of which 
less than 75 percent are veterans. 
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), in providing per diem 
payments under this subsection, the Secretary shall determine the 
rate of such per diem payments in accordance with the following 
order of priority: 
‘‘(A) Grant recipients or eligible entities described by para-
graph (1)(A). 
‘‘(B) Grant recipients or eligible entities described by para-
graph (1)(B). 
‘‘(C) Grant recipients or eligible entities described by para-
graph (1)(C). 
‘‘(3) For purposes of this subsection, an eligible entity is a 
nonprofit entity and may be an entity that is ineligible to receive 
a grant under section 2011 of this title, but whom the Secretary 
determines carries out the purposes described in that section.’’. 
TITLE VIII—NONPROFIT RESEARCH 
AND EDUCATION CORPORATIONS 
SEC. 801. GENERAL AUTHORITIES ON ESTABLISHMENT OF CORPORA-
TIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF MULTI-MEDICAL CENTER RESEARCH COR-
PORATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7361 is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (e); 
and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
subsection (b): 
‘‘(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a corporation established under 
this subchapter may facilitate the conduct of research, education, 
or both at more than one medical center. Such a corporation shall 
be known as a ‘multi-medical center research corporation’. 
‘‘(2) The board of directors of a multi-medical center research 
corporation under this subsection shall include the official at each 
Department medical center concerned who is, or who carries out 
the responsibilities of, the medical center director of such center 
as specified in section 7363(a)(1)(A)(i) of this title. 
‘‘(3) In facilitating the conduct of research, education, or both 
at more than one Department medical center under this subchapter, 
a multi-medical center research corporation may administer receipts 
and expenditures relating to such research, education, or both, 
as applicable, performed at the Department medical centers con-
cerned.’’. 
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124 STAT. 1176 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(2) EXPANSION OF EXISTING CORPORATIONS TO MULTI-MED-
ICAL CENTER RESEARCH CORPORATIONS.—Such section is further 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) A corporation established under this subchapter may act 
as a multi-medical center research corporation under this sub-
chapter in accordance with subsection (b) if— 
‘‘(1) the board of directors of the corporation approves a 
resolution permitting facilitation by the corporation of the con-
duct of research, education, or both at the other Department 
medical center or medical centers concerned; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary approves the resolution of the corporation 
under paragraph (1).’’. 
(b) RESTATEMENT
AND
MODIFICATION
OF
AUTHORITIES
ON 
APPLICABILITY OF STATE LAW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7361 as amended by subsection 
(a) of this section, is further amended by inserting after sub-
section (b) the following new subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) Any corporation established under this subchapter shall 
be established in accordance with the nonprofit corporation laws 
of the State in which the applicable Department medical center 
is located and shall, to the extent not inconsistent with any Federal 
law, be subject to the laws of such State. In the case of any 
multi-medical center research corporation that facilitates the con-
duct of research, education, or both at Department medical centers 
located in different States, the corporation shall be established 
in accordance with the nonprofit corporation laws of the State 
in which one of such Department medical centers is located.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 7365 is repealed. 
(c) CLARIFICATION OF STATUS OF CORPORATIONS.—Section 7361, 
as amended by this section, is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking the second sentence; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new sub-
section (d): 
‘‘(d)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter or under 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary, any corporation established 
under this subchapter, and its officers, directors, and employees, 
shall be required to comply only with those Federal laws, regula-
tions, and executive orders and directives that apply generally 
to private nonprofit corporations. 
‘‘(2) A corporation under this subchapter is not— 
‘‘(A) owned or controlled by the United States; or 
‘‘(B) an agency or instrumentality of the United States.’’. 
(d) REINSTATEMENT OF REQUIREMENT FOR 501(C)(3) STATUS OF 
CORPORATIONS.—Subsection (e) of section 7361, as redesignated 
by subsection (a)(1), is further amended by inserting ‘‘section 
501(c)(3) of’’ after ‘‘exempt from taxation under’’. 
SEC. 802. CLARIFICATION OF PURPOSES OF CORPORATIONS. 
(a) CLARIFICATION OF PURPOSES.—Subsection (a) of section 7362 
is amended in the first sentence— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Any corporation’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘facilitate’’ and inserting ‘‘A corporation established 
under this subchapter shall be established to provide a flexible 
funding mechanism for the conduct of approved research and 
education at one or more Department medical centers and 
to facilitate functions related to the conduct of’’; and 
Repeal. 
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124 STAT. 1177 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
‘‘or centers’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION OF DEFINED TERM RELATING TO EDUCATION 
AND TRAINING.—Subsection (b) of such section is amended in the 
matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘the term ‘education 
and training’ ’’ and inserting ‘‘the term ‘education’ includes education 
and training and’’. 
(c) REPEAL
OF ROLE
OF CORPORATIONS WITH RESPECT
TO 
FELLOWSHIPS.—Paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of such section is 
amended by striking the flush matter following subparagraph (C). 
(d) AVAILABILITY
OF EDUCATION
FOR FAMILIES
OF VETERAN 
PATIENTS.—Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of such section is 
amended by striking ‘‘to patients and to the families’’ and inserting 
‘‘and includes education and training for patients and families’’. 
SEC. 803. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARDS OF DIREC-
TORS OF CORPORATIONS. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPARTMENT BOARD MEMBERS.—Para-
graph (1) of section 7363(a) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) with respect to the Department medical center— 
‘‘(A)(i) the director (or directors of each Department 
medical center, in the case of a multi-medical center 
research corporation); 
‘‘(ii) the chief of staff; and 
‘‘(iii) as appropriate for the activities of such corpora-
tion, the associate chief of staff for research and the asso-
ciate chief of staff for education; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a Department medical center at 
which one or more of the positions referred to in subpara-
graph (A) do not exist, the official or officials who are 
responsible for carrying out the responsibilities of such 
position or positions at the Department medical center; 
and’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-DEPARTMENT BOARD MEMBERS.— 
Paragraph (2) of such section is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘not less than two’’ before ‘‘members’’; 
and 
(2) by striking ‘‘and who’’ and all that follows through 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘and who have backgrounds, 
or business, legal, financial, medical, or scientific expertise, 
of benefit to the operations of the corporation.’’. 
(c) CONFLICTS
OF INTEREST.—Subsection (c) of section 7363 
is amended by striking ‘‘, employed by, or have any other financial 
relationship with’’ and inserting ‘‘or employed by’’. 
SEC. 804. CLARIFICATION OF POWERS OF CORPORATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7364 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 7364. General powers 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) A corporation established under this 
subchapter may, solely to carry out the purposes of this sub-
chapter— 
‘‘(A) accept, administer, retain, and spend funds derived 
from gifts, contributions, grants, fees, reimbursements, and 
bequests from individuals and public and private entities; 
‘‘(B) enter into contracts and agreements with individuals 
and public and private entities; 
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124 STAT. 1178 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(C) subject to paragraph (2), set fees for education and 
training facilitated under section 7362 of this title, and receive, 
retain, administer, and spend funds in furtherance of such 
education and training; 
‘‘(D) reimburse amounts to the applicable appropriation 
account of the Department for the Office of General Counsel 
for any expenses of that Office in providing legal services attrib-
utable to research and education agreements under this sub-
chapter; and 
‘‘(E) employ such employees as the corporation considers 
necessary for such purposes and fix the compensation of such 
employees. 
‘‘(2) Fees charged pursuant to paragraph (1)(C) for education 
and training described in that paragraph to individuals who are 
officers or employees of the Department may not be paid for by 
any funds appropriated to the Department. 
‘‘(3) Amounts reimbursed to the Office of General Counsel under 
paragraph (1)(D) shall be available for use by the Office of the 
General Counsel only for staff and training, and related travel, 
for the provision of legal services described in that paragraph and 
shall remain available for such use without fiscal year limitation. 
‘‘(b) TRANSFER AND ADMINISTRATION OF FUNDS.—(1) Except as 
provided in paragraph (2), any funds received by the Secretary 
for the conduct of research or education at a Department medical 
center or centers, other than funds appropriated to the Department, 
may be transferred to and administered by a corporation established 
under this subchapter for such purposes. 
‘‘(2) A Department medical center may reimburse the corpora-
tion for all or a portion of the pay, benefits, or both of an employee 
of the corporation who is assigned to the Department medical 
center if the assignment is carried out pursuant to subchapter 
VI of chapter 33 of title 5. 
‘‘(3) A Department medical center may retain and use funds 
provided to it by a corporation established under this subchapter. 
Such funds shall be credited to the applicable appropriation account 
of the Department and shall be available, without fiscal year limita-
tion, for the purposes of that account. 
‘‘(c) RESEARCH PROJECTS.—Except for reasonable and usual 
preliminary costs for project planning before its approval, a corpora-
tion established under this subchapter may not spend funds for 
a research project unless the project is approved in accordance 
with procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary for Health for 
research carried out with Department funds. Such procedures shall 
include a scientific review process. 
‘‘(d) EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.—Except for reasonable and usual 
preliminary costs for activity planning before its approval, a corpora-
tion established under this subchapter may not spend funds for 
an education activity unless the activity is approved in accordance 
with procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary for Health. 
‘‘(e) POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES.—The Under Secretary for 
Health may prescribe policies and procedures to guide the spending 
of funds by corporations established under this subchapter that 
are consistent with the purpose of such corporations as flexible 
funding mechanisms and with Federal and State laws and regula-
tions, and executive orders, circulars, and directives that apply 
generally to the receipt and expenditure of funds by nonprofit 
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124 STAT. 1179 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 7362(a), as amended 
by section 802(a)(1) of this Act, is further amended by striking 
the last sentence. 
SEC. 805. REDESIGNATION OF SECTION 7364A OF TITLE 38, UNITED 
STATES CODE. 
(a) REDESIGNATION.—Section 7364A is redesignated as section 
7365. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 73 is amended— 
(1) by striking the item relating to section 7364A; and 
(2) by striking the item relating to section 7365 and 
inserting the following new item: 
‘‘7365. Coverage of employees under certain Federal tort claims laws.’’. 
SEC. 806. IMPROVED ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT OF CORPORA-
TIONS. 
(a) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN ANNUAL REPORTS.—Subsection 
(b) of section 7366 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b)(1) Each corporation shall submit to the Secretary each 
year a report providing a detailed statement of the operations, 
activities, and accomplishments of the corporation during that year. 
‘‘(2)(A) A corporation with revenues in excess of $500,000 for 
any year shall obtain an audit of the corporation for that year. 
‘‘(B) A corporation with annual revenues between $100,000 
and $500,000 shall obtain an audit of the corporation at least 
once every three years. 
‘‘(C) Any audit under this paragraph shall be performed by 
an independent auditor. 
‘‘(3) The corporation shall include in each report to the Secretary 
under paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(A) The most recent audit of the corporation under para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(B) The most recent Internal Revenue Service Form 990 
‘Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax’ or equivalent 
and the applicable schedules under such form.’’. 
(b) CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES.—Subsection (c) of such 
section is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) Each director, officer, and employee of a corporation estab-
lished under this subchapter shall be subject to a conflict of interest 
policy adopted by that corporation.’’. 
(c) 
ESTABLISHMENT
OF
APPROPRIATE
PAYEE
REPORTING 
THRESHOLD.—Subsection (d)(3)(C) of such section is amended by 
striking ‘‘$35,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$50,000’’. 
TITLE IX—CONSTRUCTION AND 
NAMING MATTERS 
SEC. 901. AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF FISCAL YEAR 2010 MAJOR MEDICAL 
FACILITY PROJECTS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry 
out the following major medical facility projects in fiscal year 2010, 
with each project to be carried out in the amount specified for 
such project: 
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124 STAT. 1180 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
(1) Construction (including acquisition of land) for the 
realignment of services and closure projects at the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Livermore, California, 
in an amount not to exceed $55,430,000. 
(2) Construction (including acquisition of land) for a new 
medical facility at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center in Louisville, Kentucky, in an amount not to exceed 
$75,000,000. 
(3) Construction (including acquisition of land) for a clinical 
expansion for a Mental Health Facility at the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, in an 
amount not to exceed $15,640,000. 
(4) Construction (including acquisition of land) for a 
replacement bed tower and clinical expansion at the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri, 
in an amount not to exceed $43,340,000. 
(b) EXTENSION
OF
AUTHORIZATION
FOR
MAJOR
MEDICAL 
FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.—The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major 
medical facility projects in fiscal year 2010, as follows with each 
project to be carried out in the amount specified for such project: 
(1) Replacement of the existing Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in an amount 
not to exceed $800,000,000. 
(2) Construction of Outpatient and Inpatient Improvements 
in Bay Pines, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $194,400,000. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS
FOR
CONSTRUC-
TION.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010, or the year in which 
funds are appropriated, for the Construction, Major Projects 
account— 
(A) $189,410,000 for the projects authorized in sub-
section (a); and 
(B) $994,400,000 for the projects authorized in sub-
section (b). 
(2) LIMITATION.—The projects authorized in subsections (a) 
and (b) may only be carried out using— 
(A) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2010 pursuant 
to the authorization of appropriations in paragraph (1); 
(B) funds available for Construction, Major Projects 
for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2010 that remain avail-
able for obligation; 
(C) funds available for Construction, Major Projects 
for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2010 that remain available 
for obligation; 
(D) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects 
for fiscal year 2010 for a category of activity not specific 
to a project; 
(E) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects 
for a fiscal year before 2010 for a category of activity 
not specific to a project; and 
(F) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects 
for a fiscal year after 2010 for a category of activity not 
specific to a project. 
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124 STAT. 1181 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
SEC. 902. DESIGNATION OF MERRIL LUNDMAN DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC, HAVRE, MONTANA. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Department of Veterans Affairs out-
patient clinic in Havre, Montana, shall after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act be known and designated as the ‘‘Merril Lundman 
Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, record, or other paper of the United States to the out-
patient clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to 
be a reference to the Merril Lundman Department of Veterans 
Affairs Outpatient Clinic. 
SEC. 903. DESIGNATION OF WILLIAM C. TALLENT DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC, KNOXVILLE, 
TENNESSEE. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Department of Veterans Affairs Out-
patient Clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, shall after the date of the 
enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ‘‘William 
C. Tallent Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, record, or other paper of the United States to the out-
patient clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to 
be a reference to the William C. Tallent Department of Veterans 
Affairs Outpatient Clinic. 
SEC. 904. DESIGNATION OF MAX J. BEILKE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC, ALEXANDRIA, MINNESOTA. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Department of Veterans Affairs out-
patient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, shall after the date of 
the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ‘‘Max 
J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, record, or other paper of the United States to the out-
patient clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to 
be a reference to the Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs 
Outpatient Clinic. 
TITLE X—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 1001. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS. 
Section 902 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) Employees of the Department who are Department police 
officers shall, with respect to acts occurring on Department prop-
erty— 
‘‘(A) enforce Federal laws; 
‘‘(B) enforce the rules prescribed under section 901 of this 
title; 
‘‘(C) enforce traffic and motor vehicle laws of a State or 
local government (by issuance of a citation for violation of 
such laws) within the jurisdiction of which such Department 
property is located as authorized by an express grant of 
authority under applicable State or local law; 
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124 STAT. 1182 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
‘‘(D) carry the appropriate Department-issued weapons, 
including firearms, while off Department property in an official 
capacity or while in an official travel status; 
‘‘(E) conduct investigations, on and off Department prop-
erty, of offenses that may have been committed on property 
under the original jurisdiction of Department, consistent with 
agreements or other consultation with affected Federal, State, 
or local law enforcement agencies; and 
‘‘(F) carry out, as needed and appropriate, the duties 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) when engaged in 
duties authorized by other Federal statutes.’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating para-
graph (3) as paragraph (2); and 
(C) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by subparagraph 
(B) of this paragraph, by inserting ‘‘, and on any arrest 
warrant issued by competent judicial authority’’ before the 
period; and 
(2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) The powers granted to Department police officers des-
ignated under this section shall be exercised in accordance with 
guidelines approved by the Secretary and the Attorney General.’’. 
SEC. 1002. UNIFORM ALLOWANCE FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS. 
Section 903 is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following 
new subsection (b): 
‘‘(b)(1) The amount of the allowance that the Secretary may 
pay under this section is the lesser of— 
‘‘(A) the amount currently allowed as prescribed by the 
Office of Personnel Management; or 
‘‘(B) estimated costs or actual costs as determined by peri-
odic surveys conducted by the Department. 
‘‘(2) During any fiscal year no officer shall receive more for 
the purchase of a uniform described in subsection (a) than the 
amount established under this subsection.’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following 
new subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) The allowance established under subsection (b) shall be 
paid at the beginning of a Department police officer’s employment 
for those appointed on or after October 1, 2010. In the case of 
any other Department police officer, an allowance in the amount 
established under subsection (b) shall be paid upon the request 
of the officer.’’. 
SEC. 1003. SUBMISSION OF REPORTS TO CONGRESS BY SECRETARY 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN ELECTRONIC FORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 118. Submission of reports to Congress in electronic form 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Whenever the Secretary or any other official 
of the Department is required by law to submit to Congress (or 
any committee of either chamber of Congress) a report, the Sec-
retary or other official shall submit to Congress (or such committee) 
a copy of the report in an electronic format. 
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124 STAT. 1183 
PUBLIC LAW 111–163—MAY 5, 2010 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1963: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 155 (2009): Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 156 (2010): Apr. 21, considered and passed House, amended. 
Apr. 22, Senate concurred in House amendment. 
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2010): 
May 5, Presidential remarks. 
‘‘(b) TREATMENT.—The submission of a copy of a report in 
accordance with this section shall be treated as meeting any require-
ment of law to submit such report to Congress (or any committee 
of either chamber of Congress). 
‘‘(c) REPORT DEFINED.—For purposes of this section, the term 
‘report’ includes any certification, notification, or other communica-
tion in writing.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 1 is amended— 
(1) by striking the item relating to section 117; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new items: 
‘‘117. Advance appropriations for certain medical care accounts. 
‘‘118. Reports to Congress: submission in electronic form.’’. 
SEC. 1004. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS FOR PURPOSES 
OF COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO ACT 
OF 2010. 
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying 
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined 
by reference to the latest statement titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of 
PAYGO Legislation’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in the 
Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Com-
mittee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior 
to the vote on passage. 
Approved May 5, 2010. 
Incorporation 
by reference. 
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