Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012
PL 112-260 (S.3202), enacted 01/10/2013

126 STAT. 2417 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
Public Law 112–260 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that deceased veterans with 
no known next of kin can receive a dignified burial, 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 ‘‘Dignified 
Burial and Other Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Scoring of budgetary effects. 
TITLE I—CEMETERY MATTERS 
Sec. 101. Furnishing caskets and urns for deceased veterans with no known next 
of kin. 
Sec. 102. Veterans freedom of conscience protection. 
Sec. 103. Improved communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and 
medical examiners and funeral directors. 
Sec. 104. Identification and burial of unclaimed or abandoned human remains. 
Sec. 105. Exclusion of persons convicted of committing certain sex offenses from in-
terment or memorialization in national cemeteries, Arlington National 
Cemetery, and certain State veterans’ cemeteries and from receiving 
certain funeral honors. 
Sec. 106. Restoration, operation, and maintenance of Clark Veterans Cemetery by 
American Battle Monuments Commission. 
Sec. 107. Report on compliance of Department of Veterans Affairs with industry 
standards for caskets and urns. 
TITLE II—HEALTH CARE 
Sec. 201. Establishment of open burn pit registry. 
Sec. 202. Transportation of beneficiaries to and from facilities of Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 203. Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans covered by medicaid 
plans for services furnished by nursing facilities. 
Sec. 204. Extension of report requirement for Special Committee on Post-Trau-
matic-Stress Disorder. 
TITLE III—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 301. Off-base transition training for veterans and their spouses. 
Sec. 302. Requirement that judges on United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
Claims reside within 50 miles of District of Columbia. 
Sec. 303. Designation of Trinka Davis Veterans Village. 
Sec. 304. Designation of William ‘‘Bill’’ Kling Department of Veterans Affairs Out-
patient Clinic. 
Sec. 305. Designation of Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center. 
Sec. 306. Designation of David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Commu-
nity Based Outpatient Clinic. 
Dignified Burial 
and Other 
Veterans’ 
Benefits 
Improvement Act 
of 2012. 
38 USC 101 note. 
Jan. 10, 2013 
[S. 3202] 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01007
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2418 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
SEC. 2. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 
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 Senate Budget Com-
mittee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior 
to the vote on passage. 
TITLE I—CEMETERY MATTERS 
SEC. 101. FURNISHING CASKETS AND URNS FOR DECEASED VETERANS 
WITH NO KNOWN NEXT OF KIN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
(g) and (h), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new sub-
section (f): 
‘‘(f) The Secretary may furnish a casket or urn, of such quality 
as the Secretary considers appropriate for a dignified burial, for 
burial in a national cemetery of a deceased veteran in any case 
in which the Secretary— 
‘‘(1) is unable to identify the veteran’s next of kin, if any; 
and 
‘‘(2) determines that sufficient resources for the furnishing 
of a casket or urn for the burial of the veteran in a national 
cemetery are not otherwise available.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (1), 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) A casket or urn may not be furnished under subsection 
(f) for burial of a person described in section 2411(b) of this title.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsections (f) and (h)(4) of section 2306 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall 
take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to deaths occur-
ring on or after the date that is one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 102. VETERANS FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE PROTECTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2404 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(h)(1) With respect to the interment or funeral, memorial 
service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery, 
the Secretary shall ensure that— 
‘‘(A) the expressed wishes of the next of kin or other agent 
of the deceased veteran are respected and given appropriate 
deference when evaluating whether the proposed interment 
or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony affects the safety 
and security of the national cemetery and visitors to the ceme-
tery; 
‘‘(B) to the extent possible, all appropriate public areas 
of the cemetery, including committal shelters, chapels, and 
benches, may be used by the family of the deceased veteran 
for contemplation, prayer, mourning, or reflection; and 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2306 
note. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01008
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2419 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
‘‘(C) during such interment or funeral, memorial service, 
or ceremony, the family of the deceased veteran may display 
any religious or other symbols chosen by the family. 
‘‘(2) Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 
paragraph (4), including such regulations ensuring the security 
of a national cemetery, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, provide to any military or volunteer veterans honor 
guard, including such guards belonging to a veterans service 
organization or other nongovernmental group that provides services 
to veterans, access to public areas of a national cemetery if such 
access is requested by the next of kin or other agent of a deceased 
veteran whose interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony 
is being held in such cemetery. 
‘‘(3) With respect to the interment or funeral, memorial service, 
or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery, the 
Secretary shall notify the next of kin or other agent of the deceased 
veteran of funeral honors available to the deceased veteran, 
including such honors provided by any military or volunteer vet-
erans honor guard described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this 
subsection.’’. 
(b) INTERIM IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary may carry out 
paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 2404(h) of such title, as added 
by subsection (a), before the Secretary prescribes regulations pursu-
ant to paragraph (4) of such section, as so added. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on the implementation of section 2404(h) of such title, as added 
by subsection (a). Such report shall include a certification of whether 
the Secretary is in compliance with all of the provisions of such 
section. 
SEC. 103. IMPROVED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND 
FUNERAL DIRECTORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 24 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 2414. Communication between Department of Veterans 
Affairs and medical examiners and funeral direc-
tors 
‘‘(a) REQUIRED INFORMATION.—With respect to each deceased 
veteran described in subsection (b) who is transported to a national 
cemetery for burial, the Secretary shall ensure that the local medical 
examiner, funeral director, county service group, or other entity 
responsible for the body of the deceased veteran before such 
transportation submits to the Secretary the following information: 
‘‘(1) Whether the deceased veteran was cremated. 
‘‘(2) The steps taken to ensure that the deceased veteran 
has no next of kin. 
‘‘(b) DECEASED
VETERAN
DESCRIBED.—A deceased veteran 
described in this subsection is a deceased veteran— 
‘‘(1) with respect to whom the Secretary determines that 
there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body 
of the deceased veteran; and 
38 USC 2414. 
Certification. 
38 USC 2404 
note. 
Regulations. 
Notification. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01009
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2420 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
‘‘(2) who does not have sufficient resources for the fur-
nishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the deceased veteran 
in a national cemetery, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 2413 the following new item: 
‘‘2414. Communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and medical exam-
iners and funeral directors.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 2414 of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date 
of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to deaths 
occurring on or after the date that is 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 104. IDENTIFICATION AND BURIAL OF UNCLAIMED OR ABAN-
DONED HUMAN REMAINS. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION
OF UNCLAIMED
OR ABANDONED HUMAN 
REMAINS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall cooperate with 
veterans service organizations to assist entities in possession of 
unclaimed or abandoned human remains in determining if any 
such remains are the remains of veterans or other individuals 
eligible for burial in a national cemetery under the jurisdiction 
of the Secretary. 
(b) BURIAL OF UNCLAIMED OR ABANDONED HUMAN REMAINS.— 
(1) FUNERAL
EXPENSES.—Section 2302(a)(2) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘who was a veteran 
of any war or was discharged or released from the active 
military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggra-
vated in line of duty, whose body is held by a State (or a 
political subdivision of a State), and’’. 
(2) TRANSPORTATION COSTS.—Section 2308 of such title is 
amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Where a veteran’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘compensation, the’’ and inserting ‘‘(a) IN GEN-
ERAL.—The’’; 
(B) in subsection (a), as designated by subparagraph 
(A), by inserting ‘‘described in subsection (b)’’ after ‘‘of 
the deceased veteran’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(b) DECEASED
VETERAN
DESCRIBED.—A deceased veteran 
described in this subsection is any of the following veterans: 
‘‘(1) A veteran who dies as the result of a service-connected 
disability. 
‘‘(2) A veteran who dies while in receipt of disability com-
pensation (or who but for the receipt of retirement pay or 
pension under this title, would have been entitled to compensa-
tion). 
‘‘(3) A veteran whom the Secretary determines is eligible 
for funeral expenses under section 2302 of this title by virtue 
of the Secretary determining that the veteran has no next 
of kin or other person claiming the body of such veteran pursu-
ant to subsection (a)(2)(A) of such section.’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this sub-
section shall take effect on the date that is one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with 
respect to burials and funerals occurring on or after the date 
that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2302 
note. 
38 USC 2402 
note. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2414 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 2400. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:19 Oct 22, 2018
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01010
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2012\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2421 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
SEC. 105. EXCLUSION OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF COMMITTING CER-
TAIN SEX OFFENSES FROM INTERMENT OR MEMORIALIZA-
TION IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES, ARLINGTON NATIONAL 
CEMETERY, AND CERTAIN STATE VETERANS’ CEMETERIES 
AND FROM RECEIVING CERTAIN FUNERAL HONORS. 
(a) PROHIBITION AGAINST.—Section 2411(b) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) A person— 
‘‘(A) who has been convicted of a Federal or State 
crime causing the person to be a tier III sex offender 
for purposes of the Sex Offender Registration and Notifica-
tion Act (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.); 
‘‘(B) who, for such crime, is sentenced to a minimum 
of life imprisonment; and 
‘‘(C) whose conviction is final (other than a person 
whose sentence was commuted by the President or Gov-
ernor of a State, as the case may be).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 2411(a)(2) of such title 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘or (b)(2)’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘, (b)(2), or (b)(4)’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘capital’’ each place it appears. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall apply with respect to interments and memorializations that 
occur on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 106. RESTORATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF CLARK 
VETERANS CEMETERY BY AMERICAN BATTLE MONU-
MENTS COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—After an agreement is made between the 
Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the United 
States Government, Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Republic of 
the Philippines shall be treated, for purposes of section 2104 of 
title 36, United States Code, as a cemetery for which it was decided 
under such section that the cemetery will become a permanent 
cemetery and the American Battle Monuments Commission shall 
restore, operate, and maintain Clark Veterans Cemetery (to the 
degree the Commission considers appropriate) under such section 
in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of the Phil-
ippines. 
(b) LIMITATION ON FUTURE BURIALS.—Burials at the cemetery 
described in subsection (a) after the date of the agreement described 
in such subsection shall be limited to eligible veterans, as deter-
mined by the Commission, whose burial does not incur any cost 
to the Commission. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Commission— 
(1) $5,000,000 for site preparation, design, planning, 
construction, and associated administrative costs for the res-
toration of the cemetery described in subsection (a); and 
(2) amounts necessary to operate and maintain the ceme-
tery described in subsection (a). 
Contracts. 
36 USC 2104 
note. 
Philippines. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2411 
note. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01011
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2422 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
SEC. 107. REPORT ON COMPLIANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR CASKETS AND 
URNS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
a report on the compliance of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
with industry standards for caskets and urns. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) A description of industry standards for caskets and 
urns. 
(2) An assessment of compliance with such standards at 
national cemeteries administered by the Department with 
respect to caskets and urns used for the interment of those 
eligible for burial at such cemeteries. 
TITLE II—HEALTH CARE 
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF REGISTRY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall— 
(A) establish and maintain an open burn pit registry 
for eligible individuals who may have been exposed to 
toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn 
pits; 
(B) include any information in such registry that the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines necessary to 
ascertain and monitor the health effects of the exposure 
of members of the Armed Forces to toxic airborne chemicals 
and fumes caused by open burn pits; 
(C) develop a public information campaign to inform 
eligible individuals about the open burn pit registry, 
including how to register and the benefits of registering; 
and 
(D) periodically notify eligible individuals of significant 
developments in the study and treatment of conditions 
associated with exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and 
fumes caused by open burn pits. 
(2) COORDINATION.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
coordinate with the Secretary of Defense in carrying out para-
graph (1). 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) REPORTS BY INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION.— 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement 
with an independent scientific organization to prepare reports 
as follows: 
(A) Not later than two years after the date on which 
the registry under subsection (a) is established, an initial 
report containing the following: 
(i) An assessment of the effectiveness of actions 
taken by the Secretaries to collect and maintain 
information on the health effects of exposure to toxic 
Assessment. 
Contracts. 
Notification. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 527 note. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01012
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2423 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn 
pits. 
(ii) Recommendations to improve the collection and 
maintenance of such information. 
(iii) Using established and previously published 
epidemiological studies, recommendations regarding 
the most effective and prudent means of addressing 
the medical needs of eligible individuals with respect 
to conditions that are likely to result from exposure 
to open burn pits. 
(B) Not later than five years after completing the initial 
report described in subparagraph (A), a follow-up report 
containing the following: 
(i) An update to the initial report described in 
subparagraph (A). 
(ii) An assessment of whether and to what degree 
the content of the registry established under subsection 
(a) is current and scientifically up-to-date. 
(2) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.— 
(A) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than two years after 
the date on which the registry under subsection (a) is 
established, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to Congress the initial report prepared under paragraph 
(1)(A). 
(B) FOLLOW-UP REPORT.—Not later than five years after 
submitting the report under subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress the 
follow-up report prepared under paragraph (1)(B). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘eligible individual’’ 
means any individual who, on or after September 11, 2001— 
(A) was deployed in support of a contingency operation 
while serving in the Armed Forces; and 
(B) during such deployment, was based or stationed 
at a location where an open burn pit was used. 
(2) OPEN BURN PIT.—The term ‘‘open burn pit’’ means an 
area of land located in Afghanistan or Iraq that— 
(A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense to be 
used for disposing solid waste by burning in the outdoor 
air; and 
(B) does not contain a commercially manufactured 
incinerator or other equipment specifically designed and 
manufactured for the burning of solid waste. 
SEC. 202. TRANSPORTATION OF BENEFICIARIES TO AND FROM FACILI-
TIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting after section 111 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 111A. Transportation of individuals to and from Depart-
ment facilities 
‘‘(a) TRANSPORTATION BY SECRETARY.—(1) The Secretary may 
transport any person to or from a Department facility or other 
place in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling 
required by the Secretary pursuant to chapter 34 or 35 of this 
title, or for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care. 
38 USC 111A. 
Assessment. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01013
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2424 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
‘‘(2) The authority granted by paragraph (1) shall expire on 
the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this 
section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (h) of section 111 
of such title is— 
(1) transferred to section 111A of such title, as added 
by subsection (a); 
(2) redesignated as subsection (b); 
(3) inserted after subsection (a) of such section; and 
(4) amended by inserting ‘‘TRANSPORTATION BY THIRD-PAR-
TIES.—’’ before ‘‘The Secretary’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 1 of such title is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 111 the following new item: 
‘‘111A. Transportation of individuals to and from Department facilities.’’. 
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF REDUCED PENSION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES FURNISHED 
BY NURSING FACILITIES. 
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘September 30, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘November 30, 
2016’’. 
SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF REPORT REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIAL COM-
MITTEE ON POST-TRAUMATIC-STRESS DISORDER. 
Section 110(e)(2) of the Veterans’ Health Care Act of 1984 
(Public Law 98–528; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by striking 
‘‘through 2012’’ and inserting ‘‘through 2016’’. 
TITLE III—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 301. OFF-BASE TRANSITION TRAINING FOR VETERANS AND THEIR 
SPOUSES. 
(a) PROVISION OF OFF-BASE TRANSITION TRAINING.—During the 
two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Labor shall provide the Transition Assistance 
Program under section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, to 
eligible individuals at locations other than military installations 
to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing such program 
to eligible individuals at locations other than military installations. 
(b) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.—For purposes of this section, an 
eligible individual is a veteran or the spouse of a veteran. 
(c) LOCATIONS.— 
(1) NUMBER
OF
STATES.—The Secretary shall carry out 
the training under subsection (a) in not less than three and 
not more than five States selected by the Secretary for purposes 
of this section. 
(2) SELECTION
OF
STATES
WITH
HIGH
UNEMPLOYMENT.— 
Of the States selected by the Secretary under paragraph (1), 
at least two shall be States with high rates of unemployment 
among veterans. 
(3) NUMBER OF LOCATIONS IN EACH STATE.—The Secretary 
shall provide training under subsection (a) to eligible individ-
uals at a sufficient number of locations within each State 
selected under this subsection to meet the needs of eligible 
individuals in such State. 
Time period. 
Effective date. 
10 USC 1144 
note. 
38 USC 101 prec. 
38 USC 111A. 
38 USC 111, 
111A. 
Expiration date. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01014
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2425 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
(4) SELECTION OF LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall select 
locations for the provision of training under subsection (a) 
to facilitate access by participants and may not select any 
location on a military installation other than a National Guard 
or reserve facility that is not located on an active duty military 
installation. 
(d) INCLUSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT VETERANS BENEFITS.— 
The Secretary shall ensure that the training provided under sub-
section (a) generally follows the content of the Transition Assistance 
Program under section 1144 of title 10, United States Code. 
(e) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than March 1 of any year 
during which the Secretary provides training under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the provision 
of such training. 
(f) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the termination of the one-year period described in subsection 
(a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
to Congress a report on the training provided under such subsection. 
The report shall include the evaluation of the Comptroller General 
regarding the feasibility and advisability of carrying out off-base 
transition training at locations nationwide. 
SEC. 302. REQUIREMENT THAT JUDGES ON UNITED STATES COURT 
OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS RESIDE WITHIN 50 
MILES OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
(a) RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7255 is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘§ 7255. Offices, duty stations, and residences 
‘‘(a) PRINCIPAL OFFICE.—The principal office of the Court of 
Appeals for Veterans Claims shall be in the Washington, D.C., 
metropolitan area, but the Court may sit at any place within 
the United States. 
‘‘(b) OFFICIAL DUTY STATIONS.—(1) Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the official duty station of each judge while in active 
service shall be the principal office of the Court of Appeals for 
Veterans Claims. 
‘‘(2) The place where a recall-eligible retired judge maintains 
the actual abode in which such judge customarily lives shall be 
considered the recall-eligible retired judge’s official duty station. 
‘‘(c) RESIDENCES.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), after 
appointment and while in active service, each judge of the Court 
of Appeals for Veterans Claims shall reside within 50 miles of 
the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to recall-eligible retired 
judges of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 72 is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 7255 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘7255. Offices, duty stations, and residences.’’. 
(b) REMOVAL.—Section 7253(f)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘or 
engaging in the practice of law’’ and inserting ‘‘engaging in the 
practice of law, or violating section 7255(c) of this title’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
38 USC 7255 
note. 
38 USC 7251 
prec. 
38 USC 7255. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01015
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2426 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (c) of section 7255, as added 
by subsection (a), and the amendment made by subsection 
(b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by subsection 
(b) shall apply with respect to judges confirmed on or after 
January 1, 2012. 
SEC. 303. DESIGNATION OF TRINKA DAVIS VETERANS VILLAGE. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs located at 180 Martin Drive in Carrollton, Georgia, shall 
after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated 
as the ‘‘Trinka Davis Veterans Village’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, record, or other paper of the United States to the facility 
referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference 
to the ‘‘Trinka Davis Veterans Village’’. 
SEC. 304. DESIGNATION OF WILLIAM ‘‘BILL’’ KLING DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs located at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in Sunrise, 
Florida, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known 
and designated as the ‘‘William ‘Bill’ Kling Department of Veterans 
Affairs Outpatient Clinic’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility 
referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference 
to the ‘‘William ‘Bill’ Kling Department of Veterans Affairs Out-
patient Clinic’’. 
SEC. 305. DESIGNATION OF MANN-GRANDSTAFF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
center in Spokane, Washington, shall after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act be known and designated as the ‘‘Mann-Grandstaff 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs medical center referred to in subsection 
(a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Mann-Grandstaff 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center’’. 
SEC. 306. DESIGNATION OF DAVID F. WINDER DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Department of Veterans Affairs commu-
nity based outpatient clinic located in Mansfield, Ohio, shall after 
the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated 
as the ‘‘David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community 
Based Outpatient Clinic’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic referred 
to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
Ohio. 
Washington. 
Florida. 
Georgia. 
38 USC 7253 
note. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01016
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2
126 STAT. 2427 
PUBLIC LAW 112–260—JAN. 10, 2013 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 3202: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012): 
Dec. 19, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 30, considered and passed House. 
‘‘David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community 
Based Outpatient Clinic’’. 
Approved January 10, 2013. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:50 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00002
Frm 01017
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT2\19194PT2.001
19194PT2