Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012
PL 112-154 (H.R.1627), enacted 08/06/2012

126 STAT. 1165 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
Public Law 112–154 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care and medical services 
to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the 
water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune, to improve the provision of housing 
assistance to veterans and their families, 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 ‘‘Honoring 
America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families 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. References to title 38, United States Code. 
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects. 
TITLE I—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Sec. 101. Short title. 
Sec. 102. Hospital care and medical services for veterans stationed at Camp 
Lejeune, North Carolina. 
Sec. 103. Authority to waive collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedi-
cine visits of veterans. 
Sec. 104. Temporary expansion of payments and allowances for beneficiary travel 
in connection with veterans receiving care from Vet Centers. 
Sec. 105. Contracts and agreements for nursing home care. 
Sec. 106. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents 
and other safety incidents. 
Sec. 107. Rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury. 
Sec. 108. Teleconsultation and telemedicine. 
Sec. 109. Use of service dogs on property of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 110. Recognition of rural health resource centers in Office of Rural Health. 
Sec. 111. Improvements for recovery and collection of amounts for Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund. 
Sec. 112. Extension of authority for copayments. 
Sec. 113. Extension of authority for recovery of cost of certain care and services. 
TITLE II—HOUSING MATTERS 
Sec. 201. Short title. 
Sec. 202. Temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assist-
ance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty with ambu-
lating. 
Sec. 203. Expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for vet-
erans with vision impairment. 
Sec. 204. Revised limitations on assistance furnished for acquisition and adaptation 
of housing for disabled veterans. 
Sec. 205. Improvements to assistance for disabled veterans residing in housing 
owned by a family member. 
Sec. 206. Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan guarantees for surviving 
spouses of certain totally disabled veterans. 
38 USC 101 note. 
Honoring 
America’s 
Veterans and 
Caring for Camp 
Lejeune Families 
Act of 2012. 
Aug. 6, 2012 
[H.R. 1627] 
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126 STAT. 1166 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
Sec. 207. Occupancy of property by dependent child of veteran for purposes of meet-
ing occupancy requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs housing 
loans. 
Sec. 208. Making permanent project for guaranteeing of adjustable rate mortgages. 
Sec. 209. Making permanent project for insuring hybrid adjustable rate mortgages. 
Sec. 210. Waiver of loan fee for individuals with disability ratings issued during 
pre-discharge programs. 
Sec. 211. Modification of authorities for enhanced-use leases of real property. 
TITLE III—HOMELESS MATTERS 
Sec. 301. Enhancement of comprehensive service programs. 
Sec. 302. Modification of authority for provision of treatment and rehabilitation to 
certain veterans to include provision of treatment and rehabilitation to 
homeless veterans who are not seriously mentally ill. 
Sec. 303. Modification of grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. 
Sec. 304. Collaboration in provision of case management services to homeless vet-
erans in supported housing program. 
Sec. 305. Extensions of previously fully funded authorities affecting homeless vet-
erans. 
TITLE IV—EDUCATION MATTERS 
Sec. 401. Aggregate amount of educational assistance available to individuals who 
receive both survivors’ and dependents’ educational assistance and other 
veterans and related educational assistance. 
Sec. 402. Annual reports on Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program and Sur-
vivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. 
TITLE V—BENEFITS MATTERS 
Sec. 501. Automatic waiver of agency of original jurisdiction review of new evi-
dence. 
Sec. 502. Authority for certain persons to sign claims filed with Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs on behalf of claimants. 
Sec. 503. Improvement of process for filing jointly for social security and depend-
ency and indemnity compensation. 
Sec. 504. Authorization of use of electronic communication to provide notice to 
claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
Sec. 505. Duty to assist claimants in obtaining private records. 
Sec. 506. Authority for retroactive effective date for awards of disability compensa-
tion in connection with applications that are fully-developed at sub-
mittal. 
Sec. 507. Modification of month of death benefit for surviving spouses of veterans 
who die while entitled to compensation or pension. 
Sec. 508. Increase in rate of pension for disabled veterans married to one another 
and both of whom require regular aid and attendance. 
Sec. 509. Exclusion of certain reimbursements of expenses from determination of 
annual income with respect to pensions for veterans and surviving 
spouses and children of veterans. 
TITLE VI—MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND CEMETERY MATTERS 
Sec. 601. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former members of 
the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 602. Codification of prohibition against reservation of gravesites at Arlington 
National Cemetery. 
Sec. 603. Expansion of eligibility for presidential memorial certificates to persons 
who died in the active military, naval, or air service. 
Sec. 604. Requirements for the placement of monuments in Arlington National 
Cemetery. 
TITLE VII—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 701. Assistance to veterans affected by natural disasters. 
Sec. 702. Extension of certain expiring provisions of law. 
Sec. 703. Requirement for plan for regular assessment of employees of Veterans 
Benefits Administration who handle processing of claims for compensa-
tion and pension. 
Sec. 704. Modification of provision relating to reimbursement rate for ambulance 
services. 
Sec. 705. Change in collection and verification of veteran income. 
Sec. 706. Department of Veterans Affairs enforcement penalties for misrepresenta-
tion of a business concern as a small business concern owned and con-
trolled by veterans or as a small business concern owned and controlled 
by service-disabled veterans. 
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126 STAT. 1167 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
Sec. 707. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Depart-
ment. 
Sec. 708. Publication of data on employment of certain veterans by Federal contrac-
tors. 
Sec. 709. VetStar Award Program. 
Sec. 710. Extended period of protections for members of uniformed services relating 
to mortgages, mortgage foreclosure, and eviction. 
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. 
SEC. 3. 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—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Janey Ensminger Act’’. 
SEC. 102. HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS 
STATIONED AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA. 
(a) HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 1710(e) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(F) Subject to paragraph (2), a veteran who served on active 
duty in the Armed Forces at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for 
not fewer than 30 days during the period beginning on January 
1, 1957, and ending on December 31, 1987, is eligible for hospital 
care and medical services under subsection (a)(2)(F) for any of 
the following illnesses or conditions, notwithstanding that there 
is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illnesses or 
conditions are attributable to such service: 
‘‘(i) Esophageal cancer. 
‘‘(ii) Lung cancer. 
‘‘(iii) Breast cancer. 
‘‘(iv) Bladder cancer. 
‘‘(v) Kidney cancer. 
‘‘(vi) Leukemia. 
‘‘(vii) Multiple myeloma. 
‘‘(viii) Myleodysplasic syndromes. 
‘‘(ix) Renal toxicity. 
‘‘(x) Hepatic steatosis. 
‘‘(xi) Female infertility. 
‘‘(xii) Miscarriage. 
‘‘(xiii) Scleroderma. 
‘‘(xiv) Neurobehavioral effects. 
‘‘(xv) Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.’’. 
(2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (2)(B) of such section is 
amended by striking ‘‘or (E)’’ and inserting ‘‘(E), or (F)’’. 
Time period. 
38 USC 1710. 
38 USC 101 note. 
Janey Ensminger 
Act. 
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126 STAT. 1168 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(b) FAMILY MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1787. Health care of family members of veterans stationed 
at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), a family member 
of a veteran described in subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) 
of this title who resided at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for 
not fewer than 30 days during the period described in such subpara-
graph or who was in utero during such period while the mother 
of such family member resided at such location shall be eligible 
for hospital care and medical services furnished by the Secretary 
for any of the illnesses or conditions described in such subpara-
graph, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence 
to conclude that such illnesses or conditions are attributable to 
such residence. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—(1) The Secretary may only furnish hospital 
care and medical services under subsection (a) to the extent and 
in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts for such 
purpose. 
‘‘(2) Hospital care and medical services may not be furnished 
under subsection (a) for an illness or condition of a family member 
that is found, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Under 
Secretary for Health, to have resulted from a cause other than 
the residence of the family member described in that subsection. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary may provide reimbursement for hospital 
care or medical services provided to a family member under this 
section only after the family member or the provider of such care 
or services has exhausted without success all claims and remedies 
reasonably available to the family member or provider against 
a third party (as defined in section 1725(f) of this title) for payment 
of such care or services, including with respect to health-plan con-
tracts (as defined in such section).’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 1786 the following new item: 
‘‘1787. Health care of family members of veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune, North 
Carolina.’’. 
(c) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31 of each of 
2013, 2014, and 2015, 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 Rep-
resentatives a report on the care and services provided under 
sections 1710(e)(1)(F) and 1787 of title 38, United States Code 
(as added by subsections (a) and (b)(1), respectively). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall set 
forth the following: 
(A) The number of veterans and family members pro-
vided hospital care and medical services under the provi-
sions of law specified in paragraph (1) during the period 
beginning on October 1, 2012, and ending on the date 
of such report. 
(B) The illnesses, conditions, and disabilities for which 
care and services have been provided such veterans and 
Time period. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
38 USC 1787. 
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126 STAT. 1169 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
family members under such provisions of law during that 
period. 
(C) The number of veterans and family members who 
applied for care and services under such provisions of law 
during that period but were denied, including information 
on the reasons for such denials. 
(D) The number of veterans and family members who 
applied for care and services under such provisions of law 
and are awaiting a decision from the Secretary on eligibility 
for such care and services as of the date of such report. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of this section and the 
amendments made by this section shall take effect on the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) APPLICABILITY.—Subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) 
of such title, as added by subsection (a), and section 1787 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (b)(1), 
shall apply with respect to hospital care and medical services 
provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 103. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
TELEHEALTH AND TELEMEDICINE VISITS OF VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 17 is amended 
by inserting after section 1722A the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments 
for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans 
‘‘The Secretary may waive the imposition or collection of copay-
ments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans under the 
laws administered 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 1722A the following new item: 
‘‘1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedi-
cine visits of veterans.’’. 
SEC. 104. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES 
FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VET-
ERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall com-
mence a three-year initiative to assess the feasibility and advis-
ability of paying under section 111(a) of title 38, United States 
Code, the actual necessary expenses of travel or allowances for 
travel from a residence located in an area that is designated by 
the Secretary as highly rural to the nearest Vet Center and from 
such Vet Center to such residence. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the completion of the initiative, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with 
respect to the initiative required by subsection (a). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) A description of the individuals who benefitted 
from payment under the initiative. 
Effective date. 
Assessment. 
Urban and rural 
areas. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
38 USC 1722B. 
38 USC 1710 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1170 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(B) A description of any impediments to the Secretary 
in paying expenses or allowances under the initiative. 
(C) A description of any impediments encountered by 
individuals in receiving such payments. 
(D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability 
of paying such expenses or allowances. 
(E) An assessment of any fraudulent receipt of payment 
under the initiative and the recommendations of the Sec-
retary for legislative or administrative action to reduce 
such fraud. 
(F) Such recommendations for legislative or adminis-
trative action as the Secretary considers appropriate with 
respect to the payment of expenses or allowances as 
described in subsection (a). 
(c) 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. 105. CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS FOR NURSING HOME CARE. 
(a) CONTRACTS.—Section 1745(a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Secretary shall pay 
each State home for nursing home care at the rate determined 
under paragraph (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘The Secretary shall enter 
into a contract (or agreement under section 1720(c)(1) of this 
title) with each State home for payment by the Secretary for 
nursing home care provided in the home’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
new paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) Payment under each contract (or agreement) between the 
Secretary and a State home under paragraph (1) shall be based 
on a methodology, developed by the Secretary in consultation with 
the State home, to adequately reimburse the State home for the 
care provided by the State home under the contract (or agreement).’’. 
(b) AGREEMENTS.—Section 1720(c)(1)(A) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a semi-
colon; 
(2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new clause: 
‘‘(iii) a provider of services eligible to enter into a contract 
pursuant to section 1745(a) of this title that is not otherwise 
described in clause (i) or (ii).’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this section 
shall apply to care provided on or after the date that is 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) MAINTENANCE OF PRIOR METHODOLOGY OF REIMBURSE-
MENT FOR CERTAIN STATE HOMES.—In the case of a State home 
that provided nursing home care on the day before the date 
of the enactment of this Act for which the State home was 
eligible for pay under section 1745(a)(1) of title 38, United 
States Code, at the request of any State home, the Secretary 
shall offer to enter into a contract (or agreement described 
in such section) with such State home under such section, 
as amended by subsection (a), for payment for nursing home 
care provided by such State home under such section that 
Applicability. 
38 USC 1720 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1171 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
reflects the overall methodology of reimbursement for such 
care that was in effect for such State home on the day before 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 106. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON REPORTING AND TRACKING 
SEXUAL 
ASSAULT 
INCIDENTS 
AND 
OTHER 
SAFETY 
INCIDENTS. 
(a) POLICY.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking 
sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents 
‘‘(a) POLICY REQUIRED.—(1) Not later than September 30, 2012, 
the Secretary shall develop and implement a centralized and com-
prehensive policy on the reporting and tracking of sexual assault 
incidents and other safety incidents that occur at each medical 
facility of the Department, including— 
‘‘(A) suspected, alleged, attempted, or confirmed cases of 
sexual assault, regardless of whether such assaults lead to 
prosecution or conviction; 
‘‘(B) criminal and purposefully unsafe acts; 
‘‘(C) alcohol or substance abuse related acts (including by 
employees of the Department); and 
‘‘(D) any kind of event involving alleged or suspected abuse 
of a patient. 
‘‘(2) In developing and implementing a policy under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall consider the effects of such policy on— 
‘‘(A) the use by veterans of mental health care and sub-
stance abuse treatments; and 
‘‘(B) the ability of the Department to refer veterans to 
such care or treatment. 
‘‘(b) SCOPE.—The policy required by subsection (a) shall cover 
each of the following: 
‘‘(1) For purposes of reporting and tracking sexual assault 
incidents and other safety incidents, definitions of the terms— 
‘‘(A) ‘safety incident’; 
‘‘(B) ‘sexual assault’; and 
‘‘(C) ‘sexual assault incident’. 
‘‘(2)(A) The development and use of specific risk-assessment 
tools to examine any risks related to sexual assault that a 
veteran may pose while being treated at a medical facility 
of the Department, including clear and consistent guidance 
on the collection of information related to— 
‘‘(i) the legal history of the veteran; and 
‘‘(ii) the medical record of the veteran. 
‘‘(B) In developing and using tools under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall consider the effects of using such tools 
on the use by veterans of health care furnished by the Depart-
ment. 
‘‘(3) The mandatory training of employees of the Depart-
ment on security issues, including awareness, preparedness, 
precautions, and police assistance. 
‘‘(4) The mandatory implementation, use, and regular 
testing of appropriate physical security precautions and equip-
ment, including surveillance camera systems, computer-based 
panic alarm systems, stationary panic alarms, and electronic 
portable personal panic alarms. 
Guidelines. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 1709. 
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126 STAT. 1172 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(5) Clear, consistent, and comprehensive criteria and guid-
ance with respect to an employee of the Department commu-
nicating and reporting sexual assault incidents and other safety 
incidents to— 
‘‘(A) supervisory personnel of the employee at— 
‘‘(i) a medical facility of the Department; 
‘‘(ii) an office of a Veterans Integrated Service Net-
work; and 
‘‘(iii) the central office of the Veterans Health 
Administration; and 
‘‘(B) a law enforcement official of the Department. 
‘‘(6) Clear and consistent criteria and guidelines with 
respect to an employee of the Department referring and 
reporting to the Office of Inspector General of the Department 
sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents that meet 
the regulatory criminal threshold prescribed under sections 
901 and 902 of this title. 
‘‘(7) An accountable oversight system within the Veterans 
Health Administration that includes— 
‘‘(A) systematic information sharing of reported sexual 
assault incidents and other safety incidents among officials 
of the Administration who have programmatic responsi-
bility; and 
‘‘(B) a centralized reporting, tracking, and monitoring 
system for such incidents. 
‘‘(8) Consistent procedures and systems for law enforcement 
officials of the Department with respect to investigating, 
tracking, and closing reported sexual assault incidents and 
other safety incidents. 
‘‘(9) Clear and consistent guidance for the clinical manage-
ment of the treatment of sexual assaults that are reported 
more than 72 hours after the assault. 
‘‘(c) UPDATES TO POLICY.—The Secretary shall review and revise 
the policy required by subsection (a) on a periodic basis as the 
Secretary considers appropriate and in accordance with best prac-
tices. 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) Not later than 60 days after the 
date on which the Secretary develops the policy required by sub-
section (a) and not later than October 1 of 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 implementation of the policy. 
‘‘(2) The report required by paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) the number and type of sexual assault incidents and 
other safety incidents reported by each medical facility of the 
Department; 
‘‘(B) a detailed description of the implementation of the 
policy required by subsection (a), including any revisions made 
to such policy from the previous year; and 
‘‘(C) the effectiveness of such policy on improving the safety 
and security of the medical facilities of the Department, 
including the performance measures used to evaluate such 
effectiveness.’’. 
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126 STAT. 1173 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating 
to section 1708 the following new item: 
‘‘1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents and 
other safety incidents.’’. 
(c) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 30 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 Representa-
tives a report on the development of the policy required by section 
1709 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
SEC. 107. REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAU-
MATIC BRAIN INJURY. 
(a) REHABILITATION PLANS AND SERVICES.—Section 1710C is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting before the semicolon 
the following: ‘‘with the goal of maximizing the individual’s 
independence’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘(and sustaining improvement in)’’ 
after ‘‘improving’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘behavioral,’’ after ‘‘cognitive,’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘rehabilitative serv-
ices and’’ before ‘‘rehabilitative components’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘treatments’’ the first place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘services’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘treatments and’’ the second place 
it appears; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(h) REHABILITATIVE SERVICES DEFINED.—For purposes of this 
section, and sections 1710D and 1710E of this title, the term 
‘rehabilitative services’ includes— 
‘‘(1) rehabilitative services, as defined in section 1701 of 
this title; 
‘‘(2) treatment and services (which may be of ongoing dura-
tion) to sustain, and prevent loss of, functional gains that 
have been achieved; and 
‘‘(3) any other rehabilitative services or supports that may 
contribute to maximizing an individual’s independence.’’. 
(b) REHABILITATION SERVICES IN COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR 
LONG-TERM REHABILITATION.—Section 1710D(a) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and rehabilitative services (as defined 
in section 1710C of this title)’’ after ‘‘long-term care’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘treatment’’. 
(c) REHABILITATION SERVICES IN AUTHORITY FOR COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENTS
FOR
USE
OF
NON-DEPARTMENT
FACILITIES
FOR 
REHABILITATION.—Section 1710E(a) is amended by inserting ‘‘, 
including rehabilitative services (as defined in section 1710C of 
this title),’’ after ‘‘medical services’’. 
(d) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 1710C(c)(2)(S) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘opthamologist’’ and 
inserting ‘‘ophthalmologist’’. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
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126 STAT. 1174 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
SEC. 108. TELECONSULTATION AND TELEMEDICINE. 
(a) TELECONSULTATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17, as amended 
by section 106(a), is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1709A. Teleconsultation 
‘‘(a) TELECONSULTATION.—(1) The Secretary shall carry out an 
initiative of teleconsultation for the provision of remote mental 
health and traumatic brain injury assessments in facilities of the 
Department that are not otherwise able to provide such assessments 
without contracting with third-party providers or reimbursing pro-
viders through a fee basis system. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate 
professional societies, promulgate technical and clinical care stand-
ards for the use of teleconsultation services within facilities of 
the Department. 
‘‘(3) In carrying out an initiative under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall ensure that facilities of the Department are able 
to provide a mental health or traumatic brain injury assessment 
to a veteran through contracting with a third-party provider or 
reimbursing a provider through a fee basis system when— 
‘‘(A) such facilities are not able to provide such assessment 
to the veteran without— 
‘‘(i) such contracting or reimbursement; or 
‘‘(ii) teleconsultation; and 
‘‘(B) providing such assessment with such contracting or 
reimbursement is more clinically appropriate for the veteran 
than providing such assessment with teleconsultation. 
‘‘(b) TELECONSULTATION DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘teleconsultation’ means the use by a health care specialist of tele-
communications to assist another health care provider in rendering 
a diagnosis or treatment.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 1709, as added by section 106(b), the 
following new item: 
‘‘1709A. Teleconsultation.’’. 
(b) TRAINING IN TELEMEDICINE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
to the extent feasible, offer medical residents opportunities 
in training in telemedicine for medical residency programs. 
The Secretary shall consult with the Accreditation Council for 
Graduate Medical Education and with universities with which 
facilities of the Department have a major affiliation to deter-
mine the feasibility and advisability of making telehealth a 
mandatory component of medical residency programs. 
(2) TELEMEDICINE DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘telemedicine’’ means the use by a health care provider of 
telecommunications to assist in the diagnosis or treatment of 
a patient’s medical condition. 
SEC. 109. USE OF SERVICE DOGS ON PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 901 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
38 USC 901. 
38 USC 7406 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
Standards. 
38 USC 1709A. 
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126 STAT. 1175 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(f)(1) The Secretary may not prohibit the use of a covered 
service dog in any facility or on any property of the Department 
or in any facility or on any property that receives funding from 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered service dog 
is a service dog that has been trained by an entity that is accredited 
by an appropriate accrediting body that evaluates and accredits 
organizations which train guide or service dogs.’’. 
SEC. 110. RECOGNITION OF RURAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS IN 
OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH. 
Section 7308 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(d) RURAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS.—(1) There are, in 
the Office, veterans rural health resource centers that serve as 
satellite offices for the Office. 
‘‘(2) The veterans rural health resource centers have purposes 
as follows: 
‘‘(A) To improve the understanding of the Office of the 
challenges faced by veterans living in rural areas. 
‘‘(B) To identify disparities in the availability of health 
care to veterans living in rural areas. 
‘‘(C) To formulate practices or programs to enhance the 
delivery of health care to veterans living in rural areas. 
‘‘(D) To develop special practices and products for the ben-
efit of veterans living in rural areas and for implementation 
of such practices and products in the Department systemwide.’’. 
SEC. 111. IMPROVEMENTS FOR RECOVERY AND COLLECTION OF 
AMOUNTS FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MED-
ICAL CARE COLLECTIONS FUND. 
(a) 
DEVELOPMENT
AND
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
PLAN
FOR 
RECOVERY AND COLLECTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall develop and implement a plan to ensure the recovery 
and collection of amounts under the provisions of law described 
in section 1729A(b) of title 38, United States Code, for deposit 
in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections 
Fund. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The plan required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) An effective process to identify billable fee claims. 
(B) Effective and practicable policies and procedures 
that ensure recovery and collection of amounts described 
in section 1729A(b) of such title. 
(C) The training of employees of the Department, on 
or before September 30, 2013, who are responsible for 
the recovery or collection of such amounts to enable such 
employees to comply with the process required by subpara-
graph (A) and the policies and procedures required by 
subparagraph (B). 
(D) Fee revenue goals for the Department. 
(E) An effective monitoring system to ensure achieve-
ment of goals described in subparagraph (D) and compli-
ance with the policies and procedures described in subpara-
graph (B). 
Deadlines. 
38 USC 1729A 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1176 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(b) MONITORING OF THIRD-PARTY COLLECTIONS.—The Secretary 
shall monitor the recovery and collection of amounts from third 
parties (as defined in section 1729(i) of such title) for deposit in 
such fund. 
SEC. 112. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COPAYMENTS. 
Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 
2012’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2013’’. 
SEC. 113. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY OF COST OF 
CERTAIN CARE AND SERVICES. 
Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ‘‘October 1, 2012’’ 
and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2013’’. 
TITLE II—HOUSING MATTERS 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Andrew Connolly Veterans 
Housing Act’’. 
SEC. 202. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY 
ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY WITH AMBU-
LATING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 2101(a) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(2)(A) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran— 
‘‘(i) is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this 
title for a permanent and total service-connected disability that 
meets any of the criteria described in subparagraph (B); or 
‘‘(ii) served in the Armed Forces on or after September 
11, 2001, and is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 
of this title for a permanent service-connected disability that 
meets the criterion described in subparagraph (C). 
‘‘(B) The criteria described in this subparagraph are as follows: 
‘‘(i) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, of 
both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without 
the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. 
‘‘(ii) The disability is due to— 
‘‘(I) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, 
plus (ii) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity. 
‘‘(iii) The disability is due to the loss or loss of use of 
one lower extremity together with— 
‘‘(I) residuals of organic disease or injury; or 
‘‘(II) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, 
which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to 
preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, 
or a wheelchair. 
‘‘(iv) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, of 
both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms 
at or above the elbows. 
‘‘(v) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as deter-
mined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary). 
‘‘(C) The criterion described in this subparagraph is that the 
disability— 
‘‘(i) was incurred on or after September 11, 2001; and 
Regulations. 
Criteria. 
38 USC 101 note. 
Andrew Connolly 
Veterans 
Housing Act. 
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126 STAT. 1177 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(ii) is due to the loss or loss of use of one or more lower 
extremities which so affects the functions of balance or propul-
sion as to preclude ambulating without the aid of braces, 
crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on October 1, 2012. 
(c) SUNSET.—Subsection (a) of section 2101 is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘to paragraph (3)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘to paragraphs (3) and (4)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) The Secretary’s authority to furnish assistance under para-
graph (1) to a disabled veteran described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) 
shall apply only with respect to applications for such assistance 
approved by the Secretary on or before September 30, 2013.’’. 
SEC. 203. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED 
HOUSING 
ASSISTANCE 
FOR 
VETERANS 
WITH 
VISION 
IMPAIRMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 2101(b) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran 
is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this title for a 
service-connected disability that meets any of the following criteria: 
‘‘(A) The disability is due to blindness in both eyes, having 
central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with 
the use of a standard correcting lens. For the purposes of 
this subparagraph, an eye with a limitation in the fields of 
vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends 
an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered as 
having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. 
‘‘(B) A permanent and total disability that includes the 
anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands. 
‘‘(C) A permanent and total disability that is due to a 
severe burn injury (as so determined).’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on October 1, 2012. 
SEC. 204. REVISED LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE FURNISHED FOR 
ACQUISITION AND ADAPTATION OF HOUSING FOR DIS-
ABLED VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (d) of section 2102 is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(d)(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an 
individual under section 2101(a) of this title shall be limited to 
$63,780. 
‘‘(2) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an indi-
vidual under section 2101(b) of this title shall be limited to $12,756. 
‘‘(3) No veteran may receive more than three grants of assist-
ance under this chapter.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made 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 assist-
ance provided under sections 2101(a), 2101(b), and 2102A of title 
38, United States Code, after such date. 
(c) MAINTENANCE OF HIGHER RATES.—The amendment made 
by subsection (a) shall not be construed to decrease the aggregate 
amount of assistance available to an individual under the sections 
38 USC 2102 
note. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2102 
note. 
38 USC 2101 
note. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2101 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1178 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
described in subsection (b), as most recently increased by the Sec-
retary pursuant to section 2102(e) of such title. 
SEC. 205. IMPROVEMENTS TO ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
RESIDING IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER. 
(a) INCREASED ASSISTANCE.—Subsection (b) of section 2102A 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘$14,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$28,000’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$2,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$5,000’’. 
(b) INDEXING OF LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE.—Such subsection is 
further amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively; 
(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated 
by paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph 
(2): 
‘‘(2) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2012), 
the Secretary shall use the same percentage calculated pursuant 
to section 2102(e) of this title to increase the amounts described 
in paragraph (1) of this subsection.’’. 
(c) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ASSISTANCE.—Subsection (e) 
of such section is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2012’’ and 
inserting ‘‘December 31, 2022’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
shall apply with respect to assistance furnished in accordance with 
section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, on or after that 
date. 
SEC. 206. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOAN 
GUARANTEES FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF CERTAIN 
TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3701(b) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) The term ‘veteran’ also includes, for purposes of home 
loans, the surviving spouse of a veteran who died and who 
was in receipt of or entitled to receive (or but for the receipt 
of retired or retirement pay was entitled to receive) compensa-
tion at the time of death for a service-connected disability 
rated totally disabling if— 
‘‘(A) the disability was continuously rated totally dis-
abling for a period of 10 or more years immediately pre-
ceding death; 
‘‘(B) the disability was continuously rated totally dis-
abling for a period of not less than five years from the 
date of such veteran’s discharge or other release from active 
duty; or 
‘‘(C) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who 
died after September 30, 1999, and the disability was 
continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not 
less than one year immediately preceding death.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to a loan guaranteed after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 3701 
note. 
Definition. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2102A 
note. 
Effective date. 
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126 STAT. 1179 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(c) CLARIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FEES.—Fees shall 
be collected under section 3729 of title 38, United States Code, 
from a person described in paragraph (6) of section 3701(b) of 
such title, as added by subsection (a) of this section, in the same 
manner as such fees are collected from a person described in para-
graph (2) of section 3701(b) of such title. 
SEC. 207. OCCUPANCY OF PROPERTY BY DEPENDENT CHILD OF VET-
ERAN FOR PURPOSES OF MEETING OCCUPANCY REQUIRE-
MENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING 
LOANS. 
Paragraph (2) of section 3704(c) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) In any case in which a veteran is in active-duty status 
as a member of the Armed Forces and is unable to occupy a 
property because of such status, the occupancy requirements of 
this chapter shall be considered to be satisfied if— 
‘‘(A) the spouse of the veteran occupies or intends to occupy 
the property as a home and the spouse makes the certification 
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection; or 
‘‘(B) a dependent child of the veteran occupies or will occupy 
the property as a home and the veteran’s attorney-in-fact or 
legal guardian of the dependent child makes the certification 
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 208. MAKING PERMANENT PROJECT FOR GUARANTEEING OF 
ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES. 
Section 3707(a) is amended by striking ‘‘demonstration project 
under this section during fiscal years 1993 through 2012’’ and 
inserting ‘‘project under this section’’. 
SEC. 209. MAKING PERMANENT PROJECT FOR INSURING HYBRID 
ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES. 
Section 3707A(a) is amended by striking ‘‘demonstration project 
under this section during fiscal years 2004 through 2012’’ and 
inserting ‘‘project under this section’’. 
SEC. 210. WAIVER OF LOAN FEE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY 
RATINGS ISSUED DURING PRE-DISCHARGE PROGRAMS. 
Paragraph (2) of section 3729(c) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2)(A) A veteran described in subparagraph (B) shall be treated 
as receiving compensation for purposes of this subsection as of 
the date of the rating described in such subparagraph without 
regard to whether an effective date of the award of compensation 
is established as of that date. 
‘‘(B) A veteran described in this subparagraph is a veteran 
who is rated eligible to receive compensation— 
‘‘(i) as the result of a pre-discharge disability examination 
and rating; or 
‘‘(ii) based on a pre-discharge review of existing medical 
evidence (including service medical and treatment records) that 
results in the issuance of a memorandum rating.’’. 
SEC. 211. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES FOR ENHANCED-USE 
LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY. 
(a) SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEFINED.—Section 8161 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
Effective date. 
38 USC 3701 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1180 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(3) The term ‘supportive housing’ means housing that 
engages tenants in on-site and community-based support serv-
ices for veterans or their families that are at risk of homeless-
ness or are homeless. Such term may include the following: 
‘‘(A) Transitional housing. 
‘‘(B) Single-room occupancy. 
‘‘(C) Permanent housing. 
‘‘(D) Congregate living housing. 
‘‘(E) Independent living housing. 
‘‘(F) Assisted living housing. 
‘‘(G) Other modalities of housing.’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION OF LIMITATIONS ON ENHANCED USE LEASES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 8162(a) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease only 
for the provision of supportive housing and the lease is not incon-
sistent with and will not adversely affect the mission of the Depart-
ment.’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 8162(a) of 
title 38, United States Code, as amended by paragraph 
(1), shall take effect on January 1, 2012, and shall apply 
with respect to enhanced-use leases entered into on or 
after such date. 
(B) PREVIOUS LEASES.—Any enhanced-use lease that 
the Secretary has entered into prior to the date described 
in subparagraph (A) shall be subject to the provisions of 
subchapter V of chapter 81 of such title, as in effect on 
the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) CONSIDERATION
FOR
AND
TERMS
OF
ENHANCED-USE 
LEASES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 8162(b) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(A) If the Secretary’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘under subparagraph (A).’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘If the Secretary has deter-
mined that a property should be leased to another party 
through an enhanced-use lease, the Secretary shall, at 
the Secretary’s discretion, select the party with whom the 
lease will be entered into using such selection procedures 
as the Secretary considers appropriate.’’; 
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 
‘‘(3)(A) For any enhanced-use lease entered into by the Sec-
retary, the lease consideration provided to the Secretary shall con-
sist solely of cash at fair value as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall receive no other type of consideration 
for an enhanced-use lease besides cash. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease with-
out receiving consideration.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘Secretary to’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘use minor’’ and inserting ‘‘Sec-
retary to use minor’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(5) The terms of an enhanced-use lease may not provide for 
any acquisition, contract, demonstration, exchange, grant, incentive, 
procurement, sale, other transaction authority, service agreement, 
use agreement, lease, or lease-back by the Secretary or Federal 
Government. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 8162 
note. 
Definition. 
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126 STAT. 1181 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(6) The Secretary may not enter into an enhanced-use lease 
without certification in advance in writing by the Director of the 
Office of Management and Budget that such lease complies with 
the requirements of this subchapter.’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Paragraph (3) of section 8162(b), as 
amended by paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, shall take 
effect on January 1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to 
enhanced-use leases entered into on or after such date. 
(d) PROHIBITED ENHANCED-USE LEASES.—Section 8162(c) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1) Subject to paragraph 
(2), the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’. 
(e) DISPOSITION OF LEASED PROPERTY.—Subsection (b) of section 
8164 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) A disposition under this section may be made in return 
for cash at fair value as the Secretary determines is in the best 
interest of the United States and upon such other terms and condi-
tions as the Secretary considers appropriate.’’. 
(f) USE OF AMOUNTS RECEIVED FOR DISPOSITION OF LEASED 
PROPERTY.—Section 8165(a)(2) is amended by striking ‘‘in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund established 
under section 8118 of this title’’ and inserting ‘‘into the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Construction, Major Projects account or 
Construction, Minor Projects account, as the Secretary considers 
appropriate’’. 
(g) CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.—Section 8166 is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘§ 8166. Construction standards 
‘‘The construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, or improve-
ment of a property that is the subject of an enhanced-use lease 
shall be carried out so as to comply with all applicable provisions 
of Federal, State, and local law relating to land use, building 
standards, permits, and inspections.’’. 
(h) EXEMPTION FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.—Section 8167 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 8167. Exemption from State and local taxes 
‘‘(a) IMPROVEMENTS
AND OPERATIONS NOT EXEMPTED.—The 
improvements and operations on land leased by a person with 
an enhanced-use lease from the Secretary shall be subject to all 
applicable provisions of Federal, State, or local law relating to 
taxation, fees, and assessments. 
‘‘(b) UNDERLYING FEE TITLE INTEREST EXEMPTED.—The under-
lying fee title interest of the United States in any land subject 
to an enhanced-use lease shall not be subject, directly or indirectly, 
to any provision of State or local law relating to taxation, fees, 
or assessments.’’. 
(i) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter V of chapter 81 is amended 
by inserting after section 8167 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 8168. Annual reports 
‘‘(a) REPORT ON ADMINISTRATION OF LEASES.—Not later than 
120 days after the date of the enactment of the Honoring America’s 
Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 and 
38 USC 8168. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 8162 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1182 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report identifying the actions taken 
by the Secretary to implement and administer enhanced-use leases. 
‘‘(b) REPORT ON LEASE CONSIDERATION.—Each year, as part 
of the annual budget submission of the President to Congress 
under section 1105(a) of title 31, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a detailed report of the consideration received by the 
Secretary for each enhanced-use lease under this subchapter, along 
with an overview of how the Secretary is utilizing such consideration 
to support veterans.’’. 
(2) ELEMENTS OF INITIAL REPORT.—The first report sub-
mitted by the Secretary under section 8168(a) of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall include a sum-
mary of those measures the Secretary is taking to address 
the following recommendations from the February 9, 2012, 
audit report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of 
Inspector General on enhanced-use leases under subchapter 
V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code: 
(A) Improve standards to ensure complete lease agree-
ments are negotiated in line with strategic goals of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(B) Institute improved policies and procedures to 
govern activities such as monitoring enhanced-use lease 
projects and calculating, classifying, and reporting on 
enhanced-use lease benefits and expenses. 
(C) 
Recalculate 
and 
update 
enhanced-use 
lease 
expenses and benefits reported in the most recent 
Enhanced-Use Lease Consideration Report of the Depart-
ment. 
(D) Establish improved oversight mechanisms to 
ensure major enhanced-use lease project decisions are docu-
mented and maintained in accordance with policy. 
(E) Establish improved criteria to measure timeliness 
and performance in enhanced-use lease project development 
and execution. 
(F) Establish improved criteria and guidelines for 
assessing projects to determine whether they are or remain 
viable candidates for enhanced-use leases. 
(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 81 is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 8167 the following new item: 
‘‘8168. Annual reports.’’. 
(j) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.—Section 8169 is amended by 
striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2023’’. 
(k) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Except as otherwise provided in this 
section, the amendments made by this section shall take effect 
on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE III—HOMELESS MATTERS 
SEC. 301. ENHANCEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS. 
(a) ENHANCEMENT OF GRANTS.—Section 2011 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ‘‘expansion, remod-
eling, or alteration of existing buildings, or acquisition of facili-
ties,’’ and inserting ‘‘new construction of facilities, expansion, 
38 USC 8161 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 8101. 
38 USC 8168 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1183 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
remodeling, or alteration of existing facilities, or acquisition 
of facilities,’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘A grant’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(1) A grant’’; 
(B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1), as des-
ignated by subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘The amount’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) The amount’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary may not deny an application from an 
entity that seeks a grant under this section to carry out a project 
described in subsection (b)(1)(A) solely on the basis that the entity 
proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, if 
the entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will 
provide oversight and site control for the project. 
‘‘(B) In this paragraph, the term ‘private nonprofit organization’ 
means the following: 
‘‘(i) An incorporated private institution, organization, or 
foundation— 
‘‘(I) that has received, or has temporary clearance to 
receive, tax-exempt status under paragraph (2), (3), or (19) 
of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; 
‘‘(II) for which no part of the net earnings of the institu-
tion, organization, or foundation inures to the benefit of 
any member, founder, or contributor of the institution, 
organization, or foundation; and 
‘‘(III) that the Secretary determines is financially 
responsible. 
‘‘(ii) A for-profit limited partnership or limited liability 
company, the sole general partner or manager of which is 
an organization that is described by subclauses (I) through 
(III) of clause (i). 
‘‘(iii) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an 
organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III) 
of clause (i).’’. 
(b) GRANT AND PER DIEM PAYMENTS.— 
(1) STUDY
AND
DEVELOPMENT
OF
FISCAL
CONTROLS
AND 
PAYMENT
METHOD.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall— 
(A) complete a study of all matters relating to the 
method used by the Secretary to make per diem payments 
under section 2012(a) of title 38, United States Code, 
including changes anticipated by the Secretary in the cost 
of furnishing services to homeless veterans and accounting 
for costs of providing such services in various geographic 
areas; 
(B) develop more effective and efficient procedures for 
fiscal control and fund accounting by recipients of grants 
under sections 2011, 2012, and 2061 of such title; and 
(C) develop a more effective and efficient method for 
adequately reimbursing recipients of grants under section 
2011 of such title for services furnished to homeless vet-
erans. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In developing the method required 
by paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary may consider payments and 
Deadline. 
38 USC 2011 
note. 
Definition. 
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126 STAT. 1184 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
grants received by recipients of grants described in such para-
graph from other departments and agencies of Federal and 
local governments and from private entities. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on— 
(A) the findings of the Secretary with respect to the 
study required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1); 
(B) the methods developed under subparagraphs (B) 
and (C) of such paragraph; and 
(C) any recommendations of the Secretary for revising 
the method described in subparagraph (A) of such para-
graph and any legislative action the Secretary considers 
necessary to implement such method. 
SEC. 302. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR PROVISION OF TREAT-
MENT AND REHABILITATION TO CERTAIN VETERANS TO 
INCLUDE PROVISION OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITA-
TION TO HOMELESS VETERANS WHO ARE NOT SERIOUSLY 
MENTALLY ILL. 
Section 2031(a) is amended in the matter before paragraph 
(1) by striking ‘‘, including’’ and inserting ‘‘and to’’. 
SEC. 303. MODIFICATION OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VET-
ERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. 
(a) INCLUSION
OF ENTITIES ELIGIBLE
FOR COMPREHENSIVE 
SERVICE PROGRAM GRANTS AND PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES 
TO
HOMELESS
VETERANS.—Subsection (a) of section 2061 is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘to grant and per diem providers’’ and 
inserting ‘‘to entities eligible for grants and per diem payments 
under sections 2011 and 2012 of this title’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘by those facilities and providers’’ and 
inserting ‘‘by those facilities and entities’’. 
(b) INCLUSION
OF MALE HOMELESS VETERANS WITH MINOR 
DEPENDENTS.—Subsection (b) of such section is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘, including women who 
have care of minor dependents’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) individuals who have care of minor dependents.’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF PROVISION
OF SERVICES
TO DEPEND-
ENTS.—Such section is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub-
section (c): 
‘‘(c) PROVISION OF SERVICES TO DEPENDENTS.—A recipient of 
a grant under subsection (a) may use amounts under the grant 
to provide services directly to a dependent of a homeless veteran 
with special needs who is under the care of such homeless veteran 
while such homeless veteran receives services from the grant 
recipient under this section.’’. 
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126 STAT. 1185 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
SEC. 304. COLLABORATION IN PROVISION OF CASE MANAGEMENT 
SERVICES 
TO 
HOMELESS 
VETERANS 
IN 
SUPPORTED 
HOUSING PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall con-
sider entering into contracts or agreements, under sections 513 
and 8153 of title 38, United States Code, with eligible entities 
to collaborate with the Secretary in the provision of case manage-
ment services to covered veterans as part of the supported housing 
program carried out under section 8(o)(19) of the United States 
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) to ensure that the 
homeless veterans facing the most significant difficulties in 
obtaining suitable housing receive the assistance they require to 
obtain such housing. 
(b) COVERED VETERANS.—For purposes of this section, a covered 
veteran is any veteran who, at the time of receipt of a housing 
voucher under such section 8(o)(19)— 
(1) requires the assistance of a case manager in obtaining 
suitable housing with such voucher; and 
(2) is having difficulty obtaining the amount of such assist-
ance the veteran requires, including because— 
(A) the veteran resides in an area that has a shortage 
of low-income housing and because of such shortage the 
veteran requires more assistance from a case manager 
than the Secretary otherwise provides; 
(B) the location in which the veteran resides is located 
at such distance from facilities of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs as makes the provision of case management 
services by the Secretary to such veteran impractical; or 
(C) the veteran resides in an area where veterans 
who receive case management services from the Secretary 
under such section have a significantly lower average rate 
of successfully obtaining suitable housing than the average 
rate of successfully obtaining suitable housing for all vet-
erans receiving such services. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—For purposes of this section, an eligible 
entity is any State or local government agency, tribal organization 
(as such term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self Determina-
tion and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)), or nonprofit 
organization that— 
(1) under a contract or agreement described in subsection 
(a), agrees— 
(A) to ensure access to case management services by 
covered veterans on an as-needed basis; 
(B) to maintain referral networks for covered veterans 
for purposes of assisting covered veterans in demonstrating 
eligibility for assistance and additional services under 
entitlement and assistance programs available for covered 
veterans, and to otherwise aid covered veterans in 
obtaining such assistance and services; 
(C) to ensure the confidentiality of records maintained 
by the entity on covered veterans receiving services through 
the supported housing program described in subsection 
(a); 
(D) to establish such procedures for fiscal control and 
fund accounting as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs con-
siders appropriate to ensure proper disbursement and 
Procedures. 
Confidentiality. 
Records. 
Contracts. 
38 USC 2041 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1186 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
accounting of funds under a contract or agreement entered 
into by the entity as described in subsection (a); 
(E) to submit to the Secretary each year, in such form 
and such manner as the Secretary may require, a report 
on the collaboration undertaken by the entity under a 
contract or agreement described in such subsection during 
the most recent fiscal year, including a description of, for 
the year covered by the report— 
(i) the services and assistance provided to covered 
veterans as part of such collaboration; 
(ii) the process by which covered veterans were 
referred to the entity for such services and assistance; 
(iii) the specific goals jointly set by the entity and 
the Secretary for the provision of such services and 
assistance and whether the entity achieved such goals; 
and 
(iv) the average length of time taken by a covered 
veteran who received such services and assistance to 
successfully obtain suitable housing and the average 
retention rate of such a veteran in such housing; and 
(F) to meet such other requirements as the Secretary 
considers appropriate for purposes of providing assistance 
to covered veterans in obtaining suitable housing; and 
(2) has demonstrated experience in— 
(A) identifying and serving homeless veterans, espe-
cially those who have the greatest difficulty obtaining suit-
able housing; 
(B) working collaboratively with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs or the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development; 
(C) conducting outreach to, and maintaining relation-
ships with, landlords to encourage and facilitate participa-
tion by landlords in supported housing programs similar 
to the supported housing program described in subsection 
(a); 
(D) mediating disputes between landlords and veterans 
receiving assistance under such supported housing pro-
gram; and 
(E) carrying out such other activities as the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—In considering entering into contracts or 
agreements as described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall consult with— 
(1) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and 
(2) third parties that provide services as part of the Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Development continuum of care. 
(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR COLLABORATING ENTITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide training and 
technical assistance to entities with whom the Secretary 
collaborates in the provision of case management services to 
veterans as part of the supported housing program described 
in subsection (a). 
(2) GRANTS.—The Secretary may provide training and tech-
nical assistance under paragraph (1) through the award of 
grants or contracts to appropriate public and nonprofit private 
entities. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
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126 STAT. 1187 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(3) FUNDING.—From amounts appropriated or otherwise 
made available to the Secretary in the Medical Services account 
in a year, $500,000 shall be available to the Secretary in 
that year to carry out this subsection. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 545 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than 
once each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall submit to Congress a report on the collaboration between 
the Secretary and eligible entities in the provision of case 
management services as described in subsection (a) during 
the most recently completed fiscal year. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by paragraph (1) 
shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following: 
(A) A discussion of each case in which a contract or 
agreement described in subsection (a) was considered by 
the Secretary, including a description of whether or not 
and why the Secretary chose or did not choose to enter 
into such contract or agreement. 
(B) The number and types of eligible entities with 
whom the Secretary has entered into a contract or agree-
ment as described in subsection (a). 
(C) A description of the geographic regions in which 
such entities provide case management services as 
described in such subsection. 
(D) A description of the number and types of covered 
veterans who received case management services from such 
entities under such contracts or agreements. 
(E) An assessment of the performance of each eligible 
entity with whom the Secretary entered into a contract 
or agreement as described in subsection (a). 
(F) An assessment of the benefits to covered veterans 
of such contracts and agreements. 
(G) A discussion of the benefits of increasing the ratio 
of case managers to recipients of vouchers under the sup-
ported housing program described in such subsection to 
veterans who reside in rural areas. 
(H) Such recommendations for legislative or adminis-
trative action as the Secretary considers appropriate for 
the improvement of collaboration in the provision of case 
management services under such supported housing pro-
gram. 
SEC. 305. EXTENSIONS OF PREVIOUSLY FULLY FUNDED AUTHORITIES 
AFFECTING HOMELESS VETERANS. 
(a) COMPREHENSIVE
SERVICE
PROGRAMS.—Section 2013 is 
amended by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following 
new paragraphs: 
‘‘(5) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. 
‘‘(6) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent 
fiscal year.’’. 
(b) HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.—Section 
2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2013’’. 
(c) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY 
LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.—Section 
2044(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
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126 STAT. 1188 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(E) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.’’. 
(d) GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL 
NEEDS.—Section 2061(c)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘through 2012’’ 
and inserting ‘‘through 2013’’. 
TITLE IV—EDUCATION MATTERS 
SEC. 401. AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AVAIL-
ABLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE BOTH SURVIVORS’ 
AND 
DEPENDENTS’ 
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
AND 
OTHER VETERANS AND RELATED EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE. 
(a) 
AGGREGATE
AMOUNT
AVAILABLE.—Section 
3695 
is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ‘‘35,’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) The aggregate period for which any person may receive 
assistance under chapter 35 of this title, on the one hand, and 
any of the provisions of law referred to in subsection (a), on the 
other hand, may not exceed 81 months (or the part-time equivalent 
thereof).’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on October 1, 2013, and shall not operate to 
revive any entitlement to assistance under chapter 35 of title 38, 
United States Code, or the provisions of law referred to in section 
3695(a) of such title, as in effect on the day before such date, 
that was terminated by reason of the operation of section 3695(a) 
of such title, as so in effect, before such date. 
(c) REVIVAL OF ENTITLEMENT REDUCED BY PRIOR UTILIZATION 
OF CHAPTER 35 ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), in the case 
of an individual whose period of entitlement to assistance under 
a provision of law referred to in section 3695(a) of title 38, 
United States Code (other than chapter 35 of such title), as 
in effect on September 30, 2013, was reduced under such section 
3695(a), as so in effect, by reason of the utilization of entitle-
ment to assistance under chapter 35 of such title before October 
1, 2013, the period of entitlement to assistance of such indi-
vidual under such provision shall be determined without regard 
to any entitlement so utilized by the individual under chapter 
35 of such title. 
(2) LIMITATION.—The maximum period of entitlement to 
assistance of an individual under paragraph (1) may not exceed 
81 months. 
SEC. 402. ANNUAL REPORTS ON POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM AND SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) REPORTS REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3325. Reporting requirement 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For each academic year— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress 
a report on the operation of the program provided for in this 
chapter; and 
38 USC 3325. 
38 USC 3695 
note. 
Effective date. 
38 USC 3695 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1189 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(2) the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the operation of the program provided for in this chapter and 
the program provided for under chapter 35 of this title. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE REPORTS.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall include in each report submitted under 
this section— 
‘‘(1) information— 
‘‘(A) indicating the extent to which the benefit levels 
provided under this chapter are adequate to achieve the 
purposes of inducing individuals to enter and remain in 
the Armed Forces and of providing an adequate level of 
financial assistance to help meet the cost of pursuing a 
program of education; 
‘‘(B) indicating whether it is necessary for the purposes 
of maintaining adequate levels of well-qualified active-duty 
personnel in the Armed Forces to continue to offer the 
opportunity for educational assistance under this chapter 
to individuals who have not yet entered active-duty service; 
and 
‘‘(C) describing the efforts under section 3323(b) of 
this title to inform members of the Armed Forces of the 
active duty service requirements for entitlement to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter and the results from 
such efforts; and 
‘‘(2) such recommendations for administrative and legisla-
tive changes regarding the provision of educational assistance 
to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their 
dependents, as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. 
‘‘(c) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORTS.— 
The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under this 
section— 
‘‘(1) information concerning the level of utilization of edu-
cational assistance and of expenditures under this chapter and 
under chapter 35 of this title; 
‘‘(2) appropriate student outcome measures, such as the 
number of credit hours, certificates, degrees, and other quali-
fications earned by beneficiaries under this chapter and chapter 
35 of this title during the academic year covered by the report; 
and 
‘‘(3) such recommendations for administrative and legisla-
tive changes regarding the provision of educational assistance 
to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their 
dependents, as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(d) TERMINATION.—No report shall be required under this sec-
tion after January 1, 2021.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 3324 the following new item: 
‘‘3325. Reporting requirement.’’. 
(3) DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF FIRST REPORT.—The first 
reports required under section 3325 of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall be submitted by not 
later than November 1, 2013. 
(b) REPEAL OF REPORT ON ALL VOLUNTEER-FORCE EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 
38 USC 3325 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 3301. 
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126 STAT. 1190 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 30 is amended by striking section 
3036. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 3036. 
TITLE V—BENEFITS MATTERS 
SEC. 501. AUTOMATIC WAIVER OF AGENCY OF ORIGINAL JURISDIC-
TION REVIEW OF NEW EVIDENCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7105 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e)(1) If, either at the time or after the agency of original 
jurisdiction receives a substantive appeal, the claimant or the claim-
ant’s representative, if any, submits evidence to either the agency 
of original jurisdiction or the Board of Veterans’ Appeals for consid-
eration in connection with the issue or issues with which disagree-
ment has been expressed, such evidence shall be subject to initial 
review by the Board unless the claimant or the claimant’s represent-
ative, as the case may be, requests in writing that the agency 
of original jurisdiction initially review such evidence. 
‘‘(2) A request for review of evidence under paragraph (1) shall 
accompany the submittal of the evidence.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (e) of such section, as added 
by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with 
respect to claims for which a substantive appeal is filed on or 
after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 502. AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONS TO SIGN CLAIMS FILED 
WITH SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF 
CLAIMANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5101 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘A specific’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) A spe-
cific’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) If an individual has not attained the age of 18 years, 
is mentally incompetent, or is physically unable to sign a form, 
a form filed under paragraph (1) for the individual may be signed 
by a court-appointed representative, a person who is responsible 
for the care of the individual, including a spouse or other relative, 
or an attorney in fact or agent authorized to act on behalf of 
the individual under a durable power of attorney. If the individual 
is in the care of an institution, the manager or principal officer 
of the institution may sign the form.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, signs a form on behalf of an 
individual to apply for,’’ after ‘‘who applies for’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or TIN in the case that the 
person is not an individual,’’ after ‘‘of such person’’; 
and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘dependent’’ and inserting ‘‘claim-
ant, dependent,’’; and 
Applicability. 
38 USC 7105 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 3001. 
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126 STAT. 1191 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or TIN’’ after ‘‘social 
security number’’ each place it appears; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘mentally incompetent’ with respect to an 
individual means that the individual lacks the mental 
capacity— 
‘‘(A) to provide substantially accurate information 
needed to complete a form; or 
‘‘(B) to certify that the statements made on a form 
are true and complete. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘TIN’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 7701(a)(41) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to claims filed on or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 503. IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESS FOR FILING JOINTLY FOR 
SOCIAL SECURITY AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 
COMPENSATION. 
Section 5105 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘shall’’ the first place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘may’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Each such form’’ and inserting ‘‘Such 
forms’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘on such a form’’ and 
inserting ‘‘on any document indicating an intent to apply for 
survivor benefits’’. 
SEC. 504. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION 
TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS FOR BENEFITS 
UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5103 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Upon receipt of a complete or substan-
tially complete application, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘notify’’ and inserting ‘‘provide to’’; and 
(C) by inserting ‘‘by the most effective means available, 
including electronic communication or notification in 
writing, notice’’ before ‘‘of any information’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following 
new paragraphs: 
‘‘(4) Nothing in this section shall require the Secretary to pro-
vide notice for a subsequent claim that is filed while a previous 
claim is pending if the notice previously provided for such pending 
claim— 
‘‘(A) provides sufficient notice of the information and evi-
dence necessary to substantiate such subsequent claim; and 
‘‘(B) was sent within one year of the date on which the 
subsequent claim was filed. 
‘‘(5)(A) This section shall not apply to any claim or issue where 
the Secretary may award the maximum benefit in accordance with 
this title based on the evidence of record. 
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘maximum benefit’ 
means the highest evaluation assignable in accordance with the 
evidence of record, as long as such evidence is adequate for rating 
Definition. 
38 USC 5101 
note. 
Definitions. 
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126 STAT. 1192 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
purposes and sufficient to grant the earliest possible effective date 
in accordance with section 5110 of this title.’’. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall be construed as eliminating any requirement with 
respect to the contents of a notice under section 5103 of title 
38, United States Code, that is required under regulations pre-
scribed pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of such section as of the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect 
to notification obligations of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
on or after such date. 
(2) CONSTRUCTION REGARDING APPLICABILITY.—Nothing in 
this section or the amendments made by this section shall 
be construed to require the Secretary to carry out notification 
procedures in accordance with requirements of section 5103 
of title 38, United States Code, as in effect on the day before 
the effective date established in paragraph (1) on or after 
such effective date. 
SEC. 505. DUTY TO ASSIST CLAIMANTS IN OBTAINING PRIVATE 
RECORDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 5103A is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING PRIVATE RECORDS.—(1) As part 
of the assistance provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant private records that 
the claimant adequately identifies to the Secretary. 
‘‘(2)(A) Whenever the Secretary, after making such reasonable 
efforts, is unable to obtain all of the relevant records sought, the 
Secretary shall notify the claimant that the Secretary is unable 
to obtain records with respect to the claim. Such a notification 
shall— 
‘‘(i) identify the records the Secretary is unable to obtain; 
‘‘(ii) briefly explain the efforts that the Secretary made 
to obtain such records; and 
‘‘(iii) explain that the Secretary will decide the claim based 
on the evidence of record but that this section does not prohibit 
the submission of records at a later date if such submission 
is otherwise allowed. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall make not less than two requests to 
a custodian of a private record in order for an effort to obtain 
relevant private records to be treated as reasonable under this 
section, unless it is made evident by the first request that a second 
request would be futile in obtaining such records. 
‘‘(3)(A) This section shall not apply if the evidence of record 
allows for the Secretary to award the maximum benefit in accord-
ance with this title based on the evidence of record. 
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘maximum benefit’ 
means the highest evaluation assignable in accordance with the 
evidence of record, as long as such evidence is adequate for rating 
purposes and sufficient to grant the earliest possible effective date 
in accordance with section 5110 of this title. 
‘‘(4) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Sec-
retary— 
Regulations. 
Definition. 
Notification. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 5103 
note. 
38 USC 5103 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1193 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(A) shall encourage claimants to submit relevant private 
medical records of the claimant to the Secretary if such submis-
sion does not burden the claimant; and 
‘‘(B) in obtaining relevant private records under paragraph 
(1), may require the claimant to authorize the Secretary to 
obtain such records if such authorization is required to comply 
with Federal, State, or local law.’’. 
(b) PUBLIC RECORDS.—Subsection (c) of such section is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) OBTAINING RECORDS FOR COMPENSATION CLAIMS.—(1) In 
the case of a claim for disability compensation, the assistance 
provided by the Secretary under this section shall include obtaining 
the following records if relevant to the claim: 
‘‘(A) The claimant’s service medical records and, if the 
claimant has furnished the Secretary information sufficient 
to locate such records, other relevant records pertaining to 
the claimant’s active military, naval, or air service that are 
held or maintained by a governmental entity. 
‘‘(B) Records of relevant medical treatment or examination 
of the claimant at Department health-care facilities or at the 
expense of the Department, if the claimant furnishes informa-
tion sufficient to locate those records. 
‘‘(C) Any other relevant records held by any Federal depart-
ment or agency that the claimant adequately identifies and 
authorizes the Secretary to obtain. 
‘‘(2) Whenever the Secretary attempts to obtain records from 
a Federal department or agency under this subsection, the efforts 
to obtain those records shall continue until the records are obtained 
unless it is reasonably certain that such records do not exist or 
that further efforts to obtain those records would be futile.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsections 
(a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply 
with respect to assistance obligations of the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs on or after such date. 
(2) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section or the amend-
ments made by this section shall be construed to require the 
Secretary to carry out assistance in accordance with require-
ments of section 5103A of title 38, United States Code, as 
in effect on the day before the effective date established in 
paragraph (1) on or after such effective date. 
SEC. 506. AUTHORITY FOR RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR 
AWARDS OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION 
WITH APPLICATIONS THAT ARE FULLY-DEVELOPED AT 
SUBMITTAL. 
Section 5110(b) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
(3) and (4), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph (2): 
‘‘(2)(A) The effective date of an award of disability compensation 
to a veteran who submits an application therefor that sets forth 
an original claim that is fully-developed (as determined by the 
Secretary) as of the date of submittal shall be fixed in accordance 
Effective dates. 
38 USC 5110. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 5103A 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1194 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date that 
is one year before the date of receipt of the application. 
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph, an original claim is an 
initial claim filed by a veteran for disability compensation. 
‘‘(C) This paragraph shall take effect on the date that is one 
year after the date of the enactment of the Honoring America’s 
Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 and 
shall not apply with respect to claims filed after the date that 
is three years after the date of the enactment of such Act.’’. 
SEC. 507. MODIFICATION OF MONTH OF DEATH BENEFIT FOR SUR-
VIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WHO DIE WHILE ENTITLED 
TO COMPENSATION OR PENSION. 
(a) SURVIVING SPOUSE BENEFIT
FOR MONTH
OF VETERAN’S 
DEATH.—Subsections (a) and (b) of section 5310 are amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) A surviving spouse of a veteran is entitled 
to a benefit for the month of the veteran’s death if— 
‘‘(A) at the time of the veteran’s death, the veteran was 
receiving compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of 
this title; or 
‘‘(B) the veteran is determined for purposes of section 5121 
or 5121A of this title as having been entitled to receive com-
pensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of this title for 
the month of the veteran’s death. 
‘‘(2) The amount of the benefit under paragraph (1) is the 
amount that the veteran would have received under chapter 11 
or 15 of this title, as the case may be, for the month of the 
veteran’s death had the veteran not died. 
‘‘(b) CLAIMS PENDING ADJUDICATION.—If a claim for entitlement 
to compensation or additional compensation under chapter 11 of 
this title or pension or additional pension under chapter 15 of 
this title is pending at the time of a veteran’s death and the 
check or other payment issued to the veteran’s surviving spouse 
under subsection (a) is less than the amount of the benefit the 
veteran would have been entitled to for the month of death pursuant 
to the adjudication of the pending claim, an amount equal to the 
difference between the amount to which the veteran would have 
been entitled to receive under chapter 11 or 15 of this title for 
the month of the veteran’s death had the veteran not died and 
the amount of the check or other payment issued to the surviving 
spouse shall be treated in the same manner as an accrued benefit 
under section 5121 of this title.’’. 
(b) MONTH
OF
DEATH
BENEFIT
EXEMPT
FROM
DELAYED 
COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENT.—Section 5111(c)(1) is amended by 
striking ‘‘apply to’’ and all that follows through ‘‘death occurred’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘not apply to payments made pursuant 
to section 5310 of this title’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
shall apply with respect to deaths that occur on or after that 
date. 
SEC. 508. INCREASE IN RATE OF PENSION FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
MARRIED TO ONE ANOTHER AND BOTH OF WHOM 
REQUIRE REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1521(f)(2) is amended by striking 
‘‘$30,480’’ and inserting ‘‘$32,433’’. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 5111 
note. 
Definition. 
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126 STAT. 1195 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 509. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENTS OF EXPENSES 
FROM 
DETERMINATION 
OF 
ANNUAL 
INCOME 
WITH 
RESPECT TO PENSIONS FOR VETERANS AND SURVIVING 
SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (5) of section 1503(a) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) payments regarding reimbursements of any kind 
(including insurance settlement payments) for expenses related 
to the repayment, replacement, or repair of equipment, vehicles, 
items, money, or property resulting from— 
‘‘(A) any accident (as defined by the Secretary), but 
the amount excluded under this subclause shall not exceed 
the greater of the fair market value or reasonable replace-
ment value of the equipment or vehicle involved at the 
time immediately preceding the accident; 
‘‘(B) any theft or loss (as defined by the Secretary), 
but the amount excluded under this subclause shall not 
exceed the greater of the fair market value or reasonable 
replacement value of the item or the amount of the money 
(including legal tender of the United States or of a foreign 
country) involved at the time immediately preceding the 
theft or loss; or 
‘‘(C) any casualty loss (as defined by the Secretary), 
but the amount excluded under this subclause shall not 
exceed the greater of the fair market value or reasonable 
replacement value of the property involved at the time 
immediately preceding the casualty loss;’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE VI—MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND 
CEMETERY MATTERS 
SEC. 601. PROHIBITION ON DISRUPTIONS OF FUNERALS OF MEMBERS 
OR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.— 
(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to provide 
necessary and proper support for the recruitment and retention 
of the Armed Forces and militia employed in the service of 
the United States by protecting the dignity of the service of 
the members of such Forces and militia, and by protecting 
the privacy of their immediate family members and other 
attendees during funeral services for such members. 
(2) CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.—Congress finds that this 
section is a necessary and proper exercise of its powers under 
the Constitution, article I, section 8, paragraphs 1, 12, 13, 
14, 16, and 18, to provide for the common defense, raise and 
support armies, provide and maintain a navy, make rules for 
the government and regulation of the land and naval forces, 
and provide for organizing and governing such part of the 
militia as may be employed in the service of the United States. 
18 USC 1388 
note. 
38 USC 1503 
note. 
38 USC 1521 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1196 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(b) AMENDMENT TO TITLE 18.—Section 1388 of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1388. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members 
or former members of the Armed Forces 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—For any funeral of a member or former 
member of the Armed Forces that is not located at a cemetery 
under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or part 
of Arlington National Cemetery, it shall be unlawful for any person 
to engage in an activity during the period beginning 120 minutes 
before and ending 120 minutes after such funeral, any part of 
which activity— 
‘‘(1)(A) takes place within the boundaries of the location 
of such funeral or takes place within 300 feet of the point 
of the intersection between— 
‘‘(i) the boundary of the location of such funeral; and 
‘‘(ii) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress to or 
egress from the location of such funeral; and 
‘‘(B) includes any individual willfully making or assisting 
in the making of any noise or diversion— 
‘‘(i) that is not part of such funeral and that disturbs 
or tends to disturb the peace or good order of such funeral; 
and 
‘‘(ii) with the intent of disturbing the peace or good 
order of such funeral; 
‘‘(2)(A) is within 500 feet of the boundary of the location 
of such funeral; and 
‘‘(B) includes any individual— 
‘‘(i) 
willfully 
and 
without 
proper 
authorization 
impeding or tending to impede the access to or egress 
from such location; and 
‘‘(ii) with the intent to impede the access to or egress 
from such location; or 
‘‘(3) is on or near the boundary of the residence, home, 
or domicile of any surviving member of the deceased person’s 
immediate family and includes any individual willfully making 
or assisting in the making of any noise or diversion— 
‘‘(A) that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace of 
the persons located at such location; and 
‘‘(B) with the intent of disturbing such peace. 
‘‘(b) PENALTY.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 
be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, 
or both. 
‘‘(c) CIVIL REMEDIES.— 
‘‘(1) DISTRICT COURTS.—The district courts of the United 
States shall have jurisdiction— 
‘‘(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; 
and 
‘‘(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) ATTORNEY
GENERAL.—The Attorney General may 
institute proceedings under this section. 
‘‘(3) CLAIMS.—Any person, including a surviving member 
of the deceased person’s immediate family, who suffers injury 
as a result of conduct that violates this section may— 
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126 STAT. 1197 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States 
district court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; 
and 
‘‘(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) 
and the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ 
fees. 
‘‘(4) ESTOPPEL.—A final judgment or decree rendered in 
favor of the United States in any criminal proceeding brought 
by the United States under this section shall estop the defend-
ant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal 
offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by a person 
or by the United States. 
‘‘(d) ACTUAL AND STATUTORY DAMAGES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to any penalty imposed under 
subsection (b), a violator of this section is liable in an action 
under subsection (c) for actual or statutory damages as provided 
in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) ACTIONS BY PRIVATE PERSONS.—A person bringing an 
action under subsection (c)(3) may elect, at any time before 
final judgment is rendered, to recover the actual damages suf-
fered by him or her as a result of the violation or, instead 
of actual damages, an award of statutory damages for each 
violation involved in the action. 
‘‘(3) ACTIONS BY ATTORNEY GENERAL.—In any action under 
subsection (c)(2), the Attorney General is entitled to recover 
an award of statutory damages for each violation involved 
in the action notwithstanding any recovery under subsection 
(c)(3). 
‘‘(4) STATUTORY DAMAGES.—A court may award, as the court 
considers just, statutory damages in a sum of not less than 
$25,000 or more than $50,000 per violation. 
‘‘(e) REBUTTABLE
PRESUMPTION.—It shall be a rebuttable 
presumption that the violation was committed willfully for purposes 
of determining relief under this section if the violator, or a person 
acting in concert with the violator, did not have reasonable grounds 
to believe, either from the attention or publicity sought by the 
violator or other circumstance, that the conduct of such violator 
or person would not disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good 
order of such funeral, impede or tend to impede the access to 
or egress from such funeral, or disturb or tend to disturb the 
peace of any surviving member of the deceased person’s immediate 
family who may be found on or near the residence, home, or domicile 
of the deceased person’s immediate family on the date of the service 
or ceremony. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘Armed Forces’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 101 of title 10 and includes members and 
former members of the National Guard who were employed 
in the service of the United States; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘immediate family’ means, with respect to 
a person, the immediate family members of such person, as 
such term is defined in section 115 of this title.’’. 
(c) AMENDMENT TO TITLE 38.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 2413 is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
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126 STAT. 1198 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘§ 2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disrup-
tions at cemeteries under control of the National 
Cemetery 
Administration 
and 
at 
Arlington 
National Cemetery 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful for any person— 
‘‘(1) to carry out a demonstration on the property of a 
cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Adminis-
tration or on the property of Arlington National Cemetery 
unless the demonstration has been approved by the cemetery 
superintendent or the director of the property on which the 
cemetery is located; or 
‘‘(2) with respect to such a cemetery, to engage in a dem-
onstration during the period beginning 120 minutes before and 
ending 120 minutes after a funeral, memorial service, or cere-
mony is held, any part of which demonstration— 
‘‘(A)(i) takes place within the boundaries of such ceme-
tery or takes place within 300 feet of the point of the 
intersection between— 
‘‘(I) the boundary of such cemetery; and 
‘‘(II) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress 
to or egress from such cemetery; and 
‘‘(ii) includes any individual willfully making or 
assisting in the making of any noise or diversion— 
‘‘(I) that is not part of such funeral, memorial 
service, or ceremony and that disturbs or tends to 
disturb the peace or good order of such funeral, memo-
rial service, or ceremony; and 
‘‘(II) with the intent of disturbing the peace or 
good order of such funeral, memorial service, or cere-
mony; or 
‘‘(B)(i) is within 500 feet of the boundary of such ceme-
tery; and 
‘‘(ii) includes any individual— 
‘‘(I) willfully and without proper authorization 
impeding or tending to impede the access to or egress 
from such cemetery; and 
‘‘(II) with the intent to impede the access to or 
egress from such cemetery. 
‘‘(b) PENALTY.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 
be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than one year, 
or both. 
‘‘(c) CIVIL REMEDIES.—(1) The district courts of the United 
States shall have jurisdiction— 
‘‘(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; and 
‘‘(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) The Attorney General of the United States may institute 
proceedings under this section. 
‘‘(3) Any person, including a surviving member of the deceased 
person’s immediate family, who suffers injury as a result of conduct 
that violates this section may— 
‘‘(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States district 
court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; and 
‘‘(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) and 
the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. 
‘‘(4) A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United 
States in any criminal proceeding brought by the United States 
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126 STAT. 1199 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
under this section shall estop the defendant from denying the 
essential allegations of the criminal offense in any subsequent civil 
proceeding brought by a person or by the United States. 
‘‘(d) ACTUAL AND STATUTORY DAMAGES.—(1) In addition to any 
penalty imposed under subsection (b), a violator of this section 
is liable in an action under subsection (c) for actual or statutory 
damages as provided in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) A person bringing an action under subsection (c)(3) may 
elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered, to recover 
the actual damages suffered by him or her as a result of the 
violation or, instead of actual damages, an award of statutory 
damages for each violation involved in the action. 
‘‘(3) In any action brought under subsection (c)(2), the Attorney 
General is entitled to recover an award of statutory damages for 
each violation involved in the action notwithstanding any recovery 
under subsection (c)(3). 
‘‘(4) A court may award, as the court considers just, statutory 
damages in a sum of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 
per violation. 
‘‘(e) REBUTTABLE
PRESUMPTION.—It shall be a rebuttable 
presumption that the violation of subsection (a) was committed 
willfully for purposes of determining relief under this section if 
the violator, or a person acting in concert with the violator, did 
not have reasonable grounds to believe, either from the attention 
or publicity sought by the violator or other circumstance, that 
the conduct of such violator or person would not— 
‘‘(1) disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good order 
of such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; or 
‘‘(2) impede or tend to impede the access to or egress 
from such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘demonstration’ includes— 
‘‘(A) any picketing or similar conduct; 
‘‘(B) any oration, speech, use of sound amplification 
equipment or device, or similar conduct that is not part 
of a funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; 
‘‘(C) the display of any placard, banner, flag, or similar 
device, unless such a display is part of a funeral, memorial 
service, or ceremony; and 
‘‘(D) the distribution of any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet, 
or other written or printed matter other than a program 
distributed as part of a funeral, memorial service, or cere-
mony; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘immediate family’ means, with respect to 
a person, the immediate family members of such person, as 
such term is defined in section 115 of title 18.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 24 is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 2413 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at cemeteries under 
control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington Na-
tional Cemetery.’’. 
SEC. 602. CODIFICATION OF PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF 
GRAVESITES AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 24 is amended by inserting after 
section 2410 the following new section: 
38 USC 
prec. 2400. 
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126 STAT. 1200 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘§ 2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative 
matters 
‘‘(a) ONE GRAVESITE.—(1) Not more than one gravesite may 
be provided at Arlington National Cemetery to a veteran or member 
of the Armed Forces who is eligible for interment or inurnment 
at such cemetery. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of the Army may waive the prohibition 
in paragraph (1) as the Secretary of the Army considers appropriate. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF GRAVESITES.—(1) 
A gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery may not be reserved 
for an individual before the death of such individual. 
‘‘(2)(A) The President may waive the prohibition in paragraph 
(1) as the President considers appropriate. 
‘‘(B) Upon waiving the prohibition in paragraph (1), the Presi-
dent shall submit notice of such waiver to— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 
on Armed Services of the Senate; and 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 2410 the following new item: 
‘‘2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative matters.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), sec-
tion 2410A of title 38, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), shall apply with respect to all interments at 
Arlington National Cemetery after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (b) of such section, as so added, 
shall not apply with respect to the interment of an individual 
for whom a request for a reserved gravesite was approved 
by the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 1962. 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
submit to Congress a report on reservations made for interment 
at Arlington National Cemetery. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of requests for reservation of a 
gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery that were sub-
mitted to the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 
1962. 
(B) The number of gravesites at such cemetery that, 
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, 
were reserved in response to such requests. 
(C) The number of such gravesites that, on the day 
before the date of the enactment of this Act, were unoccu-
pied. 
(D) A list of all reservations for gravesites at such 
cemetery that were extended by individuals responsible 
for management of such cemetery in response to requests 
for such reservations made on or after January 1, 1962. 
(E) A description of the measures that the Secretary 
is taking to improve the accountability and transparency 
38 USC 2410A 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 2400. 
President. 
Notification. 
Waiver authority. 
Waiver authority. 
38 USC 2410A. 
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126 STAT. 1201 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
of the management of gravesite reservations at Arlington 
National Cemetery. 
(F) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
for legislative action as the Secretary considers necessary 
to improve such accountability and transparency. 
SEC. 603. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL 
CERTIFICATES TO PERSONS WHO DIED IN THE ACTIVE 
MILITARY, NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE. 
Section 112(a) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and persons who died in the active mili-
tary, naval, or air service,’’ after ‘‘under honorable conditions,’’; 
and 
(2) by striking ‘‘veteran’s’’ and inserting ‘‘deceased individ-
ual’s’’. 
SEC. 604. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF MONUMENTS IN 
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. 
Section 2409(b) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Under’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Under’’; 
(2) by inserting after ‘‘Secretary of the Army’’ the following: 
‘‘and subject to paragraph (2)’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2)(A) Except for a monument containing or marking interred 
remains, no monument (or similar structure, as determined by 
the Secretary of the Army in regulations) may be placed in Arlington 
National Cemetery except pursuant to the provisions of this sub-
section. 
‘‘(B) A monument may be placed in Arlington National Ceme-
tery if the monument commemorates— 
‘‘(i) the service in the Armed Forces of the individual, 
or group of individuals, whose memory is to be honored by 
the monument; or 
‘‘(ii) a particular military event. 
‘‘(C) No monument may be placed in Arlington National Ceme-
tery until the end of the 25-year period beginning— 
‘‘(i) in the case of the commemoration of service under 
subparagraph (B)(i), on the last day of the period of service 
so commemorated; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of the commemoration of a particular 
military event under subparagraph (B)(ii), on the last day of 
the period of the event. 
‘‘(D) A monument may be placed only in those sections of 
Arlington National Cemetery designated by the Secretary of the 
Army for such placement and only on land the Secretary determines 
is not suitable for burial. 
‘‘(E) A monument may only be placed in Arlington National 
Cemetery if an appropriate nongovernmental entity has agreed 
to act as a sponsoring organization to coordinate the placement 
of the monument and— 
‘‘(i) the construction and placement of the monument are 
paid for only using funds from private sources; 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of the Army consults with the Commis-
sion of Fine Arts and the Advisory Committee on Arlington 
National Cemetery before approving the design of the monu-
ment; and 
‘‘(iii) the sponsoring organization provides for an inde-
pendent study on the availability and suitability of alternative 
Study. 
Consultation. 
Time period. 
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126 STAT. 1202 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
locations for the proposed monument outside of Arlington 
National Cemetery. 
‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary of the Army may waive the requirement 
under paragraph (2)(C) in a case in which the monument would 
commemorate a group of individuals who the Secretary deter-
mines— 
‘‘(i) has made valuable contributions to the Armed Forces 
that have been ongoing and perpetual for longer than 25 years 
and are expected to continue on indefinitely; and 
‘‘(ii) has provided service that is of such a character that 
the failure to place a monument to the group in Arlington 
National Cemetery would present a manifest injustice. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary waives such requirement under subpara-
graph (A), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) make available on an Internet website notification of 
the waiver and the rationale for the waiver; and 
‘‘(ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives written notice of the waiver 
and the rationale for the waiver. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary of the Army shall provide notice to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and 
the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives 
of any monument proposed to be placed in Arlington National 
Cemetery. During the 60-day period beginning on the date on 
which such notice is received, Congress may pass a joint resolution 
of disapproval of the placement of the monument. The proposed 
monument may not be placed in Arlington National Cemetery until 
the later of— 
‘‘(A) if Congress does not pass a joint resolution of dis-
approval of the placement of the monument, the date that 
is 60 days after the date on which notice is received under 
this paragraph; or 
‘‘(B) if Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval 
of the placement of the monument, and the President signs 
a veto of such resolution, the earlier of— 
‘‘(i) the date on which either House of Congress votes 
and fails to override the veto of the President; or 
‘‘(ii) the date that is 30 session days after the date 
on which Congress received the veto and objections of the 
President.’’. 
TITLE VII—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 701. ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISAS-
TERS. 
(a) ADDITIONAL GRANTS
FOR DISABLED VETERANS
FOR SPE-
CIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 21 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section: 
Placement date. 
Time period. 
Effective date. 
Notification. 
Web posting. 
Notification. 
Time period. 
Waiver authority. 
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126 STAT. 1203 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
‘‘§ 2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by 
natural disasters 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the provisions of section 
2102 and 2102A of this title, the Secretary may provide assistance 
to a veteran whose home was previously adapted with assistance 
of a grant under this chapter in the event the adapted home 
which was being used and occupied by the veteran was destroyed 
or substantially damaged in a natural or other disaster, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Subject to subsection (c), assistance pro-
vided under subsection (a) shall— 
‘‘(1) be available to acquire a suitable housing unit with 
special fixtures or moveable facilities made necessary by the 
veteran’s disability, and necessary land therefor; 
‘‘(2) be available to a veteran to the same extent as if 
the veteran had not previously received assistance under this 
chapter; and 
‘‘(3) not be deducted from the maximum uses or from the 
maximum amount of assistance available under this chapter. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS.—The amount of the assistance provided under 
subsection (a) may not exceed the lesser of— 
‘‘(1) the reasonable cost, as determined by the Secretary, 
of repairing or replacing the damaged or destroyed home in 
excess of the available insurance coverage on such home; or 
‘‘(2) the maximum amount of assistance to which the vet-
eran would have been entitled under sections 2101(a), 2101(b), 
and 2102A of this title had the veteran not obtained previous 
assistance under this chapter.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 2108 the following new item: 
‘‘2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by natural disasters.’’. 
(b) EXTENSION
OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE
FOR VETERANS 
COMPLETING
VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION
PROGRAM.—Section 
3108(a)(2) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘In’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a 
veteran described in subparagraph (A) has been displaced as the 
result of a natural or other disaster while being paid a subsistence 
allowance under that subparagraph, as determined by the Sec-
retary, the Secretary may extend the payment of a subsistence 
allowance under such subparagraph for up to an additional two 
months while the veteran is satisfactorily following a program of 
employment services described in such subparagraph.’’. 
(c) WAIVER
OF LIMITATION
ON PROGRAM
OF INDEPENDENT 
LIVING SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE.—Section 3120(e) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘Programs’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The limitation in paragraph (1) shall not apply in any 
case in which the Secretary determines that a veteran described 
in subsection (b) has been displaced as the result of, or has other-
wise been adversely affected in the areas covered by, a natural 
or other disaster, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
38 USC 
prec. 2101. 
38 USC 2109. 
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126 STAT. 1204 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(d) COVENANTS AND LIENS CREATED BY PUBLIC ENTITIES IN 
RESPONSE TO DISASTER-RELIEF ASSISTANCE.—Paragraph (3) of sec-
tion 3703(d) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3)(A) Any real estate housing loan (other than for repairs, 
alterations, or improvements) shall be secured by a first lien on 
the realty. In determining whether a loan is so secured, the Sec-
retary may either disregard or allow for subordination to a superior 
lien created by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty 
in favor of either of the following: 
‘‘(i) A public entity that has provided or will provide assist-
ance in response to a major disaster as determined by the 
President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
‘‘(ii) A private entity to secure an obligation to such entity 
for the homeowner’s share of the costs of the management, 
operation, or maintenance of property, services, or programs 
within and for the benefit of the development or community 
in which the veteran’s realty is located, if the Secretary deter-
mines that the interests of the veteran borrower and of the 
Government will not be prejudiced by the operation of such 
covenant. 
‘‘(B) With respect to any superior lien described in subpara-
graph (A) created after June 6, 1969, the Secretary’s determination 
under clause (ii) of such subparagraph shall have been made prior 
to the recordation of the covenant.’’. 
(e) AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER CONVEYANCES FOR CERTAIN DIS-
ABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.—Section 
3903(a) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘No’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Except as provided 
in paragraph (2), no’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may provide or assist in providing an eligible 
person with a second automobile or other conveyance under this 
chapter if— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary receives satisfactory evidence that the 
automobile or other conveyance previously purchased with 
assistance under this chapter was destroyed— 
‘‘(i) as a result of a natural or other disaster, as deter-
mined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) through no fault of the eligible person; and 
‘‘(B) the eligible person does not otherwise receive from 
a property insurer compensation for the loss.’’. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each year, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the assistance 
provided or action taken by the Secretary in the last fiscal 
year pursuant to the authorities added by the amendments 
made by this section. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under paragraph 
(1) shall include the following for the fiscal year covered by 
the report: 
(A) A description of each natural disaster for which 
assistance was provided or action was taken as described 
in paragraph (1). 
(B) The number of cases or individuals, as the case 
may be, in which or to whom the Secretary provided assist-
ance or took action as described in paragraph (1). 
38 USC 2109 
note. 
Effective date. 
President. 
Determinations. 
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126 STAT. 1205 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(C) For each such case or individual, a description 
of the type or amount of assistance or action taken, as 
the case may be. 
(g) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 702. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF LAW. 
(a) POOL OF MORTGAGE LOANS.—Section 3720(h)(2) is amended 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’. 
(b) LOAN FEES.—Section 3729(b)(2) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (C)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(4) in subparagraph (D)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’. 
(c) TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF MAXIMUM HOME LOAN GUAR-
ANTY AMOUNT.—Section 501 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement 
Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–389; 122 Stat. 4175; 38 U.S.C. 3703 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 
SEC. 703. REQUIREMENT FOR PLAN FOR REGULAR ASSESSMENT OF 
EMPLOYEES OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 
WHO HANDLE PROCESSING OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSA-
TION AND PENSION. 
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 plan that 
describes how the Secretary will— 
(1) regularly assess the skills and competencies of appro-
priate employees and managers of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration who are responsible for processing claims for 
compensation and pension benefits administered by the Sec-
retary; 
(2) provide training to those employees whose skills and 
competencies are assessed as unsatisfactory by the regular 
assessment described in paragraph (1), to remediate deficiencies 
in such skills and competencies; 
(3) reassess the skills and competencies of employees who 
receive training as described in paragraph (2); and 
Deadline. 
38 USC 2109 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1206 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(4) take appropriate personnel action if, following training 
and reassessment as described in paragraphs (2) and (3), respec-
tively, skills and competencies remain unsatisfactory. 
SEC. 704. MODIFICATION OF PROVISION RELATING TO REIMBURSE-
MENT RATE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES. 
Section 111(b)(3)(C) is amended by striking ‘‘under subpara-
graph (B)’’ and inserting ‘‘to or from a Department facility’’. 
SEC. 705. CHANGE IN COLLECTION AND VERIFICATION OF VETERAN 
INCOME. 
Section 1722(f)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘the previous year’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the most recent year for which information is avail-
able’’. 
SEC. 706. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ENFORCEMENT PEN-
ALTIES FOR MISREPRESENTATION OF A BUSINESS CON-
CERN AS A SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND CON-
TROLLED BY VETERANS OR AS A SMALL BUSINESS CON-
CERN OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-DISABLED 
VETERANS. 
Subsection (g) of section 8127 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Any business’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Any busi-
ness’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), as so designated— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘willfully and intentionally’’ before 
‘‘misrepresented’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘a reasonable period of time, as deter-
mined by the Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘a period of not 
less than five years’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) In the case of a debarment under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall commence debarment action against the business con-
cern by not later than 30 days after determining that the concern 
willfully and intentionally misrepresented the status of the concern 
as described in paragraph (1) and shall complete debarment actions 
against such concern by not later than 90 days after such determina-
tion. 
‘‘(3) The debarment of a business concern under paragraph 
(1) includes the debarment of all principals in the business concern 
for a period of not less than five years.’’. 
SEC. 707. QUARTERLY REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON CONFERENCES 
SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 5 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences spon-
sored by the Department 
‘‘(a) QUARTERLY REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 days 
after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary 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 covered conferences. 
‘‘(b) MATTERS INCLUDED.—Each report under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) An accounting of the final costs to the Department 
of each covered conference occurring during the fiscal quarter 
38 USC 517. 
Time period. 
Debarment. 
Deadlines. 
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126 STAT. 1207 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
preceding the date on which the report is submitted, including 
the costs related to— 
‘‘(A) transportation and parking; 
‘‘(B) per diem payments; 
‘‘(C) lodging; 
‘‘(D) rental of halls, auditoriums, or other spaces; 
‘‘(E) rental of equipment; 
‘‘(F) refreshments; 
‘‘(G) entertainment; 
‘‘(H) contractors; and 
‘‘(I) brochures or other printed media. 
‘‘(2) The total estimated costs to the Department for covered 
conferences occurring during the fiscal quarter in which the 
report is submitted. 
‘‘(c) COVERED CONFERENCE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘covered conference’ means a conference, meeting, or other similar 
forum that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the Department and 
is— 
‘‘(1) attended by 50 or more individuals, including one 
or more employees of the Department; or 
‘‘(2) estimated to cost the Department at least $20,000.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating 
to section 516 the following: 
‘‘517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the Department.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 517 of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 
1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to the first quarter of fiscal 
year 2013 and each quarter thereafter. 
SEC. 708. PUBLICATION OF DATA ON EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN VET-
ERANS BY FEDERAL CONTRACTORS. 
Section 4212(d) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The Secretary of Labor shall establish and maintain an 
Internet website on which the Secretary of Labor shall publicly 
disclose the information reported to the Secretary of Labor by 
contractors under paragraph (1).’’. 
SEC. 709. VETSTAR AWARD PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 532 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may’’ and inserting ‘‘ (a) 
ADVERTISING IN NATIONAL MEDIA.—The Secretary may’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(b) VETSTAR AWARD PROGRAM.—(1) The Secretary shall estab-
lish an award program, to be known as the ‘VetStar Award Pro-
gram’, to recognize annually businesses for their contributions to 
veterans’ employment. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall establish a process for the administra-
tion of the award program, including criteria for— 
‘‘(A) categories and sectors of businesses eligible for recogni-
tion each year; and 
‘‘(B) objective measures to be used in selecting businesses 
to receive the award.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
Process. 
Web site. 
Public 
information. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 517 note. 
38 USC 
prec. 501. 
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126 STAT. 1208 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
(1) SECTION
HEADING.—The heading of such section is 
amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘; VetStar Award 
Program’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 5 is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 532 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘532. Authority to advertise in national media; VetStar Award Program.’’. 
SEC. 710. EXTENDED PERIOD OF PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF 
UNIFORMED SERVICES RELATING TO MORTGAGES, MORT-
GAGE FORECLOSURE, AND EVICTION. 
(a) STAY
OF PROCEEDINGS
AND PERIOD
OF ADJUSTMENT
OF 
OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY.—Section 
303(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 
533(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘within 9 months’’ and inserting 
‘‘within one year’’. 
(b) PERIOD OF RELIEF FROM SALE, FORECLOSURE, OR SEIZURE.— 
Section 303(c) of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533(c)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘within 9 months’’ and inserting ‘‘within one year’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsections 
(a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) EXTENSION OF SUNSET.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by subsections 
(a) and (b) shall expire on December 31, 2014. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Subsection (c) of section 
2203 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public 
Law 110–289; 50 U.S.C. App. 533 note) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.’’. 
(3) REVIVAL.—Effective January 1, 2015, the provisions 
of subsections (b) and (c) of section 303 of the Servicemembers 
Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533), as in effect on July 
29, 2008, are hereby revived. 
(e) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 540 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to Congress a report on the protec-
tions provided under section 303 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App 
533) during the five-year period ending on the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include, for the period described in such paragraph, the fol-
lowing: 
(A) An assessment of the effects of such section on 
the long-term financial well-being of servicemembers and 
their families. 
(B) The number of servicemembers who faced fore-
closure during a 90-day period, 270-day period, or 365- 
day 
period 
beginning 
on 
the 
date 
on 
which 
the 
servicemembers completed a period of military service. 
(C) The number of servicemembers who applied for 
a stay or adjustment under subsection (b) of such section. 
(D) A description and assessment of the effect of 
applying for a stay or adjustment under such subsection 
Time periods. 
50 USC app. 533 
note. 
50 USC app. 533 
note. 
50 USC app. 533 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 501. 
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126 STAT. 1209 
PUBLIC LAW 112–154—AUG. 6, 2012 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1627: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 112–84, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 157 (2011): May 23, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 158 (2012): July 18, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
July 31, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
on the financial well-being of the servicemembers who 
applied for such a stay or adjustment. 
(E) An assessment of the Secretary of Defense’s part-
nerships with public and private sector entities and rec-
ommendations on how the Secretary should modify such 
partnerships to improve financial education and counseling 
for servicemembers in order to assist them in achieving 
long-term financial stability. 
(3) PERIOD
OF
MILITARY
SERVICE
AND
SERVICEMEMBER 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the terms ‘‘period of military 
service’’ and ‘‘servicemember’’ have the meanings given such 
terms in section 101 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 511). 
Approved August 6, 2012. 
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