Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016
PL 114-315 (H.R.6416), enacted 12/16/2016

130 STAT. 1536 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
Public Law 114–315 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 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 ‘‘Jeff Miller 
and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2016’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—DISABILITY COMPENSATION MATTERS 
Sec. 101. Expedited payment of survivors’ benefits. 
Sec. 102. Board of Veterans’ Appeals video hearings. 
Sec. 103. Requirement that Secretary of Veterans Affairs publish the average time 
required to adjudicate early-filed and later-filed appeals. 
Sec. 104. Comptroller General review of claims processing performance of regional 
offices of Veterans Benefits Administration. 
Sec. 105. Report on staffing levels at regional offices of Department of Veterans Af-
fairs under National Work Queue. 
Sec. 106. Inclusion in annual budget submission of information on capacity of Vet-
erans Benefits Administration to process benefits claims. 
Sec. 107. Report on plans of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce inventory of 
non-rating workload; sense of Congress regarding Monday Morning 
Workload Report. 
Sec. 108. Annual report on progress in implementing Veterans Benefits Manage-
ment System. 
Sec. 109. Improvements to authority for performance of medical disabilities exami-
nations by contract physicians. 
Sec. 110. Independent review of process by which Department of Veterans Affairs 
assesses impairments that result from traumatic brain injury for pur-
poses of awarding disability compensation. 
Sec. 111. Reports on claims for disability compensation. 
Sec. 112. Sense of Congress regarding American veterans disabled for life. 
Sec. 113. Sense of Congress on submittal of information relating to claims for dis-
abilities incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS 
Sec. 201. Extension of temporary increase in number of judges on United States 
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 
Sec. 202. Life insurance program relating to judges of United States Court of Ap-
peals for Veterans Claims. 
Sec. 203. Voluntary contributions to enlarge survivors’ annuity. 
Sec. 204. Selection of chief judge of United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
Claims. 
TITLE III—BURIAL BENEFITS AND OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 301. Expansion of eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions. 
Jeff Miller and 
Richard 
Blumenthal 
Veterans 
Health Care 
and Benefits 
Improvement Act 
of 2016. 
38 USC 101 note. 
Dec. 16, 2016 
[H.R. 6416] 
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130 STAT. 1537 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
Sec. 302. Expansion of Presidential Memorial Certificate program. 
Sec. 303. Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of un-
claimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries. 
Sec. 304. Study on provision of interments in veterans’ cemeteries during week-
ends. 
Sec. 305. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in the re-
serve components of the Armed Forces. 
TITLE IV—EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL 
REHABILITATION 
Sec. 401. Clarification of eligibility for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry 
Scholarship. 
Sec. 402. Approval of courses of education and training for purposes of the voca-
tional rehabilitation program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 403. Authority to prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need. 
Sec. 404. Reports on progress of students receiving Post-9/11 Educational Assist-
ance. 
Sec. 405. Recodification and improvement of election process for Post-9/11 Edu-
cational Assistance Program. 
Sec. 406. Work-study allowance. 
Sec. 407. Centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain groups, districts, 
and consortiums of educational institutions. 
Sec. 408. Role of State approving agencies. 
Sec. 409. Modification of requirements for approval for purposes of educational as-
sistance provided by Department of Veterans Affairs of programs de-
signed to prepare individuals for licensure or certification. 
Sec. 410. Criteria used to approve courses. 
Sec. 411. Compliance surveys. 
Sec. 412. Modification of reductions in reporting fee multipliers for payments by 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to educational institutions. 
Sec. 413. Composition of Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. 
Sec. 414. Survey of individuals using their entitlement to educational assistance 
under the educational assistance programs administered by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 415. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of information on articulation 
agreements between institutions of higher learning. 
Sec. 416. Retention of entitlement to educational assistance during certain addi-
tional periods of active duty. 
Sec. 417. Technical amendment relating to in-state tuition rate for individuals to 
whom entitlement is transferred under all-volunteer force educational 
assistance program and post-9/11 educational assistance. 
Sec. 418. Study on the effectiveness of veterans transition efforts. 
TITLE V—SMALL BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT MATTERS 
Sec. 501. Modification of treatment under contracting goals and preferences of De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 502. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service for 
veterans. 
Sec. 503. Limitation on administrative leave for employees of Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
Sec. 504. Required coordination between Directors for Veterans’ Employment and 
Training with State departments of labor and veterans affairs. 
TITLE VI—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Medical Care 
Sec. 601. Requirement for advance appropriations for the Medical Community Care 
account of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 602. Improved access to appropriate immunizations for veterans. 
Sec. 603. Priority of medal of honor recipients in health care system of Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 604. Requirement that Department of Veterans Affairs collect health-plan con-
tract information from veterans. 
Sec. 605. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in classified missions. 
Sec. 606. Examination and treatment by Department of Veterans Affairs for emer-
gency medical conditions and women in labor. 
Subtitle B—Veterans Health Administration 
Sec. 611. Time period covered by annual report on Readjustment Counseling Serv-
ice. 
Sec. 612. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing of hos-
pital care, medical services, and nursing home care. 
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130 STAT. 1538 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
Sec. 613. Expansion of qualifications for licensed mental health counselors of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to include doctoral degrees. 
Sec. 614. Modification of hours of employment for physicians employed by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 615. Repeal of compensation panels to determine market pay for physicians 
and dentists. 
Sec. 616. Clarification regarding liability for breach of agreement under Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Employee Incentive Scholarship Program. 
Sec. 617. Extension of period for increase in graduate medical education residency 
positions at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 618. Report on public access to research by Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 619. Authorization of certain major medical facility projects of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Subtitle C—Toxic Exposure 
Sec. 631. Definitions. 
Sec. 632. National Academy of Medicine assessment on research relating to the de-
scendants of individuals with toxic exposure. 
Sec. 633. Advisory board on research relating to health conditions of descendants 
of veterans with toxic exposure while serving in the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 634. Research relating to health conditions of descendants of veterans with 
toxic exposure while serving in the Armed Forces. 
TITLE VII—HOMELESSNESS MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Access of Homeless Veterans to Benefits 
Sec. 701. Expansion of definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under 
the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
Sec. 702. Authorization to furnish certain benefits to homeless veterans with dis-
charges or releases under other than honorable conditions. 
Sec. 703. Waiver of minimum period of continuous active duty in Armed Forces for 
certain benefits for homeless veterans. 
Sec. 704. Training of personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs and grant re-
cipients. 
Sec. 705. Regulations. 
Sec. 706. Effective date. 
Subtitle B—Other Homelessness Matters 
Sec. 711. Increased per diem payments for transitional housing assistance that be-
comes permanent housing for homeless veterans. 
Sec. 712. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly homeless veterans 
and veterans at risk of becoming homeless. 
Sec. 713. Establishment of National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans. 
Sec. 714. Requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs to assess comprehensive 
service programs for homeless veterans. 
Sec. 715. Report on outreach relating to increasing the amount of housing available 
to veterans. 
TITLE VIII—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 801. Department of Veterans Affairs construction reforms. 
Sec. 802. Technical and clerical amendments. 
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act 
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment 
to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall 
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 
38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—DISABILITY COMPENSATION 
MATTERS 
SEC. 101. EXPEDITED PAYMENT OF SURVIVORS’ BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5101(a)(1) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘A specific’’ and inserting ‘‘(A) Except as 
provided in subparagraph (B), a specific’’; and 
38 USC 5101. 
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130 STAT. 1539 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B)(i) The Secretary may pay benefits under chapters 13 and 
15 and sections 2302, 2307, and 5121 of this title to a survivor 
of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the Secretary 
determines that the record contains sufficient evidence to establish 
the entitlement of the survivor to such benefits. 
‘‘(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph and section 5110 of 
this title, the earlier of the following dates shall be treated as 
the date of the receipt of the survivor’s application for benefits 
described in clause (i): 
‘‘(I) The date on which the survivor of a veteran (or the 
representative of such a survivor) notifies the Secretary of 
the death of the veteran through a death certificate or other 
relevant evidence that establishes entitlement to survivors’ 
benefits identified in clause (i). 
‘‘(II) The head of any other department or agency of the 
Federal Government notifies the Secretary of the death of the 
veteran. 
‘‘(iii) In notifying the Secretary of the death of a veteran as 
described in clause (ii)(I), the survivor (or the representative of 
such a survivor) may submit to the Secretary additional documents 
relating to such death without being required to file a formal 
claim.’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on benefits paid pursuant to covered 
claims. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of covered claims adjudicated during 
the 1-year period preceding the date of the report, 
disaggregated by the following: 
(i) Claims in which the claimant was entitled to 
benefits under chapters 13 or 15 or sections 2302, 
2307, or 5121 of title 38, United States Code, on the 
basis of the claimant’s status as the spouse of a 
deceased veteran. 
(ii) Claims in which the claimant was entitled 
to such benefits on the basis of the claimant’s status 
as the child of a deceased veteran. 
(iii) Claims in which the claimant was entitled 
to such benefits on the basis of the claimant’s status 
as the parent of a deceased veteran. 
(B) The number of covered claims during such period 
for which such benefits were not awarded, disaggregated 
by clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (A). 
(C) A comparison of the accuracy and timeliness of 
covered claims adjudicated during such period with non-
covered claims filed by survivors of a veteran. 
(D) The findings of the Secretary with respect to adjudi-
cating covered claims. 
(E) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
for legislative or administrative action to improve the adju-
dication of claims submitted to the Secretary for benefits 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Certification. 
Notifications. 
Determination. 
Records. 
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130 STAT. 1540 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
under chapters 13 and 15 and sections 2302, 2307, and 
5121 of title 38, United States Code. 
(3) COVERED CLAIM DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘covered claim’’ means a claim covered by section 5101(a)(1)(B) 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall apply with respect to claims for benefits based on a 
death occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 102. BOARD OF VETERANS’ APPEALS VIDEO HEARINGS. 
Section 7107 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (1) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(1)(A)(i) Upon request for a hearing, the Board shall determine, 
for purposes of scheduling the hearing for the earliest possible 
date, whether a hearing before the Board will be held at its principal 
location or at a facility of the Department or other appropriate 
Federal facility located within the area served by a regional office 
of the Department. 
‘‘(ii) The Board shall also determine whether to provide a 
hearing through the use of the facilities and equipment described 
in subsection (e)(1) or by the appellant personally appearing before 
a Board member or panel. 
‘‘(B)(i) The Board shall notify the appellant of the determina-
tions of the location and type of hearing made under subparagraph 
(A). 
‘‘(ii) Upon notification, the appellant may request a different 
location or type of hearing as described in such subparagraph. 
‘‘(iii) If so requested, the Board shall grant such request and 
ensure that the hearing is scheduled at the earliest possible date 
without any undue delay or other prejudice to the appellant.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (e), by amending paragraph (2) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(2) Any hearing provided through the use of the facilities 
and equipment described in paragraph (1) shall be conducted in 
the same manner as, and shall be considered the equivalent of, 
a personal hearing.’’. 
SEC. 103. REQUIREMENT THAT SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
PUBLISH THE AVERAGE TIME REQUIRED TO ADJUDICATE 
EARLY-FILED AND LATER-FILED APPEALS. 
(a) PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On an ongoing basis, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall make available to the public the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The average length of time to adjudicate an early- 
filed appeal. 
(B) The average length of time to adjudicate a later- 
filed appeal. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and shall apply until the date that is 3 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 39 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
Time period. 
Applicability. 
Public 
information. 
Notification. 
Determinations. 
38 USC 7107. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 5101 
note. 
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130 STAT. 1541 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
a report on whether publication pursuant to subsection (a)(1) 
has had an effect on the number of early-filed appeals filed. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of appeals and early-filed appeals that 
were filed during the 1-year period ending on the effective 
date specified in subsection (a)(2). 
(B) The number of appeals and early-filed appeals that 
were filed during the 1-year period ending on the date 
that is 2 years after the effective date specified in sub-
section (a)(2). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPEAL.—The term ‘‘appeal’’ means a notice of disagree-
ment filed pursuant to section 7105(a) of title 38, United States 
Code, in response to notice of the result of an initial review 
or determination regarding a claim for a benefit under a law 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) EARLY-FILED.—The term ‘‘early-filed’’ with respect to 
an appeal means that the notice of disagreement was filed 
not more than 180 days after the date of mailing of the notice 
of the result of the initial review or determination described 
in paragraph (1). 
(3) LATER-FILED.—The term ‘‘later-filed’’ with respect to 
an appeal means the notice of disagreement was filed more 
than 180 days after the date of mailing of the notice of the 
result of the initial review or determination described in para-
graph (1). 
SEC. 104. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF CLAIMS PROCESSING 
PERFORMANCE OF REGIONAL OFFICES OF VETERANS 
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) REVIEW REQUIRED.—Not later than 15 months after the 
effective date specified in subsection (e), the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall complete a review of the regional offices 
of the Veterans Benefits Administration to help the Veterans Bene-
fits Administration achieve more consistent performance in the 
processing of claims for disability compensation. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The review required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An identification of the following: 
(A) The factors, including management practices, that 
distinguish higher performing regional offices from other 
regional offices with respect to claims for disability com-
pensation. 
(B) The best practices employed by higher performing 
regional offices that distinguish the performance of such 
offices from other regional offices. 
(C) Such other management practices or tools as the 
Comptroller General determines could be used to improve 
the performance of regional offices. 
(2) An assessment of the effectiveness of communication 
with respect to the processing of claims for disability compensa-
tion between the regional offices and veterans service organiza-
tions and caseworkers employed by Members of Congress. 
Assessment. 
Deadline. 
Deadlines. 
Time period. 
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130 STAT. 1542 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 15 months after the effective date 
specified in subsection (e), the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on the results of the review completed under subsection (a). 
(d) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means any organiza-
tion recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect on the 
date that is 270 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 105. REPORT ON STAFFING LEVELS AT REGIONAL OFFICES OF 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER NATIONAL 
WORK QUEUE. 
Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
the criteria and procedures that the Secretary will use to determine 
appropriate staffing levels at the regional offices of the Department 
under the National Work Queue for the distribution of the claims 
processing workload. 
SEC. 106. INCLUSION IN ANNUAL BUDGET SUBMISSION OF INFORMA-
TION ON CAPACITY OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRA-
TION TO PROCESS BENEFITS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Along with the supporting information 
included in the budget submitted to Congress by the President 
pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the 
President shall include information on the capacity of the Veterans 
Benefits Administration to process claims for benefits under the 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including 
information described in subsection (b), during the fiscal year cov-
ered by the budget with which the information is submitted. 
(b) INFORMATION DESCRIBED.—The information described in 
this subsection is the following: 
(1) An estimate of the average number of claims for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary, excluding such 
claims completed during mandatory overtime, that a single 
full-time equivalent employee of the Administration should be 
able to process in a year, based on the following: 
(A) A time and motion study that the Secretary shall 
conduct on the processing of such claims. 
(B) Such other information relating to such claims 
as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(2) A description of the actions the Secretary will take 
to improve the processing of such claims. 
(3) An assessment of the actions identified by the Secretary 
under paragraph (2) in the previous year and an identification 
of the effects of those actions. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply with respect 
to any budget submitted as described in subsection (a) with respect 
to any fiscal year after fiscal year 2018. 
Applicability. 
Assessment. 
Estimate. 
President. 
38 USC 303 note. 
Criteria. 
Procedures. 
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130 STAT. 1543 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
SEC. 107. REPORT ON PLANS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
TO REDUCE INVENTORY OF NON-RATING WORKLOAD; 
SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING MONDAY MORNING 
WORKLOAD REPORT. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
that details the plans of the Secretary to reduce the inventory 
of work items listed in the Monday Morning Workload Report 
under End Products 130, 137, 173, 290, 400, 600, 607, 690, 930, 
and 960. 
(b) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should include in each Monday 
Morning Workload Report published by the Secretary the following: 
(1) With respect to each regional office of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, the following: 
(A) The number of fully developed claims for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary that have 
been received. 
(B) The number of claims described in subparagraph 
(A) that are pending a decision. 
(C) The number of claims described in subparagraph 
(A) that have been pending a decision for more than 125 
days. 
(2) Enhanced information on appeals of decisions relating 
to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the 
Secretary that are pending, including information contained 
in the reports of the Department entitled ‘‘Appeals Pending’’ 
and ‘‘Appeals Workload By Station’’. 
SEC. 108. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING VET-
ERANS BENEFITS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than each of 1 year, 2 years, and 
3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Sec-
retary in implementing the Veterans Benefits Management System. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the current functionality of the Vet-
erans Benefits Management System. 
(2) Recommendations submitted to the Secretary by 
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are 
involved in processing claims for benefits under the laws 
administered by the Secretary, including veterans service rep-
resentatives, rating veterans service representatives, and deci-
sion review officers, for such legislative or administrative action 
as the employees consider appropriate to improve the processing 
of such claims. 
(3) Recommendations submitted to the Secretary by vet-
erans service organizations who use the Veterans Benefits 
Management System for such legislative or administrative 
action as the veterans service organizations consider appro-
priate to improve such system. 
Assessment. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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130 STAT. 1544 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(c) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means any organization 
recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under 
section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 109. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF 
MEDICAL DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT 
PHYSICIANS. 
(a) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
(1) TEMPORARY AUTHORITY.—Section 704 of the Veterans 
Benefits Act of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); 
and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
subsection (d): 
‘‘(d) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law regarding the 
licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph 
(2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (b) at any location in any State, the 
District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or posses-
sion of the United States, so long as the examination is within 
the scope of the authorized duties under such contract. 
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician described in this 
paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to practice the 
health care profession of the physician; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such health care 
profession in any State, the District of Columbia, or a 
Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United 
States; and 
‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (b).’’. 
(2) PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 504 of the Veterans’ Benefits 
Improvement Act of 1996 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as sub-
sections (d) and (e), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) LICENSURE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any law regarding the 
licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph 
(2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (a) at any location in any State, the 
District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or posses-
sion of the United States, so long as the examination is within 
the scope of the authorized duties under such contract. 
‘‘(2) PHYSICIAN DESCRIBED.—A physician described in this 
paragraph is a physician who— 
‘‘(A) has a current unrestricted license to practice the 
health care profession of the physician; 
‘‘(B) is not barred from practicing such health care 
profession in any State, the District of Columbia, or a 
Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United 
States; and 
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130 STAT. 1545 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(C) is performing authorized duties for the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered 
into under subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 110. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PROCESS BY WHICH DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ASSESSES IMPAIRMENTS 
THAT RESULT FROM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FOR PUR-
POSES OF AWARDING DISABILITY COMPENSATION. 
(a) AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies 
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to perform the services 
covered by this section. 
(2) TIMING.—The Secretary shall seek to enter into the 
agreement described in paragraph (1) not later than 9 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Under an agreement between the Sec-
retary and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine under this section, the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall conduct a com-
prehensive review of examinations furnished by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs to individuals who submit claims 
to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 
38, United States Code, for traumatic brain injury to assess 
the impairments of such individuals relating to such injury. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The comprehensive review carried out 
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A determination of the adequacy of the tools and 
protocols used by the Department to provide examinations 
described in paragraph (1). 
(B) A determination of which credentials are necessary 
for health care specialists and providers to perform such 
portions of such examinations that relate to an assessment 
of all disabling effects. 
(3) GROUP OF EXPERIENCED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.—In 
carrying out the comprehensive review pursuant to paragraph 
(1), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medi-
cine shall convene a group of relevant experts, including experts 
in clinical neuropsychology, psychiatry, physiatry, neuro-
surgery, and neurology. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 540 days after the date 
on which the Secretary enters into an agreement under sub-
section (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 
a report on the comprehensive review conducted under this 
section. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include the following: 
(A) The findings of the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine with respect to the comprehen-
sive review conducted under this section. 
(B) Such recommendations for legislative or adminis-
trative action as the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine may have for the improvement 
of the adjudication of claims described in subsection (b)(1). 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Determinations. 
Deadline. 
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130 STAT. 1546 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(d) ALTERNATE CONTRACT ORGANIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary is unable within the 
period prescribed in subsection (a)(2) to enter into an agreement 
described in subsection (a)(1) with the National Academies 
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on terms acceptable 
to the Secretary, the Secretary shall seek to enter into such 
an agreement with another appropriate organization that— 
(A) is not part of the Government; 
(B) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and 
(C) has expertise and objectivity comparable to that 
of the Health and Medicine Division of the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 
(2) TREATMENT.—If the Secretary enters into an agreement 
with another organization as described in paragraph (1), any 
reference in this section to the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine shall be treated as a reference to 
the other organization. 
SEC. 111. REPORTS ON CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION. 
(a) REPORT ON REASONABLY RAISED CLAIMS.—Not later than 
540 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on 
the policies of the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect 
to processing reasonably raised unrelated claims. Such report shall 
include— 
(1) any statistics on how frequently such unrelated claims 
are identified by the Secretary; 
(2) how frequently the Secretary notifies claimants about 
potential unrelated claims; and 
(3) how often the claimant later submits a claim for the 
condition described by the unrelated claim. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORTS ON COMPLETE AND INCOMPLETE CLAIMS.— 
During the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives annual 
reports on complete and incomplete claims for disability compensa-
tion submitted to the Secretary. Each such report shall include, 
for the 1-year period covered by the report— 
(1) the total number of claims submitted to the Secretary; 
(2) the total number of incomplete claims submitted to 
the Secretary; 
(3) the total number of complete claims submitted to the 
Secretary; 
(4) the total number of forms indicating an intent to file 
a claim for benefits submitted to the Secretary; 
(5) the total number of electronically filed claims submitted 
to the Secretary; 
(6) the total number of fully developed claims submitted 
to the Secretary; 
(7) the total number of claims submitted to the Secretary 
that are not complete claims but that the Secretary treats 
as a request by the claimant for a form to file a claim; and 
(8) of the total number of claims identified under paragraph 
(7), the percent for which the Secretary notified the claimant 
of the need to file a complete claim. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
Time periods. 
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130 STAT. 1547 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(1) The term ‘‘claimant’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code, and includes 
a representative of a claimant. 
(2) The term ‘‘reasonably raised unrelated claim’’ means 
a claim for disability compensation under the laws administered 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that, in addition to the 
condition for which such claim is made, includes evidence of 
a separate condition that is not specifically identified as part 
of the claim but may be inferred or logically placed at issue 
upon a sympathetic reading of the claim and the record devel-
oped with respect to that claim. 
SEC. 112. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AMERICAN VETERANS DIS-
ABLED FOR LIFE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) There are at least 4,200,000 veterans currently living 
with service-connected disabilities. 
(2) As a result of their service, many veterans are perma-
nently disabled throughout their lives and in many cases must 
rely on the support of their families and friends when these 
visible and invisible burdens become too much to bear alone. 
(3) October 5, which is the anniversary of the dedication 
of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, has been 
recognized as an appropriate day on which to honor American 
veterans disabled for life each year. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—Congress— 
(1) expresses its appreciation to the men and women left 
permanently wounded, ill, or injured as a result of their service 
in the Armed Forces; 
(2) supports the annual recognition of American veterans 
disabled for life each year; and 
(3) encourages the American people to honor American 
veterans disabled for life each year with appropriate programs 
and activities. 
SEC. 113. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION 
RELATING TO CLAIMS FOR DISABILITIES INCURRED OR 
AGGRAVATED BY MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs should submit to Congress information on the 
covered claims submitted to the Secretary during each fiscal year, 
including the information specified in subsection (b). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The information specified in this subsection 
with respect to each fiscal year is the following: 
(1) The number of covered claims submitted to or consid-
ered by the Secretary during such fiscal year. 
(2) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1), the number 
and percentage of such claims— 
(A) submitted by each sex; 
(B) that were approved, including the number and 
percentage of such approved claims submitted by each sex; 
and 
(C) that were denied, including the number and 
percentage of such denied claims submitted by each sex. 
(3) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
approved, the number and percentage, listed by each sex, of 
claims assigned to each rating percentage of disability. 
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130 STAT. 1548 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(4) Of the covered claims under paragraph (1) that were 
denied— 
(A) the three most common reasons given by the Sec-
retary under section 5104(b)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code, for such denials; and 
(B) the number of denials that were based on the 
failure of a veteran to report for a medical examination. 
(5) The number of covered claims that, as of the end of 
such fiscal year, are pending and, separately, the number of 
such claims on appeal. 
(6) The average number of days that covered claims take 
to complete beginning on the date on which the claim is sub-
mitted. 
(7) A description of the training that the Secretary provides 
to employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration specifi-
cally with respect to covered claims, including the frequency, 
length, and content of such training. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered claims’’ means claims for disability 
compensation submitted to the Secretary based on a mental 
health condition alleged to have been incurred or aggravated 
by military sexual trauma. 
(2) The term ‘‘military sexual trauma’’ shall have the 
meaning specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section 
and shall include ‘‘sexual harassment’’ (as so specified). 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES COURT OF 
APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS 
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY INCREASE IN NUMBER OF 
JUDGES ON UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VET-
ERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7253(i)(2) is amended by striking 
‘‘January 1, 2013’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2021’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 30, 2020, the chief 
judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 
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 temporary expansions of 
the Court under section 7253 of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the effect of the expansions on 
ensuring appeals are handled in a timely manner. 
(B) A description of the ways in which the complexity 
levels of the appeals acted on by the Court may have 
changed based on service during recent conflicts compared 
to those based on service from previous eras. 
(C) A recommendation on whether the number of 
judges should be adjusted at the end of the temporary 
expansion period, including statistics, projections, trend 
analyses, and other information to support the rec-
ommendation. 
Recommenda- 
tion. 
Assessment. 
38 USC 7253 
note. 
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130 STAT. 1549 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
SEC. 202. LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM RELATING TO JUDGES OF 
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 
CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7281 is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge who is 
in regular active service and a judge who is retired under section 
7296 of this title or under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 shall be 
treated as an employee described in section 8701(a)(5) of title 5. 
‘‘(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Court 
may pay on behalf of its judges, who are age 65 or older, any 
increase in the cost of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance 
imposed after April 24, 1999, including any expenses generated 
by such payments, as authorized by the chief judge of the Court 
in a manner consistent with such payment authorized by the 
Judicial Conference of the United States pursuant to section 
604(a)(5) of title 28.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to any payment made on or after the 
first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 203. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SURVIVORS’ 
ANNUITY. 
Section 7297 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under subsection 
(b) may purchase, in 3-month increments, up to an additional 
year of service credit for each year of Federal judicial service com-
pleted, under the terms set forth in this section. 
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘covered judge’ means any 
of the following: 
‘‘(A) A judge in regular active service. 
‘‘(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible retired judge 
pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 of this title. 
‘‘(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eligible retired 
judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 but for— 
‘‘(i) meeting the aggregate recall service requirements 
under subsection (b)(3) of such section; or 
‘‘(ii) being permanently disabled as described by sub-
section (b)(4) of such section.’’. 
SEC. 204. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT 
OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7253(d) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subpara-
graph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following 
new subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B) have at least 3 years remaining in term of office; 
and’’; and 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the Court 
in regular active service who meets the requirements under para-
graph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who 
Definition. 
Time period. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 7281 
note. 
38 USC 7281. 
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130 STAT. 1550 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and 
subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall act as the chief judge. 
‘‘(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph 
in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active service 
who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of para-
graph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active service who 
is senior in commission and meets subparagraph (C) shall act 
as the chief judge.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to the selection of a chief judge occurring 
on or after January 1, 2020. 
TITLE III—BURIAL BENEFITS AND 
OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEADSTONES, MARKERS, 
AND MEDALLIONS. 
Section 2306(d) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(4)(A) In lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker under this 
subsection to a deceased individual described in subparagraph (B), 
the Secretary may furnish, upon request, a medallion or other 
device of a design determined by the Secretary to signify the 
deceased individual’s status as a veteran, to be attached to a head-
stone or marker furnished at private expense. 
‘‘(B) A deceased individual described in this subsection is an 
individual who— 
‘‘(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; 
and 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished under 
paragraph (1) (or would be so eligible but for the date of 
the death of the individual).’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5)(A) In carrying out this subsection with respect to a deceased 
individual described in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall fur-
nish, upon request, a headstone or marker under paragraph (1) 
or a medallion under paragraph (4) that signifies the deceased’s 
status as a medal of honor recipient. 
‘‘(B) If the Secretary furnished a headstone, marker, or medal-
lion under paragraph (1) or (4) for a deceased individual described 
in subparagraph (C) that does not signify the deceased’s status 
as a medal of honor recipient, the Secretary shall, upon request, 
replace such headstone, marker, or medallion with a headstone, 
marker, or medallion, as the case may be, that so signifies the 
deceased’s status as a medal of honor recipient. 
‘‘(C) A deceased individual described in this subparagraph is 
a deceased individual who— 
‘‘(i) served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for a headstone or marker furnished under 
paragraph (1) or a medallion furnished under paragraph (4) 
(or would be so eligible for such headstone, marker, or medallion 
but for the date of the death of the individual); and 
‘‘(iii) was awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 
6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14 (including 
posthumously). 
Time period. 
Time period. 
38 USC 2306. 
Effective date. 
38 USC 7253 
note. 
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130 STAT. 1551 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(D) In this paragraph, the term ‘medal of honor recipient’ 
means an individual who is awarded the medal of honor under 
section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14.’’. 
SEC. 302. EXPANSION OF PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 112(a) is amended by striking ‘‘vet-
erans,’’ and all that follows through ‘‘service,’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery by 
reason of any of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 2402(a) 
of this title,’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to the death of a person eligible for burial 
in a national cemetery by reason of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or 
(7) of section 2402(a) of title 38, United States Code, occurring 
before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 303. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STUDY ON MATTERS 
RELATING TO BURIAL OF UNCLAIMED REMAINS OF VET-
ERANS IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES. 
(a) STUDY AND REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after 
the effective date specified in subsection (d), the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall— 
(1) complete a study on matters relating to the interring 
of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under 
the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and 
(2) 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 findings of the Secretary 
with respect to the study required under paragraph (1). 
(b) MATTERS STUDIED.—The matters studied under subsection 
(a)(1) shall include the following: 
(1) Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed 
remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of 
unclaimed remains of veterans. 
(2) Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or 
entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate inter-
ment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries 
under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. 
(3) Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability 
of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in 
national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery 
Administration. 
(4) Developing recommendations for such legislative or 
administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(c) METHODOLOGY.— 
(1) NUMBER OF UNCLAIMED REMAINS.—In estimating the 
number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection 
(b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable enti-
ties as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset 
of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed 
veterans remains. 
(2) ASSESSMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.—In assessing 
State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary 
may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws 
as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing 
all applicable State and local laws. 
Estimate. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Assessment. 
38 USC 112 note. 
38 USC 112. 
Definition. 
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130 STAT. 1552 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect on the 
date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 304. STUDY ON PROVISION OF INTERMENTS IN VETERANS’ CEME-
TERIES DURING WEEKENDS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a study on the feasibility and the need for providing 
increased interments in veterans’ cemeteries on Saturdays and 
Sundays to meet the needs of surviving family members to 
properly honor the deceased. 
(2) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The study under paragraph (1) 
shall include the following: 
(A) The number of requests made for interments in 
veterans’ cemeteries on a Saturday or a Sunday since 
January 1, 2007. 
(B) The number of requests identified under subpara-
graph (A) that were granted. 
(C) An estimate of the number of families that, since 
January 1, 2007, would have selected a weekend interment 
if such an interment would have been offered. 
(D) A review of the practices relating to weekend inter-
ments among non-veterans’ cemeteries, including private 
and municipal cemeteries. 
(E) A comparison of the costs to veterans’ cemeteries 
with respect to providing regular interments only during 
weekdays and such costs for providing regular interments 
during the weekdays and at least 1 weekend day. 
(F) Any other information the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the study under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the following: 
(A) Veterans who are eligible to be interred in a vet-
erans’ cemetery. 
(B) Family members of a deceased individual interred 
in a veterans’ cemetery. 
(C) Veterans service organizations. 
(D) Associations representing cemetery and funeral 
home professionals. 
(E) The heads of agencies of State governments relating 
to veterans affairs. 
(F) The directors of the veterans’ cemeteries. 
(G) Any other person the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
(b) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report on the study conducted under subsection (a). 
(c) VETERANS’ CEMETERIES DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘veterans’ cemeteries’’ means the cemeteries of the National Ceme-
tery Administration, veterans’ cemeteries owned by a State, and 
veterans’ cemeteries owned by a tribal organization. 
SEC. 305. HONORING AS VETERANS CERTAIN PERSONS WHO PER-
FORMED SERVICE IN THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
Any person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of title 10, 
United States Code, to retired pay for nonregular service or, but 
38 USC 101 note. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
Review. 
Estimate. 
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130 STAT. 1553 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
for age, would be entitled under such chapter to retired pay for 
nonregular service shall be honored as a veteran but shall not 
be entitled to any benefit by reason of this honor. 
TITLE IV—EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MARINE GUNNERY SER-
GEANT JOHN DAVID FRY SCHOLARSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 701(d) of the Veterans Access, Choice, 
and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 128 Stat. 
1796; 38 U.S.C. 3311 note) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this section 
shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as 
applicable, commencing on or after January 1, 2015. 
‘‘(2) DEATHS THAT OCCURRED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, 
AND DECEMBER 31, 2005.—For purposes of section 3311(f)(2) of 
title 38, United States Code, any member of the Armed Forces 
who died during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, 
and ending on December 31, 2005, is deemed to have died 
on January 1, 2006.’’. 
(b) ELECTION
ON RECEIPT
OF CERTAIN BENEFITS.—Section 
3311(f) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘A surviving spouse’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (4), a surviving 
spouse’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new para-
graph (4): 
‘‘(4) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN ELECTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An election made under paragraph 
(3) by a spouse described in subparagraph (B) may not 
be treated as irrevocable if such election occurred before 
the date of the enactment of this paragraph. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE SURVIVING SPOUSE.—A spouse described 
in this subparagraph is an individual— 
‘‘(i) who is entitled to assistance under subsection 
(a) pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection (b); and 
‘‘(ii) who was the spouse of a member of the Armed 
Forces who died during the period beginning on Sep-
tember 11, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2005.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (5) of subsection (f) 
of section 3311, as redesignated by subsection (b)(2), is amended 
by striking ‘‘that paragraph’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (9) of sub-
section (b)’’. 
SEC. 402. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR 
PURPOSES OF THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PRO-
GRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3104(b) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new sentences: ‘‘To the maximum extent 
practicable, a course of education or training may be pursued by 
a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program under this chapter 
only if the course is approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 
of this title. The Secretary may waive the requirement under the 
Waiver authority. 
Time period. 
38 USC 3311. 
Time period. 
Effective date. 
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130 STAT. 1554 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines appro-
priate.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to a course of education or training pursued 
by a veteran who first begins a program of rehabilitation under 
chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date 
that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 403. AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
SERVICES BASED ON NEED. 
Section 3104, as amended by section 402, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to administer 
this chapter by prioritizing the provision of services under this 
chapter based on need, as determined by the Secretary. In evalu-
ating need for purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
consider disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, 
qualification for a program of independent living, income, and any 
other factor the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to 
the prioritization of the provision of services under this chapter 
as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a plan describing such changes.’’. 
SEC. 404. REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF STUDENTS RECEIVING POST- 
9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 is amended— 
(1) in section 3325(c)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
paragraph (3): 
‘‘(3) the information received by the Secretary under section 
3326 of this title; and’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3326. Report on student progress 
‘‘As a condition of approval under chapter 36 of this title of 
a course offered by an educational institution (as defined in section 
3452 of this title), each year, each educational institution (as so 
defined) that received a payment in that year on behalf of an 
individual entitled to educational assistance under this chapter 
shall submit to the Secretary such information regarding the aca-
demic progress of the individual as the Secretary may require.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘3326. Report on student progress.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
38 USC 3325 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 3301. 
38 USC 3326. 
Deadline. 
Plan. 
Evaluation. 
Determination. 
38 USC 3104. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 3104 
note. 
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130 STAT. 1555 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
SEC. 
405. 
RECODIFICATION 
AND 
IMPROVEMENT 
OF 
ELECTION 
PROCESS FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33, as amended 
by section 404, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 3327. Election to receive educational assistance 
‘‘(a) INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO ELECT PARTICIPATION IN POST- 
9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—An individual may elect to receive 
educational assistance under this chapter if such individual— 
‘‘(1) as of August 1, 2009— 
‘‘(A) is entitled to basic educational assistance under 
chapter 30 of this title and has used, but retains unused, 
entitlement under that chapter; 
‘‘(B) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 and has used, but retains 
unused, entitlement under the applicable chapter; 
‘‘(C) is entitled to basic educational assistance under 
chapter 30 of this title but has not used any entitlement 
under that chapter; 
‘‘(D) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 but has not used any entitle-
ment under such chapter; 
‘‘(E) is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible 
for receipt of basic educational assistance under chapter 
30 of this title and is making contributions toward such 
assistance under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; 
or 
‘‘(F) is a member of the Armed Forces who is not 
entitled to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 
of this title by reason of an election under section 3011(c)(1) 
or 3012(d)(1) of this title; and 
‘‘(2) as of the date of the individual’s election under this 
paragraph, meets the requirements for entitlement to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter. 
‘‘(b) CESSATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD GI BILL.—Effective 
as of the first month beginning on or after the date of an election 
under subsection (a) of an individual described by paragraph (1)(E) 
of that subsection, the obligation of the individual to make contribu-
tions under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as applicable, 
shall cease, and the requirements of such section shall be deemed 
to be no longer applicable to the individual. 
‘‘(c) REVOCATION OF REMAINING TRANSFERRED ENTITLEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) ELECTION TO REVOKE.—If, on the date an individual 
described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of subsection (a) makes 
an election under that subsection, a transfer of the entitlement 
of the individual to basic educational assistance under section 
3020 of this title is in effect and a number of months of 
the entitlement so transferred remain unutilized, the individual 
may elect to revoke all or a portion of the entitlement so 
transferred that remains unutilized. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF REVOKED ENTITLEMENT.—Any entitle-
ment revoked by an individual under this subsection shall 
no longer be available to the dependent to whom transferred, 
but shall be available to the individual instead for educational 
Effective date. 
Eligibility date. 
38 USC 3327. 
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130 STAT. 1556 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
assistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance with 
the provisions of this section. 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY
OF
UNREVOKED
ENTITLEMENT.—Any 
entitlement described in paragraph (1) that is not revoked 
by an individual in accordance with that paragraph shall 
remain available to the dependent or dependents concerned 
in accordance with the current transfer of such entitlement 
under section 3020 of this title. 
‘‘(d) POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2) and except as 
provided in subsection (e), an individual making an election 
under subsection (a) shall be entitled to educational assistance 
under this chapter in accordance with the provisions of this 
chapter, instead of basic educational assistance under chapter 
30 of this title, or educational assistance under chapter 107, 
1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION
ON
ENTITLEMENT
FOR
CERTAIN
INDIVID-
UALS.—In the case of an individual making an election under 
subsection (a) who is described by paragraph (1)(A) of that 
subsection, the number of months of entitlement of the indi-
vidual to educational assistance under this chapter shall be 
the number of months equal to— 
‘‘(A) the number of months of unused entitlement of 
the individual under chapter 30 of this title, as of the 
date of the election, plus 
‘‘(B) the number of months, if any, of entitlement 
revoked by the individual under subsection (c)(1). 
‘‘(e) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
NOT AVAILABLE UNDER POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the event educational assistance to 
which an individual making an election under subsection (a) 
would be entitled under chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable, is not authorized 
to be available to the individual under the provisions of this 
chapter, the individual shall remain entitled to such educational 
assistance in accordance with the provisions of the applicable 
chapter. 
‘‘(2) CHARGE FOR USE OF ENTITLEMENT.—The utilization 
by an individual of entitlement under paragraph (1) shall be 
chargeable against the entitlement of the individual to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter at the rate of 1 month 
of entitlement under this chapter for each month of entitlement 
utilized by the individual under paragraph (1) (as determined 
as if such entitlement were utilized under the provisions of 
chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 
10, as applicable). 
‘‘(f) ADDITIONAL POST-9/11 ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS HAVING 
MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD GI BILL.— 
‘‘(1) ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.—In the case of an individual 
making an election under subsection (a) who is described by 
subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, 
the amount of educational assistance payable to the individual 
under this chapter as a monthly stipend payable under para-
graph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs 
(2) through (7) of that section (as applicable), shall be the 
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130 STAT. 1557 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
amount otherwise payable as a monthly stipend under the 
applicable paragraph increased by the amount equal to— 
‘‘(A) the total amount of contributions toward basic 
educational assistance made by the individual under sec-
tion 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as of the date of the 
election, multiplied by 
‘‘(B) the fraction— 
‘‘(i) the numerator of which is— 
‘‘(I) the number of months of entitlement to 
basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of 
this title remaining to the individual at the time 
of the election; plus 
‘‘(II) the number of months, if any, of entitle-
ment under chapter 30 of this title revoked by 
the individual under subsection (c)(1); and 
‘‘(ii) the denominator of which is 36 months. 
‘‘(2) MONTHS
OF
REMAINING
ENTITLEMENT
FOR
CERTAIN 
INDIVIDUALS.—In the case of an individual covered by para-
graph (1) who is described by subsection (a)(1)(E), the number 
of months of entitlement to basic educational assistance 
remaining to the individual for purposes of paragraph 
(1)(B)(i)(II) shall be 36 months. 
‘‘(3) TIMING
OF
PAYMENT.—The amount payable with 
respect to an individual under paragraph (1) shall be paid 
to the individual together with the last payment of the monthly 
stipend payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of 
section 3313(c) of this title, or under paragraphs (2) through 
(7) of that section (as applicable), before the exhaustion of 
the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(g) CONTINUING ENTITLEMENT TO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
CRITICAL SKILLS OR SPECIALTY AND ADDITIONAL SERVICE.—An indi-
vidual making an election under subsection (a)(1) who, at the time 
of the election, is entitled to increased educational assistance under 
section 3015(d) of this title, or section 16131(i) of title 10, or supple-
mental educational assistance under subchapter III of chapter 30 
of this title, shall remain entitled to such increased educational 
assistance or supplemental educational assistance in the utilization 
of entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter, in an 
amount equal to the quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, 
equivalent of the monthly amount of such increased educational 
assistance or supplemental educational assistance payable with 
respect to the individual at the time of the election. 
‘‘(h) ALTERNATIVE ELECTION BY SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an individual who, on 
or after January 1, 2017, submits to the Secretary an election 
under this section that the Secretary determines is clearly 
against the interests of the individual, or who fails to make 
an election under this section, the Secretary may make an 
alternative election on behalf of the individual that the Sec-
retary determines is in the best interests of the individual. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE.—If the Secretary makes an election on behalf 
of an individual under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
notify the individual by not later than seven days after making 
such election and shall provide the individual with a 30-day 
period, beginning on the date of the individual’s receipt of 
such notice, during which the individual may modify or revoke 
Time period. 
Effective date. 
Effective date. 
Determination. 
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130 STAT. 1558 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
the election made by the Secretary on the individual’s behalf. 
The Secretary shall include, as part of such notice, a clear 
statement of why the alternative election made by the Secretary 
is in the best interests of the individual as compared to the 
election submitted by the individual. The Secretary shall pro-
vide the notice required under this paragraph by electronic 
means whenever possible. 
‘‘(i) IRREVOCABILITY
OF ELECTIONS.—An election under sub-
section (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter, as amended by section 404, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘3327. Election to receive educational assistance.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Subsection (c) of section 5003 of 
the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Public 
Law 110–252; 38 U.S.C. 3301 note) is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 406. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE. 
Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by striking ‘‘June 30, 2013’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘June 30, 2013, or the period begin-
ning on June 30, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2022’’. 
SEC. 407. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLLMENT BY 
CERTAIN GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND CONSORTIUMS OF 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3684(a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘32, 33,’’ after ‘‘31,’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘educational 
institution’ may include a group, district, or consortium of sepa-
rately accredited educational institutions located in the same State 
that are organized in a manner that facilitates the centralized 
reporting of the enrollments in such group, district, or consortium 
of institutions.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 408. ROLE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES. 
(a) APPROVAL OF CERTAIN COURSES.—Section 3672(b)(2)(A) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the following’’ and all that follows through 
the colon and inserting the following: ‘‘a program of education 
is deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter if a State 
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of 
a State approving agency, determines that the program is one 
of the following programs:’’. 
(b) APPROVAL OF OTHER COURSES.—Section 3675 of such title 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary or a State approving 
agency’’ and inserting ‘‘A State approving agency, or the 
Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving 
agency,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘offered by proprietary for-profit edu-
cational institutions’’ and inserting ‘‘not covered by section 
3672 of this title’’; and 
Applicability. 
38 USC 3684 
note. 
Definition. 
38 USC 3485. 
Time period. 
38 USC 
prec. 3301. 
Statement. 
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130 STAT. 1559 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘the Secretary or the State approving agency’’ and inserting 
‘‘the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting 
in the role of a State approving agency,’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the Secretary or 
the State approving agency’’ and inserting ‘‘the State 
approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the 
role of a State approving agency’’. 
SEC. 409. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL FOR PUR-
POSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF PROGRAMS 
DESIGNED TO PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR LICENSURE OR 
CERTIFICATION. 
(a) APPROVAL OF NONACCREDITED COURSES.—Subsection (c) of 
section 3676 is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); 
and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(14) In the case of a course designed to prepare an indi-
vidual for licensure or certification in a State, the course— 
‘‘(A) meets all instructional curriculum licensure or 
certification requirements of such State; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an 
individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is accred-
ited by an accrediting agency or association recognized 
by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part 
H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1099b). 
‘‘(15) In the case of a course designed to prepare an indi-
vidual for employment pursuant to standards developed by 
a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires 
approval, licensure, or certification, the course— 
‘‘(A) meets such standards; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an 
individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is accred-
ited by an accrediting agency or association recognized 
by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part 
H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1099b).’’. 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.—Such section is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f)(1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph 
(14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a course of education 
offered by an educational institution (either accredited or not accred-
ited) if the Secretary determines all of the following: 
‘‘(A) The educational institution is not accredited by an 
agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education. 
‘‘(B) The course did not meet the requirements of such 
paragraph at any time during the 2-year period preceding the 
date of the waiver. 
‘‘(C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational 
assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would 
further the education interests of individuals eligible for assist-
ance under such programs. 
Time period. 
Waiver authority. 
Determination. 
38 USC 3676. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(D) The educational institution does not provide any 
commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly 
or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial 
aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting 
or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the 
award of student financial assistance, except for the recruit-
ment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who 
are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary 
issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress notice of such waiver and a justification for issuing 
such waiver.’’. 
(c) APPROVAL OF ACCREDITED COURSES.—Section 3675(b)(3) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3), (14), (15), and 
(16)’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
‘‘(or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the require-
ments under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to sub-
section (f)(1) of section 3676 of this title)’’. 
(d) APPROVAL OF ACCREDITED STANDARD COLLEGE DEGREE PRO-
GRAMS OFFERED
AT PUBLIC
OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS.—Section 3672(b)(2) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ‘‘An accredited’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an accred-
ited’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) A course that is described in both subparagraph (A)(i) 
of this paragraph and in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 3676(c) 
of this title shall not be deemed to be approved for purposes of 
this chapter unless— 
‘‘(i) a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting 
in the role of a State approving agency, determines that the 
course meets the applicable criteria in such paragraphs; or 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary issues a waiver for such course under 
section 3676(f)(1) of this title.’’. 
(e) DISAPPROVAL OF COURSES.—Section 3679 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the 
Secretary or the applicable State approving agency shall disapprove 
a course of education described in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 
3676(c) of this title unless the educational institution providing 
the course of education— 
‘‘(1) publicly discloses any conditions or additional require-
ments, including training, experience, or examinations, required 
to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the 
course of education is designed to provide preparation; and 
‘‘(2) makes each disclosure required by paragraph (1) in 
a manner that the Secretary considers prominent (as specified 
by the Secretary in regulations prescribed for purposes of this 
subsection).’’. 
(f) APPLICABILITY.—If after enrollment in a course of education 
that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made 
by this section, an individual pursues one or more courses of edu-
cation at the same educational institution while remaining continu-
ously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks 
between courses, semesters, or terms) at that institution, any course 
38 USC 3672 
note. 
Regulations. 
Public 
information. 
Waiver. 
Determination. 
38 USC 3675. 
Deadline. 
Notification. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
so pursued by the individual at that institution while so continu-
ously enrolled shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of 
such amendment. 
SEC. 410. CRITERIA USED TO APPROVE COURSES. 
(a) NONACCREDITED
COURSES.—Paragraph (16) of section 
3676(c), as redesignated by section 409, is amended by inserting 
before the period the following: ‘‘if the Secretary, in consultation 
with the State approving agency and pursuant to regulations pre-
scribed to carry out this paragraph, determines such criteria are 
necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit edu-
cational institutions equitably’’. 
(b) ACCREDITED COURSES.—Section 3675(b)(3) is amended by 
striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3), and (14)’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to— 
(1) criteria developed pursuant to paragraph (16) of sub-
section (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, 
on or after January 1, 2013; and 
(2) an investigation conducted under such subsection that 
is covered by a reimbursement of expenses paid by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to a State pursuant to section 3674 
of such title on or after October 1, 2015. 
SEC. 411. COMPLIANCE SURVEYS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3693 is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
new subsection (a): 
‘‘(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary shall 
conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions 
and training establishments offering one or more courses approved 
for the enrollment of eligible veterans or persons if at least 20 
such veterans or persons are enrolled in any such course. The 
Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) design the compliance surveys to ensure that such 
institutions or establishments, as the case may be, and 
approved courses are in compliance with all applicable provi-
sions of chapters 30 through 36 of this title; 
‘‘(B) survey each such educational institution and training 
establishment not less than once during every 2-year period; 
and 
‘‘(C) assign not fewer than 1 education compliance specialist 
to work on compliance surveys in any year for each 40 compli-
ance surveys required to be made under this section for such 
year. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the State approving 
agencies, shall— 
‘‘(A) annually determine the parameters of the surveys 
required under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) not later than September 1 of each year, make avail-
able to the State approving agencies a list of the educational 
institutions and training establishments that will be surveyed 
during the fiscal year following the date of making such list 
available.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) In this section, the terms ‘educational institution’ and 
‘training establishment’ have the meanings given such terms in 
section 3452 of this title.’’. 
Consultation. 
Deadlines. 
Effective dates. 
38 USC 3676 
note. 
Consultation. 
Determination. 
38 USC 3676. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Subsection (b) of such section 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘subsection (a) of this section for an annual 
compliance survey’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1) for a compli-
ance survey’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘institution’’ and inserting ‘‘educational 
institution or training establishment’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘institution’s demonstrated record of compli-
ance’’ and inserting ‘‘record of compliance of such institution 
or establishment’’. 
SEC. 412. MODIFICATION OF REDUCTIONS IN REPORTING FEE MULTI-
PLIERS FOR PAYMENTS BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2017.—During the period begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on 
September 25, 2017, the second sentence of section 3684(c) of title 
38, United States Code, shall be applied— 
(1) by substituting ‘‘$6’’ for ‘‘$12’’; and 
(2) by substituting ‘‘$12’’ for ‘‘$15’’. 
(b) SEPTEMBER 26, 2017, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2026.— 
During the period beginning on September 26, 2017, and ending 
on September 25, 2026, the second sentence of such section shall 
be applied— 
(1) by substituting ‘‘$7’’ for ‘‘$12’’; and 
(2) by substituting ‘‘$12’’ for ‘‘$15’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 406 of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113–175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note), as amended by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016, is amended 
by striking ‘‘During the three-year period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘During the period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending 
on the day before the date of the enactment of the Jeff Miller 
and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 413. COMPOSITION OF VETERANS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
EDUCATION. 
Section 3692(a) is amended in the second sentence by striking 
‘‘veterans representative of World War II’’ and all that follows 
through the period at the end of that sentence and inserting the 
following: ‘‘a representative sample of veterans and other individ-
uals who have used, or may in the future use, educational assistance 
benefits administered by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 414. SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS USING THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO 
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) SURVEY REQUIRED.—By not later than 270 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall enter into a contract with a non-government entity for the 
conduct of a survey of a statistically valid sample of individuals 
who have used or are using their entitlement to educational assist-
ance under chapters 30, 32, 33, and 35 of title 38, United States 
Code, to pursue a program of education or training. The contract 
shall provide that— 
Deadlines. 
Contracts. 
38 USC 3692. 
Time period. 
Effective date. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 3684 
note. 
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(1) not later than 1 month before the collection of data 
under the survey begins, the survey shall be submitted to 
the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives; 
(2) the non-government entity shall complete the survey 
and submit to the Secretary the results of the survey by not 
later than 180 days after entering into the contract; and 
(3) the survey shall be conducted by electronic means and 
by any other means the non-government entity determines 
appropriate. 
(b) INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED.—The contract under sub-
section (a) shall provide that the survey shall be designed to collect 
the following types of information about each individual surveyed, 
where applicable: 
(1) Demographic information, including the highest level 
of education completed by the individual, the military occupa-
tional specialty or specialties of the individual while serving 
on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces or as a 
member of the National Guard or of a Reserve Component 
of the Armed Forces, and whether the individual has a service- 
connected disability. 
(2) The opinion of the individual regarding participation 
in the transition assistance program under section 1144 of 
title 10, United States Code, and the effectiveness of the pro-
gram, including instruction on the use of the benefits under 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(3) The resources the individual used to help the indi-
vidual— 
(A) decide to use the individual’s entitlement to edu-
cational assistance to enroll in a program of education 
or training; and 
(B) choose the program of education or training the 
individual pursued. 
(4) The individual’s goal when the individual enrolled in 
the program of education or training. 
(5) The nature of the individual’s experience with the edu-
cation benefits processing system of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
(6) The nature of the individual’s experience with the school 
certifying official of the educational institution where the indi-
vidual pursued the program of education or training who proc-
essed the individual’s claim. 
(7) Any services or benefits the educational institution or 
program of education or training provided to veterans while 
the individual pursued the program of education or training. 
(8) The type of educational institution at which the indi-
vidual pursued the program of education or training. 
(9) Whether the individual completed the program of edu-
cation or training or the number of credit hours completed 
by the individual as of the time of the survey, and, if applicable, 
any degree or certificate obtained by the individual for com-
pleting the program. 
(10) The employment status of the individual and whether 
such employment status differs from the employment status 
of the individual prior to enrolling in the program of education 
or training. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(11) Whether the individual is or was enrolled in a program 
of education on a full-time or part-time basis. 
(12) The opinion of the individual on the effectiveness 
of the educational assistance program of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs under which the individual was entitled to 
educational assistance. 
(13) Whether the individual was ever entitled to a 
rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, 
and whether the individual participated in such a program. 
(14) A description of any circumstances that prevented 
the individual from using the individual’s entitlement to edu-
cational assistance to pursue a desired career path or degree. 
(15) Whether the individual is using the individual’s entitle-
ment to educational assistance to pursue a program of education 
or training or has transferred such an entitlement to a 
dependent. 
(16) Such other matters as the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after receiving the results 
of the survey required under this section, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the results of the survey and any 
recommendations of the Secretary relating to such results. Such 
report shall also include an unedited version of the results of 
the survey submitted by the non-government entity that conducted 
the survey. 
SEC. 415. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF 
INFORMATION ON ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN 
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING. 
(a) INFORMATION.—Department of Veterans Affairs counselors 
who provide educational or vocational counseling services pursuant 
to section 3697A of title 38, United States Code, shall provide 
to any eligible individual who requests such counseling services 
information about the articulation agreements of each institution 
of higher learning in which the individual is interested. 
(b) CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY.—When the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs provides to an individual a certification of eligibility 
for educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, the Secretary shall also include detailed information on 
such educational assistance, including information on requesting 
education counseling services and on articulation agreements. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘institution of higher learning’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 3452(f) of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘articulation agreement’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 486A of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (Public Law 89–329; 20 U.S.C. 1093a). 
(d) DEADLINE
FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall implement this section not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
38 USC 3067A. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
SEC. 416. RETENTION OF ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSIST-
ANCE DURING CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF ACTIVE 
DUTY. 
(a) 
EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE
ALLOWANCE.—Section 
16131(c)(3)(B)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 12304b’’. 
(b) EXPIRATION DATE.—Section 16133(b)(4) of such title is 
amended by striking ‘‘or 12304’’ and inserting ‘‘12304, 12304a, or 
12304b’’. 
SEC. 417. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO IN-STATE TUITION 
RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO WHOM ENTITLEMENT IS 
TRANSFERRED 
UNDER 
ALL-VOLUNTEER 
FORCE 
EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND POST-9/11 EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—Subparagraph (B) of section 
3679(c)(2) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under— 
‘‘(i) section 3311(b)(9) of this title; or 
‘‘(ii) section 3319 of this title by virtue of the 
individual’s relationship to— 
‘‘(I) a veteran described in subparagraph (A); 
or 
‘‘(II) a member of the uniformed services 
described in section 3319(b) of this title who is 
serving on active duty.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to a course, semester, or term that begins 
after July 1, 2017. 
SEC. 418. STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VETERANS TRANSITION 
EFFORTS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense, shall 
carry out a study to evaluate programs to assist veterans of the 
Armed Forces in their transition to civilian life. Such study shall 
be designed to determine the effectiveness of current programs, 
especially in regards to the unique challenges faced by women 
veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans 
(including Alaska Native veterans and Native Hawaiian veterans), 
veterans who are residents of a territory of the United States, 
veterans who are part of the indigenous population of a territory 
of the United States, and other groups of minority veterans identi-
fied by the Secretaries, including whether such programs— 
(1) effectively address the challenges veterans face in pur-
suing higher education, especially the challenges faced by such 
groups of minority veterans; 
(2) effectively address the challenges such veterans face 
entering the civilian workforce and in translating experience 
and skills from military service to the job market; and 
(3) effectively address the challenges faced by the families 
of such veterans transitioning to civilian life. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 540 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report regarding the findings and recommenda-
tions of the study required under subsection (a). 
Determination. 
Coordination. 
Evaluation. 
38 USC 3679. 
10 USC 16131. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(c) PROHIBITION ON AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—No 
additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of 
this section. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts 
otherwise authorized. 
TITLE V—SMALL BUSINESS AND 
EMPLOYMENT MATTERS 
SEC. 501. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT UNDER CONTRACTING 
GOALS AND PREFERENCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (h) of section 8127 is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘rated as’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘disability.’’ and inserting a period; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (C) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(C) The date that— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran 
with a service-connected disability rated as 100 percent 
disabling or who dies as a result of a service-connected 
disability, is 10 years after the date of the veteran’s death; 
or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran 
with a service-connected disability rated as less than 100 
percent disabling who does not die as a result of a service- 
connected disability, is 3 years after the date of the vet-
eran’s death.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—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 contracts 
awarded on or after such date. 
SEC. 502. LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND 
PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 41 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and 
placement service for veterans 
‘‘(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—(1) The Secretary shall enter into a 
contract with a non-government entity to conduct a longitudinal 
study of a statistically valid sample of each of the groups of individ-
uals described in paragraph (2). The contract shall provide for 
the study of each such group over a period of at least 5 years. 
‘‘(2) The groups of individuals described in this paragraph are 
the following: 
‘‘(A) Veterans who have received intensive services. 
‘‘(B) Veterans who did not receive intensive services but 
who otherwise received services under this chapter. 
‘‘(C) Veterans who did not seek or receive services under 
this chapter. 
‘‘(3) The study required by this subsection shall include the 
collection of the following information for each individual who 
participates in the study: 
‘‘(A) The average number of months such individual served 
on active duty. 
Time period. 
Contracts. 
38 USC 3415. 
Applicability. 
Contracts. 
38 USC 8127 
note. 
Time periods. 
38 USC 8127. 
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130 STAT. 1567 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(B) The disability ratings of such individual. 
‘‘(C) Any unemployment benefits received by such indi-
vidual. 
‘‘(D) The average number of months such individual was 
employed during the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(E) The average annual starting and ending salaries of 
any such individual who was employed during the year covered 
by the report. 
‘‘(F) The average annual income of such individual. 
‘‘(G) The average total household income of such individual 
for the year covered by the report. 
‘‘(H) The percentage of such individuals who own their 
principal residences. 
‘‘(I) The employment status of such individual. 
‘‘(J) In the case of such an individual who received services 
under this chapter, whether the individual believes that any 
service provided by a disabled veterans’ outreach program spe-
cialist or local veterans’ employment representative helped the 
individual to become employed. 
‘‘(K) In the case of such an individual who believes such 
a service helped the individual to become employed, whether— 
‘‘(i) the individual retained the position of employment 
for a period of 1 year or longer; and 
‘‘(ii) the individual believes such a service helped the 
individual to secure a higher wage or salary. 
‘‘(L) The conditions under which such individual was dis-
charged or released from the Armed Forces. 
‘‘(M) Whether such individual has used any educational 
assistance to which the individual is entitled under this title. 
‘‘(N) Whether such individual has participated in a 
rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title. 
‘‘(O) Whether such individual had contact with a One- 
Stop Career Center employee while attending a workshop or 
job fair under the Transition GPS Program of the Department 
of Defense. 
‘‘(P) Demographic information about such individual. 
‘‘(Q) Such other information as the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) By not later than July 1 of each 
year covered by the study required under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary 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 outcomes of the study during the 
preceding year. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under 
paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(A) Information with respect to job fairs attended by One- 
Stop Career Center employees at which the employees had 
contact with a veteran, including, for the year preceding the 
year in which the report is submitted, the following: 
‘‘(i) The number of job fairs attended by One-Stop 
Career Center employees at which the employees had con-
tact with a veteran. 
‘‘(ii) The number of veterans contacted at each such 
job fair. 
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130 STAT. 1568 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(B) Such information as the Secretary determines is nec-
essary to determine the long-term outcomes of the individuals 
in the groups described in subsection (a)(2).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement service for vet-
erans.’’. 
SEC. 503. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES 
OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 is amended by inserting after 
section 715 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 717. Limitation on administrative leave 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Secretary may not place any covered individual on administrative 
leave, or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge 
to leave, for more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day 
period. 
‘‘(b) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the limitation under 
subsection (a) and extend the administrative leave or other paid 
non-duty status without charge to leave of a covered individual 
placed on such leave or status under subsection (a) if the Secretary 
submits to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a detailed explanation of the reasons 
the individual was placed on administrative leave or other paid 
non-duty status without charge to leave and the reasons for the 
extension of such leave or status. Such explanation shall include 
the job title and grade of the covered individual and the location 
where the individual is employed. 
‘‘(c) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—In this section, the term ‘covered 
individual’ means an employee of the Department— 
‘‘(1) who is subject to an investigation for purposes of 
determining whether such individual should be subject to any 
disciplinary action under this title or title 5; or 
‘‘(2) against whom any disciplinary action is proposed or 
initiated under this title or title 5.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 715 the following new item: 
‘‘717. Limitation on administrative leave.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—Section 717 of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any 
365-day period beginning on or after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 504. REQUIRED COORDINATION BETWEEN DIRECTORS FOR VET-
ERANS’ 
EMPLOYMENT 
AND 
TRAINING 
WITH 
STATE 
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4103 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND 
VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Each Director for Veterans’ Employment and 
Training for a State shall coordinate the Director’s activities under 
38 USC 4103. 
Time period. 
Effective date. 
38 USC 717 note. 
38 USC 
prec. 701. 
Definition. 
Explanation. 
Time period. 
38 USC 717. 
38 USC 
prec. 4100. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
this chapter with the State department of labor and the State 
department of veterans affairs.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (c) of such section, as added 
by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE VI—HEALTH CARE MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Medical Care 
SEC. 601. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 
MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE ACCOUNT OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 117(c) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Community 
Care.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1105(a)(37) of title 31, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Commu-
nity Care.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 2017. 
SEC. 602. IMPROVED ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE IMMUNIZATIONS FOR 
VETERANS. 
(a) INCLUSION
OF RECOMMENDED ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS
AS 
MEDICAL SERVICES.— 
(1) COVERED BENEFIT.—Subparagraph (F) of section 1701(9) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(F) 
immunizations 
against 
infectious 
diseases, 
including each immunization on the recommended adult 
immunization schedule at the time such immunization is 
indicated on that schedule;’’. 
(2) 
RECOMMENDED
ADULT
IMMUNIZATION
SCHEDULE 
DEFINED.—Section 1701 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(10) The term ‘recommended adult immunization schedule’ 
means the schedule established (and periodically reviewed and, 
as appropriate, revised) by the Advisory Committee on 
Immunization Practices established by the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services and delegated to the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.’’. 
(b) INCLUSION
OF RECOMMENDED ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS
IN 
ANNUAL REPORT.—Section 1704(1)(A) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause: 
‘‘(iii) to provide veterans each immunization on 
the recommended adult immunization schedule at the 
time such immunization is indicated on that schedule.’’. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
Effective date. 
38 USC 117. 
38 USC 4103 
note. 
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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 
development 
and 
implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
quality measures and metrics, including targets for compliance, 
to ensure that veterans receiving medical services under 
chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, receive each 
immunization on the recommended adult immunization 
schedule at the time such immunization is indicated on that 
schedule. 
(2) 
RECOMMENDED
ADULT
IMMUNIZATION
SCHEDULE 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘recommended adult 
immunization schedule’’ has the meaning given that term in 
section 1701(10) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a)(2). 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section or the 
amendments made by this section may be construed to require 
a veteran to receive an immunization that the veteran does not 
want to receive. 
SEC. 603. PRIORITY OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS IN HEALTH 
CARE SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) ENROLLMENT PRIORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1705(a) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting the following: ‘‘and veterans who were 
awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, 
or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘veterans who were 
awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, 
or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14,’’. 
(2) APPLICATION.—The priority of enrollment of medal of 
honor recipients in the system of annual patient enrollment 
established and operated under section 1705(a) of such title, 
as amended by paragraph (1), shall apply to each such recipient, 
regardless of the date on which the medal is awarded. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Section 1710(a)(2)(D) is amended by inserting 
after ‘‘war’’ the following: ‘‘, who was awarded the medal of honor 
under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of 
title 14,’’. 
(c) 
EXTENDED
CARE
SERVICES.—Section 
1710B(c)(2) 
is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor 
under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 
of title 14.’’. 
(d) COPAYMENT
FOR
MEDICATIONS.—Section 1722A(a)(3) is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
38 USC 1705 
note. 
38 USC 1705. 
38 USC 1701 
note. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor 
under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 
of title 14.’’. 
SEC. 604. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
COLLECT HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM 
VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
inserting after section 1705 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1705A. Management of health care: information regarding 
health-plan contracts 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Any individual who seeks hospital care 
or medical services under this chapter shall provide to the Secretary 
such current information as the Secretary may require to identify 
any health-plan contract under which such individual is covered. 
‘‘(2) The information required to be provided to the Secretary 
under paragraph (1) with respect to a health-plan contract shall 
include, as applicable, the following: 
‘‘(A) The name of the entity providing coverage under the 
health-plan contract. 
‘‘(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract is in the 
name of an individual other than the individual required to 
provide information under this section, the name of the policy 
holder of the health-plan contract. 
‘‘(C) The identification number for the health-plan contract. 
‘‘(D) The group code for the health-plan contract. 
‘‘(b) ACTION TO COLLECT INFORMATION.—The Secretary may 
take such action as the Secretary considers appropriate to collect 
the information required under subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) EFFECT ON SERVICES FROM DEPARTMENT.—The Secretary 
may not deny any services under this chapter to an individual 
solely due to the fact that the individual fails to provide information 
required under subsection (a). 
‘‘(d) HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘health-plan contract’ has the meaning given that term in 
section 1725(f) of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1705 the following new item: 
‘‘1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan contracts.’’. 
SEC. 605. MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED 
IN CLASSIFIED MISSIONS. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
veterans who experience combat-related mental health wounds 
should have immediate, appropriate, and consistent access to com-
prehensive mental health care. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who served 
in classified missions 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS.—(1) The Secretary shall 
establish standards and procedures to ensure that each eligible 
veteran may access mental health care furnished by the Secretary 
Procedures. 
38 USC 1720H. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
38 USC 1705A. 
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PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
in a manner that fully accommodates the obligation of the veteran 
to not improperly disclose classified information. 
‘‘(2) In establishing standards and procedures under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Defense to 
ensure that such standards and procedures are consistent with 
the policies on classified information of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall disseminate guidance to employees 
of the Veterans Health Administration, including mental health 
professionals, on the standards and procedures established under 
paragraph (1) and how to best engage eligible veterans during 
the course of mental health treatment with respect to classified 
information. 
‘‘(b) IDENTIFICATION.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall ensure that a veteran may elect to identify as an eligible 
veteran on an appropriate form. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘classified information’ means any informa-
tion or material that has been determined by an official of 
the United States pursuant to law to require protection against 
unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national security. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘eligible veteran’ means a veteran who— 
‘‘(A) is eligible to receive health care furnished by 
the Department under this title; 
‘‘(B) is seeking mental health treatment; and 
‘‘(C) in the course of serving in the Armed Forces, 
participated in a sensitive mission or served in a sensitive 
unit. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘sensitive mission’ means a mission of the 
Armed Forces that, at the time at which an eligible veteran 
seeks treatment, is classified. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘sensitive unit’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 130b(c)(4) of title 10.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1720G the following new item: 
‘‘1720H. Mental health treatment for veterans who served in classified missions.’’. 
SEC. 606. EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS 
AND WOMEN IN LABOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 
by inserting after section 1784 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency medical 
conditions and women in labor 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a hospital of the Department 
that has an emergency department, if any individual comes to 
the hospital or the campus of the hospital and a request is made 
on behalf of the individual for examination or treatment for a 
medical condition, the hospital must provide for an appropriate 
medical screening examination within the capability of the emer-
gency department, including ancillary services routinely available 
to the emergency department, to determine whether or not an 
emergency medical condition exists. 
‘‘(b) NECESSARY STABILIZING TREATMENT FOR EMERGENCY MED-
ICAL CONDITIONS AND LABOR.—(1) If any individual comes to a 
hospital of the Department that has an emergency department 
Informed 
consent. 
38 USC 1784A. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
Guidance. 
Consultation. 
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130 STAT. 1573 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
or the campus of such a hospital and the hospital determines 
that the individual has an emergency medical condition, the hospital 
must provide either— 
‘‘(A) within the staff and facilities available at the hospital, 
for such further medical examination and such treatment as 
may be required to stabilize the medical condition; or 
‘‘(B) for transfer of the individual to another medical facility 
in accordance with subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph 
(1)(A) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers the indi-
vidual the further medical examination and treatment described 
in that paragraph and informs the individual (or a person acting 
on behalf of the individual) of the risks and benefits to the individual 
of such examination and treatment, but the individual (or a person 
acting on behalf of the individual) refuses to consent to the examina-
tion and treatment. The hospital shall take all reasonable steps 
to secure the written informed consent of the individual (or person) 
to refuse such examination and treatment. 
‘‘(3) A hospital is deemed to meet the requirement of paragraph 
(1)(B) with respect to an individual if the hospital offers to transfer 
the individual to another medical facility in accordance with sub-
section (c) and informs the individual (or a person acting on behalf 
of the individual) of the risks and benefits to the individual of 
such transfer, but the individual (or a person acting on behalf 
of the individual) refuses to consent to the transfer. The hospital 
shall take all reasonable steps to secure the written informed con-
sent of the individual (or person) to refuse such transfer. 
‘‘(c) RESTRICTING TRANSFERS UNTIL INDIVIDUAL STABILIZED.— 
(1) If an individual at a hospital of the Department has an emer-
gency medical condition that has not been stabilized, the hospital 
may not transfer the individual unless— 
‘‘(A)(i) the individual (or a legally responsible person acting 
on behalf of the individual), after being informed of the obliga-
tions of the hospital under this section and of the risk of 
transfer, requests, in writing, transfer to another medical 
facility; 
‘‘(ii) a physician of the Department has signed a certifi-
cation that, based upon the information available at the time 
of transfer, the medical benefits reasonably expected from the 
provision of appropriate medical treatment at another medical 
facility outweigh the increased risks to the individual and, 
in the case of labor, to the unborn child from effecting the 
transfer; or 
‘‘(iii) if a physician of the Department is not physically 
present in the emergency department at the time an individual 
is transferred, a qualified medical person (as defined by the 
Secretary for purposes of this section) has signed a certification 
described in clause (ii) after a physician of the Department, 
in consultation with the person, has made the determination 
described in such clause, and subsequently countersigns the 
certification; and 
‘‘(B) the transfer is an appropriate transfer to that facility. 
‘‘(2) A certification described in clause (ii) or (iii) of paragraph 
(1)(A) shall include a summary of the risks and benefits upon 
which the certification is based. 
‘‘(3) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), an appropriate transfer 
to a medical facility is a transfer— 
Summary. 
Consultation. 
Certification. 
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130 STAT. 1574 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(A) in which the transferring hospital provides the medical 
treatment within its capacity that minimizes the risks to the 
health of the individual and, in the case of a woman in labor, 
the health of the unborn child; 
‘‘(B) in which the receiving facility— 
‘‘(i) has available space and qualified personnel for 
the treatment of the individual; and 
‘‘(ii) has agreed to accept transfer of the individual 
and to provide appropriate medical treatment; 
‘‘(C) in which the transferring hospital sends to the 
receiving facility all medical records (or copies thereof) available 
at the time of the transfer relating to the emergency medical 
condition for which the individual has presented, including— 
‘‘(i) observations of signs or symptoms; 
‘‘(ii) preliminary diagnosis; 
‘‘(iii) treatment provided; 
‘‘(iv) the results of any tests; and 
‘‘(v) the informed written request or certification (or 
copy thereof) provided under paragraph (1)(A); 
‘‘(D) in which the transfer is effected through qualified 
personnel and transportation equipment, including the use of 
necessary and medically appropriate life support measures 
during the transfer; and 
‘‘(E) that meets such other requirements as the Secretary 
considers necessary in the interest of the health and safety 
of the individual or individuals transferred. 
‘‘(d) PAYMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT.—The Secretary shall charge 
for any care or services provided under this section in accordance 
with billing and reimbursement authorities available to the Sec-
retary under other provisions of law. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘campus’ means, with respect to a hospital 
of the Department— 
‘‘(A) the physical area immediately adjacent to the 
main buildings of the hospital; 
‘‘(B) other areas and structures that are not strictly 
contiguous to the main buildings but are located not more 
than 250 yards from the main buildings; and 
‘‘(C) any other areas determined by the Secretary to 
be part of the campus of the hospital. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘emergency medical condition’ means— 
‘‘(A) a medical condition manifesting itself by acute 
symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such 
that the absence of immediate medical attention could 
reasonably be expected to result in— 
‘‘(i) placing the health of the individual (or, with 
respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman 
or her unborn child) in serious jeopardy; 
‘‘(ii) serious impairment to bodily functions; or 
‘‘(iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or 
part; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a pregnant woman, a stage of 
labor that a medical provider determines indicates— 
‘‘(i) that there is inadequate time to effect a safe 
transfer to another hospital before delivery; or 
‘‘(ii) that transfer may pose a threat to the health 
or safety of the woman or the unborn child. 
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130 STAT. 1575 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(3)(A) The term ‘to stabilize’ means— 
‘‘(i) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(A), to provide such medical 
treatment of the condition as may be necessary to assure, 
within reasonable medical probability, that no material 
deterioration of the condition is likely to result from or 
occur during the transfer of the individual from a facility; 
or 
‘‘(ii) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(B), to deliver (including the 
placenta). 
‘‘(B) The term ‘stabilized’ means— 
‘‘(i) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(A), that no material deteriora-
tion of the condition is likely, within reasonable medical 
probability, to result from or occur during the transfer 
of the individual from a facility; or 
‘‘(ii) with respect to an emergency medical condition 
described in paragraph (2)(B), that the woman has deliv-
ered (including the placenta). 
‘‘(4) The term ‘transfer’ means the movement (including 
the discharge) of an individual outside the facilities of a hospital 
of the Department at the direction of any person employed 
by (or affiliated or associated, directly or indirectly, with) the 
hospital, but does not include such a movement of an individual 
who— 
‘‘(A) has been declared dead; or 
‘‘(B) leaves the facility without the permission of any 
such person.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1784 the following new item: 
‘‘1784A. Examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and women 
in labor.’’. 
Subtitle B—Veterans Health 
Administration 
SEC. 611. TIME PERIOD COVERED BY ANNUAL REPORT ON READJUST-
MENT COUNSELING SERVICE. 
Section 7309(e)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘calendar year’’ and 
inserting ‘‘fiscal year’’. 
SEC. 612. ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 
AND FURNISHING OF HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERV-
ICES, AND NURSING HOME CARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration 
and furnishing of hospital care, medical services, 
and nursing home care 
‘‘(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than March 1 of each of 
years 2018 through 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on, 
38 USC 7330B. 
38 USC 7309. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
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130 STAT. 1576 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
for the calendar year preceding the calendar year during which 
the report is submitted— 
‘‘(1) the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and 
nursing home care under the laws administered by the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(2) the administration of the furnishing of such care and 
services by the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include each of the following for the year covered by the report: 
‘‘(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
Health Administration in increasing the access of veterans 
to hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care fur-
nished by the Secretary for which such veterans are eligible. 
‘‘(2) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
Health Administration in improving the quality of health care 
provided to veterans, without increasing the costs incurred 
for such health care by the Federal Government or veterans, 
including relevant information for each medical center and 
Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department set 
forth separately. 
‘‘(3) An assessment of— 
‘‘(A) the workload of physicians and other employees 
of the Veterans Health Administration; 
‘‘(B) patient demographics and utilization rates; 
‘‘(C) physician compensation; 
‘‘(D) the productivity of physicians and other employees 
of the Veterans Health Administration; 
‘‘(E) the percentage of hospital care, medical services, 
and nursing home care provided to veterans in facilities 
of the Department and in non-Department facilities and 
any changes in such percentages compared to the year 
preceding the year covered by the report; 
‘‘(F) pharmaceutical prices; and 
‘‘(G) third-party health billings owed to the Depart-
ment, including the total amount of such billings and the 
total amount collected by the Department, set forth sepa-
rately for claims greater than $1,000 and for claims equal 
to or less than $1,000. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘hospital care’, 
‘medical services’, ‘nursing home care’, ‘facilities of the Department’, 
and ‘non-Department facilities’ have the meanings given those terms 
in section 1701 of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 7330A the following new item: 
‘‘7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing of hos-
pital care, medical services, and nursing home care.’’. 
SEC. 613. EXPANSION OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSED MENTAL 
HEALTH COUNSELORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE DOCTORAL DEGREES. 
Section 7402(b)(11)(A) is amended by inserting ‘‘or doctoral 
degree’’ after ‘‘master’s degree’’. 
38 USC 7402. 
38 USC 
prec. 7301. 
Assessment. 
Evaluations. 
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130 STAT. 1577 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
SEC. 614. MODIFICATION OF HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR PHYSI-
CIANS EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
Section 7423(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) The hours’’ and inserting ‘‘(a)(1) Except 
as provided in paragraph (2), the hours’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2)(A) Upon the advance written request of a covered physician, 
the Secretary may modify the hours of employment for a physician 
appointed in the Administration under any provision of this chapter 
on a full-time basis to be more or less than 80 hours in a biweekly 
pay period, subject to the requirements in subparagraph (B). For 
the purpose of determining pay, such a physician shall be deemed 
to have a biweekly schedule of 80 hours of employment. 
‘‘(B) A physician with an irregular work schedule established 
under subparagraph (A) shall be obligated to account for at least 
2,080 hours of employment (through performance of work or use 
of leave or paid time off) in a calendar year. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to implement 
this paragraph, including regulations making adjustments to 
address the annual hours requirement for physicians who are cov-
ered by this paragraph for only a portion of a calendar year.’’. 
SEC. 615. REPEAL OF COMPENSATION PANELS TO DETERMINE 
MARKET PAY FOR PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS. 
Section 7431(c) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) as para-
graphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and 
(3) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘under 
paragraph (6)’’ and inserting ‘‘under paragraph (5)’’. 
SEC. 616. CLARIFICATION REGARDING LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF 
AGREEMENT UNDER DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 
Section 7675(b)(1)(E) is amended by striking ‘‘In the case of 
a participant who is a part-time student, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’. 
SEC. 617. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR INCREASE IN GRADUATE MED-
ICAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY POSITIONS AT MEDICAL 
FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2) of section 301(b) of the Vet-
erans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113–146; 38 U.S.C. 7302 note) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘FIVE-YEAR’’ and 
inserting ‘‘TEN-YEAR’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘5-year period’’ and 
inserting ‘‘10-year period’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Paragraph (3)(A) of such section is amended by 
striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2024’’. 
SEC. 618. REPORT ON PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH BY DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than each of 180 days and 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report on increasing public access to scientific 
38 USC 7423. 
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130 STAT. 1578 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
publications and digital data from research funded by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) An identification of the location or locations in which 
the public will be able to access the results of research funded 
by the Department, whether on an Internet website of the 
Department or through another source. 
(2) A description of the progress made by the Department 
in meeting public access requirements set forth in the notice 
entitled ‘‘Policy and Implementation Plan for Public Access 
to Scientific Publications and Digital Data from Research 
Funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs’’ (80 Fed. Reg. 
60751), including the following: 
(A) Compliance of Department investigators with 
requirements relating to ensuring that research funded 
by the Department is accessible by the public. 
(B) Ensuring data management plans of the Depart-
ment include provisions for long-term preservation of the 
scientific data resulting from research funded by the 
Department. 
(3) An explanation of the factors used to evaluate the 
merit of data management plans of research funded by the 
Veterans Health Administration. 
(4) An explanation of the process of the Department in 
effect that enables stakeholders to petition a change to the 
embargo period for a specific field and the factors considered 
during such process. 
SEC. 619. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry 
out the following major medical facility projects, with each project 
to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount specified 
for that project: 
(1) Seismic, life safety, and utilities upgrades and expansion 
of clinical services in Reno, Nevada, in an amount not to 
exceed $213,800,000. 
(2) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community 
living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not 
to exceed $317,300,000. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal 
year 2017 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the 
Construction, Major Projects, account $531,100,000 for the projects 
authorized in subsection (a). 
(c) LIMITATION.—The projects authorized in subsection (a) may 
only be carried out using— 
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2017 or the year 
in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major 
Projects, account pursuant to the authorization of appropria-
tions in subsection (b); 
(2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for 
a fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 that remain available 
for obligation; 
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130 STAT. 1579 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for 
a fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 that remain available for 
obligation; 
(4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for fiscal year 2017 for a category of activity not specific to 
a project; 
(5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2017 for a category of activity 
not specific to a project; and 
(6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2017 for a category of activity 
not specific to a project. 
Subtitle C—Toxic Exposure 
SEC. 631. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) ARMED FORCES.—The term ‘‘Armed Forces’’ means the 
United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast 
Guard. 
(2) DESCENDANT.—The term ‘‘descendant’’ means, with 
respect to an individual, the biological child or grandchild of 
that individual. 
(3) TOXIC
EXPOSURE.—The term ‘‘toxic exposure’’ means 
a condition in which an individual inhaled or ingested an 
agent determined to be hazardous to the health of the individual 
or the agent came in contact with the skin or eyes of the 
individual in a manner that could be hazardous to the health 
of the individual. 
(4) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 632. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ASSESSMENT ON 
RESEARCH RELATING TO THE DESCENDANTS OF INDIVID-
UALS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) AGREEMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National 
Academy of Medicine under which the National Academy of 
Medicine conducts an assessment on scientific research relating 
to the descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. 
(2) ALTERNATE ORGANIZATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary is unable within 
the period prescribed in paragraph (1) to enter into an 
agreement described in such paragraph with the National 
Academy of Medicine on terms acceptable to the Secretary, 
the Secretary shall seek to enter into such an agreement 
with another appropriate organization that— 
(i) is not part of the Federal Government; 
(ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and 
(iii) has expertise and objectivity comparable to 
that of the National Academy of Medicine. 
(B) TREATMENT.—If the Secretary enters into an agree-
ment with another organization as described in subpara-
graph (A), any reference in this section to the National 
Deadline. 
38 USC 1116 
note. 
38 USC 1116 
note. 
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130 STAT. 1580 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
Academy of Medicine shall be treated as a reference to 
the other organization. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The assessment conducted pursuant to the 
agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A scientific review of the scientific literature regarding 
toxicological and epidemiological research on descendants of 
individuals with toxic exposure. 
(2) An assessment of areas requiring further scientific study 
relating to the descendants of veterans with toxic exposure. 
(3) An assessment of the scope and methodology required 
to conduct adequate scientific research relating to the descend-
ants of individuals with toxic exposure, including— 
(A) the types of individuals to be studied, including 
veterans with toxic exposure and the descendants of those 
veterans; 
(B) the number of veterans and descendants described 
in subparagraph (A) to be studied; 
(C) the potential alternatives for participation in such 
a study, including whether it would be necessary for partici-
pants to travel in order to participate; 
(D) the approximate amount of time and resources 
needed to prepare and conduct the research; and 
(E) the appropriate Federal agencies to participate in 
the research, including the Department of Defense and 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(4) The establishment of categories, including definitions 
for each such category, to be used in assessing the evidence 
that a particular health condition is related to toxic exposure, 
such as— 
(A) sufficient evidence of a causal relationship; 
(B) sufficient evidence of an association; 
(C) limited or suggestive evidence of an association; 
(D) inadequate or insufficient evidence to determine 
whether an association exists; and 
(E) limited or suggestive evidence of no association. 
(5) An analysis of— 
(A) the feasibility of conducting scientific research to 
address the areas that require further study as described 
under paragraph (2); 
(B) the value and relevance of the information that 
could result from such scientific research; and 
(C) for purposes of conducting further research, the 
feasibility and advisability of accessing additional informa-
tion held by a Federal agency that may be sensitive. 
(6) An identification of a research entity or entities with— 
(A) expertise in conducting research on health condi-
tions of descendants of individuals with toxic exposure; 
and 
(B) an ability to conduct research on those health condi-
tions to address areas requiring further scientific study 
as described under paragraph (2). 
(c) REPORT.—The agreement entered into under subsection (a) 
shall require the National Academy of Medicine to submit, not 
later than 2 years after entering into such agreement, to the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
Analysis. 
Review. 
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130 STAT. 1581 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
of the Senate, and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives— 
(1) the results of the assessment conducted pursuant to 
such agreement, including such recommendations as the 
National Academy of Medicine considers appropriate regarding 
the scope and methodology required to conduct adequate sci-
entific research relating to the descendants of veterans with 
toxic exposure; and 
(2) a determination regarding whether the results of such 
assessment indicate that it is feasible to conduct further 
research regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans 
with toxic exposure, including an explanation of the basis for 
the determination. 
(d) CERTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after receiving 
the results of the assessment and determination under sub-
section (c), 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 certification of the 
understanding of the Secretary, based on such results and 
determination, regarding the feasibility of conducting further 
research regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans 
with toxic exposure that is expressed by such results and deter-
mination. 
(2) BASIS FOR CERTIFICATION.—The certification submitted 
under paragraph (1) shall include an explanation of the basis 
for the certification. 
SEC. 633. ADVISORY BOARD ON RESEARCH RELATING TO HEALTH 
CONDITIONS OF DESCENDANTS OF VETERANS WITH TOXIC 
EXPOSURE WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
certifies under section 632(d) that the results of the assessment 
and determination under section 632(c) indicate that it is not fea-
sible to conduct further research regarding health conditions of 
descendants of veterans with toxic exposure, not later than 180 
days after receiving such results and determination, the Secretary 
shall establish an advisory board (in this section referred to as 
the ‘‘Advisory Board’’) to advise the Secretary in the selection of 
a research entity or entities under section 634, advise such entity 
or entities in conducting research under such section, and advise 
the Secretary with respect to the activities of such entity or entities 
under such section. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
National Academy of Medicine, the Director of the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and such other 
heads of Federal agencies as the Secretary determines appro-
priate— 
(A) shall select not more than 13 voting members of 
the Advisory Board, of whom— 
(i) not less than two shall be members of organiza-
tions exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(19) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; 
(ii) not less than two shall be descendants of vet-
erans with toxic exposure while serving as members 
of the Armed Forces; and 
Consultation. 
Certification. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 1116 
note. 
Determination. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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130 STAT. 1582 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(iii) not less than seven shall be health profes-
sionals, scientists, or academics who are not employees 
of the Federal Government and have expertise in— 
(I) birth defects; 
(II) developmental disabilities; 
(III) epigenetics; 
(IV) public health; 
(V) the science of environmental exposure or 
environmental exposure assessment; 
(VI) the science of toxic substances; or 
(VII) medical and research ethics; and 
(B) may select not more than two nonvoting members 
who are employees of the Federal Government and who 
are otherwise described in subparagraph (A)(iii). 
(2) CHAIR.—The Secretary shall select a Chair from among 
the members of the Advisory Board selected under paragraph 
(1)(A). 
(3) TERMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the Advisory Board 
shall serve a term of 2 or 3 years as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(B) REAPPOINTMENT.—At the end of the term of a 
member of the Advisory Board, the Secretary may reselect 
the member for another term, except that no member may 
serve more than 4 consecutive terms. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Advisory Board shall— 
(1) advise the Secretary in the selection of a research 
entity or entities to conduct research under section 634 from 
among those identified under section 632(b)(6); 
(2) advise such entity or entities and assess the activities 
of such entity or entities in conducting such research; 
(3) develop a research strategy for such entity or entities 
based on, but not limited to, the results of the assessment 
conducted under section 632; 
(4) advise the Secretary with respect to the activities of 
such entity or entities under section 634; 
(5) submit recommendations to be included by such entity 
or entities in the report under section 634(d)(2)(C); and 
(6) not less frequently than semiannually, meet with the 
Secretary and representatives of such entity or entities on 
the research conducted by such entity or entities under section 
634. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Board shall meet at the call 
of the Chair, but not less frequently than semiannually. 
(e) COMPENSATION.—The members of the Advisory Board shall 
serve without compensation. 
(f) EXPENSES.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall deter-
mine the appropriate expenses of the Advisory Board. 
(g) PERSONNEL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chair may, without regard to the 
civil service laws and regulations, appoint an executive director 
of the Advisory Board, who shall be a civilian employee of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and such other personnel 
as may be necessary to enable the Advisory Board to perform 
its duties. 
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130 STAT. 1583 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(2) APPROVAL.—The appointment of an executive director 
under paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the Advisory 
Board. 
(3) COMPENSATION.—The Chair may fix the compensation 
of the executive director and other personnel without regard 
to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
53 of title 5, United States Code, except that the rate of pay 
for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed 
the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5316 of such title. 
SEC. 634. RESEARCH RELATING TO HEALTH CONDITIONS OF DESCEND-
ANTS OF VETERANS WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE WHILE 
SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs cer-
tifies under section 632(d) that the results of the assessment and 
determination under section 632(c) indicate that it is not feasible 
to conduct further research regarding health conditions of descend-
ants of veterans with toxic exposure, not later than 1 year after 
receiving such results and determination, the Secretary shall (in 
consultation with the advisory board established under section 633 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Advisory Board’’)) enter into 
an agreement with one or more research entities identified under 
section 632(b)(6) (excluding an entity of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs) to conduct research on health conditions of descendants 
of veterans with toxic exposure while serving as members of the 
Armed Forces (in this section referred to as the ‘‘research entity 
or entities’’). 
(b) RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent included in the research 
strategy developed by the Advisory Board under section 
633(c)(3), the research entity or entities shall conduct research 
on health conditions of descendants of veterans with toxic expo-
sure while serving as members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) STUDIES.—In conducting research under paragraph (1), 
the research entity or entities may study any veteran, at the 
election of the veteran, identified under section 632(b)(3)(A) 
as a type of individual to be studied in order to conduct ade-
quate scientific research relating to the descendants of veterans 
with toxic exposure. 
(3) CATEGORIZATION.—In conducting research under para-
graph (1), the research entity or entities shall assess, using 
the categories established under section 632(b)(4), the extent 
to which a health condition of a descendant of a veteran is 
related to the toxic exposure of the veteran while serving as 
a member of the Armed Forces. 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, and the head of each Federal agency identi-
fied under section 632(b)(3)(E) shall make available to the 
research entity or entities records held by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Armed 
Forces, that Federal agency, or any other source under the 
jurisdiction of any such Federal agency or the Armed Forces, 
as appropriate, that the research entity or entities determine 
are necessary to carry out this section. 
Certification. 
Deadline. 
Consultation. 
Contracts. 
38 USC 1116 
note. 
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130 STAT. 1584 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(2) MECHANISM FOR ACCESS.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the head of each Federal 
agency identified under section 632(b)(3)(E) shall jointly estab-
lish a mechanism for access by the research entity or entities 
to records made available under paragraph (1). 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after commencing 
the conduct of research under this section, and not later than 
September 30 each year thereafter, each research entity with 
which the Secretary has entered into an agreement under sub-
section (a) shall, in consultation with the Advisory Board, 
submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
the functions of such entity under this section during the year 
preceding the submittal of the report. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under paragraph 
(1) shall include the following: 
(A) A summary of the research efforts that have been 
completed during the year preceding the submittal of the 
report and that are ongoing as of the date of the submittal 
of the report. 
(B) A description of any findings made during such 
year in carrying out such research efforts. 
(C) Recommendations for administrative or legislative 
action made by the Advisory Board based on such findings, 
which may include recommendations for further research 
under this section. 
(3) UPON REQUEST.—Upon the request of any organization 
exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
transmit to such organization a copy of a report received by 
the Secretary under paragraph (1). 
TITLE VII—HOMELESSNESS MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Access of Homeless Veterans to 
Benefits 
SEC. 701. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR 
PURPOSES OF BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS ADMINIS-
TERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 2002 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘In this chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘(a) IN GEN-
ERAL.—In this chapter’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a))’’ and inserting 
‘‘in subsection (a) or (b) of section 103 of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) VETERAN DEFINED.—(1) Notwithstanding section 101(2) of 
this title and except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes 
of sections 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, and 2061 of this title, the 
term ‘veteran’ means a person who served in the active military, 
38 USC 2002. 
Records. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Summary. 
Consultation. 
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130 STAT. 1585 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was 
discharged or released therefrom. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ‘veteran’ excludes 
a person who— 
‘‘(A) received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed 
Forces; or 
‘‘(B) was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces 
by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial.’’. 
SEC. 702. AUTHORIZATION TO FURNISH CERTAIN BENEFITS TO HOME-
LESS VETERANS WITH DISCHARGES OR RELEASES UNDER 
OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS. 
Section 5303(d) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘not apply to any war-risk insurance, 
Government (converted) or National Service Life Insurance 
policy.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘not apply to the following: 
‘‘(1) Any war-risk insurance, Government (converted) or 
National Service Life Insurance policy.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Benefits under section 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, or 2061 
of this title (except for benefits for individuals discharged or 
dismissed from the Armed Forces by reason of the sentence 
of a general court-martial).’’. 
SEC. 703. WAIVER OF MINIMUM PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS ACTIVE DUTY 
IN ARMED FORCES FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR HOME-
LESS VETERANS. 
Section 5303A(b)(3) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as subpara-
graphs (G) and (H), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new 
subparagraph (F): 
‘‘(F) to benefits under section 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, or 
2061 of this title;’’. 
SEC. 704. TRAINING OF PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS AND GRANT RECIPIENTS. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a program 
of training and education to ensure that the following persons 
are aware of and implement this title and the amendments made 
by this subtitle: 
(1) Personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs who 
are supporting or administering a program under chapter 20 
of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) Recipients of grants or other amounts for purposes 
of carrying out such a program. 
SEC. 705. REGULATIONS. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe regula-
tions, including such modifications to section 3.12 of title 38, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate, to ensure that the Department of 
Veterans Affairs is in full compliance with this title and the amend-
ments made by this subtitle. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 2002 
note. 
38 USC 2002 
note. 
38 USC 5303. 
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130 STAT. 1586 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
SEC. 706. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall 
apply to individuals seeking benefits under chapter 20 of title 
38, United States Code, before, on, and after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
Subtitle B—Other Homelessness Matters 
SEC. 711. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL 
HOUSING 
ASSISTANCE 
THAT 
BECOMES 
PERMANENT 
HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS. 
Section 2012(a)(2) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as sub-
paragraphs (C) through (E), respectively; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘in 
subparagraph (D)’’ and inserting ‘‘in subparagraph (E)’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘under 
subparagraph (B)’’ and inserting ‘‘under subparagraph (C)’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘in 
subparagraphs (B) and (C)’’ and inserting ‘‘in subparagraphs 
(C) and (D)’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The rate’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as 
otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘under subparagraph (B)’’ and all that 
follows and inserting ‘‘under subparagraph (C).’’; and 
(6) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
subparagraph (B): 
‘‘(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may the 
rate determined under this paragraph exceed the rate authorized 
for State homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) 
of section 1741 of this title, as the Secretary may increase from 
time to time under subsection (c) of that section. 
‘‘(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless veteran 
who is placed in housing that will become permanent housing 
for the veteran upon termination of the furnishing of such services 
to such veteran, the maximum rate of per diem authorized under 
this section is 150 percent of the rate authorized for State homes 
for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of 
this title, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under 
subsection (c) of that section.’’. 
SEC. 712. PROGRAM TO IMPROVE RETENTION OF HOUSING BY FOR-
MERLY HOMELESS VETERANS AND VETERANS AT RISK OF 
BECOMING HOMELESS. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 20 is amended— 
(A) by redesignating section 2013 as section 2014; and 
(B) by inserting after section 2012 the following new 
section 2013: 
‘‘§ 2013. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly 
homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming 
homeless 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall carry out a pro-
gram under which the Secretary shall provide case management 
38 USC 2013. 
38 USC 2014. 
38 USC 2012. 
Applicability. 
38 USC 2002 
note. 
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130 STAT. 1587 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
services to improve the retention of housing by veterans who were 
previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing 
and veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. 
‘‘(b) GRANTS.—(1) The Secretary shall carry out the program 
through the award of grants. 
‘‘(2)(A) In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall give priority to organizations that demonstrate a capability 
to provide case management services as described in subsection 
(a), particularly organizations that are successfully providing or 
have successfully provided transitional housing services using 
amounts provided by the Secretary under sections 2012 and 2061 
of this title. 
‘‘(B) In giving priority under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
shall give extra priority to an organization described in such 
subparagraph that— 
‘‘(i) voluntarily stops receiving amounts provided by the 
Secretary under sections 2012 and 2061 of this title; and 
‘‘(ii) converts a facility that the organization used to provide 
transitional housing services into a facility that the organiza-
tion uses to provide permanent housing that meets housing 
quality standards established under section 8(o)(8)(B) of the 
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)(B)). 
‘‘(C) In any case in which a facility, with respect to which 
a person received a grant for construction, rehabilitation, or acquisi-
tion under section 2011 of this title, is converted as described 
in subparagraph (B)(ii), such conversion shall be considered to 
have been carried out pursuant to the needs of the Department 
and such person shall not be considered in noncompliance with 
the terms of such grant by reason of such conversion.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 2013 and inserting the following new items: 
‘‘2013. Program to improve retention of housing by formerly homeless veterans and 
veterans at risk of becoming homeless. 
‘‘2014. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
prescribe regulations to carry out section 2013 of such title, as 
added by subsection (a)(1)(B). 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 1, 2020, 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 program required by section 
2013 of such title, as added by subsection (a)(1)(B). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include assessments of the following: 
(A) The percentage of veterans who received case 
management services under the program who were able 
to retain permanent housing by the end of the program, 
disaggregated by each recipient of a grant under such 
section. 
(B) The percentage of veterans who received case 
management services under the program who were not 
in permanent housing at the end of the program, 
disaggregated by housing status and reason for failing to 
retain permanent housing under the program. 
Deadline. 
38 USC 2013 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 2001. 
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130 STAT. 1588 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
(C) The use by veterans, who received case manage-
ment services under the program, of housing assistance 
furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including 
a comparison of the use of such assistance by such veterans 
before and after receiving such services. 
(D) An assessment of the employment status of vet-
erans who received case management services under the 
program, including a comparison of the employment status 
of such veterans before and after receiving such services. 
SEC. 713. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CENTER ON HOMELESSNESS 
AMONG VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VII of chapter 20 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) The Secretary shall establish and operate 
a center to carry out the functions described in subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) The center established under paragraph (1) shall be known 
as the ‘National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans’. 
‘‘(3) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall operate the 
center established under paragraph (1) independently of the other 
programs of the Department that address homelessness among 
veterans. 
‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.—The functions described in this subsection 
are as follows: 
‘‘(1) To carry out and promote research into the causes 
and contributing factors to veteran homelessness. 
‘‘(2) To assess the effectiveness of programs of the Depart-
ment to meet the needs of homeless veterans. 
‘‘(3) To identify and disseminate best practices with regard 
to housing stabilization, income support, employment assist-
ance, community partnerships, and such other matters as the 
Secretary considers appropriate with respect to addressing vet-
eran homelessness. 
‘‘(4) To integrate evidence-based and best practices, policies, 
and programs into programs of the Department for homeless 
veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness and to ensure 
that the staff of the Department and community partners can 
implement such practices, policies, and programs. 
‘‘(5) To serve as a resource center for, and promote and 
seek to coordinate the exchange of information regarding, all 
research and training activities carried out by the Department 
and by other Federal and non-Federal entities with respect 
to veteran homelessness.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter 20 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 2066 the following new item: 
‘‘2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.’’. 
SEC. 714. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
TO ASSESS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR 
HOMELESS VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— 
(1) assess and measure the capacity of programs for which 
entities receive grants under section 2011 of title 38, United 
Deadline. 
38 USC 2011 
note. 
38 USC 
prec. 2001. 
38 USC 2067. 
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130 STAT. 1589 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
States Code, or per diem payments under section 2012 or 
2061 of such title; and 
(2) assess such programs with respect to— 
(A) how well they achieve their stated goals at a 
national level; 
(B) placements in permanent housing; 
(C) placements in employment; and 
(D) increases in the regular income of participants 
in the programs. 
(b) ASSESSMENT AT NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS.—In assessing 
and measuring under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall develop 
and use tools to examine the capacity of programs described in 
such subsection at both the national and local level in order to 
assess the following: 
(1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs 
of homeless veterans in each geographic area. 
(2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the sub-
populations of homeless veterans located in each geographic 
area. 
(3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under 
sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 
2012 of such title have to provide services for which the recipi-
ents 
are 
eligible 
to 
receive 
per 
diem 
under 
section 
2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
section 711(6). 
(c) CONSIDERATION OF OTHER RESOURCES.—In assessing and 
measuring programs under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall 
consider the availability to such programs of resources made avail-
able to such programs and to homeless veterans, including resources 
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and by entities 
other than the Department. 
(d) USE OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall use the informa-
tion collected under this section as follows: 
(1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described 
in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of homeless 
veterans. 
(2) To assess whether programs described in subsection 
(a) are meeting goals set under paragraph (1). 
(3) To inform funding allocations for programs described 
in subsection (a). 
(4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to pro-
grams described in subsection (a). 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which 
the assessment required by subsection (a) is completed, the Sec-
retary 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 such assessment and such recommenda-
tions for legislative and administrative action as the Secretary 
may have to improve the programs and per diem payments 
described in subsection (a). 
SEC. 715. REPORT ON OUTREACH RELATING TO INCREASING THE 
AMOUNT OF HOUSING AVAILABLE TO VETERANS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
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130 STAT. 1590 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Represent-
atives a report describing and assessing the outreach conducted 
by the Secretary to realtors, landlords, property management 
companies, and developers to educate them about the housing needs 
of veterans and the benefits of having veterans as tenants. 
TITLE VIII—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 801. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION 
REFORMS. 
(a) APPLICATION OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS; ASSISTANCE.—Sec-
tion 8103 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsections: 
‘‘(f) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
use industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in 
carrying out the construction of medical facilities. 
‘‘(g) The Secretary shall ensure that each employee of the 
Department with responsibilities, as determined by the Secretary, 
relating to the infrastructure construction or alteration of medical 
facilities, including such construction or alteration carried out 
pursuant to contracts or agreements, undergoes a program of 
ongoing professional training and development. Such program shall 
be designed to ensure that employees maintain adequate expertise 
relating to industry standards and best practices for the acquisition 
of design and construction services. The Secretary may provide 
the program under this subsection directly or through a contract 
or agreement with a non-Federal entity or with a non-Department 
Federal entity.’’. 
(b) FORENSIC AUDITS OF CERTAIN PROJECTS.—Subsection (c) 
of section 8104 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Not less than 30 days’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) 
Not less than 30 days’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) enter into a contract or agreement with an appropriate 
non-department Federal entity with the ability to conduct 
forensic audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of 
an external forensic audit of the expenditures relating to any 
major medical facility or super construction project for which 
the total expenditures exceed the amount requested in the 
initial budget request for the project submitted to Congress 
under section 1105 of title 31 by more than 25 percent; and 
‘‘(B) enter into a contract or agreement with an appropriate 
non-department Federal entity with the ability to conduct 
forensic audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of 
an external audit of the medical center construction project 
in Aurora, Colorado.’’. 
(c) USE OF AMOUNTS FROM BID SAVINGS.—Subsection (d)(2)(B) 
of such section is amended— 
(1) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (iii) 
and (iv), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clause 
(ii): 
‘‘(ii) If the major construction project that is the source 
of the bid savings is not complete— 
Colorado. 
Contracts. 
Determination. 
38 USC 8103. 
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130 STAT. 1591 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(I) the amount already obligated by the Department 
or available in the project reserve for such project; 
‘‘(II) the percentage of such project that has been com-
pleted; and 
‘‘(III) the amount available to the Department to com-
plete such project.’’; and 
(3) in clauses (iii) and (iv), as redesignated by paragraph 
(1), strike ‘‘amounts’’ and inserting ‘‘bid savings amounts’’ both 
places it appears. 
(d) QUARTERLY REPORT ON SUPER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—At the end of subchapter I of chapter 
81 add the following new section: 
‘‘§ 8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects 
‘‘(a) QUARTERLY REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 days 
after the last day of each fiscal quarter the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the super construction projects car-
ried out by the appropriate non-Department Federal entity 
described in section 8103(e)(1) of this title during such quarter. 
Each such report shall include, for each such project— 
‘‘(1) the budgetary and scheduling status of the project, 
as of the last day of the quarter covered by the report; and 
‘‘(2) the actual cost and schedule variances of the project, 
as of such day, compared to the planned cost and schedules 
for the project. 
‘‘(b) SUPER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘super construction project’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 8103(e)(3) of this title.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end 
of the items relating to such subchapter the following new 
item: 
‘‘8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects.’’. 
SEC. 802. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS. 
Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In section 735(a)(5), by striking ‘‘(Public Law 104–191)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘(Public Law 104–191; 42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note)’’. 
(2) In the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
17, by striking the items relating to sections 1710D and 1710E 
and inserting the following new items: 
‘‘1710D. Traumatic brain injury: comprehensive program for long-term rehabilita-
tion. 
‘‘1710E. Traumatic brain injury: use of non-Department facilities for rehabilitation.’’. 
(3) In section 1710(e)(1)(F), by inserting a comma after 
‘‘1953’’. 
38 USC 
prec. 1701. 
38 USC 735. 
38 USC 
prec. 8101. 
38 USC 8120. 
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130 STAT. 1592 
PUBLIC LAW 114–315—DEC. 16, 2016 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6416: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 
Dec. 6, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 9, considered and passed Senate. 
(4) In section 7412(b), by striking ‘‘under paragraph (1)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘under subsection (a)’’. 
Approved December 16, 2016. 
38 USC 7412. 
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