Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014
PL 113-175 (H.R.5404), enacted 09/26/2014

[113th Congress Public Law 175]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 128 STAT. 1901]]

Public Law 113-175
113th Congress

                                 An Act


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and 
      for other purposes. <<NOTE: Sept. 26, 2014 -  [H.R. 5404]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014.>> 
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 38 USC 101 note.>>  SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF 
                              CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to 
           certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 102. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
           retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from 
           service in the Armed Forces.
Sec. 103. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for 
           child care for certain veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service 
           organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans.
Sec. 105. Extension of requirement for report on activities of 
           Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs 
           Interagency Program Office.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority for the performance of medical 
           disabilities examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 107. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for 
           hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 108. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of cost 
           of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan 
           contracts for non-service-connected disability.

       TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

Sec. 201. Extension of current funding level for comprehensive service 
           programs for homeless veterans.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration 
           programs.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority to provide referral and counseling 
           services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation 
           services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans.
Sec. 205. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for 
           homeless veterans.
Sec. 206. Extension of authority to provide financial assistance for 
           supportive services for very low-income veteran families in 
           permanent housing.
Sec. 207. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans 
           with special needs.
Sec. 208. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
           Veterans.

         TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on 
           Education.

[[Page 128 STAT. 1902]]

Sec. 302. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
           property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.

        TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 401. Extension of authority to transport certain individuals to and 
           from Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of 
           Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of 
           the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress 
           regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative 
           error.
Sec. 404. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
           Veterans.
Sec. 405. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
           for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans 
           with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 406. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
Sec. 407. Extension of authority for agreement with National Academy of 
           Sciences.
Sec. 408. Health professionals education debt reduction.
Sec. 409. Amendments to Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act 
           of 2014.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with 
the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by 
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO 
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional 
Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO 
                        CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
                        DISABILITIES.

    Section 1710A(d) <<NOTE: 38 USC 1710A.>>  is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING 
                        IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS 
                        NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE IN THE ARMED 
                        FORCES.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the 
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 
111-163; 124 Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(d) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under 
this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such section 
is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2010 and 2011'' and inserting 
``fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2015''.

[[Page 128 STAT. 1903]]

SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE 
                        FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                        RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205 of the 
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 
111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(e) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under 
this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such section 
is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS 
                        SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION 
                        OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.

    Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1154; 38 U.S.C. 1710 
note) is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF 
                        DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF 
                        VETERANS AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY PROGRAM 
                        OFFICE.

    Section 1635(h)(1) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 460; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
                        DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT 
                        PHYSICIANS.

    Section 704(c) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-
183; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' 
and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
                        HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

    Section 1710(f)(2)(B) <<NOTE: 38 USC 1710.>>  is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD PARTIES 
                        OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED TO 
                        VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR 
                        NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

    Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2014'' and 
inserting ``October 1, 2015''.

       TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF CURRENT FUNDING LEVEL FOR COMPREHENSIVE 
                        SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$150,000,000'' and 
inserting ``$250,000,000''.

[[Page 128 STAT. 1904]]

SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
                        REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(e)(1)(F) <<NOTE: 38 USC 2021.>>  is amended by striking 
``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REFERRAL AND 
                        COUNSELING SERVICES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                        AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (d) of section 2023 is 
amended by striking ``September 30, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2015''.
    (b) Technical Amendment.--Subsection (c)(3) of such section is 
amended by striking ``enter into contracts'' and inserting ``make 
grants''.
SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION 
                        SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND 
                        HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
    (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is 
amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2015''.
SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR 
                        HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
SEC. 206. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
                        FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-
                        INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT 
                        HOUSING.

    Section 2044(e)(1)(E) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2013 and 
2014'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2013 through 2015''.
SEC. 207. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS 
                        VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting 
``2015''.
SEC. 208. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                        HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

         TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY 
                        COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

    Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL 
                        PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

    Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2014'' and 
inserting ``October 1, 2015''.

[[Page 128 STAT. 1905]]

SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

    Section 3733(a)(7) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3733.>>  is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``September 30, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2014,'' 
        and inserting ``September 30, 2015,''.

        TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO TRANSPORT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS 
                        TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                        FACILITIES.

    Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                        OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN 
                        MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

    Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
                        REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE OF 
                        ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.

    Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                        MINORITY VETERANS.

    Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF 
                        ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
                        ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH 
                        DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY 
                        AMBULATING.

    Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2014'' 
        and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``fiscal year 2014'' 
        and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015''.
SEC. 406. <<NOTE: 38 USC 3684 note.>>  RESTORATION OF PRIOR 
                        REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

    During <<NOTE: Time period. Applicability.>>  the one-year period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the second sentence 
of section 3684(c) shall be applied--
            (1) by substituting ``$9'' for ``$12''; and
            (2) by substituting ``$13'' for ``$15''.
SEC. 407. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL 
                        ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

    Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 105 
Stat. 13; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

[[Page 128 STAT. 1906]]

SEC. 408. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION.

    Section 7683 <<NOTE: 38 USC 7683.>>  is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
        new subsection:

    ``(a) In General.--Education debt reduction payments under the 
Education Debt Reduction Program shall consist of--
            ``(1) payments to individuals selected to participate in the 
        program of principal and interest on loans described in section 
        7682(a)(2) of this title; or
            ``(2) payments for the principal and interest on such loans 
        of such individuals to the holders of such loans.'';
            (2) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking ``payments to'' 
        both places it appears and inserting ``payments to or for''; and
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``made to'' and 
                inserting ``made to or for''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``payable to 
                that'' and inserting ``payable to or for that''.
SEC. 409. AMENDMENTS TO VETERANS ACCESS, CHOICE, AND 
                        ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2014.

    (a) Expanded Availability of Hospital Care and Medical Services.--
Section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 
2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``provide the 
                veteran an appointment that exceeds the wait-time goals 
                described in such subsection or'' before ``place such''; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(or other 
                digital channel)'' after ``website'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(1)(A), by adding at the end the 
        following new sentences: <<NOTE: Contracts.>>  ``An agreement 
        entered into pursuant to this subparagraph may not be treated as 
        a Federal contract for the acquisition of goods or services and 
        is not subject to any provision of law governing Federal 
        contracts for the acquisition of goods or services. Before 
        entering into an agreement pursuant to this subparagraph, the 
        Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and 
        consistent with the requirements of this section, furnish such 
        care and services to such veterans under this section with such 
        entities pursuant to sharing agreements, existing contracts 
        entered into by the Secretary, or other processes available at 
        medical facilities of the Department.'';
            (3) in subsection (l)(1), by inserting ``a copy of'' before 
        ``any medical record''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

    ``(t) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 of title 
44, United States Code, shall not apply in carrying out this section.''.
    (b) Collaboration Between VA and Indian Health Service.--Section 102 
of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public 
Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--

[[Page 128 STAT. 1907]]

            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``The Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall establish'' and inserting the following: 
        ``The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the 
        Indian Health Service shall jointly establish and implement'';
            (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(3) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> Entering into an agreement 
        between the Department and the Indian Health Service described 
        in paragraph (2)(A) with respect to the effect of such agreement 
        on the priority access of any Indian to health care services 
        provided through the Indian Health Service, the eligibility of 
        any Indian to receive health services through the Indian Health 
        Service, and the quality of health care services provided to any 
        Indian through the Indian Health Service.''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (d).

    (c) Prompt Payment.--Section 105 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``section 1315'' and 
        inserting ``part 1315'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``chapter 39'' and 
        inserting ``chapter 39 of title 31''; and
            (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``required by subsection 
        (b)'' and inserting ``required by subsection (c)''.

    (d) Improvement of Access to Mobile Vet Centers.--Section 204 of the 
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and 
                readjustment counseling services'' after ``other health 
                care''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                          (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and 
                      events'' after ``locations''; and
                          (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``and 
                      outreach contacts'' after ``appointments''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                          (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                      inserting ``and readjustment counseling'' after 
                      ``telemedicine services''; and
                          (ii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and 
                      outreach contacts'' after ``appointments'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and 
                readjustment counseling'' after ``health care 
                services''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``mobile vet 
                centers and''.

    (e) Improved Transparency.--Section 206(b) of the Veterans Access, 
Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
1701 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``comprehensive database'' 
        and inserting ``comprehensive, machine-readable data set'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``notice in the database 
        of the reason'' and inserting ``notice of the reason''; and
            (3) in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), by striking 
        ``database'' each place it appears and inserting ``data''.

    (f) Information on Credentials.--Section 207 of the Veterans Access, 
Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-

[[Page 128 STAT. 1908]]

146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking ``successor database'' 
each place it appears and inserting ``successor data set''.
    (g) Report on Staffing Shortages.--Section 301(b)(3) of the Veterans 
Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
146) <<NOTE: 128 Stat. 1785.>>  is amended--
            (1) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  in subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``Not later'' and all that follows through ``2019'' and 
        inserting the following: ``On October 1 of each year beginning 
        in 2015 and ending in 2019''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``at each'' and all 
                that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
                the following: ``or guidelines of the Department with 
                respect to determining the ratio of residents to staff 
                supervising residents.''; and
                    (B) by striking clause (v) and inserting the 
                following new clause:
                          ``(v) Efforts of the Department, as of the 
                      date of the submittal of the report, to recruit 
                      and retain medical residents to work for the 
                      Veterans Health Administration as full-time 
                      employees.''.

    (h) Project ARCH.--Section 403(j) of the Veterans' Mental Health and 
Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703 
note) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``In carrying out'' and inserting 
        ``Notwithstanding any provision of law relating to the use of 
        competitive procedures in entering into contracts, in carrying 
        out''; and
            (2) by inserting ``under this section'' after ``make use of 
        contracts entered into''.

    (i) Clarification of Approval of Courses of Education Provided by 
Public Institutions of Higher Learning and In-State Tuition Rate for 
Veterans.--Paragraph (1) of section 3679(c) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and 
subject to paragraphs (3) through (6), the Secretary shall disapprove a 
course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning 
if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for covered 
individuals who are pursuing the course with educational assistance 
under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the State in which 
the institution is located at a rate that is higher than the rate the 
institution charges for tuition and

[[Page 128 STAT. 1909]]

fees for that course for residents of the State in which the institution 
is located, regardless of the covered individual's State of 
residence.''.

    Approved September 26, 2014.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 5404:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
            Sept. 16, considered and passed House.
            Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate.

                                  <all>