instruction:
In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Veterans Emergency Room Relief Act
of 2017''.

SEC. 2. COVERAGE OF URGENT CARE AND EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT OF
VETERANS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Payment of Reasonable Costs of Urgent Care.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1725
the following new section:
''Sec. 1725A. Payment of reasonable costs of urgent care
''(a) In General.--The Secretary shall enter into contracts with
urgent care providers under which the Secretary pays the urgent care
provider the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to eligible
veterans by the urgent care provider.
''(b) Eligible Veterans.--A veteran is an eligible veteran for
purposes of this section if the veteran--
''(1) is enrolled in the system of annual patient
enrollment established and operated under section 1705(a) of
this title; and
''(2) has received health care under this chapter during
the two-year period preceding the date on which the veteran
receives urgent care under this section.
''(c) Cost Sharing.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall establish a cost-sharing amount that eligible veterans
shall pay to the Secretary to receive urgent care from an urgent care
provider under this section.
''(2) The cost-sharing amount established under paragraph (1) shall
not apply to an eligible veteran--
''(A) if the eligible veteran is admitted to a hospital for
treatment or observation after receiving urgent care under this
section; or
''(B) if the eligible veteran is receiving urgent care
under this section for the treatment of a service-connected
disability or condition.
''(d) Treatment of Department.--Notwithstanding the coverage of an
eligible veteran under a health-plan contract, the Secretary shall be
considered the primary payer for any urgent care provided to the
eligible veteran under this section.
''(e) Types of Providers.--The Secretary shall ensure that all
types of urgent care providers, including local urgent care providers,
have an opportunity to enter into a contract with the Secretary under
this section.
''(f) Definitions.--In this section:
''(1) The term 'health-plan contract' has the meaning given
that term in section 1725(f) of this title.
''(2) The term 'urgent care' has the meaning given that
term by the Secretary.
''(3) The term 'urgent care provider' means a health care
provider that provides urgent care at a non-Department
facility.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 1725 the following new item:

''1725A. Payment of reasonable costs of urgent care.''.
(3) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is encouraged to contract
with urgent care centers that are accredited by a nationally
recognized accrediting body or organization to carry out
section 1725A of title 38, United States Code, as added by
paragraph (1).
(b) Establishment of Cost-Sharing Amount for Veterans Receiving
Emergency Room Care From Department.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a cost-sharing
amount that veterans shall pay to the Secretary to receive care
at an emergency room of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2) Exception.--The cost-sharing amount established under
paragraph (1) shall not apply to a veteran if the veteran--
(A) receives care for a service-connected (as
defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code)
disability or condition;
(B) meets a hardship exception established by the
Secretary for purposes of this subsection; or
(C) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or
observation after receiving care at an emergency room
of the Department.
(c) Limitation on Cost-Sharing Amounts.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs may not require a veteran to pay multiple cost-sharing amounts
if the veteran seeks urgent care under section 1725A of title 38,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), and care at an
emergency room of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the same
condition during a period determined by the Secretary for purposes of
this subsection.
(d) Report on Use by Veterans of Urgent and Emergency Room Care.--
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and not less frequently than once every two years thereafter, 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 use by veterans
eligible for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary
of--
(1) urgent care facilities; and
(2) emergency room facilities of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
answer:
Veterans Emergency Room Relief Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts under which the VA pays health care providers the reasonable costs of urgent care provided to eligible veterans at non-VA facilities. An "eligible veteran" is one who: (1) is enrolled in the VA health care system, and (2) has received health care through the VA during the two years preceding the date on which the veteran receives urgent care. The VA shall establish a cost-sharing amount that a veteran shall pay to the VA to receive such urgent care. Such amount shall not apply to a veteran who: (1) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or observation after receiving urgent care, or (2) is receiving urgent care for the treatment of a service-connected disability or condition. The VA shall: (1) be considered the primary payer for the urgent care provided, and (2) ensure that all types of urgent care providers have an opportunity to enter into such a contract. The VA also shall establish a cost-sharing amount that veterans shall pay to receive care at a VA emergency room. Such amount shall not apply to a veteran who: (1) is receiving care for a service-connected disability or condition, (2) meets a hardship exception, or (3) is admitted to a hospital for treatment or observation after receiving care at a VA emergency room. The VA may not require a veteran to pay multiple cost-sharing amounts if the veteran seeks urgent care under this bill and care at a VA emergency room for the same condition during a period determined by the VA. The VA shall report every two years on the use by veterans of urgent care facilities and of VA emergency room facilities.

question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Networking Electronically To Connect
Our Police Act of 2001'' or the ''NET COP Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) Internet-based crime-fighting, investigatory, and
information-sharing technologies have proven to be extremely
useful to the law enforcement agencies that use them;
(2) the sharing of information and the dissemination of
criminal intelligence between and among Federal, State, and
local law enforcement agencies benefit the society at large by
making criminal investigations more inclusive and effective;
(3) the sharing of information between and among Federal,
State, and local law enforcement agencies allows these agencies
to find missing, neglected, abused, or abducted children, as
well as non-custodial parents seeking to evade their legal or
financial responsibilities; and
(4) police departments in rural areas of the country tend
to be underserved by these Internet-based technologies.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to authorize the Department of Justice to make grants
to rural police departments for the purchase or upgrade of
computer equipment, and to pay for Internet access for crime-
fighting, investigatory, or information-sharing purposes;
(2) to reimburse police department officials or members
who, acting on behalf of their rural police departments and
using personal funds, have purchased computer equipment or paid
for Internet access for crime-fighting, investigatory, or
information-sharing purposes; and
(3) to require annual reports to Congress on the
concentration of police departments that have Internet access,
particularly those departments serving rural areas.

SEC. 3. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

The Attorney General is authorized to award grants to rural police
departments to--
(1) enable those departments to gain access to the various
crime-fighting, investigatory, and information sharing
resources available on the Internet; and
(2) reimburse rural police department officials and members
for the cost of computer equipment or Internet access.

SEC. 4. USE OF FUNDS.

Grants awarded under this Act may be used--
(1) for the purchase of new or upgraded computer hardware
or software;
(2) to pay for Internet access; and
(3) to reimburse rural police departments that have paid
for computer equipment or Internet access out of the funds of
the department or department official or members, for some or
all of the costs associated with those purchases, as determined
by the Attorney General.

SEC. 5. APPLICATION.

Each eligible rural police department that desires a grant under
this Act shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Attorney General may reasonably require.

SEC. 6. GRANT PROGRAM CRITERIA.

(a) In General.--In awarding a grant under this Act, the Attorney
General shall--
(1) set criteria for determining which police departments
are currently underserved by crime-fighting, investigatory, or
information-sharing technologies available on the Internet, by
differentiating between police departments that do not have
Internet access, and those departments that have access but are
using outmoded, obsolete, or otherwise inadequate technology;
and
(2) determine what would constitute the minimum feasible
package of technologies required to enable those police
departments to use existing crime-fighting, investigatory, and
information-sharing technologies.
(b) Grant Limitations.--The Attorney General shall set limits for
maximum annual grants, based on determinations made under subsection
(a), for rural police departments that do not have Internet access, and
for those that do have access but are using inadequate technology.

SEC. 7. POLICE DEPARTMENT TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE DESK.

The Attorney General shall establish a Police Department Technology
Assistance Desk to offer advice to chiefs of police in rural police
departments regarding--
(1) the types of products to buy in order to achieve not
less than a minimum level of Internet service to access
existing crime-fighting, investigatory, and information-sharing
technologies; and
(2) technology upgrades for those police departments in
possession of outmoded or obsolete technology;
(3) preferred vendors; and
(4) any other information the Attorney General determines
to be necessary.

SEC. 8. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

The General Accounting Office, in consultation with the Attorney
General, shall annually report to Congress on the concentration of
police departments in the country that have Internet access, with
particular emphasis on the number and percentage of rural police
departments that lack Internet access, especially high-speed Internet
access.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2002 through 2007 to carry out this Act.
answer:
Networking Electronically To Connect Our Police Act of 2001 or NET COP Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to rural police departments to: (1) enable those departments to gain access to the various crime-fighting, investigatory, and information sharing resources available on the Internet; and (2) reimburse rural police department officials and members for the cost of computer equipment or Internet access.Allows grants awarded to be used: (1) for the purchase of new or upgraded computer hardware or software; (2) to pay for Internet access; and (3) to reimburse rural police departments that have paid for computer equipment or Internet access out of the funds of the department or department officials or members for some or all of the costs associated with those purchases, as determined by the Attorney General.Sets forth provisions regarding grant application requirements and grant program criteria.Directs the Attorney General to establish a Police Department Technology Assistance Desk to offer advice to chiefs of police in rural police departments.

question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM ON DOG TRAINING
THERAPY.

(a) In General.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date
of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
carry out a pilot program for the purpose of assessing the
effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-
traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of
training service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
(b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program required by
subsection (a) shall be carried out at least three and not more than
five Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers during the five-
year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot
program.
(c) Locations of Pilot Program.--In selecting medical centers for
the pilot program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
ensure that each medical center selected provides a training area for
educating veterans with mental health conditions in the art and science
of service dog training and handling. Such training area shall--
(1) include a dedicated space that is suitable for grooming
and training dogs indoors;
(2) be wheelchair accessible;
(3) include classroom or lecture space;
(4) include office space for staff;
(5) include a suitable space for storing training
equipment;
(6) provide for periodic use of other training areas for
training the dogs with wheelchairs and conducting other
exercises;
(7) include outdoor exercise and toileting space for dogs;
and
(8) provide transportation for weekly field trips to train
dogs in other environments.
(d) Design of Pilot Program.--In carrying out the pilot program
under this section, the Secretary shall--
(1) administer the program through the Recreation Therapy
Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs under the
direction of a certified recreational therapist with sufficient
administrative experience to oversee all pilot program sites;
(2) establish, for purposes of overseeing the training of
dogs at medical centers selected for the pilot program, a
director of service dog training with a background working in
social services, experience in teaching others to train service
dogs in a vocational setting, and at least one year of
experience working with veterans or active duty service members
with post-traumatic stress disorder in a clinical setting;
(3) ensure that each pilot program site has certified
service dog training instructors;
(4) ensure that in selecting assistance dogs for use in the
program, dogs residing in animal shelters or foster homes are
looked at as an option, if appropriate, and ensure that all
dogs used in the program have adequate temperament and health
clearances;
(5) ensure that each service dog in training participating
in the pilot program is taught all essential commands
pertaining to service dog skills;
(6) ensure that each service dog in training lives at the
pilot program site or a volunteer foster home in the vicinity
of such site while receiving training;
(7) ensure that the pilot program involves both lecture of
service dog training methodologies and practical hands-on
training and grooming of service dogs; and
(8) ensure that the pilot program is designed to--
(A) maximize the therapeutic benefits to veterans
participating in the program; and
(B) provide well-trained service dogs to veterans
with disabilities.
(e) Veteran Eligibility.--A veteran with post-traumatic stress
disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition may volunteer
to participate in the pilot program under subsection (a) if the
Secretary determines that there are adequate program resources
available for such veteran at the pilot program site. Veterans may
participate in the pilot program in conjunction with the compensated
work therapy program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(f) Hiring Preference.--In hiring service dog training instructors
under the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give
a preference to veterans who have successfully graduated from post-
traumatic stress disorder or other residential treatment programs and
who have received adequate certification in service dog training.
(g) Collection of Data.--The Secretary shall collect data on the
pilot program required under subsection (a) to determine how effective
the program is for the veterans participating in the program. Such data
shall include data to determine how effectively the program assists
veterans in--
(1) reducing stigma associated with post-traumatic stress
disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition;
(2) improving emotional regulation;
(3) improving patience;
(4) instilling or re-establishing a sense of purpose;
(5) providing an opportunity to help fellow veterans;
(6) reintegrating into the community;
(7) exposing the dog to new environments and in doing so,
helping the veteran reduce social isolation and withdrawal;
(8) building relationship skills, including parenting
skills;
(9) relaxing the hyper-vigilant survival state;
(10) improving sleep patterns; and
(11) enabling veterans to decrease the use of pain
medication.
(h) Reports to Congress.--Not later than one year after the date of
the commencement of the pilot program under subsection (a), and each
year thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. Each such
report shall include--
(1) the number of veterans participating in the pilot
program;
(2) a description of the services carried out by the
Secretary under the pilot program;
(3) the effects that participating in the pilot program has
on the following--
(A) symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and
post-deployment adjustment difficulties, including
depression, maintenance of sobriety, suicidal
ideations, and homelessness;
(B) potentially relevant physiological markers that
possibly relate to the interactions with the service
dogs;
(C) family dynamics;
(D) insomnia and pain management; and
(E) overall well being; and
(4) the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to
the extension or expansion of the pilot program.
(i) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the term
''service dog training instructor'' means an instructor who provides
the direct training of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and
other post-deployment issues in the art and science of service dog
training and handling.
answer:
Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program for assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of service dog training and handling for veterans with disabilities. Requires such program to be carried out at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers that can provide training areas for such purposes.