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[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ''Cabin Fee Act of
2012''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Cabin user fees.
Sec. 4. Payment of cabin transfer fees.
Sec. 5. Right of appeal and judicial review.
Sec. 6. Effect.
Sec. 7. Regulations.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Authorization; authorize.--The terms ''authorization''
and ''authorize'' mean the issuance of a special use permit for
the use and occupancy of National Forest System land by a cabin
owner under the Recreation Residence Program.
(2) Cabin.--The term ''cabin'' means a privately built and
owned recreation residence and related improvements on National
Forest System land that--
(A) is authorized for private use and occupancy;
and
(B) may be sold or transferred between private
parties.
(3) Cabin owner.--The term ''cabin owner'' means--
(A) a person authorized by the Secretary to use and
to occupy a cabin; and
(B) a trust, heir, or assign of a person described
in subparagraph (A).
(4) Cabin transfer fee.--The term ''cabin transfer fee''
means a fee that is paid to the United States on the transfer
of a cabin between private parties for money or other
consideration that results in the issuance of a new permit.
(5) Cabin user fee.--The term ''cabin user fee'' means an
annual fee paid to the United States by a cabin owner in
accordance with an authorization for the use and occupancy of a
cabin.
(6) Current appraisal cycle.--The term ''current appraisal
cycle'' means the completion of Forest Service review and
acceptance of--
(A) initial typical lot appraisals; and
(B) second appraisals, if ordered by cabin owners
and approved by the Forest Service.
(7) Current cabin user fee.--The term ''current cabin user
fee'' means the most recent cabin user fee, as adjusted under
section 3(c).
(8) Lot.--The term ''lot'' means a parcel of National
Forest System land on which a person is authorized to build,
use, occupy, and maintain a cabin.
(9) National forest system.--The term ''National Forest
System'' has the meaning given that term in section 11 of the
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974
(16 U.S.C. 1609).
(10) Recreation residence program.--The term ''Recreation
Residence Program'' means the Recreation Residence Program
established under the last paragraph under the heading ''FOREST
SERVICE'' in the Act of March 4, 1915 (16 U.S.C. 497).
(11) Secretary.--The term ''Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
(12) Typical lot.--The term ''typical lot'' means a cabin
lot, or group of cabin lots, in a tract that is selected for
use in an appraisal as being representative of, and that has
similar value characteristics as, other lots or groups of lots
within the tract.

SEC. 3. CABIN USER FEES.

(a) Payment of Cabin User Fees.--Cabin owners shall pay an annual
cabin user fee established by the Secretary in accordance with this
section.
(b) Initial Cabin User Fees.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish initial
cabin user fees in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Assignment to value tiers.--On completion of the
current appraisal cycle, as required by paragraph (4), the
Secretary shall assign each permitted lot on National Forest
System land to 1 of 10 tiers based on the following
considerations:
(A) Before assigning the lots to tiers, all
appraised lot values shall be adjusted, or normalized,
for price changes occurring after the appraisal, in
accordance with the National Association of
Homebuilders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index.
(B) Second appraisal values shall supersede initial
lot appraisal values for the normalization and ranking
process under subparagraph (A).
(C) The tiers shall be established, on a national
basis, according to relative lot value, with lots
having the lowest adjusted appraised value assigned to
tier 1 and lots having the highest adjusted appraised
value assigned to tier 10.
(D) The number of lots (by percentage) assigned to
each tier is contained in the table set forth in
paragraph (3).
(E) Data from incomplete appraisals may not be used
to establish the fee tiers under this subsection.
(F) Until assigned to a tier under this subsection,
the Secretary shall assess (and may adjust annually
subject to clause (ii)) an interim fee for permitted
cabin lots (including lots with incomplete appraisals)
in an amount equal to the lesser of--
(i) $5,000; or
(ii) the amount of the current cabin user
fee, as determined under the Cabin User Fee
Fairness Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.),
which amount the Secretary may increase
annually by not more than 25 percent, except
that the increased fee shall not exceed the
otherwise scheduled fee determined under the
Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 2000.
(3) Amount of initial cabin user fees.--The initial cabin
user fees, based on the assignments under paragraph (2), are as
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate Percent of
Fee Tier Permits Nationally Fee Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 5 percent $500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 2 12 percent $1,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 3 22 percent $1,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 4 22 percent $2,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 5 10 percent $2,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 6 9 percent $3,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 7 7 percent $3,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 8 5 percent $4,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 9 5 percent $4,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 10 3 percent $5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(4) Deadline for completion of current appraisal cycle.--
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall complete the current appraisal cycle.
(5) Effective date.--The initial cabin user fees required
by this subsection shall take effect beginning with the first
calendar year beginning after the completion of the current
appraisal cycle.
(c) Annual Adjustments of Cabin User Fee.--Once initial cabin user
fees have been assessed, based on the tier assignments under subsection
(b)(2), the Secretary shall use changes in the Implicit Price Deflator
for the Gross Domestic Product published by the Bureau of Economic
Analysis of the Department of Commerce, applied on a 5-year rolling
average, to assess an annual adjustment to cabin user fees.
(d) Effect of Destruction, Substantial Damage, or Loss of Access.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall reduce the cabin user
fee to $100 per year for a cabin if--
(A) the cabin is destroyed or suffers substantial
damage in an amount that is greater than 50 percent of
replacement cost of the cabin; or
(B) access to the cabin is significantly impaired,
whether by catastrophic events, natural causes, or
governmental actions.
(2) Term of reduced fee.--The reduced fee under paragraph
(1) shall be in effect until the later of--
(A) the last day of the year in which the
destruction or impairment occurs; or
(B) the date on which the cabin may be lawfully
reoccupied and normal access has been restored.

SEC. 4. PAYMENT OF CABIN TRANSFER FEES.

As a condition of the issuance by the Secretary of a new
authorization for the use and occupancy of the cabin, the cabin owner
transferring the cabin shall pay to the Secretary a cabin transfer fee
in the amount of $1,200.

SEC. 5. RIGHT OF APPEAL AND JUDICIAL REVIEW.

(a) Right of Appeal.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any action of a cabin
owner to exercise rights in accordance with section 6, the
Secretary shall by regulation grant to the cabin owner the
right to an administrative appeal of the determination of a new
cabin user fee, fee tier, or whether or not to reduce a cabin
user fee under section 3(d).
(2) Applicable law.--An appeal under paragraph (1) shall be
pursuant to the appeal process provided under subpart C of part
251 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor
regulation).
(b) Judicial Review.--
(1) In general.--A cabin owner that contests a final
decision of the Secretary under this Act may bring a civil
action in United States district court.
(2) Venue.--The venue for an action brought before the
United States district court under this subsection shall be in
the Federal judicial district in which the cabin is located.
(3) Effect on mediation.--Nothing in this Act precludes a
person from seeking mediation for an action under this Act.

SEC. 6. EFFECT.

(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act limits or restricts any right,
title, or interest of the United States in or to any land or resource.
(b) Special Rule for Alaska.--In determining a cabin user fee in
the State of Alaska, the Secretary shall not establish or impose a
cabin user fee or a condition affecting a cabin user fee that is
inconsistent with 1303(d) of the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3193(d)).

SEC. 7. REGULATIONS.

Not later than December 31, 2013, the Secretary shall issue
regulations to carry out this Act.

Passed the House of Representatives September 10, 2012.

Attest:

KAREN L. HAAS,

Clerk.
[EX A]: Cabin Fee Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to set an annual fee for, and requires the payment of such fee to the United States by, an authorized owner of a privately built and owned recreational cabin located on National Forest System land.

Reduces such fee to $100 annually if access to a cabin is significantly impaired, either by natural causes or governmental actions.

Requires payment of a transfer fee to the United States upon the transfer of a cabin between private parties for consideration.

Requires the Secretary to grant a cabin owner the right to administrative appeal of a cabin fee decision, which may be reviewed by bringing a civil action in U.S. district court.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Family Telephone Connection
Protection Act of 2005''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that:
(1) The telephone is the primary method by which
individuals correspond and maintain contact with family members
who are incarcerated in correctional institutions.
(2) Except for emergency purposes, family members are not
allowed to call people incarcerated in correctional
institutions; incarcerated persons are typically allowed to
call family members and other pre-approved individuals only
through payphones physically located on the premises of
correctional institutions.
(3) Inmate telephone service in correctional institutions
often is limited to collect calling.
(4) Regardless of whether the prisoners' calls are placed
collect or through a debit account, the prisoners' family
members typically pay for the calls, either through their
telephone bills, in the case of collect calls received from
prisoners, or by making deposits directly into prisoners' debit
accounts.
(5) Innocent citizens are paying excessive telephone
charges simply due to having a family member or loved one who
is incarcerated.
(6) The rates for calls from correctional institutions are
some of the highest rates in the United States, with some per-
minute charges reaching $1 and service or connection charges of
$3.95 per call.
(7) Information compiled by the Congress and the Federal
Communications Commission shows that the high rates are due in
part to the lack of competition between telephone companies
that provide long distance inmate telephone service to
correctional institutions.
(8) There are no competitive forces providing incentives
for those carriers to lower prices or operate efficiently
because, unlike the mass market, only one carrier is typically
permitted to provide long distance inmate telephone service
within each correctional institution.
(9) High calling rates also are due in part to commissions
that carriers pay to correctional institution administrators
for the exclusive right to provide long distance inmate
telephone service in a correctional facility. In some cases,
such commissions account for 50 percent or more of the total
charges.
(10) The collection of such commissions by correctional
institution administrators and state departments of correction
based upon interstate telecommunications revenues is a burden
on interstate commerce.
(11) Due to the lack of competition for telephone services
within correctional institutions, families of people in prison,
many of whom have low incomes, cannot choose the long distance
carrier with the lowest calling rates and must pay the
excessive rates charged by the carrier having the exclusive
right to provide long distance service to the correctional
institution from which the call originates.
(12) It is the policy of the United States to ensure that
all Americans are afforded just and reasonable communications
services, including those families that pay rates for inmate
telephone service.
(13) It is clear from various studies that maintaining
frequent and meaningful communications between people who are
incarcerated and family members is key to the successful social
reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Such
contact reduces recidivism and facilitates rehabilitation,
which in turn reduces crime and the future costs of
imprisonment.
(14) Frequent communications between incarcerated persons
and family members is burdened, and in some cases, prevented,
by excessive inmate telephone service rates. Excessive inmate
telephone service rates thus weaken the family and community
ties that are necessary for successful reentry into society by
persons who were formerly incarcerated and the reduction in
crime resulting from successful reentry.
(15) The Commission has the expertise and authority to
regulate inmate telephone service. Because parties to
Commission rulemaking proceedings have raised issues regarding
its authority to implement meaningful relief for excessive
inmate telephone service rates, Congress finds it necessary and
appropriate to reaffirm that the Commission has the authority
to implement the types of relief set forth in this Act.

SEC. 3. RESTRICTIONS ON THE PROVISION OF INMATE TELEPHONE SERVICE.

(a) Definitions.--Section 226(a) of the Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. 226(a)) is amended adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
''(10) The term 'collect' or 'collect call' refers to a
telephone call from a person incarcerated in a correctional
institution that is billed to the subscriber receiving the
call.
''(11) The term 'commission' refers to a fee or other
payment by a provider of inmate telephone service to an
administrator of a correctional institution, department of
correction, or similar entity, based upon, or partly upon,
inmate telephone service revenue.
''(12) The term 'debit account' refers to the payment of
inmate telephone service through a prisoner's prepaid card or
other account, which can be accessed only through an access
code, personal identification number, or similar identifier.
''(13) The term 'inmate telephone service' includes the
provision of telephone service enabling persons incarcerated in
correctional institutions to originate interstate calls at
payphones or other telephones that are designated for
prisoners' personal use, regardless of whether the calls are
collect, paid through a debit account, or paid through any
other means.
''(14) The term 'provider of inmate telephone service'
means any common carrier that provides inmate telephone service
or any other person determined by the Commission to be
providing inmate telephone service.''.
(b) Regulations.--Section 226 is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (k); and
(2) inserting after subsection (h) the following new
subsections:
''(i) Regulation of Inmate Telephone Service.--
''(1) Rates.--In order to ensure that charges for inmate
telephone service are just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory,
the Commission shall consider, either in a rulemaking
proceeding that is pending as of the date of enactment of the
Family Telephone Connection Protection Act of 2005 or in a new
rulemaking proceeding, the following types of regulation of
inmate telephone service, all of which are within the
Commission's jurisdiction and authority:
''(A) prescribing a maximum uniform per-minute
compensation rate;
''(B) prescribing a maximum uniform service
connection or other per-call compensation rate;
''(C) prescribing variable maximum compensation
rates depending on such factors as carrier costs, the
size of the correctional facility served, and other
relevant factors identified by the Commission;
''(D) requiring providers of inmate telephone
service to offer both collect calling and debit account
services;
''(E) prohibiting the payment of commissions by
providers of inmate telephone service to administrators
of correctional institutions, departments of
correction, and similar entities; and
''(F) requiring administrators of correctional
institutions, departments of correction, and similar
entities to allow more than one provider of inmate
telephone service to provide interstate inmate
telephone service at a correctional institution in
order that prisoners have a choice of such providers.
''(2) Scope.--The regulations adopted by the Commission
shall be technologically neutral and shall not jeopardize
legitimate security and penelogical interests. To the extent
the Commission regulations reduce or eliminate the revenue
derived by administrators of correctional institutions,
departments of correction, and similar entities from the
receipt of commissions, such effects of Commission regulations
shall not be considered as jeopardizing or otherwise affecting
legitimate security or penelogical interests.
''(3) Deadlines and periodic review.--The Commission shall
prescribe regulations to implement the provisions of this
subsection within one year after the date of enactment of the
Family Telephone Connection Protection Act of 2005. The
Commission shall review, on a triennial basis, the regulations
promulgated under this subsection, including whether any
Commission-established compensation rates should be modified.
''(4) State preemption.--To the extent that any State
requirements are inconsistent with the Commission's regulations
affecting or pertaining to interstate inmate telephone service,
including restrictions on the payment of commissions based upon
interstate inmate telephone service revenues or earnings, the
Commission's regulations on such matters shall preempt such
State requirements.
''(j) Inmate Telephone Service Fully Subject to Sections 251 and
252.--
''(1) Inmate telephone service is fully subject to the
requirements of sections 251 and 252 of this Act.
''(2) No provider of inmate telephone service may block or
otherwise refuse to carry a call placed by an incarcerated
person on the grounds that the provider has no contractual or
other arrangement with the local exchange carrier serving the
intended recipient of the call or other common carrier involved
in any portion of the transmission of the call.''.
[EX A]: Family Telephone Connection Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider the following types of regulation of inmate telephone service: (1) prescribing a maximum uniform per-minute rate (paid to telephone service providers); (2) prescribing a maximum uniform service connection or other per-call rate; (3) prescribing variable maximum rates depending on factors such as carrier costs or the size of the correctional facility; (4) requiring providers of inmate telephone service to offer both collect calling and debit account services; (5) prohibiting the payment of commissions by such providers to administrators of correctional facilities; and (6) requiring such administrators to allow more than one service provider at a facility so that prisoners have a choice.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Puppies Assisting Wounded
Servicemembers Act of 2017'' or the ''PAWS Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to the analysis of veteran suicide published
by the Department of Veterans Affairs in August 2016 and titled
''Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans''--
(A) an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each
day in 2014;
(B) mental health disorders, including major
depression and other mood disorders, have been
associated with increased risk for suicide;
(C) since 2001, the proportion of users of the
Veterans Health Administration with mental health
conditions or substance use disorders has increased
from approximately 27 percent in 2001 to more than 40
percent in 2014; and
(D) overall, suicide rates are highest among
patients with mental health and substance use disorder
diagnoses who are in treatment and lower among those
who received a mental health diagnoses but were not at
risk enough to require enhanced care from a mental
health provider.
(2) The Department of Veterans Affairs must be more
effective in its approach to reducing the burden of veteran
suicide connected to mental health disorders, including post-
traumatic stress disorder, and a pilot program and study to
assess the benefits of pairing service dogs with veterans
suffering from mental health disorders would allow the
Department to better determine the efficacy of using service
dogs as a nontraditional therapy to ensure the well-being of
veterans.
(3) Pairing a service dog with a veteran costs
approximately $25,000, including with respect to training of
the service dog as well as training of the veteran with the
service dog.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS
FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICE DOGS TO CERTAIN VETERANS
WITH SEVERE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

(a) Grants.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
pilot program under which the Secretary provides a $25,000 grant to an
eligible organization for each veteran referred to that organization
for a service dog pairing.
(b) Benefits Provided.--
(1) In general.--An organization that receives a grant
under subsection (a) shall provide the following for each
service dog and veteran participating in the pilot program:
(A) Coverage of a commercially available veterinary
health insurance policy to maintain the health of the
dog and keep the dog functioning in the prescribed role
for the life of the dog.
(B) Hardware, or repairs or replacements for
hardware, that are clinically determined to be required
by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the
veteran with the diagnosed disorder of the veteran.
(C) Payments for travel expenses for the veteran to
obtain the dog, calculated in the same manner as
similar travel expenses provided pursuant to section
111 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) Other travel expenses.--If a veteran is required to
replace a service dog provided pursuant to a grant under this
section, the Secretary shall pay for the travel expenses
described in paragraph (1)(C) required to obtain a new service
dog pursuant to subsection (c)(3), regardless of any other
benefits the veteran is receiving for the first service dog
under this section.
(c) Eligible Organizations.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an organization shall--
(1) be a nonprofit organization that provides trained
service dogs--
(A) that--
(i) is certified by Assistance Dogs
International;
(ii) on average, provides one-on-one
training for each service dog and recipient for
30 hours or more over 90 days or more;
(iii) provides a wellness verification from
a licensed veterinarian for each service dog;
(iv) provides an in-house residential
facility, or other accommodations nearby, in
which service dog recipients stay for a minimum
of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of
training with their new service dog;
(v) ensures all service dogs pass the
American Kennel Club Community Canine test and
the ADI Public Access Test prior to permanent
placement with a recipient; and
(vi) provides follow-up support service for
the life of the service dog, to include a
contact plan between the veteran and
organization to allow--
(I) the veteran to reach out for
and receive adequate help with the
service dog; and
(II) the organization to
communicate with the veteran to ensure
that the service dog is being properly
cared for; or
(B) that meets the Association of Service Dog
Providers for Military Veterans Service Dog Agency
Standards that cater to the unique needs of veterans
with post-traumatic stress disorder;
(2) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount
to guarantee the benefits listed under subsection (b)(1);
(3) agree to reaccept or replace the service dog the
organization provided to the veteran, if necessary, as
determined by the organization and the veteran; and
(4) submit to the Secretary an application containing such
information, certification, and assurances as the Secretary may
require.
(d) Eligible Veterans.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
review and approve veterans eligible to participate under this
section and shall refer approved veterans to eligible
organizations. The period beginning on the date on which a
veteran applies to participate under this section and the date
on which the Secretary makes an approval determination may not
exceed 90 days.
(2) Initial eligibility.--For purposes of this section, an
eligible veteran is a veteran who is enrolled in the patient
enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under
section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and--
(A) has been treated and has completed an
established evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic
stress disorder yet remains diagnosed with post-
traumatic stress disorder by a qualified health care
provider as rated on the post-traumatic stress disorder
checklist (PCL-5);
(B) the health care provider or clinical team of
the Department of Veterans Affairs that is treating the
veteran for such disorder determines based upon medical
judgment that the veteran may potentially benefit from
a service dog; and
(C) agrees to successfully complete training
provided by an eligible organization pursuant to
subsection (c).
(3) Ongoing eligibility.--To remain eligible to participate
in the pilot program, a veteran shall see the health care
provider or clinical team of the Department of Veterans Affairs
treating the veteran for such a disorder at least every six
months to determine, based on a clinical evaluation of
efficacy, whether the veteran continues to benefit from a
service dog.
(4) Other cases.--If at any point, the veteran is no longer
able or willing to care for the service dog, the organization
that provided the service dog and the veteran shall determine
the appropriate recourse to ensure the safety of both the
veteran and the service dog.
(e) Relationship to Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits.--The
provision of a service dog to a veteran under this section is in
addition to any other hospital care or medical service furnished by the
Department for that veteran for post-traumatic stress disorder, and an
improvement in symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog
shall not affect the eligibility of the veteran for any other benefit
under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(f) Metrics.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
(1) develop metrics and other appropriate means to measure,
with respect to veterans participating in the pilot program,
the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic
compliance of such veterans and changes with respect to the
dependence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic
medication of such veterans; and
(2) establish processes to document and track the progress
of such veterans under the pilot program in terms of the
benefits and improvements noted as a result of the pilot
program.
(g) GAO Briefing and Study.--
(1) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date on
which the Secretary commences the pilot program under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States
shall provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the
methodology established for the pilot program.
(2) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date on
which the pilot program terminates, the Comptroller General
shall submit to the committees specified in paragraph (1) a
report on the pilot program. Such report shall include an
evaluation of the approach and methodology used for the pilot
program with respect to--
(A) helping veterans with severe post-traumatic
stress disorder return to civilian life;
(B) relevant metrics, including reduction in
metrics such as reduction in scores under the post-
traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-5),
improvement in psychosocial function, and therapeutic
compliance; and
(C) reducing the dependence of participants on
prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year
2023, $10,000,000 to carry out the pilot program under this section.
(i) Offset.--The amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated
for Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Human Resources and
Administration for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year
2023 shall be reduced by $10,000,000.
(j) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under
this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the
date of the enactment of this Act. An eligible veteran in possession of
a service dog furnished under the pilot program as of the termination
of the pilot program may keep the service dog after the termination of
the program for the life of the dog.
[EX A]:
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2017 or the PAWS Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program under which it provides grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide service dogs to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after completing other evidence-based treatment. An organization that receives a grant shall provide for each participating service dog and veteran: coverage by a commercially available veterinary health insurance policy, hardware clinically determined to be required by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the veteran, payments for travel expenses to obtain the dog, and travel expenses required to obtain a replacement service dog. To be eligible for a grant, an organization must: (1) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee such benefits, (2) be certified by Assistance Dogs International, (3) provide one-on-one training for each service dog and recipient for 30 hours or more over 90 days or more, and (4) provide an in-house residential facility or other accommodations nearby in which service dog recipients stay for a minimum of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of training. The VA shall develop metrics to measure the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic compliance and changes independence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication of veterans participating in the program. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the methodology used for the pilot program.