Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care a

Johnny Isakson and D th Congress

Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020

Source: Congress.gov · 62,564 words in original text

Plain English summary not yet available

The full original text is available below. Check back soon as we process this bill.

PUBLIC LAW 116–315—JAN. 5, 2021 JOHNNY ISAKSON AND DAVID P. ROE, M.D. VETERANS HEALTH CARE AND BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2020 VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:41 Apr 07, 2021 Jkt 019139 PO 00315 Frm 00001 Fmt 6579 Sfmt 6579 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL315.116 PUBL315 whamilton on LAPJF8D0R2PROD with PUBLAW 134 STAT. 4932 PUBLIC LAW 116–315—JAN. 5, 2021 Public Law 116–315 116th Congress An Act To provide flexibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in caring for homeless veterans during a covered public health emergency, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a retraining assistance program for unemployed veterans, 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 ‘‘Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020’’. (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Determination of budgetary effects. TITLE I—EDUCATION Subtitle A—Education Generally Sec. 1001. Improvements to Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 1002. Expansion of eligibility for Fry Scholarship to children and spouses of certain deceased members of the Armed Forces. Sec. 1003. Period for election to receive benefits under All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 1004. Phase out of All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program. Sec. 1005. Requirements for in-State tuition. Sec. 1006. Expansion of authority for certain qualifying work-study activities for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include outreach services provided through congres- sional offices. Sec. 1007. Restoration of entitlement to rehabilitation programs for veterans af- fected by school closure or disapproval. Sec. 1008. Technical correction to clarify eligibility for participation in Yellow Rib- bon Program of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 1009. Clarification of educational assistance for individuals who pursue an ap- proved program of education leading to a degree while on active duty. Sec. 1010. Verification of enrollment for purposes of receipt of Post-9/11 Edu- cational Assistance benefits. Sec. 1011. Clarification regarding the dependents to whom entitlement to edu- cational assistance may be transferred under the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program. Sec. 1012. Expansion of reasons for which a course of education may be dis- approved. Sec. 1013. Oversight of educational institutions with approved programs: risk- based surveys. Sec. 1014. Oversight of educational institutions subject to Government action for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 1015. Additional requirement for approval of educational institutions for pur- poses of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Vet- erans Affairs. 38 USC 101 note. Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Jan. 5, 2021 [H.R. 7105] VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:41 Apr 07, 2021 Jkt 019139 PO 00315 Frm 00002 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6582 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL315.116 PUBL315 whamilton on LAPJF8D0R2PROD with PUBLAW 134 STAT. 4933 PUBLIC LAW 116–315—JAN. 5, 2021 Sec. 1016. Clarification of accreditation for law schools for purposes of the edu- cational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 1017. Clarification of grounds for disapproval of a course for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 1018. Requirements for educational institutions participating in the edu- cational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 1019. Overpayments to eligible persons or veterans. Sec. 1020. Improvements to limitation on certain advertising, sales, and enrollment practices. Sec. 1021. Charge to entitlement to educational assistance for individuals who do not transfer credits from certain closed or disapproved programs of edu- cation. Sec. 1022. Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of for-profit educational insti- tutions converted to nonprofit educational institutions. Sec. 1023. Authority of State approving agencies to conduct outreach activities. Sec. 1024. Limitation on colocation and administration of State approving agencies. Sec. 1025. Elimination of period of eligibility for training and rehabilitation for cer- tain veterans with service-connected disabilities. Subtitle B—Pandemic Assistance Sec. 1101. Definitions. Sec. 1102. Continuation of Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance benefits during COVID–19 emergency. Sec. 1103. Effects of closure of educational institution and modification of courses by reason of COVID–19 emergency. Sec. 1104. Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal. Sec. 1105. Modification of time limitations on use of entitlement. Sec. 1106. Apprenticeship or on-job training requirements. Sec. 1107. Inclusion of training establishments in certain provisions related to COVID–19 emergency. Sec. 1108. Treatment of payment of allowances under Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act. TITLE II—BENEFITS Subtitle A—Benefits Generally Sec. 2001. Revision of definition of Vietnam era for purposes of the laws adminis- tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 2002. Matters relating to Department of Veterans Affairs medical disability examinations. Sec. 2003. Medal of Honor special pension for surviving spouses. Sec. 2004. Modernization of service-disabled veterans insurance. Sec. 2005. Denial of claims for traumatic injury protection under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance. Sec. 2006. Publication and acceptance of disability benefit questionnaire forms of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 2007. Threshold for reporting debts to consumer reporting agencies. Sec. 2008. Removal of dependents from award of compensation or pension. Sec. 2009. Eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses who remarry after age 55. Sec. 2010. Study on exposure by members of the Armed Forces to toxicants at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan. Sec. 2011. Comptroller General briefing and report on repealing manifestation pe- riod for presumptions of service connection for certain diseases associ- ated with exposure to certain herbicide agents. Sec. 2012. Extension of authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use income in- formation from other agencies. Sec. 2013. Extension on certain limits on payments of pension. Subtitle B—Housing Sec. 2101. Eligibility of certain members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces for home loans from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 2102. Reducing loan fees for certain veterans affected by major disasters. Sec. 2103. Extension of certain housing loan fees. Sec. 2104. Collection of overpayments of specially adapted housing assistance. Subtitle C—Burial Matters Sec. 2201. Transportation of deceased veterans to veterans’ cemeteries. Sec. 2202. Increase in certain funeral benefits under laws administered by the Sec- retary of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 2203. Outer burial receptacles for each new grave in cemeteries that are the subjects of certain grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:41 Apr 07, 2021 Jkt 019139 PO 00315 Frm 00003 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6582 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL315.116 PUBL315 whamilton on LAPJF8D0R2PROD with PUBLAW 134 STAT. 4934 PUBLIC LAW 116–315—JAN. 5, 2021 Sec. 2204. Provision of inscriptions for spouses and children on certain headstones and markers furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 2205. Aid to counties for establishment, expansion, and improvement of vet- erans’ cemeteries. Sec. 2206. Increase in maximum amount of grants to States, counties, and tribal organizations for operating and maintaining veterans’ cemeteries. Sec. 2207. Provision of urns and commemorative plaques for remains of certain vet- erans whose cremated remains are not interred in certain cemeteries. Sec. 2208. Training of State and tribal veterans’ cemetery personnel by National Cemetery Administration. TITLE III—HEALTH CARE Subtitle A—Health Care Generally Sec. 3001. Expansion of modifications to Veteran Directed Care program. Sec. 3002. Prohibition on collection of a health care copayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from a veteran who is a member of an Indian tribe. Sec. 3003. Oversight for State homes regarding COVID–19 infections, response ca- pacity, and staffing levels. Sec. 3004. Grants for State homes located on tribal lands. Sec. 3005. Continuation of Women’s Health Transition Training program of Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 3006. Authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish medically nec- essary transportation for newborn children of certain women veterans. Sec. 3007. Waiver of requirements of Department of Veterans Affairs for receipt of per diem payments for domiciliary care at State homes and modification of eligibility for such payments. Sec. 3008. Expansion of quarterly update of information on staffing and vacancies at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include information on duration of hiring process. Sec. 3009. Requirement for certain Department of Veterans Affairs medical facili- ties to have physical location for the disposal of controlled substances medications. Sec. 3010. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program for clinical observation by undergraduate students. Subtitle B—Scheduling and Consult Management Sec. 3101. Process and requirements for scheduling appointments for health care from Department of Veterans Affairs and non-Department health care. Sec. 3102. Audits regarding scheduling of appointments and management of con- sultations for health care from Department of Veterans Affairs and non- Department health care. Sec. 3103. Administration of non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care. Sec. 3104. Examination of health care consultation and scheduling positions of De- partment of Veterans Affairs. TITLE IV—NAVY SEAL BILL MULDER Sec. 4001. Short title. Subtitle A—Service-connection and COVID–19 Sec. 4101. Presumptions of service-connection for members of Armed Forces who contract Coronavirus Disease 2019 under certain circumstances. Subtitle B—Assistance for Homeless Veterans Sec. 4201. Flexibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in caring for homeless veterans during a covered public health emergency. Sec. 4202. Legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homeless- ness. Sec. 4203. Gap analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless. Sec. 4204. Improvements to grants awarded by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to entities that provide services to homeless veterans. Sec. 4205. Repeal of sunset on authority to carry out program of referral and coun- seling services for veterans at risk for homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutions. Sec. 4206. Coordination of case management services for veterans receiving hous- ing vouchers under Tribal Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. Sec. 4207. Contracts relating to case managers for homeless veterans in supported housing program. Sec. 4208. Report on staffing of Department of Housing and Urban Development- Department of Veterans Affairs supported housing program. VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:41 Apr 07, 2021 Jkt 019139 PO 00315 Frm 00004 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6582 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL315.116 PUBL315 whamilton on LAPJF8D0R2PROD with PUBLAW 134 STAT. 4935 PUBLIC LAW 116–315—JAN. 5, 2021 Subtitle C—Retraining Assistance for Veterans Sec. 4301. Access for the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs to the Federal directory of new hires. Sec. 4302. Expansion of eligible class of providers of high technology programs of education for veterans. Sec. 4303. Pilot program for off-base transition training for veterans and spouses. Sec. 4304. Grants for provision of transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces after separation, retirement, or discharge. Sec. 4305. One-year independent assessment of the effectiveness of Transition As- sistance Program. Sec. 4306. Longitudinal study on changes to Transition Assistance Program. TITLE V—DEBORAH SAMPSON Sec. 5001. Short title. Subtitle A—Improving Access for Women Veterans to the Department of Veterans Affairs Sec. 5101. Office of Women’s Health in Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 5102. Women veterans retrofit initiative. Sec. 5103. Establishment of environment of care standards and inspections at De- partment of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Sec. 5104. Provision of reintegration and readjustment services to veterans and family members in group retreat settings. Sec. 5105. Provision of legal services for women veterans. Sec. 5106. Comptroller General surveys and report on supportive services provided for very low-income women veterans. Sec. 5107. Programs on assistance for child care for certain veterans. Sec. 5108. Availability of prosthetics for women veterans from Department of Vet- erans Affairs. Sec. 5109. Requirement to improve Department of Veterans Affairs women vet- erans call center. Sec. 5110. Study on infertility services furnished at Department of Veterans Af- fairs. Sec. 5111. Sense of Congress on access to facilities of Department of Veterans Af- fairs by reservists for counseling and treatment relating to military sex- ual trauma. Subtitle B—Increasing Staff Cultural Competency Sec. 5201. Staffing of women’s health primary care providers at medical facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 5202. Additional funding for primary care and emergency care clinicians in Women Veterans Health Care Mini-Residency Program. Sec. 5203. Establishment of women veteran training module for non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers. Sec. 5204. Study on staffing of women veteran program manager program at med- ical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs and training of staff. Sec. 5205. Study on Women Veteran Coordinator program. Sec. 5206. Staffing improvement plan for peer specialists of Department of Vet- erans Affairs who are women. Subtitle C—Eliminating Harassment and Assault Sec. 5301. Expansion of coverage by Department of Veterans Affairs of counseling and treatment for sexual trauma. Sec. 5302. Assessment of effects of intimate partner violence on women veterans by Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Sec. 5303. Anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy of Department of Vet- erans Affairs. Sec. 5304. Pilot program on assi [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.