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