[115th Congress Public Law 177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 1375]]
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Public Law 115-177
115th Congress
An Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of
veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and
for other purposes. <<NOTE: June 1, 2018 - [H.R. 3562]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITIES FOR PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE
FOR ADAPTATIONS OF RESIDENCES OF
VETERANS IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 21 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 2102A the following new section:
``Sec. 2102B. <<NOTE: 38 USC 2102b.>> Adaptations to residences
of veterans in rehabilitation programs
``(a) <<NOTE: Determination.>> In General.--Subject to subsections
(b) and (c), the Secretary may assist a veteran who is entitled to
services and assistance under chapter 31 of this title and is pursuing a
rehabilitation program under such chapter in acquiring such adaptations
to such veteran's residence as are determined necessary by the Secretary
to accomplish the purposes of such rehabilitation program.
``(b) Amount.--(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to a
veteran under subsection (a) may not exceed $77,307. <<NOTE: Waiver
authority. Determination.>> The Secretary may waive this limitation for
a veteran if the Secretary determines a waiver is necessary for the
rehabilitation program of the veteran.
``(2) <<NOTE: Effective dates.>> Effective on October 1 of each
year (beginning in 2017), the Secretary shall increase the amount
described in paragraph (1) by the percentage calculated under section
2102(e)(2) of this title.
``(3) <<NOTE: Effective date. Reports.>> Beginning on October 1,
2019, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives a biennial report on the use
of the waiver authority under paragraph (1).
``(c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations
as may be necessary to carry out this section.
``(d) Rehabilitation Program Defined.--In this section, the term
`rehabilitation program' has the meaning given such term in section 3101
of this title.''.
(b) <<NOTE: Notice. Criteria. 38 USC 2102b note.>> Regulations.--
The Secretary may provide assistance under section 2102B of such title,
as added by subsection (a), in advance of regulations by issuing notice
specifying the criteria for the application, approval, and oversight
processes relating to the provision of assistance under such section.
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(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Scope of services and assistance for training and
rehabilitation.--Section 3104 of such title is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) The Secretary may not assist a veteran in acquiring
adaptations to the residence of the veteran under this chapter. Any such
assistance may be furnished only under section 2102B of this title.''.
(2) Members of the armed forces residing outside the united
states.--Section 2101A of such title is amended--
(A) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection
(d); and
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following
new subsection (c):
``(c) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), this
section shall not apply to the provision of assistance under section
2102B of this title.''.
(3) Benefits additional to benefits under other laws.--
Section 2104 of such title is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``; however'' and
all that follows through ``once'';
(B) in subsection (b), by striking the second
sentence; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(c) <<NOTE: Determination.>> The Secretary may not provide
assistance to a veteran under this chapter if the Secretary determines
such assistance would result in a duplication of benefits under this
title to the veteran.''.
(4) Exception to mandatory life insurance.--Section 2106(a)
of such title is amended to read as follows:
``(a) The Secretary shall insure any individual under 70 years of
age who has received assistance under this chapter against the death of
the individual except for an individual who--
``(1) elects in writing to not receive insurance under this
section;
``(2) fails to respond in a timely manner to a request from
the Secretary for information on which the premium for such
insurance can be based; or
``(3) receives such assistance under section 2102B of this
title.''.
[[Page 132 STAT. 1378]]
(d) <<NOTE: 38 USC 2101 prec.>> Clerical Amendment.--The table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 21 of such title is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 2102A the following new
item:
``2102B. Adaptations to residences of veterans in rehabilitation
programs.''.
Approved June 1, 2018.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 3562:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115-386 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 163 (2017):
Nov. 6, considered and passed House.
Vol. 164 (2018):
May 16, considered and passed
Senate.
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