Summary:
National Guard Pay Integrity Act

This bill requires the Department concerned (the Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Homeland Security, Commerce, or Health and Human Services) to: (1) absolve any debt resulting from any bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit (including any student loan payment or repayment) that was paid to a member of the California National Guard for recruitment or reenlistment during FY2004-FY2010; and (2) refund any such amount such person already repaid to the United States.

Such requirement shall not apply with respect to a debt resulting from any such amount that was paid under circumstances involving fraud or misrepresentation on the part of the California National Guard member.

bill requires department concerned department_of_the_army navy air_force homeland_security commerce health_and_human_services debt resulting bonus incentive pay similar benefit including student loan payment repayment paid member recruitment reenlistment refund person repaid united_states requirement shall apply respect debt resulting paid circumstances involving fraud misrepresentation member


Summary:
National Guard Bonus Repayment and Financial Relief Act

This bill requires the Army to review all bonuses, incentive pays, or similar benefits received by members of the Army National Guard between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010, to determine if such benefits were issued erroneously and to either: (1) waive repayment of such an erroneous payment if the member concerned fully satisfies any period of service otherwise agreed to or imposed upon the member in connection with receipt of the payment; or (2) repay any such erroneous payment and any interest that was repaid by a member before this bill's enactment if the member fully satisfies any such period of service.

The Army may require an Army National Guard member to repay any such erroneous payment upon determining that: (1) the member knowingly received the benefit through fraud or misrepresentation in which the member participated, or (2) repayment is otherwise consistent with provisions governing repayment of unearned pay.

For any such member granted relief under this bill, the Army shall: (1) notify all consumer credit reporting agencies that any debt subject to the relief was never valid, and (2) provide assistance to the member facing financial hardship as a result of recoupment actions taken in connection with receipt of the payment. A consumer reporting agency notified of the invalidity of such a debt may not, after the date of notice, make any consumer report containing information relating to the debt.

financial relief act bill requires army review bonuses incentive pays similar benefits received members army_national_guard january december determine benefits issued erroneously waive repayment erroneous payment member concerned fully satisfies period service agreed imposed member connection receipt payment repay erroneous payment interest repaid member bill enactment member fully satisfies period service army require army_national_guard member repay erroneous payment determining member knowingly received benefit fraud misrepresentation member participated repayment consistent provisions governing repayment unearned pay member granted relief bill army shall notify consumer credit reporting agencies debt subject relief valid provide assistance member facing financial hardship result recoupment actions taken connection receipt payment consumer reporting agency notified debt date notice consumer report containing information relating debt


Summary: Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 TITLE I--DISABILITY COMPENSATION MATTERS (Sec. 101) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay burial and funeral expenses, accrued benefits, dependency and indemnity compensation, and non-service connected disability or death pension amounts to a survivor of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the record contains sufficient evidence to establish the survivor's entitlement to such benefits. The date of receipt of an application for such benefits shall be the earlier of: (1) the date on which the survivor notifies the VA of the veteran's death through a death certificate (or other relevant medical evidence establishing the survivor's entitlement) indicating that the death was due to a service-connected or compensable disability or (2) the date on which any other federal agency notifies the VA of the veteran's death. The VA shall report to Congress on benefits paid pursuant to covered claims. (Sec. 102) The Board of Veterans' Appeals shall, for purposes of scheduling a veteran's appeal hearing at the earliest possible date, determine whether to provide such hearing: (1) at its principal location or at another VA or federal facility within the regional VA's area, and (2) through the use of video conferencing or by an appellant's personal appearance. The board shall notify the appellant of such decisions. Upon notification, the appellant may request a different location or type of hearing, and the board shall grant such request while ensuring that the hearing is scheduled at the earliest possible date. (Sec. 103) The VA shall: (1) make available to the public the average length of time to adjudicate an early-filed appeal and a later-filed appeal, and (2) report to congress on whether such publication has had an effect on the number of appeals filed early. (Sec. 104) The Government Accountability Office shall: (1) complete a review of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) regional offices to help the VBA achieve more consistent performance in processing disability compensation claims, and (2) submit a related report to Congress. (Sec. 105) The VA shall report to Congress on the criteria and procedures to be used to determine appropriate staffing levels at regional VA offices under the National Work Queue for the distribution of the claims processing workload. (Sec. 106) The President shall include in his annual budget submission to Congress information on the VBA's capacity to process benefits claims. (Sec. 107) The VA shall report to Congress on plans to reduce the work item inventory listed in certain Monday Morning Workload Reports. (Sec. 108) The VA shall submit to Congress three annual reports on the VA's progress in implementing the veterans benefits management system. (Sec. 109) Licensed, VA-contracted physicians may conduct VA-authorized medical disability examinations at any location in any state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession, so long as the examination is authorized under the contract. The bill provides similar provisions for the pilot program authorized under the the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996. (Sec. 110) The VA shall: (1) enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine or an appropriate independent organization for an assessment of VA examinations furnished to individuals seeking disability compensation for traumatic brain injuries, and (2) submit a related report to Congress. (Sec. 111) The VA shall report to Congress: (1) regarding VA policies with respect to processing reasonably raised unrelated claims, and (2) annually for five years regarding complete and incomplete claims for VA disability compensation. TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS (Sec. 201) The bill: (1) extends the temporary expansion of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims until January 1, 2021, and (2) requires the chief judge to report to Congress on such temporary expansions by June 30, 2020. (Sec. 202) A regular active service judge or a retired judge shall be treated as an employee for government life insurance purposes. The court may pay for judges age 65 and older any increase in the cost of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance imposed after April 24, 1999. (Sec. 203) Regular service judges, retired recall-eligible judges, and certain retired but not recall-eligible judges may purchase in three-month increments up to an additional year of service credit for each year of federal judicial service completed. (Sec. 204) The bill modifies provisions regarding the chief judge, including by requiring the chief judge to have at least three years remaining as a court judge in regular active service. Such changes shall apply on or after January 20, 2020. TITLE III--BURIAL BENEFITS AND OTHER MATTERS (Sec. 301) The VA may, in lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker to a deceased individual, furnish a medallion or other device to signify the deceased individual's veteran status, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense. For the purposes of such provision a "deceased individual" is an individual who: (1) served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; and (2) is eligible for a headstone or marker or who would be eligible but for his or her date of death. The VA shall furnish at a private cemetery, upon request, a headstone, marker, or medallion that signifies the status of an eligible veteran who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917, as a Medal of Honor recipient. If the VA furnished a headstone, marker, or medallion for a deceased veteran that does not signify his or her status as a Medal of Honor recipient, the VA shall, upon request, replace that headstone, marker, or medallion with one that signifies the deceased's status as a Medal of Honor recipient. (Sec. 302) The bill authorizes award of the Presidential Memorial Certificate to certain deceased members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, the Air or Army National Guard, and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (Sec. 303) The VA shall report to Congress regarding the interring of veterans' unclaimed remains in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. (Sec. 304) The VA shall conduct a study on the feasibility and the need for Saturday and Sunday interments in veterans cemeteries. (Sec. 305) Any person entitled to retired pay for non-regular (reserve) service, or who but for age would be so entitled, shall be honored as a veteran but not be entitled to any benefit by reason of such recognition. TITLE IV--EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (Sec. 401) Any member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, is deemed to have died on January 1, 2006, in order to make that member's surviving spouse eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship. (Under current law, surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty after September 11, 2001, are eligible for such assistance until the earlier of the date they remarry or the date that is 15 years after the military spouse's death.) A surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, who elected before enactment of this bill to receive educational benefits under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry program may revoke such choice. (Such an election is currently irrevocable.) (Sec. 402) A veteran may pursue a course of education and training as part of a rehabilitation program only if the course is approved according to VA vocational rehabilitation requirements. (Sec. 403) The VA may prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need and upon consideration of disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and other appropriate factors. (Sec. 404) An educational institution that received a payment on behalf of an individual entitled to Post-9/11 educational assistance shall submit to the VA information regarding such individual's academic progress. (Sec. 405) Individuals may elect to convert their educational assistance to the Post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program if, as of August 1, 2009, they met specified conditions with respect to their entitlements and elections under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program or certain other educational programs for professional military, selected reserve, or reserve component members. Post-9/11 program eligibility shall be conditioned on an individual's meeting program requirements as of the date of election. The bill prescribes transitional rules with respect to the transfer or revocation of entitlements from a previous assistance program after an election to convert to the Post-9/11 program. Certain assistance shall remain available to individuals under their previous program if it is not available under the Post-9/11 program. After January 1, 2017, if an individual submits an election that the VA determines is against the individual's interests, the VA may make an alternative election on the individual's behalf. Such an individual may, during a specified period, modify or revoke the VA's alternative selection. (Sec. 406) The period for certain qualifying work-study activities for individuals receiving VA educational assistance is extended through June 30, 2022. (Sec. 407) The bill permits centralized reporting of veterans enrollment by a group, district, or consortium of separately accredited educational institutions located in the same state. (Sec. 408) Specified education programs are deemed to be approved for veterans' education benefit purposes if a state approving agency determines that they qualify. A state approving agency, or the VA acting in the role of a state approving agency, may approve other accredited programs for such purposes. (Sec. 409) The bill revises licensure or certification program requirements necessary for VA approval. (Sec. 410) State approving agencies may continue to establish additional criteria for the approval of nonaccredited courses, but the VA must, in consultation with the state approving agency, determine that such criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably. (Sec. 411) The VA shall conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions and training establishments offering one or more courses approved for the enrollment of eligible veterans or persons if at least 20 such veterans or persons are enrolled in any such course. (Currently, an annual compliance survey of each institution offering such courses must be conducted if at least 300 beneficiaries are enrolled or if any such course does not lead to a standard college degree.) Each educational institution and training establishment shall be surveyed at lease once every two years. (Sec. 412) The rates of the reporting fees that are paid to educational institutions for each educational assistance beneficiary are revised for the periods ending: (1) September 25, 2017, and (2) September 25, 2026. (Sec. 413) The bill revises the requirements of the composition of the Veterans Advisory Committee on Education. (Sec. 414) The VA shall contract with a non-government entity for a survey of individuals who have used or are using their educational assistance to pursue a program of education or training. (Sec. 415) VA counselors who provide specified educational or vocational counseling services shall provide a requesting veteran or member of the Armed Forces with information about the articulation agreements (agreements governing the transferability of credits toward meeting specific degree or program requirements) of each institution of higher learning in which the individual is interested. The VA shall provide a veteran who is certified as eligible for VA educational assistance with information on education counseling services and articulation agreements. (Sec. 416) The authorities under which a Reservist may regain lost payments and lost entitlement for educational programs when ordered to active duty shall include disaster service and service for a pre-planned mission in support of a combatant command. (Sec. 418) The VA shall evaluate programs that assist veterans in transitioning to civilian life. TITLE V--SMALL BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT MATTERS (Sec. 501) The surviving spouse of a service-disabled veteran who acquires the ownership interest in a small business of the deceased veteran shall, for purposes of eligibility for VA service-disabled small business contracting goals and preferences, be treated as that veteran for: (1) 10 years after the veteran's death if the veteran was either 100% disabled or died from a service-connected disability, or (2) 3 years after death if the veteran was less than 100% disabled and did not die from a service-connected disability. (Sec. 502) The Department of Labor shall contract with a non-government entity to conduct a five-year study of veterans' job counseling, training, and placement services. (Sec. 503) The VA may not place an employee on administrative leave or any other type of paid non-duty status for more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day period. The VA may waive this prohibition if it gives Congress a detailed explanation of the reasons for such placement and the reasons for extending such placement. (Sec. 504) Each state Director for Veterans' Employment and Training shall coordinate activities with the state departments of labor and of veterans affairs. TITLE VI--HEALTH CARE MATTERS Subtitle A--Medical Care (Sec. 601) The bill provides advanced appropriations for the VA Medical Community Care account. (Sec. 602) The bill includes in VA preventive health services immunizations against infectious diseases, including each immunization on the recommended adult immunization schedule established by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Nothing in this bill may be construed to require a veteran to receive an immunization that the veteran does not want. (Sec. 603) The bill increases, from third to first, the priority for enrollment in the VA health care system given to medal of honor recipients, regardless of the date on which the medal is awarded. Makes medal of honor recipients eligible for VA: (1) hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care; (2) extended care services for non-service-connected disabilities, withno copayment; and (3) medications, withno copayment. (Sec. 604) A veteran seeking VA hospital care or medical services shall provide the VA with the following information about other health plan coverage: (1) the name of the covering entity; (2) if coverage is under the name of another person, the name of such person; and (3) the health-plan contract identification number and group code. The VA may not deny services to an individual solely due to the fact that the individual fails to provide such information. (Sec. 605) The VA shall: (1) establish standards and procedures to ensure that an eligible veteran may access VA mental health care in a manner that fully accommodates the veteran's obligation to not improperly disclose classified information; (2) consult with the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that such standards and procedures are consistent with DOD policies on classified information; and (3) disseminate guidance to Veterans Health Administration employees about such standards and procedures and about how to best engage eligible veterans with respect to classified information. (Sec. 606) VA hospitals with emergency departments must provide persons requesting treatment with: (1) appropriate medical screening to determine if an emergency exists, and (2) stabilizing treatment or a transfer to another facility for emergency medical conditions and for women in labor. A person with an emergency condition who has not been stabilized may not be transferred unless: (1) the individual, after being informed of the obligations of the hospital on the risks of transfer, requests transfer to another medical facility in writing; (2) a VA physician or qualified medical person has certified that the medical benefits at another medical facility outweigh the transfer risks; and (3) the transfer to such facility is appropriate. Subtitle B--Veterans Health Administration (Sec. 611) The Readjustment Counseling Service's annual report is changed from a calendar year to a fiscal year period. (Sec. 612) The VA shall submit an annual report through 2022 regarding the furnishing and administration of VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care. (Sec. 613) Doctoral degrees shall be included in VA qualifications for licensed mental health counselors. (Sec. 614) This bill authorizes the VA, upon the advanced written request of a covered physician, to modify the hours of employment for a full-time VA physician to be more than or less than 80 hours in a biweekly pay period. A physician with an irregular work schedule must account for at least 2,080 employment hours (through work or use of leave or paid time off) in a calendar year. (Sec. 615) The bill repeals the requirement that the VA institute compensation panels to determine market pay for physicians and dentists. (Sec. 616) The bill makes all student participants in the VA employee incentive scholarship program liable for the amount that was paid to them or on their behalf in the event of failure to maintain VA employment. (Currently, such provisions applies to part-time students.) (Sec. 617) The VA shall increase the number of graduate medical education residency positions over 10 years (currently 5 years). The annual reporting requirement is extended through 2024. (Sec. 618) The VA shall report to Congress on increasing public access to scientific publications and digital data from research funded by the VA. (Sec. 619) The VA may carry out the following major medical facility projects, with each project not to exceed a specified amount: (1) seismic, life safety, and utilities upgrades and expansion of clinical services in Reno, Nevada; and (2) seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California. Subtitle C--Toxic Exposure (Sec. 632) The VA shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Medicine, or an independent alternate organization with similar expertise, to assess the scientific research regarding the descendants of individuals and veterans with toxic exposure. The academy shall report to Congress and the VA regarding such assessment and a determination whether further research should be conducted. The VA shall submit a certification regarding the feasibility of conducting further research regarding health conditions of descendants of veterans with toxic exposure. (Sec. 633) Unless the VA certifies that such assessment indicates that it is not feasible to conduct further research, the VA shall: (1) establish an advisory board to advise the VA on the selection and activities of research entities and (2) such entities on conducting research, and (2) enter into an agreement with non-VA research entities to conduct research on health conditions of descendants of veterans with toxic exposure while serving as members of the Armed Forces. TITLE VII--HOMELESSNESS MATTERS Subtitle A--Access of Homeless Veterans to Benefits (Sec. 701) The bill includes as a "homeless veteran," for purposes of VA benefits, a veteran or a veteran's family member fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions in their current housing situation. A "veteran" is defined, for purposes of certain VA benefits, as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or released therefrom, except for a person who: (1) received a dishonorable discharge, or (2) was discharged or dismissed by reason of a general court-martial. (Such benefits include outreach, rehabilitative services, vocational counseling and training, transitional housing assistance, supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, and health care for homeless veterans with special needs.) (Sec. 702) The bill exempts homeless veterans from being disqualified from receiving such benefits as a result of a discharge or dismissal from the Armed Forces under conditions other than honorable, except for discharge by reason of a general court-martial. (Sec. 703) The bill eliminates the minimum continuous active duty service requirement for homeless veterans to receive such benefits. (Sec. 704) The VA shall conduct related training and education for appropriate VA and grant recipient personnel. Subtitle B--Other Homelessness Matters (Sec. 711) The per diem payment is increased for transitional housing assistance for homeless veterans who are placed in housing that will become permanent upon the termination of such assistance to a maximum of 150% of the per diem rate authorized for veterans receiving domiciliary care in state homes. (Sec. 712) The VA shall carry out a grant program to improve the retention of housing by veterans who were previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing and veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. (Sec. 713) The VA shall establish and operate the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, which shall: (1) carry out research on veteran homelessness; (2) assess the effectiveness of VA homelessness programs; (3) identify and disseminate best practices with regard to housing stabilization, income support, employment assistance, and community partnerships; (4) integrate evidence-based and best practices, policies, and programs into VA programs; and (5) serve as a resource center. (Sec. 714) The VA shall (1) assess the capacity of programs for which entities receive grants or per diem payments to assist homeless veterans, and (2) ensure that such programs are effectively serving homeless veterans. (Sec. 715) The VA shall report to Congress regarding VA outreach to educate realtors, landlords, property management companies, and developers about veterans housing needs and the benefits of having veterans as tenants. TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS (Sec. 801) The VA shall: (1) use industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying out medical facility construction; and (2) ensure that VA employees with responsibilities relating to infrastructure construction or alteration of medical facilities receive ongoing professional training and development. The VA shall contract with an appropriate non-VA entity for a forensic audit of: (1) any major medical facility or super construction project if expenditures exceed the initial budget request by more than 25%, and (2) the medical center construction project in Aurora, Colorado. The VA shall provide Congress with quarterly reports on super construction projects. "Super construction project" means a project for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100 million.

benefits improvement act title disability compensation matters sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs pay burial funeral expenses accrued benefits dependency indemnity compensation non service connected disability death pension amounts survivor veteran filed formal claim record contains sufficient evidence establish survivor entitlement benefits date receipt application benefits shall earlier date survivor notifies veteran death death certificate relevant medical evidence establishing survivor entitlement indicating death service connected compensable disability date federal agency notifies veteran death shall report congress benefits paid pursuant covered claims sec shall purposes scheduling veteran appeal hearing earliest possible date determine provide hearing principal location federal facility regional area use video conferencing appellant personal appearance board shall notify appellant decisions notification appellant request different location type hearing board shall grant request ensuring hearing scheduled earliest possible date sec shall available public average length time adjudicate early filed appeal later filed appeal report congress publication effect number appeals filed early sec government_accountability_office shall complete review veterans_benefits_administration vba regional offices help vba achieve consistent performance processing disability compensation claims submit related report congress sec shall report congress criteria procedures determine appropriate staffing levels regional offices national work distribution claims processing workload sec president shall include annual budget submission congress information vba capacity process benefits claims sec shall report congress plans reduce work item inventory listed certain monday workload reports sec shall submit congress annual reports progress implementing veterans benefits management system sec licensed contracted physicians conduct authorized medical disability examinations location state district_of_columbia commonwealth territory possession long examination authorized contract bill provides similar provisions pilot program authorized veterans benefits improvement act sec shall enter agreement medicine appropriate independent organization assessment examinations furnished individuals seeking disability compensation traumatic brain injuries submit related report congress sec shall report congress policies respect processing reasonably raised unrelated claims annually years complete incomplete claims disability compensation title united states court appeals veterans claims sec bill extends temporary expansion court_of_appeals veterans claims january requires chief judge report congress temporary expansions june sec regular active service judge retired judge shall treated employee government life insurance purposes court pay judges age older increase cost imposed april sec regular service judges retired recall eligible judges certain retired recall eligible judges purchase month increments additional year service credit year federal judicial service completed sec bill modifies provisions chief judge including requiring chief judge years remaining court judge regular active service changes shall apply january title iii burial benefits matters sec lieu furnishing headstone marker deceased individual furnish medallion device signify deceased individual veteran status attached headstone marker furnished private expense purposes provision deceased individual individual served armed_forces april eligible headstone marker eligible date death shall furnish private cemetery request headstone marker medallion status eligible veteran served armed_forces april medal honor recipient furnished headstone marker medallion deceased veteran signify status medal honor recipient shall request replace headstone marker medallion deceased status medal honor recipient sec bill authorizes award certain deceased members reserve components armed_forces air army_national_guard reserve officers training corps sec shall report congress veterans unclaimed remains national cemeteries control national_cemetery_administration sec shall conduct study feasibility need saturday sunday veterans cemeteries sec person entitled retired pay non regular reserve service age entitled shall honored veteran entitled benefit reason recognition title educational assistance vocational rehabilitation sec member armed_forces died september december deemed died january order member surviving spouse eligible marine gunnery sergeant john_david_fry scholarship current law surviving spouses service members die line duty september eligible assistance earlier date remarry date years military spouse death surviving spouse member armed_forces died september december elected enactment bill receive educational benefits program marine gunnery sergeant john_david_fry program revoke choice election currently irrevocable sec veteran pursue course education training rehabilitation program course approved according vocational rehabilitation requirements sec prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based need consideration disability ratings severity employment qualification program independent living income appropriate factors sec educational institution received payment behalf individual entitled educational assistance shall submit information individual academic progress sec individuals elect convert educational assistance veterans educational assistance program august met specified conditions respect entitlements elections volunteer force educational assistance program certain educational programs professional military selected reserve reserve component members program eligibility shall conditioned individual meeting program requirements date election bill prescribes transitional rules respect transfer revocation entitlements previous assistance program election convert program certain assistance shall remain available individuals previous program available program january individual submits election determines individual interests alternative election individual behalf individual specified period modify revoke alternative selection sec period certain qualifying work study activities individuals receiving educational assistance extended june sec bill permits centralized reporting veterans enrollment group district consortium separately accredited educational institutions located state sec specified education programs deemed approved veterans education benefit purposes state approving agency determines qualify state approving agency acting role state approving agency approve accredited programs purposes sec bill revises licensure certification program requirements necessary approval sec state approving agencies continue establish additional criteria approval courses consultation state approving agency determine criteria necessary treat public private proprietary profit educational institutions equitably sec shall conduct annual compliance survey educational institutions training establishments offering courses approved enrollment eligible veterans persons veterans persons enrolled course currently annual compliance survey institution offering courses conducted beneficiaries enrolled course lead standard college degree educational institution training establishment shall surveyed lease years sec rates reporting fees paid educational institutions educational assistance beneficiary revised periods ending september september sec bill revises requirements composition sec shall contract non government entity survey individuals educational assistance pursue program education training sec counselors provide specified educational vocational counseling services shall provide requesting veteran member armed_forces information articulation agreements agreements governing transferability credits meeting specific degree program requirements institution higher learning individual interested shall provide veteran certified eligible educational assistance information education counseling services articulation agreements sec authorities reservist lost payments lost entitlement educational programs ordered active duty shall include disaster service service pre planned mission support combatant command sec shall evaluate programs assist veterans transitioning civilian life title small business employment matters sec surviving spouse service disabled veteran acquires ownership interest small business deceased veteran shall purposes eligibility service disabled small business contracting goals preferences treated veteran years veteran death veteran disabled died service connected disability years death veteran disabled die service connected disability sec department_of_labor shall contract non government entity conduct year study veterans job counseling training placement services sec place employee administrative leave type paid non duty status total days day period waive prohibition gives congress detailed explanation reasons placement reasons extending placement sec state director training shall coordinate activities state departments labor veterans affairs title health care matters subtitle medical care sec bill provides advanced appropriations account sec bill includes preventive health services immunizations infectious diseases including immunization recommended adult immunization schedule established advisory_committee_on_immunization_practices bill construed require veteran receive immunization veteran want sec bill increases priority enrollment health care system given medal honor recipients regardless date medal awarded makes medal honor recipients eligible hospital nursing home domiciliary care extended care services non service connected disabilities copayment medications copayment sec veteran seeking hospital care medical services shall provide following information health plan coverage covering entity coverage person person health plan contract identification number group code deny services individual solely fact individual fails provide information sec shall establish standards procedures ensure eligible veteran access mental health care manner fully accommodates veteran obligation improperly disclose classified information consult department_of_defense dod ensure standards procedures consistent dod policies classified information disseminate guidance veterans_health_administration employees standards procedures best engage eligible veterans respect classified information sec hospitals emergency departments provide persons requesting treatment appropriate medical screening determine emergency exists stabilizing treatment transfer facility emergency medical conditions women labor person emergency condition transferred individual informed obligations hospital risks transfer requests transfer medical facility writing physician qualified medical person certified medical benefits medical facility outweigh transfer risks transfer facility appropriate subtitle veterans_health_administration sec annual report changed calendar year fiscal year period sec shall submit annual report furnishing administration hospital care medical services nursing home care sec doctoral degrees shall included qualifications licensed mental health counselors sec bill authorizes advanced written request covered physician modify hours employment time physician hours biweekly pay period physician irregular work schedule account employment hours work use leave paid time calendar year sec bill repeals requirement institute compensation panels determine market pay physicians dentists sec bill makes student participants employee incentive scholarship program liable paid behalf event failure maintain employment currently provisions applies time students sec shall increase number graduate medical education residency positions years currently years annual reporting requirement extended sec shall report congress increasing public access scientific publications digital data research funded sec carry following major medical facility projects project exceed specified seismic life safety utilities upgrades expansion clinical services reno nevada seismic corrections mental health community living center long_beach california subtitle toxic exposure sec shall enter agreement independent alternate organization similar expertise assess scientific research descendants individuals veterans toxic exposure academy shall report congress assessment determination research conducted shall submit certification feasibility conducting research health conditions descendants veterans toxic exposure sec certifies assessment indicates feasible conduct research shall establish advisory board advise selection activities research entities entities conducting research enter agreement non-va research entities conduct research health conditions descendants veterans toxic exposure serving members armed_forces title vii homelessness matters subtitle access homeless veterans benefits sec bill includes homeless veteran purposes benefits veteran veteran family member fleeing domestic violence sexual assault stalking dangerous life threatening conditions current housing situation veteran defined purposes certain benefits person served active military naval air service regardless length service discharged released therefrom person received dishonorable discharge discharged dismissed reason general court martial benefits include outreach rehabilitative services vocational counseling training transitional housing assistance supportive services low income veteran families permanent housing health care homeless veterans special needs sec bill exempts homeless veterans disqualified receiving benefits result discharge dismissal armed_forces conditions honorable discharge reason general court martial sec bill eliminates minimum continuous active duty service requirement homeless veterans receive benefits sec shall conduct related training education appropriate grant recipient personnel subtitle homelessness matters sec diem payment increased transitional housing assistance homeless veterans placed housing permanent termination assistance maximum diem rate authorized veterans receiving domiciliary care state homes sec shall carry grant program improve retention housing veterans previously homeless transitioning permanent housing veterans risk homeless sec shall establish operate veterans shall carry research veteran homelessness assess effectiveness homelessness programs identify disseminate best practices regard housing stabilization income support employment assistance community partnerships integrate evidence based best practices policies programs programs serve resource center sec shall assess capacity programs entities receive grants diem payments assist homeless veterans ensure programs effectively serving homeless veterans sec shall report congress outreach educate property management companies developers veterans housing needs benefits having veterans tenants title viii matters sec shall use industry standards standard designs best practices carrying medical facility construction ensure employees responsibilities relating infrastructure construction alteration medical facilities receive ongoing professional training development shall contract appropriate non-va entity forensic audit major medical facility super construction project expenditures exceed initial budget request medical center construction project aurora colorado shall provide congress quarterly reports super construction projects super construction project means project construction alteration acquisition medical facility involving total expenditure million


Summary:
Veterans Health Care Trust Fund Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), upon the commencement of any war, to establish a trust fund to be named for that war.

Amounts collected pursuant to a war tax (required by this bill) shall be deposited into such fund and may be used by the VA to provide for veterans who serve on active duty during that war programs and benefits directly related to their health care.

For any fiscal year during which the VA makes a withdrawal from such a fund, the Government Accountability Office shall conduct an audit of the consolidated financial statements relating to the fund.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the imposition upon individuals who have not served on active duty in the Armed Forces of a graduated income tax with respect to each war occurring at any time during the taxable year.

act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs commencement war establish trust fund named war amounts collected pursuant war tax required bill shall deposited fund provide veterans serve active duty war programs benefits directly related health care fiscal year makes withdrawal fund government_accountability_office shall conduct audit consolidated financial statements relating fund bill amends internal_revenue_code provide imposition individuals served active duty armed_forces graduated income tax respect war occurring time taxable year


Summary:
Army Combat Action Badge Eligibility Act

This bill authorizes the Department of the Army to award the Army Combat Action Badge to a person who: (1) participated as a member of the Army between December 7, 1941, and September 18, 2001, in combat during which the person was personally engaged with the enemy; and (2) has not been recognized previously for such participation.

The Army may make arrangements with suppliers of the badge so that eligible persons may procure it directly from suppliers, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating administrative costs for carrying out this bill.

army combat action badge eligibility act bill authorizes department_of_the_army award person participated member army december september combat person personally engaged enemy recognized previously participation army arrangements suppliers badge eligible persons procure directly suppliers substantially reducing eliminating administrative costs carrying bill


Summary:
Service Members Financial Planning Assistance Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, effective as of January 1, 2018, to require the department concerned (Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Homeland Security, or Commerce) to ensure that certain members of the uniformed services who will be eligible to make an election of lump sum payment of certain military retired pay have access to retirement planning assistance with a certified financial planner, at no cost, by December 30, 2017, to help weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of making such election and of selecting a particular payment percentage.

service members financial planning assistance act bill amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year effective january require department concerned department_of_the_army navy air_force homeland_security commerce ensure certain members uniformed services eligible election lump sum payment certain military retired pay access retirement planning assistance certified financial planner cost december help weigh potential benefits making election selecting particular payment percentage


Summary:
Soldier's Help Obtaining Negotiated Rates Act or the Solider's HONR Act

This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to permit an individual to provide to a creditor as proof of military service, in order to qualify for the active service interest rate limitation, a certified letter from a commanding officer or any other appropriate indicator of military service. A creditor may use information from the Defense Manpower Database Center indicating that the individual is on active duty.

A creditor that uses center information has not failed to treat the individual's debt as required if: (1) such information indicates that such individual is not on active duty; and (2) the creditor has not received the other proof required.

soldier rates act act bill amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act permit individual provide creditor proof military service order qualify active service interest rate limitation certified letter commanding officer appropriate indicator military service creditor use information indicating individual active duty creditor uses center information failed treat individual debt required information indicates individual active duty creditor received proof required


Summary: This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) cover a veteran who is unable to schedule an appointment with his or her primary care physician at the same VA medical facility at which the veteran had the most recent appointment with the physician because the physician is no longer employed at such facility, and (2) establish a minimum one-year period of care or services under such program.

bill amends accountability act expand eligibility cover veteran unable schedule appointment primary care physician medical facility veteran recent appointment physician physician longer employed facility establish minimum year period care services program


Summary:
Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces (military spouse) who moves with such member to another state under a permanent change of station order a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified relicensing costs incurred by such spouse. Defines "qualified relicensing costs" as costs for a state license or certification to engage in the profession that such military spouse engaged in while residing in the former state.

military spouse job continuity act amends internal revenue code allow spouse member armed_forces military spouse moves member state permanent change station order tax credit qualified relicensing costs incurred spouse defines qualified relicensing costs costs state license certification engage profession military spouse engaged residing state


Summary:
Operation United Assistance Tax Exclusion Act of 2015

Provides for a tax exclusion of compensation paid to a member of the Armed Forces serving in Operation United Assistance in the Ebola virus disease outbreak area (i.e., Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and any other region designated as experiencing a widespread Ebola virus disease outbreak). Requires that such service member undergo a program of at least 21 days of controlled monitoring upon return from the outbreak area.

operation provides tax exclusion compensation paid member armed forces serving ebola virus disease outbreak area liberia sierra_leone guinea region designated experiencing widespread ebola virus disease outbreak requires service member undergo program days controlled monitoring return outbreak area


Summary:
Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) provide an individual with a mental health screening before such individual enlists or is commissioned as an officer in the Armed Forces, and (2) use such results as a baseline for any subsequent mental health examinations.

Prohibits the Secretary from considering the results of such screening in determining the promotion of a member of the Armed Forces.

Directs the Secretary to treat a screening in the same manner as medical records with respect to laws and regulations relating to the privacy of information.

Requires the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health to submit to Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) a report on preliminary mental health screenings of members of the Armed Forces, including recommendations regarding: (1) establishing preliminary mental health screenings to establish parity with physical screenings; and (2) the composition of the mental health screening, evidenced-based best practices, and how to track changes relating to traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.

Directs DOD and the Government Accountability Office to report on the efficacy of preliminary mental health screenings. Requires DOD to report on the efficacy of the mental health components of the physical examinations to members of the Armed Forces who are separated from active duty.

medical evaluation parity servicemembers act directs secretary military department concerned provide individual mental health screening individual commissioned officer armed_forces use results baseline subsequent mental health examinations prohibits secretary considering results screening determining promotion member armed_forces directs secretary treat screening manner medical records respect laws regulations relating privacy information requires national_institute_of_mental_health national_institutes_of_health submit congress department_of_defense dod report preliminary mental health screenings members armed_forces including recommendations establishing preliminary mental health screenings establish parity physical screenings composition mental health screening evidenced based best practices track changes relating traumatic brain injuries post traumatic stress disorder conditions directs dod government_accountability_office report efficacy preliminary mental health screenings requires dod report efficacy mental health components physical examinations members armed_forces separated active duty


Summary:
Service Members and Communities Count Act of 2014 [sic]

Requires the Department of Commerce, beginning with the 2020 census, to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces deployed abroad are fully and accurately counted in the tabulation of total population by states and are properly attributed to the state in which their residence at their permanent duty station or homeport is located.

service members communities count act sic requires department_of_commerce beginning census ensure members armed_forces deployed abroad fully accurately counted tabulation total population states properly attributed state residence permanent duty station located


Summary:
Servicemember and Veteran Protection Act of 2015

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces and National Guard to defer payments of principal on their Federal Family Education Loans, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans for the period (up to 180 days) beginning on the date they receive a call or order to duty in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency and ending on their first day of service. (Currently, the payment of principal on those loans is also deferred during their period of service and for the 180-day period after their demobilization date.)

Allows individuals whose call to duty is cancelled before their first day of service: (1) due to a service training injury, to defer payments of principal on those loans through what would have been their period of service; and (2) for a reason other than a service training injury, to defer payments of principal on those loans for 14 days after that cancellation.

Directs the Secretary of Defense, each fiscal year, to provide an increase in the rates of educational assistance payable to certain members of the Selected Reserve, which shall be not less than the percentage by which the average cost of undergraduate tuition in the United States for the last academic year exceeds the average cost of such tuition for the year before that academic year. (Currently, such percentage increase is based on increases in the Consumer Price Index over such period.)

Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a consumer reporting agency, upon the request of an active duty military consumer or an individual acting on that consumer's behalf, to:

 include an active duty freeze alert in the file of that consumer and also provide that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file for at least 12 months, exclude the consumer for 2 years from any list of consumers prepared by the agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer, and refer the active duty freeze alert information to each of the other consumer reporting agencies that compile and maintain files on consumers on a nationwide basis. Requires each active duty freeze alert to notify prospective users of the consumer's credit report that the consumer does not authorize: (1) the establishment of any new credit plan or extension of credit in the consumer's name, (2) the issuance of an additional card on an existing credit account requested by a consumer, or (3) any increase in the credit limit on an existing credit account requested by a consumer. Prohibits prospective users of the credit report from taking such actions.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to Congress on the effect on the privacy of veterans of the use of social security numbers to uniquely identify veterans.

servicemember veteran protection act amends title student assistance higher education act allow members defer payments principal federal_family_education_loans federal direct loans federal_perkins_loans period days beginning date receive order duty connection war military operation national emergency ending day service currently payment principal loans deferred period service day period demobilization date allows individuals duty cancelled day service service training injury defer payments principal loans period service reason service training injury defer payments principal loans days cancellation directs secretary defense fiscal year provide increase rates educational assistance payable certain members selected_reserve shall percentage average cost undergraduate tuition united_states academic year exceeds average cost tuition year academic year currently percentage increase based increases consumer price index period amends fair credit reporting act require consumer reporting agency request active duty military consumer individual acting consumer behalf include active duty freeze alert file consumer provide alert credit score generated file months exclude consumer years list consumers prepared agency provided party offer credit insurance consumer transaction initiated consumer refer active duty freeze alert information consumer reporting agencies compile maintain files consumers nationwide basis requires active duty freeze alert notify prospective users consumer credit report consumer authorize establishment new credit plan extension credit consumer issuance additional card existing credit account requested consumer increase credit limit existing credit account requested consumer prohibits prospective users credit report taking actions directs secretary veterans_affairs report congress effect privacy veterans use social security numbers uniquely identify veterans


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Wounded Warrior Tax Equity Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prevent any suspension of the tax collection period after assessment for taxpayers who are members of the Armed Forces due to a continuous hospitalization for combat zone injuries or the next 180 days after such hospitalization.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill amends internal_revenue_code prevent suspension tax collection period assessment taxpayers members armed_forces continuous hospitalization combat zone injuries days hospitalization


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces (military spouse) who moves with such member to another state under a permanent change of station order a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified relicensing costs incurred by such spouse for each change of duty station. Defines "qualified relicensing costs" as costs for a state license or certification to engage in the profession that such military spouse engaged in while residing in the former state and which are paid or incurred during the period beginning when the relocation order is issued and ending one year after the reporting date specified in such order. Requires a reduction in the amount of such credit by any tax deduction or other credit allowed for qualified relicensing costs. Makes this tax credit effective for taxable years beginning after 2014.

(Sec. 3) Increases from 30% to 40% the rate of the continuous levy on payments to Medicare providers and suppliers for unpaid taxes, effective for payments made after 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure military spouse job continuity act sec amends internal revenue code allow spouse member armed_forces military spouse moves member state permanent change station order tax credit qualified relicensing costs incurred spouse change duty station defines qualified relicensing costs costs state license certification engage profession military spouse engaged residing state paid incurred period beginning relocation order issued ending year reporting date specified order requires reduction credit tax deduction credit allowed qualified relicensing costs makes tax credit effective taxable years beginning sec increases rate continuous levy payments medicare providers suppliers unpaid taxes effective payments days enactment act


Summary: This bill amends the charter of the Gold Star Wives of America corporation to remove the prohibition on the corporation or a director or officer contributing to, supporting, or participating in any political activity or in any manner attempting to influence legislation.

bill amends charter corporation remove prohibition corporation director officer contributing supporting participating political activity manner attempting influence legislation


Summary:
Veterans' Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay burial and funeral expenses, accrued benefits, dependency and indemnity compensation, and non-service connected disability or death pension amounts to a survivor of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the VA determines that the record contains sufficient evidence to establish the survivor's entitlement to such benefits.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs pay burial funeral expenses accrued benefits dependency indemnity compensation non service connected disability death pension amounts survivor veteran filed formal claim determines record contains sufficient evidence establish survivor entitlement benefits


Summary:
This bill addresses medical evidence reviews in the case of: (1) a former member of the Armed Forces who was deployed in a contingency operation and subsequently diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury as a consequence of such deployment, or (2) a former member whose application for relief from the terms of his or her military discharge is based in whole or in part on matters relating to post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury related to combat or military sexual trauma.

Any board of review shall:

 review medical evidence of the Department of Veterans Affairs or a civilian health care provider presented by the former member, and review the case with a rebuttable presumption in favor of the former member that post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury materially contributed to the circumstances resulting in the discharge of a lesser characterization.

bill addresses medical evidence reviews case member armed_forces deployed contingency operation subsequently diagnosed suffering post traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury consequence deployment member application relief terms military discharge based matters relating post traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury related combat military sexual trauma board review shall review medical evidence department_of_veterans_affairs civilian health care provider presented member review case rebuttable presumption favor member post traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury materially contributed circumstances resulting discharge lesser characterization


Summary:
Arm All Pilots Act of 2015

This bill revises requirements for the federal flight deck officer program.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall designate additional training facilities for:

 firearms training and recurrent training for federal flight deck officers, and initial firearm training and certification of pilots seeking to be deputized as federal flight deck officers. DHS (formerly, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security of the Department of Transportation) shall:

 require officers, but no less than once every six months, to requalify to carry firearms on domestic flights; and permit officers to requalify at certified private or government-owned gun ranges. DHS may require certain limitations on initial and recurrent training for such officers.

The bill revises the authority of federal flight deck officers to carry firearms on domestic and foreign flights.

DHS may not establish medical or physical standards for a pilot to become a federal flight deck officer inconsistent with or more stringent than Federal Aviation Administration requirements for issuance of a first- or second-class airman medical certificate.

A pilot deputized as a federal flight deck officer may move from inactive to active status after completing one recurrent training program.

DHS shall allow officers to be screened through the Transportation Security Administration's Known Crew Member program when entering an airport sterile area.

Each air carrier certifying to DHS that it has a pilot deputized as a federal flight deck officer on all its flights shall receive a refund of up to 10% of security service fees collected from passengers on flights operated by that air carrier.

DHS shall revise certain federal regulations to classify information about deputized pilots as sensitive security information.

arm pilots act bill revises requirements federal flight deck officer program department_of_homeland_security dhs shall designate additional training facilities firearms training recurrent training federal flight deck officers initial firearm training certification pilots seeking deputized federal flight deck officers dhs secretary shall require officers months carry firearms domestic flights permit officers certified private government owned gun ranges dhs require certain limitations initial recurrent training officers bill revises authority federal flight deck officers carry firearms domestic foreign flights dhs establish medical physical standards pilot federal flight deck officer inconsistent stringent federal_aviation_administration requirements issuance first- second class airman medical certificate pilot deputized federal flight deck officer inactive active status completing recurrent training program dhs shall allow officers screened transportation_security_administration known crew member program entering airport sterile area air carrier certifying dhs pilot deputized federal flight deck officer flights shall receive refund security service fees collected passengers flights operated air carrier dhs shall revise certain federal regulations classify information deputized pilots sensitive security information


Summary: This bill prohibits any reduction in the amount of basic housing allowance, as of September 30, 2015, for a member of the uniformed services who is married to another member of the uniformed services, unless the member and the member's spouse: (1) undergo a permanent change of station requiring a change of residence, or (2) move into or commence living in on-base housing.

bill prohibits reduction basic housing allowance september member uniformed services married member uniformed services member member spouse undergo permanent change station requiring change residence commence living base housing


Summary:
Securing Military Personnel Response Firearm Initiative Act or SEMPER FI Act

This bill directs the Secretary concerned to authorize an eligible member of the Armed Forces assigned to an Armed Forces recruitment center to carry a service-issue sidearm as a personal- or force-protection measure while on duty at the recruiting center, notwithstanding any federal, state, or local law or Department of Defense policy to the contrary.

In lieu of authorizing eligible members of the Armed Forces to carry a service-issue sidearm, or in addition, the Secretary concerned may implement additional security measures for Armed Forces recruitment centers, including improved structural security measures.

This Act shall not be interpreted to grant any member of the Armed Forces the authority to conduct civilian law enforcement functions within U.S. territory.

response firearm initiative act act bill directs secretary concerned authorize eligible member armed_forces assigned armed_forces recruitment center carry service issue force protection measure duty recruiting center notwithstanding federal state local law department_of_defense policy contrary lieu authorizing eligible members armed_forces carry service issue addition secretary concerned implement additional security measures armed_forces recruitment centers including improved structural security measures act shall interpreted grant member armed_forces authority conduct civilian law enforcement functions territory


Summary:
Military Family Stability Act of 2015

This bill allows a member of the Armed Forces undergoing a permanent change of station and the member's spouse to jointly elect that the spouse may relocate to the new location at the time during the covered relocation period as the member and spouse jointly select.

The following families are eligible:

 the spouse is employed, or enrolled in a degree, certificate or license-granting program, at the beginning of the covered relocation period; the member and spouse have one or more children in school; the spouse or children are covered under the Exceptional Family Member Program; the member and spouse are caring for an immediate family member with a chronic or long-term illness; or the member is undergoing a permanent change of station as an individual augmentee or other deployment arrangement. Families with other needs may receive exceptions granted by military commanders on a case-by-case basis.

A member undergoing a permanent change of station who has one or more specified dependents and is no longer married to the individual who is or was the parent of such dependents at the beginning of the covered period of relocation may elect that such dependents relocate to the new location as follows:

 by the member alone if the former spouse is dead or has no custodial rights, or by the member and the former spouse jointly in all other circumstances. Housing provisions are as follows:

 if a member's spouse relocates first the member shall be assigned to quarters or other U.S. housing facilities as a bachelor until the date of the member's permanent change of station; if a member's spouse and dependents reside in U.S. housing at the beginning of the covered relocation period, the spouse and dependents may continue to reside in such housing throughout the covered period of relocation regardless of the date of the member's permanent change of station; and if a member's spouse and dependents are eligible to reside in U.S. housing following the member's permanent change of station, the spouse and dependents may commence residing in such housing at any time during the covered relocation period regardless of the date of the member's permanent change of station. In the case of a member undergoing a permanent change of station who is paid basic housing allowance at the "with dependents" rate at the beginning of the covered relocation period, the member shall be paid at such rate for months beginning during the covered relocation period regardless of the date on which the member's spouse and dependents relocate or the member is assigned to bachelor's quarters or facilities.

The geographic location of the dependents shall govern in determining the portion of basic housing allowance payable to a member with respect to the member's dependents.

A member shall be provided with housing reimbursement if quarters are not available for the member's assignment until the date on which the member and the member's spouse reside in the same geographic area after the permanent change of station.

Transportation allowances authorized for personal property of a member and spouse may be allocated as the member and spouse select.

The Department of Defense shall establish a single application approval process for coverage under this Act which shall apply uniformly among the Armed Forces.

military family stability act bill allows member armed_forces undergoing permanent change station member spouse jointly elect spouse relocate new location time covered relocation period member spouse jointly select following families eligible spouse employed enrolled degree certificate license granting program beginning covered relocation period member spouse children school spouse children covered exceptional family member program member spouse caring immediate family member chronic long term illness member undergoing permanent change station individual augmentee deployment arrangement families needs receive exceptions granted military commanders case case basis member undergoing permanent change station specified dependents longer married individual parent dependents beginning covered period relocation elect dependents relocate new location follows member spouse dead custodial rights member spouse jointly circumstances housing provisions follows member spouse relocates member shall assigned quarters housing facilities bachelor date member permanent change station member spouse dependents reside housing beginning covered relocation period spouse dependents continue reside housing covered period relocation regardless date member permanent change station member spouse dependents eligible reside housing following member permanent change station spouse dependents commence residing housing time covered relocation period regardless date member permanent change station case member undergoing permanent change station paid basic housing allowance dependents rate beginning covered relocation period member shall paid rate months beginning covered relocation period regardless date member spouse dependents relocate member assigned bachelor quarters facilities geographic location dependents shall govern determining portion basic housing allowance payable member respect member dependents member shall provided housing reimbursement quarters available member assignment date member member spouse reside geographic area permanent change station transportation allowances authorized personal property member spouse allocated member spouse select department_of_defense shall establish single application approval process coverage act shall apply uniformly armed_forces


Summary:
Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2015

Amends citizenship and residency qualifications for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces to permit enlistment of additional persons who: (1) have resided continuously in a lawful status in the United States for at least two years, or (2) possess an employment authorization document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy entitled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

 Requires authorized enlistees who are not citizens or other nationals of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence to be adjusted to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under an exception to specified provisions of Immigration and Nationality Act. (Such enlistees need not establish that they entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972, or comply with other specified requirements.)

Directs DHS to rescind such adjusted status if the person is separated from the armed forces under other than honorable conditions before the person served for a period or periods aggregating five years.

Deems any person who has received an award from the U.S. Armed Forces for engagement in active combat or active participation in combat to have satisfied specified naturalization requirements.

military enlistment opportunity act amends citizenship residency qualifications enlistment permit enlistment additional persons resided continuously lawful status united_states years possess employment authorization document issued requirements department_of_homeland_security dhs policy entitled deferred_action_for_childhood_arrivals requires authorized citizens nationals united_states lawfully admitted permanent residence adjusted status alien lawfully admitted permanent residence exception specified provisions immigration nationality act need establish entered united_states prior january comply specified requirements directs dhs rescind adjusted status person separated armed forces honorable conditions person served period periods aggregating years deems person received award engagement active combat active participation combat satisfied specified naturalization requirements


Summary:
SCRA Rights Protection Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to make any predispute arbitration agreement invalid or unenforceable against a servicemember, or a servicemember and the servicemember's spouse jointly, with respect to any controversy subject to such Act.

A servicemember's waiver of any SCRA rights and protections shall be effective only if made after a specific dispute has arisen and the dispute is identified in the waiver.

A representative of members of an aggrieved class, or a member of such class, may bring a private civil action for a violation of any SCRA rights or protections.

scra rights protection act bill amends predispute arbitration agreement invalid unenforceable servicemember servicemember servicemember spouse jointly respect controversy subject act servicemember waiver scra rights protections shall effective specific dispute arisen dispute identified waiver representative members aggrieved class member class bring private civil action violation scra rights protections


Summary:
Military Family Stability Act of 2015

This bill allows a member of the Armed Forces undergoing a permanent change of station and the member's spouse to elect jointly that the spouse may relocate to the new location at the time during the covered relocation period as the member and spouse jointly select.

The following families shall be eligible:

 the spouse is employed, or enrolled in a degree-, certificate-, or license-granting program, at the beginning of the covered relocation period; the member and spouse have one or more children in school; the spouse or children are covered under the Exceptional Family Member Program; the member and spouse are caring for an immediate family member with a chronic or long-term illness; or the member is undergoing a permanent change of station as an individual augmentee or other deployment arrangement. Families with other needs may receive exceptions granted by military commanders on a case-by-case basis.

A member undergoing a permanent change of station who has one or more specified dependents and is no longer married to the individual who is or was the parent of such dependents at the beginning of the covered period of relocation may elect that such dependents relocate to the new location as follows:

 by the member alone if the former spouse is dead or has no custodial rights, or by the member and the former spouse jointly in all other circumstances. A member may not make:

 more than three elections; or any election unless the member's period of obligated service, or the time remaining under the member's enlistment contract, at the time of election is at least 24 months. The bill prescribes related housing and housing allowance requirements.

Transportation allowances authorized for personal property of a member and spouse may be allocated as the member and spouse select.

The Department of Defense shall establish a single application approval process for coverage under this Act which shall apply uniformly among the Armed Forces.

military family stability act bill allows member armed_forces undergoing permanent change station member spouse elect jointly spouse relocate new location time covered relocation period member spouse jointly select following families shall eligible spouse employed enrolled license granting program beginning covered relocation period member spouse children school spouse children covered exceptional family member program member spouse caring immediate family member chronic long term illness member undergoing permanent change station individual augmentee deployment arrangement families needs receive exceptions granted military commanders case case basis member undergoing permanent change station specified dependents longer married individual parent dependents beginning covered period relocation elect dependents relocate new location follows member spouse dead custodial rights member spouse jointly circumstances member elections election member period obligated service time remaining member enlistment contract time election months bill prescribes related housing housing allowance requirements transportation allowances authorized personal property member spouse allocated member spouse select department_of_defense shall establish single application approval process coverage act shall apply uniformly armed_forces


Summary:
Cyber Command Employment Personnel Training Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide training to DOD employment personnel on matters relating to recruitment and retention of employees at the United States Cyber Command who: (1) carry out human resources management functions or who write hiring and pay guidance, or (2) are employed in supervisory positions or have responsibilities relating to the hiring of individuals for such positions.

personnel training act bill directs department_of_defense dod provide training dod employment personnel matters relating recruitment retention employees carry human resources management functions write hiring pay guidance employed supervisory positions responsibilities relating hiring individuals positions


Summary:
This bill amends the Military Selective Service Act to declare that any modification or change to the persons subject to the duty to register may be made only through an Act of Congress.

 No court created by Act of Congress shall have any jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court shall have no appellate jurisdiction, to hear or decide any question or claim, whether filed before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act, pertaining to the interpretation of, or the validity under the Constitution of, the class of persons subject to the duty to register.

bill amends military_selective_service_act declare modification change persons subject duty register act congress court created act congress shall jurisdiction supreme_court shall appellate jurisdiction hear decide question claim filed date enactment act pertaining interpretation validity constitution class persons subject duty register


Summary:
SCRA Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to require servicers of federally issued or guaranteed student loans to use the Defense Manpower Data Center to monitor the duty status of service member borrowers.

A servicer shall notify: (1) the Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the service member prior to selling or transferring such loan to another servicer; and (2) a service member regarding any denied SCRA benefit or protection, including an explanation for such decision and a description of related appeal procedures.

 A service member who dies: (1) in the line of duty while on active duty shall have student loans forgiven, and (2) from a service-connected death shall have the balance of federally issued or guaranteed student loans forgiven.

The interest cap on debt incurred by a service member before entering service is extended to cover all loans regardless of when the debt is incurred. Such cap is reduced: (1) from 6% to 3%, and (2) to 0% during the time a service member is eligible for hostile fire pay.

Each federal student loan servicer shall: (1) employ at least one dedicated service member representative, and (2) ensure that each service member's request for an SCRA benefit or protection is processed within 14 days after such request is received or by such date as ED may prescribe, whichever is earlier.

Each student loan servicer shall inquire whether an applicant or cosigner has served in the military and, if so, shall inform the individual of his or her SCRA rights and protections.

The CFPB shall: (1) establish and make available an Internet database to evaluate student loan servicers, and (2) develop a servicer oversight plan.

The termination/repossession protection period for a service member who breaches an installment contract for the purchase of real or personal property is extended until one year after completion of military service.

Mortgage prepayment penalties may not accrue during military service.

 The expiration of a license issued by a state or local licensing authority to a service member, or a continuing education requirement to maintain such a license, is delayed to 180 days after such service member is no longer eligible for hostile fire special pay.

 Protections are expanded with respect to collection of property taxes owed by a service member.

 The bill prohibits denial of credit to a service member solely by reason of entitlement to SCRA protections.

 Due diligence requirements are expanded for determining whether an individual is a service member prior to taking a default judgment against such individual.

 SCRA protections are extended to service members who are personally liable as a guarantor or co-maker of a mortgage, trust deed, or other security in the nature of a mortgage.

The Department of Justice may issue a civil investigative demand for documents relating to an investigation under SCRA prior to initiating a civil action for violations of such Act.

The bill permits the use of Arbitration under SCRA only if all parties consent in writing.

 The bill doubles penalties penalties for SCRA violations.

bill amends require servicers federally issued guaranteed student loans use monitor duty status service member borrowers servicer shall notify department_of_education consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb service member prior selling transferring loan servicer service member denied scra benefit protection including explanation decision description related appeal procedures service member dies line duty active duty shall student loans forgiven service connected death shall balance federally issued guaranteed student loans forgiven interest cap debt incurred service member entering service extended cover loans regardless debt incurred cap reduced time service member eligible hostile fire pay federal student loan servicer shall employ dedicated service member representative ensure service member request scra benefit protection processed days request received date prescribe whichever earlier student loan servicer shall inquire applicant cosigner served military shall inform individual scra rights protections cfpb shall establish available internet database evaluate student loan servicers develop servicer oversight plan termination protection period service member breaches installment contract purchase real personal property extended year completion military service mortgage prepayment penalties accrue military service expiration license issued state local licensing authority service member continuing education requirement maintain license delayed days service member longer eligible hostile fire special pay protections expanded respect collection property taxes owed service member bill prohibits denial credit service member solely reason entitlement scra protections diligence requirements expanded determining individual service member prior taking default judgment individual scra protections extended service members personally liable guarantor mortgage trust deed security nature mortgage department_of_justice issue civil investigative demand documents relating investigation scra prior initiating civil action violations act bill permits use parties consent writing bill doubles penalties penalties scra violations


Summary:
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Department of Defense (DOD) civilian public shipyard workers play a critical role in maintaining U.S. ships and submarines; and (2) in order to reduce temporary duty expenses DOD should eliminate unnecessary temporary duty and not cut the reimbursement rate for workers undertaking temporary duty to sustain military readiness, such as temporary duty in support of ship and submarine maintenance.

The bill requires that DOD Joint Travel Regulations be modified to require that: (1) the reduced flat rate per diem for long-term temporary duty not be imposed on civilian employees of naval shipyards traveling on such duty for direct labor in support of off-yard work, and (2) those employees be paid the full per diem rate for such travel.

bill expresses sense congress department_of_defense dod civilian public shipyard workers play critical role maintaining ships submarines order reduce temporary duty expenses dod eliminate unnecessary temporary duty cut reimbursement rate workers undertaking temporary duty sustain military readiness temporary duty support ship submarine maintenance bill requires modified require reduced flat rate diem long term temporary duty imposed civilian employees naval shipyards traveling duty direct labor support yard work employees paid diem rate travel


Summary: United States Cadet Nurse Corps Equity Act of 2016 This bill deems as active military service for Department of Veterans Affairs purposes any service as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 15, 1945 (qualified service). The Department of Defense shall issue an honorable discharge within one year to each person whose qualified service warrants one. Retroactive benefits shall not be paid to persons as a result of enactment of this Act.

united_states_cadet_nurse_corps equity act bill deems active military service department_of_veterans_affairs purposes service member united_states_cadet_nurse_corps july december qualified service department_of_defense shall issue honorable discharge year person qualified service warrants retroactive benefits shall paid persons result enactment act


Summary:
Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands during the period January 1, 1977-December 31, 1980, as radiation exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers.

parity act bill includes veterans participated cleanup enewetak atoll marshall_islands period january december radiation exposed veterans purposes department_of_veterans_affairs presumption service connection specified cancers


Summary:
Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act

This bill provides that whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall increase by the same percentage the amounts payable as veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

cola act bill provides increase benefit amounts payable title survivors disability insurance social security act department_of_veterans_affairs shall increase percentage amounts payable veterans disability compensation additional compensation dependents clothing allowance certain disabled adult children dependency indemnity compensation surviving spouses children


Summary:
Military Retaliation Prevention Act

This bill amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to subject to punishment by a court-martial any person who, with the intent to retaliate against any individual for reporting a criminal offense or making a protected communication, or with the intent to discourage any individual from reporting a criminal offense or making a protected communication, wrongfully:

 takes or threatens to take an adverse personnel action against such individual, or withholds or threatens to withhold a favorable personnel action from such individual. "Protected communication" means a:

 lawful communication to a Member of Congress or an Inspector General; or communication to a specified individual or organization in which a service member complains of, or discloses information that the member reasonably believes constitutes evidence of, a violation of law or regulation, including sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. The results of a Department of Defense (DOD) or Armed Forces investigation of a service member's complaint of retaliation shall be provided to such service member.

DOD personnel who investigate claims of retaliation in connection with reports of sexual assault in the Armed Forces shall receive training on the nature and consequences of sexual assault trauma.

The Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 is amended to include information on claims of retaliation in the military departments' sexual assault prevention reports to DOD.

DOD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office shall establish metrics to evaluate efforts of the Armed Forces to prevent and respond to retaliation.

military retaliation prevention act bill amends uniform code military justice subject punishment court martial person intent retaliate individual reporting criminal offense making protected communication intent discourage individual reporting criminal offense making protected communication wrongfully takes threatens adverse personnel action individual withholds threatens withhold favorable personnel action individual protected communication means lawful communication member congress inspector general communication specified individual organization service member discloses information member reasonably believes constitutes evidence violation law regulation including sexual harassment unlawful discrimination gross mismanagement gross waste funds abuse authority substantial specific danger public health safety results department_of_defense dod armed_forces investigation service member complaint retaliation shall provided service member dod personnel investigate claims retaliation connection reports sexual assault armed_forces shall receive training nature consequences sexual assault trauma ike skelton national defense authorization act fiscal year amended include information claims retaliation military departments sexual assault prevention reports dod dod sexual_assault_prevention response_office shall establish metrics evaluate efforts armed_forces prevent respond retaliation


Summary:
Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act of 2016

This bill repeals the termination date of (thus, reinstates) the requirement for an annual report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the VA's compliance, by facility and by service-network, with requirements for managing the provision of hospital care and medical services furnished to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

bill repeals termination date reinstates requirement annual report department_of_veterans_affairs compliance facility service network requirements managing provision hospital care medical services furnished veterans service connected disabilities


Summary:
Janey Ensminger Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, at least every three years, to:

 review the scientific literature relevant to the relationship between the employment or residence of individuals at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for at least 30 days during the period of August 1, 1953, to December 21, 1987, and specific illnesses or conditions incurred by those individuals and determine whether and to what extent the evidence shows that toxic substance exposure is a cause of an illness or condition; and publish and update a list of each illness and the categorization of evidence for which a determination of cause has been made. A veteran who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during such period is eligible for hospital care and medical services for any of the illnesses or conditions for which the evidentiary connection between toxic exposure and the illness or condition is categorized in such list as sufficient or modest. Such a veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for such care or services for such illness or condition even if the evidentiary connection is not categorized as sufficient or modest. A family member of such veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for hospital care or medical services for such illness or condition.

The Department of Veterans Affairs shall transfer for each of FY2017 and FY2018 specified finds to enhance the claims processing system, eligibility system, and web portal for the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.

act bill amends public_health_service_act direct agency toxic substances disease registry years review scientific literature relevant relationship employment residence individuals camp lejeune north_carolina days period august december specific illnesses conditions incurred individuals determine extent evidence shows toxic substance exposure cause illness condition publish update list illness categorization evidence determination cause veteran served active duty camp lejeune days period eligible hospital care medical services illnesses conditions evidentiary connection toxic exposure illness condition categorized list sufficient veteran furnished hospital care medical services shall remain eligible care services illness condition evidentiary connection categorized sufficient family member veteran furnished hospital care medical services shall remain eligible hospital care medical services illness condition department_of_veterans_affairs shall transfer fy2017 fy2018 specified finds enhance claims processing system eligibility system web portal


Summary:
National Guard 12304b Benefits Parity Act

This bill makes National Guard and Selected Reserve members deployed to augment active forces for a preplanned mission in support of a combat command eligible for: (1) Post-9/11 educational assistance, (2) a reduced eligibility age for non-regular service retirement pay, (3) transitional post-demobilization health benefits for a member who is separated from active duty after a period of more than 30 days of duty, and (4) pre-deployment TRICARE benefits.

The amendments made by this bill shall take effect retroactively on December 31, 2011.

national_guard benefits bill makes members deployed augment active forces mission support combat command eligible educational assistance reduced eligibility age non regular service retirement pay transitional post demobilization health benefits member separated active duty period days duty pre deployment tricare benefits amendments bill shall effect retroactively december