Summary:
Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act

This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to: (1) establish a data-collection system for reports, including anonymous reports, of hazing incidents involving a member of the Armed Forces; and (2) issue DOD-wide guidance regarding database availability and use, including information on protected classes such as race and religion.

Each military department shall: (1) improve service member training to better recognize, prevent, and respond to hazing at all command levels; and (2) conduct an annual hazing survey, which shall include the extent to which service members report hazing and the effectiveness of anti-hazing training.

bill directs department_of_defense dod establish data collection system reports including anonymous reports hazing incidents involving member armed_forces issue dod wide guidance database availability use including information protected classes race religion military department shall improve service member training better recognize prevent respond hazing command levels conduct annual hazing survey shall include extent service members report hazing effectiveness anti hazing training


Summary:
VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits appeals process to permit a claimant to request:

 a review of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's decision by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency under which no additional evidence may be submitted; or a Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) review under which no BVA hearing is requested and no additional evidence may be submitted or under which a BVA hearing is requested and the appellant requests an opportunity to submit additional evidence at, and within 90 days of, the hearing. ("Agency of Original Jurisdiction" means the activity which entered the original determination with regard to a claim for veterans benefits.)

The BVA shall maintain two such separate dockets.

A finding favorable to a claimant is binding on all subsequent VA adjudicators unless clear and convincing evidence is shown to the contrary.

The BVA may remand a claim to the agency to obtain a corrective advisory medical opinion.

The bill revises effective dates of awards provisions.

The VA's duty to assist a claimant shall not apply: (1) once the claimant is provided notice of the agency's initial decision, and (2) to higher-level agency or BVA review.

The VA is not required to send notice for a supplemental claim or to readjudicate a claim that has been disallowed except when new and relevant evidence is presented or secured (currently such provisions applies to reopening such claim).

A claimants's notice of disagreement must set out specific allegations of error of fact or law. The BVA is authorized to dismiss an appeal which fails to do so.

bill amends department_of_veterans_affairs benefits appeals process permit claimant request review decision higher level agency additional evidence submitted review hearing requested additional evidence submitted hearing requested appellant requests opportunity submit additional evidence days hearing agency original jurisdiction means activity entered original determination regard claim veterans benefits shall maintain separate finding favorable claimant binding subsequent clear convincing evidence shown contrary remand claim agency obtain corrective advisory medical opinion bill revises effective dates awards provisions duty assist claimant shall apply claimant provided notice agency initial decision higher level agency review required send notice supplemental claim claim disallowed new relevant evidence presented secured currently provisions applies reopening claim claimants notice disagreement set specific allegations error fact law authorized dismiss appeal fails


Summary:
Medal of Honor Legacy Act

This bill directs the Department of the Army to reserve 100 in-ground burial plots at Arlington National Cemetery for interment of deceased Medal of Honor recipients.

Such requirement shall terminate when the Army submits a report on the cemetery's interment and inurnment capacity that includes: (1) the estimated date of achieving maximum capacity; and (2) recommendations to ensure that such capacity is not reached until well into the future, including actions to redefine interment eligibility and considerations for cemetery expansion.

medal honor legacy act bill directs department_of_the_army reserve ground burial arlington national cemetery interment deceased medal honor recipients requirement shall terminate army submits report cemetery interment capacity includes estimated date achieving maximum capacity recommendations ensure capacity reached future including actions redefine interment eligibility considerations cemetery expansion


Summary:
Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act

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.

veterans act 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:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 or the CHIP IN for Vets Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program under which it may accept up to five donations by non-federal entities of: (1) real property that includes a constructed facility or that is to be used as the site of a facility constructed by the entity, and (2) a facility to be constructed by the entity on real property of the VA.

A donation must be: (1) a property for which funds have been appropriated for a VA facility project or a property that is identified as meeting a need of the VA as part of its long-range capital planning process and that is the location for a VA facility project that is included on the Strategic Capital Investment Planning process priority list; and (2) donated pursuant to a formal agreement with the VA for a VA facility project in an amount acceptable to the VA at no additional cost to the federal government.

Such a formal agreement must provide for: (1) the donation of real property that includes a constructed facility; or (2) the construction of a facility on VA real property or on real property donated to the VA by the entity. An agreement that provides for the construction of a facility shall require the entity to:

 conduct all necessary environmental and historic preservation due diligence, comply with all local zoning requirements, obtain all required construction permits, use construction standards required of the VA when designing, repairing, altering, or building the facility, and provide the real property, improvements, goods, or services in a manner sufficient to complete the construction at no additional cost to the federal government. The VA may not: (1) pay rent, usage fees, or any other amounts to an entity for the use or occupancy of real property donated under this bill; and (2) provide funds to help the entity finance, design, or construct such a facility that are in addition to those appropriated for the facility as of the date of the donation agreement.

An entity that: (1) is donating a facility constructed by the entity shall be required to provide other funds in addition to the amounts provided by the VA that are needed to complete construction of the facility; and (2) seeks to donate real property shall submit an application to address needs relating to VA facilities, including health care needs, identified in its Construction and Long-Range Capital Plan in such manner as the VA may require.

The VA shall include in the annual budget submitted to Congress by the President information regarding real property donated under the pilot program and the status of facility projects relating to that property.

 The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress every two years until the program ends on the donation agreements under the program.

measure amended passed house december summary version repeated communities helping invest veterans act chip vets act sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry year pilot program accept donations non federal entities real property includes constructed facility site facility constructed entity facility constructed entity real property donation property funds appropriated facility project property identified meeting need long range capital planning process location facility project included process priority list donated pursuant formal agreement facility project acceptable additional cost federal government formal agreement provide donation real property includes constructed facility construction facility real property real property donated entity agreement provides construction facility shall require entity conduct necessary environmental historic preservation diligence comply local zoning requirements obtain required construction permits use construction standards required designing repairing altering building facility provide real property improvements goods services manner sufficient complete construction additional cost federal government pay rent usage fees amounts entity use occupancy real property donated bill provide funds help entity finance design construct facility addition appropriated facility date donation agreement entity donating facility constructed entity shall required provide funds addition amounts provided needed complete construction facility seeks donate real property shall submit application address needs relating facilities including health care needs identified manner require shall include annual budget submitted congress president information real property donated pilot program status facility projects relating property government_accountability_office shall report congress years program ends donation agreements program


Summary:
Success in Transition for All Veterans Act

This bill directs the Department of Labor to carry out a research program to evaluate whether the transition assistance program addresses the differentiated needs, challenges, and post-military service aspirations of women veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans, veterans who are residents of a U.S. territory, veterans who are part of the indigenous population of a U.S. territory, and other groups of minority veterans. (The transition assistance program is a Labor program that assists members of the armed forces separating from active duty and their spouses in identifying and obtaining employment and training opportunities.)

The research program shall address:

 whether and how employment barriers and employment aspirations facing such veterans are substantively different from other veteran populations; and whether the transition program is designed to address such differences and, if not, changes that could be made to do so.

success transition veterans act bill directs department_of_labor carry research program evaluate transition assistance program addresses differentiated needs challenges post military service aspirations women veterans veterans disabilities native american veterans veterans residents territory veterans indigenous population territory groups minority veterans transition assistance program labor program assists members armed forces separating active duty spouses identifying obtaining employment training opportunities research program shall address employment barriers employment aspirations facing veterans different veteran populations transition program designed address differences changes


Summary:
State Outreach for Local Veterans Employment Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the Department of Labor from rejecting a disabled veterans training and employment outreach plan submitted by a state based solely on which agency the state selected to carry out the plan.

Labor shall encourage each state to: (1) colocate its disabled veterans outreach program specialists and local veterans employment representatives with one or more one-stop centers, and (2) tailor its plan to meet the employment and training needs of in-state veterans.

If a plan addresses a significant employment barrier, a state may propose such barriers as appropriate in order to allow additional categories of veterans to receive outreach and local veterans employment representative services.

 Labor shall, if it objects to only a portion of a state's plan: (1) approve those portions of the plan that it does not object to, (2) submit to the state an explanation of which portions were not approved and why, and (3) allow the state to submit revisions to such portions for approval.

state outreach local veterans employment act bill prohibits department_of_labor rejecting disabled veterans training employment outreach plan submitted state based solely agency state selected carry plan labor shall encourage state disabled veterans outreach program specialists local veterans employment representatives stop centers tailor plan meet employment training needs state veterans plan addresses significant employment barrier state propose barriers appropriate order allow additional categories veterans receive outreach local veterans employment representative services labor shall objects portion state plan approve portions plan object submit state explanation portions approved allow state submit revisions portions approval


Summary:
Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to study and report on programs to assist veterans in their transition to civilian life.

Such study shall determine the effectiveness of current programs, especially concerning the challenges faced by women veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans, veterans who are residents of a U.S. territory, veterans who are part of the indigenous population of a U.S. territory, and other groups of minority veterans with regard to: (1) pursuing higher education, (2) entering the civilian workforce and translating military experience and skills to the job market, and (3) transitioning to civilian life for veterans families.

(Sec. 4) No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this bill. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized.

sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs study report programs assist veterans transition civilian life study shall determine effectiveness current programs especially concerning challenges faced women veterans veterans disabilities native american veterans veterans residents territory veterans indigenous population territory groups minority veterans regard pursuing higher education entering civilian workforce translating military experience skills job market transitioning civilian life veterans families sec additional funds authorized carry requirements bill requirements shall carried amounts authorized


Summary:
Justice for Victims of Military Sexual Assault Act

This bill requires each military department to establish a career military justice litigation track for judge advocates in the Armed Forces. Judge advocates participating in the litigation track must have assignments that: (1) relate to the practice of military justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and (2) include trial counsel, defense counsel, military trial judge, military appellate judge, academic instructor, Special Victims Prosecutor, Victims' Legal Counsel, Special Victims' Counsel, and other positions within criminal law offices or divisions of their armed force.

justice victims military sexual assault act bill requires military department establish career military justice litigation track judge advocates armed_forces judge advocates participating litigation track assignments relate practice military justice uniform code military justice include trial counsel defense counsel military trial judge military appellate judge academic instructor special victims prosecutor positions criminal law offices divisions armed force


Summary:
Servicemember and Veteran Financial Transparency Act

This bill requires that the Department of Labor's employment and training transition program for members of the Armed Forces separating from active duty include information about the requirement that a veteran who receives voluntary separation pay will have monthly amounts deducted from his or her Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation until the total amount deducted equals the amount of voluntary separation pay received.

servicemember veteran financial transparency act bill requires department_of_labor employment training transition program members armed_forces separating active duty include information requirement veteran receives voluntary separation pay monthly amounts deducted department_of_veterans_affairs disability compensation total deducted equals voluntary separation pay received


Summary:
VA Construction and Lease Authorization, Health, and Benefits Enhancement Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into Veterans Care Agreements with certain providers to furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care to eligible veterans if: (1) furnishing such care and services at VA facilities or under otherwise authorized contracts or sharing agreements with non-VA facilities is impracticable or inadvisable because of the veteran's medical condition, the travel involved, or the nature of the care or services required; and (2) the hospital care or medical services are not otherwise available from a non-VA health care provider.

 The VA shall ensure that each VA medical facility and community based outpatient clinic hosts a community meeting on improving VA health care.

 The VA shall begin a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility of using wellness-based programs to complement veterans pain management and related health care services.

As part of the VA's hiring process for health care providers, the VA shall require from each medical board that licensed the provider information on any license violation and any settlement agreement for a medical disciplinary charge.

 The VA shall provide information on any violation of a medical license by a VA health care provider to each medical board licensing that provider.

 The VA may carry out specified major medical facility projects in California, Maryland, and Washington. Project appropriations are authorized.

 The VA may carry out specified major medical facility leases in Michigan, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Virginia, California, Montana, Georgia, Maine, and North Carolina.

The Veterans' Benefits Programs Improvement Act of 1991 is amended to: (1) authorize the VA to sell Pershing Hall, in Paris, France, and transfer to the purchaser all right, title, and interest of the United States in the property; and (2) direct the VA to return to the entity from which the United States acquired Pershing Hall any personal property in the VA's possession, including memorabilia regarding General Pershing and the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I.

The VA may carry out specified leases at the VA's West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California.

The VA shall select a VA medical center to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the biological children or grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.

 The Department of Defense shall conduct and make public a declassification review to determine what information may be made publicly available related to any known incident in which at least 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability that an occupational medicine specialist has determined to be credibly associated with such substance.

The VA shall pay additional compensation to a veteran who is paid disability compensation for the anatomical loss, or the permanent or static loss of use, of one or more creative organs. (Creative organs are those involved in reproduction.)

The VA shall implement an information technology system that supports the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers.

 The cost-of-living adjustment for disability compensation is extended through FY2027.

health benefits enhancement_act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs enter veterans care agreements certain providers furnish hospital care medical services extended care eligible veterans furnishing care services facilities authorized contracts sharing agreements non-va facilities impracticable veteran medical condition travel involved nature care services required hospital care medical services available non-va health care provider shall ensure medical facility community based outpatient clinic hosts community meeting improving health care shall begin year pilot program assess feasibility wellness based programs complement veterans pain management related health care services hiring process health care providers shall require medical board licensed provider information license violation settlement agreement medical disciplinary charge shall provide information violation medical license health care provider medical board licensing provider carry specified major medical facility projects california maryland washington project appropriations authorized carry specified major medical facility leases michigan alabama massachusetts south_carolina florida colorado virginia california montana georgia maine north_carolina veterans benefits programs improvement act amended authorize sell hall france transfer purchaser right title interest united_states property direct return entity united_states acquired personal property possession including france world war carry specified leases los_angeles california shall select medical center serve national center research diagnosis treatment health conditions biological children grandchildren individuals exposed toxic substances serving members armed_forces related exposure department_of_defense shall conduct public declassification review determine information publicly available related known incident members armed_forces exposed toxic substance resulted case disability occupational medicine specialist determined associated substance shall pay additional compensation veteran paid disability compensation loss permanent static loss use creative organs creative organs involved reproduction shall implement information technology system supports program comprehensive assistance family caregivers cost living adjustment disability compensation extended fy2027


Summary:
Veteran Opportunities on Local Transportation Act of 2016 or the VOLT Act of 2016

This bill authorizes a recipient of public transportation assistance to advertise and award a construction contract that includes requirements for employing veterans residing in or adjacent to any of the areas in which work is to be performed if:

 the project's estimated cost exceeds $10 million; there is no requirement to hire an individual who does not have relevant craft or trade work skills, unless the individual is subject to an apprenticeship or other training program; and the requirements do not compromise the project's quality, unreasonably delay its completion, or unreasonably increase its cost.

veteran opportunities local transportation act volt act bill authorizes recipient public transportation assistance advertise award construction contract includes requirements employing veterans residing adjacent areas work performed project estimated cost exceeds million requirement hire individual relevant craft trade work skills individual subject apprenticeship training program requirements compromise project quality unreasonably delay completion unreasonably increase cost


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a quality assurance document for carrying out the toll-free Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), which shall: (1) outline performance indicators and objectives to improve the VCL, including at backup call centers; (2) include time frames to meet such indicators and objectives; and (3) be consistent with guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget.

The VA shall develop a plan to ensure that each telephone call, text message, and other communications received by the VCL, including at backup call centers, is answered in a timely manner by a person, consistent with the guidance established by the American Association of Suicidology. The plan shall include guidelines for periodic VCL testing.

 The VA shall submit the document and plan within 180 days.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house passed version repeated veterans crisis line act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs develop quality assurance document carrying toll free veterans crisis line shall outline performance indicators objectives improve including backup centers include time frames meet indicators objectives consistent guidance issued office_of_management_and_budget shall develop plan ensure telephone text message communications received including backup centers timely manner person consistent guidance established plan shall include guidelines periodic testing shall submit document plan days


Summary: This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay the actual burial and funeral costs (up to a specified limit) for veterans who die in an institution where they were receiving hospital care or medical services under the Veterans Choice Program.

bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs pay actual burial funeral costs specified limit veterans die institution receiving hospital care medical services veterans_choice_program


Summary:
Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2016

This bill amends the Uniformed Services Employment Rights Act of 1994 to: (1) consider procedural protections or provisions under such Act concerning employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services to be a right or benefit subject to the protection of such Act, and (2) make any agreement to arbitrate a claim under such provisions unenforceable unless all parties consent to arbitration after a complaint on the specific claim has been filed in court or with the Merit Systems Protection Board and all parties knowingly and voluntarily consent to have that particular claim subjected to arbitration.

Consent shall not be considered voluntary when a person is required to agree to arbitrate an action, complaint, or claim alleging a violation of such provisions as a condition of future or continued employment, advancement in employment, or receipt of any right or benefit of employment.

justice servicemembers act bill amends consider procedural protections provisions act concerning employment reemployment rights members uniformed services right benefit subject protection act agreement arbitrate claim provisions unenforceable parties consent arbitration complaint specific claim filed court merit_systems_protection_board parties knowingly voluntarily consent particular claim subjected arbitration consent shall considered voluntary person required agree arbitrate action complaint claim alleging violation provisions condition future continued employment advancement employment receipt right benefit employment


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

Military Residency Choice Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to permit the spouse of a servicemember to elect to use the same residence as the servicemember for purposes of taxation and voting, regardless of the date on which the marriage of the spouse and the servicemember occurred.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure military residency choice act sec bill amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act permit spouse servicemember elect use residence servicemember purposes taxation voting regardless date marriage spouse servicemember occurred


Summary:
Providing Leadership and Improving Veterans Care Act

This bill prohibits any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) senior executive employee whose responsibilities include participation in the rating, ranking, or selection process to fill VA medical center director positions from being paid a bonus unless the VA determines that no permanent VA medical center director position has been vacant for 18 consecutive months.

 Within 30 days after enactment of this bill and every 180 days thereafter, the VA shall report to Congress on the number and length of vacancies in VA medical center director positions.

providing leadership improving veterans care act bill prohibits department_of_veterans_affairs senior executive employee responsibilities include participation rating ranking selection process fill medical center director positions paid bonus determines permanent medical center director position vacant consecutive months days enactment bill days shall report congress number length vacancies medical center director positions


Summary: This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to include members of the Armed Forces and their family members among individuals who are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

bill amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year include members armed_forces family members individuals eligible yellow_ribbon_reintegration_program


Summary:
VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with respect to any VA contract that is reported in the Federal Procurement Data System, to record the amount of any cost or price savings realized by using competitive procedures in awarding such contract.

The VA shall make available and use on a VA-wide basis the standardized procurement templates used by the Central Office of the VA, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. Such templates may be customized to address particular procurement situations.

transparency_act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs respect contract reported record cost price savings realized competitive procedures awarding contract shall available use wide basis standardized procurement veterans_health_administration veterans_benefits_administration national_cemetery_administration customized address particular procurement situations


Summary:
Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act

This bill amends the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 to reauthorize through FY2020 a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural areas.

bill amends caregivers veterans_omnibus_health_services act reauthorize fy2020 grant program provide innovative transportation options veterans highly rural areas


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2016, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

Each such increase shall be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance [OASDI]) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.

(Sec. 3) The VA shall publish such increased amounts in the Federal Register not later than the date on which certain OASDI cost-of-living increases are required to be published during FY2017.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house passed version repeated veterans compensation cola act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs increase december rates veterans disability compensation additional compensation dependents clothing allowance certain disabled veterans dependency indemnity compensation surviving spouses children increase shall percentage increase benefits provided title survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act effective date sec shall publish increased amounts federal_register later date certain oasdi cost living increases required published fy2017


Summary:
Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to exclude from a consumer report: (1) for one year, information related to a veteran's choice medical program (program) debt; and (2) information related to a fully paid or settled program debt that had been characterized as delinquent, charged off, or in collection.

The Consumer Credit Protection Act is amended to provide a mechanism for veterans to dispute the inclusion of program debt already on a credit report. A consumer reporting agency shall, within 30 days after receiving notice of such dispute, delete such information from the veteran's file and notify the furnisher and the veteran.

Within five days after the initial communication with a veteran, a debt collector shall, unless the appropriate information is contained in the initial communication or the veteran has paid the debt, send the veteran a written notice containing specified debt-related information, including information concerning debt amount, creditors, the insurance company involved, and the hospital or medical care provider.

If a veteran notifies the debt collector within such one-year period that the program debt is disputed or that the veteran requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection until debt verification or the name and address of the original creditor is obtained.

bill amends fair credit reporting act exclude consumer report year information related veteran choice medical program program debt information related fully paid settled program debt characterized delinquent charged collection consumer_credit_protection_act amended provide mechanism veterans dispute inclusion program debt credit report consumer reporting agency shall days receiving notice dispute delete information veteran file notify furnisher veteran days initial communication veteran debt collector shall appropriate information contained initial communication veteran paid debt send veteran written notice containing specified debt related information including information concerning debt creditors insurance company involved hospital medical care provider veteran notifies debt collector year period program debt disputed veteran requests address original creditor debt collector shall cease collection debt verification address original creditor obtained


Summary:
VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct and provides that specified federal employee performance appraisal provisions shall not apply to such removals or demotions. The VA may remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate.

 A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave during the appeals period and can receive pay only if he or she reports for duty.

 An expedited appeals process is established under which: (1) an employee shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) within seven days of removal or demotion, (2) the MSPB shall issue a decision within 60 days of the appeal or the removal or demotion becomes final, (3) an MSPB decision and any final removal or demotion may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and (4) the MSPB may not stay any removal or demotion.

The VA may not remove or demote an employee: (1) without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice, and (2) until a final decision in the case of a whistle blower complaint.

 The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in such position.

The VA may reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken.

 The VA may recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances.

 The VA may suspend, reprimand or admonish an SES employee for misconduct or performance that does not merit removal. The VA must notify an individual 10 days before taking such proposed action. Appeals may be made to the Senior Executive Disciplinary Appeals Board (as provided for by this bill) and may not be appealed to the MSPB.

 The bill establishes an additional whistle blower complaint process, which shall include suspension and removal actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited personnel actions against a whistle blower.

The bill amends the disability benefits appeals process.

 The bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to prohibit payment of an award or bonus to any SES employee during each of FY2017-FY2021.

 The bill requires that a veteran enrolled in the VA health care program who requests a medical examination or treatment at an emergency department of a VA medical facility be provided with a medical screening examination to determine whether an emergency medical condition exists and, if so, be provided stabilizing medical treatment or a transfer to another VA or non-VA medical facility.

 If a non-stabilized emergency medical condition exists, the VA hospital may not transfer the veteran unless: (1) the veteran, after being made aware of the risks, makes a written transfer request; or (2) a physician (or a qualified medical person if a physician is not present) certifies that the medical benefits of a transfer outweigh the risks.

 The VA may not take adverse action against a VA employee because the employee refuses to authorize the transfer of an enrolled veteran with a non-stabilized emergency medical condition or because the employee reports a violation of a requirement of this bill.

 The bill establishes the positions of Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

 The VA shall require a VA employee (including a temporary full-time, part-time, or without-compensation employee) who is authorized to prescribe any controlled substance to complete at least one accredited continuing education course on pain management every two years. Such requirement: (1) shall apply to an employee who is employed by the VA for at least 180 days during any 24-month period; and (2) shall not apply to an employee licensed or certified by a state licensure or specialty board that requires the completion of pain management or substance use disorder management continuing education.

 During each calendar quarter, the VA shall review each covered whistle blower complaint filed with the Office of the Special Counsel during the previous quarter.

 The VA shall identify: (1) the number of members of the Armed Forces who are physicians working part-time in VA facilities, and (2) the process by which such physicians are hired.

 The VA may disclose to non-VA entities that provide hospital care or medical treatment to veterans records of the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of any patient in connection with a program relating to drug abuse, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, or sickle cell anemia.

 The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 is amended to extend through 2017 VA authority to provide for the performance of medical disability evaluations by contract physicians.

 Any person who is entitled to retired pay for non-regular (reserve) service or who, but for age, would be so entitled shall be honored as a veteran. A person shall not be entitled to any benefit by reason of such recognition.

 The VA may: (1) furnish rehabilitative equipment to any veteran who is entitled to a prosthetic appliance, and (2) appoint licensed hearing aid specialists to the Veterans Health Administration.

accountability appeals modernization act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs remove demote employee based performance misconduct provides specified federal employee performance appraisal provisions shall apply removals remove individual civil service demote individual reduction grade annual pay rate demoted individual shall placed administrative leave category paid leave appeals period receive pay reports duty expedited appeals process established employee shall right appeal merit_systems_protection_board mspb seven days removal demotion mspb shall issue decision days appeal removal demotion final mspb decision final removal demotion appealed mspb stay removal demotion remove demote employee approval special_counsel individual seeks corrective action office_of_special_counsel based alleged prohibited personnel practice final decision case whistle blower complaint shall reduce federal annuity individual removed va_senior_executive_service ses convicted felony influenced performance employed position reduce federal annuity individual convicted felony subject removal transfer ses left final action taken recoup award bonus relocation expenses paid employee specified circumstances suspend ses employee misconduct performance merit removal notify individual days taking proposed action appeals provided bill appealed mspb bill establishes additional whistle blower complaint process shall include suspension removal actions supervisory employees commit prohibited personnel actions whistle blower bill amends disability benefits appeals process bill amends accountability act prohibit payment award bonus ses employee fy2017 fy2021 bill requires veteran enrolled health care program requests medical examination treatment emergency department medical facility provided medical screening examination determine emergency medical condition exists provided stabilizing medical treatment transfer non-va medical facility non emergency medical condition exists hospital transfer veteran veteran aware risks makes written transfer request physician qualified medical person physician present certifies medical benefits transfer outweigh risks adverse action employee employee refuses authorize transfer enrolled veteran non emergency medical condition employee reports violation requirement bill bill establishes positions directors veterans_integrated_service_networks shall require employee including temporary time time compensation employee authorized prescribe controlled substance complete accredited continuing education course pain management years requirement shall apply employee employed days month period shall apply employee licensed certified state licensure specialty board requires completion pain management substance use disorder management continuing education calendar quarter shall review covered whistle blower complaint filed previous quarter shall identify number members armed_forces physicians working time facilities process physicians hired disclose non-va entities provide hospital care medical treatment veterans records identity diagnosis treatment patient connection program relating drug abuse alcohol abuse infection human immunodeficiency virus cell veterans benefits act amended extend authority provide performance medical disability evaluations contract physicians person entitled retired pay non regular reserve service age entitled shall honored veteran person shall entitled benefit reason recognition furnish rehabilitative equipment veteran entitled prosthetic appliance appoint licensed hearing aid specialists veterans_health_administration


Summary:
More for Veterans Act

This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that retired and honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, including members medically discharged, separated, or on the temporary disability retirement list, and their immediate family remain eligible for Military OneSource Program services for at least one year after the end of the member's tour of service, retirement date, or separation date.

(Military OneSource is a DOD-funded program that provides comprehensive information on aspects of military life at no cost to active duty National Guard and Reserve Component members and their families.)

veterans act bill directs department_of_defense dod ensure retired honorably discharged members armed_forces including members medically discharged separated temporary disability retirement list immediate family remain eligible military program services year end member tour service retirement date separation date military dod funded program provides comprehensive information aspects military life cost active duty members families


Summary:
Providing Accountability for Veterans Affairs Executives Act of 2016 or the PAVE Act of 2016

This bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other specified officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as a condition of office and employment and for the duration of their terms, to receive hospital care or medical services (other than emergency medical services) solely from the VA.

providing accountability veterans affairs executives act act bill requires secretary veterans_affairs specified officials department_of_veterans_affairs condition office employment duration terms receive hospital care medical services emergency medical services solely


Summary:
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a qualified hazardous duty area to be treated in the same manner as a combat zone for certain tax provisions.

A "qualified hazardous duty area" is the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt if a member of the Armed Forces performs services in such location that qualify for special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger.

The requirement applies to specified tax provisions relating to:

 the special rule where a deceased spouse was in missing status; the exclusion from gross income of certain combat pay of members of the Armed Forces; income taxes of members of the Armed Forces on death; combat zone-related deaths of members of the Armed Forces; the definition of wages relating to combat pay for members of the Armed Forces; the taxation of phone service originating from a combat zone from members of the Armed Forces; joint tax returns where an individual is in missing status; and additional time for individuals serving in combat zones to file returns, pay taxes, and perform other specified acts.

bill amends internal_revenue_code require qualified hazardous duty area treated manner combat zone certain tax provisions qualified hazardous duty area egypt member armed_forces performs services location qualify special pay duty subject hostile fire imminent danger requirement applies specified tax provisions relating special rule deceased spouse missing status exclusion gross income certain combat pay members armed_forces income taxes members armed_forces death combat zone related deaths members armed_forces definition wages relating combat pay members armed_forces taxation phone service originating combat zone members armed_forces joint tax returns individual missing status additional time individuals serving combat zones file returns pay taxes perform specified acts


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 12, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the following leases at the VA's West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California:

 any enhanced-use lease of real property for supportive housing that principally benefits veterans and their families; any lease of real property for not to exceed 50 years to a third party for services that principally benefit veterans and their families and that are related to health and wellness, education, vocational training and employment, peer activities or recreation, legal and federal benefits assistance, volunteerism, family support services, and transportation; and a lease of real property for up to 10 years to the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the University of California, Los Angeles, if the lease is consistent with the VA master plan, the provision of veterans services is the predominant focus, and the Regents agree to provide non-VA compensated additional services that principally benefit veterans and their families. The VA shall not enter into land-sharing agreements unless the agreements provide additional health care resources and benefit veterans and their families in ways other than generating additional revenue.

Funds received by the VA from a lease shall be credited to the applicable VA medical facilities account and shall be available, without fiscal year limitation and without further appropriation, exclusively for campus renovation and maintenance.

The VA may, notwithstanding any other provision of law other than federal laws relating to environmental and historic preservation, grant easements or rights-of-way on, above, or under campus lands to: (1) any local or regional public transportation authority to construct, operate, or maintain public mass transit facilities; and (2) California, the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any public utility company for the purpose of providing public utilities.

The VA may not sell or convey to a third party fee simple title to any real property or related improvements made at the campus.

The VA shall ensure that each lease is consistent with the draft master plan approved by the VA on January 28, 2016, or successor master plans.

The VA shall establish, within 180 days, a Community Veterans Engagement Board to coordinate locally with the VA to: (1) identify community goals; and (2) provide advice to improve services for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families.

The VA shall submit, annually, an evaluation of all campus leases and land-sharing agreements.

The VA Inspector General shall report on: (1) all campus leases; and (2) the VA's management of land use at the campus, including an assessment of efforts to implement the master plan.

(Sec. 3) The VA may not waive or postpone the obligation of a lessee to pay any consideration under an enhanced-use lease, including monthly rent. (The enhanced-use lease program is a program in which the VA leases under-utilized real estate to the private sector for developing supportive housing and other services for homeless and at-risk veterans and their families.)

The bill provides that nothing in this bill shall be construed to: (1) authorize the VA to enter into an enhanced-use lease that authorizes the federal government to guarantee a third party loan to a lessee; and (2) abrogate or constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the United States with respect to any financial agreement between a lessee and a third-party relating to an enhanced-use lease.

The annual report on enhanced-use leases shall include: (1) identification of VA actions taken to implement and administer such leases, and (2) lease amounts deposited into the Medical Care Collection Fund account and the VA's use of such funds.

Such report shall also include with respect to each enhanced-use lease: (1) an overview of the VA's use of consideration received to support veterans, (2) the amount of consideration received by the VA under or relating to the lease, and (3) the costs to the VA of carrying out the lease.

The bill defines "major enhanced-use lease" as an enhanced-use lease that includes more than $10 million in average annual rent.

The Government Accountability Office shall submit an audit of the enhanced-use lease program within 270 days.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated west leasing act sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry following leases los_angeles california enhanced use lease real property supportive housing principally benefits veterans families lease real property exceed years party services principally benefit veterans families related health wellness education vocational training employment peer activities recreation legal federal benefits assistance volunteerism family support services transportation lease real property years behalf lease consistent master plan provision veterans services predominant focus agree provide non-va compensated additional services principally benefit veterans families shall enter land sharing agreements agreements provide additional health care resources benefit veterans families ways generating additional revenue funds received lease shall credited applicable medical facilities account shall available fiscal year limitation appropriation exclusively campus renovation maintenance notwithstanding provision law federal laws relating environmental historic preservation grant easements rights way campus lands local regional public transportation authority construct operate maintain public mass transit facilities california agency political subdivision thereof public utility company purpose providing public utilities sell convey party fee simple title real property related improvements campus shall ensure lease consistent draft master plan approved january successor master plans shall establish days coordinate locally identify community goals provide advice improve services veterans members armed_forces families shall submit annually evaluation campus leases land sharing agreements inspector general shall report campus leases management land use campus including assessment efforts implement master plan sec waive postpone obligation lessee pay consideration enhanced use lease including monthly rent enhanced use lease program program leases utilized real estate private sector developing supportive housing services homeless risk veterans families bill provides bill shall construed authorize enter enhanced use lease authorizes federal government guarantee party loan lessee constitute waiver sovereign immunity united_states respect financial agreement lessee party relating enhanced use lease annual report enhanced use leases shall include identification actions taken implement administer leases lease amounts deposited account use funds report shall include respect enhanced use lease overview use consideration received support veterans consideration received relating lease costs carrying lease bill defines major enhanced use lease enhanced use lease includes million average annual rent government_accountability_office shall submit audit enhanced use lease program days


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

Federal Aviation Administration Veteran Transition Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill applies federal civil service requirements to leave used by disabled armed forces veterans in the personnel management system of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

To verify that leave credited to such an employee is used for treating a service-connected disability, the employee shall certify to FAA Human Resource Management that the employee used that leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for that disability by a health care provider.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure improvement act sec bill applies federal civil service requirements leave disabled armed forces veterans personnel management system federal_aviation_administration faa verify leave credited employee treating service connected disability employee shall certify employee leave purposes furnished treatment disability health care provider


Summary:
Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

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

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


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016

This bill extends specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.

TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

(Sec. 101) Authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 102) The requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 103) The authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 104) Authority for recovery from third parties of the cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 105) The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 is amended to extend through December 31, 2017, authority for the pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care.

 The authorization of appropriations for such program is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 106) Authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 107) Authority for the pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service is extended through December 31, 2017. The authorization of appropriations for such program is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 108) The reporting date for the pilot program on the use of community organizations and state and local entities to ensure that veterans receive eligible benefits is changed from 180 days after the program's completion to September 30, 2017.

TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

(Sec. 201) Authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 202) Specified housing loan provisions and definitions, including the calculation of the net value of real property at the time of foreclosure, are extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 203) Authority relating to vendee loans is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 204) Authority for rehabilitation and vocational benefits at VA facilities for members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses is extended through December 31, 2017.

TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

(Sec. 301) Authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 302) Authority for the homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 303) Authority for referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from penal institutions or institutions that provide long-term mental health care is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 304) Authority for housing assistance for homeless veterans is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 305) Authority for financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 306) Authority for the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 307) Authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 308) Authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, including a program to provide homeless veterans with benefits and services at certain locations, is extended through FY2017.

TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 401) Authority for transportation of individuals to and from VA facilities for vocational rehabilitation, counseling, treatment, or care is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 402) Authority for operation of the VA regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines, is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 403) Authority for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events is extended through FY 2017.

(Sec. 404) The requirement to provide annual reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 405) The authorization for appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces is extended through FY2017. The VA may only provide such assistance for adaptive sports opportunities during FY2010-FY2017.

(Sec. 406) Authority for the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 407) The authorization of appropriations for homeless veterans' comprehensive services is increased.

(Sec. 408) Authority for temporary eligibility expansion for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating is extended through FY2017.

 The VA may not approve more than 30 assistance applications in each of FY2014-FY2017.

(Sec. 409) Authority for specially adapted housing assistive technology grants is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 410) The VA may not guarantee the payment of principal and interest on certain mortgage loan pool certificates or other securities issued or approved after December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 411) Authority to enter into agreement with the National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 412) Authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 413) The current multipliers used in calculating the fees the VA may pay to educational institutions and apprenticeship providers for reports regarding each eligible individual's enrollment in veterans' education or training programs and the interruption or termination of their participation in such programs is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 414) The requirement for an annual report on the Department of Defense-VA Interagency Program Office is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 415) In the case of an education course subject to disapproval because the Department of Education has withdrawn recognition of the accrediting agency, the VA may continue to treat the course as an approved course for up to 18 months unless the VA or the state approving agency determines that there is evidence to support such disapproval.

 The VA must notify any veteran enrolled in such course about its status.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated department_of_veterans_affairs expiring authorities act bill extends specified department_of_veterans_affairs programs title extensions authority relating health care sec authority collection copayments hospital care nursing home care extended fy2017 sec requirement provide nursing home care certain veterans service connected disabilities extended december sec authorization appropriations assistance support services caregivers extended fy2017 sec authority recovery parties cost care services furnished veterans health plan contracts non service connected disability extended fy2017 sec caregivers veterans_omnibus_health_services act amended extend december authority pilot program assistance child care certain veterans receiving health care authorization appropriations program extended fy2017 sec authority grants veterans service organizations transportation highly rural veterans extended fy2017 sec authority pilot program counseling retreat settings women veterans newly separated service extended december authorization appropriations program extended fy2017 sec reporting date pilot program use community organizations state local entities ensure veterans receive eligible benefits changed days program completion september title extensions authority relating benefits sec authority veterans advisory_committee_on_education extended december sec specified housing loan provisions definitions including calculation net value real property time foreclosure extended fy2017 sec authority relating loans extended fy2017 sec authority rehabilitation vocational benefits facilities members armed_forces severe injuries illnesses extended december title iii extensions authority relating homeless veterans sec authority homeless veterans reintegration programs extended fy2017 sec authority homeless women veterans homeless veterans children reintegration program extended fy2017 sec authority referral counseling services veterans risk homelessness transitioning penal institutions institutions provide long term mental health care extended fy2017 sec authority housing assistance homeless veterans extended fy2017 sec authority financial assistance supportive services low income veteran families permanent housing extended fy2017 sec authority grant program homeless veterans special needs extended fy2017 sec authority advisory_committee extended december sec authority treatment rehabilitation services seriously mentally ill homeless veterans including program provide homeless veterans benefits services certain locations extended fy2017 title extensions modifications authority matters sec authority transportation individuals facilities vocational rehabilitation counseling treatment care extended december sec authority operation regional office republic_of_the_philippines extended fy2017 sec authority monthly assistance allowances special events extended sec requirement provide annual reports congress equitable relief case administrative error extended december sec authorization appropriations adaptive sports programs disabled veterans members armed_forces extended fy2017 provide assistance adaptive sports opportunities fy2010 fy2017 sec authority advisory_committee_on_minority_veterans extended december sec authorization appropriations homeless veterans comprehensive services increased sec authority temporary eligibility expansion specially adapted housing assistance certain veterans disabilities causing difficulty extended fy2017 approve assistance applications fy2014 fy2017 sec authority specially adapted housing assistive technology grants extended fy2017 sec guarantee payment principal interest certain mortgage loan pool certificates securities issued approved december sec authority enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences associations diseases exposure chemical compounds herbicides extended december sec authority performance medical disabilities examinations contract physicians extended december sec current calculating fees pay educational institutions apprenticeship providers reports eligible individual enrollment veterans education training programs interruption termination participation programs extended fy2017 sec requirement annual report extended fy2017 sec case education course subject disapproval department_of_education withdrawn recognition accrediting agency continue treat course approved course months state approving agency determines evidence support disapproval notify veteran enrolled course status


Summary:
Supporting, Employing, and Recognizing Veterans in Communities Everywhere Act or the SERVICE Act

TITLE I--ACCOUNTABILITY

This bill establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection and expands VA whistleblower protections.

The VA may remove and suspend (without pay) employees based on performance or misconduct that threatens the health and safety of veterans.

The VA: (1) shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance; (2) may reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken; and (3) may recoup awards, bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee who has committed an act of fraud, waste, or malfeasance.

TITLE II--HEALTH CARE

The VA may enter into contracts or agreements with eligible providers to furnish hospital care and medical services to electing, eligible veterans, which include veterans who are unable to schedule an appointment with a VA health care provider within a specified time frame or who do not reside within 40 miles of a VA medical facility. Such provisions may be referred to as the Veterans Choice Program.

 VA emergency treatment reimbursement in non-VA facilities shall include reimbursement for urgent care.

The bill: (1) expands and makes permanent the VA childcare program for beneficiaries,and (2) provides for adoption assistance for certain disabled veterans.

The caregiver support program is terminated on October 1, 2020.

The bill: (1) authorizes the transfer of entitlement to Post 9/11 education assistance to family members by veterans who are retired for a physical disability or who are seriously injured veterans in need of family caregiver services, without regard to length-of-service requirements; (2) expands the family caregiver program; (3) establishes the Office of Health Care Quality in the Veterans Health Administration; and (4) revises physician recruitment and retention provisions.

The VA shall: (1) report annually, through 2020, on disability claims based on a mental health condition alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma; (2) establish a pilot program for veterans with chronic pain issues, including those veterans who are dependent on opioids; and (3) establish a center of excellence for the treatment of burn pit and other environmental exposures.

TITLE III--EDUCATION

The bill increases oversight of schools eligible to receive veterans benefits and increases counseling and access to information for student veterans.

The VA shall establish: (1) an interagency working group to share information on education programs that employ deceptive or misleading practices, and (2) the Grow Our Own Directive (G.O.O.D.) pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training as VA physician assistants.

If, as a result of a permanent school closure, a veteran is forced to discontinue a course, did not receive credit, or lost training time toward completion of the education program, VA educational assistance payments shall not be: (1) charged against the individual's entitlement to educational assistance, or (2) counted against the aggregate assistance period.

Certain reserves active duty time shall be considered for purposes of Post-9/11 educational assistance eligibility.

TITLE IV--DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION

The bill amends the disability benefits appeals process.

The definition of "spouse" is amended for purposes of veterans' benefits to require the VA to recognize a marriage based on the law of the state where the marriage occurred. A marriage that occurs outside a state shall be recognized if such marriage is lawful in the place where it occurs and could have been entered into under the laws of any state.

The bill allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.

The bill extends for two years: (1) the VA presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicides, including Agent Orange, with respect to specified veterans who served in Vietnam; and (2) VA authority to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides, including herbicides used in military operations in the Vietnam and each disease suspected to be associated with such exposure.

TITLE V--HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

VA homeless veterans reintegration programs are extended.

The VA shall begin a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility of awarding grants to eligible entities to purchase and renovate abandoned homes for homeless veterans.

 The bill establishes the Veterans Homelessness Grant Fund.

TITLE VI--EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

The Department of Defense (DOD) may carry out a pilot program to enhance DOD efforts to provide job placement assistance and related employment services directly to members of the National Guard and Reserves and veterans of the Armed Forces.

The VA may, in awarding a contract or task order for the procurement of goods or services, give preference to offerors based on the percentage of their full-time employees who are veterans.

The Department of of Labor shall carry out a five-year pilot program to award grants to manufacturing employers and labor-management organizations that provide eligible veterans with training, apprenticeships, and certification.

TITLE VII--CONSTRUCTION AND LEASES

No funds may be appropriated for any major medical facility lease unless the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives adopt resolutions approving the lease.

The VA shall: (1) enter into partnership agreements with appropriate non-federal entities for major construction projects, and (2) carry out a pilot program to accept the donation of medical facilities and related property.

The VA may carry out: (1) certain leases at the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California; and (2) a major medical facility lease for an outpatient clinic in Oxnard, California.

TITLE VIII--OTHER MATTERS

The Department of Homeland Security shall: (1) establish a program to permit eligible deported noncitizen veterans to enter the United States as, and to permit eligible noncitizen veterans in the United States to adjust their status to that of, a noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence; and (2) cancel the removal of eligible noncitizen veterans and allow them to similarly adjust their status.

Each military department shall ensure that its oral historians review the circumstances surrounding members of the Armed Forces who were discharged between World War II and September 2011 because of their sexual orientation.

Certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts is deemed to be active military service for VA benefits purposes.

supporting employing recognizing veterans communities act service act title accountability bill establishes department_of_veterans_affairs expands whistleblower protections remove suspend pay employees based performance misconduct threatens health safety veterans shall reduce federal annuity individual removed va_senior_executive_service ses convicted felony influenced performance reduce federal annuity individual convicted felony subject removal transfer ses left final action taken recoup awards bonus relocation expenses paid employee committed act fraud waste title health care enter contracts agreements eligible providers furnish hospital care medical services electing eligible veterans include veterans unable schedule appointment health care provider specified time frame reside miles medical facility provisions referred veterans_choice_program emergency treatment reimbursement non-va facilities shall include reimbursement urgent care bill expands makes permanent childcare program beneficiaries provides adoption assistance certain disabled veterans caregiver support program terminated october bill authorizes transfer entitlement post education assistance family members veterans retired physical disability seriously injured veterans need family caregiver services regard length service requirements expands family caregiver program establishes veterans_health_administration revises physician recruitment retention provisions shall report annually disability claims based mental health condition alleged incurred aggravated military sexual trauma establish pilot program veterans chronic pain issues including veterans dependent opioids establish center excellence treatment burn pit environmental exposures title iii education bill increases oversight schools eligible receive veterans benefits increases counseling access information student veterans shall establish interagency working group share information education programs employ deceptive misleading practices grow directive pilot program provide educational assistance certain members armed_forces education training physician assistants result permanent school closure veteran forced discontinue course receive credit lost training time completion education program educational assistance payments shall charged individual entitlement educational assistance counted aggregate assistance period certain reserves active duty time shall considered purposes educational assistance eligibility title disability compensation pension bill amends disability benefits appeals process definition spouse amended purposes veterans benefits require recognize marriage based law state marriage occurred marriage occurs outside state shall recognized marriage lawful place occurs entered laws state bill allows receipt military retired pay veterans disability compensation respect service connected disability bill extends years presumption service connection diseases associated exposure certain herbicides including agent orange respect specified veterans served vietnam authority enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences evaluate evidence associations diseases exposure chemical compounds herbicides including herbicides military operations vietnam disease suspected associated exposure title housing homelessness homeless veterans reintegration programs extended shall begin year pilot program assess feasibility awarding grants eligible entities purchase renovate abandoned homes homeless veterans bill establishes title employment training department_of_defense dod carry pilot program enhance dod efforts provide job placement assistance related employment services directly members national_guard reserves veterans armed_forces awarding contract task order procurement goods services preference offerors based percentage time employees veterans shall carry year pilot program award grants manufacturing employers labor management organizations provide eligible veterans training apprenticeships certification title vii construction leases funds appropriated major medical facility lease committees veterans affairs senate house_of_representatives adopt resolutions approving lease shall enter partnership agreements appropriate non federal entities major construction projects carry pilot program accept donation medical facilities related property carry certain leases department_of_veterans_affairs los_angeles california major medical facility lease outpatient clinic california title viii matters department_of_homeland_security shall establish program permit eligible deported noncitizen veterans enter united_states permit eligible noncitizen veterans united_states adjust status noncitizen lawfully admitted permanent residence cancel removal eligible noncitizen veterans allow similarly adjust status military department shall ensure oral review circumstances surrounding members armed_forces discharged world war september sexual orientation certain service performed july organized military forces philippines philippine_scouts deemed active military service benefits purposes


Summary:
VA Accountability for Location of Records Act or the VALOR Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish, within 14 days after receiving a request, any record in its custody pertaining to a claim, or relating to the military service or medical records of a veteran, that the VA is otherwise authorized to furnish to the requester.

If the VA is unable to furnish a record by such time, it shall inform the requester within 10 days after receiving the request of the reason for the delay and the estimated date on which the record will be furnished.

valor act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs furnish days receiving request record custody pertaining claim relating military service medical records veteran authorized furnish requester unable furnish record time shall inform requester days receiving request reason delay estimated date record furnished


Summary:
Financial Independence for Disabled Veterans Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to prescribe regulations to permit continued participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) by a member of the uniformed services after such member's discharge or release from service if such individual is entitled to veterans disability compensation.

For purposes of provisions regarding TSP contributions, such individual's monthly veterans disability compensation shall be deemed to be his or her basic pay for a monthly pay period, but such individual's contribution shall not require or authorize a matching government contribution.

veterans act bill requires federal_retirement_thrift_investment_board prescribe regulations permit continued participation thrift savings plan tsp member uniformed services member discharge release service individual entitled veterans disability compensation purposes provisions tsp contributions individual monthly veterans disability compensation shall deemed basic pay monthly pay period individual contribution shall require authorize matching government contribution


Summary:
Arla Harrell Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reconsider and make a new determination regarding each claim for disability compensation in connection with exposure to mustard gas or lewisite during active military, naval, or air service during World War II that was denied before this bill's enactment. The VA or the Department of Defense (DOD): (1) shall presume that a veteran experienced full-body exposure to mustard gas or lewisite unless proven otherwise; and (2) may not use information contained in the DOD and VA Chemical Biological Warfare Database or any list of known testing sites for mustard gas or lewisite maintained by the VA or DOD as the sole reason for determining that the veteran did not experience such exposure.

The VA shall report to Congress every 90 days on reconsidered claims that were denied.

The VA and DOD shall jointly establish a policy for processing future claims in connection with such exposure.

The bill requires DOD, for purposes of determining whether a site should be added to the list of DOD sites where mustard gas or lewisite testing occurred, to: (1) investigate and assess sites where the Army Corps of Engineers has uncovered evidence of mustard gas or lewisite testing or where more than two veterans submitted claims in connection with exposure that were denied; and (2) report on experiments conducted by DOD during World War II to assess the effects of mustard gas and lewisite.

The VA shall: (1) investigate and assess VA actions to reach out to individuals who had been exposed in such experiments, the disability compensation claims that were filed, and the percentage of such claims that were denied; and (2) submit a comprehensive list of each location where such an experiment was conducted.

bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs reconsider new determination claim disability compensation connection exposure mustard gas active military naval air service world war denied bill enactment department_of_defense dod shall presume veteran experienced body exposure mustard gas proven use information contained dod biological list known testing sites mustard gas maintained dod sole reason determining veteran experience exposure shall report congress days reconsidered claims denied dod shall jointly establish policy processing future claims connection exposure bill requires dod purposes determining site added list dod sites mustard gas testing occurred investigate assess sites army_corps_of_engineers uncovered evidence mustard gas testing veterans submitted claims connection exposure denied report experiments conducted dod world war assess effects mustard gas shall investigate assess actions reach individuals exposed experiments disability compensation claims filed percentage claims denied submit comprehensive list location experiment conducted


Summary:
Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), if it is unable to identify a deceased veteran's next of kin and if it determines that sufficient resources for the furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of such veteran are not otherwise available, to furnish a casket or urn for the burial of such veteran in a national cemetery (current law) or in a veterans cemetery of a state or tribal organization for which the VA has provided a grant for the establishment, expansion, and improvement of veterans' cemeteries.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs unable identify deceased veteran kin determines sufficient resources furnishing casket urn burial veteran available furnish casket urn burial veteran national cemetery current law veterans cemetery state tribal organization provided grant establishment expansion improvement veterans cemeteries


Summary:
Keep Student Veterans in Their Homes Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay educational assistance and subsistence allowances to eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled in specified courses solely for a monthly housing stipend of up to four months following a permanent school closure.

A housing or educational assistance payment shall not be counted against the aggregate period for which such assistance may be provided or charged against the individual's entitlement to educational assistance.

student veterans homes act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs continue pay educational assistance subsistence allowances eligible veterans eligible persons enrolled specified courses solely monthly housing stipend months following permanent school closure housing educational assistance payment shall counted aggregate period assistance provided charged individual entitlement educational assistance


Summary:
Private Corrado Piccoli Purple Heart Preservation Act of 2016

This bill provides that regulations restricting the purchase, production, sale, or exchange of military medals or decorations may not authorize the sale of a Purple Heart awarded to a member of the Armed Forces.

private purple heart preservation act bill provides regulations restricting purchase production sale exchange military medals decorations authorize sale purple heart awarded member armed_forces


Summary:
Collaborating for Economic Reintegration of Troops Act or the CERT Act

This bill establishes the Commission on Veteran Certification Standards which shall:

 examine the challenges confronting members of the Armed Forces and their spouses upon post-service entry into the civilian workforce; determine best state practices and evaluate efforts to assist members of the Armed Forces in obtaining professional credentials to facilitate the transfer of military skills and certifications to civilian settings; identify industries and jobs that can most benefit from military experience; develop recommended Blue Star credentialing standards and design evaluation criteria that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs can use to evaluate state and territory utilization of such standards; and develop related administrative recommendations.

collaborating economic reintegration troops act act bill establishes shall examine challenges members armed_forces spouses post service entry civilian workforce determine best state practices evaluate efforts assist members armed_forces obtaining professional credentials facilitate transfer military skills certifications civilian settings identify industries jobs benefit military experience develop recommended credentialing standards design evaluation criteria department_of_defense department_of_veterans_affairs use evaluate state territory utilization standards develop related administrative recommendations


Summary:
Honor Our National Guard Act

This bill prohibits the department concerned (the Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Homeland Security, Commerce, or Health and Human Services) from requiring the repayment by a member of the uniformed services of any bonus or similar payment under provisions regarding special pay and repayment of an unearned portion of a bonus, incentive pay, or a similar benefit unless the Department, in the case of such a required repayment for failure to perform the required service:

 obtains a signed statement from a commanding officer of at least at the grade of O-6 in the member's chain of command, provides notice to the member of the intent to require repayment, and provides specified notice for the member to respond and provide evidence that the member fulfilled the required service. In the case of such a required repayment by reason that the contract providing for the payment of the bonus is found invalid, the department shall:

 appoint an investigating officer; confirm that such officer determines that the member committed fraud or did not complete the service requirement; and obtain the written concurrence of a general or flag officer in the member's chain of command. The department shall repay, and pay interest on, any amount a member repaid the Department of Defense for a bonus or similar payment the contract for which was found to be invalid.

honor national guard act bill prohibits department concerned department_of_the_army navy air_force homeland_security commerce health_and_human_services requiring repayment member uniformed services bonus similar payment provisions special pay repayment unearned portion bonus incentive pay similar benefit department case required repayment failure perform required service obtains signed statement commanding officer grade member chain command provides notice member intent require repayment provides specified notice member respond provide evidence member fulfilled required service case required repayment reason contract providing payment bonus found invalid department shall appoint investigating officer confirm officer determines member committed fraud complete service requirement obtain written concurrence general flag officer member chain command department shall repay pay interest member repaid department_of_defense bonus similar payment contract found invalid


Summary:
Military Hunger Prevention Act

This bill excludes the value of a housing allowance for a member of a uniformed service from any income, assets, or resources calculation for determining eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) and the family subsistence supplemental allowance program.

military hunger prevention act bill excludes value housing allowance member uniformed service income assets resources calculation determining eligibility supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program family subsistence supplemental allowance program


Summary:
Alternatives to Licensing that Lower Obstacles to Work Act of 2016 or the ALLOW Act

This bill declares, for purposes of establishing an individual's authorization to engage in an occupation on a military installation located on federally-owned land, that the federal government endorses occupational licenses and certifications granted by a state (including the District of Columbia [DC]), regardless of whether the installation is located in the issuing state or DC, provided that:

 the license or certification is not expired, revoked, or suspended by the issuing state; and there are no outstanding enforcement actions against the individual brought by the licensing board or certifying authority for that occupation in the issuing state. District of Columbia Occupational Licensing Reform Act

The bill declares DC policy regarding occupational licensing laws.

The bill establishes an Office of Supervision of Occupational Boards in the office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, or another appropriate DC government agency, to be responsible for exercising active supervision over each occupational licensing board to ensure compliance with occupational licensing policy.

The bill prescribes procedures for the Office's review, approval, or rejection of occupational licensure actions before their adoption.

The DC Council shall establish a legislative committee to analyze occupational regulations and review any proposed legislation to impose or modify an occupational regulation to ensure compliance.

An individual may engage in a lawful occupation without being subject to occupational regulations that are arbitrary or unnecessary and substantially burdensome.

The DC government and its boards may not require an occupational license, certification, or registration for a person, or impose any other occupational regulation that imposes a substantial burden on a person, unless:

 the government has an important interest in protecting against present and recognizable harm to public health, safety, or welfare; and the regulation is substantially related to achievement of that interest. Any person providing tour guide services for a fee at certain national parks and memorials shall not be required to obtain a license, certification, or permit to provide those services.

alternatives licensing lower obstacles work act allow act bill declares purposes establishing individual authorization engage occupation military installation located federally owned land federal government endorses occupational licenses certifications granted state including district_of_columbia regardless installation located issuing state provided license certification expired revoked suspended issuing state outstanding enforcement actions individual brought licensing board certifying authority occupation issuing state district columbia occupational licensing reform act bill declares policy occupational licensing laws bill establishes office attorney general district_of_columbia appropriate government agency responsible exercising active supervision occupational licensing board ensure compliance occupational licensing policy bill prescribes procedures office review approval rejection occupational licensure actions adoption shall establish legislative committee analyze occupational regulations review proposed legislation impose modify occupational regulation ensure compliance individual engage lawful occupation subject occupational regulations arbitrary unnecessary substantially burdensome government boards require occupational license certification registration person impose occupational regulation imposes substantial burden person government important interest protecting present harm public health safety welfare regulation substantially related achievement interest person providing tour guide services fee certain national parks memorials shall required obtain license certification permit provide services


Summary:
Veterans Earned Their Bonus Act or the VET Bonus Act

This bill prohibits the Department of the Army from recouping a bonus or similar benefit that was provided to a member of the California Army National Guard between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2010, unless the Army proves, after a hearing opportunity, that the member knowingly: (1) participated in fraud or misrepresentation to receive the bonus or benefit, or (2) failed to satisfy the service requirement upon which the bonus or benefit was conditioned.

A member shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in procuring the bonus or benefit and to have satisfied the service requirement.

The Army shall: (1) reimburse a member for any amount previously recouped, plus interest; (2) notify each consumer reporting agency that any debt and recoupment measures linked to the bonus or benefit were not valid; and (3) provide financial assistance to a member who is facing financial hardship because of the recoupment measures.

bonus act vet bonus act bill prohibits department_of_the_army bonus similar benefit provided member january december army proves hearing opportunity member knowingly participated fraud misrepresentation receive bonus benefit failed satisfy service requirement bonus benefit conditioned member shall presumed acted good faith procuring bonus benefit satisfied service requirement army shall reimburse member previously plus interest notify consumer reporting agency debt recoupment measures linked bonus benefit valid provide financial assistance member facing financial hardship recoupment measures