Veterans' Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006

        [Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2694 Referred in House (RFH)]

109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2694

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 6, 2006

Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

To amend title 38, United States Code, to remove certain limitations on
attorney representation of claimants for veterans benefits in
administrative proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs,
to make certain improvements in the area of memorial affairs, and for
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Choice
of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--VETERANS' REPRESENTATION

Sec. 101. Attorney representation in veterans benefits cases before the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

Sec. 201. Eligibility of Indian tribal organizations for grants for the
establishment of veterans cemeteries on
trust lands.
Sec. 202. Removal of remains of Russell Wayne Wagner from Arlington
National Cemetery.
Sec. 203. Provision of government markers for marked graves of veterans
at private cemeteries.
TITLE III--EDUCATION MATTERS

Sec. 301. Expansion of education programs eligible for accelerated
payment of educational assistance under the
Montgomery GI bill.
Sec. 302. Accelerated payment of survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance for certain programs of
education.
Sec. 303. Reimbursement of expenses for State approving agencies in the
administration of educational benefits.
Sec. 304. Modification of requirement for reporting on educational
assistance program.
TITLE IV--HEALTH MATTERS

Sec. 401. Parkinson's disease research, education, clinical centers,
and multiple sclerosis centers of
excellence.
Sec. 402. Repeal of term of office for the Under Secretary for Health
and the Under Secretary for Benefits.
Sec. 403. Modifications to existing State home authorities.
Sec. 404. Office of Rural Health.
Sec. 405. Pilot program on improvement of caregiver assistance
services.
TITLE V--HOMELESS VETERANS ASSISTANCE

Sec. 501. Reaffirmation of national goal to end homelessness among
veterans.
Sec. 502. Sense of Congress on the response of the Federal Government
to the needs of homeless veterans.
Sec. 503. Authority to make grants for comprehensive service programs
for homeless veterans.
Sec. 504. Extension of treatment and rehabilitation for seriously
mentally ill and homeless veterans.
Sec. 505. Extension of authority for transfer of properties obtained
through foreclosure of home mortgages.
Sec. 506. Extension of funding for grant program for homeless veterans
with special needs.
Sec. 507. Extension of funding for homeless veteran service provider
technical assistance program.
Sec. 508. Additional element in annual report on assistance to homeless
veterans.
Sec. 509. Advisory committee on homeless veterans.
Sec. 510. Rental assistance vouchers for Veterans Affairs supported
housing program.
Sec. 511. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
income veteran families in permanent
housing.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS

Sec. 601. Residential cooperative housing units.
Sec. 602. Increase in supplemental insurance for totally disabled
veterans.
Sec. 603. Reauthorization of use of certain information from other
agencies.
Sec. 604. Clarification of correctional facilities covered by certain
provisions of law.

TITLE I--VETERANS' REPRESENTATION

SEC. 101. ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION IN VETERANS BENEFITS CASES BEFORE THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Qualifications and Standards of Conduct for Individuals
Recognized as Agents or Attorneys.--
(1) Additional qualifications and standards for agents and
attorneys generally.--Subsection (a) of section 5904 of title
38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
(B) by striking the second sentence; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
``(2) The Secretary may prescribe in regulations qualifications and
standards of conduct for individuals recognized under this section,
including a requirement that, before being recognized, an individual--
``(A) show that such individual is of good moral character
and in good repute, is qualified to render claimants valuable
service, and is otherwise competent to assist claimants in
presenting claims;
``(B) has such level of experience and specialized training
as the Secretary shall specify; and
``(C) certifies to the Secretary that the individual has
satisfied any qualifications and standards prescribed by the
Secretary under this section.
``(3) The Secretary may prescribe in regulations reasonable
restrictions on the amount of fees that an agent or attorney may charge
a claimant for services rendered in the preparation, presentation, and
prosecution of a claim before the Department.
``(4)(A) The Secretary may, on a periodic basis, collect a
registration fee from individuals recognized as agents or attorneys
under this section.
``(B) The Secretary shall prescribe the amount and frequency of
collection of such fees. The amount of such fees may include an amount,
as specified by the Secretary, necessary to defray the costs to the
Department in recognizing individuals under this section, in
administering the collection of such fees, in administering the payment
of fees under subsection (d), and in conducting oversight of agents or
attorneys.
``(C) Amounts so collected shall be deposited in the account from
which amounts for such costs were derived, merged with amounts in such
account, and available for the same purpose, and subject to the same
conditions and limitations, as amounts in such account.''.
(2) Applicability to representatives of veterans service
organizations.--Section 5902(b) of such title is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
(B) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(2) An individual recognized under this section shall be subject
to the provisions of section 5904(b) of this title on the same basis as
an individual recognized under section 5904(a) of this title.''.
(3) Applicability to individuals recognized for particular
claims.--Section 5903 of such title is amended--
(A) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The
Secretary''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(b) Suspension.--An individual recognized under this section
shall be subject to the provisions of section 5904(b) of this title on
the same basis as an individual recognized under section 5904(a) of
this title.''.
(b) Additional Bases for Suspension of Individuals.--Subsection (b)
of section 5904 of such title is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting
a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(6) has presented frivolous claims, issues, or arguments
to the Department; or
``(7) has failed to comply with any other condition
specified by the Secretary in regulations prescribed by the
Secretary for purposes of this subsection.''.
(c) Repeal of Limitation on Hiring Agents or Attorneys.--Subsection
(c) of section 5904 of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1).
(d) Modification of Requirements To File Attorney Fee Agreements.--
Such subsection is further amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (1); and
(2) in that paragraph, as so redesignated--
(A) by striking ``in a case referred to in
paragraph (1) of this subsection'';
(B) by striking ``after the Board first makes a
final decision in the case'';
(C) by striking ``with the Board at such time as
may be specified by the Board'' and inserting ``with
the Secretary pursuant to regulations prescribed by the
Secretary''; and
(D) by striking the second and third sentences.
(e) Attorney Fees.--Such subsection is further amended by inserting
after paragraph (1), as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this
section, the following new paragraph (2):
``(2)(A) The Secretary, upon the Secretary's own motion or at the
request of the claimant, may review a fee agreement filed pursuant to
paragraph (1) and may order a reduction in the fee called for in the
agreement if the Secretary finds that the fee is excessive or
unreasonable.
``(B) A finding or order of the Secretary under subparagraph (A)
may be reviewed by the Board of Veterans' Appeals under section 7104 of
this title.''.
(f) Repeal of Penalty for Certain Acts.--Section 5905 of such title
is amended by striking ``(1)'' and all that follows through ``(2)''.
(g) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
take effect six months after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(2) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe the
regulations, if any, to be prescribed under the amendments made
by subsection (a) not later than the date specified in
paragraph (1).
(3) Claims.--The amendments made by subsections (b), (c),
(d), and (e) shall apply to claims submitted on or after the
date specified in paragraph (1).

TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

SEC. 201. ELIGIBILITY OF INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR GRANTS FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CEMETERIES ON TRUST LANDS.

Section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(f)(1) The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to any
tribal organization to assist the tribal organization in establishing,
expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries on trust land owned by, or
held in trust for, the tribal organization.
``(2) Grants under this subsection shall be made in the same
manner, and under the same conditions, as grants to States are made
under the preceding provisions of this section.
``(3) In this subsection:
``(A) The term `tribal organization' has the meaning given
that term in section 3765(4) of this title.
``(B) The term `trust land' has the meaning given that term
in section 3765(1) of this title.''.

SEC. 202. REMOVAL OF REMAINS OF RUSSELL WAYNE WAGNER FROM ARLINGTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Arlington National Cemetery is a National Shrine that
memorializes the honorable service of men and women who have
defended the freedoms that all the people of the United States
enjoy.
(2) The inclusion among the honored dead of the remains of
persons who have committed particularly notorious, heinous acts
brings dishonor to the deceased and disrespect to their loved
ones.
(3) The removal of the remains of a person who has
committed a heinous act would not be an act of punishment
against that person, but rather an act that would preserve the
sacredness of cemetery grounds.
(4) In November of 1997, section 2411 of title 38, United
States Code, was enacted to, among other things, deny burial
eligibility in Arlington National Cemetery to any person
convicted of a State capital crime for which the person was
sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole. In
January of 2006, section 2411 of such title was amended by
section 662 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163) to remove parole
eligibility as a loophole through which convicted capital
offenders could retain eligibility for interment at Arlington
National Cemetery.
(5) According to Arlington National Cemetery officials, the
remains of only one capital offender, Russell Wayne Wagner,
have been interred in Arlington National Cemetery since
November of 1997.
(b) Removal of Remains.--
(1) Removal.--The Secretary of the Army shall remove the
remains of Russell Wayne Wagner from Arlington National
Cemetery.
(2) Notification of next-of-kin.--The Secretary of the Army
shall--
(A) notify the next-of-kin of record for Russell
Wayne Wagner of the impending removal of his remains;
and
(B) upon removal, relinquish the remains to the
next-of-kin of record for Russell Wayne Wagner or, if
the next-of-kin of record for Russell Wayne Wagner is
unavailable, arrange for an appropriate disposition of
the remains.

SEC. 203. PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT MARKERS FOR MARKED GRAVES OF VETERANS
AT PRIVATE CEMETERIES.

(a) In General.--Section 502(d) of the Veterans Education and
Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-103; 38 U.S.C. 2306
note), as amended by section 203 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002
(Public Law 107-330), is amended by striking ``September 11, 2001'' and
inserting ``November 1, 1990''.
(b) Repeal of Expiration of Authority.--Subsection (d) of section
2306 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph
(3).
(c) Provision of Headstone or Marker.--
(1) In general.--Subsection (d) of such section 2306 is
further amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking
``Government marker'' and inserting
``Government headstone or marker''; and
(ii) in the second sentence, by inserting
``headstone or'' before ``marker'' each place
it appears; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``headstone or''
before ``marker''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (g)(3) of such
section 2306 is amended by inserting ``headstone or'' before
``marker''.
(d) Placement of Headstone or Marker.--The second sentence of
subsection (d)(1) of such section 2306, as amended by subsection
(c)(1)(A)(ii) of this section, is further amended by inserting before
the period the following: ``, or, if placement on the grave is
impossible or impracticable, as close as possible to the grave within
the grounds of the cemetery in which the grave is located''.
(e) Delivery of Headstone or Marker.--Subsection (d)(2) of such
section 2306, as amended by subsection (c)(1)(B) of this section, is
further amended by inserting before the period the following: ``or to a
receiving agent for delivery to the cemetery''.
(f) Repeal of Obsolete Report Requirement.--Subsection (d) of such
section 2306 is further amended by striking paragraph (4).
(g) Scope of Headstones and Markers Furnished.--Subsection (d) of
such section 2306 is further amended by inserting after paragraph (2)
the following new paragraph (3):
``(3) In furnishing headstones and markers under this subsection,
the Secretary shall permit the individual making the request for a
headstone or marker to select among any headstone or marker in the
complete product line of Government headstones and markers.''.
(h) Retroactive Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections
(a) through (g) shall take effect as if included in the enactment of
section 502 of the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of
2001 (Public Law 107-103; 115 Stat. 976).

TITLE III--EDUCATION MATTERS

SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCELERATED
PAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE MONTGOMERY GI
BILL.

(a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 3014A of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting
the following new paragraph (1):
``(1) enrolled in either--
``(A) an approved program of education that leads
to employment in a high technology occupation in a high
technology industry (as determined pursuant to
regulations prescribed by the Secretary); or
``(B) an approved program of education lasting less
than two years that (as so determined) leads to
employment in--
``(i) the transportation sector of the
economy;
``(ii) the construction sector of the
economy;
``(iii) the hospitality sector of the
economy; or
``(iv) the energy sector of the economy.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Heading amendment.--The heading of such section is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3014A. Accelerated payment of basic educational assistance''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The item relating to such section
in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 30 of such
title is amended to read as follows:

``3014A. Accelerated payment of basic educational assistance.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2007. Such amendments shall only apply to
enrollments that begin on or after such date.
(d) Sunset.--The amendments made by this section shall expire on
September 30, 2011.

SEC. 302. ACCELERATED PAYMENT OF SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION.

(a) In General.--Subchapter IV of chapter 35 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3532 the following
new section:
``Sec. 3532A. Accelerated payment of educational assistance allowance
``(a) The educational assistance allowance payable under section
3531 of this title with respect to an eligible person described in
subsection (b) may, upon the election of such eligible person, be paid
on an accelerated basis in accordance with this section.
``(b) An eligible person described in this subsection is an
individual who is--
``(1) enrolled in either--
``(A) an approved program of education that leads
to employment in a high technology occupation in a high
technology industry (as determined pursuant to
regulations prescribed by the Secretary); or
``(B) an approved program of education lasting less
than two years that (as so determined) leads to
employment in the--
``(i) transportation sector of the economy;
``(ii) construction sector of the economy;
``(iii) hospitality sector of the economy;
or
``(iv) energy sector of the economy; and
``(2) charged tuition and fees for the program of education
that, when divided by the number of months (and fractions
thereof) in the enrollment period, exceeds the amount equal to
200 percent of the monthly rate of educational assistance
allowance otherwise payable with respect to the individual
under section 3531 of this title.
``(c)(1) The amount of the accelerated payment of educational
assistance payable with respect to an eligible person making an
election under subsection (a) for a program of education shall be the
lesser of--
``(A) the amount equal to 60 percent of the established
charges for the program of education; or
``(B) the aggregate amount of educational assistance
allowance to which the individual remains entitled under this
chapter at the time of the payment.
``(2) In this subsection, the term `established charges', in the
case of a program of education, means the actual charges (as determined
pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary) for tuition and
fees which similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the program
of education would be required to pay. Established charges shall be
determined on the following basis:
``(A) In the case of an individual enrolled in a program of
education offered on a term, quarter, or semester basis, the
tuition and fees charged the individual for the term, quarter,
or semester.
``(B) In the case of an individual enrolled in a program of
education not offered on a term, quarter, or semester basis,
the tuition and fees charged the individual for the entire
program of education.
``(3) The educational institution providing the program of
education for which an accelerated payment of educational assistance
allowance is elected by an eligible person under subsection (a) shall
certify to the Secretary the amount of the established charges for the
program of education.
``(d) An accelerated payment of educational assistance allowance
made with respect to an eligible person under this section for a
program of education shall be made not later than the last day of the
month immediately following the month in which the Secretary receives a
certification from the educational institution regarding--
``(1) the person's enrollment in and pursuit of the program
of education; and
``(2) the amount of the established charges for the program
of education.
``(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), for each accelerated
payment of educational assistance allowance made with respect to an
eligible person under this section, the person's entitlement to
educational assistance under this chapter shall be charged the number
of months (and any fraction thereof) determined by dividing the amount
of the accelerated payment by the full-time monthly rate of educational
assistance allowance otherwise payable with respect to the person under
section 3531 of this title as of the beginning date of the enrollment
period for the program of education for which the accelerated payment
is made.
``(2) If the monthly rate of educational assistance allowance
otherwise payable with respect to an eligible person under section 3531
of this title increases during the enrollment period of a program of
education for which an accelerated payment of educational assistance
allowance is made under this section, the charge to the person's
entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter shall be
determined by prorating the entitlement chargeable, in the manner
provided for under paragraph (1), for the periods covered by the
initial rate and increased rate, respectively, in accordance with
regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
``(f) The Secretary may not make an accelerated payment of
educational assistance allowance under this section for a program of
education with respect to an eligible person who has received an
advance payment under section 3680(d) of this title for the same
enrollment period.
``(g) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this
section. The regulations shall include requirements, conditions, and
methods for the request, issuance, delivery, certification of receipt
and use, and recovery of overpayment of an accelerated payment of
educational assistance allowance under this section. The regulations
may include such elements of the regulations prescribed under section
3014A of this title as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes
of this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 35 of such title is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 3532 the following new item:

``3532A. Accelerated payment of educational assistance allowance.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2007. Such amendments shall only apply to
enrollments that begin on or after such date.
(d) Sunset.--The amendments made by this section shall expire on
September 30, 2011.

SEC. 303. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR STATE APPROVING AGENCIES IN THE
ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS.

Section 3674(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``and is authorized
to make additional payments subject to the availability of
appropriations,'' after ``readjustment benefits,''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the first sentence and
inserting ``The total amount authorized and available under
this section for any fiscal year may not exceed $19,000,000,
except that the total amount made available for purposes of
this section from amounts available for the payment of
readjustment benefits may not exceed $19,000,000 for fiscal
years 2006 and 2007, $13,000,000 for fiscal years 2008 and
2009, $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013,
and $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal
year.''.

SEC. 304. MODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR REPORTING ON EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 3036 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``January 1, 2005'' and inserting
``January 1, 2011''.
(b) Date of Submittal.--Subsection (a) of such section is amended
by inserting ``, on January 1,'' after ``two years''.
(c) Interim Report.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall each submit to Congress a report containing the
information required by section 3036 of title 38, United States Code,
not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

TITLE IV--HEALTH MATTERS

SEC. 401. PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, CLINICAL CENTERS,
AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.

(a) Requirement for Establishment of Centers.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 7329. Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical
centers and multiple sclerosis centers of excellence
``(a) Designation.--The Secretary, upon the recommendation of the
Under Secretary for Health and pursuant to the provisions of this
section, shall--
``(1) designate--
``(A) at least 6 Department health care facilities
as the locations for centers of Parkinson's disease
research, education, and clinical activities and
(subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds for
such purpose); and
``(B) at least 2 Department health care facilities
as the locations for Multiple Sclerosis Centers of
Excellence (subject to the appropriation of sufficient
funds for such purpose); and
``(2) establish and operate such centers at such locations
in accordance with this section.
``(b) Existing Facilities; Geographic Distribution.--In designating
locations for centers under subsection (a), the Secretary, upon the
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, shall--
``(1) designate each Department health care facility that,
as of January 1, 2005, was operating a Parkinson's Disease
Research, Education, and Clinical Center or a Multiple
Sclerosis Center of Excellence unless the Secretary, on the
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, determines
that such facility--
``(A) does not meet the requirements of subsection
(c);
``(B) has not demonstrated effectiveness in
carrying out the established purposes of such center;
or
``(C) has not demonstrated the potential to carry
out such purposes effectively in the reasonably
foreseeable future; and
``(2) assure appropriate geographic distribution of such
facilities.
``(c) Minimum Requirements.--The Secretary may not designate a
health care facility as a location for a center under subsection (a)
unless--
``(1) the peer review panel established under subsection
(d) determines that the proposal submitted by such facility is
among those proposals which meet the highest competitive
standards of scientific and clinical merit; and
``(2) the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under
Secretary for Health, determines that the facility has (or may
reasonably be anticipated to develop)--
``(A) an arrangement with an accredited medical
school which provides education and training in
neurology and with which such facility is affiliated
under which residents receive education and training in
innovative diagnosis and treatment of chronic
neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders,
including Parkinson's disease, or in the case of
Multiple Sclerosis Centers, multiple sclerosis disease;
``(B) the ability to attract the participation of
scientists who are capable of ingenuity and creativity
in health-care research efforts;
``(C) a policymaking advisory committee composed of
consumers and appropriate health care and research
representatives of the facility and of the affiliated
school or schools to advise the directors of such
facility and such center on policy matters pertaining
to the activities of such center during the period of
the operation of such center;
``(D) the capability to conduct effectively
evaluations of the activities of such center;
``(E) the capability to coordinate, as part of an
integrated national system, education, clinical, and
research activities within all facilities with such
centers;
``(F) the capability to jointly develop a
consortium of providers with interest in treating
neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's
disease, and other movement disorders, or multiple
sclerosis in the case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, at
facilities without such centers in order to ensure
better access to state of the art diagnosis, care, and
education for neurodegenerative disorders, or in the
case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, autoimmune disease
affecting the central nervous system throughout the
health care system; and
``(G) the capability to develop a national
repository in the health care system for the collection
of data on health services delivered to veterans
seeking care for neurodegenerative diseases, including
Parkinson's disease, and other movement disorders, or
in the case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, autoimmune
disease affecting the central nervous system.
``(d) Panel.--(1) The Under Secretary for Health shall establish a
panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals that are
submitted to the Secretary for the establishment of new centers under
this section.
``(2)(A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts in
neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and other
movement disorders, and, in the case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers,
experts in autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
``(B) Members of the panel shall serve as consultants to the
Department for a period of no longer than 2 years except in the case of
panelists asked to serve on the initial panel as specified in
subparagraph (C).
``(C) In order to ensure panel continuity, half of the members of
the first panel shall be appointed for a period of 3 years and half for
a period of 2 years.
``(3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the panel
by the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the relative
scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the Under
Secretary.
``(4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
``(e) Adequate Funding.--Before providing funds for the operation
of any such center at a health care facility other than a health care
facility designated under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall ensure
that--
``(1) the Parkinson's disease center at each facility
designated under subsection (b)(1) is receiving adequate
funding to enable such center to function effectively in the
areas of Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical
activities; and
``(2) in the case of a new Multiple Sclerosis Center, that
existing centers are receiving adequate funding to enable such
centers to function effectively in the areas of multiple
sclerosis research, education, and clinical activities.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are authorized to
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support of the
research and education activities of the centers established under
subsection (a).
``(2) The Under Secretary for Health shall allocate to such centers
from other funds appropriated generally for the Department medical
services account and medical and prosthetics research account, as
appropriate, such amounts as the Under Secretary for Health determines
appropriate.
``(g) Funding Eligibility and Priority for Parkinson's Disease
Research.--Activities of clinical and scientific investigation at each
center established under subsection (a) for Parkinson's disease shall--
``(1) be eligible to compete for the award of funding from
funds appropriated for the Department medical and prosthetics
research account; and
``(2) receive priority in the award of funding from such
account to the extent funds are awarded to projects for
research in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
``(h) Funding Eligibility and Priority for Multiple Sclerosis
Research.--Activities of clinical and scientific investigation at each
center established under subsection (a) for multiple sclerosis shall--
``(1) be eligible to compete for the award of funding from
funds appropriated for the Department medical and prosthetics
research account; and
``(2) receive priority in the award of funding from such
account to the extent funds are awarded to projects for
research in multiple sclerosis and other movement disorders.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7328
the following new item:

``7329. Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical centers
and multiple sclerosis centers of
excellence.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on October 1, 2006.

SEC. 402. REPEAL OF TERM OF OFFICE FOR THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH
AND THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR BENEFITS.

(a) Under Secretary for Health.--
(1) In general.--Section 305 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking subsection (c).
(2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (d) of such section
is redesignated as subsection (c).
(b) Under Secretary for Benefits.--
(1) In general.--Section 306 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking subsection (c).
(2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (d) of such section
is redesignated as subsection (c).

SEC. 403. MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING STATE HOME AUTHORITIES.

(a) Nursing Home Care and Prescription Medications in State Homes
for Veterans With Service-Connected Disabilities.--
(1) Nursing home care.--Subchapter V of chapter 17 of title
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 1745. Nursing home care and medications for veterans with
service-connected disabilities
``(a)(1) The Secretary shall pay each State home for nursing home
care at the rate determined under paragraph (2), where such care is
provided to any veteran as follows:
``(A) Any veteran in need of such care for a service-
connected disability.
``(B) Any veteran who--
``(i) has a service-connected disability rated at
70 percent or more; and
``(ii) is in need of such care.
``(2) The rate determined under this paragraph with respect to a
State home is the lesser of--
``(A) the applicable or prevailing rate payable in the
geographic area in which the State home is located, as
determined by the Secretary, for nursing home care furnished in
a non-Department nursing home (as that term is defined in
section 1720(e)(2)); or
``(B) a rate not to exceed the daily cost of care, as
determined by the Secretary, following a report to the
Secretary by the director of the State home.
``(3) Payment by the Secretary under paragraph (1) to a State home
for nursing home care provided to a veteran described in that paragraph
constitutes payment in full to the State home for such care furnished
to that veteran.''.
(2) Provision of prescription medicines.--Such section, as
so added, is further amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(b) The Secretary shall furnish such drugs and medicines as may
be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific
therapy in the treatment of illness or injury to any veteran as
follows:
``(1) Any veteran who--
``(A) is not being provided nursing home care for
which payment is payable under subsection (a); and
``(B) is in need of such drugs and medicines for a
service-connected disability.
``(2) Any veteran who--
``(A) has a service-connected disability rated at
50 percent or more;
``(B) is not being provided nursing home care for
which payment is payable under subsection (a); and
``(C) is in need of such drugs and medicines.''.
(3) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Criteria for payment.--Section 1741(a)(1) of
such title is amended by striking ``The'' and inserting
``Except as provided in section 1745 of this title,
the''.
(B) Eligibility for nursing home care.--Section
1710(a)(4) of such title is amended--
(i) by striking ``and'' before ``the
requirement in section 1710B of this title'';
and
(ii) by inserting ``, and the requirement
in section 1745 of this title to provide
nursing home care and prescription medicines to
veterans with service-connected disabilities in
State homes'' after ``a program of extended
care services''.
(4) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 1744 the following new item:

``1745. Nursing home care and medications for veterans with service-
connected disabilities.''.
(5) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(b) Identification of Veterans in State Homes.--Such chapter is
further amended--
(1) in section 1745, as added by subsection (a)(1) of this
section, by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Any State home that requests payment or reimbursement for
services provided to a veteran under this section shall provide to the
Secretary such information as the Secretary considers necessary to
identify each individual veteran eligible for payment under such
section.''; and
(2) in section 1741, by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f) Any State home that requests payment or reimbursement for
services provided to a veteran under this section shall provide to the
Secretary such information as the Secretary considers necessary to
identify each individual veteran eligible for payment under such
section.''.
(c) Authority To Treat Certain Health Facilities as State Homes.--
(1) Authority.--Subchapter III of chapter 81 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 8138. Treatment of certain health facilities as State homes
``(a) The Secretary may treat a health facility, or certain beds in
a health facility, as a State home for purposes of subchapter V of
chapter 17 of this title if the following requirements are met:
``(1) The facility, or certain beds in such facility, meets
the standards for the provision of nursing home care that is
applicable to State homes, as prescribed by the Secretary under
section 8134(b) of this title, and such other standards
relating to the facility, or certain beds in such facility, as
the Secretary may require.
``(2) The facility, or certain beds in such facility, is
licensed or certified by the appropriate State and local
agencies charged with the responsibility of licensing or
otherwise regulating or inspecting State home facilities.
``(3) The State demonstrates in an application to the
Secretary that, but for the treatment of a facility (or certain
beds in such facility), as a State home under this subsection,
a substantial number of veterans residing in the geographic
area in which the facility is located who require nursing home
care will not have access to such care.
``(4) The Secretary determines that the treatment of the
facility, or certain beds in such facility, as a State home
best meets the needs of veterans for nursing home care in the
geographic area in which the facility is located.
``(5) The Secretary approves the application submitted by
the State with respect to the facility, or certain beds in such
facility.
``(b) The Secretary may not treat a health facility, or certain
beds in a health facility, as a State home under subsection (a) if the
Secretary determines that such treatment would increase the number of
beds allocated to the State in excess of the limit on the number of
beds provided for by regulations prescribed under section 8134(a) of
this title.
``(c) The number of beds occupied by veterans in a health facility
for which payment may be made under subchapter V of chapter 17 of this
title by reason of subsection (a) shall not exceed--
``(1) 100 beds in the aggregate for all States; and
``(2) in the case of any State, the difference between--
``(A) the number of veterans authorized to be in
beds in State homes in such State under regulations
prescribed under section 8134(a) of this title; and
``(B) the number of veterans actually in beds in
State homes (other than facilities or certain beds
treated as State homes under subsection (a)) in such
State under regulations prescribed under such section.
``(d) The number of beds in a health facility in a State that has
been treated as a State home under subsection (a) shall be taken into
account in determining the unmet need for beds for State homes for the
State under section 8134(d)(1) of this title.
``(e) The Secretary may not treat any new health facilities, or any
new certain beds in a health facility, as a State home under subsection
(a) after September 30, 2009.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 81 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 8137 the following new item:

``8138. Treatment of certain health facilities as State homes.''.

SEC. 404. OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH.

(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department of
Veterans Affairs within the Office of the Undersecretary for Health an
office to be known as the ``Office of Rural Health'' (in this section
referred to as the ``Office'').
(b) Head.--The Director of the Office of Rural Health shall be the
head of the Office. The Director of the Office of Rural Health shall be
appointed by the Under Secretary of Health from among individuals
qualified to perform the duties of the position.
(c) Functions.--The functions of the Office are as follows:
(1) In cooperation with the medical, rehabilitation, health
services, and cooperative studies research programs in the
Office of Policy and the Office of Research and Development of
the Veterans Health Administration, to assist the Under
Secretary for Health in conducting, coordinating, promoting,
and disseminating research into issues affecting veterans
living in rural areas.
(2) To work with all personnel and offices of the
Department of Veterans Affairs to develop, refine, and
promulgate policies, best practices, lessons learned, and
innovative and successful programs to improve care and services
for veterans who reside in rural areas of the United States.
(3) To designate in each Veterans Integrated Service
Network (VISN) an individual who shall consult on and
coordinate the discharge in such Network of programs and
activities of the Office for veterans who reside in rural areas
of the United States.
(4) To assess, in accordance with subsection (d), the
effects of the implementation of the fee-basis health care
program of the Veterans Health Administration on the delivery
of health care services to veterans who reside in rural areas
of the United States.
(5) To perform such other functions and duties as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Under Secretary for Health
consider appropriate.
(d) Assessment of Fee-Basis Health Care Program.--The Director of
the Office shall, in consultation with the individuals designated under
subsection (c)(3), conduct an assessment of the effects of the
implementation of the fee-basis health care program of the Veterans
Health Administration on the delivery of health care services to
veterans who reside in rural areas of the United States. In conducting
the assessment, the Director shall--
(1) evaluate the effects of the fee-basis health care
program on the delivery of health care services to veterans who
reside in rural areas of the United States;
(2) identify various mechanisms for expanding the program
in order to enhance and improve health care services for such
veterans and determine the feasibility and advisability of
implementing such mechanisms; and
(3) for each mechanism determined under paragraph (2) to be
feasible and advisable to implement, make recommendations to
the Under Secretary for Health on the implementation of such
mechanism.

SEC. 405. PILOT PROGRAM ON IMPROVEMENT OF CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE
SERVICES.

(a) In General.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of
various mechanisms to expand and improve caregiver assistance services.
(b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program required by
subsection (a) shall be carried out during the two-year period
beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
(c) Caregiver Assistance Services.--For purposes of this section,
the term ``caregiver assistance services'' are services of the
Department of Veterans Affairs that assist caregivers of veterans,
including veterans of the Global War on Terrorism. Such services
including the following:
(1) Adult-day health care services.
(2) Coordination of services needed by veterans, including
services for readjustment and rehabilitation.
(3) Transportation services.
(4) Caregiver support services, including education,
training, and certification of family members in caregiver
activities.
(5) Home care services.
(6) Respite care.
(7) Hospice services.
(8) Any modalities of non-institutional long-term care.
(d) Funding.--
(1) Source of funds.--In carrying out the program required
by subsection (a), the Secretary shall identify, from funds
available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical
care, an amount not less than $5,000,000 to be available for
the fiscal year that includes the date of the enactment of this
Act, to carry out the pilot program and to be allocated to
facilities of the Department pursuant to subsection (e). Such
amount shall be available without fiscal year limitation.
(2) Minimum allocation of funds.--In identifying available
amounts pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure
that, after the allocation of funds under subsection (e), the
total expenditure for programs in support of caregiver
assistance services is not less than $5,000,000 in excess of
the baseline amount.
(3) Baseline amount.--For purposes of paragraph (2), the
baseline amount is the amount of the total expenditures on
programs in support of caregiver assistance services for
veterans for the most recent fiscal year for which final
expenditure amounts are known, adjusted to reflect any
subsequent increase in applicable costs to support such
services through the Veterans Health Administration.
(e) Allocation of Funds to Facilities.--The Secretary shall
allocate funds identified pursuant to subsection (d)(1) to individual
medical facilities of the Department in such amounts as the Secretary
determines appropriate, based upon proposals submitted by such
facilities for the use of such funds for improvements to the support of
the provision of caregiver assistance services. Special consideration
should be given to rural facilities, including those without a long-
term care facility of the Department.
(f) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of this
section, including--
(1) a description and assessment of the activities carried
out under the pilot program;
(2) information on the allocation of funds to facilities of
the Department under subsection (d); and
(3) a description of the improvements made with funds so
allocated to the support of the provision of caregiver
assistance services.

TITLE V--HOMELESS VETERANS ASSISTANCE

SEC. 501. REAFFIRMATION OF NATIONAL GOAL TO END HOMELESSNESS AMONG
VETERANS.

(a) Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms the national goal to end
chronic homelessness among veterans within a decade of the enactment of
the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law
107-95; 115 Stat. 903).
(b) Reaffirmation of Encouragement of Cooperative Efforts.--
Congress reaffirms its encouragement, as specified in the Homeless
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-95; 115
Stat. 903), that all departments and agencies of the Federal, State,
and local governments, quasi-governmental organizations, private and
public sector entities, including community-based organizations, faith-
based organizations, and individuals, work cooperatively to end chronic
homelessness among veterans.

SEC. 502. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE RESPONSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
TO THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) homelessness is a significant problem in the veterans
community, and veterans are disproportionately represented
among the homeless population;
(2) while many effective programs assist homeless veterans
to become, once again, productive and self-sufficient members
of their communities and society, all the essential services,
assistance, and support that homeless veterans require are not
currently provided;
(3) federally funded programs for homeless veterans should
be held accountable for achieving clearly defined results;
(4) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should
include prevention of homelessness;
(5) Federal efforts regarding homeless veterans should be
particularly vigorous where women veterans have minor children
in their care;
(6) Federal agencies, particularly the Department of
Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and the Department
of Housing and Urban Development, should cooperate more fully
to address the problem of homelessness among veterans; and
(7) the programs reauthorized by this title provide
important housing and services to homeless veterans.

SEC. 503. AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS
FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

(a) Permanent Authority.--Section 2011(a) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``(1)''; and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D)
as paragraphs (1) through (4), respectively.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--The text of section 2013 of
such title is amended to read as follows: ``There is authorized to be
appropriated, to carry out this subchapter, $130,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.

SEC. 504. EXTENSION OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FOR SERIOUSLY
MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.

(a) Extension of Authority for General Treatment.--Section 2031(b)
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2006'' and
inserting ``2011''.
(b) Extension of Authority for Additional Services.--Section
2033(d) of such title is amended by striking ``2006'' and inserting
``2011''.

SEC. 505. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER OF PROPERTIES OBTAINED
THROUGH FORECLOSURE OF HOME MORTGAGES.

Section 2041(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2011''.

SEC. 506. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Section 2061(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2003, 2004, and 2005, $5,000,000'' and inserting ``2007
through 2011, $7,000,000''.

SEC. 507. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR HOMELESS VETERAN SERVICE PROVIDER
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Subsection (b) of section 2064 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012 to
carry out the program under this section.''.

SEC. 508. ADDITIONAL ELEMENT IN ANNUAL REPORT ON ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS
VETERANS.

Section 2065(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph (5):
``(5) Information on the efforts of the Secretary to
coordinate the delivery of housing and services to homeless
veterans with other Federal departments and agencies,
including--
``(A) the Department of Defense;
``(B) the Department of Health and Human Services;
``(C) the Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
``(D) the Department of Justice;
``(E) the Department of Labor;
``(F) the Interagency Council on Homelessness;
``(G) the Social Security Administration; and
``(H) any other Federal department or agency with
which the Secretary coordinates the delivery of housing
and services to homeless veterans.''.

SEC. 509. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS VETERANS.

(a) Additional Ex Officio Members.--Subsection (a)(3) of section
2066 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following new subparagraphs:
``(E) The Executive Director of the Interagency Council on
Homelessness (or a representative of the Executive Director).
``(F) The Under Secretary for Health (or a representative
of the Under Secretary after consultation with the Director of
the Office of Homeless Veterans Programs).
``(G) The Under Secretary for Benefits (or a representative
of the Under Secretary after consultation with the Director of
the Office of Homeless Veterans Programs).''.
(b) Extension.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2006'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011''.

SEC. 510. RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTED
HOUSING PROGRAM.

(a) Funding for Vouchers.--Section (8)(o)(19)(B) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)(B)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(B) Amount.--The amount specified in this
subparagraph is--
``(i) for fiscal year 2007, the amount
necessary to provide 500 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection;
``(ii) for fiscal year 2008, the amount
necessary to provide 1,000 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection;
``(iii) for fiscal year 2009, the amount
necessary to provide 1,500 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection;
``(iv) for fiscal year 2010, the amount
necessary to provide 2,000 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection; and
``(v) for fiscal year 2011, the amount
necessary to provide 2,500 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection.''.
(b) Elimination of Funding Through Incremental Assistance.--
Subparagraph (C) of section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act
of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)(C)) is repealed.
(c) Study of Effectiveness of Vouchers.--
(1) In general.--For fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study of the
effectiveness of the voucher program under section
(8)(o)(19)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)(B)), as amended by subsection (a), in
meeting the housing and case management needs of homeless
veterans who--
(A) have a chronic mental illnesses or chronic
substance use disorder; and
(B) are participating in continuing treatment for
such mental illness or substance use disorder as a
condition of receipt of such rental assistance.
(2) Comparison.--As part of the study required by paragraph
(1) the Secretary shall compare the results of the program
described in that paragraph with other programs as follows:
(A) Programs in which the Department of Veterans
Affairs coordinates the delivery of housing and
services to homeless veterans.
(B) Programs for the provision of grants or per
diem payments to providers of services that are
designed to meet the needs of homeless veterans.
(3) Criteria.--In conducting the comparison required by
paragraph (2), the Secretary shall examine the following:
(A) The satisfaction of veterans targeted by the
programs described in paragraph (2).
(B) The health status of such veterans.
(C) For programs that address substance use
disorders, the reduction in severity of such disorders
in such veterans.
(D) The housing provided such veterans under such
programs.
(E) The degree to which such veterans are
encouraged to productive activity by such programs.
(4) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2009, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the results of the study required
by paragraph (1).

SEC. 511. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-
INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to facilitate the
provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families
in permanent housing.
(b) Financial Assistance.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter V of chapter 20 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 2044. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
income veteran families in permanent housing
``(a) Distribution of Financial Assistance.--(1) The Secretary
shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities approved under
this section to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive
services described in subsection (b) for very low-income veteran
families occupying permanent housing.
``(2) Financial assistance under this section shall consist of per
diem payments for each such family for which an approved eligible
entity is providing or coordinating the provision of supportive
services.
``(3)(A) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for
such purpose, the Secretary shall provide to each family for which an
approved eligible entity is providing or coordinating the provision of
supportive services per diem payments in the amount of the daily cost
of care estimated by such eligible entity (as adjusted by the Secretary
under subparagraph (C)).
``(B) In no case may the amount of per diem paid under this
paragraph exceed the rate of per diem authorized for State homes for
domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of this
title, as adjusted by the Secretary under subsection (c) of such
section.
``(C) The Secretary may adjust the daily cost of care estimated by
an eligible entity for purposes of this paragraph to exclude other
sources of income described in subparagraph (E) that the eligible
entity certifies to be correct.
``(D) Each eligible entity shall provide to the Secretary such
information with respect to other sources of income as the Secretary
may require to make the adjustment under subparagraph (C).
``(E) The other sources of income referred to in subparagraphs (C)
and (D) are payments to the eligible entity for furnishing services to
homeless veterans under programs other than under this subchapter,
including payments and grants from other departments and agencies of
the Federal Government, from departments or agencies of State or local
government, and from private entities or organizations.
``(4) In providing financial assistance under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall give preference to entities providing or coordinating
the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran
families who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
``(5) The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable,
financial assistance under this subsection is equitably distributed
across geographic regions, including rural communities and tribal
lands.
``(6) Each entity receiving financial assistance under this section
to provide supportive services to a very low-income veteran family
shall notify that family that such services are being paid for, in
whole or in part, by the Department.
``(7) The Secretary may require entities receiving financial
assistance under this section to submit a report to the Secretary that
describes the projects carried out with such financial assistance.
``(b) Supportive Services.--The supportive services referred to in
subsection (a) are the following:
``(1) Services provided by an eligible entity or
subcontractors that address the needs of very low-income
veteran families occupying permanent housing, including--
``(A) outreach services;
``(B) health care services, including diagnosis,
treatment, and counseling for mental health and
substance abuse disorders and for post-traumatic stress
disorder, if such services are not readily available
through the Department medical center serving the
geographic area in which the veteran family is housed;
``(C) habilitation and rehabilitation services;
``(D) case management services;
``(E) daily living services;
``(F) personal financial planning;
``(G) transportation services;
``(H) vocational counseling;
``(I) employment and training;
``(J) educational services;
``(K) assistance in obtaining veterans benefits and
other public benefits, including health care provided
by the Department;
``(L) assistance in obtaining income support;
``(M) assistance in obtaining health insurance;
``(N) fiduciary and representative payee services;
``(O) legal services to assist the veteran family
with reconsiderations or appeals of veterans and public
benefit claim denials and to resolve outstanding
warrants that interfere with the family's ability to
obtain or retain housing or supportive services;
``(P) child care;
``(Q) housing counseling;
``(R) other services necessary for maintaining
independent living; and
``(S) coordination of services under this
paragraph.
``(2) Services described in paragraph (1) that are
delivered to very low-income veteran families who are homeless
and who are scheduled to become residents of permanent housing
within 90 days pending the location or development of housing
suitable for permanent housing.
``(3) Services described in paragraph (1) for very low-
income veteran families who have voluntarily chosen to seek
other housing after a period of tenancy in permanent housing,
that are provided, for a period of 90 days after such families
exit permanent housing or until such families commence receipt
of other housing services adequate to meet their current needs,
but only to the extent that services under this paragraph are
designed to support such families in their choice to transition
into housing that is responsive to their individual needs and
preferences.
``(c) Application for Financial Assistance.--(1) An eligible entity
seeking financial assistance under subsection (a) shall submit an
application to the Secretary in such form, in such manner, and
containing such commitments and information as the Secretary determines
to be necessary to carry out this section.
``(2) Each application submitted by an eligible entity under
paragraph (1) shall contain--
``(A) a description of the supportive services proposed to
be provided by the eligible entity;
``(B) a description of the types of very low-income veteran
families proposed to be provided such services;
``(C) an estimate of the number of very low-income veteran
families proposed to be provided such services;
``(D) evidence of the experience of the eligible entity in
providing supportive services to very low-income veteran
families; and
``(E) a description of the managerial capacity of the
eligible entity to--
``(i) coordinate the provision of supportive
services with the provision of permanent housing, by
the eligible entity or by other organizations;
``(ii) continuously assess the needs of very low-
income veteran families for supportive services;
``(iii) coordinate the provision of supportive
services with the services of the Department;
``(iv) tailor supportive services to the needs of
very low-income veteran families; and
``(v) continuously seek new sources of assistance
to ensure the long-term provision of supportive
services to very low-income veteran families.
``(3) The Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of
eligible entities to be provided financial assistance under this
section.
``(d) Technical Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall provide
training and technical assistance to participating eligible entities
regarding the planning, development, and provision of supportive
services to very low-income veteran families occupying permanent
housing.
``(2) The Secretary may provide the training described in paragraph
(1) directly or through grants or contracts with appropriate public or
nonprofit private entities.
``(e) Funding.--(1) From amounts appropriated to the Department for
Medical Care, there shall be available to carry out this section
amounts as follows:
``(A) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
``(B) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
``(C) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
``(2) Not more than $750,000 may be available under paragraph (1)
in any fiscal year to provide technical assistance under subsection
(d).
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `consumer cooperative' has the meaning given
such term in section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C.
1701q).
``(2) The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a private nonprofit organization; or
``(B) a consumer cooperative.
``(3) The term `homeless' has the meaning given that term
in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 11302).
``(4) The term `permanent housing' means community-based
housing without a designated length of stay.
``(5) The term `private nonprofit organization' means any
of the following:
``(A) Any incorporated private institution or
foundation--
``(i) no part of the net earnings of which
inures to the benefit of any member, founder,
contributor, or individual;
``(ii) which has a governing board that is
responsible for the operation of the supportive
services provided under this section; and
``(iii) which is approved by the Secretary
as to financial responsibility;
``(B) A for-profit limited partnership, the sole
general partner of which is an organization meeting the
requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of
subparagraph (A).
``(C) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by
an organization meeting the requirements of clauses
(i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A).
``(D) A tribally designated housing entity (as
defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25
U.S.C. 4103)).
``(6)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the term
`very low-income veteran family' means a veteran family whose
income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the
area, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with this
paragraph.
``(B) The Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments to
the income requirement under subparagraph (A) based on family
size.
``(C) The Secretary may establish an income ceiling higher
or lower than 50 percent of the median income for an area if
the Secretary determines that such variations are necessary
because the area has unusually high or low construction costs,
fair market rents (as determined under section 8 of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)), or family
incomes.
``(7) The term `veteran family' includes a veteran who is a
single person and a family in which the head of household or
the spouse of the head of household is a veteran.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 2043 the following new item:

``2044. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
income veteran families in permanent
housing.''.
(c) Study of Effectiveness of Permanent Housing Program.--
(1) In general.--For fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the
Secretary shall conduct a study of the effectiveness of the
permanent housing program under section 2044 of title 38,
United States Code, as amended by subsection (b), in meeting
the needs of very low-income veteran families, as that term is
defined in that section.
(2) Comparison.--In the study required by paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall compare the results of the program referred
to in that subsection with other programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs dedicated to the delivery of housing and
services to veterans.
(3) Criteria.--In making the comparison required in
paragraph (2), the Secretary shall examine the following:
(A) The satisfaction of veterans targeted by the
programs described in paragraph (2).
(B) The health status of such veterans.
(C) The housing provided such veterans under such
programs.
(D) The degree to which such veterans are
encouraged to productive activity by such programs.
(4) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2009, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the results of the study required
by paragraph (1).

TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS

SEC. 601. RESIDENTIAL COOPERATIVE HOUSING UNITS.

(a) Housing Benefits for Cooperative Apartment Units.--Subsection
(a) of section 3710 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (11) the following new paragraph:
``(12) To purchase stock or membership in a cooperative
housing corporation for the purpose of entitling the veteran to
occupy for dwelling purposes a single family residential unit
in a development, project, or structure owned or leased by such
corporation, in accordance with subsection (h).''.
(b) Conditions of Housing Benefits for Cooperative Apartment
Units.--Such section is further amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(h)(1) A loan may not be guaranteed under subsection (a)(12)
unless--
``(A) the development, project, or structure of the
cooperative housing corporation complies with such criteria as
the Secretary prescribes in regulations; and
``(B) the dwelling unit that the purchase of stock or
membership in the development, project, or structure of the
cooperative housing corporation entitles the purchaser to
occupy is a single family residential unit.
``(2) In this subsection, the term `cooperative housing
corporation' has the same meaning given such term in section 216(b)(1)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(3) When applying the term `value of the property' to a loan
guaranteed under subsection (a)(12), such term means the appraised
value of the stock or membership entitling the purchaser to the
permanent occupancy of the dwelling unit in the development, project,
or structure of the cooperative housing corporation.''.

SEC. 602. INCREASE IN SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE FOR TOTALLY DISABLED
VETERANS.

Section 1922A(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``$20,000'' and inserting ``$30,000, during the period
beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on September 31, 2011, or
$20,000 at any other time''.

SEC. 603. REAUTHORIZATION OF USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM OTHER
AGENCIES.

(a) Information From Secretary of the Treasury or Commissioner of
Social Security.--Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2008'' and inserting ``September
30, 2011''.
(b) Tax Returns and Tax Return Information.--The last sentence of
section 6103(l)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2008'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011''.

SEC. 604. CLARIFICATION OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES COVERED BY CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF LAW.

(a) Payment of Pension During Confinement in Penal Institutions.--
Section 1505(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking
``or local penal institution'' and inserting ``local, or other penal
institution or correctional facility''.
(b) Allowances for Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans With
Service-Connected Disabilities.--Section 3108(g)(1) of such title is
amended by striking ``or local penal institution'' and inserting
``local, or other penal institution or correctional facility''.
(c) Educational Assistance Benefits for Post-Vietnam Era
Veterans.--Section 3231(d)(1) of such title is amended by striking ``or
local penal institution'' and inserting ``local, or other penal
institution or correctional facility''.
(d) Computation of Educational Assistance Allowances for Veterans
Generally.--Section 3482(g)(1) of such title is amended by striking
``or local penal institution'' and inserting ``local, or other penal
institution or correctional facility''.
(e) Computation of Educational Assistance Allowance for Survivors
and Dependents.--Section 3532(e) of such title is amended by striking
``or local penal institution'' and inserting ``local, or other penal
institution or correctional facility''.
(f) Limitation on Payment of Compensation and Dependency and
Indemnity Compensation.--Section 5313 of such title is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``or local penal
institution'' and inserting ``local, or other penal institution
or correctional facility'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``or local penal
institution'' and inserting ``local, or other penal institution
or correctional facility''; and
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``or local penal
institution'' and inserting ``local, or other penal institution
or correctional facility''.
(g) Limitation on Payment of Clothing Allowance.--Section 5313A of
such title is amended by striking ``or local penal institution'' and
inserting ``local, or other penal institution or correctional
facility''.

Passed the Senate August 3, 2006.

Attest:

EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

Secretary.