[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 287 Referred in House (RFH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 287
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 12, 2013
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve assistance to
homeless veterans, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Helping Homeless Veterans Act of
2013''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR PURPOSES OF
BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 2002(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a))'' and inserting ``in subsection (a) or (b) of
section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11302)''.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE
PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) Modification of Authority To Provide Capital Improvement Grants
for Programs That Assist Homeless Veterans.--Subsection (a) of section
2011 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in the matter before
paragraph (1)--
(1) by striking ``or modifying'' and inserting ``,
modifying, or maintaining''; and
(2) by inserting ``privately, safely, and securely,''
before ``the following''.
(b) Requirement That Recipients of Grants Meet Physical Privacy,
Safety, and Security Needs of Homeless Veterans.--Subsection (f) of
such section is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(6) To meet the physical privacy, safety, and security
needs of homeless veterans receiving services through the
project.''.
SEC. 4. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE
THAT BECOMES PERMANENT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2012(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as
subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
(2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ``in
subparagraph (D)'' and inserting ``in subparagraph (E)'';
(3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking
``under subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``under subparagraph
(C)'';
(4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ``in
subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting ``in subparagraphs
(C) and (D)''; and
(5) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``The rate'' and inserting ``Except
as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate'';
and
(B) by striking ``under subparagraph (B)'' and all
that follows through the end and inserting the
following: ``under subparagraph (C).
``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may the rate
determined under this paragraph exceed the rate authorized for State
homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741
of this title, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under
subsection (c) of that section.
``(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless veteran who
is placed in housing that will become permanent housing for the veteran
upon termination of the furnishing of such services to such veteran,
the maximum rate of per diem authorized under this section is 150
percent of the rate described in clause (i).''.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR FURNISHING CARE TO
DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN HOMELESS VETERANS.
Subsection (a) of section 2012 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Services for which a recipient of a grant under section 2011
of this title (or an entity described in paragraph (1)) may receive per
diem payments under this subsection may include furnishing care for a
dependent of a homeless veteran who is under the care of such homeless
veteran while such homeless veteran receives services from the grant
recipient (or entity).''.
SEC. 6. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSESS
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assess
and measure the capacity of programs for which entities receive grants
under section 2011 of title 38, United States Code, or per diem
payments under section 2012 or 2061 of such title.
(b) Assessment at National and Local Levels.--In assessing and
measuring under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and use
tools to examine the capacity of programs described in such subsection
at both the national and local level in order to assess the following:
(1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs of
homeless veterans in each geographic area.
(2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the
subpopulations of homeless veterans located in each geographic
area.
(3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under
sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 2012
of such title have to provide services for which the recipients
are eligible to receive per diem under section
2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added by
section 4(5)(B).
(c) Use of Information.--The Secretary shall use the information
collected under this section as follows:
(1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described
in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of homeless
veterans.
(2) To assess whether programs described in subsection (a)
are meeting goals set under paragraph (1).
(3) To inform funding allocations for programs described in
subsection (a).
(4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to
programs described in subsection (a).
(d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the
assessment required by subsection (b) is completed, 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 such assessment and such recommendations for legislative and
administrative action as the Secretary may have to improve the programs
and per diem payments described in subsection (a).
SEC. 7. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AUTHORITY TO
PROVIDE DENTAL CARE TO HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Section 2062(b) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Eligible Veterans.--(1) Subsection (a) applies to a veteran
who--
``(A) is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this
title; and
``(B) for a period of 60 consecutive days, is receiving--
``(i) assistance under section 8(o) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)); or
``(ii) care (directly or by contract) in any of the
following settings:
``(I) A domiciliary under section 1710 of
this title.
``(II) A therapeutic residence under
section 2032 of this title.
``(III) Community residential care
coordinated by the Secretary under section 1730
of this title.
``(IV) A setting for which the Secretary
provides funds for a grant and per diem
provider.
``(V) A setting--
``(aa) in which the veteran is
receiving transitional housing
assistance;
``(bb) for which funding is not
provided for transitional housing
assistance under the laws administered
by the Secretary;
``(cc) for which the Secretary
receives verification from the provider
of care that the veteran is receiving
care for a period of 60 consecutive
days; and
``(dd) from which the Secretary
determines that the veteran cannot
reasonably access comparable dental
services at no cost and in a reasonable
period of time.
``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), in determining whether a
veteran has received assistance or care for a period of 60 consecutive
days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the continuity of
assistance or care for which the veteran is not responsible.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 8. PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO PROVIDE LEGAL
SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS AND VETERANS AT RISK OF
HOMELESSNESS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 2022 the following new section:
``Sec. 2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide
legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk
of homelessness
``(a) Partnerships Authorized.--Subject to the availability of
funds for that purpose, the Secretary may enter into partnerships with
public or private entities to fund a portion of the general legal
services specified in subsection (c) that are provided by such entities
to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness.
``(b) Locations.--The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent
practicable, partnerships under this section are made with entities
equitably distributed across the geographic regions of the United
States, including rural communities, tribal lands of the United States,
Native Americans, and tribal organizations (as defined in section 3765
of title 38, United States Code).
``(c) Legal Services.--Legal services specified in this subsection
include legal services provided by public or private entities that
address the needs of homeless veterans and veterans at risk of
homelessness as follows:
``(1) Legal services related to housing, including eviction
defense and representation in landlord-tenant cases.
``(2) Legal services related to family law, including
assistance in court proceedings for child support, divorce, and
estate planning.
``(3) Legal services related to income support, including
assistance in obtaining public benefits.
``(4) Legal services related to criminal defense, including
defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness, such as
outstanding warrants, fines, and driver's license revocation,
to reduce recidivism and facilitate the overcoming of reentry
obstacles in employment or housing.
``(d) Consultation.--In developing and carrying out partnerships
under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable,
consult with public and private entities--
``(1) for assistance in identifying and contacting
organizations capable of providing the legal services described
in subsection (c); and
``(2) to coordinate appropriate outreach relationships with
such organizations.
``(e) Reports.--The Secretary may require entities that have
entered into partnerships under this section to submit to the Secretary
periodic reports on legal services provided to homeless veterans and
veterans at risk of homelessness pursuant to such partnerships.
``(f) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to enter into
partnerships under this section as described in subsection (a) shall
expire on December 31, 2016.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding after the item relating
to section 2022 the following new item:
``2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal
services to homeless veterans and veterans
at risk of homelessness.''.
SEC. 9. REQUESTS FOR DATA TO EVALUATE AND IMPROVE SERVICES PROVIDED TO
VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.
Section 2022 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g);
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new
subsection (f):
``(f) Requests for Data To Evaluate and Improve Services Provided
to Veterans at Risk of Homelessness.--(1) The Secretary shall from time
to time request from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of
Prisons, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and other appropriate
Federal law enforcement agencies data in the possession of such
agencies useful for the evaluation and improvement of the services
provided to veterans at risk of homelessness under this section and
section 2023 of this title.
``(2) Such agencies shall make reasonable efforts to comply with
any such request by the Secretary.''.
SEC. 10. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PROGRAM OF REFERRAL AND COUNSELING
SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE
TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.
Section 2023 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b);
(2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``To the extent
practicable, the program'' and inserting ``The program'';
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``September 30, 2014''
and inserting ``September 30, 2017'';
(4) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``provided under the
demonstration program''; and
(5) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as
subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively.
SEC. 11. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORTS ON ASSISTANCE TO
HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Section 2065 of title 38, United States Code, is
hereby repealed.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to
section 2065.
SEC. 12. EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITIES.
(a) Treatment and Rehabilitation for Seriously Mentally Ill and
Homeless Veterans.--Section 2031(b) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting ``December 31,
2014''.
(b) Centers for the Provision of Comprehensive Services to Homeless
Veterans.--Section 2033(d) of such title is amended by striking
``December 31, 2013'' and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.
(c) Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans.--Section 2041(c) of
such title is amended by striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting
``December 31, 2014''.
(d) Training Entities for Provision of Supportive Services for Very
Low-income Veteran Families in Permanent Housing.--Section 2044(e)(3)
of such title is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2014''.
(e) Technical Assistance Grants for Nonprofit Community-Based
Groups.--Section 2064(b) of such title is amended by striking ``2012''
and inserting ``2014''.
(f) Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.--Section 2066(d) of
such title is amended by striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting
``December 31, 2014''.
SEC. 13. EXTENSION OF REDUCED PENSION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS COVERED BY
MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES FURNISHED BY NURSING
FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--Subsection (d)(7) of section 5503 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 30, 2016'' and
inserting ``August 31, 2017''.
(b) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Section heading.--The section heading of such section
is amended to read as follows: ``Reduced pension for certain
hospitalized veterans and certain veterans receiving
domiciliary, nursing home, or nursing facility care''.
(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 5503 and inserting the following
new item:
``5503. Reduced pension for certain hospitalized veterans and certain
veterans receiving domiciliary, nursing
home, or nursing facility care.''.
Passed the Senate November 6, 2013.
Attest:
NANCY ERICKSON,
Secretary.