115 S1598 RS: Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-07-20
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
. (b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.Title I—Post-9/11 Educational Assistance ProgramSec. 101. Consideration of certain time spent receiving medical care from Secretary of Defense as
active duty for purposes of eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance.Sec. 102. Educational assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for members of the
Armed Forces awarded the Purple Heart.Sec. 103. Inclusion of Fry Scholarship recipients and Purple Heart recipients in Yellow Ribbon G.I.
Education Enhancement Program.Sec. 104. Inclusion of certain members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in Yellow Ribbon
G.I. Education Enhancement Program.Sec. 105. Consolidation of certain eligibility tiers under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program
of the Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 106. Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain members of reserve
components of Armed Forces who lost entitlement to educational assistance
under Reserve Educational Assistance Program.Sec. 107. Calculation of monthly housing stipend under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program
based on location of campus where classes are attended.Sec. 108. Charge to entitlement for certain licensure and certification tests and national tests
under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance
Program.Sec. 109. Restoration of entitlement to educational assistance and other relief for veterans
affected by school closure or disapproval.Sec. 110. Additional authorized transfer of unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits to
dependents upon death of originally designated dependent.Sec. 111. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.Sec. 112. Honoring the national service of members of the Armed Forces by elimination of time
limitation for use of entitlement.Sec. 113. Monthly stipend for certain members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces
receiving Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.Sec. 114. Annual reports to Congress on information on student progress submitted by educational
institutions.Sec. 115. Improvement of information technology of the veterans benefits administration of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 116. Department of Veterans Affairs high technology pilot program.Title II—Other educational assistance programsSec. 201. Work-study allowance.Sec. 202. Duration of educational assistance under Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational
Assistance Program.Sec. 203. Olin E. Teague increase in amounts of educational assistance payable under Survivors’ and
Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program.Title III—Administration of educational assistance programsSec. 301. State approving agency funding.Sec. 302. Authorization for use of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to pursue independent study
programs at certain educational institutions that are not institutions of
higher learning.Sec. 303. Provision of information on priority enrollment for veterans in certain courses of
education.Sec. 304. Limitation on use of reporting fees payable to educational institutions and sponsors of
programs of apprenticeship.Sec. 305. Training for school certifying officials.Sec. 306. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Education.Sec. 307. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of on-campus educational and vocational
counseling for veterans.Sec. 308. Provision of information regarding veteran entitlement to educational assistance.Sec. 309. Treatment, for purposes of educational assistance administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, of educational courses that begin seven or fewer days
after the first day of an academic term.Sec. 310. Inclusion of risk-based reviews in State approving agency oversight activities.Sec. 311. Comptroller General study of State approving agency performance.Title IV—Reserve Component BenefitsSec. 401. Eligibility of reserve component members for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.Sec. 402. Time limitation for training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected
disabilities.Title V—Other MattersSec. 501. Repeal inapplicability of modification of basic allowance for housing to benefits under
laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.Sec. 502. Reconsideration of previously denied claims for disability compensation for veterans who
allege full-body exposure to nitrogen mustard gas, sulfur mustard gas, or
Lewisite during World War II.
2.References to title 38, United States CodeExcept as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.
<enum>I</enum><header>Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program</header>
<section id="HA4599583409D4EF08FC0007E3372CFA0"><enum>101.</enum><header>Consideration of certain time spent receiving medical care from Secretary of Defense as active duty
for purposes of eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance</header>
<subsection id="HC3D3573C692C46F1B896CD427498DB70"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3301">Section 3301(1)(B)</external-xref> is amended by inserting <quote>12301(h),</quote> after <quote>12301(g),</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H1D9C149F8ED84A9CA841D063496DD4F2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Retroactive application</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to service in the Armed Forces occurring on or after September 11, 2001.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA725945B81E5401DBDE8DF110D7DF01F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Application with respect to use of entitlement</header><text>An individual who is entitled to educational assistance by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a) may use such entitlement to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HE44C81F5FD124F3EBCD2BD569B52CE54" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header>Educational assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for members of the Armed
Forces awarded the Purple Heart</header>
<subsection id="HCC9FE11669FB4C4996191C979BF6FB65"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3311">Section 3311(b)</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H001A61AE3CC942C98852F9C31E2AE9D2" style="USC"> <paragraph id="H5E1879D00AF441B1AED6D3B5C9982733"><enum>(10)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An individual who is awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces occurring on or after September 11, 2001, and continues to serve on active duty in the Armed Forces or is discharged or released from active duty as described in subsection (c).</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H76A1509FEBFD44AD9DCAB6206D5FC9FE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Amount of assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3313">Section 3313(c)(1)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>or (9)</quote> and inserting <quote>(9), or (10)</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="HD4B2DB8499B6417D907A589415443875"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H0D3596461AAF425696B6C7441726E533"><enum>103.</enum><header>Inclusion of Fry Scholarship recipients and Purple Heart recipients in Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education
Enhancement Program</header>
<subsection id="HFF42624A7D364257A0BD5EDEA40E557C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3317">Section 3317(a)</external-xref> is amended, in the second sentence, by striking <quote>paragraphs (1) and (2)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (1), (2), (9), and (10)</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H6BB3F88930C84E81896F2D307007E951"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H0A343CB38DFF4360986F305F599CADE1"><enum>104.</enum><header>Inclusion of certain members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in Yellow Ribbon G.I.
Education Enhancement Program</header>
<subsection id="H335DD7F5CF104B17B2B667325063F899"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3317">Section 3317(a)</external-xref> is amended, in the first sentence, by striking <quote>section 3313(c)(1)(A)</quote> and inserting <quote>subsection (c)(1)(A) or (e)(2)(A) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3313">section 3313</external-xref> of this title</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="HE679EE12DCEB48529F1E4BC7ECB8D9A4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2022.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H716C269F97E440CC83453759CC7855CE"><enum>105.</enum><header>Consolidation of certain eligibility tiers under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs</header>
<subsection id="H68EA8F9229DB4151B951B6DE8E16CC95"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Entitlement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 3311(b), as amended by section 102, is further amended—</text> <paragraph id="H0417D3D467FB4C5DA1DC28249387F332"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (6)(A), by striking <quote>12 months</quote> and inserting <quote>6 months</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA5D719206ADC447C8E85830E832BF006"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (7); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H983A7488942A42FFA62A83CE791723DD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) as paragraphs (7), (8), and (9), respectively.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H73DBBDBC825F4F08B6B9AD31B2124CF9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Amount of educational assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3313">Section 3313(c)</external-xref> is amended by striking paragraph (7).</text> </subsection><subsection id="H90B2C2E0791F4D36B5DAC974C2B397FA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><text>Chapter 33 is further amended as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="H35CEB96207224EE88E3F5BA8889AE05D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In section 3311(f), by striking <quote>paragraph (9)</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>paragraph (8)</quote>.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H6A88CF74149641C18ACAC9CA99D89F0E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In section 3313, as amended by section 102—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H68396A5E59284FF0A37F6D6D6091C015"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (c)(1), by striking <quote>(9), or (10)</quote> and inserting <quote>(8), or (9)</quote>;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H99AA2F76F71C4E5490E381F26387A4F7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (d), by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HABC9ECE46A924979A9AD550B5A627AD3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection (e)(2)(C)—</text> <clause id="HC3669ECC3EC448A1BE2B91FB5DA7E4F2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (3) through (8)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (3) through (7)</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H5C8386532116483CA14108D2EE1D70C2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7756B4D150C64190AC6AB34D37D49217"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in subsection (f)(2)(A)(ii), by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H668180BA2A55421DAC11537A667BC5F5"><enum>(E)</enum><text>in subsection (g)(3)—</text> <clause id="HA6DB09D053DA414FA7FB1D13D01B4FE3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)(iv)—</text>
<subclause id="H9467E5BAC6B24A56A5047A809EFF2431"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (3) through (8)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (3) through (7)</quote>; and</text> </subclause><subclause id="H560190FBD0954396AF03923FA15CCA20"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>;</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="H312CC19B584C482F91BE5038AA0C1CB8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)(iii)—</text> <subclause id="H6924CA1028C24AE7B655A8023879F217"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (3) through (8)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (3) through (7)</quote>; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H32A493DD850B4C87A36899C7FA1C0DAC"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>;</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="H994C8BF57FFB46E9BFAFE92E22276944"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in subparagraph (C)(ii)—</text>
<subclause id="H4EFF1EFBD86847B79CD614AE50E60C62"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in subclause (I), by striking <quote>(9)</quote> and inserting <quote>(8)</quote>; and</text> </subclause><subclause id="HB232FA99EC0F41DDAC51CA80D94960FB"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in subclause (II)—</text>
<item id="HF9757607BA464ED8A2F60D6359EC3AB3"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (3) through (8)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (3) through (7)</quote>; and</text> </item><item id="HD68B757674AA4D08AC3EA2F19330951D"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>; and</text>
</item></subclause></clause><clause id="H718359F950A44717B1F6AB11B8CCDA9C"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>in subparagraph (D)(ii)—</text> <subclause id="HA542A7EF4E2549B68AD5585402E23F96"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in subclause (I), by striking <quote>(9)</quote> and inserting <quote>(8)</quote>; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H98A8A4DB7F1544AAAC224CBB594985B1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in subclause (II)—</text> <item id="H1CDFA46F8D6340D8A5283D63C7566622"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>by striking <quote>paragraphs (3) through (8)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (3) through (7)</quote>; and</text>
</item><item id="H7BCFE87D78484C218C74120699804E64"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>; and</text> </item></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6109208141F1493E90B1C7FA85BB0B93"><enum>(F)</enum><text>in subsection (h), by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB51363AF1F3E40178C09C8B4D1FA10EF"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In section 3316—</text> <subparagraph id="HD7D6465F56EB40D697226BFD54B92D26"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5CE7697FCCBF4C9ABF45B499F708F3BB"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (b)(1), by striking <quote>paragraphs (2) through (7)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (2) through (6)</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H941BBE6ECE4242F8B81EB331E5612E65"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In section 3317(a), in the second sentence, as amended by section 103, by striking <quote>paragraphs (1), (2), (9), and (10)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraphs (1), (2), (8), and (9)</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4B184A5C625B4067A67621FE999D6DF6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>In section 3321(b)(4), as amended by section 112, by striking <quote>section 3311(b)(9)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 3311(b)(8)</quote>.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H7ABDB1CB67AD43E794F843DDA6AA6A02"><enum>(6)</enum><text>In section 3322—</text>
<subparagraph id="HEB19BB7C8030426DAB55974C9CB6DECE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (e), by striking <quote>3311(b)(9)</quote> and inserting <quote>3311(b)(8)</quote>;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA788278FD9BB4AB69E6C691BB321127E"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (f), by striking <quote>3311(b)(9)</quote> and inserting <quote>3311(b)(8)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H74D525AC04C040C894665137B65F46D2"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (h)(2), by striking <quote>3311(b)(9)</quote> and inserting <quote>3311(b)(8)</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H022F6125E3BF441AA9D0A2CF8E077B2D"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In section 3679(c)(2)(B), by striking <quote>3311(b)(9)</quote> and inserting <quote>3311(b)(8)</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD6F23EF167AD454880E03B6A52326E28"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2020.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H46548850F4254DD894F438FC817D22F1"><enum>106.</enum><header>Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain members of reserve components of Armed Forces who lost entitlement to educational assistance under Reserve Educational Assistance Program</header> <subsection id="HC16B2D45C0FE4C048A283B52AF947311"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Election</header><text>Section 16167 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8F8FB5896BC046148805BFD2B7161F28" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HBE77AD92438F41728D4CB75E2DB98010"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance</header><text>A member who loses eligibility for benefits under this chapter pursuant to subsection (b) shall be allowed to elect (in such form and manner as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may prescribe) to have such service previously credited toward this chapter credited towards establishing eligibility for educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/33">chapter 33</external-xref> of title 38, notwithstanding the provisions of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/16163">section 16163(e)</external-xref> of this title or section 3322(h)(1) of title 38.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="HB1CFA8F77E4B48D48D04880D5B8FC7B9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Qualification of service</header><text>Section 3301(1) of title 38, United States Code, shall be construed to include, in the case of a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who, before November 25, 2015, established eligibility for educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/10/1607">chapter 1607</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/16163">section 16163(a)(1)</external-xref> of such title, but lost eligibility for such educational assistance pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/16167">section 16167(b)</external-xref> of such title, service on active duty (as defined in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/101">section 101</external-xref> of such title) that satisfies the requirements of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/16163">section 16163(a)(1)</external-xref> of such title.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H9AA0FAB30A694DB9B4147A85DF15F730"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Entitlement</header><text>Section 3311(b)(6) of title 38, United States Code, shall be construed to include an individual who, before November 25, 2015, established eligibility for educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/10/1607">chapter 1607</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/16163">section 16163(b)</external-xref> of such title, but lost such eligibility pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/16167">section 16167(b)</external-xref> of such title.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4EA232C5EDC042478443D618BF55E35A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>Notwithstanding section 3312 of title 38, United States Code, an individual who establishes eligibility for educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/33">chapter 33</external-xref> of such title by crediting towards such chapter service previously credited towards <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/10/1607">chapter 1607</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code, is only entitled to a number of months of educational assistance under section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, equal to the number of months of entitlement remaining under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/10/1607">chapter 1607</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code, at the time of conversion to <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/33">chapter 33</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H152C8796BB624BC99801EECED77745FC" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>107.</enum><header>Calculation of monthly housing stipend under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program based on
location of campus where classes are attended</header>
<subsection id="HAADCF1E476284ACB9A94484BF264D87F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3313">Section 3313(c)(1)(B)(i)(I)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>the institution of higher learning at which the individual is enrolled</quote> and inserting <quote>the campus of the institution of higher learning where the individual physically participates in a majority of classes</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD509CA8E47FE43BBB05BCF879C81EEC7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to initial enrollment in a program of education on or after August 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" id="H161EEAAE49524B49B4F398E02C3916A9" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>108.</enum><header>Charge to entitlement for certain licensure and certification tests and national tests under
Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="H4236625F3CC34FACB987BACFD5D2A72A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Licensure and certification tests</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (c) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3315">section 3315</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph commented="no" id="H7F03CB877CFA419A87A320D787064BA5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>shall be determined at the rate of one month (rounded to the nearest whole month)</quote> and inserting <quote>shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the rate for one month</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H0E0D960AA97647F182CB268502C0AF36"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>for each amount paid that equals</quote> and inserting <quote>payable</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HB98116ABF30F41D68F4F897806480191"><enum>(b)</enum><header>National tests</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3315A">Section 3315A</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HA6D5B0645971457AA3F40D27B2ECFA76"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H483D79A3C1164D9993AF202EDAF68E4B" style="USC"> <paragraph commented="no" id="H2FC557DCCF494C2F87AFD676B35A793A"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A national test that evaluates prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning as so described.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H7EBA51E12F05459D9ABB4390BC78CB94"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (c)—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" id="H4EED918D977B456BB827FC98803D3701"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>shall be determined at the rate of one month (rounded to the nearest whole month)</quote> and inserting <quote>shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test relative to the rate for one month</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H9F9CEA1E86A14AEAA2728B9073C152AF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>for each amount paid that equals</quote> and inserting <quote>payable</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HF7B83D721AAF4147AB778B81D5C8CE4F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Tests included</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3452">Section 3452(b)</external-xref> is amended in the last sentence—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HCCFC3D5B600544F09F4AC976F20CB38A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and national tests providing</quote> and inserting <quote>, national tests providing</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H5C9C1B267D374D18BD090D0ADD972EA6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting before the period at the end the following: <quote>, and national tests that evaluate prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H6F0A4611D1D641CB821F0EF5A89D0B84"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this Act shall apply to a test taken on or after August 1, 2018.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H46FF3EBF2C08436AA347A23396510650"><enum>109.</enum><header>Restoration of entitlement to educational assistance and other relief for veterans affected by school closure or disapproval</header> <subsection id="HE2B0B451717B499AB4513B15E5A0F072"><enum>(a)</enum><header>School closure or disapproval</header> <paragraph id="H1B960212EC124DEA89C8914133A49F9B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Restoration of entitlement</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/36">Chapter 36</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H34C64576D766442890942F642BCC4DD2" style="USC">
<section id="H0BCC4EA4CB19475FAFB666394C81624D"><enum>3699.</enum><header>Effects of closure or disapproval of educational institution</header>
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9E884EE941A8415393B8EDF7821FE905"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Closure or disapproval</header><text>Any payment of educational assistance described in subsection (b) shall not—</text> <paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAF113535C48E43A9897B27DDE70D1EE9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be charged against any entitlement to educational assistance of the individual concerned; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB688295A35934F869585E5D0D3B25879"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be counted against the aggregate period for which <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3695">section 3695</external-xref> of this title limits the receipt of educational assistance by such individual.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5B8085047B3F4421997B3D01D549DEC1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Educational assistance described</header><text>Subject to subsection (c), the payment of educational assistance described in this paragraph is the payment of such assistance to an individual for pursuit of a course or program of education at an educational institution under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, if the Secretary determines that the individual—</text>
<paragraph id="H7CB61F5E95B4417BB2C0FAA165BDDCE8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>was unable to complete such course or program as a result of—</text> <subparagraph id="HBB88457790184002AC54F39AF85DE3A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the closure of the educational institution; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H783AE028C82841ED9909B8D80AB55BB0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the disapproval of the course or a course that is a necessary part of that program under this chapter by reason of—</text>
<clause id="HEE90F47D6E2748A6BC17744ABC977D74"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a provision of law enacted after the date on which the individual enrolls at such institution affecting the approval or disapproval of courses under this chapter; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H4311BF107A9A4AB4BEA45F3917CAB0E5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">after the date on which the individual enrolls at such institution, the Secretary prescribing or modifying regulations or policies of the Department affecting such approval or disapproval; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H880D2CA840A140C28BA74F31EF079EAA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>did not receive credit or lost training time, toward completion of the program of education being so pursued.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4AC08668C0C34D6184745EA4E1879C51"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Period not charged</header><text>The period for which, by reason of this subsection, educational assistance is not charged against entitlement or counted toward the applicable aggregate period under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3695">section 3695</external-xref> of this title shall not exceed the aggregate of—</text>
<paragraph id="HF3876F065E44400A92EC3506CFA6D941"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the portion of the period of enrollment in the course from which the individual did not receive credit or with respect to which the individual lost training time, as determined under subsection (b)(2); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2FF1868CFB314FEFB976535C29F1B06D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the period by which a monthly stipend is extended under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3680">section 3680(a)(2)(B)</external-xref> of this title.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDAFAFAE5222A44D29EDAE5F5D641E4C4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Continuing pursuit of disapproved courses</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H94B717F92DBB406E85A68615813041EE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary may treat a course of education that is disapproved under this chapter as being approved under this chapter with respect to an individual described in paragraph (2) if the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H88C9ADFE86D045769631EA7606CE92D2" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>such disapproval is the result of an action described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (b)(1)(B); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA02FE9AC51CB4E599736C0FFC3AFE876" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">continuing pursuing such course is in the best interest of the individual.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H461F7839A06B41849E47A05544164B04" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An individual described in this paragraph is an individual who is pursuing a course of education at an educational institution under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, as of the date on which the course is disapproved under this chapter.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H0AF3D7789A4042C9BDF207A5CBB205CC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Notice of closures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than five business days after the date on which the Secretary receives notice that an educational institution will close or is closed, the Secretary shall provide to each individual who is enrolled in a course or program or education at such educational institution using entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, notice of—</text>
<paragraph id="H285C80F3FEC84AA78F6404A9DA0884FB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>such closure and the date of such closure; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H534CABDCDB40486EAC0561ED53F74488"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the effect of such closure on the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance pursuant to this section.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD78D9C5E0C514D839EDB2E01B7E2303A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3698 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9CA5CD87BBE74E768777CBF2FF7CA370" style="USC"><toc regeneration="no-regeneration"><toc-entry level="section">3699. Effects of closure or disapproval of educational institution.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H532C9286A02F4F1CBBA45253316E7D9D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Monthly housing stipend</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H4C2FBD0D216D410BA8D64C091E863BC5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subsection (a) <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3680">section 3680</external-xref> is amended—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" id="H6C4EF3E8ABCF492AAE9B3E420D442B74"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking the matter after paragraph (3)(B);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HBF7347FF0E714316BB52BD53BA0B7A12"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H90D1518E51C840218285650312B6506B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H8C7D1BF32B0F46E491EA7A488A33CA64"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as redesignated, in the first sentence, by striking <quote>Payment of</quote> and inserting <quote>(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), payment of</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H8C07414CF1134396A22B7065B1A79621"><enum>(E)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1C5CAAA0755B454190D9E9146CD52189" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" id="HDB29CA8391BB4F4D89EC612E471AD6B2" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may, pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, continue to pay allowances to eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled in courses set forth in paragraph (1)(A)—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H479C6006E2F14200BF47838163BA4622"><enum>(A)</enum><text>during periods when educational institutions are temporarily closed under an established policy based on an Executive order of the President or due to an emergency situation, except that the total number of weeks for which allowances may continue to be so payable in any 12-month period may not exceed four weeks; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H42329E14A71D4B3CB2033F8A1A33E103"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">solely for the purpose of awarding a monthly housing stipend described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3313">section 3313</external-xref> of this title, during periods following a permanent closure of an educational institution, or following the disapproval of a course of study described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3699">section 3699(b)(1)(B)</external-xref> of this title, except that payment of such a stipend may only be continued until the earlier of—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="HF22BC468AC7447C5B7F2F0B1B8A11C88"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the date of the end of the term, quarter, or semester during which the closure or disapproval occurred; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="H79A209C906CF429F9206638104F43969"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the date that is 120 days after the date of the closure or disapproval.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H7FC5C0D29DD241B5B516A5074DE95BF5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Paragraph (1)(C)(ii) of such subsection, as redesignated, is amended by striking <quote>described in subclause (A) of this clause</quote> and inserting <quote>described in clause (i)</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HF024F232AF8249239EBA21ECBF1BC806"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Applicability</header>
<paragraph id="HA2E26813084E43FE97D1CFE9AFCA33CB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>School closure or disapproval</header>
<subparagraph id="H98999D52A177482F961AD1D9EAA3A711"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to courses and programs of education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), after January 1, 2015.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFB33E94D78D84800BADD41C9B642D7C5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Special application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With respect to courses and programs of education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), during the period beginning January 1, 2015, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, an individual who does not transfer credits from such program of education shall be deemed to be an individual who did not receive such credits, as described in subsection (b)(2) of such section, except that the period for which the individual’s entitlement is not charged shall be the entire period of the individual’s enrollment in the program of education. In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish procedures to determine whether the individual transferred credits to a comparable course or program of education.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HCB569E906A90416E8C56C154D79AB037"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Monthly housing stipend</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by subsection (b) shall take effect on August 1, 2018, and shall apply with respect to courses and programs of education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 38, United States Code, as added by such subsection, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H3DED70BD417148C39D630218AD2F477E"><enum>110.</enum><header>Additional authorized transfer of unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits to dependents
upon death of originally designated dependent</header>
<subsection id="HB7EC1E3D85C24ACF9E057A21B13C3182"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Transfer upon death of dependent</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3319">Section 3319</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H5B6684EE72D341988F8B0690EAAC194B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (f)(1), by inserting after <quote>section 3321</quote> the following: <quote>, and except as provided in subsection (k) or (l),</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0DE51EFD75A74E8696FF89ED77E0D4DA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7ED8B90C81A549B7ACFA5E8A8287B66B" style="USC"> <subsection id="HD054E19E3B9B4AD183F521505CF8C98E"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Additional transfer upon death of dependent</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under this section who dies before using all of such entitlement, the individual who transferred the entitlement to the dependent may transfer any remaining entitlement to a different eligible dependent, notwithstanding whether the individual is serving as a member of the Armed Forces when such transfer is executed.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HCFD3BF59C44842E7BCBBEF7013DE5F3F"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Transfer by dependent</header><text>In the case of an individual who transfers entitlement to educational assistance under this section who dies before the dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is so transferred has used all of such entitlement, such dependent may transfer such entitlement to another eligible dependent in accordance with the provisions of this section.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD1D2C4909CED464B82F0FE89096F740B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective dates</header>
<paragraph id="H2DA9B17146FF44479D18297B58E5D734"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligible deaths</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after August 1, 2009.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3C65F631C448426084B5014D7E78C44D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of entitlement</header><text>A dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under subsection (k) or (l) of section 3319 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may use such entitlement to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H73CC02AAD68D49D0851F52280CDCA9C4"><enum>111.</enum><header>Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship</header>
<subsection id="H7850F5F5F31B4D0B8307B3BC8DEEE505"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/33">chapter 33</external-xref> is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1F5CBD965DEB46388C33224A26EC5E9E" style="USC"> <section id="HCBF662ED72C4455E8C0FB7EB40970D6B"><enum>3320.</enum><header>Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship</header> <subsection id="H68F6D061959847D0A96789F3C41CC01E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to the limitation under subsection (f), the Secretary shall provide additional benefits to eligible individuals selected by the Secretary under this section. Such benefits shall be known as the <quote>Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA9B72521213F412E9490C7E00BB20A4C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>For purposes of this section, an eligible individual is an individual—</text> <paragraph id="HA9B2C7C3A5DC41AFA1026A6E7B46FED6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>who is or was entitled to educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3311">section 3311</external-xref> of this title;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9C199E52FF6846DC96B62AD381FB2185"><enum>(2)</enum><text>who has used all of the educational assistance to which the individual is entitled under this chapter or will, based on the individual’s rate of usage, use all of such assistance within 180 days of applying for benefits under this section;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFDC115A14D7E4EC493276C971F734179"><enum>(3)</enum><text>who applies for assistance under this section; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HD7485CAD39BB401E80A2EACB63738AFF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>who—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF6721C80FF824956839D8810055CA665"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is an individual who—</text> <clause id="HC21A41FE532241249FB2D0314EFE7894"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is enrolled in a program of education leading to a post-secondary degree that, in accordance with the guidelines of the applicable regional or national accrediting agency, requires more than the standard 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours for completion in a standard, undergraduate college degree in—</text>
<subclause id="H03AB65E8813040B89263F45F52312161"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">biological or biomedical science;</text> </subclause><subclause id="HA22222AA8CE64F439D69C86AEB3E5E32"><enum>(II)</enum><text>physical science;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H433228588926475D9A7DE561FB9A7748"><enum>(III)</enum><text>science technologies or technicians;</text> </subclause><subclause id="H6C30F9C2B8BB456BB17EADF9CFADC496"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>computer and information science and support services;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HB831C4C80E9542DEBB1B2BDF6499725F"><enum>(V)</enum><text>mathematics or statistics;</text> </subclause><subclause id="H333ECB7ECE3E4E8F928474F23AF33DAE"><enum>(VI)</enum><text>engineering;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H5078AE2C5D6040C6882631D794CAFE0B"><enum>(VII)</enum><text>engineering technologies or an engineering-related field;</text> </subclause><subclause id="H57DD9369E25D41858651BECE12B4B8B4"><enum>(VIII)</enum><text>a health profession or related program;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HC634A5B715044484B06EA9E03A13D8F6"><enum>(IX)</enum><text>a medical residency program;</text> </subclause><subclause id="H26D1AEA2A8314152BBBB0A1B0C9B8194"><enum>(X)</enum><text>an agriculture science program or a natural resources science program; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H13CCA73206A0414E903602116C3E1C66"><enum>(XI)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">other subjects and fields identified by the Secretary as meeting national needs; and</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="H7FB6AEA353274F2FB741BFA32ECF0CE2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has completed at least 60 standard semester (or 90 quarter) credit hours in a field referred to in clause (i); or</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDEF60552AD564EC7B5375A205759C63F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is an individual who has earned a post-secondary degree in a field referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) and is enrolled in a program of education leading to a teaching certification.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCFF65BAD35994063B929F999C4F93099"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Priority</header><text>In selecting eligible individuals to receive additional benefits under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to the following individuals:</text>
<paragraph id="HF40D856B99424A23B54858B643A27459"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Individuals who require the most credit hours described in subsection (b)(4).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H42862BB60BE044E3B49A988870AAF590"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under this chapter by reason of paragraph (1), (2), (8), or (9) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3311">section 3311(b)</external-xref> of this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBF69577E361645279D95DA12165EE055"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Amount of assistance</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H96C0B2E8683E4A7BB99B3B3995DAC9A2"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall pay to each eligible individual who receives additional benefits under this section the monthly amount payable under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3313">section 3313</external-xref> of this title for not more than nine months of the program of education in which the individual is enrolled (adjusted with respect to the individual pursuant to section 3313(c), as appropriate), except that the aggregate amount paid to an individual under this section may not exceed $30,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD37DA2D3A26447AD885BC664A52A22FD" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary may not pay to such an individual an amount in addition to the amount payable under paragraph (1) by reason of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3317">section 3317</external-xref> of this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H38651D8973904B6E8BB44F733B9D2AB8" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An individual who receives additional benefits under this section may also receive amounts payable by a college or university pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3317">section 3317</external-xref> of this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H670145AA94E64C5BA10DF95A0D28ACE1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Prohibition on transfer</header><text>An individual who receives additional benefits under this section may not transfer any amount of such additional benefits under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3319">section 3319</external-xref> of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HEBBC16AF2C194034ABDBE2FFAF0F4954"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Maximum amount of total assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The total amount of benefits paid to all eligible individuals under this section may not exceed—</text> <paragraph id="H85EADF7096EF4268A662DC633EDB7F7B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD96F9C4664D1493EBF1B15697DDF0EB8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2022; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H80D9FA92DE524BA7B8B8AAE7E693A2B1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF98C68C5C8244E149852A0935ACADAC8"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Congressional notice</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary identifies a new subject or field pursuant to subsection (b)(4)(A)(i)(XI) as meeting a national need, the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of such identification at least 90 days before conferring eligibility on any individual for purposes of this section on the basis of such identification, including any analysis of labor market supply and demand used in identifying the new subject or field, as applicable.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H08E3336A9FF04D81B5E5D94F938C1527"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3319 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4505174D9E614FFEA081559F9BDD7B9C" style="USC"><toc regeneration="no-regeneration"><toc-entry level="section">3320. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H5344AB5942D943B083734A6871B9EB43"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>Section 3320 of title 38, United States Code, shall take effect on August 1, 2019.</text> </subsection><subsection id="HCEFDF96C7AAD42DAAF7C3D1DF406AD75"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Comptroller General report</header> <paragraph id="H50A8A710B1E044518DD744D6A2CF6311"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Interim report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than August 1, 2022, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of an interim assessment of the Comptroller General of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program under section 3320 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). Such report shall include the recommendations of the Comptroller General for improving the scholarship program and an assessment of each of the following, using rigorous, systematic, and objective methodology, and including comparisons to eligible veterans who did not participate in the program:</text>
<subparagraph id="H3E607860F7D54B15A1BA6F4A6D2DE06B"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An explanation of the identification of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of subjects and fields meeting national needs under subsection (b)(4)(A)(i)(XI) of such section, including any analysis of labor market supply and demand, as applicable.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HABA1A18513C44699B0AC69798CB72027"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An evaluation of the types of educational institutions and programs where beneficiaries use the educational assistance provided under the scholarship program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD087EBEAA7E44F0388AF285421C45176"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The completion rate of students participating in the program.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9F2A66227EB14395A4292084B1317768"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The job placement rate for individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program in the field of study of the program of education.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H79D8CEEA1AF347788318C0ADC23AFA4E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The median annual earnings of individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6332D1B8696142DBA55CFE4ED152EF91"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The average age of the individuals who received educational assistance under the scholarship program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H80A976820C4B4291BE15A86340DEF2C2"><enum>(G)</enum><text>An assessment of the extent to which any educational institutions made changes to degrees or programs of education offered by the institution for which the scholarship program may be used after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC57B1FBF240E41DD8875569E0C394923"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Final report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than August 1, 2024, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress an assessment of such scholarship program that includes each of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H78C82EDCD3A247D5B6BB8E3B3BC3219F"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each item described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (1).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H97413B244D28416B8644947002E424C4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The percentage of individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program who were subsequently employed for a period of six months or longer in the field of study of the program of education.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2390505BC8DE47FEAF91F136C53C4680"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The percentage of individuals who completed a program of education using educational assistance provided under the scholarship program who were subsequently employed for a period of less than six months in the field of study of the program of education.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H9B3D8D08603F42DFA3A369C918E400D6"><enum>112.</enum><header>Honoring the national service of members of the Armed Forces by elimination of time limitation for
use of entitlement</header>
<subsection id="H603EF130E5394EAAA78B09CBA3DCECAF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (a) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3321">section 3321</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H867A8D32BF9D4C299330FF8FCB5BAFB4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>individual’s entitlement</quote> and all that follows through the period and inserting <quote>individual’s entitlement—</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H70B1EC3C89C04EEF8E915CE1FA56C363"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H559A9DCC80B345EC859DC4D5F43DCFB8" style="USC"> <paragraph id="H23088A7DAFC542B39673831BE724A18A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of an individual whose last discharge or release from active duty is before January, 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of such discharge or release; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H76FF75BE9EB44ED5BE675F8C1E7ABEE1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of an individual whose last discharge or release from active duty is on or after January 1, 2013, shall not expire.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H2F4253ED2B2045BD9C7CDB5F9FB27789"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Children of deceased members</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (b)(4) of such section is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H095EF33FA2074247BF7E099E5C91864D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>of this title</quote> after <quote>3311(b)(9)</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H47A25B8AC2BD4F6D93F33219D59CC988"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>child’s entitlement</quote> and all that follows through the period and inserting <quote>child’s entitlement—</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H54DA4EDC5B4845208334A5C54D62FFB3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD9DE99709DDA42D0BFDFDA4075DDCBEA" style="USC">
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H6D6FE0419B4146489EC638C489DC5AB0"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of a child who first becomes entitled to such entitlement before January 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of such child’s eighteenth birthday; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H35796F264F80424AB0003C844D16814B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of a child who first becomes entitled to such entitlement on or after January 1, 2013, shall not expire.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H51CD79EB6F374B02B73CDEDEEBCC4F0F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Spouses of deceased members</header><text>Subsection (b) of such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H88DE3A73155F47D8BAEB684CD96E5880" style="USC"> <paragraph id="HBE3D92D19157489591D053B84713F530"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Applicability to spouses of deceased members</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The period during which a spouse entitled to educational assistance by reason of section 3311(b)(9) may use such spouse’s entitlement—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB3D9DA437613419EA721C315CF04757D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of a spouse who first becomes entitled to such entitlement before January 1, 2013, expires at the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date on which the spouse first becomes entitled to such entitlement; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1046C792A3214312B5547D840EE89A27"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of a spouse who first becomes entitled to such entitlement on or after January 1, 2013, shall not expire.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="H71949FD0B8FA447BAD8957C688C17044" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>113.</enum><header>Monthly stipend for certain members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces receiving
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance</header>
<subsection id="H006F185867F940D8B10CDEEEDF17B3B7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 3313 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDF5F42BF6F7340A3A1E7DC488DC40572" style="USC"> <subsection commented="no" id="H3CBC7F1582014DECA49C315179AD4443"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Determination of monthly stipends during certain active duty service</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H55254EFE4BCA4575A2E84AD363FD10F4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Pro rata basis</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any month in which an individual described in paragraph (2) is performing active duty service described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3301">section 3301(1)(B)</external-xref> of this title, the Secretary shall determine the amount of monthly stipends payable under this section for such month on a pro rata basis for the period of such month in which the covered individual is not performing such active duty service.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBADCC30D563C447D8C419762F19AAD5F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Individual described</header><text>An individual described in this paragraph is an individual who is—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" id="H1C0A366DE16A4462A2A1B459D60D37BB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H95DCC4B275304067BBE539419C97C442"><enum>(B)</enum><text>pursuing a program of education using educational assistance under this chapter.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0ADC0B61CE3C49F0B2D8A7ED43FAD8E3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HDCE952F621BD4B55B1FCF40F595F0BBB"><enum>114.</enum><header>Annual reports to Congress on information on student progress submitted by educational institutions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3326">Section 3326</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H5475249F99264BB68D3010FA0F7E2656"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>As a condition</quote> and inserting <quote>(a) <header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">Submittal of information by educational institutions.—</header-in-text>As a condition</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBD665748A7FD48DA9665422FAAD974EC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H140395E1AE6A471B853FCAA886FA1039" style="USC"> <subsection id="H0619CD6E70E849C897605A8CBFEACA54"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reports to Congress</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes a summary of the information provided by educational institutions under subsection (a) for the calendar year preceding the year during which such report is submitted.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="H6F0745C3415249BE8FB3FC29C2A25E3C"><enum>115.</enum><header>Improvement of information technology of the veterans benefits administration of the Department of
Veterans Affairs</header>
<subsection id="HFF4385E2FFD94F34B740C2788B62F722"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Processing of certain educational assistance claims</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the maximum extent possible, make such changes and improvements to the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that—</text>
<paragraph id="H5184AB2B823341EE917F00B35248BEFE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to the maximum extent possible, all original and supplemental claims for educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/33">chapter 33</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, are adjudicated electronically; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6D355750A1434A3D88B2D88A20008B3D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>rules-based processing is used to make decisions with respect to such claims with little human intervention.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDDA1AECE98214D60B1918626FBEE9AFC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Implementation plan</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a plan to implement the changes and improvements described in subsection (a).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HBE92B9D15C954C898C00B3F4D9CE107B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the changes and improvements described in subsection (a).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H43F3C0CFC6664A3A87A4D8AF520FE2E3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $30,000,000 to carry out this section during fiscal years 2018 and 2019.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HD65118CF5E224BB0AD376065D79F7536"><enum>116.</enum><header>Department of Veterans Affairs high technology pilot program</header>
<subsection id="H57C8741DA9794271A3AAEF8047DD381E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide eligible veterans with the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that the Secretary determines provide training or skills sought by employers in a relevant field or industry.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HB1D5CB23A0284126869350F716A87B1C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>For purposes of the pilot program under this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD495FF2C52CF437AAB12986F5513F348"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contracts</header>
<paragraph id="HAF6525091C3F42568A89EC5610D06657"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of carrying out subsection (a), by not later than 180 days after August 1, 2018, the Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts with any number of qualified providers of high technology programs of education for the provision of such programs to eligible veterans under the pilot program. Each such contract shall provide for the conditions under which the Secretary may terminate the contract with the provider and the procedures for providing for the completion of the instruction of students who were enrolled in a program provided by such provider in the case of such a termination.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDD55FC7B01F94B688ECF2D2D9998B79F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Payment of contractors</header><text>A contract under this subsection shall provide that the Secretary shall pay to a provider—</text> <subparagraph id="H969A3334506947AEA1CCCAC222D04A76"><enum>(A)</enum><text>upon the enrollment of an eligible veteran in the program, 25 percent of the cost of the tuition and other fees for the program of education for the veteran;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFE4A58E7BFFA4A81B1C10D40D0C3D631"><enum>(B)</enum><text>upon the completion of the program by the veteran, 25 percent of such cost; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA607FB022447414589E4F98D6C86E86A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>upon the employment of the veteran in the field of study of the program following completion of the program, 50 percent of such cost.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4E84B01E8F464216A647DE7AB9F17FA9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualified providers</header><text>For purposes of the pilot program, a provider of a high technology program of education is qualified if—</text>
<subparagraph id="H93AF7BB83AC54C83BCD6BC854ECEC666"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the provider has been operational for at least two years;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1F19852EE5E447B4AB1F61C7E8744E7A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the provider has successfully provided the high technology program for at least one year; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFBB25117BA67470F98FB1294A59F8141"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the provider meets the approval criteria developed by the Secretary under paragraph (4).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB1610A81DA294AF5B582A364A49847C5"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Approval criteria</header><text>The Secretary shall develop criteria for approving providers for purposes of the pilot program. In developing such criteria, the Secretary may consult with State approving agencies. Such criteria is not required to meet the requirements of section 3672 of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB98C4830F263440AB89CEA3FF917C2BE"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Tuition reimbursement</header><text>In entering into contracts to carry out the pilot program, the Secretary shall give preference to a qualified provider that offers tuition reimbursement for any student who—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB01E7E518C364D0FA1C17934533B2816"><enum>(A)</enum><text>completes a program of education offered by the provider; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBB66B40BBBEB49488BD9D83ADB162E76"><enum>(B)</enum><text>does not find full-time meaningful employment in the field of study of the program within the 180-day period beginning on the date the student completes the program.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H268709E406CD44E7BB58F53C0A889953"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Housing stipend</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall pay to each eligible veteran who is enrolled in a high technology program of education under the pilot program on a full-time basis a monthly housing stipend equal to the product—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H627AED5D3E3749A08F81F704380C8D24"><enum>(1)</enum><text>of—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" id="HBA923E714D3E41D08618DE6CF695955A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of a veteran pursuing resident training, the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37, United States Code, for a member with dependents in pay grade E–5 residing in the military housing area that encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area in which is located the institution at which the individual is enrolled; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H0166AD01198B48DC853BF001A5D7580E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of a veteran pursuing a program of education through distance learning, a monthly amount equal to 50 percent of the amount payable under subparagraph (A), multiplied by</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H795FE060BC494B0BBBDE853ECF0D946F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the lesser of—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" id="HA35C4326DCDD431CB6C69BB41E20A0F3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>1.0; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H5B476760EC6D46DDA4935BC93FCCFF88"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the number of course hours borne by the individual in pursuit of the program of education involved, divided by the minimum number of course hours required for full-time pursuit of such program of education, rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9F82ACDEF8314DECA1B6F854FF9D36BD"><enum>(e)</enum><header>High technology program of education defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>high technology program of education</term> means a program of education that—</text> <paragraph id="H65CE04F27A934BC7B89DE1983C0A669C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is offered by an entity other than an institution of higher learning;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBC0B93B91A334693A75AC44F2B94B378"><enum>(2)</enum><text>does not lead to a degree; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HFB9E2CC117724C28A1C2F84263EA5D99"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provides instruction in computer programming, computer software, media application, data processing, or information sciences.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H42D3CCAE98454D75955160A749AB43B3"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="HFDEDF07A90404B2D91FC2983C4E88EEE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Secretary of Veterans Affairs</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H40E6D6DD48A846C5925AE40DCC1AB720"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Comptroller General</header>
<subparagraph id="H7E7B49A2A73C4757B99A3797E50D3F3B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Interim report</header><text>Not later than three years after the date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the interim assessment of the Comptroller General. Such report shall include the recommendations of the Comptroller General for improving the pilot program and an assessment of each of the following:</text>
<clause id="HC476B8292B644412B923155A351DC851"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The technology experience of the directors and instructors of the providers of high technology programs of education under the pilot program.</text>
</clause><clause id="HF2F2C27E8DCA463BB8F5DED8AC2A2A55"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Whether the providers cooperated with the technology industry to create the curriculum for the program of education.</text>
</clause><clause id="HD841295CE9114B98945BC807BD5281BA"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Whether the providers use an open source curriculum for the program of education.</text> </clause><clause id="H6C240C0DC6E647C3B9B768A79217B667"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>The admittance rate into the pilot program.</text>
</clause><clause id="H569C60B776D24857A46E94349D7C8A4A"><enum>(v)</enum><text>The job placement and retention rate for veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program in the field of study of the program.</text>
</clause><clause id="H1A133473F516442A8F9DF142189DF880"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>The percentage of veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program who were subsequently employed for a period of six months or longer in a field of study of the program.</text>
</clause><clause id="H9F4521F6BBF3480188F09BDB536EF6A9"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>The percentage of veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program who were subsequently employed for a period of less than six months in a field of study of the program.</text>
</clause><clause id="H4E7C151EA0094966B463D0A6CCBE88DA"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>The median annual salary of veterans who completed a program of education under the pilot program and were subsequently employed.</text>
</clause><clause id="HB34899E511F34119AD9169A37A2D49A3"><enum>(ix)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As applicable, the transfer rates to other academic or vocational programs and certifications and licensure exam passage rates.</text>
</clause><clause id="HD6FAE63F0002425F89777387E110A83E"><enum>(x)</enum><text>The average age of veterans who participated in the pilot program.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H23CDA0BA69BA44E987F6CF8CC9E97FCC"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Final report</header><text>Not later than five years after the date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report on the pilot program. Such report shall include the recommendation of the Comptroller General with respect to whether the program should be extended and an assessment of each item described in clauses (i) through (x) of subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5B55EECC867049E9B7BD3AA1C56EB0A9"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For each fiscal year during which the Secretary carries out a pilot program under this section, $15,000,000 shall be made available for such purpose from funds appropriated to, or otherwise made available to, the Department for the payment of readjustment benefits.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3D6465ECFDC045E382614D9AA71D3787"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>The authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this section.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Other educational assistance programs</header>
<section id="H8CDC5E8D066849A091ABF4662EC5134B"><enum>201.</enum><header>Work-study allowance</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3485">Section 3485(a)(4)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>the period beginning on June 30, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2022,</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>any time on or after June 30, 2017,</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H80249564E0E74AE39A30745AF886E2E2"><enum>202.</enum><header>Duration of educational assistance under Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3511">Section 3511(a)(1)</external-xref> is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HD60451A1074E41FAAB396AE418585A97"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>chapter for</quote> and all that follows through the period and inserting <quote>chapter—</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HA833F69437284D6B80C9843E6D234CBE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF1C5C5BC2D194763BDB54F7360BFED18" style="USC">
<subparagraph id="H7B9DD945A12A425793D5B8B51B7E6DED" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of a person who first enrolls in a program of education using such entitlement before August 1, 2018, for an aggregate period not in excess of 45 months (or to the equivalent thereof in part-time training); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H32885A9FBB1D48A0B2C22739E93E8799" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of a person who first enrolls in a program of education using such entitlement on or after August 1, 2018, for an aggregate period not in excess of 36 months (or to the equivalent thereof in part-time training).</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="H430B027BBBF44FE2B8D60E862A369C2D"><enum>203.</enum><header>Olin E. Teague increase in amounts of educational assistance payable under Survivors’ and
Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program</header>
<subsection id="HCA7EB45BC7EE4FC6A7961100F6FE378B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Increase</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3532">Section 3532</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HAD0EDC2114D84DE28DEBA75F073AC6B5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBA4717F6F6C845B8B6302630982B7782"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text> <clause id="HCC102C9E409C4D0EB3F435A42A5EDF3F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$788</quote> and inserting <quote>$1,224</quote>;</text>
</clause><clause id="H84EC5BE141F84256A6BCD91176780EA9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$592</quote> and inserting <quote>$967</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="H8FF88F1169B74D4D8D8269DF01B35CEF"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$394</quote> and inserting <quote>$710</quote>; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H589303878C7D4F09A0636DFE33A82CF3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(B), by striking <quote>$788</quote> and inserting <quote>$1,224</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H07A73839E18E4A2CBD156B2D669B5D7C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b), by striking <quote>$788</quote> and inserting <quote>$1,224</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H4BDC4A7C833F491ABC9C9E235F38C5E4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a month that begins on or after October 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Administration of educational assistance programs</header>
<section id="H2C3FDF29B6284122A72C93669E4909CE"><enum>301.</enum><header>State approving agency funding</header>
<subsection id="HC506C02B0E984D9C8E8F1F465CD47EC7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Increase</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 3674(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H3CA71280058E474396E6BCE62F0F0B8E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(A), by striking <quote>out of amounts available for the payment of readjustment benefits</quote> and inserting <quote>out of amounts in the Department of Veterans Affairs readjustment benefits account and amounts appropriated to the Secretary</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEBA4CB9CB31B4F54A01B454A5069FAE8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HCB62EE03BDD54FBBBE1D1F53897043F9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph (4):</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC7979F0637FB404489B37C6F48C08714" style="USC">
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2993B633BDB84E34A3F6E69296D6DBEC" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In addition to amounts made available under paragraph (5), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each subsequent fiscal year.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE0FF80D5E8524BD38E26C2E2C6AD40B7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in paragraph (5), as so redesignated—</text> <subparagraph id="HB4415D60F72147048304623A0CF109ED"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The total</quote> and inserting <quote>(A) The total</quote>;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H26D8F987E90E475C9F9D34FDF21E3793"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>for any fiscal year shall be $19,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>for fiscal year 2018 shall be $21,000,000 and for fiscal year 2019 and thereafter shall be $23,000,000</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC98710CAED5247F1A1E2786486100152"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0F27B3CD3E604EF8AED38EAA5F7CA0DA" style="USC"> <subparagraph id="H2C5426BAE9A84BEFB4CFC8E94A4FC3AA" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Beginning in fiscal year 2019, whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/401">42 U.S.C. 401</external-xref> et seq.) as a result of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/415">42 U.S.C. 415(i)</external-xref>), the Secretary shall, effective on the date of such increase in benefit amounts, increase the amount in effect under subparagraph (A), as in effect immediately prior to the date of such increase in benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act, by the same percentage as the percentage by which such benefit amounts are increased.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8A635BDEAA8846FBA1224566F5419056" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>302.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorization for use of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to pursue independent study programs at
certain educational institutions that are not institutions of higher
learning</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3680A">Section 3680A</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H08FDEF95DF7948C387E3AC5C27A2AC85"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text>
<subparagraph id="H15BE0DED0BC84245929A63E0CEBB6C56"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking <quote>in—</quote> and inserting <quote>in any of the following:</quote>;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF593A8F6F0B84C0888EFD95587CEF950"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text>
<clause id="H45F054879A194EDABFA82E2DE773D612"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>any</quote> and inserting <quote>Any</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="HEDFFCB5568514B8D83E67C4487F55DA5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1C1B939226DE43CDB295A72AA481B625"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text> <clause id="HF40F9EF150DD4FA9878AF940893227B2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>any</quote> and inserting <quote>Any</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H301A939DB40943C49E20A1C4DEB144B1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H130788AD8F90423E916AE9BF33E349D8"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)—</text>
<clause id="H39FF2617B4B84E3E83B6270884CC86E3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>any</quote> and inserting <quote>Any</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="H9175393BB0BA4B69B594E1C586C9F489"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>; or</quote> and inserting a period; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5264062503F64698BAA4D6B0EF4F83CC"><enum>(E)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph (4):</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD20355648FE74BA79C5524672C98EACA" style="OLC"> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEE610E75D8634E9C904EAAB29A3C6F6E"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any independent study program except an independent study program (including such a program taken over open circuit television) that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HADE23D93FAA5417CABCB7117CDE0F2C1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1099b">20 U.S.C. 1099b</external-xref>);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H165017D70137401C84C40CECB1A9C551"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">leads to—</text> <clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HACBB86C5D5AD49F2B1AEC0AFA9B1778A"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a standard college degree;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7A8B7F5117684D3BBB352BA969ED6D4A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a certificate that reflects educational attainment offered by an institution of higher learning; or</text> </clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H99F59CE7C4104BC2B68700B2367F2647"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a certificate that reflects completion of a course of study offered by—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H48304FFCB2A547D89E9663E179B7202B"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an area career and technical education school (as defined in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 3(3) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/2302">20 U.S.C. 2302(3)</external-xref>)) that provides education at the postsecondary level; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H51C043562D6D4EE186A5EC3B57560ADA"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1002">20 U.S.C. 1002(c)</external-xref>)) that provides education at the postsecondary level; and</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFCE34683B30142C8848FFCC18D190CB8"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of a program described in subparagraph (B)(iii)—</text> <clause id="HD3B4DA5F63D74FBEAF6D0620D4AEE294"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provides training aligned with the requirements of employers in the State or local area where the program is located, which may include in-demand industry sectors or occupations;</text>
</clause><clause id="H810B989452184D4CA16C9EC5DE929C42"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provides a student, upon completion of the program, with a recognized postsecondary credential that is recognized by employers in the relevant industry, which may include a credential recognized by industry or sector partnerships in the State or local area where the industry is located; and</text>
</clause><clause id="HDF80C66B09E24A68B9B1B3B0F51B0ECB"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>meets such content and instructional standards as may be required to comply with the criteria under section 3676(c)(14) and (15) of this title.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H17B1368F2DD948708773525C35DAF600"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEB2B328923624D6293731CE55285D676" style="USC"> <subsection id="HC24BA039F032401F8C7DB54E1C660B60"><enum>(h)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the terms <term>State or local area</term>, <term>recognized postsecondary credential</term>, <term>industry or sector partnership</term>, and <term>in-demand industry sector or occupation</term> have the meaning given such terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/3102">29 U.S.C. 3102</external-xref>).</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" id="H70BF145E14C44F47AE2B35EE79598841" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>303.</enum><header>Provision of information on priority enrollment for veterans in certain courses of education</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3698">Section 3698(c)(1)(C)</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph commented="no" id="HAE9F914577D5482D8ACFA61B51FEA80C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (ix), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H7AB5D6AEA92B458AB7A60C6A27480405"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (x), by striking the period and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HB6E7AF2932B94AA2BF3D082B54318849"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new clause:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAE527D6880AE402DB2211C1EB2030081" style="USC">
<clause commented="no" id="H131965C37E754276B4E4DADF6D762C80" indent="up1"><enum>(xi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">information on whether the institution administers a priority enrollment system that allows certain student veterans to enroll in courses earlier than other students.</text></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="H6C7DA76F06D84C489A0B40BF93E9EE22"><enum>304.</enum><header>Limitation on use of reporting fees payable to educational institutions and sponsors of programs of
apprenticeship</header>
<subsection id="HF67D76469B0F4813ADCC96234EDE9E86"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (c) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3684">section 3684</external-xref> is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H2E7068F2D02845FA9E195C7D03B33917" style="OLC"> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H20ACD2DB2C1745619CB5D06CDE56D847"><enum>(c)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HD7019D30256B4ED6A47D7BFEC99CC6DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary may pay to any educational institution, or to the sponsor of a program of apprenticeship, furnishing education or training under either this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title, a reporting fee which will be in lieu of any other compensation or reimbursement for reports or certifications which such educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship is required to submit to the Secretary by law or regulation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC8D4E0C8405241BFA9013F6A28CCE081" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Such reporting fee shall be computed for each calendar year by multiplying $16 by the number of eligible veterans or eligible persons enrolled under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title. The reporting fee shall be paid to such educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship as soon as feasible after the end of the calendar year for which it is applicable.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD6A54703F2F14AF4952025385E133011" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>No reporting fee payable to an educational institution under this subsection shall be subject to offset by the Secretary against any liability of such institution for any overpayment for which such institution may be administratively determined to be liable under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3685">section 3685</external-xref> of this title unless such liability is not contested by such institution or has been upheld by a final decree of a court of appropriate jurisdiction.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H84924FB7B84E46EF94683A08BB8A0040" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Any reporting fee paid to an educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship after the date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/111/377">Public Law 111–377</external-xref>)—</text>
<subparagraph id="H58EA7C1534294A9DB7F6A252D0FE019B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be utilized by such institution or sponsor solely for the making of certifications required under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title or for otherwise supporting programs for veterans; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4BC17ADC36F240DC9C466E82E5A10C4C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>with respect to an institution that has 100 or more enrollees described in paragraph (2) may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFF19CE8C6630453D8038BC29A4D5EF27" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The reporting fee payable under this subsection shall be paid from amounts appropriated for readjustment benefits.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="HADE343BB50F44F9A8711C0A46E04CB7C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2018.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H37BAD435CB034ED29CC312EACA78F850"><enum>305.</enum><header>Training for school certifying officials</header> <subsection id="H717A48DA8FCA47809D2BAB84609B74B1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Training requirement</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the State approving agencies, set forth requirements relating to training for school certifying officials employed by covered educational institutions offering courses of education approved under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/36">chapter 36</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code. If a covered educational institution does not ensure that a school certifying official employed by the educational institution meets such requirements, the Secretary may disapprove any course of education offered by such educational institution.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H7FEC09D9CB1A40A4B33CFFA5D536F274"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="HD6676D33F2DF477A89BCDC7E17E4B898"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>covered educational institution</term> means an educational institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using educational assistance under title 38, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5D257F1BA2ED4A36BCF3C5BD5448C611"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <term>school certifying official</term> means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H47CF95728A7F4DD58FB7458C49712FB2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>State approving agency</term> means a department or agency of a State designated under section 3671 of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0E669BD9D07C409793C39A16D087F729"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall take effect on August 1, 2018.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H9E3F9A49469142B7BF20B12EF2349E37"><enum>306.</enum><header>Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Education</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3692">Section 3692</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2017</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2022</quote>.</text>
</section><section id="H2529E45B2E3E435DA175A16CF3B8FB2B"><enum>307.</enum><header>Department of Veterans Affairs provision of on-campus educational and vocational counseling for
veterans</header>
<subsection id="H4F8F05ACDCB04BACA0D9BAD2AB46D2E1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/36">Chapter 36</external-xref> is amended by inserting after section 3697A the following new section:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE089DBCF0E564732A9840070DD28027C" style="USC"> <section id="HDFB6D13E46CA4DE4B60965822AC10DB1"><enum>3697B.</enum><header>On-campus educational and vocational counseling</header> <subsection id="H3ED8CA25EB7C42CBA41648047EFB5307"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide educational and vocational counseling services for individuals described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3697A">section 3697A(b)</external-xref> of this title at locations on the campuses of institutions of higher learning selected by the Secretary. Such counseling services shall be provided by employees of the Department who provide such services under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3697A">section 3697A</external-xref> of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD7C7235D3562443D9860DBBADFDDD257"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Selection of locations</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HED75E6FCB7994EA5BE5FBFEDC93E9651"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To be selected by the Secretary under this section, an institution of higher learning shall provide an appropriate space on the campus of the institution where counseling services can be provided under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0955BC2983B748B2AECD06230BF104AB" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In selecting locations for the provision of counseling services under this section, the Secretary shall seek to select locations where the maximum number of veterans would have access to such services.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0CBA1EF6AB3247D79EFBD759C3AB266E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the counseling services provided under this section. Such report shall include, for the year covered by the report—</text>
<paragraph id="H278EBE0646214F89B27901637FA2A9A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the average ratio of counselors providing such services to individuals who received such services at each location where such services were provided;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF74476655E174302A94FA42E11E1B664"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of such services provided;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H6B85CEEAB84C42A8BC3B4C83A9265F81"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the recommendations of the Secretary for improving the provision of such services; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HED315C1CC4BF4A0783D43182A75A13AD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any other matters the Secretary determines appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="HB3917A3E35F6487DB2A7F7D0AB735267"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3697A the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB3E0A363CE8C4EBF9A577DAF67CCADB7" style="USC"><toc regeneration="no-regeneration"><toc-entry level="section">3697B. On-campus educational and vocational counseling.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="H0D55E4BE13BB48B7BE8884979D5A0713"><enum>308.</enum><header>Provision of information regarding veteran entitlement to educational assistance</header>
<subsection id="H458C7D2CD20F4623BCA9EB9DAE502369"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter II of chapter 36 is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text> <quoted-block id="H48253D9C0FC244DDBAC9B89E86C16785" style="USC"> <section id="H3261A78650964823B80ACC6599A9FC57"><enum>3699A.</enum><header>Provision of certain information to educational institutions</header> <subsection id="H7AB4FBB45C60403B84B19FD6923F95C2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For each veteran or other individual pursuing a course of education that has been approved under this chapter using educational assistance to which the veteran or other individual is entitled under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, the Secretary shall make available to the educational institution offering the course information about the amount of such educational assistance to which the veteran or other individual is entitled. Such information shall be provided to such educational institution through a secure information technology system accessible by the educational institution and shall be regularly updated to reflect any amounts used by the veteran or other individual.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HE3D810A1DB8248138A0E2AA2CB74C1DD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Election</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A veteran or other individual pursuing a course of education described in subsection (a) may elect not to provide the information described in such subsection to an educational institution in a manner prescribed by the Secretary.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H643FFB1F06B24DA38BAE7E7BA323483F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3699 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="HB36477FE59CA4302A8C0786E5D7F965D" style="USC"><toc regeneration="no-regeneration"><toc-entry level="section">3699A. Provision of certain information to educational institutions.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H9C529ABEC99840A69DF486F98EE1E400"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>Section 3699A of title 38, United States Code, as added by this section, shall take effect on August 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HB3CFB4B0C26942CF8488E97D6829A2BF"><enum>309.</enum><header>Treatment, for purposes of educational assistance administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, of educational courses that begin seven or fewer days after the
first day of an academic term</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3684">Section 3684(a)</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H3BFBEC7055364525AE7360135CE2CF36"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1D34933FFEB044F5AAA7547C1B63A0F9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph (4):</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF8FD8CF6395041BFA3875257DC961B2A" style="OLC"> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD440019770CA477A86A7F6F838E5015E" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A course offered by an educational institution that does not begin on the first day of an academic term, but does begin seven or fewer days after such day, shall be treated as beginning on such day for purposes of this section.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="H0A51B29DBD6B442AB57A699C795E2691"><enum>310.</enum><header>Inclusion of risk-based surveys in State approving agency oversight activities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3673">Section 3673(d)</external-xref> is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H5E8B6C11CD174A8F84C779A8FDF51E6F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the subsection heading, by striking <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">compliance and</header-in-text></quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H578156F83FD5470E8286D4761DC1B040"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>such compliance and oversight</quote> and inserting <quote>conducting risk-based surveys and other such oversight</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HB9B74D22FE5443BEAE460B2290F3177C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>, in consultation with the State approving agencies,</quote> after <quote>as the Secretary</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H822EBB42C34C44558C091E8820621352"><enum>311.</enum><header>Comptroller General study of State approving agency performance</header>
<subsection id="H20A787101660425390579FC7921625B4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study required</header><text>The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study on the performance of State approving agencies. Such study shall include each of the following:</text>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7BF0EEBE26B840BA9AC6F49B7EB3679D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An analysis of the effectiveness of the cooperation between the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and State approving agencies regarding the execution of shared compliance and oversight responsibilities under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/36">chapter 36</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0661715B6DE04095A15F4B8944F9BD66"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An analysis of the resources necessary for State approving agencies to fulfill the responsibilities of such agencies under such title, including an analysis of whether Congress has appropriated sufficient funds for State approving agencies to fulfill such responsibilities and the historic effect of funding on the ability of such agencies to fulfill such responsibilities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3BDD72D1B3CC47A5AEC4FBD565088011"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An evaluation of the use by State approving agencies of risk-based methods of review for identifying violations of established standards under such chapter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H248A14483EC8473EBA80FF1695B43A08"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An examination of how State approving agencies use risk factors, including rapid increases in veteran enrollment, increases in the amount of benefits per capita, volume of student complaints, rates of Federal student loan defaults of veterans, veteran completion rates, deficiencies identified by accreditors and other State agencies, and deficiencies in Department of Veterans Affairs program administration compliance, in their oversight and compliance responsibilities and in selecting educational institutions for review of eligibility.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA120C9FD0DC048289B6908EBF8784332"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Recommendations on how the Secretary and State approving agencies can better use data to evaluate, approve, or disapprove educational institutions under such chapter.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8392E402151B4235AD0C3539FC30AFC7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, a report on the study required under subsection (a) and the findings and recommendations of the Comptroller General with respect to such study.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Reserve Component Benefits</header>
<section id="HF3CE34BD63CD422999656F0B555533C4"><enum>401.</enum><header>Eligibility of reserve component members for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance</header>
<subsection id="H5BADB5B034984978AB3430337365E107"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3301">Section 3301(1)(B)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>or 12304</quote> and inserting <quote>12304, 12304a, or 12304b</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H6FD78B774A184943A5E25E58D84694B5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Retroactive application</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to service in the Armed Forces occurring on or after the date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/110/252">Public Law 110–252</external-xref>).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF807493622144D668127DD9A37C7BED1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Application with respect to use of entitlement</header><text>An individual who is entitled to educational assistance by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a) may use such entitlement to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HD27D32A2627B4CD0B9817D4029596A68"><enum>402.</enum><header>Time limitation for training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3103">Section 3103(f)</external-xref> is amended by striking <quote>or 12304</quote> and inserting <quote>12304, 12304a, or 12304b</quote>.</text> </section><enum>V</enum><header>Other Matters</header> <section id="H92E1676F0FA54F399B3B02A00545280D"><enum>501.</enum><header>Repeal inapplicability of modification of basic allowance for housing to benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs</header> <subsection id="HB8C49D1CA9DC41C78107B8A0414429F6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repeal</header><text>Subsection (b) of section 604 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. <quote>Buck</quote> McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/291">Public Law 113–291</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/37/403">37 U.S.C. 403</external-xref> note) is repealed.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HCBCFA28A3A6E4EB8BDD61FDB732E0929"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2018, and shall apply with respect to individuals who first use their entitlement to educational assistance under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/33">chapter 33</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, on or after such date.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HD57AA6B163D940ADB8DC4EA41CC28702" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>502.</enum><header>Reconsideration of previously denied claims for disability compensation for veterans who allege
full-body exposure to nitrogen mustard gas, sulfur mustard gas, or
Lewisite during World War II</header>
<subsection id="HDF08493B17B843938BAB2A56011344EB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header>
<paragraph id="H9F2109E79340407A81A8DD353C2868AB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reconsideration required</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reconsider all claims for compensation described in paragraph (2) and make a new determination regarding each such claim.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H686C5D6A15D247C592C407B491DC272C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Claims for compensation described</header><text>A claim for compensation described in this paragraph is a claim for compensation under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/11">chapter 11</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, that the Secretary determines—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB1B232A796EF45F48CE004F86413ED74"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">arose from the alleged full-body exposure of a veteran to a covered substance—</text> <clause id="HB743489AEDEA45AAAA1B3754D8063A51"><enum>(i)</enum><text>during active military, naval, or air service during World War II; and</text>
</clause><clause id="HDF3845231105458FB7A3F98CFF565F59"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>at a site listed in paragraph (3); and</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEB55DF3588F5463797E1A2F44569FD15"><enum>(B)</enum><text>was denied before the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE4F38513796941809BFD102CCD5584C0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Sites</header><text>The sites listed in this paragraph are the following:</text> <subparagraph id="H809D3CDCC4684A04A2DEFF7F59048582"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Camp Siebert, Alabama.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H06639BC944D547EB8845C40790C93320"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Fort McClellan, Alabama.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEFDC5E0B46CF48D5B63EA92658E90026"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Huntsville Arsenal, Alabama.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6573B84FA3534C51A095AC9CF906D212"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC39AC6F2CA874978A03506403DFD0936"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Naval Research Laboratory, D.C.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H48FA849EB1174A9792C52B29686D73D6"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Bushnell Field, Florida.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4A4F5DF25F0D41B19F40C28F146B69BF"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8CE7B69A88FD486982DD9FFF663F57BD"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8D45B097604B4EABBC998F8E737231CD"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Fort Detrick, Maryland.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDA3CB69F4D5F4D5EBDFA5EC0CE0505FE"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Naval Research Laboratory, Maryland.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H47D8EC9DF2184773B8CFFC5A8E5F181E"><enum>(K)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3C4D303125FA4C02A34EDE22128B88AD"><enum>(L)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Horn Island Installation, Mississippi.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H36CF78D9215348A1AEA98DCFC0774B27"><enum>(M)</enum><text>Camp Crowder, Missouri.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H363034A2CA8A47158468FF2580988F65"><enum>(N)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Hart’s Island, New York.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H35B471B37EB24241830663FDC2FD971C"><enum>(O)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB91F50427891411D9AE0756D856A7FC1"><enum>(P)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Charleston, South Carolina.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB2C7C04744AD4A58B733C1CE742140F1"><enum>(Q)</enum><text>Dugway Proving Ground, Utah.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFFF40D4CF02B43088F32EA4181B7E6D1"><enum>(R)</enum><text>Toole Army Depot, Utah.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1A14784326DF4E2FA2049BA9A3B60C8C"><enum>(S)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Naval Research Laboratory, Virginia.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6C35FFFA9B0C47B698F1C5AFF3D4E596"><enum>(T)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">U.S.S. Eagle Boat No. 58.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD258F947B1644D50B6538C762CE8BF76"><enum>(U)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Ondal, India.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDB99F48CF57046C2947D55248AD6A5C3"><enum>(V)</enum><text>Fort Clayton, San Jose Island, Panama.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3FB63D2222014C13BA4AEEF217CC03C2"><enum>(W)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any site the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines is appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H90ADD68AAF904B138C764457501DD618"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Factors of consideration</header><text>In making a determination under paragraph (1), the Secretary—</text> <subparagraph id="HCA6D1A57E8FE430CA266249C02738D63"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall consider—</text>
<clause id="H488B38404CCF478096E664A0B088E196"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">that contemporaneous records of testing of full-body exposure to a covered substance frequently may be unavailable because such tests were classified or such records were lost or destroyed;</text>
</clause><clause id="HBB62F298AC7A44F5A56E880935E254F3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">that many veterans were sworn to secrecy following testing described in clause (i);</text> </clause><clause display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6BE2DEB96E284186B51BEB9C1A1BA214"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each statement based on personal knowledge of a veteran who served at a site listed in paragraph (3);</text>
</clause><clause id="H03240EBDF0CD4212BCF53F8315E42868"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">information in the report from the Secretary of Defense under subsection (b)(2); and</text> </clause><clause id="H230497EF05784FE3A925D77B955D9CD0"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any evidence the Secretary considers relevant; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAAEF6E103F964AB0B434AE51A3012826"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may not determine that testing of full-body exposure to a covered substance did not occur at a site based solely on—</text>
<clause id="HF23E17345A634991893CECAF6B3F9EAD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>information contained in the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Chemical Biological Warfare Database; or</text>
</clause><clause id="HDEBCD62A9C3E4185AF8A7ECB7DCA09C1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any list of known sites of testing of full-body exposure to a covered substance maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H49E4CDCBF6004101BF2B53A58F036EF0"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Presumption of exposure</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out paragraph (1), when the Secretary of Veterans Affairs makes a determination regarding whether a veteran experienced full-body exposure to a covered substance, the Secretary—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HB0420158105F4C528A6C77ABC4609578"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall presume, unless there is affirmative evidence to establish otherwise, that the veteran experienced such exposure by reason of the service of the veteran in World War II—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="HE29DF687522E427BA4AF9220240EC8B5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>based on the locations listed in paragraph (3); and</text> </clause><clause commented="no" id="H77284236C1AD41849ABB155A8B93EE2E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of service of the veteran in accordance with section 1154 of title 38; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2FB46A9E78E74D9D9C20CC732206C04E"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall resolve each reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H82848244E018410CB939F5F5613D251A"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Effective date of award</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The effective date of any award of disability compensation resulting from reconsideration of a claim under paragraph (1) shall be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date of the receipt of the claim for compensation described in paragraph (2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA04D558EF017451CB7EEB17035EB847B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Investigation and report by the Secretary of Defense</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H4B0F1238229940E5BC7119117837F5A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>investigate and assess each site—</text> <subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB9047A0D1EC842299329E545A5C8F06D"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">where the Army Corps of Engineers has uncovered evidence of testing conducted by the Department of Defense during World War II to assess the effects of full-body exposure to a covered substance on humans; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H46112DAD7AED43B4A3033698A994940D"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">with regards to which more than two veterans have been denied claims for compensation under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/11">chapter 11</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, in connection with exposure to a covered substance at such site; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H049E8A9C197045DC983D93B7A659971E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report on testing described in paragraph (1)(A), including—</text>
<subparagraph id="H65C9F3A7C66F43A482631FE94B4A1F42"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a list of each location where such testing occurred, including locations investigated and assessed under paragraph (1);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC1B89E00CAF441568373237FB9FBC71D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the dates of each such testing; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8A0008AD76624D48BD4E18A14EE543E7"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of members of the Armed Forces who experienced full-body exposure to a covered substance in each such testing.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF36EBD59F6C7474BB571A88519BB8212"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Investigation and report by Secretary of Veterans Affairs</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H1506A60552604D56B7029BBEB72C921A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>investigate and assess—</text> <subparagraph id="H19BE1B771F6547FB8BD4B93B64796A00"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the actions taken by the Secretary to contact individuals who experienced full-body exposure to a covered substance in the course of testing described in subsection (b)(1)(A);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H587AD243BEF34996809C679C4F8B2713"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of claims filed with the Secretary for disability compensation under <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/11">chapter 11</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, arising from testing described in subsection (b)(1)(A); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5FCCDB62DD4B49AA98BC81DDEA644281"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the percentage of claims described in subparagraph (B) that the Secretary denied; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD2640699325348FB93E3D7F9B43196F2"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Secretary of Defense a report regarding the investigations and assessments carried out under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H61ABC86131664B21B651B0BD28DB5DE2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H143EBB31177A4DD4BBC7AAC6C0258290"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The terms <term>active military, naval, or air service</term>, <term>veteran</term>, and <term>World War II</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H349C48375FD24832A4ADD1E4CA97A50C"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>appropriate congressional committees</term> means—</text> <subparagraph id="H321A1BA6422C403EBB797DCBCE28FD5C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H41CAB0CE449C47CA839ED1A7A2E04FAF"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H56AC8B01341E478CB6C4C42B6170CA8E"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>covered substance</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3EF0062C595F4D25B58831718739E225"><enum>(A)</enum><text>nitrogen mustard gas;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5668C16F27404351B30CF081A7838BE7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>sulfur mustard gas; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2DA112D942284087AAF82E91F7C41947"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Lewisite.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC79F0E3E18F9469E9ADCCBF6DC15078C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The term <term>full-body exposure</term>, with respect to a covered substance, has the meaning given that term by the Secretary of Defense.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>August 2, 2017Reported without amendment