[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1836 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1836
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 13 (legislative day, January 10), 2022
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during
which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training
qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act
of 2021''.
SEC. 2. POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN RESERVE AND
NATIONAL GUARD DUTY.
(a) Other Qualifying Duty.--Section 3311(b) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``(including'' each place it appears and
inserting ``(including other qualifying duty and'';
(2) by striking ``(excluding'' each place it appears and
inserting ``(including other qualifying duty but excluding'';
and
(3) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or other qualifying
duty'' after ``active duty'' both places it appears.
(b) Other Qualifying Duty Defined.--Section 3301 of such title is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph:
``(3) The term `other qualifying duty' means the following:
``(A) During the period beginning on August 1,
2025, and ending on July 31, 2032, active duty for
training performed by a member of the Armed Forces--
``(i) on or after August 1, 2025; or
``(ii) before August 1, 2025, if such
individual is a member of the Armed Forces on
or after such date.
``(B) On or after August 1, 2032, duty performed
before, on, or after such date that is--
``(i) active duty for training performed by
a member of the Armed Forces; or
``(ii) inactive duty training performed by
a member of the Armed Forces.''.
(c) Time Limitation for Use of Entitlement for Other Qualifying
Duty.--Section 3321 of such title is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; or'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) in the case of an individual whose entitlement is
based on other qualifying duty performed--
``(A) before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter
of--
``(i) the end of the 15-year period
beginning on the date of the discharge or
release of such individual from the Armed
Forces; or
``(ii) August 1, 2040; or
``(B) on or after August 1, 2025, shall not
expire.''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(6) Individuals subject to two periods.--In the case of
an individual subject to periods under paragraphs (1) and
(3)(A) of subsection (a), the period under such paragraph
(3)(A) shall apply to such individual's entitlement.''.
SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.
(a) Extension.--The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title
38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``January 14, 2031''
each place it appears and inserting ``October 1, 2031''.
(b) IRRRL Rate.--The item in subparagraph (E) of the loan fee table
under such section is amended to read as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``(E)(i) Interest rate reduction 0.85 0.85 NA
refinancing loan (closed on or
after July 1, 2022, and before
October 1, 2030)................
(ii) Interest rate reduction 0.50 0.50 NA''.
refinancing loan (closed during
a period not covered by clause
(i))............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC. 4. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO VETERANS DURING TRANSITION TO
CIVILIAN LIFE.
(a) Requirement.--In providing information to new veterans
regarding benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
the Secretary shall ensure that the information includes the following:
(1) A description of the medical care and services for
which the veteran will be eligible under chapter 17 of title
38, United States Code, including with respect to--
(A) community care under section 1703 of such
title;
(B) mental health care, including how to access the
Veterans Crisis Line established under section 1720F(h)
of such title; and
(C) care relating to military sexual trauma (as
defined in section 1166 of such title).
(2) Any other information that the Secretary determines
appropriate, including information about the services and
benefits to which the veteran may be entitled.
(b) Manner.--The Secretary shall provide the information under
subsection (a) in a manner that promotes the destigmatization of mental
health care and encourages veterans to reach out for support.
Passed the House of Representatives January 12, 2022.
Attest:
CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk.