[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5420 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5420
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain authorities
and requirements relating to health care and benefits furnished by the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 17, 2025
Mr. Barrett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain authorities
and requirements relating to health care and benefits furnished by 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``VA Extenders Act
of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS
Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for
hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to
certain veterans with service-connected
disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide
Prevention Grant Program.
Sec. 104. Extension of funding for expansion of Rural Access Network
for Growth Enhancement Program.
TITLE II--BENEFITS
Sec. 201. Extension of requirement for quarterly briefings on
administration of authorities relating to
determinations regarding presumptions of
service connection based on toxic exposure.
Sec. 202. Extension of requirement relating to restoration of
entitlement to educational assistance in
cases of closure or disapproval of
educational institutions.
Sec. 203. Extension of temporary clarification of licensure
requirements for contractor medical
professionals to perform medical disability
examinations for the Department of Veterans
Affairs under pilot program for use of
contract physicians for disability
examinations.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority to maintain regional office in
Republic of Philippines.
TITLE III--HOUSING
Sec. 301. Extension of authorization of appropriations for homeless
women veterans and homeless veterans with
children reintegration grant program.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation for
seriously mentally ill and homeless
veterans.
Sec. 303. Extension of funding for financial assistance for supportive
services for very low-income veteran
families in permanent housing.
Sec. 304. Extension of funding for grant program for homeless veterans
with special needs.
Sec. 305. Extension of authority to provide assistance for specially
adapted housing for disabled veterans
residing temporarily in housing owned by a
family member.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing
assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 307. Improvements to Partial Claim Program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 308. Government Accountability Office reports on Partial Claim
Program of the Department of Veterans
Affairs and other matters.
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 401. Extension of subpoena authority of Inspector General of
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 402. Extension of requirement for annual report on use of
authority to provide equitable relief.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
transport individuals to and from
facilities of Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 404. Extension of authority relating to vendee loan program.
Sec. 405. Extension of authority for transfer of real property.
TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR
HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.
Section 1710(f)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30,
2026''.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO
CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.
Section 1710A(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF STAFF SERGEANT PARKER GORDON FOX SUICIDE
PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 201 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental
Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171; 38 U.S.C.
1720F note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (j), by striking ``the date that is three
years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under
this section'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''; and
(2) in subsection (p), by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR EXPANSION OF RURAL ACCESS NETWORK
FOR GROWTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.
Section 2(d) of the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act
of 2021 (Public Law 117-21; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by
striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2026''.
TITLE II--BENEFITS
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR QUARTERLY BRIEFINGS ON
ADMINISTRATION OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO DETERMINATIONS
REGARDING PRESUMPTIONS OF SERVICE CONNECTION BASED ON
TOXIC EXPOSURE.
Section 202(b)(2) of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson
Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-168) is amended by striking ``On a quarterly basis
during the two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of
this Act,'' and inserting ``On a quarterly basis during the period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on
December 31, 2026''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT RELATING TO RESTORATION OF
ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN CASES OF CLOSURE
OR DISAPPROVAL OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Section 3699(c)(2)(C) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30,
2026''.
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY CLARIFICATION OF LICENSURE
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACTOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO
PERFORM MEDICAL DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER PILOT PROGRAM FOR
USE OF CONTRACT PHYSICIANS FOR DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS.
Section 2002(a)(4) of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D.
Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law
116-315; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``five years'' and
inserting ``six years''.
SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE IN
REPUBLIC OF PHILIPPINES.
Section 315(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
TITLE III--HOUSING
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS
WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN
REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2021A(f)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2026''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FOR
SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting
``September 30, 2026''.
(b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30,
2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN
PERMANENT HOUSING.
Section 2044(e)(8) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2026''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Section 2061(d)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2026''.
SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALLY
ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS RESIDING
TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER.
Section 2102A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2108(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 307. IMPROVEMENTS TO PARTIAL CLAIM PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Clarification of Relationship to Other Powers of Secretary.--
Section 3720(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking
``of subsection (a)'' and all that follows through the period at the
end and inserting ``of subsection (a) in conjunction with the purchase
of a loan under section 3732(a)(2) of this title unless the Secretary
determines the purchase would be made consistent with section 3732(d)
of this title.''.
(b) Administration of Partial Claim Program.--Section 3737 of such
title is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``first lien
guaranteed loan for such property'' and inserting ``amount of
indebtedness under the guaranteed loan that the Secretary does
not purchase''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), by striking ``120
days'' and inserting ``180 days''; and
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) An amount paid to the holder of a loan as a partial claim--
``(A) shall not alter the guaranty calculation specified by
section 3703 of this title;
``(B) shall be included, for the purpose of a liquidation
sale, in the same manner as any other advance allowed by the
Secretary; and
``(C) shall not be claimed under the guaranty or increase
the Secretary's cost of acquisition of the property securing
the defaulted loan.''.
(c) Requirements of Loan Holder.--Section (d)(1) of such section is
amending by inserting ``and servicing the loan'' after ``documents''.
(d) Default and Foreclosure.--Subsection (e) of such section is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``an
individual who'' and all that follows through the
period at the end and inserting the following: ``a
borrower who defaults on a partial claim shall be
liable to the Secretary for any loss suffered by the
Secretary with respect to such default, and such loss
may be recovered in the same manner as any other debt
due the United States. The Secretary shall not restore
housing loan entitlement under section 3702(b) of this
title until such loss is repaid in full.''; and
(B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as
follows:
``(B) The Secretary may charge administrative costs, fees, and
interest, as appropriate, with respect to any default under a partial
claim in a manner similar to the interest and administrative costs
charged under section 5315 of this title.''; and
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Notwithstanding section 2410 of title 28, a non-judicial sale
of real property to satisfy a loan guaranteed under this chapter shall
discharge the property from a partial claim interest held by the
Secretary, provided that the holder of the guaranteed loan conducts the
non-judicial sale and distributes the sale proceeds, if any, in
accordance with the State or local law where such property is
situated.''.
(e) Guidance in Advance of Regulations.--Subsection (h) of such
section is amended to read as follows:
``(h) Guidance in Advance of Regulations.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, the Secretary may, before prescribing
regulations, issue administrative guidance with respect to the Partial
Claim Program under this section and the loss mitigation options
prescribed under section 3732(d) of this title, including any
additional terms, conditions, and requirements the Secretary determines
necessary.''.
SEC. 308. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORTS ON PARTIAL CLAIM
PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND OTHER
MATTERS.
(a) Annual Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter until the
Partial Claim Program terminates, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall submit to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the House of Representatives a report.
(2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall
include, for the period covered by the report and disaggregated
by quarter, the following:
(A) Key data on the performance of the Partial
Claim Program, including--
(i) the number of partial claims filed and
approved; and
(ii) the redefault and foreclosure rates of
loans for which a partial claim was made.
(B) A comparison of the data described in
subparagraph (A) with data on the performance of other
loss mitigation options provided by the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(C) The number of housing loans insured,
guaranteed, or made by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs under chapter 37 of title 38, United States
Code.
(D) The number of applications for housing loan
benefits under such chapter denied.
(E) The number of housing loans insured,
guaranteed, or made by the Secretary under such chapter
refinanced under section 3710(a)(8) or 3712 of title
38, United States Code.
(F) The number of veterans who owe a payment on a
mortgage associated with a loan insured, guaranteed, or
made by the Secretary under such chapter that is at
least--
(i) 60 days late; and
(ii) 90 days late.
(b) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year before the Partial
Claim Program terminates, the Comptroller General shall--
(A) conduct an assessment of the benefits and
challenges of the Partial Claim Program; and
(B) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the House of Representatives a report on the findings
of the Comptroller General with respect to that
assessment.
(2) Considerations.--In conducting the assessment required
by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall consider the
following:
(A) The characteristics of borrowers for whom a
partial claim was made compared to the characteristics
of borrowers provided other loss mitigation options by
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(B) The performance of loans guaranteed under
chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, following
various loss mitigation actions.
(C) The information the Department considered in
determining whether a borrower would benefit from a
partial claim compared to other loss mitigation
options.
(D) The costs to taxpayers of the Partial Claim
Program compared to the costs of other loss mitigation
options provided by the Department.
(E) Any similarities and differences in the
Department's administration and use of the Partial
Claim Program compared to the Department's
administration and use of the COVID-19 Veterans
Assistance Partial Claim Payment program established
under subpart F of part 36 of title 38, Code of
Regulations.
(F) The information the Department learned from the
COVID-19 Veterans Assistance Partial Claim Payment
program and the extent to which those lessons learned
were applied to the Partial Claim Program.
(G) The types of information the Department
collected to monitor the performance and effectiveness
of the Partial Claim Program and how the Department
used that information to make any needed adjustments to
the program.
(H) How the use by the Department of partial claims
compares to the use of partial claims by other Federal
housing agencies, including, for each partial claim
program--
(i) the volume of loans for which partial
claims have been made;
(ii) the results for borrowers (including
redefault and foreclosure rates); and
(iii) the costs to taxpayers.
(c) Partial Claim Program Defined.--In this section, the term
``Partial Claim Program'' means the Partial Claim Program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs carried out under section 3737 of title
38, United States Code.
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF SUBPOENA AUTHORITY OF INSPECTOR GENERAL OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 312(d)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORT ON USE OF
AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE RELIEF.
Section 503(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting ``December 31, 2026''.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO
TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM FACILITIES OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 111A(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOAN PROGRAM.
Section 3733(a)(8) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026'';
and
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2025''
and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY.
Section 8118(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
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