Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017

Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017

This bill reauthorizes specific Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and services, including those related to health care, benefits, and homeless veteran reintegration.

TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

(Sec. 101) This title extends through FY2019 VA authority to: (1) collect copayments for veterans' hospital and nursing home care, (2) provide nursing home care to veterans with service-connected disabilities, (3) collect the cost of treating non-service-connected disabilities from third parties, and (4) provide and fund child care for certain veterans receiving health care.

(Sec. 103) This section reauthorizes through FY2019 funding for assistance and support services for caregivers.

(Sec. 106) This section extends through FY2019 grants to veterans service organizations to transport highly rural veterans.

(Sec. 107) This section extends through January 6, 2018, the pilot program providing community-based assisted living services for veterans with traumatic brain injury. The final program report must be submitted by December 6, 2017.

(Sec. 108) This section extends through FY2019 the pilot program providing counseling in retreat settings for women veterans recently separated from service. The final program report must be submitted by March 31, 2018.

(Sec. 109) This section extends the authority to temporarily extend payments and allowances for beneficiary travel in connection with veterans receiving care from VA centers. The reporting date for such program is extended to March 31, 2018.

TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

(Sec. 201) This title extends authority of the VA to (1) calculate the net value of real property at the time of foreclosure during default procedures, (2) manage property and vendee loans after default, and (3) provide rehabilitation and vocational benefits to service members with severe injuries or illnesses.

TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

(Sec. 301) This title reauthorizes

• homeless veteran reintegration programs, including programs for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children;
• referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness transitioning from certain institutions;
• the provision of financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing;
• the grant program that benefits homeless veterans with special needs, including those who are terminally ill and chronically mentally ill;
• the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans; and
• the provision of care and services for veterans suffering from serious mental illness and homelessness.

TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

(Sec. 401) This title extends VA authority to

• transport individuals to and from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care;
• operate the VA regional office in the Philippines; and
• provide monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events.

(Sec. 404) This section extends the requirement for VA reports to Congress regarding equitable relief for errors in providing benefits administered by the VA.

(Sec. 405) This section extends the authorization of appropriations for the adaptive sports program for disabled veterans and service members.

(Sec. 406) The title extends VA authorities for

• the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans,
• the program to assist certain veterans with disabilities in acquiring suitable housing,
• grants to encourage the development of new assistive technologies for specially adapted housing,
• guarantees of payments of principal and interest on loans in connection with the sale of certain properties,
• review and evaluation by the National Academy of Sciences of the evidence of association between diseases and exposure to dioxin and herbicides, and
• payment of a reporting fee to educational institutions.

TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

(Sec. 501) The bill makes technical amendments to the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the Forever GI Bill.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov