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This bill addresses the employment and retraining of veterans and the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits for homeless veterans, specifically during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.

Among other provisions, the bill

• modifies provisions relating to the administration of programs for homeless veterans, including by authorizing the VA to reallocate specified grant funds to provide homeless veterans and veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program with transportation, assistance required for safety and survival, and communications equipment and services;

• expands eligibility for HUD-VASH rental assistance vouchers;

• requires the VA to make grants to eligible entities that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness (with at least 10% of funding being utilized for women veterans);

• modifies the rates for per diem payments granted to organizations that furnish services to homeless veterans;

• permanently extends the referral and counseling services program for veterans who are at risk of homelessness and are transitioning from certain institutions (e.g., penal institutions);

• authorizes the VA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services under which managers of the Indian Health Service may provide case management assistance to veterans who receive housing vouchers under the Tribal HUD-VASH program;

• requires certain VA medical facilities to enter into a contract or agreement with eligible entities to provide case management services to veterans as part of the HUD-VASH program;

• requires the VA to implement a program providing up to 12 months of nontransferable retraining assistance to up to 17,250 eligible veterans for the pursuit of a specified program of education;

• provides access to the National Directory of New Hires to the VA and the Department of Labor for the purpose of tracking the employment of veterans;

• reauthorizes and expands the program for the provision of off-base transition training for veterans and their spouses, including by requiring a preference for participation by states with economies significantly impacted by COVID-19; and

• adjusts certain loan fees related to the VA home loan guaranty program for loans refinanced after specified dates.

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To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an exception to certain small business contracting requirements applicable to the Department of Veterans Affairs procurement of certain goods and services covered under the Ability One program, and for other purposes.

View Enrolled Bill

This bill authorizes appellants in cases before the Board of Veterans' Appeals to appear at a hearing by picture and voice transmission (e.g., Skype) from locations other than Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. The bill requires the VA to report specified statistics and information related to hearings held by picture and voice transmission.