38 U.S.C. § 2066 — Advisory Committee on Homeless Vet-

Page 590 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 2065 text read as follows: ‘‘There is authorized to be appro- priated $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005 to carry out the program under this section.’’ § 2065. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans (a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than June 15 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the ac- tivities of the Department during the calendar year preceding the report under programs of the Department under this chapter and other pro- grams of the Department for the provision of as- sistance to homeless veterans. (b) GENERAL CONTENTS OF REPORT.—Each re- port under subsection (a) shall include the fol- lowing: (1) The number of homeless veterans pro- vided assistance under the programs referred to in subsection (a). (2) The cost to the Department of providing such assistance under those programs. (3) The Secretary’s evaluation of the effec- tiveness of the programs of the Department in providing assistance to homeless veterans, in- cluding— (A) residential work-therapy programs; (B) programs combining outreach, commu- nity-based residential treatment, and case- management; and (C) contract care programs for alcohol and drug-dependence or use disabilities. (4) The Secretary’s evaluation of the effec- tiveness of programs established by recipients of grants under section 2011 of this title and a description of the experience of those recipi- ents in applying for and receiving grants from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop- ment to serve primarily homeless persons who are veterans. (5) Information on the efforts of the Sec- retary to coordinate the delivery of housing and services to homeless veterans with other Federal departments and agencies, including— (A) the Department of Defense; (B) the Department of Health and Human Services; (C) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (D) the Department of Justice; (E) the Department of Labor; (F) the Interagency Council on Homeless- ness; (G) the Social Security Administration; and (H) any other Federal department or agen- cy with which the Secretary coordinates the delivery of housing and services to homeless veterans. (6) Any other information on those programs and on the provision of such assistance that the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) HEALTH CARE CONTENTS OF REPORT.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include, with respect to programs of the Department address- ing health care needs of homeless veterans, the following: (1) Information about expenditures, costs, and workload under the program of the De- partment known as the Health Care for Home- less Veterans program (HCHV). (2) Information about the veterans contacted through that program. (3) Information about program treatment outcomes under that program. (4) Information about supported housing pro- grams. (5) Information about the Department’s grant and per diem provider program under subchapter II of this chapter. (6) The findings and conclusions of the as- sessments of the medical needs of homeless veterans conducted under section 2034(b) of this title. (7) Other information the Secretary con- siders relevant in assessing those programs. (d) BENEFITS CONTENT OF REPORT.—Each re- port under subsection (a) shall include, with re- spect to programs and activities of the Veterans Benefits Administration in processing of claims for benefits of homeless veterans during the pre- ceding year, the following: (1) Information on costs, expenditures, and workload of Veterans Benefits Administration claims evaluators in processing claims for ben- efits of homeless veterans. (2) Information on the filing of claims for benefits by homeless veterans. (3) Information on efforts undertaken to ex- pedite the processing of claims for benefits of homeless veterans. (4) Other information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing the programs and activities. (Added Pub. L. 107–95, § 5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 914; amended Pub. L. 108–170, title IV, § 405(b), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2063; Pub. L. 109–461, title VII, § 708, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3440; Pub. L. 110–387, title IX, § 901(a)(2), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4142.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2008—Subsec. (b)(3)(C). Pub. L. 110–387 struck out clos- ing parenthesis after ‘‘disabilities’’. 2006—Subsec. (b)(5), (6). Pub. L. 109–461 added par. (5) and redesignated former par. (5) as (6). 2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–170 substituted ‘‘June 15 of each year’’ for ‘‘April 15 of each year’’. § 2066. Advisory Committee on Homeless Vet- erans (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—(1) There is established in the Department the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’). (2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the Secretary from among the following: (A) Veterans service organizations. (B) Advocates of homeless veterans and other homeless individuals. (C) Community-based providers of services to homeless individuals. (D) Previously homeless veterans. (E) State veterans affairs officials. (F) Experts in the treatment of individuals with mental illness. Page 591 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 2066 (G) Experts in the treatment of substance use disorders. (H) Experts in the development of perma- nent housing alternatives for lower income populations. (I) Experts in vocational rehabilitation. (J) Such other organizations or groups as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members, the following: (A) The Secretary of Labor (or a representa- tive of the Secretary selected after consulta- tion with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment). (B) The Secretary of Defense (or a represent- ative of the Secretary). (C) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (or a representative of the Secretary). (D) The Secretary of Housing and Urban De- velopment (or a representative of the Sec- retary). (E) The Executive Director of the Inter- agency Council on Homelessness (or a rep- resentative of the Executive Director). (F) The Under Secretary for Health (or a representative of the Under Secretary after consultation with the Director of the Office of Homeless Veterans Programs). (G) The Under Secretary for Benefits (or a representative of the Under Secretary after consultation with the Director of the Office of Homeless Veterans Programs). (4)(A) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a term of service may not exceed three years. The Secretary may re- appoint any member for additional terms of service. (B) Members of the Committee shall serve without pay. Members may receive travel ex- penses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence for travel in connection with their duties as members of the Committee. (b) DUTIES.—(1) The Secretary shall consult with and seek the advice of the Committee on a regular basis with respect to the provision by the Department of benefits and services to homeless veterans. (2) In providing advice to the Secretary under this subsection, the Committee shall— (A) assemble and review information relat- ing to the needs of homeless veterans; (B) provide an on-going assessment of the ef- fectiveness of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the Department in assisting homeless veterans; and (C) provide on-going advice on the most ap- propriate means of providing assistance to homeless veterans. (3) The Committee shall— (A) review the continuum of services pro- vided by the Department directly or by con- tract in order to define cross-cutting issues and to improve coordination of all services with the Department that are involved in ad- dressing the special needs of homeless vet- erans; (B) identify (through the annual assessments under section 2034 of this title and other avail- able resources) gaps in programs of the De- partment in serving homeless veterans, in- cluding identification of geographic areas with unmet needs, and provide recommendations to address those gaps; (C) identify gaps in existing information sys- tems on homeless veterans, both within and outside the Department, and provide rec- ommendations about redressing problems in data collection; (D) identify barriers under existing laws and policies to effective coordination by the De- partment with other Federal agencies and with State and local agencies addressing homeless populations; (E) identify opportunities for increased liai- son by the Department with nongovernmental organizations and individual groups providing services to homeless populations; (F) with appropriate officials of the Depart- ment designated by the Secretary, participate with the Interagency Council on the Homeless under title II of the McKinney-Vento Home- less Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11311 et seq.); (G) recommend appropriate funding levels for specialized programs for homeless veterans provided or funded by the Department; (H) recommend appropriate placement op- tions for veterans who, because of advanced age, frailty, or severe mental illness, may not be appropriate candidates for vocational reha- bilitation or independent living; and (I) perform such other functions as the Sec- retary may direct. (c) REPORTS.—(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activi- ties of the Department that relate to homeless veterans. Each such report shall include— (A) an assessment of the needs of homeless veterans; (B) a review of the programs and activities of the Department designed to meet such needs; (C) a review of the activities of the Com- mittee; and (D) such recommendations (including rec- ommendations for administrative and legisla- tive action) as the Committee considers appro- priate. (2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af- fairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of the report, together with any com- ments and recommendations concerning the re- port that the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommenda- tions as the Committee considers appropriate. (4) The Secretary shall submit with each an- nual report submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all re- ports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursu- ant to that section. (d) TERMINATION.—The Committee shall cease to exist September 30, 2026. (Added Pub. L. 107–95, § 5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 916; amended Pub. L. 109–444, § 2(e), Dec. 21, Page 592 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 2067 2006, 120 Stat. 3304; Pub. L. 109–461, title VII, § 709, title X, § 1006(b), Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3441, 3468; Pub. L. 112–37, § 10(f), Oct. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 397; Pub. L. 112–191, title II, § 206, Oct. 5, 2012, 126 Stat. 1439; Pub. L. 113–59, § 11, Dec. 20, 2013, 127 Stat. 663; Pub. L. 113–175, title II, § 208, Sept. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 1904; Pub. L. 114–58, title III, § 306, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 534; Pub. L. 114–228, title III, § 307, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 939; Pub. L. 115–62, title III, § 306, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1163; Pub. L. 115–251, title I, § 147, Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3170; Pub. L. 117–180, div. E, title III, § 306, Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2138.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, re- ferred to in subsec. (b)(3)(F), is Pub. L. 100–77, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 482. Title II of the Act is classified gen- erally to subchapter II (§ 11311 et seq.) of chapter 119 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 11301 of Title 42 and Tables. AMENDMENTS 2022—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–180 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2026’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2022’’. 2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–251 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2022’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2018’’. 2017—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted ‘‘Sep- tember 30, 2018’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2017’’. 2016—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2017’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2016’’. 2015—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2016’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2015’’. 2014—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–175 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2015’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 2013—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–59 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2014’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2013’’. 2012—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–191 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2013’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2012’’. 2011—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–37 substituted ‘‘Decem- ber 31, 2012’’ for ‘‘December 30, 2011’’. 2006—Subsec. (a)(3)(E) to (G). Pub. L. 109–461, § 709(a), added subpars. (E) to (G). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b), provided that as of the enactment of Pub. L. 109–461, the amendments made by Pub. L. 109–444 were deemed for all purposes not to have taken effect and that Pub. L. 109–444 ceased to be in effect. See Amendment notes below and section 1006(b) of Pub. L. 109–461, set out as a Coordination of Provisions With Pub. L. 109–444 note under section 101 of this title. Pub. L. 109–461, § 709(b), substituted ‘‘December 30, 2011’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2006’’. Pub. L. 109–444, which substituted ‘‘December 31, 2007’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2006’’, was terminated by Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b). See Amendment notes above. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CHANGE OF NAME Interagency Council on the Homeless changed to United States Interagency Council on Homelessness by Pub. L. 108–199, div. G, title II, § 216, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 394. § 2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans (a) IN GENERAL.—(1) The Secretary shall estab- lish and operate a center to carry out the func- tions described in subsection (b). (2) The center established under paragraph (1) shall be known as the ‘‘National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans’’. (3) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall operate the center established under para- graph (1) independently of the other programs of the Department that address homelessness among veterans. (b) FUNCTIONS.—The functions described in this subsection are as follows: (1) To carry out and promote research into the causes and contributing factors to veteran homelessness. (2) To assess the effectiveness of programs of the Department to meet the needs of homeless veterans. (3) To identify and disseminate best prac- tices with regard to housing stabilization, in- come support, employment assistance, com- munity partnerships, and such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to addressing veteran homelessness. (4) To integrate evidence-based and best practices, policies, and programs into pro- grams of the Department for homeless vet- erans and veterans at risk of homelessness and to ensure that the staff of the Department and community partners can implement such prac- tices, policies, and programs. (5) To serve as a resource center for, and pro- mote and seek to coordinate the exchange of information regarding, all research and train- ing activities carried out by the Department and by other Federal and non-Federal entities with respect to veteran homelessness. (Added Pub. L. 114–315, title VII, § 713(a), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1588.) § 2068. Mental health consultations (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than two weeks after the date on which a veteran described in subsection (b) enters into a program adminis- tered by the Homeless Programs Office of the Department, the Secretary shall offer the vet- eran a mental health consultation to assess the health needs of, and care options for, the vet- eran. (b) VETERAN DESCRIBED.—A veteran described in this subsection is a veteran to whom a mental health consultation is not offered or provided through the case management services of the program of the Homeless Programs Office into which the veteran enters. (Added Pub. L. 117–328, div. V, title IV, § 404(b)(1), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5513.) § 2069. Access to telehealth services To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans participating in or receiv- ing services from a program under this chapter have access to telehealth services to which such veterans are eligible under the laws adminis- tered by the Secretary, including by ensuring that telehealth capabilities are available to— (1) such veterans; (2) case managers of the Department of pro- grams for homeless veterans authorized under this chapter; and (3) community-based service providers for homeless veterans receiving funds from the Department through grants or contracts. (Added Pub. L. 118–210, title IV, § 404(a), Jan. 2, 2025, 138 Stat. 2797.)