Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 591
115th Congress(2017-2018)
Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Mar 9, 2017
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 9, 2017
Latest Action
Jun 14, 2017
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
591
Congress
115
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
Delaware
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
Maryland
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Michigan
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Montana
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
Oregon
Democrat
Pennsylvania
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
West Virginia
Democrat
Wisconsin
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017

This bill expands eligibility for the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include members of the Armed Forces or veterans who are seriously injured or who became ill on active duty prior to September 11, 2001 (currently, limited to service after September 11, 2001).

Services to caregivers of veterans under such program are expanded to include child care services, financial planning services, and legal services.

The bill terminates the support program for caregivers of covered veterans on October 1, 2022, except that any caregiver activities carried out on September 30, 2022, shall be continued on and after October 1, 2022.

The bill authorizes the transfer of entitlement to post 9/11 education assistance to family members by veterans who are retired for a physical disability or who are seriously injured veterans in need of family caregiver services, without regard to length-of-service requirements.

The VA is authorized to pay monthly special compensation to seriously injured or ill veterans in need of personal care services and to their caregivers.

Flexible work schedules or telework are authorized for federal employees who are caregivers of veterans.

The Public Health Service Act is amended to designate a veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers as an adult with a special need for purposes of the lifespan respite care program.

An interagency working group is established in the executive branch to review and report on policies relating to the caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

The VA shall provide for studies on members of the Armed Forces who commenced service after September 11, 2001, and veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, including a mental health injury, and their caregivers.

Text (1)
Actions (4)
06/14/2017
Special Committee on Aging. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-364.
05/17/2017
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.
03/09/2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
03/09/2017
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:36:17 PM