HR 2148

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 14, 2025

Mr. Morelle (for himself and Mr. Ciscomani) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To expand medical, employment, and other benefits for individuals serving as family caregivers for certain veterans, 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.

This Act may be cited as the “Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act”.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF MEDICAL CARE COVERAGE FOR CAREGIVERS DESIGNATED AS PRIMARY PROVIDERS OF PERSONAL CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS.

(a) In General.—Subsection (a)(4) of section 1781 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the comma at the end the following: “, including during the 180-day period following the removal of such designation unless the individual was dismissed from the program under section 1720G(a) of this title for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment”.

(b) Limitation on Eligibility for Caregivers Entitled to Medicare.—Subsection (d) of such section is amended—

(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:

“(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, an individual is not eligible for medical care under this section during the 180-day period specified under subsection (a)(4) if the individual is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of the medicare program during such period.”.

SEC. 3. EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR CAREGIVERS DESIGNATED AS PRIMARY PROVIDERS OF PERSONAL CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS.

(a) Employment Assistance.—Section 1720G of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(e) Employment Assistance.—(1) The Secretary shall provide to an individual designated as a primary provider of personal care services under subsection (a)(7)(A) employment assistance as follows:

“(A) Reimbursement of fees associated with certifications or relicensure necessary for such employment.

“(B) For purposes of gaining credit for continuing professional education requirements, access to training modules of the Department at no cost.

“(C) In consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor, access to employment assistance under—

“(i) the Military OneSource program of the Department of Defense;

“(ii) the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor; and

“(iii) such programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines appropriate.

“(2) An individual described in paragraph (1) shall have access to assistance described in such paragraph—

“(A) while participating in the program established under subsection (a)(1); and

“(B) during the 180-day period following the date on which the individual is no longer participating in such program unless the individual was dismissed from the program for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment.

“(3) The maximum lifetime amount that may be reimbursed for an individual under paragraph (1)(A) is $1,000.”.

(b) Expansion of Available Services.—Subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended—

(1) in subclause (V), by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon;

(2) in subclause (VI)—

(A) in the matter preceding item (aa), by inserting “or agreements” after “contracts”;

(B) in item (aa), by inserting “, including retirement planning services,” after “services”; and

(C) in item (bb), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subclause:

“(VI) during the 180-day period following the date on which the family caregiver is no longer participating in the program required by paragraph (1), unless the family caregiver was dismissed from the program for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment, such instruction, preparation, training, and support as the Secretary considers appropriate to assist the family caregiver in transitioning away from caregiving.”.

(c) Assistance Returning to Workforce.—Subclause (VI) of such subsection is further amended—

(1) in item (aa), by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon;

(2) in item (bb), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new item:

“(cc) assistance returning to the workforce upon discharge or dismissal from the program required by paragraph (1) unless the family caregiver was dismissed from the program for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment.”.

(d) Bereavement Counseling and Support.—Subsection

(a)(3)(A)(i)(III) of such section is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: “, including bereavement counseling and support following the death of the eligible veteran”.

(e) Study on Provision of Returnship Program.—

(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Secretary of Labor, shall complete a study on the feasibility and advisability of conducting a returnship program for individuals who are or were designated as a primary provider of personal care services under section 1720G(a)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code, to assist such individuals in returning to the workforce.

(2) Report.—Not later than 180 days after completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 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 study.

(f) Study on Incorporating Former Caregivers Into Workforce of Department of Veterans Affairs.—

(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall complete a study on barriers and incentives to hiring individuals who were designated as a primary provider of personal care services under section 1720G(a)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code, at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to address staffing needs.

(2) Report.—Not later than 180 days after completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 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 study, which shall include—

(A) a plan for increasing employment opportunities at facilities of the Department for individuals who were designated as a primary provider of personal care services under section 1720G(a)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code; and

(B) such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate.

SEC. 4. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON EFFORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN SUPPORTING FAMILY CAREGIVERS TRANSITIONING AWAY FROM CAREGIVING.

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report assessing the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs in supporting individuals serving as family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of title 38, United States Code, in transitioning away from caregiving, either by assisting those individuals with retirement planning or returning to work.

SEC. 5. REPORT ON FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF ESTABLISHING A RETIREMENT PLAN OR RETIREMENT SAVINGS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF CERTAIN VETERANS.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the heads of such other relevant entities as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines necessary, shall submit to Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of, for individuals serving as family caregivers under section 1720G(a) of title 38, United States Code—

(1) establishing an individual retirement plan (as defined in section 7701(a)(37) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or similar retirement plan; or

(2) permitting such individuals to join an already established pathway to retirement savings. <all>