38 USC PART II, CHAPTER 20, SUBCHAPTER VII: OTHER PROVISIONS

From Title 38—VETERANS' BENEFITSPART II—GENERAL BENEFITSCHAPTER 20—BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

SUBCHAPTER VII—OTHER PROVISIONS

§2061. Grant program for homeless veterans with special needs

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants to health care facilities of the Department and to entities eligible for grants and per diem payments under sections 2011 and 2012 of this title in order to encourage development by those facilities and entities of programs for homeless veterans with special needs.

(b) Homeless Veterans With Special Needs.—For purposes of this section, homeless veterans with special needs include homeless veterans who are—

(1) women;

(2) frail elderly;

(3) terminally ill;

(4) chronically mentally ill; or

(5) individuals who have care of minor dependents.

(c) Provision of Services to Dependents.—A recipient of a grant under subsection (a) may use amounts under the grant to provide services directly to a dependent of a homeless veteran with special needs who is under the care of such homeless veteran while such homeless veteran receives services from the grant recipient under this section.

(d) Funding.—(1) From amounts appropriated to the Department for "Medical Services" for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2024, $5,000,000 shall be available for each such fiscal year for the purposes of the program under this section.

(2) The Secretary shall ensure that funds for grants under this section are designated for the first three years of operation of the program under this section as a special purpose program for which funds are not allocated through the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system.

(Added Pub. L. 107–95, §5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 913; amended Pub. L. 109–461, title VII, §706, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3440; Pub. L. 112–37, §13, Oct. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 397; Pub. L. 112–154, title III, §§303, 305(d), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 1184, 1188; Pub. L. 113–37, §2(f)(3), Sept. 30, 2013, 127 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 113–175, title II, §207, Sept. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 1904; Pub. L. 114–58, title III, §305, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 534; Pub. L. 114–228, title III, §306, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 939; Pub. L. 115–62, title III, §305, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1163; Pub. L. 115–251, title I, §146, Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3170; Pub. L. 116–159, div. E, title III, §5306, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 751; Pub. L. 117–180, div. E, title III, §305, Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2138.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 117–180 substituted "2024" for "2022".

2020—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 116–159 substituted "2022" for "2020".

2018—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–251 substituted "2020" for "2019".

2017—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted "2019" for "2017".

2016—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted "2017" for "2016".

2015—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted "2016" for "2015".

2014—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 113–175 substituted "2015" for "2014".

2013—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 113–37 substituted "2007 through 2014" for "2007 through 2013".

2012—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–154, §303(a), substituted "to entities eligible for grants and per diem payments under sections 2011 and 2012 of this title" for "to grant and per diem providers" and "by those facilities and entities" for "by those facilities and providers".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 112–154, §303(b)(1), struck out ", including women who have care of minor dependents" at end.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 112–154, §303(b)(2)–(4), added par. (5).

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 112–154, §303(c), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 112–154, §305(d), which directed amendment of subsec. (c)(1) by substituting "through 2013" for "through 2012", was executed to subsec. (d)(1) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 112–154, §303(c)(1).

2011—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–37 substituted "2012" for "2011".

2006—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 109–461 substituted "Medical Services" for "Medical Care" and "fiscal years 2007 through 2011" for "fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 113–37 effective Oct. 1, 2013, see section 4(a) of Pub. L. 113–37, set out as a note under section 322 of this title.

Pilot Program on Grants for Health Care for Homeless Veterans

Pub. L. 117–328, div. U, title III, §310, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5473, provided that:

"(a) Pilot Program Required.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence carrying out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of awarding grants to eligible entities to meet the health care needs of—

"(1) veterans who are homeless;

"(2) veterans who were previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing; and

"(3) veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless.

"(b) Locations.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.

"(c) Award of Grants.—

"(1) In general.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for the purpose described in subsection (a).

"(2) Eligible entities.—For purposes of this section, an eligible entity is any entity that is providing transitional housing services to veterans as of the date on which the entity applies for a grant under this section.

"(3) Preference.—In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities that are recipients of grants under sections 2012 and 2061 of title 38, United States Code, as of the date on which the entity applies for a grant under this section.

"(4) Equitable distribution; prioritization.—

"(A) Equitable distribution.—The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, grant amounts awarded under paragraph (1) are equitably distributed among eligible entities across geographic regions.

"(B) Prioritization.—In awarding grants under this section, and in compliance with paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary may prioritize eligible entities located—

"(i) in rural communities;

"(ii) on Tribal lands; and

"(iii) in areas where there is a significant population of veterans aged 55 years old and older.

"(5) Intervals of payment and maximum grant amount.—The Secretary may establish intervals of payment for the administration of grants under this section and a maximum grant amount to be awarded, in accordance with the services being provided by staff hired using grant amounts and the duration of such services.

"(d) Use of Grant Amounts.—The recipient of a grant under the pilot program—

"(1) shall use grant amounts for the hiring of appropriately qualified medical staff to care for veterans described in subsection (a) who require assistance with activities of daily living or need consistent medical attention and monitoring; and

"(2) may use such amounts for supplies, administrative support, and infrastructure needs associated with the duties of such staff and the needs of such veterans.

"(e) Requirements for Receipt of Grants.—

"(1) Notification that services are from department.—Each entity receiving a grant under this section shall notify the recipients of services provided pursuant to grant amounts that such services are being paid for, in whole or in part, by the Department.

"(2) Coordination.—An entity receiving a grant under this section shall—

"(A) coordinate with the Secretary with respect to the provision of clinical services to eligible individuals or any other provisions of the law regarding the delivery of health care by the Secretary;

"(B) inform each veteran who receives assistance under this section from the entity of the ability of the veteran to apply for enrollment in the patient enrollment system of the Department under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; and

"(C) if such a veteran wishes to so enroll, inform the veteran of a point of contact at the Department who can assist the veteran in such enrollment.

"(f) Report on Services Provided.—The Secretary shall require each eligible entity awarded a grant under this section to submit to the Secretary a report that describes the services provided or coordinated with amounts under such grant.

"(g) Duration.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program during the five-year period beginning on the date on which the pilot program commences.

"(h) Reports to Congress.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date on which the first grants are awarded under this section, and annually thereafter until the program terminates, 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 effectiveness of the program.

"(2) Elements.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the number of veterans served by the pilot program under the care of a staff member the funding for whom is provided by a grant under the program, disaggregated by—

"(A) geographic location;

"(B) sex;

"(C) age;

"(D) race and ethnicity;

"(E) whether or not a veteran received health care from the Department during the two-year period preceding the date on which the veteran began participating in the program;

"(F) the number of veterans who transitioned into permanent housing as a result of participation in the program;

"(G) with respect to veterans who did not transition into permanent housing as a result of participation in the program, the main reasons for not so transitioning;

"(H) discharge status; and

"(I) eligibility for health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs."

Study of Outcome Effectiveness of Grant Program for Homeless Veterans With Special Needs

Pub. L. 107–95, §7, Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 919, required the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study of the effectiveness during fiscal year 2002 through fiscal year 2004 of the grant program under this section in meeting the needs of homeless veterans with special needs and to submit to Congress a report on the study not later than Mar. 31, 2005.

§2062. Dental care

(a) In General.—For purposes of section 1712(a)(1)(H) of this title, outpatient dental services and treatment of a dental condition or disability of a veteran described in subsection (b) shall be considered to be medically necessary, subject to subsection (c), if—

(1) the dental services and treatment are necessary for the veteran to successfully gain or regain employment;

(2) the dental services and treatment are necessary to alleviate pain; or

(3) the dental services and treatment are necessary for treatment of moderate, severe, or severe and complicated gingival and periodontal pathology.

(b) Eligible Veterans.—Subsection (a) applies to a veteran—

(1) who is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this title; and

(2) who, for a period of 60 consecutive days, is receiving care (directly or by contract) in any of the following settings:

(A) A domiciliary under section 1710 of this title.

(B) A therapeutic residence under section 2032 of this title.

(D) A setting for which the Secretary provides funds for a grant and per diem provider.

(3) For purposes of paragraph (2), in determining whether a veteran has received treatment for a period of 60 consecutive days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the continuity of treatment for which the veteran is not responsible.

(c) Limitation.—Dental benefits provided by reason of this section shall be a one-time course of dental care provided in the same manner as the dental benefits provided to a newly discharged veteran.

(Added Pub. L. 107–95, §5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 913.)

§2063. Employment assistance

The Secretary may authorize homeless veterans receiving care through vocational rehabilitation programs to participate in the compensated work therapy program under section 1718 of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 107–95, §5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 914.)

§2064. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based groups

(a) Grant Program.—The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants to entities or organizations with expertise in preparing grant applications. Under the program, the entities or organizations receiving grants shall provide technical assistance to nonprofit community-based groups with experience in providing assistance to homeless veterans in order to assist such groups in applying for grants under this chapter and other grants relating to addressing problems of homeless veterans.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012 to carry out the program under this section.

(Added Pub. L. 107–95, §5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 914; amended Pub. L. 109–461, title VII, §707, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3440.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–461 amended heading and text of subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "There is authorized to be appropriated $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 activities of the Department during the calendar year preceding the report under programs of the Department under this chapter and other programs of the Department for the provision of assistance to homeless veterans.

(b) General Contents of Report.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) The number of homeless veterans provided 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 effectiveness of the programs of the Department in providing assistance to homeless veterans, including—

(A) residential work-therapy programs;

(B) programs combining outreach, community-based residential treatment, and case-management; and

(4) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of programs established by recipients of grants under section 2011 of this title and a description of the experience of those recipients in applying for and receiving grants from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to serve primarily homeless persons who are veterans.

(5) Information on the efforts of the Secretary 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;

(D) the Department of Justice;

(E) the Department of Labor;

(F) the Interagency Council on Homelessness;

(G) the Social Security Administration; and

(H) any other Federal department or agency 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 addressing health care needs of homeless veterans, the following:

(1) Information about expenditures, costs, and workload under the program of the Department known as the Health Care for Homeless 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 programs.

(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 assessments of the medical needs of homeless veterans conducted under section 2034(b) of this title.

(7) Other information the Secretary considers relevant in assessing those programs.

(d) Benefits Content of Report.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include, with respect to programs and activities of the Veterans Benefits Administration in processing of claims for benefits of homeless veterans during the preceding year, the following:

(1) Information on costs, expenditures, and workload of Veterans Benefits Administration claims evaluators in processing claims for benefits of homeless veterans.

(2) Information on the filing of claims for benefits by homeless veterans.

(3) Information on efforts undertaken to expedite 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 closing 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 Veterans

(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.

(D) Previously homeless veterans.

(E) State veterans affairs officials.

(F) Experts in the treatment of individuals with mental illness.

(G) Experts in the treatment of substance use disorders.

(H) Experts in the development of permanent 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 representative of the Secretary selected after consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment).

(B) The Secretary of Defense (or a representative of the Secretary).

(D) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or a representative of the Secretary).

(E) The Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness (or a representative 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 reappoint any member for additional terms of service.

(B) Members of the Committee shall serve without pay. Members may receive travel expenses, 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 relating to the needs of homeless veterans;

(B) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the Department in assisting homeless veterans; and

(3) The Committee shall—

(A) review the continuum of services provided by the Department directly or by contract in order to define cross-cutting issues and to improve coordination of all services with the Department that are involved in addressing the special needs of homeless veterans;

(B) identify (through the annual assessments under section 2034 of this title and other available resources) gaps in programs of the Department in serving homeless veterans, including identification of geographic areas with unmet needs, and provide recommendations to address those gaps;

(C) identify gaps in existing information systems on homeless veterans, both within and outside the Department, and provide recommendations about redressing problems in data collection;

(D) identify barriers under existing laws and policies to effective coordination by the Department with other Federal agencies and with State and local agencies addressing homeless populations;

(E) identify opportunities for increased liaison by the Department with nongovernmental organizations and individual groups providing services to homeless populations;

(F) with appropriate officials of the Department designated by the Secretary, participate with the Interagency Council on the Homeless under title II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 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 options for veterans who, because of advanced age, frailty, or severe mental illness, may not be appropriate candidates for vocational rehabilitation or independent living; and

(I) perform such other functions as the Secretary 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 activities 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;

(D) such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers appropriate.

(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of the report, together with any comments and recommendations concerning the report that the Secretary considers appropriate.

(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.

(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant 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, 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, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(F), is Pub. L. 100–77, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 482. Title II of the Act is classified generally 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 "September 30, 2026" for "September 30, 2022".

2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–251 substituted "September 30, 2022" for "September 30, 2018".

2017—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted "September 30, 2018" for "December 31, 2017".

2016—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted "December 31, 2017" for "December 31, 2016".

2015—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted "December 31, 2016" for "December 31, 2015".

2014—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–175 substituted "December 31, 2015" for "December 31, 2014".

2013—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–59 substituted "December 31, 2014" for "December 31, 2013".

2012—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–191 substituted "December 31, 2013" for "December 31, 2012".

2011—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–37 substituted "December 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 establish and operate a center to carry out the functions 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 paragraph (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 practices with regard to housing stabilization, income support, employment assistance, community 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 programs of the Department for homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness and to ensure that the staff of the Department and community partners can implement such practices, policies, and programs.

(5) To serve as a resource center for, and promote and seek to coordinate the exchange of information regarding, all research and training 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 administered by the Homeless Programs Office of the Department, the Secretary shall offer the veteran a mental health consultation to assess the health needs of, and care options for, the veteran.

(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.)