Sponsors
Last progress June 10, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 10, 2025 by Maxine Dexter
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Expands who counts as a “veteran” and as members of the “uniformed services” for purposes of Veterans Affairs homelessness assistance, broadening eligibility for those benefits. It also removes one existing statutory subsection and makes two technical, conforming edits elsewhere in Title 38 so other VA provisions use the revised definitions.
Amend Section 2002(a) of Title 38 by adding a new paragraph (3) that says the term “veteran” includes a person who was discharged or released from a period of service as a member of the uniformed services under conditions other than (i) dishonorable, or (ii) by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial; and that the term includes such a person regardless of (i) the length of that period of service; (ii) whether the person was a member of an active or reserve component; (iii) whether the service was active duty; (iv) whether the person currently serves as a member of the uniformed services; and (v) whether the person was discharged or released from another period of service under conditions described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
Amend Section 2002(a) of Title 38 by adding a new paragraph (4) that defines “uniformed services” to have the meaning given that term in 10 U.S.C. §101.
Amend Section 2002 of Title 38 by striking subsection (b).
Conforming amendment to 38 U.S.C. §106(b): the section is amended in the matter following paragraph (3) by inserting after [text not specified in the excerpt]. (Text in the provided section shows the insertion instruction but does not include the inserted text.)
Conforming amendment to 38 U.S.C. §5303A(b)(3)(F): strike the phrase “section 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, or 2061” and insert the phrase “chapter 20.”
Primary impacts fall on individuals with military service and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Individuals: People whose past service previously fell outside the statutory definitions may now qualify for VA homelessness assistance — including prevention services, housing support, outreach, and other benefits tied to the statutory definition. This could include certain reserve, Guard, or other categories of service members depending on the exact revised wording. VA operations: The VA will need to update eligibility determinations, guidance, record systems, outreach materials, and staff training. That can raise administrative costs and processing time. Budget: The statutory change itself does not appropriate funds; any increased caseloads would be covered through existing VA budgets or future appropriations. Providers and communities: Veterans service organizations and local providers that assist homeless veterans may see increases in referrals and demand. Legal/regulatory: VA will interpret and operationalize the new definitions, which could produce clarifications or follow-up guidance. Overall, this is a targeted eligibility expansion (not a new entitlement program), with likely modest to moderate downstream fiscal and administrative effects depending on how many additional people become eligible and on subsequent appropriations decisions.