Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act · Introduced in House (2025-03-14)

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: .

(b) Limitation on eligibility for caregivers entitled to Medicare

Subsection (d) of such section is amended—
- by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
  - 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.
- by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:

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
  - 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:
    - Reimbursement of fees associated with certifications or relicensure necessary for such employment.
    - For purposes of gaining credit for continuing professional education requirements, access to training modules of the Department at no cost.
    - 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.
  - An individual described in paragraph (1) shall have access to assistance described in such paragraph—
    - while participating in the program established under subsection (a)(1); and
    - 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.
  - 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—
- in subclause (V), by striking and inserting a semicolon;
- in subclause (VI)—
  - in the matter preceding item (aa), by inserting after ;
  - in item (aa), by inserting after ; and
  - in item (bb), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
  - 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.
- by adding at the end the following new subclause:

Subclause (VI) of such subsection is further amended—
- in item (aa), by striking and inserting a semicolon;
- in item (bb), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
  - 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.

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—

establishing an individual retirement plan (as defined in of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or similar retirement plan; or section 7701(a)(37)
permitting such individuals to join an already established pathway to retirement savings.

H.R. 2148

Table of contents

SEC. 1. Short title

SEC. 2. Extension of period of medical care coverage for caregivers designated as primary providers of personal care services for veterans

SEC. 3. Employment and other benefits for caregivers designated as primary providers of personal care services for veterans

SEC. 4. Comptroller General report on efforts of Department of Veterans Affairs in supporting family caregivers transitioning away from caregiving

SEC. 5. Report on feasibility and advisability of establishing a retirement plan or retirement savings for family caregivers of certain veterans