To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide specially adapted housing assistance to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities due to the loss, or loss of use of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at and below the elbows.

June 26, 2003

Mr. MICHAUD (for himself and Mr. EVANS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide specially adapted housing assistance to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities due to the loss, or loss of use of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at and below the elbows.

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 `Veterans Adapted Housing Expansion Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING TO CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

The text of section 2101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

`(a) ACQUISTION OF HOUSING WITH SPECIAL FEATURES- (1) Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may assist a disabled veteran described in paragraph (2) in acquiring a suitable housing unit with special fixtures or movable facilities made necessary by the nature of the veteran's disability, and necessary land therefor.

`(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this title for a permanent and total service-connected disability that meets any of the following criteria:

`(A) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

`(B) The disabilty is due to--

`(i) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus

`(ii) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.

`(C) The disability is due to the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with--

`(i) residuals of organic disease or injury; or

`(ii) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity,

which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

`(D) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at and below the elbows.

`(3) The regulations prescribed under subsection (c) shall require that assistance under paragraph (1) may be provided to a veteran only if the Secretary finds that--

`(A) it is medically feasible for the veteran to reside in the proposed housing unit and in the proposed locality;

`(B) the proposed housing unit bears a proper relation to the veteran's present and anticipated income and expenses; and

`(C) the nature and condition of the proposed housing unit are such as to be suitable to the veteran's needs for dwelling purposes.

`(b) ADAPTATIONS TO RESIDENCE OF VETERAN- (1) Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall assist any disabled veteran described in paragraph (2) (other than a veteran who is eligible for assistance under subsection (a))--

`(A) in acquiring such adaptations to such veteran's residence as are determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary because of such disability; or

`(B) in acquiring a residence already adapted with special features determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary for the veteran because of such disability.

`(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this title for a permanent and total service-connected disability that meets either of the following criteria:

`(A) The disability is due to blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less.

`(B) The disability includes the anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.

`(3) Assistance under paragraph (1) may be provided only to a veteran who the Secretary determines--

`(A) is residing in and reasonably intends to continue residing in a residence owned by such veteran or by a member of such veteran's family; or

`(B) if the veteran's residence is to be constructed or purchased, will be residing in and reasonably intends to continue residing in a residence owned by such veteran or by a member of such veteran's family.

`(c) REGULATIONS- Assistance under this section shall be provided in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescirbe.'.

END