text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 
  2015''.
  
  SEC. 2. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE 
                THAT BECOMES PERMANENT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
  
      Section 2012(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
              (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as 
          subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
              (2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
          subparagraph (D)'' and inserting ``in subparagraph (E)'';
              (3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking 
          ``under subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``under subparagraph 
          (C)'';
              (4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ``in 
          subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting ``in subparagraphs 
          (C) and (D)''; and
              (5) in subparagraph (A)--
                      (A) by striking ``The rate'' and inserting ``Except 
                  as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate''; 
                  and
                      (B) by striking ``under subparagraph (B)'' and all 
                  that follows through the end and inserting the 
                  following: ``under subparagraph (C).
      ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may the rate 
  determined under this paragraph exceed the rate authorized for State 
  homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 
  of this title, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under 
  subsection (c) of that section.
      ``(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless veteran who 
  is placed in housing that will become permanent housing for the veteran 
  upon termination of the furnishing of such services to such veteran, 
  the maximum rate of per diem authorized under this section is 150 
  percent of the rate described in clause (i).''.
  
  SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR FURNISHING CARE TO 
                DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN HOMELESS VETERANS.
  
      Subsection (a) of section 2012 of title 38, United States Code, is 
  amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
      ``(4) Services for which a recipient of a grant under section 2011 
  of this title (or an entity described in paragraph (1)) may receive per 
  diem payments under this subsection may include furnishing care for a 
  dependent of a homeless veteran who is under the care of such homeless 
  veteran while such homeless veteran receives services from the grant 
  recipient (or entity).''.
  
  SEC. 4. PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO PROVIDE LEGAL 
                SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS AND VETERANS AT RISK OF 
                HOMELESSNESS.
  
      (a) In General.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is 
  amended by inserting after section 2022 the following new section:
  ``Sec. 2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide 
                legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk 
                of homelessness
      ``(a) Partnerships Authorized.--Subject to the availability of 
  funds for that purpose, the Secretary may enter into partnerships with 
  public or private entities to fund a portion of the general legal 
  services specified in subsection (c) that are provided by such entities 
  to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness.
      ``(b) Locations.--The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent 
  practicable, partnerships under this section are made with entities 
  equitably distributed across the geographic regions of the United 
  States, including rural communities and tribal lands.
      ``(c) Legal Services.--Legal services specified in this subsection 
  include legal services provided by public or private entities that 
  address the needs of homeless veterans and veterans at risk of 
  homelessness as follows:
              ``(1) Legal services related to housing, including eviction 
          defense and representation in landlord-tenant cases.
              ``(2) Legal services related to family law, including 
          assistance in court proceedings for child support, divorce, and 
          estate planning.
              ``(3) Legal services related to income support, including 
          assistance in obtaining public benefits.
              ``(4) Legal services related to criminal defense, including 
          defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness, such as 
          outstanding warrants, fines, and driver's license revocation, 
          to reduce recidivism and facilitate the overcoming of reentry 
          obstacles in employment or housing.
      ``(d) Consultation.--In developing and carrying out partnerships 
  under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, 
  consult with public and private entities--
              ``(1) for assistance in identifying and contacting 
          organizations described in subsection (c); and
              ``(2) to coordinate appropriate outreach relationships with 
          such organizations.
      ``(e) Reports.--The Secretary may require entities that have 
  entered into partnerships under this section to submit to the Secretary 
  periodic reports on legal services provided to homeless veterans and 
  veterans at risk of homelessness pursuant to such partnerships.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
  chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding after the item relating 
  to section 2022 the following new item:
  
  ``2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal 
                              services to homeless veterans and veterans 
                              at risk of homelessness.''.
  
  SEC. 5. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AUTHORITY TO 
                PROVIDE DENTAL CARE TO HOMELESS VETERANS.
  
      Subsection (b) of section 2062 of title 38, United States Code, is 
  amended to read as follows:
      ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--(1) Subsection (a) applies to a veteran 
  who--
              ``(A) is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this 
          title; and
              ``(B) for a period of 60 consecutive days, is receiving--
                      ``(i) assistance under section 8(o) of the United 
                  States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)); or
                      ``(ii) care (directly or by contract) in any of the 
                  following settings:
                              ``(I) A domiciliary under section 1710 of 
                          this title.
                              ``(II) A therapeutic residence under 
                          section 2032 of this title.
                              ``(III) Community residential care 
                          coordinated by the Secretary under section 1730 
                          of this title.
                              ``(IV) A setting for which the Secretary 
                          provides funds for a grant and per diem 
                          provider.
      ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), in determining whether a 
  veteran has received assistance or care for a period of 60 consecutive 
  days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the continuity of 
  assistance or care for which the veteran is not responsible.''.
  
  SEC. 6. REPEAL OF SUNSET ON AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT PROGRAM OF REFERRAL 
                AND COUNSELING SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK FOR 
                HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN 
                INSTITUTIONS.
  
      Section 2023 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
              (1) by striking subsection (d); and
              (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).
  
  SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE 
                SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN 
                PERMANENT HOUSING.
  
      (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 2044(e) of title 38, 
  United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
  subparagraph (F):
              ``(F) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.''.
      (b) Training Entities for Provision of Supportive Services.--
  Paragraph (3) of such section is amended by inserting ``and 2015'' 
  after ``through 2012''.
  
  SEC. 8. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSESS 
                COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
  
      (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
  enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assess 
  and measure the capacity of programs for which entities receive grants 
  under section 2011 of title 38, United States Code, or per diem 
  payments under section 2012 or 2061 of such title.
      (b) Assessment at National and Local Levels.--In assessing and 
  measuring under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and use 
  tools to examine the capacity of programs described in such subsection 
  at both the national and local level in order to assess the following:
              (1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs of 
          homeless veterans in each geographic area.
              (2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the 
          subpopulations of homeless veterans located in each geographic 
          area.
              (3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under 
          sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 2012 
          of such title have to provide services for which the recipients 
          are eligible to receive per diem under section 
          2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
          section 3(5)(B).
      (c) Use of Information.--The Secretary shall use the information 
  collected under this section as follows:
              (1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described 
          in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of homeless 
          veterans.
              (2) To assess whether programs described in subsection (a) 
          are meeting goals set under paragraph (1).
              (3) To inform funding allocations for programs described in 
          subsection (a).
              (4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to 
          programs described in subsection (a).
      (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
  assessment required by subsection (b) is completed, 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 such assessment and such recommendations for legislative and 
  administrative action as the Secretary may have to improve the programs 
  and per diem payments described in subsection (a).
  
  SEC. 9. REQUIREMENT FOR COMPTROLLER GENERAL TO STUDY DEPARTMENT OF 
                VETERANS AFFAIRS HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAMS.
  
      (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
  enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
  shall complete a study of programs of the Department of Veterans 
  Affairs that provide assistance to homeless veterans.
      (b) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall include 
  the following:
              (1) An assessment of whether programs described in 
          subsection (a) are meeting the needs of veterans who are 
          eligible for assistance provided by such programs.
              (2) A review of recent efforts of the Secretary of Veterans 
          Affairs to improve the privacy, safety, and security of female 
          veterans receiving assistance from such programs.
  
  SEC. 10. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORTS ON ASSISTANCE TO 
                HOMELESS VETERANS.
  
      (a) In General.--Section 2065 of title 38, United States Code, is 
  hereby repealed.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
  chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
  section 2065.
target: Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015  Increases the per diem payment for transitional housing assistance for homeless veterans who are placed in housing that will become permanent upon the termination of such assistance to a maximum of 150% of the per diem rate authorized for veterans receiving domiciliary care in state homes. Allows services for which a homeless veteran receives a grant under the comprehensive service programs to include furnishing care for a dependent. Authorizes the the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into partnerships with public or private entities to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. Revises VA authority to provide dental care to veterans receiving certain other assistance through the VA to include those veterans receiving assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Repeals the September 30, 2013, sunset on the authority of the VA and the Department of Labor to carry out a program of referral and counseling for veterans who are at risk of homelessness and are transitioning from certain institutions, including penal institutions.  Extends supportive services assistance for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. Directs the VA to: (1) assess and measure the capacity of programs for which entities receive grants or per diem payments to assist homeless veterans, and (2) use such information to ensure that such programs effectively serve the needs of such veterans. Requires a VA report on activities under such programs. (Current law requires annual reports.) Requires a Comptroller General study of VA assistance to homeless veterans. Repeals the requirement for annual VA reports on assistance to homeless veterans.
feat_title: Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015