text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 
  2013''.
  
  SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF INITIAL PERIOD FOR INCREASED DEPENDENCY AND 
                INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES WITH 
                CHILDREN.
  
      Section 1311(f)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
  striking ``two-year'' and inserting ``five-year''.
  
  SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION, HEALTH 
                CARE, AND HOUSING LOANS FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES WHO REMARRY 
                AFTER AGE 55.
  
      Subparagraph (B) of section 103(d)(2) of title 38, United States 
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
      ``(B) The remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a 
  veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph 
  (5) to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran.''.
  
  SEC. 4. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF CERTAIN THAILAND SERVICE VETERANS BORN 
                WITH SPINA BIFIDA.
  
      (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 18 of title 38, United 
  States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
  ``Sec. 1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans 
                born with spina bifida
      ``(a) Benefits Authorized.--The Secretary may provide to any child 
  of a veteran of covered service in Thailand who is suffering from spina 
  bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and 
  monetary allowance required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran 
  who is suffering from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter 
  as if such child of a veteran of covered service in Thailand were a 
  child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under 
  such subchapter.
      ``(b) Spina Bifida Conditions Covered.--This section applies with 
  respect to all forms and manifestations of spina bifida, except spina 
  bifida occulta.
      ``(c) Veteran of Covered Service in Thailand.--For purposes of this 
  section, a veteran of covered service in Thailand is any individual, 
  without regard to the characterization of that individual's service, 
  who--
              ``(1) served in the active military, naval, or air service 
          in Thailand, as determined by the Secretary in consultation 
          with the Secretary of Defense, during the period beginning on 
          January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975; and
              ``(2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with 
          the Secretary of Defense, to have been exposed to a herbicide 
          agent during such service in Thailand.
      ``(d) Herbicide Agent.--For purposes of this section, the term 
  `herbicide agent' means a chemical in a herbicide used in support of 
  United States and allied military operations in Thailand, as determined 
  by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, during 
  the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendments.--
              (1) Subchapter heading.--The heading for subchapter III of 
          chapter 18 of such title is amended by inserting ``AND 
          THAILAND'' after ``KOREA''.
              (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
          beginning of chapter 18 of such title is amended--
                      (A) by striking the item relating to subchapter III 
                  and inserting the following new item:
  
     ``subchapter iii--children of certain korea and thailand service 
                     veterans born with spina bifida'';
  
          and
                      (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                  1821 the following new item:
  
  ``1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born 
                              with spina bifida.''.
  
  SEC. 5. PILOT PROGRAM ON GRIEF COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR 
                SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WHO DIE WHILE SERVING ON 
                ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED FORCES.
  
      (a) Pilot Program Required.--
              (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 180 days after 
          the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
          Veterans Affairs shall carry out, through the Readjustment 
          Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a 
          pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of 
          providing grief counseling services described in subsection (b) 
          in group retreat settings to surviving spouses of veterans who 
          die while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces.
              (2) Participation at election of surviving spouse.--The 
          participation of a surviving spouse in the pilot program under 
          this section shall be at the election of the surviving spouse.
      (b) Covered Services.--The services provided to a surviving spouse 
  under the pilot program shall include the following:
              (1) Information and counseling on coping with grief.
              (2) Information about benefits and services available to 
          surviving spouses under laws administered by the Secretary.
              (3) Such other information and counseling as the Secretary 
          considers appropriate to assist a surviving spouse under the 
          pilot program with adjusting to the death of a spouse.
      (c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at 
  not fewer than six locations as follows:
              (1) Three locations at which surviving spouses with 
          dependent children are encouraged to bring their children.
              (2) Three locations at which surviving spouses with 
          dependent children are not encouraged to bring their children.
      (d) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the 
  two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot 
  program.
      (e) Reports.--
              (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
          completion of the first year of the pilot program and not later 
          than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program, the 
          Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot 
          program.
              (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
          shall contain the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as 
          a result of the pilot program, and shall include such 
          recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot 
          program as the Secretary considers appropriate.
      (f) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``active duty'', 
  ``surviving spouse'', and ``veteran'' have the meanings given such 
  terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
target: Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 - Allows dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) paid through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the surviving spouses of veterans to be increased for months occurring during the five-year (under current law, two-year) period beginning on the date of entitlement. Provides that the remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of VA DIC, health care, educational assistance, and housing loans. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, to any spina bifida-affected child of a veteran who served on active duty in Thailand beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, and was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service, the same health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a similarly-affected child of a Vietnam veteran. Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing grief counseling services for the surviving spouses of veterans who die while serving on active duty.
feat_title: Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013