text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Filipino Veterans Fairness Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN FILIPINO VETERANS FOR DISABILITY 
                PENSION.
  
      (a) Eligibility.--Section 107 of title 38, United States Code, is 
  amended--
              (1) in subsection (a)--
                      (A) in paragraph (3) of the first sentence, by 
                  inserting ``15,'' before ``23,''; and
                      (B) in the second sentence, by striking 
                  ``subsection (c) or (d)'' and inserting ``subsections 
                  (c), (d), and (e)'' ; and
              (2) in subsection (b)--
                      (A) in paragraph (2) of the first sentence, by 
                  inserting ``15,'' before ``23,''; and
                      (B) in the second sentence, by striking 
                  ``subsection (c) or (d)'' and inserting ``subsections 
                  (c), (d), and (e)''.
      (b) Rate of Payment.--That section is further amended by adding at 
  the end the following new subsection:
      ``(e) In the case of benefits under chapter 15 of this title paid 
  by reason of service described in subsection (a) or (b)--
              ``(1) if the benefits are paid to an individual residing in 
          the United States who is a citizen of, or an alien lawfully 
          admitted for permanent residence in, the United States, the 
          second sentence of the applicable subsection shall not apply; 
          and
              ``(2) if the benefits are paid to an individual residing in 
          the Republic of the Philippines, the benefits shall be paid 
          (notwithstanding any other provision of law) at the rate of 
          $100 per month.''.
      (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
  effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to 
  benefits for months beginning on or after that date.
  
  SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.
  
      (a) Eligibility.--Section 107 of title 38, United States Code, as 
  amended by this Act, is further amended--
              (1) in subsection (a)--
                      (A) in paragraph (3) of the first sentence--
                              (i) by striking ``and'' before ``24''; and
                              (ii) by inserting ``, and chapter 31'' 
                          before ``of this title'';
                      (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``and (e)'' 
                  and inserting ``(e), and (f)''; and
              (2) in subsection (b)--
                      (A) in paragraph (2) of the first sentence--
                              (i) by striking ``and'' before ``24''; and
                              (ii) by inserting ``, and chapter 31'' 
                          before ``of this title'';
                      (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``and (e)'' 
                  and inserting ``(e), and (f)''.
      (b) Rate of Payment.--That section is further amended by adding at 
  the end the following new subsection:
      ``(f) In the case of benefits under chapter 31 of this title paid 
  by reason of service described in subsection (a) or (b), if the 
  benefits are paid to an individual residing in the United States who is 
  a citizen of, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in, 
  the United States, the second sentence of the applicable subsection 
  shall not apply.''.
      (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
  effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to 
  benefits for months beginning on or after that date.
  
  SEC. 4. OUTPATIENT HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS RESIDING IN THE 
                PHILIPPINES.
  
      (a) In General.--Subchapter IV of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
  States Code, is amended--
              (1) by redesignating section 1735 as section 1736; and
              (2) by inserting after section 1734 the following new 
          section 1735:
  ``Sec. 1735. Outpatient care and services for World War II veterans 
                residing in the Philippines
      ``(a) Outpatient Health Care.--The Secretary shall furnish care and 
  services to veterans of World War II, Commonwealth Army veterans, and 
  new Philippine Scouts for the treatment of the service-connected 
  disabilities and nonservice-connected disabilities of such veterans and 
  scouts residing in the Republic of the Philippines on an outpatient 
  basis at the Manila VA Outpatient Clinic.
      ``(b) Limitations.--(1) The amount expended by the Secretary for 
  the purpose of subsection (a) in any fiscal year may not exceed 
  $500,000.
      ``(2) The authority of the Secretary to furnish care and services 
  under subsection (a) is effective in any fiscal year only to the extent 
  that appropriations are available for that purpose.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
  chapter 17 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
  section 1735 and inserting the following new items:
  
  ``1735. Outpatient care and services for World War II veterans residing 
                              in the Philippines.
  ``1736. Definitions.''.
  
  SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY FOR HOUSING LOANS.
  
      Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
  adding at the end the following new paragraph:
              ``(6) The term `veteran' also includes an individual who is 
          a Commonwealth Army veteran (as defined in subsection (a) of 
          section 3566 of this title), or a new Philippine Scout (as 
          defined in subsection (b) of such section) who resides in the 
          United States.''.
  
  SEC. 6. EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES AND DEPENDENTS.
  
      (a) Inclusion of Spouses.--Section 3565(a) of title 38, United 
  States Code, is amended to read as follows:
      ``(a) The term `eligible person' as used in section 3501(a)(1) of 
  this title includes the spouse, surviving spouse, and child of a 
  Commonwealth Army veteran or a `New' Philippine Scouts in the same 
  manner as a spouse, surviving spouse, and child of a person who meets 
  the requirements of service-connected disability or death under such 
  section, based on service as defined in section 3566 of this title.''.
      (b) Increase in Rates Payable for Dependents Residing in the United 
  States.--Section 3565(b) of such title is amended--
              (1) by striking ``children'' in the matter preceding 
          paragraph (1) and inserting ``a spouse, surviving spouse, or 
          child'';
              (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
              (3) in paragraph (1) by striking ``, and'' and inserting 
          ``in the case of a spouse, surviving spouse, or child residing 
          in the Philippines,''; and
              (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
          paragraph:
              ``(2) notwithstanding section 3532(d) of this title, 
          educational assistance allowances authorized by section 3532 of 
          this title and the special training allowance authorized by 
          section 3542 of this title shall be paid at the rate of $1.00 
          for each dollar in the case of a spouse, surviving spouse, or 
          child residing in the United States, and''.
  
  SEC. 7. ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS FOR JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND 
                PLACEMENT.
  
      (a) Veterans.--Section 4101(4) of title 38, United States Code, is 
  amended by inserting before the period the following: ``, and includes 
  a Commonwealth Army veteran (as defined in subsection (a) of section 
  3566 of this title), or a new Philippine Scout (as defined in 
  subsection (b) of such section)''.
      (b) Dependents.--Section 4104(5) of such title is amended--
              (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
              (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
          and inserting ``, or'' and
              (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                      ``(D) the spouse or child of a Commonwealth Army 
                  veteran (as defined in subsection (a) of section 3566 
                  of this title), or a new Philippine Scout (as defined 
                  in subsection (b) of such section).''.
  
  SEC. 8. REPRESENTATION ON ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY VETERANS.
  
      Section 544(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
  adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
      ``(D) The Secretary shall ensure that at least one member of the 
  Committee each year is a Commonwealth Army veteran (as defined in 
  subsection (a) of section 3566 of this title), or a new Philippine 
  Scout (as defined in subsection (b) of such section).''.
target: Filipino Veterans Fairness Act - Makes former members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or new Philippine Scouts who served with U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and became U.S. citizens or lawfully resided in the United States eligible for: (1) payment of compensation ($100 per month) for service-connected disability; (2) vocational rehabilitation as well as job counseling, training, and placement; and (3) veterans' housing loans made or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  
  Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish outpatient health care at the Manila Outpatient Clinic in the Republic of the Philippines for such veterans residing in the Philippines.
  
  Makes spouses of such veterans eligible for veterans' educational assistance. Makes the rate of assistance for such spouses and children residing in the United States equal to the rate for the dependents of U.S. veterans. Makes such spouses and dependents eligible for job counseling, training, and placement benefits.
  
  Requires the Secretary to ensure that at least one member of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans is a Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout.
feat_title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II, and for other purposes.