Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021”.
Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021
AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for certain Reserve and National Guard duty
Other qualifying duty— Section 3311(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
by striking “(including” each place it appears and inserting “(including other qualifying duty and”;
by striking “(excluding” each place it appears and inserting “(including other qualifying duty but excluding”; and
in paragraph (2), by inserting “or other qualifying duty” after “active duty” both places it appears.
Other qualifying duty defined— Section 3301 of such title is amended—
by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:
“(3) The term other qualifying duty means the following:
“(A) During the period beginning on August 1, 2025, and ending on July 31, 2032, active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces—
“(i) on or after August 1, 2025; or
“(ii) before August 1, 2025, if such individual is a member of the Armed Forces on or after such date.
“(B) On or after August 1, 2032, duty performed before, on, or after such date that is—
“(i) active duty for training performed by a member of the Armed Forces; or
“(ii) inactive duty training performed by a member of the Armed Forces.”
Time limitation for use of entitlement for other qualifying duty— Section 3321 of such title is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph (1), by striking “; or” and inserting a semicolon;
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; or”; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(3) in the case of an individual whose entitlement is based on other qualifying duty performed—
“(A) before August 1, 2025, expires on the latter of—
“(i) the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date of the discharge or release of such individual from the Armed Forces; or
“(ii) August 1, 2040; or
“(B) on or after August 1, 2025, shall not expire.”
in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(6) Individuals subject to two periods—In the case of an individual subject to periods under paragraphs (1) and (3)(A) of subsection (a), the period under such paragraph (3)(A) shall apply to such individual’s entitlement.”
Sec. 3 Modification of certain housing loan fees
Extension— The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking “January 14, 2031” each place it appears and inserting “October 1, 2031”.
IRRRL rate— The item in subparagraph (E) of the loan fee table under such section is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 4 Provision of information to veterans during transition to civilian life
Requirement— In providing information to new veterans regarding benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall ensure that the information includes the following:
A description of the medical care and services for which the veteran will be eligible under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, including with respect to—
community care under section 1703 of such title;
mental health care, including how to access the Veterans Crisis Line established under section 1720F(h) of such title; and
care relating to military sexual trauma (as defined in section 1166 of such title).
Any other information that the Secretary determines appropriate, including information about the services and benefits to which the veteran may be entitled.
Manner— The Secretary shall provide the information under subsection (a) in a manner that promotes the destigmatization of mental health care and encourages veterans to reach out for support.