article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Housing Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS FOR TOTALLY DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES BEFORE DISCHARGE OR RELEASE FROM THE ARMED FORCES. Section 1717 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(d)(1) In the case of a member of the Armed Forces who, as determined by the Secretary, has a total disability permanent in nature incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service, the Secretary may furnish improvements and structural alterations for such member for such disability or as otherwise described in subsection (a)(2) while such member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment for such disability if the Secretary determines that such member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability. ``(2) The furnishing of improvements and alterations under paragraph (1) in connection with the furnishing of medical services described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(2) shall be subject to the limitation specified in the applicable subparagraph.''. SEC. 3. SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS WITH SEVERE BURNS. Section 2101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(E) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary).''; and (2) in subsection (b)(2)-- (A) by striking ``either'' and inserting ``any''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(C) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as so determined).''. SEC. 4. REPORT ON SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS. (a) In General.--Not later than December 31, 2007, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that contains an assessment of the adequacy of the authorities available to the Secretary under law to assist disabled veterans in acquiring-- (1) suitable housing units with special fixtures or movable facilities required for their disabilities, and necessary land therefor; (2) such adaptations to their residences as are reasonably necessary because of their disabilities; or (3) residences already adapted with special features determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary as a result of their disabilities. (b) Focus on Particular Disabilities.--The report required by subsection (a) shall pay particular attention to the needs of veterans who have disabilities that are not described in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) of section 2101 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY OF DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH SEVERE BURN INJURIES FOR AUTOMOBILES AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT. Section 3901(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (A)-- (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``or (iii)'' and inserting ``(iii), or (iv)''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new clause: ``(iv) A severe burn injury (as determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary); or''; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or (iii)'' and inserting ``(iii), or (iv)''. SEC. 6. ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES RESIDING TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER. (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``In the case''; (2) by striking ``disabled veteran who is described in subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of section 2101 of this title and'' and inserting ``person described in paragraph (2)''; (3) by striking ``such veteran's'' and inserting ``the person's''; (4) by striking ``the veteran'' and inserting ``the person''; (5) by striking ``the veteran's'' and inserting ``the person's''; and (6) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(2) A person described in this paragraph is-- ``(A) a veteran who is described in subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of section 2101 of this title; or ``(B) a member of the Armed Forces who-- ``(i) has, as determined by the Secretary, a disability permanent in nature described in subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of section 2101 of this title that has incurred in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service; ``(ii) is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment for such disability; and ``(iii) is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability.''. (b) Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further amended-- (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``veteran'' both places it appears and inserting ``person with a disability''; and (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``veteran'' and inserting ``person''. (c) Report on Assistance for Disabled Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces Who Reside in Housing Owned by Family Member on Permanent Basis.--Not later than December 31, 2007, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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 the advisability of providing assistance under section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, to veterans and members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a) of such section, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, who reside with family members on a permanent basis.
summary: Veterans' Housing Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces determined to have a total disability permanent in nature which was incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty, to furnish home improvements and structural alterations for the member for the disability while the member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient care, medical services, or treatment, if the Secretary determines that the member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability. Authorizes the provision of specially adapted housing assistance for: (1) disabled veterans whose disability is due to a severe burn injury; and (2) disabled members residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member. Makes veterans and members with a severe burn disability eligible for automobile and automotive adaptive equipment assistance.