Corporal Yegor Zubarev Veterans Housing, Citizenship, and Mental Health Access Bill

Long Title

An Act to enforce recognition of housing allowances provided under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), as lawful income; to provide priority naturalization processing for non-citizen veterans discharged under honorable conditions; to modernize veteran mental health grant administration; and to fulfill commitments made to those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Short Title

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Corporal Yegor Zubarev Veterans Bill.”

Corporal Yegor Zubarev Veterans Housing, Citizenship, and Mental Health Access Bill

Section 1. Legislative Findings

The Legislature finds that:

1. Veterans who receive housing allowances under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), have earned such benefits through honorable military service. Denial of housing based solely on receipt of such housing allowances undermines fair housing protections and veteran reintegration into civilian life.

2. Non-citizen veterans who completed active military service and were discharged under honorable conditions are entitled to timely naturalization processing pursuant to existing federal law.

3. Community based organizations serving veterans face excessive administrative barriers and delayed reimbursement when accessing mental health grant funding.

4. The provisions contained in this Act do not create new entitlements or increase taxpayer burden. These protections enforce commitments already promised when an individual signed an enlistment contract, stepped onto the yellow footprints at boot camp, and served this country honorably.

5. The United States has a moral and institutional obligation to provide stability, dignity, and administrative fairness to those who have worn its uniform.

Section 2. Recognition of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Housing Allowance as Lawful Source of Income

A. For purposes of housing qualification, rental application review, mortgage underwriting, federally assisted housing eligibility, and fair housing compliance, the monthly housing allowance provided under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, shall constitute lawful and verifiable income.

B. It shall be unlawful for any landlord, property owner, lessor, property manager, real estate broker, mortgage lender, housing provider, or other entity engaged in housing related transactions to:

1. Refuse to rent, lease, sell, or otherwise make available a dwelling to an otherwise qualified applicant solely because such applicant receives income in whole or in part from a housing allowance provided under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code;

2. Impose different terms, conditions, income multipliers, credit standards, or qualification requirements based solely on receipt of such housing allowance;

3. Advertise, publish, or represent that housing allowances under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, will not be accepted as qualifying income.

C. A violation of this section shall constitute a discriminatory housing practice under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) and shall be subject to the same rights, remedies, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms provided therein.

D. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall issue implementing regulations and guidance within 180 days of enactment.

E. This section enforces recognition of benefits already authorized under title 38, United States Code, and does not authorize additional appropriations.

Section 3. Priority Naturalization Processing for Honorably Discharged Veterans

A. Non-citizen veterans who completed active duty service in the Armed Forces of the United States and were discharged under honorable conditions shall receive priority adjudication of naturalization applications pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).

B. The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, shall establish procedures to ensure that naturalization applications filed by eligible veterans are adjudicated within 180 days of filing, absent exceptional circumstances consistent with statutory requirements.

C. This section does not:

1. Create a new immigration classification;

2. Expand substantive eligibility requirements for naturalization; or

3. Alter existing statutory standards under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

D. Nothing in this section shall shield an individual from removal proceedings otherwise authorized under federal law.

E. This section enforces timely processing of eligibility already earned through honorable military service and does not create new immigration benefits.

Section 4. Modernization of Veteran Mental Health Grant Access

A. Federal agencies administering veteran mental health grants shall streamline statistical reporting requirements for nonprofit veteran serving organizations while maintaining appropriate outcome accountability standards.

B. Reimbursement payments for approved grants shall be disbursed within 90 days of submission of required documentation.

C. Agencies shall publish annual public reports detailing grant processing times, approval rates, reimbursement timelines, and compliance benchmarks.

D. This section does not increase grant allocations or authorize additional appropriations. It improves administrative efficiency to ensure timely distribution of already appropriated funds.

Section 5. Definitions

For purposes of this Act:

1. The term “G.I. Bill housing allowance” means the monthly housing stipend provided under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code.

2. The term “veteran” means an individual who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

3. The term “non-citizen veteran” means a veteran who was not a United States citizen at the time of enlistment.

4. The term “housing provider” includes any individual or entity engaged in the rental, leasing, sale, financing, or management of residential property.

Section 6. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.

To sign the bill please click here: https://www.change.org/TheCorporalYegorZubarevVeteransBill