treatment of state homes during public health emergency

treatment of state homes during public health emergency Sec. 20005. (a) Waiver of Occupancy Rate Requirements.— During a public health emergency, occupancy rate requirements for State homes for purposes of receiving per diem payments set forth in section 51.40(c) of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulations, shall not apply. (b) Waiver of Veteran Percentage Requirements.—During a public health emergency, the veteran percentage requirements for State homes set forth in section 51.210(d) of title 38, Code of Regulations, or successor regulations, and in agreements for grants to construct State homes, shall not apply. (c) Provision of Medicine, Equipment, and Supplies.— (1) In general.—During a public health emergency, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide to State homes medicines, personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and any other equipment, supplies, and assistance available to the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Provision of equipment.—Personal protective equipment may be provided under paragraph (1) through the All Hazards Emergency Cache of the Department of Veterans Affairs or any other source available to the Department. (d) Definitions.—In this section: (1) Personal protective equipment.—The term “personal protective equipment” means any protective equipment required to prevent the wearer from contracting COVID-19, including gloves, N-95 respirator masks, gowns, goggles, face shields, or other equipment required for safety. (2) Public health emergency.—The term “public health emergency” means an emergency with respect to COVID-19 declared by a Federal, State, or local authority. (3) State home.—The term “State home” has the meaning given that term in section 101(19) of title 38, United States Code.