109 HR 3082 RH: Amend the title so as to read:
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-07-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Veterans Small Business and Memorial Affairs Act of 2006
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Title I—Small Business
Sec. 101. Department of Veterans Affairs goals for participation by small businesses owned and controlled by veterans in procurement contracts.
Sec. 102. Department of Veterans Affairs contracting priority for veteran-owned small businesses.
Sec. 103. Effective date.
Title II—Memorial Affairs
Sec. 201. Eligibility of Indian tribal organizations for grants for the establishment of veterans cemeteries on trust lands.
Sec. 202. Repeal of expiration and expanded application of Department of Veterans Affairs benefit for Government markers or headstones for marked graves of veterans buried in private cemeteries.
Sec. 203. Provision of Government memorial headstones or markers and memorial inscriptions for deceased dependent children of veterans whose remains are unavailable for burial.
Title III—Veterans’ Employment and Training
Sec. 301. Professional qualifications for disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives.
Sec. 302. Rules for part-time employment for disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives.
Sec. 303. State licensing and certification programs for veterans.
Sec. 304. Training of new disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives by NVTI required.
Sec. 305. Matters for inclusion in annual report on VETS program.
Sec. 306. Demonstration project on contracting for placement of certain disabled veterans.
Sec. 307. Performance incentive awards for employment service offices.
Sec. 308. Department of Labor implementation of priority of service for veterans requirement.
Sec. 309. Demonstration project on credentialing and licensure of veterans.
Title IV—Education
Sec. 401. Exception for institutions offering Government-sponsored nonaccredited courses to requirement of refunding unused tuition.
Sec. 402. Extension of work-study allowance.
Sec. 403. Report on improvement in administration of educational assistance benefits.
Sec. 404. Restoration of lost entitlement for individuals who had to discontinue a course of education because of being ordered to full-time National Guard duty.
Sec. 405. Technical amendments.
<enum>I</enum><header>Small Business</header>
<section id="H1B6DEFE8D7D34C43B3B79FFE594485E7"><enum>101.</enum><header>Department of Veterans Affairs goals for participation by small businesses owned and controlled by veterans in procurement contracts</header>
<subsection id="HB9A1000022604D9CA72F838BA94760AC" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/81">chapter 81</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HB9801CCB2E4B49E4AF03C7CEE24C988C" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<section id="H680615FED9AE4A318EC2C086EDDD1B58"><enum>8127.</enum><header>Small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans; Department contracting goals and preferences</header>
<subsection id="H601E857CCF434389ADB1EB2B9CF32CAA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Contracting goals</header>
<paragraph id="H95D95648CCDA4BD3A43F655533D20031" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In order to increase contracting opportunities for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities, the Secretary shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6774755BABCF4602B5D570A4B1CB916B" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish a goal for each fiscal year for participation in Department contracts (including subcontracts) by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans who are not veterans with service-connected disabilities in accordance with paragraph (2); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H740E2B9483F546D9B17EEF242F22F93" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>establish a goal for each fiscal year for participation in Department contracts (including subcontracts) by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities in accordance with paragraph (3).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF2979C567C3348DAA8CDDD5494766C2C" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The goal for a fiscal year for participation under paragraph (1)(A) shall be determined by the Secretary.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEEA53E5995044BFE8E2E1224A0F044FB" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The goal for a fiscal year for participation under paragraph (1)(B) shall be not less than the Government-wide goal for that fiscal year for participation by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities under section 15(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/644">15 U.S.C. 644(g)(1)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6DFA1BA8690B407D9939E206016BD9CB" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The annual performance review of the senior official of each Administration of the Department and each Assistant Secretary of the Department with procurement authority shall include an assessment of whether or not that official or Assistant Secretary met the contracting goals established pursuant to this subsection during the year for which the performance review is conducted with respect to contracts awarded during that year for which that official or Assistant Secretary had responsibility. If the official or Assistant Secretary is found not to have met such contracting goals, the official or Assistant Secretary shall not receive an award known as a performance award or an award known as a presidential rank award for that year.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3D3A9CD83979436EAFEB6068E831BD6" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>In the case of a subcontract of a Department contract that is counted for purposes of meeting a goal established pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall conduct a review of the contract and subcontract to verify that the subcontract was actually awarded to a business concern that may be counted for purposes of meeting that goal.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0699171D9D8C4E4AB261495661CF0061" indent="up1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The Secretary shall maintain a list based on the reviews conducted under paragraph (5) that contains the name of the contractor associated with each contract reviewed under that paragraph and whether each subcontract awarded by the contractor that is counted for purposes of meeting a goal established pursuant to this section was actually awarded to and performed by a business concern that may be counted for purposes of meeting that goal. The Secretary shall make such list publicly available.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H32189592FE07465AAE959E0046EE9791"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of noncompetitive procedures for certain small contracts</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of meeting the goals under subsection (a), and in accordance with this section, in entering into a contract with a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans for an amount less than the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in section 4 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/41/403">41 U.S.C. 403</external-xref>)), a contracting officer of the Department may use procedures other than competitive procedures.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HBC96A6EB18B14F5FBF00A0945078BF94"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Sole source contracts for contracts above simplified acquisition threshold</header><text>For purposes of meeting the goals under subsection (a), and in accordance with this section, a contracting officer of the Department may award a contract to a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans using procedures other than competitive procedures if—</text>
<paragraph id="HD1BA581047DE4B5CA8B8B1F537C7D15"><enum>(1)</enum><text>such concern is determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance of such contract opportunity;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8F8872890DCC438FBDBBCEDDDE131439"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in section 4 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/41/403">41 U.S.C. 403</external-xref>)) but will not exceed $5,000,000; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB82A26A023FA4850A27279EC75451C6B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in the estimation of the contracting officer, the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC19DF5D14AAB448C86B5BA78624DB416"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of restricted competition</header><text>Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), for purposes of meeting the goals under subsection (a), and in accordance with this section, a contracting officer of the Department shall award contracts on the basis of competition restricted to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans if the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCD495A1CB06E4EC8845906D1DFDBF89C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Eligibility of small business concerns</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A small business concern may be awarded a contract under this section only if the small business concern and the veteran owner of the small business concern are listed in the database of veteran-owned businesses maintained by the Secretary under subsection (f).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H83F11B79E7614952815CD1F5A7005B00"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Database of veteran-owned businesses</header>
<paragraph id="H03B1D8FF26A44FE6A2F179FC39C2168D" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Subject to paragraphs (2) through (6), the Secretary shall maintain a database of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and the veteran owners of such business concerns.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H948999E27B3A4A9F00C3E86B003427AB" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To be eligible for inclusion in the database, such a veteran shall submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require with respect to the small business concern or the veteran.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3F0D27F97EEE47BD869182B3F1F6278C" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Information maintained in the database shall be submitted on a voluntary basis by such veterans.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA6E95B7F08184D52A3A078A8D890224F" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>In maintaining the database, the Secretary shall carry out at least the following two verification functions:</text>
<subparagraph id="H9560C8AA76BC485797A04FE51605A895"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Verification that each small business concern listed in the database is owned and controlled by veterans.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCC3AEC6637E04174A914AC82C107FC9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In the case of a veteran who indicates a service-connected disability, verification of the service-disabled status of such veteran.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H74DB0876E0F94B69BB037DFD4B62FDF" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Secretary shall make the database available to all Federal departments and agencies and notify each such department and agency of the availability of the database.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9A02C6648C494BD4BB26E0CD54CC8DDC" indent="up1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>If the Secretary determines that the public dissemination of certain types of information maintained in the database is inappropriate, the Secretary shall take such steps as are necessary to maintain such types of information in a secure and confidential manner.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H266350B3094B4AA89C4C48F8F585C8CE" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Enforcement penalties for misrepresentation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any small business concern that is determined by the Secretary to have misrepresented the status of that concern as a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans or as a small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans for purposes of this subsection shall be debarred from contracting with the Department for a period of five years.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H62013BE38B0C49708FF3E847BC003949"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Treatment of businesses after death of veteran-owner</header>
<paragraph id="H8ED76262E3344CB3BF99C3D816C2C753" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>If the death of a veteran causes a small business concern to be less than 51 percent owned by one or more veterans, the surviving spouse of such veteran who acquires ownership rights in such small business concern shall, for the period described in paragraph (2), be treated as if the surviving spouse were that veteran for the purpose of maintaining the status of the small business concern as a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H854C77C426864D6DB493903E31E2F583" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The period referred to in paragraph (1) is the period beginning on the date on which the veteran dies and ending on the earliest of the following dates:</text>
<subparagraph id="H383B54E619D34A44B76DCCEB577407D2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The date on which the surviving spouse remarries.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4671B1C84F434BCAB9F57336485BFCF7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The date on which the surviving spouse relinquishes an ownership interest in the small business concern.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H46763281750E4DD0B9C816B8C6A4E500"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The date that is ten years after the date of the veteran’s death.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H86E47CBC9E794DD49827158435A94198" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The death of a veteran-owner of a small business concern or a surviving spouse of such a veteran-owner who acquires ownership rights in such concern shall not be cause for termination of a contract awarded under this section that is in effect at the time of death of such owner or surviving spouse.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5A33E60084EB4A5497DEEF3D59C32E5E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Change in ownership or control</header>
<paragraph id="H95A552214EBC4A209C702646F38B70F9" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Except as provided in subsection (h), if a small business concern that is awarded a contract under this section undergoes a change in management or control during the period for which the contract is in effect such that it is no longer a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans, the Secretary shall end the contract on the date on which the performance of the term of the contract is complete.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H56E259E66BF14AD6B0E09C52BFD756C0" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Such a contract that contains an option or options to extend the contract may be extended for a total of not more than 1 year pursuant to any such option.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD0E52723E9BE4804B996EF9BF2F98970" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Priority for contracting preferences</header><text>Preferences for awarding contracts to small business concerns shall be applied in the following order of priority:</text>
<paragraph id="H9C1403B723994ACD00E283437C41486C"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contracts awarded pursuant to subsection (b), (c), or (d) to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD272945C508E4D969F8300718C7E74D5"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Contracts awarded pursuant to subsection (b), (c), or (d) to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans that are not covered by subparagraph (A).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6950C3D86DEE4776B31FF7A167005C20"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Contracts awarded pursuant to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H534D043931234497AF57A7A4C1EEC653"><enum>(A)</enum><text>section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/637">15 U.S.C. 637(a)</external-xref>); or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDE26DCC1DE1A4A19A13971A97E44E9D6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>section 31 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/657a">15 U.S.C. 657a</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H762346091E37459983DB16E8EE018B69" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Contracts awarded pursuant to any other small business contracting preference.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HDD0679ED06E24C5B9605F7C9CF2159C8"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Quarterly reports</header><text>Not later than 60 days after the last day of a fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on small business contracting during that fiscal quarter, which shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H02F86E4AFD9C4CDDA15615AC99ADEE10"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The percentage of the total amount of all contracts awarded by the Department during that fiscal quarter that were awarded to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA37ECDC6F548459D81C127303733AEC5"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The percentage of the total amount of all such contracts awarded to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H553B77BECB034145B6702FC2D148C451"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The percentage of the total amount of all contracts awarded by each Administration of the Department during that fiscal quarter that were awarded to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7C9F9D43F45F43B88CF3BFA6ACDCD548"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The percentage of the total amount of all contracts awarded by each such Administration during that fiscal quarter that were awarded to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2E0E110B56D242CDA0279400736939CB"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text>
<paragraph id="H90F8C3B626C2429582E2A5156A3B865"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <quote>small business concern</quote> has the meaning given that term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/632">15 U.S.C. 632</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H359BE8750745401F812279DCC044793"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <quote>small business concern owned and controlled by veterans</quote> means a small business concern—</text>
<subparagraph id="H43E2D5D1D8174C6C8C726DCFE6000099"><enum>(A)</enum>
<clause id="HC3E635A4528E44D1BE6606E7436CA27B" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><text>not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans or, in the case of a publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HF40A98295A18452DAB9FD46F1904B282" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans; or</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA7EBB2F86BEF4316848220A14884D5EF"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans with service-connected disabilities that are permanent and total who are unable to manage the daily business operations of such concern or, in the case of a publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more such veterans.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H73B7961CA2F1469CA628D8F4071824BF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transition rule</header><text>A small business concern that is listed in any small business database maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be presumed to be eligible for inclusion in the database under subsection (f) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/8127">section 8127</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. Such a small business concern may be removed from the database during that period if it is found not to be a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans (as defined in subsection (l) of such section).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H01F7B3CA68F449FF8DF0BAC61828A199"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Comptroller General report and study</header>
<paragraph id="H90A2F451A89A4B11AA3E007099DC7769" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>During the first three fiscal years for which this section is in effect, the Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the efforts made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to meet the contracting goals established pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/8127">section 8127</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB3ACF66F562B4E6EBCCCB59194327B46" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>On January 31 of each year during which the Comptroller General conducts the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress an interim report on such study, placing special emphasis on any structural or organizational issues within the Department of Veterans Affairs that might act as an impediment to reaching such contracting goals.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEDA8C66D5DA042C88FC4B490AD53F3B" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Not later than 90 days after the end of the three-year period during which the Comptroller General conducts the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of such study.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H905334FDAD2E444F955FA7D8FB496F6E" indent="up1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8126 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HBBA9F735648B49A2AED552007254839F" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">8127. Small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans; Department contracting goals and preferences.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="HADA37ADD321246C39F4ED38850E600C7" commented="no"><enum>102.</enum><header>Department of Veterans Affairs contracting priority for veteran-owned small businesses</header>
<subsection id="H1D4FB9013F8148F4A7282D89EB77A779" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Priority for veteran-owned small businesses</header><text>Subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/81">chapter 81</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 101(a), is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HAD1441B2C18C4B0EB5E3F9313E883915" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<section id="HD247C0CDA855476E85BAC27CE3A752BC"><enum>8128.</enum><header>Contracting priority for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans</header>
<subsection id="H7626C7161F6F4DB781D6E93FF0B5C883"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In procuring goods and services pursuant to a contracting preference under this title or any other provision of law, the Secretary shall give priority to a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans, if such business concern also meets the requirements of that contracting preference.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HC1E40083C53F4089B39D38C600D34D73"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>The term <quote>small business concern owned and controlled by veterans</quote> means a small business concern that is on the list maintained by the Secretary under section 8127(f) of this title.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H4984E49D2F054BBE93B879167FA457D6" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 101, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8127 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6072A4C989CF465481EF094442EB668E">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">8128. Contracting priority for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="HD788B3056358449C86F3EE68006F7574"><enum>103.</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Memorial Affairs</header>
<section id="H8ACA5466891A4852B6F9B600EAE89C34"><enum>201.</enum><header>Eligibility of Indian tribal organizations for grants for the establishment of veterans cemeteries on trust lands</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2408">Section 2408</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block id="HA0EF56EDFD5B4FB69963D346FB7C5E7E">
<subsection id="H5AF348545849433A9F215F10BE477400"><enum>(f)</enum>
<paragraph display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HAFB0CE44E9594D5FA0AD8C431F65202F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to any tribal organization to assist the tribal organization in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans’ cemeteries on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, the tribal organization.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph indent="up1" id="H2F1CD66FD511421286D8275880B3B657"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Grants under this subsection shall be made in the same manner, and under the same conditions, as grants to States are made under the preceding provisions of this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph indent="up1" id="H768D00C7E7344FEC87D74504477D29B2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In this subsection:</text>
<subparagraph id="H7B240DFDA0DB4F3881E7363E198DAEF6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The term <term>tribal organization</term> has the meaning given that term in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3765">section 3765(4)</external-xref> of this title.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBF6F098A23894844B193809FDD35EB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The term <term>trust land</term> has the meaning given that term in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3765">section 3765(1)</external-xref> of this title.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<section id="H90309A39EBAA45B3BCEC20BDB1CA8C44"><enum>202.</enum><header>Repeal of expiration and expanded application of Department of Veterans Affairs benefit for Government markers or headstones for marked graves of veterans buried in private cemeteries</header>
<subsection id="H071D77386BD342C2B1A10000F411744B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repeal of expiration of Government marker benefit and obsolete provision</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2306">Section 2306(d)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and (4). </text></subsection>
<subsection id="HDE817F17140343E6A1B0164D46741E1E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application of Government marker benefit to veterans dying on or after November 1, 1990</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (d) of section 502 of the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/107/103">Public Law 107–103</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2306">38 U.S.C. 2306</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>September 11, 2001</quote> and inserting <quote>November 1, 1990</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H845858DB1E654C589860FBEBBDB99201"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Provision of Government headstones</header>
<paragraph id="H83AF90F262DA493A8368F0890060E4F8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Provision of headstones</header><text>Subsection (d) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2306">section 2306</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1460348CDB71472D942F2E9079E223D6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text>
<clause id="HA306071886E9448FA97B41CC29A22D0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the first sentence, by inserting <quote>headstone or</quote> after <quote>Government</quote>; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H0EED2AA7DCDF447E965851524B6E0061"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the second sentence, by inserting <quote>headstone or</quote> before <quote>marker</quote> each place it appears; and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4E3DA1A43CAA48119BE146846257DE13"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by inserting <quote>headstone or</quote> before <quote>marker</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEC265D41BE8A48FF97F387466789EDA1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Subsection (g)(3) of such section is amended by inserting <quote>headstone or</quote> before <quote>marker</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF97255DE3C3B499E90D3B99AD6C8444"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Placement of Government headstones or markers</header><text>Subsection (d)(1) of such section, as amended by subsection (c), is further amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: <quote>If placing the Government headstone or marker on the grave for which it is requested is impossible or impracticable, a headstone or marker may be furnished if the individual making the request for the headstone or marker certifies to the Secretary that the headstone or marker will be placed within the grounds of the cemetery in which the grave for which the headstone or marker is requested and as close as possible or practicable to that grave.</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H7EBC1D6B19AD46A19EAE5B03A7E826"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Delivery of Government headstones or markers</header><text>Subsection (d)(2) of such section, as amended by subsection (c), is further amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: <quote>or to a receiving agent of that cemetery</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H849F25B5E9D74DF5BCB75E9D5372A483"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Selection of Government headstones and markers</header><text>Subsection (d) of such section, as amended by subsections (a), (c), (d), and (e), is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph (3):</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HFDDB39D140D2499B9199F71DE55C6C34" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<paragraph id="HC7D78D8D1BB64E79A3D6DC1EB59CAE22" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The headstone or marker furnished under this subsection shall be the headstone or marker selected by the individual making the request for the headstone or marker from among all the headstones and markers made available by the Government and certified as acceptable for placement.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H10389635681545BE82EDCF824EABCF77"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Retroactive effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by this section shall apply as if enacted in section 502 of the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/107/103">Public Law 107–103</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2306">38 U.S.C. 2306</external-xref> note).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H5EE59A7E557A4896A338C51E2B4812B7"><enum>203.</enum><header>Provision of Government memorial headstones or markers and memorial inscriptions for deceased dependent children of veterans whose remains are unavailable for burial</header>
<subsection id="HFE1A0ED060AD4BB88C9C7CDA9C972E6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Provision of memorial headstones or markers</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (b) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/2306">section 2306</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HA639A8A28B2647EFA51757115301A784"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H3626F48A4CDB46EB815C080014D53C" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subparagraph id="H1F143F7F538341D8956BCEBC9B2100AD" indent="up1"><enum>(C) </enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An eligible dependent child of a veteran.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H96EBB5EAA2244CC7946D40BBDF0D532" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end of paragraph (4) the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H3D93571320D449CD9D005839A9E0A55B" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subparagraph id="H69ED61CA984B42CB83574FC312F6D0EB" indent="up1" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>For purposes of this section, the term <quote>eligible dependent child</quote> means a child—</text>
<clause id="H766858AF97954A869C6EE1E7DC8FA5DB"><enum>(i)</enum><text>who is under 21 years of age, or under 23 years of age if pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H6C90DA4AB586482093D0E2AA9B566C00"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">who is unmarried and became permanently physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching 21 years of age, or before reaching 23 years of age if pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution.</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB8F06DBB8B6A445E8466518DA2FE649D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Addition of memorial inscription to headstone or marker of veteran</header><text>Subsection (f) of such section is amended by inserting <quote>or eligible dependent child</quote> after <quote>surviving spouse</quote> both places it appears.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE8C43A1696C845658800BA40DA67E636"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to individuals dying after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>III</enum><header>Veterans’ Employment and Training</header>
<section id="H9E757F8F655D44FA8FB89DECD038F321"><enum>301.</enum><header>Professional qualifications for disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives</header>
<subsection id="HF0390127F1204E189B4DEA3FDFA3E9E0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of guidelines by Secretary</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4107">Section 4107</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HDB3268B56EFA4CCEB405A9F099B7AE91" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subsection id="HEF78908CC18F4C2AB1504E32007EAC85"><enum>(d)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall maintain guidelines for use by States in establishing the professional qualifications required under subclause (IV) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4102A">section 4102A(c)(2)(A)(i)</external-xref> of this title for determining the eligibility for employment, and eligibility for the continued employment, of State employees who are designated as disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives under this chapter.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HDCD92F5767314CEC8B62945C6485ACCB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Submission of annual professional qualifications as a condition of State receipt of funds under VETS program</header><text>Clause (i) of section 4102A(c)(2)(A) of such title is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HA79F95B39F2343278DB9C7E154005466"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subclause (II), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBB2D290616104C81A6225852230599AB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subclause (III), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1D8A0ACCE5F64200BFBA6FED9183BF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subclauses:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HD523EBE7AF2347328B8EDB00159FE0A4" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subclause id="H1A3264B9180C4977A62583D3F00419D" indent="up2"><enum>(IV)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the professional qualifications used by the State for determining the eligibility for employment, and eligibility for continued employment, of State employees who are designated as disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives under this chapter; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HEFF7C321DB7A433CAD339F90A77BE733" indent="up2"><enum>(V)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the training required or provided by the State for State employees who are designated as disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives under this chapter.</text></subclause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8A11A93F2A594E1B8FEBF6D2B2C326C0" commented="no"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Deadline for establishment of qualifications</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor shall establish the guidelines for professional qualifications required by sections 4107(d) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H2DFFA4594DBF463E9EE4E7EA7E39008D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Technical amendments</header>
<paragraph id="H7648916B9BB9477C981F3BFC83E7C7D9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Amendments</header><text>Section 4102A of such title, as amended by subsection (b), is further amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA955D8270D7C4FB8AF0858FF2030C2E6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (c)—</text>
<clause id="HA44B36DCDEB44D8B86DB2D8F96F84EA9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking clause (ii) of paragraph (2)(B) and redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H7D4CAC26DA114803888465DBF7B414EE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in paragraph (6)—</text>
<subclause id="H1FA1476FECEA4189B8F4F931CDE7A241"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>(<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/2801">29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.</external-xref>)</quote> after <quote>the Workforce Investment Act of 1998</quote>; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H382226A227F34E73B3EE00E74C71163D"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>(<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/49">29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.</external-xref>)</quote> after <quote>the Wagner-Peyser Act</quote>; and</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE5C78D97C75846318103CB8CA077521B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (f)—</text>
<clause id="HE603D30391D54EF2007E33EE9218756D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>establish and</quote>; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HBEEB7B0A355E41F9A451AF3D36D8BEC4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking the heading and inserting the following: <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">Performance Standards and Outcomes Measures.—</header-in-text></quote>.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8F4D37AA24984E27AD952D537FC35FBC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by clause (i) of paragraph (1)(A) shall take effect on October 1, 2006.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H3C97ACDF856843DCA0C84DE1045E5E1E"><enum>302.</enum><header>Rules for part-time employment for disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives</header>
<subsection id="H8ABD16661E4146A3B14CC4AF3FD23800"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4103A">Section 4103A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H16AAACAFA4614404B3763756F233A920" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subsection id="HF2CAA630E5E14C10B227949C9C66E48C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Part-time employees</header><text>A part-time disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist shall perform the functions of a disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist under this section on a half-time basis.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HA1D27D6D658F4552B5F7FE155F1073DD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Local veterans’ employment representatives</header><text>Section 4104 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HD133CC4410944E33B4DDDD63F81882A4" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subsection id="H1B0912DD7AC14C3BADE4C61ACB4CFFC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Part-time employees</header><text>A part-time local veterans’ employment representative shall perform the functions of a local veterans’ employment representative under this section on a half-time basis.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HE033801CD3444C68B1EBBDDD449862F" indent="up1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>Sections <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4103A">4103A(c)</external-xref> and <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4104">4104(e)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsections (a) and (b), shall apply with respect to pay periods beginning after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H72DDC80046DD4565BA37DBBADDE7607F"><enum>303.</enum><header>State licensing and certification programs for veterans</header>
<subsection id="H6FB098C4DD3A4DD100B1E3B16D3D816"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement as a condition of VETS funding</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4102A">Section 4102A(c)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 301, is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H44282D0AE8CF4B899BC72732DE24B4FD" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<paragraph id="H7E8FC1B0B97D4B02A86FFED8003C73BB" indent="up1"><enum>(8)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As a condition of a grant or contract under which funds are made available to a State in order to carry out <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4103A">section 4103A</external-xref> or <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4104">4104</external-xref> of this title, the Secretary shall require the State to provide a licensing and certification program under which a veteran may receive credit toward a license or certification based on training or experience the veteran acquired while serving in the Armed Forces.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H693C228163444CCEA63DCB4684C542F9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4102A">Section 4102A(c)(8)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a grant or contract under which funds are made available to a State in order to carry out section 4103A or 4104 of such title beginning with the second program year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HA83F2CF431AB4ABF855D91A6101E8780"><enum>304.</enum><header>Training of new disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives by NVTI required</header>
<subsection id="HA308447DA13847E5A78106405F035FB2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Training required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4102A">Section 4102A(c)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is further amended by adding after paragraph (8), as added by section 303, the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H2A6D5350803E49FD879354D014F4093F" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<paragraph id="H0364F2010E544A18AF6ECAF72E345942" indent="up1"><enum>(9)</enum>
<subparagraph id="H21B3CE3A0D694E2887F2634B4FEC9270" display-inline="yes-display-inline" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>As a condition of a grant or contract under which funds are made available to a State in order to carry out <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4103A">section 4103A</external-xref> or <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4104">4104</external-xref> of this title, the Secretary shall require the State to require each employee hired by the State who is designated as disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist or a local veterans’ employment representative under this chapter to satisfactorily complete training provided by the National Veterans’ Employment and Training Services Institute during the three-year period that begins on the date on which the employee is so designated.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2FC724C2DFF74816A1BCB000044D00E9" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For any employee described in subparagraph (A) who does not complete such training during such period, the Secretary may reduce by an appropriate amount the amount made available to the State employing that employee.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H9B8E4A80C0504DBE987291ED21C8B17F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Submission of employee training information required</header><text>Section 4102A(c)(2)(A) of such title is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HA073C778F68840B29B11A9F468457552"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H68294B01CEC144EA99ACBE4400C88B1E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause (iii):</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H4CF842BE617B4A6581404BD4783D2B89" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<clause id="HF4B8D4FD91CF4A6895C8DA2E5D69962" indent="up2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For each employee of the State who is designated as disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist or a local veterans’ employment representative under this chapter—</text>
<subclause id="HAD1D91DD80184E48B3B08DE8FC841491"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the date on which the employee is so designated; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HAD583B0D50214E22B04D913C664CF001"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">whether the employee has satisfactorily completed training provided by the National Veterans’ Employment and Training Services Institute.</text></subclause></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8935888C2BC1497188FD0574735BDA22"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Applicability</header>
<paragraph id="HC9A37F3AB473493A968BC1566803DC5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Applicability to new employees</header><text>Paragraph (9) of section 4102A(c) of such title, as added by subsection (a), and clause (iii) of section 4102A(c)(2)(A) of such title, as added by subsection (b), shall apply with respect to a State employee designated as a disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist or a local veterans’ employment representative under chapter 41 of such title who is so designated after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4EB882E798754D32BC783D564111F1CF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Applicability to certain employees hired before date of enactment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor shall apply such paragraph to a State employee designated as a disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist or a local veterans’ employment representative under chapter 41 of such title who was so designated during the five-year period before the date of the enactment of this Act by substituting <quote>during the period beginning on the date on which the employee is so designated and ending on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Veterans Small Business and Memorial Affairs Act of 2006</short-title></quote> for <quote>during the three-year period that begins on the date on which the employee is so designated</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H7D3E5DD2207F4A468B9B7288759CF24B"><enum>305.</enum><header>Matters for inclusion in annual report on VETS program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4107">Section 4107(c)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HF08E0267BE2F471B9531C210F284E5A3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (10) through (13), respectively; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD860E04F61EE4B308B485FCB20AC6B09"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraphs:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H160A156691FC445D89F38B074C1DAE2" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<paragraph id="H68CE0B46420B47F69FE0C7EF191958F"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of veterans, disabled veterans, and special disabled veterans who requested training from the public employment service system;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H357962445821421884788928DA4C4DD3"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the total number of eligible veterans participating in each program for the provision of employment and training services designed to meet the needs of eligible veterans and eligible persons and the number of such veterans as a percentage of the total number of participants in each such program;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9A9E4A2C68D8471A8C3E0062D2C0B2BE"><enum>(5)</enum><text>for each State, the percentage of persons seeking employment in the State who are veterans;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5A3A114150BE462D97F36B3020EEE797"><enum>(6)</enum><text>for each State, the number of veterans referred to a small business development center in that State and the number of veterans referred to the National Veterans Business Development Corporation established under section 33 of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/657c">15 U.S.C. 657c</external-xref>);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H26E9A2D984854D448BD124404589F93D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the total number of such veterans and disabled veterans who remain employed for at least 90 days in such jobs;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEF5D782EC04F4112B4401BB4BB40F8E0"><enum>(8)</enum><text>the number of such veterans and disabled veterans who remain employed for at least 180 days in such jobs;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCD6238D755FC46B686AAA5B0833D1195"><enum>(9)</enum><text>the average starting wage or salary paid to such veterans and disabled veterans and, if applicable, the average wage or salary paid to such veterans and disabled veterans as of the 180th day of employment;</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="HBC5290CD9BD442798200C334653CE252"><enum>306.</enum><header>Demonstration project on contracting for placement of certain disabled veterans</header>
<subsection id="H54C892CA88D1429BBA08E04C749CEAD0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Demonstration project</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4102A">Section 4102A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as amended by sections 301, 303, and 304, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H54ADF7E0D69D4AAAADAD2B12A2318689">
<subsection id="H29296DEBC0D74889A909FF5F3942F0DB"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Demonstration project on contracting for placement of veterans in high-unemployment areas</header>
<paragraph id="H4170F5B20E1F479FAF041650B6CE1B9" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>From unobligated funds made available for a fiscal year to carry out <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4103A">sections 4103A</external-xref> and <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4104">4104</external-xref> of this title, the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, may enter into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to carry out job placement services for veterans during that fiscal year in a locality where the unemployment rate for veterans exceeds the national average unemployment rate.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3C9AAB854D9B423A946D195E098DD426" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In entering into a contract under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor may use procedures other than competitive procedures.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB32F2CA02F0D4BFDB5FD026DCF66B7AD" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In entering into a contract under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall give priority to a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans that is listed in any small business database maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDE48355C67A84FEE86E15856F2BF70F6" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The total amount obligated under contracts entered into under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year may not exceed $3,000,000.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H118C08C82994487E8003CF8CAA9732F7" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The authority to enter into a contract under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Veterans Small Business and Memorial Affairs Act of 2006</short-title>.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H5A5DCD685ABD4A8200BA57E1691F5593"><enum>(b)</enum><header>GAO report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than four years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the demonstration project under subsection (h) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4102A">section 4102A</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H06C5D14086ED4B4F86581B54360821AE"><enum>307.</enum><header>Performance incentive awards for employment service offices</header>
<subsection id="HFC38E5C47778491A92FF12E10F4ED79"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Provision of incentives to employment service offices</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4112">Section 4112</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HC0D7153D9A1D4711009D153679CA1400"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1)(B), by inserting <quote>and employment service offices</quote> after <quote>recognize eligible employees</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAD14E1A8305948F1A62EDCE9CD733EDE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (c)—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFAE62AE781D24817B497442DF9BAF045"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF4B4803F588843A08EB22B4EBFC11EED"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text>
<clause id="H3022A4A9AFCD409B8C85FBEE2F222C70"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>is</quote> and inserting <quote>in the case of such an award made to an eligible employee, shall be</quote>; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HAEC625FD986A4497B15C0058FA521BBC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9DD6AAE5B4B8434E83019EF16D72217D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H892687ED5B494121A93D7B22ADB9FDDC" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<paragraph id="HDB1594806F604556A3A370975C78C833"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in the case of such an award made to an employment service office, may be used by that employment service office for any purpose.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H320D09F3E92C453289DFA466D5C5F2BA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>The heading for subsection (c) of such section is amended to read as follows: <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="USC">Administration and use of awards.—</header-in-text></quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H823DD32C6E824F949257A300A4BA807"><enum>308.</enum><header>Department of Labor implementation of priority of service for veterans requirement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall prescribe regulations to implement <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/4215">section 4215</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code.</text></section>
<section id="HDAD6F9702C6942E30073CD35FCA27E9" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>309.</enum><header>Demonstration project on credentialing and licensure of veterans</header>
<subsection id="H3C86CDB97DC147D493517EF2FFA88483"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of demonstration project</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/38/41">Chapter 41</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H072CFF7AFF6F47E9878E001711866C75">
<section id="HCCC49142E72248C69D056D00F9D3A2A9"><enum>4114.</enum><header>Demonstration project on credentialing and licensure of veterans</header>
<subsection id="H7235DCEC01104105A4398300C3B44F11"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment and purpose of demonstration project</header><text>The Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training shall carry out a demonstration project on credentialing in accordance with this section for the purpose of facilitating the seamless transition of members of the Armed Forces from service on active duty to civilian employment.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H9DFD86B88B9F4829AC002E7DFBCBCF31"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Credentialing and licensure of veterans</header>
<paragraph id="H6DDB208FD9C24E87B12541C6C0F5FC60" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Assistant Secretary shall select not less than ten military occupational specialties for purposes of the demonstration project. Each such speciality selected by the Assistant Secretary shall require a skill or set of skills that is required for civilian employment in an industry with high growth or high worker demand.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD05AE01B1DB44C8A81C74CAB6DE3A321" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Assistant Secretary shall consult with appropriate Federal, State, and industry officials to identify requirements for credentials, certifications, and licenses that require a skill or set of skills required by a military occupational specialty identified under paragraph (1).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HABE13D9A8C8B4E51992DE4E90070F5F7" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Assistant Secretary shall analyze the requirements identified under paragraph (2) to determine which requirements may be satisfied by the skills, training, or experience acquired by members of the Armed Forces with the military occupational specialties selected under paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H938997758DAA400986293D9351A56200" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Elimination of barriers to credentialing and licensure</header><text>The Assistant Secretary shall cooperate with appropriate Federal, State, and industry officials to reduce or eliminate any barriers to providing a credential, certification, or license to a veteran who acquired any skill, training, or experience while serving as a member of the Armed Forces with a military occupational specialty selected under subsection (b)(1) that satisfies the Federal and State requirements for the credential, certification, or license.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H3054E99AE5E3463487602569B964C404"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Task force</header><text>The Assistant Secretary may establish a task force of individuals with appropriate expertise to provide assistance to the Assistant Secretary in carrying out this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HA10242446B794060BAAB99700123D43"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Assistant Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, appropriate Federal and State officials, private-sector employers, labor organizations, and industry trade associations.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H740860CB7D4A454681C647AF9E30B9B1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Contract authority</header><text>For purposes of carrying out any part of the demonstration project under this section, the Assistant Secretary may enter into a contract with a public or private entity with appropriate expertise.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HBDEE92452CD845639169CEABF3934F7E"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Period of project</header><text>The Assistant Secretary shall carry out the demonstration project under this section during the period beginning on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section and ending on September 30, 2009.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H94297FB695984C8C9D7947D096DE47B1"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Assistant Secretary to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2009.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HD324400926304BD0AE5FAF3E6989F0D4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership of Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach</header><text>Section 4110(c)(1)(A) of such title is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H35E11C5D18704BCDBF3371589F5902C9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Six</quote> and inserting <quote>Seven</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H536D241BDD814DFA9DCCF967E96F875E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new clause:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="H7592E4AFA9FD4868AFBFF1AAC4CA2E6" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<clause id="H0775A3E843FD4E22A0758D36C9CB3464" indent="up1"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>The National Governors Association.</text></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4FFB58B5E4414496B345EFD6055F27C9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4FE895A12005457F93C5AF85DD53BACF">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">4114. Demonstration project on credentialing and licensure of veterans.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<enum>IV</enum><header>Education</header>
<section id="H5C24C27DCFB9484481F635F2D7409CDA" commented="no"><enum>401.</enum><header>Exception for institutions offering Government-sponsored nonaccredited courses to requirement of refunding unused tuition</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3676">Section 3676(c)(13)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>prior to completion</quote> and all that follows and inserting the following: </text>
<quoted-block style="USC" id="HE459B60D1B244AD4AF25AB5000CD003D" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">before completion and—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF393EC592AA343AE90148E5BAB13A0F0"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of an institution other than (i) a Federal, State, or local Government institution or (ii) an institution described in subparagraph (B), such policy provides that the amount charged to the eligible person for tuition, fees, and other charges for a portion of the course shall not exceed the approximate pro rata portion of the total charges for tuition, fees, and other charges that the length of the completed portion of the course bears to its total length; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDB219111D88F4D5BA05E43CE4867A7E"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of an institution that is a nonaccredited public educational institution, the institution has and maintains a refund policy regarding the unused portion of tuition, fees, and other charges that is substantially the same as the refund policy followed by accredited public educational institutions located within the same State as such institution.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<section id="HA1B799D1CE13418588A8CCDE3B915FD"><enum>402.</enum><header>Extension of work-study allowance</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3485">Section 3485(a)(4)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>December 27, 2006</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>June 30, 2007</quote>.</text></section>
<section id="H725B162BAF3E45C400654C5E1E91595F"><enum>403.</enum><header>Report on improvement in administration of educational assistance benefits</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the administration of education benefits under chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, and 36 of title 38, United States Code, and chapters 1606 and 1607 of title 10, United States Code, that proposes methods to streamline the processes and procedures of administering such benefits.</text></section>
<section id="HDF69B66BDC574BF3B523ECE52DB6B9F6"><enum>404.</enum><header>Restoration of lost entitlement for individuals who had to discontinue a course of education because of being ordered to full-time National Guard duty</header>
<subsection id="H0C0C62AF756745BABF492DE5AB5B007E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Restoration of entitlement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3511">Section 3511(a)(2)(B)(i)</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after <quote>title 10</quote> the following: <quote>or of being involuntarily ordered to full-time National Guard duty under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/32/502">section 502(f)</external-xref> of title 32</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H58047E416F7941B8BA23009FF67D2E62"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a payment of educational assistance allowance made after September 11, 2001.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H721C179A8B174E60BD626E4D717FAF3"><enum>405.</enum><header>Technical amendments</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/3485">Section 3485</external-xref> of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H0C2972E4F5A8457D82EA9E03434EC6A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(4)(E), by inserting <quote>or 1607</quote> after <quote>chapter 1606</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6E89AD487A194A91843E6EC9C28CCF53"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b), by striking <quote>chapter 106</quote> and inserting <quote>chapter 1606 or 1607</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB729CB1F2093494CAB77FC00B2202F46"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subsection (e)(1)—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC9EF7FAB8A2B4FD4851F909DCE391916"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>services of the kind described in clauses (A) through (E) of subsection (a)(1) of this section</quote> and inserting <quote>a qualifying work-study activity described in subsection (a)(4)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H80B8FCFF80584E5B8D454253009B003B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>chapter 106</quote> and inserting <quote>chapter 1606 or 1607</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section>
Amend the title so as to read: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make improvements to small business, memorial affairs, education, and employment programs for veterans, and for other purposes.
.
July 24, 2006
Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed