IIB 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1168 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 3, 2009 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To amend chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, to provide certain veterans with employment training assistance.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Retraining Act of 2009.

2.

Employment training assistance

(a)

In General

Chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

4216.

Employment Training Assistance for Unemployed Veterans.

(a)

Monthly training assistance allowance

Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Labor may pay to each covered veteran a monthly training assistance allowance under this section for each month that a covered veteran is enrolled in an employment and training program that teaches a skill in demand, as determined by the Secretary. (b)

Amount

The amount of the training assistance allowance under this section is the amount equal to the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member of the Armed Forces with dependents in pay grade E–5 residing in the military housing area that encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area in which the veteran resides. (c)

Duration

A covered veteran may receive training assistance under this section for not more than six months during each 10-year period beginning on the date in which the covered veteran first receives training allowance under this section. (d)

Moving stipend

Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, in addition to the training assistance allowance payable under subsection (a), the Secretary may reimburse each covered veteran, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, for moving expenses related to the veteran’s receipt of training for which an allowance is paid under this section. (e)

Covered veteran defined

In this section, the term covered veteran means a veteran who is— (1)unemployed for a period of not less than four consecutive months at the time of applying for training assistance under this section; (2)able to successfully complete the employment and training program described in subsection (a), as determined by the Secretary; and (3)except as provided under this section, ineligible for education or training assistance under this title. (f)

Authorization of Appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each fiscal year.

. (b)

Clerical Amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 4216. Employment training assistance for unemployed veterans. . (c)

Effective date

Section 4216 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to months beginning on or after the first day of fiscal year 2011.

Passed the House of Representatives November 2, 2009. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.