1.This Act may be cited as the
Veterans Education Enhancement and
Fairness Act of 2009
.
2.Monthly housing
stipend under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for individuals pursuing
programs of education offered through distance learning
(a)Section
3313(c)(1)(B)(i) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)by striking the
following: (other than, in the case of assistance under this section
only, a program of education offered through distance learning)
;
and
(2)by adding at the
end the following: , except that in the case of an individual pursuing a
program of education offered through distance learning, the amount of the
monthly housing stipend under this clause shall be the amount equal to the
monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of
title 37 for a member 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 individual resides.
.
(b)The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a month beginning on or after the
date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
3.Inclusion of
certain active duty service in the reserve components as qualifying service for
purposes of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program
(a)Section 3301(1) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
(C)In the case of members of the Army National
Guard or Air National Guard of any State, full-time duty under section 502(f)
of title 32, including duty in support of any homeland security operation,
natural disaster related operation, counter-narcotic operation, or border
security operation and duty in the Active Guard
Reserve.
.
(b)The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on
the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.