[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3234 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3234

 To improve employment, training, and placement services furnished to 
   veterans, especially those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
          Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 20, 2010

Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Begich, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. 
  Reid, Mr. Durbin, and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To improve employment, training, and placement services furnished to 
   veterans, especially those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
          Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 
2010''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) In 2008, the unemployment rate of veterans between the 
        ages of 18 and 24 was 14.1 percent.
            (2) In 2009, the unemployment rate of male veterans between 
        the ages of 18 and 24 was 21.6 percent and the unemployment 
        rate of female veterans in the same age group was 19.2 percent.
            (3) The unemployment rate of veterans in all age groups is 
        expected to increase as a result of the economic downturn that 
        began in 2008.
            (4) In 2004, approximately 22 percent of veterans were 
        either purchasing or starting a new business, or considering 
        doing so.
            (5) One of the most critical problems identified by veteran 
        small business owners is a lack of knowledge about programs of 
        assistance available to small businesses.
            (6) Members of the Armed Forces learn a wide range of 
        technical skills during their time in the Armed Forces, but 
        often find it difficult to transfer these skills into civilian 
        professions.
            (7) The Commissioner of Labor Statistics estimates that 
        career opportunities in the fields of health care and 
        information technology will expand significantly in the coming 
        decade.

SEC. 3. VETERANS BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
657b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (f), by inserting ``subsections (a) 
        through (e) of'' before ``this section''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Veterans Business Center Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Administrator, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Labor, shall establish a veterans 
        business center program to provide entrepreneurial training and 
        counseling to veterans in accordance with this subsection.
            ``(2) Director.--The Administrator shall appoint a Director 
        of the veterans business center program, who shall--
                    ``(A) implement and oversee the veterans business 
                center program; and
                    ``(B) report directly to the Associate 
                Administrator.
            ``(3) Designation of veterans business centers.--The 
        Director shall--
                    ``(A) by regulation establish an application, 
                review, and notification process under which the 
                Director may designate entities as veterans business 
                centers for purposes of this section; and
                    ``(B) publicize the designation of an entity as a 
                veterans business center and the award of a grant to a 
                veterans business center under this subsection.
            ``(4) Funding for veterans business centers.--
                    ``(A) Initial grants.--The Director may make a 
                grant to each veterans business center each year in the 
                amount of $150,000. The Director may not make more than 
                5 grants under this subparagraph to a veterans business 
                center.
                    ``(B) Growth funding grants.--If a veterans 
                business center has received 5 initial grants, the 
                Director may make a grant to the veterans business 
                center each year in the amount of $100,000. The 
                Director may not make more than 3 grants under this 
                subparagraph to a veterans business center.
            ``(5) Accountability.--Each veterans business center 
        receiving an initial grant or a growth funding grant shall--
                    ``(A) meet performance benchmarks (which shall be 
                established by the Director for the veterans business 
                center and reflect the purposes of this subsection) to 
                be eligible for an initial grant or growth funding 
                grant in a subsequent year; and
                    ``(B) submit to the Director an annual report on 
                the performance of the veterans business center, which 
                shall include--
                            ``(i) a description of the use of the grant 
                        under this subsection and matching funds to 
                        carry out the activities of the veterans 
                        business center; and
                            ``(ii) a description of the progress of the 
                        veterans business center in meeting the 
                        performance benchmarks described in 
                        subparagraph (A).
            ``(6) Center responsibilities.--Each veterans business 
        center receiving an initial grant or a growth funding grant 
        shall use the funds received under the grant for--
                    ``(A) veteran entrepreneurial development;
                    ``(B) counseling of veterans who own small business 
                concerns or who are seeking to own a small business 
                concern through one-on-one instruction and classes, 
                including counseling relating to financial literacy;
                    ``(C) education about services available through 
                one-stop centers referred to in section 134(c) of the 
                Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864(c)), 
                including veterans employment assistance and job 
                announcement services;
                    ``(D) education about tax provisions relating to 
                first time owners of business concerns, owners of small 
                business concerns, and veterans;
                    ``(E) information on the availability of mentoring 
                services and referrals, as appropriate; and
                    ``(F) information on government procurement 
                assistance available to veterans.
            ``(7) Matching funds.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A veterans business center 
                receiving an initial grant or a growth funding grant 
                shall provide a contribution, in cash or in-kind, that 
                is not less than 50 percent of the amount of the grant.
                    ``(B) Source of contribution.--Not more than 25 
                percent of a contribution under subparagraph (A) may be 
                provided from other Federal funds. The contribution may 
                be provided from funds made available by a State, local 
                government, or private person.
                    ``(C) Waiver.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Director may, upon 
                        request, waive a portion of the matching 
                        contribution under this paragraph upon a 
                        determination of hardship to the veterans 
                        business center.
                            ``(ii) Considerations.--In determining 
                        whether a veterans business center is 
                        experiencing a hardship, the Director shall 
                        consider--
                                    ``(I) whether the veterans business 
                                center is operating at an economic 
                                loss;
                                    ``(II) whether the veterans 
                                business center would continue to 
                                operate without a waiver; and
                                    ``(III) other factors the Director 
                                considers appropriate.
            ``(8) Targeted areas.--The Director shall give priority to 
        applications to be designated a veterans business center and 
        for initial grants and growth funding grants under this 
        subsection that will establish a veterans business center in a 
        geographic area, as determined by the Director--
                    ``(A) that is not currently served by a veterans 
                business center; and
                    ``(B) in which--
                            ``(i) the number of veterans per capita 
                        exceeds the national median of the number of 
                        veterans per capita;
                            ``(ii) the number of veterans of Operation 
                        Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom per 
                        capita exceeds the national median of the 
                        number of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom 
                        or Operation Enduring Freedom per capita; or
                            ``(iii) the expected number of veterans of 
                        Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
                        Freedom per capita, as determined by the 
                        Secretary of Defense, will exceed the national 
                        median of the number of veterans of Operation 
                        Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom per 
                        capita.
            ``(9) Training program.--The Director shall develop and 
        implement, directly or by contract, an annual training program 
        for the employees of veterans business centers to provide 
        education, support, and information on best practices with 
        respect to the establishment and operation of a veterans 
        business center. The Director shall develop the training 
        program under this paragraph in consultation with veterans 
        business centers, the task force, the Employment and Training 
        Administration and the Veterans' Employment and Training 
        Service of the Department of Labor, and veterans service 
        organizations.
            ``(10) Inclusion of other organizations in program.--The 
        Director shall designate as a veterans business center, and may 
        make a initial grant to--
                    ``(A) a Veterans Business Outreach Center 
                established by the Administrator under section 8(b)(17) 
                on or before the date of enactment of this subsection; 
                and
                    ``(B) each person or entity that--
                            ``(i) received funds during fiscal year 
                        2006 from the National Veterans Business 
                        Development Corporation established under 
                        section 33; and
                            ``(ii) is in operation on the date of 
                        enactment of this subsection.
            ``(11) Annual report on effectiveness of veteran business 
        centers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this subsection, and every year 
                thereafter, the Administrator shall submit a report on 
                the performance of the veterans business center program 
                to--
                            ``(i) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
                        the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
                        on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and the 
                        Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                        Pensions of the Senate;
                            ``(ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
                        the Committee on Appropriations, and the 
                        Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                        Representatives; and
                            ``(iii) relevant Federal agencies, 
                        including the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                        and the Department of Labor.
                    ``(B) Contents.--Each report under subparagraph (A) 
                shall include, for the 1-year period ending on the date 
                of the report--
                            ``(i) an assessment of the compliance of 
                        each veterans business center receiving an 
                        initial grant or growth funding grant with the 
                        performance benchmarks established for the 
                        veterans business center under paragraph 
                        (5)(A);
                            ``(ii) the number of veterans assisted by a 
                        veterans business center receiving an initial 
                        grant or growth funding grant;
                            ``(iii) comments, if any, from veterans who 
                        sought the assistance of a veterans business 
                        center;
                            ``(iv) the success rate, as determined by 
                        the Administrator, of small business concerns 
                        owned and controlled by veterans who sought 
                        assistance from a veterans business center; and
                            ``(v) any other performance indicators and 
                        information the Administrator determines 
                        appropriate.
                    ``(C) Public availability.--The Director shall 
                disseminate the findings of each report under 
                subparagraph (A) online and to the veteran, small 
                business, and workforce development communities.
            ``(12) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
                    ``(A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    ``(B) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
    ``(h) Additional Grants Available to Veterans Business Centers.--
            ``(1) Access to capital grant program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director shall establish a 
                grant program under which the Director may make grants 
                to veterans business centers to--
                            ``(i) develop specialized programs to 
                        assist small business concerns owned and 
                        controlled by veterans in securing capital and 
                        repairing damaged credit;
                            ``(ii) provide informational seminars on 
                        financial literacy, securing loans, and 
                        Federal, State and local tax provisions and 
                        incentives for small business concerns owned 
                        and controlled by veterans;
                            ``(iii) provide one-on-one counseling to 
                        small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                        veterans to improve the financial presentations 
                        of the small business concern to lenders;
                            ``(iv) facilitate the access of small 
                        business concerns owned and controlled by 
                        veterans to traditional and non-traditional 
                        financing sources; and
                            ``(v) establish links to and partnerships 
                        with local workforce boards and business 
                        mentoring organizations.
                    ``(B) Award size.--The Director may not make grants 
                under this paragraph to a veterans business center in a 
                total amount of more than $75,000 during any 1-year 
                period.
                    ``(C) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
                authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
                paragraph $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 and 
                2012.
            ``(2) Procurement assistance grant program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director shall establish a 
                grant program under which the Director may make grants 
                to veterans business centers to--
                            ``(i) assist small business concerns owned 
                        and controlled by veterans in identifying 
                        contracts that are suitable for the small 
                        business concern;
                            ``(ii) prepare small business concerns 
                        owned and controlled by veterans to act as 
                        subcontractors and prime contractors for 
                        contracts made available under the American 
                        Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public 
                        Law 111-5; 123 Stat. 115) through training and 
                        business advice, particularly with respect to 
                        the construction trades; and
                            ``(iii) provide technical assistance to 
                        small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                        veterans relating to the Federal procurement 
                        process, including assisting in compliance with 
                        Federal regulations and bonding requirements.
                    ``(B) Award size.--The Director may not make grants 
                under this paragraph to a veterans business center in a 
                total amount of more than $75,000 during any 1-year 
                period.
                    ``(C) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
                authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
                paragraph $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 and 
                2012.
            ``(3) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business grant 
        program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director shall establish a 
                grant program under which the Director may make grants 
                to veterans business centers to--
                            ``(i) develop outreach programs for 
                        service-disabled veterans with respect to the 
                        benefits of self-employment;
                            ``(ii) provide tailored training to 
                        service-disabled veterans with respect to 
                        business plan development, marketing, 
                        budgeting, accounting, and merchandising;
                            ``(iii) assist small business concerns 
                        owned and controlled by service-disabled 
                        veterans in locating and securing business 
                        opportunities; and
                            ``(iv) link service-disabled veterans to 
                        services provided through one-stop centers 
                        referred to in section 134(c) of the Workforce 
                        Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864(c)), 
                        including information on labor market trends, 
                        entrepreneurial and related training and 
                        training providers, student financial aid, and 
                        specialized services for veterans.
                    ``(B) Award size.--The Director may not make grants 
                under this paragraph to a veterans business center in a 
                total amount of more than $75,000 during any 1-year 
                period.
                    ``(C) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
                authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
                paragraph $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 and 
                2012.
    ``(i) Veterans Entrepreneurial Development Summit.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director of the veterans business 
        center program established under subsection (g) may hold an 
        event, once every 2 years, to provide networking opportunities, 
        outreach, education, training, and support to veterans business 
        centers designated under subsection (g), small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by veterans, veterans service 
        organizations, workforce investment boards of State and local 
        governments, the Employment and Training Administration and the 
        Veterans' Employment and Training Service of the Department of 
        Labor, and other entities as determined appropriate by the 
        Director.
            ``(2) Presentation of report.--The findings of the most 
        recently submitted report under subsection (g)(12) shall be 
        presented at an event held under this subsection.
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $450,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
    ``(j) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `Associate Administrator' means the 
        Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development 
        appointed under section 4(b)(1);
            ``(2) the term `Director' means the Director of the 
        veterans business center program;
            ``(3) the term `growth funding grant' means a grant under 
        subsection (g)(5)(B);
            ``(4) the term `initial grant' means a grant under 
        subsection (g)(5)(A);
            ``(5) the term `task force' means the interagency task 
        force established under subsection (c)(1);
            ``(6) the term `veterans business center' means an entity 
        designated as a veterans business center under subsection 
        (g)(4)(A); and
            ``(7) the term `veterans business center program' means the 
        veterans business center program established under subsection 
        (g)(2).''.
    (b) Report Regarding Direct Loan Program.--The Administrator of the 
Small Business Administration, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and 
the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training shall 
jointly--
            (1) assess the efficacy of establishing a Federal direct 
        loan program for small business concerns owned and controlled 
        by veterans (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act 
        (15 U.S.C. 632)); and
            (2) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, submit a report regarding the assessment under 
        paragraph (1) to--
                    (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the 
                Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Small 
                Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Committee on 
                Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; 
                and
                    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the 
                Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Small 
                Business of the House of Representatives.
    (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 32 of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``by the Associate 
        Administrator for Veterans Business Development'' and all that 
        follows and inserting ``by the Associate Administrator.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``(in this section 
        referred to as the `task force')''.

SEC. 4. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

    Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(c)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        enactment of this paragraph, and every 6 months thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the 
        appointments made to and activities of the task force.''.

SEC. 5. PERIOD FOR COMPLETION OF TRAINING OF NEW DISABLED VETERANS' 
              OUTREACH PROGRAM SPECIALISTS AND LOCAL VETERANS' 
              EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES BY NATIONAL VETERANS' 
              EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES INSTITUTE.

    (a) In General.--Section 4102A(c)(8)(A) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``three-year period'' and inserting ``one-
year period''.
    (b) Effective Date.--
            (1) Applicability to new employees.--The amendment made by 
        subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a State employee 
        assigned to perform the duties of a disabled veterans' outreach 
        program specialist or a local veterans' employment 
        representative under chapter 41 of such title who is so 
        assigned on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Applicability to previously hired employees.--In the 
        case of such a State employee who is so assigned on or after 
        January 1, 2006, and before the date of the enactment of this 
        Act, the Secretary of Labor shall require the State to require, 
        as a condition of a grant or contract under which funds are 
        made available to the State in order to carry out section 4103A 
        or 4104 of title 38, United States Code, each such employee to 
        complete satisfactorily the training described in section 
        4102A(c)(8)(A) of such title by not later than the date that is 
        one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Cross-Training.--The Secretary of Labor shall require State 
employees described by subsection (b) in the performance of duties 
described in that subsection--
            (1) to educate staff of one-stop centers about the services 
        such State employees provide and the programs of assistance 
        available to veterans; and
            (2) in order to strengthen coordination and enhance 
        services to veterans, to learn about the employment and 
        training and related information and services made available 
        through the one-stop delivery system.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) One-stop center.--The term ``one-stop center'' means a 
        one-stop center described in section 134(c) of the Workforce 
        Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864(c)).
            (2) One-stop delivery system.--The term ``one-stop delivery 
        system'' means a one-stop delivery system described in such 
        section 134(c).

SEC. 6. 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:
``Sec. 4216. Employment training assistance for unemployed veterans
    ``(a) Subsistence Allowance.--(1) The Secretary of Labor shall, 
acting through the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and 
Training, pay to each covered veteran a monthly training subsistence 
allowance under this section for each month that a covered veteran is 
enrolled in a full time employment and training program that--
            ``(A) is offered by an eligible provider of training 
        services under section 122 of the Workforce Investment Act of 
        1998 (29 U.S.C. 2842); and
            ``(B) teaches a skill that is connected to a career in an 
        in-demand industry, as determined by the Secretary of Labor.
    ``(2) The amount of the monthly training subsistence allowance paid 
to a covered veteran under this subsection shall be 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 covered veteran 
resides.
    ``(3) A covered veteran is entitled to training subsistence 
allowance under this subsection for not more than six months during 
each 10-year period beginning on the date in which the covered veteran 
first receives training subsistence allowance under this section.
    ``(b) Relocation Stipend.--(1) In addition to the training 
subsistence allowance payable to a covered veteran under subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Labor shall, acting through the Assistant 
Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, pay to each covered 
veteran a relocation stipend for expenses incurred by the veteran for 
one relocation--
            ``(A) related to the veteran's participation in an 
        employment and training program described in subsection (a)(1); 
        or
            ``(B) to an employment opportunity related to the field or 
        subject matter in which the veteran was trained in an 
        employment and training program described in subsection (a)(1).
    ``(2) The amount of relocation stipend paid to a covered veteran 
under paragraph (1) may not exceed the lesser of--
            ``(A) $5,000; and
            ``(B) the actual amount of expenses incurred by the 
        veteran.
    ``(c) Covered Veteran.--For purposes of this section, a covered 
veteran is a veteran who is--
            ``(1) unemployed for a period of not less than four 
        consecutive months at the time of applying for training 
        subsistence allowance under subsection (a);
            ``(2) able to complete successfully the employment and 
        training program described in subsection (a)(1), as determined 
        by the Secretary of Labor; and
            ``(3) except as provided under this section, ineligible for 
        education or training assistance under this title.
    ``(d) Annual Report.--The Secretary of Labor shall submit to 
Congress each year a report on the effectiveness of the training 
subsistence allowance under subsection (a) and the relocation stipend 
under subsection (b) during the preceding year. Each report shall 
include, for the year concerned by such report, the following:
            ``(1) The number of veterans who received the subsistence 
        allowance.
            ``(2) The number of veterans who received the relocation 
        stipend.
            ``(3) The percentage of veterans who received the 
        subsistence allowance or relocation stipend and completed an 
        employment and training program described in subsection (a)(1).
            ``(4) The percentage of veterans who received the 
        subsistence allowance or relocation stipend and were employed 
        and retained upon completion of an employment and training 
        program described in subsection (a)(1), as measured by the 
        Secretary of Labor.
            ``(5) The percentage of veterans who--
                    ``(A) received the subsistence allowance or 
                relocation stipend; and
                    ``(B) were employed in the fourth calendar quarter 
                of such year following graduation from an employment 
                and training program described in subsection (a)(1).
            ``(6) The average earnings of veterans, as measured by the 
        Secretary of Labor, who--
                    ``(A) received the subsistence allowance or 
                relocation stipend; and
                    ``(B) completed an employment and training program 
                described in subsection (a)(1).
            ``(7) Such other matters relating to the effectiveness of 
        the subsistence allowance and the relocation stipend as the 
        Secretary of Labor considers appropriate.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Labor to carry out this section 
$100,000,000 for each fiscal year.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter 42 is amended by adding at the end the following:

``4216. Employment training assistance for unemployed veterans.''.

SEC. 7. USE OF ENTITLEMENT UNDER POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
              APPRENTICESHIPS AND ON-JOB TRAINING.

    (a) Entitlement.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 33 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3319 
        the following new section:
``Sec. 3319A. Apprenticeships and on-job training
    ``(a) Monthly Benefit.--Except as provided in subsections (b) and 
(c), the amount of the monthly benefit payment to an individual 
pursuing a full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training 
under this chapter is--
            ``(1) for each of the first six months of the individual's 
        pursuit of such program, 75 percent of the monthly benefit 
        payment otherwise payable to such individual under this 
        chapter;
            ``(2) for each of the second six months of the individual's 
        pursuit of such program, 55 percent of such monthly benefit 
        payment; and
            ``(3) for each of the months following the first 12 months 
        of the individual's pursuit of such program, 35 percent of such 
        monthly benefit payment.
    ``(b) Reduction.--In any month in which an individual pursuing a 
program of education consisting of a program of apprenticeship or other 
on-job training fails to complete 120 hours of training, the amount of 
the monthly benefit payment payable under this chapter to the 
individual shall be limited to the same proportion of the applicable 
rate determined under subsection (a) as the number of hours worked 
during such month, rounded to the nearest eight hours, bears to 120 
hours.
    ``(c) Housing Allowance.--An individual receiving a monthly benefit 
pursuant to this section shall receive a monthly housing stipend 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.
    ``(d) Charge to Entitlement.--For each month that an individual is 
paid a monthly benefit payment under this chapter, the individual's 
entitlement under this chapter shall be charged at the rate of--
            ``(1) 75 percent of a month in the case of payments made in 
        accordance with subsection (a)(1);
            ``(2) 55 percent of a month in the case of payments made in 
        accordance with subsection (a)(2); and
            ``(3) 35 percent of a month in the case of payments made in 
        accordance with subsection (a)(3).
    ``(e) Reduced Charge to Entitlement.--For any month in which an 
individual fails to complete 120 hours of training, the entitlement 
otherwise chargeable under subsection (d) shall be reduced in the same 
proportion as the monthly benefit payment payable is reduced under 
subsection (b).
    ``(f) Program of Apprenticeship Defined.--In this section, the term 
`program of apprenticeship' means a program of apprenticeship 
registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the 
`National Apprenticeship Act'; 50 Stat. 664; chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 
et seq.).''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 3319 the following new item:

``3319A. Apprenticeships and on-job training.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3313 of such title is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or section 3319A of 
        this title'' after ``subsections (e) and (f)''; and
            (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b) Approved Programs of Education.--A program of education is an 
approved program of education for purposes of this chapter if the 
program of education--
            ``(1) is--
                    ``(A) offered by an institution of higher learning 
                (as that term is defined in section 3452(f) of this 
                title); and
                    ``(B) approved for purposes of chapter 30 of this 
                title (including approval by the State approving agency 
                concerned); or
            ``(2) in the case of an individual who is not serving on 
        active duty, includes a program of apprenticeship or of other 
        on-job training approved as provided in paragraph (1) or (2), 
        as appropriate, of section 3687(a) of this title.''.
    (c) Technical Correction.--Section 3002(3)(C) of such title is 
amended by striking ``clause'' and inserting ``paragraph''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect as if included in the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans 
Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (title V of Public Law 110-252).

SEC. 8. VETERANS CONSERVATION CORPS GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Grant Program Required.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
        in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary 
        of the Interior, establish a program to award grants to States 
        to establish veterans conservation corps.
            (2) Maximum amount.--The amount of a grant awarded to a 
        State under this section in any year may not exceed $250,000.
    (b) Veterans Conservation Corps.--For purposes of this section, a 
veterans conservation corps is a corps that--
            (1) is established by a State--
                    (A) within the veterans agency of the State; or
                    (B) in affiliation with the veterans agency of the 
                State; and
            (2) provides veterans with volunteer and employment 
        opportunities with respect to conservation projects for one or 
        more of the following:
                    (A) To restore natural habitat.
                    (B) To maintain Federal, State, or local--
                            (i) forest lands;
                            (ii) parks and reserves; and
                            (iii) other reservations, water, and 
                        outdoor lands.
                    (C) To maintain and improve urban and suburban 
                storm water management facilities and other water 
                management facilities.
                    (D) To carry out hazardous materials and spills 
                response, energy efficiency and other environmental 
                maintenance, stewardship, and restoration projects.
    (c) Training, Education, and Certification.--
            (1) In general.--A State receiving a grant under this 
        section to establish a veterans conservation corps shall ensure 
        that such corps incorporates into the volunteer and employment 
        opportunities provided by such corps training, education, and 
        certification in environmental restoration and management 
        fields.
            (2) Consultation.--Such State shall ensure that, in 
        incorporating training, education, and certification into 
        volunteer and employment opportunities under paragraph (1), the 
        veterans conservation corps consults with the following:
                    (A) State and local workforce investment boards.
                    (B) Local institutions of higher education, 
                including community colleges.
                    (C) Private schools.
                    (D) State or local agencies, including State 
                employment agencies and State forest services.
                    (E) Labor organizations.
                    (F) Business involved in the environmental 
                industry.
                    (G) Such other entities as the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs considers appropriate.
    (d) Employment Assistance.--A State receiving a grant under this 
section to establish a veterans conservation corps shall ensure that 
such corps partners with one-stop centers, State and local workforce 
investment boards, and other State agencies to assist veterans enrolled 
in such corps in obtaining employment in the fields of environmental 
restoration and management, and other related fields.
    (e) Services.--
            (1) In general.--A State receiving a grant under this 
        section to establish a veterans conservation corps shall ensure 
        that such corps--
                    (A) assesses of the veterans participating in the 
                Corps the skills to help such veterans identify 
                appropriate employment opportunities in their local 
                communities that utilize the skills they developed 
                while in the Armed Forces;
                    (B) assists with or provides referrals for 
                obtaining benefits available to veterans;
                    (C) facilitates internships or job shadowing for 
                veterans; and
                    (D) matches veterans with conservation projects 
                that are aligned with the goals of the veterans.
            (2) Partnership with state and local workforce investment 
        boards.--In carrying out subparagraph (A) and (C) of paragraph 
        (1), the State shall partner with State and local workforce 
        investment boards.
    (f) Reports.--Each State receiving a grant under this section shall 
submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report on the performance of the veterans conservation corps of such 
State, including the following:
            (1) A description of how the grant amount was used.
            (2) An assessment of the performance of such corps, 
        including a description of the current veterans labor market in 
        such State and the veterans labor market in such State in the 
        previous year.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (2) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (3) One-stop center.--The term ``one-stop center'' means a 
        one-stop center described in section 134(c) of the Workforce 
        Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864(c)).
            (4) State and local workforce investment boards.--The term 
        ``State and local workforce investment boards'' means a State 
        workforce investment board and a local workforce investment 
        board as such terms are defined in section 101 of the Workforce 
        Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801).

SEC. 9. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN REFORMING HIGHER EDUCATION TO AFFORD 
              ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR MILITARY EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
        in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
        Veterans' Employment and Training, establish a center of 
        excellence for the purpose described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Purpose.--The purpose described in this paragraph is 
        the support of research, development, planning, implementation, 
        and evaluation of methods for educational institutions to 
        afford academic credit for military experience and training 
        to--
                    (A) veterans who were discharged or released from 
                service in the Armed Forces not more than 48 months 
                before applying for admission to a program of education 
                at such institutions; or
                    (B) members of the reserve components of the Armed 
                Forces.
    (b) Grants and Contracts.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may, acting through the 
        center of excellence, award grants to or enter into contracts 
        with eligible institutions for the purpose described in 
        subsection (a)(2).
            (2) Minimum and maximum amounts.--The Secretary may not 
        award a grant or contract under this section in an amount that 
        is less than $2,000,000 or more than $5,000,000.
    (c) Eligible Institutions.--For purposes of this section, an 
eligible institution is any partnership that--
            (1) meets such requirements as the Secretary may specify 
        for purposes of this section; and
            (2) consists of an institution of higher education and one 
        or more of the following:
                    (A) A community college.
                    (B) A university teaching hospital.
                    (C) A military installation, including a facility 
                of the National Guard.
                    (D) A Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
                center.
                    (E) A military medical treatment facility.
    (d) Selection of Grant and Contract Recipients.--
            (1) Application.--An eligible institution seeking a grant 
        or contract under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application therefor in such form and in such manner as the 
        Secretary considers appropriate.
            (2) Priority for certain applications.--In selecting 
        applicants for a grant or contract under this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to applicants who include as a 
        partner an institution of higher education or other educational 
        institution that--
                    (A) affords appropriate recognition to military 
                experience and training in screening candidates for 
                admission to such institution;
                    (B) has an established practice of, or proposes to 
                establish a practice of, affording appropriate academic 
                credit for military experience and training;
                    (C) if the applicant proposes to establish a 
                practice as described in subparagraph (B), includes 
                with the application submitted by the applicant under 
                paragraph (1) a review of such plan by a professional 
                organization;
                    (D) has established a professional development and 
                delivery system using evidence-based practices; or
                    (E) has demonstrated experience working with the 
                Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs;
            (3) Standards, procedures, and distribution criteria.--The 
        Secretary shall, by regulation, establish application and 
        evaluation standards and procedures and such other forms, 
        standards, definitions, and procedures as the Secretary 
        determines to be appropriate for purposes of this section.
    (e) Use of Grants and Contract Funds.--Each eligible institution 
receiving a grant or contract under this section shall use the grant or 
contract for one or more of the following:
            (1) To develop or implement a plan to modify programs of 
        education and admissions programs at institutions of higher 
        education to afford academic credit to veterans and members 
        described in subsection (a)(2).
            (2) To develop standards for the identification of military 
        experience and training in individuals applying for enrollment 
        at institutions of higher education.
            (3) To train professors, educators, and instructors at 
        institutions of higher education on means of best teaching 
        students at such institutions with military experience and 
        training.
            (4) To develop curriculum for institutions of higher 
        education that are appropriately tailored to individuals with 
        military experience and training.
            (5) To develop admissions and recruitment guidelines for 
        institutions of higher education to attract veterans and 
        members described in subsection (a)(2) and afford them 
        appropriate recognition for military experience and training in 
        their admissions processes.
            (6) To establish a program, method, or standards to be 
        utilized by institutions of higher education for assessing the 
        education and training of veterans and members described in 
        subsection (a)(2) during the pursuit of a program of education 
        and at the completion of such program.
    (f) Institution of Higher Education Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001(a)).

SEC. 10. PUBLICATION OF DATA ON EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN VETERANS BY 
              FEDERAL CONTRACTORS.

    Section 4212(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) The Secretary of Labor shall establish and maintain an 
Internet website that publicly discloses the information reported by 
contractors to the Secretary of Labor under paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 11. MILITARY PATHWAYS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Military Pathways Demonstration Programs.--Section 171 of the 
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2916) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(f) Information Technology Military Pathways Demonstration 
Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, after 
        consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
        Secretary of Defense, shall establish a demonstration program 
        and carry out the program by making grants, on a competitive 
        basis, to not more than 5 entities for demonstration projects. 
        The projects shall be designed to test the feasibility of 
        methods of enabling transitioning military members to build on 
        the technical skills learned in many military jobs, to enter 
        the information technology workforce or continue their skills 
        development in the information technology disciplines to meet 
        the demand for information technology workforce readiness in 
        computer specialist and related information technology jobs.
            ``(2) Issues to be examined.--In carrying out the program, 
        the Secretary may examine the feasibility of methods such as 
        the following:
                    ``(A) Methods to improve the transitions, skills 
                development, and employment of transitioning military 
                members for and in information technology occupations 
                with wages sufficient to support families.
                    ``(B) Methods to align the information technology 
                skills acquired in military occupations with skills 
                required in civilian information technology occupations 
                in new, emerging, or viable industries, including 
                aligning the skills--
                            ``(i) using guidelines for assessments and 
                        credentials that employers value in the hiring 
                        process, and credentials that are industry-
                        recognized and approved by the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) by means that may include the use of 
                        a modified or enhanced Department of Defense 
                        transition program or a Department of Labor 
                        transition program, such as the program carried 
                        out under chapter 41 of title 38, United States 
                        Code.
                    ``(C) Methods to ensure that military members 
                receive education and training, including training 
                through apprenticeship programs registered under the 
                Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the `National 
                Apprenticeship Act'; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 
                U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (referred to individually in this 
                subsection as an `apprenticeship program'), and 
                necessary support services, that are flexible, 
                available (including available for deployed military 
                members), adequate for individuals seeking to make the 
                transition to civilian information technology 
                occupations, and consistent with academic requirements 
                of the institution involved.
                    ``(D) Methods to enable military members to 
                accelerate application for admission, acceptance, and 
                graduation as students in computer science, 
                engineering, and related disciplines at 2-year and 4-
                year institutions of higher education, based on 
                military credentials and experience.
                    ``(E) Methods to help military members obtain 
                information technology credentials that are industry-
                recognized, are approved by the Secretary, and satisfy 
                both military requirements and civilian requirements, 
                prior to release of the members from the military.
            ``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, an entity shall submit an application to the 
        Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may require, including each of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) An assurance that the entity agrees that, in 
                carrying out the project, the entity will work in 
                conjunction with a local board and enter into a 
                partnership that includes, as principal partners, 
                employers, labor organizations, postsecondary education 
                institutions including institutions of higher 
                education, veterans service organizations, and other 
                community organizations.
                    ``(B) Information--
                            ``(i) demonstrating the capability of the 
                        entity in working with transitioning military 
                        members;
                            ``(ii) demonstrating that the entity has a 
                        history of effective collaboration with--
                                    ``(I) the information technology 
                                industry or an industry with 
                                significant information technology 
                                jobs;
                                    ``(II) State boards or local 
                                boards, as appropriate; and
                                    ``(III) institutions of higher 
                                education and other information 
                                technology educators or trainers; and
                            ``(iii) demonstrating knowledge of training 
                        and best practices of the information 
                        technology industry.
                    ``(C) An assurance that the entity will participate 
                in the Secretary's evaluation plan for the 
                demonstration program, including participating in 
                required reporting for the plan.
            ``(4) Selection criteria.--In order to select entities to 
        receive grants for projects under this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall establish selection criteria consistent with 
        this subsection and shall ensure that the criteria give 
        priority to each of the following types of entities:
                    ``(A) Entities that demonstrate the ability to 
                leverage public or private funds to sustain such a 
                project after the grant period.
                    ``(B) Entities that have relationships with 
                institutions of higher education or with qualified 
                community-based organizations that provide training.
                    ``(C) Entities that have relationships with 
                employers, labor organizations, and other entities that 
                will provide earn and learn opportunities to veterans.
                    ``(D) Entities that have experience working with 
                veterans and facilitating transitions from military to 
                civilian work environments.
                    ``(E) Entities that have experience designing 
                contextualized learning programs that integrate basic 
                adult education with skills training.
            ``(5) Program evaluation and technical assistance.--Using 
        not more than 10 percent of the amount made available to carry 
        out this subsection, the Secretary may--
                    ``(A) conduct an evaluation to determine promising 
                methods of increasing the number of highly skilled 
                transitioning military members who enter civilian 
                information technology occupations and earn wages 
                sufficient to support families; and
                    ``(B) provide technical assistance to entities 
                receiving grants under this subsection, relating to the 
                promising methods.
            ``(6) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress and Federal agencies a 
        final report on the findings and outcomes of the demonstration 
        program carried out under this subsection. The Secretary shall 
        broadly distribute the report through the veterans service 
        organizations, State boards, and local boards.
            ``(7) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Information technology.--The term 
                `information technology' means any equipment or 
                interconnected system or subsystem of equipment--
                            ``(i) used in the automatic acquisition, 
                        storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, 
                        management, movement, control, display, 
                        switching, interchange, transmission, or 
                        reception of data or information; and
                            ``(ii) includes the following:
                                    ``(I) Computers.
                                    ``(II) Ancillary equipment for 
                                computers (including imaging 
                                peripherals, and input, output, and 
                                storage devices necessary for security 
                                and surveillance).
                                    ``(III) Peripheral equipment 
                                designed to be controlled by the 
                                central processing unit of a computer.
                                    ``(IV) Software.
                                    ``(V) Computer services (including 
                                support services).
                                    ``(VI) Other computer-related 
                                resources.
                    ``(B) Institution of higher education.--The term 
                `institution of higher education' has the meaning given 
                the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
                    ``(C) Postsecondary education.--The term 
                `postsecondary education' means--
                            ``(i) a 4-year program of instruction, or 
                        not less than a 1-year program of instruction 
                        that is acceptable for credit toward a 
                        baccalaureate degree or an associate degree, 
                        offered by an institution of higher education; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) a certificate or apprenticeship 
                        program at the postsecondary level offered by 
                        an institution of higher education, a nonprofit 
                        educational institution, or a labor-management 
                        partnership.
            ``(8) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for 
        each fiscal year.
    ``(g) Nursing, Public Health and Allied Health Professional, and 
Physician Assistant Military Pathways Demonstration Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, after 
        consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Secretary 
        of Defense, and Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall 
        establish a demonstration program and carry out the program by 
        making grants, on a competitive basis, to not more than 5 
        entities for demonstration projects. The projects shall be 
        designed to test the feasibility of methods of enabling 
        transitioning military members to build on the technical skills 
        learned in many military jobs, to enter the nursing, public 
        health and allied health professional, and physician assistant 
        workforces or continue their skills development in disciplines 
        related to those workforces to meet the demand for nurses, 
        public health and allied health professionals, and physician 
        assistants.
            ``(2) Issues to be examined.--In carrying out the program, 
        the Secretary may examine the feasibility of methods such as 
        the following:
                    ``(A) Methods to improve the transitions, skills 
                development, and employment of transitioning military 
                members for and in nursing, public health and allied 
                health professional, and physician assistant 
                occupations with wages sufficient to support families.
                    ``(B) Methods to align nursing, public health and 
                allied health professional, and physician assistant 
                skills acquired in military occupations with skills 
                required in related civilian health occupations, 
                including aligning the skills--
                            ``(i) using guidelines for assessments and 
                        credentials that employers value in the hiring 
                        process, and credentials that are industry-
                        recognized and approved by the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) by means that may include the use of 
                        a modified or enhanced Department of Defense 
                        transition program or a Department of Labor 
                        transition program, such as the program carried 
                        out under chapter 41 of title 38, United States 
                        Code.
                    ``(C) Methods to ensure that military members 
                receive education and training, including training 
                through apprenticeship programs, and necessary support 
                services, that are flexible, available (including 
                available for deployed military members), adequate for 
                individuals seeking to make the transition to civilian 
                nursing, public health and allied health, and physician 
                assistant occupations, and consistent with academic 
                requirements of the institution involved.
                    ``(D) Methods to align education and training 
                programs, including apprenticeship programs, for 
                veterans in nursing, public health and allied health 
                professional, and physician assistant occupations with 
                education and training programs for those occupations 
                that are provided for the public.
                    ``(E) Methods to enable military members to 
                accelerate application for admission, acceptance, and 
                graduation as students in nursing, public health and 
                allied health, and physician assistant disciplines at 
                2-year and 4-year institutions of higher education, 
                based on military credentials and experience.
                    ``(F) Methods to help military members obtain 
                credentials related to those health care occupations 
                that are industry-recognized, are approved by the 
                Secretary, and satisfy both military requirements and 
                civilian requirements, prior to release of the members 
                from the military.
            ``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, an entity shall submit an application to the 
        Secretary of such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may require including each of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) An assurance that the entity agrees that, in 
                carrying out the project, the entity will work in 
                conjunction with a local board and enter into a 
                partnership that includes, as principal partners, 
                employers, labor organizations, postsecondary education 
                institutions including institutions of higher 
                education, veterans service organizations, and other 
                community organizations.
                    ``(B) Information--
                            ``(i) in demonstrating the capability of 
                        the entity in working with transitioning 
                        military members;
                            ``(ii) demonstrating that the entity has a 
                        history of effective collaboration with--
                                    ``(I) health care employers;
                                    ``(II) State boards or local 
                                boards, as appropriate; and
                                    ``(III) institutions of higher 
                                education and other nursing, public 
                                health and allied health professional, 
                                and physician assistant educators or 
                                trainers; and
                            ``(iii) demonstrating knowledge of training 
                        and best practices of the health care industry.
                    ``(C) An assurance that the entity will participate 
                in the Secretary's evaluation plan for the 
                demonstration program, including participating in 
                required reporting for the plan.
            ``(4) Selection criteria.--In order to select entities to 
        receive grants for projects under this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall establish selection criteria consistent with 
        this subsection and shall ensure that the criteria give 
        priority to entities that demonstrate the ability to leverage 
        of public or private funds to sustain such a project after the 
        grant period.
            ``(5) Program evaluation and technical assistance.--Using 
        not more than 10 percent of the amount made available to carry 
        out this subsection, the Secretary may--
                    ``(A) conduct an evaluation to determine promising 
                methods of increasing the number of highly skilled 
                transitioning military members who enter civilian 
                nursing, public health and allied health, or physician 
                assistant occupations and earn wages sufficient to 
                support families; and
                    ``(B) provide technical assistance to entities 
                receiving grants under this subsection, relating to the 
                promising methods.
            ``(6) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress and Federal agencies a 
        final report on the findings and outcomes of the demonstration 
        program carried out under this subsection. The Secretary shall 
        broadly distribute the report through the veterans service 
        organizations, State boards, and local boards.
            ``(7) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Allied health professional.--The term `allied 
                health professional' means a health professional (other 
                than a registered nurse or physician assistant) who--
                            ``(i) has received a certificate, an 
                        associate degree, a baccalaureate degree, a 
                        master's degree, a doctoral degree, or 
                        postbaccalaureate training, in a science 
                        relating to health care;
                            ``(ii) shares in the responsibility for the 
                        delivery of health care services or related 
                        services, including--
                                    ``(I) services relating to the 
                                identification, evaluation, and 
                                prevention of disease and disorders;
                                    ``(II) dietary and nutrition 
                                services;
                                    ``(III) health promotion services;
                                    ``(IV) rehabilitation services; or
                                    ``(V) health systems management 
                                services; and
                            ``(iii) has not received--
                                    ``(I) a degree of doctor of 
                                medicine;
                                    ``(II) a degree of doctor of 
                                osteopathy;
                                    ``(III) a degree of doctor of 
                                dentistry or an equivalent degree;
                                    ``(IV) a degree of doctor of 
                                veterinary medicine or an equivalent 
                                degree;
                                    ``(V) a degree of doctor of 
                                optometry or an equivalent degree;
                                    ``(VI) a degree of doctor of 
                                podiatric medicine or an equivalent 
                                degree;
                                    ``(VII) a degree of bachelor of 
                                science in pharmacy or an equivalent 
                                degree;
                                    ``(VIII) a degree of doctor of 
                                pharmacy or an equivalent degree;
                                    ``(IX) a graduate degree in public 
                                health or an equivalent degree;
                                    ``(X) a degree of doctor of 
                                chiropractic or an equivalent degree;
                                    ``(XI) a graduate degree in health 
                                administration or an equivalent degree;
                                    ``(XII) a doctoral degree in 
                                clinical psychology or an equivalent 
                                degree;
                                    ``(XIII) a degree in social work or 
                                an equivalent degree; or
                                    ``(XIV) a degree in counseling or 
                                an equivalent degree.
                    ``(B) Other terms.--The terms `apprenticeship 
                program', `institution of higher education', and 
                `postsecondary education' have the meanings given the 
                terms in subsection (f).
            ``(8) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for 
        each fiscal year.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 174(b)(1) of the Workforce 
Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2919(b)(1)) is amended by inserting 
``(other than subsection (f) or (g) of section 171)'' after ``through 
172''.

SEC. 12. VETERANS ENERGY-RELATED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 168 of the Workforce Investment Act of 
1998 (29 U.S.C. 2913) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) activities described in subsection (b).''; 
                and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Veterans Energy-Related Employment Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment of pilot program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To encourage the employment of 
                eligible veterans in the energy industry, the Secretary 
                shall carry out a Veterans Energy-Related Employment 
                Program as a pilot program and as a program described 
                in subsection (a).
                    ``(B) Grants.--Under the pilot program, the 
                Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to 
                3 States for the establishment and administration of 
                State Energy-Related Employment Programs. In 
                administering such a program, the State shall make 
                grants to energy employers and labor-management 
                organizations that collectively provide covered 
                training, on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs 
                registered as described in section 171(f)(2)(C) 
                (referred to individually in this subsection as an 
                `apprenticeship program'), and certification classes to 
                eligible veterans. Such a program may be referred to in 
                this subsection as a `State program'.
            ``(2) Eligibility for grants.--To be eligible to receive a 
        grant under the pilot program, a State shall submit to the 
        Secretary an application that includes each of the following:
                    ``(A) A proposal for the expenditure of grant funds 
                to establish, and administer through a public-private 
                partnership, a State Energy-Related Employment Program 
                designed to provide covered training, on-the-job 
                training, apprenticeship programs, and certification 
                classes to a significant number of eligible veterans 
                and ensure lasting and sustainable employment in well-
                paying jobs in the energy industry.
                    ``(B) Evidence that the State has--
                            ``(i) a population of eligible veterans, of 
                        an appropriate size for the State program;
                            ``(ii) a robust and diverse energy 
                        industry; and
                            ``(iii) the ability to carry out the State 
                        program described in the proposal under 
                        subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) Such other information and assurances as the 
                Secretary may require.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--A State that is the recipient of a 
        grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds for each 
        of the following purposes:
                    ``(A) Making grants to energy employers and labor-
                management organizations to reimburse such employers 
                and organizations for the cost of providing covered 
                training, on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs, 
                and certification classes to eligible veterans.
                    ``(B) Conducting outreach to inform energy 
                employers, labor-management organizations, and 
                veterans, including veterans in rural areas, of their 
                eligibility or potential eligibility for participation 
                in the State program.
            ``(4) Conditions.--Under the pilot program, each State that 
        receives a grant under this subsection shall be subject to each 
        of the following conditions:
                    ``(A) Repayment.--The State shall repay to the 
                Secretary, on such date as shall be determined by the 
                Secretary, any amount received under the pilot program 
                that is not used for the purposes described in 
                paragraph (3).
                    ``(B) Submission of reports.--The State shall 
                submit to the Secretary, at such times and containing 
                such information as the Secretary shall require, 
                reports on the use of the grant funds.
            ``(5) Employer requirements.--In order to receive a grant 
        made by a State under the pilot program, an energy employer 
        seeking the grant shall, or a labor-management organization 
        seeking such a grant shall (in coordination with the energy 
        employer involved)--
                    ``(A) submit to the administrator of the State 
                program an application that includes--
                            ``(i) the rate of pay for each eligible 
                        veteran proposed to be served using grant 
                        funds;
                            ``(ii) the average rate of pay for an 
                        individual employed by the energy employer in a 
                        similar position who is not an eligible 
                        veteran; and
                            ``(iii) such other information and 
                        assurances as the administrator may require; 
                        and
                    ``(B) agree to submit to the administrator, for 
                each quarter, a report containing such information as 
                the Secretary may specify.
            ``(6) Limitation.--None of the funds made available to an 
        energy employer or labor-management organization through a 
        grant under the pilot program may be used to provide services 
        of any kind to a person who is not an eligible veteran.
            ``(7) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall submit to 
        Congress a report on the pilot program. The Secretary shall 
        submit the report together with the report required to be 
        submitted annually under section 4107(c) of title 38, United 
        States Code, and with respect to the same year as is covered by 
        such report. The report on the pilot program shall include a 
        detailed description of activities carried out under this 
        subsection and an evaluation of the program.
            ``(8) Administrative and reporting costs.--Of the amounts 
        appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
        under paragraph (10), 2 percent shall be made available to the 
        Secretary for administrative costs associated with implementing 
        and evaluating the pilot program under this subsection and for 
        preparing and submitting the report required under paragraph 
        (7). The Secretary shall determine the appropriate maximum 
        amount of each grant awarded under this subsection that may be 
        used by the recipient for administrative and reporting costs.
            ``(9) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Covered training, on-the-job training, 
                apprenticeship programs, and certification classes.--
                The term `covered training, on-the-job training, 
                apprenticeship programs, and certification classes' 
                means training, on-the-job training, apprenticeship 
                programs, and certification classes that are--
                            ``(i) designed to provide a veteran with 
                        skills that are particular to an energy 
                        industry and not directly transferable to 
                        employment in another industry; and
                            ``(ii) approved as provided in paragraph 
                        (1) or (2), as appropriate, of subsection (a) 
                        of section 3687 of title 38, United States 
                        Code.
                    ``(B) Eligible veteran.--The term `eligible 
                veteran' means a veteran described in subsection (a) 
                who is employed by an energy employer and enrolled or 
                participating in a covered training, on-the-job 
                training, apprenticeship program, or certification 
                class.
                    ``(C) Energy employer.--The term `energy employer' 
                means an entity that employs individuals in a trade or 
                business in an energy industry.
                    ``(D) Energy industry.--The term `energy industry' 
                means any of the following industries:
                            ``(i) The energy-efficient building, 
                        construction, or retrofits industry.
                            ``(ii) The renewable electric power 
                        industry, including the wind and solar energy 
                        industries.
                            ``(iii) The biofuels industry.
                            ``(iv) The energy efficiency assessment 
                        industry that serves the residential, 
                        commercial, or industrial sector.
                            ``(v) The oil and natural gas industry.
                            ``(vi) The nuclear industry.
            ``(10) Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2011 through 2015, for the purpose of carrying out the 
        pilot program described in this subsection.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 174(a)(1) of the Workforce 
Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2919(a)(1)) is amended by inserting 
``(other than section 168(b))'' after ``168''.

SEC. 13. GRANTS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL TRAINING FOR 
              VETERANS.

    Section 330J(c)(8) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
254c-15(c)(8)) is amended by inserting before the period the following: 
``, including, as provided by the Secretary, may use funds to provide 
to military veterans required coursework and training that take into 
account, and are not duplicative of, previous medical coursework and 
training received when such veterans were active members of the Armed 
Forces, to enable such veterans to satisfy emergency medical services 
personnel certification requirements, as determined by the appropriate 
State regulatory entity''.

SEC. 14. VETERANS TO WORK PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Veterans To Work Program.--Subchapter III of chapter 169 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
2856 the following new section:
``Sec. 2857. Veterans to Work pilot program
    ``(a) Pilot Program; Purposes.--The Secretary of Defense shall 
carry out a pilot program (to be known as the `Veterans to Work pilot 
program') to determine--
            ``(1) the maximum feasible extent to which apprentices may 
        be employed to work on military construction projects 
        designated under subsection (b);
            ``(2) the maximum feasible extent to which the apprentices 
        so employed are veterans; and
            ``(3) the feasibility of expanding the employment of 
        apprentices to military construction projects in addition to 
        those projects designated under subsection (b).
    ``(b) Designation of Military Construction Projects for Pilot 
Program.--(1) For each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015, the Secretary 
of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military 
departments, designate for inclusion in the pilot program not less than 
20 military construction projects (including unspecified minor military 
construction projects under section 2805(a) of this title) that will be 
conducted in that fiscal year.
    ``(2) In designating military construction projects under this 
subsection, the Secretary of Defense shall--
            ``(A) to the greatest extent possible, designate military 
        construction projects that are located where there are veterans 
        enrolled in qualified apprenticeship programs or veterans who 
        could be enrolled in qualified apprenticeship programs in a 
        cost-effective, timely, and feasible manner;
            ``(B) ensure geographic diversity among the military 
        construction projects designated; and
            ``(C) select projects to be carried out in the continental 
        United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern 
        Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
    ``(3) Unspecified minor military construction projects may not 
exceed 40 percent of the military construction projects designated 
under this subsection for a fiscal year.
    ``(c) Contract Provisions.--Any agreement that the Secretary of 
Defense or the Secretary of a military department enters into for a 
military construction project that is designated for inclusion in the 
pilot program shall ensure that, to the maximum extent feasible, 
apprentices shall be employed on the project and that, to the maximum 
extent feasible, such apprentices shall be veterans.
    ``(d) Qualified Apprenticeship and Other Training Programs.--
            ``(1) Participation by each contractor required.--Each 
        contractor and subcontractor that seeks to provide construction 
        services on military construction projects designated by the 
        Secretary of Defense pursuant to subsection (b) shall submit 
        adequate assurances with its bid or proposal that it 
        participates in a qualified apprenticeship or other training 
        program for each craft or trade classification of worker that 
        it intends to employ to perform work on the project.
            ``(2) Qualified apprenticeship or other training program 
        defined.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In this section, the term 
                `qualified apprenticeship or other training program' 
                means an apprenticeship or other training program that 
                qualifies as an employee welfare benefit plan, as 
                defined in section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement 
                Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002(1)).
                    ``(B) Certification of other programs in certain 
                localities.--In the event that the Secretary of Labor 
                certifies that a qualified apprenticeship or other 
                training program (as defined in subparagraph (A)) for a 
                craft or trade classification of workers that a 
                prospective contractor or subcontractor intends to 
                employ, is not operated in the locality where the 
                project will be performed, an apprenticeship or other 
                training program that is not an employee welfare 
                benefit plan (as defined in such section) may be 
                certified by the Secretary as a qualified 
                apprenticeship or other training program provided it is 
                registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the 
                Department of Labor, or a State apprenticeship agency 
                recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship for Federal 
                purposes
    ``(e) Report.--(1) Not later than 150 days after the end of each 
fiscal year during which the pilot program is active, the Secretary of 
Defense shall submit to Congress a report that includes the following:
            ``(A) The progress of military construction projects 
        designated pursuant to subsection (b) and the role of 
        apprentices in achieving that progress.
            ``(B) Any challenges, difficulties, or problems encountered 
        in recruiting apprentices or in recruiting veterans to become 
        apprentices.
            ``(C) Cost differentials in the designated military 
        construction projects when compared with similar projects 
        completed contemporaneously, but not designated for the pilot 
        program.
            ``(D) Evaluation of benefits derived from employing 
        apprentices, including the following:
                    ``(i) Workforce sustainability.
                    ``(ii) Workforce skills enhancement.
                    ``(iii) Increased short and long term cost-
                effectiveness.
                    ``(iv) Improved veteran employment in sustainable 
                wage fields.
            ``(E) Any additional benefits derived from employing 
        apprentices and veteran apprentices.
            ``(F) Recommendations on how to more effectively employ 
        apprentices in subsequent fiscal years.
            ``(G) Any other information the Secretary of Defense 
        considers appropriate.
    ``(2) Not later than March 1, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to Congress a report that--
            ``(A) analyzes the pilot program in terms of its effect on 
        the sustainability of a workforce to meet the military 
        construction needs of the Armed Forces;
            ``(B) studies overall improvements in veteran employment in 
        sustainable wage fields or professions; and
            ``(C) makes recommendations on the continuation, 
        modification, or expansion of the pilot program on the basis of 
        such factors as the Secretary of Defense determines 
        appropriate, including the following:
                    ``(i) Workforce sustainability.
                    ``(ii) Cost-effectiveness.
                    ``(iii) Community development.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `apprentice' means an individual who is 
        employed pursuant to and individually registered in a 
        `qualified apprenticeship or other training program,' as 
        defined in subsection (d)(2)(A) or other apprenticeship or 
        training programs recognized in accordance with subsection 
        (d)(2)(B).
            ``(2) The term `State' means any of the several States, the 
        District of Columbia, or territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the 
        Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
            ``(3) The term `veteran' has the meaning given such term 
        under section 101(2) of title 38.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
subchapter III of chapter 169 of such title is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 2856 the following new item:

``2857. Veterans to Work pilot program.''.

SEC. 15. REPORT ON RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TRANSITION 
              ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF MEMBERS OF 
              THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Labor, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
Employment and Training, shall jointly submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report setting forth recommendations for 
improvements and enhancements of the Transition Assistance Program 
(TAP) in order to better meet the needs of members of the Armed Forces 
and veterans.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) A description and assessment of the extent to which the 
        current Transition Assistance Program meets the needs of 
        members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
            (2) Recommendations for improvements and enhancements of 
        the Transition Assistance Program in order to ensure--
                    (A) the comprehensiveness of the programs and 
                activities under the program; and
                    (B) the consistency of the programs and activities 
                under the program across the Armed Forces and among the 
                military installations at which the program is carried 
                out.
            (3) Recommendations for improvements and enhancements of 
        the Transition Assistance Program to ensure that the program 
        meets the needs of veterans residing in localities in the 
        vicinity of military installations at which the program is 
        carried out.
            (4) A description and assessment of the programs and 
        activities offered to veterans who have completed participation 
        in the Transition Assistance Program in order to further assist 
        such veterans in their continuing transition from military life 
        to civilian life, and recommendations for programs and 
        activities to improve and enhance such assistance.
            (5) An estimate of the cost of implementing the 
        recommendations set forth pursuant to paragraphs (2), (3), and 
        (4) during the five fiscal years beginning after the date of 
        the submittal of the report.
            (6) Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense and the 
        Secretary of Labor jointly consider appropriate.
    (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, 
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        House of Representatives.

SEC. 16. STUDY ON PROGRAM OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE MODELED ON NATIONAL 
              GUARD EMPLOYMENT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OF THE WASHINGTON 
              NATIONAL GUARD.

    (a) Study Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall complete a study 
of the National Guard Employment Enhancement Program of the Washington 
National Guard to assess the feasibility and advisability of carrying 
out a program of assistance modeled after such program for all members 
of reserve components of the Armed Forces who transition from activity 
military service to civilian life.
    (b) Report.--Upon completion of the study required by subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report that includes the following:
            (1) The findings of the Secretary as a result of the study.
            (2) The recommendation of the Secretary as to the 
        feasibility and advisability of carrying out a program of 
        assistance as described in subsection (a).
            (3) If the Secretary determines that carrying out a program 
        of assistance as described in subsection (a) is feasible and 
        advisable, an estimate of the cost to implement the program of 
        assistance.
    (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, 
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        House of Representatives.
                                 <all>