[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3314 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3314

   To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Appalachian 
Regional Commission to carry out a program of outreach for veterans who 
             reside in Appalachia, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 5, 2010

 Mr. Brown of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was read twice 
           and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Appalachian 
Regional Commission to carry out a program of outreach for veterans who 
             reside in Appalachia, 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. OUTREACH FOR VETERANS WHO RESIDE IN APPALACHIA.

    (a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
Appalachian Regional Commission shall jointly carry out a program of 
outreach to veterans who reside in the Appalachian region for the 
purpose described in subsection (b).
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose described in this subsection is to 
increase the following:
            (1) The access and use by veterans of Federal, State, and 
        local programs providing compensation and other benefits for 
        service in the Armed Forces.
            (2) Awareness of such programs by veterans who reside in 
        the Appalachian region and their eligibility for such programs.
    (c) Projects.--
            (1) Department of veterans affairs.--In carrying out the 
        program required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs may enter into agreements with other Federal and State 
        agencies to carry out projects under the jurisdiction of such 
        agencies to further the purpose described in subsection (b).
            (2) Appalachian regional commission.--In carrying out the 
        program required by subsection (a), the Appalachian Regional 
        Commission may provide technical assistance, award grants, 
        enter into contracts, or otherwise provide amounts to persons 
        or entities in the Appalachian region for projects and 
        activities that--
                    (A) increase outreach to, awareness by, and use by 
                veterans of programs described in subsection (b)(1);
                    (B) provide incentives for State and local 
                governments and veterans service organizations to 
                assist veterans in utilizing facilities and resources 
                available to veterans through the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs;
                    (C) provide incentives for State and local 
                governments and veterans service organizations to 
                assist veterans in utilizing resources available 
                through government and veterans service organizations 
                for veterans;
                    (D) educate communities and State and local 
                governments about the employment rights of veterans, 
                including the employment and reemployment of members of 
                the uniformed services under chapter 43 of title 38, 
                United States Code;
                    (E) provide technical assistance to businesses 
                owned by veterans; and
                    (F) encourage and assist nonprofit organizations, 
                businesses, and institutions of higher education to 
                carry out programs of assistance designed for veterans.
    (d) Information, Advice, and Technical Assistance.--In carrying out 
the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs and the Appalachian Regional Commission may provide, or 
contract with public or private organizations to provide, information, 
advice, and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations that 
provide services to communities in the Appalachian region in order to 
increase the number of veterans receiving such services in the 
Appalachian region.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appalachian region.--The term ``Appalachian region'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 14102(a) of title 40, 
        United States Code.
            (2) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans 
        service organization'' means any organization recognized by the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of 
        veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
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