I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4057 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 16, 2012 Mr. Bilirakis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy to improve outreach and transparency to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the provision of information on institutions of higher learning, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2012.
2.
Comprehensive policy on providing education information to veterans
(a)
Comprehensive policy required
(1)
In general
Chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
3698.
Comprehensive policy on providing education information to veterans
(a)
Comprehensive policy required
The Secretary shall develop a comprehensive policy to improve outreach and transparency to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the provision of information on institutions of higher learning. (b)
Scope
In developing the policy required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall include each of the following elements: (1)The most effective way to inform individuals of the educational and vocational counseling provided under section 3697A of this title. (2)A centralized way to track and publish feedback from students and State approving agencies regarding the quality of instruction and accreditation, recruiting practices, and post-graduation employment placement of institutions of higher learning. (3)The merit of and the manner in which a State approving agency shares with an accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education information regarding the State approving agency’s evaluation of an institution of higher learning. (4)The manner in which information regarding institutions of higher learning is provided to individuals participating in the Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 of title 10. (5)The most effective way to provide veterans and members of the Armed Forces with information regarding postsecondary education and training opportunities available to the veteran or member. (c)
Definitions
In this section: (1)The term institution of higher learning has the meaning given that term in section 3452(f) of this title. (2)The term postsecondary education and training opportunities means any postsecondary program of education, including apprenticeships and on-job training, for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides assistance to a veteran or member of the Armed Forces.
. (2)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 3697A the following new item: 3698. Comprehensive policy on providing education information to veterans. . (b)
Survey
In developing the policy required by section 3698(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct a market survey to determine the availability of the following: (1)A commercially available off-the-shelf online tool that allows a veteran or member of the Armed Forces to assess whether the veteran or member is academically ready to engage in postsecondary education and training opportunities and whether the veteran or member would need any remedial preparation before beginning such opportunities. (2)A commercially available off-the-shelf online tool that provides a veteran or member of the Armed Forces with a list of providers of postsecondary education and training opportunities based on criteria selected by the veteran or member. (c)
Report
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that includes— (1)a description of the policy developed by the Secretary under section 3698(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a); (2)a plan of the Secretary to implement such policy; and (3)the results of the survey conducted under subsection (b), including whether the Secretary plans to implement the tools described in such subsection. (d)
Definitions
In this section: (1)The term commercially available off-the-shelf has the meaning given that term in section 104 of title 41, United States Code. (2)The term postsecondary education and training opportunities means any postsecondary program of education, including apprenticeships and on-job training, for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides assistance to a veteran or member of the Armed Forces.