[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2241 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2241

   To ensure that veterans have the information and protections they 
     require to make informed decisions regarding use of Post-9/11 
            Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 27, 2012

Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Begich, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. 
  Rockefeller, Mr. Coons, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. 
  Whitehouse) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To ensure that veterans have the information and protections they 
     require to make informed decisions regarding use of Post-9/11 
            Educational Assistance, 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 ``GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 
2012''.

SEC. 2. PUBLICATION BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND SECRETARY OF 
              DEFENSE OF INFORMATION ABOUT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Publication by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new section:
``Sec. 3697B. Publication of information about educational institutions
    ``(a) Publication of Information.--The Secretary shall, on an 
ongoing basis, make available to veterans, members of the Armed Forces, 
and other individuals eligible to receive or receiving assistance under 
this chapter or any of chapters 30 through 35 of this title or chapters 
106A or 1606 of title 10 the information described in subsection (d) in 
language that can be easily understood by such veterans, members, and 
other individuals.
    ``(b) Collection of Information.--(1) In order to make the 
information described in subsection (d) available as required by 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall take such actions as may be 
necessary to obtain such information.
    ``(2) If the Secretary requires, for purposes of this section, 
information that has been reported by an educational institution to the 
Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of 
Labor, or the heads of other Federal agencies under a provision of law 
other than under this section or section 3679A of this title, the 
Secretary shall obtain such information from such Secretary or head 
rather than the educational institution.
    ``(3) Making information available under subsection (a) shall not 
be required in a case in which the number of students in a category is 
insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results 
would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual 
student.
    ``(c) Partnership With Secretary of Education and Secretary of 
Defense.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out subsections (a) and (b) in 
consultation and cooperation with the Secretary of Education and the 
Secretary of Defense.
    ``(2) If the Secretary of Education or the Secretary of Defense 
incur any costs in consulting or cooperating with the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall reimburse the Secretary concerned, from amounts appropriated to 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, for such costs.
    ``(d) Information.--The information described in this subsection is 
as follows:
            ``(1) An explanation of the different types of 
        accreditation available to educational institutions and 
        programs of education.
            ``(2) A general overview of Federal student aid programs, 
        the implications of incurring student loan debt, and discussion 
        of how receipt of educational assistance under this chapter or 
        any of chapters 30 through 35 of this title may enable students 
        to complete programs of education without incurring significant 
        educational debt.
            ``(3) For each educational institution at which an 
        individual is enrolled in a program of education for which the 
        individual receives assistance under this chapter or any of 
        chapters 30 through 35 of this title or chapter 106A or 1606 of 
        title 10 and for the most recent academic year for which 
        information is available, the following:
                    ``(A) The percentage of students who enroll in the 
                first term of a program of education of the educational 
                institution who on the date that is 1 year after the 
                date of enrolling are not enrolled in any program of 
                education at the educational institution.
                    ``(B) The percentage of students enrolled in a 
                program of education offered by the educational 
                institution who complete the program of education 
                within the normal time for completion of such program 
                and the percentage of students enrolled in a program of 
                education offered by the educational institution who 
                complete the program of education within 150 percent of 
                such period, disaggregated by students who receive and 
                don't receive assistance for pursuit of the program of 
                education under this chapter or any of chapters 30 
                through 35 of this title or chapter 106A or 1606 of 
                title 10.
                    ``(C) The number of degrees and certificates 
                awarded by the educational institution and the number 
                of students enrolled in programs of education at the 
                educational institution that lead to a degree or a 
                certificate.
                    ``(D) The number of students enrolled in a program 
                of education of the educational institution.
                    ``(E) The rates of job placement of students who 
                complete a program of education offered by the 
                educational institution that prepares students for 
                gainful employment in a recognized occupation and for 
                other programs if such rates are available for such 
                other programs.
                    ``(F) The mean of the wages the students described 
                in subparagraph (E) receive from their first positions 
                of employment obtained after completing a program of 
                education offered by the educational institution.
                    ``(G) A description of the accreditation of the 
                educational institution, if any, and the names of any 
                national or regional accrediting agencies that have 
                accredited the educational institution.
                    ``(H) For each program of education offered by the 
                educational institution, the following:
                            ``(i) The percentage of students who enroll 
                        in the first term of the program of education 
                        who on the date that is 1 year after the date 
                        of enrolling are not enrolled in any program of 
                        education at the educational institution.
                            ``(ii) The percentage of students enrolled 
                        in the program of education who complete the 
                        program of education within the normal time for 
                        completion of such program and the percentage 
                        of students enrolled in the program of 
                        education who complete the program of education 
                        within 150 percent of such period, 
                        disaggregated by students who receive and don't 
                        receive assistance for pursuit of the program 
                        of education under this chapter or any of 
                        chapters 30 through 35 of this title or chapter 
                        106A or 1606 of title 10.
                            ``(iii) The number of degrees or 
                        certificates awarded by the educational 
                        institution to individuals who enrolled in the 
                        program of education.
                            ``(iv) The number of students enrolled in 
                        the program of education.
                            ``(v) If the program of education is 
                        designed to prepare a student for a particular 
                        occupation, whether such occupation generally 
                        requires licensing or certification in the 
                        State in which the educational institution is 
                        located and if so, whether successfully 
                        completing such program of education generally 
                        qualifies an individual--
                                    ``(I) to obtain such licensing or 
                                certification;
                                    ``(II) to take an examination that 
                                is generally required to obtain such 
                                licensing or certification; or
                                    ``(III) to meet such other 
                                preconditions as may be necessary for 
                                employment in such occupation in such 
                                State.
                            ``(vi) If the program of education is 
                        designed to prepare a student for a particular 
                        occupation that generally requires licensing or 
                        certification in the State in which the 
                        educational institution is located, the 
                        percentage of students who completed such 
                        program of education who obtained such 
                        licensing or certification.
                            ``(vii) The rates of job placement of 
                        students who complete the program of education 
                        for programs of education that prepare students 
                        for gainful employment in a recognized 
                        occupation and for other programs if such rates 
                        are available for such other programs.
                            ``(viii) The mean of the wages the students 
                        described in clause (vii) receive from their 
                        first positions of employment obtained after 
                        completing the program of education.
                            ``(ix) A description of the accreditation 
                        of the program of education, if any, and the 
                        names of any national or regional accrediting 
                        agencies that have accredited the program of 
                        education.
                    ``(I) An explanation of the following:
                            ``(i) Whether academic credits awarded by 
                        the educational institution are transferable to 
                        public educational institutions in the State in 
                        which the educational institution is located.
                            ``(ii) Any articulation agreements the 
                        educational institution may have with any other 
                        educational institutions.
                            ``(iii) How the educational institution may 
                        or may not accept academic credit awarded by 
                        another educational institution, including 
                        whether the educational institution accepts the 
                        transfer of academic credits from the 
                        following:
                                    ``(I) The Army/American Council on 
                                Education Registry Transcript System.
                                    ``(II) The Sailor-Marine American 
                                Council on Education Registry 
                                Transcript.
                                    ``(III) The Community College of 
                                the Air Force.
                                    ``(IV) The United States Coast 
                                Guard Institute.
                    ``(J) The average tuition and fees for all programs 
                of education at the educational institution leading to 
                a baccalaureate degree or lesser degree, license, or 
                certificate and the average tuition and fees charged by 
                public educational institutions for similar programs of 
                education, disaggregated by State.
                    ``(K) The median amount of debt from Federal 
                student loans under title IV of the Higher Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), and to the degree 
                practicable, private student loans, held upon 
                completion of a program of education by an individual 
                who received assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 34 
                of this title for pursuit of such program of education 
                at the educational institution.
                    ``(L) The cohort default rate, as defined in 
                section 435(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1085(m)), of the educational institution.
                    ``(M) With respect to the information reported 
                under subparagraphs (K) and (L), indicators of how the 
                educational institution compares with all public 
                educational institutions offering comparable programs 
                of education.
                    ``(N) Whether the educational institution is a 
                public, private nonprofit, or private for-profit 
                institution.
                    ``(O) The number of veterans enrolled in programs 
                of education at the educational institution who are 
                receiving assistance under this chapter and chapters 30 
                through 35 of this title and chapters 106A and 1606 of 
                title 10 for pursuit of such programs of education.
                    ``(P) A description of the benefits and assistance 
                veterans described in subparagraph (K) may be entitled 
                to under the laws of the State or States in which the 
                veterans receive instruction from the educational 
                institution.
                    ``(Q) A description of the educational 
                institution's participation, if any, in the Yellow 
                Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program established 
                under section 3317(a) of this title.
                    ``(R) If the educational institution charges a 
                lower rate of tuition for students who reside in the 
                same State as the educational institution--
                            ``(i) identification of the requirements 
                        for students to obtain in-State status for such 
                        lower rate of tuition; and
                            ``(ii) a list of educational institutions 
                        located or incorporated in the same State as 
                        the educational institution that waive such 
                        requirements for veterans.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 3697A the following new 
        item:

``3697B. Publication of information about educational institutions.''.
            (3) Effective date.--Section 3697B of title 38, United 
        States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall take effect on 
        the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act and not later than such date, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall begin making information available as 
        described in subsection (a) of such section.
    (b) Training for Employees of Department of Veterans Affairs 
Education Call Centers.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure 
that appropriate employees of each of the education call centers of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs receive appropriate training regarding 
the information made available under section 3697B of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).
    (c) Publication by Secretary of Defense.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall, on an 
        ongoing basis, make available to individuals eligible to 
        receive or receiving assistance under the Military Spouse 
        Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program of the Department of 
        Defense the information described in paragraph (4) in language 
        that can be easily understood by such individuals.
            (2) Collection of information.--
                    (A) In general.--In order to make the information 
                described in paragraph (4) available as required by 
                paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take such actions as 
                may be necessary to obtain such information, including 
                by requiring educational institutions to provide, as a 
                condition of participating in such program, such 
                information as the Secretary considers necessary to 
                carry out this subsection.
                    (B) Collection from other federal agencies.--If the 
                Secretary of Defense requires, for purposes of this 
                section, information that has been reported by an 
                educational institution to the Secretary of Education, 
                the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of 
                Labor, or the heads of other Federal agencies under a 
                provision of law other than under this subsection, the 
                Secretary of Defense shall obtain such information from 
                such Secretary or head rather than the educational 
                institution.
                    (C) Privacy.--Making information available under 
                paragraph (1) shall not be required in a case in which 
                the number of students in a category is insufficient to 
                yield statistically reliable information or the results 
                would reveal personally identifiable information about 
                an individual student.
            (3) Partnership with secretary of education.--The Secretary 
        of Defense shall carry out paragraphs (1) and (2) in 
        consultation and cooperation with the Secretary of Education.
            (4) Information.--The information described in this 
        paragraph is as follows:
                    (A) An explanation of the different types of 
                accreditation available to educational institutions and 
                programs of education.
                    (B) A general overview of Federal student aid 
                programs and the implications of incurring student loan 
                debt.
                    (C) For each educational institution at which an 
                individual is enrolled in a program of education and 
                receives assistance under the Military Spouse Career 
                Advancement Account (MyCAA) program of the Department 
                of Defense for pursuit of such program of education, 
                the following:
                            (i) The percentage of students who enroll 
                        in the first term of a program of education of 
                        the educational institution who on the date 
                        that is 1 year after the date of enrolling are 
                        not enrolled in any program of education at the 
                        educational institution.
                            (ii) The percentage of students who 
                        transfer from one program of education offered 
                        by the educational institution to another 
                        program of education offered by the educational 
                        institution.
                            (iii) The rates of job placement of 
                        students who complete a program of education 
                        offered by the educational institution that 
                        prepares students for gainful employment in a 
                        recognized occupation and for other programs if 
                        such rates are available for such other 
                        programs.
                            (iv) The mean of the wages the students 
                        described in clause (iii) receive from their 
                        first positions of employment obtained after 
                        completing a program of education offered by 
                        the educational institution.
                            (v) A description of the accreditation of 
                        the educational institution, if any, and the 
                        names of any national or regional accrediting 
                        agencies that have accredited the educational 
                        institution.
                            (vi) For each program of education offered 
                        by the educational institution, the following:
                                    (I) If the program of education is 
                                designed to prepare a student for a 
                                particular occupation, whether such 
                                occupation generally requires licensing 
                                or certification in the State in which 
                                the educational institution is located 
                                and if so, whether successfully 
                                completing such program of education 
                                generally qualifies an individual--
                                            (aa) to obtain such 
                                        licensing or certification;
                                            (bb) to take an examination 
                                        that is generally required to 
                                        obtain such licensing or 
                                        certification; or
                                            (cc) to meet such other 
                                        preconditions as may be 
                                        necessary for employment in 
                                        such occupation in such State.
                                    (II) If the program of education is 
                                designed to prepare a student for a 
                                particular occupation that generally 
                                requires licensing or certification in 
                                the State in which the educational 
                                institution is located, the percentage 
                                of students who completed such program 
                                of education who obtained such 
                                licensing or certification.
                                    (III) The rates of job placement of 
                                students who complete the program of 
                                education for programs of education 
                                that prepares students for gainful 
                                employment in a recognized occupation 
                                and for other programs if such rates 
                                are available for such other programs.
                                    (IV) The mean of the wages the 
                                students described in subclause (III) 
                                receive from their first positions of 
                                employment obtained after completing 
                                the program of education.
                            (vii) An explanation of the following:
                                    (I) Whether academic credits 
                                awarded by the educational institution 
                                are transferable to public educational 
                                institutions in the State in which the 
                                educational institution is located.
                                    (II) Any articulation agreements 
                                the educational institution may have 
                                with any other educational 
                                institutions.
                                    (III) How the educational 
                                institution may or may not accept 
                                academic credit awarded by another 
                                educational institution.
                            (viii) Whether the educational institution 
                        is a public, private nonprofit, or private for-
                        profit institution.
                            (ix) If the educational institution is 
                        accredited, whether the educational institution 
                        has received disciplinary complaints from the 
                        accrediting agency that awarded such 
                        accreditation and the adjudication status of 
                        such complaints.

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR SUPPORT 
              OF VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Additional Requirements Under Title 38.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 36 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new section:
``Sec. 3679A. Additional requirements
    ``(a) Affirmative Requirements.--A course of education of an 
educational institution may not be approved under this chapter unless 
the educational institution carries out the following:
            ``(1) Compiling and disclosing to the Secretary such 
        information as the Secretary may require to carry out section 
        3697B of this title to the extent that such information is 
        available to the educational institution.
            ``(2) If more than 10 veterans or members of the Armed 
        Forces are enrolled in a course of education at the educational 
        institution, ensuring that at least one full-time equivalent 
        employee of the educational institution is knowledgeable about 
        benefits and assistance available to veterans and members of 
        the Armed Forces under laws administered by the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense.
            ``(3) Ensuring that appropriate employees of the 
        educational institution are trained and qualified to handle 
        assistance provided under this chapter, chapters 30 through 35 
        of this title, and chapters 106A and 1606 of title 10.
            ``(4) If more than 10 veterans or members of the Armed 
        Forces are enrolled in a course of education at the educational 
        institution, providing academic advising and support services 
        to veterans, including remediation, tutoring, career and 
        placement counseling services, and referrals to centers for 
        readjustment counseling and related mental health services for 
        veterans under section 1712A of this title (known as `vet 
        centers').
            ``(5) Offering training for members of the faculty of the 
        educational institution on matters that are relevant to 
        veterans and members of the Armed Forces who are enrolled in 
        courses of education at the educational institution.
            ``(6) Agreeing to abide by the policies developed under 
        section 3696(b) of this title.
            ``(7) Establishing a point of contact for veterans enrolled 
        in courses of education at the educational institution who 
        can--
                    ``(A) assist such veterans in adjusting to student 
                life at the educational institution; or
                    ``(B) provide referrals to groups or organizations 
                that provide such assistance.
    ``(b) Prohibitions.--A course of education of an educational 
institution may not be approved under this chapter if the educational 
institution--
            ``(1) requires a student enrolled in the course of 
        education to waive the student's right to legal recourse under 
        any otherwise applicable provision of Federal or State law; or
            ``(2) requires a student enrolled in the course of 
        education to submit to arbitration or imposes onerous legal 
        notice provisions in the case of a dispute with the educational 
        institution.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 3679 the following new item:

``3679A. Additional requirements.''.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 3672(b)(2)(A) of such 
        title is amended by striking ``and 3696'' and inserting ``3696, 
        and 3697B''.
            (4) Effective date.--Section 3679A of such title, as added 
        by paragraph (1), shall take effect on the date that is 180 
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Memorandums of Understanding Between Department of Defense and 
Educational Institutions.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 106A of title 10, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        section:
``Sec. 2149A. Memorandums of understanding with educational 
              institutions
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall seek to enter into a 
memorandum of understanding, not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012, with each 
educational institution at which an individual is enrolled in a program 
of education for which the individual receives assistance under this 
chapter.
    ``(b) Elements.--Each memorandum of understanding entered into 
under subsection (a) shall require the educational institution with 
which the Secretary enters into the understanding to carry out 
paragraphs (2) through (7) of section 3679A(a) of title 38.
    ``(c) Ban on Recruiting on Military Installations.--No individual 
who represents an educational institution described in subsection (a) 
may enter a military facility of the United States for purposes of 
recruiting students for the educational institution if the educational 
institution has not entered into a memorandum of understanding with the 
Secretary under such subsection.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 106A of such title is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new item:

``2149A. Memorandums of understanding with educational institutions.''.

SEC. 4. PROTECTIONS FOR VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
              ATTENDING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Policies To Curb Aggressive Recruiting.--Section 3696 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``, including utilizing third-
                party lead generators that gather names of prospective 
                students through the use deceptive or misleading acts 
                or practices'' before the period at the end; and
                    (B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as paragraphs 
        (2) and (3), respectively;
            (3) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        striking ``under subsection (a)'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``under paragraph (1)'';
            (4) by striking ``this section'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``this subsection''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following new subsection (b):
    ``(b) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the 
GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop policies to 
curb aggressive recruiting of veterans and members of the Armed Forces 
by educational institutions.''.
    (b) Prohibition on Inducements.--Such section is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) The Secretary shall not approve a course offered by an 
educational institution if the educational institution uses inducements 
or provides any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality 
loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary 
value of more than a de minimis amount to any individual or entity 
(other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in 
conformity with all applicable provisions of law) for the purpose of 
securing enrollments.''.
    (c) Working Group.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 36 of such title is amended by 
        inserting after section 3692 the following new section:
``Sec. 3692A. Working group
    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Education, establish a working 
group--
            ``(1) to coordinate consumer protection efforts of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense 
        with respect to educational assistance provided under this 
        chapter, chapters 30 through 35 of this title, and chapters 
        106A and 1606 of title 10; and
            ``(2) to develop policies related to postsecondary 
        education marketing and recruitment of veterans and members of 
        the Armed Forces.
    ``(b) Duties.--In coordinating efforts and developing policies 
under subsection (a), the working group shall--
            ``(1) survey veterans and members of the Armed Forces who 
        have received educational assistance described in subsection 
        (a)(1) to obtain feedback on the educational assistance 
        received and on the program of education for which such 
        assistance was received;
            ``(2) review marketing and recruitment practices carried 
        out by educational institutions to determine whether the 
        advertising practices of such institutions might be detrimental 
        to veterans and members of the Armed Forces, including a review 
        of Internet websites used for marketing and advertising 
        campaigns targeted towards veterans and members of the Armed 
        Forces; and
            ``(3) monitor the overall postsecondary education market 
        for developments that affect veterans and members of the Armed 
        Forces.
    ``(c) Consultation.--In carrying out its duties under this section, 
the working group shall consult with appropriate Federal agencies 
(including the Department of Education and the Consumer Federal 
Protection Bureau), consumer protection groups, veterans service 
organizations, military service organizations, representatives of 
educational institutions, and representatives of such other groups or 
organizations as the Secretaries consider appropriate.
    ``(d) Exemption From FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group established under 
subsection (a).
    ``(e) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this section, the 
term `veterans service organization' means any organization recognized 
by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 
of this title.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 3692 the following new item:

``3692A. Working group.''.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the working group established under 
        section 3692A of such title, as added by paragraph (1), shall 
        submit to Congress a report on the activities of the working 
        group under such section, including the following:
                    (A) The findings of the working group.
                    (B) The actions taken by the working group.
                    (C) The policies developed by the working group.
                    (D) Recommendations for such legislative and 
                regulatory action as may be necessary to coordinate as 
                described in paragraph (1) of section 3692A(a) of such 
                title and develop policies as described in paragraph 
                (2) of such section.
    (d) Policies on Conflicts of Interest Between Employees of 
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and Educational 
Institutions.--Section 3683 of such title is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of 
Defense shall develop policies for employees of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, respectively, regarding 
conflicts of interest between employees of such departments and 
educational institutions.''.

SEC. 5. ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY AND DELIVERY OF CAREER INFORMATION AND 
              COUNSELING TO MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall, in collaboration with the Secretary of Labor 
and the Secretary of Education, assess the quality and delivery of 
career information and counseling provided to members of the Armed 
Forces and veterans enrolled in (or planning to enroll in) programs of 
education with assistance under chapter 106A or 1606 of title 10, 
United States Code, or any of chapters 30 through 36 of title 38, 
United States Code. Such assessment shall address, at minimum, the 
following:
            (1) Whether such information and counseling is relevant to 
        the labor markets in which such members or veterans plan to 
        relocate, if applicable.
            (2) Whether such information and counseling identifies 
        careers that are available in in-demand occupations and 
        industries in such labor markets.
            (3) Whether such information and counseling identifies the 
        education and credentials required for such careers.
            (4) Whether assessments provided to such members and 
        veterans as part of such counseling of the skills and 
        credentials of such members and veterans match such skills and 
        credentials with the skills and credentials required for jobs 
        in the civilian workforce.
            (5) Whether the assessments described in paragraph (4) 
        identify the additional skills or credentials members and 
        veterans described in such paragraph may need for employment in 
        jobs in the civilian workforce.
            (6) Whether such information identifies the education and 
        training programs that provide the skills necessary for such 
        careers in such labor markets.
            (7) Whether such information is provided in a timely 
        manner.
    (b) Collaboration With the One-Stop Delivery System and Transition 
Assistance Programs.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of 
Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in collaboration 
with the Secretary of Labor, determine how programs that provide 
education and career counseling services to members of the Armed Forces 
and veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should--
            (1) collaborate and improve information sharing with one-
        stop delivery systems established under section 134(c) of the 
        Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2864(c)), including 
        collaboration through electronic means, to provide the 
        information described in subsection (a) to the members of the 
        Armed Forces before such members transition from service in the 
        Armed Forces to civilian life; and
            (2) coordinate with--
                    (A) each other;
                    (B) the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) of the 
                Department of Defense;
                    (C) the services provided under sections 1142, 
                1143, and 1144 of title 10, United States Code;
                    (D) the programs established under section 235(b) 
                of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-
                56; 38 U.S.C. 4214 note); and
                    (E) the demonstration project established under 
                section 4114 of title 38, United States Code.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress a report on the assessment completed 
        under subsection (a), including recommendations for such 
        legislative, regulatory, and administrative action as the 
        Secretaries consider necessary to improve the provision of 
        career information relevant to programs of education pursued by 
        members of the Armed Forces and veterans to such members and 
        veterans.
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee 
                on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Health, 
                Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee 
                on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Education 
                and the Workforce of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 6. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL 
              COUNSELING.

    Section 3697A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3);
            (2) in paragraph (1), by adding ``or'' at the end; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):
            ``(2) is serving on active duty in any State with the Armed 
        Forces and has served in the Armed Forces on active duty for 
        not fewer than 180 days.''.

SEC. 7. SUBMITTAL OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION AND 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 3693 the following new section:
``Sec. 3693A. Complaint process
    ``(a) Submittal of Complaints.--The Secretary shall establish 
procedures for submittal to the Secretary of complaints by a students 
who are pursuing programs of education with assistance under this 
chapter, any of chapters 30 through 35 of this title, or chapters 106A 
or 1606 of title 10 regarding such programs of education or such 
assistance.
    ``(b) Database.--The Secretary shall establish a database to store 
complaints submitted under subsection (a) to enable the Secretary--
            ``(1) to improve the provision of assistance under this 
        chapter and chapters 30 through 35 of this title;
            ``(2) to improve the provision of educational and 
        vocational counseling under section 3697A of this title; and
            ``(3) to identify problems with the programs of education 
        or assistance described in subsection (a) that warrant further 
        investigation by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 3693 the following new item:

``3693A. Complaint process.''.

SEC. 8. COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES FOR PROVISION BY 
              EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO 
              ARE VETERANS OR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and two and four years thereafter, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall, in collaboration with the Secretary of 
Education and the Secretary of Defense, collect and disseminate 
information about best practices for the provision by educational 
institutions of assistance to students who are veterans and students 
who are members of the Armed Forces to help them successfully enter, 
persist in, and complete programs of education.
    (b) Consultation With Veterans Service Organizations.--In carrying 
out subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult 
with veterans service organizations and educational institutions.

SEC. 9. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS FOR CONTRACT EDUCATIONAL AND 
              VOCATIONAL COUNSELING.

    Section 3697 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b); and
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) Subject to 
        subsection (b) of this section, educational'' and inserting 
        ``Educational''.

SEC. 10. DEDICATED POINTS OF CONTACT FOR SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIALS.

    Section 3684 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the 
GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012, the Secretary shall ensure that 
the Department employs personnel dedicated to assisting personnel of 
educational institutions who are charged with submitting reports or 
certifications to the Secretary under this section.''.

SEC. 11. REPORT ON NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
              LAWS ADMINISTERED BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 
receipt of educational assistance under laws administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the last academic year ending 
before the submittal of the report.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following, for the period covered by the report:
            (1) A list of all educational institutions at which an 
        individual is enrolled in a program of education for which the 
        individual receives assistance under a law administered by the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) For each educational institution listed under paragraph 
        (1), the number of individuals who receive assistance under a 
        law administered by the Secretary to pursue a program of 
        education at the educational institution.
            (3) For each educational institution listed under paragraph 
        (1), the total amount of assistance paid under laws 
        administered by the Secretary to individuals enrolled in 
        programs of education at the educational institution for 
        pursuit of such programs and paid to the educational 
        institution for the education of individuals.

SEC. 12. PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION AND 
              WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS.

    (a) Establishment of Metrics.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of 
Labor, establish metrics for tracking the successful completion of 
education and workforce training programs carried out under laws 
administered by the Secretary of Defense.
    (b) Report on Metrics.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the metrics establish 
under subsection (a), including a description of each such metric.
    (c) Annual Assessment.--Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year 
thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress an assessment of the education and workforce 
training programs described in subsection (a) using the metrics 
established under such subsection.
    (d) Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In this section, the term 
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 13. PRIVACY.

    Nothing in this title or any of the amendments made by this title 
shall be construed to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the 
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Education, or the Secretary of 
Labor to release to the public information about an individual that is 
otherwise prohibited by a provision of law.

SEC. 14. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Educational institution and program of education.--The 
        terms ``educational institution'' and ``program of education'' 
        have the meanings given such terms in section 3501 of title 38, 
        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 such title.
                                 <all>