1.This Act may be cited as
the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of
2012
.
2.Publication by
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Defense of information about
educational institutions
(a)Publication by
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
(1)Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
3697B.Publication
of information about educational institutions
(a)Publication of
informationThe 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)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)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)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 centersNot 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)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 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 agenciesIf 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)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 EducationThe Secretary of Defense shall carry
out paragraphs (1) and (2) in consultation and cooperation with the Secretary
of Education.
(4)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.
3.Additional
requirements of educational institutions for support of veterans and members of
the Armed Forces
(a)Additional
requirements under title 38
(1)Subchapter I of chapter 36 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
3679A.
(a)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)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)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)Section 3672(b)(2)(A) of such title is amended by
striking and 3696
and inserting 3696, and
3697B
.
(4)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)Chapter 106A of title 10, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
2149A.Memorandums
of understanding with educational institutions
(a)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)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 installationsNo 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)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.
.
4.Protections for
veterans and members of the Armed Forces attending educational
institutions
(a)Policies To
curb aggressive recruitingSection 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
inducementsSuch 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)
(1)Chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting after
section 3692 the following new section:
3692A.
(a)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)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)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)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 definedIn 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)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)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 institutionsSection 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.
.
5.Assessment of
quality and delivery of career information and counseling to members of Armed
Forces and veterans
(a)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
programsIn 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)
(1)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 CongressIn 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.
6.Expansion of
eligibility for educational and vocational counselingSection 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.
.
7.Submittal of
complaints regarding programs of education and educational assistance
(a)Chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 3693 the following new section:
3693A.
(a)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)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)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.
.
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)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 organizationsIn carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with veterans service organizations
and educational institutions.
9.Repeal of
limitation on payments for contract educational and vocational
counselingSection 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
.
10.Dedicated
points of contact for school certifying officialsSection 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.
.
11.Report on
number of recipients of educational assistance under laws administered by
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
(a)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)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.
12.Performance
metrics for Department of Defense education and workforce training
programs
(a)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)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)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 CongressIn 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.
13.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.
14.In this Act:
(1)Educational
institution and program of educationThe 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 organizationThe 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.