II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3354 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 28, 2012 Mr. Casey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To authorize the Transition Assistance Advisor program of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Transition Assistance Advisor Act of 2012.

2.

Transition Assistance Advisor program

(a)

Program authorized

(1)

In general

Chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1144 the following new section:

1144A.

Transition Assistance Advisors

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Defense shall establish as part of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) a Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) program to provide professionals in each State to serve as statewide points of contact to assist members of the armed forces in accessing benefits and health care furnished under laws administered by the Secretary of Defense and benefits and health care furnished under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (b)

Number of advisors

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the minimum number of Transition Assistance Advisors in each State is as follows: (1)During the period beginning 180 days before the commencement of a contingency operation (or, if later, as soon before as is otherwise practicable) and ending 180 days after the conclusion of such contingency operation— (A)in the case of a State with fewer than 1,500 members of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States residing in the State, not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor; and (B)in the case of a State with 1,500 or more members of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States who reside in such State, not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor for each 1,500 members of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States who reside in such State. (2)At any time not covered by paragraph (1)— (A)in the case of a State with fewer than 5,000 members of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States residing in the State, not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor; and (B)in the case of a State with 5,000 or more members of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States who reside in such State, not less than one Transition Assistance Advisor for each 1,500 members of the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States who reside in such State. (c)

Duties

The duties of a Transition Assistance Advisor includes the following: (1)To assist with the creation and execution of individual transition plans for members of the National Guard described in subsection (d)(2) and their families for the reintegration of such members into civilian life. (2)To provide employment support services to members of the National Guard and their families, including assistance with discovering employment opportunities and identifying and obtaining assistance from programs within and outside of the Federal Government. (3)Provide information on relocation, health care, mental health care, and financial support services available to members of the National Guard or their families from the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other Federal, State, and local agencies. (4)Provide information on educational support services available to members of the National Guard, including Post–9/11 Educational Assistance under chapter 33 of title 38. (d)

Transition plans

(1)Each individual plan created under subsection (c)(1) for a member of the National Guard described in paragraph (2) shall include the following: (A)A plan for the transition of the member to life in the civilian world, including with respect to employment, education, and health care. (B)A description of the transition services that the member and the member's family will need to achieve their transition objectives, including information on any forms that such member will need to fill out to be eligible for such services. (C)A point of contact for each agency or entity that can provide the transition services described in subparagraph (B). (2)A member of the National Guard described in this paragraph is any member of the National Guard who has served on active duty in the armed forces for a period of more than 180 days. (e)

State defined

In this section, the term State means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any territory of the United States. (f)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section— (1)$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and (2)such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 58 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1144 the following new item: 1144A. Transition Assistance Advisors. . (b)

Report

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report setting forth a description of the efforts of the Secretary to implement the requirements of section 1144A of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).