[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 951 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                        Calendar No. 95
112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 951

    To improve the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, 
 vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces 
                 and veterans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 11, 2011

 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Akaka, 
 Mr. Baucus, Mr. Begich, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Casey, Mr. 
Coons, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Tester, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Brown of Massachusetts, 
Mr. Cardin, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Reed, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. 
Durbin, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Levin, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. 
    Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Kohl) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                           Veterans' Affairs

                              July 7, 2011

               Reported by Mrs. Murray, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To improve the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, 
 vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces 
                 and veterans, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Hiring Heroes Act of 
2011''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL 
              BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH SEVERE 
              INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI 
of Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2012'' and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS TO PAY EMPLOYERS FOR PROVIDING ON-JOB TRAINING TO 
              VETERANS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN REHABILITATED TO POINT OF 
              EMPLOYABILITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 3116(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``who have been rehabilitated to the point of 
employability''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-
              CONNECTED DISABILITIES WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED RIGHTS TO 
              UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS UNDER STATE LAW.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Entitlement to Additional Rehabilitation Programs.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 3102 of title 38, United 
        States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``A person'' and inserting the 
                following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--A person''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Additional Rehabilitation Programs for Persons Who 
Have Exhausted Rights to Unemployment Benefits Under State Law.--(1) A 
person who has completed a rehabilitation program under this chapter 
shall be entitled to an additional rehabilitation program under the 
terms and conditions of this chapter if--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) the person is described by paragraph (1) or 
        (2) of subsection (a); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) the person--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) has exhausted all rights to regular 
                compensation under the State law or under Federal law 
                with respect to a benefit year;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) has no rights to regular 
                compensation with respect to a week under such State or 
                Federal law; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) is not receiving compensation with 
                respect to such week under the unemployment 
                compensation law of Canada; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) begins such additional rehabilitation 
        program within six months of the date of such 
        exhaustion.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i), a person shall 
be considered to have exhausted such person's rights to regular 
compensation under a State law when--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) no payments of regular compensation can be 
        made under such law because such person has received all 
        regular compensation available to such person based on 
        employment or wages during such person's base period; 
        or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) such person's rights to such compensation 
        have been terminated by reason of the expiration of the benefit 
        year with respect to which such rights existed.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) In this subsection, the terms `compensation', 
`regular compensation', `benefit year', `State', `State law', and 
`week' have the respective meanings given such terms under section 205 
of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 
U.S.C. 3304 note).''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Duration of additional rehabilitation 
        program.--Section 3105(b) of such title is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``Except as provided in 
                subsection (c) of this section,'' and inserting ``(1) 
                Except as provided in paragraph (2) and in subsection 
                (c),''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) The period of a vocational rehabilitation program 
pursued by a veteran under section 3102(b) of this title following a 
determination of the current reasonable feasibility of achieving a 
vocational goal may not exceed 24 months.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Extension of Period of Eligibility.--Section 3103 of 
such title is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``in subsection 
        (b), (c), or (d)'' and inserting ``in subsection (b), (c), (d), 
        or (e)'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
        (f); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by inserting after subsection (d) the 
        following new subsection (e):</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e)(1) The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply 
to a rehabilitation program described in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) A rehabilitation program described in this paragraph 
is a rehabilitation program pursued by a veteran under section 3102(b) 
of this title.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Exception to Limitation on Receipt of Assistance Under 
Chapter 31 and One or More Programs.--Section 3695(b) of such title is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``No person'' and inserting 
        ``Except as provided in paragraph (2), no person''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following new 
        paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a 
rehabilitation program described in section 3103(e)(2) of this 
title.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOW-UP ON VETERANS WHO PARTICIPATE 
              IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TRAINING AND 
              REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
              DISABILITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 3106 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) For each rehabilitation program pursued by a veteran 
under this chapter, the Secretary shall contact such veteran not later 
than 180 days after the date on which such veteran completes such 
rehabilitation program or terminates participation in such 
rehabilitation program and not less frequently than once every 180 days 
thereafter for a period of one year to ascertain the employment status 
of the veteran and assess such rehabilitation program.''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in the section heading, by adding ``; program 
        assessment and follow-up'' at the end.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 31 of such title is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 3106 and inserting the following new 
item:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``3106. Initial and extended evaluations; determinations 
                            regarding serious employment handicap; 
                            program assessment and follow-up.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 6. MANDATORY PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
              IN THE TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT 
              OF DEFENSE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 1144(c) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``shall encourage'' and all that 
follows and inserting ``shall require the participation in the program 
carried out under this section of the members eligible for assistance 
under the program.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Required Use of Employment Assistance, Job Training 
Assistance, and Other Transitional Services in Preseparation 
Counseling.--Section 1142(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking 
``may'' and inserting ``shall''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. FOLLOW-UP ON EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF MEMBERS OF ARMED 
              FORCES WHO RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN TRANSITIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    For each individual who participates in the Transitional 
Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense, the Secretary of 
Labor shall contact such individual not later than 180 days after the 
date on which such individual completes such program and not less 
frequently than once every 90 days thereafter for a period of 180 days 
to ascertain the employment status of such individual.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. COLLABORATIVE VETERANS' TRAINING, MENTORING, AND 
              PLACEMENT PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Chapter 41 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 4104 the following new 
section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 4104A. Collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and 
              placement program</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to 
eligible nonprofit organizations to provide training and mentoring for 
eligible veterans who seek employment. The Secretary shall award the 
grants to not more than 3 organizations, for periods of 2 
years.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Collaboration and Facilitation.--The Secretary shall 
ensure that the recipients of the grants--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) collaborate with--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the appropriate disabled veterans' 
                outreach specialists (in carrying out the functions 
                described in section 4103A(a)) and the appropriate 
                local veterans' employment representatives (in carrying 
                out the functions described in section 4104); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the appropriate State boards and 
                local boards (as such terms are defined in section 101 
                of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
                2801)) for the areas to be served by recipients of the 
                grants; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) based on the collaboration, facilitate the 
        placement of the veterans that complete the training in 
        meaningful employment that leads to economic self-
        sufficiency.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, a nonprofit organization shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require. At a minimum, 
the information shall include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) information describing how the organization 
        will--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) collaborate with disabled veterans' 
                outreach specialists and local veterans' employment 
                representatives and the appropriate State boards and 
                local boards (as such terms are defined in section 101 
                of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
                2801));</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) based on the collaboration, provide 
                training that facilitates the placement described in 
                subsection (b)(2); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) make available, for each veteran 
                receiving the training, a mentor to provide career 
                advice to the veteran and assist the veteran in 
                preparing a resume and developing job interviewing 
                skills; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) an assurance that the organization will 
        provide the information necessary for the Secretary to prepare 
        the reports described in subsection (d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Reports.--(1) Not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, the Secretary shall 
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
that describes the process for awarding grants under this section, the 
recipients of the grants, and the collaboration described in 
subsections (b) and (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) conduct an assessment of the performance of 
        the grant recipients, disabled veterans' outreach specialists, 
        and local veterans' employment representatives in carrying out 
        activities under this section, which assessment shall include 
        collecting information on the number of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) veterans who applied for training 
                under this section;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) veterans who entered the 
                training;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) veterans who completed the 
                training;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iv) veterans who were placed in 
                meaningful employment under this section; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(v) veterans who remained in such 
                employment as of the date of the assessment; 
                and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report that includes--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) a description of how the grant 
                recipients used the funds made available under this 
                section;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) the results of the assessment 
                conducted under subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) the recommendations of the 
                Secretary as to whether amounts should be appropriated 
                to carry out this section for fiscal years after 
                2013.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,500,000 for 
the period consisting of fiscal years 2012 and 2013.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the term `appropriate committees of 
        Congress' means the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the term `nonprofit organization' means an 
        organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that is exempt from taxation 
        under section 501(a) of such Code.''</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4103A of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and 
        facilitate placements'' after ``intensive services''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) In facilitating placement of a veteran under this 
program, a disabled veterans' outreach program specialist shall help to 
identify job opportunities that are appropriate for the veteran's 
employment goals and assist that veteran in developing a cover letter 
and resume that are targeted for those particular jobs.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 41 of such title is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 4104 the following new item:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``4104A. Collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and 
                            placement program.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 9. INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
              FORCES UNDER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ON EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN 
              SKILLS DEVELOPED IN MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALITIES 
              AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT WITH 
              THE PRIVATE SECTOR.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Study on Equivalence Required.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Labor shall 
        jointly enter into a contract with a qualified organization or 
        entity jointly selected by the Secretaries, to conduct a study 
        to identify any equivalences between the skills developed by 
        members of the Armed Forces through various military 
        occupational specialties (MOS) and the qualifications required 
        for various positions of civilian employment in the private 
        sector.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Cooperation of federal agencies.--The 
        departments and agencies of the Federal Government, including 
        the Office of Personnel Management, the General Services 
        Administration, the Government Accountability Office, and other 
        appropriate departments and agencies, shall cooperate with the 
        contractor under paragraph (1) to conduct the study required 
        under that paragraph.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Report.--Upon completion of the study 
        conducted under paragraph (1), the contractor under that 
        paragraph shall submit to the Secretary of Defense, the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Labor a 
        report setting forth the results of the study. The report shall 
        include such information as the Secretaries shall specify in 
        the contract under paragraph (1) for purposes of this 
        section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Transmittal to congress.--The Secretary of 
        Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary 
        of Labor shall jointly transmit to Congress the report 
        submitted under paragraph (3), together with such comments on 
        the report as the Secretaries jointly consider 
        appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Individualized Assessment of Civilian Positions 
Available Through MOS Skills.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure 
that each member of the Armed Forces who is participating in the 
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense 
receives, as part of such member's participation in that program, an 
individualized assessment of the various positions of civilian 
employment in the private sector for which such member may be qualified 
as a result of the skills developed by such member through such 
member's military occupational specialty. The assessment shall be 
performed using the results of the study conducted under subsection (a) 
and such other information as the Secretary of Defense, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, 
considers appropriate for that purpose.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Further Use in Employment-Related Transition 
Assistance.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Transmittal of assessment.--The Secretary of 
        Defense shall transmit the individualized assessment provided a 
        member under subsection (a) to the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs and the Secretary of Labor.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Use in assistance.--The Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs and the Secretary of Labor may use an individualized 
        assessment with respect to an individual under paragraph (1) 
        for employment-related assistance in the transition from 
        military service to civilian life provided the individual by 
        such Secretary and to otherwise facilitate and enhance the 
        transition of the individual from military service to civilian 
        life.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. APPOINTMENT OF HONORABLY DISCHARGED MEMBERS AND OTHER 
              EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Appointment of Honorably Discharged Members of the 
Uniformed Services to Civil Service Positions.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Chapter 33 of title 5, United 
        States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3330c the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 3330d. Honorably discharged members of the uniformed 
              services</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``The head of an executive agency may appoint a member of 
the uniformed services who is honorably discharged to a position in the 
civil service without regard to sections 3301 through 3330c during the 
180-day period beginning on the date that the individual is honorably 
discharged, if that individual is otherwise qualified for the 
position.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table 
        of sections for chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, is 
        amended by adding after the item relating to section 3330c the 
        following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``3330d. Honorably discharged members of the uniformed 
                            services.''.
<DELETED>    (b) Employment Assistance: Other Federal Agencies.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the term ``agency'' has the meaning 
                given the term ``Executive agency'' in section 105 of 
                title 5, United States Code; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the term ``veteran'' has the meaning 
                given that term in section 101 of title 38, United 
                States Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Responsibilities of office of personnel 
        management.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) designate agencies that shall 
                establish a program to provide employment assistance to 
                members of the armed forces who are being separated 
                from active duty in accordance with paragraph (3); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) ensure that the programs established 
                under this subsection are coordinated with the 
                Transition Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department 
                of Defense.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Elements of program.--The head of each agency 
        designated under paragraph (2)(A), in consultation with the 
        Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and acting 
        through the Veterans Employment Program Office of the agency 
        established under Executive Order 13518 (74 Fed. Reg. 58533; 
        relating to employment of veterans in the Federal Government), 
        or any successor thereto, shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) establish a program to provide 
                employment assistance to members of the Armed Forces 
                who are being separated from active duty, including 
                assisting such members in seeking employment with the 
                agency;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) provide such members with information 
                regarding the program of the agency established under 
                subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) promote the recruiting, hiring, 
                training and development, and retention of such members 
                and veterans by the agency.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Other office.--If an agency designated under 
        paragraph (2)(A) does not have a Veterans Employment Program 
        Office, the head of the agency, in consultation with the 
        Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall select an 
        appropriate office of the agency to carry out the 
        responsibilities of the agency under paragraph (3).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 11. OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING 
              UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor shall carry out a 
program through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
Employment and Training, the disabled veterans' outreach program 
specialists employed under section 4103A of title 38, United States 
Code, and local veterans' employment representatives employed under 
section 4104 of such title to provide outreach to covered veterans and 
provide them with assistance in finding employment.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a 
covered veteran is a veteran who--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) recently separated from service in the Armed 
        Forces; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) has been in receipt of assistance under the 
        Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers program under 
        subchapter II of chapter 85 of title 5 for more than 105 
        days.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 12. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PILOT PROGRAM ON WORK 
              EXPERIENCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON TERMINAL 
              LEAVE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may establish a 
pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing 
to covered individuals work experience with civilian employees and 
contractors of the Department of Defense to facilitate the transition 
of the individuals from service in the Armed Forces to employment in 
the civilian labor market.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Covered Individuals.--For purposes of this section, a 
covered individual is any individual who--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) is a member of the Armed Forces;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the Secretary expects to be discharged or 
        separated from service in the Armed Forces and is on terminal 
        leave;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the Secretary determines has skills that can 
        be used to provide services to the Department that the 
        Secretary considers critical to the success of the mission of 
        the Department; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the Secretary determines might benefit from 
        exposure to the civilian work environment while working for the 
        Department in order to facilitate a transition of the 
        individual from service in the Armed Forces to employment in 
        the civilian labor market.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out 
during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of 
the pilot program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program that 
includes the findings of the Secretary with respect to the feasibility 
and advisability of providing covered individuals with work experience 
as described in subsection (a).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 13. ENHANCEMENT OF DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON CREDENTIALING 
              AND LICENSING OF VETERANS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 4114 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``may'' and 
        inserting ``shall'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)(1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``Assistant Secretary 
                shall'' and inserting ``Assistant Secretary of 
                Veterans' Employment and Training shall, in 
                consultation with the Assistant Secretary for 
                Employment and Training,'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``10 military'' and 
                inserting ``five military''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by inserting ``of Veterans' Employment 
                and Training'' after ``selected by the Assistant 
                Secretary''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by striking subsections (d) through (h) and 
        inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Period of Project.--The period during which the 
Assistance Secretary shall carry out the demonstration project under 
this section shall be the two-year period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011.''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hiring Heroes Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS 
              TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR 
              ILLNESSES.

    Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
2012'' and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.

SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PAY 
              EMPLOYERS FOR PROVIDING ON-JOB TRAINING TO VETERANS WHO 
              HAVE NOT BEEN REHABILITATED TO POINT OF EMPLOYABILITY.

    Section 3116(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``who have been rehabilitated to the point of employability''.

SEC. 4. TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
              DISABILITIES WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED RIGHTS TO UNEMPLOYMENT 
              BENEFITS UNDER STATE LAW.

    (a) Entitlement to Additional Rehabilitation Programs.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3102 of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking 
                ``A person'' and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--A person''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(b) Additional Rehabilitation Programs for Persons Who Have 
Exhausted Rights to Unemployment Benefits Under State Law.--(1) A 
person who has completed a rehabilitation program under this chapter 
shall be entitled to an additional rehabilitation program under the 
terms and conditions of this chapter if--
            ``(A) the person is described by paragraph (1) or (2) of 
        subsection (a); and
            ``(B) the person--
                    ``(i) has exhausted all rights to regular 
                compensation under the State law or under Federal law 
                with respect to a benefit year;
                    ``(ii) has no rights to regular compensation with 
                respect to a week under such State or Federal law; and
                    ``(iii) is not receiving compensation with respect 
                to such week under the unemployment compensation law of 
                Canada; and
            ``(C) begins such additional rehabilitation program within 
        six months of the date of such exhaustion.
    ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i), a person shall be 
considered to have exhausted such person's rights to regular 
compensation under a State law when--
            ``(A) no payments of regular compensation can be made under 
        such law because such person has received all regular 
        compensation available to such person based on employment or 
        wages during such person's base period; or
            ``(B) such person's rights to such compensation have been 
        terminated by reason of the expiration of the benefit year with 
        respect to which such rights existed.
    ``(3) In this subsection, the terms `compensation', `regular 
compensation', `benefit year', `State', `State law', and `week' have 
the respective meanings given such terms under section 205 of the 
Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 
3304 note).''.
            (2) Duration of additional rehabilitation program.--Section 
        3105(b) of such title is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``Except as provided in subsection 
                (c) of this section,'' and inserting ``(1) Except as 
                provided in paragraph (2) and in subsection (c),''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(2) The period of a vocational rehabilitation program pursued by 
a veteran under section 3102(b) of this title following a determination 
of the current reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal 
may not exceed 24 months.''.
    (b) Extension of Period of Eligibility.--Section 3103 of such title 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``in subsection (b), 
        (c), or (d)'' and inserting ``in subsection (b), (c), (d), or 
        (e)'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
        subsection (e):
    ``(e)(1) The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply to a 
rehabilitation program described in paragraph (2).
    ``(2) A rehabilitation program described in this paragraph is a 
rehabilitation program pursued by a veteran under section 3102(b) of 
this title.''.
    (c) Exception to Limitation on Receipt of Assistance Under Chapter 
31 and One or More Programs.--Section 3695(b) of such title is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``No person'' and inserting ``Except as 
        provided in paragraph (2), no person''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a 
rehabilitation program described in section 3103(e)(2) of this 
title.''.

SEC. 5. ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOW-UP ON VETERANS WHO PARTICIPATE IN 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TRAINING AND 
              REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3106 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) For each rehabilitation program pursued by a veteran under 
this chapter, the Secretary shall contact such veteran not later than 
180 days after the date on which such veteran completes such 
rehabilitation program or terminates participation in such 
rehabilitation program and not less frequently than once every 180 days 
thereafter for a period of one year to ascertain the employment status 
of the veteran and assess such rehabilitation program.''; and
            (2) in the section heading, by adding ``; program 
        assessment and follow-up'' at the end.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 31 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 3106 and inserting the following new item:

``3106. Initial and extended evaluations; determinations regarding 
                            serious employment handicap; program 
                            assessment and follow-up.''.

SEC. 6. MANDATORY PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN THE 
              TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 1144 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Participation.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
require the participation in the program carried out under this section 
of the members eligible for assistance under the program.
    ``(2) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland 
Security may, under regulations such Secretaries shall prescribe, waive 
the participation requirement of paragraph (1) with respect to such 
groups or classifications of members as the Secretaries consider 
appropriate after consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.''.
    (b) Required Use of Employment Assistance, Job Training Assistance, 
and Other Transitional Services in Preseparation Counseling.--Section 
1142(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking ``may'' and inserting 
``shall''.

SEC. 7. FOLLOW-UP AND AUDITS OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Follow-up on Employment Status of Members of Armed Forces Who 
Recently Participated in Transitional Assistance Program.--For each 
individual who participates in the Transitional Assistance Program 
(TAP) of the Department of Defense, the Secretary of Labor shall 
contact such individual not later than 180 days after the date on which 
such individual separates from service in the Armed Forces and not less 
frequently than once every 90 days thereafter for a period of 180 days 
to ascertain the employment status of such individual.
    (b) Audits of the Transition Assistance Program.--
            (1) Contract.--The Secretary of Labor shall enter into a 
        contract for audits of the Transition Assistance Program 
        carried out under chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code. 
        The Secretary of Labor shall enter into such contract with a 
        private organization not affiliated with the program, and shall 
        ensure that the audits are conducted not less often than once 
        every 3 years.
            (2) Audit.--In conducting such an audit, the organization 
        shall measure the effectiveness of the Transition Assistance 
        Program, and identify any measures needed to improve the 
        effectiveness of the program.
            (3) Report.--At the conclusion of each audit, the 
        organization shall prepare a report containing the findings 
        resulting from the audit, and recommendations for improving the 
        effectiveness of the program. The organization shall submit the 
        report to the Secretary of Labor, the other Secretaries 
        referred to in section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, 
        the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' 
        Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Armed Services and 
        the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (4) Improvements.--The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction 
        with the other Secretaries, shall review the report and shall 
        implement any measures needed to improve the effectiveness of 
        the Transition Assistance Program.

SEC. 8. COLLABORATIVE VETERANS' TRAINING, MENTORING, AND PLACEMENT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 41 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 4104 the following new section:
``Sec. 4104A. Collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and 
              placement program
    ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible 
nonprofit organizations to provide training and mentoring for eligible 
veterans who seek employment. The Secretary shall award the grants to 
not more than 3 organizations, for periods of 2 years.
    ``(b) Collaboration and Facilitation.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that the recipients of the grants--
            ``(1) collaborate with--
                    ``(A) the appropriate disabled veterans' outreach 
                specialists (in carrying out the functions described in 
                section 4103A(a)) and the appropriate local veterans' 
                employment representatives (in carrying out the 
                functions described in section 4104); and
                    ``(B) the appropriate State boards and local boards 
                (as such terms are defined in section 101 of the 
                Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801)) for 
                the areas to be served by recipients of the grants; and
            ``(2) based on the collaboration, facilitate the placement 
        of the veterans that complete the training in meaningful 
        employment that leads to economic self-sufficiency.
    ``(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, a nonprofit organization shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require. At a minimum, the information shall 
include--
            ``(1) information describing how the organization will--
                    ``(A) collaborate with disabled veterans' outreach 
                specialists and local veterans' employment 
                representatives and the appropriate State boards and 
                local boards (as such terms are defined in section 101 
                of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
                2801));
                    ``(B) based on the collaboration, provide training 
                that facilitates the placement described in subsection 
                (b)(2); and
                    ``(C) make available, for each veteran receiving 
                the training, a mentor to provide career advice to the 
                veteran and assist the veteran in preparing a resume 
                and developing job interviewing skills; and
            ``(2) an assurance that the organization will provide the 
        information necessary for the Secretary to prepare the reports 
        described in subsection (d).
    ``(d) Reports.--(1) Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, the Secretary shall prepare 
and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that 
describes the process for awarding grants under this section, the 
recipients of the grants, and the collaboration described in 
subsections (b) and (c).
    ``(2) Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the 
Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, the Secretary shall--
            ``(A) conduct an assessment of the performance of the grant 
        recipients, disabled veterans' outreach specialists, and local 
        veterans' employment representatives in carrying out activities 
        under this section, which assessment shall include collecting 
        information on the number of--
                    ``(i) veterans who applied for training under this 
                section;
                    ``(ii) veterans who entered the training;
                    ``(iii) veterans who completed the training;
                    ``(iv) veterans who were placed in meaningful 
                employment under this section; and
                    ``(v) veterans who remained in such employment as 
                of the date of the assessment; and
            ``(B) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report that includes--
                    ``(i) a description of how the grant recipients 
                used the funds made available under this section;
                    ``(ii) the results of the assessment conducted 
                under subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(iii) the recommendations of the Secretary as to 
                whether amounts should be appropriated to carry out 
                this section for fiscal years after 2013.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $4,500,000 for the period 
consisting of fiscal years 2012 and 2013.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `appropriate committees of Congress' means 
        the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives; 
        and
            ``(2) the term `nonprofit organization' means an 
        organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that is exempt from taxation 
        under section 501(a) of such Code.''
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4103A of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and facilitate 
        placements'' after ``intensive services''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(3) In facilitating placement of a veteran under this program, a 
disabled veterans' outreach program specialist shall help to identify 
job opportunities that are appropriate for the veteran's employment 
goals and assist that veteran in developing a cover letter and resume 
that are targeted for those particular jobs.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 41 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 4104 the following new item:

``4104A. Collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement 
                            program.''.

SEC. 9. INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES UNDER 
              TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ON EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN SKILLS 
              DEVELOPED IN MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES AND 
              QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT WITH THE 
              PRIVATE SECTOR.

    (a) Study on Equivalence Required.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly 
        enter into a contract with a qualified organization or entity 
        jointly selected by the Secretaries, to conduct a study to 
        identify any equivalences between the skills developed by 
        members of the Armed Forces through various military 
        occupational specialties (MOS) and the qualifications required 
        for various positions of civilian employment in the private 
        sector.
            (2) Cooperation of federal agencies.--The departments and 
        agencies of the Federal Government, including the Office of 
        Personnel Management, the General Services Administration, the 
        Government Accountability Office, and other appropriate 
        departments and agencies, shall cooperate with the contractor 
        under paragraph (1) to conduct the study required under that 
        paragraph.
            (3) Report.--Upon completion of the study conducted under 
        paragraph (1), the contractor under that paragraph shall submit 
        to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
        and the Secretary of Labor a report setting forth the results 
        of the study. The report shall include such information as the 
        Secretaries shall specify in the contract under paragraph (1) 
        for purposes of this section.
            (4) Transmittal to congress.--The Secretary of Defense, the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Labor shall 
        jointly transmit to Congress the report submitted under 
        paragraph (3), together with such comments on the report as the 
        Secretaries jointly consider appropriate.
    (b) Individualized Assessment of Civilian Positions Available 
Through MOS Skills.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each 
member of the Armed Forces who is participating in the Transition 
Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense receives, as part 
of such member's participation in that program, an individualized 
assessment of the various positions of civilian employment in the 
private sector for which such member may be qualified as a result of 
the skills developed by such member through such member's military 
occupational specialty. The assessment shall be performed using the 
results of the study conducted under subsection (a) and such other 
information as the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, considers 
appropriate for that purpose.
    (c) Further Use in Employment-Related Transition Assistance.--
            (1) Transmittal of assessment.--The Secretary of Defense 
        shall transmit the individualized assessment provided a member 
        under subsection (a) to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and 
        the Secretary of Labor.
            (2) Use in assistance.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        and the Secretary of Labor may use an individualized assessment 
        with respect to an individual under paragraph (1) for 
        employment-related assistance in the transition from military 
        service to civilian life provided the individual by such 
        Secretary and to otherwise facilitate and enhance the 
        transition of the individual from military service to civilian 
        life.

SEC. 10. APPOINTMENT OF HONORABLY DISCHARGED MEMBERS AND OTHER 
              EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Appointment of Honorably Discharged Members of the Uniformed 
Services to Civil Service Positions.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, 
        is amended by inserting after section 3330c the following:
``Sec. 3330d. Honorably discharged members of the uniformed services
    ``The head of an Executive agency may appoint a member of the 
uniformed services who is honorably discharged to a position in the 
civil service without regard to sections 3301 through 3320, 3322 
through 3327, 3329, and 3330 during the 180-day period beginning on the 
date that the individual is honorably discharged, if that individual is 
otherwise qualified for the position.''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
        sections for chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, is 
        amended by adding after the item relating to section 3330c the 
        following:

``3330d. Honorably discharged members of the uniformed services.''.
    (b) Employment Assistance: Other Federal Agencies.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    (A) the term ``agency'' has the meaning given the 
                term ``Executive agency'' in section 105 of title 5, 
                United States Code; and
                    (B) the term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that 
                term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Responsibilities of office of personnel management.--
        The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall--
                    (A) designate agencies that shall establish a 
                program to provide employment assistance to members of 
                the armed forces who are being separated from active 
                duty in accordance with paragraph (3); and
                    (B) ensure that the programs established under this 
                subsection are coordinated with the Transition 
                Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense.
            (3) Elements of program.--The head of each agency 
        designated under paragraph (2)(A), in consultation with the 
        Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and acting 
        through the Veterans Employment Program Office of the agency 
        established under Executive Order 13518 (74 Fed. Reg. 58533; 
        relating to employment of veterans in the Federal Government), 
        or any successor thereto, shall--
                    (A) establish a program to provide employment 
                assistance to members of the Armed Forces who are being 
                separated from active duty, including assisting such 
                members in seeking employment with the agency;
                    (B) provide such members with information regarding 
                the program of the agency established under 
                subparagraph (A); and
                    (C) promote the recruiting, hiring, training and 
                development, and retention of such members and veterans 
                by the agency.
            (4) Other office.--If an agency designated under paragraph 
        (2)(A) does not have a Veterans Employment Program Office, the 
        head of the agency, in consultation with the Director of the 
        Office of Personnel Management, shall select an appropriate 
        office of the agency to carry out the responsibilities of the 
        agency under paragraph (3).

SEC. 11. OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT 
              COMPENSATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor shall carry out a program 
through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and 
Training, the disabled veterans' outreach program specialists employed 
under section 4103A of title 38, United States Code, and local 
veterans' employment representatives employed under section 4104 of 
such title to provide outreach to covered veterans and provide them 
with assistance in finding employment.
    (b) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a covered 
veteran is a veteran who--
            (1) recently separated from service in the Armed Forces; 
        and
            (2) has been in receipt of assistance under the 
        Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers program under 
        subchapter II of chapter 85 of title 5 for more than 105 days.

SEC. 12. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PILOT PROGRAM ON WORK EXPERIENCE FOR 
              MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON TERMINAL LEAVE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may establish a pilot 
program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing to 
covered individuals work experience with civilian employees and 
contractors of the Department of Defense to facilitate the transition 
of the individuals from service in the Armed Forces to employment in 
the civilian labor market.
    (b) Covered Individuals.--For purposes of this section, a covered 
individual is any individual who--
            (1) is a member of the Armed Forces;
            (2) the Secretary expects to be discharged or separated 
        from service in the Armed Forces and is on terminal leave;
            (3) the Secretary determines has skills that can be used to 
        provide services to the Department that the Secretary considers 
        critical to the success of the mission of the Department; and
            (4) the Secretary determines might benefit from exposure to 
        the civilian work environment while working for the Department 
        in order to facilitate a transition of the individual from 
        service in the Armed Forces to employment in the civilian labor 
        market.
    (c) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the 
two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot 
program.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program that 
includes the findings of the Secretary with respect to the feasibility 
and advisability of providing covered individuals with work experience 
as described in subsection (a).

SEC. 13. ENHANCEMENT OF DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON CREDENTIALING AND 
              LICENSING OF VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4114 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``may'' and inserting 
        ``shall'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``Assistant Secretary shall'' and 
                inserting ``Assistant Secretary of Veterans' Employment 
                and Training shall, in consultation with the Assistant 
                Secretary for Employment and Training,'';
                    (B) by striking ``10 military'' and inserting 
                ``five military''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``of Veterans' Employment and 
                Training'' after ``selected by the Assistant 
                Secretary''; and
            (3) by striking subsections (d) through (h) and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(d) Period of Project.--The period during which the Assistance 
Secretary shall carry out the demonstration project under this section 
shall be the two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011.''.
    (b) Study Comparing Costs Incurred by Secretary of Defense for 
Training for Military Occupational Specialties Without Credentialing or 
Licensing With Costs Incurred by Secretary of Veterans Affairs and 
Secretary of Labor in Providing Employment-related Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Labor of 
        Veterans' Employment and Training shall, in consultation with 
        the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
        carry out a study comparing the costs incurred by the Secretary 
        of Defense in training members of the Armed Forces for military 
        occupational specialties with the costs incurred by the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor in 
        providing employment-related assistance to veterans, 
        including--
                    (A) providing educational assistance under laws 
                administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
                veterans to obtain credentialing and licensing for 
                civilian occupations that are similar to such military 
                occupational specialties;
                    (B) providing assistance to unemployed veterans 
                who, while serving in the Armed Forces, were trained in 
                a military occupational specialty; and
                    (C) providing vocational training or counseling to 
                veterans described in subparagraph (B).
            (2) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant 
                Secretary of Labor of Veterans' Employment and Training 
                shall submit to Congress a report on the study carried 
                out under paragraph (1).
                    (B) Elements.--The report required by subparagraph 
                (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) The findings of the Assistant Secretary 
                        with respect to the study required by paragraph 
                        (1).
                            (ii) An estimate of the savings that would 
                        be realized by the Secretary of Veterans 
                        Affairs and the Secretary of Labor if the 
                        Secretary of Defense were to include 
                        credentialing and licensing that is widely 
                        accepted in the civilian private sector in the 
                        training of members of the Armed Forces for 
                        military occupational specialties.

SEC. 14. IMPROVED ACCESS TO APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS FOR MEMBERS OF THE 
              ARMED FORCES WHO ARE BEING SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE DUTY OR 
              RETIRED.

    Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Participation in Apprenticeship Programs.--As part of the 
program carried out under this section, the Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Homeland Security may permit a member of the armed 
forces eligible for assistance under the program to participate in an 
apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 
(commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 50 Stat. 664, 
chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), or a pre-apprenticeship program 
that provides credit toward a program registered under such Act, that 
provides members of the armed forces with the education, training, and 
services necessary to transition to meaningful employment that leads to 
economic self-sufficiency.''.

SEC. 15. EXTENSION OF LOAN GUARANTY FEE FOR CERTAIN SUBSEQUENT LOANS.

    (a) Extension.--Section 3729(b)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``January 1, 2004, and before October 1, 
        2011'' and inserting ``October 1, 2011, and before October 1, 
        2014''; and
            (2) by striking ``3.30'' both places it appears and 
        inserting ``3.00''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3729(b)(2)(B) of such title is 
amended--
            (1) in clause (i)--
                    (A) by striking ``January 1, 2004'' and inserting 
                ``October 1, 2011''; and
                    (B) by striking ``3.00'' both places it appears and 
                inserting ``3.30'';
            (2) by striking clause (iii) and redesignating clause (iv) 
        as clause (iii); and
            (3) in clause (iii), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        striking ``October 1, 2013'' and inserting ``October 1, 2014''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) 
shall take effect on the later of October 1, 2011, and the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
                                                        Calendar No. 95

112th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 951

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

    To improve the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, 
 vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces 
                 and veterans, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                              July 7, 2011

                       Reported with an amendment