[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7019-H7020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CHANGING CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VA COUNSELORS
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5630) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
qualifications for vocational rehabilitation
[[Page H7020]]
counselors and vocational rehabilitation employment coordinators
employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5630
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
COUNSELORS AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
EMPLOYMENT COORDINATORS EMPLOYED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 31 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``Sec. 3123. Qualifications for vocational rehabilitation
counselors and vocational rehabilitation employment
coordinators
``(a) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors.--Each
individual employed by the Department as a vocational
rehabilitation counselor shall--
``(1) have completed a masters degree in vocational
rehabilitation counseling before being so employed;
``(2) by not later than five years after the individual is
first so employed, obtain certification by an accredited
certifying body recognized by the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies; and
``(3) as a condition of continued employment, maintain such
certification.
``(b) Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Coordinators.--
Each individual employed by the Department as a vocational
rehabilitation employment coordinator shall--
``(1) have completed a bachelors degree in the relevant
field, as designated by the Secretary, before being so
employed;
``(2) by not later than five years after the individual is
first so employed, obtain certification by an accredited
certifying body recognized by the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies; and
``(3) as a condition of continued employment, maintain such
certification.
``(c) Remediation Plan.--If an individual employed by the
Department as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or a
vocational rehabilitation employment coordinator fails to
meet a condition of employment applicable to such individual
under subsection (a) or (b), the Director of the Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment Service shall develop a
remediation plan for such individual. If the individual fails
to complete the remediation plan, such failure shall be cause
for termination.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
``3123. Qualifications for vocational rehabilitation counselors and
vocational rehabilitation employment coordinators.''.
(c) Applicability.--
(1) Individuals hired after date of enactment.--Section
3123 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a), shall apply with respect to an individual hired by the
Department of Veterans Affairs after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) Individuals hired before date of enactment.--In the
case of an individual hired as a vocational rehabilitation
counselor or a vocational rehabilitation employment
coordinator by the Department of Veterans Affairs before the
date of the enactment of this Act, such individual is
required to have the qualifications described in section 3123
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a),
for the position held by the individual by not later than
five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
to include extraneous material on H.R. 5630.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. FILNER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the gentleman from Arkansas,
Representative John Boozman, for introducing this bill, which seeks to
set minimum educational and training standards for certain employees of
the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program operated by the
Department of Veterans Affairs. This would, of course, help veterans
while they set their employment goals.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BUYER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5630, a bill which
would set certain requirements for professional level jobs at the
Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment program.
In 2009, the Government Accountability Office reported that one-third
of the VA's regional offices reported that their VRE staffs did not
have the skills needed to properly serve the disabled veterans who come
to them for help. Although it is our understanding the VA currently
hires counselors with at least a master's degree in vocational
rehabilitation counseling, it does not require counselors to obtain and
maintain certification in their field from a national certifying
organization. There are also no educational qualifications for VRE
employment coordinators.
To ensure that the VA rehabilitation counselors are the best
qualified in their field, H.R. 5630 would set a minimum hiring standard
at a master's degree and would require counselors to obtain national
certification within 5 years of hiring and to maintain these
qualifications. Employment coordinators would be required to have a
relevant bachelor's degree, to obtain certification within 5 years, and
to maintain these qualifications. Counselors and coordinators who fail
to comply with these standards will be subject to termination.
Mr. Speaker, these are commonsense provisions which are designed to
ensure that our disabled veterans are receiving the best vocational
rehabilitation and employment services possible.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5630, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5630.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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