[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2087-S2092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Begich, Mr. Brown of 
        Ohio, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Coons, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Inouye, Mr. 
        Leahy, and Mr. Whitehouse):
  S. 2241. A bill to ensure that veterans have the information and 
protections they require to make informed decisions regarding use of 
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today, as Chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am proud to introduce the GI Bill 
Consumer Awareness Act of 2012.
  My colleagues, including my fellow Veterans' Affairs Committee 
Members Senators Akaka, Begich, Brown of Ohio and Rockefeller, and my 
Senate colleagues Senators Coons, Harkin, Inouye, Leahy, and 
Whitehouse, join me in introducing this important legislation. I 
appreciate their continued support of our Nation's veterans.
  With the end of the war in Iraq and the drawdown in Afghanistan, more 
servicemembers are separating from the military to start their civilian 
careers. When my father came home from war, the GI Bill helped him go 
to college. He used that education to get a job, one that gave him 
pride. That's the opportunity we must provide those returning from 
today's wars.
  America's investment in its newest generation of veterans is 
tremendous.
  In 2012, over 590,000 servicemembers, veterans, and other 
beneficiaries are expected to enroll in educational institutions using 
the Post-9/11 GI Bill. VA is expected to spend over $9 billion dollars 
in 2012 on Post-9/11 GI Bill payments and over $2 billion for the 
nearly 400,000 beneficiaries of the VA's other education programs. 
Despite this level of support, those returning from today's wars are 
unable to use VA educational benefits to their full potential. Today, 
that ends.
  At its heart, the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act would take 
significant steps to make certain that GI Bill beneficiaries have 
access to information to help them make informed decisions about the 
educational institutions they attend, so they get the most out of this 
tremendous benefit. This bill would also require VA and DoD to develop 
a joint policy to curb aggressive recruiting and misleading marketing 
aimed at servicemembers and veterans so they can make a decision on a 
school without bad actors exerting unfair influence on them.
  Many servicemembers and veterans attend educational institutions that 
do not suit their intended goals. This shouldn't be the case. 
Servicemembers and veterans should enroll in educational institutions 
which put them on the path to a successful career, or allow them to 
access more post-secondary education opportunities. For many years we 
have provided VA educational beneficiaries with billions of dollars in 
educational assistance, but have given them little to no assistance in 
deciding where to use these benefits. This bill would put an end to 
that.
  The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act calls for disclosure of, among 
other data, statistics related to student loan debt, transferability of 
credits earned, veteran enrollment, program preparation for licensing 
and certification, and job placement rates. heard from many veterans 
that this type of information would be very useful to them as they make 
decisions about where to enroll.

  My bill would also require VA to provide educational beneficiaries 
with easy-to-understand information about schools that are approved for 
GI Bill benefit use. Collecting data for data's sake is not the goal 
here. I want VA to use this information to develop a report card of 
sorts that allows veterans to see how one school compares against 
another to help them decide which school is right for them.
  We must acknowledge the differences between student veterans and 
their civilian classmates. Unlike their classmates, servicemembers and 
veterans need to know what services institutions provide to ease their 
difficult transition to civilian life. Some educational institutions 
provide more support than others.
  The University of Washington, one of the oldest public universities 
in my

[[Page S2088]]

home state, serves as an example of what all universities should be 
doing. Through its Veterans Center, the University of Washington offers 
its student veterans a place to connect with other veterans, access 
university resources, and receive referrals to campus and community 
resources that help to balance academic and personal demands. The 
University of Washington is helping to ease the transition from the 
battlefield to the classroom, and these types of services should be 
replicated across the country.
  Despite this bright spot, I have heard from servicemembers and 
veterans who don't think their schools are in touch with the assistance 
that VA and other Agencies can provide to them. The GI Bill Consumer 
Awareness Act would require educational institutions to have at least 
one employee who is knowledgeable about benefits available to 
servicemembers and veterans.
  My bill would further require that academic advising, tutoring, 
career and placement counseling services, and referrals to Vet Centers 
are available and that faculty members are trained on matters that are 
relevant to servicemembers and veterans. I want to make sure that each 
educational institution that is approved for GI Bill education benefits 
has the support services that student veterans need in order to make 
the most of their educational experience. No veteran should step on a 
college campus in this country and feel unsupported.
  I am concerned about what I am seeing and hearing about groups who 
mislead our servicemembers and veterans--just to boost enrollment of 
students with a very lucrative benefit. The GI Bill Consumer Awareness 
Act would require VA and DoD to develop a joint policy on aggressive 
recruiting and misleading marketing aimed at servicemembers, veterans, 
and other beneficiaries.
  When servicemembers and veterans make a decision about a school--it 
should be done with their own best interests at heart, and in 
consultation with their families and those Agencies with a mandate to 
help them. The GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act would make educational 
counseling available to more beneficiaries. As long as a beneficiary 
has educational entitlement--counseling from VA would be available. I 
really want VA to be proactive in its efforts to get these 
servicemembers and veterans in for counseling. This is an important 
step in choosing a school and career path and one that I hope that more 
student veterans take advantage of.
  This is not a full summary of all the provisions within this 
legislation. However, I hope that I have provided an appropriate 
overview of the major benefits this legislation would provide for 
America's servicemembers after they leave military service. I also ask 
our colleagues for their continued support for the Nation's veterans.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2241

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``GI Bill Consumer Awareness 
     Act of 2012''.

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

       (a) Publication by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec.  3697B. Publication of information about educational 
       institutions

       ``(a) Publication of Information.--The Secretary shall, on 
     an ongoing basis, make available to veterans, members of the 
     Armed Forces, and other individuals eligible to receive or 
     receiving assistance under this chapter or any of chapters 30 
     through 35 of this title or chapters 106A or 1606 of title 10 
     the information described in subsection (d) in language that 
     can be easily understood by such veterans, members, and other 
     individuals.
       ``(b) Collection of Information.--(1) In order to make the 
     information described in subsection (d) available as required 
     by subsection (a), the Secretary shall take such actions as 
     may be necessary to obtain such information.
       ``(2) If the Secretary requires, for purposes of this 
     section, information that has been reported by an educational 
     institution to the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of 
     Defense, the Secretary of Labor, or the heads of other 
     Federal agencies under a provision of law other than under 
     this section or section 3679A of this title, the Secretary 
     shall obtain such information from such Secretary or head 
     rather than the educational institution.
       ``(3) Making information available under subsection (a) 
     shall not be required in a case in which the number of 
     students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically 
     reliable information or the results would reveal personally 
     identifiable information about an individual student.
       ``(c) Partnership With Secretary of Education and Secretary 
     of Defense.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out subsections 
     (a) and (b) in consultation and cooperation with the 
     Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Defense.
       ``(2) If the Secretary of Education or the Secretary of 
     Defense incur any costs in consulting or cooperating with the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reimburse the Secretary 
     concerned, from amounts appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs, for such costs.
       ``(d) Information.--The information described in this 
     subsection is as follows:
       ``(1) An explanation of the different types of 
     accreditation available to educational institutions and 
     programs of education.
       ``(2) A general overview of Federal student aid programs, 
     the implications of incurring student loan debt, and 
     discussion of how receipt of educational assistance under 
     this chapter or any of chapters 30 through 35 of this title 
     may enable students to complete programs of education without 
     incurring significant educational debt.
       ``(3) For each educational institution at which an 
     individual is enrolled in a program of education for which 
     the individual receives assistance under this chapter or any 
     of chapters 30 through 35 of this title or chapter 106A or 
     1606 of title 10 and for the most recent academic year for 
     which information is available, the following:
       ``(A) The percentage of students who enroll in the first 
     term of a program of education of the educational institution 
     who on the date that is 1 year after the date of enrolling 
     are not enrolled in any program of education at the 
     educational institution.
       ``(B) The percentage of students enrolled in a program of 
     education offered by the educational institution who complete 
     the program of education within the normal time for 
     completion of such program and the percentage of students 
     enrolled in a program of education offered by the educational 
     institution who complete the program of education within 150 
     percent of such period, disaggregated by students who receive 
     and don't receive assistance for pursuit of the program of 
     education under this chapter or any of chapters 30 through 35 
     of this title or chapter 106A or 1606 of title 10.
       ``(C) The number of degrees and certificates awarded by the 
     educational institution and the number of students enrolled 
     in programs of education at the educational institution that 
     lead to a degree or a certificate.
       ``(D) The number of students enrolled in a program of 
     education of the educational institution.
       ``(E) The rates of job placement of students who complete a 
     program of education offered by the educational institution 
     that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized 
     occupation and for other programs if such rates are available 
     for such other programs.
       ``(F) The mean of the wages the students described in 
     subparagraph (E) receive from their first positions of 
     employment obtained after completing a program of education 
     offered by the educational institution.
       ``(G) A description of the accreditation of the educational 
     institution, if any, and the names of any national or 
     regional accrediting agencies that have accredited the 
     educational institution.
       ``(H) For each program of education offered by the 
     educational institution, the following:
       ``(i) The percentage of students who enroll in the first 
     term of the program of education who on the date that is 1 
     year after the date of enrolling are not enrolled in any 
     program of education at the educational institution.
       ``(ii) The percentage of students enrolled in the program 
     of education who complete the program of education within the 
     normal time for completion of such program and the percentage 
     of students enrolled in the program of education who complete 
     the program of education within 150 percent of such period, 
     disaggregated by students who receive and don't receive 
     assistance for pursuit of the program of education under this 
     chapter or any of chapters 30 through 35 of this title or 
     chapter 106A or 1606 of title 10.
       ``(iii) The number of degrees or certificates awarded by 
     the educational institution to individuals who enrolled in 
     the program of education.
       ``(iv) The number of students enrolled in the program of 
     education.
       ``(v) If the program of education is designed to prepare a 
     student for a particular occupation, whether such occupation 
     generally requires licensing or certification in the State in 
     which the educational institution is located and if so, 
     whether successfully completing such program of education 
     generally qualifies an individual--

       ``(I) to obtain such licensing or certification;

[[Page S2089]]

       ``(II) to take an examination that is generally required to 
     obtain such licensing or certification; or
       ``(III) to meet such other preconditions as may be 
     necessary for employment in such occupation in such State.

       ``(vi) If the program of education is designed to prepare a 
     student for a particular occupation that generally requires 
     licensing or certification in the State in which the 
     educational institution is located, the percentage of 
     students who completed such program of education who obtained 
     such licensing or certification.
       ``(vii) The rates of job placement of students who complete 
     the program of education for programs of education that 
     prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized 
     occupation and for other programs if such rates are available 
     for such other programs.
       ``(viii) The mean of the wages the students described in 
     clause (vii) receive from their first positions of employment 
     obtained after completing the program of education.
       ``(ix) A description of the accreditation of the program of 
     education, if any, and the names of any national or regional 
     accrediting agencies that have accredited the program of 
     education.
       ``(I) An explanation of the following:
       ``(i) Whether academic credits awarded by the educational 
     institution are transferable to public educational 
     institutions in the State in which the educational 
     institution is located.
       ``(ii) Any articulation agreements the educational 
     institution may have with any other educational institutions.
       ``(iii) How the educational institution may or may not 
     accept academic credit awarded by another educational 
     institution, including whether the educational institution 
     accepts the transfer of academic credits from the following:

       ``(I) The Army/American Council on Education Registry 
     Transcript System.
       ``(II) The Sailor-Marine American Council on Education 
     Registry Transcript.
       ``(III) The Community College of the Air Force.
       ``(IV) The United States Coast Guard Institute.

       ``(J) The average tuition and fees for all programs of 
     education at the educational institution leading to a 
     baccalaureate degree or lesser degree, license, or 
     certificate and the average tuition and fees charged by 
     public educational institutions for similar programs of 
     education, disaggregated by State.
       ``(K) The median amount of debt from Federal student loans 
     under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1070 et seq.), and to the degree practicable, private student 
     loans, held upon completion of a program of education by an 
     individual who received assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 
     or 34 of this title for pursuit of such program of education 
     at the educational institution.
       ``(L) The cohort default rate, as defined in section 435(m) 
     of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1085(m)), of 
     the educational institution.
       ``(M) With respect to the information reported under 
     subparagraphs (K) and (L), indicators of how the educational 
     institution compares with all public educational institutions 
     offering comparable programs of education.
       ``(N) Whether the educational institution is a public, 
     private nonprofit, or private for-profit institution.
       ``(O) The number of veterans enrolled in programs of 
     education at the educational institution who are receiving 
     assistance under this chapter and chapters 30 through 35 of 
     this title and chapters 106A and 1606 of title 10 for pursuit 
     of such programs of education.
       ``(P) A description of the benefits and assistance veterans 
     described in subparagraph (K) may be entitled to under the 
     laws of the State or States in which the veterans receive 
     instruction from the educational institution.
       ``(Q) A description of the educational institution's 
     participation, if any, in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education 
     Enhancement Program established under section 3317(a) of this 
     title.
       ``(R) If the educational institution charges a lower rate 
     of tuition for students who reside in the same State as the 
     educational institution--
       ``(i) identification of the requirements for students to 
     obtain in-State status for such lower rate of tuition; and
       ``(ii) a list of educational institutions located or 
     incorporated in the same State as the educational institution 
     that waive such requirements for veterans.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 3697A the following new 
     item:

``3697B. Publication of information about educational institutions.''.

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

       (I) If the program of education is designed to prepare a 
     student for a particular occupation, whether such occupation 
     generally requires licensing or certification in the State in 
     which the educational institution is located and if so, 
     whether successfully completing such program of education 
     generally qualifies an individual--

       (aa) to obtain such licensing or certification;
       (bb) to take an examination that is generally required to 
     obtain such licensing or certification; or
       (cc) to meet such other preconditions as may be necessary 
     for employment in such occupation in such State.

       (II) If the program of education is designed to prepare a 
     student for a particular occupation that generally requires 
     licensing or certification in the State in which the 
     educational institution is located, the percentage of 
     students who completed such program of education who obtained 
     such licensing or certification.
       (III) The rates of job placement of students who complete 
     the program of education for programs of education that 
     prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized 
     occupation and for other programs if such rates are available 
     for such other programs.
       (IV) The mean of the wages the students described in 
     subclause (III) receive from their first positions of 
     employment obtained after completing the program of 
     education.

       (vii) An explanation of the following:

       (I) Whether academic credits awarded by the educational 
     institution are transferable to public educational 
     institutions in the

[[Page S2090]]

     State in which the educational institution is located.
       (II) Any articulation agreements the educational 
     institution may have with any other educational institutions.
       (III) How the educational institution may or may not accept 
     academic credit awarded by another educational institution

       (viii) Whether the educational institution is a public, 
     private nonprofit, or private for-profit institution.
       (ix) If the educational institution is accredited, whether 
     the educational institution has received disciplinary 
     complaints from the accrediting agency that awarded such 
     accreditation and the adjudication status of such complaints.

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

       (a) Additional Requirements Under Title 38.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 36 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec.  3679A. Additional requirements

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

``3679A. Additional requirements.''.

       (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 3672(b)(2)(A) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``and 3696'' and inserting 
     ``3696, and 3697B''.
       (4) Effective date.--Section 3679A of such title, as added 
     by paragraph (1), shall take effect on the date that is 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (b) Memorandums of Understanding Between Department of 
     Defense and Educational Institutions.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 106A of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

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

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall seek to enter into a 
     memorandum of understanding, not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of the GI Bill Consumer Awareness 
     Act of 2012, with each educational institution at which an 
     individual is enrolled in a program of education for which 
     the individual receives assistance under this chapter.
       ``(b) Elements.--Each memorandum of understanding entered 
     into under subsection (a) shall require the educational 
     institution with which the Secretary enters into the 
     understanding to carry out paragraphs (2) through (7) of 
     section 3679A(a) of title 38.
       ``(c) Ban on Recruiting on Military Installations.--No 
     individual who represents an educational institution 
     described in subsection (a) may enter a military facility of 
     the United States for purposes of recruiting students for the 
     educational institution if the educational institution has 
     not entered into a memorandum of understanding with the 
     Secretary under such subsection.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 106A of such title is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new item:

``22149A. Memorandums of understanding with educational 
              institutions.''.

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

       (a) Policies to Curb Aggressive Recruiting.--Section 3696 
     of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting ``, including utilizing third-party lead 
     generators that gather names of prospective students through 
     the use deceptive or misleading acts or practices'' before 
     the period at the end; and
       (B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as paragraphs 
     (2) and (3), respectively;
       (3) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
     striking ``under subsection (a)'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``under paragraph (1)'';
       (4) by striking ``this section'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``this subsection''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following new subsection (b):
       ``(b) Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense 
     shall jointly develop policies to curb aggressive recruiting 
     of veterans and members of the Armed Forces by educational 
     institutions.''.
       (b) Prohibition on Inducements.--Such section is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) The Secretary shall not approve a course offered by 
     an educational institution if the educational institution 
     uses inducements or provides any gratuity, favor, discount, 
     entertainment, hospitality loan, transportation, lodging, 
     meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a 
     de minimis amount to any individual or entity (other than 
     salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in 
     conformity with all applicable provisions of law) for the 
     purpose of securing enrollments.''.
       (c) Working Group.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 36 of such title is amended by 
     inserting after section 3692 the following new section:

     ``Sec.  3692A. Working group

       ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of the enactment of the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 
     2012, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of 
     Defense shall jointly, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Education, establish a working group--
       ``(1) to coordinate consumer protection efforts of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense 
     with respect to educational assistance provided under this 
     chapter, chapters 30 through 35 of this title, and chapters 
     106A and 1606 of title 10; and
       ``(2) to develop policies related to postsecondary 
     education marketing and recruitment of veterans and members 
     of the Armed Forces.
       ``(b) Duties.--In coordinating efforts and developing 
     policies under subsection (a), the working group shall--
       ``(1) survey veterans and members of the Armed Forces who 
     have received educational assistance described in subsection 
     (a)(1) to obtain feedback on the educational assistance 
     received and on the program of education for which such 
     assistance was received;
       ``(2) review marketing and recruitment practices carried 
     out by educational institutions to determine whether the 
     advertising practices of such institutions might be 
     detrimental to veterans and members of the Armed Forces, 
     including a review of Internet websites used for marketing 
     and advertising campaigns targeted towards veterans and 
     members of the Armed Forces; and
       ``(3) monitor the overall postsecondary education market 
     for developments that affect veterans and members of the 
     Armed Forces.
       ``(c) Consultation.--In carrying out its duties under this 
     section, the working group shall consult with appropriate 
     Federal agencies (including the Department of Education and 
     the Consumer Federal Protection Bureau), consumer protection 
     groups, veterans service organizations, military service 
     organizations, representatives of educational institutions, 
     and representatives of such other groups or organizations as 
     the Secretaries consider appropriate.
       ``(d) Exemption From FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
     Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group 
     established under subsection (a).
       ``(e) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `veterans service organization' means any 
     organization recognized by the Secretary for the 
     representation of veterans under section 5902 of this 
     title.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 36 of

[[Page S2091]]

     such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
     section 3692 the following new item:

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

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

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

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

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

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

       (a) In General.--Chapter 36 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 3693 the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec.  3693A. Complaint process

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

``3693A. Complaint process.''.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[Page S2092]]

       (3) For each educational institution listed under paragraph 
     (1), the total amount of assistance paid under laws 
     administered by the Secretary to individuals enrolled in 
     programs of education at the educational institution for 
     pursuit of such programs and paid to the educational 
     institution for the education of individuals.

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

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

     SEC. 13. PRIVACY.

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

     SEC. 14. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Educational institution and program of education.--The 
     terms ``educational institution'' and ``program of 
     education'' have the meanings given such terms in section 
     3501 of title 38, United States Code.
       (2) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans 
     service organization'' means any organization recognized by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of 
     veterans under section 5902 of such title.

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