H.R. 4037 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4037 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 11, 2014 Mr. Flores introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Veterans’ Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Act of 2014. 2. Calculation of rate of veterans rehabilitated to the point of employability (a) In general Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 3123. Calculation of rate of veterans rehabilitated to the point of employability To calculate the rate of veterans whom the Secretary determines are rehabilitated to the point of employability under this chapter during a fiscal year, the Secretary shall divide— (1) the number of veterans who participated in vocational rehabilitation programs under this chapter during such fiscal year whom the Secretary determines to have been rehabilitated to the point of employability; by (2) the sum of— (A) the number of veterans who participated in such programs during such fiscal year (regardless of whether such a veteran first participated in such programs during a previous fiscal year); and (B) the number of veterans who were entitled to participate in such programs during such fiscal year but did not complete a program. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 3122 the following new item: 3123. Calculation of rate of veterans rehabilitated to the point of employability. . 3. Approval of courses of education and training for purposes of the vocational rehabilitation program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 3104(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: To the maximum extent practicable, a course of education or training may be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program under this chapter only if the course is approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title. The Secretary may waive the requirement under the preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate.. (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a course of education or training pursued by a veteran who first begins a program of rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Eligibility of certain veterans enrolled in vocational rehabilitation programs for specially adapted housing provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 2101(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) The disability is a disability for which the veteran is eligible for a rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title and is referred for assistance under this section pursuant to section 2107 of this title. . 5. Authority to prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need Section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 3, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) (1) The Secretary shall have the authority to administer this chapter by prioritizing the provision of services under this chapter based on need, as determined by the Secretary. In evaluating need for purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall consider disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and any other factor the Secretary determines appropriate. (2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to the prioritization of the provision of services under this chapter as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a plan describing such changes. . 6. Modification of definition of serious employment handicap Paragraph (7) of section 3101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (7) The term serious employment handicap means a significant impairment, resulting from the service-connected disability, that is directly related to the veteran’s ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with such veteran’s abilities, aptitudes, and interests. .