S. 1211 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1211 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 20, 2013 Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Franken, Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Carper, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Begich, and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the use of the phrases GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill to give a false impression of approval or endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 1. Prohibitions relating to references to GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 3697B. Prohibition relating to references to GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill (a) Prohibition (1) No person may, except with the written permission of the Secretary, use the words and phrases covered by this subsection in connection with any promotion, goods, services, or commercial activity in a manner that reasonably and falsely suggests that such use is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Department or any component thereof. (2) For purposes of this subsection, the words and phrases covered by this subsection are as follows: (A) GI Bill. (B) Post-9/11 GI Bill. (3) A determination that a use of one or more words and phrases covered by this subsection in connection with a promotion, goods, services, or commercial activity is not a violation of this subsection may not be made solely on the ground that such promotion, goods, services, or commercial activity includes a disclaimer of affiliation with the Department or any component thereof. (b) Enforcement by Attorney General (1) When any person is engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice which constitutes or will constitute conduct prohibited by subsection (a), the Attorney General may initiate a civil proceeding in a district court of the United States to enjoin such act or practice. (2) Such court may, at any time before final determination, enter such restraining orders or prohibitions, or take such other action as is warranted, to prevent injury to the United States or to any person or class of persons for whose protection the action is brought. . (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 3697A the following new item: 3697B. Prohibition relating to references to GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill. .