S. 2341 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2341 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 15, 2014 Mr. Kaine introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the authority for members of the Armed Forces to obtain professional credentials. 1. Enhancement of authority for members of the Armed Forces to obtain professional credentials (a) In general Paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 2015 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking professional accreditation and all that follows through certification and inserting State-imposed licenses, Federal occupational licenses, and professional certification. (b) Limitations Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) by inserting (1) before The authority; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (2) The authority under subsection (a) may not be used to pay the expenses of a member to obtain professional credentials unless such credentials are recognized and approved by the armed force concerned as necessary to meet— (A) readiness requirements or professional occupational development goals of such armed force; or (B) the self-development requirements of the member. (3) Except as provided in paragraph (4), the authority under subsection (a) may not be used to pay the expenses of obtaining professional credentials unless— (A) such credentials are accredited under International Organization for Standardization/International Commission (ISO/IEC) Standard 17024–2012, entitled General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons; and (B) the entity accrediting such credentials provides documentary evidence to the Secretary of Defense that it complies International Organization for Standardization/International Commission Standard 17011, entitled Conformity assessment—General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies. (4) During the three-year period beginning on the date of the authorization of the Credentialing agency by the Department of Defense, the authority under subsection (a) may be used to pay the expenses of obtaining professional credentials from an entity not complying with the Standards referred to in paragraph (3) if the entity certifies in writing to the Secretary of Defense that the entity agrees to seek to obtain certification of compliance with the Standards before the end of such period. . (c) Funds available Such section is further amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking may pay in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and inserting may, using funds described in subsection (c), pay; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (c) Funds available Payments may be made under the authority under subsection (a) by the Secretary making such payments from amounts available to such Secretary for tuition assistance for members under the jurisdiction of such Secretary. . (d) Covered expenses Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Expenses defined In this section, the term expenses means expenses for classroom instruction, hands-on training (and associated materials), manuals, study guides and materials, text books, processing fees, and test fees and related fees. .