S. 894 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 894 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 8, 2013 Mr. Sanders 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 extend expiring authority for work-study allowances for individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to expand such authority to certain outreach services provided through congressional offices, and for other purposes. 1. Extension and expansion of authority for certain qualifying work-study activities for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Extension of expiring current authority Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking June 30, 2013 each place it appears and inserting June 30, 2016. (b) Expansion to outreach services provided through congressional offices Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (K) During the period beginning on June 30, 2013, and ending on June 30, 2016, the following activities carried out at the offices of Members of Congress for such Members: (i) The distribution of information to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents about the benefits and services under laws administered by the Secretary and other appropriate governmental and non-governmental programs. (ii) The preparation and processing of papers and other documents, including documents to assist in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. . (c) Annual reports (1) In general Not later than June 30 each year, beginning with 2014 and ending with 2016, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the work-study allowances paid under paragraph (1) of section 3485(a) of title 38, United States Code, during the most recent one-year period for qualifying work-study activities described in paragraph (4) of such section, as amended by subsections (a) and (b) of this section. (2) Contents Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, for the year covered by such report, the following: (A) A description of the recipients of such work-study allowances. (B) A list of the locations where qualifying work-study activities were carried out. (C) A description of the outreach conducted by the Secretary to increase awareness of the eligibility of such work-study activities for such work-study allowances.