,,ii #aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bhce ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #bi1 #bjae,received ,,an ,,act ,to actively recruit members of the ,armed ,forces who are separating from military service to serve as ,customs and ,border ,protection officers4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,border ,jobs for ,veterans ,act of #bjae4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,customs and ,border ,protection officers at ,united ,states ports of entry carry out critical law enforcement duties associated with screening foreign visitors1 returning ,united ,states citizens1 and imported cargo entering the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,it is in the national interest for ,united ,states ports of entry to be adequately staffed with ,customs and ,border ,protection officers in a timely fashion1 including meeting the congressionally funded staffing target of #bc1gge officers for fiscal year #bjae4 7#c7 ,an estimated #bej1jjj to #cjj1jjj members of the ,armed ,forces separate from military service every year4 7#d7 ,recruiting efforts and expedited hiring procedures must be enhanced to ensure that individuals separating from military service are aware of1 and partake in1 opportunities to fill vacant ,customs and ,border ,protection officer positions4 #c4 ,expedited hiring of appropriate separating service members ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall consider the expedited hiring of qualified candidates who have the ability to perform the essential functions of the position of a ,customs and ,border ,protection officer and who are eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment authorized under section #dbad of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #d4 ,enhancements to existing programs to recruit service members separating from military service for ,customs and ,border ,protection officer vacancies 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,defense1 and acting through existing programs1 authorities1 and agreements1 where applicable1 shall enhance the efforts of the ,department of ,homeland ,security to recruit members of the ,armed ,forces who are separating from military service to serve as ,customs and ,border ,protection officers4 7b7 ,elements ,the enhanced recruiting efforts under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 include ,customs and ,border ,protection officer opportunities in relevant job assistance efforts under the ,transition ,assistance ,program2 7#b7 place ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection officials or other relevant ,department of ,homeland ,security officials at recruiting events and jobs fairs involving members of the ,armed ,forces who are separating from military service2 7#c7 provide opportunities for local ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection field offices to partner with military bases in the region2 7#d7 include outreach efforts to educate members of the ,armed ,forces with ,military ,occupational ,specialty ,codes and ,officer ,branches1 ,air ,force ,specialty ,codes1 ,naval ,enlisted ,classifications and ,officer ,designators1 and ,coast ,guard competencies that are transferable to the requirements1 qualifications1 and duties assigned to ,customs and ,border ,protection officers of available hiring opportunities to become ,customs and ,border ,protection officers2 7#e7 identify shared activities and opportunities for reciprocity related to steps in hiring ,customs and ,border ,protection officers with the goal of minimizing the time required to hire qualified applicants2 7#f7 ensure the streamlined interagency transfer of relevant background investigations and security clearances2 and 7#g7 include such other elements as may be necessary to ensure that members of the ,armed ,forces who are separating from military service are aware of opportunities to fill vacant ,customs and ,border ,protection officer positions4 #e4 ,report to ,congress 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and by ,december #ca of each of the next #c years thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,defense1 shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,senate that includes a description and assessment of the efforts of the ,department of ,homeland ,security to hire members of the ,armed ,forces who are separating from military service as ,customs and ,border ,protection officers under section #d4 7b7 ,content ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 a detailed description of the efforts to implement section #d1 including-- 7,a7 elements of the enhanced recruiting efforts and the goals associated with such elements2 and 7,b7 a description of how the elements and goals referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 will assist in meeting statutorily mandated staffing levels and agency hiring benchmarks2 7#b7 a detailed description of the efforts that have been undertaken under section #d2 7#c7 the estimated number of separating service members made aware of ,customs and ,border ,protection officer vacancies2 7#d7 the number of ,customs and ,border ,protection officer vacancies filled with separating service members2 and 7#e7 the number of ,customs and ,border ,protection officer vacancies filled with separating service members under ,veterans ,recruitment ,appointment authorized under section #dbad of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #f4 ,rules of construction ,nothing in this ,act may be construed-- 7#a7 as superseding1 altering1 or amending existing ,federal veterans' hiring preferences or ,federal hiring authorities2 or 7#b7 to authorize the appropriation of additional amounts to carry out this ,act4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,september #bh1 #bjae4,karen ,l4 ,haas1,clerk