Improving Veterans' Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), when calculating the rate of veterans determined to be rehabilitated to the point of employability, to divide the number of veterans who participated in VA vocational rehabilitation programs whom the Secretary determines to have been so rehabilitated by the total number of veterans who: (1) participated in such programs during that fiscal year, and (2) were entitled to participate in such programs during such fiscal year but who did not complete a program.
Allows a course of education and training to be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program only if the course is approved under VA vocational rehabilitation requirements.
Makes veterans enrolled in a VA vocational rehabilitation program eligible for VA specially adapted housing, when appropriate.
Authorizes the Secretary to prioritize VA vocational rehabilitation services based on need upon consideration of disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and other factors determined appropriate.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4037 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4037
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Veterans' Access to
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Act of 2014''.
SEC. 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:
``Sec. 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.''.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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.''.
SEC. 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.''.
SEC. 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.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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