[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2360 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 2360
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 10, 2016
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the approval of
certain programs of education for purposes of educational assistance
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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 ``Career-Ready Student Veterans Act''.
SEC. 2. APPROVAL OF COURSES FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Approval of Non-Accredited Courses.--Subsection (c) of section
3676 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new
paragraphs:
``(14) In the case of a program designed to prepare an
individual for licensure or certification in a State, the
program meets any instructional curriculum licensure or
certification requirements of such State.
``(15) In the case of a program designed to prepare an
individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a
board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires
approval or licensure, the program is approved or licensed by
such board or agency of the State.''.
(b) Exceptions.--Such section is further amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(f)(1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (14)
or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a program of education offered
by an educational institution if the Secretary determines all of the
following:
``(A) The educational institution is not accredited by an
agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education.
``(B) The program did not meet the requirements of such
paragraph at any time during the two-year period preceding the
date of the waiver.
``(C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational
assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would
further the education interests of individuals eligible for
assistance under such programs.
``(D) The educational institution does not provide any
commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or
indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid
to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or
admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award
of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of
foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not
eligible to receive Federal student assistance.
``(2) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary issues a waiver
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of
the waiver and the justification of the Secretary for issuing the
waiver.''.
(c) Approval of Accredited Programs.--Section 3675(b)(3) of such
title is amended--
(1) by striking ``and (3)'' and inserting ``(3), (14), and
(15)''; and
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``(or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and
(15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived
pursuant to subsection (f) of section 3676)''.
(d) Disapproval of Courses.--Section 3679 of such title is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the
Secretary shall disapprove a course of education described in section
3676(c)(14) or (15) unless the educational institution providing the
course of education publicly discloses any conditions or additional
requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to
obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of
education is designed to provide preparation.''.
(e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3672(b)(2)(A)(i) of such title
is amended by striking ``An accredited'' and inserting ``Except as
provided in paragraphs (14) and (15) of section 3676(c) of this title,
an accredited''.
(f) Applicability.--If after enrollment in a course of education
that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made by this
Act, an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same
educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled (other
than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or
terms) at that institution, any course so pursued by the individual at
that institution while so continuously enrolled shall not be subject to
disapproval by reason of such amendment.
Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2016.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk.