[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4769 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4769
To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to
supplement the transition assistance program of the Department of
Defense.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 28, 2021
Mr. Katko (for himself, Ms. Sherrill, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Kim of New
Jersey, Mr. Baird, and Ms. Schrier) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to
supplement the transition assistance program of the Department of
Defense.
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 ``Onward to Opportunity Act''.
SEC. 2. PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPLEMENT THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall carry out a pilot grant
program under which the Secretary of Defense provides enhanced support
and funding to eligible entities to supplement TAP to provide job
opportunities for industry recognized certifications, job placement
assistance, and related employment services directly to covered
individuals.
(b) Services.--Under the pilot grant program, the Secretary of
Defense shall provide grants to eligible entities to provide to covered
individuals the following services:
(1) Using an industry-validated screening tool, assessments
of prior education, work history, and employment aspirations of
covered individuals, to tailor appropriate and employment
services.
(2) Preparation for civilian employment through services
like mock interviews and salary negotiations, training on
professional networking platforms, and company research.
(3) Several industry-specific learning pathways--
(A) with entry-level, mid-level and senior
versions;
(B) in fields such as project management,
cybersecurity, and information technology;
(C) in which each covered individual works with an
academic advisor to choose a career pathway and
navigate coursework during the training process; and
(D) in which each covered individual can earn
industry-recognized credentials and certifications, at
no charge to the covered individual.
(4) Job placement services.
(c) Program Organization and Implementation Model.--The pilot grant
program shall follow existing economic opportunity program models that
combine industry-recognized certification training, furnished by
professionals, with online learning staff.
(d) Consultation.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary of
Defense shall seek to consult with private entities to assess the best
economic opportunity program models, including existing economic
opportunity models furnished through public-private partnerships.
(e) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under the pilot
grant program, an entity shall--
(1) follow a job training and placement model;
(2) have rigorous program evaluation practices;
(3) have established partnerships with entities (such as
employers, governmental agencies, and non-profit entities) to
provide services described in subsection (b);
(4) have online training capability to reach rural
veterans, reduce costs, and comply with new conditions forced
by COVID-19; and
(5) have a well-developed practice of program measurement
and evaluation that evinces program performance and efficiency,
with data that is high quality and shareable with partner
entities.
(f) Coordination With Federal Entities.--A grantee shall coordinate
with Federal entities, including--
(1) the Office of Transition and Economic Development of
the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(2) the Office of Veteran Employment and Transition
Services of the Department of Labor.
(g) Metrics and Evaluation.--Performance outcomes shall be
verifiable using a third-party auditing method and include the
following:
(1) The number of covered individuals who receive and
complete skills training.
(2) The number of covered individuals who secure
employment.
(3) The retention rate for covered individuals described in
paragraph (2).
(4) Median salary of covered individuals described in
paragraph (2).
(h) Site Locations.--The Secretary of Defense shall select five
military installations in the United States where existing models are
successful.
(i) Assessment of Possible Expansion.--A grantee shall assess the
feasibility of expanding the current offering of virtual training and
career placement services to members of the reserve components of the
Armed Forces and covered individuals outside the United States.
(j) Duration.--The pilot grant program shall terminate on September
30, 2025.
(k) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the termination of the
pilot grant program, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the
congressional defense committees a report that includes--
(1) a description of the pilot grant program, including a
description of specific activities carried out under this
section; and
(2) the metrics and evaluations used to assess the
effectiveness of the pilot grant program.
(l) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered individual'' means--
(A) a member of the Armed Forces participating in
TAP; or
(B) a spouse of a member described in subparagraph
(A).
(2) The term ``military installation'' has the meaning
given such term in section 2801 of title 10, United States
Code.
(3) The term ``TAP'' means the transition assistance
program of the Department of Defense under sections 1142 and
1144 of title 10, United States Code.
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