[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1458 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 262
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1458
[Report No. 119-308]
To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for
approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the
educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 21, 2025
Mr. Ciscomani (for himself and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
September 26, 2025
Additional sponsors: Mr. Hudson, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Van Orden, Mr. Soto,
Mr. McDowell, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Vindman, and Mr. Vasquez
September 26, 2025
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on
February 21, 2025]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for
approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the
educational assistance programs of 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 ``Veterans Education and Technical
Skills Opportunity Act of 2025'' or the ``VETS Opportunity Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. REPAYMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
TOWARDS POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: TIMING;
MECHANISM FOR INDIVIDUALS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A MONTHLY
HOUSING STIPEND.
(a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``together'' and all that
follows through ``before'' and inserting ``not later than 60
days after''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Additional assistance for an individual not eligible
for a monthly housing stipend.--In the case of an individual
making an election under subsection (a) who is described by
subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that
subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend
payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational
assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall
be paid--
``(A) in a lump sum calculated by multiplying--
``(i) the total amount of contributions
described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to
such individual; and
``(ii) the sum of the number of months
described in subclauses (I) and (II) of
paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such
individual; and
``(B) to the individual not later than 60 days
after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to
educational assistance under this chapter.''.
(b) Technical Corrections and Conforming Amendment.--Such
subsection is further amended--
(1) by striking ``paragraphs (2) through (7)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (2) through (6)''; and
(2) in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting ``for an
individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend'' after
``Additional assistance''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on August 1, 2025.
SEC. 3. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS UNDER
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such title is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``that requires regular and substantive
interaction between students and instructors'' after ``course
of study'';
(2) in item (aa), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(3) in item (bb), by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``;
or''; and
(4) by adding at the end by following new item:
``(cc) an institution of
higher education, as such term
is defined in section 102 of
the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is
approved to participate or
participating in the student
financial assistance programs
authorized by title IV of that
Act; and''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that
begins on or after August 1, 2025.
SEC. 4. ABSENCE FROM CERTAIN EDUCATION DUE TO CERTAIN SERVICE.
(a) Options.--Section 3691A of such title is amended by striking
paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(1) A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a
period of covered service--
``(A) withdraw from covered education;
``(B) take a leave of absence from covered education; or
``(C) subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement
with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered
education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Such subsection is further amended, in
paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``or takes a leave of absence'' and
inserting ``, takes a leave of absence, or enters into an agreement''.
(c) Agreement.--Such section is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new
subsection (d):
``(d) Agreement With Institution Concerned.--A covered member may
enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member
has completed at least half of a course of covered education.''.
(d) Section Heading.--Such section is further amended by striking
the heading and inserting ``Absence from certain education due to
certain service''.
(e) Table of Sections.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to
section 3691A and inserting the following new item:
``3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service.''.
SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMPLIANCE SURVEYS.
Section 3693 of such title is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``not more than 10 business days of
notice'';
(B) by striking ``this section.'' and inserting
``this section--''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
``(1) in the case of an educational institution or training
establishment with a time stamp database collection feature,
not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of
notice; and
``(2) in the case of any other educational institution or
training establishment, not more than 10 business days of
notice.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following
new subsection (d):
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The terms `educational institution' and `training
establishment' have the meanings given such terms in section
3452 of this title.
``(2) The term `school certifying official' means an
employee of an educational institution with primary
responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the
educational institution.''.
SEC. 6. NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIALS OF HANDBOOK
UPDATES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 14 business days after updating the
school certifying official handbook of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide notice to all
school certifying officials of such update.
(b) School Certifying Official Defined.--The term ``school
certifying official'' means an employee of an educational institution
with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the
educational institution.
SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``March 31, 2033''.
Union Calendar No. 262
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1458
[Report No. 119-308]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for
approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the
educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
September 26, 2025
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed