I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7732 
To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make improvements 
to certain programs for a member nearing separation, or for a veteran 
who recently separated, from the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 19, 2024 
Mr. VAN ORDEN (for himself and Mr. BOST) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make 
improvements to certain programs for a member nearing 
separation, or for a veteran who recently separated, from 
the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Enhancing the 
Transitioning Servicemember’s Experience Act’’ or the 
‘‘ETS Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 2. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: AMENDMENTS; 
PILOT PROGRAM; REPORTS. 
(a) REQUIREMENT
OF
PRESEPARATION
COUN-
SELING: NUMBER OF DAYS.—Subsection (a) of section 
1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in para-
graph (1)— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘Within’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(B) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that a 
member 
described 
in 
subparagraph 
(A) 
receives 
preseparation counseling in the following amounts: 
‘‘(i) In the case of a member who has secured 
full-time employment, or has enrolled in a program 
of education or vocational training, that shall com-
mence after the member separates, retires, or is dis-
charged, not fewer than three days. 
‘‘(ii) In the case of a member other than a 
member described in clause (i), not fewer than five 
days.’’. 
(b) PROVISION
OF PRESEPARATION COUNSELING: 
THIRD-PARTY COUNSELORS; IN-PERSON TO THE EXTENT 
PRACTICABLE.—Such subsection is further amended, in 
paragraph (2)— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘In carrying’’; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:19 Apr 04, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(B) Preseparation counseling may not be provided 
by a member of the armed forces or a civilian employee 
of the Secretary concerned. The Secretary concerned shall 
enter into an agreement with an entity to provide such 
counseling. 
‘‘(C) Preseparation counseling shall be provided in 
person to the extent practicable. If the Secretary con-
cerned determines that a member cannot attend such 
counseling in person, such member may receive such coun-
seling remotely.’’. 
(c) WAIVER FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE RE-
SERVE COMPONENTS.—Such subsection is further amend-
ed, in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) The Secretary concerned may waive the require-
ment for preseparation counseling under paragraph (1) in 
the case of a member of the reserve components who re-
quests such a waiver and who received preseparation coun-
seling during the period of three years preceding the date 
of such request.’’. 
(d) ELIGIBILITY OF A MEMBER WHO REENLISTS TO 
RECEIVE
PRESEPARATION
COUNSELING.—Such sub-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:19 Apr 04, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
section is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) A member described in this subsection may elect 
to receive preseparation counseling regardless of whether 
such member reenlists or agrees to a new period of obli-
gated service.’’. 
(e) ELECTIVE INCLUSION
OF
THE SPOUSE
OF
A 
MEMBER.—Such section is further amended, in subsection 
(b), in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘regarding the matters 
covered by paragraphs (9), (10), and (16)’’. 
(f) MINIMUM AMOUNT OF COUNSELING REGARDING 
FINANCIAL
PLANNING.—Such subsection is further 
amended, in paragraph (9), by adding ‘‘Counseling under 
this paragraph may not be shorter than one hour.’’ at the 
end. 
(g) COUNSELING REGARDING HOMELESSNESS AND 
FOOD INSECURITY.—Such subsection is further amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(20) If the Secretary concerned determines 
that a member is at risk of homelessness or food in-
security, information regarding Federal benefits for 
low-income households, including the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program (as such term is de-
fined in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (Public Law 88–525; 7 U.S.C. 2012)). In 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
making such determination, the Secretary concerned 
shall consider factors including the following: 
‘‘(A) Whether the member is eligible for 
the basic needs allowance under section 402b of 
title 37. 
‘‘(B) Whether the member is being medi-
cally separated or is being retired under chapter 
61 of this title.’’. 
(h) PRESENTATION BY A VETERANS SERVICE ORGA-
NIZATION IN PRESEPARATION COUNSELING.—Such sub-
section is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(21) A presentation that promotes the benefits 
available to veterans under laws administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such presentation— 
‘‘(A) shall be standardized; 
‘‘(B) shall be previously reviewed and ap-
proved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 
‘‘(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Armed 
Services, and the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs, of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives, for review at least 90 days before imple-
mentation; 
‘‘(D) shall be presented by— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(i) a national representative of a vet-
erans 
service 
organization 
recognized 
under section 5902 of title 38; or 
‘‘(ii) if a national representative is un-
available, a State or local representative of 
such an organization authorized by the 
Secretary concerned to so present; 
‘‘(E) shall include information on how a 
veterans service organization may assist the 
member in filing a claim described in paragraph 
(19); 
‘‘(F) may not encourage the member to 
join a particular veterans service organization; 
and 
‘‘(G) may not be longer than one hour.’’. 
(i) PATHWAY
FOR
A MEMBER WHO TRANSFERS 
FROM REGULAR COMPONENT TO A RESERVE COMPO-
NENT.—Such section is further amended, in subsection 
(c)(1)(D), by inserting ‘‘, or is transferring from a regular 
component to a reserve component’’ before the period at 
the end. 
(j) COORDINATION WITH SOLID START PROGRAM OF 
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Such sec-
tion is further amended, in subsection (d)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘MEDICAL’’ and 
inserting ‘‘CERTAIN’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘In the case’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) Before a member described in subsection (a) 
separates, retires, or is discharged, the Secretary con-
cerned shall transmit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
the following information: 
‘‘(A) The contact information of such member. 
‘‘(B) The determination of the Secretary con-
cerned under subsection (b)(20) regarding such 
member.’’. 
(k) PROHIBITION OF PROVISION OF DD FORM 214 
FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS WHO DO NOT COMPLETE 
PRESEPARATION COUNSELING.—Such section is further 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(f) DD FORM 214.—(1) The Secretary concerned 
may not provide a member required to receive 
preseparation counseling under this section a copy of the 
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD 
Form 214) for such member if the member does not com-
plete such counseling. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:19 Apr 04, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(2) The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply in the case of a member— 
‘‘(A) who is being retired or separated for dis-
ability; or 
‘‘(B) whose discharge is not characterized as 
honorable or general.’’. 
(l) DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT NAVI-
GATOR AND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
PROGRAM.—Section 
1144 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (d)— 
(i) in paragraph (4), by inserting 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(ii) by striking paragraphs (5) and 
(6); and 
(iii) by redesignating paragraph (7) as 
paragraph (5); 
(B) by redesignating subsections (e) and 
(f) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and 
(C) by inserting after subsection (d) the 
following new subsection (e): 
‘‘(e) EMPLOYMENT NAVIGATOR AND PARTNERSHIP 
PROGRAM.—(1) As part of the program carried out under 
this section, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Se-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
curity, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall carry 
out and maintain a program to be known as the ‘Employ-
ment Navigator and Partnership Program’. Under such 
program, the Secretary of Labor shall seek to enter into 
contracts with public, private, and nonprofit entities under 
which such entities provide individualized employment 
counseling for members of the Armed Forces and their 
spouses. 
‘‘(2) In carrying out the program under this sub-
section, the Secretary of Labor shall— 
‘‘(A) prioritize entering into contracts with 
qualified private entities that have experience pro-
viding instruction to members of the Armed Forces 
eligible for assistance under the program carried out 
under this section on— 
‘‘(i) private sector culture, re´sume´ writing, 
career networking, and training on job search 
technologies; 
‘‘(ii) academic readiness and educational 
opportunities; or 
‘‘(iii) other relevant topics, as determined 
by the Secretary; 
‘‘(B) give a preference to any private entity 
that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:19 Apr 04, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(i) has a national or international geo-
graphical area of service; 
‘‘(ii) provides multiple forms of career as-
sistance and placement services to— 
‘‘(I) active duty members of the 
Armed Forces; 
‘‘(II) spouses of active duty members 
of the Armed Forces; 
‘‘(III) veterans; and 
‘‘(IV) spouses of veterans; 
‘‘(iii) provides services to at least 5,000 in-
dividuals who are— 
‘‘(I) active duty members of the 
Armed Forces; 
‘‘(II) spouses of active duty members 
of the Armed Forces; 
‘‘(III) veterans; or 
‘‘(IV) spouses of veterans; 
‘‘(iv) has continuously, for at least the five- 
year period immediately preceding the date of 
the contract, provided services to individuals 
who are— 
‘‘(I) active duty members of the 
Armed Forces; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(II) spouses of active duty members 
of the Armed Forces; 
‘‘(III) veterans; and 
‘‘(IV) spouses of veterans; and 
‘‘(v) has a demonstrated record of success 
in providing assistance with employment serv-
ices, as indicated by— 
‘‘(I) the average wages or earnings of 
people who receive employment services 
provided by the entity; 
‘‘(II) prior completion of Federal 
grants or contracts; 
‘‘(III) having at least 50 percent of its 
participants find full-time employment 
within six months of initially receiving em-
ployment services provided by the entity; 
and 
‘‘(IV) other employment performance 
indicators, as determined by the Secretary; 
and 
‘‘(C) seek to enter into contracts with not fewer 
than five, but not more than ten, private entities 
under which each such entity is compensated at a 
rate agreed upon between the Secretary and the en-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
tity for each individual who receives employment 
services provided by the entity; and 
‘‘(D) conduct such other activities as may be 
necessary for the delivery of individualized employ-
ment counseling and other employment services 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(3) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Sec-
retary of Labor shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the im-
plementation of the program under this subsection, includ-
ing the employment outcomes for members of the Armed 
Forces and their spouses who receive employment services 
under the program.’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (e) of sec-
tion 1144 of title 10, United States Code, as added 
by paragraph (1), shall take effect on the date of the 
enactment of this Act and apply beginning on the 
date that is 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(m) PILOT PROGRAM FOR MILITARY SPOUSES.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall establish a pilot program for 
spouses of members of the covered Armed Forces 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
who are eligible to receive preseparation counseling 
under TAP. 
(2) VOLUNTARY
BASIS.—Participation in the 
pilot program shall be on a voluntary basis. 
(3) CURRICULUM.—The Secretary of Defense, 
in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs and the Secretary of Labor, shall establish a 
curriculum based on TAP for the pilot program. 
(4) COUNSELING.—Counseling under the pilot 
program shall— 
(A) be one-on-one; 
(B) be tailored to the participating military 
spouse; 
(C) be offered at least once per calendar 
quarter; 
(D) be offered at times including nights 
and weekends; and 
(E) include at least one hour regarding 
benefits and assistance available to military 
families and veterans from each department 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries speci-
fied in subparagraph (C). 
(5) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:13 Apr 03, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
four military installations of each of the covered 
Armed Forces. 
(6) REPORT.—Not later than one year before 
the pilot program terminates, the Secretary of De-
fense shall submit a report to the regarding the pilot 
program. Such report shall include elements the Sec-
retary determines appropriate, including whether the 
pilot program should be made permanent. 
(7) TERMINATION.—The pilot program shall 
terminate three years after the Secretary of Defense 
establishes the pilot program. 
(8) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ 
means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air 
Force, or Space Force. 
(B) The term ‘‘TAP’’ means the Transi-
tion Assistance Program under sections 1142 
and 1144 of title 10, United States Code. 
(9) REPORTS; TRACKING SYSTEM.— 
(A) ANNUAL REPORT ON TAP PARTICIPA-
TION.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter for four years, a report on the Tran-
sition Assistance Program. Such report shall in-
clude the following elements with regards to the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:19 Apr 04, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
year preceding the date of such report, 
disaggregated by Armed Force: 
(i) The number of members described 
in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii) of section 1142 
of title 10, United States Code, as added 
by subsection (a), who received fewer than 
five days of preseparation counseling under 
such section, disaggregated by military in-
stallation. 
(ii) The average period of time be-
tween when a member begins to receive 
preseparation counseling and the day the 
member separates, retires, or is dis-
charged. 
(iii) The number of members who 
began to receive preseparation counseling 
and then re-enlisted or agreed to a new pe-
riod of obligated service. 
(iv) The number of members who 
began to receive preseparation counseling 
and then were deployed. 
(v) The number of members assigned 
to each pathway under subsection (c) of 
such section. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:19 Apr 04, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7732.IH
H7732
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB