I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3286 
To encourage effective, voluntary private sector investments to recruit, employ, 
and retain men and women who have served in the United States military 
with annual presidential awards to private sector employers recognizing 
such efforts, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2015 
Mr. COOK (for himself and Ms. GABBARD) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To encourage effective, voluntary private sector investments 
to recruit, employ, and retain men and women who have 
served in the United States military with annual presi-
dential awards to private sector employers recognizing 
such efforts, 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 ‘‘Honoring Investments 
in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans 
Act of 2015’’ or the ‘‘HIRE Vets Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. HIRE VETS MEDALLION PROGRAM. 
(a) PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.—Not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Labor shall establish, by rule, a HIRE Vets Medallion 
Program to solicit voluntary information from employers 
for purposes of recognizing, by means of an award to be 
designated a ‘‘HIRE Vets Medallion’’, verified efforts by 
such employers— 
(1) to recruit, employ, and retain veterans; and 
(2) to provide community and charitable serv-
ices supporting the veteran community. 
(b) APPLICATION PROCESS.—Beginning in the cal-
endar year following the calendar year in which the Sec-
retary establishes the program— 
(1) the Secretary shall annually— 
(A) solicit and accept voluntary applica-
tions from employers in order to consider 
whether those employers should receive a HIRE 
Vets Medallion; 
(B) review applications received in each 
calendar year; and 
(C) provide to the President a list of re-
cipients; and 
(2) the President shall annually— 
(A) notify such recipients of their awards; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) at a time to coincide with the annual 
commemoration of Veterans Day— 
(i) announce the names of such recipi-
ents; 
(ii) recognize such recipients through 
publication in the Federal Register; and 
(iii) issue to each such recipient— 
(I) a HIRE Vets Medallion of the 
level determined under section 3; and 
(II) a certificate stating that 
such employer is entitled to display 
such HIRE Vets Medallion during the 
following calendar year, to be des-
ignated a ‘‘HIRE Vets Medallion Cer-
tificate’’. 
(c) TIMING.— 
(1) SOLICITATION
PERIOD.—The Secretary 
shall solicit applications not later than January 31st 
of each calendar year for the medallions to be 
awarded in November of that calendar year. 
(2) END OF ACCEPTANCE PERIOD.—The Sec-
retary shall stop accepting applications not earlier 
than April 30th of each calendar year for the medal-
lions to be awarded in November of that calendar 
year. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(3) REVIEW PERIOD.—The Secretary shall fin-
ish reviewing applications not later than August 31st 
of each calendar year for the medallions to be 
awarded in November of that calendar year. 
(4) RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRESIDENT.—The 
Secretary shall provide to the President a list of em-
ployers to receive HIRE Vets Medallions not later 
than September 30th of each calendar year for the 
medallions to be awarded in November of that cal-
endar year. 
(5) NOTICE
TO
RECIPIENTS.—The President 
shall notify employers who will receive HIRE Vets 
Medallions not later than October 11th of each cal-
endar year for the medallions to be awarded in No-
vember of that calendar year. 
SEC. 3. SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS. 
(a) APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall review 
all applications received in a calendar year to deter-
mine whether an employer should receive a HIRE 
Vets Medallion, and, if so, of what level. 
(2) APPLICATION
CONTENTS.—The Secretary 
shall require that all applications provide informa-
tion on the programs and other efforts of applicant 
employers during the calendar year prior to that in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
which the medallion is to be awarded, including the 
categories and activities governing the level of award 
for which the applicant is eligible under subsection 
(b). 
(3) VERIFICATION.—In reviewing applications, 
the Secretary shall verify all information provided in 
the applications, to the extent that such information 
is relevant in determining whether or not an appli-
cant should receive a HIRE Vets Medallion or in de-
termining the appropriate level of HIRE Vets Me-
dallion for that employer to receive. 
(b) AWARDS.— 
(1) LARGE EMPLOYERS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish four levels of HIRE Vets Medallions to 
be awarded to employers employing 500 or 
more employees, to be designated the ‘‘Bronze 
HIRE Vets Medallion’’, the ‘‘Silver HIRE Vets 
Medallion’’, the ‘‘Gold HIRE Vets Medallion’’, 
and the ‘‘Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion’’. 
(B) BRONZE HIRE VETS MEDALLION.—No 
employer shall be eligible to receive a Bronze 
HIRE Vets Medallion in a given calendar year 
unless— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(i) such employer has hired a veteran 
during the previous calendar year; 
(ii) such employer provides support to 
each of its employees who are performing 
active duty service in the United States 
National Guard or Reserve, including by 
providing to each such employee a guar-
antee of employment following such em-
ployee’s active duty service; and 
(iii) such employer provides charitable 
resources in support of veteran support or-
ganizations. 
(C) SILVER HIRE VETS MEDALLION.—No 
employer shall be eligible to receive a Silver 
HIRE Vets Medallion in a given calendar year 
unless— 
(i) such employer is eligible to receive 
a Bronze HIRE Vets Medallion in such 
year; 
(ii) veterans constitute not less than 5 
percent of all employees hired by such em-
ployer during the prior calendar year; 
(iii) such employer retains through 
the end of the prior calendar year not less 
than 75 percent of veteran employees hired 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
during the calendar year before the prior 
calendar year; and 
(iv) such employer provides a targeted 
training program for new veteran employ-
ees. 
(D) GOLD
HIRE
VETS
MEDALLION.—No 
employer shall be eligible to receive a Gold 
HIRE Vets Medallion in a given calendar year 
unless— 
(i) such employer is eligible to receive 
a Silver HIRE Vets Medallion in such 
year; 
(ii) veterans constitute not less than 7 
percent of all employees hired by such em-
ployer during the prior calendar year; 
(iii) such employer has established an 
employee veteran organization or resource 
group to assist new veteran employees with 
integration, including coaching and men-
toring; and 
(iv) such employer has established 
programs to enhance the leadership skills 
of veteran employees during their employ-
ment. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(E) PLATINUM HIRE VETS MEDALLION.— 
No employer shall be eligible to receive a Plat-
inum HIRE Vets Medallion in a given calendar 
year unless— 
(i) such employer is eligible to receive 
a Gold HIRE Vets Medallion in such year; 
(ii) veterans constitute not less than 
10 percent of all employees hired by such 
employer during the prior calendar year; 
(iii) such employer retains through 
the end of the prior calendar year not less 
than 85 percent of veteran employees hired 
during the calendar year before the prior 
calendar year; 
(iv) such employer employs dedicated 
human resources professionals to support 
hiring and retention of veteran employees, 
including efforts focused on veteran hiring 
and training; 
(v) such employer provides each of its 
employees serving on active duty in the 
United States National Guard or Reserve 
with compensation sufficient, in combina-
tion with the employee’s active duty pay, to 
achieve a combined level of income com-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
mensurate with the employee’s salary prior 
to undertaking active duty; and 
(vi) such employer has established a 
tuition assistance program to support vet-
eran employees’ attendance in postsec-
ondary education during the term of their 
employment. 
(F) EXEMPTION
FOR
SMALLER
EMPLOY-
ERS.—An employer shall be deemed to meet the 
requirements of subparagraph (E)(iv) if such 
employer— 
(i) employs 5,000 or fewer employees; 
and 
(ii) employs at least one human re-
sources professional whose regular work 
duties include those described under sub-
paragraph (E)(iv). 
(G) ADDITIONAL
CRITERIA.—The Sec-
retary may provide, by rule, additional criteria 
with which to determine qualifications for re-
ceipt of each level of HIRE Vets Medallion. 
(2) SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED EMPLOYERS.— 
The Secretary shall establish similar awards in order 
to recognize achievements in supporting veterans 
by— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) employers with 50 or fewer employees; 
and 
(B) employers with more than 50 but 
fewer than 500 employees. 
(c) DESIGN BY SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish the shape, form, and metallic content of each 
HIRE Vets Medallion. 
SEC. 4. DISPLAY OF AWARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The recipient of a HIRE Vets Me-
dallion may— 
(1) publicly display such medallion through the 
end of the calendar year following receipt of such 
medallion; and 
(2) publicly display the HIRE Vets Medallion 
Certificate issued in conjunction with such medal-
lion. 
(b) UNLAWFUL DISPLAY PROHIBITED.—It is unlaw-
ful for any employer to publicly display a HIRE Vets Me-
dallion— 
(1) if such employer did not receive such medal-
lion through the HIRE Vets Medallion Program; or 
(2) after the end of the calendar year following 
the calendar year in which such medallion was 
issued to such employer through the HIRE Vets Me-
dallion Program. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 5. APPLICATION FEE AND FUNDING. 
(a) FEE AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary may assess a 
reasonable fee on employers that apply for receipt of a 
HIRE Vets Medallion. 
(b) FUND ESTABLISHED.—There is established in 
the Treasury of the United States a separate account for 
the deposit of fees collected under subsection (a), to be 
designated the ‘‘HIRE Vets Medallion Award Fund’’. 
(c) DEPOSIT.—The Secretary shall deposit any fees 
collected pursuant to subsection (a) into the HIRE Vets 
Medallion Award Fund. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) SOURCES OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) FIRST YEAR.—There are authorized to 
be appropriated for the first fiscal year in which 
applications are to be solicited under section 
2(b) such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out this Act in such fiscal year. 
(B) FOLLOWING YEARS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated from the HIRE Vets 
Medallion Award Fund, for each fiscal year fol-
lowing a fiscal year in which fees are collected 
under subsection (a), an amount equal to the 
total fees collected under subsection (a) during 
such prior fiscal year. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pur-
suant to paragraph (1) are authorized to remain 
available until expended. 
(3) USE.—Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
paragraph (1) shall be used for carrying out the 
HIRE Vets Medallion Program. 
SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
(a) REPORTS.—Beginning not later than two years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress annual reports on— 
(1) the fees collected from applicants for HIRE 
Vets Medallions in the prior year and any changes 
in fees to be proposed in the present year; 
(2) the cost of administering the HIRE Vets 
Medallion Program in the prior year; 
(3) the number of applications for HIRE Vets 
Medallions received in the prior year; and 
(4) the HIRE Vets Medallions awarded in the 
prior year, including the name of each employer to 
whom a HIRE Vets Medallion was awarded and the 
level of medallion awarded to each such employer. 
(b) COMMITTEES.—The Secretary shall provide the 
reports required under subsection (a) to the Chairman and 
Ranking Member of— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) the Committees on Education and the 
Workforce and Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives; and 
(2) the Committees on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions and Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate. 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(a) EMPLOYER.—The term ‘‘employer’’ has the 
meaning given such term under section 4303 of title 38, 
United States Code, except that such term does not in-
clude— 
(1) the Federal Government; 
(2) any State, as defined in such section; or 
(3) any foreign state. 
(b) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the 
Secretary of Labor. 
(c) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning 
given such term under section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:45 Aug 04, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3286.IH
H3286
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS