I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1941 
To improve the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, 
and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and vet-
erans, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 23, 2011 
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia (for himself, Mr. YOUNG of Florida, Mr. DICKS, Mr. 
FILNER, and Mr. MCNERNEY) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the 
Committees on Armed Services and Oversight and Government Reform, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To improve the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, 
vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of 
the Armed Forces and veterans, 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 ‘‘Hiring Heroes Act of 
2011’’. 
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SEC. 2. TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE 
REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL BENE-
FITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES. 
Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title 
XVI of Public Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2012’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS TO PAY EMPLOYERS FOR 
PROVIDING ON-JOB TRAINING TO VETERANS 
WHO HAVE NOT BEEN REHABILITATED TO 
POINT OF EMPLOYABILITY. 
Section 3116(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘who have been rehabilitated to 
the point of employability’’. 
SEC. 4. TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR VETERANS 
WITH 
SERVICE-CONNECTED 
DISABILITIES 
WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED RIGHTS TO UNEM-
PLOYMENT BENEFITS UNDER STATE LAW. 
(a) ENTITLEMENT TO ADDITIONAL REHABILITATION 
PROGRAMS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 3102 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
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(A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘A person’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A person’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(b) ADDITIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR 
PERSONS WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED RIGHTS TO UNEM-
PLOYMENT BENEFITS UNDER STATE LAW.—(1) A person 
who has completed a rehabilitation program under this 
chapter shall be entitled to an additional rehabilitation 
program under the terms and conditions of this chapter 
if— 
‘‘(A) the person is described by paragraph (1) 
or (2) of subsection (a); and 
‘‘(B) the person— 
‘‘(i) has exhausted all rights to regular 
compensation under the State law or under 
Federal law with respect to a benefit year; 
‘‘(ii) has no rights to regular compensation 
with respect to a week under such State or 
Federal law; and 
‘‘(iii) is not receiving compensation with 
respect to such week under the unemployment 
compensation law of Canada; and 
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‘‘(C) begins such additional rehabilitation pro-
gram within six months of the date of such exhaus-
tion. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)(i), a person 
shall be considered to have exhausted such person’s rights 
to regular compensation under a State law when— 
‘‘(A) no payments of regular compensation can 
be made under such law because such person has re-
ceived all regular compensation available to such 
person based on employment or wages during such 
person’s base period; or 
‘‘(B) such person’s rights to such compensation 
have been terminated by reason of the expiration of 
the benefit year with respect to which such rights 
existed. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the terms ‘compensation’, 
‘regular compensation’, ‘benefit year’, ‘State’, ‘State law’, 
and ‘week’ have the respective meanings given such terms 
under section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unem-
ployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 
note).’’. 
(2) DURATION
OF
ADDITIONAL
REHABILITA-
TION PROGRAM.—Section 3105(b) of such title is 
amended— 
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‘‘(2) A rehabilitation program described in this para-
graph is a rehabilitation program pursued by a veteran 
under section 3102(b) of this title.’’. 
(c) EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION ON RECEIPT OF AS-
SISTANCE UNDER CHAPTER 31 AND ONE OR MORE PRO-
GRAMS.—Section 3695(b) of such title is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘No person’’ and inserting ‘‘Ex-
cept as provided in paragraph (2), no person’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to 
a rehabilitation program described in section 3103(e)(2) 
of this title.’’. 
SEC. 5. ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOW-UP ON VETERANS WHO 
PARTICIPATE IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS TRAINING AND REHABILITATION 
FOR VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
DISABILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3106 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(g) For each rehabilitation program pursued by a 
veteran under this chapter, the Secretary shall contact 
such veteran not later than 180 days after the date on 
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which such veteran completes such rehabilitation program 
or terminates participation in such rehabilitation program 
and not less frequently than once every 180 days there-
after for a period of one year to ascertain the employment 
status of the veteran and assess such rehabilitation pro-
gram.’’; and 
(2) in the section heading, by adding ‘‘; pro-
gram assessment and follow-up’’ at the end. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 31 of such title is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 3106 and inserting 
the following new item: 
‘‘3106. Initial and extended evaluations; determinations regarding serious em-
ployment handicap; program assessment and follow-up.’’. 
SEC. 6. MANDATORY PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES IN THE TRANSITIONAL AS-
SISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1144(c) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘shall encour-
age’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘shall require the 
participation in the program carried out under this section 
of the members eligible for assistance under the pro-
gram.’’. 
(b) REQUIRED USE OF EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, 
JOB TRAINING ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER TRANSITIONAL 
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SERVICES
IN
PRESEPARATION
COUNSELING.—Section 
1142(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘may’’ and 
inserting ‘‘shall’’. 
SEC. 7. FOLLOW-UP ON EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF MEM-
BERS OF ARMED FORCES WHO RECENTLY 
PARTICIPATED 
IN 
TRANSITIONAL 
ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE. 
For each individual who participates in the Transi-
tional Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of 
Defense, the Secretary of Labor shall contact such indi-
vidual not later than 180 days after the date on which 
such individual completes such program and not less fre-
quently than once every 90 days thereafter for a period 
of 180 days to ascertain the employment status of such 
individual. 
SEC. 8. COLLABORATIVE VETERANS’ TRAINING, MEN-
TORING, AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 41 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 4104 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 4104A. Collaborative veterans’ training, mentoring, 
and placement program 
‘‘(a) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall award grants to 
eligible nonprofit organizations to provide training and 
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mentoring for eligible veterans who seek employment. The 
Secretary shall award the grants to not more than 3 orga-
nizations, for periods of 2 years. 
‘‘(b) COLLABORATION AND FACILITATION.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that the recipients of the grants— 
‘‘(1) collaborate with— 
‘‘(A) the appropriate disabled veterans’ 
outreach specialists (in carrying out the func-
tions described in section 4103A(a)) and the 
appropriate local veterans’ employment rep-
resentatives (in carrying out the functions de-
scribed in section 4104); and 
‘‘(B) the appropriate State boards and 
local boards (as such terms are defined in sec-
tion 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 
1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801)) for the areas to be 
served by recipients of the grants; and 
‘‘(2) based on the collaboration, facilitate the 
placement of the veterans that complete the training 
in meaningful employment that leads to economic 
self-sufficiency. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, a nonprofit organization shall submit 
an application to the Secretary at such time, in such man-
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ner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
require. At a minimum, the information shall include— 
‘‘(1) information describing how the organiza-
tion will— 
‘‘(A) collaborate with disabled veterans’ 
outreach specialists and local veterans’ employ-
ment representatives and the appropriate State 
boards and local boards (as such terms are de-
fined in section 101 of the Workforce Invest-
ment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801)); 
‘‘(B) based on the collaboration, provide 
training that facilitates the placement described 
in subsection (b)(2); and 
‘‘(C) make available, for each veteran re-
ceiving the training, a mentor to provide career 
advice to the veteran and assist the veteran in 
preparing a resume and developing job inter-
viewing skills; and 
‘‘(2) an assurance that the organization will 
provide the information necessary for the Secretary 
to prepare the reports described in subsection (d). 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.—(1) Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, 
the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report that describes the process 
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‘‘(ii) the results of the assessment con-
ducted under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(iii) the recommendations of the Sec-
retary as to whether amounts should be appro-
priated to carry out this section for fiscal years 
after 2013. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$4,500,000 for the period consisting of fiscal years 2012 
and 2013. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’ means the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘nonprofit organization’ means an 
organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that is ex-
empt from taxation under section 501(a) of such 
Code.’’ 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 4103A of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘and facili-
tate placements’’ after ‘‘intensive services’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(3) In facilitating placement of a veteran under this 
program, a disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist 
shall help to identify job opportunities that are appro-
priate for the veteran’s employment goals and assist that 
veteran in developing a cover letter and resume that are 
targeted for those particular jobs.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 41 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 4104 the 
following new item: 
‘‘4104A. Collaborative veterans’ training, mentoring, and placement program.’’. 
SEC. 9. INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT FOR MEMBERS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES UNDER TRANSITION AS-
SISTANCE 
ON 
EQUIVALENCE 
BETWEEN 
SKILLS DEVELOPED IN MILITARY OCCUPA-
TIONAL SPECIALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS 
REQUIRED 
FOR 
CIVILIAN 
EMPLOYMENT 
WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. 
(a) STUDY ON EQUIVALENCE REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary 
of Labor shall jointly enter into a contract with a 
qualified organization or entity jointly selected by 
the Secretaries, to conduct a study to identify any 
equivalences between the skills developed by mem-
bers of the Armed Forces through various military 
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occupational specialties (MOS) and the qualifications 
required for various positions of civilian employment 
in the private sector. 
(2) COOPERATION
OF
FEDERAL
AGENCIES.— 
The departments and agencies of the Federal Gov-
ernment, including the Office of Personnel Manage-
ment, the General Services Administration, the Gov-
ernment Accountability Office, and other appropriate 
departments and agencies, shall cooperate with the 
contractor under paragraph (1) to conduct the study 
required under that paragraph. 
(3) REPORT.—Upon completion of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1), the contractor 
under that paragraph shall submit to the Secretary 
of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and 
the Secretary of Labor a report setting forth the re-
sults of the study. The report shall include such in-
formation as the Secretaries shall specify in the con-
tract under paragraph (1) for purposes of this sec-
tion. 
(4) TRANSMITTAL
TO
CONGRESS.—The Sec-
retary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly transmit to 
Congress the report submitted under paragraph (3), 
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together with such comments on the report as the 
Secretaries jointly consider appropriate. 
(b) INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT OF CIVILIAN PO-
SITIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH MOS SKILLS.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall ensure that each member of the 
Armed Forces who is participating in the Transition As-
sistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense 
receives, as part of such member’s participation in that 
program, an individualized assessment of the various posi-
tions of civilian employment in the private sector for which 
such member may be qualified as a result of the skills 
developed by such member through such member’s mili-
tary occupational specialty. The assessment shall be per-
formed using the results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a) and such other information as the Secretary 
of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, considers appropriate 
for that purpose. 
(c) FURTHER
USE
IN
EMPLOYMENT-RELATED 
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) TRANSMITTAL OF ASSESSMENT.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall transmit the individualized 
assessment provided a member under subsection (a) 
to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Sec-
retary of Labor. 
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(2) USE
IN
ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor may 
use an individualized assessment with respect to an 
individual under paragraph (1) for employment-re-
lated assistance in the transition from military serv-
ice to civilian life provided the individual by such 
Secretary and to otherwise facilitate and enhance 
the transition of the individual from military service 
to civilian life. 
SEC. 10. APPOINTMENT OF HONORABLY DISCHARGED 
MEMBERS AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT ASSIST-
ANCE. 
(a) APPOINTMENT
OF HONORABLY DISCHARGED 
MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES TO CIVIL SERV-
ICE POSITIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 33 of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
3330c the following: 
‘‘§ 3330d. Honorably discharged members of the uni-
formed services 
‘‘The head of an executive agency may appoint a 
member of the uniformed services who is honorably dis-
charged to a position in the civil service without regard 
to sections 3301 through 3330c during the 180-day period 
beginning on the date that the individual is honorably dis-
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