38 U.S.C. § 4301 (VETERANS’ BENEFITS)
§ 4301. Purposes; sense of Congress
(a) The purposes of this chapter are—
(1) to encourage service in the uniformed services by eliminating or minimizing the disadvantages to civilian careers and employment which can result from such service;
(2) to minimize the disruption to the lives of persons performing service in the uniformed services as well as to their employers, their fellow employees, and their communities, by providing for the prompt reemployment of such persons upon their completion of such service; and
(3) to prohibit discrimination against persons because of their service in the uniformed services.
(b) It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should be a model employer in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 103–353, § 2(a), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3150; amended Pub. L. 104–275, title III, § 311(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3333; Pub. L. 118–210, title II, § 221(a), Jan. 2, 2025, 138 Stat. 2778.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 4301, added Pub. L. 93–508, title IV, § 404(a), Dec. 3, 1974, 88 Stat. 1594, § 2021; amended Pub. L. 94–502, title VI, § 608(1), (2), Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2405; Pub. L. 99–576, title III, § 331, Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3279; Pub. L. 102–12, § 5(a), Mar. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 36; Pub. L. 102–25, title III, § 340(a), Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 92; renumbered § 4301, Pub. L. 102–568, title V, § 506(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4340, related to reemployment rights of persons inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States and benefits protected, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 103–353. This section, as in effect on the day before Oct. 13, 1994, continues to apply to reemployments initiated before the end of the 60-day period beginning Oct. 13, 1994, see section 8 of Pub. L. 103–353, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note below.
Another prior section 4301 was renumbered section 7601 of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–210 substituted “encourage service in the uniformed services” for “encourage noncareer service in the uniformed services”.
1996—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 104–275 struck out “under honorable conditions” after “upon their completion of such service”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 104–275, title III, § 313, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3336, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 311–313) of title III of Pub. L. 104–275, amending this section, sections 4303, 4311 to 4313, 4316 to 4318, and 4322 to 4326 of this title, and provisions set out as a note below] shall take effect as of October 13, 1994.
“(b) Reorganized Title 10 References.—
The amendments made by clause (i), and subclauses (I), (III), and (IV) of clause (ii), of section 311(4)(B) [amending section 4312 of this title] shall take effect as of December 1, 1994.”
heading: Effective Date
text: Pub. L. 103–353, § 8, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3175, as amended by Pub. L. 104–275, title III, § 312, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3336, provided that:
“(a) Reemployment.—
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Act [see Short Title of 1994 Amendment note set out under section 101 of this title], the amendments made by this Act shall be effective with respect to reemployments initiated on or after the first day after the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994].
“(2) The provisions of chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, in effect on the day before such date of enactment, shall continue to apply to reemployments initiated before the end of such 60-day period.
“(3) In determining the number of years of service that may not be exceeded in an employee-employer relationship with respect to which a person seeks reemployment under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, as in effect before or after the date of enactment of this Act, there shall be included all years of service without regard to whether the periods of service occurred before or after such date of enactment unless the period of service is exempted by the chapter 43 that is applicable, as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2), to the reemployment concerned. Any service begun up to 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, which is served up to 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act pursuant to orders issued under section 502(f) of title 32, United States Code, shall be considered under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, as in effect on the day before such date of enactment. Any service pursuant to orders issued under such section 502(f) served after 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, regardless of when begun, shall be considered under the amendments made by this Act.
“(4) A person who initiates reemployment under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, during or after the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and whose reemployment is made in connection with a period of service in the uniformed services that was initiated before the end of such 60-day period shall be deemed to have satisfied the notification requirement of section 4312(a)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as provided in the amendments made by this Act, if the person complied with any applicable notice requirement under chapter 43, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994].
“(b) Discrimination.—
The provisions of section 4311 of title 38, United States Code, as provided in the amendments made by this Act, and the provisions of subchapter III of chapter 43 of such title, as provided in the amendments made by this Act, that are necessary for the implementation of such section 4311 shall become effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994].
“(c) Insurance.—
(1) The provisions of section 4316 of title 38, United States Code, as provided in the amendments made by this Act, concerning insurance coverage (other than health) shall become effective with respect to furloughs or leaves of absence initiated on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994].
“(2) With respect to the provisions of section 4317 of title 38, United States Code, as provided in the amendments made by this Act, a person serving a period of service in the uniformed services on the date of enactment of this Act, or a family member or personal representative of such person, may, after the date of enactment of this Act, elect to reinstate or continue a health plan as provided in such section 4317. If such an election is made, the health plan shall remain in effect for the remaining portion of the 18-month period that began on the date of such person’s separation from civilian employment or the period of the person’s service in the uniformed service, whichever is the period of lesser duration.
“(d) Disability.—
(1) Section 4313(a)(3) of chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, as provided in the amendments made by this Act, shall apply to reemployments initiated on or after August 1, 1990.
“(2) Effective as of August 1, 1990, section 4307 of title 38, United States Code (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994]), is repealed, and the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 43 of such title (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act) is amended by striking out the item relating to section 4307.
“(e) Investigations and Subpoenas.—
The provisions of section 4326 of title 38, United States Code, as provided in the amendments made by this Act, shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994] and apply to any matter pending with the Secretary of Labor under section 4305 of title 38, United States Code, as of that date.
“(f) Previous Actions.—
Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act do not affect reemployments that were initiated, rights, benefits, and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that begin before the end of the 60-day period referred to in subsection (a).
“(g) Rights and Benefits Relative to Notice of Intent Not To Return.—
Section 4316(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as added by the amendments made by this Act, applies only to the rights and benefits provided in section 4316(b)(1)(B) and does not apply to any other right or benefit of a person under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code. Such section shall apply only to persons who leave a position of employment for service in the uniformed services more than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994].
“(h) Employer Pension Benefit Plans.—
(1) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to relieve an employer of an obligation to provide contributions to a pension plan (or provide pension benefits), or to relieve the obligation of a pension plan to provide pension benefits, which is required by the provisions of chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, in effect on the day before this Act takes effect [probably means the day before Oct. 13, 1994].
“(2) If any employee pension benefit plan is not in compliance with section 4318 of such title or paragraph (1) of this subsection on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1994], such plan shall have two years to come into compliance with such section and paragraph.
“(i) Definition.—
For the purposes of this section, the term ‘service in the uniformed services’ shall have the meaning given such term in section 4303(13) of title 38, United States Code, as provided in the amendments made by this Act.”
heading: Demonstration Project for Referral of USERRA Claims Against Federal Agencies to the Office of Special Counsel
text: Pub. L. 111–275, title I, § 105, Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2868, as amended by Pub. L. 112–234, § 2(d), Dec. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1624, provided that:
“(a) Establishment of Project.—
The Secretary of Labor and the Office of Special Counsel shall carry out a 36-month demonstration project under which certain claims against Federal executive agencies under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, are referred to, or otherwise received by, the Office of Special Counsel for assistance, including investigation and resolution of the claim as well as enforcement of rights with respect to the claim. The demonstration program shall begin not later than 60 days after the Comptroller General of the United States submits the report required under subsection (e)(3).
“(b) Referral of All Prohibited Personnel Practice Claims to the Office of Special Counsel.—
“(1) In general.—
Under the demonstration project, the Office of Special Counsel shall receive and investigate all claims under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, with respect to Federal executive agencies in cases where the Office of Special Counsel has jurisdiction over related claims pursuant to section 1212 of title 5, United States Code.
“(2) Related claims.—
For purposes of paragraph (1), a related claim is a claim involving the same Federal executive agency and the same or similar factual allegations or legal issues as those being pursued under a claim under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code.
“(c) Referral of Other Claims Against Federal Executive Agencies.—
“(1) In general.—
Under the demonstration project, the Secretary—
“(A) shall refer to the Office of Special Counsel all claims described in paragraph (2) made during the period of the demonstration project; and
“(B) may refer any claim described in paragraph (2) filed before the demonstration project that is pending before the Secretary at the beginning of the demonstration project.
“(2) Claims described.—
A claim described in this paragraph is a claim under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, against a Federal executive agency by a claimant with a social security account number with an odd number as its terminal digit or, in the case of a claim that does not contain a social security account number, a case number assigned to the claim with an odd number as its terminal digit.
“(d) Administration of Demonstration Project.—
“(1) In general.—
The Office of Special Counsel shall administer the demonstration project. The Secretary shall cooperate with the Office of Special Counsel in carrying out the demonstration project.
“(2) Treatment of certain terms in chapter 43 of title 38, united states code.—
In the case of any claim referred to, or otherwise received by, the Office of Special Counsel under the demonstration project, any reference to the ‘Secretary’ in sections 4321, 4322, and 4326 of title 38, United States Code, is deemed to be a reference to the ‘Office of Special Counsel’.
“(3) Administrative jurisdiction.—
In the case of any claim referred to, or otherwise received by, the Office of Special Counsel under the demonstration project, the Office of Special Counsel shall retain administrative jurisdiction over the claim.
“(e) Data Comparability for Reviewing Agency Performance.—
“(1) In general.—
To facilitate the review of the relative performance of the Office of Special Counsel and the Department of Labor during the demonstration project, the Office of Special Counsel and the Department of Labor shall jointly establish methods and procedures to be used by both the Office and the Department during the demonstration project. Such methods and procedures shall include each of the following:
“(A) Definitions of performance measures, including—
“(i) customer satisfaction;
“(ii) cost (such as, but not limited to, average cost per claim);
“(iii) timeliness (such as, but not limited to, average processing time, case age);
“(iv) capacity (such as, but not limited to, staffing levels, education, grade level, training received, caseload); and
“(v) case outcomes.
“(B) Definitions of case outcomes.
“(C) Data collection methods and timing of collection.
“(D) Data quality assurance processes.
“(2) Joint report to congress.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 2010], the Special Counsel and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives and to the Comptroller General of the United States a report describing the methods and procedures established under paragraph (1).
“(3) Comptroller general report.—
Not later than 30 days after the date of the submittal of the report under paragraph (2), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the report submitted under paragraph (2) and may provide recommendations for improving the methods and procedures described therein.
“(f) Agency Data to Government Accountability Office.—
The Office of Special Counsel and the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Comptroller General such information and data about the demonstration project as may be required by the Comptroller General, from time to time during the course of the demonstration project and at the conclusion, in order for the Comptroller General to assess the reliability of the demonstration data maintained by both the Office of Special Counsel and the Department of Labor and to review the relative performance of the Office and Department under the demonstration project.
“(g) Government Accountability Office Report.—
The Comptroller General shall review the relative performance of the Office of Special Counsel and the Department of Labor under the demonstration project and—
“(1) not later than one year after the commencement of the demonstration project submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an interim report on the demonstration project; and
“(2) not later than 90 days after the conclusion of the demonstration project, submit to such committees a final report that includes the findings and conclusions of the Comptroller General regarding the relative performance of the Office and the Department under the demonstration project and such recommendations as the Comptroller General determines are appropriate.”
Pub. L. 108–454, title II, § 204, Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3606, required the Secretary of Labor and the Office of Special Counsel to carry out a demonstration project during the period beginning 60 days after Dec. 10, 2004, and ending on September 30, 2007, under which certain claims against Federal executive agencies under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103–353, under this chapter were referred to, or otherwise received by, the Office of Special Counsel for assistance.
heading: Executive Documents
heading: Ensuring the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Protections
text: Memorandum of President of the United States, July 19, 2012, 77 F.R. 43699, provided:
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) protects individuals performing, or who performed, uniformed service in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 4301–4335 from adverse employment discrimination on the basis of their uniformed service, and provides for their prompt restoration to civilian employment when they return to civilian life.
USERRA is intended to ensure that these service members are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service; are promptly reemployed in their civilian jobs upon their return from duty; and are not discriminated against in employment because of their military status or obligations. This memorandum will help ensure that Federal agencies improve compliance with USERRA through outreach, education, and oversight.
The Administration strongly believes that every man or woman who has served in our country’s uniformed services deserves the full protection of our employment laws, including USERRA. No discrimination or unfair treatment based on one’s service will be tolerated. We must do our utmost to ensure that all service members’ employment and reemployment rights are respected.
The Federal Government, as our Nation’s largest employer, has a responsibility to adopt best practices with respect to employing returning service members. Attracting and retaining the best talent means ensuring fair treatment for individuals who have served our country. Close attention must be paid to our returning service members to ensure that we protect their reemployment rights, and effectively manage their reintegration when they return from service.
As a critical part of that effort, I am directing executive departments and agencies (agencies) to take steps to ensure robust compliance with USERRA’s employment and reemployment protections across the Federal Government through outreach, education, and oversight. Ensuring agencies’ compliance with USERRA across the Federal Government will maintain our commitment to those who serve.
This effort will build upon, and be in furtherance of, Executive Order 13518 of November 9, 2009 (Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government), which directed agencies to take steps to enhance recruitment of and promote employment opportunities for veterans within the executive branch. Over the last few years, the Federal Government has made a concerted and successful effort to increase the hiring of military veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves, and veterans now constitute a higher percentage of the Federal workforce than they have in years.
The Federal Government must continue to improve outreach to the uniformed services, veteran, Guard, and Reserve communities; improve agencies’ USERRA training and guidance; and ensure that service members and veterans in Federal employment receive the full extent of their employment protections, including USERRA protections. Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
Section 1. USERRA Employment Protection Working Group. There is established the USERRA Employment Protection Working Group (Working Group), to be co-chaired by the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor, or their designated representatives, which shall coordinate and review agency efforts to implement USERRA.
(a) In addition to the Co-Chairs, the Working Group shall include representatives from:
(i) the Department of Defense;
(ii) the Department of Justice;
(iii) the Department of Labor;
(iv) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(v) the Office of Personnel Management;
(vi) the Office of the Special Counsel; and
(vii) such other agencies or offices as the Co-Chairs may designate.
(b) In addition to coordinating and reviewing agency efforts to implement USERRA pursuant to this memorandum, the Working Group shall:
(i) collect data to better track the Federal Government’s performance in implementing USERRA protections;
(ii) coordinate agency efforts to implement best practices, training, and procedures for any agency officials who are authorized to recommend, take, or approve any personnel action with respect to employees of the agency in order to improve compliance with USERRA employment and reemployment protections; and
(iii) conduct outreach to veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve and other members of the uniformed services to assist them in fully exercising their employment rights.
(c) Within 30 days of the date of this memorandum, the head of each agency shall designate a senior agency official to act as a liaison between the agency and the Working Group. The agency liaison shall be responsible for providing the Working Group with information on agency efforts to implement this memorandum, as well as any other relevant information on service member employment that the Working Group may require.
(d) Within 90 days of the date of this memorandum, the Working Group shall report to the President on Government-wide progress in implementing this memorandum.
Sec. 2. Federal USERRA Guidance. (a) Within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Council on Veterans Employment established by Executive Order 13518 and offices and agencies participating in the Working Group, as appropriate, shall issue guidance to agencies on Federal USERRA employment protection, which shall describe specific steps agencies can take to improve USERRA employment and reemployment protection policies and practices, including:
(i) improving data collection procedures to help better track overall service member employment data in the Federal Government, including Guard and Reserve members;
(ii) using appropriate metrics, as established by the Office of Personnel Management, to measure implementation of this memorandum;
(iii) using guidance and tools, as developed by the Office of Personnel Management through collaboration with the Working Group and Council on Veterans Employment, which draw upon best agency practices as well as practices and guidance from the private sector; and
(iv) strengthening relationships between service members, stakeholder groups, and the agency, and providing better information to service members so as to allow them to be reintegrated as quickly and efficiently as possible when they return to civilian life.
(b) In the course of developing guidance pursuant to subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Council on Veterans Employment and offices and agencies participating in the Working Group as appropriate, shall review relevant statutes, regulations, policies, and agency training and guidance to identify reforms that would facilitate improved implementation of and compliance with USERRA. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), shall report to the President on this review, no later than 1 year from the date of this memorandum, and provide recommendations for changes to laws, regulations, and policies that would strengthen USERRA protections.
(c) In developing guidance pursuant to subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall consult with affected agencies, interagency groups, and public stakeholders.
(d) The Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management shall work together to improve data collection procedures to help better track the overall veteran and service member employment data in the Federal Government, particularly Guard and Reserve Members.
Sec. 3. Ensuring USERRA Employment Protection. The head of each agency shall, as expeditiously as possible:
(a) implement the guidance issued pursuant to section 2 of this memorandum;
(b) ensure that the agency has prioritized policies and actions to implement USERRA employment protections, including providing appropriate training and information, as well as undertaking appropriate reemployment measures; and
(c) allocate sufficient resources to effectively implement the requirements of this memorandum, subject to the availability of appropriations.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to a department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) Independent agencies are strongly encouraged to comply with the requirements of this memorandum.
The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Barack Obama.