Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act of 2022
Bill: S.4089 | Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. (D-IL)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act of 2022
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from charging any entitlement to retraining assistance under the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program in situations where an individual was unable to complete a course or program as a result of the closure of an educational institution or the disapproval of a program by the state approving agency or the VA. The period for which retraining assistance is not charged must be equal to the full amount of retraining assistance provided for enrollment in the program of education.
In the event of a closure or disapproval, the educational institution must not receive any further payments under the program, and any payment already made must be considered an overpayment and constitute a liability of the institution to the United States.

[117th Congress Public Law 138]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 136 STAT. 1256]]

Public Law 117-138
117th Congress

                                 An Act


 
 To restore entitlement to educational assistance under Veterans Rapid 
 Retraining Program in cases of a closure of an educational institution 
       or a disapproval of a program of education, and for other 
             purposes. <<NOTE: June 7, 2022 -  [S. 4089]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Veterans Rapid 
Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act of 2022. 38 
USC 101 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance 
Program Restoration and Recovery Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. RESTORATION OF ENTITLEMENT UNDER VETERANS RAPID RETRAINING 
                    ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 
2021 (Public Law 117-2), as amended by the Training in High-demand Roles 
to Improve Veteran Employment Act (Public Law 117-16), <<NOTE: 38 USC 
3001 note prec.>>  is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (m), the following new 
        subsection (n):

    ``(n) Effects of Closure of an Educational Institution or 
Disapproval of a Program of Education.--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  In general.--Any payment of 
        retraining assistance under subsection (d)(1) shall not be 
        charged against any entitlement to retraining assistance 
        described in subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that an 
        individual was unable to complete a course or program of 
        education as a result of --
                    ``(A) the closure of an educational institution; or
                    ``(B) the disapproval of a program of education by 
                the State approving agency or the Secretary when acting 
                in the role of the State approving agency.
            ``(2) Period not charged.--The period for which, by reason 
        of this subsection, retraining assistance is not charged shall 
        be equal to the full amount of retraining assistance provided 
        for enrollment in the program of education.
            ``(3) Halt of payments to certain educational 
        institutions.--In the event of a closure or disapproval, as 
        described in paragraph (1), the educational institution shall 
        not receive any further payments under subsection (d).
            ``(4) Recovery of funds.--In the event of a closure or 
        disapproval, as described in paragraph (1), any payment already 
        made under subsection (d) to the educational institution shall 
        be considered an overpayment and constitute a liability of such 
        institution to the United States.''.

[[Page 136 STAT. 1257]]

    (b) Conforming Amendment.--In subsection (b)(3) of such section, 
strike the period and insert ``, except for an individual described in 
subsection (n).''.
    (c) <<NOTE: 38 USC 3001 note prec.>>  Effective Date.--The 
amendments made by this section shall apply as if included in the 
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).

    Approved June 7, 2022.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 4089:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):
            Apr. 26, considered and passed Senate.
            May 18, considered and passed House.
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2022):
            June 7, Presidential remarks.

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