Veterans' Enhanced Transition Services Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2427
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2004-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Administrative procedure
Armed forces reserves
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
College administration
Communication in medicine
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Counseling
Data banks
Department of Defense
Disability retirement
Disabled
Education
Electronic government information
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Governmental investigations
Health
Health counseling
Health information systems
Health surveys
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Law
Medical records
Medical screening
Medical tests
Mental health services
Military bases
Military discharges
Military hospitals
Military medicine
Military training
National Guard
Physical examinations
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Psychotherapy
Right of privacy
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Standards
State laws
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' education
Veterans' employment
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2004-05-17
text: 
Veterans' Enhanced Transition Services Act of 2004 - Requires the Secretary concerned to transmit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the service medical records of each member of the Armed Forces who is entitled to preseparation counseling and other services.
 
Directs the Secretary concerned to: (1) require preseparation counseling for members of reserve components being separated from service on active duty for more than 30 days; and (2) ensure that commanders authorize such members to obtain counseling during duty time.
 
Requires preseparation counseling on: (1) certification and licensure requirements for civilian occupations; and (2) civilian occupations that correspond to military occupational specialties.
 
Extends preseparation counseling to members of the National Guard being separated from long-term duty.
 
Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to require participation in the Department of Labor transitional services program unless members previously participated in the program or are returning to previously held employment or educational pursuits.
 
Requires the Secretaries of Defense and Labor jointly to carry out a study on coordinating Armed Services and State job training and certification standards.
 
Specifies locations for benefits delivery at discharge programs.
 
Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe minimum content and standards for required medical examinations, including screening for post-traumatic stress disorder, and to provide follow-up services.
 
Requires the Secretary of Defense to carry out programs to: (1) facilitate veteran-to-veteran preseparation counseling; and (2) assist discharged, released, or retired members of the Armed Forces in obtaining college credit for training received in the Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5539-5541)
action_date: 2004-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5537-5539)
action_date: 2004-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate