Career-Ready Student Veterans Act

Bill: 114-hr-2360
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Introduced: 2015-05-15
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education

Licensing and registrations

Student aid and college costs

Teaching, teachers, curricula

Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Latest action: action_date: 2016-02-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-05-15
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Career-Ready Student Veterans Act</strong></p> <p>This bill adds the following new criteria for state approval, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance, of applications of educational institutions providing veterans with non-accredited courses: </p> <ul> <li>a program designed to prepare an individual for state licensure or certification must meet any state instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements; or </li> <li>a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a state board or agency in an occupation requiring approval or licensure must be approved or licensed by that state board or agency.</li> </ul> <p> The VA may waive either of these two requirements if: </p> <ul> <li>the educational institution is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Department of Education; </li> <li>the program did not meet the requirements at any time during the two-year period preceding the waiver date; </li> <li>the waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs; and </li> <li>the educational institution does not provide any incentive payment based on securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are ineligible for federal student assistance.</li> </ul> <p>The criteria added by this Act also apply to approval of accredited courses at for-profit educational institutions.</p>

action_date: 2015-11-16
action_desc: Reported to House with amendment(s)
text: <p><strong>Career-Ready Student Veterans Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill adds the following new criteria for state approval, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance, of applications of educational institutions providing veterans with non-accredited courses: </p> <ul> <li>a program designed to prepare an individual for state licensure or certification must meet any state instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements; or </li> <li>a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a state board or agency in an occupation requiring approval or licensure must be approved or licensed by that state board or agency.</li> </ul> <p> The VA may waive either of these two requirements if: </p> <ul> <li>the educational institution is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Department of Education; </li> <li>the program did not meet the requirements at any time during the two-year period preceding the waiver date; </li> <li>the waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs; and </li> <li>the educational institution does not provide any incentive payment based on securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are ineligible for federal student assistance.</li> </ul> <p> The VA shall submit to Congress notice of, and justification for, a waiver within 30 days of issuance.</p> <p>The VA shall disapprove a course of education unless the educational institution providing it discloses publicly any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course is designed to provide preparation.</p> <p> If after enrollment in a course subject to disapproval an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled, such course or courses shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of this Act.</p>

action_date: 2016-02-09
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on November 16, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><strong>Career-Ready Student Veterans Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill adds the following new criteria for state approval, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance, of applications of educational institutions providing veterans with non-accredited courses: </p> <ul> <li>a program designed to prepare an individual for state licensure or certification must meet any state instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements; or </li> <li>a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a state board or agency in an occupation requiring approval or licensure must be approved or licensed by that state board or agency.</li> </ul> <p> The VA may waive either of these two requirements if: </p> <ul> <li>the educational institution is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Department of Education; </li> <li>the program did not meet the requirements at any time during the two-year period preceding the waiver date; </li> <li>the waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs; and </li> <li>the educational institution does not provide any incentive payment based on securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are ineligible for federal student assistance.</li> </ul> <p> The VA shall submit to Congress notice of, and justification for, a waiver within 30 days of issuance.</p> <p>The VA shall disapprove a course of education unless the educational institution providing it discloses publicly any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course is designed to provide preparation.</p> <p> If after enrollment in a course subject to disapproval an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled, such course or courses shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of this Act.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2360 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 15, 2015 Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the approval of certain programs of education for purposes of educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act . 2. Approval of courses using educational assistance provided by Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Approval of non-Accredited courses Subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new paragraphs: (14) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for licensure or certification in a State, the program meets any instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements of such State. (15) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires approval or licensure, the program is approved or licensed by such board or agency of the State. . (b) Exceptions Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a program of education offered by an educational institution if the Secretary determines the following: (1) The educational institution is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education. (2) The program did not meet the requirements of such paragraph at any time during the two-year period preceding the date of the waiver. (3) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs. (4) The educational institution does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance. . (c) Approval of accredited courses at for-Profit educational institutions Section 3675(b)(3) of such title is amended— (1) by striking and (3) and inserting (3), (14), and (15) ; and (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: (or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to subsection (f) of section 3676) . (d) Applicability If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made by this Act, an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution, any course so pursued by the individual at that institution while so continuously enrolled shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of such amendment.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 257 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2360 [Report No. 114–336] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 15, 2015 Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs November 16, 2015 Additional sponsors: Mr. Coffman , Mrs. Radewagen , Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania , Ms. Bass , Ms. Kuster , Ms. Brownley of California , and Ms. Titus November 16, 2015 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 15, 2015 A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the approval of certain programs of education for purposes of educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act . 2. Approval of courses for purposes of educational assistance programs administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Approval of non-Accredited courses Subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new paragraphs: (14) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for licensure or certification in a State, the program meets any instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements of such State. (15) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires approval or licensure, the program is approved or licensed by such board or agency of the State. . (b) Exceptions Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) (1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a program of education offered by an educational institution if the Secretary determines all of the following: (A) The educational institution is not accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education. (B) The program did not meet the requirements of such paragraph at any time during the two-year period preceding the date of the waiver. (C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs. (D) The educational institution does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance. (2) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of the waiver and the justification of the Secretary for issuing the waiver. . (c) Approval of accredited programs Section 3675(b)(3) of such title is amended— (1) by striking and (3) and inserting (3), (14), and (15) ; and (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: (or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to subsection (f) of section 3676) . (d) Disapproval of courses Section 3679 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education described in section 3676(c)(14) or (15) unless the educational institution providing the course of education publicly discloses any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation. . (e) Conforming amendment Section 3672(b)(2)(A)(i) of such title is amended by striking An accredited and inserting Except as provided in paragraphs (14) and (15) of section 3676(c) of this title, an accredited . (f) Applicability If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made by this Act, an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution, any course so pursued by the individual at that institution while so continuously enrolled shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of such amendment.

November 16, 2015 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: IB 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 2360 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the approval of certain programs of education for purposes of educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act . 2. Approval of courses for purposes of educational assistance programs administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Approval of non-Accredited courses Subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new paragraphs: (14) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for licensure or certification in a State, the program meets any instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements of such State. (15) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires approval or licensure, the program is approved or licensed by such board or agency of the State. . (b) Exceptions Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) (1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a program of education offered by an educational institution if the Secretary determines all of the following: (A) The educational institution is not accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education. (B) The program did not meet the requirements of such paragraph at any time during the two-year period preceding the date of the waiver. (C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs. (D) The educational institution does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance. (2) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of the waiver and the justification of the Secretary for issuing the waiver. . (c) Approval of accredited programs Section 3675(b)(3) of such title is amended— (1) by striking and (3) and inserting (3), (14), and (15) ; and (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: (or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to subsection (f) of section 3676) . (d) Disapproval of courses Section 3679 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education described in section 3676(c)(14) or (15) unless the educational institution providing the course of education publicly discloses any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation. . (e) Conforming amendment Section 3672(b)(2)(A)(i) of such title is amended by striking An accredited and inserting Except as provided in paragraphs (14) and (15) of section 3676(c) of this title, an accredited . (f) Applicability If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made by this Act, an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution, any course so pursued by the individual at that institution while so continuously enrolled shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of such amendment.

Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2016. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 2360 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 10, 2016 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the approval of certain programs of education for purposes of educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act . 2. Approval of courses for purposes of educational assistance programs administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Approval of non-Accredited courses Subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (16); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new paragraphs: (14) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for licensure or certification in a State, the program meets any instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements of such State. (15) In the case of a program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires approval or licensure, the program is approved or licensed by such board or agency of the State. . (b) Exceptions Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) (1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a program of education offered by an educational institution if the Secretary determines all of the following: (A) The educational institution is not accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education. (B) The program did not meet the requirements of such paragraph at any time during the two-year period preceding the date of the waiver. (C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs. (D) The educational institution does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance. (2) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of the waiver and the justification of the Secretary for issuing the waiver. . (c) Approval of accredited programs Section 3675(b)(3) of such title is amended— (1) by striking and (3) and inserting (3), (14), and (15) ; and (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: (or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to subsection (f) of section 3676) . (d) Disapproval of courses Section 3679 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education described in section 3676(c)(14) or (15) unless the educational institution providing the course of education publicly discloses any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation. . (e) Conforming amendment Section 3672(b)(2)(A)(i) of such title is amended by striking An accredited and inserting Except as provided in paragraphs (14) and (15) of section 3676(c) of this title, an accredited . (f) Applicability If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval by reason of an amendment made by this Act, an individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution, any course so pursued by the individual at that institution while so continuously enrolled shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of such amendment.

Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2016. Karen L. Haas, Clerk