In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

Ex Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Early Education Employee Benefit Act 
of 2002''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS.

    The Secretary of Health and Human Services may make grants on a 
competitive basis, and payable during a period of not less than 2 years 
and not more than 5 years, to eligible States and political 
subdivisions of States--
            (1) to establish innovative partnerships with private 
        partners to reduce the cost incurred by employees and union 
        members to obtain early education (including child care, 
        preschool, and other early childhood programs), or
            (2) to assist private partners to pay part of the cost of 
        acquiring, building, and renovating physical premises to be 
        used as new early education facilities.

SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY OF STATES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF STATES TO 
              RECEIVE GRANTS.

    To be eligible to receive a grant under section 2, a State or a 
political subdivision of a State shall submit to the Secretary an 
application at such time, in such form, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require by rule, including--
            (1) the agency designated by the State, or the political 
        subdivision of a State, to serve as the lead agency that will 
        administer such grant,
            (2) a description of the program such applicant intends to 
        carry out with such grant,
            (3) a description of the source, and increasing annual 
        amount, of the funds such applicant will use to pay the non-
        Federal share of the cost to carry out such program during a 
        period not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years, and
            (4) an agreement that such State or such political 
        subdivision--
                    (A) will contribute (from non-Federal funds) to 
                carry out such program, an amount equal to 50 percent 
                of the amount of such grant,
                    (B) will not require a private partner to offer on-
                site early education as a condition for participation 
                in an Early Education Benefit Agreement, and
                    (C) will use such grant to supplement, not 
                supplant, spending by such State, such political 
                subdivision, and private partners to improve access to 
                and enhance the quality of early education.

SEC. 4. SELECTION OF APPLICANTS TO RECEIVE GRANTS.

    In making grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority 
to eligible applicants that--
            (1) are, in the judgment of the Secretary, most likely to 
        increase the number of employees and members who receive an 
        Early Education Benefit through their employers and unions,
            (2) propose innovative public-private partnerships that 
        will carry out early education programs that are likely to be 
        replicated,
            (3) are likely to be sustainable beyond the period during 
        which such grant is expended,
            (4) are developed in consultation with child care resource 
        and referral agencies and networks, and with employers and 
        unions,
            (5) demonstrate the intention and ability to provide--
                    (A) with funds to be expended for the use described 
                in section 5(1), Early Education Benefits through Early 
                Education Benefit Agreements to a significant number of 
                employees of private employers with fewer than 50 
                employees, or
                    (B) with funds to be expended for the use described 
                in section 5(2), Early Education Start-up Grants to 
                private employers with fewer than 50 employees, and
                    (6) have experience working on early childhood 
                issues and working in partnership with the business 
                community, or have an agreement to implement the 
                program funded by a grant made under section 2 through 
                a nonprofit entity with such experience.

SEC. 5. USES OF FUNDS.

    A recipient of a grant made under section 2 shall use such grant--
            (1) to enter into Early Education Benefit Agreements to 
        provide Early Education Benefits, or
            (2) to provide funds to private partners to establish new 
        early education facilities,
except that not more than 5 percent of such grant may be used to pay 
administrative costs incurred by such recipient to carry out this Act, 
including providing outreach to private partners.

SEC. 6. EARLY EDUCATION BENEFIT AGREEMENTS.

    (a) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive funds to be used for 
the purpose specified in section 5(1) from a grant made under section 
2, a private partner, or consortia of private partners, shall enter 
into an Early Education Benefit Agreement with the recipient of such 
grant that includes the following:
            (1) An assurance that such private partner, or such 
        consortia, will pay not less than--
                    (A) \1/3\ of the cost of such Early Education 
                Benefit, or
                    (B) \1/5\ of such cost if such private partner, or 
                such consortia, creates a new early education facility 
                that--
                            (i) serves children less than 2 years of 
                        age or children with disabilities, or
                            (ii) is available during nontraditional 
                        work hours.
            (2) An assurance that such private partner, or such 
        consortia, shall offer such Early Education Benefit on a 
        priority basis to such employees or such members who have lower 
        incomes if such Early Education Benefit is not offered to all 
        such employees or all such members.
            (3) An assurance that if such private partner, or such 
        consortia, requires that such Early Education Benefit received 
        by an employee or member be expended at a limited number of 
        sites where early education (including child care, preschool, 
        and other early childhood programs) is provided, then 
there shall be at least 1 provider of early education (including child 
care, preschool, and other early childhood programs) for which such 
Early Education Benefit may be expended, that is--
                    (A) located at or near the residence or place of 
                employment of such employee or such member, and
                    (B) accredited by the National Association for the 
                Education of Young Children or the National Association 
                for Family Child Care, or taking steps to obtain such 
                accreditation.
            (4) An assurance that early education paid for in whole or 
        in part by such Early Education Benefit will be provided by a 
        provider that is licensed or regulated by the State.
            (5) A detailed description of--
                    (i) the nature of the Early Education Benefit to be 
                provided,
                    (ii) the respective financial contributions of such 
                private partner, or such consortia, and such grant 
                recipient, and the procedures by which such 
                contributions will be made,
                    (iii) the number of employees or members expected 
                to receive the Early Education Benefit provided under 
                such Agreement, and
                    (iv) the estimated total cost of such Benefit to 
                such private partner (or such consortia), such grant 
                recipient, and such employees or such members.
    (b) Selection of Private Partners To Enter Into Early Education 
Benefit Agreements.--In selecting private partners with which to enter 
into Early Education Benefit Agreements, a recipient of a grant made 
under section 2 shall give priority to--
            (1) private partners that will make larger financial 
        contributions to the Early Education Benefit,
            (2) private partners with fewer employees or members,
            (3) private partners that will make an Early Education 
        Benefit available to employees and members on a sliding scale 
        inversely proportional to their level of earned income, and
            (4) private partners that have a history of personnel 
        policies and practices that enable their employees or their 
        members to balance work commitments with family obligations.

SEC. 7. EARLY EDUCATION START-UP GRANTS.

    (a) Eligibility To Receive Funds.--To be eligible to receive funds 
for the use specified in section 5(2) from a grant made under section 
2, a private partner shall agree--
            (1) to subsidize attendance at the proposed new early 
        education facility for children of lower-paid employees or 
        members, and
            (2) to pay not less than \1/3\ of the cost of acquiring, 
        building, and renovating physical premises to be used as such 
        facility.
    (b) Selection of Private Partners To Receive Funds.--In providing 
funds to private partners from a grant received for the use specified 
in section 5(2), a recipient of a grant made under section 2 shall give 
priority to--
            (1) private partners that will create a facility to provide 
        early education that--
                    (A) serves children less than 2 years of age or 
                children with disabilities, or
                    (B) is available during nontraditional hours during 
                which their parents are employed,
            (2) private partners that will operate such a facility that 
        is accredited, has a low ratio of children to adults, or 
        demonstrates other facts that show such facility offers an 
        early education program of high quality,
            (3) private partners that will pay with nongovernmental 
        funds a larger share of the cost of the use for which the Early 
        Education Start-up Grant funds will be expended,
            (4) private partners that have fewer employees or members, 
        and
            (5) private partners that have a history of personnel 
        policies and practices that enable their employees or members 
        to balance work commitments with family obligations.

SEC. 8. REPORTS.

    (a) Reports by Grantees.--The Secretary shall issue rules that 
require each recipient of a grant made under section 2 to submit 
annually to the Secretary a report that includes the following 
information for the fiscal year for which such report is submitted:
            (1) The number of Early Education Benefit Agreements 
        participated in and Start-Up Grants made.
            (2) Information about the private partners, including the 
        industry of which they are a part and their size.
            (3) Information about the number of employees who are both 
        offered and are receiving Early Education Benefits as a result 
        of such grant,including the number and average incomes of 
        employees who are receiving Early Education Benefits and the 
        number of employees who were offered and declined Early 
        Education Benefits.
            (4) Information about the amount of private spending on 
        Early Education Benefits and on the investment in new early 
        education facilities leveraged by the grants.
            (5) If appropriate and available, information about whether 
        and at what level private partners have continued to provide 
        Early Education Benefits after the conclusion of the grantee's 
        participation in an Early Education Benefit Agreement.
    (b) Reports by the Secretary.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
Congress biennially a report that includes the following information 
for the period of 2 fiscal years for which such report is submitted:
            (1) Summaries of the reports received under subsection (a) 
        by the Secretary for such period.
            (2) A description of the implementation of this Act, and 
        its impact on employees' access to early education programs for 
        their children, during such period.

SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Child.--The term ``child'' means an individual who is 
        less that 6 years of age.
            (2) Early Education Benefit.--The term ``Early Education 
        Benefit'' means assistance, in cash or in kind, to pay any part 
        of the cost incurred by employees and union members to obtain 
        early education (including child care, preschool, and other 
        early childhood programs) for their children.
            (3) Early Education Benefit Agreement.--The term ``Early 
        Education Benefit Agreement'' means a contract under which a 
        recipient of a grant under section 2 and a private partner that 
        receives from such recipient funds provided for the use 
        described in section 5(1) agree to provide jointly an Early 
        Education Benefit for children of the members or employees of 
        such private partner.
            (4) Private Partner.--The term ``private partner'' means a 
        private employer, labor union, and consortia of employers or 
        labor unions.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such 
sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

Ex Output:
Early Education Employee Benefit Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make competitive matching grants to States and local governments to: (1) enter Early Education Benefit Agreements with private partners to provide part of the cost of Early Education Benefits, which reduce costs incurred by employees and union members to obtain early education (including child care, preschool, and other early childhood programs); or (2) make Early Education Start-Up Grants to assist private partners to pay part of the cost of acquiring, building, and renovating physical premises to be used as new early education facilities, if such partners subsidize attendance at those facilities for children of lower-paid employees or union members.


Ex Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Geospatial 
Preparedness Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Homeland security and national geospatial preparedness.
Sec. 5. Security policy and guidelines for geospatial data.
Sec. 6. Office of Geospatial Management and Geospatial Information 
                            Officer.
Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Geospatial technologies and geospatial data can provide 
        all levels of government and the private sector with proven 
        capabilities to carry out detection, planning, preparedness, 
        mitigation, response, and recovery activities for homeland 
        security purposes that save lives and protect property.
            (2) The completion and maintenance of the National Spatial 
        Data Infrastructure with integrated applications and systems 
        will provide the level of geospatial preparedness required to 
        protect critical infrastructure, strategic assets, the economic 
        base, and persons.
            (3) Geospatial technology and information have proven to be 
        essential to enabling more informed decisionmaking, greater 
        efficiency, increased accountability, and better management in 
        all levels of government and the private sector.
            (4) Building spatial data once and then sharing it many 
        times between all levels of government and the private sector 
        increases the ability of information technology applications 
        and systems to provide better services to the public in a cost-
        effective manner.
            (5) The use of international, national, and industry 
        consensus standards to develop and deploy interoperable 
        geospatial data and geospatial technologies assists the 
        commercial geospatial industry to provide products that make it 
        easier, faster, and less expensive for all levels of government 
        and the private sector to share, integrate, and use geospatial 
        data for decisionmaking.
            (6) Establishing a new Federal Government program to 
        provide financial incentives to State, regional, local, and 
        tribal governments will greatly accelerate adoption of 
        international, national, and industry consensus standards.
            (7) Geospatial technologies and geospatial data can be 
        essential tools for virtually all functions of government and 
        business.
            (8) Geospatial preparedness in the United States is not 
        adequate due to a variety of factors including inadequate 
        geospatial data compatibility, insufficient geospatial data 
        sharing, technology interoperability barriers, institutional 
        and organizational resistance to new ways of doing business, 
        lack of financial incentives to improved use of geospatial 
        technologies, and inefficient geospatial data collection and 
        sharing.
            (9) Interoperable geospatial technology and geospatial data 
        capabilities are emerging and incentives are needed for full 
        adoption and for collaborative use to meet community and 
        national needs.
            (10) Geospatial technologies and geospatial data are 
        maintained by all levels of government and the private sector. 
        A comprehensive nationwide program is necessary to build and 
        maintain a standards-based geospatial spatial data 
        infrastructure and geographic information systems required to 
        respond to increasing demands.
            (11) State, regional, local, and tribal governments, the 
        private sector, and other non-government organizations are 
        investing in geospatial technologies and geospatial data. 
        Incentives are necessary to leverage these investments for more 
        effective use to meet community and national needs.
            (12) Establishing the Office of Geospatial Management, 
        administered by a Geospatial Information Officer, within the 
        Department of Homeland Security will ensure the most effective 
        and efficient management of programs and activities involving 
        geospatial technologies and geospatial data.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Geographic information systems software and hardware.--
        The term ``geographic information systems software and 
        hardware'' means computer software and hardware required to 
        identify, depict, visualize, analyze, maintain, or otherwise 
        utilize geospatial data.
            (2) Geospatial applications.--The term ``geospatial 
        applications'' means computer software and systems that extend 
        the capabilities of geographic information systems software and 
        hardware to identify, depict, visualize, analyze, maintain, or 
        otherwise utilize geospatial data.
            (3) Geospatial data.--The term ``geospatial data'' means 
        information that identifies, depicts, or describes the 
        geographic locations, boundaries, or characteristics of 
        inhabitants and natural or constructed features on the Earth, 
        including such information derived from, among other sources, 
        socio-demographic analysis, economic analysis, land information 
        records and land use information processing, statistical 
        analysis, survey and observational methodologies, environmental 
        analysis, critical infrastructure protection, satellites, 
        remote sensing, airborne imagery collection, mapping, 
        engineering, construction, global positioning systems, and 
        surveying technologies and activities.
            (4) Geospatial preparedness.--The term ``geospatial 
        preparedness'' means the level of overall capability and 
        capacity necessary to enable all levels of government and the 
        private sector to utilize geospatial data, geographic 
        information systems software and hardware, and geospatial 
        applications to perform essential emergency management 
        functions, including detection, planning, mitigation, response, 
        and recovery, in order to minimize loss of life and property 
        from weapons of mass destruction, terrorist threats, major man-
        made accidents, and natural disasters.
            (5) National spatial data infrastructure.--The term 
        ``National Spatial Data Infrastructure'' means the combination 
        of the geographic information systems software and hardware, 
        geospatial applications, geospatial data, standards, policies, 
        programs, and human resources necessary to acquire, process, 
        analyze, store, maintain, distribute, and otherwise utilize 
        geospatial data as a strategic asset for the Nation.
            (6) Office of geospatial management.--The term ``Office of 
        Geospatial Management'' means the administrative organization 
        responsible for designing, managing, coordinating, and 
        implementing comprehensive geospatial initiatives.
            (7) Standards.--The term ``standards'' means documented 
        international, national, or industry consensus agreements 
        containing technical specifications or other precise criteria 
        to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions to 
        ensure that materials, products, processes, or services are 
        proper for their purposes.

SEC. 4. HOMELAND SECURITY AND NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL PREPAREDNESS.

    The Secretary shall direct the Chief Information Officer to work, 
consistent with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, 
Executive Order 12906, and section 216 of the Electronic Government 
Act, with the Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, 
the Federal Geographic Data Committee, the National Imagery and Mapping 
Agency, other appropriate Federal agencies, and members of the Steering 
Committee and Coordination Group of the Federal Geographic Data 
Committee, to use and enhance the National Spatial Data Infrastructure 
for homeland security purposes, by--
            (1) developing a comprehensive national enterprise 
        strategy, incorporating industry and government standards, for 
        the coordinated acquisition, building, storage, maintenance, 
        and use of Federal Government, non-Federal Government, and 
        private sector geospatial data with, when feasible and 
        appropriate, integrated and interoperable commercially-provided 
        geographic information systems software and hardware, 
        geospatial applications, geospatial data, and services in order 
        to achieve an adequate level of national geospatial 
        preparedness;
            (2) providing grants, technical assistance, and cooperative 
        agreements to State, regional, local, and tribal government as 
        well as non-profit organizations in order to increase 
        geospatial preparedness by actions such as analyzing 
        requirements, performing strategic planning, sharing geospatial 
        data, developing agreements for sharing geospatial data, 
        integrating geospatial data, developing standards, integrating 
        systems, and acquiring, when feasible and appropriate, 
        interoperable commercially-provided geographic information 
        systems software and hardware, geospatial applications, 
        geospatial data, and Global Positioning System equipment and 
        procuring services in order to achieve an adequate level of 
        national geospatial preparedness;
            (3) coordinating with, and assisting, the Federal 
        Geographic Data Committee, the Office of Management and Budget, 
        and the commercial geospatial industry to establish national 
        standards for the development, acquisition, storage, 
        maintenance, distribution, utilization, and application of 
        geospatial data;
            (4) coordinating with, and assisting, the commercial 
        geospatial industry to establish national standards for the 
        development, distribution, and utilization of geographic 
        information systems software and hardware and geospatial 
        applications; and
            (5) utilizing, when feasible and appropriate, commercially-
        provided interoperable geographic information systems software 
        and hardware, geospatial applications, geospatial data, and 
        services to carry out the responsibilities, activities, and 
        programs authorized by this section.

SEC. 5. SECURITY POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR GEOSPATIAL DATA.

    The Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland 
Security shall establish, within 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and consistent with overall homeland security 
goals of the Department of Homeland Security, security policy and 
guidelines for the acquisition, processing, and dissemination of 
geospatial data depicting critical infrastructure and strategic assets 
located in the United States.

SEC. 6. OFFICE OF GEOSPATIAL MANAGEMENT AND GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION 
              OFFICER.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish 
the Office of Geospatial Management within the Office of the Chief 
Information Officer. The Office of Geospatial Management shall be 
administered by the Geospatial Information Officer under the direction 
of the Chief Information Officer.
    (b) Geospatial Information Officer.--The Geospatial Information 
Officer--
            (1) shall be appointed by the Secretary from among 
        individuals who are skilled in geographic information 
        technology and systems management; and
            (2) shall be responsible for--
                    (A) designing, managing, coordinating, and 
                implementing comprehensive geospatial initiatives; and
                    (B) working with the Chief Information Officer to 
                carry out section 4 and section 5.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    For the purpose of carrying out this Act, there are authorized to 
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal 
years 2004 through 2008. Such authorization is in addition to other 
authorizations of appropriations that are available for such purpose.

Ex Output:
Geospatial Preparedness Act - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to direct the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Departments of the Interior and Justice, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, other appropriate Federal agencies, and members of the Federal Geographic Data Committee to use and enhance the National Spatial Data Infrastructure for homeland security purposes.

Directs the CIO to establish security and policy guidelines for the acquisition, processing, and dissemination of geospatial data depicting critical infrastructure and strategic assets in the United States.

Requires the: (1) Secretary to establish the Office of Geospatial Management within the Office of the CIO; and (2) Geospatial Manager to work with the CIO to design, manage, coordinate, and implement comprehensive geospatial initiatives.


Ex Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Employment and Transition 
Services Act''.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON EQUITABLE RELIEF CASES.

    Section 503(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``December 31, 2004'' and inserting ``December 31, 2009''.

SEC. 3. VETERAN-TO-VETERAN PRESEPARATION COUNSELING.

    (a) Accessibility of Information.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 58 of title 10, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1154. Veteran-to-veteran preseparation counseling
    ``(a) Cooperation Required.--The Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall carry out a program to facilitate 
the access of representatives of military and veterans' service 
organizations and representatives of military and veterans' services 
agencies of States to provide preseparation counseling and services to 
members of the armed forces who are scheduled, or are in the process of 
being scheduled, for discharge, release from active duty, or 
retirement.
    ``(b) Elements of Program.--The program carried out under this 
section shall--
            ``(1) authorize representatives of military and veterans' 
        service organizations and representatives of military and 
        veterans' services agencies of States to participate in the 
        preseparation counseling and other assistance provided to 
        members under the programs carried out under sections 1142 and 
        1144 of this title; and
            ``(2) provide support for the outreach programs of such 
        organizations and agencies by providing the organizations and 
        agencies with the names and addresses of members of the armed 
        forces described in subsection (a).
    ``(c) Locations.--Subject to subsection (e), the program under this 
section shall provide for access to members--
            ``(1) at each installation of the armed forces;
            ``(2) at each armory and military family support center of 
        the National Guard;
            ``(3) at each inpatient medical care facility of the 
        uniformed services administered under chapter 55 of this title; 
        and
            ``(4) in the case of a member on the temporary disability 
        retired list under section 1202 or 1205 of this title who is 
        being retired under another provision of this title or is being 
        discharged, at a location reasonably convenient to the member.
    ``(d) Waiver of Access Restrictions.--In carrying out elements of 
the program described in subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive the applicable provisions 
of the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 
note) to the extent necessary to ensure that representatives of 
military and veterans' service organizations and representatives of 
military and veterans' services agencies of States have access to 
members and former members of the uniformed services in medical 
treatment facilities of the uniformed services to fulfill the purposes 
of this title.
    ``(e) Consent of Members Required.--Access to a member of the armed 
forces under the program under this section is subject to the consent 
of the member.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:

``1154. Veteran-to-veteran preseparation counseling.''.
    (b) Department of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
``Sec. 1709. Veteran-to-veteran counseling
    ``(a) Cooperation Required.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
program to facilitate the access of representatives of military and 
veterans' service organizations and representatives of military and 
veterans' services agencies of States to veterans, furnished care and 
services under this chapter to provide information and counseling to 
such veterans on the care and services authorized by this chapter, and 
other benefits and services available under the laws administered by 
the Secretary.
    ``(b) Facilities Covered.--Subject to subsection (d), the program 
carried out under this section shall provide for access to veterans 
described in subsection (a) at each facility of the Department or non-
Department facility at which the Secretary furnishes care and services 
under this chapter.
    ``(c) Waiver of Access Restrictions.--In carrying out the program 
under this section, the Secretary may waive the applicable provisions 
of the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 
note) to the extent necessary to ensure that representatives of 
military and veterans' service organizations and representatives of 
military and veterans' services agencies of States have access to 
veterans described in subsection (a) at the facilities referred to in 
subsection (b) to fulfill the purposes of this title.
    ``(d) Consent of Veterans Required.--Access to a veteran under the 
program under this section is subject to the consent of the veteran.''.
            (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of 
        title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 1708 the following:

``1709. Veteran-to-veteran counseling.''.

SEC. 4. SEPARATION COUNSELING AND TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Separation of Reenlistment and Separation Counseling.--Section 
1142(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
    ``(4) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that preseparation 
counseling under this section is provided by personnel and offices that 
are not responsible for encouraging service members to reenlist so that 
readjustment counselors can focus completely on assisting separating 
service members.''.
    (b) Transition Assistance Program.--Section 1144(c) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``shall encourage'' and inserting ``shall--
            ``(1) encourage'';
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
        and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) establish separation assistance participation rates 
        as a performance measure for commanding officers to ensure that 
        such officers actively encourage such members to participate in 
        the program under this section; and
            ``(3) submit a report to Congress, not later than March 31 
        of each year, describing the rates of participation in such 
        program by each branch of service and at each military 
        installation.''.

Ex Output:

Veterans Employment and Transition Services Act - Extends through 2009 (currently, 2004) a requirement for annual reports from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Congress on equitable relief provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans and their dependents following a loss of benefits because of Department administrative error.

Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to carry out a program to facilitate access of representatives of military and veterans' service organizations and agencies to provide preseparation counseling and services to members of the Armed Forces who are scheduled for discharge, release from active duty, or retirement. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a similar program for facilitating the access of such representatives to provide information and counseling to veterans on the care, benefits, and services offered through the Department.

Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to ensure that preseparation counseling is provided by personnel and offices that are not responsible for encouraging service members to reenlist.