Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act” or the “VETT Act”.
Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act
AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processes to approve programs of education for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Processes to approve programs of education for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Limitation of disapproval of programs of education for failure To provide certain forms— Section 3679(f)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by striking “this paragraph” and inserting “this subparagraph”;
in subparagraph (B), by striking “this paragraph” and inserting “subparagraph (A)”; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(C) If an educational institution cannot provide to an individual a form under paragraph (1) that contains all of the information required under subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, the educational institution shall provide to such individual, with the form under such paragraph, a notice—
“(i) that specifies what such information may be inaccurate or incomplete; and
“(ii) that includes, in place of the information that may be inaccurate or incomplete, the best estimate available on the date of such notice.”
Publication of information about training for school certifying officials— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a website to serve as a central location for the publication of information about the training that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides for school certifying officials and shall update such information on a regular basis.
Sec. 3 Modification of rules for approval of commercial driver education programs for purposes of educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs
In general— Section 3680A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) though (C), respectively;
in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by inserting “(1)” before “The Secretary”;
in paragraph (1)(B), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by inserting “except as provided in paragraph (2),” before “the course”; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):
“(2)
“(A) Subject to this paragraph, a commercial driver education program is exempt from paragraph (1)(B) for a branch of an educational institution if the commercial driver education program offered at the branch by the educational institution—
“(i) is appropriately licensed; and
“(ii)
“(I) the branch is located in a State in which the same commercial driver education program is offered by the same educational institution at another branch of that educational institution in the same State that is approved for purposes of this chapter by a State approving agency or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency; or
“(II)
“(aa) the branch is located in a State in which the same commercial driver education program is not offered at another branch of the same educational institution in the same State; and
“(bb) the branch has been operating for a period of at least one year using the same curriculum as a commercial driver education program offered by the educational institution at another location that is approved for purposes of this chapter by a State approving agency or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency.
“(B)
“(i) In order for a commercial driver education program of an educational institution offered at a branch described in paragraph (1)(B) to be exempt under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the educational institution shall submit to the Secretary each year that paragraph (1)(B) would otherwise apply a report that demonstrates that the curriculum at the new branch is the same as the curriculum at the primary location.
“(ii) Reporting under clause (i) shall be submitted in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall establish in consultation with the State approving agencies.
“(C)
“(i) The Secretary may withhold an exemption under subparagraph (A) for any educational institution or branch of an educational institution as the Secretary considers appropriate.
“(ii) In making any determination under clause (i), the Secretary may consult with the Secretary of Transportation on the performance of a provider of a commercial driver program, including the status of the provider within the Training Provider Registry of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration when appropriate.
“(D) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a notification not later than 30 days after the Secretary grants an exemption under this paragraph. Such notification shall identify the educational institution and branch of such educational institution granted such exemption.”
Implementation—
Establishment of requirements— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish requirements under section 3680A(e)(2)(B)(ii) of such title, as added by subsection (a).
Rulemaking— In promulgating any rules to carry out paragraph (2) of section 3680A(e) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with State approving agencies.
Applicability— The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to commercial driver education programs on and after the day that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary establishes the requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection.