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Title II — Education and Economic Opportunity

H.R. 9237 · 119th Congress · Jun 10, 2026 · Lineage

II Education and Economic Opportunity

Sec. 201 Vets Opportunity Act

(a)
Repayment of members of the Armed Forces for contributions towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance: timing; mechanism for individuals not eligible for a monthly housing stipend—
(1)
In general— Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(A)
in paragraph (3), by striking “together” and all that follows through “before” and inserting “not later than 60 days after”; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(4) Additional assistance for an individual not eligible for a monthly housing stipend—In the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall be paid—

“(A) in a lump sum calculated by multiplying—

“(i) the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and

“(ii) the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and

“(B) to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.”

(2)
Technical corrections and conforming amendment— Such subsection is further amended—
(A)
by striking “paragraphs (2) through (7)” and inserting “paragraphs (2) through (6)”; and
(B)
in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting “for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend” after “Additional assistance”.
(3)
Effective date— The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2027.
(b)
Treatment of certain independent study programs under educational assistance programs of Department of Veterans Affairs—
(1)
In general— Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such title is amended—
(A)
by inserting “that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors” after “course of study”;
(B)
in item (aa), by striking “; or” and inserting a semicolon;
(C)
in item (bb), by striking “; and” and inserting “; or”; and
(D)
by adding at the end by following new item:

“(cc) an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or is participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and”

(2)
Applicability— The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2027.
(3)
Oversight— During the first six years beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with State approving agencies, shall, every two years, conduct risk-based surveys or reviews of institutions approved pursuant to section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of title 38, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1).
(4)
GAO report— Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the oversight and implementation of the amendments made by paragraph (1), including—
(A)
the effectiveness of oversight activities conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and State approving agencies;
(B)
institutional compliance with applicable requirements under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code;
(C)
participation and outcomes of veterans enrolled in programs approved pursuant to section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of such title, as added by paragraph (1); and
(D)
any recommendations to improve oversight, program integrity, or educational outcomes for veterans.
(5)
Applicability— To the extent practicable for any program requiring practical, laboratory, clinical, shop, or hands on competencies, the online portion of instruction may not substitute for the supervised in person training necessary to demonstrate such competencies.
(c)
Absence from certain education due to certain service—
(1)
Options— Section 3691A of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following:

“(1) A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service—

“(A) withdraw from covered education;

“(B) take a leave of absence from covered education; or

“(C) subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned.”

(2)
Conforming amendment— Such subsection is further amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking “or takes a leave of absence” and inserting “, takes a leave of absence, or enters into an agreement”.
(3)
Agreement— Such section is further amended—
(A)
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(B)
by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new subsection (d):

“(d) Agreement with institution concerned—A covered member may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member has completed at least half of a course of covered education.”

(4)
Section heading— Such section is further amended by striking the heading and inserting “Absence from certain education due to certain service”.
(5)
Table of sections— The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the following new item:
(d)
Department of Veterans Affairs compliance surveys— Section 3693 of such title is amended—
(1)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
by striking “not more than 10 business days of notice”;
(B)
by striking “this section.” and inserting “this section—”; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

“(1) in the case of an educational institution or training establishment with a time stamp database collection feature, not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of notice; and

“(2) in the case of any other educational institution or training establishment, not more than 10 business days of notice.”

(2)
by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsection (d):

“(d) Definitions—In this section:

“(1) The terms “educational institution” and “training establishment” have the meanings given such terms in section 3452 of this title.

“(2) The term “school certifying official” means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.”

(e)
Notification of school certifying officials of handbook updates—
(1)
In general— Not later than 14 business days after updating the school certifying official handbook of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying officials of such update.
(2)
School certifying official defined— The term “school certifying official” means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.

Sec. 202 Improvements to process for making payments to automobile sellers for automobiles purchased for certain disabled veterans

(a)
Timeliness of payments— Section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)—
(1)
by inserting “(1)” before “The Secretary”; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(2) The Secretary shall—

“(A) make payments under this section in compliance with regulations prescribed under section 3903(a) of title 31, except that no interest penalties shall be required to be paid under this section; and

“(B) in the case of any payment under this section that is not processed during the period of 30 days following receipt by the Secretary of the final invoice for such payment, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the number of days required to process the payment.”

(b)
Centralization of process for making payments— Such section is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(f)

“(1) The Secretary shall process payments under this section through one office of the Department that the Secretary determines has the capacity and expertise to make such payments in compliance with regulations described in subsection (a)(2).

“(2) The Secretary shall accurately track and resolve payments due to sellers under this section that are more than 90 days overdue.”

(c)
Reporting— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, and publish on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Veterans Affairs, four semiannual reports after the date of the enactment of this Act, regarding the administration of section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this section. Each such report shall include, with respect to the period of six months preceding the date of the report, the following elements:
(1)
The average and median number of days between receipt of a invoice for payment under such section by the Claims Intake Center of the Department and the day when the Secretary makes such payment, disaggregated by whether the claim was under review or being processed by—
(A)
the Veterans Health Administration;
(B)
the Veterans Benefits Administration; or
(C)
the seller.
(2)
Improvements to information technology of the Department that the Secretary determines would reduce the time required for such review or processing.
(d)
GAO report; briefing—
(1)
Report— Not later than 180 days after the day the Secretary completes centralization under subsection (f) of section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, as added by this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review such centralization and publish a report containing the results of such review. Such report shall include the determinations of the Comptroller General regarding the following:
(A)
The capacity of the office determined by the Secretary under such subsection, to carry out processing described in such subsection, including—
(i)
a comprehensive assessment of employees of the Department who carry out chapter 39 of such title;
(ii)
a comprehensive skills assessment indicating what resources the Secretary requires to otherwise improve such centralization, including additional funds, employees, or contractors; and
(iii)
a review of systems of information technology, including systems in use or to be acquired, to carry out such centralization.
(B)
Recommendations to improve such processing.
(C)
Estimated costs to the United States to implement such recommendations.
(2)
Briefing— Not later than 30 days after publishing the report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall provide to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and Senate a briefing on such report. Such briefing shall include any response from the Secretary to the Comptroller General regarding the recommendations in the report.

Sec. 203 Monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for individuals who pursue summer programs of education solely through distance learning

(a)
In general— Section 3313(c)(1)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in clause (i), by striking “and (iii)” and inserting “, (iii), and (iv)”;
(2)
by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); and
(3)
by inserting after clause (iii) the following new clause (iv):

“(iv) In the case of an individual pursuing, solely through distance learning, a program of education that is shorter than 12 weeks during the summer, for each month the individual pursues the program of education, a monthly housing stipend equal to the product of—

“(I) the national average of the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member with dependents in pay grade E–5, multiplied by

“(II) the lesser of—

“(aa) 1.0 and

“(bb) the number of course hours borne by the individual in pursuit of the program of education, divided by the minimum number of course hours required for full-time pursuit of the program of education, rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.”

(b)
Effective date— The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to a program of education beginning on or after August 1, 2027.

Sec. 204 Clarification regarding inclusion of medically necessary automobile adaptations in Department of Veterans Affairs definition of “medical services”

Section 1701(6)(I) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(I) The provision of any medically necessary automobile adaptations for driver or passenger use, including—

“(i) ramp and kneeling systems;

“(ii) raised doors or lowered floors;

“(iii) raised roofs;

“(iv) air conditioning;

“(v) occupied and unoccupied mobility lifts;

“(vi) ingress or egress accessibility modifications;

“(vii) wheelchair tiedowns; and

“(viii) adapted seating.”

Sec. 205 Digital communications: Solid Start program; educational assistance

(a)
Improvement to certain outreach under Solid Start program of Department of Veterans Affairs— Section 6320(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)(B)—
(A)
by striking “calling” and inserting “communicating with”; and
(B)
by inserting “through the use of tailored lines of communication, including mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging” after “Armed Forces”; and
(2)
in paragraph (2), by striking “tailored mailings” and inserting “tailored lines of communication, including mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging,”.
(b)
Department of Veterans Affairs use of tailored lines of communication for correspondence relating to educational assistance benefits— Section 3680 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(i)

“(1) The Secretary shall provide a mechanism by which an eligible veteran or eligible person may use tailored lines of communication to send and receive correspondence with the Department of Veterans related to entitlement to and use of educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary. The Secretary shall ensure that an eligible veteran or eligible person is provided with an opportunity to opt into sending and receiving such correspondence using such lines of communication rather than by mail.

“(2) The Secretary shall provide to eligible veterans and eligible persons who are enrolled in a course or program of education or training notice of the opportunity to opt in to sending and receiving correspondence using tailored lines of communication pursuant to paragraph (1).

“(3) In this subsection, the term “tailored lines of communication” includes mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging.”

Sec. 206 Improvements to Transition Assistance Program and Skillbridge

(a)
Transition Assistance Program: amendments; pilot program; reports—
(1)
Special operations forces— Subsection (a) of section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in paragraph (1), by inserting “(including each member of the special operations forces)” after “armed forces”.
(2)
Requirement of preseparation counseling: number of days— Such subsection is further amended, in paragraph (1)—
(A)
by inserting “(A)” before “Within”; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(B) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that a member described in subparagraph (A) receives preseparation counseling in the following amounts:

“(i) In the case of a member who has accepted an offer of full-time employment, or has enrolled in a program of education or vocational training, that shall commence after the member separates, retires, or is discharged, not fewer than three days.

“(ii) In the case of a member other than a member described in clause (i), not fewer than five days.”

(3)
Repeat attendance— Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(6) A member who received preseparation counseling under this section may, before separation, retirement, or discharge, request to receive, on a space-available basis, such preseparation counseling a second time.”

(4)
Pathways: standardization; establishment of pathway for members of the reserve components— Such section is further amended, in paragraph (1) of subsection (c), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)(1)—
(A)
by striking “Each Secretary concerned” and inserting “The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security”; and
(B)
by striking “pathways for members of the military department concerned” and inserting “pathways, standardized across the armed forces”.
(5)
Pathways: record of pathway assignment— Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(4) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that the pathway in which a member is placed, and the reasons for such placement, are noted in the service record of such member.”

(6)
Coordination between Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor— Such section is further amended, in subsection (d)—
(A)
by striking the heading and inserting “Transmission of Certain Information to Other Departments”;
(B)
by inserting “(1)” before “In the case”; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

“(2) Before a member described in subsection (a) separates, retires, or is discharged, the Secretary concerned shall transmit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the Department of Defense Form DD–2648 regarding such member.

“(3)

“(A) In the case of a member described in subsection (a) whom the Secretary determined as tier 3 status the Secretary concerned shall, before the member separates, retires, or is discharged, provide such member with the contact information of an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs and an employee of the Department of Labor; and

“(B) Each employee described in subparagraph (A) shall contact the member described in such subparagraph not later than 60 days after such member separates, retires, or is discharged.

“(C) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor shall each submit to the Committees on Armed Services and on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an annual report that identifies the number of times, and reasons why, an employee of the department under the jurisdiction of such Secretary failed to carry out subparagraph (B) in the year preceding the date of the report.

“(D) The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to ensure that, for purposes of this paragraph, each Secretary concerned uses the same definition of the term “at risk for a difficult transition to civilian life”.”

(7)
Report— Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report on data recorded with such tracking system during the year preceding the date of such report. Such a report shall include a list of the seven military installations located inside the continental United States, and three military installations located outside the continental United States, where members are least likely to receive preseparation counseling in accordance with such time periods.
(A)
The number of members who, in the course of such preseparation counseling, were referred to another Federal agency or department.
(B)
The Federal agencies or departments to which members were so referred.
(C)
The number of members who should have been, but were not, so referred, and reasons why such referrals did not occur.
(D)
The number of members who receive such preseparation counseling and apply for unemployment compensation under subchapter II of chapter 85 of title 5, United States Code.
(E)
The total amount of such unemployment compensation paid to members separating from the Armed Forces.
(F)
The frequency with which the commander of the military installation received a briefing regarding attendance of members in accordance with statutory requirements of the Transition Assistance Program.
(8)
Contracting: standardization— Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(f) Contracting—A Secretary concerned may enter into an agreement with an entity under which such entity shall provide preseparation counseling under this section. If more than one Secretary seeks to enter into such an agreement, such Secretaries concerned shall, to the extent practicable, seek to enter into such agreements with the same entity.”

(9)
Annual report on TAP participation— The frequency with which the commander of the military installation received a briefing regarding attendance of members in accordance with statutory requirements of the Transition Assistance Program.
(b)
Skillbridge: GAO study—
(1)
Study required— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the Skillbridge programs under section 1143(e) of title 10, United States Code.
(2)
Report— Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report regarding such study. Such report shall include observations and recommendations of the Comptroller regarding, with respect to members and employers who participate in Skillbridge—
(A)
differences in criteria for participation between the Armed Forces;
(B)
other differences in Skillbridge programs between the Armed Forces;
(C)
best practices in Skillbridge programs across the Armed Forces, including—
(i)
the selection of employers; and
(ii)
the development of contracts; and
(D)
the feasibility of making Skillbridge programs uniform across the Armed Forces.

Sec. 207 Transition Assistance Program: presentation in preseparation counseling to promote benefits available to veterans

(a)
In general— Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(20) A presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such presentation—

“(A) shall be standardized;

“(B) shall, before implementation, be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Defense in collaboration with veterans service organizations that provide claims assistance under the benefits delivery at discharge program of the Department of Veterans Affairs;

“(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives for review at least 90 days before implementation;

“(D) where available, shall be presented with the participation of—

“(i) an employee or representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs assisted by a representative of a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38; or

“(ii) an employee or representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs assisted by an individual recognized under section 5903 of such title and authorized by the Secretary concerned to so participate;

“(E) shall include information on how a veterans service organization may assist the member in filing a claim described in paragraph (19);

“(F) may not encourage the member to join a particular veterans service organization; and

“(G) may not be longer than one hour.”

(b)
Annual report— Not less frequently than once each year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives, and to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report that—
(1)
identifies each veterans service organization that participated in a presentation under paragraph (20) of section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a);
(2)
contains the number of members of the Armed Forces who attended such presentations; and
(3)
includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding changes to such presentation or to such paragraph.

Sec. 208 Elimination of requirement that on-campus educational and vocational counseling is provided by certain Department of Veterans Affairs employees

(a)
In general— Section 3697B(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by striking the second sentence;
(2)
by inserting “(1)” before “The Secretary”; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(2) Any individual providing services under paragraph (1) on behalf of the Department who is not an employee of the Department shall be subject to the same oversight, training, and accountability standards applicable to Department employees providing such services.”

(b)
Expansion of VetSuccess on Campus program to at least one location in each State—
(1)
In general— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the VetSuccess on Campus program of the Department of Veterans Affairs is located in every State.
(2)
Counselors— In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that at least one counselor of the VetSuccess on Campus program is located in each State, notwithstanding the number of individuals in a State or at an educational institution who may qualify to participate in the program.
(3)
Preference— In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give preference to educational institutions that have the largest populations of students who are pursuing programs of education at such institutions with educational assistance provided under laws administered by the Secretary.
(4)
State defined— In this section, the term State has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

Sec. 209 Expansion of entitlement for payment for licensing or certification tests for veterans entitled to educational assistance

Section 3315 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), by striking “educational assistance under this chapter” and inserting “covered assistance”;
(2)
in subsection (b)(3), by striking “under this chapter” and inserting “with respect to covered assistance”;
(3)
in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “under this chapter” and inserting “with respect to covered assistance”; and
(4)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(d) Warnings—Before providing any payment to or on behalf of an individual described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide notice to the individual a warning that use of entitlement under this section for a licensing or certification test may not lead to a license or certification.

“(e) Covered assistance defined—In this section, the term covered assistance means educational assistance available under—

“(1) this chapter, chapter 30 of this title, chapter 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 of title 10; or

“(2) any other provision of law providing educational assistance to a veteran, or to another individual in connection with the service of a veteran in the Armed Forces.”

Sec. 210 Increase of amount of educational assistance paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for first year of a full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training

Section 3313(g)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting “using educational assistance under this chapter”; and
(2)
in clause (i)(II), by striking “80 percent” and inserting “100 percent”.

Sec. 211 Improving emerging technology opportunities for veterans

(a)
Inclusion of emerging technologies in high technology program—
(1)
In general— Section 3699C of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(A)
in the section heading by striking “High technology” and inserting “High technology and emerging technology”;
(B)
by striking “high technology” and inserting “high technology or emerging technology” each place such term appears; and
(C)
in subsection (c)(4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(E) Such criteria shall also identify which technologies of critical importance, such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, shall be treated as emerging technologies for purposes of this section.”

(2)
Clerical amendment— The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3699C and inserting the following new item:
(3)
Conforming amendments— Section 3680A of title 38, United States Code, is amended in subsections (a)(4)(B) and (d)(8) by striking “high technology” each place such term appears and inserting “high technology or emerging technology”.
(b)
Employment rate calculation for VET-TEC high technology and emerging technology program— Section 3699C of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (f)—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting after “House of Representatives” the following: “, and make available to the public,”; and
(B)
in paragraph (3) by adding at the end the following: “Such rate shall be calculated as a fraction, the denominator of which is the number of covered individuals who completed such a program during such year and the numerator of which is the number of individuals counted in the denominator who are employed on the date that is 180 days after the date on which the individual completed the program, and expressed as a percentage. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the numerator shall not count a case in which the individual is employed by the same organization that was the provider of the individual’s program of education or a case in which the individual is employed, by a parent or affiliate of such organization, as an instructor for a substantially similar program of education. To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall also report the rates of full-time employment, part-time employment, and self-employment.”; and
(2)
in subsection (g) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(3) The Secretary on an ongoing basis shall solicit, collect, and analyze feedback about the program from covered individuals who participate in the program and from the GI Bill School Feedback Tool. The Secretary shall use such feedback to evaluate and improve the implementation of the program.”