Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of HR 3579: Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act **What the Bill Does** This bill makes changes to the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, which helps veterans with service-connected disabilities find jobs through training and employment services. The main changes include: requiring veterans to formally apply to the VA before getting an initial evaluation, limiting employment assistance to a maximum of 365 days per veteran, and requiring the VA to track and publicly report data on program outcomes—including veterans' wages before and after completing the program and how long it takes for veterans to meet with a counselor after requesting help. **Who It Affects** The bill directly affects veterans with service-connected disabilities who use or want to use the VR&E program, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, which administers the program.
Congress would also be affected, as they would receive new reporting requirements about program performance. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is now awaiting action in the Senate. The legislation focuses on accountability and transparency by requiring better data collection and reporting on how effectively the program helps veterans return to work.
CRS Official Summary
Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity ActThis bill modifies the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VR&E program provides job training and employment-related services to veterans with service-connected disabilities.The bill requires veterans to submit an application to the VA in order to receive an initial evaluation to participate in the VR&E program.Further, a veteran may not receive employment assistance under the VR&E program for more than 365 days.The bill also requires the VA to report to Congress regarding the employment of veterans who participate in a vocational rehabilitation program under the VR&E program, including the annual wages of veterans before and after completion of a program. Additionally, the VA must annually publish the average time between the date on which a veteran requests a vocational rehabilitation program under the VR&E program and the date on which they first meet with a counselor as part of the program.Finally, the VA must seek to enter into a contract with a non-VA entity that has expertise in vocational rehabilitation to review, report, and provide recommendations on rehabilitation programs under the VR&E program.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.