HR 1168

HR 1168 IH

To amend chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, to provide certain veterans with employment training assistance.

February 25, 2009

Mr. BOOZMAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

To amend chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, to provide certain veterans with employment training assistance.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Veterans Retraining Act of 2009’.

SEC. 2. EMPLOYMENT TRAINING ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General- Chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

‘Sec. 4216. Employment Training Assistance for Unemployed Veterans.

‘(a) In General- The Secretary of Labor shall pay to each covered veteran a monthly training assistance allowance under this section for each month that a covered veteran is enrolled in an employment and training program that teaches a skill in demand, as determined by the Secretary.

‘(b) Amount- The amount of the training assistance allowance under this section is the amount equal to the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member of the Armed Forces with dependents in pay grade E-5 residing in the military housing area that encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area in which the veteran resides.

‘(c) Duration- A covered veteran is entitled to training assistance under this section for not more than six months during each 10-year period beginning on the date in which the covered veteran first receives training allowance under this section.

‘(d) Moving Stipend- In addition to the training assistance allowance payable under subsection (b), the Secretary shall pay an amount of not more than $5,000 to each covered veteran for moving expenses related to the veteran’s receipt of training for which an allowance is paid under this section.

‘(e) Covered Veteran Defined- In this section, ‘covered veteran’ means a veteran who is--

‘(1) unemployed for a period of not less than four consecutive months at the time of applying for training assistance under this section;

‘(2) able to successfully complete the employment and training program described in subsection (a), as determined by the Secretary; and

‘(3) except as provided under this section, ineligible for education or training assistance under this title.

‘(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each fiscal year.’.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘4216. Employment training assistance for unemployed veterans.’.