To improve transitional assistance provided for members of the Armed Forces being discharged, released from active duty, or retired.

1. Adds TITLE XV--TRANSITION SERVICES at the end of division A

   Adds a title

   In S. 1042 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (d) Effect on Authorization Amounts.--A transfer made from one account to another under the authority of this section shall be deemed to increase the amount authorized for the account to which the amount is transferred by an amount equal to the amount transferred.

   Inserted: TITLE XV--TRANSITION SERVICES

   Inserted: SEC. 1501. SHORT TITLE.

   Inserted: This title may be cited as the "Veterans' Enhanced Transition Services Act of 2005".

   Inserted: SEC. 1502. IMPROVED ADMINISTRATION OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

   Inserted: (a) Preseparation Counseling.--Section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

   Inserted: (1) in subsection (a)--

   Inserted: (A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and

   Inserted: (B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph (4):

   Inserted: "(4) For members of the reserve components of the armed forces (including members of the National Guard on active duty under title 32) who have been serving on active duty continuously for at least 180 days, the Secretary concerned shall provide preseparation counseling under this section on an individual basis to all such members before such members are separated."; and

   Inserted: (2) in subsection (b)--

   Inserted: (A) in paragraph (4), by striking "(4) Information concerning" and inserting the following:

   Inserted: "(4) Provision of information on civilian occupations and related assistance programs, including information concerning--

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   Inserted: "(A) certification and licensure requirements that are applicable to civilian occupations;

   Inserted: "(B) civilian occupations that correspond to military occupational specialties; and

   Inserted: "(C)"; and

   Inserted: (B) by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "(11) Information concerning the priority of service for veterans in the receipt of employment, training, and placement services provided under qualified job training programs of the Department of Labor.

   Inserted: "(12) Information concerning veterans small business ownership and entrepreneurship programs of the Small Business Administration and the National Veterans Business Development Corporation.

   Inserted: "(13) Information concerning employment and reemployment rights and obligations under chapter 43 of title 38.

   Inserted: "(14) Information concerning veterans preference in federal employment and federal procurement opportunities.

   Inserted: "(15) Contact information for housing counseling assistance.

   Inserted: "(16) A description, developed in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of health care and other benefits to which the member may be entitled under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.".

   Inserted: (b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--

   Inserted: (1) Conforming amendment.--The heading of such section is amended to read as follows:

   Inserted: "Sec. 1142. Members separating from active duty:

   Inserted: preseparation counseling".

   Inserted: (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1142 and inserting the following:

   Inserted: "1142. Members separating from active duty: preseparation counseling.".

   Inserted: (c) Department of Labor Transitional Services Program.--Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

   Inserted: (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "paragraph (4)(A)" in the second sentence and inserting "paragraph (5)(A)"; and

   Inserted: (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

   Inserted: "(e) Training Support Materials.--The Secretary concerned shall, on a continuing basis and in cooperation with the Secretary of Labor, update the content of all materials used by the Department of Labor that provide direct training support to personnel who provide transitional services counseling under this section.".

   Inserted: SEC. 1503. FOLLOW UP ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AFTER PRESEPARATION PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

   Inserted: Section 1145(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

   Inserted: "(5)(A) The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, ensure that appropriate actions are taken to assist a member of the armed forces who, as a result of a medical examination under paragraph (4), receives an indication for a referral for follow up treatment from the health care provider who performs the examination.

   Inserted: "(B) Assistance provided to a member under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

   Inserted: "(i) Information regarding, and any appropriate referral for, the care, treatment, and other services that the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide to such member under any other provision of law, including--

   Inserted: "(I) clinical services, including counseling and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions; and

   Inserted: "(II) any other care, treatment, and services.

   Inserted: "(ii) Information on the private sector sources of treatment that are available to the member in the member's community.

   Inserted: "(iii) Assistance to enroll in the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs for health care benefits for which the member is eligible under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.".

   Inserted: SEC. 1504. REPORT ON TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

   Inserted: (a) Report Required.--Not later than May 1, 2006, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, submit to Congress a report on the actions taken to ensure that the Transition Assistance Programs for members of the Armed Forces separating from the Armed Forces (including members of the regular components of the Armed Forces and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces) function effectively to provide such members with timely and comprehensive transition assistance when separating from the Armed Forces.

   Inserted: (b) Focus on Particular Members.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include particular attention to the actions taken with respect to the Transition Assistance Programs to assist the following members of the Armed Forces:

   Inserted: (1) Members deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

   Inserted: (2) Members deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom.

   Inserted: (3) Members deployed to or in support of other contingency operations.

   Inserted: (4) Members of the National Guard activated under the provisions of title 32, United States Code, in support of relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

   Original wording

   At the end of division A, add the following:

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As printed