S.Amdt. 3884

1. Adds SEC. 515. PILOT PROGRAM ON JOB PLACEMENT AND RELATED EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE RESERVES at the end of subtitle B of title V

   Adds a section

   In S. 2410 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   The Office of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) shall, using funds available to the Office under this Act, take appropriate actions to increase the number of program support specialists in the States in order to reduce the number of unemployed and underemployed members of the National Guard and to educate employers on requirements of chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as "USERRA").

   Inserted: SEC. 515. PILOT PROGRAM ON JOB PLACEMENT AND RELATED EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE RESERVES.

   Inserted: (a) Pilot Program Authorized.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of various mechanisms to enhance Department of Defense efforts in providing job placement assistance and related employment services to members of the National Guard and the Reserves.

   Inserted: (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in consultation with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

   Inserted: (b) Eligible Members.--The members of the National Guard and the Reserves eligible for job placement assistance and related employment services under the pilot program are such categories of members as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the pilot program.

   Inserted: (c) Assistance and Services.--The mechanisms assessed under the pilot program shall include mechanisms as follows:

   Inserted: (1) To identify unemployed and underemployed members of the National Guard and the Reserves.

   Inserted: (2) To provide job placement assistance and related employment services to members of the National Guard and the Reserves on an individualized basis, including--

   Inserted: (A) resume writing and interview preparation assistance and services;

   Inserted: (B) cost-effective job placement services;

   Inserted: (C) post-employment follow up services; and

   Inserted: (D) such other assistance and services as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the pilot program.

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   Inserted: (d) Discharge.--

   Inserted: (1) Discharge through adjutants general.--The Secretary shall provide for the carrying out of the pilot program through the Adjutants General of the States.

   Inserted: (2) Outreach.--The Adjutants General shall take appropriate actions to facilitate participation in the pilot program by eligible members of the National Guard and the Reserves, including through outreach to unit commanders.

   Inserted: (e) State Matching Share of Funds.--In order for the pilot program to be carried out in a State, the State shall agree to contribute to the carrying out of the pilot program an amount, derived from non-Federal sources, equal to at least 30 percent of the funds provided by the Secretary for carrying out the pilot program in the State.

   Inserted: (f) Evaluation Metrics.--The Secretary shall establish metrics for purposes of evaluating the success of the pilot program.

   Inserted: (g) Annual Report.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees on an annual basis a report on the activities, if any, under the pilot program during the preceding fiscal year.

   Inserted: (2) Elements.--Each report under this subsection shall include the following:

   Inserted: (A) A description of the activities under the pilot program during the fiscal year covered by such report, set forth by State in which the pilot program was carried out, including--

   Inserted: (i) the number of members of the National Guard and the Reserves who participated in the pilot program;

   Inserted: (ii) the job placement assistance and related employment services provided to such members under the pilot program; and

   Inserted: (iii) the number of members of the National Guard and Reserves who obtained employment through participation in the pilot program.

   Inserted: (B) A comparison of the pilot program with other programs conducted by the Department of Defense during such fiscal year to provide job placement assistance and related employment services to unemployed and underemployed members of the National Guard and the Reserves, including the costs of services per individual under such programs.

   Inserted: (C) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program, and increased employment among members of the National Guard and the Reserves as a result of the pilot program, on the readiness of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.

   Inserted: (D) Such recommendations for improvement or extension of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.

   Inserted: (E) Such other matters relating to the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.

   Inserted: (h) Limitation on Funding.--The amount obligated by the Secretary in any fiscal year to carry out the pilot program may not exceed $20,000,000.

   Inserted: (i) Sunset.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the authority to carry out the pilot program shall expire on September 30, 2018.

   Inserted: (2) Two-year extension.--The Secretary may continue to carry out the pilot program for a period, not in excess of two years, after September 30, 2018, if the Secretary considers continuation of the pilot program for such period to be advisable.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle B of title V, add the following:

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As printed