S.Amdt. 4122

SA 4122. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for
fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:

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

SEC. 565. MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN ACCESSING HIGHER
EDUCATION ELEMENT OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
INTENDING TO USE VETERANS EDUCATION BENEFITS
AFTER MILITARY SERVICE.

(a) In General.--Each member of the Armed Forces who
notifies the Secretary having jurisdiction over such member
of an intention to use educational benefits available through
the Department of Veterans Affairs (including educational
benefits under chapter 30 or 33 of title 38, United States
Code) after discharge, separation, or release from the Armed
Forces shall be required to participate in the Accessing
Higher Education element of the Transition Assistance Program
(TAP) of the Department of Defense.
(b) Timing of Participation.--A member required to
participate in the Accessing Higher Education element of the
Transition Assistance Program pursuant to subsection (a)
shall complete participation in the element not later than
one year before the scheduled date of the member's discharge,
separation, or release from the Armed Forces.
(c) Notification Procedures.--Members shall make
notifications for purposes of subsection (a) in accordance
with such procedures as each Secretary of a military
department, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with
respect to the Coast Guard, shall establish for such
purposes.
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