HR 3579119th CongressIntroduced

Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act

Introduced: May 23, 2025

Labor & EmploymentVeterans Affairs

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act would tighten and modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (Chapter 31). Key changes include requiring an applicant’s work history and educational transcripts before the VA can begin an initial evaluation, placing a time limit on employment assistance (with a potential extension if the veteran is actively seeking work), and mandating new data collection and public reporting on program outcomes and wait times. The bill also requires an independent third-party review of rehabilitation programs and directs VA to publish wait times annually and report program data to Congress. Overall, the bill aims to improve accountability, transparency, and program effectiveness in VR&E.

Key Points

1Application requirement before initial evaluation: The VA may not begin an initial evaluation of a veteran until the veteran submits an application containing the veteran’s substantive work record and educational transcripts as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
2Time limits on employment assistance: The maximum duration of employment assistance under VR&E is set at 365 days, with a possible additional 180 days if a counselor certifies that the veteran is actively seeking employment.
3Data collection and congressional reporting: The bill adds a new Sec. 3123 requiring VA to report to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, including the regional office handling the program and the veteran’s wages before and after completion. It also requires an annual public posting of wait times from request to first counselor meeting.
4Independent program review: Within one year of enactment, VA must seek a contract with a non-Department entity with vocational rehabilitation expertise to review VR&E programs and, within another year, provide recommendations to improve and modernize these programs.
5Public transparency and table of sections: Adds a new section to Chapter 31 for data collection and reporting, and clarifies the act’s position within the existing statutory framework.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Veterans participating in or seeking services through the VR&E program (Chapter 31) and VA regional offices administering the program. The changes affect eligibility timing, duration of assistance, and how outcomes are tracked.Secondary group/area affected: VA counselors and staff who administer VR&E, as well as employers and labor market stakeholders who interact with program graduates, due to shifts in program duration, reporting requirements, and potential changes to program processes.Additional impacts: Increased administrative duties and data reporting costs for VA, enhanced public transparency on wait times and post-program wages, and the introduction of an independent third-party review to assess program effectiveness and recommend modernization. Potential concerns include the burden of gathering required documents from applicants, and whether the new 365/180-day framework aligns with individual veteran needs and job-market realities.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 2, 2025