summary
Introduced
01/14/2015
01/14/2015
In Committee
02/06/2015
02/06/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop and publish an action plan for improving the training and rehabilitation services and assistance provided by the VA for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Requires such plan to include: a comprehensive analysis of, and recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for remedying, workload management challenges at VA regional offices, including steps to reduce counselor case loads of veterans participating in a rehabilitation program; a comprehensive analysis of the reasons for the disproportionately low percentage of veterans with service-connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, who opt to participate in a VA rehabilitation program relative to the percentage of such veterans who use their entitlement to VA educational assistance; recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for encouraging more veterans with service-connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, to participate in VA rehabilitation programs; and a national staff training program for vocational rehabilitation counselors, that includes the provision of training to assist counselors in understanding the very profound disorientation experienced by warriors because of their injury, training to assist counselors in working in partnership with veterans on individual rehabilitation plans, and training on post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions and on moderate to severe traumatic brain injury that is designed to improve the ability of such counselors to assist veterans with such conditions.
AI Summary
This bill, the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create and release a plan within 270 days to enhance the vocational rehabilitation services and assistance it provides to veterans with service-connected disabilities, particularly those who served after September 11, 2001, often referred to as "wounded warriors." The plan must include a thorough examination of workload management issues at VA regional offices, proposing solutions to reduce counselor caseloads, especially for those assisting veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also requires an analysis of why fewer wounded warriors participate in VA rehabilitation programs compared to those who use their educational benefits under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program, and recommendations to encourage greater participation in rehabilitation. Finally, the bill mandates a national training program for vocational rehabilitation counselors, focusing on understanding the disorientation veterans experience due to injury, partnering with veterans on individual rehabilitation plans, and improving their ability to assist veterans with PTSD, other mental health conditions, and moderate to severe TBI.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (11)
Sean Maloney (D)*,
Madeleine Bordallo (D),
Susan Brooks (R),
John Carney (D),
Matt Cartwright (D),
Debbie Dingell (D),
Seth Moulton (D),
Markwayne Mullin (R),
Kathleen Rice (D),
Mark Takano (D),
Dina Titus (D),
Last Action
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote . (on 06/25/2015)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/356/all-info | 01/15/2015 |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr356/BILLS-114hr356ih.pdf | 07/05/2016 |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr356/BILLS-114hr356ih.pdf.pdf | 07/05/2016 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr356ih/pdf/BILLS-114hr356ih.pdf | 01/24/2015 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr356ih/pdf/BILLS-114hr356ih.pdf.pdf | 01/24/2015 |
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