March 5, 2025
Mr. Van Orden introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend title 10, United States Code, to include, in the Transition Assistance Program, a presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the TAP Promotion Act
.
Sec. 2. Transition assistance program: presentation in preseparation counseling to promote benefits available to veterans
(a) In general
Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(20)
A presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such presentation—
(A)
shall be standardized;
(B)
shall, before implementation, be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with veterans service organizations that provide claims assistance under the benefits delivery at discharge program of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(C)
shall be submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives for review at least 90 days before implementation;
(D)
where available, shall be presented with the participation of—
(i)
a representative of a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38; or
(ii)
an individual—
(I)
recognized under section 5903 of such title; and
(II)
authorized by the Secretary concerned to so participate;
(E)
shall include information on how a veterans service organization may assist the member in filing a claim described in paragraph (19);
(F)
may not encourage the member to join a particular veterans service organization; and
(G)
may not be longer than one hour.
(b) Annual report
Not less frequently than once each year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives, and to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report that—
(1)
identifies each veterans service organization that participated in a presentation under paragraph (20) of section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a);
(2)
contains the number of members of the Armed Forces who attended such presentations; and
(3)
includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding changes to such presentation or to such paragraph.