What This Bill Does
This bill changes the rules for how the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approves commercial driver education programs (training programs that teach people to drive commercial trucks). The bill allows certain branch locations of educational institutions to skip some approval requirements if they use the same curriculum as an already-approved location.
Who It Affects
Educational institutions that offer commercial driver education programs at multiple locations. Veterans who use educational assistance benefits to attend these programs. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and State approving agencies.
Key Provisions
• A commercial driver education program at a branch location can skip certain approval requirements if the program is properly licensed and uses the same curriculum as an approved program at another location of the same institution. (Sec. 2(a)(4))
• Each year, an educational institution must submit a report to the Secretary showing that the curriculum at the branch location is the same as the curriculum at the primary location. (Sec. 2(a)(4))
• The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish the specific reporting requirements within 180 days after the law is enacted. (Sec. 2(b)(1))
• The Secretary can refuse to grant an exemption (waiver) for any educational institution or branch if the Secretary considers it appropriate. (Sec. 2(a)(4))
What Changes
Educational institutions can now offer commercial driver education programs at branch locations without meeting certain approval requirements, as long as they use the same curriculum as an already-approved location and submit yearly reports to prove it.
Important Definitions
None defined in bill text.
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text. The amendments apply 180 days after the Secretary establishes the reporting requirements. (Sec. 2(b)(2))
138 STAT. 1567
PUBLIC LAW 118–95—OCT. 1, 2024
Public Law 118–95
118th Congress
An Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the rules for approval by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs of commercial driver education programs for purposes
of veterans educational assistance, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veteran Improvement Commercial
Driver License Act of 2023’’.
SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF RULES FOR APPROVAL OF COMMERCIAL
DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PURPOSES OF VET-
ERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3680A(e) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subpara-
graphs (A) though (C), respectively;
(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated
by paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The Secretary’’;
(3) in paragraph (1)(B), as redesignated by paragraph (1),
by inserting ‘‘except as provided in paragraph (2),’’ before ‘‘the
course’’; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph
(2):
‘‘(2)(A) Subject to this paragraph, a commercial driver education
program is exempt from paragraph (1)(B) for a branch of an edu-
cational institution if the commercial driver education program
offered at the branch by the educational institution—
‘‘(i) is appropriately licensed; and
‘‘(ii) uses the same curriculum as a commercial driver edu-
cation program offered by the educational institution at another
location that is approved for purposes of this chapter by a
State approving agency or the Secretary when acting in the
role of a State approving agency.
‘‘(B)(i) In order for a commercial driver education program
of an educational institution offered at a branch described in para-
graph (1)(B) to be exempt under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph,
the educational institution shall submit to the Secretary each year
that paragraph (1)(B) would otherwise apply a report that dem-
onstrates that the curriculum at the new branch is the same as
the curriculum at the primary location.
‘‘(ii) Reporting under clause (i) shall be submitted in accordance
with such requirements as the Secretary shall establish in consulta-
tion with the State approving agencies.
Reports.
38 USC 101 note.
Veteran
Improvement
Commercial
Driver License
Act of 2023.
Oct. 1, 2024
[S. 656]
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138 STAT. 1568
PUBLIC LAW 118–95—OCT. 1, 2024
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 656:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 169 (2023): Nov. 2, considered and passed Senate.
Vol. 170 (2024): Sept. 25, considered and passed House.
Æ
‘‘(C)(i) The Secretary may withhold an exemption under
subparagraph (A) for any educational institution or branch of an
educational institution as the Secretary considers appropriate.
‘‘(ii) In making any determination under clause (i), the Sec-
retary may consult with the Secretary of Transportation on the
performance of a provider of a commercial driver program, including
the status of the provider within the Training Provider Registry
of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration when appro-
priate.’’.
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall establish requirements under section
3680A(e)(2)(B)(ii) of such title, as added by subsection (a).
(2) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by subsection
(a) shall apply to commercial driver education programs on
and after the date that is 180 days after the date on which
the Secretary establishes the requirements under paragraph
(1) of this subsection.
Approved October 1, 2024.
Effective date.
38 USC 3680A
note.
Deadline.
38 USC 3680A
note.
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