Overview
Title
To amend title 10, United States Code, to clarify the scope of the SkillBridge program of the Department of Defense, to require annual circulation of information about such program to certain members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, and to require an annual public awareness campaign to inform potential employers of the program.
ELI5 AI
The bill is like making a clear and fair plan for helping soldiers learn new job skills before leaving the military. It wants to tell soldiers and companies about this plan every year, so more companies will be ready to give soldiers a chance to learn and work with them.
Summary AI
H.R. 6900 aims to expand and clarify the Department of Defense's SkillBridge program. It amends title 10 of the United States Code to include both private and public employers, along with tax-exempt organizations, in the program. The bill requires the Secretary to annually provide information about the program to active-duty service members and conduct a public awareness campaign to inform potential employers about the program, aiming to increase and diversify employer participation.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, H.R. 6900, titled the "Continuing to Serve Act," seeks to amend the existing provisions of title 10 in the United States Code. Specifically, it aims to clarify and expand the Department of Defense's SkillBridge program. This program is designed to facilitate the transition of military personnel into civilian employment by offering them the opportunity to gain work experience through training with civilian employers before they leave active duty. H.R. 6900 introduces requirements for the annual dissemination of information regarding the program to active-duty service members and mandates a public awareness campaign to educate potential employers about the program.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill has three key components:
Short Title: Officially names the legislation as the "Continuing to Serve Act."
Clarifying the Scope: An amendment to the U.S. Code that broadens the range of potential employers participating in the SkillBridge program to include not only private and public employers but also non-profit organizations eligible for tax exemptions under IRS regulations.
Expanding Participation: Directs military leadership to annually circulate information about the program to active-duty service members. Additionally, it mandates a public awareness campaign aimed at potential employers to explain the program's operations and encourage diverse employer participation.
Summary of Significant Issues
There are several notable issues associated with the bill:
Inclusivity of Non-Profit Organizations: The amendment extends participation to 501(c)(3) organizations, potentially raising concerns about favoritism or an unfair advantage to certain entities. The bill lacks specific criteria for selecting these organizations, which might lead to ethical and legal issues.
Financial and Logistical Concerns: The requirement for an annual public awareness campaign may cause inefficiencies or unnecessary spending if there are no clear management strategies or evaluative metrics.
Lack of Evaluation Metrics: Without defined criteria to measure the success of these initiatives, there's a risk of continued financial investment without understanding the effectiveness of the program's outreach.
Impact on the Public
The SkillBridge program is crucial for facilitating the transition from military to civilian life. Enhancing its visibility and expanding its reach could significantly increase employment opportunities for veterans, thereby positively impacting the broader community by reducing veteran unemployment rates. The public might benefit from the skills and experience that transitioning service members bring to various industries.
Impact on Stakeholders
Active Duty Service Members: The bill could provide comprehensive information and more diverse options for transitioning service members, potentially easing their integration into civilian employment sectors.
Employers: Private companies, public entities, and certain non-profit organizations might experience access to a more skilled workforce. However, there might be challenges associated with understanding the program due to the vaguely defined criteria for "broadening the types of employers."
Department of Defense: The onus is on the military and relevant Secretaries to effectively manage the expanded scope and required communications, which could result in additional administrative burdens.
In conclusion, while H.R. 6900 aims to enhance the SkillBridge program's effectiveness, it will require careful implementation and oversight to address its ambiguities and potential inefficiencies. These measures will be crucial to ensure the program benefits all stakeholders involved, from service members to civilian employers.
Issues
The amendment in Section 2 broadly includes tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) without specifying criteria for selecting participants, which might lead to perceived favoritism or unfair advantage, raising legal and ethical concerns.
Section 3's mandate for an annual public awareness campaign could potentially lead to wasteful spending if not properly managed and evaluated, posing financial concerns.
The requirement in Section 3 to circulate information to active duty members might result in logistical challenges or increased costs, questioning efficient resource allocation.
The lack of specified criteria or metrics in Section 3 to evaluate the success of the initiatives may lead to continued investment without clear outcomes, resulting in potential financial inefficiency.
The phrase 'broadening the types of employers' in Section 3 is vaguely defined, potentially causing confusion or inconsistent outreach strategies, affecting the program's effectiveness.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states that the official name of the act is the "Continuing to Serve Act."
2. Clarifying scope of SkillBridge program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to Section 1143(e)(1) of title 10 in the U.S. Code clarifies that the SkillBridge program includes a wide range of employers, such as private companies, public employers, and certain nonprofit organizations that qualify for tax exemptions.
3. Expanding participation in SkillBridge program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section expands the SkillBridge program by requiring the relevant Secretary to share information about the program annually with active-duty service members and to raise awareness among potential employers to increase and diversify the employers hiring program participants.