Sec. 5. State approving agencies
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Subchapter I of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3674A the following new section: As a condition on receipt of reimbursement expenses under section 3674 of this title, each State approving agency shall conduct such education and outreach activities for individuals who are eligible to receive or are receiving educational assistance under this chapter or any of chapters 30 through 35 of this title as the Secretary considers appropriate to assist such individuals in making well-informed choices about their education and successfully transitioning into an educational environment.
Each State approving agency conducting outreach activities under subsection
(a)shall coordinate with the Secretary of Defense to ensure, as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, that information on educational assistance available under this chapter and chapters 30 through 35 of this title is made readily available as part of the Transition Assistance Program
(TAP)of the Department of Defense in the State of the State approving agency. Information made available as part of education and outreach activities under this section shall be made— in language that can be easily understood by individuals described in paragraph (1); in a uniform and easily accessible manner; and through such means as may be appropriate and effective, including through publications, mailings, and electronic media. . The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3674A the following new item: 3674B. Education and outreach. . Section 3673(d) of such title is amended— by inserting
(1)before The Secretary ; and by adding at the end the following new paragraph: Each year, each State approving agency, as a condition of receiving reimbursement of expenses under section 3674 of this title, shall conduct such audits as the Secretary considers appropriate, including unannounced audits and audits using risk-based approaches, of educational institutions in the State of the State approving agency that have students enrolled in programs of education at the educational institutions who are receiving educational assistance under this chapter or any of chapters 30 through 35 of this title (without regard to whether the Secretary or the State approving agency approved the courses offered) in such State— to detect misrepresentation, fraud, waste, and abuse; to ensure full compliance with the provisions of this chapter; and for such other purposes as the Secretary considers appropriate. . Section 3674(a)(3) of such title is amended— by inserting
(A)before Each State ; and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: Each report submitted under subparagraph
(A)shall include the following: The number of visits made by the agency to educational institutions, including the number of such visits that were made without the prior knowledge of such educational institution. A description of the audits carried out by the agency under section 3673(d)(2) of this title and the findings of the agency, including with respect to any substantiated findings of misrepresentation, fraud, waste, abuse, or failure to comply with an applicable requirement of this chapter and the steps taken by the agency to address such fraud, waste, abuse, or failure to comply. A description of the outreach and training activities conducted by the agency under section 3674B of this title. . The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2014.