Sec. 551. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TO OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

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## SEC. 551 ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TO OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS ###

(a)In General Section 2015 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: > > ## “SEC. 2015 Program to assist members in obtaining professional credentials > > > ### “(a) Program Required > > The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, shall carry out a program to enable members of the armed forces to obtain, while serving in the armed forces, professional credentials related to military training and skills that— > > > #### “(1) > > are acquired during service in the armed forces incident to the performance of their military duties; and > > > #### “(2) > > translate into civilian occupations. > > > ### “(b) Payment of Expenses > > > ####

(1)> > Under the program required by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, shall provide for the payment of expenses of members for professional accreditation, Federal occupational licenses, State-imposed and professional licenses, professional certification, and related expenses. > > > #### “(2) > > The authority under paragraph

(1)may not be used to pay the expenses of a member to obtain professional credentials that are a prerequisite for appointment in the armed forces. > > > ### “(c) Regulations > > > ####

(1)> > The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. > > > #### “(2) > > The regulations shall apply uniformly to the armed forces to the extent practicable. > > > #### “(3) > > The regulations shall include the following: > > > ##### “(A) > > Requirements for eligibility for participation in the program under this section. > > > ##### “(B) > > A description of the professional credentials and occupations covered by the program. > > > ##### “(C) > > Mechanisms for oversight of the payment of expenses and the provision of other benefits under the program. > > > ##### “(D) > > Such other matters in connection with the payment of expenses and the provision of other benefits under the program as the Secretaries consider appropriate. > > > ### “(d) Expenses Defined > > In this section, the term ‘expenses’ means expenses for class room instruction, hands-on training (and associated materials), manuals, study guides and materials, text books, processing fees, and test fees and related fees.” > . ###

(b)Clerical Amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 101 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 2015 and inserting the following new item:" “2015. Program to assist members in obtaining professional credentials.” ".