Bill Summary
The **VA Work-Study Improvement Act** is legislation aimed at enhancing the Veterans Affairs (VA) Work-Study Program. Key provisions of the Act include:
1. **Expanded Activities**: The Act broadens the types of activities eligible for the work-study program to include any work at state or local government agencies and nonprofit organizations that benefits veterans or active-duty military members.
2. **Minimum Wage Standards**: It establishes a clearer definition for applicable minimum wage, ensuring participants receive the higher of federal employee pay rates or state/local minimum wages.
3. **Electronic Timesheets**: The Act mandates the implementation of an electronic system for participants to record their hours worked, which must also be approved electronically by their supervisors.
4. **Annual Data Publication**: It requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish annual reports detailing participation in the work-study program, including demographic data, descriptions of activities, wages, hours worked, and a list of participating educational institutions.
5. **Implementation Timeline**: The amendments will take effect for payments made under the work-study allowance after January 1, 2028.
Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the VA Work-Study Program, providing better support and opportunities for veterans.
Possible Impacts
The "VA Work-Study Improvement Act" introduces several changes to the VA Work-Study program that could significantly impact individuals, particularly veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Here are three examples of how the legislation could affect people:
1. **Expanded Opportunities for Work-Study Activities**: By allowing work-study activities at state or local government agencies and nonprofit organizations that benefit veterans, the legislation opens up a wider range of employment opportunities. This could lead to increased participation in the program, enabling more veterans to gain valuable work experience, develop skills, and build professional networks in various sectors that are committed to serving the veteran community.
2. **Higher Wage Standards**: The amendment to ensure that participants earn the higher of federal, state, or local minimum wage standards can lead to increased financial support for veterans engaged in work-study programs. This provision helps to ensure that veterans are compensated fairly for their work, which can alleviate financial pressures and enhance their overall quality of life while they pursue education or training.
3. **Improved Record-Keeping and Transparency**: The introduction of electronic timesheets and the requirement for annual publication of data on work-study activities will enhance the efficiency and accountability of the program. This could lead to better tracking of participation rates and demographics, ensuring that the program effectively serves diverse populations of veterans. Additionally, transparency in wages paid and hours worked can help identify trends and areas for improvement, fostering a more responsive and effective work-study program.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6011 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6011
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the VA Work-Study
program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 10, 2025
Mrs. McClain Delaney (for herself, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Carson, Ms.
Clarke of New York, Ms. Craig, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Fields, Mr. Fitzpatrick,
Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Johnson of
Georgia, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. McClellan,
Mr. McGarvey, Mrs. McIver, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Norton, Mr. Olszewski, Ms.
Simon, Ms. Titus, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and Mr. Whitesides) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the VA Work-Study
program.
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 ``VA Work-Study Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO VA WORK-STUDY PROGRAM.
(a) Authorized Activities.--Subsection (a)(5) of section 3485 of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(L) Any other activity at an agency of a State or local
government or a nonprofit organization that would benefit,
directly or indirectly, veterans or members of the Armed
Forces.''.
(b) Applicable Hourly Minimum Wage.--Paragraph (7) of subsection
(a) of such section is amended to read as follows:
``(7) In this subsection and subsection (e):
``(A) The term `applicable hourly minimum wages' means the
higher of the following wages:
``(i) The minimum rate of basic pay for any Federal
employee under the General Schedule or the Federal Wage
System pursuant to parts 530 and 532 of title 5, Code
of Federal Regulations.
``(ii) The hourly minimum wage under comparable law
of the State in which the services are to be performed.
``(iii) The hourly minimum wage under comparable
law of the local government with jurisdiction over the
area in which the services are to be performed.
``(B) The term `rate of basic pay' has the meaning given
such term in section 8331 of title 5.''.
(c) Electronic Timesheets.--Such section is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(g) The Secretary shall ensure that--
``(1) an individual participating in a qualifying work-
study activity may electronically record the hours worked under
such activity; and
``(2) the supervisor of such individual may electronically
approve such records.''.
(d) Publication of Data.--Such section, as amended by subsection
(c), is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(h) On an annual basis, the Secretary shall publish the following
information regarding qualifying work-study activities carried out
during the covered year:
``(1) The number of individuals who participated in a
qualifying work-study activity.
``(2) The demographics of such individuals.
``(3) A description of such activities.
``(4) The wages paid to such individuals.
``(5) The number of hours worked by such individuals.
``(6) A list of the participating educational
institutions.''.
(e) Applicability.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply
with respect to a payment of work-study allowance made under section
3485 of title 38, United States Code, on or after January 1, 2028.
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