Bill · H.R. 3387· House(119-HR-3387)
ETS Act
- Introduced
- 5/14/2025
- Last activity
- 6/11/2025 — Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Sponsored by
- Derrick Van Orden
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember's Experience Act" aims to improve programs for service members nearing separation and recent veterans. It implements changes to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), including specific requirements for the amount and delivery of preseparation counseling. The bill expands eligibility periods and introduces a pilot program specifically for military spouses. Additionally, it extends the availability of certain transitional health care and mandates a GAO study on Skillbridge programs. Finally, it enhances veteran resource accessibility through new website features and expanded job counseling eligibility.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+7
The bill establishes more robust preseparation counseling and expanded job placement services for veterans.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+6
The bill enhances veteran resource accessibility and improves job counseling eligibility.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+5
The bill extends the availability of certain transitional health care from 180 to 270 days.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Preseparation Counseling Requirements: The bill requires specific lengths of counseling—at least three days for those with employment or education plans and five days for others—to ensure members are prepared (Section 2(b)).
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Enhanced Financial Planning: Counseling must now include individualized assistance regarding general financial matters, loans, debt, and investing, with sessions lasting no less than one hour and led by experienced professionals (Section 2(i)).
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Increased Flexibility for Counselors: Preseparation counseling can now be provided in person to the extent practicable, with remote options available if a member cannot attend in person (Section 2(c)).
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Expanded Eligibility Windows: The period of eligibility for certain programs is increased from 365 days to 540 days (Section 2(d)).
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Support for Military Spouses: A new pilot program will be established to provide tailored counseling to military spouses, including assistance regarding benefits and availability at various times and locations (Section 2(p)).
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Extended Health Care Access: The availability of certain transitional health care is extended from 180 days to 270 days (Section 3).
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Better Resource Accessibility: The Department of Veterans Affairs will maintain a website allowing veterans and dependents to search for programs by ZIP code (Section 5).
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Expanded Job Counseling: Eligibility for certain job counseling, training, and placement services is expanded to include members of the Armed Forces eligible for TAP (Section 6(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Loss of Counseling Requirements for Certain Reserve Members: The Secretary is granted the authority to waive preseparation counseling requirements for certain members of the reserve components under specific conditions (Section 2(e)).
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Limited Information for Voluntary Participation: Information regarding eligibility for benefits like the supplemental nutrition assistance program is subject to limitations regarding voluntary participation (Section 2(o)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+6
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+5
- 6/11/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 6/6/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 5/14/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House