PILOT PROGRAM TO INTEGRATE AND STREAMLINE FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES.

SEC. 303. PILOT PROGRAM TO INTEGRATE AND STREAMLINE FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES. (a) Authority To Conduct Pilot Program.— In order to assess the effects on the timeliness and quality of services to veterans resulting from re-focusing the staff resources of local veterans’ employment representatives, the Secretary of Labor may conduct a pilot program under which the primary responsibilities of local veterans’ employment representatives will be case management and the provision and facilitation of direct employment and training services to veterans. (b) Authorities Under Chapter 41.— To implement the pilot program, the Secretary of Labor may suspend or limit application of those provisions of chapter 41 of title 38, United States Code (other than sections 4104(b)(1) and (c)) that pertain to the Local Veterans’ Employment Representative Program in States designated by the Secretary under subsection (d), except that the Secretary may use the authority of such chapter, as the Secretary may determine, in conjunction with the authority of this section, to carry out the pilot program. The Secretary may collect such data as the Secretary considers necessary for assessment of the pilot program. The Secretary shall measure and evaluate on a continuing basis the effectiveness of the pilot program in achieving its stated goals in general, and in achieving such goals in relation 110 STAT. 3333 to their cost, their effect on related programs, and their structure and mechanisms for delivery of services. (c) Targeted Veterans.— Within the pilot program, eligible veterans who are among groups most in need of intensive services, including disabled veterans, economically disadvantaged veterans, and veterans separated within the previous four years from active military, naval, or air service shall be given priority for service by local veterans’ employment representatives. Priority for the provision of service shall be given first to disabled veterans and then to the other categories of veterans most in need of intensive services in accordance with priorities determined by the Secretary of Labor in consultation with appropriate State labor authorities. (d) States Designated.— The pilot program shall be limited to not more than five States to be designated by the Secretary of Labor. (e) Reports to Congress.— (1) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives an interim report describing in detail the development and implementation of the pilot program on a State by State basis. (2) Not later than 120 days after the expiration of this section under subsection (h), the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a final report evaluating the results of the pilot program and make recommendations based on the evaluation, which may include legislative recommendations. (f) Definitions.— For the purposes of this section: (1) The term “veteran” has the meaning given such term by section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code. (2) The term “disabled veteran” has the meaning given such term by section 4211(3) of such title. (3) The term “active military, naval, or air service” has the meaning given such term by section 101(24) of such title. (g) Allocation of Funds.— Any amount otherwise available for fiscal year 1997, 1998, or 1999 to carry out section 4102A(b)(5) of title 38, United States Code, with respect to a State designated by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to subsection (d) shall be avail-able to carry out the pilot program during that fiscal year with respect to that State. (h) Expiration Date.— The authority to carry out the pilot program under this section shall expire on October 1, 1999.