SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MEMBERS RETURNING FROM DEPLOYMENT IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OR OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

SEC. 676. SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MEMBERS RETURNING FROM DEPLOYMENT IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OR OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.(a) Working Group Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense a working group to identify and assess the needs of members of the National Guard and Reserve returning from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in making the transition to civilian employment on their return from such deployment.(b) Members.—(1) Appointment.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall appoint the members of the working group. The Secretary of Defense shall attempt to achieve a balance of members on the working group from among employees of the following agencies:120 STAT. 2275(A) The Department of Defense.(B) The Department of Veterans Affairs.(C) The Department of Labor.(2) Concurrence.—The appointment of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the concurrence of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, respectively.(c) Responsibilities.—The working group shall—(1) identify and assess the needs of members of the National Guard and Reserve returning from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in making the transition to civilian employment on their return from deployment, including the needs of—(A) members who were self-employed before deployment and seek to return to such employment after deployment;(B) members who were students before deployment and seek to return to school or commence employment after deployment;(C) members who have experienced multiple recent deployments; and(D) members who have been wounded or injured during deployment;(2) identify and assess the extent to which such members receive promotions on their return from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom or experience constructive termination by their employers as a result of such deployment; and(3) develop recommendations on means of improving assistance to such members in meeting the needs identified in paragraph (1) on their return from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.(d) Consultation.—In carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (c), the working group shall consult with the following:(1) Employees of the Small Business Administration.(2) Representatives of employers that employ, and associations of employers whose members employ, members of the National Guard and Reserve deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.(3) Representatives of employee assistance organizations.(4) Representatives of organizations that assist wounded or injured members of the National Guard and Reserves in finding or sustaining employment.(5) Representatives of such other public or private organizations and entities as the working group considers appropriate.(e) Report.—(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the working group established under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and Congress a report on its activities under subsection (c).(2) Elements.—The report shall include the following:(A) The results of the identifications and assessments required under subsection (c).(B) The recommendations developed under subsection (c)(3), including recommendations on the following:120 STAT. 2276(i) The provision of outreach and training to employers, employment assistance organizations, and associations of employers on the employment and transition needs of members of the National Guard and Reserve returning from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.(ii) The provision of outreach and training to employers, employment assistance organizations, and associations of employers on the needs of family members of such members.(iii) The improvement of collaboration between the public and private sectors in order to ensure the successful transition of such members into civilian employment upon their return from such deployment.(3) Availability to public.—The Secretary shall take appropriate actions to make the report available to the public, including through the Internet website of the Department of Defense.(f) Termination.—The working group shall terminate on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.(g) Employment Assistance Organization Defined.—In this section, the term “employment assistance organization” means an organization or entity, whether public or private, that provides assistance to individuals in finding or retaining employment, including organizations and entities under military career support programs.