ARMED FORCES MERCHANT MARINER OFFICER EXPEDITED PREPARATION PROGRAM.

SEC. 3534. ARMED FORCES MERCHANT MARINER OFFICER EXPEDITED PREPARATION PROGRAM. Section 51506 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting before the semicolon the following: “, which shall include standards for a program described in subsection (c)”; (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c): “(c) Armed Forces Merchant Mariner Officer Expedited Preparation Program.— “(1) In general A State maritime academy may offer a program under which an eligible individual may complete a merchant marine officer preparation program approved by the Secretary, and the requirements for the issuance of a license under section 7101 of this title, in less than 3 years, without a requirement to earn a baccalaureate or other degree from the State maritime academy. “(2) Eligible individuals For purposes of this subsection, an eligible individual is an individual— “(A) who is— “(i) a person who served in the Armed Forces, and who was discharged or released therefrom under honorable conditions; or “(ii) a member of the National Guard or Reserves who has performed at least six years of service therein; and “(B) who has earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)).” .