New Bill Signed by President Biden on October 1 Aims to Facilitate Access for Veterans at New Campuses of Certified CDL Schools
# Biden Signs Bill to Simplify Veterans’ Access to Commercial Driver Training Schools
The bill removes restrictions on veterans for new branches of commercial driving schools.
On October 1st, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a new law aimed at ensuring veterans are not delayed in receiving benefits from newly established commercial driving schools.
The House passed the “Veterans Improving Commercial Driver’s License Act” last month, nearly a year after it was approved by the Senate. The move aims to address workforce issues within the industry.
Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and Alex Padilla (D-California) jointly introduced the bill, emphasizing its purpose of improving access for veterans nationwide to commercial driver’s licenses.
“America has an obligation to care for our veterans after they return home. Therefore, I want to clear obstacles from the path that leads them to well-paying jobs,” Fischer said as a member of the Freight Policy Council. “I am grateful my bill was signed into law, making it easier for veterans to obtain commercial driver’s licenses.”
According to background information provided by the bill sponsors, “Fischer and Padilla’s legislation ensures new branches of commercial driving schools providing courses do not have to wait two years if their main institution has already been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and state accrediting agencies to receive GI benefits. By clarifying this two-year moratorium, the bill will make it easier for veterans to access nearby commercial driver training schools and enter high-paying careers.”
In the House, Chuck Edwards (R-North Carolina) led the push for the bill in collaboration with Chris Pappas (D-New Hampshire). The White House thanked supporters of the bill, including Reps. Eli Crane (R-Arizona) and Abigail Spanberger (D-Virginia).
Crane stated, “Extending GI educational benefits to commercial driver’s license programs is a way to increase opportunities for those who have served our country. Bureaucratic hurdles should not impede the flexibility of our nation’s veterans as they build better lives.”
Spanberger added, “This sensible, bipartisan law will help clear obstacles faced by veterans, strengthen our trucking workforce, and aid in moving more goods across our nation. The Veterans Improving Commercial Driver’s License Act is a win for our veterans, businesses, and the economy, and I am pleased to see it become law.”
Specifically, the bill aims to ensure certified commercial driver training schools can accommodate veterans at new branches. According to an abstract prepared by the Congressional Research Service, “If a new branch of an educational institution offering commercial driving education programs obtains appropriate licensing and uses the same curriculum as another location already approved for VA education funding, the program may be approved.”
Current law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and state agencies to mandate a two-year waiting period before certain benefits can be obtained by certified trucking schools operating at new locations. Organizations like the American Trucking Associations support this bipartisan measure.
“When our brave men and women return from military service, the last thing they should worry about is red tape blocking their path to achieving the American Dream they fought to defend,” said Chris Spear, President of the American Trucking Associations. “Improving access for veterans to commercial driver’s license programs will open doors to high-paying, in-demand jobs within the trucking industry. We thank Senators Fischer and Padilla as well as Representatives Edwards and Pappas for their leadership on this important bill that helps veterans find fulfilling careers and address the shortage of truck drivers.”
The bill has received support from organizations such as The American Legion, Student Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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Source: Transport Topics
