[114th Congress Public Law 68]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 129 STAT. 555]]
Public Law 114-68
114th Congress
An Act
To actively recruit members of the Armed Forces who are separating from
military service to serve as Customs and Border Protection
officers. <<NOTE: Oct. 16, 2015 - [H.R. 2835]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Border Jobs for
Veterans Act of 2015. 6 USC 211 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Border Jobs for Veterans Act of
2015''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Customs and Border Protection officers at United States
ports of entry carry out critical law enforcement duties
associated with screening foreign visitors, returning United
States citizens, and imported cargo entering the United States.
(2) It is in the national interest for United States ports
of entry to be adequately staffed with Customs and Border
Protection officers in a timely fashion, including meeting the
congressionally funded staffing target of 23,775 officers for
fiscal year 2015.
(3) An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 members of the Armed
Forces separate from military service every year.
(4) Recruiting efforts and expedited hiring procedures must
be enhanced to ensure that individuals separating from military
service are aware of, and partake in, opportunities to fill
vacant Customs and Border Protection officer positions.
SEC. 3. EXPEDITED HIRING OF APPROPRIATE SEPARATING SERVICE
MEMBERS.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall consider the expedited
hiring of qualified candidates who have the ability to perform the
essential functions of the position of a Customs and Border Protection
officer and who are eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment
authorized under section 4214 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENTS TO EXISTING PROGRAMS TO RECRUIT SERVICE
MEMBERS SEPARATING FROM MILITARY SERVICE FOR
CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICER
VACANCIES.
(a) <<NOTE: Consultation.>> In General.--The Secretary of Homeland
Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, and acting
through existing programs, authorities, and agreements, where
applicable, shall enhance the efforts of the Department of Homeland
Security to
[[Page 129 STAT. 556]]
recruit members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military
service to serve as Customs and Border Protection officers.
(b) Elements.--The enhanced recruiting efforts under subsection (a)
shall--
(1) include Customs and Border Protection officer
opportunities in relevant job assistance efforts under the
Transition Assistance Program;
(2) place U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials or
other relevant Department of Homeland Security officials at
recruiting events and jobs fairs involving members of the Armed
Forces who are separating from military service;
(3) provide opportunities for local U.S. Customs and Border
Protection field offices to partner with military bases in the
region;
(4) include outreach efforts to educate members of the Armed
Forces with Military Occupational Specialty Codes and Officer
Branches, Air Force Specialty Codes, Naval Enlisted
Classifications and Officer Designators, and Coast Guard
competencies that are transferable to the requirements,
qualifications, and duties assigned to Customs and Border
Protection officers of available hiring opportunities to become
Customs and Border Protection officers;
(5) identify shared activities and opportunities for
reciprocity related to steps in hiring Customs and Border
Protection officers with the goal of minimizing the time
required to hire qualified applicants;
(6) ensure the streamlined interagency transfer of relevant
background investigations and security clearances; and
(7) include such other elements as may be necessary to
ensure that members of the Armed Forces who are separating from
military service are aware of opportunities to fill vacant
Customs and Border Protection officer positions.
SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and by December 31 of each of the next 3 years
thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense, shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland
Security and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate that includes
a description and assessment of the efforts of the Department of
Homeland Security to hire members of the Armed Forces who are separating
from military service as Customs and Border Protection officers under
section 4.
(b) Content.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) a detailed description of the efforts to implement
section 4, including--
(A) elements of the enhanced recruiting efforts and
the goals associated with such elements; and
(B) a description of how the elements and goals
referred to in subparagraph (A) will assist in meeting
statutorily mandated staffing levels and agency hiring
benchmarks;
(2) a detailed description of the efforts that have been
undertaken under section 4;
[[Page 129 STAT. 557]]
(3) the estimated number of separating service members made
aware of Customs and Border Protection officer vacancies;
(4) the number of Customs and Border Protection officer
vacancies filled with separating service members; and
(5) the number of Customs and Border Protection officer
vacancies filled with separating service members under Veterans
Recruitment Appointment authorized under section 4214 of title
38, United States Code.
SEC. 6. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed--
(1) as superseding, altering, or amending existing Federal
veterans' hiring preferences or Federal hiring authorities; or
(2) to authorize the appropriation of additional amounts to
carry out this Act.
Approved October 16, 2015.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2835:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015):
Sept. 28, considered and passed House.
Oct. 1, considered and passed Senate.
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