Building and maintenance professionals educational assistance program

(a) In general Chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 221(a), is further amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter: XI Build and Maintain Department of Veterans Affairs Program 7699D. Requirement for program (a) In general As part of the Educational Assistance Program, the Secretary shall carry out a program under this subchapter to provide education and employment assistance under this subchapter. (b) Name of program The program under this subchapter shall be known as the Build and Maintain Department of Veterans Affairs Program (in this subchapter referred to as the Program). 7699D–1. Education and employment assistance (a) Covered costs A scholarship provided to an individual under the Program shall consist of payment of reasonable education expenses of the individual for a course of education or training described in subsection (b), including tuition, fees, books, and laboratory expenses. (b) Eligibility An individual is eligible to receive a scholarship under the Program if the individual has been accepted for enrollment or is enrolled as a student in a course of education or training related to qualifications required by the Department in order to be eligible for employment as— (1) a heating, air conditioning, industrial or boiler plant equipment mechanic; (2) a boiler plant, utility systems, or air conditioning equipment operator; (3) a general, biomedical, or industrial engineer; or (4) other such positions related to infrastructure, maintenance, or facilities management deemed essential by the Secretary for the operation of Department facilities. (c) Period of obligated service (1) Agreement An agreement between the Secretary and a participant under the Program who seeks a scholarship under this section, in addition to the requirements set forth in section 7604 of this title, shall include the following: (A) The agreement of the Secretary to provide the participant with a scholarship under the Program for a specified number of school years during which the participant pursues a course of education or training described in subsection (b). (B) Subject to subparagraph (A), the agreement of the participant to serve as a full-time employee in the Department in a position described in subsection (b) for a specified period of time (in this section referred to as the period of obligated service of the participant). (2) Service commencement date (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (F) or (G), not later than 60 days before the service commencement date of a participant under this section, the Secretary shall notify the participant of that service commencement date. That date is the beginning of the period of obligated service of the participant. (B) Service commencement date The service commencement date of the participant is the later of— (i) the course completion date of the participant; or (ii) the date the participant meets any applicable licensure or certification requirements. (C) Treatment of part-time students The Secretary shall specify the service commencement date for participants who were part-time students, which shall include terms as similar as practicable to the terms set forth in subparagraph (B). (D) Service during course of education or training A participant may serve the period of obligated service of the participant, or any portion of such period of obligated service, during the period in which the participant is enrolled as a student in a course of education or training under subsection (b) as deemed appropriate by the Secretary. (E) Service following licensure or ongoing training With respect to a participant who is licensed but may enter a related and appropriate further training program, the Secretary may adjust the beginning of the period of obligated service of the participant to begin following completion or desertion of the additional training. (d) Termination The authority to carry out the Program shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of the Honor Act of 2025. 7699D–2. Partnerships As part of the Program, the Secretary may coordinate and develop partnerships and agreements with training programs and schools with the capability of providing the education required to fill the types of positions outlined in section 7699D–1(b). 7699D–3. Administration (a) Outreach (1) In general The Secretary shall develop an outreach program to Tribal Colleges and Universities, historically Black colleges and universities, high schools in rural areas, community colleges, transition assistance programs for members of the Armed Forces transitioning to civilian life, and spouses of such members to provide information about the Program. (2) Tribal College or University defined In this subsection, the term Tribal College or University has the meaning given that term under section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c). (b) Mentors The Secretary shall ensure that a mentor or mentors are available for each individual participating in the Program at the facility at which the individual is employed.. (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: SUBCHAPTER XI—Build and Maintain Department of Veterans Affairs Program Sec. 7699D. Requirement for program. 7699D–1. Education and Employment Assistance. 7699D–2. Partnerships. 7699D–3. Administration..