S342-119

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a special Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer authority for individuals awarded the Purple Heart. It lets qualifying veterans transfer unused educational assistance to family members, giving wounded service members a benefit option that normally depends on service-transfer rules.

Who Benefits and How

Purple Heart recipients benefit because they can use unused education benefits to support family members. Veteran spouses benefit if they receive transferred Post-9/11 education assistance. Veteran children benefit from tuition support through transferred GI Bill entitlement. Schools benefit when eligible family members use transferred benefits for approved education programs.

Who Bears the Burden and How

VA education benefits staff must verify Purple Heart eligibility and administer transfers. Purple Heart recipients must designate transferees and manage entitlement use. Schools must certify enrollment for family members using transferred benefits. Federal taxpayers bear costs when transferred entitlement increases benefit use.

Key Provisions

• Adds a new title 38 section for Purple Heart transfer authority.
• Requires VA to permit qualifying Purple Heart recipients to transfer unused benefits.
• Allows transfer to eligible family members.
• Uses Post-9/11 Educational Assistance entitlement rather than creating a separate scholarship.