118 STAT. 3608 PUBLIC LAW 108–454—DEC. 10, 2004 (i) improved services to servicemembers and veterans; or (ii) significantly reduced or eliminated duplication of effort and unintended delays in resolving meritorious claims of those servicemembers and veterans. (C) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of referring all claims under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, against Federal executive agencies to the Office of Special Counsel for investigation and resolution. (D) Such other recommendations for administrative action or legislation as the Comptroller General determines appro- priate. (g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (1) The term ‘‘Office of Special Counsel’’ means the Office of Special Counsel established by section 1211 of title 5, United States Code. (2) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Labor. (3) The term ‘‘Federal executive agency’’ has the meaning given that term in section 4303(5) of title 38, United States Code. Subtitle B—Other Matters SEC. 211. REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT, RETENTION, AND ADVANCEMENT OF RECENTLY SEPARATED SERVICEMEMBERS. (a) CONTRACT FOR REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a contract with a qualified entity to conduct a study of and prepare a report on the employment histories of recently separated servicemembers. (b) CONTENT OF REPORT.—(1) The study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) shall consist of an analysis of employment-related data that have been collected with respect to recently separated servicemembers. (2) In conducting the study, the qualified entity shall— (A) determine whether the employment obtained by recently separated servicemembers is commensurate with training and education of those servicemembers; (B) determine whether recently separated servicemembers received educational assistance or training and rehabilitation under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 30 or 31 of title 38, United States Code, or under chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code; (C) determine whether transition assistance services pro- vided to recently separated servicemembers assisted those servicemembers in obtaining civilian employment; (D) analyze trends in hiring of veterans by the private sector; and (E) identify recently separated servicemembers who have reached senior level management positions. (c) USE OF DATA.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the qualified entity shall review data compiled and reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and shall collect additional data on the employment histories of recently separated servicemembers VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:54 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00142 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.001 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4
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