WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) today announced his Service Member Employment Protection Act passed the House as part of H.R. 8371, “The Dole Act.” The Dole Act includes 12 major initiatives designed to reform and enhance the delivery of Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) services, including expanding healthcare options, offering more education opportunities and streamlining benefits and claims processes. 

“As a veteran and business owner called up twice to active duty after 9/11, I’m pleased my bill H.R. 3943, the Servicemember Employment Protection Act, was included in the Dole Act and passed the House today with broad bipartisan support,” Congressman Franklin said. “My initiative ensures Reservists and Guardsmen who return from active duty are not disadvantaged or discriminated against in their civilian careers. The larger package contains more important investments and critical reforms to ensure the VA delivers the quality care and services our brave vets have earned.”

Current Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protections state recalled servicemembers, who have not exceeded a 5-year cumulative service cap, are entitled to certain protections, including the right to resume their civilian career and to recourses if employers violate their reemployment rights. 

Specifically Franklin’s H.R. 3943, the Servicemember Employment Protection Act, updates and strengthens existing USERRA protections:

• Expands injunctive relief if the servicemember demonstrates a violation and is 
• likely to succeed in proving an employer violated their rights;
• Eases burdens in the claims process should a case need to be taken to court;
• Increases eligibility for medical leave if the injury is related to their service; and
• Requires immune federal agencies to comply with these protections. 

The Servicemember Employment Opportunity Act was introduced on June 9, 2023. The House Veterans Affairs Committee’s (HVAC) Economic Opportunity Subcommittee marked up and approved the bill on July 19, 2023. The bill then unanimously passed the full HVAC committee on July 27, 2023. 

The Dole Act also includes provisions that:

• Fully fund the VA VET-TEC educational assistance program to expand high tech career opportunities for veterans and transitioning servicemembers;
• Cut through red tape for the GI Bill and allow student veterans to use their benefits;
• Improve the timeliness and quality of care delivered to veterans under community care by improving the rate community care providers return medical records to the VA;
• Require all new VA employees to receive training on reporting wrongdoing and cooperating with the VA Inspector General; and
• Provide community mental health grants to address the mental strain often faced by caregivers of veterans.

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