HCR 12 Summary

• Urges the U.S. Congress to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to certify all railroad conductor trainee programs for GI Bill benefits under the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2010.

• Identifies that Indiana railroad conductor training programs are 14 to 22 weeks long but fall below the federal 26-week minimum threshold for on-the-job training eligibility under CFR 21.4262-2, disqualifying veterans from accessing earned GI Bill benefits.

• Notes that effective January 1, 2012, the 2008 Railroad Safety Improvement Act requires all railroad conductor positions to be licensed, which should qualify state conductor trainee programs for GI Bill benefits.

• Directs the Indiana General Assembly to encourage the national Department of Veterans Affairs to adopt blanket program certification for all railroad conductor trainee programs meeting the new licensure standards.

• Requires transmission of the resolution to all members of the Indiana Congressional delegation and the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs.