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H.R. 3949 111th Congress House

Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, and the Servicemember Civil Relief Act, to make certain improvements in the laws relating to benefits administered by th… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, and the Servicemember Civil Relief Act, to make certain improvements in the laws relating to benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 28, 2009 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Advisory bodiesCemeteries and funeralsCivil actions and liabilityConsumer credit
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Contracts and agencyDepartment of Veterans AffairsDisability and paralysisGovernment information and archivesHealth personnelHousing finance and home ownershipInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLighting and heatingLighting, heating, coolingLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careMilitary operations and strategyMilitary personnel and dependentsPublic contracts and procurementPublic utilities and utility ratesSmall businessState and local financeStudent aid and college costsTelephone and wireless communicationVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' medical care
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 4, 2009
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 3, 2009
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 3, 2009
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 - 2 (Roll no. 835). (text: CR 11/2/2009 H12152-12156)
Nov 3, 2009
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H12204-12205)
Nov 2, 2009
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Nov 2, 2009
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3949.
Nov 2, 2009
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H12152-12160)
Nov 2, 2009
Mr. Walz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Nov 2, 2009
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 186.
Nov 2, 2009
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 111-324.
Oct 28, 2009
Introduced in House
Oct 28, 2009
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Oct 28, 2009
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 28, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Nov 3, 2009 House · vote #835 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 382–2 See who voted →
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 Latest action November 4, 2009

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009 - Title I: Small Business and Education Matters - Veterans Small Business Verification Act - (Sec. 101) Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from including a small business in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-maintained database of small businesses owned and controlled by veterans until the Secretary has verified that: (1) the small business is owned and controlled by veterans; and (2) if the small business owner claims to be a service-disabled veteran, that such person is a veteran with a service-connected disability. Authorizes the Secretary, upon a person's application for inclusion in the database, to access the person's personal information to verify information contained in the application. Requires such application and verification procedures to be followed with respect to small businesses currently included in the database but not yet verified.

(Sec. 102) Extends through 2015 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.

Title II: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Matters - (Sec. 201) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow a servicemember to terminate a contract for the following services, without the imposition of early termination fees, at any time after receiving military orders to deploy for not less than 90 days in support of a contingency operation or to change permanent stations to a location that does not support such contract: (1) cellular and home telephone; (2) multichannel video programming; (3) Internet; or (4) residential utilities involving the provision of water, electricity, home heating oil, or natural gas. Requires: (1) contract termination to be made by written notice and a copy of the military orders; and (2) the return of any advance payments made.

(Sec. 202) Prohibits lessors from charging early termination fees with respect to residential, business, agricultural, or motor vehicle leases entered into by servicemembers who subsequently enter military service or receive orders for a permanent change of station or for deployment in support of a contingency operation.

(Sec. 203) Provides for enforcement by the Attorney General with respect to rights provided under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Limits civil penalties to $55,000 for the first violation and $110,000 for subsequent violations. Allows aggrieved persons to intervene in a civil action that has already commenced.

Provides a private right of action for such enforcement, allowing any appropriate relief, including monetary damages.

Provides that any actions so brought shall not preclude or limit any other available remedies under federal or state law.

Title III: Other Benefits Matters - (Sec. 301) Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain procedures for ensuring coordination of outreach activities between and among the following: (1) the Office of the Secretary; (2) the Office of Public Affairs; (3) the Veterans Health Administration; (4) the Veterans Benefits Administration; and (5) the National Cemetery Administration. Directs the Secretary to annually review and, as necessary, modify such procedures. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grant assistance to state or county veterans agencies that offer a high probability of improving outreach and assistance to veterans and their spouses, children, and parents. Directs the Secretary: (1) to annually review the performance of each grant recipient to determine if they meet annual outcome measures developed by the Secretary; and (2) in awarding such grants, to give a priority to states and agencies that serve the largest population of veterans. Requires a separate budget accounting for such outreach activities. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out a scholarship program to individuals enrolled in a program leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility in order to increase the supply of qualified blind rehabilitation specialists. Limits scholarship amounts to $15,000 per academic year and $45,000 total per student, over a duration of six years. Requires students receiving such assistance to agree to serve as a full-time VA employee for at least three years.

(Sec. 303) Corey Shea Act - Authorizes the Secretary to provide VA burial benefits to parents of individuals who died in combat or from a combat-related training injury, are interred in a national cemetery, and have no other eligible survivors. Allows the Secretary to provide such benefit only if there is available gravesite space.

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3949: Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3949/
MLA
"H.R. 3949: Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3949/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3949, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3949/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3949: Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3949/)
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