Dole Act expands USERRA applicability, protections, remedies for vets, service members

On January 2, 2025, President Joe Biden signed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act into law, significantly affecting various programs, benefits, and services for veterans and service members. Among other changes, the Dole Act amended the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Here’s a rundown of the Dole Act’s changes that you may have missed.

What the Dole Act does

USERRA protects service members and veterans from workplace discrimination and retaliation by both public and private employers. The protections ensure service members aren’t disadvantaged or discriminated against in their civilian careers for their past, present, or future service.

The Dole Act expands the scope of USERRA and increases remedies for those with successful USERRA claims. Specifically, the Dole Act:

·     Broadens USERRA applicability to all uniformed service members by replacing the “noncareer services in the uniformed services” wording to “uniformed services” in 38 U.S.C. § 4301(a)(1);