REMEDI Act

To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand and codify matters covered by diversity training in the Department of Defense. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Realizing Efforts for Military Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Act REMEDI Act 2. Finding Congress finds that diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to promote unit cohesion, readiness, and effective performance of the national defense strategy by the Armed Forces of the United States. 3. Expansion and codification of matters covered by diversity training in the Department of Defense (a) In general Chapter 101 2001. Human relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion training (a) Human relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion training (1) The Secretary shall ensure that the Secretary of a military department conducts ongoing training programs regarding human relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all covered individuals under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department. Such training shall be tailored to specific leadership levels and local area requirements. (2) Matters to be covered by such training include the following: (A) Racism. (B) Equal opportunity. (C) Discrimination on the basis of sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). (D) Discrimination on the basis of age. (E) Discrimination on the basis of religion. (F) Stereotypes. (G) Conscious and unconscious bias. (H) Discrimination based on disability, both physical and mental. (I) Failure to provide a reasonable accommodation. (J) The importance to the Department of Defense, the different terms and conditions of employment or contract performance, and the protected civil rights categories of, each of the following: (i) Members serving on active duty. (ii) Members of the reserve components. (iii) Federal employees. (iv) Nonappropriated fund employees. (v) Host nation support. (vi) Contractors and subcontractors. (K) Hate group activity. (L) Retaliation. (M) Harassment and hostile environment. (N) Hazing and bullying. (O) Procedures for reporting and obtaining relief for discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment with respect to each component of the workforce. (P) Procedures for appealing Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity complaints with respect to each component of the workforce. (Q) Any other matter the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate. (3) Such training shall be provided during the following: (A) Initial entry training. (B) Annual refresher training. (C) Professional military education. (D) Peer education. (E) Specialized leadership training. (F) Any other time the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate. (4) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that such measures are taken to provide appropriate metrics and measurement of these efforts. (5) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that unit commanders are aware of their responsibility to ensure that activity based upon discriminatory motives does not occur in units under their command. (b) Information provided to prospective recruits The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that a covered individual preparing to enter an officer accession program or to execute an original enlistment agreement or serve as a civilian employee— (1) is provided information concerning the meaning of the oath of office or oath of enlistment for service in the Armed Forces with regards to the equal protection and civil liberties guarantees of the Constitution; and (2) is informed that if supporting such guarantees is not possible personally for that covered individual, then that covered individual should decline to join the Armed Forces. (c) Covered individual defined In this section, the term covered individual (1) a member of the Armed Forces; (2) a civilian employee of the Department; and (3) a contractor or sub-contractor providing support to the Department. . (b) Technical and conforming amendments (1) Technical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting before the item relating to section 2002 the following new item: 2001. Human relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion training. . (2) Conforming amendment Section 571 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 ( Public Law 104–201 10 U.S.C. 113

Summary: Realizing Efforts for Military Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Act or the REMEDI Act This bill provides statutory authority for and expands the requirements regarding diversity and inclusion training for military personnel. The bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that each military department conducts ongoing training programs regarding human relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all members of the Armed Forces, civilian employees of DOD, and contractors or subcontractors providing support to DOD. Such training must be tailored to specific leadership levels and local area requirements. DOD must ensure that an individual preparing to enter an officer accession program, execute an original enlistment agreement, or serve as a civilian employee is (1) provided information concerning the meaning of the oath of office or oath of enlistment for service in the Armed Forces with regards to the equal protection and civil liberties guarantees of the Constitution, and (2) informed that if supporting such guarantees is not possible for that individual, the individual should decline to join the Armed Forces.