Sergeant Daniel Somers Network of Support Act

To require a pilot program on information sharing between the Department of Defense and designated relatives and friends of members of the Armed Forces regarding the experiences and challenges of military service, particularly during and after overseas deployments, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sergeant Daniel Somers Network of Support Act 2. Pilot program on information sharing between Department of Defense and designated relatives and friends of members of the Armed Forces regarding the experiences and challenges of military service (a) Pilot program required (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with the American Red Cross to carry out a pilot program under which— (A) the American Red Cross— (i) encourages a member of the Armed Forces, upon the enlistment or appointment of such member, to designate up to 15 persons to whom information regarding the military service of such member shall be disseminated using contact information obtained under paragraph (5); and (ii) provides such persons, within 30 days after the date on which such persons are designated under clause (i), the option to elect to receive such information regarding military service; and (B) the Secretary disseminates, not less frequently than quarterly, such information to such persons who elect to receive such information under subparagraph (A)(ii). (2) Types of information The types of information to be disseminated by the Secretary to persons who elect to receive information under the pilot program shall include information regarding— (A) aspects of daily life and routine experienced by members of the Armed Forces; (B) the challenges and stresses of military service, particularly during and after deployment as part of a contingency operation; (C) the services available to members of the Armed Forces and the dependents of such members to cope with the experiences and challenges of military service; (D) benefits administered by the Secretary for members of the Armed Forces and the dependents of such members; (E) a toll-free telephone number through which such persons who elect to receive information under the pilot program may request information regarding the program; and (F) such other information as the Secretary, in consultation with members of the Armed Forces and such persons who elect to receive information under the pilot program, determines to be appropriate. (3) Privacy of information In carrying out the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not disseminate information under paragraph (2) in violation of laws and regulations pertaining to the privacy of members of the Armed Forces, including requirements pursuant to— (A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code; and (B) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–191 (4) Notice and modifications In carrying out the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect to a member of the Armed Forces— (A) ensure that such member is notified of the ability to modify designations made by such member under paragraph (1)(A); and (B) upon the request of a member, authorize such member to modify such designations at any time. (5) Contact information In making a designation under the pilot program, a member of the Armed Forces shall provide necessary contact information, specifically including an email address, to facilitate the dissemination of information regarding the military service of the member. (6) Opt-out of program In carrying out the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect to a person who has elected to receive information under such pilot program, cease disseminating such information to that person upon request of such person. (b) Survey and report on pilot program (1) Survey Not later than two years after the date on which the pilot program commences, the Secretary, in consultation with the American Red Cross, shall administer a survey to persons who elected to receive information under the pilot program for the purpose of receiving feedback regarding the quality of information disseminated under this section, including whether such information appropriately reflects the military career progression of members of the Armed Forces. (2) Report Not later than three years after the date on which the pilot program commences, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program which includes— (A) the results of the survey administered under paragraph (1); (B) a determination as to whether the pilot program should be made permanent; and (C) recommendations as to modifications necessary to improve the program if made permanent. (3) Congressional defense committees defined In this subsection, the term congressional defense committees (c) Termination of pilot program The pilot program shall terminate upon submission of the report required by subsection (b)(2).

Summary: Sergeant Daniel Somers Network of Support Act This bill provides a means of disseminating information to personal contacts of Armed Forces members about the experiences and challenges of military service. Specifically, it requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to seek an agreement with the American Red Cross for the conduct of a pilot program to encourage new Armed Forces members to designate up to 15 persons with whom certain information regarding their military service would be shared. This includes information concerning aspects of daily life in the military and its challenges, particularly during and after deployment in a contingency operation; availability of services to help members and dependents to cope with experiences; and benefits provided by DOD. The bill provides privacy protections and mechanisms to modify the contact information or opt out of the program.