Military Spouse Career Advancement Act

To amend title 10, United States Code, to codify the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program conducted by the Department of Defense to assist spouses of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty to pursue educational opportunities and career training, to ensure that such educational opportunities and training are available to all military spouses, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Military Spouse Career Advancement Act 2. Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program (a) Codification of MyCAA program Subsection (a) of section 1784a of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) (A) As one of the programs established under this section to assist spouses of members of the armed forces, the Secretary shall continue to carry out the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program, under which an eligible spouse may receive up to the amount that the Secretary determines is equal to the average amount of in-state tuition at public four-year colleges and universities located in the State in which the spouse resides in tuition assistance for education and training courses and licensing and credentialing fees. (B) Financial assistance provided under the MyCAA program shall be available to cover the costs of the following: (i) State certifications for teachers, medical professionals, and other occupations requiring recognized certifications. (ii) Licensing exams and related preparation courses. (iii) Continuing education classes, including classes offered through professional associations. (iv) Degree programs, including programs at four-year colleges and universities, leading to employment in portable careers. (v) Secondary education completion courses, GED tests, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. (C) Financial assistance provided under the MyCAA program may not be used to pay for computers, application, graduation or membership fees, student activity cards, child care, parking, transportation, or medical services. (D) An eligible spouse must obtain an approved MyCAA Financial Assistance document before incurring the tuition fees for which payment under the program is sought. The MyCAA program does not provide reimbursements of any kind to spouses for any reason. Once the eligible spouse obtains the MyCAA Financial Assistance document, the spouse must commence the education or training courses for which assistance is sought under the program while the member of the armed forces who is married to the spouse is serving on active duty. . (b) Guarantee of education and training opportunities for military spouses Subsection (a)(1) of such section is amended by striking may establish shall establish (c) Eligible military spouses Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) by inserting (1) Assistance (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) The Secretary of Defense may not restrict participation in the MyCAA program required by subsection (a)(3) to the spouses of members serving in particular grades. Instead, subject to the availability of funds for the MyCAA program, the Secretary shall make the MyCAA program available to all eligible spouses. .

Summary: Military Spouse Career Advancement Act - Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish programs to provide education and training opportunities for military spouses to expand employment and portable career opportunities. Directs the Secretary to continue to carry out the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program, under which the spouse of a member of the armed forces who is serving on active duty may receive up to the amount that the Secretary determines is equal to the average amount of in-state tuition at public four-year colleges and universities located in the state in which the spouse resides in tuition assistance for education and training courses and licensing and credentialing fees. Requires financial assistance provided under the program to be available to cover the costs of: state certifications for teachers, medical professionals, and other occupations; licensing exams and related preparation courses; continuing education classes; degree programs leading to employment in portable careers; and secondary education completion courses, GED tests, and English as a Second Language classes. Prohibits the Secretary from restricting participation in the program to spouses of members serving in particular grades.