300 
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, in co-
ordination with the Director of the Sexual Assault Preven-
tion and Response Office of the Department of Defense, shall 
revise sexual assault prevention and response training guid-
ance to require that information on the resources of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs to address experiences with 
unwanted sexual behavior be included in the annual or 
periodic sexual assault prevention and response training 
that is administered to all members of the Armed Forces. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION OVERSIGHT.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall ensure that each Secretary of a military de-
partment— 
(1) incorporates the revised guidance under sub-
section (a) into the formal training curricula of the 
military department concerned; 
(2) provides documented confirmation to the 
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readi-
ness that the revised training has been delivered to all 
currently serving members of the Armed Forces with-
in one year of the approval of such revised guidance; 
and 
(3) establishes a mechanism to verify continued 
compliance with the revised guidance. 
(c) REPORTING.—Not later than one year after the 
date on which the revised guidance is issued under sub-
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section (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the con-
gressional defense committees a report that includes— 
(1) an assessment of the extent to which each 
military department has implemented the guidance; 
and 
(2) statistics on number of members of the 
Armed Forces trained under the revised guidance. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘unwanted sexual behavior’’ means 
any sexual contact or interaction to which an indi-
vidual does not or could not freely consent, including 
harassment, coercion, assault, or abuse. 
(2) The term ‘‘sexual assault prevention and re-
sponse training’’ means any training, instruction, or 
education provided pursuant to Department of De-
fense Instruction 6495.02, Volume 2 or any successor 
guidance. 
SEC. 558. REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS ON EFFORTS TO PRE-
VENT AND RESPOND TO SEXUAL ASSAULT, 
SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND INTIMATE-PART-
NER VIOLENCE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE. 
(a) QUARTERLY REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and on a quar-
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terly basis thereafter, the Secretary of Defense, acting 
through the Executive Director of Force Resiliency, 
shall submit to the committees on Armed Services of 
the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
on the efforts of the Department of Defense to prevent 
and respond to sexual assault, sexual harassment, and 
intimate-partner violence. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report under paragraph 
(1) shall include the following: 
(A) An overview of the efforts of the Depart-
ment of Defense to prevent and respond to sexual 
assault, sexual harassment, and intimate partner 
violence. 
(B) With respect to the period covered by 
the report, the most recently available data on— 
(i) reports of sexual assault; 
(ii) reports of sexual harassment; 
(iii) reports of intimate partner vio-
lence; 
(iv) staffing of the primary prevention 
workforce, including filled and unfilled po-
sitions disaggregated by the Army, Air 
Force, Navy, and Marine Corps; 
(v) staffing of the sexual assault and 
harassment response workforce, including 
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filled and unfilled positions disaggregated 
by the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine 
Corps; 
(vi) staffing of the family advocacy 
program, including filled and unfilled posi-
tions disaggregated by the Army, Air Force, 
Navy, and Marine Corps; 
(vii) staffing of the offices of special 
trial counsel, including filled and unfilled 
positions disaggregated by the Army, Air 
Force, Navy, and Marine Corps; and 
(viii) staffing of the Army Criminal 
Investigation Division, Air Force Office of 
Special Investigations, and Naval Criminal 
Investigative Service, including filled and 
unfilled positions dedicated to covered of-
fenses under the jurisdiction of special trial 
counsels. 
(b) SPECIAL TRIAL COUNSEL BRIEFINGS.—Not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
and on an annual basis thereafter, the lead special trial 
counsels of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps 
shall jointly provide to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing 
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on the progress of special trial counsels in prosecuting cov-
ered offenses. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘covered 
offense’’ and ‘‘special trial counsel’’ have the meanings 
given those terms in section 801 of title 10, United States 
Code (article 1 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice). 
SEC. 559. STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING 
MISCONDUCT 
PREVENTION 
IN 
OKINAWA, 
JAPAN. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek 
to enter into a contract or other agreement with a federally 
funded research and development center pursuant to which 
the center shall— 
(1) conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness 
of programs, policies, and practices of the covered 
Armed Forces to prevent criminal activity and other 
misconduct by members stationed in Okinawa, 
Japan; and 
(2) develop evidence-based options and rec-
ommendations for changes to programs, policies, and 
practices to prevent criminal activity and other mis-
conduct by members of the covered Armed Forces sta-
tioned in Okinawa, Japan. 
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(b) REPORT TO SECRETARIES.—The federally funded 
research and development center that carries out the study 
and analysis under subsection (a) shall submit to the Sec-
retary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments a report on the results of such study. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 days 
after receiving the report under subsection (b), the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit an unaltered copy of the report to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives. 
(d) IMPROVEMENT PLANS
FOR MILITARY DEPART-
MENTS.—Not later than 180 days after receiving the report 
under subsection (b), each Secretary of a military depart-
ment shall— 
(1) review the findings of the report and, based 
on such findings, develop a plan to improve preven-
tion of criminal activity and other misconduct by 
members of the covered Armed Forces under the juris-
diction of that Secretary who are stationed in Oki-
nawa, Japan; and 
(2) provide to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
briefing on the plan. 
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(e) COVERED ARMED FORCES DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered Armed Forces’’ means the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. 
Subtitle G—Career Transition 
SEC. 561. ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATION OATH FOR 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATION OATH.—Section 
502 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘The oath’’ and 
inserting ‘‘An oath established by this section’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (b), as amended, 
as subsection (c); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following 
new subsection (b): 
‘‘(b) SEPARATION OATH.—Prior to retirement or other 
separation from the armed forces, other than separation 
pursuant to the sentence of a court-martial, a member of 
an armed force may take the following oath: 
‘‘ ‘I, llllllllll, recognizing that 
my oath to support and defend the Constitution of the 
United States against all enemies, foreign and domes-
tic, has involved me and my fellow members in expe-
riences that few persons, other than our peers, can 
understand, do solemnly swear (or affirm) to continue 
to be the keeper of my brothers- and sisters-in-arms 
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and protector of the United States and the Constitu-
tion; to preserve the values I have learned; to main-
tain my body and my mind; to give help to, and seek 
help from, my fellow veterans; and to not bring harm 
to myself or others. I take this oath freely and without 
purpose of evasion, so help me God.’ ’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The heading of section 
502 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘§ 502. Enlistment oath and separation oath: who may 
administer’’. 
SEC. 562. PRESENTATION BY A VETERANS SERVICE ORGANI-
ZATION 
IN 
TAP 
PRESEPARATION 
COUN-
SELING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1142(b) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(20) A presentation that promotes the benefits 
available to veterans under laws administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such presentation— 
‘‘(A) shall be standardized; 
‘‘(B) shall be previously reviewed and ap-
proved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 
‘‘(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Veterans’ 
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Affairs of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives for review at least 90 days before imple-
mentation; 
‘‘(D) shall be presented by— 
‘‘(i) a national representative of a vet-
erans service organization recognized under 
section 5902 of title 38; or 
‘‘(ii) if a national representative is un-
available, a State or local representative of 
such an organization authorized by the Sec-
retary concerned to so present; 
‘‘(E) shall include information on how a 
veterans service organization may assist the 
member in filing a claim described in paragraph 
(19); 
‘‘(F) may not encourage the member to join 
a particular veterans service organization; and 
‘‘(G) may not exceed one hour in length.’’. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less than once each year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and House of Representatives, and to the 
Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives, a report— 
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(1) that identifies each veterans service organiza-
tion that presented under paragraph (20) of section 
1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a); 
(2) that contains the number of members of the 
Armed Forces who attended such presentations; and 
(3) that includes any recommendations of the 
Secretary regarding changes to such presentation or 
to such paragraph. 
SEC. 563. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS FOR 
CERTAIN MILITARY ADAPTIVE SPORTS PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 2564a of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended in subsection (a)(1)(B), in the matter preceding 
clause (i), by striking ‘‘, during the one-year period fol-
lowing the veteran’s date of separation,’’. 
SEC. 564. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: DEPART-
MENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT NAVIGATOR 
AND PARTNERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall carry out a pilot pro-
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gram to be known as the ‘‘Employment Navigator and 
Partnership Pilot Program’’. The pilot program shall sup-
plement the program under section 1144 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the pilot program 
under this section, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not 
operating as a service in the Navy, and the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, shall— 
(1) seek to enter into contracts with public, pri-
vate, and nonprofit entities under which such entities 
provide individualized employment counseling for 
members of the Armed Forces and their spouses; 
(2) prioritize entering into contracts with quali-
fied private entities that have experience providing 
instruction to members of the Armed Forces eligible 
for assistance under the pilot program carried out 
under this section on— 
(A) private sector culture, resume writing, 
career networking, and training on job search 
technologies; 
(B) academic readiness and educational op-
portunities; or 
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(C) other relevant topics, as determined by 
the Secretary; 
(3) give a preference to any private entity that— 
(A) has a national or international geo-
graphical area of service; 
(B) provides multiple forms of career assist-
ance and placement services to— 
(i) active duty members of the Armed 
Forces; 
(ii) spouses of active duty members of 
the Armed Forces; 
(iii) veterans; and 
(iv) spouses of veterans; 
(C) provides services to at least 1,000 indi-
viduals who are— 
(i) active duty members of the Armed 
Forces; 
(ii) spouses of active duty members of 
the Armed Forces; 
(iii) veterans; or 
(iv) spouses of veterans; 
(D) has continuously, for at least the three- 
year period immediately preceding the date of 
the contract, provided services to individuals who 
are— 
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(i) active duty members of the Armed 
Forces; 
(ii) spouses of active duty members of 
the Armed Forces; 
(iii) veterans; and 
(iv) spouses of veterans; and 
(E) has a demonstrated record of success in 
providing assistance with employment services, 
as indicated by— 
(i) the average wages or earnings of 
people who receive employment services pro-
vided by the entity; 
(ii) prior completion of Federal grants 
or contracts; 
(iii) having at least 75 percent of its 
participants find full-time employment 
within six months of initially receiving em-
ployment services provided by the entity; 
and 
(iv) other employment performance in-
dicators, as determined by the Secretary; 
and 
(4) seek to enter into contracts with not fewer 
than 10, but not more than 60, private entities under 
which each such entity is compensated at a rate 
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agreed upon between the Secretary and the entity for 
each individual who receives employment services pro-
vided by the entity and is in unsubsidized employ-
ment during the second quarter after exit from the 
program; and 
(5) conduct such other activities as may be nec-
essary for the delivery of individualized employment 
counseling and other employment services under this 
section. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than October 1 of each year 
during the term of the pilot program, the Secretary of 
Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit to the 
Committees on Armed Services, the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a report on the pilot program 
under this section, including the employment outcomes for 
members of the Armed Forces and their spouses who receive 
employment services under the program on the following in-
dicators of performance— 
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(1) the percentage of program participants who 
are in unsubsidized employment during the second 
quarter after exit from the program; 
(2) the percentage of program participants who 
are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth 
quarter after exit from the program; and 
(3) the median earnings of program participants 
who are in unsubsidized employment during the sec-
ond quarter after exit from the program. 
(d) TERMINATION.—The pilot program shall terminate 
five years after the date on which the Secretary of Labor 
begins to carry out the pilot program. 
SEC. 565. SKILLBRIDGE: APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than September 30, 2026, the 
Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when 
not operating as a service in the Department of the Navy, 
shall conduct a study to identify the private entities partici-
pating in Skillbridge that offer positions in registered ap-
prenticeship programs to covered members. 
(b) RECRUITMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
consult with officials and employees of the Department of 
Labor who have experience with registered apprenticeship 
programs to facilitate the Secretary entering into agree-
ments with entities that offer positions described in sub-
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section (a) in areas where the Secretary determines few such 
positions are available to covered members. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered member’’ means a member 
of the Armed Forces eligible for Skillbridge. 
(2) The term ‘‘registered apprenticeship pro-
gram’’ means an apprenticeship program registered 
under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known 
as the ‘‘National Apprenticeship Act’’; 50 Stat. 664, 
chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.). 
(3) The term ‘‘Skillbridge’’ means an employ-
ment skills training program under section 1143(e) of 
title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 566. FEMALE MEMBERS OF CERTAIN ARMED FORCES 
AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE IN STEM. 
(a) STUDY; REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 
2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives a report containing the results of a study on 
how to— 
(1) increase participation of covered individuals 
in positions in the covered Armed Forces or Depart-
ment of Defense and related to STEM; and 
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(2) change Skillbridge to help covered individ-
uals eligible for Skillbridge find civilian employment 
in positions related to STEM. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered individual’’ means a fe-
male— 
(A) member of a covered Armed Force; or 
(B) civilian employee of the Department of 
Defense. 
(3) The term ‘‘Skillbridge’’ means an employ-
ment skills training program under section 1143(e) of 
title 10, United States Code. 
(4) The term ‘‘STEM’’ means science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics. 
Subtitle H—Family Programs and 
Child Care 
SEC. 571. NOTIFICATION OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AT 
PROVIDERS OF CHILD CARE SERVICES OR 
YOUTH PROGRAMS. 
Section 1794 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
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‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘covered child and 
youth program’ means a military child development center, 
a Department of Defense youth program, a family home 
day care, or a provider of child care services or youth pro-
gram services that receives financial assistance under sec-
tion 1798.’’. 
SEC. 572. PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE PAYMENTS FOR 
CHILD CARE SERVICES IN HIGH-COST AREAS. 
Section 1798 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) PILOT PROGRAM FOR INCREASED PAYMENTS IN 
HIGH-COST AREAS.—(1) Beginning on January 1, 2027, 
the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to increase the 
maximum amount of financial assistance per month per 
child that the Secretary authorizes to be provided to eligible 
providers under this section as of December 31, 2026, by 
30 percent for services provided to children who are two 
years old or younger in accordance with this subsection. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall provide for an increased maximum 
amount of financial assistance under the pilot pro-
gram established under this subsection in each area 
with high child care services costs, as determined by 
the Secretary; and 
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‘‘(B) may provide for such increased maximum 
amount of financial assistance in other areas as the 
Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(3) Not later than one year after the establishment 
of the pilot program under this subsection, and semiannu-
ally thereafter until the date of the termination of the pilot 
program, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional de-
fense committees a report on the pilot program that in-
cludes— 
‘‘(A) the number of families with respect to 
whom the Secretary has increased the maximum 
amount of financial assistance per month per child 
being 
provided 
under 
the 
pilot 
program, 
disaggregated by location; 
‘‘(B) the total amount of financial assistance 
provided under the pilot program with respect to such 
families, disaggregated by location; 
‘‘(C) the total amount of financial assistance 
that would have been provided with respect to such 
families without the increase under the pilot program, 
disaggregated by location; 
‘‘(D) the determination of the Secretary as to 
whether additional funding under the pilot pro-
gram— 
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‘‘(i) helped reduce child care costs for appli-
cable military families; 
‘‘(ii) increased child care provider partici-
pation in the financial assistance available 
under this section; and 
‘‘(iii) increased access to infant and toddler 
care for military families; 
‘‘(E) the determination of the Secretary with re-
spect to the feasibility of expanding the pilot program 
to all communities; 
‘‘(F) any challenges identified by the Secretary 
in carrying out the pilot program; 
‘‘(G) legislation or administrative action that the 
Secretary determines necessary to make the pilot pro-
gram permanent; and 
‘‘(H) any other information the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
‘‘(4) Not later than 90 days after the date of the termi-
nation of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to 
the congressional defense committees a report that in-
cludes— 
‘‘(A) the elements specified in subparagraphs (A) 
through (H) of paragraph (3); and 
‘‘(B) the recommendation of the Secretary as to 
whether to make the pilot program permanent. 
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‘‘(5) The pilot program established under this sub-
section shall terminate on the date that is five years after 
the date on which such program is established.’’. 
SEC. 573. PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE PAYMENTS FOR 
CHILD CARE SERVICES IN HIGH-COST AREAS. 
Section 1798 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(d); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(c) PILOT PROGRAM FOR GRANTS TO INCREASE IN-
FANT AND TODDLER CAPACITY IN HIGH-COST AREAS.—(1) 
The Secretary of Defense may establish a pilot program to 
provide grants to eligible providers seeking to expand the 
capacity of such providers to provide care for infants and 
toddlers. 
‘‘(2) A grant awarded under the pilot program estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) be in an amount determined by the Sec-
retary, but in no case more than 75 percent of the es-
timated cost of the expansion for which the grant is 
provided; and 
‘‘(B) require the recipient of a grant to— 
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‘‘(i) make available not less than half of 
any additional capacity for infants and toddlers 
to children of members of the armed forces that 
results from the expansion for which a grant is 
awarded for the 10-year period that begins on 
the date on which such expansion is completed; 
and 
‘‘(ii) certify that the recipient will not dis-
place children enrolled on the date described in 
clause (i) who are not children of members of the 
armed forces to meet the requirement of clause 
(i). 
‘‘(3) The Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall award grants under the pilot program 
established under paragraph (1) to not less than 10 
eligible providers located in areas with high child care 
services costs, as determined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(B) may award grants under the pilot program 
established under paragraph (1) to eligible providers 
located in other areas as the Secretary considers ap-
propriate. 
‘‘(4) Not later than one year after the establishment 
of the pilot program under this subsection, and semiannu-
ally thereafter until the date of the termination of the pilot 
program, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate con-
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gressional committees a report on the pilot program that 
includes— 
‘‘(A) the number of eligible providers partici-
pating in the pilot program, disaggregated by loca-
tion; 
‘‘(B) the number of additional infant and tod-
dler enrollments at eligible providers made available 
under the pilot program, disaggregated by loacation; 
‘‘(C) the determination of the Secretary as to 
whether grants provided under the pilot program— 
‘‘(i) helped reduce child care costs for appli-
cable military families; 
‘‘(ii) increased child care provider partici-
pation in the financial assistance available 
under this section; and 
‘‘(iii) increased access to infant and toddler 
care for military families; 
‘‘(D) the determination of the Secretary with re-
spect to the feasibility of expanding the pilot program 
to all communities; 
‘‘(E) any challenges identified by the Secretary 
in carrying out the pilot program; 
‘‘(F) legislation or administrative action that the 
Secretary determines necessary to make the pilot pro-
gram permanent; and 
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‘‘(G) any other information the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
‘‘(5) Not later than 90 days after the date of the termi-
nation of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a report that in-
cludes— 
‘‘(A) the elements specified in subparagraphs (A) 
through (G) of paragraph (4); and 
‘‘(B) the recommendation of the Secretary as to 
whether to make the pilot program permanent. 
‘‘(6) The pilot program established under this sub-
section shall terminate on the date that is five years after 
the date on which such program is established. 
‘‘(7) In this subsection, the term ‘appropriate congres-
sional committees’ means— 
‘‘(A) the congressional defense committees; 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; and 
‘‘(C) the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives.’’. 
SEC. 574. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FI-
NANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES FOR IN-HOME CHILD CARE. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Subsection (d) of section 589 of the 
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authoriza-
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tion Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (10 U.S.C. 1791 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘five years after’’ and all that follows 
and inserting ‘‘on December 31, 2029.’’. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Subsection (c)(2) of such section 
is amended by striking ‘‘90 days after’’ and inserting ‘‘one 
year before’’. 
SEC. 575. MILITARY ONESOURCE: INFORMATION REGARD-
ING MATERNAL HEALTH CARE. 
Section 561 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 10 U.S.C. 1781 
note) is amended, in subsection (b)— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (17) 
as paragraphs (5) through (18), respectively; and 
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and in-
serting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(2) Health care. 
‘‘(3) Maternal health care, including the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) A list of maternal health services, in-
cluding pre- and post-natal care. 
‘‘(B) A guide to continuity of such care 
through a permanent change of station. 
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‘‘(C) With regards to a pregnant member, 
relevant regulations, options for leave, and uni-
form resources and requirements. 
‘‘(4) Death benefits and life insurance pro-
grams.’’. 
SEC. 576. PROHIBITION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR 
TERMINATION OF DODEA AND CHILD CARE 
WORKERS. 
None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this 
Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the 
Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to ter-
minate employees of Military Child Development Programs 
or employees of the Department of Defense Education Activ-
ity, regardless of whether such positions are funded by ap-
propriated or nonappropriated funds, unless the employee 
was documented as not performing or engaging in mis-
conduct. 
Subtitle I—Dependent Education 
SEC. 581. ENSURING ACCESS TO DODEA SCHOOLS FOR CER-
TAIN MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPO-
NENTS. 
Section 2164 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(n) ELIGIBILITY OF DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN MEM-
BERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS.—(1) A dependent 
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of a member described in paragraph (2) shall be eligible 
to attend a school established under this section at the mili-
tary installation that is the permanent station of such 
member and such dependent shall automatically be granted 
enrollment at such school at the request of such member if 
there is sufficient space in the school to accommodate the 
dependent. In the event there is not sufficient space avail-
able at such school at the time the dependent seeks to enroll, 
the dependent shall be place on a wait-list for enrollment 
in the school. 
‘‘(2) A member described in this paragraph is a mem-
ber— 
‘‘(A) of a reserve component; 
‘‘(B) performing active service; and 
‘‘(C) pursuant to an order for accompanied per-
manent change of station.’’. 
SEC. 582. CERTAIN ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL 
AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF 
MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL. 
(a) CONTINUATION OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST LOCAL 
EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS WITH SIGNIFICANT 
NUMBERS OF MILITARY DEPENDENT STUDENTS.—Of 
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the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal 
year 2026 by section 301 and available for operation 
and maintenance for Defense-wide activities as speci-
fied in the funding table in section 4301, $35,000,000 
shall be available only for the purpose of providing 
assistance to local educational agencies under sub-
section (a) of section 572 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 
109–163; 20 U.S.C. 7703b). 
(2) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY DEFINED.—In 
this subsection, the term ‘‘local educational agency’’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 7013(9) 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
(20 U.S.C. 7713(9)). 
(b) IMPACT AID FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DIS-
ABILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the amount authorized to 
be appropriated for fiscal year 2026 pursuant to sec-
tion 301 and available for operation and mainte-
nance for Defense-wide activities as specified in the 
funding table in section 4301, $5,000,000 shall be 
available for payments under section 363 of the Floyd 
D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted into law by Public Law 
106–398; 114 Stat. 1654A-77; 20 U.S.C. 7703a). 
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(2) ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.—Of the amount au-
thorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2026 pur-
suant to section 301 and available for operation and 
maintenance for Defense-wide activities as specified 
in the funding table in section 4301, $5,000,000 shall 
be available for use by the Secretary of Defense to 
make payments to local educational agencies deter-
mined by the Secretary to have higher concentrations 
of military children with severe disabilities. 
(3) BRIEFING.—Not later than March 31, 2026, 
the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a briefing on the Department of 
Defense’s evaluation of each local educational agency 
with higher concentrations of military children with 
severe disabilities and subsequent determination of the 
amounts of impact aid each such agency shall receive. 
SEC. 583. VERIFICATION OF REPORTING OF ELIGIBLE FED-
ERALLY CONNECTED CHILDREN FOR PUR-
POSES OF FEDERAL IMPACT AID PROGRAMS. 
(a) CERTIFICATION.—On an annual basis, each com-
mander of a military installation under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary of a military department shall submit to such 
Secretary a written certification verifying whether the com-
mander has confirmed the information contained in all im-
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pact aid source check forms received from local educational 
agencies as of the date of such certification. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than June 30 of each year, 
each Secretary of a military department shall submit to 
the congressional defense committees a report, based on the 
information received under subsection (a), that identifies— 
(1) each military installation under the jurisdic-
tion of such Secretary that has confirmed the infor-
mation contained in all impact aid source check 
forms received from local educational agencies as of 
the date of the report; and 
(2) each military installation that has not con-
firmed the information contained in such forms as of 
such date. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘impact aid source check form’’ 
means a form submitted to a military installation by 
a local educational agency to confirm the number and 
identity of children eligible to be counted for purposes 
of the Federal impact aid program under section 
7003(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7703(a)). 
(2) The term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Ele-
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mentary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7801). 
Subtitle 
J—Decorations 
and 
Awards, Reports, and Other Mat-
ters 
SEC. 591. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF 
HONOR TO JAMES CAPERS, JR., FOR ACTS OF 
VALOR AS A MEMBER OF THE MARINE CORPS 
DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Notwithstanding the time limi-
tations specified in section 8298 of title 10, United States 
Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the 
awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the 
Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the 
Medal of Honor, under section 8291 of such title, to James 
Capers, Jr., for the acts of valor described in subsection (b). 
(b) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of valor 
described in this subsection are the actions of James Capers, 
Jr., as a member of the Marine Corps, during the period 
of March 31 through April 3, 1967, during the Vietnam 
War, for which he was previously awarded the Silver Star. 
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332 
SEC. 592. AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD THE MEDAL OF 
HONOR TO RETIRED COLONEL PHILIP J. 
CONRAN FOR ACTS OF VALOR IN LAOS DUR-
ING THE VIETNAM WAR. 
Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in sec-
tion 9274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time 
limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals 
to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President 
is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 
9271 of such title, to retired Colonel Philip J. Conran for 
the acts of valor in Laos during the Vietnam war, for which 
he was previously awarded the Air Force Cross. 
TITLE VI—COMPENSATION AND 
OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Basic Pay and Retired 
Pay 
SEC. 601. CODIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY TO SPACE 
FORCE OF CERTAIN PAY AND ALLOWANCE AU-
THORITIES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 101 of title 37, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (22), by inserting ‘‘, or for 
members of the Space Force in space force active sta-
tus not on sustained duty,’’ after ‘‘reserve component’’ 
in subparagraphs (A) and (B); and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(27) The term ‘space force active status’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10. 
‘‘(28) The term ‘sustained duty’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 101 of title 10.’’. 
(b) BASIC PAY.—Chapter 3 of such title is amended 
as follows: 
(1) REFERENCES TO OFFICER GRADES.—Section 
201(a) of such title is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(1) Subject to paragraph 
(2), for the’’ and inserting ‘‘For the’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘and Marine Corps’’ in the 
heading of the second column of the table and in-
serting ‘‘Marine Corps, and Space Force’’; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (2). 
(2) APPLICABLE PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR CER-
TAIN SPACE FORCE MEMBERS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY 
DISABLED OR INCUR LOSS OF EARNED INCOME WHEN 
NOT ON SUSTAINED DUTY.—Subsections (g)(1) and 
(h)(1) of section 204 of such title are amended by in-
serting ‘‘, or a member of the Space Force in space 
force active status not on sustained duty,’’ after ‘‘of 
a reserve component of a uniformed service’’. 
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(3) SERVICE CREDITABLE FOR COMPUTATION.— 
Section 205(a)(2) of such title is amended— 
(A) by transferring subparagraph (F) to 
appear after subparagraph (A) and redesig-
nating that subparagraph as subparagraph (B); 
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) 
and (E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respec-
tively; 
(C) by striking subparagraph (C) and re-
designating the original subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (D); and 
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (B), as 
transferred and redesignated by subparagraph 
(A) of this paragraph, the following new sub-
paragraph (C): 
‘‘(C) the Space Force;’’. 
(4) INACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING PAY.—Section 206 
of such title is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter pre-
ceding paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Guard or a’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Guard, a’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or a member of the 
Space Force’’ after ‘‘uniformed service’’ the 
first place it appears; 
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(B) in subsection (d)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, 
by a member of the Space Force,’’ after ‘‘re-
serve component’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or 
the Space Force,’’ after ‘‘Ready Reserve’’; 
(C) in subsection (e)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Guard or of a’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Guard, a’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or the Space Force’’ 
after ‘‘uniformed services’’; and 
(D) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘; 
MEMBERS OF THE SPACE FORCE’’ before the 
colon. 
(5) PARTICIPATION IN THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN.— 
Section 211(a)(2) of such title is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘or the Space Force’’ after ‘‘member of the Ready 
Reserve’’. 
(c) SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AU-
THORITIES.—Subchapter II of chapter 5 of such title is 
amended as follows: 
(1) GENERAL BONUS AUTHORITY FOR ENLISTED 
MEMBERS.—Section 331 of such title is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
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(i) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of para-
graph (4); 
(ii) by striking the period at the end of 
paragraph (5) and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) transfers from a regular component or re-
serve component of an armed force to the Space Force 
or from the Space Force to a regular component or 
reserve component of another armed force, subject to 
the approval of the Secretary with jurisdiction over 
the armed force to which the member is transfer-
ring.’’; and 
(B) in subsection (c)(1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
‘‘, or in the Space Force on sustained duty 
under section 20105 of title 10,’’ after ‘‘in 
a regular component’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting 
‘‘, or in the Space Force in space force ac-
tive status not on sustained duty under sec-
tion 20105 of title 10,’’ after ‘‘in a reserve 
component’’; and 
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(4) SPECIAL
PAYS.—Sections 351(a), 352(a), 
353(a), and 353(b) of such title are amended by strik-
ing ‘‘of a regular or reserve component’’. 
(5) RETENTION
INCENTIVES
FOR
MEMBERS 
QUALIFIED
IN
CRITICAL
MILITARY
SKILLS
OR
AS-
SIGNED TO HIGH PRIORITY UNITS.—Section 355 of 
such title is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘An officer or en-
listed member’’ and inserting ‘‘A mem-
ber’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘, or a member 
the Space Force who is serving in 
space force active status,’’ after ‘‘in a 
reserve component’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or 
to remain in space force active status for at 
least one year’’ before the semicolon at the 
end; 
(B) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ‘‘or a 
member of the Space Force not on sustained 
duty’’ in the second sentence after ‘‘reserve com-
ponent member’’; and 
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340 
(C) in subsection (e)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘ac-
tive duty or service in an active status in 
a reserve component’’ in subparagraph (A) 
and the first place it appears in subpara-
graph (B) and inserting ‘‘a specified form 
of service (or combination thereof)’’; 
(ii) in paragraphs (1)(B), (2), (3), and 
(4), by striking ‘‘active duty or service in 
an active status in a reserve component for 
which’’ and inserting ‘‘service for which’’; 
and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) In this subsection, the term ‘specified form 
of service’ means— 
‘‘(A) service on active duty; 
‘‘(B) service in an active status in a reserve 
component; or 
‘‘(C) service in the Space Force in space 
force active status.’’. 
(6) CONTINUATION PAY FOR FULL TSP MEMBERS 
WITH 7 TO 12 YEARS OF SERVICE.—Section 356(b) of 
such title is amended— 
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(A) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)— 
(i) in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘or a reserve component’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
a member of the Space Force on sustained 
duty, or a member of a reserve component’’; 
and 
(ii) in the third sentence, by inserting 
‘‘or a member of the Space Force in space 
force active status not on sustained duty’’ 
after ‘‘(as so defined)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or a 
member of the Space Force on sustained duty’’ 
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) after 
‘‘of a regular component’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘or a member of the 
Space Force in space force active status and 
not on sustained duty’’ in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A) after ‘‘of a reserve 
component’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or a member of the 
Space Force on sustained duty, respec-
tively,’’ in subparagraph (A) after ‘‘of a 
regular component’’. 
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(d) ADMINISTRATION
OF SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE 
PAY, AND BONUS AUTHORITIES.—Subchapter III of chap-
ter 5 of such title is amended as follows: 
(1) CONTINUATION
OF
PAY
AND
ALLOWANCES 
DURING CERTAIN HOSPITALIZATION AND REHABILITA-
TION.—Section 372(a) of such title is amended by 
striking ‘‘of a regular or reserve component’’. 
(2) REPAYMENT
OF
UNEARNED
PORTION
OF 
BONUS
OR
SPECIAL
OR
INCENTIVE
PAY.—Section 
373(d)(2)(A) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘in 
a regular or reserve component who remains on active 
duty or in an active status’’ and inserting ‘‘who re-
mains on active duty, in an active status in a reserve 
component, or in space force active status’’. 
(e) ALLOWANCES OTHER THAN TRAVEL AND TRANS-
PORTATION ALLOWANCES.—Section 416 of such title is 
amended by inserting ‘‘an officer of the Space Force not 
on sustained duty,’’ after ‘‘of component,’’. 
(f) LEAVE.—Section 501 of such title is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, or of the Space Force,’’ 
in paragraphs (4) and (5) after ‘‘of a reserve 
component’’; and 
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343 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, or from the Space 
Force,’’ in paragraph (4) after ‘‘from the reserve 
component’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(5)— 
(A) in subparagraphs (A) and (D), by in-
serting ‘‘, or a member of the Space Force in 
space force active status not on sustained duty,’’ 
after ‘‘of a reserve component’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘Reg-
ular’’ before ‘‘Space Force’’. 
(g) MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS.—Chap-
ter 17 of such title is amended as follows: 
(1) Section 908(a)(2) of such title is amended by 
inserting ‘‘and members of the Space Force in space 
force active status not on sustained duty’’ after ‘‘of 
the armed forces’’. 
(2) Section 910 of such title is amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or of the Space Force’’ 
after ‘‘of the armed forces’’ in subsection (a); 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or the Space Force’’ after 
‘‘a reserve component’’ in subsections (b)(1), 
(b)(2), (b)(3), and (e)(1); and 
(C) in the heading of such section by insert-
ing ‘‘AND MEMBERS OF THE SPACE FORCE’’ 
after ‘‘RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS’’. 
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344 
(h) ADMINISTRATION.—Section 1002 of such title is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘of the National Guard, or 
of a reserve component of a uniformed service,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘of a reserve component of a uni-
formed service, or of the Space Force’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘his consent’’ and inserting 
‘‘the member’s consent’’; and 
(C) in subsection (c), by inserting ‘‘or the 
Space Force’’ after ‘‘of a reserve component’’; 
and 
(2) in the heading, by striking ‘‘AND MEMBERS 
OF NATIONAL GUARD’’ and inserting ‘‘; MEMBERS 
OF THE NATIONAL GUARD; MEMBERS OF THE 
SPACE FORCE’’. 
(i) CONFORMING AMENDMENT TO REFLECT CHANGE 
OF NAME OF SPACE AND MISSILE SYSTEMS CENTER TO 
SPACE SYSTEMS COMMAND.—Section 2273a(a) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Air Force 
Space and Missile Systems Center’’ and inserting ‘‘Space 
Force Space Systems Command’’. 
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Subtitle B—Bonus and Incentive 
Pays 
SEC. 611. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING 
BONUS AND SPECIAL PAY AUTHORITIES. 
(a) AUTHORITIES RELATING TO RESERVE FORCES.— 
Section 910(g) of title 37, United States Code, relating to 
income replacement payments for reserve component mem-
bers experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for ac-
tive duty service, is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2025’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2026’’. 
(b) TITLE 10 AUTHORITIES RELATING TO HEALTH 
CARE PROFESSIONALS.—The following sections of title 10, 
United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2025’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2026’’: 
(1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse officer 
candidate accession program. 
(2) Section 16302(d), relating to repayment of 
education loans for certain health professionals who 
serve in the Selected Reserve. 
(c) AUTHORITIES
RELATING
TO
NUCLEAR
OFFI-
CERS.—Section 333(i) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2025’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2026’’. 
(d) AUTHORITIES RELATING TO TITLE 37 CONSOLI-
DATED SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND BONUS AU-
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(e) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY INCREASE IN 
RATES
OF BASIC ALLOWANCE
FOR HOUSING.—Section 
403(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (7)(E), relating to an area cov-
ered by a major disaster declaration or containing an 
installation experiencing an influx of military per-
sonnel, by striking ‘‘December 31, 2025’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘December 31, 2026’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (8)(C), relating to an area 
where actual housing costs differ from current rates 
by more than 20 percent, by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2025’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2026’’. 
SEC. 612. INCENTIVE PAY: EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DIS-
POSAL DUTY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subchapter I of chapter 5 of 
title 37, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 301e the following new section: 
‘‘§ 301f. Incentive pay: explosive ordnance disposal 
duty. 
‘‘(a) ELIGIBILITY.—(1) Subject to regulations pre-
scribed by the Secretary of Defense, a regular member of 
a covered armed force is entitled to continuous monthly ex-
plosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay in the amount 
specified in subsection (b)(1) if the member— 
‘‘(A) is entitled to basic pay; 
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‘‘(B) holds (or is in training leading to) an ex-
plosive ordnance disposal duty designator; and 
‘‘(C) is in and remains in explosive ordnance 
disposal duty on a career basis. 
‘‘(2) Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary 
of Defense, a member of a covered armed force who is enti-
tled to basic pay but is not entitled to continuous monthly 
explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay under para-
graph (1) is entitled to explosive ordnance disposal duty 
incentive pay in the amount prescribed pursuant to sub-
section (b)(2) for any period during which such member 
performs explosive ordnance disposal duty under orders. 
‘‘(b) RATES.—(1) Continuous monthly explosive ord-
nance disposal duty incentive pay under subsection (a)(1) 
shall be in the following amounts: 
‘‘Years of explosive ordnance disposal 
duty (including training): 
Monthly Rate 
2 or fewer 
$125 
Over 2 
$156 
Over 3 
$188 
Over 4 
$206 
Over 6 
$650 
Over 8 
$800 
Over 10 
$1,000 
Over 17 
$840 
Over 22 
$585 
Over 24 
$385 
Over 25 
$250 
‘‘(2) Explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay 
under subsection (a)(2)— 
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‘‘(A) shall be in amounts prescribed by the Sec-
retary of Defense; 
‘‘(B) may not, for any month, exceed the max-
imum amount specified in paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(C) may not be less per day than the amount 
under subsection (d). 
‘‘(c) COMPUTATION OF YEARS.—Years of explosive ord-
nance disposal duty by a member shall be computed begin-
ning with the effective date of the initial order to such mem-
ber to perform explosive ordnance disposal duty. 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN DUTY IN THE RE-
SERVE COMPONENTS.—Under regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary of Defense and to the extent provided for by ap-
propriations, for each day that a member of the reserve com-
ponent of a covered armed force who is entitled to com-
pensation under section 206 of this title performs, under 
orders, explosive ordnance disposal duty, such member is 
eligible for an increase in compensation equal to one-thir-
tieth of the continuous monthly incentive pay under sub-
section (b)(1) for a member of corresponding years of service 
entitled to basic pay. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered armed force’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
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‘‘(2) The term ‘explosive ordnance disposal’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 2284 of title 
10. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘explosive ordnance disposal duty’ 
means duty performed by a member of a covered 
armed force, under regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary of Defense, in explosive ordnance disposal.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 301f of title 37, United 
States Code, added by this section, shall take effect on the 
date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and apply to explosive ordnance disposal duty per-
formed on or after such date. 
SEC. 613. STANDARDIZATION OF CYBER ASSIGNMENT IN-
CENTIVE PAY FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 
37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 375. Standardization of cyber assignment incentive 
pay 
‘‘(a) POLICY.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
and implement a standardized policy for cyber assignment 
incentive pay applicable to all members of the Army, Navy, 
Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force performing 
qualifying cyber operations roles. 
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‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—The policy under subsection (a) 
shall— 
‘‘(1) define uniform eligibility criteria based on 
work-role certification, mission assignment, and read-
iness requirements; 
‘‘(2) establish a tiered pay structure based on 
proficiency levels and operational demands; 
‘‘(3) ensure parity in pay rates and qualifica-
tion standards throughout the armed forces specified 
in subsection (a); 
‘‘(4) provide guidance for continuation of cyber 
assignment incentive pay during moves relating to 
changes of permanent station, subject to continued eli-
gibility; and 
‘‘(5) include procedures for periodic review and 
adjustment of cyber assignment incentive pay rates to 
reflect evolving mission needs and market competi-
tiveness. 
‘‘(c) CYBER ASSIGNMENT INCENTIVE PAY DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘cyber assignment incentive pay’ 
means special pay authorized under this chapter for mem-
bers of the armed forces assigned to designated cyber oper-
ations roles.’’. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall brief 
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the congressional defense committees on the implementation 
of section 375 of title 37, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a) of this section, including any anticipated im-
pacts on recruitment, retention, and readiness of cyber per-
sonnel. 
Subtitle C—Allowances 
SEC. 621. BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE: EXCLUSION OF BASIC 
ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING FROM THE CAL-
CULATION OF GROSS HOUSEHOLD INCOME 
OF AN ELIGIBLE MEMBER OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
Section 402b(k)(1)(B) of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘in’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘portion of’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘that the Secretary concerned 
elects to exclude’’ and inserting ‘‘paid to such mem-
ber’’. 
SEC. 622. FAMILY SEPARATION ALLOWANCE: INCREASE. 
Section 427(a) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘not less than $250, 
and not more than $400’’ and inserting ‘‘equal to $400’’. 
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SEC. 623. REPORT REGARDING THE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR 
SUBSISTENCE AND MILITARY FOOD PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than September 
30, 2026, and annually thereafter through 2030, the Sec-
retary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of 
the military departments, shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives a report described in subsection (b). 
(b) REPORT DESCRIBED.—A report described in this 
subsection shall explain how, during the fiscal year in 
which the Secretary submits such report— 
(1) the Secretary of Defense allocated funds for 
the basic allowance for subsistence under section 402 
of title 37, United States Code, to pay for food pro-
grams; 
(2) subsistence in-kind is budgeted to pay for 
food programs on military installations; and 
(3) the Secretaries of the military departments 
used budget authorities to fund the fully burdened cost 
of feeding members— 
(A) of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air 
Force, and Space Force; and 
(B) who were assigned to essential station 
messing during such fiscal year. 
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SEC. 624. BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING: STUDY TO 
EVALUATE 
ALTERNATIVE 
RATE 
CALCULA-
TION. 
(a) AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 
2026, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into 
an agreement with a covered entity to conduct a 
study in which the covered entity shall calculate, 
using industry-standard machine learning and an ar-
tificial intelligence algorithm, proposed monthly rates 
of BAH described in subsection (b) for MHAs selected 
under subsection (c). 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—During such a 
study, the Secretary shall pay BAH in MHAs selected 
under subsection (c) at rates prescribed under section 
403 of title 37, United States Code. 
(b) PROPOSED MONTHLY RATES.—A proposed month-
ly rate of BAH described in this subsection— 
(1) accurately reflects housing prices in the 
MHA subject to such rate; and 
(2) is sufficient for military families who reside 
in such MHA to procure adequate and affordable 
housing. 
(c) MHAS.—The Secretary shall select not fewer than 
15 MHAs to participate in such a study. To select an MHA, 
the Secretary shall consider factors including the following: 
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(1) Variety of geographic location. 
(2) The ranks of members who reside in an 
MHA. 
(3) Whether members who reside in an MHA 
have dependents. 
(4) Economic factors including inflation, cost of 
living, and the cost of private mortgage insurance. 
(d) TERMINATION.—A study under this section shall 
terminate on the day that is three years after the date on 
which the Secretary enters into an agreement with a covered 
entity. 
(e) ANNUAL BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and on an an-
nual basis thereafter through the termination date under 
subsection (d), the Secretary shall provide to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives a briefing on the status of a study under this 
section. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the termination of such a study, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report regarding such study. 
Such report shall include the following elements: 
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(1) An evaluation by the Secretary of the pro-
posed monthly rates of BAH calculated by a covered 
entity pursuant to an agreement under subsection (a). 
(2) Any recommendation of the Secretary re-
garding legislation to improve the calculation of BAH 
process based on the study. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘BAH’’ means the basic allowance 
for housing for members of the uniformed services 
under section 403 of title 37, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered entity’’ means a nation-
ally recognized entity in the field of single-family 
housing that has data on local rental rates in real es-
tate markets across the United States. 
(3) The term ‘‘MHA’’ means military housing 
area. 
Subtitle D—Leave 
SEC. 631. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE FOR A MEMBER OF THE 
ARMED FORCES IN THE CASE OF A LOSS OF 
PREGNANCY OR STILLBIRTH. 
Subsection (l)(1)(A) of section 701 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the death of an immediate fam-
ily member.’’ and inserting an em dash; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following new 
clauses: 
‘‘(i) the death of an immediate family member; 
or 
‘‘(ii) the loss of a pregnancy or a stillbirth by 
such member or the spouse of such member.’’. 
SEC. 632. CONVALESCENT LEAVE FOR CADETS AND MID-
SHIPMEN. 
Section 702 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) 
as subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(c) CONVALESCENT LEAVE.—An academy cadet or 
midshipman diagnosed with a medical condition is allowed 
convalescent leave under section 701(m) of this title.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d), as redesignated by para-
graph (1) of this section, by striking ‘‘Sections 701’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided by subsection (c), 
sections 701’’. 
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Subtitle E—Family and Survivor 
Benefits 
SEC. 641. ANNUAL REVIEW OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LIM-
ITS FOR CHILD CARE AND YOUTH PROGRAM 
SERVICES PROVIDERS. 
Section 1798 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REVIEW OF AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.— 
The Secretary shall annually review the amount of finan-
cial assistance provided under this section, including the 
maximum amount of financial assistance per month per 
child that the Secretary authorizes to be provided to eligible 
providers under this section.’’. 
SEC. 642. WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRANSPOR-
TATION OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES WHEN NECESSARY TO MEET 
MISSION REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 562(c) of the John Warner National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109– 
364; 10 U.S.C. 1482 note) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) WAIVER.—The Secretary concerned may 
waive the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (3) as 
the Secretary considers necessary to meet mission re-
quirements during— 
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‘‘(A) a time of war; 
‘‘(B) a national emergency requiring the 
use of significant personnel and aircraft; 
‘‘(C) a large-scale combat operation; or 
‘‘(D) a contingency operation.’’. 
Subtitle F—Defense Resale Matters 
SEC. 651. USE OF COMMISSARY STORES: CIVILIAN EMPLOY-
EES OF MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1066 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘An individual’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(2) A civil service mariner of the Military Sealift 
Command may be permitted to use commissary stores and 
MWR retail facilities on the same basis as members of the 
armed forces on active duty.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL
AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
Such section is further amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘protec-
tive services’’ and inserting ‘‘certain’’; and 
(2) in the heading of subsection (a), by striking 
‘‘PROTECTIVE SERVICES’’ and inserting ‘‘CERTAIN’’. 
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SEC. 652. MWR RETAIL FACILITIES: USE BY CIVILIAN EM-
PLOYEES OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 54 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 1067. MWR facilities: civilian employees 
‘‘(a) CURRENT EMPLOYEES.—Subject to subsection (c) 
of this section and section 1066 of this title, a civilian em-
ployee of the Department of Defense or department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating shall be permitted to use 
MWR retail facilities on the same basis as members of the 
armed forces on active duty. 
‘‘(b) RETIRED EMPLOYEES.—Subject to subsection (c), 
a retired civilian employee of the Department of Defense 
or department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
be permitted to use MWR retail facilities on the same basis 
as members of the armed forces on active duty. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION.—A civilian employee or retired ci-
vilian employee may not purchase tobacco or a military 
uniform at MWR retail facilities. 
‘‘(d) MWR RETAIL FACILITIES DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘MWR retail facilities’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 1063 of this title.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
prescribe regulations under section 1067 of such title, as 
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added by this section, not later than 30 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 653. SINGLE-USE SHOPPING BAGS IN COMMISSARY 
STORES. 
Section 2485 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(j) SINGLE-USE SHOPPING BAGS.—The Defense Com-
missary Agency may not prohibit the use of, or charge a 
fee for, single-use shopping bags in a commissary store.’’. 
Subtitle G—Other Benefits, Reports, 
and Briefings 
SEC. 661. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING RELO-
CATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR MEM-
BERS RECEIVING ORDERS FOR A CHANGE OF 
PERMANENT STATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1056 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and 
community orientation’’ and inserting ‘‘commu-
nity orientation, education systems, school en-
rollment procedures, and State-specific provi-
sions under the Interstate Compact on Edu-
cational Opportunity for Military Children’’; 
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(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘and 
community orientation’’ and inserting ‘‘commu-
nity orientation, and educational resources for 
dependent children, including school transition 
assistance, academic continuity, and special edu-
cation services’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) Educational planning and support services 
for dependent children with disabilities, including 
procedures for transferring individualized education 
programs and coordinating with the Exceptional 
Family Member Program.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as 
subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(e) PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON PROGRAM.—(1) 
The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that members of the 
armed forces and the families of those members are provided 
information regarding available assistance under this sec-
tion and any other assistance relating to a change of per-
manent station available under any other provision of law. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall ensure that information re-
quired to be provided under this subsection is provided to 
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‘‘(A) incorporate the information required to be 
provided under this subsection into accessible mate-
rials and briefings provided to members of the armed 
forces relating to a change of permanent station; 
‘‘(B) ensure that the program under this section 
provides accessible materials and briefings at mili-
tary installations and through online resources; 
‘‘(C) develop a communication strategy, includ-
ing digital outreach and printed materials, to in-
crease awareness of the program under this section 
and assistance available under other provisions of law 
relating to a change of permanent station; and 
‘‘(D) assess the satisfaction of members of the 
armed forces and their families with the information 
provided under this subsection.’’. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for three 
years, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives a briefing on the implementation of the amend-
ments made by this section. Such briefing shall include— 
(1) the status of efforts to integrate information 
required to be provided by subsection (e) of section 
1056 of title 10, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a) of this section, into accessible materials 
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and briefings provided to members of the armed forces 
and their families relating to a change of permanent 
station; 
(2) an assessment of the awareness by members 
of the armed forces and their families of available 
programs in support of a change of permanent sta-
tion; and 
(3) any recommendations of the Secretary for 
improving the dissemination of information related to 
relocation and family assistance programs. 
SEC. 662. EXPANSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE AC-
CESS TO FOOD ON MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. 
Section 654 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Im-
provement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fis-
cal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 10 U.S.C. 1060a note) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Secretary of the Army’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Secretary of a military depart-
ment’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘installations of the Army 
for members of the Army’’ and inserting ‘‘instal-
lations under the jurisdiction of the Secretary for 
members of the Armed Forces’’; 
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(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘of the mili-
tary department concerned’’ after ‘‘Secretary’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following new subsection (d): 
‘‘(d) REPORTING.— 
‘‘(1) PROGRESS REPORTS.—At the end of each 
calendar quarter until the pilot program terminates, 
the Secretary of a military department shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a progress report re-
garding implementation of the pilot program. 
‘‘(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the pilot program terminates, the Secretary of a 
military department shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives a final report regarding the pilot pro-
gram. Such report shall include the following ele-
ments: 
‘‘(A) Lessons learned from the pilot pro-
gram. 
‘‘(B) The recommendation of the Secretary 
whether to expand or make permanent the pilot 
program. 
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‘‘(C) If the Secretary recommends expan-
sion, the military installations covered by such 
recommended expansion. 
‘‘(D) Limitations to the operation or expan-
sion of the pilot program. 
‘‘(E) Any information the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate.’’. 
SEC. 663. CASUALTY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: REVIEW; IM-
PLEMENTATION PLAN. 
(a) GAO REVIEW.—Not later than January 1, 2027, 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
to the Secretary of Defense a report containing the results 
of a review of operations of the casualty assistance program 
of the Department of Defense. Elements of such report shall 
include recommendations of the Comptroller General re-
garding the feasibility and advisability of the following: 
(1) Improving and standardizing across the 
Armed Forces— 
(A) the selection and management (includ-
ing lengths of assignments) of casualty assistance 
officers; and 
(B) training of casualty assistance officers 
regarding the policies, procedures, entitlements, 
benefits, and financial obligations relevant to 
survivors of members of the Armed Forces. 
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(2) The implementation of a registry of the De-
partment through which a survivor may elect to pro-
vide their contact information to the Department to 
facilitate contact and outreach to such survivor. 
(3) The development a long-term care program 
for such survivors, modeled on the Survivor Outreach 
Services of the Army, that provides information and 
access to survivor benefits, case managers, and coun-
selors. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later than 180 days 
after the Secretary receives the report under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and House of Representatives— 
(1) a copy of such report; and 
(2) the plan of the Secretary to implement such 
recommendations of the Comptroller General. 
TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE 
PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other 
Health Benefits 
SEC. 701. DENTAL READINESS. 
Section 1076a of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
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(i) in the header, by striking ‘‘SE-
LECTED RESERVE AND’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘for members of the Se-
lected Reserve of the Ready Reserve and’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), in the header, by in-
serting ‘‘INDIVIDUAL READY’’ after ‘‘OTHER’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(5) PLAN FOR SELECTED RESERVE.—A dental 
benefits plan for members of the Selected Reserve of 
the Ready Reserve.’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (4); and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) NO PREMIUM PLANS.—(A) The dental in-
surance plan established under subsection (a)(5) is a 
no premium plan. 
‘‘(B) Members enrolled in a no premium plan 
may not be charged a premium for benefits provided 
under the plan.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘a mem-
ber of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or’’; 
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(4) by redesignating subsections (f) through (l) 
as subsections (g) through (m), respectively; 
(5) by inserting after subsection (e) the following 
new subsection (f): 
‘‘(f) COPAYMENTS UNDER NO PREMIUM PLANS.—A 
member who receives dental care under a no premium plan 
referred to in subsection (d)(3) shall pay no charge for any 
care described in subsection (c).’’; and 
(6) in subsection (i), as redesignated by para-
graph (4), by striking ‘‘subsection (k)(2)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘subsection (l)(2)’’. 
SEC. 702. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN TESTS AS PART OF THE 
PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT PROVIDED 
TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting after section 1074o the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1074p. Periodic health assessments 
‘‘Beginning in 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall en-
sure that periodic health assessments provided to a member 
of the armed forces include the following: 
‘‘(1) On an annual basis— 
‘‘(A) a sports physical; 
‘‘(B) an electrocardiogram; and 
‘‘(C) blood work that includes— 
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‘‘(i) a comprehensive metabolic panel 
and complete blood count; and 
‘‘(ii) if necessary— 
‘‘(I) a thyroid stimulating hor-
mone test; and 
‘‘(II) a brain natriuretic peptide 
test. 
‘‘(2) Any test or evaluation required by law with 
respect to such member, including an evaluation re-
quired by section 704 of the National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116– 
92; 10 U.S.C. 1074f note) and a test required by sec-
tion 707 of such Act (10 U.S.C. 1074 note). 
‘‘(3) Any other test or evaluation determined ap-
propriate by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 703. FERTILITY TREATMENT FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPENDENTS. 
(a) FERTILITY TREATMENT.—Chapter 55 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
1074o the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1074p. Fertility treatment for certain active duty 
members of the armed forces and depend-
ents 
‘‘(a) COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall ensure that fer-
tility-related care for a covered member (or a dependent of 
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such a member) shall be covered under TRICARE Prime 
and TRICARE Select. 
‘‘(b) IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.—In the case of in vitro 
fertilization treatment furnished to an individual pursuant 
to subsection (a)— 
‘‘(1) three completed oocyte retrievals may be 
furnished per calendar year; and 
‘‘(2) single embryo transfers shall be provided 
unless otherwise medically indicated in accordance 
with the guidelines of the American Society for Re-
productive Medicine. 
‘‘(c) COST SHARING AND OTHER LIMITATIONS.—The 
Secretary shall ensure that cost-sharing amounts for an in-
dividual who receives fertility-related care under this sec-
tion are determined under section 1075, 1075a, or other ap-
plicable provision of this chapter in accordance with the 
kind of care provided (such as an in-network inpatient 
visit) and without regard to whether the care is fertility- 
related care. The Secretary may not impose any waiting 
periods or other limitations once the individual has received 
a medical diagnosis of infertility. 
‘‘(d) PROHIBITIONS.—Funds available to the Depart-
ment of Defense may not be used for preimplantation ge-
netic screening, human cloning, international surrogacy, or 
artificial womb technology. 
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‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered member’ means— 
‘‘(A) a member of the Army, Navy, Marine 
Corps, Air Force, or Space Force, serving on ac-
tive duty; and 
‘‘(B) does not include a former member of 
the armed forces. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘infertility’ means a disease, con-
dition, or status characterized by— 
‘‘(A) the failure to establish a pregnancy or 
to carry a pregnancy to live birth after regular, 
unprotected sexual intercourse in accordance 
with the guidelines of the American Society for 
Reproductive Medicine; 
‘‘(B) the inability of an individual to repro-
duce without medical intervention either as a 
single individual or with the partner of the indi-
vidual; or 
‘‘(C) the findings of a licensed physician 
based on the medical, sexual, and reproductive 
history, age, physical findings, or diagnostic test-
ing, of the individual. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘fertility-related care’ means— 
‘‘(A) the diagnosis of infertility; and 
‘‘(B) fertility treatment. 
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‘‘(4) The term ‘fertility treatment’ includes the 
following: 
‘‘(A) In vitro fertilization or other treat-
ments or procedures in which human oocytes, 
embryos, or sperm are handled when clinically 
appropriate. 
‘‘(B) Sperm retrieval. 
‘‘(C) Egg retrieval. 
‘‘(D) Preservation of human oocytes, em-
bryos, or sperm. 
‘‘(E) Artificial insemination, including 
intravaginal insemination, intracervical insemi-
nation, and intrauterine insemination. 
‘‘(F) Transfer of reproductive genetic mate-
rial. 
‘‘(G) Medications as prescribed or necessary 
for fertility. 
‘‘(H) Fertility treatment coordination. 
‘‘(I) Such other information, referrals, 
treatments, procedures, testing, medications, lab-
oratory services, technologies, and services facili-
tating reproduction as determined appropriate 
by the Secretary of Defense.’’. 
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(b) PROGRAM ON FERTILITY TREATMENT COORDINA-
TION.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1110c. Program on fertility-related care coordina-
tion 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall es-
tablish a program on the coordination of fertility-related 
care by the Secretary for purposes of ensuring patients re-
ceive timely fertility-related care. 
‘‘(b) TRAINING AND SUPPORT.—In carrying out the 
program established under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall provide to community health care providers training 
and support with respect to the unique needs of members 
of the armed forces and the dependents of such members.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1079(a) of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(21) Fertility-related care shall be provided in 
accordance with section 1074p of this title.’’. 
(d) EXCLUSION FROM CONTRACTS FOR FORMER MEM-
BERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.—Section 1086(a) of such 
title is amended by striking ‘‘eye examinations and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘eye examinations, fertility-related care pursuant 
to paragraph (21) of such section, and’’. 
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(e) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion shall apply with respect to services provided on or after 
October 1, 2027. 
SEC. 704. TRICARE COVERAGE FOR INCREASED SUPPLY 
FOR CONTRACEPTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning not less than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of the Act, contraceptive sup-
plies of up to 365 days shall be covered for any eligible 
covered beneficiary to obtain, including in a single fill or 
refill, at the option of such beneficiary, the total days of 
supply (not to exceed a 365-day supply) for a contraceptive 
on the uniform formulary provided through a military 
treatment facility pharmacy, retail pharmacy described in 
section 1074g(a)(2)(E)(ii) of such title, or through the na-
tional mail-order pharmacy program of the TRICARE Pro-
gram. 
(b) OUTREACH.—Beginning not later than 90 days 
after the implementation of coverage under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall conduct such outreach activities as are 
necessary to inform health care providers and individuals 
who are enrolled in the TRICARE program of such coverage 
and the requirements to receive such coverage. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
(2) The term ‘‘eligible covered beneficiary’’ 
means an eligible covered beneficiary as such term is 
used in section 1074g of title 10, United States Code 
who is— 
(A) a member of a covered Armed Force 
serving on active duty; or 
(B) a dependent of a member described in 
subparagraph (A). 
(3) The terms ‘‘TRICARE Program’’ and 
‘‘TRICARE Prime’’ have the meaning given such 
terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 705. PILOT PROGRAM ON ACCESS TO OBSTETRICAL 
AND GYNECOLOGICAL CARE UNDER TRICARE 
PRIME PROGRAM. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—Beginning not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program under 
which— 
(1) 
the 
referral 
requirement 
in 
section 
1095f(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, does not 
apply with respect to obstetrical and gynecological 
care for covered participants; and 
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(2) covered participants may elect to designate 
an obstetrical or gynecological care provider under 
the TRICARE program as an additional designated 
primary care manager under such section. 
(b) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
pilot program for a period of five years. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than four years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot 
program that includes the following: 
(1) An assessment of any increases or decreases 
to TRICARE Prime enrollment during the period in 
which the Secretary carries out the pilot program. 
(2) An assessment of any changes in the associ-
ated costs of providing obstetrical and gynecological 
care under TRICARE Prime. 
(3) Any other matters the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘congressional defense committees’’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 
101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered participant’’ means a fe-
male member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine 
Corps, or Space Force or a female dependent of a 
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member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, 
or Space Force, enrolled in TRICARE Prime who 
elects to participate in the pilot program. 
(3) 
The 
terms 
‘‘TRICARE 
Prime’’ 
and 
‘‘TRICARE program’’ have the meaning given those 
terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 706. PILOT PROGRAM TO MAKE MIDWIFE SERVICES 
AVAILABLE THROUGH TRICARE TO CERTAIN 
INDIVIDUALS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense shall begin a five-year pilot program to provide serv-
ices from covered midwives to covered individuals under the 
TRICARE program. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO MAKE PERMANENT.—If the Sec-
retary determines, after the termination of the pilot pro-
gram that such pilot program was successful, the Secretary 
may prescribe such regulations to establish a permanent 
program to make services from covered midwives available 
to covered individuals as the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
(c) REPORTS.— 
(1) IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
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section, and such other data points as the 
Secretary determines appropriate. 
(E) An assessment of patient satisfaction of 
covered individuals who received care through 
the pilot program. 
(F) An assessment of access to maternity 
and labor and delivery care for covered individ-
uals, including average wait time for an initial 
appointment and average travel time to the pro-
vider. 
(G) An assessment of the effectiveness of the 
pilot program. 
(H) Recommendations for adjustments to 
the pilot program. 
(I) The estimated cost savings as a result of 
improved maternal and fetal health outcomes due 
to the pilot program. 
(J) The Secretary of Defense’s recommenda-
tions relating to changes to the pilot program, 
an extension of the pilot program, and whether 
the pilot program should be expanded made per-
manent. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The terms ‘‘covered individual’’ means a 
member serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Ma-
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rine Corps, or Space Force, or a dependent of such a 
member. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered midwife’’ means a cer-
tified professional midwife or certified midwife who 
meets— 
(A) the international definition of a mid-
wife, and global standards for midwifery edu-
cation, established by the International Confed-
eration of Midwives, and 
(B) any professional credentialing require-
ment required to practice midwifery under ap-
plicable State law. 
(3) The term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 1072 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 707. PILOT PROGRAM TO TREAT PREGNANCY AS A 
QUALIFYING EVENT FOR ENROLLMENT IN 
TRICARE SELECT. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense shall commence a five-year pilot program under 
which— 
(1) the Secretary shall treat pregnancy as a 
qualifying event under section 1099(b)(1)(B) of title 
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10, United States Code, for enrollment in TRICARE 
Select by an eligible beneficiary; and 
(2) a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, 
Air Force, or Space Force on active duty may enroll 
in TRICARE Select under paragraph (1) for a period 
that ends not later than 180 days after the end of 
pregnancy. 
(b) INITIAL BRIEFING.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the status 
of the pilot program under subsection (a). 
(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after 
the Secretary commences the pilot program under sub-
section (a), and annually thereafter for the next four years, 
the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report on the pilot program. Each such report shall include 
the number of covered enrollment changes, disaggregated 
by— 
(1) month, beginning with January 2026; and 
(2) whether the eligible beneficiary made such 
covered enrollment change— 
(A) because the eligible beneficiary is a 
member of the covered Armed Forces on active 
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duty who may enroll in TRICARE Select under 
the pilot program; 
(B) because the eligible beneficiary is a 
member of the covered Armed Forces who sepa-
rated from active duty; 
(C) because the eligible beneficiary is a 
member of the covered Armed Forces who re-
turned to active duty; 
(D) because the eligible beneficiary is a de-
pendent of a member of the covered Armed 
Forces who separated from active duty; 
(E) because the eligible beneficiary is a de-
pendent of a member of the covered Armed 
Forces who returned to active duty; or 
(F) based on the treatment, under the pilot 
program, of pregnancy as a qualifying event for 
enrollment in TRICARE Select. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Forces’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space 
Force. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered enrollment change’’ means 
a change to a previous election by an eligible bene-
ficiary under subsection (b)(1) of section 1099 of title 
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10, United States Code, to enroll in a health care 
plan designated under subsection (c) of such section. 
(3) The term ‘‘eligible beneficiary’’ means an in-
dividual— 
(A) eligible to enroll in TRICARE Select 
under section 1075(b) of title 10, United States 
Code, by reason of being a member or former 
member of the covered Armed Forces, or a de-
pendent of such a member or former member; or 
(B) a member of the covered Armed Forces 
on active duty. 
(4) The terms ‘‘TRICARE program’’ and 
‘‘TRICARE Select’’ have the meanings given such 
terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 708. PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST CERTAIN MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPENDENTS 
WITH 
ADDITIONAL 
SUPPLEMENTAL 
COV-
ERAGE RELATING TO CANCER. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than September 30, 
2026, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot pro-
gram under which a covered individual may obtain supple-
mental insurance for noncovered expenses under a fixed in-
demnity supplemental benefit plan described in subsection 
(b)(1). 
(b) AGREEMENT.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram under subsection (a), the Secretary shall enter 
into an agreement with not more than two companies 
to each offer one or more fixed indemnity supple-
mental benefit plans that— 
(A) meet the requirements for a supple-
mental insurance plan under section 199.2 of 
title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, and the ex-
ception in section 199.8(b)(4) of such title, as in 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; 
(B) are provided under a separate policy, 
certificate, or contract; 
(C) provide no coordination with any other 
health benefit plan; and 
(D) are designed to help participants pay 
noncovered expenses. 
(2) DURATION.—An agreement entered into 
under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of at least 
three years. 
(3) REQUIREMENTS.—In entering an agreement 
under paragraph (1) with a company, the Sec-
retary— 
(A) may not select the company unless the 
company is licensed in each State; 
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(B) shall award the contract based on the 
expertise of the company; 
(C) shall negotiate the terms and conditions 
of the fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan 
provided under the contract, including with re-
spect to the ability of the company to commu-
nicate with individuals not enrolled in the plan 
and whether such communication may include 
information on other insurance products; 
(D) shall negotiate the cost of coverage with 
the company that will cover the participants who 
elect to enroll in such plan; 
(E) shall provide a method for verification 
of the eligibility of applicants and procedures for 
determination of eligibility; and 
(F) shall provide a method for payroll de-
duction of premiums. 
(4) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary 
shall provide information to covered individuals re-
garding the pilot program under subsection (a) by 
making available on the online portal of the 
TRICARE program the following information: 
(A) A notice of availability of a fixed in-
demnity supplemental benefit plan provided 
under the pilot program. 
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(B) A description of how to enroll in such 
plan. 
(C) A description and explanation of the 
benefits provided under such plan. 
(D) A description of the costs to the indi-
vidual through premiums and remittances to a 
company providing such plan. 
(c) ELECTION TO ENROLL.—A covered individual may 
elect to enroll in a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit 
plan provided under the pilot program under subsection 
(a). 
(d) LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated 
by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 
or any fiscal year thereafter to carry out the pilot program 
may be used to subsidize the cost of a fixed indemnity sup-
plemental benefit plan provided under the pilot program 
under subsection (a). 
(e) TREATMENT OF COMPANIES.—For purposes of the 
pilot program under subsection (a), companies selected to 
carry out the activities in subsection (b) shall not be consid-
ered contractors of the Federal Government. 
(f) PREEMPTION.—The provisions of this section shall 
supersede the laws of any State except with respect to State 
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laws relating to licensing of an insurance company or plan 
solvency of such a company. 
(g) REPORT.—Not later than three years after the date 
on which the pilot program under subsection (a) com-
mences, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report regarding such pilot program, including the 
following: 
(1) A description of the insurance products pro-
vided through a fixed indemnity supplemental benefit 
plan provided under the pilot program under sub-
section (a). 
(2) The number of covered individuals who en-
rolled in such a plan. 
(3) Feedback and examples of use cases by such 
individuals. 
(4) A determination by the Secretary with re-
spect to whether such pilot program should be made 
permanent. 
(h) SUNSET.—Unless the Secretary makes a deter-
mination under subsection (g)(4) to make the pilot program 
under subsection (a) permanent, the pilot program under 
subsection (a) shall terminate on the day that is five years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘covered individual’’ means the fol-
lowing: 
(A) A member of the Army, Navy, Marine 
Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. 
(B) A dependent (as defined in section 1072 
of title 10, United States Code) of such a member 
who is enrolled in the TRICARE program. 
(2) The term ‘‘noncovered expense’’ means, with 
respect to a covered individual, any expenses relating 
to the screening for and diagnosis and treatment of 
cancer that are not otherwise covered by the health 
care benefits the individuals receives under chapter 55 
of title 10, United States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 901 of title 32, United States Code. 
(4) The term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 709. MEDICAL TESTING AND RELATED SERVICES FOR 
FIREFIGHTERS 
OF 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
DE-
FENSE. 
(a) PROVISION
OF SERVICES.—During the annual 
periodic health assessment of each firefighter of the Depart-
ment of Defense, or at such other intervals as may be indi-
cated in this subsection, the Secretary shall provide to the 
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firefighter (at no cost to the firefighter) appropriate medical 
testing and related services to detect, document the presence 
or absence of, and prevent, certain cancers. Such services 
shall meet, at a minimum, the following criteria: 
(1) BREAST CANCER.—With respect to the breast 
cancer screening, if the firefighter is a female fire-
fighter— 
(A) such services shall include the provision 
of a mammogram to the firefighter— 
(i) on at least a biannual basis if the 
firefighter is 40 years old to 49 years old 
(inclusive); 
(ii) on at least an annual basis if the 
firefighter is at least 50 years old; and 
(iii) as clinically indicated (without 
regard to age); and 
(B) in connection with such provision, a li-
censed radiologist shall review the most recent 
mammogram provided to the firefighter, as com-
pared to prior mammograms so provided, and 
provide to the firefighter the results of such re-
view. 
(2) COLON CANCER.—With respect to colon can-
cer screening— 
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(A) if the firefighter is at least 40 years old, 
and as otherwise clinically indicated, such serv-
ices shall include the communication to the fire-
fighter of the risks and benefits of stool-based 
blood testing; 
(B) if the firefighter is at least 45 years old, 
and as clinically indicated (without regard to 
age), such services shall include the provision, at 
regular intervals, of visual examinations (such 
as a colonoscopy, CT colonoscopy, or flexible 
sigmoidoscopy) or stool-based blood testing; and 
(C) in connection with such provision, a li-
censed physician shall review and provide to the 
firefighter the results of such examination or test-
ing, as the case may be. 
(3) PROSTATE CANCER.—With respect to prostate 
cancer screening, if the firefighter is a male fire-
fighter, the communication to the firefighter of the 
risks and benefits of prostate cancer screenings and 
the provision to the firefighter of a prostate-specific 
antigen test— 
(A) on an annual basis, if the firefighter is 
at least 50 years old; 
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(B) on an annual basis, if the firefighter is 
at least 40 years old and is a high-risk indi-
vidual; and 
(C) as clinically indicated (without regard 
to age). 
(4) OTHER CANCERS.—Such services shall in-
clude routine screenings for any other cancer the risk 
or occurrence of which the Director of the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention has identified as 
higher among firefighters than among the general 
public, the provision of which shall be carried out 
during the annual periodic health assessment of the 
firefighter. 
(b) OPTIONAL NATURE.—A firefighter of the Depart-
ment of Defense may opt out of the receipt of a medical 
testing or related service provided under subsection (a). 
(c) USE OF CONSENSUS TECHNICAL STANDARDS.—In 
providing medical testing and related services under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall use consensus technical 
standards in accordance with section 12(d) of the National 
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 
U.S.C. 272 note). 
(d) DOCUMENTATION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—In providing medical testing 
and related services under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary— 
(A) shall document the acceptance rates of 
such tests offered and the rates of such tests per-
formed; 
(B) shall document tests results, to identify 
trends in the rates of cancer occurrences among 
firefighters; and 
(C) may collect and maintain additional 
information from the recipients of such tests and 
other services, to allow for appropriate scientific 
analysis. 
(2) PRIVACY.—In analyzing any information of 
an individual documented, collected, or maintained 
under paragraph (1), in addition to complying with 
other applicable privacy laws, the Secretary shall en-
sure the name, and any other personally identifiable 
information, of the individual is removed from such 
information prior to the analysis. 
(3) SHARING WITH CENTERS FOR DISEASE CON-
TROL AND PREVENTION.—The Secretary may share 
data from any tests performed under subsection (a) 
with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, as appropriate, to increase the 
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knowledge and understanding of cancer occurrences 
among firefighters. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘firefighter’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 707 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 
116–92; 133 Stat. 1441; 10 U.S.C. 1074m note). 
(2) The term ‘‘high-risk individual’’ means an 
individual who— 
(A) is African American; 
(B) has at least one first-degree relative who 
has been diagnosed with prostate cancer at an 
early age; or 
(C) is otherwise determined by the Sec-
retary to be high risk with respect to prostate 
cancer. 
Subtitle B—Health Care 
Administration 
SEC. 721. MILITARY-CIVILIAN MEDICAL SURGE PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 1096 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by adding at the end 
the following: ‘‘; medical surge program’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
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‘‘(e) MEDICAL SURGE PROGRAM.—(1) The Secretary 
shall carry out a program of record known as the Military- 
Civilian Medical Surge Program to— 
‘‘(A) support locations that the Secretary selects 
under paragraph (3); and 
‘‘(B) enhance the interoperability and medical 
surge capability and capacity of the National Dis-
aster Medical System in response to a declaration or 
other action described in subparagraphs (A) through 
(E) of paragraph (4). 
‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary, acting through the National 
Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health at the Uni-
formed Services University of the Health Sciences (or such 
successor center), shall oversee the operation, staffing, and 
deployment of the Program. 
‘‘(B) In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall 
maintain requirements for staffing, specialized training, re-
search, and education, regarding patient regulation, move-
ment, definitive care, and other matters the Secretary deter-
mines critical to sustaining the health of members of the 
armed forces. 
‘‘(3)(A) In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
shall establish partnerships at locations selected under sub-
paragraph (B) with public, private, and nonprofit health 
care organizations, health care institutions, health care en-
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tities, academic medical centers of institutions of higher 
education, and hospitals that the Secretary determines— 
‘‘(i) are critical in mobilizing a civilian medical 
response in support of a wartime contingency or other 
catastrophic event in the United States; and 
‘‘(ii) have demonstrated technical proficiency in 
critical national security domains, including high- 
consequence infectious disease and special pathogen 
preparedness, and matters relating to defense, con-
tainment, management, care, and transportation. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall select not fewer than eight 
locations that are operationally relevant to the missions of 
the Department of Defense under the National Disaster 
Medical System and are aeromedical or other transport 
hubs or logistics centers in the United States for partner-
ships under subparagraph (A). The Secretary may select 
more than eight locations, including locations outside of the 
continental United States, if the Secretary determines such 
additional locations cover areas of strategic and operational 
relevance to the Defense Department. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall ensure that the partnerships 
under paragraph (3)(A) allow for civilian medical per-
sonnel to quickly and effectively mobilize direct support to 
military medical treatment facilities and provide support 
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to other requirements of the military health system pursu-
ant to the following: 
‘‘(A) A declaration of a national emergency 
under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1621 
et seq.). 
‘‘(B) A public health emergency declared under 
section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d). 
‘‘(C) A declaration of war by Congress. 
‘‘(D) The President’s exercise of executive powers 
under the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et 
seq.). 
‘‘(E) Any other emergency or major disaster as 
declared by the President. 
‘‘(5)(A) The Secretary of Defense shall carry out the 
Program in collaboration with the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Sec-
retary of Transportation, and the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency. 
‘‘(B) Each official specified in subparagraph (A) shall 
prescribe regulations necessary to carry out the Program. 
‘‘(C) Not later than December 31, 2026, the officials 
specified in subparagraph (A) shall jointly issue an inter-
agency operations plan for the Program. 
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‘‘(D) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
authorize the Secretary of Defense to control, direct, limit, 
or otherwise affect the authorities of the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency with respect 
to medical preparedness and response, staffing levels, or re-
source allocation. 
‘‘(6) Beginning July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, 
the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
status, readiness, and operational capabilities of the Pro-
gram. Each report shall include an assessment of personnel 
readiness, resource availability, interagency coordination 
efforts, and recommendations for continued improvements 
to the Program. 
‘‘(7) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’ means the following: 
‘‘(i) The Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the 
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Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives. 
‘‘(ii) The Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs, and the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘institution of higher education’ 
means a four-year institution of higher education (as 
defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))). 
‘‘(C) The term ‘National Disaster Medical Sys-
tem’ means the system established under section 2812 
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh– 
11). 
‘‘(D) The term ‘Program’ means the Military-Ci-
vilian Medical Surge Program established under 
paragraph (1).’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Of the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 1405, as 
specified in the funding table in section 4501, there is au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense 
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out subsection (e) 
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401 
of section 1097 of title 10, United States Code, as added 
by subsection (a). 
SEC. 722. REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES RELAT-
ING TO SPECIALTY CARE FOR CERTAIN MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPEND-
ENTS. 
Section 1074i of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘In any case’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided by subsection (b), 
in any case’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking the heading and inserting 
‘‘SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS AND 
DEPENDENTS.—’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘The Secretary of Defense’’ 
and inserting ‘‘(1) The Secretary of Defense’’; 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1), as 
designated by subparagraph (B) of this para-
graph, the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) With respect to members of the armed forces on 
active duty and their dependents, the Secretary shall ad-
minister subsection (a) by substituting ‘50 miles’ for ‘100 
miles’.’’. 
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SEC. 723. PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS FOR OUTPATIENT SERV-
ICES FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Section 1079(i) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (5); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (4): 
‘‘(4)(A) In addition to amounts paid under paragraph 
(2), the Secretary shall pay an annual payment adjustment 
to a children’s hospital for outpatient services if the Sec-
retary determines that, with respect to the year covered by 
the payment adjustment, the hospital meets one or more of 
the following criteria: 
‘‘(i) 10 percent or more of the revenue of the hos-
pital comes from services provided to covered individ-
uals under the TRICARE program. 
‘‘(ii) The hospital received not fewer than 10,000 
visits by covered individuals that were paid under 
paragraph (2). 
‘‘(iii) The hospital has been determined by the 
Secretary to be essential for operations of the 
TRICARE program. 
‘‘(B) The amount of the annual payment adjustment 
paid to a children’s hospital under subparagraph (A) shall 
be the amount that is 30 percent of payments made under 
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the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (or successor 
system) to the children’s hospital under paragraph (2) dur-
ing the year covered by the annual payment adjustment for 
outpatient services provided to covered individuals. 
‘‘(C) In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) The term ‘children’s hospital’ means a pro-
vider of services provided under a plan covered by 
this section that is a children’s hospital. 
‘‘(ii) The term ‘covered individual’ means a 
member of the armed forces serving on active duty or 
a dependent of such a member.’’. 
(b) METHODOLOGY
AND REGULATIONS.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall— 
(1) develop a payment methodology to determine 
the amounts required to be paid under paragraph (4) 
of section 1079(i) of title 10, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a); and 
(2) prescribe joint regulations to carry out such 
payments that are separate from the regulations con-
cerning outpatient prospective payments pursuant to 
paragraph (2) of such section. 
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SEC. 724. VERIFICATION OF LICENSURE OF HEALTH-CARE 
PROFESSIONALS OF THE MILITARY DEPART-
MENTS. 
Subsection (b) of section 1094 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b)(1) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each 
individual who provides health care independently as a 
health-care professional at a health care facility of the De-
partment of Defense meets the requirement of subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall establish a centralized credential system that allows 
the commanding officer of a health care facility of the De-
partment to verify the licensure of a health-care profes-
sional, regardless of the location of the facility or the armed 
force in which the health-care professional serves. The Sec-
retary shall ensure that not less than 90 percent of such 
verifications are completed within seven days of the date 
on which the commanding officer requests such verification 
if the request does not relate to a health-care professional 
with an adverse record.’’. 
SEC. 725. EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE LICENSE PORT-
ABILITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL 
GUARD PERFORMING TRAINING OR DUTY. 
Section 1094(d)(3)(B) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘under section 502(f) of title 32 in 
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response to an actual or potential disaster’’ and inserting 
‘‘under title 32’’. 
SEC. 726. LICENSURE REQUIREMENT FOR HEALTH-CARE 
PROFESSIONALS OF PARTNER COUNTRIES. 
Section 1094(e) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, or the official agency of the government 
of a partner country; and’’; and 
(2) by inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) The term ‘partner country’ means any of 
the following: 
‘‘(A) Australia. 
‘‘(B) Canada. 
‘‘(C) New Zealand. 
‘‘(D) United Kingdom. 
‘‘(E) Any other country designated as a 
partner country by the Secretary of Defense for 
the purposes of this section.’’. 
SEC. 727. MODIFICATION OF LIMITATION ON REDUCTION 
OF 
MILITARY 
MEDICAL 
MANNING 
END 
STRENGTH. 
Section 741 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117– 
263; 136 Stat. 2395; 10 U.S.C. 129c note) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘five-year pe-
riod’’ both places it appears and inserting ‘‘10-year 
period’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Not later 
than two years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act,’’ and inserting ‘‘During each of 2024 
and 2029,’’; and 
(B) in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking 
‘‘three years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act,’’ both places it appears and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2030,’’. 
SEC. 728. PROHIBITION ON PAINFUL RESEARCH ON DOMES-
TIC CATS AND DOGS. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—Except as provided by subsection 
(b) or (c), the Secretary of Defense may not conduct, or 
support the conduct of, painful research on a domestic cat 
(Felis catus) or a domestic dog (Canis familiaris). 
(b) EXCEPTION.—The prohibition in subsection (a) 
shall not apply with respect to any physical exam, training 
program, or study relating to service animals or military 
animals. 
(c) WAIVER.—The Secretary of Defense may waive the 
prohibition in subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis if the 
Secretary— 
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(1) determines that the waiver is in the national 
security interests of the United States; and 
(2) not later than 30 days after the date on 
which the Secretary makes the waiver, submits to the 
congressional defense committees a detailed justifica-
tion for the waiver, including— 
(A) an identification of the Department of 
Defense account from which funds would be obli-
gated or expended to conduct, or support the con-
duct of, the proposed research covered by the 
waiver; 
(B) an identification of the amount of such 
funds; 
(C) an identification of the intended pur-
pose of such funds; 
(D) an identification of the recipient or 
prospective recipient of such funds (including 
any nongovernmental recipient, as applicable); 
(E) an explanation for how the waiver is in 
the national security interests of the United 
States; and 
(F) any other information the Secretary de-
termines appropriate. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘military animal’’ has the mean-
ing given the term in section 2583(i)(1) of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘painful research’’ includes any re-
search, biomedical training, experimentation, or bio-
logical testing, classified in pain category D or E by 
the Department of Agriculture. 
(3) The term ‘‘service animal’’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 37.3 of title 49, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, or such successor regulation. 
SEC. 729. PILOT PROGRAM TO TEST STANDALONE TECH-
NOLOGY TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES IN SUP-
PLY-CHAIN MANAGEMENT, MEDICAL READI-
NESS, AND MEDICAL PROCESSES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of De-
fense, acting through the Director of the Defense Health 
Agency, shall carry out a pilot program to test and evaluate 
existing standalone technologies to assess whether such tech-
nologies accomplish the following: 
(1) Improving efficiencies in medical supply- 
chain management and in military medical readi-
ness. 
(2) Streamlining medical processes. 
(3) Improving recordation accuracy. 
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(4) Reducing rates of needlestick injury. 
(5) Enhancing retention rates of military health 
care providers. 
(b) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
pilot program for a five-year period. 
SEC. 730. AVAILABILITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAM-
INER 
SERVICES 
AT 
MILITARY 
MEDICAL 
TREATMENT FACILITIES. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall ensure that each military medical treatment facility 
maintains, at all times, the continuous availability of at 
least one qualified sexual assault nurse examiner to provide 
forensic medical examinations and related care to sexual 
assault survivors. 
(b) USE OF CONTRACTS TO MEET REQUIREMENT.— 
The Secretary may satisfy the requirement in subsection (a) 
with respect to a military medical treatment facility if the 
Secretary enters into a contract or other agreement with 
a private provider under which the provider ensures the 
continuous availability of a qualified sexual assault nurse 
examiner to provide services at that facility. In entering 
into such a contract or other agreement, the Secretary shall 
ensure the following: 
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(1) A qualified sexual assault nurse examiner is 
on call 24 hours per day and will arrive at the facil-
ity not later than two hours after being called. 
(2) The qualified sexual assault nurse examiners 
are located— 
(A) not more than 25 miles by road from 
the facility; or 
(B) within a 30-minute emergency response 
travel time under normal conditions from the fa-
cility. 
(3) The qualified sexual assault nurse examiners 
meet or exceed all credentialing, training, and certifi-
cation standards that the Secretary would otherwise 
apply to a sexual assault nurse examiner employed 
directly by the Department of Defense. 
(c) INFORMATION.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— 
(1) issue updated policy guidance of the Depart-
ment implementing the requirements of subsections 
(a) and (b), including standard language for con-
tracts or other agreements under subsection (b); and 
(2) submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a re-
port detailing— 
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(A) the status of sexual assault nurse exam-
iner staffing at each military medical treatment 
facility; 
(B) any contracts or other agreements en-
tered into under subsection (b), including the 
names and locations of providers; 
(C) the average response times for sexual as-
sault nurse examiners and any gaps in coverage 
experienced during the one-year period preceding 
the report; and 
(D) plans to address any identified short-
falls in service availability. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘military medical treatment facil-
ity’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
1073c of title 10, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘sexual assault nurse examiner’’ 
means a registered nurse who has received specialized 
training and certification in the forensic examination 
of sexual assault survivors and the collection of foren-
sic evidence, in accordance with standards established 
by the International Association of Forensic Nurses or 
an equivalent certifying body. 
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SEC. 731. UNIFORM PROTOCOLS ON SCREENING FOR UN-
WANTED SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. 
(a) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense 
Health Agency, in coordination with the Assistant Sec-
retary of Defense for Health Affairs and the Under Sec-
retary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall develop 
comprehensive written guidance establishing uniform proto-
cols for providing a screening for unwanted sexual behavior 
to patients at military medical treatment facilities. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
on which the Director issues the guidance under subsection 
(a), the Director shall submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report containing the following: 
(1) An assessment of the extent to which each 
military medical treatment facility has implemented 
the guidance. 
(2) Aggregate, de-identified data on screening 
rates, positive-screen rates, and referral follow- 
through. 
(3) Any planned revisions to the guidance. 
(c) SCREENING FOR UNWANTED SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘screening for un-
wanted sexual behavior’’ means the use of standardized, evi-
dence-based questions or instruments to detect whether an 
individual has been subject to any sexual contact or inter-
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action to which the individual did not or could not freely 
consent, including harassment, coercion, assault, or abuse. 
SEC. 732. ACCESS TO SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMI-
NATIONS FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND 
CONTRACTORS. 
Section 1725(b) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 10 U.S.C. 
1561 note) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(or other individual cov-
ered under paragraph (3))’’ after ‘‘patient of the 
facility’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘(or other such individ-
ual’s need)’’ after ‘‘patient’s need’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) ACCESS TO SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EX-
AMINERS.—In addition to furnishing sexual assault 
forensic examinations to patients of military medical 
treatment facilities, the Secretary of Defense shall en-
sure that civilian employees and contractors of the 
Department of Defense are furnished sexual assault 
forensic examinations at military medical treatment 
facilities (including such facilities located outside the 
United States) following an allegation of sexual as-
sault, regardless of whether the employee or contractor 
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is otherwise eligible for health care under chapter 55 
of title 10, United States Code.’’. 
SEC. 733. MANDATORY TRAINING ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF 
PERFLUOROALKYL 
OR 
POLYFLUOROALKYL 
SUBSTANCES. 
The Secretary of Defense shall provide to each health 
care provider of the Department of Defense mandatory 
training 
regarding 
the 
potential 
health 
effects 
of 
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. 
Subtitle C—Studies, Briefings, 
Reports, and Other Matters 
SEC. 741. MILITARY MEDICAL COOPERATION ARRANGE-
MENTS AMONG FIVE EYES COUNTRIES. 
Subchapter II of chapter 138 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 2350t. Military medical cooperation arrangements 
among Five Eyes countries 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Defense may enter 
into a bilateral or multilateral memorandum of under-
standing or other formal agreement with one or more gov-
ernments of the Five Eyes countries to support military 
medical cooperation or improve operational medical inter-
operability. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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‘‘(1) The term ‘Five Eyes countries’ means the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Australia. 
‘‘(B) Canada. 
‘‘(C) New Zealand. 
‘‘(D) The United Kingdom. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘military medical cooperation’ 
means any of the following: 
‘‘(A) Information exchange. 
‘‘(B) Medical interoperability, including 
credentialing of health care personnel. 
‘‘(C) Medical education, training, exercises, 
and evaluation. 
‘‘(D) Medical research, development, trials, 
and evaluation. 
‘‘(E) Biodefense, including with respect to 
prevention, preparation, response, and investiga-
tion. 
‘‘(F) Medical logistics, including the rec-
ognition of MedCM, drugs and medical equip-
ment. 
‘‘(G) Patient movement. 
‘‘(H) Any other areas for cooperation des-
ignated by the Secretary of Defense. 
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‘‘(3) The term ‘military medicine’ means any of 
the following: 
‘‘(A) Combat casualty care including trau-
ma, 
‘‘(B) Military infectious disease. 
‘‘(C) Chemical, biological, radiological, and 
nuclear medical support. 
‘‘(D) Deployed health care delivery. 
‘‘(E) Public health, health readiness, and 
force health protection. 
‘‘(F) Mental health. 
‘‘(G) Humanitarian response. 
‘‘(H) Anomalous health incidents. 
‘‘(I) Mass casualty management. 
‘‘(J) Any other areas of military medicine 
designated by the Secretary of Defense.’’. 
SEC. 742. STRATEGY FOR TREATING TRAUMATIC BRAIN IN-
JURIES THROUGH DIGITAL HEALTH TECH-
NOLOGIES. 
Section 735 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117– 
263; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as 
subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and 
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(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(e) DIGITAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES.— 
‘‘(1) WORKING GROUP.—As part of the Initia-
tive, the Secretary shall establish a working group to 
develop a strategy for treating traumatic brain inju-
ries through digital health technologies. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The working group shall be 
composed of members of the Armed Forces, civilian 
employees of the Department of Defense, and individ-
uals not employed by the Federal Government, who 
have expertise in traumatic brain injury clinical 
care, biomedical informatics, engineering, or imple-
mentation science. 
‘‘(3) ELEMENTS.—The strategy developed under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) Identification of capability gaps in the 
treatment of traumatic brain injuries that could 
be addressed through artificial intelligence and 
digital health technologies. 
‘‘(B) An analysis of existing research, devel-
opment, and acquisition efforts leveraging artifi-
cial intelligence-based capabilities and digital 
health technologies, including any applicable 
commercial off-the-shelf solutions being used by 
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the Secretary to support the treatment of trau-
matic brain injuries. 
‘‘(C) Recommendations with respect to ad-
vances required to— 
‘‘(i) address gaps identified under sub-
paragraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) significantly improve the treat-
ment of traumatic brain injuries using arti-
ficial intelligence and digital health tech-
nologies. 
‘‘(D) A recommended investment plan to 
advance technology and knowledge readiness lev-
els to field digital health technologies to treat 
traumatic brain injuries. 
‘‘(4) BRIEFING.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, the Secretary 
shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate a brief-
ing on the strategy developed under paragraph (1).’’. 
SEC. 743. REPORT ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES AMONG 
CERTAIN PILOTS SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report that 
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contains a study determining whether, and to what extent, 
members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty as pi-
lots suffer from traumatic brain injury resulting from the 
cumulative effects of high-speed maneuvers, catapult 
launches, and other repetitive actions potentially harmful 
to brain health as a result of such service. 
(b) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The report under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) The results of the study under subsection (a). 
(2) A summary of existing policies and proce-
dures of the Department of Defense, as of the date of 
the report, for identifying, documenting, and treating 
mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury 
among pilots. 
(3) A strategy to better identify, document, and 
treat mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain in-
jury among pilots. 
(4) Recommendations of the Secretary with re-
spect to potential regulatory and legislative actions to 
address challenges in identifying, documenting, and 
treating mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain 
injury among pilots. 
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SEC. 744. STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND MORTALITY OF CAN-
CER AMONG MILITARY ROTARY-WING PILOTS 
AND AVIATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Director of the Defense 
Health Agency, in coordination with the Directors of the 
National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer In-
stitute, shall conduct a study among covered individuals in 
two phases as provided by this section. 
(b) INITIAL PHASE OF STUDY.— 
(1) GOAL OF INITIAL PHASE.—Under the initial 
phase of the study under subsection (a), the Director 
of the Defense Health Agency shall determine, for each 
cancer specified in paragraph (2), whether there is an 
increased prevalence of, or increased rate of mortality 
caused by, such cancer for covered individuals as 
compared to similarly aged individuals in the general 
population (or, in the case of the cancer specified in 
paragraph (2)(B), for female covered individuals as 
compared to similarly aged women in the general 
population). 
(2) CANCERS SPECIFIED.—The cancers specified 
in this paragraph are the following: 
(A) Brain cancer. 
(B) Breast cancer. 
(C) Colon and rectal cancer. 
(D) Kidney cancer. 
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(E) Lung cancer. 
(F) Melanoma. 
(G) Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 
(H) Ovarian cancer. 
(I) Pancreatic cancer. 
(J) Prostate cancer. 
(K) Testicular cancer. 
(L) Urinary bladder cancer. 
(3) REPORT ON INITIAL PHASE.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Director of the Defense Health Agency shall sub-
mit to the appropriate congressional committees a re-
port on the findings of the phase of the study under 
this subsection. 
(c) SECOND PHASE OF STUDY.— 
(1) GOAL OF SECOND PHASE.—If, pursuant to 
the phase of the study under subsection (b), the Direc-
tor of the Defense Health Agency determines there is 
an increased prevalence of, or increased mortality 
rate caused by, any cancer specified in subsection 
(b)(2) among covered individuals (or, with respect to 
the cancer specified in subsection (b)(2)(B), among fe-
male covered individuals), the Director shall conduct 
a second phase of the study to— 
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(A) identify any carcinogenic toxin or other 
hazardous material associated with the operation 
of military rotary-wing aircraft, such as fumes, 
fuels, or other liquids; 
(B) identify any operating environment, in-
cluding frequencies or electromagnetic fields, in 
which covered individuals may have received ex-
cess exposure to non-ionizing radiation in the 
course of such operation, including non-ionizing 
radiation associated with airborne, ground, or 
shipboard radars; and 
(C) identify potential exposures as a result 
of military service by covered individuals to car-
cinogenic toxins or other hazardous materials 
not associated with the operation of military ro-
tary-wing aircraft (such as exposure to burn 
pits, toxins in contaminated water, or toxins em-
bedded in soils), including by determining— 
(i) the locations of such service; and 
(ii) any duties of covered individuals 
unrelated to such operation and associated 
with an increased prevalence of, or in-
creased mortality rate caused by, cancer. 
(2) REPORT ON SECOND PHASE.—If the Director 
of the Defense Health Agency conducts the phase of 
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the study under this subsection, not later than one 
year after the date on which the Director submits the 
report under subsection (b)(3), the Director shall sub-
mit to the appropriate congressional committees a re-
port on the findings of such phase. 
(3) DATA FORMAT.—The Director of the Defense 
Health Agency shall format any data resulting from 
the phase of the study under this subsection consistent 
with the formatting of data under the Surveillance, 
Epidemiology, and End Results program, including 
by disaggregating such data by race, gender, and age. 
(d) SOURCES
OF DATA.—In conducting the study 
under this section, the Director of the Defense Health Agen-
cy shall use data from— 
(1) the database of the Surveillance, Epidemi-
ology, and End Results program; 
(2) the study conducted under section 750 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (Public Law 116–283; 134 Stat. 3716); and 
(3) any other study previously conducted by the 
Secretary of a military department that the Director 
determines relevant for purposes of this section. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
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(A) the Committee on Armed Services and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
(3) The term ‘‘covered individual’’ means any 
individual who— 
(A) served in a covered Armed Force on or 
after February 28, 1961, as an aircrew member 
of a rotary-wing aircraft (including as a pilot or 
aviation support personnel), without regard to 
the status, position, rank, or grade of the indi-
vidual within such crew; and 
(B) receives health care benefits under chap-
ter 55 of title 10, United States Code. 
(4) The term ‘‘Surveillance, Epidemiology, and 
End Results program’’ means the program of the Na-
tional Cancer Institute referred to in section 
399B(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (40 
U.S.C. 280e(d)(1)), or any successor program. 
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SEC. 745. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF SERVICE IN THE SPECIAL 
OPERATIONS FORCES TO HEALTH OF MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
conduct a five-year longitudinal study on the evaluation 
and treatment of traumatic brain injuries and other inju-
ries to provide analyses, findings, and recommendations 
with respect to extending the health span of members of spe-
cial operations forces. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An evaluation of various exposure factors, in-
cluding environmental, injury, and disease, to iden-
tify and quantify the relationship of such exposure to 
long-term health. 
(2) An identification of sensitive and rapid bio-
markers related to injury and outcomes at the acute, 
subacute, and chronic level that translate to practical 
injury mitigation. 
(3) The characterizing and analysis of the fac-
tors associated with mitigating initial injury, en-
hancing force resilience, and optimizing long-term 
outcomes. 
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(4) An identification of the critical pre-service 
and post-service related issues that affect long-term 
health span. 
(5) An identification of the factors associated 
with early aging at the patient facing and cellular 
level to identify targets for potential therapeutics and 
interventions. 
(6) Any other elements as determined appro-
priate by the Secretary. 
(c) PROGRESS REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date on which the Secretary commences the study 
under subsection (a), and annually thereafter during the 
duration of the study, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate a progress report of activities con-
ducted under the study during the period covered by the 
report. 
(d) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date on which the Secretary completes the study under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report containing the findings of the study and 
recommendations based on the study, including information 
regarding— 
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(1) identification of health trajectories associated 
with a career serving as a member of the special oper-
ations forces; 
(2) modifiable and nonmodifiable factors, includ-
ing biomarkers, disease processes, and social deter-
minants of health, associated with life-span trajec-
tories and an increase in force readiness; 
(3) any recommendations to alter health trajec-
tories and improve force resilience and long-term 
health span in active and retired members of the spe-
cial operations forces; and 
(4) processes to integrate factors that affect the 
health of an individual before serving in the special 
operations forces, including with respect to the expo-
sure history and health trajectory of the individual, 
into simple scores that can be use to improve the care 
of active and retired members of the special oper-
ations forces. 
(e) SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘special operations forces’’ means the 
forces described in section 167(j) of title 10, United States 
Code. 
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SEC. 746. PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF FISH SKIN REGEN-
ERATION PRODUCTS IN TREATING BURN AND 
BLAST INJURIES. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Defense may 
carry out a pilot program to— 
(1) evaluate the efficacy of fish skin regeneration 
products in treating burn and blast injuries of mem-
bers of the Armed Forces; and 
(2) with respect to such products, assess the clin-
ical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and potential benefits 
for long-term recovery and military readiness. 
(b) LOCATION.—If the Secretary carries out the pilot 
program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out 
the pilot program at the Walter Reed National Military 
Medical Center. 
(c) DURATION.—If the Secretary carries out the pilot 
program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out 
the pilot program for three years. 
(d) REPORTS.—Not later than one year after the date 
on which the Secretary commences the pilot program under 
subsection (a), and annually thereafter during the life of 
the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a report on the pilot program. 
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SEC. 747. PILOT PROGRAM ON REMOTE BLOOD PRESSURE 
MONITORING FOR CERTAIN PREGNANT AND 
POST-PARTUM TRICARE BENEFICIARIES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense, acting through the Defense Health Agency, shall 
establish a pilot program on blood pressure moni-
toring 
for 
at-risk 
pregnant 
and 
postpartum 
TRICARE beneficiaries in order to increase the rate 
of early detection of hypertensive disorder related to 
pregnancy and postpartum. 
(2) MODEL.—The Secretary may model the pilot 
program on a pilot program for blood pressure self- 
monitoring of the Healthy Start Program operated by 
the Health Resources and Services Administration of 
the Department of Health and Human Services. 
(b) SITES.—The Secretary shall select sites for the 
pilot program in accordance with the following: 
(1) The pilot program shall operate at not fewer 
than two military medical treatment facilities of each 
of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and 
Space Force. 
(2) Sites shall be geographically diverse, includ-
ing locations in rural and urban areas. 
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(3) The Secretary shall give priority to a mili-
tary medical treatment facility that has a large num-
ber of obstetric patients or a history of maternal 
health programs. 
(c) PARTICIPANTS.— 
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—An eligible participant for the 
pilot program, is an individual— 
(A) who is enrolled in TRICARE; 
(B) who is pregnant or postpartum; 
(C) who receives health care through a mili-
tary medical treatment facility selected under 
subsection (b); and 
(D) whom the Secretary determines is at 
risk (based on evidence and current medical 
standards and recommendations) of a hyper-
tensive disorder of pregnancy or negative health 
outcomes as a result of a hypertensive disorder 
of pregnancy. 
(2) VOLUNTARY.—Participation in the pilot pro-
gram shall be voluntary. 
(d) EQUIPMENT.—A participant in the pilot program 
shall receive— 
(1) a device approved by the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration for the digital monitoring of blood pres-
sure, validated by the Food and Drug Administration 
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for use during pregnancy, capable of remote moni-
toring and data transmission, has adjustable or alter-
native cuff sizes; and 
(2) educational materials and instructions on 
the use of such device from a health care provider of 
the Department of Defense. 
(e) PROVIDERS.—In carrying out the pilot program, 
the Secretary shall use primary care and obstetric care pro-
viders of eligible participants, to the extent practicable. 
(f) MATERIALS.—The Secretary shall develop sup-
porting materials for health care providers who facilitate 
the pilot program, including the following: 
(1) Guidance on how to identify eligible partici-
pants for the pilot program. 
(2) Evidence-based educational materials regard-
ing maternal health best practices for eligible partici-
pants. 
(g) TERM.—The pilot program shall terminate five 
years after the date on which the Secretary establishes such 
pilot program. 
(h) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the termi-
nation of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Rep-
resentatives and Senate a report on the pilot program, and 
publish such report on the website of the Department of De-
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fense. The report shall include the following elements, 
disaggregated by the Armed Force, sex, age, race, and eth-
nicity of participants: 
(1) The number of participants in the pilot pro-
gram. 
(2) The percentage of such participants who used 
the monitors as prescribed. 
(3) A summary of barriers or challenges partici-
pants experienced using the monitors and if they re-
sulted in underutilization. 
(4) The percentage of participants who had blood 
pressure readings of concern. 
(5) The percentage of participants described in 
paragraph (4) who received medical attention based 
on such readings. 
(6) A summary of provider and participant feed-
back, including percentages of— 
(A) providers that found the program influ-
enced patient care; and 
(B) participants who found the program 
was helpful in managing their own care. 
(7) Recommendations of the Secretary whether 
the pilot program should be altered, expanded, or 
made permanent. 
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SEC. 748. PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP CERTAIN MEMBERS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES STOP SMOKING. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
may carry out a one-year pilot program to furnish, to cov-
ered members, the alternatives to smoking specified in sub-
section (b) in order— 
(1) to help such covered members stop smoking; 
and 
(2) to improve the health of such covered mem-
bers. 
(b) ALTERNATIVES TO SMOKING.—The alternatives to 
smoking specified in this subsection are: 
(1) Counseling. 
(2) Nicotine gum. 
(3) Nicotine patches. 
(4) Electric nicotine delivery systems. 
(c) PARTICIPATION.—If the Secretary carries out such 
a pilot program, the pilot program shall operate— 
(1) in not less than one covered Armed Force; 
and 
(2) at not less than one military installation at 
which covered members serve in numbers that exceed 
the national average for each of the following: 
(A) Smoking cigarettes or other combustible 
tobacco products. 
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(B) Population of Black Americans. 
(C) Population of Asian and Pacific Is-
lander Americans. 
(D) Population of Hispanic Americans. 
(E) Population of Appalachian Americans. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the termi-
nation of such a pilot program, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
House of Representatives, a report regarding the results of 
the pilot program. Elements of such report shall include the 
determination of the Secretary regarding— 
(1) whether the pilot program helped covered 
members stop smoking; 
(2) the alternatives specified in subsection (b) 
that are most effective in helping covered members to 
stop smoking; 
(3) gaps in health care services available to cov-
ered members who belong to the populations described 
in subsection (c)(2); and 
(4) the recommendation of the Secretary whether 
to expand, extend, or make permanent the pilot pro-
gram. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered member’’ means a member 
of a covered Armed Force— 
(A) serving on active duty; and 
(B) who smokes at least one cigarette (or 
other combustible tobacco product) per week. 
SEC. 749. PILOT PROGRAM ON SECURE, MOBILE PERSONAL 
HEALTH RECORD FOR MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED 
FORCES 
PARTICIPATING 
IN 
THE 
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense shall commence carrying out a pilot program under 
which members of the Armed Forces who are serving on ac-
tive duty and receiving benefits or services under the Tran-
sition Assistance Program are able to use a covered health 
record platform to collect their medical records before sepa-
rating from active duty. 
(b) SELECTION OF ARMED FORCES.—The Secretary 
shall select not less than one Armed Force in which to carry 
out the pilot program under subsection (a). 
(c) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall seek to 
enter into a contract using competitive procedures 
with an appropriate entity, as determined by the Sec-
retary, for the provision of the covered health record 
platform under the pilot program under subsection 
(a). 
(2) NOTICE OF COMPETITION.—Not later than 60 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall issue a request for proposals for the 
contract described in paragraph (1). Such request 
shall be full and open to any contractor that has an 
existing covered health record platform. 
(3) SELECTION.—Not later than 120 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall award a contract to an appropriate entity pur-
suant to the request for proposals under paragraph 
(2) if at least one acceptable offer from such an entity 
is submitted. 
(d) DURATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out 
the pilot program under subsection (a) for a period 
of not less than one year. 
(2) TERMINATION
OR
EXTENSION
OF
PRO-
GRAM.—At the end of the one-year period specified in 
paragraph (1), the Secretary may— 
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(A) terminate the pilot program under sub-
section (a); 
(B) continue the pilot program; 
(C) expand the pilot program; or 
(D) implement the use of a covered health 
record platform in the Transition Assistance 
Program throughout the Armed Forces. 
(e) PROHIBITION ON NEW APPROPRIATIONS.—No ad-
ditional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out the requirements of this section. Such requirements shall 
be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized to be ap-
propriated for the Department of Defense. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered health record platform’’ 
means a secure personal health record platform that 
meets the following requirements: 
(A) Has web-based and native mobile phone 
app capabilities. 
(B) Has the capability to store and share 
records with the Department of Veterans Affairs 
or any other designated care provider. 
(C) Has the capability to store records in 
the cloud. 
(D) Does not have a requirement for inte-
gration to receive or share records. 
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(E) Has the capability to instantly share 
data based on a combination of access key and 
personal identifier. 
(F) Has the capability to provide secure 
data storage and records transfer upon separa-
tion of a member of the Armed Forces from ac-
tive duty. 
(G) Does not require a business associate 
agreement with any parties. 
(H) Has secure data isolation with access 
controls. 
(I) Has, at a minimum, data security that 
would require separate encryption for each docu-
ment, relying on AES256 or better algorithm 
with keys encryption using RSA2048 or better 
algorithm, or any successor similar algorithm. 
(2) The term ‘‘Transition Assistance Program’’ 
means the program of the Department of Defense for 
preparation counseling, employment assistance, and 
other transitional services provided under sections 
1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code. 
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SEC. 750. REPORT ON TRANSITIONING OF MAIL-ORDER 
PHARMACY PROGRAM OF TRICARE PROGRAM 
TO AN IN-HOUSE MAIL ORDER SERVICE. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a report on the feasibility 
and advisability of transitioning the contractor-operated 
mail-order pharmacy program of the TRICARE program 
to a service provided directly by the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include an analysis of the following with respect to the tran-
sition described in such subsection: 
(1) Costs, including administrative costs, dis-
pensing fees, and administrative overhead. 
(2) Structure and staffing. 
(3) The effect on beneficiaries under the 
TRICARE program, including regarding delivery 
times and quality. 
(4) The feasibility and advisability of combining 
the 
mail-order 
pharmacy 
functions 
under 
the 
TRICARE program with the mail-order pharmacy 
functions of the Veterans Health Administration of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
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(c) TRICARE PROGRAM DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 751. STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH 
OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) PLAN.—The Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
with each Secretary of a military department and the Di-
rector of the Defense Health Agency, shall develop a stra-
tegic plan to address suicide by members of the Armed 
Forces and the mental health services provided to members. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) Developing and enforcing uniform protocols 
with respect to— 
(A) the regulations prescribed for the self- 
initiated referral process under section 1090b(e) 
of title 10, United States Code, for members of 
the Armed Forces seeking mental health evalua-
tions; 
(B) the provision of information, including 
through workplace posters, flyers, and advertise-
ments, to ensure members are aware of such re-
ferral process. 
(2) Standardized mental health training for 
members of the Armed Forces, including— 
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(A) specialized training for commanders, 
senior enlisted leaders, and medical personnel on 
identifying and addressing mental health con-
cerns; 
(B) the development of a certification proc-
ess based on completion of training with docu-
mented proof of compliance; 
(C) how to respond when a member initi-
ates the referral process under section 1090b(e) of 
title 10, United States Code; and 
(D) how to recognize signs indicating men-
tal health distress. 
TITLE VIII—ACQUISITION POL-
ICY, ACQUISITION MANAGE-
MENT, AND RELATED MAT-
TERS 
Subtitle A—Acquisition Policy and 
Management 
SEC. 801. MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR COV-
ERED WEAPON SYSTEMS. 
(a) AUTHORITY FOR MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT.— 
Subject to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code, the 
Secretary of the Defense shall enter into one or more 
multiyear contracts for the procurement of a covered weap-
on system if— 
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(1) a decision has been made to move such cov-
ered weapon system to full-rate production; and 
(2) such covered weapon system is projected to 
maintain full-rate production for a period of five or 
more consecutive years after entering into such a con-
tract. 
(b) WAIVER.—The Secretary of Defense may waive the 
requirements of subsection (a) if the Secretary determines 
that the projected threat environment in which the covered 
weapon system is to be fielded has changed in a manner 
such that the procurement of such system is no longer nec-
essary. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—This section and the require-
ments of this section shall apply with respect to a multiyear 
contract for the procurement of a covered weapon system 
entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(d) COVERED WEAPON SYSTEM DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘covered weapon system’’ means a major 
weapon system (as defined in section 3455 of title 10, 
United States Code)— 
(1) for which the budget justification documents 
submitted by the Secretary in accordance with section 
4205 of title 10, United States Code, state that the 
planned procurement schedule, conducted at the most 
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effective production rate (as defined in such section), 
will require 36 months or more to obtain the total 
quantity of units to be procured until procurement is 
complete; and 
(2) that is estimated by the Secretary of Defense 
to require an eventual total expenditure for procure-
ment, including all planned increments or spirals, of 
more than $1,000,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2025 
constant dollars). 
SEC. 802. ELIMINATION OF LATE COST AND PRICING DATA 
SUBMISSION DEFENSE. 
Section 3706(c) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) updates to cost or pricing data submitted by 
the prime contractor or subcontractor after the date of 
agreement on the price of the contract (or price of the 
modification) or, if applicable and if consistent with 
subsection (a)(2), such other date agreed upon between 
the parties, were based on data that was more than 
30 days old.’’. 
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SEC. 803. REPORTING OF PRICE INCREASES. 
Chapter 271 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3709. Reporting of increases above specified prices 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An offeror shall be required to sub-
mit to the relevant contracting officer a report, not later 
than 30 days after the offeror becomes aware that the price 
of a product or service under a covered contract reaches or 
exceeds an amount equal to— 
‘‘(1) 25 percent more than the price specified in 
the covered contract bid; 
‘‘(2) 25 percent more than the price the Govern-
ment paid for such product or service during the cal-
endar year immediately preceding the date on which 
the covered contract is entered into; or 
‘‘(3) 50 percent more than the price the Govern-
ment paid for such product or service at any time be-
fore the 5-year period preceding the date on which the 
covered contract is entered into. 
‘‘(b) NONCOMPLIANCE.—With respect to an offeror who 
fails to submit the report required under this section, the 
Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency or the rel-
evant service acquisition executive shall include in the Fed-
eral Awardee Performance and Integrity Information Sys-
tem (or any successor system) the following information: 
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‘‘(1) An identification of such offeror and the 
specific product or service to which such report should 
relate. 
‘‘(2) The National Stock Number of such product 
or service and the order quantity, unit cost, total cost, 
purchasing or reimbursing entity, and date of the 
order for such product or service. 
‘‘(c) COVERED CONTRACT DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘covered contract’ means a contract awarded using 
procedures other than competitive procedures under section 
3204 of this title or pursuant to section 6.302 of the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation.’’. 
SEC. 804. ASSUMPTION OF UNINSURABLE RISK ON CERTAIN 
CONTRACTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 281 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 3864. Assumption of uninsurable risk on certain 
contracts 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall en-
sure that a contractor is not required to assume the risk 
of loss for work in process under a covered contract if, due 
to classified nature of the performance of such contractor 
under such covered contract— 
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‘‘(1) such contractor is unable to obtain insur-
ance for such risk of loss from a commercial provider; 
or 
‘‘(2) a commercial provider is unable to process 
a claim of such contractor for loss of work in process 
under such covered contract. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—Subsection (a) shall not apply 
with respect to a loss of work in process under a covered 
contract to the extent that such loss— 
‘‘(1) occurs outside the period of performance for 
such work in process under such covered contract; or 
‘‘(2) results from gross misconduct by the con-
tractor. 
‘‘(c) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 
Supplement to carry out this section. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘classified contract’ means a con-
tract the performance of which requires a contractor 
performing under such contract, or an employee of 
such contractor, to have access to classified informa-
tion. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘covered contract’ means a classi-
fied, fixed-price type contract for the acquisition of a 
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product entered into by the Department of Defense 
after the enactment of this Act. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘work in process’, with respect to 
a contract, means a product to be delivered under 
such contract— 
‘‘(A) that is at any stage of production or 
manufacture; and 
‘‘(B) the delivery of which has not been ac-
cepted by the Government.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 
Supplement to carry out section 3864 of title 10, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
SEC. 805. CHANGES TO REFERENCE DOCUMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 361 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 4604. Changes to reference documents 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each contract or other agreement 
for the acquisition of any good or service entered into by 
the Department of Defense shall include for each external 
document referred to in such contract or other agreement 
a notation that— 
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‘‘(1) provides the version of such external docu-
ment that is applicable to such contract or other 
agreement; and 
‘‘(2) indicates whether any changes have been 
made to such external document after the issuance of 
the solicitation pursuant to which such contract or 
other agreement was entered into. 
‘‘(b) UNNOTATED DOCUMENTS.—If a contract or other 
agreement described in subsection (a) does not include the 
notation required under such subsection for an external doc-
ument referred to in such contract or other agreement, the 
version of the external document that shall apply with re-
spect to such contract or other agreement is the version in 
effect at the time of the issuance of the solicitation pursuant 
to which such contract or other agreement was entered into. 
‘‘(c) EXTERNAL DOCUMENT DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘external document’, with respect to a con-
tract or other agreement, means a document to which such 
contract or other agreement refers that— 
‘‘(1) is external to such contract or other agree-
ment; and 
‘‘(2) either— 
‘‘(A) contains or affects any material term 
of such contract or other agreement; or 
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‘‘(B) otherwise modifies the performance re-
quired under such contract or other agreement.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply only with respect to contracts and 
other agreements entered into after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 806. MAJOR SYSTEM COST GROWTH OVERSIGHT. 
(a) SHORTEN
NUNN-MCCURDY
BREACH
REPORT 
TIMELINE.—Section 4374 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘When a unit 
cost report’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than 30 days 
after a unit cost report’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘When a unit 
cost report’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than 30 days 
after a unit cost report’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph 
(2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF NOTIFICATION TO 
CONGRESS.—In the case of a determination based on 
a quarterly report submitted in accordance with sec-
tion 4372 of this title or a report submitted in accord-
ance with section 4373 of this title, the Secretary 
shall submit the notification to Congress within 30 
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days after the date on which the determination was 
made.’’. 
(b) END ITEM MAJOR SUBPROGRAM DESIGNATION.— 
Section 4203(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(C) If the Secretary of Defense determines 
that a major defense acquisition program re-
quires the delivery of two or more end items that 
are each estimated to require an eventual total 
expenditure for research, development, test, eval-
uation, operation, and support of more than 
$500,000,000, the Secretary shall designate each 
such end item as a major subprogram for the 
purposes of acquisition reporting under this sub-
part.’’. 
(c) OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT COST INCLUSION.— 
Section 4214(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘for the life cycle of such major de-
fense acquisition program or designated major subpro-
gram’’ before the period at the end. 
(d) CRITICAL COST GROWTH TERMINATION.—Section 
4376 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraphs: 
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‘‘(4) DELEGATION.—The Secretary may not dele-
gate the submission of a written certification under 
paragraph (1).’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) consideration of termination plans that 
maximize value, including— 
‘‘(A) immediate termination of the program 
with no further action; 
‘‘(B) termination of the program after com-
pletion of the end items in production and for 
which funds have been obligated or expended 
under the program as of the date that is the last 
day of the applicable 60-day period described in 
subsection (b)(1) for the program; 
‘‘(C) termination of the program after com-
pletion of the end items described in subpara-
graph (B) for which the resale value exceeds the 
cost of completing such end items; and 
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‘‘(D) any other course of action to maximize 
the value to the Government of the funds that 
have been obligated or expended under the pro-
gram as of the date that is the last day of the 
applicable 60-day period described in subsection 
(b)(1) for the program.’’. 
SEC. 807. CONTESTED LOGISTICS EXERCISE REQUIREMENT. 
Section 842 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 2341 
note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection 
(i); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(h) CONTESTED LOGISTICS EXERCISE REQUIRE-
MENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall direct the Secretaries of the Navy and the Air 
Force to incorporate the requirements of the Program 
into the execution of the Return of Forces to the Pa-
cific exercise of the Air Force and the Rim of the Pa-
cific exercise of the Navy. 
‘‘(2) EXECUTION.—In carrying out paragraph 
(1) with respect to an exercise described in such para-
graph, the Secretary concerned shall, in consultation 
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with any covered nation participating in such exer-
cise, evaluate the following: 
‘‘(A) Operational scenarios that require 
greater collaboration amongst national militaries 
to support logistics requirements and which shall 
leverage contracting processes and operational 
contract support, acquisitions and cross serv-
icing agreements, and prepositioned assets to as-
sess how participating nations can maximize de-
terrence value and readiness of military forces. 
‘‘(B) Barriers that may prevent and oppor-
tunities to expand the joint sustainment of weap-
ons systems by nations that commonly operate 
such weapon systems, including— 
‘‘(i) the use of agreements related to 
maintenance and the sharing of parts; and 
‘‘(ii) how participating nations can ex-
pand tactical maintenance and supply 
interoperability. 
‘‘(C) Conducting maintenance of weapons 
systems in austere environments and the associ-
ated transportation requirements. 
‘‘(D) Existing policies, statutes, and tech-
nical requirements that prevent further integra-
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tion of sustainment of weapon systems amongst 
participating nations. 
‘‘(3) TERMINATION.—This subsection shall termi-
nate on the date described in subsection (g).’’. 
Subtitle B—Amendments to General 
Contracting Authorities, Proce-
dures, and Limitations 
SEC. 
811. 
ADDITIONAL 
AMENDMENTS 
RELATED 
TO 
UNDEFINITIZED CONTRACTUAL ACTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ADDITIONAL
ALLOWED
PROFITS.—Section 
3374(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘CERTAIN 
REDUCED’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(3) the increased cost risk of the contractor with 
respect to any costs incurred prior to the award of the 
undefinitized contractual action when such costs— 
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‘‘(A) would have been directly chargeable to 
the contract if incurred after the award of the 
contract; and 
‘‘(B) were incurred to meet an anticipated 
contract delivery schedule or anticipated contract 
price targets of the Government under an acqui-
sition strategy required under section 4211 of 
this title; and 
‘‘(4) the increased cost risk of the contractor with 
respect to negotiations continuing for more than 180 
days beginning on the date on which the contractor 
submitted the qualifying proposal to definitize such 
undefinitized contractual action.’’. 
(2) CONTRACT
FINANCING
PROGRESS
PAYMENT 
INCREASE.—Section 3804 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (b); 
(B) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (b); and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(c) ADJUSTMENT TO THE RATE OF CONTRACT FI-
NANCING.—If an undefinitized contractual action has not 
been definitized within 180 days after the contractor sub-
mitted 
a 
qualifying 
proposal 
to 
definitize 
such 
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undefinitized contractual action, the contracting officer 
shall increase the rate of any applicable payments under 
section 3801 of this title on such undefinitized contractual 
action by 5 percent without requiring any additional con-
sideration from such contractor.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall revise the Department of Defense Supplement to the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation to carry out sections 
3374(a) and 3804 of title 10, United States Code, as amend-
ed by subsection (a). 
SEC. 812. MODIFICATION TO AWARD AMOUNT FOR PRO-
GRAM TO ACCELERATE THE PROCUREMENT 
AND 
FIELDING 
OF 
INNOVATIVE 
TECH-
NOLOGIES. 
Section 3604(c) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘MAX-
IMUM’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘shall be greater than or equal 
to $10,000,000 and’’ before ‘‘shall not exceed’’. 
SEC. 813. OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY REPORTING. 
Section 4021 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
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‘‘(j) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—With respect to 
each use of the authority under this section, the Secretary 
of Defense shall ensure that such use— 
‘‘(1) is reported in the same manner as other 
similar expenditures of the Department of Defense; 
and 
‘‘(2) is included in the searchable website estab-
lished under the Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–282; 31 
U.S.C. 6101 note).’’. 
SEC. 814. AMENDMENT TO PROCUREMENT OF SERVICES 
DATA ANALYSIS AND REQUIREMENTS VALI-
DATION. 
Section 4506 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by repealing subsection (e); and 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and 
(4) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively. 
SEC. 815. ACQUISITION THRESHOLDS FOR CERTAIN MATE-
RIALS. 
(a) STRATEGIC MATERIALS.—Section 4863 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by amending subsection (f) 
to read as follows: 
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‘‘(f) EXCEPTION FOR SMALL PURCHASES.—(1) Sub-
section (a) does not apply to acquisitions in amounts not 
greater than $250,000. 
‘‘(2) A proposed acquisition of an item subject to sub-
section (a) in an amount greater than $250,000 may not 
be divided into several purchases or contracts for lesser 
amounts in order to meet the exception under paragraph 
(1). 
‘‘(3) On October 1 of each year that is evenly divisible 
by five, the Secretary of Defense may adjust the dollar 
threshold in this subsection based on changes in the Con-
sumer Price Index. Any such adjustment shall take effect 
on the date on which the Secretary publishes notice of such 
adjustment in the Federal Register.’’. 
(b) SENSITIVE MATERIALS FROM NON-ALLIED FOR-
EIGN NATIONS.—Section 4872 of title 10, United States 
Code, as amended by section 816 of this Act, is further 
amended by inserting after subsection (f) (as added by such 
section) the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) EXCEPTION FOR SMALL PURCHASES.— 
‘‘(1) Subsection (a)(1) does not apply to procure-
ments in amounts not greater than $250,000. 
‘‘(2) A proposed procurement of a material or 
item subject to subsection (a) in an amount greater 
than $250,000 may not be divided into several pur-
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chases or contracts for lesser amounts in order to meet 
the exception under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) On October 1 of each year that is evenly di-
visible by five, the Secretary of Defense may adjust 
the dollar threshold in this subsection based on 
changes in the Consumer Price Index. Any such ad-
justment shall take effect on the date on which the 
Secretary publishes notice of such adjustment in the 
Federal Register.’’. 
(c) PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS.—Section 4873 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) EXCEPTION FOR SMALL PURCHASES.— 
‘‘(1) Subsection (a)(1) does not apply to acquisi-
tions in amounts not greater than $10,000. 
‘‘(2) A proposed acquisition of an item subject to 
subsection (a)(1) in an amount greater than $10,000 
may not be divided into several purchases or con-
tracts for lesser amounts in order to meet the excep-
tion under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) On October 1 of each year that is evenly di-
visible by five, the Secretary of Defense may adjust 
the dollar threshold in this subsection based on 
changes in the Consumer Price Index. Any such ad-
justment shall take effect on the date on which the 
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Secretary publishes notice of such adjustment in the 
Federal Register.’’. 
SEC. 816. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS PROHIBITED FROM NON- 
ALLIED FOREIGN NATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4872 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
(h); 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(f) COVERED MATERIAL DESIGNATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a 
notice of a designation under subsection (h)(1)(F) not 
later than 30 days prior to the date on which such 
designation is published in the Federal Register. 
‘‘(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—The designation of a 
mineral, material, substrate, metal, or alloy as a cov-
ered material under subsection (h)(1)(F)— 
‘‘(A) shall take effect on the date that is one 
year after the date on which the Secretary of De-
fense publishes a notice of such designation in 
the Federal Register and submits to the congres-
sional defense committees the notice required 
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under paragraph (1) with respect to such notice; 
and 
‘‘(B) shall apply only with respect to con-
tracts or other agreements entered into after the 
date on which such designation takes effect under 
subparagraph (A).’’; and 
(3) in subsection (h), as so redesignated— 
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(F) any other mineral, material, substrate, 
metal, or alloy designated by the Secretary of 
Defense pursuant to a determination by the Sec-
retary of Defense that such designation is in the 
interest of national security.’’. 
SEC. 817. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM 
FOR 
DEVELOPMENT 
OF 
TECHNOLOGY-EN-
HANCED CAPABILITIES WITH PARTNERSHIP 
INTERMEDIARIES. 
Section 851(e) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (10 U.S.C. 4901 note) is amended 
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by striking ‘‘September 30, 2025’’ and inserting ‘‘September 
30, 2028’’. 
SEC. 818. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE BID PRO-
TEST PROCESS ENHANCEMENT. 
(a) REVISE REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall revise the Defense Supplement to the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation to establish proce-
dures for a contracting officer of the Department of 
Defense to file a claim against a contractor that files 
a covered bid protest. 
(2) CLAIMS PROCEDURES.—The procedures re-
quired by paragraph (1) shall ensure the following: 
(A) A claim described in paragraph (1) 
shall be filed in accordance with chapter 71 of 
title 41, United States Code. 
(B) Any remedy shall be limited to the 
disgorgement of any profits and fees earned by 
the incumbent contractor in the performance of 
a covered contract during the disgorgement pe-
riod. 
(3) TREATMENT
OF
AMOUNTS
RECEIVED.— 
Amounts received as result of a claim described in 
paragraph (1) shall be credited to the fund or account 
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that was used to cover the costs of the covered con-
tract, or, if the period of availability of obligations 
for the appropriation from which such costs were 
paid has expired, to the appropriations of a fund or 
account that is currently available to the Secretary 
for the same purpose. Amounts so credited shall be 
merged with amounts in such fund or account and 
shall be available for the same purposes, and subject 
to the same conditions and limitations, as amounts in 
such fund or account. 
(4) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘covered bid protest’’ means a 
bid protest— 
(i) that was filed with the Comptroller 
General of the United States by an incum-
bent contractor; 
(ii) that was dismissed by the Comp-
troller General based a lack of any reason-
able legal or factual basis; and 
(iii) for which such dismissal was fi-
nally determined. 
(B) The term ‘‘covered contract’’ means a 
contract with the Department of Defense entered 
into with the incumbent contractor for the acqui-
sition of goods or services by the Department 
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during the disgorgement period that are the same 
or substantially similar to goods or services to be 
acquired by the Department under the contract 
previously awarded to the incumbent contractor. 
(C) The term ‘‘disgorgement period’’ means 
the period of performance under a contract that 
was awarded or extended because the Depart-
ment of Defense received notice of a protest by 
the incumbent contractor and was prohibited 
from awarding a new contract during the pend-
ency of such bid protest under section 3553(c) of 
title 31, United States Code. 
(D) The term ‘‘finally determined’’, with re-
spect to the dismissal of a bid protest, means dis-
missal— 
(i) was not appealed and is no longer 
appealable because the time for taking an 
appeal has expired; or 
(ii) was appealed and the appeals 
process for which is completed. 
(E) The term ‘‘incumbent contractor’’ 
means a contractor under a contract with the 
Department of Defense for the acquisition of 
goods or services by the Department that are the 
same or substantially similar to goods or services 
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to be acquired by the Department under a new 
or follow-on contract that is the subject of a cov-
ered bid protest. 
(b) CONTINUED PERFORMANCE TO FACILITATE NA-
TIONAL DEFENSE.—Section 3553 of title 31, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (c)(3) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(3) For the purposes of the written finding under 
paragraph (2)(A) with respect to a contract for a procure-
ment by a component of the Department of Defense, the 
head of the procuring activity may make the finding under 
such paragraph for such contract if such head of the pro-
curing activity determines that the performance of such 
contract would facilitate the national defense.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(3), by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) For the purposes of the determination under 
paragraph (2)(B) with respect to a contract for a procure-
ment by a component of the Department of Defense, a con-
tracting officer may not determine that immediate perform-
ance of such contract is not in the best interests of the 
United States if the contracting officer determines that per-
formance of the contract would facilitate the national de-
fense.’’. 
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SEC. 819. REPORT ON THE USE OF OTHER TRANSACTION 
AUTHORITY. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the con-
gressional defense committees a report on the use of follow- 
on production contracts or transactions under section 4022 
of title 10, United States Code, during the period beginning 
on October 1, 2020, and ending on October 1, 2025. Such 
report shall include— 
(1) the number of transactions for a prototype 
project awarded under the authority provided by such 
section 4022 during the period covered by the report; 
(2) the number of transactions for a prototype 
project for which an option for a follow-on production 
contract or transaction was awarded during such pe-
riod; 
(3) for each follow-on production contract or 
transaction described in paragraph (2), a summary 
of current status of such contract or transaction, in-
cluding overall performance of the contractor in exe-
cution of such contract or transaction and the total 
value of the award; 
(4) an assessment of any trends or lessons 
learned that may be limit or prevent the use of follow- 
on production contracts or transactions under such 
section 4022; and 
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(5) any recommendations the Secretary may 
have to improve the use of follow-on production con-
tracts or transactions under such section 4022 and to 
increase the number of prototype projects that success-
fully transition to production through such use. 
SEC. 820. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTATION AND 
OVERSIGHT 
REQUIREMENTS 
TO 
CERTAIN 
PROJECTS PERFORMED THROUGH OTHER 
TRANSACTION AUTHORITY. 
With respect to each project performed through a trans-
action (other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
grants) entered into pursuant to section 4021 or 4022 of 
title 10, United States Code, that meets the definition of 
a major defense acquisition program (as defined in section 
4201 of such title 10), the requirements of section 4204(e) 
of such title 10 shall apply to such project. 
Subtitle C—Provisions Relating to 
Workforce Development 
SEC. 831. IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC-PRIVATE TALENT EX-
CHANGE. 
Section 1599g(f) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through 
(F) of paragraph (2) as clauses (i) through (vi), re-
spectively; 
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(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) 
as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively; 
(3) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘An employee’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (B)(ii), as so redesignated, 
by striking ‘‘207,’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by 
inserting ‘‘, unless specifically directed to perform 
such work by written request of the Secretary’’ after 
‘‘inherently governmental in nature’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(2) An employee described under paragraph (1) that 
is directed to perform work that is considered inherently 
governmental in nature under subparagraph (D) of such 
paragraph shall be deemed to be an employee of the Depart-
ment of Defense for purposes of section 207 of title 18, 
United States Code.’’. 
SEC. 832. MODIFICATION TO ASSIGNMENT PERIOD FOR 
CRITICAL ACQUISITION POSITIONS. 
Section 1734 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘THREE-YEAR’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
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