614 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The toll-free telephone number 
required to be established by section 1567 of title 10, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall be fully oper-
ational not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 1414. NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS OF HOSPITALIZA-
TION OF COMBAT WOUNDED SERVICE MEM-
BERS. 
(a) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—Chapter 55 of title 10, 
United States Code, is further amended by inserting after 
section 1074l the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1074m. Notification to Congress of hospitalization 
of combat wounded members 
‘‘(a) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall provide notification of the hospitalization of 
any member of the armed forces evacuated from a theater 
of combat to the appropriate Members of Congress. 
‘‘(b) APPROPRIATE MEMBERS.—In this section, the 
term ‘appropriate Members of Congress’, with respect to the 
member of the armed forces about whom notification is 
being made, means the Senators and the Members of the 
House of Representatives representing the States or dis-
tricts, respectively, that include the member’s home of record 
and, if different, the residence of the next of kin, or a dif-
ferent location as provided by the member. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00614
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
615 
‘‘(c) CONSENT OF MEMBER REQUIRED.—The notifica-
tion under subsection (a) may be provided only with the 
consent of the member of the armed forces about whom noti-
fication is to be made. In the case of a member who is un-
able to provide consent, information and consent may be 
provided by next of kin.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the 
end the following new item: 
‘‘1074m. Notification to Congress of hospitalization of combat wounded members.’’. 
SEC. 1415. INDEPENDENT MEDICAL ADVOCATE FOR MEM-
BERS 
BEFORE 
MEDICAL 
EVALUATION 
BOARDS. 
(a) ASSIGNMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEDICAL ADVO-
CATE.—Section 1222 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) INDEPENDENT MEDICAL ADVOCATE FOR MEM-
BERS BEFORE MEDICAL EVALUATION BOARDS.—(1) The 
Secretary of each military department shall ensure, in the 
case of any member of the armed forces being considered 
by a medical evaluation board under that Secretary’s super-
vision, that the member has access to a physician or other 
appropriate health care professional who is independent of 
the medical evaluation board. 
‘‘(2) The physician or other health care professional 
assigned to a member shall— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00615
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
616 
‘‘(A) serve as an advocate for the best interests 
of the member; and 
‘‘(B) provide the member with advice and coun-
sel regarding the medical condition of the member 
and the findings and recommendations of the medical 
evaluation board.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such sec-
tion is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1222. Physical evaluation boards and medical eval-
uation boards’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 61 of such title is amend-
ed by striking the item relating to section 1222 and 
inserting the following new item: 
‘‘1222. Physical evaluation boards and medical evaluation boards.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (d) of section 1222 
of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), 
shall apply with respect to medical evaluation boards con-
vened after the end of the 180-day period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 1416. TRAINING AND WORKLOAD FOR PHYSICAL EVAL-
UATION BOARD LIAISON OFFICERS. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—Section 1222(b) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00616
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
617 
(A) by striking ‘‘establishing—’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘a requirement’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘establishing a requirement’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘that Secretary; and’’ and 
all that follows through the end of subparagraph 
(B) and inserting ‘‘that Secretary. A physical 
evaluation board liaison officer may not be as-
signed more than 20 members at any one time, 
except that the Secretary concerned may author-
ize the assignment of additional members, for not 
more than 120 days, if required due to unfore-
seen circumstances.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ‘‘(2)’’ 
the following new sentences: ‘‘The Secretary of Defense 
shall establish a standardized training program and 
curriculum for physical evaluation board liaison offi-
cers. Successful completion of the training program is 
required before a person may assume the duties of a 
physical evaluation board liaison officer.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘physical evaluation 
board liaison officer’ includes any person designated as, or 
assigned the duties of, an assistant to a physical evaluation 
board liaison officer.’’. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00617
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
618 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The limitation on the max-
imum number of members of the Armed Forces who may 
be assigned to a physical evaluation board liaison officer 
shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. The training program and curriculum for phys-
ical evaluation board liaison officers shall be implemented 
not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 1417. STANDARDIZED TRAINING PROGRAM AND CUR-
RICULUM FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM. 
(a) TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Section 1216 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e)(1) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a 
standardized training program and curriculum for persons 
described in paragraph (2) who are involved in the dis-
ability evaluation system. The training under the program 
shall be provided as soon as practicable in coordination 
with other training associated with the responsibilities of 
the person. 
‘‘(2) Persons covered by paragraph (1) include— 
‘‘(A) Commanders. 
‘‘(B) Enlisted members who perform supervisory 
functions. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00618
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
619 
‘‘(C) Health care professionals. 
‘‘(D) Others persons with administrative, profes-
sional, or technical responsibilities in the disability 
evaluation system. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘disability evaluation 
system’ means the Department of Defense system or process 
for evaluating the nature of and extent of disabilities affect-
ing members of the armed forces (other than the Coast 
Guard) and comprised of medical evaluation boards, phys-
ical evaluation boards, counseling of members, and final 
disposition by appropriate personnel authorities, as oper-
ated by the Secretaries of the military departments, and, 
in the case of the Coast Guard, a similar system or process 
operated by the Secretary of Homeland Security.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The standardized training 
program and curriculum required by subsection (e) of sec-
tion 1216 of title 10, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), shall be established not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00619
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
620 
SEC. 1418. IMPROVED TRAINING FOR HEALTH CARE PRO-
FESSIONALS, 
MEDICAL 
CARE 
CASE 
MAN-
AGERS, AND SERVICE MEMBER ADVOCATES 
ON PARTICULAR CONDITIONS OF RECOV-
ERING SERVICE MEMBERS. 
(a) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense shall submit to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a report setting forth recommendations for the improve-
ment of the training provided to health care professionals, 
medical care case managers, and service member advocates 
who provide care for or assistance to recovering service 
members. The recommendations shall include, at a min-
imum, specific recommendations to ensure that such health 
care professionals, medical care case managers, and service 
member advocates are adequately trained and able to detect 
early warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder 
(PTSD), suicidal or homicidal thoughts or behaviors, and 
other behavioral health concerns among recovering service 
members and make prompt notification to the appropriate 
health care professionals. 
(b) ANNUAL REVIEW OF TRAINING.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
annually thereafter throughout the global war on terror, the 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report on the following: 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00620
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
621 
(1) The progress made in providing the training 
recommended under subsection (a). 
(2) The quality of training provided to health 
care professionals, medical care case managers, and 
service member advocates, and the number of such 
professionals, managers, and advocates trained. 
(3) The progress made in developing the tracking 
system under subsection (c) and the results of the sys-
tem. 
(c) TRACKING SYSTEM.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
develop a system to track the number of notifications made 
by medical care case managers and service member advo-
cates to health care professionals regarding early warning 
signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide in recov-
ering service members assigned to the managers and advo-
cates. 
SEC. 1419. PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH AN ARMY 
WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALION AT AN AP-
PROPRIATE ACTIVE DUTY BASE. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the 
Army shall establish a pilot program, at an appro-
priate active duty base with a major medical facility, 
based on the Wounded Warrior Regiment program of 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00621
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
622 
the Marine Corps. The pilot program shall be known 
as the Army Wounded Warrior Battalion. 
(2) PURPOSE.—Under the pilot program, the 
Battalion shall track and assist members of the 
Armed Forces in an outpatient status who are still in 
need of medical treatment through— 
(A) the course of their treatment; 
(B) 
medical 
and 
physical 
evaluation 
boards; 
(C) transition back to their parent units; 
and 
(D) medical retirement and subsequent 
transition into the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs medical system. 
(3) ORGANIZATION.—The commanding officer of 
the Battalion shall be selected by the Army Chief of 
Staff and shall be a post-command, at O–5 or O–5 
select, with combat experience in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. The chain- 
of-command shall be filled by previously wounded 
junior officers and non-commissioned officers when 
available and appropriate. 
(4) FACILITIES.—The base selected for the pilot 
program shall provide adequate physical infrastruc-
ture to house the Army Wounded Warrior Battalion. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00622
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
623 
Any funds necessary for construction or renovation of 
existing facilities shall be allocated from the Depart-
ment of Defense Medical Support Fund established 
under this title. 
(5) COORDINATION.—The Secretary of the Army 
shall consult with appropriate Marine Corps counter-
parts to ensure coordination of best practices and les-
sons learned. 
(6) PERIOD OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The pilot pro-
gram shall be in effect for a period of one year. 
(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 
days after the end of the one-year period for the pilot 
project, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to Congress 
a report containing— 
(1) an evaluation of the results of the pilot 
project; 
(2) an assessment of the Army’s ability to estab-
lish Wounded Warrior Battalions at other major 
Army bases. 
(3) recommendations regarding— 
(A) the adaptability of the Wounded War-
rior Battalion concept for the Army’s larger 
wounded population; and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00623
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
624 
(B) closer coordination and sharing of re-
sources with counterpart programs of the Marine 
Corps. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The pilot program required by 
this section shall be implemented not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 1420. CRITERIA FOR REMOVAL OF MEMBER FROM TEM-
PORARY DISABILITY RETIRED LIST. 
(a) CRITERIA.—Section 1210(e) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘of a permanent na-
ture and stable and is’’ after ‘‘physical disability is’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply to any case received for consider-
ation by a physical evaluation board after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 1421. IMPROVED TRANSITION OF MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES TO DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS UPON RETIREMENT OR SEPA-
RATION. 
(a) TRANSITION OF MEMBERS SEPARATED OR RE-
TIRED.— 
(1) TRANSITION PROCESS.—Chapter 58 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 1142 the following new section: 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00624
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
625 
‘‘§ 1142a. Process for transition of members to health 
care and physical disability systems of De-
partment of Veterans Affairs 
‘‘(a) TRANSITION PLAN.—(1) The Secretary of Defense 
shall ensure that each member of the armed forces who is 
being separated or retired under chapter 61 of this title re-
ceives a written transition plan that— 
‘‘(A) specifies the recommended schedule and 
milestones for the transition of the member from mili-
tary service; and 
‘‘(B) provides for a coordinated transition of the 
member from the Department of Defense disability 
system to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(2) A member being separated or retired under chap-
ter 61 of this title shall receive the transition plan before 
the separation or retirement date of the member. 
‘‘(3) The transition plan for a member under this sub-
section shall include information and guidance designed to 
assist the member in understanding and meeting the sched-
ule and milestones for the member’s transition. 
‘‘(b) FORMAL TRANSITION PROCESS.—(1) The Sec-
retary of Defense, in cooperation with the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, shall establish a formal process for the trans-
mittal to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the records 
and other information described in paragraph (2) as part 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00625
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
626 
of the separation or retirement of a member of the armed 
forces under chapter 61 of this title. 
‘‘(2) The records and other information to be trans-
mitted under paragraph (1) with respect to a member shall 
include, at a minimum, the following: 
‘‘(A) The member’s address and contact informa-
tion. 
‘‘(B) The member’s DD–214 discharge form, 
which shall be transmitted electronically. 
‘‘(C) A copy of the member’s service record, in-
cluding medical records and any results of a Physical 
Evaluation Board. 
‘‘(D) Whether the member is entitled to transi-
tional health care, a conversion health policy, or other 
health benefits through the Department of Defense 
under section 1145 of this title. 
‘‘(E) Any requests by the member for assistance 
in enrolling in, or completed applications for enroll-
ment in, the health care system of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for health care benefits for which the 
member may be eligible under laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(F) Any requests by the member for assistance 
in applying for, or completed applications for, com-
pensation and vocational rehabilitation benefits to 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00626
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
627 
which the member may be entitled under laws admin-
istered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if the 
member is being medically separated or is being re-
tired under chapter 61 of this title. 
‘‘(3) The transmittal of information under paragraph 
(1) may be subject to the consent of the member, as required 
by statute. 
‘‘(4) With the consent of the member, the member’s ad-
dress and contact information shall also be submitted to the 
department or agency for veterans affairs of the State in 
which the member intends to reside after the separation or 
retirement of the member. 
‘‘(c) MEETING.—(1) The formal process required by 
subsection (b) for the transmittal of records and other infor-
mation with respect to a member shall include a meeting 
between representatives of the Secretary concerned and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which shall take place at a 
location designated by the Secretaries. The member shall be 
informed of the meeting at least 30 days in advance of the 
meeting, except that the member may waive the notice re-
quirement in order to accelerate transmission of the mem-
ber’s records and other information to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00627
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
628 
‘‘(2) A member shall be given an opportunity to submit 
a written statement for consideration by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(d) TIME FOR TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS.—The Sec-
retary concerned shall provide for the transmittal to the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs of records and other informa-
tion with respect to a member at the earliest practicable 
date. In no case should the transmittal occur later than the 
date of the separation or retirement of the member. 
‘‘(e) ARMED FORCES.—In this section, the term ‘armed 
forces’ means the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine 
Corps.’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 1142 the fol-
lowing new item: 
‘‘1142a. Process for transition of members to health care and physical disability 
systems of Department of Veterans Affairs.’’. 
(b) UNIFORM SEPARATION AND EVALUATION PHYS-
ICAL.—Section 1145 of such title is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(d) UNIFORM SEPARATION AND EVALUATION PHYS-
ICAL.—The joint separation and evaluation physical, as de-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00628
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
629 
scribed in DD–2808 and DD–2697, shall be used by the 
Secretary of Defense in connection with the medical separa-
tion or retirement of all members of the armed forces, in-
cluding members separated or retired under chapter 61 of 
this title. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall adopt the 
same separation and evaluation physical for use by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs.’’. 
(c) INTEROPERABILITY OF CRITICAL MEDICAL INFOR-
MATION AND BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS.— 
(1) INTEROPERABILITY
AND
ACCESS
IMPROVE-
MENT.—The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish and implement 
a process to ensure an interoperable, bi-directional, 
real-time exchange of critical medical information be-
tween the Department of Defense and the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) 
CRITICAL
MEDICAL
INFORMATION
DE-
FINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘critical medical 
information’’ includes, at a minimum, outpatient 
notes, clinical notes, radiographs, laboratory data, in-
formation regarding medications, operation notes, 
narrative summaries, and discharge summaries. 
(d) CO-LOCATION OF VA BENEFIT TEAMS.— 
(1) CO-LOCATION.—The Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly deter-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00629
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
630 
mine the optimal locations for the deployment of De-
partment of Veterans Affairs benefits team to support 
recovering service members assigned to military med-
ical treatment facilities, medical-related support fa-
cilities, and community-based health care organiza-
tions. 
(2) MILITARY
MEDICAL
TREATMENT
FACILITY 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘medical-re-
lated support facility’’ has the meaning given that 
term in subsection (b) of section 492 of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by section 1431(a). 
(e) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED CHAPTER 61 MEDICAL 
RECORD TRANSMITTAL REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) REPEAL.—Section 1142 of such title is 
amended by striking subsection (c). 
(2) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such sec-
tion is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1142. Preseparation counseling’’. 
(3) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 58 of such title is amend-
ed by striking the item relating to section 1142 and 
inserting the following new item: 
‘‘1142. Preseparation counseling.’’. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATES.—Section 1142a of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and sub-
section (d) of section 1145 of such title, as added by sub-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00630
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
631 
section (b), shall apply with respect to members of the 
Armed Forces who are separated or retired from the Armed 
Forces on or after the first day of the eighth month begin-
ning after the date of the enactment of this Act. The require-
ments of subsections (c) and (d), and the amendments made 
by subsection (e), shall take effect on the first day of such 
eighth month. 
SEC. 1422. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL SUPPORT FUND 
FOR SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES RETURNING TO MILITARY SERVICE 
OR CIVILIAN LIFE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—There is estab-
lished on the books of the Treasury a fund to be known as 
the Department of Defense Medical Support Fund (herein-
after in this section referred to as the ‘‘Fund’’), which shall 
be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The Fund shall be used— 
(1) to support programs and activities relating 
to the medical treatment, care, rehabilitation, recov-
ery, and support of wounded and injured members of 
the Armed Forces and their return to military service 
or transition to civilian society; and 
(2) to support programs and facilities intended 
to support the families of wounded and injured mem-
bers of the Armed Forces. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00631
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
632 
(c) ASSETS OF FUND.—There shall be deposited into 
the Fund any amount appropriated to the Fund, which 
shall constitute the assets of the Fund. 
(d) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER.—The Secretary of 
Defense may transfer amounts in the Fund to appro-
priations accounts for military personnel; operation 
and maintenance; procurement; research, develop-
ment, test, and evaluation; military construction; and 
the Defense Health Program. Amounts so transferred 
shall be merged with and available for the same pur-
poses and for the same time period as the appropria-
tion account to which transferred. 
(2) ADDITION
TO
OTHER
AUTHORITY.—The 
transfer authority provided in paragraph (1) is in 
addition to any other transfer authority available to 
the Department of Defense. Upon a determination 
that all or part of the amounts transferred from the 
Fund are not necessary for the purposes for which 
transferred, such amounts may be transferred back to 
the Fund. 
(3) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall, not fewer than five days before making a trans-
fer from the Fund, notify the congressional defense 
committees in writing of the details of the transfer. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00632
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
633 
The Secretary shall provide an summary of transfers 
from the Fund during a fiscal year in the defense 
budget materials accompanying the budget for that 
fiscal year submitted by the President under section 
1105(a) of title 31, United States Code. 
(e) WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT PROGRAM.—The 
Secretary of Defense shall ensure that $10,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2008 is transferred from the Medical Support Fund 
to support programs, activities, and facilities associated 
with the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment pro-
gram, to be used as follows: 
(1) $6,550,000 for Case Management and Pa-
tient Support. 
(2) $1,200,000 for Wounded Warrior Interim 
Regimental Headquarters Building conversion. 
(3) $1,300,000 for Case Management System De-
velopment. 
(4) $95,000 for Support Equipment. 
(f) FUNDING.—Of the amounts authorized to be appro-
priated pursuant to section 421 for military personnel ac-
counts, $50,000,000 is authorized for the Department of De-
fense Medical Support Fund. Such funds shall remain 
available through September 30, 2008. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00633
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
634 
SEC. 1423. OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established a 
board to be known as the Oversight Board for Wounded 
Warriors (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Oversight 
Board’’). 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Oversight Board shall be com-
posed of 12 members, of whom— 
(1) two shall be appointed by the majority leader 
of the Senate; 
(2) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the Senate; 
(3) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; 
(4) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the House of Representatives; 
(5) two shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs; and 
(6) two shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Defense. 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—All members of the Oversight 
Board shall have sufficient knowledge of, or experience with, 
the military healthcare system, the disability evaluation 
system, or the experience of a recovering service member or 
family member of a recovering service member. 
(d) APPOINTMENT.— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00634
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
635 
(1) TERM.—Each member of the Oversight 
Board shall be appointed for a term of three years. 
A member may be reappointed for one or more addi-
tional terms. 
(2) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Oversight 
Board shall be filled in the same manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
(e) DUTIES.— 
(1) ADVICE AND CONSULTATION.—The Oversight 
Board shall provide advice and consultation to the 
Secretary of Defense and the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives regarding— 
(A) the process for streamlining the dis-
ability evaluation systems of the military de-
partments; 
(B) the process for correcting and improv-
ing the ratios of case managers and service mem-
ber advocates to recovering service members; 
(C) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies to improve the experience of recov-
ering service members while under Department 
of Defense care; 
(D) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies to improve counseling, outreach, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00635
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
636 
and general services provided to family members 
of recovering service members; 
(E) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies regarding the provision of quality 
lodging to recovering service members; and 
(F) such other matters relating to the eval-
uation and care of recovering service members, 
including evaluation under disability evaluation 
systems, as the Board considers appropriate. 
(2) VISITS TO MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT 
FACILITIES.—In carrying out its duties, each member 
of the Oversight Board shall visit not less than three 
military medical treatment facilities each year, and 
the Board shall conduct each year one meeting of all 
the members of the Board at a military medical treat-
ment facility. 
(f) STAFF.—The Secretary shall make available the 
services of at least two officials or employees of the Depart-
ment of Defense to provide support and assistance to mem-
bers of the Oversight Board. 
(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the Oversight 
Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of 
agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00636
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
637 
of business in the performance of service for the Oversight 
Board. 
(h) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Oversight Board shall 
submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives each year a report on its activities during the pre-
ceding year, including any findings and recommendations 
of the Oversight Board as a result of such activities. 
SEC. 1424. OPTION FOR MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPO-
NENTS TO USE MILITARY MEDICAL TREAT-
MENT FACILITIES CLOSEST TO HOME FOR 
CERTAIN INJURIES. 
The Secretary of Defense shall expand the opportuni-
ties for recovering service members of the reserve compo-
nents to receive treatment on an outpatient basis at a mili-
tary medical treatment facility or other location designated 
by the Secretary closest to the member’s home rather than 
closest to the base from which the member was deployed. 
SEC. 1425. PLANS AND RESEARCH FOR REDUCING POST 
TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. 
(a) PLANS FOR REDUCING POST TRAUMATIC STRESS 
DISORDER.— 
(1) PLAN FOR PREVENTION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall develop a plan to incorporate evidence- 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00637
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
638 
based preventive and early-intervention meas-
ures, practices, or procedures that reduce the 
likelihood that personnel in combat will develop 
post-traumatic stress disorder or other stress-re-
lated psychopathologies (including substance use 
conditions) into— 
(i) basic and pre-deployment training 
for enlisted members of the Armed Forces, 
noncommissioned officers, and officers; 
(ii) combat theater operations; and 
(iii) post-deployment service. 
(B) UPDATES.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall update the plan under subparagraph (A) 
periodically to incorporate, as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate, the results of relevant re-
search, including research conducted pursuant to 
subsection (b). 
(2) RESEARCH.—Subject to subsection (b), the 
Secretary of Defense shall develop a plan, in consulta-
tion with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Na-
tional Institutes of Health, and the National Acad-
emy of Sciences, to conduct such research as is nec-
essary to develop the plan described in paragraph (1). 
(b) EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH AND TRAINING.— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:14 May 12, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00638
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS